I always try to stay on top of current industry trends, which is one reason why I insist on attending as many hospitality trade shows as possible. Here are some recent findings

Below – according to top industry experts – you’ll find a listing of some of the most exciting worldwide destinations ideally suited for corporate meetings chosen for their choice of venues, local attractions, affordability and accessibility. If your company is planning to convene in the near future, don’t call your travel agent until you’ve had a chance to read this post!

One (two, actually) of our top destination picks is California.

Baja, California – Baja has always been a popular spot for weddings. Recently, though, Baja has been shining bright as the spot for corporate meetings and business-related events. The Los Cabos Convention Center is prepping up for G-20, its first event scheduled for June 2012. The convention center will be able to accommodate more than 6,000 attendees in its huge 653,400 square feet of space. The structure is being optimized to meet with green initiatives, which includes being custom-fitted with energy efficient solar paneling. San Jose Del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas – in Los Cabos – are two spots that are perfect for meetings and corporate events; San Lucas is well-known for its glitzy glamour, including its luxury resorts and restaurant options, and is also a prime fishing destination. of luxury resorts, restaurants, etc.

Speaking of restaurants in Baja, I highly recommend Deckman’s at Havana’s, a stellar restaurant that boast an eclectic, exotic menu that’s out of this world.

Sonoma, California – Giving Baja a serious run for its money – still in California – is Sonoma. Known for its serenely-beautiful scenery and countless wineries, Sonoma County has more than wineries (more than 300 and counting) to boast about. In Sonoma, visitors can take full advantage of more than 40 spas, 500 top restaurants, and a sterling 55 mile long coastline that has to be seen to be believed. Sonoma is home countless top-notch hotel rooms and premium meeting space. Of course, the areas many golf courses, restaurants and truly unique meeting venues make this spot unforgettable.

In future installments, we’ll showcase even more exciting destination spots ideally suited for corporate meetings. Some of those spots might surprise you…

Have you had any memorable corporate meeting locations? What works or doesn’t work for you? Let me know in the comments or on my Facebook or Twitter pages.

Ah, Florence.  Out of all of Italy’s magical cities, Florence has to be one of the most inherently romantic spots.  There’s something almost indescribable about the enchantment of Florence, which practically overflows with Renaissance masterpieces.  Not only does Florence draw in the foremost fashion designers and artists the world has to offer, it also draws in soon-to-be brides and grooms ready to tie the knot in never-to-be forgotten unique wedding destination.

I strongly believe that Julius Caesar knew what he was doing with he founded Florence in 59 BC!  He, indeed, was on to something!

Weddings in Florence are generally lavish affairs.  Marriage ceremonies are performed in the civil wedding hall known as la Sala Rossa, and the Palazzo Vecchio (the Red Hall) is one of the most popular rooms to use for this purpose.  With its deep red carpets and drapes (historically important, since the color red represented Florence while it dominated Europe from the 1300s to the 1500s), the Palazzo Vecchio is the perfect dramatic venue for a unique wedding destination.

In terms of visitor activities, there’s plenty to do in Florence.  Visitors can spend hours visiting exquisite Tuscan villas and castles found in Tuscany’s countryside, and in fact, renting lavish properties for wedding ceremonies is a time-honored tradition for couples.  Of course, being home to an amazing quantity and quality of art masterpieces, just walking through Florence is an advanced art class.  Other activities include cultural tours, balloon rides, wine tasting tours, food tours and more.  Speaking of food, Florence offers some truly spectacular dining options.  With all of its many offerings, Florence is hard to beat as one of the world’s most unique wedding destinations.

Did you have your wedding in Florence?  Would you? We would love to hear your story!

Maids of Honor and Bridesmaids

When coordinating your Special Day, pulling together your Bridal party can be a bittersweet task. There are however, a few tips and tricks that can help to smooth the process over.

Picking your Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids
When picking who the special gals will be, go with your heart. Try not to feel obligated to pick certain distant family members or random office “friends”, remember it is your day. Typically there is approximately 1 Bridesmaid per 50 guests you’ll have attending. You don’t too often see intimate weddings with 12+ Bridesmaids, for example. You want the Bridal party you choose to be your own personal special selections; they will be the people you want with you through your monumental declaration of love. Keep in mind that your Bridesmaids will need to come together in agreement on unified looks for your special day. Ultimately the ladies you choose love you and that is why you have or will select them. Through any issues that may arise, remember that you love them and that the entire day it’s self is about celebrating love.

Bridesmaid Dress Selecting

Choosing Bridesmaid dresses can prove to be a daunting task in some cases, especially if all of your Bridesmaids have very different figures from one another. While the task may be daunting, it is not impossible, there are ways to find dresses that flatter all of your Bridesmaids, it may be time consuming, or involve compromise, but there is always a way. Here are some tips for selecting Bridesmaids dresses for your Bridesmaids.

Empire Waist Dresses