Popular Television Programs Inspire Creative Teambuilding Programs

Denver, CO – May 20, 2006 – Popular television reality programs pit teams against one another in fierce competition. As they are competing, group dynamics take over and teambuilding naturally takes place. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties have recognized this dynamic and have taken their cue from popular culture by developing creative and lively teambuilding competitions inspired by reality, game show programs.

One of the first and most popular reality television programs is the “Survivor” series. The conference services team at Pointe South Mountain Resort in Phoenix Ariz. was inspired by the series to create the “Oasis Survivor Challenge” at the property’s nearly six acre water park. This creative program uses the backdrop of the water park to challenge teams in boat racing, timed rubber raft maneuvers down a lazy river and wave pool outrigger races to name just a few of the competitions.

Television’s popular CBS program, “The Amazing Race” is the inspiration for a creative teambuilding program that takes attendees from the Hamilton Park Hotel & Conference Center in Florham Park, N.J. into the Big Apple. The hotel’s “New York City – Amazing Race” teambuilding program pits teams against one another to seek out popular New York hot spots such as Carnegie Deli and Strawberry Fields. At each location groups take a photo, engage in an activity fitting for that location and then receive a new clue that takes them to another popular location. The first team to visit all locations wins.

From outdoor pursuits to the kitchen, The Food Network’s popular “Iron Chef” program was the catalyst for three Destination properties to create food-oriented competitions that guests can sink their teeth into. At L’Auberge Del Mar Resort & Spa in Del Mar, Calif. groups take a California coastal favorite – sushi – and compete for top honors in the hotel’s “Iron Chef Sushi” challenge. Attendees are armed with a selection of ingredients, bamboo to roll the sushi and creative décor to decorate and compliment their dish. The sushi rolls are judged on taste and presentation.

Two other properties used the concept to update the classic chili cook-off. At Teton Mountain Lodge in Jackson, Wyo. Chef John Wabs gets involved with the groups to inspire participants to use interesting ingredients for their concoctions such as rattlesnake and tequila. The chili cook-off program at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa in La Jolla, Calif. also challenges teams to put on their sales and marketing hats. Once groups develop their tasty chili creations, they have to develop a slogan to sell the food to the judges.

Royal Palms Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Ariz. developed a teambuilding competition that takes its cue from a popular show from the past, “Family Feud.” Groups are divided into “families” and each group creates their own name and identify a “head of household” to lead the group through the exercise. As in the original program, the teams are asked a series of questions and are challenged to provide the right answer or they receive a strike against their team. Three strikes and the questions go to the other team. Property associates play host and co-host of the competition to help inspire and encourage guests to work together in this fast-paced challenge.

Each program offered at Destination Hotels & Resorts properties, whether inspired by a television program or not, can be customized to meet the needs of each meeting. Depending on the size of a group of the focus and intent of the meeting, themes and challenges may be personalized to help meet certain meeting objectives such as providing attendees with more product knowledge, company orientation or team dynamics.

For more information on customized meetings at Destination Hotels & Resorts properties, please visit www.destinationmeetings.com.

Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held lodging management company headquartered in suburban Denver, Colo. With 33 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the fifth largest independent hospitality management company in the country. The company’s portfolio features more than 8,000 guest rooms, 15 golf courses and 10 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Boston, San Diego, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Palm Springs, Jackson Hole, Maui and Lake Tahoe. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.

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