By Nancy Mann Jackson
The economy remains stagnant, and SMERF meeting groups are looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing memorable experiences. That may be one reason America’s national parks are experiencing an increase in group business, including meetings and reunions. For financially strapped attendees – many of whom are fed up with news of runaway consumerism and commercialism – national parks offer the ideal meeting destination.
There are more than 60 national parks located across the United States, in addition to a number of national monuments and national conservation or historic properties managed by the National Park Service. Because these properties are scattered throughout the country, there’s almost always one in the area where your group plans to meet. And while each park is unique, they all offer plenty of options for group activities and accommodations.
Why Meet at a National Park?
National parks are locations that people want to visit, but most just haven’t gotten around to it, says Jonathan Farrington, Regional Director of Sales for DNC Parks & Resorts, which handles group sales for Yosemite National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park and Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. He says it’s surprising how many people live within a few hours of some of the nation’s most famous national parks but still haven’t visited them.
“National parks represent the dreams of America,” Farrington says. “They’re the culmination of hard work by a lot of people working together to protect an amazing natural presence and make it available to all people. You can draw that into a meeting and play off of it, and it will leave a lasting impression.”
At Yellowstone National Park, there’s been a surge in group events, including meetings, reunions and weddings, since 9/11, says Rick Hoeninghausen, Director of Sales and Marketing for Xanterra Parks & Resorts, a concession management company that handles food and beverage and events for Yellowstone. Why? “Parks provide excellent values for lodging, meals and things to do,” he says. “People tend to drive to parks, [which is] less expensive than flying to distant destinations. Parks represent truly American concepts, and the opportunity to experience American landscapes and landmarks in their natural state is appealing, rewarding and rejuvenating. Also, tradition is important. Many Americans have been visiting state and national parks since they were kids; their parents took them camping or to a lodge, so they bring their own kids, and on and on.”
Bottom line: In the current economic environment, national parks are seen as a desirable alternative to high-priced “corporate retreats,” according to Farrington. “National parks are like comfort food; right now people want something safe and inexpensive with a high level of value.”
And while the National Park Service limits the number of corporate group bookings at its parks in an effort to keep them accessible and open for all Americans, SMERF groups are viewed a little differently. “They understand that SMERF groups are usually a representation of many individuals, they’re not just corporations signing checks,” Farrington says.
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Meeting Options
While national parks are known for their unspoiled nature, many of them offer surprisingly comfortable accommodations, including meeting space. At Yosemite, for instance, there are a number of park properties at different price points, such as the four-diamond, 123-room Bahwahnee Hotel; the 245-roomYosemite Lodge; the 104-room Wawona Hotel; and Curry Village, featuring a dining pavilion and 400 cabins built in the 1800s. Yellowstone has nine different lodging facilities inside the park offering a total of 2,200 guest rooms. Many park properties include meeting rooms, and there’s plenty of outdoor meeting space for groups that want to soak up the surroundings during the meeting.
While in-park properties are usually available, some are only open on a seasonal basis. In that case, or to offer attendees another option, there are plenty of “gateway” hotels and resorts located near the entrances to national parks. According to Farrington, every national park has gateway hotels, many with meeting space, and attending a meeting in a room that overlooks Yosemite Falls or some other natural wonder is completely unlike being in any other hotel meeting room.
In addition to providing unique meeting space, national parks also offer plenty of options for one-of-a-kind educational experiences. Many groups take advantage of park personnel to offer their attendees educational sessions on nature, sustainability and social responsibility. And the people who work at the parks are one of the parks’ greatest assets, according to Farrington. “Someone doesn’t just happen to get a job at Yosemite and then move there,” he says. “The people who live and work there have been really motivated to do that with their lives. They are incredibly smart and well-traveled.”
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After-Meeting Diversions
When the meeting’s over, the fun really begins. Every national park is full of opportunities for recreation and family fun. At Yosemite, group attendees often enjoy three-mile raft rides down the Versed River, where they can take pictures of the Versed Valley. There’s also biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, tours of the high country, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and stargazing.
And in these days of Corporate Social Responsibility, groups that like to incorporate volunteer activities into their programs will find plenty of options. The National Park Service often partners with groups to organize volunteer activities such as restoration work, watershed preservation, or native plant seed removal.
Finally, if your group is accustomed to more modern gatherings, many national parks still offer contemporary amenities. “The parks were built with recreation in mind,” Farrington says. “In the 1920s and 30s, they built golf courses and pools along with the resorts. They wouldn’t build those now, because the focus is on preserving the natural state, but those amenities are still there, so groups can enjoy them in addition to the natural wonders.”
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