Destination East in Pictures

Northstar Meetings Group's newest event brought nearly 80 industry professionals together in Boston to plan for future business in the Eastern region.

The three-day event included inspiring education sessions on the science behind the importance of face-to-face connections and the power of optimism.

Earlier this month, Northstar Meetings Group hosted its first-ever Destination East event in Boston. The gathering, held Oct. 14-16, brought together nearly 80 meeting professionals at the recently renovated Boston Park Plaza hotel for three days of networking and education.

To ensure the highest levels of safety, all attendees were required to provide proof of full vaccination or present a negative Covid-19 PCR test, taken within 72 hours of the event. Temperature checks were taken daily and venue cleanings were enhanced. Masks were required to be worn at all times while indoors, unless when people were actively eating or drinking.

In addition to our beautiful host property, Destination East was supported by a number of generous sponsors: Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cambridge Office for Tourism, Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, Moxy Boston Downtown, CSI DMC, PPX Hospitality Brands, Goodman Speakers, Seiko Watches, Delta Air Lines, Aventri Software and pc/nametag. 
 
We invite you to view, download and share photos from the Destination East Photo Gallery, with credit to photographer Ketara Gadahn/Studio Alani. (Please tag @studioalaniphoto on Instagram or Facebook, and Ketara Gadahn on LinkedIn.)

Northstar Meetings Group has many more in-person events coming up in 2021 and 2022. Planners and suppliers can register their interest in attending upcoming meetings at any time.
 
Following are highlights from Destination East 2021.

Day One


Our host property for the first-ever Destination East was the Boston Park Plaza., which completed a nearly $100 million renovation in 2016.


After registration, attendees gathered for a welcome reception at Avenue 34, the Boston Park Plaza's newest event space. From left to right: Rhanee Palmaa of Face2Face Meetings & Incentives, Kate Winston of ADTRAV Travel Management and Tracey Bockhop of Meet Meetings


No Boston event is complete without fresh seafood. Lobster rolls and clam chowder were among the many mouthwatering menu items available at the reception.

Day Two


Off to a delicious start: Attendees were welcomed with a doughnut cart on the morning of day two.


Taylor Peyton, Ph.D., assistant professor of leadership and workplace psychology at Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration, gave an educational talk on the science behind our biological need for face-to-face connections and gatherings.


Getting down to business: One-on-one appointments allowed buyers and suppliers to meet and plan for future business in the East.


Afternoon activities included a trolley tour of Cambridge, Mass., and a walking tour of the Harvard University campus.


The night ended with a rooftop reception at the Moxy Boston Downtown.

Day Three


The last day kicked off with an educational session sponsored by Goodman Speakers. Steve Gross of the Life is Good Kids Foundation spoke about the power of optimism and how organizations can tap into positive thinking to navigate challenging times and emerge even stronger.


Jeff Beard of M3 Solutions (left) met with Reanna Darone of Destination Niagara USA (right) during the second round of appointments.


A farewell lunch at Legal Sea Foods Harborside closed out the event. Attendees were treated to a sampling of PPX Hospitality's finest foods, including fresh lobster from Legal Sea Foods, steak from Smith & Wollensky, and pastas and charcuterie from Strega Italiano.


Scott Higgins of Pennsylvania's Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (left) and J. Grant Caplan of Procurigence (right) enjoy drinks and a waterfront meal at Legal Sea Foods Harborside before heading home.

Interested in other Northstar events? Register now.