24  COLLABORATE JUNE/JULY 2015

BUZZWORD

Confibition [kawn-fib-ish-uh n] When two of the most popular formats in the industry—the conference and the exhibition/trade show—merge. The proliferation of the trend in events held throughout the world led to the term’s coinage—which appears to be sticking.

Happy Fez-tivus People attending the same convention or incentive trip annually can get bored, even if those trips bring them to beautiful destinations. However, it’s often difficult for planners to find the right balance of intrigue and necessary amenities. With that in mind, Trip Advisor’s 2015 list of the best cities to visit can help.

Marrakech, Morocco International sports and fashion star avid Beckham chose Marrakech as the stage for his 40th birthday party, so it has a certain level of cache. Five Star Alliance, a website dedicated to luxury travel, rates 18 Marrakech properties with five stars, including 14th century-inspired Ksar Char-Bagh (shown). The local markets are some of the busiest in the region. Marrakech is rich in history, with a vibrant museum base and top-rated restaurants. A word to the wise: The average temperature tops 95 degrees in the summer.

Charleston, S.C. The Holy City is South Carolina’s oldest, bristling with Southern charm and history. With its blend of culinary chops, culture, heritage and high-end hotels—including French Quarter Inn and The Restoration on King—Charleston can host incentives as well as C-level boardroom meetings.

Prague, Czech Republic Prague’s architecture is among the finest in the world, and as the ninth most-visited country in Europe, it understands hospitality. There ares several five-star properties, including the gorgeous Boscolo Prague, to choose from.

Nashville, Tenn. Buoyed by a bustling economy and trendy vibe, Nashville is thriving in 2015. While most know Nashville as the home of country music, its largest industry is health care. The current boom within that industry has opened the door for the city to become a prime destination for medial meetings.

Barcelona, Spain Located in the northeast corner of Spain overlooking the Mediterranean, the Catalonian city is one of the finest food cities in the world as well as one of the most visually stunning destinations. Barcelona is the third most-visited city in Europe behind Paris and London, putting its hospitality sector as one of the most active in the world. Mercer Hotel Barcelona stands out among a litany of five-star properties.

Gone in a Flash? Selfie sticks are showing up in retailers all over but not everyone is a fan. Events like the Kentucky Derby, Lollapalooza and Coachella have been among the first to ban the items. Cultural hubs like Museum of Modern Art in New York City and Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., also have moved to block the trend. Many event organizers and venue management groups say the sticks are obnoxious and obtrusive—and are a potential danger to attendees and valuable works of art when used improperly (think swinging wildly).

The Fast Track With increasingly long security lines, it’s getting harder to get to the gate on time. Since it can’t keep the clock still, Japan’s Narita International Airport has developed a way to move your feet faster. Shock-absorbing running tracks developed by Tokyo-based architecture firm Nikken Sekkei were installed in April at the airport, which will serve as a hub for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan. But the Games, and health and wellness for that matter, were secondary to practicality. The track provides lanes that are easy to follow to reach your gate. It may also motivate travelers to get a move on.

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Find more top destinations at collaboratemeetings.com/places.