Who knows the Monterey group and meeting space best? Long-time meeting planners do! Our insider series features meeting planners who source Monterey for their meetings. We'll be sharing some of their favorite things about hosting a meeting in Monterey including their favorite things to do and see as a visitor while here.
We had the opportunity to meet with Dara Griffiths, Vice President of Meetings & Incentives at Meeting Innovations. She shared more about her role and her inside scoop on Monterey County.
MEET DARA GRIFFITHS
Dara Griffiths was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada which is where she currently resides after living in Seattle and Dubai. Being from Las Vegas, hospitality is at her core. With that and her love of creating memories, she turned that into a career. She joined the hospitality industry over 20 years ago and started in events about 15 years ago.
Dara began her career in food and beverage, joining the operations team before leading culinary special events, which is where she discovered her passion for events. She then moved to Convention Sales and became the Director of Sales. Her love for event planning led her to become a meeting planner, allowing her to use her skills in sourcing, property selection, operational planning and onsite management. Here, Dara shares why booking an event or meeting in Monterey is a great idea:
TELL US ABOUT MEETING INNOVATIONS. WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED? WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?
Meeting Innovations is a sourcing and site selection company where clients enlist our services in event destination sourcing and contract negotiation. We also provide full-service operations and logistical planning to execute all aspects of a program and event. When I work with my clients, my role is to become their key contact for all event needs whether that be offering my expertise and experience with selecting a destination or hotel, putting together a budget for the event, contract negotiation, liaison between the company and the venue/hotel and logistical lead on the event planning. I like to refer to myself as their one-stop shop!
WHERE IN MONTEREY COUNTY HAVE YOU BOOKED EVENTS/MEETINGS?
Photo Credit: Dara Griffiths
For the past several years, I have been fortunate to operate amazing events in the Monterey County area annually. In total, in the past 4-years, I have planned and operated over five events in Monterey. It is my goal to keep each event exciting and unique therefore I have had the privilege to work with many of Monterey County's wonderful vendors and unique venues. Many of the venues we have worked closely with include The Inn at Spanish Bay, The Lodge at Pebble Beach, Monterey Beach Station, Folktale Winery & Vineyard and many more.
WHY IS MONTEREY COUNTY A GREAT PLACE TO HOST A MEETING?
Photo Credit: Dara Griffiths
Monterey County has a uniqueness as a destination. There is a calming, low key energy that you feel when you arrive here and I feel it really allows people to be present, disconnect and enjoy their surroundings. The beautiful, natural scenery that constantly surrounds you throughout the area is something that you cannot replicate anywhere else. Plus, everyone who I have worked with in the area has a strong passion for their craft and that truly reflects in the work that they do.
WHAT ARE SOME RESOURCES YOU USE THAT YOU FIND HELPFUL WHEN BOOKING A MEETING IN MONTEREY?
Photo Credit: Old Monterey
I have had the pleasure to meet so many local vendors and have learned that everyone is willing to help you. I love to ask my vendors and partners what or who they would recommend for a successful event. I also like to walk the local farmers market to become inspired by the local artists in the area to create a fun and unique activity. I have found that you can approach any business in Monterey and they will likely want to partner with you! I love it when I can partner with others who have done amazing things and then we can create something unique and different together.
TELL US YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! ANY HIDDEN GEMS?
My favorite hidden gem is called Cultura Comida which is a wonderful Mexican restaurant in downtown Carmel by the Sea. I love sitting at the bar and having one of their amazing margaritas with chips and guacamole. It has become a tradition with my team before the event starting! Also, Pacific Thai Cuisine is a definite must-visit for us as well. My other favorite spot is to sit outside on the beautiful patio, by the firepits at The Inn at Spanish Bay.
WHAT ARE SOME EXPERIENCES OR ACTIVITIES YOU HAVE DONE DURING AN EVENT? WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE?
To create great experiences, you always want to embrace your surroundings. One of my favorite moments was a fun, creative photo session on the 17-Mile Drive. The famous 17-Mile Drive is one of the most beautiful and scenic touring areas in the US with so many iconic stops along the way. We created two very special moments for our group by having a personalized photo shoot for all our guests! We first drove them to the Lone Cypress Tree where they were escorted down the stairs of the platform where we captured an amazing portrait beside one of the most photographed trees in North America. We then transitioned the group to Bird Rock where we staged two classic cars from Monterey Touring Vehicles and provided floppy hats and scarves to create a one-of-a-kind photo, mimicking a drive down the famous PCH!
Photo Credit: Dara Griffiths
Another very memorable experience was creating a fantasy house reception. Every time you drive through Carmel-by-the-Sea or the estate within Pebble Beach, you cannot help but look and gasp over all of the incredible homes in the area, always wishing and wanting to peek inside. We had the pleasure of creating a fantastic reception event using one of the spectacular mansions! We had help from our amazing partners to set up surround sound throughout the home, brought in over 600 candles which filled each room of the house, had a live DJ and musician collaborate on a unique performance and had a private Chef cater the event in the open kitchen. It was a magical night and it truly felt as if we had invited our closest friends and family into our home for a magical evening experience.
I have also been fortunate to work with Kelley James and his team a few times at Pebble Beach. He is a talented musical artist who always creates a WOW moment for our group and has this amazing ability to personalize his performance to the people in the crowd! He is always offering to do more or something different and unique which is a breath of fresh air when you're partnering with a professional artist.
WHAT IS A TIP YOU WOULD GIVE TO MEETING PLANNERS LOOKING TO BOOK THEIR NEXT MEETING IN MONTEREY?
Less is more in Monterey County. There are many destinations that require you to bring in many different elements to make the event special but in Monterey, the beauty is in nature, the fresh cuisine, the wine from around the region, all of this makes creating a memorable event easy to do. Your event should complement the destination and embrace the culture and energy Monterey County provides on its own. Also, anytime you can hold your event outside, DO IT! There is so much beauty in Monterey, it's a shame to waste it being inside of a ballroom!