WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (August 23, 2021) – Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB), the official tourism marketing organization for Palm Beach County Florida, hosted an official community Pop-UP event on August 17, 2021, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center as part of the annual American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting.  Over 70 association professionals were both inspired and challenged to think differently when it comes to planning meetings by DTPB’s community partners.  A panel of local business leaders from different industries throughout The Palm Beaches presented knowledge, resources, and solutions about how they think outside of the box in their organization in order to spark creativity and encourage fresh strategies in the association community.
 
Panelists at The Palm Beaches Pop-UP event included Patrick McNamara, President, and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, who spoke about his organization’s shift from mental health to brain health and how that has changed the conversation to find solutions for better overall health.  Matthew Hoffman, President of Tellus Products and President and CEO of Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of South Florida explained how his company is using waste from the agriculture industry to create products that are environmentally beneficial and generating a new revenue stream.  Ava L. Parker, J.D., President of Palm Beach State College, discussed how student and employee needs have changed and how the college has adapted with a more holistic approach.  The panel discussion showcased the community-centric approach that The Palm Beaches incorporates when working with meeting professionals which can consist of health and safety, physical and mental wellness, sustainability and environmental protection, arts and culture, and more. 
 
The event also featured local artists Camilla Webster and Craig McInnis, who demonstrated how art can enhance the overall experience and contribute to the wellbeing of groups and meetings.  With input from attendees, McInnis created a colorful interactive art mural that embodied the destination.  In addition, attendees learned what makes The Palm Beaches Florida’s premier meetings destination from several Discover The Palm Beaches representatives including Jorge Pesquera, President, and CEO, and Kelly Cavers, Senior Vice President, Group Sales, and Destination Services.  The event implemented rigorous health and safety protocols for all attendees including GBAC STAR™ accredited cleaning standards, health screenings upon arrival, and mandatory masks.
 
“It’s such an honor to be an official community Pop-UP host for the annual ASAE meeting and to showcase the collaboration that sets our community apart.  The event allowed us to present our talented community partners from a variety of industries to top meeting planners and arm them with information and strategies they can take home, brainstorm around, and use when planning their next association meeting,” commented Kelly Cavers, Senior Vice President, Group Sales, and Destination Services.  “We welcomed the opportunity to be a valuable resource for these professionals and demonstrate how The Palm Beaches can offer custom, local in-person experiences to groups and make their meetings memorable.”  
 
The event was also an opportunity to highlight The Palm Beaches as the best way to meet in Florida and for participants to see and hear first-hand the distinct features and offerings that set the destination apart. As part of the community Pop-UP meeting, The Palm Beaches hosted 30 association professionals from across the country to tour several meetings-ready area hotels including The Hilton West Palm Beach, The Breakers Palm Beach, The Boca Raton, Opal Grand Resort & Spa, Seagate Hotel & Spa, Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, Four Seasons Palm Beach, and PGA National Resort & Spa.  The professionals also experienced the robust culinary scene and a number of the 200+ diverse attractions, as well as the people, cultures, and offerings that make The Palm Beaches the finest travel experience for groups.  
 
In connection with being an official community Pop-UP host for ASAE’s Annual Meeting, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a charity auction that also supported the health, safety, and wellness of the local community.  Participants could browse and bid on signature experiences and products from The Palm Beaches and its community partners.  The online auction raised over $2,000 with all proceeds benefitting Place of Hope, a local organization working to end the cycles of abuse, neglect, homelessness, and human trafficking. 
 
The Palm Beaches offer meeting planners diversity without density allowing groups to enjoy fewer crowds, a relaxed beach experience, and exceptional offerings in an idyllic warm-weather getaway.  The destination offers an array of meeting spaces for all tastes and budgets, including the 350,000-square-foot, GBAC STAR™ Accredited Palm Beach County Convention Center, over 18,000 guest rooms, two walkable convention districts, proximity to three airports, and expansive outdoor spaces.  Meeting planners can work with the team at The Palm Beaches and its community partners to create safe, innovative, and inspiring meetings and events within their budget that foster connection and wellness between the sessions. 
 
About Discover The Palm Beaches
Discover The Palm Beaches is the official 501(c)(6) not-for-profit, accredited tourism marketing organization that promotes the collection of 39 cities and towns commonly referred to as The Palm Beaches, which spans more than 2,300 square miles and boasts 47 miles of pristine beaches from Highland Beach and Boca Raton to Jupiter and Tequesta. Tasked with growing visitation and the local tourism economy, the organization works year-round to bring travelers from around the state, country, and globe to visit Palm Beach County. The Palm Beaches’ have a rich history in hospitality as America’s First Resort Destination® and tourism is among Palm Beach County’s major industries, generating $5.5 billion in economic impact during 2020.
 
The Palm Beaches are home to more than 18,000 hotel rooms and feature more than 100 family-friendly attractions, an abundance of world-class luxury, award-winning restaurants, and 125 miles of peaceful waterways for on- or in-the-water activities, including 160 artificial reefs that line the Atlantic Ocean’s Gulf Stream current. 160 golf courses have earned it the moniker of Florida’s Golf Capital®, as well as The Cultural Capital of Florida® due to its thriving entertainment scene of more than 200 art and culture organizations. Situated along I-95, The Palm Beaches are accessible via Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), which offers more than 100 daily nonstop flights to 30 cities in the United States. The Palm Beaches are also conveniently located within driving distance of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Miami International airports.

For more information about The Palm Beaches, visit www.ThePalmBeaches.com or on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok). Visitors and residents can take advantage of county-wide deals via The Palm Beaches Savings Pass.  They can also tune in to The Palm Beaches TV for 24/7 streaming content of the destination’s hotels, attractions, restaurants, and experiences.
 
MEDIA CONTACT:
The Palm Beaches
PR@thepalmbeaches.com
561-233-3030