Joie de Vivre Introduces Joy of Meetings

New Programs Add a Relaxing, Californian Twist to Meetings at Joie de Vivre Hotels

San Francisco, December 9, 2008 - Joie de Vivre, California's largest boutique hotel collection, is launching its new meetings initiative - "Joy of Meetings"  - with the first of a series of programs created to bring a little "joie" to meetings and a revamped meetings' section on its website.  

The Joy of Meetings offerings are designed to make meetings productive and memorable and are available at nearly 40 hotels, which are located throughout California and cater to events and meetings ranging in size from 26 to 1,000 attendees.  

Among the Joy of Meetings program options is one inspired by the book "The Giving Tree."  A meeting planner can choose to have a small tree (called a "Giving Tree") that can be used for inspiration and reflection at the meeting. As goals are created, attendees can write each one out and place it among the tree branches.  Afterwards, the group can take the tree to their office and use it as a daily reminder of the goals set or accomplished during the meeting.       

The new Joy of Meetings options also include the choice of two Joy Breaks - a morning break and an afternoon break.  Joy Breaks vary by hotel, but generally are two incentive breaks per meeting designed to refresh, revitalize, and invigorate attendees.  The morning Joy Break - playfully titled "Wake Me Up!" - is 15 minutes and offers uniquely California-themed activities and/or snacks.  These include "Farmer's Market Fresh Fruit and Smoothies" and a "Joy Scrapbooking" activity. The "Joy of Scrapbooking" is a collaborative collage encouraging teamwork.  Team members are given markers and paper and asked to answer one question: What brings you joy?  After the meeting, responses will be placed in a scrapbook and sent to the meeting leader. 

The afternoon Joy Break theme - Pick Me Up! - offers a variety of options designed to reinvigorate attendees. These range from a self-guided 15-minute yoga session (with attendees receiving yoga cards) that stimulates endorphins and energy, to a Gelato experience cart, to a "Winter Wonderland Barista" coffee service. 

"With the goal of keeping people energized at business meetings during these challenging times, we wanted to create something that would keep meeting attendees focused on their company task at hand," says Carole Manning-Kim, director of national sales and marketing at Joie de Vivre.  "Joy of Meetings is designed to provide a relaxing environment and keep people focused on the ultimate goal - having a successful and productive meeting."  

The Joy of Meetings' menu options are available for groups of 10 or more. Pricing and options for the selected programs vary by hotel and are based upon availability.  More information can be found on the new "Joy of Meetings" section of Joie de Vivre's website at http://www.jdvhotels.com/joyofmeetings/. 

For more information, please visit www.jdvhotels.com or contact the individual hotel's sales department.

 

About Joie de Vivre

Based in San Francisco, Joie de Vivre (http://www.jdvhotels.com) is a creative collection of lifestyle businesses. As California's largest independent boutique hotel collection, Joie de Vivre encompasses other hospitality businesses such as restaurants and spas. Celebrating 21 years of creating joy, Joie de Vivre is expanding its California presence in Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Sunnyvale, Huntington Beach and beyond.
 

Lori Lincoln, Director of Public Relations
415.773.1067
llincoln@jdvhospitality.com

Alexis Evans, Public Relations Manager
415.248.5951
aevans@jdvhospitality.com