Forecast: 8 New Ideas for Meetings and Events

The High Roller at the Linq Promenade in Las Vegas recently introduced a new booze-infused selection of chocolates for its Chocolate Tasting Experience. Crafted by Ethel M Chocolates, the bonbons contain crème fillings spiked with flavored liqueurs like amaretto and coffee. As part of the experience, guests can try four pieces, along with a glass of wine, while hanging out 550 feet in the air on the observation wheel. During the 30-minute rotation, a chocolatier ambassador offers a lesson on the history of chocolate, as well as on aroma, taste, and texture. Tastings are available every Thursday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $52 per person and guests must be 21 or older. Private cabins are also available; each cabin accommodates as many as 15 guests.

Taylor Creative’s newest addition to its Maxwell collection is a round highboy that features a 24-inch clear glass insert placed atop a bronze metal frame. The item, $250, is available for rent from the Los Angeles and New York locations.

Based in the San Francisco Bay area, Mach 2 Airshows brings private single- and multi-plane air shows to corporate meetings and events nationwide. Started by former U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot Anthony “AB” Bourke, the company also offers the option to send attendees airborne in the aerobatic aircraft. Plus, planners can book the pilots to mingle with guests after the show or to provide motivational speeches. Pricing is dependent on location, type of show, and other factors and is available upon request.

Grande Lakes Orlando, which comprises the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Orlando, has created a new hub for adventure activities on the 500-acre property. Grande Lakes Sports offers kayak eco-tours, seaplane expeditions, fly fishing excursions, a new two-mile mountain bike trail, and more. Staff can arrange group outings as meeting breaks or add-on experiences for conference attendees.

At Miami’s El Paseo Hotel, a new Spanish-Mediterranean-style boutique property, social-media-adept guests now have complimentary access to Spectacles—sunglasses that feature an integrated video camera that connects directly to Snapchat via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and transfers images directly onto the user’s app. The glasses can be checked out from the front desk for several hours. Advance reservation is not required but is encouraged.

For a colorful, interactive food station option, Encore Catering in Toronto offers its Artisanal Antipasto Harvest Table that features a number of cured meats and European cheeses from Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Spain. The table also serves veggies including sun-dried tomatoes, grilled artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, and Spanish olives, along with mostarda, quince jam, crackers, and toasted crostinis. Pricing starts at $32 per person, with larger group pricing scaled to the event size.

Boston-based caramel maker McCrea’s Candies recently debuted a new party box option for corporate gifting. The box, $20.95, is filled with about 10 pieces each of four flavors: Black Lava Sea Salt, Classic Vanilla, Deep Chocolate, and Tapped Maple. The company also employs a Caramel Concierge who works with corporate clients, assisting them with holiday gifts, incentive and reward programs, prospecting campaigns, and more.

Washington-based pizza shop &Pizza recently opened a location in New York’s NoMad neighborhood, offering a bevy of its creative oblong pies like the Farmer’s Daughter with spicy tomato, spinach, mozzarella, Italian sausage, egg, red pepper chili oil, and Parmesan; or the Gnarlic with garlic ricotta, mozzarella, grilled onion, basil pesto, garlic oil, and Parmesan. Large catering orders are also available for dining out.