From race car driving in Las Vegas to group cooking classes in New York, here's a look at the latest new products, ideas, and trends from cities across the United States and in Toronto.
This story appeared in the Winter 2017 digital edition of BizBash.
Adrenaline-seeking groups in Las Vegas can head to the SpeedVegas racetrack for the new “Thrill and Chill” package. Groups of as many as 14 people can rent 14 exotic cars such as Porsches and take over the track for 114 minutes. SpeedVegas can also set up a post-drive cocktail reception inside the racing complex. The package costs $14,000 for a group of 14.
Photo: Courtesy of SpeedVegas
After stops in New York and Los Angeles, Instagram sensation Museum of Ice Cream opened in San Francisco in September at historic 1 Grant Avenue; the exhibit’s run has been extended through February 2018. There are 10 sweets-theme immersive installations to explore at the museum, including a magical candy garden and a sprinkle pool. The tour includes a “scoop of the week” from California ice cream companies such as Salt & Straw. Private tours are available for as many as 20 guests. The museum also opened in Miami’s Faena District in mid December.
Photo:Â Katie Gibbs
Appropriate for teambuilding, client appreciation trips, or conference breakouts, Los Angeles-based experiential event company Mystery Trip creates customized adventures for groups of all sizes. The company plans excursions to offbeat and undiscovered places in a city—but guests only learn what they’re doing once they arrive. Previous clients have included Google, Facebook, and NBCUniversal, and groups have done things such as learn breakdancing and curling, create a flash mob, or travel to sumo-wrestling championships. Prices vary but start at $175 per person; the price includes transportation, activities, meals, and prizes, but excludes alcohol. Mystery Trip can plan adventures throughout the United States.
Photo:Â Joshua Blanchard
Cook Space, a new culinary studio and event space in the Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, offers a variety of chef-led classes, from a five-week Culinary Confidence Series to one-off offerings like Brunch Breakdown, Everything Apples, and New Orleans Cuisine. The instructors encourage students to experiment—without using a recipe—and attendees learn the entire cooking process from prep to plating. Afterward, dinner and drinks are served in the dining room. The venue can accommodate private culinary instruction, dinner and cocktail parties, teambuilding workshops, and more. Fees range in price, depending on the group and overall event concept. For private culinary instruction for groups of as many as 14, the cost is $2,400 for 12 guests (and $200 per each additional head). The option includes a three-course seasonal menu, plus seasonal decoration.
Photo: Courtesy of Cook Space
Debuted this past fall, Austin-based Twisted Texas Tour offers two ways to explore the capital city: its Comedy City Tour and the Live Music & Brewery Tour. During the two-hour comedy tour, guests learn about Austin history in between skits and musical numbers; on the three-hour brewery tour, guests travel to two local breweries for tastings and a behind-the-scenes look at the city’s craft beer industry. Pricing for the comedy tour is $35 per person; for groups of 10 or more, it’s $30 per person. The brewery tour costs $55 per person; for groups of 10 or more, it’s $50 per person.
Photo:Â Ben Porter
As a cheeky homage to its past, the Watergate Hotel in Washington recently introduced its “Spy Package” for group meetings. The two-day package features on-theme activities, including a top-secret dossier upon check-in, a tour of the property, and a visit to the International Spy Museum. The starting rate is $18,000 for a group of 15, including two-night stays.
Photo:Â Ron Blunt
Toronto catering company Daniel et Daniel, which creates custom menus for events based on selections from its seasonal collections, recently introduced new items for fall/winter 2017 and spring/summer 2018. For fall, the company introduced smoked sablefish with pistachio picada, roast grape, and carrot veloute; and smoked lamb chops with eggplant puree and jalapeño pesto. The 2018 collection features a king oyster mushroom “scallop” with strawberry salsa. Pricing is available upon request.
Photo: Courtesy of Daniel et Daniel
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando has a new dining experience for groups. Guests dine on six courses of global cuisines presented by the resort’s executive chef, while high-definition screens play videos of the regions with accompanying music. Plus, each course is paired with wine or cider.
Photo: Eric Dean
