Last fall, Southern California's Sonesta Irvine hotel debuted the chain's new Sonesta Work Suite concept, a new meeting space intended to enhance collaboration. Developed based on guest feedback and accommodating up to 50 people, the multi-zone design offers distinct spaces for working, socializing, and recharging, with interactive, experiential elements like puzzles, brainteasers, stress-relief novelties, and other visual enhancements that boost creativity and spark conversations.
It's clear that venues and event hosts alike are continuing to prioritize attendee engagement and well-being. Thus, types of experiential meeting space concepts like Sonesta Irvine's are becoming more and more the norm. And at BizBash, we're increasingly seeing meeting rooms that prioritize natural light, creativity-sparking design, stress-relief options, and more unique features that blend the lines between work and play.
After all, “when you infuse play into meetings, attendees are more likely to follow their curiosity, are more open to sharing, and the team is more willing to experiment," said positive play coach Jeff Harry in a recent interview with BizBash. “It's ironic that we state that we want staff to think outside of the box, and then we put them in a box building, in a box room, sitting around a box table—and then ask them to think outside of it."
In the spirit of thinking outside the box, we've rounded up some of our favorite examples of meetings and breakout rooms designed to spark inspiration and creativity. Scroll down to take a look...