As the event industry grows, planners are under increasing pressure to provide a seamless, high impact experience while taking into account a closer schedule and higher expectations. In this environment, coordinating traditional models of multiple vendors (catering providers, technical teams, designers, etc.) can quickly become a logistical challenge. That’s why more and more shifts are shifting towards fully integrated sites to simplify planning, anticipate challenges and will focus on delivering meaningful content.
A company at the forefront of this transformation is called. Since its inception in 2009, Revene has grown into a portfolio of global hotel brands that have a specially built network of spaces designed to remove friction at every stage of the event planning process.
“We were founded to provide better meeting and event experience,” said James Frankis, senior vice president of product at Reckene. “Every venue in our global portfolio is intentionally designed to meet this need.”
With all services internally managed, from cooking and technical support to design and hospitality, convening licensor planners focus on their goals rather than supplier logistics.
This holistic approach reflects every aspect of the experience – from well-curated food and beverage planning to adaptive environments, embedded technology and hotel-first mindsets – all work together to simplify execution and enhance every event.
Make thoughtful diets for rechargeable meetings
When called, food is seen as an important driver of relationships – not only a meal, but also a strategic part of the conference experience. The menu is made in two-person by the Global Executive Chefs Working Group, a task force rooted in fresh, locally sourced ingredients to energize attendees without having to lower the attendees.
“Without food, no hospitality experience is complete,” said Ryan Gallagher, senior director of food and beverages at Convene. “That’s the core of bringing people together.”
Each venue has a live executive chef, and the company works with local farms to provide produce and protein for peak seasons. On the East Coast, for example, chicken from La Belle Farms, a vertically integrated farm that raises its own birds and grows its own feed. This commitment to local procurement can keep food quality high, support regional economies and reduce environmental impacts.
Meals are made up around summoning what is called “perfect plates”: bite-sized food balanced with vegetables, protein, starch and bright herbs. “No matter where you attend the event, our ‘perfect plate’ can be consumed easily,” Gallagher said. “The purpose is to provide nutrition that maintains energy and conversation, rather than slowing it down.”
Provide nutritious food experience on site
Rechene’s nourishing snacks and beverage bar extends this food philosophy to the 80/20 principle, which combines standardized favorites with 20% regionally inspired professionals. Local partnerships include Axpicionado coffee on the East Coast, Dark Matter Coffee in Chicago, and B Corp certified Borp certified roasters in San Francisco.
The company has also reimagined a traditional buffet. Instead of a static warming tray, guests encounter dynamic multi-station settings that encourage movement, spontaneity, and dialogue.
The menu is fully customizable and suits groups of 5 to 1,500 guests and offers a wide range of options including vegan, gluten-free diets and other specialty diets. With many possibilities, the team sees each menu as an opportunity to be inclusive and creative.
“We want to create moments of cooking fun, bring an exotic feel to familiar foods and make global flavors more approachable in unexpected new ways,” Gallagher said.
Deploy smart technology to power seamless events
Technology is essential to delivering a perfect meeting or event experience. This is why the convening integrates complex audiovisual system (AV) systems into each site, providing strong support without the need for external vendors.
“AV is crucial to the success of any event,” Franks said. “We have built all the necessary technology in every venue and managed internally to ensure a seamless experience.”
The infrastructure at each location supports from simple video conferencing setups to complex hybrid productions. Enhancements like wireless microphones, HD projectors and LED welcome screens can be used to personalize and enhance events.
“Having AV experts embedded in our team means we can quickly respond to any customer needs to ensure technology enhances events rather than being a stress point,” Franks said.
This strictly managed technical approach eliminates friction and gives planners peace of mind, whether it’s thematic presentation or panel livelihood, every detail is supported by professionals who understand the venue inside and outside.
Apply customer-centric design in various occasions
The design approach to convening revolves around flexibility and authorization. The site was purposely created to support multiple event types, with a modular layout and movable walls, allowing planners to easily expand, shrink or reconfigure space.
“The flexibility of space is very important when serving the event industry,” Franks said. “We designed the space to adapt quickly and seamlessly to the needs of planners.”
Instead of implementing heavy-duty visual logos, Rexene’s venue provides a sophisticated and understated backdrop. This design spirit enables customers to bring their brand, culture and energy into the space, creating a truly customized experience.
“It’s your brand, not ours,” Franks stressed.
The impact of local design adds to the richness of each site, such as the nod in San Francisco’s iconic “Karl the Fog” weather at Cheinne 100 Stockton, or the reference to the Elizabethan building in St. Paul Sancroft London. Sustainability also plays a role in operating practices with energy-efficient LED lighting and ecologically-conscious embedded throughout the portfolio.
Improve every moment with full service hospitality
Excellent service is the thread that connects the full service model together. Most team members from event coordinators to leadership come from well-known hotel brands such as Waldorf Astoria, Four Seasons, Jamie Oliver Restaurant and Selfridges.
“Our hospitality DNA informs everything we do,” Franks said. “This translates into a warm welcome, expected service and polish execution that always exceeds planners and guests’ expectations. Every event, regardless of scale, has the opportunity to provide a concierge-level experience.”
To further support the planner, Revene developed the Reckene Enhancement plan, a planning network of preferred third-party vendors. From live musicians and DJs to flower shops, roaming Oyster Shuckers and Protait Artists, each augmented partner is under scrutiny for quality, operational efficiency and familiarity with the conference space.
Planners working in enhanced plans do not navigate multiple contracts and invoices, rather than simplified coordination and a convenient invoice, saving time and reducing stress.
“By working with trusted partners, we provide planners with greater efficiency and peace of mind. They benefit from our relationships and pricing, plus an invoice for the entire event,” Franks said.
An overall approach to an unforgettable party
In an industry where complexity often hinders creativity, success is no longer just logistics, but about creating important moments. ReChene’s integration model is designed to support thoughtful services and flexible tools.
As Frankis put it: “We have seen customers think more about creating engaging experiences and generating ROI – ‘Interactive returns.’’’’
When connection becomes a target, focus shifts can be a real measure of success.
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This content is from Convene and Skift’s branded content studio, Skift.
