Costa Mesa, CA - PRA Orange County recently hosted a Flamenco-inspired party for incentive planners as part of a familiarization to the new 517-room Andalusian-themed Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa. With tranquil blue waters, the gentle breaking of waves and the faint scent of salt water serving as a backdrop, guests from Midwest incentive houses enjoyed both the event as well as the entire three-day familiarization while taking in the scenery of the California coast.

"Our goal was to create an evening that encouraged conversation and partnering opportunities while WOWing the crowd with a feeling of excitement," said Heathyr Manclark, National Sales Manager for PRA Orange County. "We created the Flamenco party as a signature event for the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa because the resort was designed to simulate an Andalusian villa, highlighted by courtyards that overlook the ocean as well as fountains and pools that accentuate a Mediterranean garden environment. It was simply an ideal setting for the theme."

The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa opened in January 2003 with the largest collection of indoor and outdoor function space on the California coast, specifically designed based on surveys and focus groups conducted with meeting and event planners. The result is 110,000 square feet of function space that is practical and functional as well as casually sophisticated.

Staged in the resort's 20,000-square-foot ballroom, the evening started as the doors of the ballroom swung open, revealing footprints of light and distant guitar strains. As guests moved into the ballroom, a ray of light embraced a solo guitarist, and an eye-grabbing variety of colors and textures came into view. Glass containers each featuring a bold design of yellow flowers, lemons and candles, rich red flowers, red peppers and candles or, bright green flowers, limes and more candles were set atop dramatically draped tables. Elegant chairs with bright satin sashes surrounded the tables, and colorful, mosaic-style base plates set with rose-shaped napkins and rose petals completed the final detail of the dinner's Spanish look.

"It really was a WOW," says Jennifer Betlach, Travel Buyer and Program Designer for Northwestern Incentive Services. "It was something I'd never seen before. The table settings were amazing and the solo guitar player performing through dinner was really enjoyable."

"The Flamenco-inspired evening is just one example of an event we host at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa," said Bryan Shumey, Sales Manager of the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa Resort & Spa. "With the size and flexibility of our event space, we have had the opportunity to host many groups-both large and small-since our opening. After the Flamenco event, we learned that some of those who participated had already recommended the theme in client proposals."

According to guests, the highlight of the evening came over dessert and coffee, when a Flamenco dancer and singer joined the guitarist on stage, performing passionate dance sequences. "The Flamenco party had a fun, creative and progressive momentum throughout," said Gail Gonwa, lead program manager, strategic partnerships, ITAGroup. "It was a flawless and memorable evening as well as a dramatic end to our Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa educational FAM."

For more information on meetings or events at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa Resort & Spa, please contact PRA Orange County at (714) 755-1500 or the Hyatt sales office at (714) 698-1234.

PRA Destination Management, Inc. (www.pra.com) is the franchisor of destination management companies throughout North America, providing a comprehensive business system, which includes management, marketing, technology and training. PRA offices are currently located in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Orange County, Palm Springs, Phoenix-Scottsdale, San Antonio, San Diego, San Diego North, Santa Barbara and Seattle. Mexico and Costa Rica are destinations available through our DMC partner IVI Destination Management.