Pull out all the stops. Those are five words every incentive travel planner loves to hear. But what kind of trip does it really take to motivate top achievers who have already been wined and dined in some of the world’s finest destinations? Corporate & Incentive Travel Magazine asked a few incentive travel professionals that very question, and their answers will intrigue you. But we have to warn you. They’re bound to make you a bit envious, as well.
CLICK HERE to download the full article.
Below is Incentive Travel Solution’s President and Founder Kevin Devanney’s excerpt from this article.
The “Wow” Factor
“We’re always looking for at least four ‘wows’ on every program,” says Kevin Devanney, president of Incentive Travel Solutions in Charlotte, NC. “We look for things that are very unique to the destination.” It sounds like he succeeded with an incentive program he recently planned for an insurance company headquartered in the northeast.
The incentive was a six-day trip to Denmark for independent insurance agents and their guests. One highlight was a private event at a castle in Copenhagen. “Kronborg Castle is a big part of the Danish heritage,” Devanney explains. “We rented out Kronborg for the evening, and took the group up to the gates by horse and buggy. The biggest part of the evening was a private performance of Hamlet inside of Kronborg where the play is actually set. The program was in the Great Hall which is a gigantic room with what must be 10×10-foot fireplaces on both ends of the hall. It was only lit by candlelight and the performers were in full costume. It was spectacular.”
Devanney’s Kronborg event also included a private tour of the castle, a cocktail reception, and dinner in the castle’s original wine cellar. Then it was time to move on to the next “wow.” “We were going to Stockholm, and we really needed something unique,” he says. “Over the years, we’ve created a signature lunch that takes advantage of the destination we’re in. We took over a spectacular yacht and cruised out to the archipelago, which is a group of islands. We had music on board and then we got off and had lunch on one of the uninhabited islands. It was a high-end lunch with white table cloths and china in a little country setting.”
The prior year the group had traveled to Banff, Canada where Devanney staged another signature lunch. “We took the group from the Banff Springs Hotel to a helicopter port and flew them over the Canadian Rockies,” he says. “We landed in a valley at this horse ranch. Then they boarded their horses and we took them to the top of the mountain where there was this tented, five-star, four-course lunch waiting for them with spectacular views.”
Another component of Incentive Travel Solution’s Denmark program was an event in a historic building called the Round Tower. “It’s a 14th century tower that the king built to look at the stars,” Devanney says. “We took the group up to the top for champagne cocktails. They did what’s called a sabre d’or. That’s where they take a giant saber and they chop off the top of a champagne bottle. There are only three restaurants in all of Denmark that are qualified to do that. It was followed by dinner in an old monastery in Copenhagen called Sankt Gertrudes Kloster. It’s all made of stone and it’s underground. It’s a fantastic wine-cellar style restaurant.” “We really have to outdo ourselves each year,” Devanney says. “On this trip we also had a cocktail reception in an ice bar in Copenhagen. The chairs, the bar, the glasses, everything is made of ice. They had to put parkas on. It was below zero inside the bar. It’s one of the things they talk about the most, and it was just an hour long cocktail reception.”
Creativity Counts
“It’s not always the budget that plays an important role,” Devanney adds. “For a client a few years back in Paris, we took them on a high speed train down to Giverny where Monet painted and we had a nice picnic lunch down in the rose garden. That’s an example where the budget doesn’t have to be stretched.” Exclusivity is a key ingredient of many dream incentives. Some companies prefer to look for a resort they can buy out for their group, so they won’t have to share the facility with other guests. “More and more companies are going that route,” explains Kenderly Haskins, national director of sales for Auberge Resorts in Mill Valley, CA. “It does give them a sense of exclusivity, and their people feel like ‘Wow, you bought out the place for us?’” Haskins has a client in the financial services industry who is buying out Auberge’s Esperanza resort for a sales incentive program this month. Esperanza is a 56-room ultra-luxurious oceanfront resort located a few miles from Cabo San Lucas on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. There will be approximately 120 guests for the four-day program. “Literally, whatever they want to do is what they can do,” Haskins says. “A yacht will be available for them daily. They can golf every day. They’ll have a cigar roller available and a big beach barbeque. They’re doing a Hummer tour and fireworks over the sea. “Everything is complimentary for them,” she adds. “Dinners, the drinks, everything goes back to the master account.
It’s going to be top notch.”
Athens, Greece: An Incentive Travel Solutions Featured Destination
/in Featured DestinationsHome to some of the most glorious history of the world, Athens, Greece is a magical city that is worshipped by both gods and people alike. A trip to Athens will prove to be a visit back in time. Often considered the birthplace of civilization, this enthralling capitol has a lot to offer in the way of historical significance. Democracy was born in Athens, as well as the majority of wise men of ancient times. The most vital civilizations of the ancient world thrived in Athens, and can be relived while discovering some of the most fearsome structures on Earth. It is the origin of Western civilization dating back two and a half thousand years ago.
Athens is located in the territory of Attica, extending to the peninsula which reaches up to central Greece. The climate is perfect for tourism with hot summers and mild winters; the sun is always shining in Athens. The city provides a look into the past, as well as offering all of the marvels of modern day life. While strolling down a street in the famous historic triangle neighborhoods, (Plaka, Thission, and Psyri) one is transported through various eras in history. Athens is the social, political, financial, cultural, and commercial hub of Greece.
Acropolis
“Edge of the City,” Acropolis is the most famous archeological structure in all of Europe and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. The Acropolis Hill (“Sacred Rock” of Athens) symbolizes the ideal Greek society. Many of the architectural masterpieces of that era were created at this historical site. The uses of this site range from residential purposes to a gathering place for the cult of the city’s patron goddess, Athena. The sheer marvel of the massive structure is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Hedonistic Society
Greeks are famous for their hedonistic societal values. Few cities surpass Athens vivacious nightlife vista. Dinner is commonly eaten at late hours in the evening; often as late as 10pm. Greeks enjoy food and savor it as much as possible. They love to spend their evenings drinking, dancing and conversing with one another.
A wonderful dining option in the famous Syntagma Square is the Dionysos Café and Restaurant, located at the foot of Acropolis, with one of the most amazing views of the sacred grounds. A couple notable night clubs within the city are Wild Rose and Kalua, which often play live Greek music.
Cape Town, South Africa: An Incentive Travel Solutions Featured Destination
/in Featured DestinationsJustice cannot be done to Cape Town without highlighting the top ten reasons to visit the vibrant city:
1) It’s pure natural beauty. Few activities in this world are free. Discovering the exquisite nature in Cape Town is one of them. Located at the Southwestern tip of Africa, Cape Town is considered to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
2) The weather in Cape Town is phenomenal. Conditions in the summer are warm and leisurely while winters are mild and moist, which amounts to a perfect Mediterranean climate.
3) Affordability. Cape Town has been recognized as one of the most affordable destinations in the world and as a result, luxury is possible even with the smallest budget.
4) Cultural melting pot. Cultural diversity within this cosmopolitan city allows for ethnic creativity and vitality.
5) Superb cuisine (and, of course, wine). Home to traditional Cape food as well as first-class international cuisine, Cape Town is surprisingly enough a wine capitol of the world.
6) Assorted Experiences. Cape Town offers everything from cuisine, nature, wildlife, adventure, culture, animation, and heritage which make for a vivacious experience.
7) Simple Access. From a travelling stand point, Cape Town is extremely easy to access. With over 20 international airlines offering daily flights to and from the city, Cape Town International Airport links access to all major global hubs.
8) Phenomenal Beaches. Cape Town has a total of 13 globally recognized Blue Flag beaches. So no shortage of summer fun here!
9) Exceptional Infrastructure. Logistically simple transportation, pleasant lodging, and an abundance of restaurants compliment Cape Town’s excellent infrastructure.
10) Security and Safety. Cape Town is thought of as the safest destination in Africa. The successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is a reflection of this notion.
Want to learn more about Cape Town? Read this great article featuring comments from Incentive Travel Solution’s President, Kevin Devaney:
Nature Facilitates Teambuilding in Cape Town & the African Bush
Incentive Travel Destination Trends
/in Incentive Travel ArticlesDomestic Incentive Travel Trends
When choosing a domestic incentive destination, big name places are continually the desired choice for most incentive groups. Perpetual preferences include Hawaii, New York City, Florida, Las Vegas and Arizona. These destinations are enticing as they offer a variety of attractive features ranging from an ample supply of hotel choices, excellent air support, and an exceeding amount of activities. Each of these destinations also has positive name recognition which is exceedingly important to sparking the interest of participants.
Before choosing a destination it is important to do some research. While many consumers consider first-rate big name places an expensive option, this is often a misconception. The high number of hotels and discounted airfare from major competing airlines allows for attractive deals.
However, “off the beaten path” destinations do have their advantages. Depending on the city, hotel and airline rates are often inexpensive. If the chosen hotel/resort’s marketing scheme is specifically geared towards meeting and incentives, the place may be particularly enthralling and even exotic. Although less-known places are harder to attract incentive groups, when chosen they are the perfect opportunity to create one-of-a-kind incentive programs. The trick to this is developing a theme which is specific to the destination as well as the participants. Something participants can relate the destination to, which will create everlasting memories. The unique and distinctive qualities of the destination must be very well represented. Many incentive travel partners specialize in creating such themes, which are destination-specific.
International Incentive Travel Trends
When an international destination is desirable, big names such as Paris, Rome and London arise. Although brilliant locations, they can often be very pricey due to currency issues. More and more incentive groups are choosing to execute programs closer to home. Canada, Mexico and certain areas of the Caribbean have seemingly become more popular in recent years. This is due in part to being more easily accessible than destinations in Europe or Asia.
The itinerary should also be planned to involve a great deal of variety, in order to suit the diverse interests of your group. There should be enough variety to satisfy every particular traveler.
Convenience is a word which needs to be catered to during any incentive program. Transportation is always an issue of convenience. When planning an incentive program, the logistics should be designed in a way which ensures optimum convenience. A back-up plan for getting participants home in the case of an emergency must be put into place prior to the trip. After all, a major component of incentive travel planning is logistics.
Kevin Devanney, President and Founder of Incentive Travel Solutions, believes that clients rely on their travel partners to consistently raise the bar and present destinations that will motivate their sales force. Devanney states, “International destinations always have an appeal to potential attendees. Once an attendee wins a trip to Paris or Vienna, he or she will always strive harder to reach the highest levels of success for future trips around the world. It is imperative that our clients announce destinations that are unique and inspiring year after year.”
Devanney believes clients choose Incentive Travel Solutions for many reasons. However, there is no question that clients stay with Incentive Travel Solutions for many years because of our dedication to memorable incentive itineraries. In a 2005 article, Corporate Travel & Incentives Magazine profiled Incentive Travel Solutions as one of the few “wow factor companies” in the incentive group travel business with our unique approach to planning programs for our clients. ITS created its “wow factor” approach in 2002 as a strategic effort to separate and distinguish us from other travel companies purveying mundane trips that lack creatively unique destinations and/or program itinerary elements. With each of our proposals, the ITS Team creates and highlights each wow event. These are special, once-in-a-lifetime itinerary elements that trip attendees cannot experience on their own. They are distinctively unique and exclusive only to our clients’ group travel programs. These “wows”, as creative travel program enhancements, become a distinct difference between Incentive Travel Solutions and other travel companies in our clients’ perspectives.
The World’s Largest Casino…Coming to a City Near You?
/in Press and NewsIf the cards are dealt correctly the largest casino in the world will be constructed right here in the United States; Miami to be exact. A group of Malaysian developers are hoping to get the go-ahead for construction on a $3.8 billion gaming facility which would be larger than the six largest casino resorts in Las Vegas, combined the Daily Mail (London) has reported. Incentive travel clients who are big gamblers will have a new destination prospect on the East Coast.
The proposed project called, Resorts World Miami, is a small world within itself. The 800,000 square-foot project would include:
– 8,500 slot machines (within two separate casinos)
– Four hotels with a combined total 0f 5, 200 guest rooms
– 1,000 residential apartments
– A water facility the size of 12 Olympic size pools
– A shopping mall
– Over 50 bars and restaurants
– A convention center & ballroom
Two and a-half times as big as the biggest casino in the United States- the Foxwoods Resort in Ledyard, Connecticut- the project hopes to give a 5.4 billion visitor boost to this Sunshine State city. Also, the project is expected to bring in over $800 billion in tax revenue, which would boost Florida’s economy, which is currently facing a deficit. Thousands of jobs will need to be filled for the construction of the property, as well as to work on property once the project is finished.
Currently, there are laws set in place that do not allow for gambling in Florida apart from on Native American tribal lands, as is the case in many other states. Legislation was recently introduced in Florida which would open up gaming laws in Miami, if approved. The legislature would allow for three casinos to be constructed in Florida contingent upon $2 billion being spent building them. Several reports have been made that the Seminole Indian Tribe has spent over $140,000 fighting the construction of this mega-casino.
Dream Incentive
/in Press and NewsCLICK HERE to download the full article.
Below is Incentive Travel Solution’s President and Founder Kevin Devanney’s excerpt from this article.
The “Wow” Factor
“We’re always looking for at least four ‘wows’ on every program,” says Kevin Devanney, president of Incentive Travel Solutions in Charlotte, NC. “We look for things that are very unique to the destination.” It sounds like he succeeded with an incentive program he recently planned for an insurance company headquartered in the northeast.
The incentive was a six-day trip to Denmark for independent insurance agents and their guests. One highlight was a private event at a castle in Copenhagen. “Kronborg Castle is a big part of the Danish heritage,” Devanney explains. “We rented out Kronborg for the evening, and took the group up to the gates by horse and buggy. The biggest part of the evening was a private performance of Hamlet inside of Kronborg where the play is actually set. The program was in the Great Hall which is a gigantic room with what must be 10×10-foot fireplaces on both ends of the hall. It was only lit by candlelight and the performers were in full costume. It was spectacular.”
Devanney’s Kronborg event also included a private tour of the castle, a cocktail reception, and dinner in the castle’s original wine cellar. Then it was time to move on to the next “wow.” “We were going to Stockholm, and we really needed something unique,” he says. “Over the years, we’ve created a signature lunch that takes advantage of the destination we’re in. We took over a spectacular yacht and cruised out to the archipelago, which is a group of islands. We had music on board and then we got off and had lunch on one of the uninhabited islands. It was a high-end lunch with white table cloths and china in a little country setting.”
The prior year the group had traveled to Banff, Canada where Devanney staged another signature lunch. “We took the group from the Banff Springs Hotel to a helicopter port and flew them over the Canadian Rockies,” he says. “We landed in a valley at this horse ranch. Then they boarded their horses and we took them to the top of the mountain where there was this tented, five-star, four-course lunch waiting for them with spectacular views.”
Another component of Incentive Travel Solution’s Denmark program was an event in a historic building called the Round Tower. “It’s a 14th century tower that the king built to look at the stars,” Devanney says. “We took the group up to the top for champagne cocktails. They did what’s called a sabre d’or. That’s where they take a giant saber and they chop off the top of a champagne bottle. There are only three restaurants in all of Denmark that are qualified to do that. It was followed by dinner in an old monastery in Copenhagen called Sankt Gertrudes Kloster. It’s all made of stone and it’s underground. It’s a fantastic wine-cellar style restaurant.” “We really have to outdo ourselves each year,” Devanney says. “On this trip we also had a cocktail reception in an ice bar in Copenhagen. The chairs, the bar, the glasses, everything is made of ice. They had to put parkas on. It was below zero inside the bar. It’s one of the things they talk about the most, and it was just an hour long cocktail reception.”
Creativity Counts
“It’s not always the budget that plays an important role,” Devanney adds. “For a client a few years back in Paris, we took them on a high speed train down to Giverny where Monet painted and we had a nice picnic lunch down in the rose garden. That’s an example where the budget doesn’t have to be stretched.” Exclusivity is a key ingredient of many dream incentives. Some companies prefer to look for a resort they can buy out for their group, so they won’t have to share the facility with other guests. “More and more companies are going that route,” explains Kenderly Haskins, national director of sales for Auberge Resorts in Mill Valley, CA. “It does give them a sense of exclusivity, and their people feel like ‘Wow, you bought out the place for us?’” Haskins has a client in the financial services industry who is buying out Auberge’s Esperanza resort for a sales incentive program this month. Esperanza is a 56-room ultra-luxurious oceanfront resort located a few miles from Cabo San Lucas on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. There will be approximately 120 guests for the four-day program. “Literally, whatever they want to do is what they can do,” Haskins says. “A yacht will be available for them daily. They can golf every day. They’ll have a cigar roller available and a big beach barbeque. They’re doing a Hummer tour and fireworks over the sea. “Everything is complimentary for them,” she adds. “Dinners, the drinks, everything goes back to the master account.
It’s going to be top notch.”