Riviera Maya – Revisiting Paradise

Enjoy your day at the beach in Riviera Maya

When I first traveled to the Yucatan Peninsula (Cancun) over twenty years ago it was an emerging resort area full of many promises. The offering included balmy Caribbean weather, easy and inexpensive air access from the United States with a good selection of gateway cities offering non-stop service, golf, interesting archeological ruins, you’re your unusual assortment of water activities like fishing, snorkeling and diving.

An easy and interesting day trip included a stop for snorkeling at Xel-Ha and a visit to Tulum, the oceanfront site of ancient Mayan civilization. Hotel row stopped south of Cancun and the new developments like the Ritz-Carlton and the Marriott seemed impossibly far from town. There was nothing in between Cancun and Tulum but sleepy villages and dirt roads through the jungle and swamp to the ocean. Beach clubs dotted along the way off the federal highway.

Fast forward to 2009. This travel writer opted for a travel symposium and trade show at Secrets Maroma Beach over November 12—17, 2009. Guests included buyers like me as well as suppliers who attended the event in hopes of talking to of course, the buyers. The event included a Welcome Reception and dinner at Grand Velas, a breakfast/trade show the following morning, a day of optional activities, an offsite dinner at Le Blanc in Cancun, and a final day of more optional activities and a farewell dinner at the hotel.

Traveling to Cancun is a full day commitment for just about anyone traveling from the U.S. You have to connect to feeder cities like Dallas, Houston, Charlotte or Miami and then fly down. My alarm started my day at 3:45am. The flights were without incident and I finally arrived in Cancun at 4:25pm. However, you have to go through 3 different custom and declaration points to enter Cancun which includes an inbound luggage inspection. Plan on at least an hour to clear these requirements before you can step outside to your transportation. FYI, Cancun is on Central Time Zone.

My intention was to see as much of Riviera Maya as I possibly had time for. The first order of the day was figuring out the various resort locations and what the names meant. I realized immediately that there are literally hundreds of all-inclusive resorts, convention hotels and small boutique properties within this tourist corridor which actually spans from Puerto Morelos past Tulum ; a total of 88 miles. It would be impossible to visit even a small percentage of these resorts. I believe it would be best to identify the resort area that sounds like the best fit. Look at the services, amenities and resorts that are included and select the area that sounds like the best fit. Here is a brief rundown of what Riviera Maya is about.

Riviera Maya—A tourist corridor that links resorts south of Cancun clear past Tulum.  Riviera Maya is situated on coast of the Yucutan Peninsula. All the various resort developments are intermingled among the rain forests and beaches. Daytime activities can include diving, snorkeling, jungle walks, underground rivers, caverns, natural water parks for snorkeling and theme water parks for viewing the mammals and watching shows. There is no end for things to do here, both day and night. Major hotel zones are:

Maroma—an area of beachfront resorts with small roads that lead to them from the federal highway. The roads are literally cut out of the jungle and swamp and tend to be narrow and winding. That is on purpose as the government does not want extensive damage to these habitats. However, the roads can be unnerving, especially at night. Large vehicles like motor coaches can have a hard time, but somehow everyone makes it in and out on a daily basis. There are many resorts that dot along the way.

The main attraction to this area is seclusion, privacy and a beautiful white powder beach. It is approximately 45 minutes from the Cancun airport and about a 1 hour drive to Cancun. There are no golf courses in Maroma, but many are within a 30 minute drive. There are no shops or villages. You will have to drive into Playa del Carmen, which is about a 30 minute drive south of Maroma or north to Cancun for shopping. 

Hotel recommendation:

Secrets Maroma Beach – This 400 room, 4 diamond resort built in 2008 offers just about all the best that an all inclusive hotel can offer. There’s a choice of 7 restaurants and 9 bars, not to mention poolside and room service as well. There is a concierge stationed in every building to offer any personal services you may need.  Large water features meander throughout the property, giving it a serene quality. The sleeping rooms are appointed with comfortable beds and linens, a large bathroom with separate shower and Jacuzzi tub. All rooms have large balconies and some even contain a plunge pool.

This is an adults-only resort, which means there should be no one there under the age of 18. I have never stayed at an all-inclusive resort before, nor an adults-only. It was a refreshingly serene experience. No sounds of little feet clattering up and down the hallways and stairwells. No families emerging on the pool like the attack of the Huns. No gaggles of people clogging up the elevators and lobbies. The largest group I encountered was an ad hoc late afternoon gathering of some incentive program participants. They were enjoying some drinks and congratulating each other on being able to enjoy each other’s company at such a nice resort. They had nothing but compliments about their company and the management that had made the decision to take them there.

 Regarding the all-inclusive experience, I am all for it. I love the idea of no checks, no signing, and no tipping. No mentally adding up the daily tab of food and beverage and what an atom bomb this will be at check out. There are no surprises and a startlingly good quality of food, beverage and most of all, extremely competent and friendly service. For anyone planning a group program, consider using Secrets Maroma Beach. You will not be disappointed and neither will your guests.

Mayakoba—this 1,600 acre complex is a fairly new development on the Riviera Maya. This resort complex is 1 hour south of the Cancun airport and contains a Greg Norman El Camaleon golf course, and when completed, will house four different resorts and timeshares. All resorts will offer interchangeable signing privileges with each other and the golf course. They are strung around the natural and man-made Mayakoba lagoon.   The resorts take advantage of these backgrounds and place their accommodations and public areas to enhance the views. There is no village in Mayakoba and no shopping. However, Playa del Carmen is a convenient 15 minute drive south of this area. I had the opportunity to visit two of the resorts in Maykoba and would recommend either one without hesitation. Another five star hotel worth recommending would be the Banyan Tree.

Hotel Recommendations:
Fairmont Mayakoba—This 450 room, 5 diamond resort hotel opened up in 2005. The entrance and lobby are stunning with their use of natural woods and open air design. Views extend past the lagoon clear down to the ocean. Situated on over 45 acres, this property spreads in every direction. Guests can opt to walk, use bicycles or golf cart shuttles to maneuver between the lobby, the 4 swimming pools, and the 3 restaurants and bars. Sleeping rooms are large and comfortable and offer a single vanity with a separate tub and shower area. All rooms have balconies. Most rooms look out onto the lagoon or jungle areas. Some rooms and suites are ocean front and include unobstructed views of the Caribbean. The beach has white powder sand and is stunning. Also at the beach is a 10,000 square foot freeform swimming pool, restaurant and beach chairs. The hotel offers over 40,000 square feet of meeting space with a 10,000 square foot ballroom. Fairmont Mayakoba is open to both adults and children.

Rosewood Mayakoba—Opening its doors in 2007, the 128 room deluxe Rosewood Mayakoba will soon be placed on everyone’s list as one of the hottest new hotels around. Designed in a clean, contemporary architecture that also captures the essence of the jungle, the public areas and sleeping rooms immediately catch your eye with pure understated refinement. Each sleeping room is a suite with a private boat dock and plunge pool. Guests are transported to their personal retreat via boat or golf cart. Bathrooms capture natural light and many offer outdoor showers.  The executive chef, Daniel Peris, is from Barcelona, Spain. The hotel offers a one mile white sand beach and facilities include a beach club with infinity pool and the Punta Bonita restaurant, a luxury spa  on a private island with fitness center, multiple pools and restaurants, a spa café, bars and a game lounge.  There is 2,615 square feet of meeting space. Rosewood Mayakoba is open to adults, children and small pets less than 18 pounds.

Have a cold one at Mamitas in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen

This town was both a total surprise and delight to me. I was aware of Playa del Carmen and had read up on it in the past but I was not prepared for how much I would enjoy it. Playa del Carmen is a large seaport where the ferries and boats arrive and depart daily for Cozumel, which is an island just off the coast best known for diving and laid back resorts. I predict Playa del Carmen will soon emerge as the primary resort town in Mexico, beating out Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco.

Chic boutique hotels are springing up daily throughout town and along the beach front. A pedestrian shopper’s street, Fifth Avenue, runs for several blocks and offers a great assortment of European and Mexican style shops and restaurants. Guests from hotels all up and down the coast of Riviera Maya come to Playa del Carmen as well as daily cruise ship passengers come looking for a unique shopping experience and also for the many tasty restaurants in town. The younger ones stay on and party until the wee hours in the town’s many clubs and discos. Also available are many excellent beach clubs. I stopped by Mamitas, which is on 28^{th Ave.} The club offers lounges with shade palapas right on the beach, soft talcum sand, a beautiful turquoise blue ocean with a perfect 1 foot break. Add in a cool shady outdoor restaurant serving up cold beer, good food and great retro 80’s music. Check out the photo. I’m the one with the beer! Did I say that I loved Playa del Carmen? I did not have time to stop in but was told Mosquito o Blue was a great boutique hotel right in town.

Hotel recommendation:

Playacar

Just immediately south of Playa del Carmen and adjacent to it is a gated resort community of Playacar. Resorts dot the road that connects to the Federal Highway and eventually end at Playa del Carmen.

Royal Hideaway Playacar– I made a stop to visit Royal Hideaway, a 200 room, 5 diamond resort built in 1998 which is a 5 minute walk to town. This all-inclusive resort (minimum age is 13) would be an ideal location for those wishing to get a luxury resort experience which still being close to the excitement of Playa del Carmen.  Built in tropical colonial elegance, this hotel offers 6 gourmet restaurants, 2 bars, a complete dinner theater, a spa and fitness center, pools, ocean front beach club with restaurant, pool and white sand. Sleeping rooms and suites are spacious and offer luxurious bathrooms with separate Jacuzzi bath, shower, double vanity with Bvlgari amenities. Most rooms contain walk in closets. Gourmet restaurants offer dining options such as Mexican, Asian, Italian, and International cuisine. There is an extensive wine menu available as well a private room for tasting dinners and special events. Destination weddings would be perfect here. There is no meeting space here other than the theater.

Xcaret

Would you believe there’s more? Just south of Playa del Carmen is Xcaret, which was once an ancient Mayan seaport. Visitors can learn about the area’s interesting ecology, spend time on the beach, opt to float down the subterranean rivers and wander on the jungle trails. You can spend a whole day here, and even into the night where there’s a spectacular Mexican show.

Xel-Ha

About 7 miles further south is another magical place called Xel-Ha. This area is a natural aquarium where Mother Nature mixes fresh water with ocean currents. You can walk or swim through this ecosystem. Don’t forget your snorkel mask and fins. It’s paradise here for the fish!

Swim with the Mayans at Tulum

Tulum

Our last stop is Tulum. The only Mayan city right on the ocean is worth the visit. The small beach is open for swimming and the park has been beautifully restored for visitors. The entire operation is well managed from beginning to end to include the 60 structures you can observe from close range. This Mayan city has the benefit of cooling ocean breezes which makes it so much more comfortable to visit.

Tulum has also developed quite a resort zone as well. Transfer time would be approximately 1 ½ hours from Cancun airport, but well worth the drive. All inclusive resorts and boutique hotels now surround the area. One worth considering would be Dreams Tulum, an all-inclusive resort open to both adults and families.

Consider Riviera Maya for your next vacation or corporate incentive. You will be very pleased with your decision. You will find a consistently high quality of resorts and hotels, food and beverage, competent staff and service throughout and many attractions for both adults and children to enjoy.

For more information, contact Marilyn Froggatt at AtVantage Marketing & Travel Services at 760-966-0173.

Catch the Wellness Wave-Plan a Wellness Travel Program-The Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village

 A relaxing oasis of a destination hotel exists within driving distance for most Southern California residents.  The Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village is nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains just 30 minutes north of Los Angeles and is conveniently close to the Ventura Freeway (US101).  This serene and unique property transports you into a totally different landscape and will set the stage for a life changing experience. The hotel was designed to provide a perfect backdrop for business meetings, executive retreats, weekend getaways and special events all with a special purpose in mind. Included is the California Health & Longevity Institute which offers the objectives of achieving, promoting and maintaining maximum health and well-being personally and professionally.  Travel planners are finding that a business meeting or event that offers a wellness component is forecasted to increase in popularity four-fold or more in the next year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 75% of employers’ health care costs and productivity losses are related to employee lifestyle choices. Organizations that implement corporate wellness strategies may gain higher employee productivity levels, reduced health care costs and increased profits.

The 270 room Four Seasons Hotel offers a destination with a purpose. You can plan a stress busting weekend for yourself or design a wonderful incentive program or a business meeting with a life saving and life enhancing message.  The Institute offers meaningful health and wellness programs that are paired perfectly with the services and amenities of the hotel. Customized stays can be designed based on client profiles, number of guests and desired length of stay. The hotel sits on over 20 acres of landscaped gardens and waterfalls. The lavish but tasteful traditional English décor also includes brilliant splashes of color throughout with exquisite marble, crystal and artwork. You can relax in a world-class spa and fitness center and plan your offsite tours to nearby Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the Getty Center for Art, the Getty Villa in Malibu, shop at Camarillo Premium Outlets, and hike in the Santa Monica Mountains.

I recently had the opportunity to experience this resort first hand. My three night stay started out with the option to travel on Amtrak to the Westlake Village station. I figured since the purpose of the trip was to reduce stress, why not start out with a no-traffic alternative to getting there? I purchased my ticket in advance on Amtrak’s website, saved money using my AAA membership and even opted to splurge for the business class upgrade. Luggage can be a bit of a problem because you have to load it on and off yourself, but this is a quickly resolved challenge compared to the security check hassles of our airport.  Within five minutes of boarding, I was in my comfortable seat and ready to tackle my computer and some business reading. I spent the next two and a half hours in air conditioned comfort working, sleeping and visiting with the other passengers. It sure beat driving in all that traffic!

The Wellness Institute is so well woven into the fabric of the hotel that you cannot really tell they are two separate entities. You can design a personal wellness program for yourself or as a meeting. You have a whole assortment of component s to choose from. A three night/four day package is ideal. You can kick off Day One with arrivals and a welcome reception on the Chinese Pagoda Lawn.  Follow up the next day with Fitness Energy Walks, an educational group breakfast program, and begin your general session with “Build a Case of Wellness” with Steven Aldana, PhD. After a healthy and delicious group lunch, you can choose from one-on-one nutrition, lifestyle or fitness consultations. You can opt for hypnotherapy, acupuncture or acupressure or energy healing sessions or try a relaxing therapy treatment at The Spa. That night you can plan a private estate winery event for dinner and enjoy the spectacular views of the Malibu hills.

The next day can start will yoga or walking followed by a healthy breakfast. Your business session can again open with a wellness talk on managing stress. Lunch can include a class on quick and healthy meal preparation taught at the Institute’s Wellness Kitchen. You will dine on the same recipes taught in the class.   

During the nutrition classes, healthy eating styles are emphasized. Goals for healthy eating include 7-10 pieces of fruit and vegetables per day, decreasing red meat to once a week and preparing smaller portions, adding soy or vegetable protein to foods like beans to salads, substituting veggie burgers for meat, and using soy milk on cereal or oatmeal. Include the use of healthy fats and reduce refined sugar and sodium that are found in processed foods. When I arrived home, I went to Henry’s Whole Foods market and stocked up on fresh fruits and vegetables. It is amazing how much better you feel once you add these foods into your diet. They also recommended eating fish 3 times per week. That can be tuna sandwiches as well, so it’s easy to include it.

My three night stay at the resort truly was a life changing experience. It was my first time as a guest there. Not knowing what I was getting into, my primary goal was just to relax and get some rest. I accomplished that but also experienced and learned a whole lot more. The business meetings I attended include talks on stress management, healthy eating and longevity. Every presentation was very informative but also enjoyable too. I took pages of notes and brought home all the handouts.

Creating a culture of health both for yourself, your family and your company is a challenging and rewarding task. Consider booking a meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village and speak to me about adding in the wellness components into the program. I guarantee you will come away with lasting and beneficial results.

Ten Ways To Motivate Employees Without Breaking the Bank

 How to Use Recognition and Reward Techniques Even In Tough Economic Times

Understanding your employees and what motivates them to show up on time day after day to work will directly affect your bottom line. Smart managers have always understood the importance of a dedicated staff. But when the economy recedes and business owners have to fight harder and harder to make even a decent profit, what comes first, the bottom line or your employees? Somehow, both are extremely important and will fight for priority on a daily basis.  The following is a list of suggestions and ideas to keep your employees and sales people coming back for more.

First, let me ask you a question. How many of you have consistently used incentive motivation to recognize and reward your employees? What types of incentives worked the best? Are your rewards appropriate to the employees you are giving them to? If you say cash my next question is how much return do you think you got on that investment? Studies have shown that cash is never as good a motivator as the methods listed below. Why? Cash has no trophy value and gets lost soon after it is awarded. Employees also feel that if they do an extraordinary job, they deserve a reward that is commensurate with the effort. Cash rewards tend to allow managers to emotionally disconnect with their employees which will negate any good feelings workers had about the reward.

Employers and managers also do a bad job when it comes to understanding what their employees primarily want from working. When asked, employers or managers will always list compensation as number one. However, when employees are asked, yes, they say compensation is important, but they also want strong and competent management. What else do people want most from their jobs? They want to understand how their work is making a difference. They want job flexibility. They want recognition for a job well done. When an employee gets these things from working, they experience job satisfaction.   

How do you help foster job satisfaction in your employees? By taking time to comprehend what employees need and then how to deliver it. But, you say, it’s tough enough out there right now without having to create and build new incentives and management goals for the business. But you say I can’t afford incentives for my employees.  My comment would be you cannot afford not to provide new incentives and smart employers know this.

Studies have shown that employee recognition awards spike as the economy tanks. However, reward amounts can vary. In better economic times, companies turn to stock bonuses, incentive awards, cash bonuses and stock options. All that goes away when hard times hit. In slow times, awards are spread thinner among more employees. In better economies, one employee may earn $10,000 in one award. In slow times, 100 employees may earn $100 in prizes.

A strong recognition and motivational program will help you to maintain good employees. 35% of employees state the reason they are leaving is that they are unhappy with their management. A well managed incentive program with a strong educational component helps a company focus on its stated goals. It will also measure its sales and non-sales objectives regardless of the economic forecast. Over half of businesses are not acting in a smart manner by aggressively pursuing growth. Ask yourself, what are you not getting that you need? If you offer these things you will increase your sales and motivate your employees:

–Training and certification

–Client retention programs

–Cost reduction systems

–Productivity growth

–Pinpoint who your customer is and cast the net

Motivation tools can be as creative and flexible as you are. Bend the rules a little if you have to. Dream big and step back as you watch the suggestions below bring you the results you want:

1. Employees as recruiters – You can use your employees for all the stated goals for the company including a new hire referral system. Because it is essential that you hire and retain good employees use the ones you have to find other good employees. Start an employee referral system in your company and reward for new hires. If you would pay a recruiter $1,000 for a great employee, why would you not pay at least 50% of that for the same employee referral? Turn all your employees into salespeople. Reward them for bringing in leads for new customers. Reward even more for a new contract.

 2. Eliminate anonymity—Human beings have a need to be known and recognized. If an employee doesn’t feel that the person they are working for knows much about their personal life, or understands them as a person, they cannot find their work fulfilling. Start a recognition program. This can be a very powerful tool when combined with genuine appreciation. Purchase some small generic MasterCard gift cards; say in $25 or $50 denominations.  Use the card coupled with a lunch out with the boss. This can work miracles. Always remember employee’s birthdays with a card or e-card.

 3. Engagement by recognition— People feel a sense of enslavement and loss of control when they lack clear and specific goals. Try to include non-sales employees in a company-wide recognition program. Start a program of recognizing service, teamwork and creativity, safety, leadership & collaboration. Give the program a name like the Spirit of or the Stars of… Give out a packet of custom designed gift note cards to all employees—could be called “Star Cards”. It can be a way of saying thank you or to recognize the achievement of one of the department’s values.  Rewards could also include travel or gift cards. Instead of gift cards rewards could also be one afternoon off a week. Mention the employee on the company intranet. Create a flexible and open system for suggestions and ideas. Recognize good money or time saving ideas with appropriate rewards such as gift certificates or travel.

 4. Consistently Offer Training—Training is a perfect complement to recognition. In fact the best incentive programs come with a big educational aspect. Create regular training sessions. It develops a business base for measurement and recognition and is easily justified with management. It also offers the chance for meaningful praise and recognition. Training is an easy tool to tie into incentive programs. It cuts down on irrelevance. Everyone wants to know that their job matters and that other people’s lives would be affected if the job was not done correctly. Find ways to inform employees how their work improves the lives of your customers. Start a weekly educational meeting where you keep staff informed about products, services and customer relations and how they all interrelated. Serve a free lunch at the meeting.

 5. Sustain– Start a recycling club at your business and let employees collect the dollars from saving the cans and bottles. Initiate some green practices by switching out light bulbs, reducing water usage, and recycling paper instead of just throwing it away. Go paper free whenever possible. Check to see how your business can obtain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design degree (LEED). Install solar power on the roof of the business. The more you are on the lookout for these practices the more you will save. Pledge to give back a percentage of the savings to those employees with good ideas for going green. Redesign the workspace. Improve internet connectivity; install VOIP Telephone systems so employees can communicate not just from their desks but from various pods within the workspace. Create formal and informal work areas. Use as much natural light as possible and turn off some of the electric lights.

 6. Give back—Set a good example. Donating time builds rapport among employees and gives them all a sense of community involvement and the feeling of making a difference. Adopt a local charity for your company. Close the business for an afternoon to build needed housing, clean up a neighborhood or build bikes. Schedule the event and publicize it in the local papers. Write up a press release and afterwards publicize the event on your website.  Make sure the names of all employees who participated are mentioned. Press coverage is free, is good for your company and a huge motivator.

 7. Start a wellness program. 80% of all cancer is preventable. For as little as $30 a month per employee, there are companies out there that will come in and offer health risk assessment to your employees. Reward those that fill out the assessment and pledge to take action goals like losing weight and stopping smoking. Reward those who take action and reward again once action items have been achieved.  This is called preventative care and it is growing concept in the workplace.

 8. Involve the entire family — Employees feel an even greater sense of commitment to their work when they feel their family is understood and recognized as well.  It’s important for managers to learn as much as they can about their employee’s families.  Become a dream manager—create a recognition log about each member of your staff’s families. Know who is taking dance lessons, which is in the Gate program at school, who is in after school sports like soccer or baseball.  Find out what the employee’s favorite foods and snacks are. When appropriate, purchase tickets for the family to go to the Padres game, or order pizza on someone’s birthday and have it delivered hot to their house after work.

 One on one gratitude costs so little but does so much to spread good will. Send a letter of acknowledgement to the employee to his home address so the wife and kids get a chance to read it too. Send a gift basket full of wine or goodies that the family enjoys. Offer a certificate for a catered in-home meal. Invite the employee to lunch but include the wife and kids too.

 Travel Awards  – Families nowadays have very little time to spend together, so if it’s a trip, make sure it’s somewhere that the employee can opt to take the family as well. If you are going to reward top performance with a trip, please also keep in mind the employee’s family. Studies have shown you will maximize your employee’s job satisfaction, motivation and loyalty will follow. “Winner’s Choice” programs are extremely popular. This is where winners can choose between an adult destination like an all inclusive resort in Cancun but also offer the option to select a family all inclusive instead.

 9. Be Flexible – Create flexible work schedules that assist employees work around their religious, family, medical and personal needs. Create four day work weeks. Offer every other Friday off, pay in comp time vs. overtime. Require employees take vacations and do not allow them to accrue vacation time from year to year. Allow a burned out employee to take a month off without pay. Let employees take an adult education class one or two afternoons a week to increase their job skills or even to learn a new hobby

 10. Reward overworked employees—Overworked employees lead to overwhelmed employees. The employees that remain on the job after cutbacks have to take on the additional responsibilities of those who are gone. Overwhelmed employees lead to disengaged employees. Offer time management workshops over the lunch hour and buy food for everyone.

Ok, I said it was 10 Ways to motivate your employees, but this idea came along and I had to include it. .

11. Realign your sales goals – In this economy, a yearlong sales goal or six month sales goal may seem impossible. Start two or four week projects or goals that can then reach towards a larger goal.  Try moving the middle up by 5%. We all focus on the top 10% of sales goals. Start measuring the other 40—90% and ask for an additional 5%. That’s a huge increase. Also, increase sales goal to an 11% increase. That gives you a little bit more to work with for the same payout.

For more information, contact Marilyn Froggatt, 760-966-0173.

Lake Tahoe Shines at the Hyatt Regency Resort

Lake Tahoe Morning

 

Lake Tahoe Shines

At the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino

Prepared by Marilyn Froggatt

8/12/09

A jewell of a resort is available for you at Lake Tahoe Nevada. For those of you who have never been to the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, you would have to travel far to find a resort that can offer what this one does to give you a perfect vacation experience year round. Located on the north side of the lake in Incline village, this resort in the Sierra Nevada shines either during summer or winter season. Nestled on over 500 feet of private sand beach this is the only resort in Lake Tahoe that is right on the water. The hotel offers spectacular views of the largest and most beautiful alpine lake on the Northern American continent. Lake Tahoe at 22 miles long and 12 miles wide and is rated one of the highest in purity and clarity at about 97.7%.  

 Located just 35 miles from Reno Airport, the resort is easily accessed by car. Free parking is available at the resort. You will want a car to use to visit the many attractions and activities available to you during your stay.  

 You have a choice of 422 different sleeping rooms and suites. You can opt for a spacious room in the main building or a Spa Terrace room with balcony overlooking the pool area or mountains. If you prefer to be closer to the beach, you can choose a lakeside cottage room with balcony just steps from the beach and water. One and two bedroom suites are also available in the lakeside cottage area or in the main building.

You have a huge array of choices when it comes to dining. There are eight different bars and restaurants on property all offering tempting meals and snacks. The classic lodge style Lone Eagle Grille serves tempting appetizers, entrees and desserts in a unique California cuisine concept. The wine list is amazing and the restaurant also offers wine pairing dinners. The Lone Eagle Grille is also the hot spot for locals so be sure to make a reservation.

There is a 20,000 square foot spa to relax and be pampered in, a year round swim out pool, 24 hour fitness center, three pools and Jacuzzis, and lots of different outside areas to relax and reflect. Incline Village offers miles of bike and walking trails, so if you find the need to walk off some of the great food and wine you will be able to do so.

This area of Tahoe offers a vast array of unique tours and activities. Try mountain biking off beginner’s runs at Northstar Ski Resort. Go parasailing in front of the resort. Sail on the 65 foot catamaran. Go to one of the most beautiful beaches in North America at Sand Harbor or relax at the Hyatt’s own private beach. Go hiking, golfing, and fishing. Tour the many historical mansions around the lake like Thunderbird Lodge and learn some stories about the eccentric millionaires who designed the future and built the legend that is Lake Tahoe.

You will not regret staying at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino.

For more information, contact Marilyn Froggatt, AtVantage Travel Services at 760-966-0173.

Hotel Four Seasons Florence Dazzles

Four Seasons Hotel Florence

Finally we arrive in Florence on April 26, 2009. After almost 24 hours of flying, changing aircraft (triple connection for anyone flying from San Diego) we are swept away from the Florence airport via minicoach to The Four Seasons Hotel Firenze.  Weather is cool, but not uncomfortable; they announce local weather is 14 degrees Celsius. I am an idiot when it comes to translating Celsius to Fahrenheit, but if I was at home, I would say it feels around 65 degrees. I check with one of my travel mates, and they say its 57 degrees. At least there’s no rain.

 I know where I am instantly. The square and rectangular shaped buildings with the green shutters we pass instantly convey their geographic location to the weary traveler. It’s just like it looks in all the travel magazines.  Florence airport is an easy 30 minute drive to the center of town. You traverse through some farmland and pass old Tuscan farmhouses.

 Immediately after stepping into the beautiful hotel I knew the travel time and effort was well worth it. One word sums it up, amazing. You park on a very small and quiet street with towering trees. Private parks emerge on both sides behind gated walls.  The entrance is understated but the bell captain stands in attendance. You pass through glass entrance doors and are instantly transfixed into two fifteenth and sixteenth century palazzi centered by the largest private garden in Florence which is 13 acres. The garden now contains a pool, spa and fitness center. The design of these buildings made them very low key which helps preserve the beauty and tranquility of the area. One thing that makes this area so special is that you can return from a day of sightseeing exhausted and spend an hour or two in reflection and relaxation and it really revives.

 The hotel opened in September, 2008 but because of the lengthy and detailed 7 year renovation, it’s hard to believe you aren’t there to visit one of the Medici families.  I stayed in a Premiere room overlooking the garden, and it was well worth the upgrade. It gives you just a little more green space and is so pretty to wake up to every morning. Four Seasons Hotel Firenze offers 116 sun-filled guest rooms and suites – no two alike – located in both the Palazzo Della Gherardesca and the Conventino. Reflecting their rich architectural history, many suites feature original frescoes, friezes and hand-painted sculptured reliefs – blending Renaissance artistry with high-tech comfort

 The public areas and the meeting facilities contain museum quality frescos and artwork. Both ballrooms are simply fantastic. The Gherardesca Ballroom is in the main palazzo just up one flight of stairs. It was once the private ballroom of the noble family. Paintings on the walls and paneled ceiling date from the 18th century and include three large paintings framed by stucco cornices as well as six oval paintings above the doors. The three paintings depict notable events in the history of the family Della Gherardesca.  The Conventino Ballroom is a former convent church, and is the Hotel’s largest function room. What was the apse now forms a natural stage, and the former organ area overlooking the ballroom can be used for an audiovisual direction booth or for musical performances. The space’s perfect acoustics create a wonderful ambience.

 Relaxing grounds, natural beauty and close proximity to all that Florence has to offer makes this hotel a perfect one destination stop for five star incentive meetings and incentives. But it would not be fair to end this article without mentioning the very best part about this fantastic experience, the hotel staff. Each and every one of them will do all possible to make sure your stay is exceptional. They back up the five star facility with five star service. You will not go away disappointed.  I personally met the hotel General Manager, Patricio Cipollini. He calls his new hotel the first city resort, with a park, a pool and a short walk to the city center.  He also says he wants to dazzle his guests. I certainly was.

AtVantage Travel Reports on Regent Navigator

AtVantage Travel Report

Regent Seven Seas Navigator

Cruise Ship Update

Sailing on “Grand Mediterranean Cruise”

Rome, Italy to Istanbul, Turkey

 

Cruise included ports of:

Civitavecchia (Rome), Livorno (Florence), Monte Carlo, Monaco, Ajaccio, (Corsica),  France, Sorrento, Italy, Naxos (Sicily), Italy, Navplion, Greece, Santorini, Greece, Kusadasi, Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey

(Port narratives will be included in separate articles)

 

Seven Seas Navigator

Ship Information

Submitted on 12/15/08

 

We chose the Navigator for our fifteenth anniversary cruise for several reasons. We wanted an upscale cruise experience. We had sailed previously on Severn Seas Voyager on a seven night Aegean itinerary in a September timeframe which started in Venice and finalized in Athens in 2003. We raved about the cruise for years afterwards. The Voyager is the star of the Regent fleet because it is the largest (700 passengers) and newest of the ships (christened in 2002).

 

We wanted a ten or eleven day Mediterranean/Aegean cruise and the Navigator, however, was and offered this incredible itinerary. We decided on the Navigator even though we knew it was a smaller vessel (490 guests) and was launched in 1999.

 

The Navigator has a total of 252 cabins, eight passenger decks, 560 total feet. It is a small exclusive ship; all suites have oceanview cabins. The minimum cabin size is 301 square feet and the maximum suite is 1173 square feet. Guest space ratio is 67.3. 90% of Navigaor’s cabins have balconies.

 

Beds are full king size with feather pillows and duvets. Cabins have walk in closets, marble appointed bathrooms, a full bathtub and shower. Bathrobes are provided, hair dryers, TVS, CD/DVD players, refrigerators with your favorite liquor and soft drinks replenished daily. Penthouse A&B and all suites have butler service daily which includes 24 hour room service, pressing service, and nightly hors d’oeuvres.

 

The ship is in excellent condition however, there are a few quirks to look out for such as a limited amount of laundry rooms. You have to be quick and aggressive to grab a washer as they are more popular than a massage appointment during prime time on the only day at sea. The irons don’t work very well either and one of the two washers kept going on the fritz which didn’t help the situation at all. I thought I was being so cleaver and snuck down to the washer early one morning, threw in a load of dark clothes, came back 45 minutes later to find my dark underwear and pants covered in a fine down of white lint. Someone had washed their beach towel the night before and left it in the washer. I didn’t see the towel until it was too late.

 

Regent is known for its all inclusive policy which means once on board you don’t pay for liquor, soft drinks, bottled water. There is a no tipping policy on board as well. This makes for a very relaxed environment and it is such a relief not to constantly worry about pulling out your wallet for money or signing a check for a drink.

 

The itinerary was excellent. However, three things challenged our cruise. One was the exchange rate—no news here–at the time of sailing, the dollar was exchanging at 1 Euro to 1.65 dollars. During the cruise we got some relief and the Euro went down to 1.55 dollars. Another thing was the amount of children on the cruise. Whenever you cruise in the summer months, you are going to encounter children and families on board. However, the mix of families on board was not strictly American which helped, as no one group “took over” as sometimes happens when a large amount of one group or another takes over the personality of the ship. The third obstacle was the weather. Italy was experiencing a heat wave and no one can be totally ready for how incredibly hot and humid Italy can be during one of those times. Think of driving in a motorcoach with poorly functioning air conditioning for 1 ½ hours from Sorrento to Pompeii. Think of walking around the ruins of Pompeii in the equivalent of a Swedish sauna for two hours in unrelenting sun and crowds. Then another 1 ½ hours to a mediocre restaurant near Positano (billed as “lunch” in Positano). The road was so narrow and winding everyone was too sick to enjoy their food, even if it had been good. The best news was that it was another hour back to Sorrento. Once we got to Sorrento, we were dropped at a gift shop high on the hill above the port. We had to transfer once again to the port, then to a tender, and finally on board.

 

Needless to say, cruisers need to be extra vigilant about ship promoted shore excursions. When possible, talk to your travel agent about booking private tours, particularly if you are traveling in a small group so you can amortize the cost of the tour amongst several couples or family members. Private tours can be customized to fit the needs and interests of the participants and you will save so much time not sitting around to be called for your motorcoach, wating for the last person to board the coach, and find that one person who insists on taking too much time in the bathroom or gift shop.

 

The ship however, excelled in every other way. The dining room was outstanding both in food and service. I would recommend this ship to anyone wanting to get away and be pampered in style while celebrating a special anniversary or honeymoon. For more information, contact Marilyn Froggatt at AtVantage Marketing & Travel at 760-966-0173.

 

 

 

 

“Gold Country Viewpoint”

Vintner

California Gold Country Viewpoint

 

An article by

Marilyn Froggatt

September 1, 2008

 

 

I have always intended to visit California’s Gold Country but other destinations always came first like a trip to Big Sur, visits to Napa and Sonoma, golfing excursions to Palm Springs and summers at Lake Tahoe. However, this area always intrigued me, most likely due to colorful stories about the 49’ers and the boom towns that came and went faster than the gold mines underneath them. 

 

Once I decided on the trip, I was amazed at the vast amount of information available via AAA, California history books and travel magazines. Once in the region, the local material is also quite informative. The Gold Country even has its own designation on a site called www.visitcalifornia.com.

 

On the Visit California map, the region is appropriately named “Gold County.” It looks like a relatively small area but believe me, there is no quick visit. Spanning almost 325 miles from north to south, it covers a region from Mariposa on the south to Sierra City in the north. The purpose of this designation is to give credit to the impact of what the California Gold Rush did to California. California was not even a state when James Marshall discovered gold on the American River in January, 1848. From that date on you can find references to 546 original mining towns, out of which only 246 exist in some form or another today in California.

 

And yes, the discovery of gold did make a few people very rich. However, most of the miners did not come away with much. The towns that did survive did so due to the trade and services that were originally set up for the miners but flourished even after their departure as logging and ranching took over when the rush was over in the early 1860’s.

 

As I started planning the trip, I imagined days full of tours of old mining towns, lunch in wonderfully unique boutique restaurants, shopping in cute antique stores and stops along the way at new and flourishing wineries. I was also surprised and pleased to find wine tasting and tours as another option to fill your days.

 

I chose Jackson as my ground zero. After studying the AAA map, I knew I wanted to concentrate on what they call Southern Mother Lode. Since I booked my trip at the last moment, I needed a quick fix on finding a room. My AAA membership has a cool hotel booking site and within a few minutes I found availability at the Holiday Inn Express in Jackson for a members–only rate of $119/night. Breakfast was included.  I chose to drive up I-5 from my home in Oceanside but made a mistake in taking SR 26 from Stockton. A better alternative would have been taking SR 88 from Stockton as the road is much smoother. I took a lot of hairpin turns on SR 26, which was ok, but after driving for 8 hours already, I was ready for a break. The room was just fine, very clean with a young but helpful staff. The location is quiet and you can open the windows in the evenings for the cool breeze. There is no swimming pool which is blessing and a curse. While I would have loved a cool dip after returning from a full day of touring–it’s hot here in August—the peaceful evenings were a nice trade off. And, once the sun sets everything cools off and the mornings are just perfect. One gets tired of the gray mornings that are a part of most t days along the northern San Diego coastline, so seeing the sun first thing in the morning was a welcome sight.

 

You really need at least five to seven days to take this all in. And you must choose just one or two areas to overnight. I would recommend Sonora or Angels Camp to explore the southern area. Jackson or Sutter Creek is a good alternative if you opt to stay a little further north. Camping and RVs are also an option, but check out the campsites online as many can be very crowded during peak season. Because of the heat, you are going to want to get into the water somewhere during the day if you visit during the summer months. Check out swimming in some of the recreational areas or buy a day pass at one of the private camps along the rivers or lakes.

 

As I mentioned, there are some major new wine growing areas that accompany the Southern Mother Lode. One location is the Shenandoah Valley area in Amador County. Not only is the area growing in vast numbers of new wineries, it boasts some great event offerings during the summer months. Located just northeast of the town of Plymouth and Amador, the ‘Vine Times’ (vinetimes@inflightusa.com) offers a listing of 37 different wineries in its July, 2008 edition. Look on page 23. I visited Karmere, Sobon Estate and Toscano Winery & Bistro. I particularly enjoyed Toscano. Their building is quite elegant and they have a nice park like setting outside where you can sit and enjoy the view and a bottle of one of their Italian varietals.  

 

While passing through Sutter Creek, I ran into a local gentleman by the name of Michael Politi, owner of Sutter Creek Winery Tours. He offers custom 1989 La Salle automobile tours of the Amador region. To book one of his tours, contact him at 408-421-0941. Michael feels very strongly about the growth and appeal of the area. “Watch for other events offered in the Amador county area, like the Sutter Creek Annual Chili Cook Off and Car Show on Sunday, September 7, 2008. It’s from 11:00am – 5:00pm.”

 

For more information, go to: http://www.suttercreek.org/specialevents/chilicookoff/. Looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun. Also, private aircraft can fly in for the event to Westover Field. Amador’s Big Crush Harvest Festival is also coming up on October 4 and 5. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 on event days. Attendees will be treated to gourmet foods, live music at many wineries and a big raffle for prizes. For more information on the Big Crush call 1-888-655-8614 or visit the website at www.amadorwine.com.

 

 

You need to have a good adventurous attitude about the sites you are going to visit. Everything is pretty casual and because you are in the Sierra Foothills, it’s going to get dusty. For the ladies, you may want to leave the cute shoes in the RV or hotel room. If you are planning to visit the mines you will need to be in sneakers or walking shoes. If it’s just lunch and some shopping in Murphy’s or Sutter Creek, put on your favorite sandals and go for it. 

 

The mother lode area was truly a new experience for me. I am sorry I haven’t taken more time before now to explore this hugely interesting location. The location hugs the Sierra Nevada and stays at a comfortable 1,500 -2,000 feet elevation in most areas. The air was crisp and clear. You are also within a half day’s driving distance to Lake Tahoe or Yosemite. A detour makes perfect sense when you are on your way to any of a number of final destinations in California. Take some time to learn about this very vital piece of California’s history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Shaking Things Up – Part Four”

 

“Shaking Things Up”

Section Four

 

An Interview with JNR Incorporated–

Top Professionals Share How They Deliver the Wow Year After Year

 

This is the fourth of four sections on how meeting professionals create new and memorable programs, year after year, with the same clients.

 

 

JNR Incorporated

JNR Incorporated is a full service incentive marketing company headquartered in Irvine, California.  Jim Jalet, President and CEO developed the company over twenty seven years ago offering corporations the highest level of product and service available.  JNR’s sixty-five employees deliver award winning programs that produce exceptional results and lasting impressions.  JNR’s wide range of marketing programs include corporate incentives, incentive travel, meeting or convention, debit card program, merchandise and recognition, special event or entertainment.  Two of JNR’s top professionals were interviewed for this article.

 

 As event planning professionals, the one comment we both dread and love to hear is, ”How are you going to top last year’s program—it was fantastic!” 

 

Ever wonder how industry pros pull off their award-winning programs time after time?  The secret is a magic formula of client and product knowledge and a good degree of the old crystal ball technique—forecasting what will be new and exciting in the year to follow.  I interviewed two of the industry’s top event planners to see what they had to say on the subject.  

Economic Shifts

A great corporate event planner must accept and embrace changing times.  There are both external and internal shifts in client and national economics that can create an entire paradigm shift in an existing incentive program.  One of JNR’s top automotive clients has been offering a high profile travel award program annually for over ten years.  2008 is the first year Vicki can ever remember that that client will not be offering their program as a multi-destination cultural program in Europe.  “Not only did the client completely change strategic direction, they also changed the demographics of the winners at the same time.”

 

Adopting a new approach for 2008, the client combined top sales producers with parts and service achievers, which instantly changed the structure of the event.  “Because of the varied business disciplines involved, we needed to create a much more casual program—one that better accommodated a diverse group of attendees.  With our client’s selection of Hawaii as their destination, we will be replacing the museums and cultural opportunities with high energy activities and interactive evening events.”

 

European vendors are also developing offerings and strategies to help overcome the weak position of the dollar to the Euro.  “Hotels are quoting rates in dollars vs. Euros. They are guaranteeing an exchange rate for a prescribed period of time.  They are offering excellent deals in shoulder periods.”  Vicki also mentioned that she is exploring alternative locations to the first tier cities in Europe.  “Instead of offering Paris, for example, we might suggest a program in Carcassonne, France or Barcelona, Spain, where the dollar will go much further.

 

Cruises are also a popular trend for meetings and incentives to help stretch budget dollars.  You can purchase the cruise in U.S. Dollars and your exchange rate is guaranteed, regardless of the destination or cruise itinerary.  This provides a huge benefit for incentive planners looking for ways to maximize available resources.  “While you may have less flexibility for customizing the program, cruising will always be one of the most economical solutions for incentive clients. And, for marketing sizzle, a cruise can hit all the buttons, particularly if sun and fun cruise destinations are selected.”

 

 

Giving Something Back

“The socio-cultural phenomenon of people wanting to be larger than themselves is increasing yearly and is widely making its way into incentive programs,” Vicki observed.  “You will see the concept of sustainable events more and more in future programs.  Take for example SITE’s new Crystal Award Category called ‘Most Outstanding Sustainable Event’. They offered two new awards in this category in 2007.”

 

“I think it’s more than a passing trend when an organization like SITE acknowledges outstanding efforts in this area.  This is a sign that our incentive awardees want to be “bigger than themselves” and want this activity to be part of their incentive experience.”  The incentive industry might be a bit slower to react to this growing trend than in other areas of our society.  “But, as event planners and partners, we need to push our clients and tell them that it’s here to stay.  We are responsible for helping our clients change things up for their participants.  Yes, it’s still about awarding and being recognized, but we’re taking this concept to a new, broader level.”

 

Another approach that JNR embraced on a recent program was “Feeding a City”.  “Our industry needs to be very aware of how we impact the environment with our programs.  Another one of JNR’s clients was very concerned about excess food not consumed at their events and we found a way to donate the leftovers to a worthy cause.”  This type of outreach is highly promotable and creates that bigger picture focus that clients want to showcase not only to their participants but to the community and their respective industry as well.

 

 

Overcoming Speed Bumps

When asked about a trend that has created challenges for event planners, Vicki mentioned the phenomenon of “instant accessibility” of information on the internet.  The internet provides a wealth of information, and not all of it accurate, regarding rating and information on hotels and resorts, not to mention on airfares. “This instant information accessibility can be frustrating for the planners when we recommend certain Five Star rated properties and true incentive quality hotels or resorts to a client, only to have the client respond, “Why don’t you try this hotel?  It was given a great rating on a major travel magazine’s website.”

 

“The difference in a rating from a travel magazine and ratings that incentive companies rely on is tremendous,” explains Vicki.  “Travel magazine ratings are often Readers’ Polls and the information has been compiled from the FIT traveler.  Factors that we keep in mind, such as the ratio of group to FIT guests and the quality and reliability of the banquet and conference services department, just for starters, are not taken into consideration.  Unfortunately, our planners have the challenge of explaining the differences to the client.”

 

 

Alternative Destinations – Future Trends

For the meeting and incentive industry, travel trends are changing.  New and fresh

destinations that offer unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences are being chosen over the tried and true choices like Europe and Hawaii.  More and more clients are asking about South America, in particular Buenos Aires and Peru.  Incentive travel experts need to be prepared to inform our clients about these locations.  Growth in Asia, China and Dubai is creating new perceptions and demand from clients.  This, coupled with the weak dollar and the desire for increased connectedness, is going to open up entirely new destinations and opportunities in the years ahead.  And, according to Vicki, “It’s not going to go away.  It will all depend on how it’s presented to the client.  The possibilities are endless.  We can offer these new and exciting locations as well as the opportunity for participants to come back feeling even more connected and rewarded.  It’s up to us as the professionals.”

 

 

 

“Shaking Things Up – Part Three

“Shaking Things Up”

Section Three

 

An Interview with JNR Incorporated–

Top Professionals Share How They Deliver the Wow Year After Year

 

This is the third of four sections on how meeting professionals create new and memorable programs, year after year, with the same clients.

 

 

JNR Incorporated

JNR Incorporated is a full service incentive marketing company headquartered in Irvine, California.  Jim Jalet, President and CEO developed the company over twenty seven years ago offering corporations the highest level of product and service available.  JNR’s sixty-five employees deliver award winning programs that produce exceptional results and lasting impressions.  JNR’s wide range of marketing programs include corporate incentives, incentive travel, meeting or convention, debit card program, merchandise and recognition, special event or entertainment.  Two of JNR’s top professionals were interviewed for this article.

 

 As event planning professionals, the one comment we both dread and love to hear is, ”How are you going to top last year’s program—it was fantastic!” 

 

Ever wonder how industry pros pull off their award-winning programs time after time?  The secret is a magic formula of client and product knowledge and a good degree of the old crystal ball technique—forecasting what will be new and exciting in the year to follow.  I interviewed two of the industry’s top event planners to see what they had to say on the subject.  

 

Starting at the Beginning—Create the Dream

 

Vicki Kern is Vice President, Planning for JNR Incorporated.  Vicki is responsible for a five member department that meticulously researches destinations, designs outstanding programs and negotiates rates and concessions on behalf of JNR’s Fortune 500 clients.  The pressure is always on for Vicki, with more than 250 meeting and incentive travel proposals created each year, often with very tight deadlines to meet client needs. 

 

Vicki is a well-respected executive at JNR, having been with the organization for a dozen years.  She is well known throughout the incentive community and serves as a Board Advisor to SITE (Society of Incentive Travel Executives) Southern California, and she is a member of the Four Seasons West Coast Incentive Advisory Board and the Fairmont Incentive Advisory Board. 

 

I had the opportunity to catch up with Vicki and pick her brain about how she develops fresh and exciting program components for her clients year after year. 

 

 

Keeping an Eye on the Trends

One of Vicki’s specialties is designing programs to showcase current trends.  She notes that food and beverage events are becoming more casual with a greater focus on networking.  “Clients are looking for a theme party or event that has a change of location throughout the evening.  We might start things out on a large scale, with the entire group being included, but as the evening progresses, the guests want to have a chance to interact and network with one another.  We like to add a second element to the evening, such as an after-glow party.  Some clients even offer a comedy club after an awards banquet to liven things up.”

 

Vicki adds, “There is definitely a movement toward high energy, interactive events.  Guests want to be part of the action.  In some ways, they want to be the entertainment.  Food and culture are not enough–guests like to do something else while they are attending a function.”

 

Celebrity chefs, exotic food and new preparations have been growing trends for some time.  Vicki is also seeing a demand for fresh and new approaches to seating.  Vignettes have gained popularity, with clients asking for more casual options to traditional seating, such as conversation pits, or pocket areas that create interest and variety. “In the fast-paced world of business, we’ve observed that our guests truly enjoy the opportunity to sit down and talk to each other.”vide ex

“Shaking Things Up” Part Two

 

An interview with JNR Incorporated–

Top Professionals Share How They Deliver the Wow Year After Year

 

This is the second of four sections on how meeting professionals create new and memorable programs, year after year, with the same clients.

 

 

About JNR Incorporated

JNR Incorporated is a full service incentive marketing company headquartered in Irvine, California.  Jim Jalet, President and CEO developed the company over twenty seven years ago offering corporations the highest level of product and service available.  JNR’s sixty-five employees deliver award winning programs that produce exceptional results and lasting impressions.  JNR’s wide range of marketing programs include corporate incentives, incentive travel, meeting or convention, debit card program, merchandise and recognition, special event or entertainment.  Two of JNR’s top professionals were interviewed for this article.

 

 

Bring to Life what is Already There

A good point to remember about incentive program planning is to not to re-invent the wheel.  Examine what your venues and locations already have to offer. Linda Cote, with JNR Incorporated, explains, “We wanted to fill the evening with more than the headline act.  Because you have to import so much décor and entertainment to an island like Kauai, events can become expensive and difficult to produce.  In discussing this with our client, we agreed it would work out well if we incorporated much of what was already at Kilohana.  We decided to combine some of the activities that Kilohana already offers, like the sugar train rides, the old plantation house and the shops.  We will bring in a tattoo parlor, dart boards, lounge furniture, pool tables, air hockey, flashing neon ice cubes, and neon caps to give the party some fun elements without incurring a tremendous amount of additional cost.”

 

 

How do you find the Wow?

JNR’s savvy incentive clients are also up on all the latest shows and trends.  Because of this, Linda stays one step ahead of them.  She tries to attend as many of the industry event trade shows as she can find time for. One example is the annual Event Solutions “Idea Factory/CaterSource” tradeshow and conference held every year in February.  Another, the International Association of Corporate Entertainment Producers (IACEP), offers an annual conference in September that includes three full days of fresh and exciting corporate entertainment productions.  At this year’s show, Linda reviewed 22 different shows in less than 72 hours! 

 

Linda also recommends staying in tune with the trendy TV shows such as “Dancing with The Stars” as you can get great new ideas.  Clients are watching these shows too.  “But”, she cautioned, “You have to filter out what will work and what won’t, and you have to make sure that you stay on top of the trends without slipping behind them.”  Gen X and Gen Y like groups like edgy talent like “Sugar Ray”, but these groups are too untested and many don’t work well as corporate entertainment.  One of the oldest and most reliable themes around is the old variety show concept.  “Think of how popular ‘America’s Got Talent’ has become, says Linda.  “Different acts, all within the same show add interest and variety. Get into the habit of watching the awards shows—from the Grammys to the Academy Awards. You will see emerging trends in décor, colors, textures and designs.  And the talent seems to go through trends as does the staging” 

 

“Watch for emerging talent trends as well”, she says.  “There’s Drum Jungle and Drum Café, and all the new electric violin acts like String Theory.  Surprise entertainment continues to gain popularity,” said Linda. She recommends becoming a close and personal friend to one or two trusted entertainment brokers.  These brokers can make or break an event for you and can be your best ally in a competitive and time-challenged world. 

 

Linda further recommends developing a knack for finding the most talented décor companies. You can search the local area where the event will take place or you can bring your décor company with you from locale to locale if you prefer.  Décor is the single most consistently important element that will give you an outstanding event production.  “You can change the mood in a flash”, says Linda.  “Stay on top of trends in décor, such as the new chameleon chairs.  True to their name, the chair can be changed with a different color or fabric and will change the mood of a room instantly.” 

 

Doing Things Differently

Try adding a few of these special twists recommended by Ms. Cote:  

 

1.  Consider splitting the awards recipients into two groups with awards presentations running simultaneously in two different rooms.  This can be done prior to the awards banquet.  Of course, you will need two different executives available a the same time to present the awards, but it will make the awards segment of the evening flow much quicker prior to the fun part of the evening.  When you meld the two groups back together for dinner, the awards have been distributed and then it’s time to eat, drink and celebrate success.

 

2.  Try scheduling the awards ceremony on the middle evening of the program rather than reserving it for the final night.  The Welcome Reception can be Night One, Night Two can be a free night and Night Three is the awards night. From there, Night Four can be a dine around night, and Night Five can be the theme party night. 

 

3.  To make a mandatory sales meeting a little more interesting, try putting the final night headline entertainer into the sales meeting as a keynote address speaker if your entertainer has speaking ability.  As an example, Mick Fleetwood offers both keynote  addresses and musical entertainment. 

 

 

Make Things Personal

Linda is always looking for the personal touch.  She adds it to the gifts that the winners receive to complete the experience.  For example, this year she commissioned a local artist on Kauai who creates handmade Koa gift boxes.  Boxes will be presented to the spouses and significant others of program winners during a special recognition breakfast to honor supportive partners.  Prior to that breakfast, the winners are e-mailed a template to write out their own personalized note of appreciation to acknowledge their spouse or guest.  Linda will print out these sentiments on a custom note card and enclose them in the boxes for guests to discover at the breakfast.  How special is that?!

 

 

 

 

Conclusion to Part One:

The ability to bond with clients and vendors simultaneously is a necessary skill as an event planner.  You have to pull the dream from the client and make it reality with your talented staff and vendors.  You learn to meld current trends into concepts and then actual productions at your chosen hotels and venues.  You take certain elements from past programs and make them seem like a fresh new production with just a few changes.  All this and more Shakes Things Up and delivers the wow the way you want it—year after year.

 

 

 

Sidebar—A Moment of Doubt

Linda shared a thought that even the most experienced of event planners can have a bad day.  When asked if she ever has a moment of doubt, she responded, “Of course I do.  Everyone does.  It’s the day when you come to work and while you are waiting for the computer to boot up you noticed your proofs did not come back the way you ordered them.”

 

Linda continued, “Then you find none of your vendors have responded to important e-mails from the day before and your phone calls have been left unanswered because they are out of town on another program.  And your client is out today because their child is sick.  It’s that moment when you feel no one is focusing on your project and you begin to wonder when they will.  And in the meantime, deadlines are looming.”

 

But when you are someone who delivers the wow like Linda can, you don’t lose faith in your vendors, even on an occasional bad day.  You know they share the passion and the vision and the events always turn out exceptional, year after year.