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.

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.

 

 

 

 

“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–Section One

 

An Interview with JNR Incorporated–

Top Professionals Share How They Deliver the Wow Year After Year

 

This is the first 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 plannning, debit card programs, merchandise and recognition, special event or entertainment.  Two of JNR’s top professionals were interviewed for this article.

 

Shaking Things Up

 

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.  An interview with two of the industry’s top event planners who work for JNR Incorporated revealed some intriguing insights into this challenging subject.   

 

Part 1 – Details!  Details! Details!

 

Linda Cote is a twenty year meetings and events industry veteran.  She has a reputation for being versatile, knowledgeable, and a perfectionist.  She is an undisputed favorite with her clients because they know without a doubt that she will bring them fresh and new approaches to their annual programs.  Her event planning background began at one of the nation’s top event companies headquartered in Los Angeles, California. That position lead to her being hired at JNR Incorporated fourteen years ago.  Linda’s proven abilities and experience have brought her to her current position at JNR as Special Events Director.  She bonds closely with her clients and reaches inside their psyches to discover their “dream” programs, which allows her to deliver extraordinary meeting and incentive travel programs year after year. Linda is also a Board member of International Association of Corporate Entertainment Producers. (IACEP)

 

As Special Events Director, Linda is responsible for overseeing the operations of an incredibly complex annual incentive travel program for one of JNR’s long-term clients.  This incentive program drew its first breath in the late 1980’s and has been running strong ever since.  In return for client loyalty, JNR faces the challenge that the program must take place each April in a Hawaiian island location.  While Hawaii offers a great mix of the qualities that any incentive planner craves such as great weather, a fun and sun location, experienced infrastructure and marketing excitement, it is still a challenge to offer a “fresh” and extraordinary program every time.   

 

 

When clients change their destinations geographically from year to year, the marketing challenge isn’t the same as it is when a repeat destination is selected.  While change isn’t always the solution, it does offer some advantages because the incentive marketing team can wrap the theme and campaign around the look and feel of each new destination.   

 

 

Extensive Site Inspections

When the destination remains the same, there are other opportunities, as well as challenges.  Linda Cote’s advice is to go the source, or in other words, go to the destination.  “You have to do extensive site inspections to discover special nuances and hidden treasures.”  One of the advantages that a return location offers is the opportunity to build a highly responsible and reputable “cast”.  Linda’s expert team of professionals  include a Hawaiian based décor company, a local DMC and production company.  This team meets every year with Linda and the client for this working site inspection.

 

According to Linda, “We started our brainstorming session immediately during the first hotel tour.  We generally begin in the ballroom that we are going to use for the awards banquet.  We check out ceiling heights, dimensions, light fixtures, wall and carpet colors.  We consider our options, and we turn challenges into opportunities.” 

 

After the hotel site inspection, Linda and the team visit each of the offsite venues because this program does a mix of on- and off-property events.  “We knew we didn’t want to offer another luau.  But, when we visited Kilohana, we liked the new luau pavilion that Fred Atkins has built.  Our team discussed options, and we came up with a great concept.  We created a retro Hawaii theme so we can include the look and feel of Kilohana and Kauai, but with a different twist.  From there, we’ll throw in the extra touches and creative details to make it fresh and exciting.” 

 

Linda had the client and all of her support suppliers in tow when they visited Kilohana.  One cast member mentioned that Mick Fleetwood, of Fleetwood Mac fame, now lives on Kauai and has a local Hawaiian band and show.  One idea led to another and soon they were working on the concept of a Mick Fleetwood show, backed by his local group to make it feel more authentic to the island theme. The production specialist was there to discuss how to make the show work in the new pavilion and the décor representative was on hand to provide décor and lighting magic.  They soon had the foundation for an outstanding theme party. 

 

 

 

Holland America Line – Zaandam Inspection

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

INSPECTION – ms ZAANDAM

APRIL 18, 2008

 

 

Holland America Line is one of AMT’s (AtVantage Marketing & Travel Services) “featured” cruise lines.  On April 18, 2008 I had the opportunity to tour the Zaandam from the beautiful port of San Diego.  Many thanks to David Stockert, Director, Sales Training and Lori Eger, Business Development Manager with Holland America Line for their kind invitation to join them on the site.

 

The ms Zaandam was built in 2000.  Her sister ship is the ms Volendam, which was built in 1999.  The ship is an “R” class ship with Holland America.  (See my blog dated 5/2/08 for a complete listing of all ship classes with Holland America.)  All Holland America ships carry a particular theme.  The Zaandam’s is music.  The décor throughout offers surprising art and sculpture that will bring to mind some of the world’s best loved music.  Look for Bill Clinton’s saxophone under glass and you can’t miss the spectacular band organ sculpture that is the focal point of the ship’s three story atrium.

 

The ship has ten decks offering endless activities and amenities.  Everyone will enjoy the Rotterdam dining room which offers seating in a lovely two story configuration and is the ship’s main dining facility.  For a different dining experience, you can make reservations at the Pinnacle Grilll. 

 

Enjoy the sun and fresh air on the Lido Deck and pool.  There’s Explorations Café where you can order a cappuccino and check e-mail.  Many will opt for the a spa experience, at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon.  Sip a cocktail in the Crow’s Nest which offers panoramic views off the front of the ship.  The fitness center is roomy and sports new and shiny Cybex machines.  You won’t have to wait for a treadmill here!  Once you work off last night’s dinner it will be time to learn new cooking techniques in the Culinary Arts Center. 

 

Cabins were clean and spacious.  I recommend you opt to a Verandah Suite (284 sq. ft.) or a spacious Deluxe or Penthouse Verandah Suite on the Navigation Deck.  (563 or 1,126 sq. ft., respectively).  If you choose one of these last two options, you also are entitled to access to the Neptune Lounge which offers 24 hour library, coffee, tea and snacks and Concierge Service.

 

Facts: 

Year Built:  2000

Ship Class:  R

Year Refurbished:  2007

Tonnage:  61,396

Pax:  1,432

Crew:  607

Guest/Crew Ratio:  2.36

 

Overall Impression:

The Zaandam is a lovely, warm and elegant ship.  Touches of vibrant color and the musical theme give it a lively international ambiance.  You will find nice floral arrangements and excellent design and placement of public areas which give the ship great flow and accessibility.  There are many options for cabin upgrades.  All areas of the ship are clean and updated.

Cruise Line Update – Holland America Has A New Ship

Thirteen elegant mid-sized ships currently make up the Holland America line.  The oldest in the fleet is the ms Prinsendam which was built in 1988.  It was acquired by Holland America in 2002 and was retrofitted in 2005 to meet Holland America’s Signature of Excellence improvements.  The Prinsendam will go through another renovation in 2008 as well.  The Prinsendam holds 740 passengers and weighs 37,848 tons.  She was formerly called the Royal Viking Sun.  Because of its size, the Prisendam sails to more exotic and adventuresome ports.  Holland America ships

 

Holland American designates their vessels in categories depending on the age of the vessel.  Below Eurodam is the Vista class which includes the Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Noordam.  Other classes of Holland America ships include “R” class vessels which are the Rotterdam, the Amsterdam, the Volendam and the Zaandam.  “S” class vessels include Statendam, Ryndam, Maasdam & Veendam.   

 

The newest in the fleet and the fourteenth vessel will be the ms Eurodam which will set sail in July, 2008 on its maiden voyage in Northern Europe.  Its 2008 season will offer cruises to Europe, Canada and New England.  The Eurodam is the first of the new Signature Class level of vessels.  Two more Holland America ships are slated for construction by the end of 2009.

 

The new ship will contain eleven decks, 112 suites, 596 verandah staterooms, a new Pan Asian Restaurant and Lounge, Explorer’s Lounge, an exquisite art collection called the “Dutch Golden Age—An Inexhaustible Tradition”.

 

The Eurodam will contain the fine Signature of Excellence enhancements found Holland America’s other ships such as the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine.  The Explorations Café will offer lattes and internet powered by New York Times Magazine.  The ship’s music and book library can be found in Explorations as well.  Passengers will get a great night’s sleep on the “Mariner’s Dream Beds” made from Euro top mattresses.  The ship will feature an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon. 

 

For more information on this beautiful new ship or any other travel related questions, please feel free to contact Marilyn at 760-966-0173 or Marilyn@AtVantageMktg.com