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Time Travel ...
As the summer months wind down,
August reminds us that time waits for no one
. In this issue we talk about making time for important things, connecting with the past, appreciating the present, and looking forward to the future.
In our own travels, we've been to Ireland, several industry events throughout the US, Caribbean, and Canada.
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In July S.I.S. contributed to an
article
in Corporate & Incentive Travel Magazine, a publication written for event and incentive industry professionals. This article posed the question about what a company or event planner can do to motivate employees, preferred clients, and industry partners to attend corporate events, conferences, and trade shows.
This can be a tough one, since everyone is living such busy lives, and those at the top of their game often have more on their plate than they can handle. For some, these events can seem like more work to schedule into an already loaded calendar. The trick is to remind participants of the overall benefits to attending, including the opportunity to network in an exciting new location that provides a “mini vacation” atmosphere, industry education, and the opportunity of arranging pre-set meetings with suppliers and vendors either on or off-site.
By listening to and understanding the company culture, planners can maximize attendance by tailoring programs to fit the attendees and the industry they work in. Including topics that are relevant and impactful on their daily lives, such as health, nutrition, stress reduction and management, or even break-aways that provide the opportunity to talk about the business issues they struggle with back home, are seen as advantageous. Venues that feature green initiatives, or events that offer experiential adventures are seen as particularly attractive to attendees, since it broadens their personal perspective, something millennials are extremely interested in.
However, if an employee or participant really can’t get away due to family logistics or other solid reasons, company HR personnel and higher-ups need to listen to those reasons, support the employee, and help them plan to attend the next session. After all, life is a roller-coaster, so while someone might love to attend, it’s not always possible. Support is far and away the recommended response, rather than insisting a person attend a company event that is simply at the wrong time. Encouraging open discussion is seen as supportive, which in turn often leads to loyalty and increased job performance.
In these times of fiscal scaling back, companies may also be looking to cut back on incentive programs, but a recent
letter
the IRF shared in response to news that Charles Swab is looking at alternatives to travel incentives, sums it up pretty well. According to the IRF, this type of outlook may be short-sighted for a number of reasons. As they state, and we know full well, people connect and remember experiential travel on a very different level than they do monetary or product rewards. As the letter details, travel experiences provide numerous opportunities and long-term benefits for the participant, the host company, and the overall company culture.
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At the end of July
we were in Minneapolis with a flooring client. The two team building evening functions for the vendors and suppliers were a tremendous success, as were the Gameshow Battle rooms and a visit to a local brewery. The following night we boarded a chartered yacht for a cruise down the Mississippi River and everyone had a blast at a fun murder mystery dinner. In total we hosted 80 people for this three day convention and tradeshow, held at the
Hyatt Regency
.
July 22-24
th
we were in Colorado Springs for the Incentive Summit, and stayed at
The Broadmoor
, for an extremely successful few days of connection and industry education.
August 6-9, 2019 we were in Willemstad, Curacao
at the CMITE- Caribbean Meeting Incentive Travel Exchange,
hosted at the
Santa Barbara Beach Resort
. This was an excellent opportunity to meet with many suppliers from across the industry who were showcasing their properties.
Of particular interest, we were thrilled to learn that Puerto Rico is back in full force and welcoming tourists daily, following the devastation of Hurricane Maria Sept 2017. Many hotels have completed renovations and repairs costing millions, ensuring guests will be greeted with wonderfully updated new rooms, meeting spaces, and grounds.
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Stephanie was excited to host a small group to Ireland at the beginning of August, with outstanding results. On arrival into Dublin, the group were transported by train to Killarney and stayed at the
Dunloe, then on to the
Europe Hotel for their second night. From there the intrepid gathering made their way to the fabulous
Dromoland Castle for two incredible nights and days filled with lore and adventure. After visiting and staying in a real Irish castle (see more about this incredible venue below), the group then headed to the Dingle Peninsula and the village of Tralee, staying at the
Ashe Hotel. While in the area, they visited the
Adare Manor Hotel, followed by a visit to Kenmare and the
Sheen Falls Lodge. On returning to Dublin, the group stayed at the incomparable
Westin and
Westbury hotels.
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WHAT'S UP NEXT MONTH FOR S.I.S.?
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September 9-12
th
we head to Las Vegas for the
IMEX America
tradeshow. Every year we look forward to networking and meeting daily with vendors from across the globe. With some 3500 exhibitors and 150 countries represented, this year promises to be stellar. Each day offers something new, including 180+ daily education and events to choose from, each geared toward learning about exciting new industry trends and ideas.
As a team, SIS talks to clients about the value and importance of attending conferences and tradeshows, so when we have the opportunity to attend these events in our own industry, we are all in. After all, our clients rely on us to provide them with the most current information and expertise possible to help them make the right choices for their meetings and incentive travel.
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Featured JustRewards Package of the Month
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The MTV Video Music Awards Show Experience
August 26th in Newark, NJ
Two night four star accommodation, tickets to the MTV Video Music Awards show, breakfast daily, $200 transfer allowance. Tonight is the night!
Some of the world's biggest stars will take to the Microsoft Theatre for the MTV Video Music Awards, and while the show might be a nerve-wracking ordeal for performers, some MTV stars are just ready to party. The best music videos of the past year will be honored at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA's). MTV, whose original purpose was to broadcast music videos 24 hours a day, conceived the VMA's as the music video equivalent of the Grammys or the Oscars. The annual MTV Video Music Awards ceremony has often been called the "Oscars for youth", an acknowledgment of the VMA ceremony's ability to draw millions of youth, from teens to 20-somethings each year. Held annually every September since 1984, this show is known for its outrageous performances, which can sometimes overshadow the actual award-giving itself.
Package highlights include:
• 3 day / 2 night Four Star accommodations for two for the MTV Video Music Awards Show anytime within 36 months of date of issuance
• Breakfast daily
• Reserved tickets to the MTV Video Music Awards Show
• $200 transfer allowance
• All hotel taxes
• Package inclusions may be customized to include additional nights, guests or activities.
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Billed as “Ireland’s Most Magical Address”,
Dromoland Castle
not only delivers on the expectation, but exceeds it in every way. A five-star luxury hotel located just 12 minutes from Shannon International Airport, Dromoland Castle is not just a hotel made to look like a castle; it is a real Irish castle steeped in history and was the ancestral home of the Dromoland O’Briens, whose lineage goes back 1,000 years! The moment guests arrive and take in the magnificence of the building, architecture, and landscape, they are awestruck. This is no ordinary hotel, as guests are swept back in time to an era long gone, yet completely in tune with today’s expectations of luxury, amenities, and ambience.
Surrounded by incredible beauty and nature, Dromoland Castle’s 450 acres of serenity beckon guests outdoors to explore the lake, feed the ducks, or get out on the water in one of the rented boats, to truly experience the perfection of this magical place. During cooler, or winter months, cozy up around one of the many grand fireplaces with a hot beverage, glass of fine Irish whiskey, and conversation.
Corporate and meeting events will welcome the state-of-the-art conference centre and elegant meeting rooms for groups ranging anywhere from 20 to 450. For those looking for a spot of outdoor fun, there’s golf, fishing, falconry, and clay pigeon shooting, in addition to anything you might need to create out-of-the-box team building activities.
The countryside and nearby towns offer so much to explore and experience on day trips, from fantastic shops to quaint Irish pubs boasting the best in beer, whiskey, and of course, singing – lots and lots of singing.
On-site, Dromoland Castle’s flagship restaurant, the Earl of Thomond, welcomes guests to indulge in unsurpassed culinary excellence in its elegantly appointed dining room, perfectly executed by Executive Head Chef, David McCann.
An unsurpassed opportunity awaits at Dromoland Castle for anyone looking for a gloriously memorable experience for corporate incentive travel, weddings, vacation, meetings, or events, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to introduce our clients to this incredible piece of heaven on earth, with every possible attention to detail met and exceeded.
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A UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Le Chateau Frontenac
is said to be the most photographed hotel in the world, and sits right in the heart of historic Old Quebec, high atop a cliff overlooking the majestic St. Lawrence River. The moment guests are greeted at the door by liveried concierge, they know they’ve arrived at a destination that harkens back to the past, yet has been beautifully restored and updated to reflect the needs and expectations of the present.
Having recently completed a multi-million dollar restoration, each of the 611 guest rooms and suites delight with breathtaking views, stylish décor, and contemporary amenities today’s traveler has come to expect.
While respecting and cherishing the very finest aspects of the hotel’s celebrated past, Le Chateau Frontenac also keeps an eye on the future. This is clearly evident throughout the hotel, with the Fairmont Gold floors boasting beautifully appointed meeting, gathering, lounging, and dining spaces to meet every need.
Dining at the chateau is an experience not to be missed, with culinary excellence delivered with every bite. For something truly special, indulge in the perfection of afternoon tea at Place Dufferin Le Chateau Frontenac. With a grand selection of 35 teas, accompanied by gourmet sandwiches, or sublime scones served with Devonshire cream and homemade jams and pastries, there can be no better way to unwind and feel pampered.
As a “green” hotel, the chateau is at the forefront of tomorrow’s environmental sustainability. In fact, amid the private gardens of the hotel’s roofs, the Executive Chef keeps four bee hives and about 70,000 bees! Approximately 600 pounds of honey is collected, sold, and served annually. Additionally, the Chateau Frontenanc has set up the Chateau Boreal program, in partnership with the Montmorency Forest. Guests staying two days or more may decline daily housekeeping visits in order to reduce water and energy consumption. Upon checkout, a certificate of commitment is delivered to the guest, stating the number of trees panted in their name. Since 2015 more than 4,000 trees have been planted in guests’ names. Now that’s leading-edge, and fun!
Quebec City and Le Chateau Frontenac are unique and wonderful opportunities to keep a foot in both the past and the present, and we highly recommend this incredible venue for any of our clients seeking a Canadian destination that truly represents the very best of Canadian culture, heritage, and unparalleled experiences.
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INDUSTRY NEWS WE'RE EXCITED TO SHARE
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According to a recent
IRF Quarterly Academic Review
, due to the very nature of their business, salespeople may be better positioned to respond to risk than employees. They tend to be more competitive, and therefore seek verbal and non-verbal recognition from higher-ups.
Incentive travel and non-cash rewards top the list of what this group value and strive toward, and can generate increased productivity over many levels. Because of the experiential component of incentive travel, the take-aways and ROI are tremendous, which means goal-setting jumps several notches. One way to ensure this group stays motivated though, is to keep the destinations and venues fresh and exciting. By generating feelings, bonds, and memories, attendees at corporate incentive travel events are more likely to ramp up sales goals, and upon return home, feel good about having accomplished something worthwhile and lasting.
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As much as I love all the modern conveniences and amenities of the present, a recent visit to the incomparable green hills of Ireland had me steeped in history, lore, and a little Irish magic. To walk halls trod by kings and queens, to touch centuries old furnishings or handrails, look out windows at breathtaking vistas, and unwind in elegant luxury in a real Irish castle—updated to current standards of luxury travel, was so incredible. Getting to experience and share it all with others only adds to my joy.
It is said that we cannot move forward into the future without first accepting and understanding our past. I have made mistakes. Lots of mistakes, but I always try to learn from them, and heed the lessons. When encountering challenges or needing new direction, first I step back, I reassess and review, then move forward with renewed confidence. History teaches us the pitfalls and values to be learned, while the present and future may require us to take the best of what was and apply new methods or choices to reflect where we are going.
This is why I am always impressed when venues possessing significant historic value not only accept change and the needs of the future, but embrace it, without losing the very best of the past. When done right, this marrying of the past, present, and future bring guests to a place of memories to be cherished for a lifetime, and a respect for the challenges people faced in times long gone. I feel so blessed to have experienced Ireland and all her glory, and look forward to returning to her green shores with more friends and valued clients.
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Stephanie McVeigh, CEO & Founder of Strategic Incentive Solutions Inc.
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Strategic Incentive Solutions is committed to Supplier Diversity. S.I.S is a certified diversity supplier as a woman-owned business enterprise (WBE) that can assist with your diversity spend requirements.
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“
Setting goals is the first step into turning the invisible into the visible
.”
– Tony Robbins
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