Corporate Incentive Travel During an Economic Downturn
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Corporate Incentive Travel During an Economic Downturn
If the troubled economy is keeping you anxious, there are many ways to keep your business running and in reasonably affordable ways too. A cruise can do wonders for you. Not only is a cruise an exclusive experience, it helps you realize your business goals at fantastically affordable costs. If you are tired of the regular corporate event venues where groups meet and discuss business in a resort or a local hotel, a cruise is just what you need to add that spark to your corporate affairs. Going on a cruise can be relaxing, soothing and a thorough treat for your group of corporate executives eager for a refreshing change. It won't be a surprise if your corporate meeting turns out to be a huge success, as your corporate group enjoys an impressive cruise experience. A cruise is the perfect blend of business and pleasure, and a great way to organize corporate events during these financially difficult times.
A corporate event organized in a cruise also has the advantage of being an exclusive upscale event that comes at surprisingly low costs.
Talking about cutting costs, there is nothing that beats a cruise trip. Corporate event planners very well know the plus points of a cruise where you get to save on lighting, food and so many other crucial expenditures. Compared to a four-day long conference in a five star hotel, a cruise definitely fits in comfortably with a reasonable budget, and during an economic crisis, it is an ideal incentive traveling option.
When it comes to food, lighting, or any other form of interior decoration, a cruise is not in a precarious position where people tend to compare the look of the event with other previous events held in conventional corporate venues. A group of business executives are usually too pleased to be on a cruise to complain about missing factors such as lighting. As a cruise is a unique corporate event venue, it can avoid unnecessary comparisons with other corporate settings.
The cruise industry is at all time high, particularly with the economic crisis setting in. Numerous destinations have been explored and the exposure to exotic cultures is just an added bonus. There are plenty of cruise destinations that corporate groups can choose from, and it all comes at fantastically reasonable rates. All these groups need to do is to approach an experienced event-planning group that is eager to offer a variety of choices. Of late Europe has been a much impressive cruise destination for American corporate travelers. These cruise destinations are not just geographically beautiful, they are also surprisingly affordable.
Cruise meetings and events are great options for corporate groups willing to impress their employees, clients and partners as well as save on costs. During these times of financial difficulty, maintaining a presentable corporate image can get challenging. However with corporate incentive cruise traveling, high expectations can be successfully met with low costs. These cruise trips come with amazing offers that include the cost of food, entertainment and other attractions, making it a highly profitable business deal for corporate groups looking for an affordable and presentable way to organize important events.
A corporate event organized in a cruise also has the advantage of being an exclusive upscale event that comes at surprisingly low costs.
Talking about cutting costs, there is nothing that beats a cruise trip. Corporate event planners very well know the plus points of a cruise where you get to save on lighting, food and so many other crucial expenditures. Compared to a four-day long conference in a five star hotel, a cruise definitely fits in comfortably with a reasonable budget, and during an economic crisis, it is an ideal incentive traveling option.
When it comes to food, lighting, or any other form of interior decoration, a cruise is not in a precarious position where people tend to compare the look of the event with other previous events held in conventional corporate venues. A group of business executives are usually too pleased to be on a cruise to complain about missing factors such as lighting. As a cruise is a unique corporate event venue, it can avoid unnecessary comparisons with other corporate settings.
The cruise industry is at all time high, particularly with the economic crisis setting in. Numerous destinations have been explored and the exposure to exotic cultures is just an added bonus. There are plenty of cruise destinations that corporate groups can choose from, and it all comes at fantastically reasonable rates. All these groups need to do is to approach an experienced event-planning group that is eager to offer a variety of choices. Of late Europe has been a much impressive cruise destination for American corporate travelers. These cruise destinations are not just geographically beautiful, they are also surprisingly affordable.
Cruise meetings and events are great options for corporate groups willing to impress their employees, clients and partners as well as save on costs. During these times of financial difficulty, maintaining a presentable corporate image can get challenging. However with corporate incentive cruise traveling, high expectations can be successfully met with low costs. These cruise trips come with amazing offers that include the cost of food, entertainment and other attractions, making it a highly profitable business deal for corporate groups looking for an affordable and presentable way to organize important events.
Incentive Travel Planning Resources
- Landry & Kling
- Cruise group experts and ship charter experts. Plan a cruise meeting for your next corporate incentive travel event.
- Seasite.com
- Seasite.com is the first and only web portal for the cruise meetings and incentive market.
Why a Cruise is One of the Best Incentive Travel Options
The Experience
The ocean persists to call even now that we have high speed transcontinental air travel. The rocking calm motion of a cruise ship blends with the adventurous bygone days of the sea, and meeting attendees will get more than simply a get-together - they will get luxury, romance, and exotic destinations. So many people have saved their entire life to experience a cruise, and they will get to do so with an incentive cruise reward trip you.
Leisure Activities
There is always so much to do on a cruise ship, and there is something to enjoy for everyone to like. Most cruise ships offer optional tours at various of ports on the itinerary, where you can shop, visit a coffee plantation, get an interesting historical tour, and many other tour opportunities depending on the port of call. Once more, attendees are accessing more than a conference.
Accommodations
The personnel on a cruise ship are highly trained professionals who will take care of attendees as if they are the only persons on the cruise ship. Lavish dining and entertainment of all types are also part of the cruise adventure, and it is in no way second class.
Total expense
You will know precisely what the cruise event will cost without any surprises and without needing to prepare any special provisions with other entities. Why? Because it is all included in the one low price - dining, activities, entertainment, and other leisure services, in addition to meeting rooms and A/V equipment are all included when you book an all inclusive
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Don't Let Cost Cutting Ruin Your Incentive Meeting Event
By its very nature, incentive trips ought to have an air of luxury and unquestionably have to be inviting in order for it to function as an incentive. An incentive trip simply cannot be a ordinary excursion that the would-be attendees could easily throw together themselves. Incentive travel packages must be Unforgetable, meaningful, impeccably planned and knowledgeably executed.
That being understood, incentive travel planners are under more and more pressure to slash expenses and deliver incentive travel packages that fit into new, reduced travel budgets. As planners struggle to meet the demands of their managers or client companies, while at the same time staying within budget, incentive travel planners are now forever looking for methods to decrease travel costs. The trick is to discover ways to cut costs without cutting corners.
One way that travel planners are adapting to the changes that have come with this economic downturn is to opt for an all-inclusive meeting at sea. A cruise meeting is one of the top ideas if you really would like to inspire employees. Your meeting participants will never fail to remember the thrill of visiting many exotic destinations and just unpacking one time. Above and beyond increasing attendance, incentive trips such as an all inclusive cruise meeting can be much easier on the incentive travel budget, too.
Cruise events can save up to 40% over a comparable land-based hotel venue, and furnish incredible onboard facilities and dining choices. Additionally, cruise ships are being constructed with events in mind, e.G. Dedicated meeting facilities, leading-edge technology, flexible public spaces and large theaters that can seat as many as 1,600 people.
Meeting space and A/V equipment are complimentary with nearly all cruise lines, and the dedicated meeting facilities provide groups more privacy and technology. Fresh new meeting venues such as a cruise ship's magnificent show lounges, comedy clubs, and culinary centers can generate creative thinking and team building. And there is no shortage of fun activities and challenging sports facilities for your incentive group to take part in between meetings, offering tons of motivational appeal (and bragging rights) for attendees of every age.
Built-in activities for spouse/guest programs save you planning time and money. Family incentive cruises are easier and far less costly than land-based programs, and teens - who typically resist family trips - find cruising allows them more freedom, friends and food than any alternative venue.
That being understood, incentive travel planners are under more and more pressure to slash expenses and deliver incentive travel packages that fit into new, reduced travel budgets. As planners struggle to meet the demands of their managers or client companies, while at the same time staying within budget, incentive travel planners are now forever looking for methods to decrease travel costs. The trick is to discover ways to cut costs without cutting corners.
One way that travel planners are adapting to the changes that have come with this economic downturn is to opt for an all-inclusive meeting at sea. A cruise meeting is one of the top ideas if you really would like to inspire employees. Your meeting participants will never fail to remember the thrill of visiting many exotic destinations and just unpacking one time. Above and beyond increasing attendance, incentive trips such as an all inclusive cruise meeting can be much easier on the incentive travel budget, too.
Cruise events can save up to 40% over a comparable land-based hotel venue, and furnish incredible onboard facilities and dining choices. Additionally, cruise ships are being constructed with events in mind, e.G. Dedicated meeting facilities, leading-edge technology, flexible public spaces and large theaters that can seat as many as 1,600 people.
Meeting space and A/V equipment are complimentary with nearly all cruise lines, and the dedicated meeting facilities provide groups more privacy and technology. Fresh new meeting venues such as a cruise ship's magnificent show lounges, comedy clubs, and culinary centers can generate creative thinking and team building. And there is no shortage of fun activities and challenging sports facilities for your incentive group to take part in between meetings, offering tons of motivational appeal (and bragging rights) for attendees of every age.
Built-in activities for spouse/guest programs save you planning time and money. Family incentive cruises are easier and far less costly than land-based programs, and teens - who typically resist family trips - find cruising allows them more freedom, friends and food than any alternative venue.
How the Economy Is Influencing International Meetings
There are many factors that influence the planning of international meetings, including the economy, the threat of terrorism, the possibility of natural disasters, fluctuating currency exchange rates, the new US passport requirements, local health issues, and the media and public perceptions of corporate meetings in the wake of the well publicized poorly timed AIG incentive travel.
Meetings and Conventions magazine recently polled international meeting planners, and 58 percent cited the economy is having a significant impact on their global meeting plans.
At the same time, the threat of terrorism continues to be a factor for many of the meeting planners polled, with 42 percent saying it has had an impact on their plans.
Health concerns in the wake of the H1N1 (Swine flu) had a significant impact on meeting and travel planning for 34 percent of the respondents.
With concerns about the economy at the forefront, it is not surprising that 87 percent of those surveyed said that guaranteed prices for hotels and services in US dollars make a destination more attractive to them and their clients. Making a case for all-inclusive travel such as cruises much more desirable.
Source: Meetings & Conventions - International Meetings Supplement
Meetings and Conventions magazine recently polled international meeting planners, and 58 percent cited the economy is having a significant impact on their global meeting plans.
At the same time, the threat of terrorism continues to be a factor for many of the meeting planners polled, with 42 percent saying it has had an impact on their plans.
Health concerns in the wake of the H1N1 (Swine flu) had a significant impact on meeting and travel planning for 34 percent of the respondents.
With concerns about the economy at the forefront, it is not surprising that 87 percent of those surveyed said that guaranteed prices for hotels and services in US dollars make a destination more attractive to them and their clients. Making a case for all-inclusive travel such as cruises much more desirable.
Source: Meetings & Conventions - International Meetings Supplement
Client Concerns Can Actually Help You Be a Better Planner
Address concerns about the economy head-on.
You just got a call from a client who wants an inclusive incentive travel plan but is worried about "things." Rather than rolling your eyes at yet another paranoid client, you can use this information to help you find out exactly what will make him happy.
In fact, before you plan anything for anyone you should find out what it is that worries them. Ask them three questions that will help you find them the best inclusive incentive travel deal possible.
1. Are you worried about the economy?
Although most people will likely answer "yes," some may say this does not bother them. If they are worried about it, ask them who much they really want to spend. They may have given you one number before that question simply because they thought that was what they had to pay.
2. If your customers/shareholders/employees/the public found out about this expenditure, would they be angry?
The answer to this will tell you if your client is tuned in to others and to public opinion, and whether or not he cares. Other people's perceptions may be important in what you put together for this client.
3. Do you understand the value of the dollar in the foreign markets?
If your client wants an international inclusive travel package, both of you need to understand that the dollar doesn't hold as much value as it used to. Make sure she knows that changes in foreign currency happen in seconds, not days.
Information is key for both you and your client. Address the concerns and get to the deeper reason behind them and you will both be happier for it.
In fact, before you plan anything for anyone you should find out what it is that worries them. Ask them three questions that will help you find them the best inclusive incentive travel deal possible.
1. Are you worried about the economy?
Although most people will likely answer "yes," some may say this does not bother them. If they are worried about it, ask them who much they really want to spend. They may have given you one number before that question simply because they thought that was what they had to pay.
2. If your customers/shareholders/employees/the public found out about this expenditure, would they be angry?
The answer to this will tell you if your client is tuned in to others and to public opinion, and whether or not he cares. Other people's perceptions may be important in what you put together for this client.
3. Do you understand the value of the dollar in the foreign markets?
If your client wants an international inclusive travel package, both of you need to understand that the dollar doesn't hold as much value as it used to. Make sure she knows that changes in foreign currency happen in seconds, not days.
Information is key for both you and your client. Address the concerns and get to the deeper reason behind them and you will both be happier for it.
How The New Government Guidelines Can Increase Your Value as a Meeting Planner
As an event planner, you are always looking for ways to add value to your "products." The recent guidelines the government has issued to the companies receiving bailout money can help you be a better planner. Here are two of the requirements and how you can use them to make your companies look golden even if they are planning incentive travel.
1. Companies scheduling meetings that cost more than $75,000 are to write up a brief that basically proves that the meeting will be of benefit and how the company will achieve that goal. If you outline each meeting with your client in the same way-regardless of the cost-you may be able to find ways to reduce the price tag for your client by finding flaws in the meeting plan.
2. Bailout companies are permitted to spend only 15% of their total expenditures in marketing and sales on events, meetings, incentive travel, rewards, etc.-in other words, almost anything you could arrange for them. This is a good way for you to learn how to cut costs without cutting important corners. Help all your clients keep more money and you will earn their loyalty.
These two guidelines used together are like slamming a home run out of the ballpark and into a neighborhood six blocks away. Together they become a mega-plan for creating efficiency, savings, and a new look at meetings. And that creates value-value in the meeting, the plan, and you.
1. Companies scheduling meetings that cost more than $75,000 are to write up a brief that basically proves that the meeting will be of benefit and how the company will achieve that goal. If you outline each meeting with your client in the same way-regardless of the cost-you may be able to find ways to reduce the price tag for your client by finding flaws in the meeting plan.
2. Bailout companies are permitted to spend only 15% of their total expenditures in marketing and sales on events, meetings, incentive travel, rewards, etc.-in other words, almost anything you could arrange for them. This is a good way for you to learn how to cut costs without cutting important corners. Help all your clients keep more money and you will earn their loyalty.
These two guidelines used together are like slamming a home run out of the ballpark and into a neighborhood six blocks away. Together they become a mega-plan for creating efficiency, savings, and a new look at meetings. And that creates value-value in the meeting, the plan, and you.
Doing Your Part for the Economy
It's been said--and posted on meeting planner blogs all over the internet--that the economy paired with recent government regulations for bailout companies is creating big trouble for meeting planners. Business are canceling meetings and conferences all over the world, and the ones that are not being canceled are being scaled down almost to ineffective levels. What's a meeting planner to do?
Step One: Help Your Clients
Instead of canceling, make suggestions on how they can change or postpone the meeting. Also support them. Meetings are not going to hurt companies. They help them, and you need to be vocal about this--not only to companies but to the public. Let everyone know that meetings bring in money to local economies, and they also help the company on many different levels.
Step Two: Be Proactive
Long before your clients cancel a meeting, call them and compliment them on their decisions to continue the meeting. Send them emails with evidence of how meetings help companies. Get them charts, graphs, and testimonials on why their plans are good and you may prevent a problem down the road.
Step Three: Show Results
After a meeting, help your client measure the ROI of each meeting. Help her see the change for the better, and if the results are stellar get the press involved. Write a press release about it, which will get your name in front of the public as well.
Step One: Help Your Clients
Instead of canceling, make suggestions on how they can change or postpone the meeting. Also support them. Meetings are not going to hurt companies. They help them, and you need to be vocal about this--not only to companies but to the public. Let everyone know that meetings bring in money to local economies, and they also help the company on many different levels.
Step Two: Be Proactive
Long before your clients cancel a meeting, call them and compliment them on their decisions to continue the meeting. Send them emails with evidence of how meetings help companies. Get them charts, graphs, and testimonials on why their plans are good and you may prevent a problem down the road.
Step Three: Show Results
After a meeting, help your client measure the ROI of each meeting. Help her see the change for the better, and if the results are stellar get the press involved. Write a press release about it, which will get your name in front of the public as well.
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Meeting and event planner specializing in cruise meetings.
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