16 Jun 10 Cruise Meetings are Affordable
When many people think of cruises, they do not think about work. While everyone is free to have their own mental images to do with as they wish, the fact is that cruises are actually cost effective solutions for holding meetings in many cases. In fact, there are entire industries where few options for hosting meetings or events make as much sense as cruise meetings do.
Consider the alternatives for a moment, and a better picture will emerge. Renting hotel suites and a banquet hall can be expensive and somewhat bland. Add to this expenses related to catering and entertainment, and even basic meetings hosted at a hotel and/or conference center can become very expensive indeed. All of these facilities are available on a single cruise liner at prices that cannot be matched; it is like putting all of the resources under one roof, managed by a single business.
Anyone who knows a good deal about businesses and pricing can probably appreciate the value of allowing a single company to leverage its size and buying power to return the lowest cost possible. This not only makes cruise meetings a very practical alternative to hotels and/or conference centers, it makes cruise ships significantly more fun. Add to this the incentive value of bringing top talent, partners, and clients on the trip, and it is clear why many organizations host their meetings and events at sea.
Tags: Banquet Hall, Cost Effective, Cruise Liner, Cruise Prices, Cruise Ships, Cruises, Effective Solutions, Few Options, Hosting, Hotel Suites, Hotels, Many People, Meetings And Events, Mental Images, Single Company, Talent Partners
24 May 10 Spa Packages as Incentives
Meetings at luxurious resorts and hotels are the type of travel incentives many employers use to motivate their employees. While staying at a top-quality resort is an excellent incentive in itself, employers may want to consider adding a spa package as an additional motivational factor. Spa treatments are truly an indulgence that most people cannot afford on a regular basis.
Spa packages are usually relegated to special holidays or events. Therefore, providing employees the opportunity to earn unique travel incentives that include a spa package is an excellent idea. Employers may be surprised at the response of employees to this type of incentive.
Spa packages as an addition to incentive travel do not have to break the bank. Employers may even want to consider simply adding a spa package as an option. This may be the best route for employers to take as all employees will not utilize the spa incentive. Spa packages may includes things such as facials, massages, or signature spa treatments.
Purchasing optional spa packages for employees is just another way employers can show their gratitude for the employee's dedication and hard work. When incentive travel is memorable, employees will be inclined to increase productivity levels in order to again be eligible for these special rewards.
Tags: Best Route, Dedication, Facials, Gratitude, Holidays, Incentive Travel, Indulgence, Luxurious Resorts, Massages, Motivational Factor, Productivity Levels, Quality Resort, Rewards, Signature, Spa Package, Spa Packages, Spa Treatments, Top Quality, Travel Incentives, Unique Travel
17 May 10 Increase Productivity with an Incentive Cruise Event!
In this day and time when the economy is uncertain and resources are scarce, event planning can be difficult. However, it is important for organizations and corporations to offer their employees some incentive to motivate them and encourage them to continue to increase their productivity levels. An incentive cruise is a great way to do just that. An incentive cruise rewards top-notch employees and provides organizations with the opportunity to further increase their productivity and profitability. An incentive cruise is not just about fun-in-the-sun, but it is also about personal and professional growth.
While incentive cruises do provide employees with the chance to visit exotic destinations and enjoy various types of entertainment, cruise meetings are also an important component. Meetings at sea are an excellent way to encourage new ideas and fresh ways of thinking. Outside of the office and away from the pressures of the daily grind, employees may find the space to be more creative and think more clearly. Meetings at sea are low pressure as everything the organization needs will be provided. Meetings at sea may also cost less than traditional land meetings usually held in big cities at expensive locations. When event planning, organizations should seriously consider cruise meetings.
Tags: Corporations, Economy, Event Planning, Exotic Destinations, Fun In The Sun, Incentive Cruise, Incentive Cruises, Increase Productivity, Notch Employees, Opportunity, Productivity Levels, Professional Growth, Profitability, Top Notch
14 May 10 Doing More with Less
One of the obstacles that planners with corporations and organizations face with event planning is being asked to do more with less. That is a common phrase heard among meeting planners, and many times these individuals feel that their hands are tied. They have to be creative within a budget, and sometimes they are unsure of how to plan a memorable meeting while saving the company money. An incentive cruise may be an excellent option when event planning requires a strict budget. Cruise meetings are an ideal way to motivate and reward top-quality employees without breaking the bank.
Meetings at sea provide employees and customers with a break from the norm. Instead of the hustle and bustle of big cities, groups can enjoy the quiet and beauty of the seas. They can experience exotic locations, enjoy the sun and breezes, and refresh their senses. Cruise meetings provide much needed relaxation, which often helps employees think outside the box and come up with fresh, innovative ideas. Cruise meetings are not simply about fun and entertainment. From meeting space to entertainment, everything is inclusive with meetings at sea. A meeting planner will find that meetings at sea will come in below budget and provide the company or organization with all its meeting needs and more.
Tags: Break, Breaking The Bank, Breezes, Budget Cruise, Bustle, Common Phrase, Company Money, Corporations, Event Planning, Incentive Cruise, Innovative Ideas, Meeting Planner, Meeting Planners, Norm, Obstacles, Quality Employees, Relaxation, Senses, Strict Budget, Top Quality
21 Apr 10 7 Day Incentive Cruise on the Carnival Conquest
An all-inclusive, 7-day cruise meeting makes a great incentive for a team shaking off the winter blues. The Carnival Conquest leaves Galveston every Sunday traveling one week to the eastern Caribbean, the next week to the western Caribbean.
The eastern cruise leaves Galveston and travels to Key West, Florida; Freeport, Bahamas; Nassau, Bahamas; then returns to Galveston. If you prefer to travel west, the Carnival Conquest moves from Galveston to Montego Bay, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and returns to Galveston. The hardest choice to make is which direction to travel.
One of the “fun ships” in the Carnival line, the Conquest is equipped with a 270 square foot television screen. This allows passengers to enjoy movies, sporting events, and special programming on the Lido deck. The sound system uses special technology that results in concert quality sound.
Families are a big part of the Carnival Conquest and are sure to enjoy the swimming pool, basketball and volleyball courts, and water slide. Teenagers will enjoy the video arcade and 24-hour pizzeria. The cruise ship also has a 3,300 square foot children’s play area.
Try an all-inclusive, 7-day incentive cruise on the Carnival Conquest. It will be the most relaxing vacation your team has ever had.
Tags: Bahamas Nassau, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Line, Concert Quality Sound, Cozumel Mexico, Cruise Carnival, Cruise Galveston, Cruise Ship, Freeport Bahamas, Incentive Cruise, Lido Deck, Montego Bay Jamaica, Nassau Bahamas, Relaxing Vacation, Special Technology, Travel One, Video Arcade, Volleyball Courts, Western Caribbean, Winter Blues
19 Apr 10 Meeting Destinations without Passports: St. Croix
It can be a challenge to plan a last minute meeting in an exotic location. Not every convention member has a current passport, which makes St. Croix, one of the US Virgin Islands, an ideal location for your next impromptu meeting.
The Buccaneer Hotel has four separate meetings rooms that are perfect for corporate groups. Small groups of up to 40 people find the Beach Meeting Room just the right size. The Brass Parrot room is popular for banquets and presentations and can seat 90 guests theater style. If an open air, beachfront area is more appealing, reserve The Mermaid. The casual atmosphere makes this room, which can seat 125 guests, a favorite for incentive dinners.
No Caribbean experience would be complete without a visit to the spa. The Hideaway offers reflexology, deep tissue massage, and therapeutic massage. Soothing wraps hydrate and exfoliate the skin after a long day of meetings.
There are plenty of activities available for after hours fun. The Buccaneer Resort has an 18 hole golf course, with views so beautiful it may be difficult to leave the course. Water sports including ocean kayaking and snorkeling are a favorite with resort guests.
Think outside the box and inside US territory – book your next meeting in St. Croix.
Tags: Banquets, Buccaneer Hotel, Buccaneer Resort, Caribbean Experience, Casual Atmosphere, Corporate Groups, Course Water, Deep Tissue Massage, Hideaway, Hole Golf Course, Kayaking, Meeting Room, Passports, Resort Guests, Small Groups, St Croix, Theater Style, Therapeutic Massage, Us Virgin Islands, Water Sports
09 Apr 10 Group Cruise Events are More Affordable
For many years companies have planned group meetings and events in cities all across the country. While there are many destinations in the U.S. and abroad that are ideal locations for corporate events, employees and clientele may be less impressed with these venues than in times past. This is because there is a new frontier now being discovered by companies that truly want to impress. This new frontier is custom cruising, and it may be more affordable than companies think.
Group cruise planning, cruise event planning, and cruise meeting planning are the new wave in corporate events, getaways, and retreats. There are organizations available to assist event planners in designing the perfect custom cruise event or cruise meeting. Group cruise planning requires attention to many details and specifics, and these organizations can assist with this venture as well.
Custom cruises are often less expensive than land meetings because with an all inclusive cruise practically everything is included. Lodging, meeting spaces, food, entertainment, linens, florals, and superior customer service are part of a custom cruise package. In addition, employees and clientele will experience breathtaking destinations and exotic ports of call. All of these features creates an atmosphere more conducive to building camaraderie and building solid relationships among those within or associated with the company.
Tags: Breathtaking Destinations, Camaraderie, Clientele, Corporate Retreats, Cruise Events, Cruise Package, Custom Cruise, Custom Cruises, Event Planners, Event Planning, Florals, Food Entertainment, Group Cruise, Group Meetings, Meeting Group, Meeting Planning, Meetings And Events, New Frontier, Ports Of Call, Superior Customer Service
05 Apr 10 Dos and Don’ts While in New Orleans
Have you ever planned a meeting in New Orleans? If you haven’t you certainly should. It is a city unlike any other in the world, an epicenter of gracious dining and jazz
Don’t book a hotel on Bourbon Street. For small meetings, consider one of the smaller hotels like Loft 523. Located a few blocks off Canal Street, the atmosphere is more conducive to work and play and is still within easy reach of the city’s nightlife. International House, sister hotel to Loft 523, is a block away and offers work out facilities and takes care of room service for both hotels. The hotel is within walking distance of the French Quarter, the Aquarium, and Harrah’s Casino.
Don’t plan a meeting mid afternoon in the summertime. New Orleans is famous for her humid climate. Take advantage of cool mornings for work and relax by the pool or indulge in a nap during the afternoon.
Don’t start a diet the day before your trip. New Orleans is renowned for excellent cuisine. Please try the oysters; if you care for them at all, you won’t be sorry. Eat lightly during the day and enjoy a leisurely supper.
Don’t wear Mari Gras beads, unless it actually is Mardi Gras. It’s just tacky.
Tags: Aquarium, Bourbon Street, Canal Street, Epicenter, French Quarter, Gras Beads, Humid Climate, International House, Loft 523, Mardi Gras, Mari Gras, Mid Afternoon, Nap, New Orleans, Oysters, Rsquo, S Casino, Sister Hotel, Summertime, Walking Distance
08 Mar 10 Archaeology Tours Are Popular Today
Archaeology tours are interesting options for meeting planners to consider when something new and different is required. These tours normally include travel, various types of lodgings, and meals while the tour is in progress and most will cover multiple locations over the course of a few days. Some of these tours are handicapped accessible, and many happen right here inside of the United States.
It is possible for a larger group to contact the tour providers to arrange for a tour that is tailored to the group needs or schedule. As an example, a conference room may be possible at a hotel location during the course of the trip for meetings. Every continent has many wonderful finds from our globes earlier times, so that these tours can be arranged to meet location requirements.
Most of the archaeology tours that are offered do not allow the attendees to participate in active digs. However, this is not true for all tours. It is possible to arrange for your meeting crew to have a hands-on experience with some of the tour providers. For many office workers, the proposition of being outside with something very interesting to see can make the thought of an archaeology tour very appealing.
Tags: Archaeology Tours, Attendees, Continent, Digs, Few Days, Globes, Hands On Experience, Hotel Location, Location Requirements, Lodgings, Meeting Planners, Office Workers, Options, Tour Providers, Tours Travel, United States
03 Mar 10 The July 11, 2010 Solar Eclipse Can Spice Up Your Meeting Plans
On July 11, 2010, Mother Nature has planned a very special solar eclipse event that can harmonize very well with all types of meetings that are being planned for that week. This solar event is being promoted by many of the local areas that will be able to see this natural form of a spectacular light show in their neighborhoods. Special attractions and events are being planned for tourists and business travelers all along this exciting sight-path.
Business meeting planners might want to explore the NASA site page devoted to this larger eclipse event, and then look into the specials and deals that are being offered to tourists at Easter Island, throughout the Cook Islands, and at the tourist hot spots that are located in South America. This extra-long eclipse event can be coupled easily with a business cruise to heighten the perceived value of the trip experience.
With so many people inside of the United States interested in everything that is related to global warming, eco-issues, and the year 2012 predictions, this interesting natural solar event is receiving quite a bit of publicity. Your meeting attendees will hear about this 5-minute event through an increasing display of media promotions before this actual date arrives. This solar-eclipse can be a sure-fire way to make your meeting attendees feel very special about their business meeting location.
Tags: Attendees, Business Meeting, Business Travelers, Cook Islands, Cruise, Easter Island, Global Warming, Hot Spots, Media Promotions, Meeting Planners, Mother Nature, Nasa, Publicity, Solar Eclipse, Solar Event, South America, Tourists, Trip Experience, United States, Year 2012 Predictions
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