Stellar Events Blog

In a perfect world, everyone would have a universal option to fly on Southwest and be fee-free when we change our plans and check our bags.  Although Southwest just reported their 69th straight profitable quarter and is the only major carrier to be profitable in 2007, the competition doesn’t follow the simplicity of Southwest’s policies.  

To sort out the fees and penalties, download a PDF chart at Smarter Travel.  It’s "The Ultimate Guide to Airline Fees" and is updated frequently…just like the costs.

I enjoyed a picture-perfect weekend in Santa Barbara, which is being promoted as America’s Riviera.   Hilton Hotels  hosted top clients at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort,   which fronts the beautiful Pacific.   And, yes, Daniel Boone himself  stopped by to welcome us to  his successful resort, where one can also purchase products from his nearby winery  including, seriously,  a coonskin cap bottle topper.

When companies request Hawaii, Mexico or the Caribbean for incentive trips, they overlook this special destination, which may be more affordable.  Santa Barbara has picturesque winery tours, abundant water sports such as sailing and kayaking, numerous gourmet restaurants, super shopping, stunning weather, and so much more.   With non-stop flights into Santa Barbara Airport from Dallas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and several California cities, arrivals are hassle-free and convenient.

So, add a little French theming – “Riviera Rendevous” – and you may transform Santa Barbara into the perfect incentive or meeting destination.

Stellar Events is finally seeing European suppliers respond to our repeated requests to guarantee rates for incentive travel in U.S. dollars.   As noted in previous entries, our clients prefer sites such as Bermuda and Costa Rica, where their budgets are secured in US dollars.

Ireland   is a popular  incentive and meeting destination, and we just received an amazing offer guaranteed in US dollars instead of Euros.   For an outstanding price of $1,700 US per person, based on double occupancy,  a trusted supplier is offering 5 nights in Dublin at the  luxurious Clontarf Castle  plus daily breakfast, welcome buffet, an off-property dinner with entertainment and transfers, farewell gala dinner with entertainment, a half day tour, a full day tour with pub lunch, plus airport transfers.

  

Clontarf Castle

With Aer Lingus   offering bargain short-term airfares,  excellent group rates can be negotiated.   Plus, they are partnering with Jet Blue on over 25 connecting cities that link to Aer Lingus’ New York departure.

In recent years, Ireland’s booming economy has been termed the “Celtic Tiger.”   This offer showcases how the Irish succeed by creating a financial edge over the competition.   Take advantage of it!

Recently I thoroughly enjoyed a Barnes & Noble appearance by my favorite novelist, Jodi Picoult. Her 15 best-selling books, including the current NY Times #1, Change of Heart, which had an initial printing of one million, explore topical issues with a style that appeals across generations. The overflow crowd was diverse, and the discussion was insightful.

Wait – this blog isn’t supposed to be about my weekend. It’s about meeting planning, incentive travel, and the business of running Stellar Events. Since attending an event often requires air travel, I’m going to stretch the concept and recommend any Jodi Picoult novel as the ideal way to make one’s time in the sky literally fly by.

Jodi Picoult and Marjie Wells