Stellar Events Blog

Although Bermuda offers the unique charm of its British heritage, the costs associated with hotels, restaurants and an all-around good time are far, far below those of a trip to England. Last summer our client, a television station, marveled at the splendid and affordable incentive trip they could offer their top advertisers. With all prices quoted in US dollars, the budget was never a worry.

The obvious hotel choice for an incentive program or any corporate meeting is the tradition-rich Fairmont Southampton, which is elegantly perched on a hill overlooking the Atlantic on one side and the Great Sound on the other, so every guest enjoys a fabulous waterview.

It’s just a short stroll to Horseshoe Beach’s fabled pink sand. Our Welcome Reception included a croquet tournament on the hotel’s Great Sound Lawn (view pictured at right) as well as a memorable sunset.

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The golf is legendary (this 20 square mile island has nine courses), the shopping is special (Irish Linen Shop  and Dockyard Glassworks, for example) and the location is convenient (just 600 miles east of North Carolina.)  It’s an ideal warm weather incentive trip destination for travelers from the East Coast.

But the feature that most impressed our client’s guests was their very own private yacht, “Spellbound,” which they boarded three times for:

• A snorkeling adventure
• A sunset trip to Hamilton, for Friday night’s traditional “Happy Hour” on the Great Lawn of the Hamilton Princess.
• A leisurely cruise to the Commissioner’s House and Maritime Museum at the island’s western tip for a gala farewell dinner.

Continuing to highlight affordable international incentive trip destinations that are not affected by the rise of the Euro or the Canadian dollar: the most popular by far among Stellar Events’ clients is Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is a hot, hot, hot destination, with several new resorts opening within the next two years (more on that another time.)  While incentive groups with a higher budget flock to the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica for a fabulous experience, this client delighted in the value of the all-inclusive Paradisus Playa Conchal, located relatively near the Four Seasons in the trendy northwestern area served by Liberia’s International Airport.

Because all the participants’ rooms were upgraded to the Royal Service Regal Suites level, they relaxed in a new, adults-only area with many special privileges and dedicated butler service.  

Costa Rica’s most appealing features are its natural wonders, and the plentiful activity choices make is easy to create a rich incentive experience:

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Consider the “mega-adventure” which combines zip line, horseback riding, and thermal springs plus mud baths in one memorable day.

And the outrigger canoe outing, with abundant fresh fruit snacks after snorkeling, is extraordinary.

When I first planned corporate meetings and incentive trips seventeen years ago, people rushed into airports at the last minute without showing ID, and attendees registered by mailing back forms in business reply envelopes.   We didn’t have email and our computer screens were black and white.

So much has changed, but one aspect of the meeting planning business remains constant:  the need and desire for people to communicate face to face, whether at an industry trade show in Las Vegas, a sales conference in Vancouver, or a fabulous incentive cruise in the Mediterranean.

Stellar Events has enjoyed the privilege of partnering with amazing people and successful companies over the years, gathering meeting planning and negotiation experience that enables us to offer our clients outstanding service as well as value.

The aim of this blog is to share ideas and spark interest in the power of meetings where you shake someone’s hand rather than stare at a screen.   We embrace the technology such as e-vites and secure online registration that enable us to serve our clients and attendees more efficiently.  However, we recognize there is no substitute for creativity and the pleasure of meeting or re-acquainting yourself with your colleagues in person.

May we take you on a journey?   It’s possible to create a memorable meeting that is also cost-effective.    Stellar Events knows exactly where to go.   Although we hear the concerns about the weak dollar, we recently operated three fabulous international incentive trips that were immune to the rising Euro and Canadian dollar.  All these destinations’ suppliers guaranteed rates in US dollar - today let’s consider:

Peru  -   Combine one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu, with the hotel that is consistently voted the best in Latin America, Monasterio, in Cusco, and you have a unique incentive trip that your guests will never forget.