Stellar Events Blog

In nearly twenty years of planning incentive trips and meetings, I’ve had some amazing worldwide experiences including 5-star adventures in Paris and the heart-stopping magnificence of Machu Picchu.

However, during a recent Stellar Events site inspection, all memories were exceeded by the breathtakingly beautiful Caribbean waters surrounding the Exuma Cays.

Add the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay to this glorious setting, and it’s heaven on earth. Visit my destination photo album to see more.

       A Cay North of Great Exuma

The beauty of Great Exuma is free to those fortunate enough to have access to the island. However, adding the delights of a Four Seasons experience makes me agree with a recent NY Times article titled: “Maybe Money Does Buy Happiness After All.”

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!