Corporate Travel Destinations

It was a widely held belief that people who cruised were either honeymooners or an older, less-mobile crowd.  Either way, you were subjected to small cabins, cheesy entertainment and banquet hall-type cuisine.  However, in the last 15 years all that has dramatically changed. 

Cruise lines have revolutionized how people cruise in the 21^st century by offering exciting sporting and recreational activities, Broadway-caliber entertainment and gourmet fine dining.  In doing so, they have succeeded in attracting a younger, more active crowd which has reinvigorated the industry.

The corporate meeting and special events market has also reaped some of these rewards with state-of-the art meeting rooms and technological amenities to rival and surpass any “traditional conference room”.   The advantages to booking a corporate meeting do not end there.  Many ships provide concierge meeting planning assistance making it a one stop shop for all your planning needs.  Plus, with pricing that includes all meals, entertainment, and ship-board activities, planning a budget for your special event is a breeze.

The Cruise Lines International Association reports that 15 million people went on a cruise last year compared to 500,000 in 1970.   Corporate meetings and special events at sea have also increased substantially and it’s easy to see why.  After all, where else can you zip-line nine decks above an ocean liner in-between meeting programs?   

One of the best aspects of cruise meeting planning is that most cruise liners have in-house planners and a complete staff to take care of virtually every possible need and/or want. The result is that anyone handling cruise meeting planning can be as thorough and detailed as they like, or they can go the other route and allow the in-house planners and staff to take over some of the burden. Here are a few examples to consider when determining how much effort to put into cruise meeting planning:

Most cruise ships have at least one chef, many now have upwards of five, and full catering staffs on call. This means that catering options are already available right out of the box, and amount of time and energy you spend planning meals and parties is up to you.

Virtually all cruise ships have activities directors, and many cruise ships reserve space upon request for group activities. If you need space for a meeting, or just a private social gathering, all you have to do is ask. The question is: where do you stop asking? The event/activity coordinator can probably handle a lot more than just setting aside a room if only they asked.

Save money and allocate resources more efficiently by determining which aspects of the meeting planning should be handled in-house and which can be well-executed by someone else.

It is imperative that a meeting planner have good understanding of what type of incentives will motivate the individuals employed by an organization. The travel incentives that work for one organization's employees may not always work for another. Therefore, a meeting planner has to use all of the meeting planning resources available to them when conducting business travel planning. According to some estimates, at least 10 percent of eligible trip participants chose not to take advantage of a business travel incentive because the trip was either unappealing or they experienced a timing conflict.

One way to ensure that incentive travel is appealing to the greatest number of eligible employees is for a meeting planner to do his or her homework. Simple surveys may not be adequate to determine those destinations that will truly motivate employees. A meeting planner will need to devise unique ways in which to tap into the desires of an organization's employees. Business travel incentives that seem impersonal and generic may not be appealing to the masses. Organizations need to make certain that the greatest number of their top performing employees are being rewarded through incentive travel, and a meeting planner can help organizations ensure this happens through superior planning.

When event planning, one of the biggest costs to a company or organization is entertainment. Tickets to a play, show, or concert can be costly, even when group rates are offered or discounts applied. While entertainment may seem like a luxury that can be disregarded, a meeting planner knows the importance of entertainment to the overall success of an event. It is imperative that companies provide meeting attendees with the opportunity to experience world-class entertainment. Providing meeting attendees with the opportunity to experience world-class entertainment on a budget is possible. A meeting planner can open a new world of possibilities to companies and organizations with incentive cruise meetings.

When planning corporate travel, meeting planning, or incentive planning, choosing a cruise for a meeting venue is an excellent idea. Meetings at sea can save an organization approximately 40 percent of the costs typically associated with land venue meeting such a hotel or resort. There are many various types of entertainment offers on-board a cruise ship; therefore, even the most discriminating of cruise participants should be able to find a show or concert with which they will be well pleased. For a small cover charge, cruise attendees can enjoy great entertainment without having to fight traffic or find their way around town.

Meeting planning is an undertaking that requires attention to detail. A meeting planner has to be intimately involved in all aspects of meeting planning. Detailed involvement helps to ensure the corporation gets the most for its money and that participants of the cruise event feel their time was well spent. When planning a group cruise, many of the details of typical meeting planning is already determined. However, determining which ship will be right for the group cruise event is not.

The type of ship chosen will be closely related to the type of cruise event being planned. For meetings at sea, it is ideal to choose a ship that offers the best group rate. Since there will be a large group of people for whom the cruise is being planned, choosing a ship that can accommodate large groups at reasonable rates will be essential. Some cruise ships are more adult oriented while others are more kid friendly. Cruise ships that are not designed for children will be more tailored to adult interests. The expectations of cruise event participants, the preferences of the organization, and the group rates available will help meeting planners determine which type of ship will be best.

Bulgaria is growing in popularity as a destination for business and leisure travel; however, it is still in its teenage years of this growth. This provides the perfect opportunity for corporate travel planners to take advantage of exceptional meeting planning packages and travel deals, while allowing attendees to enjoy a distinctive European culture without the crowds of more established tourist areas.

Bulgaria is one of the few places in Europe where travelers can still experience life as it was in old-world villages 150 years ago, while still being just a short drive away from major cities, seaside resorts and all of the modern conveniences to which we have grown accustomed. Coastal resort towns along the Black Sea are ideal for corporate travel, with new resorts springing up on a regular basis. There are several options with rooms and meeting spaces for large groups, as well as many that can accommodate smaller groups of attendees.  In addition, the Black Sea is an excellent destination for an incentive cruise.

Aside from the glorious beaches on the Black Sea coast, there are also mountain ski resorts offering skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and other snow sports, as well as luxury spas, including the two most popular mountain resorts: Bansko and Borovets. Bulgaria is also perfectly positioned for excursions to nearby countries, including Turkey, Romania, Serbia, Macedonia and Greece, making this affordable destination a great choice for international corporate travel.

New York City, the seat of financial activities in the US, has been experiencing an economic crisis ever since the bank debacles. However in spite of all the economic trouble, this busy and active city attracted millions of business visitors in 2008 and continues to do so. This reflects the popularity of the city as a much sought after business destination for event planners and their clients.

The city is also all geared up to improve its meeting facilities and innovative tools as well as resources are all out there for you to explore. Now that’s some good news for event planners who have been waiting for the bad times to pass by. The event-planning infrastructure in New York is certainly happening!

A newly reopened information center that deals with meeting planning issues adds to the advantages offered by this vibrant city. When you land in New York, be assured that you will receive only world-class hospitality and flawless service from the meeting planning industry. It’s truly a pleasure to be in New York, whether for business or pleasure, or for a combination of both. Continue reading »