Corporate Travel Destinations

Who says corporate travel is all about jets, hotels, and airports? The world is a place where many modes of transportation and even different meeting venue styles vie for corporate business. Here are some lesser known corporate travel alternatives:

• Trains – Trains are an older form of transportation, but modern bullet trains are amazingly swift. These trains can be found throughout Europe, Asia, and are even becoming a popular alternative in the United States.
• Boats – Boats come in many shapes and sizes, but many boats are designed to at least appear to be culturally and/or historically significant. Traveling up a river in a modern-day steamboat is safe, quiet, and even offers corporate travelers a way to relax while getting a little business done en route.
• Ships – Some boats are big enough to be called ships. While the distinction between the two can be a little blurry at times, most corporate travel on ships tends to take place on cruise ships. Cruise events and cruise meetings are also understandably popular.

No matter which style of alternative corporate travel is selected, remember that the choice can be used to portray the company in a certain light to employees, the public, partners, suppliers, and virtually anyone else. How people in a company travel and work says a lot about that company, and where that company holds its meetings and events can be equally important.

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.

Located in downtown Chicago Illinois, the Swissôtel Chicago is situated at the meeting point of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Conveniently located 20 miles from the O’Hare and Midway International Airports, this hotel is the perfect meeting venue for all kinds of business and social gatherings.

After the ongoing renovation, the spanking new 30,000 sq. ft. event area is slated to be unveiled in the spring of 2009.

In contrast to the run of the mill meeting and conference centers of the city, the Swissôtel Chicago commands class and sophistication. The total 50,000 sq. ft. of flexible event area, is well equipped for any kind of business agenda. After the renovation, the magnificent Zürich Ballroom can entertain a gathering of 15,000 people in a theatre-style convention. For social events like wedding, the dance floor and a cocktail reception room is also available. Continue reading »