Corporate Travel Destinations

When most people think of meetings, they imagine themselves stuck within the confines of four walls sitting around a table for several hours. For this reason, when a meeting planner suggests the idea of meetings at sea, some organizations may balk at this notion. Many mistakenly believe that a hotel or resort would be most budget-friendly than a cruise ship charter. From conference rooms equipped with the latest in technology to on-board rock climbing walls, a cruise ship charter can offer an organization a fresh perspective on meeting spaces.

Group cruise planning is a great way to get employees outside the four walls of the conference room and motivate them to be more creative and innovative. For example, meeting at sea may be held in suites or villas with their own private decks. For organizations looking for team-building exercises, a cruise ships can offer mixed-use sports decks for employees to participate in a variety of activities. A meeting planner should keep in mind that event planning does not have to be held in a venue with the traditional four walls. In order for organizations to encourage their employees to look beyond the four walls, event planners have to look beyond the four walls, too.

When it comes time to plan a large corporate retreat, savvy meeting planners and/or event planners need to consider at least four different factors.

Distance & Travel – how far will the destination be from all parties? Remember that organizations with far-flung offices will need to find ways to transport the relevant from those offices to the destination in question. This can become an expensive venture rather quickly, but planners can mitigate this by planning ahead.

Scheduling & Jet Lag – Corporate travel is always a combination of work and play. Whether it is a cruise meeting, incentive travel, or a retreat, event planners should always try to strike a balance between work and play. Remember that jet lag may be a factor to contend with, so start off slow with events and meetings if possible.

Allergies & Location – Planning an outdoor event or a team-building getaway in the woods might sound great until Susan in accounting turns out to be allergic to the grass and Bob from sales cannot stop itching for some reason. Remember to consider allergies before planning any corporate event. If guests are being brought into the event, be sure to inquire as to their health needs.

Food & Drink – Many corporations prefer to self-cater, but it does not really matter who does the catering if those who have certain dietary needs are not being met. With vegetarian and vegan lifestyles becoming more popular, and a handful of religions taboos on foods, it pays to spend a good deal of time on food.

If you are searching for a unique, fun team building experience that will fit your budget and can take place anywhere you choose, look no further than the Corporate Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp. Whether you are organizing a corporate training at your company’s headquarters, or are looking for an exciting new option for entertainment at your next corporate event, there is nothing quite like a Rock Camp to get things rolling.

The consultants from the Corporate Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp will work with you to create a package that fits your needs and budget, including one-, two- and three-day options. All musical equipment is provided and no prior musical experience is necessary. This is the type of team building experience that everyone can enjoy and participate in, while also allowing employees at different levels to participate equally in decision making and goal setting.

The rock star counselors are members of touring bands and use that experience to assist your team in learning to work together as they choose a song to perform and rehearse. Some of the recognizable names who have participated in the Rock Camp as counselors include Brian Wilson, Slash, Steven Tyler and George Thorogood. The experience culminates in a confidence-building stage performance where your participants will be rocking out alongside their counselors and in front of their colleagues.

For more information, visit www.RockCamp.com.

The new Montage Deer Valley will be open in time for the 2010 ski season.  With high ceilings, expansive windows and panoramic views of the ski slopes and sub-alpine valleys, the Montage Deer Valley will have ski-in and out access to popular Deer Valley resort.

The hotel site, located adjacent to the Empire Canyon Lodge in Empire Pass, Deer Valley® is bustling with activity.

It’s an impressive spectacle, in defiance of the pervasive economic “doom and gloom.”

The efficient progress of the hotel speaks to the developer’s long-term commitment to their plan.

The refined mountain retreat will feature 174 guest rooms and suites, a 35,000 square foot spa and 15,000 sq ft of meeting and event space.  All rooms are fully equiped with Wi-Fi, LCD TV's, DVD players and gas fireplaces – and then there is the gorgeous view!

Why not plan a team building meeting and ski event in 2010?

montagehotels.com

“Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon?” It was the 60’s and no one was really sure if the Fifth Dimension was singing about hot air balloons. Hot air ballooning is popular in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Pilots in each country must have either a license or certificate.

A balloon trip builds team spirit and bonds team members in a unique way. The largest balloon carry 20 people, smaller baskets hold 3-4 passengers. Ballooning affords members a unique opportunity to pull together, especially if they are given the task of filling the balloon before take off.

Some variety of retrieval vehicle follows the balloons path and carries passengers and freshly packed balloon back to their point of origin. The chase crew constantly communicates with the pilot, keeping him informed of other aircraft in the area. Repacking the balloon can also be a team challenge – just how do you get thousands of feet of fabric into a three-foot bag?

There is no turbulence in a balloon, no sense of vertigo. The ride is peaceful and relaxing. Passengers are advised to dress warmly and in layers, as if they were going on a hike. Bring a camera and take some amazing images.

Hot air ballooning is a great way to build team camaraderie and is the experience of a lifetime. After all, the world’s a better place in a beautiful balloon.

What make the International Centre in Toronto one of the best spots for international conferences? Many things, top among them is location.

Toronto is closer than you think, in fact, 60% of the United States population is a 90-minute plane ride away from this magnificent city. Major cities within this area include Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and Washington, D.C.

The International Centre offers 48,000 square feet of conference space. It is possible to break this down into 15 rooms to accommodate several venues at one time. Parking is never a problem as they have space for 5,000 vehicles (although finding your car could be challenging). An onsite UPS store is available for copying and other business services. Wireless internet service is also available throughout the complex.

Team building is done in the Centre’s kitchen. Groups of eight to twenty can play Iron Chef in the state of the art kitchen. The exercise can be purely competition or instructional. Either way, the team that cooks together works together better in the boardroom.

The chef’s table is located in the kitchen giving conference attendees a behind the scenes view. Chef Joe Levesque presides over a team that serves up to 2,500 people at a time. Try matching that on the Iron Chef.