Executive Group Travel Blog

Marci McCormack

When should you announce your next incentive trip?

Qualifications:

We highly recommend setting expectations and qualifying rules in month one or two of the year at the annual sales kickoff meeting for the following year's trip (current year's President's Club). During this meeting you can announce the dates in a save the date format but you do not need to release the location. Start building up anticipation and excitement within the sales team or entire company. It is important that your employees know how they can qualify and can get a jumpstart in the beginning of the year. This sets a standard and level playing field so all employees know what to expect.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Apr 20, 2016 10:06:00 AM [fa icon="user"] Marci McCormack [fa icon="folder-open'] Incentive Travel

Unique:

This location is definitely unique given its breakup over two resorts but it has a few great features that make it a good option for your next sales meeting. Many companies are using it as an alternate to the Breakers given the Breakers availability is limited over the next two years for group meetings.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Apr 12, 2016 2:00:00 PM [fa icon="user"] Marci McCormack [fa icon="folder-open'] Travel Recommendations, Incentive Travel, MICE Travel

The RFP:

You might have heard the letters RFP but never understood exactly what it meant. An RFP is a request for proposal in which a company uses to solicit suppliers to submit quotes (proposals) for a business opportunity.

For many industries the RFP process is both daunting and exhilarating. It means you have a new prospect but it also means there are competitors in the deal and there is leg work to be done. For those creating the RFP there are a few tips to ensure you are submitting an efficient and effective RFP.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Mar 29, 2016 10:07:00 AM [fa icon="user"] Marci McCormack [fa icon="folder-open'] Incentive Travel

The Hard Rock Hotel:

We recently just returned from a two hundred and twenty person incentive trip to the Hard Rock Hotel in Cancun, Mexico. This was our second trip to the property which included a site visit back in November.

We provide this review to help others looking to book future events at the property. One thing is for sure, the views from the oceanfront rooms were amazing with impressive morning sunrises. And you won't be able to beat the service provided by the Hard Rock staff.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Mar 14, 2016 12:06:00 PM [fa icon="user"] Marci McCormack [fa icon="folder-open'] Travel Recommendations, Incentive Travel

Learning Curve:

Back on November 27th I wrote a blog post about Jetblue being the perfect incentive partner. Little did I know so much was going to change over the next month. Only 3 weeks later JetBlue began a transitional period of combining all of their groups, meetings, government and more into one team. What was two efficient and lovely ladies is now a team of 33 (with 11 additional "trainees" added mid February). Let's just say this has been a struggle of a transition period and all the good things we wrote about just a few months ago couldn't be any more different.

Here is our original airline review:

Airline Review: November 27, 2015

[fa icon="clock-o"] Feb 29, 2016 11:12:00 AM [fa icon="user"] Marci McCormack [fa icon="folder-open'] Incentive Travel

Zika Virus:

The Zika virus has been a constant subject of discussion throughout the meeting planner world. First and foremost make sure you, the planner or the company, is not providing advice to attendees with questions. Recommend those who are concerned to speak to their doctors and also provide them CDC updates and factual reports. It is important to offer cancellations and conversations in confidentiality so your attendees do not feel obligated to reveal private information before they are ready. This is much easier when working with a third party meeting planner than an internal company planned trip.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Feb 16, 2016 1:30:00 PM [fa icon="user"] Marci McCormack [fa icon="folder-open'] Incentive Travel

F&B minimum and what it means for your group:

First, the F&B is always negotiable. Before you sign any contract make sure you run the numbers of how you are planning to meet the F&B requirement and what qualifies as an F&B expense. Many times dine-arounds or smaller dinners are not included and only the banquet menu counts towards your F&B. If you need meeting space the hotel will most likely offer to waive the "rental fee" if you meet an Food and Beverage minimum spend.

Second, many hotels will push multiple on-site dinners. Don't be afraid to push back. Present to them what you are "hosting" as a company and see if they can work the F&B around that itinerary.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Feb 5, 2016 11:30:00 AM [fa icon="user"] Marci McCormack [fa icon="folder-open'] Incentive Travel

Location:

The Wynn is an impressive hotel and one of the few great last minute options for a large group (300+). The sheer number of guest rooms and meeting rooms available between the Wynn and Encore can only be matched in one other conference hub, Orlando.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Jan 27, 2016 10:30:00 AM [fa icon="user"] Marci McCormack [fa icon="folder-open'] Travel Recommendations, Incentive Travel

Time Save:

How a simple FAQ's page for your next incentive trip can save you hundreds of emails and hours of your time!

Questions, questions and more questions are the biggest time suck when planning an incentive trip. This can be for an internal planner and/or an outside travel agent. Many times the same questions are asked over and over again that you start to copy and paste your answers. You understand the need for information but there must be a better way then one-off email responses.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Jan 14, 2016 8:10:00 AM [fa icon="user"] Marci McCormack [fa icon="folder-open'] Incentive Travel

Two Impressive Hotel Groups (Not Chains):

Given the constantly changing environment in the hotel industry it is important to find a trusted source when looking to book your next trip. Some rely on friends' recommendations, others a Google search and many simple Tripadvisor reviews. As the review market is beginning to shift and it is more difficult to separate paid advertising versus honest reviews, we are finding more travelers disappointed each week. We have found one way to help lower the risk of being disappointed is to stick with a trusted hotel group you have enjoyed in the past.

Here are two great hotel groups that do not disappoint:

Marci McCormack

Recent Posts

When should you announce your next incentive trip?

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RFP's for Incentive Travel

Hotel Review - Hard Rock Hotel Cancun

JetBlue Update - the recent changes to the beloved meetings team

The Zika virus and how it is effecting incentive travel

The little stuff: How F&B costs can add up and few tricks to keep them closely managed

Hotel Review - Wynn Las Vegas

The importance of a FAQ's landing page

Hotel Groups Not To Miss

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