2020 has been very difficult year, particularly for most sales reps. Depending on your industry, numbers may still be down and incentives are more important than ever to keep your team positive and looking to the year ahead. One good way to do this is setting up special incentives toward 2021 qualifications, like December sales counting double, etc., to get people motivated again.
This year has been incredibly difficult as we navigate a global health crisis that has completely changed the world around us. While we may not be spending normally or planning trips anytime soon, this is still a time for incentivizing the team you do have that's out there working for your company. We've discussed in other posts that special one-off incentive programs may help motivate your team, even if they are qualifiers for a trip that seems far away now.
If you're considering incentive travel for your team, there are two main categories: individual or group trips. Based on your company’s goals, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of each. But first, it’s important to understand the difference.
In 2020, you would assume the answer to this question is yes. And for the most part, that's right. Technology in the meetings and events industry has transformed over the last 5+ years with smartphone apps, websites, and on-site displays. However, despite providing attendees with all of this technology (from event websites to agenda apps, and even screens displaying throughout the property), there's still feedback that certain guests miss hard copy agendas. The days of printing agendas for every attendee are over, but if you find it necessary to provide hard copies for some, we recommend printing 20% of the attendee number. If you run out you can always print more on site.
The main benefit of having your agenda online is the ability to make live updates. Our world is more unpredictable than ever, so this is an increasingly important aspect in event planning. When COVID-19 started to impact everything earlier this year, we were able to update itineraries and communicate with clients as soon as changes happened. This is crucial, especially when planning for a large group traveling from all over the world. Even when things are going smoothly though, apps and event websites are the most streamlined way to communicate effectively with large groups of attendees.
One of the main benefits of incentive travel is that it builds attendees' affinity for their company, and you want to ensure those positive memories are lasting. While a photographer/videographer should be a relatively small line item (between $2,000 - $5,000 per event), there are three big things to consider when deciding to invest in this special add-on:
This has been a very difficult year, and while sales numbers may be down, incentives are more important than ever to keep employee morale up. Although you may not be thinking about a trip anytime soon, this information will be helpful whenever you do start planning again.
Incentive trips are meant to reward employees and boost positive team energy. Now more than ever, it's crucial to keep employee morale as high as possible. Our world has changed drastically this year and if you've been lucky enough to keep your sales team on, you'll probably be planning incentives for them in the near future for having weathered the worst of it. Eventually, you will start re-establishing the reward structure that works for your company, even if it may look a little different than before.
We hope this information will be helpful in planning your company's next trip.
Rosewood, SLS, Grand Hyatt Review
The Baha Mar hotel facility has come a long way since its opening back in 2017. It’s a great product for MICE travel, given its convenience to the US. There’s plenty to do in terms of golf, spa, and snorkel. And the price is a good value for your dollar when comparing it to other Caribbean islands. Food and beverage prices are still a challenge at the hotels, but with MICE travel that’s expected.
Here are our top hotels for incentive travel in 2020.
Malliouhana Anguilla (63 rooms; opened 1984, renovated 2019 and became an Auberge property). This property recently reopened after a large renovation and Auberge taking over management of the hotel. From the moment you enter the lobby, there's definitely a wow factor from the view down to the decor, and it doesn't stop there. The beach, service, food, spa, and pools are all extremely impressive. This is the perfect opportunity for an incentive program buyout for groups with 50-60 rooms. The addition of the beachfront casual dining restaurant, Leon’s, is perfect for a casual lunchtime option or entertainment each evening.
When someone asks me what I wish I knew before I started Executive Group Travel, you might be surprised by the answer. Yes, the importance of hiring a great accountant and the fact that Gusto is the best investment for a growing startup are both up there on the list of things I wish I knew.
But given our lack of strong industry knowledge at the outset, we wish we had found these five industry partners back in year one. Every meeting planner must get to know them, use their expertise, and let them continue to make your company look like rockstars.
In the past 6 months, a few new exciting hotels have opened their doors in Los Cabos, Mexico. The most anticipated opening was actually two hotel brands owned by the same owner, located only a few steps away from each other. Both properties are located on the Pacific side of Los Cabos in the Diamanté area, which is approximately one hour from SJD airport.