October 5, 2011 / in Travel Tools & Information The next time you run out of ideas for a theme , consider tying in room and/or table décor with the officially designated bird or flower of the state in which your event occurs. In other words, use pride of place as a placemat. State Bird/Flower Alabama: Yellowhammer / Camellia Alaska: Willow Ptarmigan / Forget Me Not Arizona: Cactus Wren / Saguaro Cactus Blossom Arkansas: Mockingbird / Apple Blossom California: California Valley Quail / California Poppy Colorado: Lark Bunting / Rocky Mountain Columbine Connecticut: Robin / Mountain Laurel Delaware: Blue Hen Chicken / Peach Blossom Florida: Mockingbird / Orange Blossom Georgia: Brown Thrasher / Cherokee Rose Hawaii: Nene / Pua Aloalo Idaho: Mountain Bluebird / Syringa-Mock Orange Illinois: Cardinal / Purple Violet Indiana: Cardinal / Peony Iowa: Eastern Goldfinch / Wild Prairie Rose Kansas: Western Meadowlark / Sunflower Kentucky: Cardinal / Goldenrod Louisiana: Eastern Brown Pelican / Magnolia Maine: Chickadee / White Pine Cone and Tassel Maryland: Baltimore Oriole / Black-Eyed Susan Massachusetts: Chickadee / Trailing-Arbutus Michigan: Robin / Apple Blossom Minnesota: Common Loon / Pink and White Lady’s Slipper Mississippi: Mockingbird / Magnolia Missouri: Bluebird / Hawthorn Montana: Western Meadowlark / Bitterroot Nebraska: Western Meadowlark / Goldenrod Nevada: Mountain Bluebird / Sagebrush New Hampshire: Purple Finch / Purple Lilac New Jersey: Eastern Goldfinch / Violet New Mexico: Roadrunner / Yucca Flower New York: Bluebird / Rose North Carolina: Cardinal / American Dogwood North Dakota: Western Meadowlark / Wild Prairie Rose Ohio: Cardinal / Scarlet Carnation Oklahoma: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher / Mistletoe Oregon: Western Meadowlark / Oregon Grape Pennsylvania: Ruffed Grouse / Mountain Laurel Rhode Island: Rhode Island Red / Violet South Carolina: Great Carolina Wren / Yellow Jessamine South Dakota: Ring-Necked Pheasant / Pasque Flower Tennessee: Mockingbird / Iris Texas: Mockingbird / Bluebonnet Utah: Common American Gull / Sego Lily Vermont: Hermit Thrush / Red Clover Virginia: Cardinal / American Dogwood Washington: Willow Goldfinch / Coast Rhododendron West Virginia: Cardinal / Rhododendron Wisconsin: Robin / Wood Violet Wyoming: Western Meadowlark / Indian Paintbrush

October 5, 2011 / in Travel Tools & Information It must be pleasant indeed to be able to plan gala meals without any annoying financial constraints. For those of you in such plush circumstances, we offer these pricey paragons of the culinary arts. The rest of you can take some solace in knowing that you’ve avoided some perception issues with the folks in procurement. 1. Queue de Cheval Steak House, Montreal ( queuedecheval.com ) Let’s start on a relatively modest note with this highly regarded eatery, whose average cost of $85 per meal, per person, won’t register too seismically if preceded by a nice, results-oriented meeting or event. The beef served here is all corn-fed and dry-aged for 35 days, producing a hefty 24-oz porterhouse that will serve as good ballast for attendees in a hurricane. 2. Gordon Ramsay, London ( gordonramsay.com ) Now let’s leap into a loftier bracket. This exclusive restaurant, open since 1998 in the famous chef’s mother country, has just 13 tables with seating for fewer than 60. Average price per meal, per person, comes to US$183, for specialties such as cornish lamb and pigeon, and pigeon with foie gras. Submit your receipt to the bean counters and you might feel like a pigeon — a homing pigeon, fresh from being kicked out of the office. 3. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, Paris ( alain-ducasse.com ) We’re talking delicious modern French cuisine, with an average meal costing between US$210–$250. The dishes, accompanied by choice of caviar, duck liver sauce or giblets of lamb, come à la carte, leaving you à la broke. 4. Masa ( masanyc.com ) In the Time Warner Center in Manhattan’s Columbus Circle, Masa seats just 26 people who, while paying around $300 per person, prix-fixe, enjoy a three-hour experience with exquisite Japanese cuisine. No menu needed here, as the daily options are created by whim of the eponymous chef himself. New York Magazine raves about the white truffle tempura that’s often served in the fall, and the tuna tartare with aji mackerel sashimi tossed in shiso blossoms, otherwise known as “your budget garnished with a red flag.” 5. Aragawa, Tokyo (no website; for detailed review: tomostyle.wordpress.com )Don’t let the dark, office-building basement environs of this steak house fool you: This is upper-upscale Japanese food. Here is another place where they don’t bother with a menu — because you come for the kobe beef served with capsicum (aka pepper) and mustard. By meal’s end, and at these prices (an average meal here hits the high note at US$370), you’ll truly feel spent.

October 5, 2011 / in Press and News Pull out all the stops. Those are five words every incentive travel planner loves to hear. But what kind of trip does it really take to motivate top achievers who have already been wined and dined in some of the world’s finest destinations? Corporate & Incentive Travel Magazine asked a few incentive travel professionals that very question, and their answers will intrigue you. But we have to warn you. They’re bound to make you a bit envious, as well. Below is Incentive Travel Solution’s President and Founder Kevin Devanney’s excerpt from this article. The “Wow” Factor “We’re always looking for at least four ‘wows’ on every program,” says Kevin Devanney, president of Incentive Travel Solutions in Charlotte, NC. “We look for things that are very unique to the destination.” It sounds like he succeeded with an incentive program he recently planned for an insurance company headquartered in the northeast. The incentive was a six-day trip to Denmark for independent insurance agents and their guests. One highlight was a private event at a castle in Copenhagen. “Kronborg Castle is a big part of the Danish heritage,” Devanney explains. “We rented out Kronborg for the evening, and took the group up to the gates by horse and buggy. The biggest part of the evening was a private performance of Hamlet inside of Kronborg where the play is actually set. The program was in the Great Hall which is a gigantic room with what must be 10 x 10-foot fireplaces on both ends of the hall. It was only lit by candlelight and the performers were in full costume. It was spectacular.” Devanney’s Kronborg event also included a private tour of the castle, a cocktail reception, and dinner in the castle’s original wine cellar. Then it was time to move on to the next “wow.” “We were going to Stockholm, and we really needed something unique,” he says. “Over the years, we’ve created a signature lunch that takes advantage of the destination we’re in. We took over a spectacular yacht and cruised out to the archipelago, which is a group of islands. We had music on board and then we got off and had lunch on one of the uninhabited islands. It was a high-end lunch with white table cloths and china in a little country setting.” The prior year the group had traveled to Banff, Canada where Devanney staged another signature lunch. “We took the group from the Banff Springs Hotel to a helicopter port and flew them over the Canadian Rockies,” he says. “We landed in a valley at this horse ranch. Then they boarded their horses and we took them to the top of the mountain where there was this tented, five-star, four-course lunch waiting for them with spectacular views.” Another component of Incentive Travel Solution’s Denmark program was an event in a historic building called the Round Tower. “It’s a 14th century tower that the king built to look at the stars,” Devanney says. “We took the group up to the top for champagne cocktails. They did what’s called a saber d’or. That’s where they take a giant saber and they chop off the top of a champagne bottle. There are only three restaurants in all of Denmark that are qualified to do that. It was followed by dinner in an old monastery in Copenhagen called Sankt Gertrudes Kloster. It’s all made of stone and it’s underground. It’s a fantastic wine-cellar style restaurant.” “We really have to outdo ourselves each year,” Devanney says. “On this trip we also had a cocktail reception in an ice bar in Copenhagen. The chairs, the bar, the glasses, everything is made of ice. They had to put parkas on. It was below zero inside of the bar. It’s one of the things they talk about the most, and it was just an hour long cocktail reception.” Creativity Counts “It’s not always the budget that plays an important role,” Devanney adds. “For a client a few years back in Paris, we took them on a high speed train down to Giverny where Monet painted and we had a nice picnic lunch down in the rose garden. That’s an example where the budget doesn’t have to be stretched.” Exclusivity is a key ingredient of many dream incentives. Some companies prefer to look for a resort they can buy out for their group, so they won’t have to share the facility with other guests. “More and more companies are going that route,” explains Kenderly Haskins, national director of sales for Auberge Resorts in Mill Valley, CA. “It does give them a sense of exclusivity, and their people feel like ‘Wow, you bought out the place for us?’” Haskins has a client in the financial services industry who is buying out Auberge’s Esperanza resort for a sales incentive program this month. Esperanza is a 56-room ultra-luxurious oceanfront resort located a few miles from Cabo San Lucas on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. There will be approximately 120 guests for the four-day program. “Literally, whatever they want to do is what they can do,” Haskins says. “A yacht will be available for them daily. They can golf every day. They’ll have a cigar roller available and a big beach barbeque. They’re doing a Hummer tour and fireworks over the sea. “Everything is complimentary for them,” she adds. “Dinners, the drinks, everything goes back to the master account.It ’s going to be top notch.”

November 9, 2011 / in Press and News If the cards are dealt correctly the largest casino in the world will be constructed right here in the United States; Miami to be exact. A group of Malaysian developers are hoping to get the go-ahead for construction on a $3.8 billion gaming facility which would be larger than the six largest casino resorts in Las Vegas, combined the Daily Mail (London) has reported. Incentive travel clients who are big gamblers will have a new destination prospect on the East Coast. The proposed project called, Resorts World Miami, is a small world within itself. The 800,000 square-foot project would include: – 8,500 slot machines (within two separate casinos) – Four hotels with a combined total of 5,200 guest rooms – 1,000 residential apartments – A water facility the size of 12 Olympic size pools – A shopping mall – Over 50 bars and restaurants – A convention center & ballroom Two and-a-half times as big as the biggest casino in the United States – the Foxwoods Resort in Ledyard, Connecticut – the project hopes to give a 5.4 billion visitor boost to this Sunshine State city. Also, the project is expected to bring in over $800 billion in tax revenue, which would boost Florida’s economy, which is currently facing a deficit. Thousands of jobs will need to be filled for the construction of the property, as well as to work on property once the project is finished. Currently, there are laws set in place that do not allow for gambling in Florida apart from on Native American tribal lands, as is the case in many other states. Legislation was recently introduced in Florida which would open up gaming laws in Miami, if approved. The legislature would allow for three casinos to be constructed in Florida contingent upon $2 billion being spent building them. Several reports have been made that the Seminole Indian Tribe has spent over $140,000 fighting the construction of this mega-casino.

November 18, 2011 / in Featured Destinations Home to some of the most glorious history of the world, Athens, Greece is a magical city that is worshipped by both gods and people alike. A trip to Athens will prove to be a visit back in time. Often considered the birthplace of civilization, this enthralling capitol has a lot to offer in the way of historical significance. Democracy was born in Athens, as well as the majority of wise men of ancient times. The most vital civilizations of the ancient world thrived in Athens, and can be relived while discovering some of the most fearsome structures on Earth. It is the origin of Western civilization dating back two and a half thousand years ago. Athens is located in the territory of Attica, extending to the peninsula which reaches up to central Greece. The climate is perfect for tourism with hot summers and mild winters; the sun is always shining in Athens. The city provides a look into the past, as well as offering all of the marvels of modern day life. While strolling down a street in the famous historic triangle neighborhoods, (Plaka, Thission, and Psyrri) one is transported through various eras in history. Athens is the social, political, financial, cultural, and commercial hub of Greece. Acropolis “Edge of the City,” Acropolis is the most famous archeological structure in all of Europe and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. The Acropolis Hill (“Sacred Rock” of Athens) symbolizes the ideal Greek society. Many of the architectural masterpieces of that era were created at this historical site. The uses of this site range from residential purposes to a gathering place for the cult of the city’s patron goddess, Athena. The sheer marvel of the massive structure is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Hedonistic Society Greeks are famous for their hedonistic societal values. Few cities surpass Athens vivacious nightlife vista. Dinner is commonly eaten at late hours in the evening; often as late as 10pm. Greeks enjoy food and savor it as much as possible. They love to spend their evenings drinking, dancing and conversing with one another. A wonderful dining option in the famous Syntagma Square is the Dionysos Café and Restaurant, located at the foot of Acropolis, with one of the most amazing views of the sacred grounds. A couple notable night clubs within the city are Wild Rose and Kalua, which often play live Greek music.

November 17, 2011 / in Featured Destinations Cape Town is a beautiful city situated on the coast of South Africa. There is an endless amount of reasons to choose the destination of Cape Town for your next trip. The oldest city in South Africa, Cape Town is enveloped by the exquisite Table Mountain. The diverse scenery the city offers ranges from beaches to mountains, wild life and forests, which has the ability to appeal to many differing tastes. With a National Park within city limits and two World Heritage Sites, the wide range of attractions becomes obvious. Justice cannot be done to Cape Town without highlighting the top ten reasons to visit the vibrant city: It’s pure natural beauty. Few activities in this world are free. Discovering the exquisite nature in Cape Town is one of them. Located at the Southwestern tip of Africa, Cape Town is considered to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The weather in Cape Town is phenomenal. Conditions in the summer are warm and leisurely while winters are mild and moist, which amounts to a perfect Mediterranean climate. Affordability. Cape Town has been recognized as one of the most affordable destinations in the world and as a result, luxury is possible even with the smallest budget. Cultural melting pot. Cultural diversity within this cosmopolitan city allows for ethnic creativity and vitality. Superb cuisine (and, of course, wine). Home to traditional Cape food as well as first-class international cuisine, Cape Town is surprisingly enough a wine capital of the world. Assorted Experiences. Cape Town offers everything from cuisine, nature, wildlife, adventure, culture, animation, and heritage which make for a vivacious experience. Simple Access. From a travelling stand point, Cape Town is extremely easy to access. With over 20 international airlines offering daily flights to and from the city, Cape Town International Airport links access to all major global hubs. Phenomenal Beaches. Cape Town has a total of 13 globally recognized Blue Flag beaches. So no shortage of summer fun here! Exceptional Infrastructure. Logistically simple transportation, pleasant lodging, and an abundance of restaurants compliment Cape Town’s excellent infrastructure. Security and Safety. Cape Town is thought of as the safest destination in Africa. The successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is a reflection of this notion. Want to learn more about Cape Town? Read this great article featuring comments from Incentive Travel Solution’s President, Kevin Devanney: Nature Facilitates Teambuilding in Cape Town & the African Bus h

November 10, 2011 / in Incentive Travel Articles Domestic Incentive Travel Trends When choosing a domestic incentive destination, big name places are continually the desired choice for most incentive groups. Perpetual preferences include Hawaii, New York City, Florida, Las Vegas and Arizona. These destinations are enticing as they offer a variety of attractive features ranging from an ample supply of hotel choices, excellent air support, and an exceeding amount of activities. Each of these destinations also has positive name recognition which is exceedingly important to sparking the interest of participants. Before choosing a destination it is important to do some research. While many consumers consider first-rate big name places an expensive option, this is often a misconception. The high number of hotels and discounted airfare brings major competing airlines down to offer attractive deals. However, “off the beaten path” destinations do have their advantages. Depending on the city, hotel and airline rates are often inexpensive. If the chosen hotel/resort’s marketing scheme is specifically geared towards meeting and incentives, the place may be particularly enthralling and even exotic. Although less-known places are harder to attract incentive groups, when chosen they are the perfect opportunity to create one-of-a-kind incentive programs. The trick to this is developing a theme which is specific to the destination as well as the participants. Something participants can relate the destination to, which will create everlasting memories. The unique and distinctive qualities of the destination must be very well represented. Many incentive travel partners specialize in creating such themes, which are destination-specific. International Incentive Travel Trends When an international destination is desirable, big names such as Paris, Rome and London arise. Although brilliant locations, they can often be very pricey due to currency issues. More and more incentive groups are choosing to execute programs closer to home. Canada, Mexico and certain areas of the Caribbean have seemingly become more popular in recent years. This is due in part to being more easily accessible than destinations in Europe or Asia. The itinerary should also be planned to involve a great deal of variety, in order to suit the diverse interests of your group. There should be enough variety to satisfy every particular traveler. Convenience is a word which needs to be catered to during an incentive program. Transportation is always an issue of convenience. When planning an incentive program, the logistics should be designed in a way which ensures optimum convenience. A back-up plan for getting participants home in the case of an emergency must be put into place prior to the trip. After all, a major component of incentive travel planning is logistics. Kevin Devanney, President and Founder of Incentive Travel Solutions, believes that clients rely on travel partners to consistently raise the bar and present destinations that will motivate their sales force. Devanney states, “International destinations always have an appeal to potential attendees. Once an attendee wins a trip to Paris or Vienna, he or she will always strive harder to reach the highest levels of success for future trips around the world. It is imperative that our clients announce destinations that are unique and inspiring year after year.” Devanney believes clients choose Incentive Travel Solutions for many reasons. However, there is no question that clients stay with Incentive Travel Solutions for many years because of our dedication to memorable incentive itineraries. In a 2005 article, Corporate Travel & Incentives Magazine profiled Incentive Travel Solutions as one of the few “wow factor companies” in the incentive group travel business with our unique approach to planning programs for our clients. ITS created its “wow factor” approach in 2002 as a strategic effort to separate and distinguish us from other travel companies purveying mundane trips that lack creativity, unique destinations and/or program itinerary elements. With each of our proposals, the ITS Team creates and highlights each wow event. These are special, once-in-a-lifetime itinerary elements that trip attendees cannot experience on their own. They are distinctively unique and exclusive only to our clients’ group travel programs. These “Travel,” as creative travel program enhancements, become a distinct difference between us and everyone else.

November 18, 2011 / in Featured Destinations About: Rome Once the capital of the world ( caput mundi ), Rome is a city incomparable to any other. Historical edifices are numerous around the city which is an epic metropolis harboring lost empires. The splendid monumentality of Rome encapsulates the spirit of the city. Rome, the Eternal City, boasts over three thousand years of history and is often considered the center of western Christianity. Over its long span of history the city has been extremely influential to the cultural and religious ideologies of Europe. According to legend Rome was built on seven hills, at the center of which rises the great Palatine Hill, the all-powerful seat of the imperial residences of Rome which overlooks the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Home to remarkable shopping and delicious Mediterranean cuisine, the heart of the Roman Empire has something to offer every taste. The Forum & Colosseum Every visit to Rome must include a visit to the ancient heart of the city, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. The Colosseum of Rome was built in bricks and clad of travertine in a valley among the Palatino. For the enjoyment of Rome people, here were organized fights between gladiators or against wild animals and fabulous spectacles as naumachie , real navy battlemen in this arena filled with water. Under the arena of the Colosseum there were numerous corridors and rooms aimed at welcoming the gladiators and the ferocious beasts that could be brought at the centre of the arena thanks to elevator carriages and access ramps. The valley of Foro (Forum), nestled between the Seven Hills of Rome, was in ancient times a marsh. From the end of the seventh century B.C., after the improvement and drainage of the marshes, the Foro Romano (a forum) was constructed and this served as the centre of public life in Rome for over a thousand years. The Vatican and Saint Peter’s Basilica The Vatican City State is situated on the Vatican hill, on the right bank of the Tiber River, within the city of Rome. The pope has full legal, executive, and judicial powers. Executive power over the area is in the hands of a commission of cardinals appointed by the Pope. The College of Cardinals is the pope’s chief advisory body, and upon his death the cardinals elect his successor for life. St. Peter’s Basilica ( Italian: San Pietro in Vaticano ) is a major basilica in Vatican City, an enclave of Rome. St. Peter’s was until recently the largest church ever built and it remains one of the holiest sites in Christendom. St. Peter’s Basilica stands on the traditional site where Peter – the apostle who is considered the first pope – was crucified and buried. St. Peter’s tomb is under the main altar and many other popes are buried in the basilica as well. Originally founded by Constantine in 324, St. Peter’s Basilica was rebuilt in the 16th century by Renaissance masters including Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini. Dress Code The Dress Code is strictly enforced at St. Peter’s Basilica. No shorts, bare shoulders or miniskirts. This applies to both men and women. Even if you get through security, you will be turned away by the attendants at the door. Trevi Fountain The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome. This impressive monument dominates the small Trevi square located in the Quirinale district and supplies the fountains in the historic center of Rome with water. Tossing a Coin The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.

November 23, 2011 / in Incentive Travel Articles A functional alternative to the normal fly and stay incentive travel program, cruising to a desired destination can be very beneficial. As the incentive travel industry makes a big comeback post-recession, new and creative itineraries are being utilized. The option of a cruise is becoming more and more appealing. Cruising provides many unusual travel opportunities that incentive travel providers and clients find value in. The top ten beneficial reasons to plan an incentive travel program aboard a cruise ship are provided below, in no particular order (that’s for you to decide!) 1. Unpack once, and done! Many incentive travel programs consist of dual (or more) itineraries to different destinations. It can often be stressful to unpack, re-pack, and unpack once again after traveling to yet another destination. Once settled on a cruise ship, your vacation can start and end worry-free. 2. Island hopping. A cruise enables passengers to visit and explore multiple islands, without boarding a plane (or packing). 3. Inexpensive cruise packages. The majority of cruise lines offer incredible cruise deals, especially for groups. Considering that many incentive travel programs are held in the summer, this is the best time for cruise package specials. Beating the summer heat is also an added bonus. Why stay in a scorching hot city when you can sail the high seas and feel the breeze of the ocean! 4. Private cruise sailings. In the instance that a large incentive travel group plans to take a cruise, it is a good idea to sail the ship privately. The entire ship and its crew are then able to devote all of their expertise solely to the group which enhances the level of service provided. 5. Something for everyone. No matter the age, cruise ships have activities for everyone on board. From rock climbing to water slides, golf lessons to a regulation sized basketball court, there is no shortage of exciting adventures to experience. 6. Less expensive airfare. Airfares to U.S. ports of call are much more affordable than to international destinations. Airlines often offer special rates to cities which are cruise ship ports of call. Also, there are now numerous ports of call along the coasts of the United States to choose from. 7. An abundance of food options. Cruise ships offer multiple dining options aboard, which are included in the fare. From buffets to formal dining, and sushi bars to pizza joints, there are always fresh and delicious options to choose from. Furthermore, dining is available at all hours. There are midnight buffets and around-the-clock room service, free of charge. For special occasions, many cruise lines have a steak house or similar restaurant aboard, for a nominal charge. 8. Remarkable views and sunsets. While sailing the seas there is no shortage of amazing views. Whether it be passing by an island and enjoying the view from afar, looking over the ships’ rails into the deep blue ocean and seeing an abundance of marine life, or basking in the glow of some of the world’s best sunsets, when the sun is descending upon the horizon, the views a cruise ship offers are hard to come by elsewhere. 9. Meeting and event spaces are free to utilize. Hotels and resorts often charge a hefty fee for using their event venues and function spaces. 10. A vast array of entertainment options. Enjoy a show in the theater, a movie on the top deck, dance the night away in one of the many clubs, play bingo in your down time, or laugh out loud in a comedy show.

November 28, 2011 / in Incentive Travel Articles Described below are three initial steps which should be taken before contacting an incentive travel partner. Motivating employees to do their very best within your company is golden. As humans we revel in the opportunity to show our skills and thus be rewarded. Incentive trips have been proven to motivate employees like no other incentive offer. Incentive travel programs allow employees to work towards a tangible reward. Also, a program such as this offers the possibility to satisfy each human being’s inherit desire to see and travel the world. As an innovative way to motivate employees, the positive impact an incentive travel program within a company can bring is worth looking into. The following three steps will help you in launching an incentive program which can potentially show an increase in business, employee retention, and office place morale. Identify the goal. A clear and concise goal must be defined in order to create a successful employee rewards program. A few examples of achievable goals are: increased profit, customer and employee retention, improved workplace morale, improved employee productivity, and team building. In which of these areas will your company benefit from most? Although an incentive travel program will likely boost improvement in each of these areas, it is important to state a single common goal which employees can work towards. Once a goal is selected, provide each employee with a specific objective which they must meet to qualify. Determine how to fund the program, and create a budget. Funding an incentive travel program should be considered a business investment which is likely to pay off for all parties involved (company and employee). There are two ways to fund the program. Using a fixed amount of money dependent upon a projection of sales or a yearly budgeted amount. Using a portion of expected increase in (monetary) performance which would be the result of the program. Monitor employee performance. Evaluate success indicators by tracking performance of employees through a variety of ways such as sales increases and customer retention. Employees must agree to a common goal which must be met in order to qualify for program participation. Goal measurement must then be agreed upon by both employees and employers. Flexibility must be considered in the event that extenuating circumstances arise which prohibits the employee from meeting the desired goal. The goal must not have the ability to be manipulated by either group and should be reasonable and attainable. Incentive Travel programs should be created and performed with immense care. They are often big investments which have the strong ability to pay off extremely well when implemented correctly. Take time in finding the right incentive travel partner who will take all of the work and worry out of planning and execute a successfully program.

December 10, 2011 / in Press and News Incentive Travel Solutions, a Charlotte, NC based Company, invites you to discover how a golf tournament can be a great way for your meeting attendees to interact and give to a community at the same time. Kevin Devanney, President of Incentive Travel Solutions says, “Golf is a great way to have fun while strengthening business connections and even supporting a worthy cause. This year we had clients who wanted to give back to the destinations that were hosting us, so we designed their annual golf tournament to raise money for charities at their President’s Club trip.” Many of the Caribbean Islands are wonderful destinations with beautiful resorts, but the islands themselves are sometimes immersed in poverty. Just a little help from incentive groups can go a long way in helping some needy families.” Devanney provided some tips for staging a successful golf event. Establish your goals : Think about your objective for the day. Is your tournament a corporate, competitive, or charity event? Once you’ve chosen the type of tournament you want to host, you can decide how to make it a success. Pick a tournament format : Four-man scramble is a popular choice, but there are lots of other options. About.com defines more than 150 tournament formats and other golf games, and The Complete Book of Golf Games is another great resource. Create a tournament website : A website is a valuable tool for publicizing your tournament, acknowledging its sponsors, and promoting the charity that will benefit from the program. A website also allows participants to register quickly and pay their tournament fees ahead of time. For tournament website creation tools, consider TournEase , Golf Digest Planner , or GolfRegistrations.com . Inform players of tee-times : It is a good idea to send out reminder emails/mailings of participant tee times and teams. Reminders should be delivered to players a week in advance. Also mention any events being held post-tournament. Let participants pick teammates : Allow players to pick their teammates. Offer a sign-up sheet on the on-line registration site. Make teams and tee times available for personal use on site. When teeing off : On the first green have the starter announce the names of each player about to tee off. For corporate events, announce the company each player is representing. Recognition is always an incentive. While on the course : Everything a golfer may need while on the course should be readily available. Extra equipment should be kept on-hand in case it is needed. Refreshments and snacks should be offered periodically to each player. Golfers should be given any refreshment they choose and snacks should be served in a way that is comfortable and feasible while on the course. Post-tournament : When the tournament comes to an end host an after-event ceremony or dinner. This will give both the golfers and guests the ability to interact with one another. The winner of the tournament can be announced at this time as well as a cause summary of the event. Get lots of feedback : On the day of the big event, make sure you’re out on the course mingling with the players. Get their impressions and record their ideas so you can make improvements for next year. It’s also a good idea to survey participants after the event for their comments and suggestions. Hole Sponsorship : Partner with your most important suppliers to sponsor the 18 holes on the course. This gives them some well need exposure to their important clients and raises money for the local charity.

December 11, 2011 / in Incentive Travel Articles It has always been imperative for businesses to keep their employees happy and motivated. What better way to do so than to create an incentive travel program with the help of a professional company? Many employees, especially during this time of recession, are struggling to make ends meet and are worried and stressed as a result. Employers must find a way to keep employees interested and working at their full potential. Vacations have traditionally been a way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life; especially from the workplace. However, in this economy many are not able to enjoy such pleasures nor can they afford to take the time off of work to do so. Employers who offer incentive trips allow for the average employee to enjoy an all-expense paid vacation that doesn’t require taking time off of work. Trip winners are allowed to bring a guest along as well, which adds to the list of advantages. With that being said, there isn’t a better way to entice employees to do their best. They have something tangible to work towards, something every human being enjoys: traveling. Providing the perfect catalyst for inspiring and motivating employees to excel at their jobs, employee incentive travel has been proven to generate greater employee retention, satisfaction and productivity. The announcement of an incentive program can result along with the generation of new clientele. When offering the opportunity to win an incentive trip to members of a sales team, monetary benefits will emerge. Sales forces will be revitalized, an increase in sales will show, and new sales tactics will be learned as success in sales practices are utilized, making the company more efficient. After all, travel has a much higher perceived value than most other incentives and will surely be something to brag about both before and after the trip takes place! Incentive trips can increase employee loyalty to your company. Announcing the location of the trip mid year will create motivation and excitement for your employees. Winners of such trips will strive to win the reward year after year. When the winners return from a trip, they create an exciting buzz of what a great time they had. Therefore, those who did not win are all the more motivated to strive to earn the trip next year. An incentive trip will create a bond between fellow employees sharing a fun experience in a unique destination and is proven to create a great boost in team moral before and after the trip. As humans we revel in recognition. Naturally, employees in the workplace do the same. Knowing that a job well done equals being recognized by a superior within the workplace makes people strive to work harder to reach a desired goal. Being rewarded physically as well as verbally while on the trip is an added bonus. Therefore it is beneficial to hold an awards ceremony during the trip to reinforce the recognition of each employee, individually. Learning and understanding corporate culture and company objectives relating to its employees allows for your travel company to specialize in site, entertainment, and meal selection for your group. Each individual, as well as each group, are unique. Group dynamics must be studied to ensure the perfect accommodations, entertainment choices, and destinations for your specific employees. Incentive Travel Solutions specializes in creating and executing unbelievable trip experiences completely tailored to your company’s needs. Ask us how we can help to motivate your employees by creating incredible experiences in all corners of the world!