How to choose a destination
The first step to setting the right scene for your conference or incentive trip is to choose the right destination, and then the right venue. Sounds easy, doesn’t it! But do it wisely, because everything else builds from this decision. This very first decision sets the scene and the atmosphere for the entire event.
Local or overseas?
This decision is often determined by budget, with a very large portion of the costs of an overseas trip being the flights to get people there and back. The budget can be stretched before you even do anything! But an international trip does carry a certain amount of prestige over a local trip.
While we are a long way from the States, Europe and Australia, South Africa has a host of absolutely wonderful options relatively close by. These include our neighbouring countries, as well as other African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia. Mauritius and Madagascar are a short flight away. South America also offers a different, vibrant destination with less travel time than Europe, as does India.
If you’re looking at a South African destination, you can go a long way before you run out of fabulous options. I recently chatted to a group of retired business people from a very large South African company. They rated their ‘best conference ever’ as one that took place in a small, little-known South African town!
The right destination
Whether you choose to go international or local, chat to us about travel ‘hot spots’. Travel fashion exists, and various destinations drift in and out of fashion. Nobody wants to tell their friends that they’ve just been to a destination that was in fashion a few years ago. People like the hot spots – and we keep our eye on these trends!
Your destination choice also needs to reflect your company, brand, and group. A group of hip youngsters is unlikely to want to hang out in an ‘old-fashioned, staid’ destination, even if it is 200 years old! People who enjoy the outdoors are unlikely to be happy in the centre of a big city.
The right venue
Once you’ve chosen your destination, you can settle on a venue. Of course the venue needs to meet your basic requirements for accommodation and conference facilities, but there are also other things to look at. The geographical location is important. If you want a feeling isolation and remoteness, that can be found. If you want access to other activities and venues close by, you would choose a different spot. A day trip or visit away from the actual venue is a good idea and offers a sense of ‘added benefit’ to the trip… we stayed at x, and also visited y!
How to approach this
When planning your next event, think about the type of destination and venue you would like, before considering any actual places. Make a list of ‘ideal attributes’, such as, for example: beautiful, remote, outdoors, fresh, active. Think about what you would like your group to experience, rather than where you would like them to be. Once you have the feeling you would like to create, then set about finding a destination that will provide that. Too often, companies get locked into a particular venue without really having thought about what they would like.
It’s our job
It’s our job to keep an eye on trends, venues, hot spots and not-spots! Before painting yourself into a corner, give us a call to help you find the destination and venue that will deliver all that you hope for, and give your group their ‘best conference ever’.
