Be Different

Be Different

Event organizers are finding themselves under increasing pressure to make their events stand out and deliver real value for their clients. It’s no longer good enough to do things the way you’ve always done them. This is especially apparent in the MICE sector, as customers demand more from their programs, regardless of whether it’s a simple meeting, a major conference or an incentive program.

Among the sub-sectors of MICE, incentives is probably the one with the greatest opportunity to differentiate, what with the various elements that go into an incentive trip. It comes down to creativity and thinking outside the box. But where to begin?

Start the creative juices flowing by looking at trends in the industry. For example Incentive magazine recently identified five specific global trends it believes are shaping incentive travel across the world:

• Experiential Travel – these are one-of-a-kind experiences unique to the destination

• Wellness Travel – experiences that leave travelers healthier when they check out

• Bespoke Transportation – charter companies can set an itinerary, schedule and aircraft type

• All-Inclusive Properties – simplify things from a strategic and budgetary point of view

• Event Technology – social media has changed the way we communicate. Mobile apps are expected. What these trends don’t tackle is the issue of reduced spend and how incentive trip organizers come up with fantastic programs within the constraints of a budget that has a lot fewer zeros on it than the year before.