Group Travel Scoop - Groople.com

Doing Corporate Incentives Group Travel Right

We here at the Group Scoop realize the black hole out there on the net when it comes to advice on booking a corporate incentives trip. We feel the pain of our brother and sister corporate rewards / incentives trip planners. You have some top notch out of sight employees you’d like to reward- but the logistics seem more daunting than they should be. Further, advice on what to do is not readily available.

We can’t solve all of your logistic problems in this space, but we can give advice to make the life of the corporate rewards / incentives trip planner a lot easier. The advice is simple- use Groople.

That’s what we should say, right? Yes. And, it’s also the truth. The people at Groople are experts, geniuses, smarties, wizards, and yes gurus of corporate rewards / incentive travel. Many, many satisfied customers make a statement like that possible.

Here’s what you would get if you use Groople to book your corporate incentives travel / business rewards trip…

All-inclusive rates for business rewards groups.

When Groople says all-inclusive they mean it. To start Groople will flex its muscle and get you free rooms included for your stay. Not stopping there, they can get a rate that includes hotel provided entertainment: bands, singers, comedians, etc. They've also been known to get rates that include things like complimentary welcome dinners, or even free cocktail hours.

All-inclusive service for corporate incentives groups.

Again, the same thought applies, when Groople says all-inclusive they mean it. Groople can set up and plan all the day trips, outside entertainment, and transportation your group could want. Groople can handle all the logistics for all the people, all the time. They even manage package deals including air. How’s that for saving you time? Did I mention Groople could set your group up for a private check-in?

If you’re planning a corporate rewards trip and you’re not getting the items listed above, you should be. So make sure you demand that level of service. You’re spending a lot of money to reward your employees, make sure you get the proper bang for your buck!

Groups Over Broadway

"There’s no business like show business!" There’s no Broadway like New York’s Broadway…

The group scoop is sending you off to the show! "Broadway" is one loaded word that contains multiple meanings, concepts, and memories. It’s no secret that Broadway Blvd, in New York City is the premier venue for the theatre in the United States. There are around forty or so theatres that comprise the official pantheon of "Broadway Theatres". Dozens and dozens of theatres comprise the so-called "off-Broadway" venues. Choices everywhere!

Broadway, first and foremost, is a street that runs the entire length of Manhattan. The stretch we’re interested in is the theatre district which has its epicenter in Times Square. Around 12 million people come through each year to take in a Broadway show. It’s big business and a culture all its own.

I’d like my beloved Groople groups to catch some of the hottest shows this season: Mary Poppins, Grease, Hairspray, Wicked. I have some tips to that end.

Group discounts for Broadway shows are a way of life. There are group discounts available for all shows especially shows that are less popular or an "off-Broadway" production. For the more popular shows, group discounts can only be obtained far in advance of the show. The amount of folks in your group necessary to be eligible for a group discount varies from theatre to theatre. In general, a good rule of thumb is between 10 and 20 persons.

95% of all tickets sold for Broadway shows are sold through the ticket services Telecharge and Ticketmaster. While these companies charge an $8 booking fee per ticket, they do make it all very easy. Both of these outlets have group discount policies that can net you a $20 savings per ticket with groups of 20 or more. The little known discount time to buy your ticket is the Wednesday matinee when tickets are the cheapest they will be all week… One more thing! With groups of 40+ call the theatre directly and you’ll likely be able to negotiate a greater discount and be sure to ask for a free ticket or two as well!

I thought a few ideas on why you’d want to take a group to a Broadway show are in order. Most of the venues are fairly intimate and you’ll be face to face with the world’s top acting talent. Being so close to that talent may be the reason you want to have your corporate incentives group trip in New York. Witnessing an Americana spectacle may be the reason you choose to locate your corporate meeting in New York over another city. What could be a greater team building excercise than some culture on Broadway? Taking a large group to a popular show also presents a great way to raise funds for charitable giving. There are hundreds of groups who go to Broadway for a show and hundreds of reasons why they want to go. Groups are going to Broadway…

Why aren’t you?

Summer Corporate Meetings Ideas

Summer - corporate meetings season? Lots of folks are on vacation during the summer months, and it is not typically the biggest meeting season of the year. During the summer months, we see some team building trips and a variety of corporate events.

My suggestion for this summer if you are trying to plan a meeting is to opt for simplicity. Summer is an excellent time to plan a meeting that also makes your team feel like they are being rewarded for their knowledge, expertise, and hard work. Plan an off-site corporate meeting based around a great location or beautiful setting, where people can feel relaxed. I am not suggesting you take everyone on a free vacation this year, but I do think you will be pleasantly surprised if you take a slightly different approach.

Opt for a little less planning and structure and a little more for spontaneity, creativity, and pleasure. There are beautiful retreat locations, mountain cabins, lake houses, beach properties, and golf resorts all over the United States. I have a few suggestions of places you might want to consider for something a little different in an off-site meeting venue. These places won't break the bank, either:

Northeastern U.S.:

Consider a trip to the Poconos. These mountains are stunning in their beauty, and offer everything from hiking to fishing. The town of Hawley is in the northerneastern Lake Region of the Poconos Mountains and offers several great resort properties. Plan ahead, and choose a great escape from the city for your next corporate meeting.

West Coast:

Not far from Los Angeles is the town of Ojai, a great place to host a small off-site meeting. Ojai is home to Lake Casitas, which is a great place to spend a summer day. Ojai Valley Inn and Spa offers world-class golf. In fact, it was rated the #1 golf resort in California by Conde Nast readers. Ojai, California has summer festivals, a Shakespeare festival and offers you and your colleagues the opportunity to really get away for a few days.

Rocky Mountain Region:

In northern New Mexico is The Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino. In the town of Mescalero, just outside of Ruidoso enjoy an incredible retreat at the Inn of the Mountain Gods. The meetings facilities are top-notch. The golf course is excellent, and the setting could not be more beautiful. The resort is owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe as a world-class resort facility in the heart of the New Mexico Mountains. Skiing in winter, golf in summer, hiking, fishing, and gorgeous scenery make the Inn of the Mountain Gods an ideal choice for an off-site meeting.

I just gave you some of my ideas. Please contribute some of your own by commenting on this post. Remember to keep it simple this summer when it comes to meetings. A winning idea might come on the trail or at the lakeshore instead of at the conference table.

Patrick Soch, Senior Marketing Manager

Consider Hawaii for Your Corporate Meeting or Incentive Travel

No doubt about it, Hawaii is a fantastic destination for your corporate group travel. Consider Hawaii for an offsite meeting, incentive travel, or a supplier expo. Your employees and attendees will appreciate an incredible island getaway. Consider one of the following properties we have selected from around the islands. We work closely with these hoteliers, and all of these hotels welcome your corporate group business and will provide you with excellent service and the facilities you need for meetings, breakout sessions, catering and more for you corporate group travel needs.

Oahu

Royal Hawaiian

Moana Surfrider

W Honolulu

Sheraton Waikiki

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

Kauai

Princeville Resort

Sheraton Kauai

Maui

Sheraton Maui

Westin Maui

Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas

The Big Island

Sheraton Keauhou