When it comes to measuring the success of a group incentive travel program, one of the most important benchmarks is the reaction of the participants. Did they enjoy it? Was it memorable? Did they feel the “reward” was, in fact, rewarding enough? Questions like these will address whether the trip was successful; but what they won’t address, is the why. Why did this program stand apart? Why will it be remembered?

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned in my years of running incentive trips both from the corporate side and as a third-party provider, it’s the importance of the “little things.” Any travel agent can book plane tickets and accommodations in a fancy resort, and any corporate planner with deep enough pockets can arrange for you and your group to receive the all-inclusive treatment. The thing that separates the good trips from the truly memorable ones is the attention paid to small details that showcase your company’s personal commitment to the participants. While seemingly minor in comparison to the overall scope of an incentive travel program, these little touches infuse your program with charm and character and indicate a level of thoughtfulness that rarely goes unnoticed.

These components can range from the concrete to the intangible, but what they all share is their impact. Some possible ideas for distinguishing your group incentive travel program include:

– Unique settings and themes for group functions (a Farewell Dinner with a British Marching Band inside the Rock of Gibraltar)

– Personalized room gifts (a custom framed photo of each couple)

– Special recognition of employees celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or other milestones (a cake brought out during a dinner or a bottle of champagne that is room delivered)

– Concierge services (private check-in, exclusive dining reservations, priority bookings for guest rooms)

– Social media memories (creating a specific Facebook page for the trip as a place to share pictures and other trip-related content)

– A surprise experience (an afternoon/evening in a theme park that has special hours just for your group’s participants)

– Special gifts sent prior to the program to generate excitement and/or after the program to extend the overall experience (a margarita glass with a special note from the president of the company)

These are just a few suggestions for how you can add more value to a group incentive travel experience. If you’re looking for any old group incentive travel program, call any old travel agent. If you’re looking for a strategic partner to help you deliver a truly memorable experience, you’ve found us. At ROI – Return on Incentives, we’re all about the details – both large and small!