Month: September 2021

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Incentives, reward and recognition programs – how to plan in challenging times

How to plan a successful incentive programme is one of the greatest challenges going forward. In the last 18 months most travel-based programmes were cancelled or postponed. Companies still wanted to reward their staff who had achieved their goals and many of them turned to merchandise and gifts.

Many companies are planning to return to the travel incentive programme, but these will be different in the future.

  • Destinations need to be selected with greater care. Previously, many incentive destinations were international. These can now throw up problems with changes in regulations, restrictions and the time it takes to adhere to testing requirements beforehand and afterwards.
  • When dealing with global attendees, it is worth considering events in different regions: EMEA, APAC and America, rather than one large get together. This is particularly important when people are in difference countries and regions, with different restrictions.
  • Domestic destinations can also be attractive and may be easier and less stressful for the group. Participants won’t want feel motivated if they have to put a lot of time and effort in to the trip.
  • Group sizes will be smaller as fewer people will be able to fit on each transfer or activity and more space is needed for meals. Many people now prefer mixing in smaller groups
  • Covid protocols will need to be met, whether that’s testing and/or vaccination and what proof is needed to travel and attend theatres, clubs and inside activities.
  • Travel costs have increased as airlines have put their fares up. Airlines are also changing routes and cancelling flights if the booking levels don’t make them profitable.
  • Attendees requirements have changed, it’s the personalisation of the incentive that that makes employees feel special and incentives will be more focussed on personal experience. Make sure you know the group’s demographics, not just their age and make up, but also what they need to feel special: activities, relaxation, sightseeing etc
  • Communication is key. Do a survey to understand the concerns and make sure they have all the reassurance they need to attend. Check that all attendees are comfortable with the experience and they are reassured that they are fully informed and know the regulations, it is safe and there are no surprises.
  • Maybe people would feel happier travelling individually to a destination of their choice by using a voucher, rather than as a group.
  • Keep checking the objectives and know why you are running the programme – make sure it will motivate and reward the participants. Lifestyles have changed since staff have been working from home and successful incentive programmes pivoted to offering gifts and rewards that high achievers could choose themselves. The choice of a luxury item, by redeeming points, was successful in lockdown. Items such as a Peleton bike, wine, watches, jewellery and high-end household items made life more comfortable at home and were a treat.

For help to plan your incentive programme to find a venue, call our team of experts on 01780 484495 .

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A return to events – be flexible, creative & find new ways to facilitate networking

A delegate confidence survey conducted by Bramcote International and the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) amongst 350 association conference attendees has highlighted their confidence and attitudes towards attending future events.

Key findings include:

  • An overwhelming 93% of respondents miss the networking, social interaction, and meeting people.
  • 47% of respondents are happy to attend ‘in person’ events, this rises to 75% if the individual is fully vaccinated.
  • 34% of respondents want to see additional measures in place at their conference.
  • 71% of respondents want flexible cancellation terms for registration fees if unable to attend due to Covid.
  • 70% of respondents will be attending their next event before March 2022 (note – this is likely to be driven by timing of their specialist conference). 32% of respondents will travel to the next conference by car, 43% by train, 20% by plane.

Heather Lishman, ABPCO’s association director comments: “This survey is, on the whole, great news for our industry, highlighting not just what delegates have missed but what we can do to entice them back to our events. The results clearly show that conference attendees miss the personal elements of a conference – although they recognise that digital platforms offer highly capable opportunities to share knowledge and learn, it is the human interaction they miss the most – with only 15% saying they do not wish to attend an in-person event for the foreseeable future. This presents a real opportunity for future events to find creative ways to bring people together to learn and increase interaction.”

“Flexibility was also a key response if we are to successfully bring people back to live events. The requirements for additional measures to be put in place at events were far overshadowed by a need for more flexible cancellation terms, giving them the confidence to book in the first place. Unfortunately, despite the largely positive elements of the results, sustainability appears to be taking a back seat as delegates express a greater desire to travel in their own cars, avoiding mass transit options.”

The survey was conducted by Catherine Newhall-Caiger of Bramcote International, who said: “As the events industry, we have always known that networking, social interaction and meeting people is a key driver for attending events. This Survey reinforces this well-versed mantra by clearly showing that face-to-face interactions and social connections with colleagues is top of the agenda for 93% of the Survey respondents. Our role as PCOs, Venues and Suppliers is to create meaningful networking opportunities where people are engaged, and conversations happen that can often lead to new business connections, learning opportunities, collaboration and friendships. The key to our success is understanding and listening to our audiences and using this to create the right event, at the right time for the right audience.”

The 350 delegates surveyed were from a balanced demographic of age, gender, location and sector. Full details of which are available in the methodology and results.

The full survey is available by emailing heatherlishman@abpco.org

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New hotel openings from Hilton

In the first half of 2021 Hilton opened 226 new hotels throughout the world. Here’s a look at the most important properties in the UK, as well as a few abroad which are suitable for conferences, meetings and events:

DoubleTree by Hilton London Kensington

This DoubleTree joined the portfolio in June. Gloucester Road underground station is across the road. It is located in the museum area of London and withinwalking distance of Kensington Palace and Hyde Park.

  • Bedrooms : 163
  • Meeting rooms : 5

Hampton by Hilton Canterbury

Located in the heart of Canterbury city centre, just a five minute walk minute walk from Canterbury Cathedral.

  • Number of rooms: 129
  • Meeting rooms : 2

The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton

This is an apartment-style hotel, located a short walk from Cambridge city centre.

  • Number of rooms: 163
  • Meeting rooms : 1
  • Maximum capacity : 10

The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton

Rebranded from The DoubleTree by Hilton Westminster, this hotel is within half a mile of Tate Britain, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

  • Number of rooms: 464
  • Meeting rooms : 4

DoubleTree by Hilton London Elstree

Located close to Elstree Studios, the hotel is on the A1, just off the M25.

  • Number of rooms: 135
  • Meeting rooms : 11
  • Number of rooms: 150

Hampton by Hilton Munich Airport South

Just 8 km from Munich International Airport, this hotel is 30 minutes from Munich city centre. It is 30km to Munich Messe.

  • Number of rooms: 240

Atocha Hotel Madrid

Atocha Hotel Madrid is in the city centre, close to Atocha central station and 30 minutes from the airport. It’s a member of the Tapestry Collection brand and boutique in style.

  • Number of Rooms: 46
  • Meeting rooms : 1
  • Maximum capacity : 12

Canopy by Hilton Paris Trocadero

This property draws inspiration from Trocadero’s rich history and incorporates touches from the industrial past of the 1930s building.

  • Number of Rooms: 46
  • Meeting rooms : 4
  • Maximum capacity : 10

Sable at Navy Pier, Chicago

This hotel opened in March 2021 with views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. It’s the 100th for the Curio Collection brand.

  • Number of Rooms: 223
  • Meeting rooms : 6

Resorts World Las Vegas

On the Las Vegas Strip, this resort comprises three hotels: Hilton, Conrad and Crockfords and 40 food and beverage outlets. The resort also has shows, gaming and retail outlets.

  • Number of Rooms: 3,500
  • Meeting rooms : Theatre and five ballrooms which are flexible space and can be divided in to approx. 40 smaller rooms
  • Maximum capacity : 5,000 in theatre-style

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