Pre-event planning
Health products company Nikken Europe held an incentive trip in January to reward top-selling consultants. Delegates selected for the event were those who met targets above a certain level during the contest period, which ran from June to September 2012.
Objectives
Nikken wanted to recognise the achievements of its top leaders and inform them about company plans. The incentive needed to be full of informative talks and workshops, but also present an opportunity for the winning consultants to have free time to relax and enjoy themselves.
Challenges
Agency TMB had to select a European destination that would be warm in January, as well as source a venue offering all-inclusive options, because Nikken didn't want the delegates to have any concerns when they reached the hotel. The destination also had to offer good flight access from more than 20 destinations in Europe, because delegates were attending from several countries.
Solution
Paphos in Cyprus was chosen as the destination because of its mild climate in winter and rich cultural history. This meant that consultants were able to divide their time between Unesco World Heritage sites and sun-kissed beaches.
In order to accommodate an all-inclusive venue option with good flights, the event was hosted in a different city from the airport. Most of the delegates flew into Larnaca, which was approximately two hours' drive from the Coral Beach Hotel & Resort in Paphos. To make the transfer easier, Nikken worked with Honeywell Incentives, which arranged for drivers to wait at the airport displaying the Nikken event logo.
The event consisted of presentations on new products, website plans and success stories. A gala dinner featuring Greek dancing and entertainment took place on the last evening.
Nikken Europe incentive, Cyprus, Erin Moran
Client verdict
Erin Moran (pictured), digital marketing and events coordinator at Nikken, says the event was a huge success, achieving all of the firm's objectives. She adds that the consultants went away re-energised for the coming year and were treated to some of Nikken's new products that were launched in March 2013. Most importantly, she says, consultants had a lot of fun and especially enjoyed the togathemed gala night.
Post-event analysis
"The management team and staff at the hotel went above and beyond our expectations," says Moran. "The food and drinks were good, but what impressed me the most was the service. This was my second incentive trip with the company, and never have we received so much positive feedback from our consultants. The inbox was flooded with thank-you emails."
FACTFILE
Company: Nikken Europe
Event: Leadership Convention 2013
Group size: 150
Agency: In-house, TMB and Honeywell Incentives
Date: 14-20 January 2013
Venue: Coral Beach Hotel & Resort, Paphos, Cyprus
TIMELINE
March 2012: Site visit carried out
June-September 2012: Contest period
September 2012: Delegate numbers finalised
October 2012: Registration site goes live
December 2012: Travel arrangements finalised
January 2013: Event takes place
source: citmagazine.com