AUTOMOTIVE INCENTIVE, BARBADOS 2010 & 2011
Our client assigned us to design two identical four-night incentive programmes to Barbados to reward top achieving Sales & Service Managers from Q2/Q3. This involved sourcing and contracting of airline seats and accommodation, ground programme and working closely with other agencies appointed by our client.
Our Solution
W&O sourced 480 room nights at the Colony Club Hotel Barbados to include arrival dinners, drinks receptions and group lunches. We contracted and managed 240 airline seats with Virgin Atlantic, including a number of extensions and upgrades. Furthermore, regional connecting flights were booked for approximately half of the group in addition to accommodation at Gatwick the night prior to departure.
Working closely with our local partner, we designed a four-day ground programme which included a full-day catamaran cruise along the coast, a five restaurant dine-around evening, a dinner off-site and a spectacular gala dinner at the world famous The Cliff Restaurant.
In order to manage the attendee registration process, W&O worked with our client’s partner agency. Data was collected via a website hosted by the partner agency and then downloaded to W&O’s database for management of the individual participant’s flight and accommodation request.
The Challenges
After an exciting and memorable stay in Barbados, Group 1 arrived back into Gatwick but meanwhile, snow had closed the Scottish airports. This meant that passengers had to be rebooked on trains and escorted for their onward journeys to London Kings Cross Station, despite a 24 hour tube strike.
In anticipation of further weather disruption to airports, W&O contacted all guests in Group 2, who were due to take regional connecting flights, to ensure arrival at Gatwick Airport in good time for their Barbados departure. On the evening of 30th November, as all guests assembled at the Gatwick hotel, the airport was closed due to heavy snowfall for the next 48 hours. The Virgin flight got cancelled and it quickly transpired that the group could not be rebooked within a 24 hours window. While our staff in Barbados immediately started negotiating cancellation charges and identifying new dates for the trip, our staff in London had to rebook flights and trains to take the displaced guests back home again.
We agreed on a new date with the client and rearranged the incentive for January with minimal changes to the original programme – all within 10 days.Despite the unexpected changes caused by severe weather in the UK, both incentives were a huge success with no further hiccups.
The Highlights
Barbados as a destination was a highlight in itself and for some a once in a lifetime experience. The gala dinner, however, for first group at The Cliff Restaurant with its spectacular cliff-top setting and the farewell beach barbeque at Mullins Restaurant for the second group were amongst the most exciting and memorable parts of the trip.
The Client Testimonial
“Initial feedback seems very positive and despite my initial doubts I thought Mullins was a huge success. I also think Tamarind Cove did a great job as did you, Lisa and Zoe so thank you once again.” Events & Experiential Manager
“The trip and all the hosts and staff were in my opinion sensational. Thanks again!” “The staff including the travel team were first class. Thank you!” Incentive Winners
