Brief: The FMCG client continues to recognise the close relationship with suppliers and gave us the challenge of finding soft adventure and entertaining ways to burn the midnight oil on a conservative budget.
What we did: We probably overserviced… we possibly achieved a miracle… and we definitely delivered fun and a memorable experience in an underestimated location.
Enticing the invitees through graphic enriched e-invitations with a choice of some unconventional activities got the group interested. Ettalong Beach was transformed into a bare foot beach party. On arrival, drumming resonated from the beach toward the Mantra Resort captivating guests and attracting some inquisitive locals. Welcome cocktail entertainment courtesy of Mondo Bar got the night started. Fresh Catering prepared exquisite finger food, Caribbean Soul energised the guests, fire eating heated up the night and lit the air with flames whilst some learnt the Haka. The party continued into the early morning hours at The Club.
For some that was enough, and a choice of a relaxing spa and recovery massage was the order of the next day. For others it was adventure time with short transfers to a selection of activities or energetic combinations of a few: horseback riding, abseiling, quad bike racing, sailing, deep sea fishing, or for those looking for a more relaxed activity, kayaking & oysters or wine tasting. No-one sat by the pool.
Time to chill on return to the resort and then a short 12minute trip to take over Lizotte’s Restaurant enjoying pre-dinner under the stars to the jazzy tunes of Luke Gallan, an à la carte dinner by creative chef Brian and entertainment by the Comedy Channel comedian Chris Radburn before wrapping up the night with a spin on the dance floor with the Jenny Marie Lang Band, Platinum Groove.
A late start for breakfast before Sunday departures.
Special touches: Welcome hampers with local product, snacks, wine and water for in-room enjoyment. Staff on-hand for every guest, umbrella escorts to the beach party, our own friendly traffic warden on duty with torches for the safety of guests. Shuttle transfers for the weary and later for party animals returned revellers to Ettalong for a big sleep.
Delivering an experience in the stunning Glenworth Valley as a corporate soft adventure incentive. Creating a unique world hidden from Ettalong RSL through the timely beach permit from Gosford Council.
Challenges: A truncated lead time to develop creative and confirm properties is expected with corporate requests. The challenge to accommodate 120 guests in a quality resort environment with activities on tap no more than a couple of hours from Sydney was accepted. Hunter Valley venues were booked well in advance and properties north, south and west couldn’t accommodate the size or the expectations of the group.
Creating a unique incentive experience in a location unfamiliar for corporate incentive groups was the main challenge accomplished through throwing staff resources into the fray and working with an excellent team of local suppliers. Guests experienced a high level of fun activities, fine cuisine and entertainment in an area not renowned for its incentive infrastructure and corporate level retreat capabilities.
We called on divine intervention to keep us relatively dry as a large T2 storm cell bringing hail approached Sydney from the south west and clouds closed in from the north. We basked in a surreal enclave with storm clouds all around us and avoided the worst of the weather and disaster.
Fortunately Saturday was a blue sky day.
Client’s comment:
“Just wanted to send a quick note to thank you and your team for the planning and faultless execution for our incentive weekend. Everyone that I have spoken to highly enjoyed the weekend and quite a few commented on the professionalism and friendliness of the Avanti staff. Once again, great job.”
Top |