 1. Know your guests – There’s nothing like being prepared… Before the trip begins make sure you’ve sorted out all the essentials, from dietary requirements to visa needs (particularly for media).
2. Know your product - The knowledge a host brings to a famil can make all the difference. Phone up in advance and identify a range of angles that may appeal to your guests – they’ll appreciate the effort.
3. R-E-S-P-E-C-T - Your media guests are working – make sure they’re not subjected to wise cracks about junkets and cushy jobs.
4. Don’t overload – Make sure your itinerary includes some down time so that your guests have the chance to breathe and do their own research. Quality not quantity is the key to any famil.
5. Be prepared – Even the best-planned famils can be thwarted by the unexpected. Have your credit card at the ready in case flights are cancelled or luggage goes missing, and be prepared to start ringing ahead when someone in your group has an epiphany and decides now is the time to become a vegetarian. And remember, always pack your sense of humour!
 1. Know your audience - Design the itinerary around your attendees’ profiles. Knowing their program history and future expectations will allow you to select the most relevant experiences. Capture attention by including activities that gel with participant’s interests/hobbies as well as their event history.
2. Limit and succeed - Avoid the temptation to showcase every aspect. Design the famil as a series of sharp, impactful experiences that give your participants a taste of the possibilities. Ensure adequate time for everyone to take a break from ‘ learning’ and go shopping, etc.
3. Beware information overload - Allow attendees to use their other senses to take in the experience you have laid out for them. Brief your guides and suppliers about overload also.
4. Surprise! - Springing some unexpected activities usually goes down well - a private sunset dinner on the beach when everyone is expecting a meal at the hotel. Mix things up with different styles of transport.
5. Pre and Post - Intrigue participants a few weeks out with an itinerary hint consisting of a picture/ small gift with a clever word tag. A stylish itinerary booklet two days before departure and upon return email fact sheets on key famil experiences and a photo slideshow of the trip.
 1. Create a good first impression. Call ahead to ensure operators are briefed, ready and waiting for the group to arrive. Ensure all staff at the venue are aware of the visit.
2. Keep to time. There’s nothing worse than spending the whole day trying to catch up time. It’s not good for the participants to feel rushed all day. On arrival at each venue speak to the host to ensure they know their allocated time and have the group ready for the agreed departure time.
3. Make the most of the time available. Famils are only designed to be a taster of the product available and often time is very short. Only show the buyers a few key things – don’t try to take them round the whole attraction or into every conference room. The idea is to leave them wanting to see more…!
4. Give them relevant information. Ensure that each venue provides a relevant information pack and if possible include a special offer just available to participants of the famil.
5. Help them remember you. Present the group with a small gift as a memory of the visit. Take photos of the participants while doing the fun activities and send them out as part of your follow up.
1. Instead of three hosted meals a day, break up the famil with a visit to the theatre or a sporting event.
2. On a multi-day famil, give participants at least one morning, afternoon or evening off each day. Make an allowance for jetlag.
3. Allow time for shopping at the start of the famil and the last day and make it clear on the itinerary. Don’t let participants try and change the itinerary to accommodate their retail addictions.
4. Create an opportunity for famil participants to meet locals other than those in the tourism and hospitality sector.
5. At the first opportunity the hosts should speak to any participant to lift their game if they keep others waiting.
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