The Old Square

Prague – absolutely delightful! I have just completed my first full day in this beautiful city and she has been more than I ever expected. The fairy-tale quality of her breathtaking views are a visual feast and I have not been able to put down my camera. It would be totally satisfying if one did nothing more in this city than stroll around for days on end, taking in the character and architectural qualities of the different buildings and streets. I could easily just sit at a sidewalk café in Old Town Square and watch the people whom are just as enthralled with the privilege of being in this marvelous atmosphere. You can see it on their faces – they’re excited too. There is so much more to see – numerous art and history museums, Prague Castle, and the picturesque Charles Bridge, a giant metronome and an amazing Astronomical Clock in Old Square, just to name a few. In addition there are several five-star hotels and fabulous restaurants. Prague pride exudes from the locals I have met here. It’s charming because they are so unabashed – and rightly so. I have been daydreaming about living here. After 24 hours, I have just scratched the surface and am eager to get to sleep now so tomorrow’s Prague exploration can continue!

Charles Bridge

Clock Tower

Mural Building

Old Square

Prague Castle

Featured Planner: Howard Wise
Senior Program Manager, Creative Travel Planners
Woodland Hills, CA

Meeting planner and California native Howard Wise has been planning meetings and incentives for six years, with 20 years of experience in the travel industry. Los Angeles-based Creative Travel Planners handles up to 10 programs per year, including corporate meetings and association and incentive programs.

In January of this year, Howard brought a group of 100 young physicians to the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort for an educational program. “This group was here in 2008, 2009, 2010 and will be back in 2011,”Wise said. “With most attendees coming from cold weather climates, they really enjoy the warm January temperatures in Fort Lauderdale.”

What makes Fort Lauderdale and the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort so attractive is the user-friendly airport and the extremely quick transport from the airport to beach hotels, only a 15-minute drive. The hotel location is also a hit with attendees – with a very limited bit of free time after meetings, they can walk across the street to Fort Lauderdale Beach or to over 45 dining and entertainment options within walking distance along A1A.

“Going back each year makes the program run so much smoother, since I am running the program without any on-site assistance and need to depend on the Hilton staff to act as my team, which they do superbly,” Wise said.

“Event Services Manager Tiffany McEllin, who has recently received a well-deserved promotion to Sales Manager, knows our program and always provides stellar service. And during our January meeting, Banquet Captain Milan Veinovic was invaluable to our successful program. With no on-site staff of my own, the efficient design of the Hilton allows me to run the meeting easily. The guest-room product is very nice and enables our attendees to share accommodations comfortably with a kitchenette and bathroom privacy. I’ve found even in high season hotel group rates have been reasonable.”

When it comes to events, Wise tries to keep his attendees outside whenever possible. Outdoor lunches and poolside receptions around the Hilton’s 6th-floor pool overlooking the stunning Atlantic Ocean and pristinely manicured beach were built into the agenda, while a sandcastle-sculpture teambuilding event on Fort Lauderdale Beach brought out the group’s competitive side as beachgoers cheered them on.

Like many meeting professionals, Wise does not get a chance to leave the hotel very often while running a program, so he decided to attend the July SITE (Society of Incentive & Travel Executives) Summer Seminar and stay for the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB’s Destination Preview. “The SITE Seminar was very informative, and we’re especially proud that Creative Travel Planners vice president Gabriel Haigazian is the current SITE Southern California president-elect,” Wise said. “Participating in the Destination Preview was a great way to see other Fort Lauderdale hotels and the numerous meeting and incentive options in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area.”

Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard

Advertiser incentives tend to have big shoes to fill trying to one-up last years’ program of spectacular destinations and phenomenal experiences.  It’s all about the “WOW” experience, which is something we know a little bit about at CTP.

So, no surprise that yesterday I found myself in Napa Valley, savoring a beautiful day and sampling fabulous wines at Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard.  With me? Clients.  In this case, a small group of very happy advertisers at the onset of what will be an amazing incentive trip, enjoying an idyllic day surrounded by fresh air and miles of vineyards.  Of course, someone had to escort the group.  It may as well have been me.  What can I say?  I’m a giver.  Ask anyone.

Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard is a very small, family-run winery high in the mountains overlooking Napa and is accessible only via a one-lane winding road.  There’s definitely a reason for the name.  In fact, it may be the highest vineyard (2121′ elevation) in Napa Valley.  Built in 1895, it may well be one of the oldest, as well.

Freddy and Mary Constant have restored the properties’ original home and also have built a new residence that overlooks the entire Napa Valley.  Our group was treated to an incredible lunch cooked by Mary and served al fresco in their home.  This was definitely a highlight of the trip and an unforgettable experience.  We were welcomed as family friends and given access to a personal and fascinating slice of Napa history.  Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard is a special find – a gem.  And at CTP, we’re all about finding the gems and sharing them with our clients.  I know our group will have something to brag about when they go home.  And I will have the satisfaction of knowing that I took one for the team.  Tomorrow we’re headed to Pebble Beach.  I’m sure that will be just miserable. Oh well!

The Yellow Treehouse Restaurant, which operated from December 2008 to February 2009 as part of a Yellow advertising campaign executed by New Zealand based Pacific Environments Architects Ltd. (PEL),  is a stunning architectural feat perched high above a redwood. Appearing for all the world like an enormous chrysalis – some say bird cage – grafted onto a 40-meter-high redwood tree, this isn’t just your regular tree house though. The Yellow Treehouse fits up to 18 guests and stands 40 feet high and 30 feet wide.  The views, understandably, are phenomenal, and the location – near a tumbling stream – makes you feel as if you’re perched atop a forest with no one else in the world.  The nighttime sky viewed through the restaurant, is a dream come true.

After the campaign finished, the treehouse went back to the original owner of the land, who is almost finished in permitting it for private events.  Keep posted, no pun intended.

“UBIQUITOUS connectivity has its downside, especially when it comes to the price of using your cellphone abroad. The proliferation of smartphones and the increased use of data have made it easier than ever to rack up huge communications bills while traveling overseas, even on a short trip.”

Isn’t that the truth!  Read the full article for quick and easy tips to ensure your cell phone bill doesn’t make coming home any harder than it already is.

Life is an adventure!

In the recent issue of One+, Marilyn Murphy, CEO and “Creative Queen” of Creative Travel Planners, discusses five things she’s learned about Incentive Planning during her 30-year career, and how she is sharing her passion for travel one WOW! adventure at a time.

Click here to read the article.

The Happy Travelers - Amalfi Coast 2006

I came later in life to the company of global travelers, but boy am I glad I did! I am blessed to work for here for five years and occasionally I get to travel to new destinations. My excitement level for my first international cruise (something akin to a kid turned loose in a candy shop) amused my ultra-seasoned itinerant colleagues. A great part of that trip was being able to share it with my also well-traveled husband, Marc. (Both of us pictured here, off the Amalfi Coast in 2006) I had joined “the club”!

Travel experiences ought to be journaled and shared – I didn’t realize that before. I vividly remember waking up early the first morning of that cruise and running up on deck with my camera, heart pounding with excitement and tears in my eyes, to watch the sun rise. There were many such moments on that trip – the ancient ghosts of Delos, the sobering quiet of Pompeii in the rain, the beauty and charm of Ravello, getting lost by myself in the village of Oia on Santorini – exhilarating! How I wish I had captured my impressions on more than film and video.

Now I’m more of a “seasoned” traveler myself, I want those memories to help me keep that sense of wonder and excitement alive – an inoculation against cynicism, if you will. Practically speaking, for me this is all about attitude. It goes like this: The 13 hour airplane ride is NO problem at all because what is on the other end is going to be SOOOO worth it. No big deal if I have to pick up my luggage, schlep it from one conveyor belt to another and go through customs again – I touched TWO countries today, more stamps on my passport – WOW! I am very grateful. How many people have had the opportunity to go to the places I have gone? Maybe by sharing my experiences someone else will gain perspective on some aspect of the world they otherwise wouldn’t have. And by recording them, I will remember the privilege, excitement and fun of it all. Pen and paper, here I come!

Building a Lohahi Garden in Hawaii

The upside to the downturn in the world’s economic markets is a marked increase in volunteering, on all levels.  Volunteer vacations.  Corporate social responsibility programs.  Grass roots outreach programs.  All signs point to the fact that people care about people.  We have all been touched, even knocked down, by these recent hard times.  Which makes us all the more appreciative of the healing power of a strong arm to lift us up, and sometimes a waterproof shoulder to provide us with much-needed solace.

Corporations are getting into the volunteer business in a big way.  Corporate social responsibility – corporate responsibility – corporate goodwill – regardless of the moniker, this is an increasingly-profitable  means of connecting with a company’s stakeholders while making a positive impact.  While critics assert that the almighty dollar has replaced a collective corporate conscience, the fact remains that these initiatives strike a chord with stakeholders and build an emotional connection between brands and consumers.  And even better are the tangible benefits that serve as lofty byproducts of corporate goodwill.   A couple of  recent corporate social responsibility headlines include:

Borders Extends Offer to Donate 10% of Sales to Gulf Coast Oil Spill Relief Efforts

Choice Hotels is Official Partner of Rebuilding 50 Homes in historic New Orleans neighborhood

PricewaterhouseCoopers Impact Program Class of 2010 Receives More Than $18 Million in Scholarship Offers

At CTP, we recognized the enormous potential of corporate social responsibility several years ago, and strive to include a community outreach element into all of our clients’ corporate meetings, conferences, events and incentives.  Most recently, at a client’s annual convention in Hawaii, we included a team-building exercise in which attendees joined with a local community in building sustainable raised-bed gardens, called lokahi, which would provide a sustainable means of growing vegetables to sell and support the community.  It came as no surprise to us that this exercise was the highlight of the entire trip.

In your next company meeting, conference or event, consider adding a community outreach element.  We guarantee it will be a memorable event.

This guy has expanded on his father’s primitive pancake “artistry” and has become something of a master! To the delight of his 4-year-old daughter, Allie.

Check it out and click here.

So what are YOU having for breakfast this weekend???

Seasoned traveler that I am, I’ve navigated “U.S. Customs and Border Protection” procedures countless times upon re-entry to the U.S. My strategy: Visit in-flight lavatory prior to touchdown. Hustle past sluggish rookie travelers. Documents in-hand and completed in ink. A positive attitude. And patience.

My Frankfurt trade show concluded, the Lufthansa Airbus 340 has just landed in Orlando. I’m spending the weekend with my stepdaughter, Sandy, and her family.

A Virgin Airways 747 is parked at the next gate. Mental note: most passengers ahead of us at Immigration will be Brits. This is good. I hear music as I approach the Immigration Hall. Nice touch, Disney. Welcome to the happiest place on earth.

Brits call them queues. We call them “lines.” No matter what you call them, these are frickin’ long. Countless children sprawl on the floor. Not a good sign. After many hours on a trans-Atlantic flight, kids don’t settle on the floor unless they’ve been here awhile. Good practice, kiddos, for the Magic Kingdom to come.

A sign directs U.S. Citizens to a single Immigration booth. That line snakes around the back of the Immigration Hall. Seasoned traveler that I am, I choose one of the shorter “Visitor” lines adjacent to an unmanned booth. When they open up that booth, I’ll jump ahead of everyone.

I count six young families ahead of me. Surely, family groups will be processed faster than singles or couples. Especially here in Orlando – the happiest place on earth.

The process for visitors is interminably slow. Scan passport. Thumb though pages. Examine entry documents. Stare at computer monitor. Ask questions. Scan fingerprints (right hand only) on biometric screen. Scan the thumbprint. Take photo (“glasses off, please”). Ask more questions. Type something. Stare at monitor. Ignore fidgeting kids. Ask more questions. Finally, the “thump, thump” sound of the stamper, permanently inking the foreigner’s passport with a smudged souvenir of entry. Welcome to America.

Meanwhile, back in the queue, I second guess (and third and fourth) my choice. Self-talk goes like this: “Should I move over there? Breathe, Marilyn, just breathe. Relax your shoulders. Well, at least I won’t have to wait at baggage claim. Glad I don’t have a connecting flight. Relax your shoulders. Damn! I should have moved to that other line. Too late now. Good thing Sandy isn’t meeting me till tomorrow. Blah, blah, blah.”

Oh, my God! The Immigration officer, a Filipino-looking lady, is now calling for a Supervisor. Not good. Filipino-looking ladies are tough. I should have known better than to choose this line.

The guy behind me, a refugee from the “U.S. Citizen” line, made his move about ten minutes ago. He’s almost first in his line. He waves and smiles. I fake-smile back at him. Grrrrr.

I knew I should have switched to that other line.

Why don’t they open the next booth?

Breathe.

Meanwhile, “Imelda” and her Supervisor have decided the nice British couple and their two young children pose no threat to national security. We inch forward.

The U.S. Citizen line is still the longest. I think about telling those rookies that they can go through a visitor line. Someday they’ll learn.

I’ve had enough. I take a deep breath and move to another line. My new guy is much faster than Imelda.

Finally, I’m next!

Passport scanned, two quick questions and, “thump, thump” – I’m in! He hands my passport back to me with a smile. Welcome to America, indeed!

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