Organisers of MICE programmes and activities all over the world come to Ireland for experiences that are unique, authentic and inspiring. At Meet in Ireland we love working with incentive travel planners that truly delight in doing things differently, scouring the nation for the destinations and adventures that will take international groups to the next level.
One such incentive travel planner is Destinations, a team of US-based travel gurus that know this country inside out, and thrive on designing ground-breaking programmes. Destinations Brand Ambassador Kip Lambert has some pretty passionate ideas about breaking the formulaic incentive script; read on to find out how they create memories that truly motivate.
Clipping along in a horse-drawn buggy through four-leaf-clover-green Irish hills, over ancient stone bridges and past pure blue lochs. Now THAT breaks the palm-trees-and-beach incentive travel script!
You know, the trips that leave you wondering years later as you flip through pictures if you were in Hawaii, the Caribbean or Mexico? But Ireland...breathtaking, surprising, unforgettable. For those who visit, it’s akin to finding the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Magic.
Venues
The script has a tropical-theme hotel, the convention-style ballroom with psychedelic carpet the location for your farewell night. Nothing about that scenario creates memories that motivate. Time to break that script!
How about reserving all three floors of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin where your guests can pull their own pints while eating delicious Irish pub grub and listening to an incredible U2 cover band? Imagine staying where the constitution of Ireland was written — the 5-star, landmark Shelbourne Hotel in Ireland’s capital city, your room overlooking St. Stephen’s Green.
What could be more Irish and out-of-the-box than drinking in the views of Loch Leane and the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks Mountains from the sleek, modern balcony of the Europe Hotel and Resort in Killarney, roast lamb in hand?
Now see yourself in a sumptuous hall where kings and queens have supped in the magnificent, vine-covered Luttrellstown Castle built in the 1400s, being entertained by fantastic Irish performers like Key Note and the lovely Lisa Lambe. Extraordinary locations like these break the script and transport each guest to another time and place.
Travel
The script has some hired buses with sketchy air conditioning transporting the group from one location to another. Break that script!
For our group travel from Dublin to Killarney, we prefer renting a private train from Irish Rail and stocking it full of roving musicians, magicians and entertainers for our guests to enjoy while eating their gourmet box lunches. Not only does that give us flexibility to control departure times, but it makes the travel a memorable, exciting part of the trip. A to B suddenly = PARTY!
Adventures
The script has some pool time, followed by some beach time, followed by a group dinner in the hotel’s dining room. Where’s the fun in that?! This is your chance to break the script and create peak moments of insight and WOW!
How about immersing yourself in Irish culture and history at Muckross House, Gardens and Traditional Farm where you can learn everything from Irish shepherding, to turf cutting, to falconry, to the Gaelic game of hurling — a breakneck combination of rugby, lacrosse and baseball. Next, explore Killarney National Park, the Gap of Dunloe, Black Valley and Lakes.
We recommend a seven mile jaunt by horse and trap through the stunning Gap of Dunloe, down through the Black Valley, and ending at Lord Brandon’s Cottage for lunch. Then hop on boats for the return trip down the successive lakes and rivers, passing under ancient stone bridges, making your way to picturesque Ross Castle. Get ready to create your own version of Luke Wilson’s “wow” reel. It’s just that amazing!
Memories motivate, especially if they are script-breaking moments loaded with sensory appeal, insight, and elevation. Ireland grants those wishes for those lucky enough to visit there. Top o’ the mornin’ to ya!
To talk to us about how your next event can break the script, get in touch with the Meet in Ireland team today.