Luckily, there are ways that event planners can create extravagant events without breaking the bank.

What better place to recognize an insurance or financial firm’s “peak performers,” the sales agents and other employees who have reached new heights in their roles?

There are many instances of short-term partnerships with suppliers that qualify as a success. A firm running an incentive trip, for example, may partner with a DMC at the destination, receive great service and never work with that supplier again — only because the firm never happened to repeat that destination. But the most salient examples of successful relationships with suppliers are those where the client receives great service over many meetings, i.e., the long-term partnership.

What can be said about a meeting planner’s selection of a waterfront location, lengthy stretch of beach, over-the-sea sunsets and teambuilding activities?

Insurance and financial corporate planners will have many deluxe new and recently renovated hotels & resorts to consider in the year ahead.

Experts advise planners to send detailed electronic RFPs to a targeted list of properties for greater success.

Booking new builds and re-builds can offset rising rates, but it’s important to hammer out the pros and cons first.

But incentive travelers aren’t just looking for a pleasant, convenient lodging experience. They want a hotel or resort that is part of the reward for making their sales quota over a long, challenging qualifying period.

When the situation involves a meeting that requires a high degree of privacy or exclusivity — a hotel or resort buyout just might fit the bill.

Hotels and resorts nationwide are taking advantage of the resilient economy to spruce up properties in order to keep pace with competitors and attract budget-conscious planners seeking value.