Dear Fellow Traveler: In this issue we feature successful off-site meeting tips, fun facts, a special deal on winter meeting programs and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island.

If you want a quiet, stress-free getaway, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort might be just the place. Sitting right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, this hotel is a destination unto itself. Sun-seekers will feel right at home here with five championship golf courses and plenty of outdoor recreational activities, while on-site amenities like a spa will make your stay on Kiawah Island rejuvenating, and will provide the perfect addition to any meeting or incentive program. Dining options are top quality, varied and plentiful. When it's time to bed down, rooms include Italian linens and robes, a marble walk-in shower and a balcony with ocean or dune views (we recommend splurging on an oceanview room to fully appreciate the hotel's idyllic setting!). Charleston is also accessible from Kiawah, which adds another dimension to your already spectacular trip. Kiawah Island is ready and waiting for your group to visit!

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Sanctuary truly lives up to its name, and offers 255 spacious rooms and suites, including the 3000 sq. foot Presidential Suite. The king rooms are among the largest on the East Coast with the smallest measuring 520 sq. feet. All hotel rooms are uniquely designed to include such exquisite amenities as a handcrafted desk and armoire, an elegantly appointed sofa and chair, and custom made beds.

Even though The Sanctuary is barely ten years old, it already feels like a classic resort. Rooms have a breezy traditional feel with their colonial furniture, four-poster beds, large tubs and plantation shutters, and nine out of ten rooms offer balconies with spectacular Atlantic Ocean vistas.

DINING

Kiawah Island restaurants are as varied and colorful as the Lowcountry itself. On Kiawah Island and surrounding islands you can eat seasonal, fresh cuisine overlooking anything from a pool or golf course to the Atlantic Ocean.

From an unparalled steakhouse experience to gourmet sandwiches and specialty drinks to traditional Lowcountry favorites, The Sanctuary offers a bounty of regional delights and mouth-watering options for every palate.

Don't miss out on The Ocean Room at The Sanctuary, which provides the ultimate gourmet dining experience at the only steakhouse in the U.S. to earn both Forbes 4 Star and AAA 4 Diamond ratings.

RECREATION

When it comes to indoor and outdoor recreation, there’s a reason why Kiawah Island has been recognized with the prestigious Premier Recreation Operation Award four times in the past five years. Kiawah is renowned for its abundant array of recreation programs, eco-adventures, miles of trails, water sports, diverse wildlife and luxury spa - all set against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Of course, Kiawah's real gem is it's world class golf! The island offers five championship golf courses including the legendary Ocean Course, which is one of only four courses in the U.S. to have hosted every major PGA event, including the 1991 Ryder Cup.

Winter Meetings at Kiawah

Boost ROI and enjoy a Kiawah Island meeting at the best rates of the year, available now for a limited time only.

VILLAS from $99*
THE SANCTUARY from $179*

Dec. 15, 2014-Jan. 28, 2015

Your inspiring retreat includes:
• 20% off audiovisual services
• Special golf pricing from $84 per person ($164 for Ocean Course)
• Up to 27% off select spa treatments
• Value-priced off-season catering

Plus all this is complimentary:
• meeting room rental
• one guest room upgrade
• one guest room for every 25 occupied

More Information...

*Based on availability over select dates.
Not available to previously booked meetings. Based on a minimum of 10 rooms or more per night. Tax & resort fee additional.
Blackout dates: Dec. 31, 2014, Jan. 4-7, 2015.

Where We've Been Recently...

Our clients visit some fantastic destinations each month! Here are some of the places we have hosted clients recently:

Wynn Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

The K-Club
Republic of Ireland

The U.S. Open Tennis
Flushing, NY

Embassy Suites Napa
Napa Valley, CA

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica
Los Cabos, Mexico

The Seelbach Hilton
Louisville, KY

Sauza Tequila Distillery
Guadalajara, Mexico

Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Did You Know?

1. The U.S. government poisoned alcohol during Prohibition in the 20s and 30s, killing over 10,000 people.

2. The glossy paper you peel away from the backs of stickers can be used to soothe sunburn.

3. Vineyard land in Napa Valley is among the most expensive agricultural land in the United States, valued between $75,000 and $300,000 per acre. The minimum amount you would need to buy up all of wine country in Napa Valley would be around $3.2 billion!

4. During World War One the fear of rising German influence in the Caribbean region prompted United States to buy the US Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25m in gold.

5. Bourbon distillers can only use their barrels once. Once they are done with the barrels they use to age the bourbon, they are reused to age other non-bourbon whiskies.

10 Tips for Successful Off-Site Meetings

Company meetings held outside of the office can be great motivational tools. An off-site meeting can really shake things up and revitalize and reenergize your employees, building team spirit and getting everyone’s creative juices flowing again. A meeting “away from home” is often the best way to generate new enthusiasm, new ideas, and a renewed commitment to company goals.

However, an off-site meeting that is not well-planned or carefully thought out beforehand can be a disaster. All it takes is one bad meal or one botched team-building exercise. You don’t want the trip to be memorable for the wrong reasons.

Here are 10 helpful tips for planning your next successful off-site meeting:

Aim High
When planning an off-site meeting, people usually set their expectations too low. Thinking about the day strategically can make it more than just a simple bonding experience; it can become an opportunity to solve office problems, generate new ideas, and help employees grow. Anchor the meeting with goals that actually mean something to the business.

Pick a Creative Location
A ho-hum location will produce ho-hum results. The physical surroundings of your off-site meeting can make an enormous difference. Hotels and conference centers are great locations, but they’re not the only options. Some creative alternatives include sports arenas, museums, theme parks, and other quirky venues. Also, don't forget that any destination will offer its own benefits, such as a tropical beach or mountain lodge. Think outside the box.

Take a Tour Before
When selecting your meeting site, be sure to visit the destination and take a tour of the facility beforehand, including the “back of the house.” Check for ample storage space for supplies, secure areas for employees to put their belongings, a sufficient number of clean restrooms, and good dining facilities.

Don't Forget the Fun
Just because this is a business meeting, don’t neglect the recreational opportunities. Many conference centers and hotels offer a wide range of activities such as spa, golf and tennis, as well as unique team-building exercises. Also, your chosen destination may be home to less-available group options, such as snowmobiling or wine-tasting. Build time into the day’s schedule to allow guests to take advantage of these extras.

Add up the Costs
Be sure to determine your budget ahead of time. Expenses to consider: transportation, facility rental, equipment rental, accommodations, catering, activities and possibly the cost of hiring a guest speaker or entertainer.

Bring the Right Equipment
Today’s meetings call for more than just a few chairs and a flip chart. Attendees will likely bring laptops to access and present computer-based information, so you’ll need a means of projecting that information. You should also consider beforehand whether you’ll need Internet access in the meeting venue, or if this is a time to be “off the grid.”

Pick Two Dates
When choosing a date for your off-site meeting, keep at least two possible ones in mind - a preferred date and an alternate one. When you start checking out available facilities, you’ll be able to choose the best option based on the number of people who can attend. Alternate dates also mean that you can negotiate a better price.

Create a Detailed Schedule
Work backwards from your event date to determine what needs to be done beforehand, and when. Be conscious of production lead time, shipping times for deliveries, and anything else that needs to be thought out before the meeting day.

Plan the Days Intelligently
Design your meeting day schedule with care. Build in travel time to and from the site, and set an agenda that honors that. Additionally, make sure that all attendees have appropriate transportation to get to the meeting on time. Decide up front whether you want the day to be a high-intensity working event, a laid-back and relaxing retreat, or a balanced program combining a little of each. If you do decide to mix work with play, carefully consider which should come first.

Do Advance PR
Circulate a pre-trip agenda that lets people know what your objectives are for the off-site meeting. This will provide employees with an opportunity to prepare ahead of time for full and constructive participation. It will also help to drum up excitement for the trip.