Incentive Programs

Travel the world and get paid for it!

What about Incentives?

Incentive programs are the reason that many people get into corporate event planning, and the reason that most of us stay!

An incentive is an all-expenses paid, group vacation. In our example, XYZ Pharmaceuticals might have an annual incentive trip that it offers to its sales force. If the sales people make a certain pre-set quota, they win a trip to some exotic location (let's say Grand Cayman Island, for example). This is, as the name states, an incentive to get the sales force to work harder and make more money for the company.

So, if fifty people make that quota, then all fifty people win that trip to Grand Cayman Island. Each of them gets to take a guest, and during that time there aren't any meetings. Instead, the guests get to have a few days of relaxation and company-sponsored activities; such as golf, horseback riding, boat excursions, spa appointments, whale watching, deep sea fishing, hot air ballooning, and so on.

The best part is that, while this is a vacation for the guests, somebody still has to plan (and supervise on-site) all this fun! So, while you are still working, it is not uncommon at all to need people to go along on these excursions and make sure everything goes smoothly.

If this sounds interesting to you, and you would like to work more hands-on with the attendees and helping with the activities (keeping in mind that the main event planner is almost always stuck in the hotel managing the details of the program), you most likely would be happiest as a freelance On-Site Event Manager.

Or, if you already live in a great destination (or would like to live full-time in one) then perhaps you would be a good fit to work for a Destination Management Company.

That wraps up the four areas of corporate event planning; but this is just a part of the wide world of events! Keep reading to learn about other types of events, including special events and festivals, sporting events, fundraisers, and more!


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