November 2015 November 2015 | Page 28

5 Splurge: Aurora Borealis Weekend

Are you ready to splurge on your team with a very special Alaskan adventure? Rather than extol the virtues of this VIP trip, let’s walk through how you might honor your employees with a holiday gift they’ll never forget.

Have your team meet at REI for a mandatory team meeting – without disclosing too many details. When individuals arrive, hand them swag bags containing hats & gloves emblazoned with your logo. Inside, they also find travel itineraries that announce they are being treated to the Alaskan experience with their guest of choice. [cue Oprah Show theme song as they jump up and down for joy]. Also in the bags are REI gift cards to purchase cold-weather gear for the trip and VISA gift cards to help cover the costs of childcare, pet sitting or discretionary spending on their trip. Fly your staff and their guests to Fairbanks to experience the aurora borealis at Chena Hot Springs. Request the shuttle service to welcome guests aboard with complimentary hot chocolate and cozy hand warmers. Host a casual welcome lunch with a scheduled stop-off at Silver Gulch Brewery before continuing on the 60-mile drive to Chena Hot Springs. Have special amenities baskets waiting in each guests rooms when they check in. Plan a fun mixer in the Ice Hotel Bar the first night and a farewell dinner the last evening, but otherwise let guests enjoy the rest and relaxation they surely want and deserve.

Tips: Be sure to take team photos to share on your social media pages and your company newsletter. Bonus Tip: This makes for a tantalizing teaser for a 2016 sales kickoff. The sales incentive for the next year can be a Hot Springs Trip to Iceland on Iceland Air, one of the coolest destinations in Europe!

Pro Planner Tip: Enlist a professional event planner to handle the travel and logistics. Note that meeting planners are not necessarily the same as party planners, so look for someone who has experience in making the travel seamless and the destination worthwhile.

Venue Suggestion: Chena Hot Springs near Fairbanks offers shuttle service and an incredible 3-night Aurora Odyssey package. The bar in the ice museum and the Laotion chefs in the kitchen make for unique hospitality. With predictions from various scientists that 2015-16 may be the “best year for Aurora watching”, a trip in December or January to view the northern lights from the world-renowned hot springs makes it truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip for most.