From celebrity-designed golf courses to state-of-the-art spa environments, today’s golf and spa resorts have proven to be ideal destinations for financial and insurance events of all sizes.

Creating a memorable incentive event is more than just finding an exciting destination. It is about creating an overall experience that not only rewards employees, but gets them engaged and excited.

Whether you’re looking to boost employee motivation and strengthen team dynamics, or enhance brand prestige and client relationships, by creating an atmosphere that blends productivity and relaxation, luxury resorts provide the ultimate setting to do it all.

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.