High-achieving international corporate executives enjoyed three nights of gala celebrations while their children were being entertained in equally grand style at a recent incentive in Port Douglas.
The client was an international corporate technology company that rewards their high achievers with an international family-friendly biannual incentive program previously hosted in Barcelona and Hawaii.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Director of Business and Tourism Events Rosie Douglas said the United States-based company had chosen the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region for the incentive program because of the exclusivity the destination was able to offer.
“A ‘buyout’ of the newly refurbished Sheraton Grand Mirage at Port Douglas meant the group had the whole resort to themselves for the event,” Douglas said.
“They also used luxury private charter vessels to visit the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and enjoyed a variety of bespoke offsite dinner venues and activities around Port Douglas.
“These exclusive components and the ability to offer a dedicated Kids Club alongside the adult program was a critical factor in the company deciding where the event would be held.
“This was the first time our destination had included such a large group of children in an incentive and it was an outstanding success with the 350 adults and 70 children spending five nights in Port Douglas a month ago.
“The organisers developed a seamless program utilising the destination’s hero experiences of the Great Barrier Reef, Wet Tropics rainforest and our Indigenous culture to motivate and excite both the adults and the children.”
Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef received excellent feedback from ID Events, the destination management company that curated the incentive, giving high praise to the location, facilities and organisation.
“The diverse program included a Great Barrier Reef trip with Quicksilver, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Mossman Gorge Dreamtime Walk and golf at Palmer Sea Reef showcasing the Reef, rainforest, wildlife and Indigenous culture of Cairns & Great Barrier Reef,” Douglas explained.
“A colourful poolside welcome reception was held at the Sheraton’s Lagoon Pool on the newly refurbished deck featuring palm trees lit in pink and amber, tropical cocktails, whitewashed bars with surfboard signage, tropical flowers, palm fronds and pool floats.”
“The next night was an Aussie BBQ at the Mirage Country Club where rusted iron tubs were overflowing with native florals, a bush band played and food stations were arranged on ladders.”
Guests also enjoyed bush tucker, watched an Indigenous performance, threw boomerangs and met kangaroos.
“A pavilion was transformed into a fantasy world of circus cabaret with heavy drapes, a carousel-like stage, performers in LED costuming and contortionists for the gala farewell function.”
While these extravagant events were taking place the 70 children were entertained at the Diamond Kids Club.
“They enjoyed a Tjapukai Indigenous evening with a didgeridoo performance, Dreamtime stories and an interactive dance performance followed by Cultural Creation activity stations including traditional weaving, boomerang painting and traditional jewellery making.
“A Quicksilver marine biologist hosted a ‘Finding Dory’ evening with an educational talk and the movie screening on the second night.
“On the third evening Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures introduced the children to Australian animals with koalas, a baby crocodile, cockatoo and cane toad racing delighting them.”
