Noelle McInerney, the founder of Ladidadi Events and Incentive Travel, is a renowned expert in the corporate event planning industry. With her extensive experience and expertise, Noelle has become a go-to resource for organizations seeking to create memorable and impactful events for their teams and clients. In this interview, Noelle will share valuable insights on the importance of corporate event planning, cost-saving strategies, effective and efficient execution, and best practices for both events and incentive travel. Whether you’re looking to plan a corporate gathering or organize an incentive trip, Noelle’s tips and advice are sure to guide you towards success.
Noelle proudly described Ladidadi as a boutique firm specializing in creating unforgettable experiences for sales-driven organizations. While based in Chicago, the company’s reach extends far beyond, with a talented team scattered across the country. Their expertise lies in crafting multi-day travel-based programs worldwide, including prestigious events like Presidents Clubs and sales kickoffs.
Noelle described President’s Club as a means for companies, particularly sales organizations, to reward, retain, and incentivize their top performers. Noelle emphasized that in today’s remote work landscape, cultivating and nurturing company culture can be challenging, making President’s Clubs more crucial than ever. These top-performer trips, also known as Chairman’s Circles or Winner’s Circles, offer numerous benefits to organizations. Firstly, they contribute to employee retention—a vital factor in talent management. By consistently recognizing top performers throughout the year, companies not only show appreciation but also encourage long-term commitment. Noelle suggested a strategic approach, gradually revealing different elements of the trip over time, keeping participants engaged and excited. Secondly, President’s Clubs play a pivotal role in recruitment efforts. High-caliber talent expects such incentives and experiences, and by leveraging trips as bait, businesses can attract top candidates. The third advantage lies in the power of rewards. While cash may seem like a straightforward choice, research demonstrates that experiences have a longer-lasting impact and are more memorable. Even if the cost of the trip is less than a cash reward, individuals associate greater value with the experience, leading to higher satisfaction. Moreover, these incentive trips can drive revenue. Noelle also highlighted the importance of not solely focusing on top performers but also on middle performers, as this approach can yield a significant return on investment.
Noelle provided valuable insights on how groups can get started with creating a President’s Club or planning their first trip. She emphasized that it doesn’t have to be complex work from the beginning and encouraged starting small and gradually expanding. The first step is to determine eligibility criteria. Decide whether the club is exclusive to the sales team or if it includes support or non-quota teams. Consider factors like the minimum employment tenure or how promotions affect eligibility. The next aspect to consider is the structure of the program. Some organizations opt for a closed goal structure, where the top percentage of goal achievers earns a spot on the trip. This approach allows for easier management and precise slot allocation. Alternatively, an open-ended program can be implemented, granting the opportunity to anyone surpassing a certain percentage of the goal, such as 110% or 120%. This goal structure can also be used to justify the costs associated with the trip. Noelle emphasized the importance of planning ahead, recommending a timeline of six to twelve months in advance to maximize the trip’s impact on revenue. It’s essential to consider the timing and ensure it aligns with the business’s needs and the availability of participants.
President’s Clubs and incentive trips are not exclusive to Fortune 500 companies. According to Noelle, they are worthwhile for small and midsize companies as well. While there is no strict minimum requirement, Noelle suggested considering a group size of at least 10 attendees. Once you reach this number, you can take advantage of group cost savings when booking travel arrangements with hotels or airlines. Typically, the 10 attendees would comprise five winners and their respective spouses, taking into account the demographics and life stages of your salespeople. It’s important to consider whether you want to extend the invitation to a plus one or keep it exclusive to employees based on their preferences and circumstances. Noelle also highlighted the significance of quality time with leadership, as it consistently emerges as one of the most impactful aspects of the trip according to guest feedback. Therefore, she recommended keeping some spots open for leaders to attend, as their presence adds value and strengthens the experience for participants.
How can professional planners like Ladidadi help companies plan such trips? Noelle explained that Ladidadi has invested significant time and effort in cultivating relationships with global hotel chains and vendors across various countries. As a result, they have access to preferential pricing and partnerships that individual companies may not have. By leveraging their connections, Ladidadi aims to offset their fee through cost-saving negotiations, ensuring that clients can achieve their desired results without exceeding their budget. Additionally, Noelle emphasized that working with a professional planner brings peace of mind. While no event is immune to unexpected challenges, experienced planners like the team at Ladidadi have the expertise and know-how to handle on-site issues efficiently. Their presence provides reassurance to clients that their investment will go according to plan and deliver the desired outcomes.
Noelle shared several best practices for building successful incentive trips. One important guideline is to avoid over-programming. While it may be tempting to pack the itinerary with numerous activities and events, allowing for downtime is crucial and contributes to a truly rewarding experience. Additionally, Noelle recommended taking the group off-property at least once during the trip. Even in a resort setting where there is plenty to do, guests often desire an opportunity to explore and immerse themselves in the local culture which adds an extra layer of excitement and engagement. Safety is another top consideration. Creating after-parties back at the hotel provides a controlled environment for attendees. Noelle also suggested establishing a headquarters or home base, which could be a Presidential Suite or a designated group area that allows participants to easily connect and reconnect with their teammates throughout the trip, fostering camaraderie and a sense of belonging.
Noelle clarified that while international destinations for these incentive trips sound exciting, it absolutely makes sense to hold incentive programs within the United States as well. The choice of location often depends on factors such as the timing of the program and the desired climate. Many Presidents Clubs take place in the first quarter of the year, and during that time, warm destinations are popular. Mexico and the Caribbean offer a range of all-inclusive properties that provide cost-saving benefits during this time. However, there are also numerous exciting domestic options available. Cities like Nashville, Scottsdale, Miami, and Napa can offer exceptional experiences depending on the demographic and preferences of the participants. Ski destinations such as Vail and Aspen are also great choices for incentive trips.
Incorporating training or motivational elements into incentive trips can be highly valuable, but, according to Noelle, it depends on the specific needs and preferences of the company and its participants. Ladidadi Events conducts a culture deep dive with each client at the beginning of their relationship to gain insight into the company’s internal dynamics. This helps determine whether bringing in external speakers, trainers, or motivators would be well-received and beneficial. Some companies may find value in incorporating such programming to address specific needs or provide additional motivation. On the other hand, some clients may prefer the trip to focus solely on rest and relaxation without any formal programming. There are also some clients who choose to include a brief meeting during the incentive trip to ground participants in the purpose of the trip and provide an overview of what lies ahead for the coming year.
For corporations interested in utilizing Ladidadi Events, whether you have an existing program and want to explore improvements or are starting from scratch, you can contact them at any time to initiate a discussion. While the best time to reach out may vary depending on specific circumstances, Noelle recommends, “the sooner, the better.” She added that booking more than six months in advance allows for securing the best rates. Ladidadi is flexible in its approach and can provide full planning services or work as an extension of an in-house team, helping with specific aspects such as finding a suitable hotel or creating a compelling itinerary. Customization based on the client’s needs is a core aspect of their services. You may contact Noelle via email at noelle@ladidadixm.com, or visit the Ladidadi Events website www.ladidadixm.com where additional contact information is provided.
