After numerous lackluster months across the industry, incentive travel appears to be making a strong comeback, especially during the summer and holiday seasons. Douglas Hoagland, director of special events for The Resort at Pelican Hill reports that the Newport Beach property is seeing an extended holiday season and a higher number of bookings. “Planners are looking to November, January, even October to avoid the notoriously busy holiday period,” he says.
Pelican Hill is a popular site for corporate retreats, private events, philanthropic celebrations and company parties, and while bookings may be strong, Hoagland says that “Planners are still sensitive on perception and mindful of how they’re spending money.” However, he believes they still want a venue that makes an impact; “Corporate planners are looking for a value, they want to impress and recognize their associates.”
Southern California is a year-round location for outdoor events and Hoagland believes the Pelican Hill’s success is due in part to their ability to provide the comfortable atmosphere that planners desire. “They want an atmosphere,” he says “Fire places and terraces instead of vast meeting rooms.”
He also credits their unique culinary options for luring in incentive groups—and getting them to come back. “We’ve created some culinary habits, so groups hold repeat events here,” he says, mentioning the unique risotto station with a 50-pound parmesan cheese wheel, and the property’s gelato lab, which creates unique signature flavors including gingerbread and eggnog. “People want to come back to Pelican Hill and we’re breaking the incentive industry trend of rotating coasts.”
Groups can host chef-led cooking classes and themed progressive dinners in Pelican Hill’s 128 2-4 bedroom villas with kitchens, or take advantage of the resort’s full-service off-property catering, from plated dinners on the beach to receptions at nearby historic sites or outdoor locations with ocean vistas.
For more information, visit www.pelicanhill.com.
