If you're searching for an event destination that will wow your guests, Mauritius is the place to be. With its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and world-class facilities, it's fast becoming one of Africa's top spots for events. Picture networking on a sunset catamaran cruise, shmoozing over delicious Creole cuisine, or relaxing in luxury beachfront resorts after a day of productive meetings and activities. I was lucky enough to have spent a week in December experiencing firsthand what Mauritius has to offer, and why Mauritius should be your next event destination. 1. Perfectly Equipped for Business Events and Incentive Travel Mauritius isn’t just a pretty face… it’s the ultimate destination for events, incentives, and all things business-y (with a side of fun, of course!). Getting there is easy with plenty of flights, smooth airport transfers, and top-notch meeting spaces that’ll make you feel like a VIP. Oh, and did I mention the MICE VAT Exemption? Yes, please!  And the weather? Absolute perfection. It’s an all-year-round kind of place with temps that hover between 20°C - 28°C.

This year I was lucky enough to attend IBTM as part of a group hosted by Mags Shaw from Mags Worldwide . Having been a few years since I last had the chance to attend IBTM, I was excited to network, learn and meet with friends both old and new. The trip started off with an early meet and greet at London Heathrow where we met with Lianne Arkle from All About Flights who had helped organise our travel there and back. After a smooth flight, we landed in sunny Barcelona which was a nice change from the cold temperatures we had left behind in the UK. (Fun fact: the average temperature in Barcelona during November/December is 14°C, which is great for events/groups needing a bit of winter sun!)

In October, I had the incredible opportunity to not only attend my first The Meetings Space event, but also to experience it in a country that had always intrigued me – Oman. Often overshadowed by its more well-known neighbours, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Oman is a hidden gem in the Middle East that is definitely worth adding to your travel list.

There’s something truly special about a journey filled with ‘firsts’. And my recent trip to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, hosted by IHG Hotels & Resorts , was exactly that - a string of firsts, each more memorable than the last. Welcome to LA: First Impressions Kicking off with a premium economy flight from London Heathrow to Los Angeles, my excitement for the days ahead was already sky-high (pun intended). Touching down in California for the very first time, I was spoiled from the get-go. Our stay began at the fabulous InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown , where we were treated to a brief show-around of the property, followed by a dinner that showcased the creativity of the head chef. It was a great way to meet some of my fellow hosted buyers and get into the spirit of things.

Last week, we welcomed over 300 delegates to Frankfurt for our client’s Technical Conference. The energy from the start set the tone for three exciting days of innovation, collaboration, and fresh ideas. Day 1: Kicking Off with Innovation The conference began with an interactive plenary session, where delegates actively participated in discussions and shared insights. A highlight was the "Innovation Box," designed to gather creative ideas for a future-focused strategy. Guest speakers from our clients suppliers shared valuable insights on industry trends, innovative solutions, and growth strategies. The day concluded with dinner and networking at Depot 1899, a repurposed tram depot, where delegates enjoyed an evening of conversation, food, and even dancing.

Corporate Social Responsibility is becoming an increasingly important aspect to business and events today. Incorporating CSR in events allows clients to turn their values into action and it can have a positive impact on attendees as it gives them a sense of purpose and fosters a culture of teamwork. We are constantly trying to encourage clients to integrate CSR in events. And what better way than to try these activities first-hand. Our colleagues Skye and Romy attended an event organised by GoTo Events and Sleep Pod UK at the Leonardo Hotel St Paul’s to make sleeping pods for the homeless. Here’s what they had to say:

Over ten days in October key #Activaters were in #HongKong, making the biggest impact within an ambitious pan-Asian event for a manufacturing client. The large majority of delegates were based in Asia, so Hong Kong was an obvious choice given its regional hub position and desire to maximise attendance. Indeed, our event was the largest training event delivered to date! No less than 700 attendees gathered at the Nina Hotel Tsuen Wan West for an internal staff training event, while the client was running in parallel a separate training event at the InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong. We found the hotel to be fantastic! We were all really impressed with their exceptional attention to detail throughout our event, and we enjoyed the support of Destination China, represented in the UK by Mags Shaw at MagsWorldwide.

At the height of European Winter to get the call to head off to what we lovingly call “the world’s most fun sandpit,” well, we get excited! And we say ‘yes’! If you are looking to take your top performing teams for a Winter sunshine incentive, Dubai seems to have all temptations and the right answers. Between December 2nd and 5th, 2022, Liz Pim, Account Director, joined a familiarisation programme to Dubai. Organised by Nikki Rebuck of The Rep Company (a destination representation company well-established in the UK) and co-hosted by 2xceed and Jan Rienermann on the ground. The group took off from London Heathrow with support from Kathy Bradley at All About Flights and enjoyed the hospitality of Raj Aswal and Atlantis Resorts. We cannot be more grateful for the team going above and beyond to host, accommodate personal requests and ensure the smooth running of each step of the programme!