01Ask a blunt question first
Would this team rather have the time, the money, or the trip? If the honest answer is the time, do not book a gala. An incentive that people attend out of politeness is an expensive meeting.
02Three options, one recommendation
We shortlist three places and say which we would drop. One is usually too far for the nights you have. One is pretty and logistically miserable. One fits the pace: a working morning, a long lunch, an evening that does not require a theme.
03Leave a gap in the agenda
The trips people rate are rarely the ones with a packed excursion list. Mark the empty hours on the schedule so nobody ‘helps’ by filling them the week before.
Studio note · not client advice tailored to you