In September, Ella and Jo embarked on a whirlwind tour of Switzerland, exploring key destinations primarily by train, though they also travelled by boat, tram, and bus. This trip was crucial for ACE, as it marked a new location for one of our clients. Since neither of us had visited before, it was important to experience as much as possible in a short timeframe to confidently recommend it as a destination. Using the Swiss Travel Pass, we navigated the country, discovering breathtaking locations perfect for incentive trips and client events. The stunning scenery and perfect weather made the trip even more memorable.
Events and Visits:
- Jo and Ella spent a few days in London, on day 1 we attended the NTA Awards at the O2, thanks to Hilton for the invite and for hosting us. Day 2 was spent visiting 4 hotels which included DTH Docklands, DTH Tower of London, Hilton Tower Bridge and Leonardo St Paul’s for future client events before Ella headed home. On the final day, Jo attended the M&IT Awards, which were held at the Royal Lancaster, thank you to Mark at Preferred Hotels for the invitation and for being a fabulous host.
- Jade and Ella attended a Fam Trip at St George’s Park were they viewed the new meeting space and enjoyed a lovely lunch. Finished off with walking Alpaca’s and Goats around the FA grounds.
- We met with our clients at Radisson East Midlands Airport and Hilton Birmingham Metropole during their events.
Supplier Meetings:
We had several supplier meetings which included meeting with Sutton Hotel Collection, The Grand Birmingham, Classic British, German & Frankfurt Convention Bureau and Accor Hotels.
First Aid Trained:
Ella and Jade have successfully completed a first aid training course with the British Red Cross. It was an incredibly insightful day, where they learned essential skills such as performing CPR, using an AED and handling various emergencies including seizures, choking, burns, minor injuries, shock and internal bleeding.
FAM Trip to Costa Blanca:
Jo enjoyed a fantastic FAM trip to Costa Blanca, hosted by Barcelo Hotels with outdoor activities arranged by Maximise Events. The trip included:
- Accommodation at the luxurious 5* La Nucía Palms and a site visit to La Nucía Hills nearby.
- An intimate, private dinner under the stars in the Oasis Garden.
- A visit to the unique Occidental Pueblo Acantilado on the final day.
- A stay at the Barcelo Beach Hotel, perfectly located for a night out in Benidorm before the group’s arrival.
Special thanks to Ann Marie and Chris Carr for the invitation, and Kimberley Anne Berryman for organising such an incredible experience. We also extend our gratitude to the team at Maximice Events for the opportunity to participate in their group activities, which we could potentially offer to our clients. These included sailing (where Jo even got to steer!), a jeep safari made even more adventurous by the rain, and a local winery visit featuring a delicious 7-course tasting menu. All these activities were conveniently close to the hotel. The trip was a wonderful experience shared with a fantastic group of agents, and we all enjoyed our time together immensely.
Countdown to Christmas:
We are now heading into a busy 6 weeks of events, Jo is going on a personal trip to Dubai (with some site visits thrown in!), and in our next blog Jade will be married and will be changing her name from “Wilson” to “Robinson”.
Keep an eye out for our final blog of the year it’s going to be an ACE one!
