An inspection in London and New York
Last week it happened again; several project managers went on a (final) inspection to various destinations, with the aim of putting the finishing touches to the, so to speak, i to deploy for many group and incentive travel which will take place over the coming months.
Nadia and Lotte left for New York last Friday for 3 nights. I went to London to visit the hotels, the restaurants and our suppliers. We will soon have several group tours to London and New York on the agenda and we naturally want to organise everything down to the last detail! At the same time, during such a trip we are also looking for new gems that we can add to our supplier list. Finding that slightly “different” restaurant or visiting a newly opened hotel.
An inspection in London and New York
During such a weekend, there is regular contact with each other to discuss everything. I always find it remarkable to realise that while I am sitting in London, the other project managers are in New York, or anywhere else in the world! It is great that our project managers are fully responsible for their projects. From the initial contact with a client or prospect, to an inspection, putting together a fantastic programme and ultimately also the execution of the project. Because the project managers often also accompany the trips as tour leaders. What a wonderful job they have.
Our project managers fly all over the world
Over the coming months, the project managers at goMICE will be regularly on the road. For instance, Rosa will soon be heading off to London, Nadia and Talitha are accompanying a group of 80 people to Mallorca, Rosa is joining Linda to accompany a group of 60 people to Ibiza, and I myself am accompanying a large group to Mallorca with Nadia and a group to Croatia with Lotte. I still think it's fantastic to accompany groups on trips, but I do limit it these days. On the one hand, because we now have a wonderful team of project managers, and on the other hand, our organisation with more than 40 employees across 3 offices also requires my attention. In addition, I also have a fantastic family with two boys aged 16 and 14. I want to continue enjoying time with them too!
What have I done in London?
They will travel back by British Airways back again in Rotterdam. What is my experience of the train? It actually goes very quickly! I boarded in Rotterdam at 10:00. After 4 hours I was in the heart of London at St. Pancras / Kings Cross Station. I was able to make effective use of my time on the train doing some work. In first class, a meal is even served and you can choose from various drinks.
The 35th floor of the Shangri-La The Shard
Soon I was able to do 35e Delving into checking in at the fantastic Shangri-La The Shard. The hotel where my group will be staying in May. It's no hardship to be allowed to stay there. What gorgeous rooms and VIEW! My room was located on the 41ste stunning. Breathtaking, especially when it gets dark. Every detail has been thought of. For instance, there is a pair of binoculars in every room. A nice touch!
The rest of that day and the following day were all about visiting our regular suppliers, negotiations with those suppliers, but I also had appointments set up with new hotels and restaurants I had heard about. I always explore the city as much as possible on foot or by bike. That way you sometimes run into new, special discoveries, and so I did this time too. We are going to make our clients who are going to London very happy with these new discoveries again! Which ones they are I am keeping to myself for a bit, until the groups have returned from London!
I also visited a football match at the impressive and atmospheric Stamford Bridge, the stadium of Chelsea football club. Because we regularly Sports holidays organised I attended the match between Chelsea and Tottenham. After an early lead for the home side, Tottenham ultimately ran out winners after all (1-3). But what an atmosphere and surrounding vibe in and around the stadium!
It was another very useful trip and I arrived back satisfied at Rotterdam Airport on Easter Sunday. What a lovely airport that is, to be fair. Touchdown on the runway was at 15:45 and at 16:30 I stepped across my doorstep at home! From that moment on, our Easter weekend began.