Time for a change of direction!
(This article originally appeared in Transavia Magazine)
After Rob and Anita both made careers at large international companies, they changed course. From an early age, they knew – still independent of each other – that they wanted to start their own business one day. With goMICE, they follow their passion by organizing tailor-made business trips for groups.
Rob: “We met 20 years ago. Business life, the impersonal business dealings and the rat race were increasingly becoming a burden for us. We dreamed of starting our own company and felt that we were capable of doing many things ‘better’ than our bosses. Almost 13 years ago, we jumped headfirst into the deep end with a small office of 40m2 in Rotterdam.”
Anita: “It’s in our hearts and minds to make people happy and give them unforgettable experiences. For me, the choice to start organizing trips was logical. After my studies, I traveled the world for six years with groups of about 50 people from the United States. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering new cultures, but what I especially enjoyed is the philosophy behind goMICE today: giving participants a unique experience. That’s what gives us energy, we do everything for it, and we’d like to go the extra mile.”
Rob: “Our name explains exactly what we do: actively organizing MICE. MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, and Events. In addition, we also organize inspirational trips. Now we’re putting our feet to the ground, working hard, but with even more fun and passion than in all our previous jobs. goMICE is affiliated with the global business travel organization UNIGLOBE Travel International and has grown to over 40 employees across our three locations in Rotterdam, Goes, and Arnhem.”
‘We first dive into the world of the customer’
Rob: “Before compiling the travel program, we first immerse ourselves in the customer’s world. The results of our findings, the customer’s DNA, and the goal of the trip are the ingredients with which we compile a special and customized travel program. If necessary, we, together with the client, may also go on an inspection trip in advance to ensure that all aspects of the trip perfectly match the client’s wishes and goals.”
Anita: “Because we are IATA certified, we can book airline tickets ourselves, without an intermediary. For the rest of the trip, we keep as much as possible in-house. From the first contact to on-site support. This not only saves costs, but also means that we are not dependent on third parties when it comes to the quality of hotels, restaurants, and other suppliers on the destination. We provide 100% service relief, so that all participants can enjoy the trip to the fullest.”
‘Everything revolves around a fantastic experience’
Rob: “We are not only monitoring the corporate philosophy, but also general trends such as sustainability, the desire to go ‘unplugged’ and the demand for undiscovered destinations and active meetings. In addition, companies are often of an international composition.”
and requests arrive much earlier before departure. That requires a lot of flexibility from your organization.”
Anita: “The search for unique MICE destinations is one of the most enjoyable aspects of our business. For example, we are already actively working with various clients on the possibilities of the World Expo in Dubai in 2020/21. Since we have already organized many trips to Dubai, we know the city and its surroundings in great detail. Combined with a visit to EXPO 2020, this destination offers great opportunities for a Meeting, Incentive, Congress or Event with a fantastic experience, and that is what it is all about.”
EXPO 2020 – Welcome the Future
From October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021, the world exhibition will take place in Dubai, where 190 countries will present themselves in a unique way. For example, a simulation of the Virgin Hyperloop One will be displayed in the USA pavilion, which is intended to make energy-efficient travel by land and underground possible at a speed of over 1,000 km per hour.
See the original article in Transavia Magazine here.