Incentive Buyers Find Alluring NYC Options

Convincing companies that the Big Apple, despite its decadent reputation, is an affordable incentive travel option can be challenging, but many buyers have found that the city is not only not as pricey as they feared but also a very effective motivational tactic. "There is a perception that New York is too expensive to go to. Actually, San Francisco is probably more, and London and Paris are definitely expensive," according to Anthony Napoli, president of Briggs Red Carpet Associates, a destination management firm that specializes in organizing travel packages in New York. "There are costs involved in coming to New York, too, but there are plenty of hotels, restaurants and free events to do that. Even if you have a tight budget, it can be done."

The secret is in making wise choices. "Sometimes it's a matter of which hotel you choose or the time of year. If you come during the off-season尃n late June or July, or January and February弳ou can get great hotel rates," Napoli said. "Hotels are probably the biggest stumbling block in terms of pricing. Hotels, unfortunately, have short memories. In 2001, they were more willing to work with tight buyer budgets, and now we are sort of back to business as usual."
In some cases, orientation tours are used to promote unity among company employees.

"We see people leaning toward more interactive touring via scavenger hunts, teambuilding exercises, meeting a celebrity cook and taking cooking classes," Napoli said. "Sometimes, there are meetings attached to the incentives. Before, incentives would be totally leisure-oriented, and now there may be a meeting or two in the morning." Incentive programs recently have diminished from five- to six-day incentives to two- or three-day incentives, he added.
In general, programs run from Thursday to Sunday or from Friday to Monday, and average approximately $1,200 per person.

Most corporate groups handled by Briggs are comprised of 40 to 100 members and are booked several months out, although some have been booked just several weeks in advance of the meeting.

Napoli said large groups definitely should consider booking further in advance to secure hotel space.

"Because of the Internet, PCs, PDAs, etc., the bookings are much tighter," according to Napoli. "Because of family life and all of the craziness of modern-day living, people can almost make plans for the short term easier than they can for the long term."