Corporate DMC Service - Case Study

40 pax | Noosa, Rainbow Beach & Fraser Island | 5 Nights

Forty technology incentive travellers left behind wintery conditions in New Zealand in late May 2017 to experience six days of sunshine, unique location events, ocean activities, paddock-to-plate tastes and tipplers, luxurious pampering, adrenalin-charged pursuits and much more. The fun kicked off as soon as the group landed at Sunshine Coast Airport with eight gleaming vintage surf vans – seven VW Kombis and a 1946 woody, waiting to take them on a scenic coastal journey.

This introductory experience was inspired by the relaxed vibe of the 1960s, with iconic music from the heyday of surfing (think The Beach Boys), and local craft beverages and boutique snacks. Embracing the idiom that the best things happen unexpectedly, the convoy turned west for a short drive to a luxury country estate.

Set in a lush valley encircled with sugar cane and pineapple farms, the historic homestead provided a Gone with the Wind-like experience with a uniquely Australian twist. Paths led past rose-blooming gardens that surround the homestead to an old dairy where delegates could relish at a refresh station that offered shoulder, hand and feet massages plus hot towels and local wellness products. They then feasted from platters that stretched the length of the long lunch table under the estates iconic fig tree before choosing dessert from a gelato cart that featured quintessentially Queensland flavours. Live music, lawn games and laser clay shooting rounded out this outback-by-the-sea experience.

The delegates had every whim catered for during the following threeday Noosa stay in five-star opulence. A destination lunch set amongst the gardens of a spice farm where celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita served a bespoke menu, farm-gate visits, a performance by a modern didgeridoo artist, vintage ferry transfers, wine tastings amongst macadamia groves, Noosa River sports activities, and an exclusive-use lunch at a riverside restaurant were among the offerings.

Leaving Noosa on day four, small groups in four-wheel-drive vehicles headed north to discover The Great Beach Drive, the stretch of striking beach “road” that connects the Sunshine Coast with Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island. Along the way they saw kangaroos, turtles and dugongs. In a picture-perfect location a chic beach hub was awaiting the guests including gourmet catering, private massage area and water activities which kept delegates hydrated, engaged and excited. Surfing, kayaking with dolphins, stand up paddle boarding and fishing were offered throughout the day before the driving adventure continued via inland rainforest to a Rainbow Beach resort.

An early morning bush walk and fresh air yoga with expansive ocean and coloured sand view were enjoyed by those seeking a taste of health and wellness. Styled rooftop breakfasts overlooking Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point were set up especially for the group. UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fraser Island played host to the group on day five, with a 4WD coach taking delegates on an exploratory tour that included dingo sightings and education, a crystal blue swimming lake, an edible garden lunch and a bush tucker walk.

Exhilarated, the group returned to Rainbow Beach to discover that a giant tipi had been erected on the beach for the finale dinner. Celebrity chef Matt Golinski presented the menu, paying tribute to locally-sourced ingredients. A signature cocktail, fire performers and a three-piece live band completed the scene.

Bespoke in Every Way

“Would you like a Sunshine Garden?” This question was heard on numerous occasions across the six days, resulting from a very clear client directive - off-the-shelf was not an option. The whole six-day experience had to be designed in a way that ensured everyone felt as if they were a local because they had access to the secret pleasures that only locals know about.

This edict filtered through to every element, resulting in stunning components, including a specially-designed cocktail just for this group called Sunshine Garden. Other notable bespoke experiences included:

• Two custom-crafted celebrity chef menus and local produce featured in all function menus

• Four unique-location functions

• Four unusual transfer methods

• Local indigenous insights through destination-specific bush tucker and music performances

• Local luxury gifting presented to the delegates daily, including a custom-designed men’s bracelet engraved with the program title and “Noosa”

• Locally made timber travel tags engraved with the programme logo provided to all guests for their luggage prior to their New Zealand departure

• Taste of Sunshine Coast welcome hampers upon arrival at both resorts and each delegate’s favourite beverage presented in their resort room

• Quiz bags produced for The Great Beach Drive to educate and entertain.

  The bespoke nature of the program also meant that there was no precedence for many elements, and this created a critical challenge in the final days pre-arrival which risked the success of a significant Rainbow Beach program segment. Business Events Sunshine Coast, the region’s convention bureau, supported Beyond Experiences in working with Gympie Regional Council to implement a solution.

Success

The result of six months of planning was that 40 pampered technology employees left the Sunshine Coast with big smiles, feeling rejuvenated and rewarded. A post-incentive survey proved that the delegates felt that the highlights were the paddock-to-plate and farm-to-fork experiences, the Noosa location and the final night gala dinner where guests wriggled their toes in the sand while enjoying pre-dinner drinks as the sun set behind the region’s coloured sands. The client called the program “world class” with the quality of the elements and the attention to detail second-to-none.