Satya
Phuket is an island in the south of Thailand that has long been a favourite with tourists from all over the globe. Its unique blend of beautiful beaches, fabulous nightlife and delicious food remain as popular as ever, but it is no longer just a destination for holidaymakers. Phuket is now also one of the top destinations for corporate events, such as meetings, team-building retreats, conferences and incentive trips.
That said, simply choosing to host your corporate event in Phuket is not sufficient to make it a success. For an event to be run smoothly as well as be memorable and productive, it needs to be planned down to the last detail. This blog outlines some helpful tips to help you with that process.
1. Choose a Great Venue
The first thing that you are going to want to think about when event planning in Phuket is the venue. Phuket is a large island with a wide array of venues to choose from. These range from high-end hotels and resorts to intimate beachfront villas.
Remember when choosing your venue to keep your objectives in mind, as these will affect the amenities that you require. For example, an off-the-beaten track hotel might be a great setting for a small team-building retreat where everybody is traveling together, but for larger meetings and conferences you might want to choose somewhere more accessible.
2. Plan Around the Weather
When it comes to timing your trip, your chief concern will be fitting it into your company’s schedule. However, it is wise to also work around Mother Nature’s schedule too. Phuket experiences a rainy season between May and October which can see the island subjected to some seriously heavy downpours and violent storms. If you can only go during that time, it is best to plan more indoor activities.
3. Arrange Travel in Advance
Although Phuket receives millions of visitors every year, travel in any foreign location can sometimes be complicated. For smaller events, it is best to arrange travel for everybody in advance if you can. That way you can be sure that time is not wasted waiting for everybody to arrive and that your team will turn up relaxed and ready for your event.
Many hotels are able to organise airport transfers, and private transport such as a minibus can easily be arranged in Thailand and is a great way to get around the island.
4. Arrange Some Cultural Excursions
There is little point hosting your event in an exotic location if you are not going to get out there and enjoy it. Plus, these can be valuable opportunities for bonding and building relationships. Phuket is full of interesting things to do, from hiring a yacht for some casual island hopping to more competitive activities like beach sports tournaments. Cooking classes can be a great way to enjoy some local delicacies while encouraging your team to work together outside of a corporate setting, and there are plenty of spas and wellness retreats if you want them to kick back and relax.
5. Use Local Expertise
The meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) sector is an area of tourism that Thailand is working hard to establish a reputation in. This means that they are trying to help any such events go as smoothly and successfully as possible. In popular destinations like Phuket, you can find local experts who can help you negotiate with vendors, acquire any permits or permission that you need and help in many other ways to ensure that your event meets your goals.
6. Add Some Variety
For your attendees to get the most of a corporate trip, no matter where it is taking place, make sure that the itinerary contains a good balance of work and downtime. And when it comes to work, you should try to balance individual speakers with interactive sessions and activities to ensure that everybody remains as engaged as possible.
Feeling cooped up in one environment for too long is also not conducive to a positive experience, so arranging breakout sessions or workshops in other locations nearby can be a helpful way to ensure that your attendees benefit from being there.
7. Don’t Forget About Catering
Your attendees will need some fuel to keep them energised for the duration of your event, so do not overlook the importance of good catering. Many venues offer a catering service themselves, although there are plenty of private caterers available too. While Thailand is famous for its delicious local food, you can actually find many different cuisines on offer in international hotspots like Phuket.
8. Consider Your Technology Needs
With most higher-end and international hotel chains catering to MICE guests nowadays, they often have technology such as microphones, projectors and other audiovisual equipment available for you to borrow. However, it is still best to contact them and check this in advance, especially if you are planning hybrid events where some people are attending in person and others are attending online. If any specialist equipment is required, you may need to lease this from a private vendor, which again is why liaising with a local event planner can be very helpful. They often know where to get what you need.
Internet connectivity is generally very good in Thailand, but it can be worth booking into your hotel a few days in advance of your event so you have a chance to test this as well as any other equipment you need. This way you can make any alternative arrangements without disrupting your event.
Conclusion
With its luxury resorts, enchanting Old Town and idyllic beaches, Phuket is a very attractive destination for hosting events. However, if you want yours to go off without a hitch, it is important to carefully plan your event in advance, using the tips above and employing local expertise to make sure no important details get overlooked. This will allow you to be confident that your event will be memorable and highly beneficial for your attendees, leaving a lasting impact on them.
