Creative problem solving and solid partnership elevates incentive travel programs

Ecolab wanted to continue rewarding employee excellence with incentive travel but needed an alternative to logistical nightmares and inconsistent budgeting. As a company with 48,000 employees in more than 170 countries, their hands were full – they needed help. In choosing a global incentive travel partner, straightforward budgeting, creative ideas and solid reputation topped their list.

An incentive travel partnership of personalisation and behind-the-scenes creativity

Our long-term relationship with Ecolab has led to an unparalleled level of trust and customised travel experiences. We create emotional connections between Ecolab’s people and their brand. Not only by choosing destinations that use the Ecolab brand of products, but also by proactively ensuring each participant’s needs (allergies, religious requirements, and more) are cared for. 

Working to wow up to 400 well-travelled global participants year after year takes creative thinking and a willingness to go above and beyond at a service level. Each trip, we prepare a theme aligned to the Ecolab mission, orchestrate incredible events, feature on-location branding, develop communications and gifting, and coordinate multilocation departures to arrive at a single destination on time. 

This is the story of how we’ve worked together to create magical incentive travel experiences and keep programs on track.

Budget consistency and financial transparency

Prior years of unpredictable budgets had the team frustrated and participants underwhelmed. Partnering with the ITA Group incentive travel management team gave Ecolab the financial transparency, reporting and consistency they were looking for. 

Solutions and budget ingenuity

When challenges come to light, the ITA Group team thinks outside the box. For one program, we shared décor expenses with another travel group to step up the venue’s wow factor and stay within budget!

Switching destinations last-minute due to health scare

When a global health event closed tourism in Singapore, pivoting to a new destination was necessary to offer health safety and all-new experiences.

Efficient program management and industry relationships overcome the impossible

With 12 weeks to go until the event, Ecolab and ITA Group teams worked quickly to secure a new hotel contract, activity contracts, decor and more in Cabo. The destination was popular due to low health risk and outdoor event space, so competition was fierce as many other organisations wanted to book in Cabo, too. We were able to launch a new registration site one week after the site visit. Eight weeks later, attendees from all over the world experienced the best of Cabo.

Exclusive access to landmarks in Rome

Enjoying a private tour of religious and cultural landmarks at the Vatican is often an impossibility due to massive crowds and security. 

International connections make all the difference

For our Easter trip to Rome, we arranged for Ecolab attendees to experience prime spots to view the Pope and a private tour of the Vatican.

Fighting fire with creativity in Dominican Republic

A fire just before our Dominican Republic welcome event had damaged multiple restaurants and left other buildings completely inoperable. 

Agility and experience save the day

With 24/7 planning, we revamped the area entirely, adding lighting, inspiring décor and other adjustments to accommodate the new venue. 

Cleaning up after a Dubai sandstorm

Traveling to Dubai without witnessing the amazing views due to a sandstorm would not be a complete experience.

With loyal relationships, we overcome obstacles

With only hours until our event, we arranged to get the building sparkling again, giving guests a clear view of impressive sights unlike anything they’d seen. We also arranged for camels on the beach – even walking them through the lobby of a new hotel. 

Crafting an on-site experience at San José Del Cabo

Our San José Del Cabo attendees were faced with time-consuming customs lines, and the beach area in front of our extravagant venue had just been washed out.

Custom travel 

We arranged for our Ecolab guests to travel through a separate customs line to cut hours from their travel experience – they also felt like VIPs.

One-of-a-kind events

The team at ITA Group created a plan to build a giant pirate ship on the beach, complete with a dance floor, bars, food and a band. After the wash-out we needed to completely (quickly!) renovate the area for the final night blowout. Our local partners even bulldozed through a wall at our request for easy walkway access.