Planning Sales Incentive Trips: Tips to Motivate & Engage
Reward your top performers with an incentive trip that lingers in their memory.
At BDI Events, we believe that the most successful incentive trips don’t just reward past achievements. The best trips ignite the energy and ambition that fuel future success. When designed with intention, a sales incentive program becomes a powerful connector that inspires performance, loyalty and a shared sense of purpose. To make a true impact, these experiences must be thoughtfully planned, balancing inspiration, engagement and connection from start to finish.
Whether you are planning your first sales incentive trip or refining an existing program, here are a few proven strategies the pros at BDI Events use to elevate incentive trips.
Set Clear Goals & Meaningful Criteria
Before selecting a destination or planning a single activity, we begin by meeting with the leadership team to explore their goals and vision. Essentially: What do you want to achieve?
Whether that’s boosting sales performance, strengthening team relationships or recognizing top performers in a memorable way, your objectives should guide every decision, from the destination selection to itinerary design.
Choose a Destination That Inspires
The right incentive travel destination sets the tone for the entire experience. We look for locations that provide an environment for celebration, while also offering opportunities to explore and connect. Whether it's a coastal escape, a vibrant city or an exotic international locale, the destination should feel special and unexpected.
We love bringing in local flair and flavors, from regional cuisine to cultural experiences, to make the trip authentic and unforgettable. The goal is to transport your team somewhere that feels like a true reward, not just another conference destination.
Budget Strategically
Smart budgeting isn't about cutting corners; it's about prioritizing experiences that create the most value. We focus on high-impact moments and thoughtful details that resonate with attendees, while building in contingencies for fluctuations in travel costs.
Transparency with stakeholders is essential throughout the planning process. By strategically allocating resources, we ensure that every dollar contributes to an experience that feels generous, polished and worth the investment.
Design a Balanced Itinerary
The best incentive sales trips strike the perfect balance of celebration, relaxation and exploration. We design itineraries that allow for unique celebratory moments, like a private dinner under the stars or an exclusive venue buyout.
We also ensure there’s dedicated time for relaxation and curated excursions that add adventure and discovery, giving attendees choices that match their interests.
The key is offering a variety of experiences and amenities that ensure your top performers return feeling energized, not exhausted or overstimulated.
Personalization Makes All the Difference
It's the tiny touches and details that transform a good trip into an extraordinary one. From the pre-event invitation to the onsite gifting opportunities to a post-trip memory book recapping the trip, we look for every opportunity to customize the experience to each company and individual.
Customized gifting takes this one step further. Imagine a thoughtful gift dropped each day of the trip, tailored to the day's activities or simply to delight. These personal moments signal to your top performers that they're not just part of a group; they're truly valued as individuals.
Make It a Seamless Experience
Flawless execution is what allows your attendees to fully immerse themselves in the experience. Here's how we ensure a seamless sales incentive trip …
Communication Matters: An organized and easy registration process is a must. From there, we determine the best way to share agenda updates and activity information, whether through a custom event app or printed daily itineraries delivered to rooms each evening. Clear, timely communication eliminates confusion and builds excitement.
Celebrate Before, During, and After: Don't miss the opportunity to extend the celebration beyond the trip dates. Pre-trip communications can build anticipation and recognize achievements, while post-trip follow-up keeps the momentum alive and reinforces the impact of the experience.
Thoughtful Shipping Solutions: Elevate the experience by offering shipping services for purchases or souvenirs, allowing attendees to travel light on the return journey. Even better, consider drop shipping for any gifting that takes place during the trip, so participants can enjoy the presentation moment without the hassle of packing extra items.
The BDI Events Difference
At BDI Events, we are an incentive travel planner with decades of experience planning sales trips. We understand these trips are more than just business travel. They are strategic investments in your people and your business. Every element we design is intentional, from the first touchpoint to the final farewell. We partner with you to create experiences that don't just meet expectations–they exceed them, leaving your top performers inspired, connected and ready to achieve even greater success.
Ready to plan an incentive trip that truly wows, motivates and engages? Let's start the conversation. Contact BDI Events today to discover how we can bring your next incentive trip to life. Your team's next unforgettable experience begins with thoughtful planning and the right partner by your side.
