How do you impress a group of people that have seen hundreds of hotels, boutique properties and inspiring destinations?

Well, Paul Wilson and the Mantra Group team seemed to find the right formula when holding a mega famil for 12 professional conference organisers (PCO's) earlier this month.

Delegates from the eastern states arrived at Brisbane airport early on a Sunday morning to be welcomed by Mantra Group hosts at the Virgin Australia Lounge where they could relax and meet the people they were about to share the next two days with. Without knowing the full itinerary each of the group were presented with shiny 'Peppers luggage tags' and were advised that their bags would be waiting for them at their final resting spot, explicit instructions to wear long pants and closed toe shoes left the group in anticipation...

RIDING HIGH

The first site inspection would be at Peppers Ruffles Lodge and Spa, a beautiful corporate retreat/incentive property nestled in the Gold Coast hinterland, so why did we land in Brisbane questioned the group.  The answer was clear once we were led onto the tarmac where three helicopters and the pilots awaited their passengers. The morning started with a grin.

After an exhilarating ride from Brisbane across to the Gold Coast hinterland the three choppers circled their destination like birds of prey before coming to a gentle landing in the lower grounds of the property. 

The group were greeted by owner John Nicholls & pooch Harry who talked a little about how the property was developed, as well as some plans he has for additional accommodation to be added to the existing 10 luxurious rooms. Morning tea was served under a large gazebo where your gaze across the infinity pool spills on to an outstanding view across the Gold Coast skyline.

The site inspection revealed beautifully appointed individual villas, relaxing common areas and an adequate meeting room for small groups boasting views from its full length bi-fold wall. Soon to follow was a tour of the Ruffles Day Spa, which exemplified all things a spa should be with a calm, relaxing and private sense of wellbeing.

OFF TO THE GOLD COAST

A short coach ride into the centre of the Gold Coast provided the opportunity to see one of Mantra Groups most recently opened property, Peppers Broadbeach. A wonderfully modern hotel ideally located 25 minutes north of the Gold Coast Airport and one hour south of Brisbane.

The property General Manager, Adam Taloni chose to be appointed at the hotel as one of his privileges for being awarded as Mantra Group's highest achieving GM's, which speaks volumes for how great the property is. Adam enthusiastically led the site tour explaining that there are 120 rooms currently available (more to come) across the hotels two towers.

The hotels meetings facilities include a boardroom suitable for executive meetings as well as a number of informal indoor and outdoor spaces including a private theatrette, several pools, Zen gardens and Thai Chi lawns. Conveniently positioned next door to one of the towers is an Endota Spa renowned for its signature treatments and wellbeing programs.

BONDING TIME

Mantra Legends, one of the hotel groups key 'meetings' properties in the region was the stage for a team building challenge for the group starting with 'wii tennis' in a section of the 400 pax ballroom (cocktail style), a perfect fit to reinforce Mantra's recent appointment as ambassador, Pat Rafter. A team challenge was set for the PCO's to answer questions and take photos of the team in strategic places around the hotel was a clever way to help the group learn about the facilities and well appointed meeting and function rooms. 

An informal lunch around the upper deck of the poolside included an amazing array of food influenced with a Fijian theme by Executive Chef Johnny Datt who also provided a cooking demonstration, passionately providing tips and tricks used in traditional cooking methods of his native land.

It was time to leave the sunshine state and cross the boarder to visit side by side properties Peppers Salt Resort and Spa, and Mantra on Salt Beach, this is where the long pants and closed shoes came in... 12 Harley Davidsons pounding away in the driveway may have left some of the other hotel guests feeling a little uneasy until, however, for the group of PCO's there was that familiar grin.  It was a perfect ending to the groups' time on the Gold Coast with near perfect weather conditions, an hour or so riding a quite different kind of chopper than earlier that morning.

The team at Salt greeted the 'honorary bikies' and asked that they take time to wash off the full day thrills and adventure and enjoy the escape that Salt provides so well in beautiful Kingscliff. Peppers Salt Resort and Spa generous sized accommodation rooms would be an understatement and range from studio style rooms to one and two bedroom suites with private plunge pools, pressed for time the in-room spa bath would need to wait until after dinner.

The evening at Peppers restaurant 'Season' started with a master chef style activity where the teams had to guess the ingredients of sample dishes (cleverly designed by the chef to trick the contestants). With healthy competition between the national Mantra Group team and the hotels GM Damian Sillars (one of the hotel groups longest standing GM's) it came down to a final showdown with equal first and second place having to guess the contents of a local liqueur - needless to say; with the hometown advantage you might guess who won.

Day two, designed to be much less exhilarating started with a pleasant poolside breakfast at Mantra on Salt Beach, hosted by General Manager Scott Lynch - followed by a tour of the property showcasing its grand foyer, large accommodations rooms and varied meeting and function spaces each unique in their design.

In keeping with the gentle theme of the day a 'treat visit' to the Golden Door Spa located at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa provided the opportunity for individuals to soak and steam or sit quietly in the rest areas to lounge around sip herbal tea while waiting to be called for a massage treatment.

Why walk when you can run? Why run when you can Segway! The team from Corporate and Group XPeriences Team Building provide Segway tours in many parts of Australia and for first timers they are a unique fun experience and great way to explore the area around Salt along the extensive tracks and pathways adjacent to the beach and nearby river.

With the two larger resorts showcased as the ideal beachside properties for meetings business, perfect for small or larger groups of around 200 delegates, it is important to point out the hidden gem nestled in between. Peppers Bale with 42 outstanding two and three bedroom apartments fitted with first class interiors and matching views of Salt beach. This property is ideal for small incentive groups with easy access to the many meeting spaces offered in its neighbouring properties.

ONE LAST RIDE

After what was an amazing one and a half days of showcasing, the Mantra Group team thanked the group for their time to get to know some of the key properties in the region over an informal lunch poolside at Peppers Salt Resort and Spa. The groups initial feedback was very positive with several PCO's already identifying which of their clients events would be suited for the various properties they had experienced.

The group farewelled for 'one last ride' together as they climbed aboard a stretch Hummer that would take them on a short fifteen minute ride to the Gold Coast Airport.

For more information about staging an event at these or any Mantra Group property please contact Rachael Grimsey, Senior Account Manager -  [email protected] or any of the MICE team at Mantra Group.