Prevue September/October 2012 - (Page 18)

planner’s pick PLANNER: Nick Miller Sales Training Manager Toyota, New York Region West Caldwell, NJ TUCKER’S POINT BERMUDA TOYOTA’S TOP NORTHEASTERN DEALERS GATHER AT BERMUDA’S BOUTIQUE GEM 7 • TOYOTA EVENT HIGHLIGHTS • Dinner at 19th century Fort St. Catherine • Venues & views at Rosewood Tucker’s Point • Tour to exclusive Nonsuch Island oot yacht trans ers to dinner ith oat cheese oa stellar eaches • Shopping in St. George’s & Hamilton • Shri p is ue • er uda s re ined eauty Rosewood Tucker’s Point Once a year, the top performing Toyota dealerships in the New York area are recognized during a President’s Award travel program. This summer, 25 winners with guests checked into the 88-room Rosewood Tucker’s Point Bermuda. The destination/hotel combination was a determining factor for the event location because the short 2-hour flight helped offset the cost of such a luxurious resort as Tucker’s. “Bermuda is very clean, very upscale, nicely manicured— it’s just a beautiful island,” says Nick Miller, sales training manager, who created the program. “And Tucker’s Point is by far the nicest hotel on the island.” The group was met by Select Sites Group at the airport who escorted everyone to the resort just a few minutes away. They were welcomed at the Walsingham Suite with music, drinks and activity coordinators, before settling into the large classic Caribbean suites with views of the sea. Tucker’s Point is surrounded by its private golf course, with 5-minute shuttles carrying guests to the private beach club. “They have the largest private beach on the island, and the sand is like walking on white powder,” says Miller. “The first night, we did a welcome reception at the beach around the pool. It’s at the end of the property so you’re looking out at these bluffs with the waves crashing across them and the sun setting. That was a nice way to start.” The following night, everyone transferred to the capital of Hamilton to board the 110-foot Venetian yacht for a harbor cruise ending at Blu Restaurant. After some of the group disembarked, the rest returned to Hamilton for dinner at the Barracuda Grill steakhouse and Little Venice wine bar. During the daytime, attendees did a walking tour through historic St. George’s. Others shuttled to Hamilton for upscale shopping and a museum gallery tour. And some booked the 43-foot catamaran tour, where everyone was welcomed with cappuccinos and biscotti. Miller went to Nonsuch Island. “It’s really cool because you need government permission to step foot on the island,” he says. “It’s interesting meeting the people there who are very passionate about conservation. The final gala took place at the colonial era Fort St. Catherine jutting out over the sea. As everyone entered the magisterial fortifications, they were greeted by the Bermuda Regiment before gathering by the water for champagne and canapes while a string quartet played. Then the GM fired off a cannon to call everyone for dinner. Miller flew in chef Robert Irvine from the TV show Dinner: Impossible, who created the menu starting with sweet potato shrimp bisque with a goat cheese foam. Irvine also performed cooking demonstrations throughout dinner. After dessert, The Kennel Boys band got everyone up on the dance floor. “There were a lot of surprised faces, high fives, a lot of hugs and big smiles,” says Miller. “You know, what do you get someone who can buy anything they want themselves? That was my goal, to give them something they really couldn’t create on their own.” gotobermuda.com: tuckerspoint.com 16 | prevue magazine http://www.gotobermuda.com http://www.tuckerspoint.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue September/October 2012

Planner's Pick: Bermuda
Planner's Pick: Disney California
Fresh Meets: Sonesta Hotels
Bureau Buzz: Raleigh
Good Business: South Africa
Congrats: Visionary Awards
Sea Shores: Norwegian Cruise Line
Fifty Shades of Green
Checkn' In: westin Resorts, West USA
The West: Green by Nature
On Location: Santa Fe
On Location: La Costa Resort, CA
On Location: City of Napa
Mexico + The Caribbean
On Location: Hard Rock Hotel Cancun
On Location: St. Regis Punta Mita
Puerto Rico
Germany
Korea
On Location: Montreal
Check Out: The Orbit Tower, London

Prevue September/October 2012