Prevue March/April 2015 - (Page 10)

planner's pick PLANNED FOR: Matthew Storm Director, Innovation and Solutions NICE Systems Everyone's a Star in Los Angeles NICE Systems rolls out the red carpet, Academy Awards-style, for its sales force 6 'MUST SEE' VENUES * Paramount Studios - A private event on the backlot at Paramount is an authentic Hollywood experience. * Greystone Mansion - The mansion and spectacular gardens are home to some of the most elegant special events hosted throughout the year in the City of Beverly Hills and have been featured in dozens of films, including Spiderman and Ghostbusters. * Two Rodeo - Brimming with European charm, this venue is the crown jewel in the heart of Beverly Hills' world-renowned shopping district. * The Getty - The J. Paul Getty Museum, known for its exceptional art collection and stunning architecture by famed architect Richard Meier, is an ideal LA venue for a private event. * Santa Monica Pier - From its historic carousel to its solar-powered Ferris wheel, the pier offers fun NICE Systems' LA event S oftware company NICE Systems is always raising the bar for its annual sales kickoff and President's Club incentive. Last year, they rolled out the red carpet with an Academy Awards-themed event in Los Angeles that was kept secret until the moment the team rounded the corner to the Dolby Theater's worldfamous promenade-where, of course, a Joan Rivers impersonator was positioned to interview the guests. The 600 attendees had been staying at the Loews Hollywood Hotel for the three-day meeting. "We told them that the ﬁnal evening would be black-tie. Everyone came down all dressed up and thought they would be getting on buses, but we had staff guiding them around the corner, where they saw the red carpet," says Matthew Storm, director, innovation and solutions. NICE's event planner, legendary Los Angeles DMC Bixel & Company, had fake paparazzi there too, light bulbs popping, but then "all the people in the mall suddenly became onlookers and started taking pictures," says Storm. "It added a really nice touch." The attendees then walked up into the multi-level foyer for a cocktail reception, followed by the awards presentation in the theater. A total of 90 winners learned they would be the ones to participate in the annual incentive trip, this time to see 10 | prevue magazine activities for all ages. Africa's Victoria Falls. Storm can't say enough about the value of recognition events like this. "This meeting is an opportunity for all the reps from around the world to come together. It's always a big event that gets them excited about what's new. Salespeople are motivated by commission, but when you have a ceremony like this in front of their peers, it means a lot," he says. "It's also a time for people to aspire to move to the next level so they can be up on that stage, too." As a ﬁnal touch, Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin impersonators took the stage to do a little singing and get the audience laughing-then invited the entire group onstage. A curtain was drawn to reveal a lounge set with nightclub seating, lights, and a dance ﬂoor for an on-stage party. "People got the chance to experience what it felt like to be on that stage like the winners, looking out over the entire theater. It was the icing on the cake." Storm knows that his sales force is excited about this year's kickoff at Atlantis, in the Bahamas. "There's a sense of anticipation," he says. "I know they're all wondering what we could possibly do to top this."-Barbara Scoﬁdio bixelco.com; loewshotels.com http://www.bixelco.com http://www.loewshotels.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue March/April 2015

Planner’s Pick: Los Angeles
Fresh Meets: The Evolution of Local Hospitality
Bureau Buzz: Atlanta
Good Business: On the Agenda: Zero Waste
Sea Shores: American Queen Steamboat Company
Incentive Bound
FLORIDA
CALIFORNIA
NASHVILLE
IHG EUROPE
On Location: Bermuda
CLUB MED CANCUN YUCATAN
On Location: Beaches Turks & Caicos
On Location: St. Kitts
On Location: Delano Las Vegas
Club Med Meetins, Incentives and Corporate Events 2015 Edition

Prevue March/April 2015