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Issue 12

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Spencer Green
Chairman, GDS International

Sales and the 'Talent Magnet'

A lot is written about being a ‘Talent Magnet’, either as a company, or as President. It’s all good practice – listen, mentor, reward, provide clear goals and career maps. Good practice for the employer, but what about the employee?
25 May 2011

How Do You Say “Well Done” to Your Employees?


With Ovation Rewards, you can offer your people the travel experience of a lifetime, at the world’s most famous hotels.

Travel: The ultimate employee reward
Everyone expects more these days. You expect more from your employees, and they from you. And when you’re looking for ways to show appreciation to those who work hard, to those who go above and beyond, a pat on the back or a round of applause just isn’t enough.

Which is why we’ve developed Ovation Rewards, a unique, flexible incentive and recognition program that will motivate and inspire your people like nothing else.


Elegant accommodations in extraordinary destinations
After you try Ovation Rewards, you’ll never think of employee incentives the same way again.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts boast properties in some of the most desirable destinations around the world—amid soaring mountains, lush southern isles, enchanting coastlines and sublime deserts. And Ovation Rewards are redeemable across all three of our fine brands, at dozens of locations.

Imagine saying “thank you” by sending someone to one of our elegant resorts—from the Canadian Rockies to the West Indies—where they can experience the pure exhilaration of teeing off under majestic peaks or skiing the world’s best runs, swimming with dolphins or relaxing on a tropical beach, and more. Or send them to one of our historic, landmark city hotels—in the heart of cities such as New York, San Francisco, Singapore, Beijing, Moscow and London—which are ideally situated just steps away from exquisite dining, exceptional shopping, bustling nightlife and endless exploring.

At all of our hotels and resorts, we offer world-renowned service in an effort to make each guest’s stay an extraordinary experience. An experience that is accompanied by memories that last a lifetime.

Why choose a travel reward?
Amid all of the reward and incentive options available today, we believe that travel is a uniquely powerful one. It’s a gift that we truly carry with us for a lifetime. And when you send your people to one of our splendid properties, in one of the world’s most exciting destinations, the experience will be nothing short of enriching and unforgettable.

In addition, a travel reward is four rewards, wrapped in one package.

Anticipation Reward: From the moment the Ovation Reward is received, excitement begins to build. Where will they visit? What will they experience? Even though planning is half the fun, you can guarantee that they will be counting the days until their trip.

Travel Reward: Whatever unique destination they choose, your recipients will receive the VIP treatment throughout their stay. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts boast over a century of unmatched hospitality and dedicated, personalized service. Take comfort in the fact that your recipients will be enjoying every second of the experience you have granted them. Simply put, they won’t want it to end.

Motivation Reward: Once a recipient has experienced the thrill of an Ovation Reward—from staying in an elegant chateau to playing an incredible round of golf to savoring a superb wine tasting—they will go to great lengths to receive another.

Memory Reward: Your recipient will forever remember that you provided them with an opportunity to visit a grand landmark hotel or an elegant resort, and they will share that memory with friends, family and colleagues for years to come.

How the Ovations Rewards program works
Flexible in its delivery, the Ovation Rewards program is ideal if you’re seeking individual incentive travel awards, as well as new and unique reward ideas.

Ovation Rewards are presented in the form of certificates, which are purchased in multiples of one-night stays. Each certificate is redeemable for hotel accommodations, with breakfast, applicable taxes and gratuities, for two.

Reward certificates are available in four collections—which include groups of hotels and resorts at differing price points, to appease your budget and the degree to which you wish to reward the recipient. Within each collection are also three choices of room type, from our well-appointed standard rooms to extra-spacious suites.

Each collection offers a diverse selection of hotels and resorts; the recipient of the certificate can then choose from properties within the collection to experience the destination that is perfect for them. It’s as simple as that.

Once the reward is issued, we handle the guest’s entire hotel itinerary through a dedicated reservations line. Ovation Reward stays are accepted to the last room available in the room category purchased, and are free of blackout dates (limited restrictions apply).



No ordinary reward   
The moment an Ovation Reward is received, the recipient will realize that this is no ordinary reward. First, there’s the opening of the elegantly crafted gift envelope. Next, the helpful service that comes with planning their trip. As extensions of the grand, elegant hotels and resorts in our collection, Ovation Rewards will ensure that your recipient feels unique, special and honored—every step of the way.

Feature properties
While the list of available Ovation Rewards options is endless, here are a few of our hotels and resorts that are sure to introduce added excitement to your incentive offering:

The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui: For those who have not yet had the pleasure, now is the time to enjoy spectacular beaches, gentle ocean breezes and stunning sunsets in one of the world’s most scenic destinations. Located on the pristine white sands of Wailea, The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui is Hawaii’s only luxury all-suite and villa oceanfront resort. Nestled amid 22 acres (9 hectares) of tropical beauty, the resort offers authentic Hawaiian cultural experiences and warm, personalized service—which, together, portray the essence of aloha.

Swissôtel The Howard, London: The five-star Swissôtel The Howard—arguably the finest address in London—is set in a quiet oasis, right on the River Thames. Its panoramic views include the Houses of Parliament, London Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the famous London Eye. Ideally located, it’s within a short walk of Covent Garden’s charming bars, restaurants and theaters; the hotel also borders the beautiful city of Westminster. Guests can indulge in afternoon tea in the secluded courtyard garden, which is a unique feature for downtown London.

Raffles Canouan: As featured on the cover of a recent issue of Sports Illustrated! Located in The Grenadines just 110 miles (177 kilometers) west of Barbados, Canouan Island is a beautiful haven boasting lush green hills and secluded white-sand beaches—all of which are sheltered by one of the world’s largest coral reefs. Here, on a protected bay that forms a natural amphitheater, is Raffles Canouan, truly one of the Caribbean’s finest luxury resorts. Guests can enjoy golf on our Jim Fazio–designed, 18-hole championship golf course and discover why the 13th hole has become a legend of its own. Three spectacular beaches fulfill promises of lazy days, while nearby Tobago Cays presents a world of underwater marvel with snorkeling among parrotfish. The perfect way to wind down the day can be found in a soothing massage in one of our palapa-styled spa suites, nestled into the hillside with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.

About the Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel brands
We offer memorable experiences for every guest, through our three distinct brands:

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts offers warm service from colleagues dedicated to anticipating the needs of discerning guests, as well as an authentic experience of place that is a unique expression of each destination.

Raffles Hotels & Resorts stand as celebrated landmarks in diverse locations around the world. Each exudes unparalleled residential charm, culture and refinement, while embracing the heartfelt service for which we are known.

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts combines modern, functional design and local character with renowned standards of Swiss hospitality, service efficiency and product quality.

Amid every anticipated amenity, our warm, expert staff will treat your reward recipients to the best a destination has to offer—from authentic cuisine and shopping to local culture and attractions.

 

Coming soon
Further to the outstanding destinations that we currently offer, Ovation Rewards carries the additional benefit of being part of three vibrant hospitality companies that are actively expanding. This means that, as we open new properties each year, we are able to bring our guests—and your recipients—even more desirable locations around the world.

On the immediate horizon, these exciting destinations are scheduled to open:

Le Royal Monceau, A Raffles Hotel, Paris remains an icon of the Roaring Twenties, and it’s set to reopen in 2010, fresh from a massive refurbishment. Guests can soon experience all of the charms of this historic landmark, just minutes from the famous Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Elysees.

The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, London, another landmark restoration, will reopen in 2010. This iconic London hotel boasts elegant appointments, with Art Deco and Edwardian touches throughout, as well as an extensive array of modern amenities.

Fairmont Beijing, in the heart of the city’s Central Business District, and surrounded by premier office towers, is opening in 2009. With its architecture showcasing natural light-filled interiors, accented by contemporary local artworks, the hotel creates a sense of space and magnificence in the heart of China.

Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai, a landmark in the city’s downtown for over a century, is reopening in 2010, following a full renovation. The hotel has hosted politicians, artists and celebrities from around the world, including General Marshall, Charlie Chaplin, Bernard Shaw, and Noel Coward, who wrote Private Lives while in residence.

Raffles Konottaa will open in 2010 on the pristine Gaafu Dhaal in southern Maldives. Amid sparkling blue lagoons and dazzling, white Indian Ocean beaches, it presents an inviting refuge of serenity. It’s an exclusive oasis where every convenience is close at hand, yet the world is far away.

Fairmont Nile City, Cairo will open in 2009 on a prime site overlooking the Nile, just 30 minutes from the Sphinx and great Pyramids at Giza. The hotel will offer a full-service business center and elaborate meeting space, as well as a rooftop restaurant, outdoor swimming pool and outdoor function space.

Let Ovation Rewards help you express your appreciation
Treating your employees to the best of every destination around the world, Ovation Rewards is the answer to all of your recognition and incentive needs. Please visit our website at www.frhi.com/ovationrewards for more information.