PlanetOne Communications headed to Cabo San Lucas April 11-14 for its annual President’s Club trip, offering everything from pool side massages to margaritas, fine local cuisine to deep sea fishing, horseback riding along the beach to sunset catamaran cruises, to reward its top 2012 partners.
“When we put our agenda together, the idea was NOT to have an agenda!” said Lauren Shapiro, president of PlanetOne. “This was a trip for our winners and their guest to relax, go sightseeing, play golf, go fishing, do whatever they want without having to wear a watch or think about an itinerary. We just wanted to pamper them and let them know how much we appreciate their business.”
The theme was not lost on the partner community. “The resort was gorgeous, and the views were incredible,” said Davin Roos, principal and director of sales at Associated Sales Group. “The opportunity for relaxation and to have that getaway experience is a real luxury, and a testament to PlanetOne’s viewpoint on rewarding their partners.”
He added, “Also, vendors sent top executives, which shows how they view PlanetOne and its role.”
In addition to the fun-in-the-sun aspect to the event, a variety of PlanetOne’s suppliers sent representatives on the trip, which it said created an opportunity for sales partners to continue to build the face-to-face relationships with vendors—in a casual environment.
“PlanetOne gives you the opportunity to surround yourself with channel leaders and management in a social setting, which is an invaluable tool,” said Jason Shapiro, president at Atlanta-based Xponent Resources. “It allows you to expand existing relationships and foster new ones, to benefit your business and more importantly, your clients.”
Partners and PlanetOne employees alike characterized the event as an opportunity to relax.
“What an incredible breath of fresh air to attend an event where the only expectation from the master agent is to relax and enjoy,” said Kathy Phelps, president at C-lect Communications. “Most President’s Clubs that I have attended have turned into giant infomercials for the host. But that’s never the case with PlanetOne. It was friends congratulating each other on a job well done.”
That’s a sentiment that Shapiro echoed. “So many of our partners are also friends, people we truly enjoy spending time with, and these trips are a great opportunity for all of us to get together and celebrate our success,” she said.
PlanetOne recently unveiled the details for its 2013 incentive program. In 2014, PlanetOne will host its leading sales partners at the Phoenix Open, bring an array of top-selling partners to Scottsdale for a Major League Baseball Spring Training outing, and will honor its “High Rollers” with a five-star luxury tour of Napa Valley, including private wine tastings, limousine service and once-in-a-lifetime culinary experiences.
