If you plan meetings and events for the SMERF (social, military, educational, religious, fraternal) market, you may want to consider adding self-catering accommodation options to the lodgings available for your events. While this is clearly a non-issue if your meeting or event is taking place on a cruise ship or if you are hosting your event at a hotel and offering on-site lodgings, this can be a rather appealing option for other situations. For example, if you are planning a meeting to be held at a community hall or a conference at a convention center, you may want to consider adding self-catering options to the list of lodging possibilities for out-of-town attendees.

One of the main reasons for offering self-catering accommodations when working with the SMERF market is that this type of event participant is more likely to be traveling with their partner or family than other types of event attendees. Accommodations that have kitchen and laundry facilities can make the non-attending partner and other family members feel more at home and allows them to keep food and drinks readily available, rather than having to leave their lodgings every time they want a snack. This also allows your SMERF participants to enjoy the convenience and savings of dining in for some meals, if they prefer.

Seasite.com makes it easy for event planners to source and plan a cruise event. They provide search tools that help you identify the right ship, meeting space grids that show you how the ship fits your needs, and other great planning resources.

Finding the perfect destination and venue for your next business meeting may be as simple as checking out the many options available in Salt Lake City, Utah. While this small city is perhaps best known for its ties to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is headquartered there, it is also known as a center for outdoor adventure and is overflowing with historical and cultural attractions. With smaller town charm, an easy to maneuver downtown area, nearby ski areas, a major airport and numerous major hotels, Salt Lake City, Utah has much to offer to meeting planners and participants.

For an executive retreat or small meeting, planners might want to consider accommodation options like the Haxton Manor, a renovated historic home that is now a bed and breakfast with seven comfortable guest rooms. Guests will also enjoy a living room with a fireplace and comfy overstuffed chairs in the Boar’s Head Pub Room. Nearby meeting facilities can be reserved for planning sessions and meetings, while attendees will enjoy the many attractions in the area.

For larger corporate meetings, planners might opt for one of the major hotel chains with properties in Salt Lake City, such as the Radisson, Marriott or Sheraton. Each of these accommodation options also has meeting facilities, or meeting planners could change things up a bit by reserving a theater that sits over 500 people at the MegaPlex 12 at the Galaxy located downtown.

Luxury hotels offer upscale temporary accommodations, meeting rooms and close proximity to business centers and local attractions, but for smaller groups of attendees there are also other viable options that provide an enhanced travel experience and can save money for the host company. Opting for private accommodations can cost less than reserving multiple rooms and meeting spaces in high-end hotels and can offer many added benefits, such as private pools and hot tubs, fully-furnished kitchens, well-equipped meeting rooms, private parking, and even well-stocked game rooms.

Luxury villas, chalets or castles are unique lodging options that are ideal for small- to mid-sized meetings, executive retreats and incentive travel, and many choices are located near important centers of global business in England, Germany, Japan, South Africa or various locations through the United States. With stylish, upscale décor, comfortable private rooms with en-suite lavatories and desirable urban or rural locations, private villas and castles allow attendees to relax in the lap of luxury and avoid crowded, tourist-packed hotels during their stay.

Private accommodation options are also ideal for entertaining business partners or local clients between meetings and provide a more relaxed, comfortable atmosphere for doing business. The next time you are planning a corporate meeting or incentive travel package, consider offering unique private accommodation options that provide affordable luxury and exceptional privacy.

If you have the position of coming up with incentive ideas, one thing to keep in mind is that many people are being more concerned about the environmental impact of travel. This is especially true of younger employees who earn rewards from their companies. Here are some travel ideas that may help you present the best possible package.

Eco-Conscious Regions

First, travel to eco-conscious regions is always a plus. Costa Rice is a big favorite. It has more variety in its indigenous life than any other place on earth of the same size. It is also proud of its eco-conscious image: its motto is “No Artificial Ingredients.” How can you go wrong?

You can go wrong with places like that by providing unfriendly travel. Make sure the you present your client with travel and accommodation options with the smallest impact on the area.

Even though you can rent cars in Costa Rica, find top-notch resorts and restaurants, you might give another option to you client’s employee. Offer the option of having all portions of the trip be eco-friendly (even though it cannot, admittedly, be zero impact) and all the food options be low impact.

Once you have a good idea for a destination, contact their tourist board to find the best options for the best prices. If you have a meeting planner buddy in that country, contact her as well for the inside scoop.

All of this may take you a little longer than usual, but you make a big splash with the client and help ensure a good ROI.