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China. Ancient Culture & Modern Energy

An experience your team will treasure forever!

Linked forever to its ancient civilisation, friendly people, and many of the world’s most revered treasures, China is a wonderful incentive and conference destination with its magnificent architecture, depth of culture, superb restaurants and unique incentive program enhancements. As China modernises, the hotel and touring facilities are of a high international standard. Our specially trained multi-lingual guides are determined to deliver an experience your team will treasure forever.

Here are our three favourite China destinations:

Beijing. Cultural Extravaganza

Experience the impressive Forbidden City (world heritage listed with the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world).
Stand at the Gate of Heavenly Peace (where Mao proclaimed the People's Republic on 1 October 1949), stroll through Tiananmen Square or take in The Great Hall of the People.
Visit the magnificent Ming Tombs, the wonderful Summer Palace, The Temple of Heaven and of course, walk the most famous of all, The Great Wall of China.
Travel by rickshaw through the unique Hútòng of old, walk the Houhai lake area, or hire a bike to explore the many alleyways or immerse in the 798 art district.
Dine exclusively on The Great Wall of China, in the Great Hall of the People, in an ancestral temple or the Forbidden City. Savour the many flavours of China’s Tea Ceremony.
Barter at the unique clothes, jewellery and antiques markets.

Shanghai. Asia’s Fastest Growing City

Home to the World Expo 1 May – 31 October 2010.

Shanghai’s world-class conferencing facilities are a testament to its revived influential economic position.
Immerse yourself in the ancient water towns, relax in the imperial gardens, view the beautiful Buddhist temples and jade Buddha, climb the Jin Mao Tower (420.5 metres tall) and experience the vibrant energy of this rapidly growing international city.
Experience the beautiful French quarter with its fabulous architecture, restaurants and shopping or visit the Old Town for the famous Shanghai dumplings and relaxing gardens.
Enjoy a sensational performance at the Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Oriental Art Centre, Shanghai Concert Hall or Shanghai

Xī’ān. The Living History Book

Immerse yourself in the history of Xī’ān. Capital to 13 of China’s great dynasties, Xī’ān enjoys equal fame with Athens, Cairo, and Rome as one of the four major ancient civilisation capitals.
Best known for the magnificent Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses (praised as the ‘8th major miracle of the world’), home to the world heritage listed Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, ancient Ming Dynasty Wall, 3,000 year old Banpo Village from the Neolithic Age, the Famen Temple and the beautiful landscape of Mt Huashan.
Enjoy an exclusive Tang Dynasty Dinner Show, stroll on the ancient Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square and savour the flavours of the Sichuan hotpots.

Considerations

Visas required for most nationalities
Direct flights to Shanghai from Sydney & Melbourne
Direct flights to Beijing from Sydney
Excellent pre/post touring options
Best time of year: Spring (Mar-May) & Autumn (Sep-Nov). Consider summer heat and winter chill.
Groups: Suitable for all group sizes

China, a country so vast, a history so rich and a culture so profound, home to over one billion people … China is a mysterious and fascinating nation with an incredible array of iconic historical sites, traditions and civilisations that date back many thousands of years, breathtaking country landscapes and futuristic cities.

China. A truly unique destination.

For further information on incentives and conferences to China or other Asia destinations listed below, please contact Grant Elsmore grante@outloud.com.au or +612 9929 2220.

Cambodia Hong Kong India Indonesia Macau Malaysia Myanmar Singapore Thailand Vietnam

SPECIAL OFFER:

Tell us the size and profile of your group, proposed travel dates and program length, preferred destination/s and any program specifics and we’ll send you a customised group itinerary for your consideration. Don’t forget to tell us how to contact you!

OutLoud in Macau

Incentive Event – Macau

With just three months to design and organize a multi-lingual travel incentive program for 1200 employees from 15 different countries from around the AsPac region, the OutLoud “can-do” team went to work. Simultaneously organizing the logistics and creative content to deliver what has been described by our client as “outstanding team work.” Even the convention team at the new Venetian Macao-Resort Hotel were impressed with the “seamless, flawless, top-class incentive experience” OutLoud delivered.

TTG Mice - OutLoud

Tough times inspire innovative thinking

Recession Proof Marketing? Experience it!

Marketing in an economic downturn is tricky business. History shows companies who ‘speed up at the speed bumps’ can indeed come out in the lead on the other side.

Axe or accelerate? The fine art of market presence

2009 will be a challenge for every industry. In a forward looking article in Smart Company Ten Tips for Marketing in a Downturn, the Number 1 suggestion is ‘Don’t Panic!’ [see full article] In a nutshell, they report: “Marketing is often the first thing to go when tough economic times put the squeeze on cash flow, but experts say those who maintain spending often emerge the strongest when things pick up.”

But take heart. Another more recent e-zine article chronicles how business has weathered economic downturn over the last several decades. One of the key observations: “…relationships between customers and brands are critical. Relationship marketing has surged to the top of effective marketing campaigns as a means to keep an appropriate level of share of mind for purchase loyalty. Marketing serves to foster and maintain consumer-brand relationships.”

Why is customer experience such a hot topic?
It’s the new frontier in customer-centric engagement and value. Touching on all consumer touchpoints – from retail refurbishment to special events, sponsorships and social marketing, business (B2C and B2B) has its eye on the prize: bigger share.

A recent report by research giant Forrester (Justifying Social Marketing Spending, February 18, 2009) summarizes why new thinking is required for customer engagement:

“Social marketers should concentrate on using the inexpensive and free tools that energize their active and influential customers and create a personal engaging experience in an unsettling market, resulting in success toward the back of the traditional marketing funnel.”

In a related article, (The Customer Experience Journey, September 17, 2008), Forrester reports how business success depends on the two-sided equation – customer satisfaction and employee commitment:
“Firms should head toward Experience-Based Differentiation (EBD), a blueprint for customer experience excellence. But EBD can't be mastered overnight. Instead, companies must embark on a multiyear journey through five levels of EBD maturity: 1) interested; 2) invested; 3) committed; 4) engaged; and 5) embedded. Along the way, firms need to develop customer-centric DNA, a corporate culture with six components that include collective celebrations, commitment to employees, and consistent tradeoffs. To succeed in the transformation, firms must prepare for a multiyear journey and include their HR groups in the effort.”

Where do you start?
“It’s a fantastically exciting time for marketing innovation because the fundamental ground rules are changing. Companies with vision, the ones that embrace change, are the ones to fully realise these opportunities,” reports Rosalind Green, Executive Director of OutLoud Events, Sydney.

Three key areas of ‘delivering the experience’ are outlined by OutLoud for clients:

Strategic focus – Avoid ‘knee jerk’ tactical responses which may get lost in big picture growth strategies. Planning is a priority, making it easier to respond to each opportunity effectively and accountably.
Creative leadership – This takes ‘upgraded thinking in downgraded times’ with respect to vision and innovation. Calculate returns – whether cuts or costs – to appreciate long-term benefits.
Surprise & delight – Make every stakeholder experience count. Look inward at staff initiatives as well as trade partner opportunities – then consider the customer. The best engagement often starts from within.

Examples of how business leaders have already embraced this thinking are evident in recent Out Loud programs and initiatives, including:

FMCG cancels their off shore sales conference and brings the whole staff together for a face-to-face motivation event in Sydney.
It’s tough out there, but together we rock :… how an OutLoud client honed in on an internal communications strategy to make coming to work in hard times the best experience for their employees.
“The recovery must start somewhere” We’ve developed channel conferencing opportunities for several clients recently.
An Electronics company takes a bold step to make it easier to qualify for their incentive program - and also moves their travel incentive destination closer to home base.
More Success Stories

The world watches

Even with the recent G20 Global Recovery Plan reports (15 March 2009) with most countries promising significant infusion in world economies, action on the home front will remain solidly and squarely with business initiatives and consumer responses.

That's a double-edged sword. Cost-cutting means job loss, drop in confidence and lack of market presence or sales. Finding the ideas and resources to move forward (or re-allocating resources) can make a measurable difference to buck these economic trends.

Creative and Strategic Planning is an OutLoud specialty to find innovative, practical marketing solutions to deliver better stakeholder experience and engagement.
Contact us.

Fiji Floods

OutLoud’s time to demonstrate tenacity

As the floods created havoc in Fiji, the OutLoud team quickly recognised that the conference they’d been working on for 8 months in Fiji was in jeopardy. Taking 400 people in to a natural disaster zone was clearly not an option.

So we set to work to move a 400 person conference from Fiji to Sydney with just a week to go.

Seventeen OutLoud staff members worked 18 hours a day for seven days and liaised with four Sydney hotels, four airlines and five Sydney venues. The delegates were successfully re-routed to Sydney. It was a military-style operation with no stone left unturned and no corners cut.

We were determined to deliver an outstanding experience in Sydney to the arriving delegates who had been very excited about going to Fiji. And that’s exactly what we did. There was nothing bland or boring about this conference. The creative integrity was retained – the fun, the interactivity, the unique methods for delivering the business message were delivered in style.

At a price you ask? Whilst most of the OutLoud team were busy organising Sydney, there was a smaller team working to abrogate the Fiji conference with the intention of reducing the financial impact on our client without causing greater distress to the local Fijian community. Without divulging the figures, we can tell you that this is exactly what we achieved.

Two weeks later, it’s all a bit surreal. Did we really move that conference to Sydney? The gratitude from our client and most importantly from the attending delegates was humbling. An enormous achievement demonstating the OutLoud team’s tenacity and determination to produce outstanding events.

Recharge Lounge

OutLoud Recharge Lounge is a great think tank

Our offices at 71 Walker Street, North Sydney include an exceptional work space for project planning or brainstorming with your staff.

The big, bright Recharge Lounge is ideal for relaxed, informal meetings for up to 20 people in lounge-style seating complete with 52” plasma screen, A/V ready for your presentations. The Recharge Lounge also includes our boardroom table to comfortably fit 12 for more structured needs.

There is no venue charge and catering is available.