Executive board retreats: many options for Alaska getaways.

• Author: Stomierowski, Peg
• Position: TOURISM

With Alaska's high season for executive board retreats budding in a tepid economy amid decreased corporate and agency budgets, diverse establishments are doing what they can to compete, especially for repeat business.

RETURNING GUESTS

For Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, as well as smaller destinations, repeat visits are a critical part of sales strategy in this sector, so customer satisfaction counts. Alyeska Marketing Director Sandy Chio says close coordination with the client on goals and event plans makes a difference so does performance.

Alyeska, a full-service resort, by its own account excels at hosting business retreats, meetings and getaways in what is a fairly intimate setting from a conference standpoint. Its eighth-floor meeting space features a floor-to-ceiling bay window, making guests feel like they are actually in the mountains. The resort considers itself best for 250-person conferences, she said, or executive retreats for fewer than 50.

Almost a third of Alyeska's revenues come from meetings and weddings, Chio said, with 75 percent of that from board retreats and executive getaways. Peak season is Memorial Day to Labor Day for summer board retreats, and the winter season just concluded. The resort is expecting business to match or exceed 2009 figures.

SAVING COSTS

For organizations looking to stretch their dollars, the Alyeska sales team offers ideas such as between-season gatherings, where members can enjoy typical amenities along with discounted room rates and space rental fees. These days, much of the difference may be in the details New York strip steak or filet mignon, Chio says, or by selecting a more moderately priced bottle of wine.

In winter, the resort is able to offer executive groups discounted lift tickets, as well as savings on private lessons and demo equipment rentals. Guided mountain tours are another complimentary option, and Alyeska has reintroduced in-house decor touches to spruce up rooms and tables without organizations having to spend out-of-pocket to introduce a few frills.

To save on costs, some organizations are meeting less, while others are paring down amenities and plotting out event budgets, item by item, with facility planners.

MORE CONFERENCING

Karen Zak, general manager of Visions Meeting and Event Management, a division of USTravel, feels that overall, many organizations are conferencing more, not less--a trend fueled by the poor economy and a faster pace of decision making.

Fewer five-year...