I still think this is a great destination NINE years on (working on this post in 2016)!
Planning an incentive that is not the same old song and dance has gotten harder and harder over the past few years but there are still some adventures that are unforgettable and within budget. One that the crew at OnSite Events can recommend is Iceland.
A land that is full of culture and adventure, both minutes from each other is a definite plus when planning any meeting or event. The capital city of Reykjavik is exciting with fantastic restaurants, bars and museums. Temps in the summer are the in 50’s which is quite pleasant if you are coming from sweltering Chicago or New York.
Imagine swimming in pools heated by geothermal energy while looking at snow-capped peaks, all in the middle of July. After you relax and unwind in the pools, your attendees can sample other adventures such as glacier tours, snowmobile riding, river rafting, tours on horseback, helicopter or even boat- the possibilities are endless. One of the most exhilarating adventures is taking off and touring in your own self-drive 4×4 (or with a guide).
The coolest thing about summer in Iceland are the days themselves, which are long (not long like, we had a long day, I need a nap). The sun is up and shining 23.5 hours a day, almost no night. This can make for interesting scenarios, imagine being in a pub at 2:00 am and the sun is still shining!
Flight time from the East Coast (JFK is a prime jump point) is less than 5 hours. Closer than Hawaii for many attendees from the States. This makes getting there easy, affordable and a must for companies planning great incentives or meetings. Round trip tickets start at about $499.00 from New York or Baltimore.
Not sure where to begin, feel free to drop me a line or check out some Iceland Resources:
Visit Iceland (the Iceland Tourist Board):
The Iceland Convention and Incentive Board: My thanks to the Iceland Tourist Board website for the great images, mine of course are never as good.