Hosting a retreat for your social meetup group, fitness clan, club or religious community can be a simple 10 step process, when you leave the work to Vosant Meetings & Travel!  

1. Connect with us!  Share your vision and any details you have considered or decided upon.  If you are unsure of your attendees’ interest level and budget preferences, Vosant Meetings & Travel can arrange a custom online survey that you just have to forward to your members and friends.  

We can even provide space for anyone who has their own feedback for the ideal retreat.  It will be up to the decision maker to choose if the comments will be incorporated.

2. Once we have an idea of the event, including the general location or location attributes, budget or cost range and estimated number of guests, you can relax!  Vosant Meetings & Travel will source Hotel and Venue options for your one-of-a-kind retreat.    

We will hone in on options that are in line with your Vision.  If you have members coming from all over the world, we will focus on destinations that are near major airport Hubs.  If your attendees love a certain type of fitness equipment, we can seek out locations with such machines on site, or those which can accommodate bringing in such gear at the group’s expense.  And if your guests follow strict dietary guidelines, we can focus on places that can accommodate such needs.  Just let us know and we will include it in your Vision board. 

3. After Hotel(s) and/or Venues have been sourced, we will arrange your options and assist you in selecting the top three destinations that can execute your vision.  We can even compile colorful details for you to share the top three options with your planning committee or Executive decision maker.

4. Once a site has been selected, it will be time for us to contract your preferred accommodations, meals, transportation and activities.  Any other components will be compiled to calculate the total cost of attendance per guest.  This will be one of the last times to decide on any special surprises the group would like to include in the event budget.  

5. If your event website, with countdown clock, has not already debuted, it will be.  This site is customizable with your group’s preferred colors, logos and verbiage, allowing us to share all the details with your attendees.   

6. Vosant Meetings and Travel will create a timeline of events with you and/or any applicable planning committee member(s).  This will include scheduled personalized emails for your guests.  Again, all executed by Vosant Meetings & Travel on your behalf.

7. The custom event website will be updated and become bookable for your attendees.  When signing up for the weekend, they will be asked for their preferences, allergies and if applicable, clothing size.  If you have offered your attendees options or sessions, they will be able to select them at this time as well.

8. Any custom apparel that has not yet been designed, will be in advance of ordering.  Many Reunion type groups opt to engage attendees by asking them to design apparel as part of a competition.

9. In the weeks leading up to the event, attendees will be given access to your customized mobile application and receive the pre-coordinated event emails getting them ready.  

​10. Vosant Meetings & Travel will work with the destination hosts and other vendors to ensure a seamless coordinated event for you and your attendees.  While allowing you to take credit and enjoy an incredible retreat!

Photo Courtesy of The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills

​It is no secret that we love Dogs and are especially fond of seeing our favorite animals when we travel.  In honor of National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on April 30, 2019, we are thrilled to share some of our favorite Directors of Pet Relations who are rescues, service animals and/or whom use their role to assist other rescued animals.  Please note, this list is in no particular order. 
 
Craving more?  Volunteer your time at a Shelter.  Or consider taking a vacation or trip to hotels with Canine members of Guest Relations.

​Not only do we love being greeted by welcoming pups, but we also enjoy pampering our fur babies!  When stopping by Mandarin Oriental Boston, Guests and Visitors alike can meet the cutest pair of Golden Retrievers, Bonnie, aged 10 and Tara, aged 9.  The duo was rescued by their owner, and General Manager, Philipp Knuepfer.  Bonnie and Tara can usually be found waiting for their next photo-op in the lobby or looking for treats at the concierge desk.  They love having fun with hotel guests and colleagues.
 
For those lucky enough to travel with their own fury friends, the hotel has an extensive list of pet amenities and ways to spend quality time with your pup, including dining alfresco on the seasonal terrace at Bar Boulud or utilizing the dog-friendly map of Boston’s Back Bay.  For pet owners interested in giving their fur baby a complete 5 star day of fun, check out the Pampered Pup Program which includes a private shopping consultation and salon experience, of course. 

What has two English Bulldogs and named after an iconic British Prime Minister?  The London West Hollywood’s duo, Winston & Churchill.  Guests have a chance to meet and play with the property’s cuddly Ambassadors twice a day.  Plus, Groups hosting a meeting or event at The London, can invite Winston and Churchill to participate in the festivities (for up to one hour) for just $250!  100% of the proceeds are donated to a local Los Angeles animal shelter.

The Park Hyatt Chicago is home to the cutest one-eyed pug named Parker whose dual role includes being a proud Ambassador to shelter dogs everywhere.  She is a rescue that was able to find a loving home thanks to PAWS Chicago and the Hotel’s General Manager!  As the head of Pet Relations, Parker can often be found schmoozing guests on the seventh-floor rooftop NoMI Garen in her very own Burberry Bandana.    
 
Parker brings joy to both colleagues and guests, making the hotel feel like a true home away from home.  Fun Fact: 100% of the proceeds from the Park Hyatt Chicago’s required pet deposit fee are donated directly to PAWS Chicago. PAWS uses these funds to continue to provide valuable services to the four legged friends of Chicago. 

​Just 75 miles from New York City, guests of Pennsylvania’s Hotel Fauchere, a historic, boutique Relais & Chateaux property, you can find Alfie.  Alfie is the sweetest rescue, most likely a German Shorthair Pointer that has blossomed into a cuddly, affectionate and trusting companion.  When Alfie is not keeping guest relations company, walking the grounds or greeting visitors, he is most likely welcoming pups and guests alike on one of the pet friendly porches.   

Protip: If you come to Hotel Fauchere on a weekend, you may have a chance to meet Alfie’s sister Boji! Visiting doggies can enjoy homemade treats and amenities, as well as have a chance to be featured on the hotels #FaucherePets Instagram feed.  Cats are also welcome.

​In Downtown Nashville, you can find Sasha, a 2-year-old rescue pup!  She is the official canine Ambassador of the Boutique Hotel known as The Bobby Nashville.  Sasha was found at the Country Road Animal Rescue.  Those who want to take a piece of Nashville home with them can purchase a Bath Towel personalized with an image of Sasha for just $25.  All proceeds benefit the Country Road Animal Rescue. 
 
The Bobby has some of the most spacious guestrooms in town, perfect for traveling with a human or four-legged companion.  We also dig the Bobby’s downtown location, rooftop music series and 1963 Lincoln Continental available for quick rides around town.   

​At one of our favorite properties in Turks and Caicos, Como Parrot Cay, guests can walk, Max the resident Yellow Labrador.  His favorite thing to do is to meet new people and run along the beach, when he is not swimming.  Max is great with kids and joined the property in December 2016.  Many of the COMO properties around the world have been homes for Labrador Retrievers, who have brought much joy to employees and guests alike over the years. 

Dogs are such an important member of the Fairmont family that 13 of their properties have resident dogs!  Considering that 11 of these 13 Hotels with Canine Ambassadors are located between the United States and Canada, we may have to arrange a Dog road trip to visit them all.  Want some inspiration, checkout the full list.

​Daphnie, our pet in residents at the Fairmont in Quebec, does more than just provide a warm welcome to guests.  She also raises awareness for the Mira Foundation, a wonderful organization dedicated to training service dogs.  Fun Fact: Initially Daphnie was being trained by the Mira Foundation to be a service dog, however, due to her incredible social skills she changed careers to become a Canine Ambassador at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac.

Without picking favorites we would like to give a shout out to Bixby and Gibbs at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona.  Bixby is a yellow Labrador retriever and his buddy Gibbs is a red Golden retriever.  In addition to welcoming guests, they are trained service dogs and have their own book called, “The Golden Friends of Fairmont: The Adventures of Bixby and Gibbs.”  If that were not cool enough the book was written by former Princess colleague, Carole Gurule, and artfully illustrated by a barista from the coffee shop, Suzy Almblade.  Can’t make it to Scottsdale to spend time with the duo?  You too can contact the Hotel to purchase your own copy of their book.