The first leg of our double-header autumn showcase events took us to the Woodford Wells Club, where a sizeable audience consisting of the club’s members and our own clients were treated to an evening of alternative bucket-list experiences.
A member of the club’s committee attended our Indochina showcase event at Chigwell Golf Club last year, and eagerly approached us to express an enthusiasm to host something similar at their own splendid venue.
Guests were greeted with complimentary refreshments served by the club’s superb bar manager Lisa, ably assisted by our very own Julie. After time to mingle with exhibitors, guests took their seats and were provided with tasty treats by the dedicated team from Chigwell’s Delicacy Café.
After introductions from the club’s Andrew Pearson and our Danny, the experts that had come from as far as the French Alps, Chester and several places in between, inspired us with their presentations. All were complemented with videos and images cued up by the selfless Liz Hawkins to whom we extend our huge appreciation.
First up was the Canadian expert Denise from Prestige Holidays. Denise had the mission of cramming the array of experiences available to visitors to the second largest country in the world into a ten-minute window, which she did with aplomb.
The charismatic Marc, sales director of Les Hotels d’en Haut, a collection of ski hotels and chalets in the French Alps, had the audience in thrall to his every word as he took us on a visual introductory journey through their stylish properties. Their collection is part of a wonderful portfolio of ski hotels in some of Europe’s finest resorts who provide exceptional personal service to Abbotts Travel clients.
Natalie of Crystal Cruises took us from Alpine slopes to luxurious accommodation and all-inclusive cruising and adventure on the great oceans and rivers of the world. She also focused on the launch of the world’s largest and most spacious expedition yacht, their Crystal Endeavor, which is due to set sail in 2020 and will explore the Arctic, the Antarctic and the farthest reaches of Earth.
In keeping with the theme of global adventure, next up was Jerrine from world market leaders G Adventures, who have been innovating in sustainable adventure travel for nearly thirty years. She enlightened us with the company’s commitment to responsible tourism and their range of National Geographic journeys, a unique collection of small group tours designed to take guests deeper into the cultures and habits of wonderful places to explore like Australia, India, Jordan, Costa Rica and Morocco.
When it comes to South America, we have yet to meet anyone more dedicated, enthusiastic and eager to impart her personal knowledge and experiences than the fabulous Jess of specialist tour operator Latin Routes. She whizzed us through some of her top personal experiences within this incredible continent including Iguazu Falls, the Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu and an Antarctic cruise adventure accompanied by her very own phone footage of some super cute penguins which the audience loved.
Fittingly in the surroundings of a picturesque cricket ground, the presentations concluded with Alex from ITC Sports Travel guiding us through the array of world-class event tours in which they specialise, including some of the glamorous Formula One Grand Prix’s, next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan and the mouth-watering prospect of watching England’s cricketers take on the West Indies this winter.
The evening concluded with an eagerly awaited prize draw for which the presenting companies had kindly contributed and a mixture of Wells members and our own clients went home with goodies including complimentary hotel nights, tickets to a forthcoming England football match at Wembley, a meal at stylish restaurant Nobu, a crate of South American wine and a smart G Adventures rucksack.
Thanks to all who attended, we hope you were suitably inspired and please contact us for further information on any of the experiences featured.