Sometimes you want to reward employees but budgets won’t allow for those trips to Cancun, Cabo or Portugal. When in doubt, never underestimate the value of a local event.

Done correctly, with the same level of creativity and enthusiasm, these events can have the same impact as a 4 day incentive.

Surveys show that employees respond to incentive events, regardless of the length. These events make them feel like appreciated, wanted and valuable members of the team. Short day long events are also a good way to reward an entire company that is different than the ol' company picnic.

Regardless of where you are located, event planners have almost unlimited resources at their fingertips to reward employees. Sometimes you just need to think outside of the box. A one day event could be your ticket to increased sales and a motivated work force.

OnSite Events plans events like this for clients nationwide that have a distinct local flavor. Here are some ideas that we have used this past year to help our clients’ event success:

•Chicago: Trip to Milwaukee to see the Chicago Cubs take on the Milwaukee Brewers. Fun and simple and a full day. We had a pre-game lunch at a private venue with a former pro-athlete as a guest speaker.
•Sailing on San Francisco Bay: A 2-3 hour cruise is the perfect way to spend the afternoon. The catamaran was fantastic and the group was able to enjoy food and drinks on board.
•Washington DC: Top of the Town. This great place is a wonderful location to host an evening event in the Nations Capital. Our client had everyone taken on a bus from their facility for a night of Dinner, Dancing and looking over into the city.
•Orlando: Believe it or not, the theme parks are a great way to spend the day and if your employees are locals, there is the good possibility that they have never been there. Just make sure that you have everyone together for a couple of hours in a private area before they head out for fun.
•Chicago: A private event at the Lincoln Park zoo is a great option for companies whose employees have families and the Zoo does a great job with events.

There are a million other ideas that work as well. It just takes a few moments to sit and figure out what will help achieve all of the goals that are in place for the event. Think about the possibilites, snowmobiling to a secluded catered dinner, a charter to Martha's Vinyard, a special company day at a minor league ballpark. The possibilites are endless!

Just a thought