what is a presidents club trip

We have wrote about this a few times in the past but it's a popular and important question.

There are three main decisions to help narrow down your initial planning. 

First, how many people are you expecting to attend?

Second, what is your per person budget or what is the overall trip budget?

Third, based on the budget, where do you think you want to go and what month of the year?

The challenge for many companies is that they are not provided with data to answer both question one and two.  Many times companies provide their internal trip planner with either the number of guests they want to bring but no idea how much they should budget per person, or they have an approved total budget and want to see how many guests they can accommodate based on that budget.  Or even worse they give you the task of planning an upcoming President's Club but don't provide much color on numbers, budget or location. 

As far as location goes and where you think you want to go, it is usually easier to decide on this after you have answered questions one and two and have a little more direction.  But it is important to make sure you ask the decision maker if there are any locations they would not like to host the trip.  Some people just don't like Mexico no matter what the property is, others have a grudge against Jamaica.  Everyone has a different story from a one time experience so it's important to at least start with a list of destinations to exclude from your search.

First, how many people are you expecting to attend?  In the first few weeks of researching keep it easy and base the attendee number on 20% of the sales organization plus add 5-10% additional for executives.  We highly recommend allowing all attendees who qualify to bring a guest.  Again this is just a lose number to start with but it will be your basis point to work from.

Second, now that you have an estimated number you can create a preliminary budget if one has not been provided.  We recommend a range of $2400-3200 per person for a full President's Club incentive program.  If this is a small first time get together, you can do it as low as $1200-1600 per person without the gifts, dinners, activities, etc.  For our technology portfolio we see an average spend of $2850 per person. 

Now that you have a preliminary budget and estimated number of attendees your next step is narrowing down location options.  Check out our blog post on both US options and also top 10 Incentive Destinations .  Our next step would be narrowing down your location from whether you would like an All-Inclusive product  or would like a traditional European Plan.  If you are focused on All-Inclusive which is usually a great hit when creating your first program there are 3 main places to look; Mexico (Cancun, Riviera Maya, & Los Cabos), Dominican Republic (Punta Cana), Jamaica (Montego Bay).  There are a few handful of other one off properties but these locations have the best 5 star experiences for an all-inclusive.  

The options are endless and some do depend on budget but for the most part you can find a hotel option in your budget.  Keep in mind places such as Aruba, Anguilla, and many US locations will be expensive due to food and beverage spend.  Other places such as St. Lucia and Antigua are expensive due to high transportation costs.  We recommend you find a hotel under 40 minutes from the airport.  We recommend narrowing your options down to 3-5 locations then send out RFP or a simple email to the sales director at 1-2 properties in each of those locations.  Or if you prefer you can work with an incentive specialist and use their partnerships with the hotel to make the RFP process a little easier.  If your dates are flexible make sure you include this in the RFP so they can provide any gap discounted dates.

Once you have all of the proposals back from the hotels we recommend putting together a preliminary budget document with the 3 best options and present this to your executive team.   Don't get too bogged down in the itinerary details until you have the buy-in on the location from the decision maker. 

Your final step on securing your first President's Club is contract negotiations and legal review.  Keep in mind if you would like the expertise of an incentive specialist on this step make sure you reach out early in the process before the RFP stage.  Once the RFP's go out to the hotels it is harder for a third party to get involved and provide value.  Most of them will provide you with a budget strategy ( see blog post on budgeting for your trip) and also will help negotiate concessions you might not have seen before.  And if nothing more they will help explain what is attrition and how it all really works. 

Written by Marci McCormack

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What is the Average Cost of an Incentive Trip or President's Club?

As businesses aim to attract, retain, and motivate their top-performing employees, incentive trips have become a popular tool to reward them. These trips can be an excellent way to incentivize high-performing employees, but they come at a cost. 

In this article, we will explore what goes into the budget for an incentive trip and provide insights into how to calculate the cost of your trip.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for an Incentive Trip?

Incentive trips can vary in cost, from more budget-friendly, domestic travel to more luxurious and exotic travel. We are currently seeing the average cost of an incentive trip range anywhere from $4,000 per person to $8,000 per person, with the highest-end budgets topping $10,000 per person.

It’s important to remember that costs are not the same as they were pre-pandemic. Factors like inflation, high demand, and staffing struggles have made incentive trips much different than they were in 2019 . 

Let’s take a look at all the factors that go into incentive trip costs, and ways to pull levers to make the cost fit your budget.

What Goes into the Budget for an Incentive Trip?

When it comes to planning an incentive trip, there are several factors to consider that can impact the overall cost. 

These buckets are areas to consider, but it’s also important to compare different lengths of stay and costs for each. Maybe you want to stay at the Ritz, but your budget only allows for 2 nights. Would it make more sense to stay at a lower-priced hotel but be able to stretch that trip into 4 nights?

Keep that in mind as you build out your budget.

Destination

The destination of an incentive trip plays a significant role in the overall cost. Some destinations are more expensive than others due to higher flight and transportation costs, accommodation costs, and activities.

Domestic travel can be more attainable, depending on the location you choose and the time of year you travel, but it’s not always the most economical. Consider choosing places like the Florida Gulf over Hawaii if you’re looking for beach locations without extremely high costs.

If you’re looking to travel abroad, carefully consider the location you’d like to travel. Europe currently has a lower exchange rate than in past years, which could make it a good destination. Latin American countries also still have good value as well, though some locations are more expensive than they’ve been in the past.

Make sure to carefully evaluate flight costs, the need for ground transportation, and the accessibility of where you’re traveling.

Curious about how to choose the right destination for your incentive trip? Check out our latest guide.

Accommodations

The type of accommodation selected for an incentive trip will impact the cost. Luxury hotels, resorts, and villas tend to be more expensive than standard hotels.

Consider whether you need to stay at that 5-star resort or if a 4-star hotel will be a better fit. This is an easy comparison to make once you’ve chosen your destination. If you need to be more cost-conscious, then consider hotels like the JW Marriott, but if you’re looking for more upscale, resorts like the Four Seasons will be excellent options.

The other area to consider here is how far your accommodations are from the airport, activities, and any cities you’re looking to visit. If you’re further from these areas, you may be spending more on ground transportation.

Travel costs, such as flights, ground transportation, and visas, can also add up to the overall cost of an incentive trip. This will be an important factor to wrap into your destination and accommodations selections.

You’ll also want to consider if you need to have a travel agency work with your team to book flights. We often recommend this, since it helps facilitate purchases. You can also set a specific budget for the flights so that attendees aren’t booking the most expensive flights and simply expensing.

Ground transportation is often a necessity for incentive trips, but the distance you are from activities and the airport will determine the extent to which you need it. Make sure to weigh these costs against accommodation costs.

Visas are another factor to consider. If most of your team does not have a passport, it might be advantageous to keep your trip in the United States.

The activities included in an incentive trip can range from simple city tours to adventurous activities such as zip-lining, bungee jumping, or hiking. The cost of activities can vary, with some being more expensive than others.

Make sure to consult your agenda to determine how many activities you will want to offer your guests. Remember that you don’t need to jam-pack your event; downtime is often an overlooked necessity of incentive trips .

Registration

Registration has its own costs, including a registration site and potential fees for registration companies. Make sure to include this in your overall budget as you plan.

Food, Beverage, and Entertainment

The cost of meals and beverages can also add up to the overall cost of an incentive trip. High-end restaurants and alcohol can be expensive, while budget-friendly options can help to reduce costs.

You can also consider “free” nights for guests to get food on their own. This may not be ideal for guests, but it can help you balance costs overall.

Entertainment is also a major part of any incentive trip, with many companies choosing to hire bands or local performers to entertain guests during dinner or evening events. Make sure to include this in your overall budget and evaluate the benefits of having live entertainment versus a DJ or other options.

Gifts are a large part of incentive trips as well. They can range from things like luxury watches to more affordable local goods. We encourage clients to include a line item for gifts in their budget and consider working with a vendor to source gifts within their budget.

Event Planner and Logistics

An experienced event planner can help to ensure a smooth and successful incentive trip. They can help you source venues, negotiate rates, facilitate registration and travel, and manage logistics onsite.

Costs for event planners will vary based on the number of attendees, the length of your trip, the amount of work, and more. Make sure to discuss that fee with the planner while building your budget so you can ensure that fee doesn’t take you over budget.

Calculating the Cost of an Incentive Trip

The cost of an incentive trip can vary widely, depending on the destination, accommodation, and activities included. While it may seem like an expensive undertaking, the return on investment can be significant if the incentive trip leads to increased productivity, motivation, and employee retention. 

Here are some tips on how to calculate the cost of an incentive trip:

Determine the Number of Participants

The number of participants is one of the most significant factors in determining the cost of an incentive trip. More participants mean higher transportation costs, larger accommodations, and more activities.

Set a Budget

Setting a budget is an essential step in calculating the cost of an incentive trip. A budget can help to ensure that the trip is cost-effective and within the financial means of the company.

Determine the Length of Time

The number of nights you stay at a resort will affect the overall cost per person, so make sure to compare the cost of different lengths of stay.

Choose your Destination

The destination of an incentive trip can impact the cost significantly. Research different destinations and consider the costs of accommodation, transportation, and activities to find the right option for your team.

Pick the Activities

Once you have an understanding of your budget, how many people are attending, and where you’ll be staying, start to layer in activities into your overall plan. Make sure to pick a mix of activities that a majority of your team will want to participate in, and compare the costs of different options.

Budget Your Incentive Trip with GoGather

Now that you have an understanding of the average cost of an incentive trip and all the different factors that go into that cost, it’s time to start planning. GoGather can help you determine what balance of factors is right for your trip and will help you build an effective program that is both budget-friendly and awe-inspiring. Let’s meet to discuss your upcoming event.

Katie Moser

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Modernizing Your President’s Club Award to Recognize Top Performers

For a long time, rewarding your top performers via a President’s Club award has been the ultimate recognition method for sales organizations. However, as the competition for top talent continues to escalate, finding more modern and unique ways for your company to motivate and reward high-performing sales leaders is more critical than ever.

But the traditional President’s Club Award is losing favor amongst recipients, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The award is typically an all-expense-paid group vacation for all recipients to a single location, but not everyone wants to travel, can travel or desires to travel to the predetermined destination. So how are you going to recognize your top performers?

Are Employee Awards Effective?

Recognition programs work. A survey by Chron states that 79% of employees work harder when rewarded by their employer.

• Your company can recognize its employees for different reasons, including:
• Achievements
• Going beyond expectations
• Achieving milestones
• Exhibiting traits and behavior that builds a positive work culture

Through recognition, employees will view promotions as fair, encourage extra effort, and spur their creativity. One of the best ways to recognize your high-performing employees, particularly in sales, is by having a President’s Club award.

What Is a President’s Club Award?

A President’s Club (also known variously as a Winner’s Circle or Achiever’s Club) is an annual performance goal held by companies to recognize their best-performing salespeople . Usually, the competition awards various prizes to top achievers, most commonly an all-expenses-paid vacation to an exotic destination, as recognition for their hard work and for achieving specific goals or sales quotas.

The concept of an Achiever’s Club began back in 1907 at NCR, where the company sought to reward and motivate its top reps. Today, many organizations have adopted a similar reward mechanism. For sellers, financial incentives for hitting and exceeding set targets are significant, with the President’s Club award – along with peer recognition and a special prize – providing inspiration and motivation for employees.

Related: 4 Employee Rewards Trends We Expect for 2021

With meaningful contest stakes, the award can drive positive behavior and traits among highly compensated and top-performing reps to encourage them to push above and beyond what would be their usual performance expectations.

Deloitte says , “Talent today wants a custom rewards experience that reflects how they live, work, and communicate – nott a one size fits all approach rooted in the past.”

Sales organizations need to rethink their President’s Awards if they want them to remain a valuable incentive. It’s time to modernize your program to better align with what your sales leaders really want.

Why Should Your Company Consider Reinventing Your President’s Club Award Program?

If you don’t already have a President’s Club award program, now is the time to consider rewarding your top achievers. It is a practical initiative because it focuses reps on the positives and sends them a clear message that the work they do matters. 

By rewarding successes and outstanding performances with things your employees desire, you will keep them focused and drive them to achieve their highest potential. The program encourages employees to set and hit their daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual targets.

Recognition through a Winners’ Circle award helps your company to:

• Attract and retain top talent
• Boost employee engagement
• Increase individual and team performance
• Develop a positive workplace environment
• Encourage friendly competition

It is impossible to achieve employee satisfaction without showing your people how much you appreciate the work they do. When you recognize their wins, you send them a clear message that they matter to your company. As a result, employees feel valued, seen, heard, motivated, and inspired.

Where Your President’s Club Award May Fall Short of Employee Expectations

Unfortunately, most of the current approaches to the President’s Club award are not aligned to the modern workforce’s needs and wants. The problem is more pronounced with the COVID pandemic, which has slowed down President’s Club group travel plans almost to a complete standstill.

Before, the employee mindset was to go to work to pick up a paycheck. However, as millennials and Gen Z take over the workforce , the approach to work has shifted.

The modern employee wants a job that recognizes their individuality, offers growth opportunities, and allows them the freedom to be themselves. With this in mind, it is clear where a traditional approach to the President’s Club award loses its appeal and “inspiration factor” among today’s sales reps:

The Trip Is Not Personalized

‍Most Achiever’s Clubs reward high-performing salespeople with the same trip to Cabo or Maui every year, with a standard one-size-fits-all type of itinerary. Although the trips may sound nice on paper, they are not meaningful to the winners if they do not fit their interests. Trips become a forced vacation schedule that everyone has to follow, with little room for noteworthy attractions or side excursions.

Employees Feel Like They Are Still at Work

‍The main reason why people take vacations is to find the space and time to unplug from their jobs. However, with traditional President’s Club trips, the awardees and their +1s have to hang out with their boss, coworkers, and the company’s senior leadership – hardly the break that they deserve or expect. The trips fail to offer the kind of inspiration and afterglow they would get from crossing something off their bucket list or after a truly unplugged vacation.

The Award Can Demotivate Those Who Miss Out

Because President’s Club trips are costly, they commonly need to be planned at least one year prior and capped to a specific number of attendees. The unfortunate result is that only the same percentage of employees end up going on the trips. Therefore, the remaining large portion of reps become demotivated as they quickly realize that they do not qualify for the award only a few months into their sales period. This realization negatively impacts their performance and gives them an excuse to look for a new job to gain the recognition they crave.

Tips for an Attractive and Inspirational President’s Club Award

By now, you understand just how important it is to incentivize your sales team. However, the disadvantages of traditional President’s Club awards outlined above mean that you need new ways of thinking about how to inspire, engage, and motivate your top performers. While you can settle for monetary rewards, you can get much more creative by designing a catalog of qualifying items and experiences from which your award recipients can choose. By giving them options, they can select what’s valuable to them.

Related: Sales Incentive Programs: The Critical Components

Let’s look at the steps you should take to design a President’s Club award scheme with memorable incentives and activities that will inspire your team:

1. Qualifying for The Award

Nothing is more demotivating than having the same yearly criteria for choosing the employee of the year, rewarding the same people year after year, and setting up nearly impossible quotas for your reps to achieve.

The key to providing meaningful recognition for your employees is to set fluid criteria for getting rewards and recognition. You should base your company’s Winners’ Circle award on qualifying performance thresholds that are attainable and convenient for the entire team but remain exclusive enough to be meaningful.

Your organization will also need to find a way to master the tricky balancing act of providing enough slots in the President’s Club so that a good number of reps have a shot at making it. Be careful not to create so many positions that the scheme not only decimates your budget but also renders it relatively meaningless.

2. Award Budget

Most companies prepare a budget for the trip/award based on the expected number of participants, but there are other options.

Some companies manage the budget directly through stack-ranking, where they reserve an exact number of spots for the award. Others choose to set a performance bar for qualification, and any rep that achieves it qualifies for the award.

Some organizations even take a so-called “funding” approach, where they flex the number of attendees based on the entire sales team’s performance. For instance, if the team hits their goal, 5% of the company’s reps attend the trip, and for each 1% above target, then an additional 1% of the team may attend.

However, the most motivating and inspirational way is to have a fluid system where each salesperson starts the year with a clear idea of the performance needed to qualify. After all, the President’s Club is an award that recognizes individual excellence.

3. Measuring Employee Performance

A vital goal of the President’s Club award is to recognize meaningful achievement, so your company must provide clear guidelines on the type of good work it acknowledges.

What your organization considers a measure of high-performance on the job could be a unique achievement, extraordinary sales performance, or an innovative idea that should earn the rep recognition.

To maintain motivation among the entire team, you should base your rep’s performance on their metrics. A subjective measure of performance and success is likely to demoralize the rest of the team since the award is competitive.

You can look at other criteria, such as the minimum revenue, minimum amount of sales for a specific product (to ensure a fair balance across products), or the sales amount by region (for global distributed sales teams). Just keep in mind that the contest shouldn’t be so complicated that your sales reps do not understand it.

4. Eligibility

One of the main eligibility criteria considered to achieve a spot in the Winners’ Circle is the employee’s tenure. Most companies exclude their sales reps who’ve been on quota for nine months or less during the year. It is difficult to determine accurate ramp quotas for new sales reps, mainly if they inherited active territories.

An exciting aspect of the President’s Club award is that, in some companies, it has evolved to reward employees besides quota-carrying reps, including:

• Head of Sales/CRO : If your organization has leaders overseeing an entire region (e.g., Latin America or EMEA), they may be part of the Winners’ Circle.
• Sales Leads : You may include sales leaders based on their groups achieving set team targets. Sometimes, the award consists of an individual performance component in addition to their teams’ achievements.
• Sales Engineers/Sales Ops/SDRs/BDRs: Many companies exclude these sales support functions, but giving them recognition impacts team members’ motivation since these are positions do not vary in pay regardless of performance.
• Non-Sales Functions: Most companies with a President’s Club award sales representatives only, excluding other employees from the prize. However, some companies now have a small number of people from non-sales functions allowed to win the award. Including employees from marketing, services, product development, or customer success is a powerful motivational tool.

5. Award Deadline

There are various ways that different companies operate their President’s Club reward programs. For instance, your company could evaluate sales rep performance on a month-to-month basis and make them eligible for the plan if they hit their sales quota for three consecutive months. The length of your evaluation timeframe plays a big part in the deadline you set for the award.

Most Winners’ Circles run for one year. Although industries and organizations are different, your company should set deadlines for evaluation and provide expirations on how long a rep can stay in the club without hitting their targets.

6. Choosing Rewards

The value of rewards is highly subjective to each sales leader, so you want to choose rewards that run the gamut. From personalized luxury travel to high-end merchandise and unforgettable experiences, you can work with a rewards and recognition partner who can design a comprehensive, flexible President’s Club Award program that fits your company culture. 

The top providers offer a web-based platform that engages employees at every level, inviting them into a recognition-based culture that becomes part of their everyday work environment. At any time on any connected devices, they can access the platform to see the various rewards and requirements, track their points, and select their rewards.

Ready to Create a President’s Club Award That Inspires?

Creating a recognition program for your employees is a significant first step to keeping them inspired and motivated. However, the companies with the most engaged and satisfied employees constantly reevaluate how they reward their employees. As your business grows, you need to rethink how your President’s Club award adds value to your employees’ experience.

If you need help modernizing your employee rewards program, Xceleration provides full-service rewards, recognition, and incentives solutions to businesses worldwide via RewardStation, a proprietary web-based platform. Contact Xceleration today to create a customized President’s Club Award program with plenty of options to fit different employee tastes and preferences.

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President’s Club Trip to Kauai: Rediscovering Hawaii

Kauai Offers A President’s Club Trip Experience Unlike Any Other

As soon as you touch ground in Kauai, you’ll quickly understand why it’s referred to as ‘The Garden Isle.’ Mostly undeveloped, Kauai is saturated with undisturbed rainforests, towering waterfalls, and a vast range of native wildlife. Hollywood has come calling countless times to take advantage of the striking natural beauty that can’t be found on the mainland. Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Avatar are just a few blockbusters that have used Kauai’s stunning environment to create the most unforgettable landscapes in the film.

When your President’s Club trip or incentive trip starts to get weighed down by a tourist-heavy destination, Kauai is an attractive option. Kauai retains all of the amenities and activities of the bigger islands without the crowds of leisure travelers and tourist traps.

Kauai Hotels and Resorts

The island is home to three exceptional, first-class resorts: The Princeville Resort , the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa , and Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort at Poipu Beach . Because so much of the island is non-commercial, each of these resorts has gone to great lengths to offer exceptional luxury and privacy around the Napali coastline.

The Princeville Resort

The Princeville Resort is a fantastic blend of five-star elegance and Hawaiian hospitality. Located on the exclusive North Shore of Kauai, the hotel has 251 guest rooms and is a tropical oasis in the middle of astounding natural beauty. There are lots of activities for guests to choose from, including the Napali Snorkeling Adventure, the Jungle Valley Adventure, Tidepool Explorations, and Hanalei Star Gazing. The nearby Princeville Ranch Adventures also offer zip lining, kayaking, and hiking along the 2,500 acres of private land along the North Shore. The renowned Makai Golf Club provides challenging obstacles and picturesque scenery. The Princeville Resort is also well known among guests for its eclectic cuisine, featured in the property’s several restaurants. Locally sourced crops are reflected on the restaurants’ menus each day.

There is the recent news of a big change coming to Princeville Resort. Starwood has recently acquired the property and will be renovating and rebranding as 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. With this development comes a new modern wellness center and ‘oversized’ fitness area. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how this affects group incentive travel. Still, with the latest trend of wanting to incorporate more wellness into programs, it’s likely this is going to make the property even more attractive for President’s Club Trips.

Meeting Planner Tip:  95% of the rooms have ocean views, so your entire group feels like a VIP. They will be enjoying postcard-perfect views of picturesque Hanalei Bay with the ‘Bali Hai’ mountains for a backdrop (from the movie South Pacific.) Lots of fantastic and unique activities are nearby: hiking the Napali Coast, Waimea Canyon helicopter tours, and oceanview golfing.

Image of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay by 1 Hotels

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

The Grand Hyatt Kauai is one of the star attractions of the beautiful beaches of Poipu. Known for its lavish grounds and gardens and pristine lagoons, the resort is a favorite of many. The 602 guestrooms and suites all feature gorgeous views of the ocean, gardens, or pools. The Grand Hyatt Kauai Spa offers a full menu of pampering and specialty treatments. The restaurants of the Grand Hyatt Kauai are popular and varied, offering a traditional grill menu, Italian cuisine, and the always well-received Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau which takes guests through the Polynesian history and the celebration of its culture. Performers interact with diners tableside. Additional activities offered by the hotel are tours of Moir Gardens, shopping at nearby Poipu Shopping Village, and trips to Shipwreck Beach.

Meeting Planner Tip:  This is a popular choice for groups. Located on the sunny side of the island, it has a large beach with big, crashing waves. The pool is massive, so your group can spread out. The swimmable saltwater lagoon and landscaping are equally stunning.

Image of Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa by Hyatt Hotels

Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort

The southern shores of Kauai are home to the Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort , a 121-room boutique hotel. The exceptional beaches of Poipu Beach are just one of the reasons it is considered one of the top resorts of Kauai. Opened in 2009, the Ko’a Kea has become especially well known for its Red Salt restaurant, which presents a diverse menu against the backdrop of a stellar view of the Pacific Ocean. The fusion of contemporary simplicity and authentic Hawaiian comfort provides guests with an exceptionally intimate and enjoyable experience. Though smaller than the mega-resorts, the Ko’a Kea is located close to many activities such as biking and hiking in and around the Waimea Canyon, helicopter tours of the island, and golfing at any of Kauai’s 12 golf courses.

Meeting Planner Tip:  Ko’a Kea is an excellent option for smaller groups looking for top-notch service and quick access to the best Kauai has to offer. You can even catch Humpback Whales breaching out of the water directly offshore!

Image of Koʻa Kea Hotel & Resort by Poipu Kauai Resorts

Kauai Activities

If you’re seeking outdoor adventure for your group, Kauai is the perfect choice. Kayaking the Wailua River, snorkeling along Poipu Beach, or rafting through the many sea caves are always favorites. Hiking, zip lining through lush forests, and taking a helicopter tour over Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” are also extremely popular. Being a smaller island, you can fit many of these activities into one President’s Club trip. Take a look at our Kauai Itinerary for an example of what a typical program accommodates.

Napali Coast Zodiac Raft Ride

Rafters are sure to be exhilarated on this white-knuckle ride along the rugged Napali Coast as they take in amazing views of sea life, waterfalls, and 3,000-foot cliffs and pinnacles. Photo by Na Pali Riders

Hiking Kalihiwai Falls

When you ascend the “Green Hill” of the Kalihiwai Falls region, you are treated to breathtaking mountain and ocean views. Hikers take in both the lowland rainforest of the Kalihiwai Valley before trekking to the spectacular five-tiered Kalihiwai Falls. Hearty souls can continue up the valley to a second, idyllic waterfall and swimming area, perfect for a picnic lunch. Photo by Bestof-Hawaii.com

Tubing Adventure

This amazing adventure will take you onto the private lands of the Lihue Sugar Plantation via an oversized inner tube and traveling down a 140-year-old irrigation canal. As you meander through the open ditches, past overhanging foliage, and through five dark and mysterious tunnels, you’ll enjoy a leisurely one-hour float over two miles of tropical waterways. Photo by Kauai Tours by IVC

Mud Bug Waterfall Tour

These tours combine the beautiful scenery of mountain and coastline views with the adventure of tackling rugged terrain through winding trails and thick vegetation. The reward is the opportunity to enjoy rope swings and swimming hole locations inaccessible to the public.

Koloa Zipline Adventure

The beauty of this Grove Farms area is the highlight of this adventure. The eight-line course is Kauai’s longest zipline, traveling over 2,000 feet and across the largest inland body of water in Hawaii. Photo by Koloa Zipline

Zip and Dip

The ‘Zip and Dip’ experience is an incredible adventure combining nine picturesque zipline crossings, a suspension bridge, and a stop atop an idyllic waterfall swimming hole for lunch and more fun. Photo by Bestof-Hawaii.com

Helicopter Flight Deluxe

This flight will take you over a world of lush tropical rainforests, jagged mountains, sea cliffs, beaches, and craters including the Mount Waialeale (weather permitting) crater. Soar above the Waimea Canyon and see countless waterfalls, some falling over 2,000 feet.

Kayak Hidden Valley Falls

The beautiful and secluded waterways of Hidden Valley Falls take kayakers downstream almost two miles through the Huleia National Wildlife Refuge, home to many of the rare and endangered Hawaiian water birds. Visitors will also pass the Alekoko, the Menehune Fishpond, a wonderful example of the ancient Hawaiian fishing and aquaculture. Photo by Outfitters Kauai

Kauai is an incredible destination with a lot to offer incentive trip winners, and if you are looking for more options nearby, we recommend checking out our eBook below, which includes additional information on Lanai and the Big Island.

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Author Mike May

Mike is a wearer of many hats. President of Brightspot, author of 12.5 Steps to a Perfect Incentive Program , past Chairman of the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF), and recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Influential People in the Incentive Industry. His expertise includes bucket-list incentive trips , motivational incentive program design, matching event goals with the perfect destination & hotel, cost savings strategies, global channel reward programs, and targeted communications. Mike maintains his certifications in many specialties including Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certified Incentive Travel Professional (CITP), and Incentive Professional (IP).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does my trip include?

• • Round trip coach airfare for you and an adult “guest” (non-IDC employee) for a Sunday arrival in Nassau, Bahamas.
• 4-night accommodations – Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas (Sunday, June 2nd – Thursday June 6th, 2024).
• All meals – Sunday evening June 2nd through Thursday morning June 6th breakfast
• Opening cocktail reception and dinner – Monday, June 3rd
• • Your choice of up to two group “off-site” activities per person OR simply relax at the world class resort with your resort credits to use as you like
• Bahamas Beach Party – Tuesday evening, June 4th
• Awards reception, dinner and dancing on Wednesday, June 5th
• Round trip transfer to/from Lynden Pindling International Airport (shuttle service provided)

When do I register for the trip?

You will receive official notification when you have been cleared to attend the event. Any “hold list” items will need to be cleared up no later than Friday, April 26, 2024 to be eligible to attend. Registration for the event must be completed no later than Friday, May 3, 2024.

What travel documentation do I need for the Bahamas?

Everyone will need a valid passport to visit the Bahamas. Depending on the country you’re from, you may also need a Visa to visit the Bahamas. Please visit https://mofa.gov.bs/evisa-online-services/ for more information about Visa requirements.

What part of the trip do I expense on an expense report?

The only items winners will be permitted to expense to their local/standard expense center are:

• Local transportation/parking to and from their local airport (or round-trip taxi service to/from local airport).
• Checked Luggage fees
• Any meals you and your guest have during your travel days to and from Bahamas (up to limit, as noted)

You will need to submit receipts for all the above expenses. This expense should be charged to your standard expense center and be sent to your manager for approval no later than FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2024.

Please note: Any money spent offsite at restaurants or stores is at your own expense and cannot be expensed to IDC or paid for with resort credits.

Can I bring my child(ren) to President’s Club?

President’s Club is not intended to be a family event. Activities and group events are included for the Winner and one guest. There is no children’s program and we do not encourage young children attending. Additional guests are at the attendees expense.

The Atlantis does offer Kids activities and Babysitting services but those would be at the attendees expense and IDC will not be providing child care or activities for kids. Children over the age of 12 are counted as adults at the Atlantis and would incur additional charges to stay in your room. Children under 12 can stay in your room at no additional charge (max 2 kids per room).

Please contact Sara Underhill with any questions.

Do “HOLD LIST” items count towards President's Club qualification?

NO. Per our standard bookings policy, we have allowed research LOI’s on to the books at the end of March. Any LOI’s that are NOT cleaned up by end of day on Friday, April 26, 2024 – will NOT count towards CLUB ELIGIBILTY – and unfortunately will be factored into your personal calculations concerning Presidents Club Eligibility.

To be clear, as it relates to accelerators and PPP – you will have the standard 45 days to clean up your business and to get business off the hold list. However, due to “operational” and other financial considerations to execute this event – we need a final attendee list by May 3, 2024. Please note – to be fair and consistent to everyone, all U.S. sales employees across all account groups will be treated the same way as it relates to this matter.

Can I expense a rental car?

No. Shuttle service to and from the Nassau airport will be provided (specific details concerning land transfer will be forthcoming after you have completed your airline reservations).

In addition, group transportation will be provided for any side trips off the resort property. Rental cars will not be reimbursed.

Can I arrive early or stay late?

The Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas will honor our room rate of $329 (plus tax) - 3 days prior and 3 days post event. You will be financially responsible for any early arrivals or late departures. Appropriate PTO time will need to be taken for early arrivals/late departure. Early arrival and late departures will need to be indicated during the registration process.

How much should I tip the bellman and housekeeping?

Please note during the days of our club (June 2th – June 6th), Housekeeping gratuities will be automatically posted each night to the Master Account ($6.60 per person per night). In addition, The Master Account is also automatically picking up “bellmen” services to help you with your bags upon arrival and departure from the hotel ($6 per person, round trip). Additional tipping is at your discretion – but will not be reimbursable.

What is the attire for the event?

he Average temperature for the Bahamas in the beginning of June is 86° F with a low of 76°F.

Except for the awards dinner, the dress attire for the event is “resort casual”. Dress shorts and golf /collared shirts are fine for the men for the resort. The attire for the awards dinner is “summer cocktail attire” (Long pants and collared shirts and jackets for men (if you prefer - not required), sundresses and other summer wear for the women).

The most important accessories everyone should plan to bring to the Bahamas is SUNSCREEN, SUNGLASSES and HATS!

How does the resort credit work and what can I spend it on?

Depending on which “group activities” you choose to participate in will determine how much of a “resort credit” will be assigned to your room. Your welcome and information package that you will receive upon arriving at the resort will confirm the total amount of resort credits you will receive during our President’s Club event.

The resort credit is to pay for dinner Sunday night ($100 per person), breakfast ($50 per person Monday – Thursday) and lunch ($65 per person – Monday – Wednesday).

Extra Resort credits can be used for essentially anything you can charge to your room at the resort (additional spa treatments, spa access fee, additional food and beverage, the gift shops, additional rounds of golf etc.). Resort Water Activities such as snorkeling, swimming with dolphins and renting paddleboards, can also be paid for with Resort credits.

IT WILL BE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP TRACK & MANAGE YOUR ROOM CHARGES WHILE AT THE RESORT – to not overly exceed you’re allocated resort credit assigned to your room. You will be financially responsible for any expenses incurred over your resort credit amount. It is important to note that there will be no financial remuneration for any unused portions of the resort credit – so please eat (and drink) and spend at least your resort credit allocation!

How do meals work during the event?

Your resort credit will cover $50 per person for breakfast. You may enjoy breakfast on your own at any of the resort restaurants.

Lunch 

Each attendee will receive a $65 per person resort credit to have lunch at the resort each day. You may enjoy lunch on your own at any of the resort restaurants.

Dinner 

Sunday evening each participant will receive a $100 resort credit to have dinner at their leisure at the resort. Please note that some restaurants do require/recommend reservations. Please review restaurant options before arrival.

Monday night will be the Opening Dinner at The Royal Deck, Tuesday night will be the Bahamas Beach Party at West Beach and Wednesday will be the awards dinner.

What are the additional “activities“ - and how do they work?

You do need to SIGN UP AND REGISTER if you are interested in going on any of the following:

• The Rum Runner’s Passage Walking Tour
• The Rose Island Pig Swimming Boat and Beach Tour
• Golf at the Ocean Club Golf Course
• Spa Treatments at Mandara Spa

Details concerning these activities can be found in the “activities” section of the website. Please note – some of the activities have minimum participant requirements – so any of the tours may be subject to cancellation if we do not have enough interest in the activity. There is also a maximum capacity for the activities. Once the maximum has been met, registration for that activity will be closed. Make sure to register for your activities as soon as possible.

All the above activities are optional – if they are not of interest to you or your guest, please feel free to pass on any or all these activities. All participants can choose up to 2 off-site activities – and if you pass on one or both activities, you will be given a $200 resort credit ($400 if you pass on two activities) to spend as you like at the resort. In other words, if you and your guest pass on all activity offerings, you will receive an additional $800 in resort credits to use at the resort during your entire stay (including early arrive and/or late departures).

I am not interested in any of the tours – is that ok? What can I do during the planned group activities if I pass on the activity?

You can custom pick whichever activities interest you – none, 1 or 2. For any one activity that you pass on, you stay at the resort and do whatever you please (pool, spa, lunch, gym, etc.….) with your resort credits.

What are the tax implications of trip?

Certain aspects of the trip need to be accounted as income – specifically, gift cards, gifts you receive, as well as expenses associated with the travel/entertainment expenses of your guests. Like our annual Christmas bonus, any items that are subject to payroll taxes will be “grossed-up” appropriately.

The exact amount of tax implications will be determined by the cost of your guest’s exact airfare – as well as what activities your guest chooses to participate.

The amounts will be reflected in your pay period ending after the event – sometime before July 31, 2024.

Please feel free to direct any questions about this matter to Michael Deutsch or Chloe Chen from our Finance department.

Find out more about all the activities prepared for your relaxation.

We have a prepared a program that includes both relaxation and excitement.

Discover a selection of sensational restaurants!

We eagerly look forward to commemorating and acknowledging everyone's accomplishments at our upcoming President’s Club event!

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The President's Club Award Winners Travel To Panama

By: Rachel Redemer on April 29, 2024       Updated: April 30, 2024

Who wouldn't want to be waking up this Monday morning on a beach somewhere? That's exactly what the recipients of the President's Club award are doing today at the Dreams Playa Bonita resort in Panama. 

In February at our company party, the winners of the President's club award were announced and now it is time for them to set sail. The President's Club award has been designed to recognize the top performers in our sales organization. Account Executives and Directors must achieve their respective President's Club targets as established by Executive leadership. The recipients of this award win an all-inclusive trip for themselves and one guest. This year the President's Club set off to Panama!

Congratulations to everyone who won this award! We hope you enjoy your trip and have safe travels!

Written by Rachel Redemer

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Top Caribbean Destinations for Your President’s Club Trip

by J.Shay Team | Feb 12, 2023 | Incentive Travel

If you’ve been tasked with planning your organization’s President’s Club trip, you’re probably feeling a lot of pressure right about now. What location will inspire and motivate your team members to perform at their highest levels? In our experience, the promise of a trip to an idyllic Caribbean destination. There’s just something about crystal blue waters, swaying palm trees and mesmerizing calypso music that gets your top performers to outperform last year’s numbers!

Best Caribbean P-Club Trip Ideas for 2023

Just saying the name elicits calm and relaxation. Anguilla is a picture-postcard island and British territory in the Lesser Antilles. It boasts 16 miles of pristine white sand beaches and a plethora of cool things to do.

This is a great spot for your President’s Club trip for a couple of reasons: First, there are plenty of first-class accommodations and amenities to please your group. Second, you won’t get the crowds because there are no cruise ships that dock here. That is a BIG bonus.

Some of our favorite hotels on the island are the Four Seasons Resort Anguilla, Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club, and Malliouhana Resort. All in all, this is an ideal spot, particularly for smaller groups. 

The Dominican Republic 

Located just 2 hours from Miami by plane, the Dominican Republic, or as it affectionately called by locals – DR, is one of the most culturally diverse islands in the Caribbean. Known for its luxury beachfront resorts and stunning landscapes, we love this destination because the locals are so friendly and there is such good food here!

It’s not a  mistake that leisure travelers flock to DR each year and your team will be happy staying at any number of upscale resorts. Some favorites are the Hyatt Ziva & Zilara Cap Cana, Live Aqua Beach Resort Punta Cana, and Paradisus Palma Real.

Grand Cayman 

We love sending President’s Club teams to the Grand Cayman because it offers the best of both worlds: a calm slice of paradise and ritzy nightlife. The largest of the Cayman Islands, this destination has it all when it comes to hotel options, fine dining, shopping and nightlife. Some of our favorite resorts on the island are The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa. 

St. Kitts and Nevis 

Talk about island hopping Heaven! These two islands have plenty to offer incentive groups, from 5-star luxury beachfront resorts to mouthwatering authentic Caribbean cuisine. These two islands also offer an abundance of peace and quiet, and some of the most crystal water we’ve ever seen. Your team members can get from one island to the other in under 30 minutes by taxi or car ferry, so you can plan meetings and events easily. For luxury accommodations, check out the Park Hyatt St. Kitts. If your group would benefit from a more secluded getaway, check out the serene Four Seasons Nevis.

St. Thomas 

Where do you send your top performers if not all of them have a passport? St. Thomas!

This tropical playground boasts stunning clear turquoise water, powdery soft sand beaches and luxury accommodations that will make your team believe Heaven on Earth exists.

There is so much to do on this island. We recommend taking your team snorkeling with sea turtles, it is an incredibly memorable experience. At night, treat them to dinner at an upscale restaurant. For resorts we suggest the newly-renovated The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas and Westin Beach Resort at Frenchman’s Reef.

A relative newcomer to incentive travel destinations , St. Lucia offers dreamy scenery and numerous luxury resorts sure to please. The only thing that beats the pristine beaches is the lush rainforest that sits alongside it. Magic is what this tiny island offers.

This is an ideal destination for those groups who are looking for the perfect combination of R&R and adventure. For those on your team who want to do very little, they can enjoy yoga on the beach and then sip a freshly made fruit smoothie. For those adrenaline junkies, have them zipline through the jungle. Luxury accommodations abound and we recommend Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort (they offer butler service). Other great options for all-inclusive resorts are the Royalton Saint Lucia and the dazzling Marigot Bay Resort.

As event planners, we want to do our very best to treat our top performers to a memorable and luxurious experience. And you can easily do that by sending them to any one of these Caribbean destinations. 

If you need any help planning your team’s next President’s Club trip, get in touch with us. We specialize in creating incentive travel experiences that are truly memorable.

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President's club and group incentive travel reimagined.

President’s Clubs have been around forever. And they pretty much follow the same tired formula. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for your star salespeople. 

Conventional “we’ve always done it this way” President’s Clubs are usually more likened to a senior citizen bus tour where everyone does everything together in a regimented, be-on-time-or-get-left behind kind of forced fun atmosphere.

Enter COVID-19. The pandemic revealed, or maybe just reinforced, that the way we work really doesn’t work. It showed that people want to work remotely and feel that they can be just as productive—if not even more so—working from home. And they are happier doing it. Likewise, we learned that one-size-fits-all President’s Clubs, especially those which involve group travel, are not meeting everyone’s needs. 

This is not just due to COVID-related travel restrictions. We’re now learning that it's also from people’s personal preferences. Top sales people don’t always feel comfortable in situations that involve alcohol or wearing swim attire in front of their peers, for example. Many would rather travel with their families, friends or their loved ones. And there’s nothing wrong with that.  ‍

Is this the best you can do for your rockstar revenue generators? ‍

When it comes to recognizing sales success you need choices. And we offer them. We're excited to share an all-new Blueboard President’s Club , a totally reimagined way to recognize, retain, and motivate your top performing sales reps.

Why make the switch to Blueboard President's Club?

Irrespective of whether you are planning your President’s Club for the first time or planning to create an all inclusive and equitable President’s Club program to cater to the different needs of your organization and sales people distributed across the globe, Blueboard President’s Club offers one-of-a-kind experiential rewards, with flexibility and personalization that is guaranteed to wow your sales reps.

Think once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list kind of experiences. 

Imagine offering your reps the opportunity to dive with sharks in Bora Bora. Or to be surrounded by wildlife on an African safari. Or chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland. Now that is some serious motivation. And serious bragging rights. 

But more choices equal more hassles, right? Not with this Club. ‍

‍ Let’s face it. You don’t want to be in the travel business .

You want to provide amazing experiences for your top reps but you’d rather be out closing revenue-generating deals than making hotel and flight reservations. We do it all for you. In fact, our program is especially attractive for first-timers, and is becoming their de facto program. Our turnkey President’s Club is low-stress when compared to running your own in-house programs.  ‍

Let our expert Concierge team handle it.

Your top performers deserve the white glove treatment and our Concierge team will make them feel like a real VIP. They’ll personally handle all of your reps' needs, which means you'll not only save time and resources, but your sales reps will be happier  and more motivated—by getting to choose and customize the adventure most meaningful to them. ‍

And, of course, COVID-19 is still with us.

Travel restrictions are still in place around the world. The Delta variant is creating real concerns. Your employees may not want to travel in groups, even if fully vaccinated. And it’s not just about COVID, it’s about life! Your reps may have personal conflicts like a daughter’s graduation, a wedding, etc., and may not be able to travel at the same time as the bigger group. 

The real value behind Blueboard President's Club.

We've sent thousands of top sales reps on Blueboard President's Club trips, and 70% report that they're rather receive another Blueboard experience than go back to their traditional group trip with coworkers. Here's the real value we bring to the sales incentive trip:

1. We make President’s Club easy to plan, and low-stress for you. 

We know what your sales leaders, event planners, and sales ops team needs to create an awesome program that’s the very best for you and your sales team. We help you at every step along your journey, from planning and budgeting, to implementation, to creating an exciting launch and reward distribution.

We provide everything you need for a successful program launch, including co-branded landing pages, videos and marketing collateral to showcase sample experiences and the real feeling of our Club experience. Your reps will be salivating! And we’ll bet that the landing page will be one of the most visited sites at your company. You can customize your landing page to announce President’s Club winners, and can even include a congratulatory video message from your CEO (or other sales leader)!  ‍

2. Your best and brightest now have choices.  

Our President Club does way more than just create amazing experiences. We help you address cultural and social concerns that are often ignored with in-house programs. Some participants may not drink alcohol for example. Or may not feel comfortable in a bathing suit around their peers. Or there might be religious considerations that preclude attendees from enjoying a group trip. 

Our President’s Club is the one platform that provides an inclusive, equitable opportunity for all reps, regardless of social or cultural backgrounds. ‍

3. Give your top talent the most valuable gift: quality time. ‍

Our President’s Club lets your top reps spend their hard-earned reward travel as they choose, for example, with their family, bestie, or partner. They can spend quality time bonding with loved ones in a vacation-like setting, vs. having to feel "on" in front of coworkers. What better way for reps to celebrate their achievements than with people they love the most? Experiences spent with partners or families means more memories made, and more appreciation for your company. ‍

Praise for Blueboard President's Club. ‍

Since launching our President's Club, we've sent thousands of sales reps #Blueboarding. After each experience, we get their feedback through our post-experience engagement surveys . The results are in, and employees are overwhelmingly voting for freedom of choice. 70% of Blueboard recipients would prefer to do an individual experience vs. going back to a traditional club.

Here’s what Blueboard President’s Club recipients are saying:

• 4.7/5 rating “How did you enjoy your Blueboard experience?"
• 4.8/5 rating “How did you enjoy the service received from your Concierge?”
• 95% rating “Do you feel motivated to perform at the same level or higher?”
• 97% rating “When you received your reward, did you feel appreciated for a job well done?”

Your reps won’t be able to contain themselves after their Blueboard experience. They will have to talk about it. They’ll brag about it. And so should you, both internally and externally. Shared experiences will not only elevate employee morale, but also provide deep motivation for everyone in the organization.

As your top employees serve as brand ambassadors, sharing photos, memories and feedback on social media, they'll help you attract top talent. Show the world that you truly care about your employees and that you're actively investing in their wellbeing. ‍

Let’s partner together to celebrate your top people. ‍

Want to learn more about how you can send your rockstars on the bucket list experience of their dreams? Learn more on our President’s Club product page , or request a demo to meet 1:1 with a member of our Sales team. 

Join our community and receive must-have recognition tips straight to your inbox.

Share this article:, you might also like, navigating the buying process [webinar recap], scale meaningful service award delivery with the anniversary engine, how to estimate employee recognition roi with metrics that matter (and speak to your cfo), as of march 12, 2024, blueboard has ceased its operations. to everyone that supported us over the years, thank you. 🙏.

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5 facts about presidential travel abroad

American presidents and other world leaders frequently travel internationally, most commonly for conferences and bilateral meetings. This face-to-face diplomacy can offer insights into political priorities, partnerships and tensions, as well as key international issues.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international travel in 2020 and 2021, but diplomatic travel picked up significantly in 2022. Here are five facts about presidential travel abroad:

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to examine the international travel history of recent U.S. presidents and other heads of government through Jan. 20, 2023.

Dates and destinations of U.S. presidential travel prior to 2021 are from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Historian, which has recorded international presidential travel since 1901. Travel data for 2021 and 2022 was compiled from White House press briefings. Information on visits to Ukraine by other world leaders were independently verified through official government websites.

Only trips where the head of government met face-to-face with another head of government are included. For example, Biden’s trip to the UK for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral is excluded as Biden did not hold any diplomatic meetings with the British prime minister or other world leaders. Visiting leaders were only counted if they were the head of government at the time of their visit. Depending on the country’s political system, “head of government” could mean president or prime minister, but not both. Heads of state, monarchs and interim leaders are excluded from the visiting leaders count.

U.S. President Joe Biden has traveled internationally less frequently than his last two predecessors did. Biden traveled to 17 places outside the United States in his first two years in office, visiting some more than once. He made six international trips in 2021, all of them to Europe. In 2022, he made 12 trips, including to Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East. And in early 2023, Biden traveled to Mexico for the North American Leaders’ Summit.

All told, Biden’s international visit count trails those of former Presidents Donald Trump, who made 23 international trips to 20 places during his first two years in office, and Barack Obama, who made 32 trips to 24 places in the first two years of his presidency.

Biden’s first presidential trip abroad was to the United Kingdom, while Trump’s was to Saudi Arabia and Obama’s was to Canada. A president’s first trip is often used to signal the importance of a strategic alliance. On his trip to the UK in June 2021, Biden reaffirmed the U.S.-UK partnership and committed to close cooperation throughout his presidency. Typically, U.S. presidents visit a close ally on their inaugural trip: Canada was the first international destination for both Obama and Bill Clinton, while Mexico was the first destination for George W. Bush.

U.S. presidents have visited the UK the most in the past decade – a total of eight times. American presidents have worked closely with their British counterparts over the past decade, cooperating on issues from defense and counterterrorism to climate policy . Travel to the UK has largely centered around conferences and summits, but in 2019, Trump made a ceremonial state visit to the UK .  

In the past decade of presidential travel, Belgium (home to NATO headquarters ), France, Germany and Japan are the second-most visited destinations, at six times each.

So far, Biden has made the most trips to the UK and Belgium – two each. (Biden’s additional visit to the UK to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II is not included in this count, since he did not hold any diplomatic appointments.) Just as these two European allies stand out in Biden’s presidential travel thus far, France stands out in Trump’s administration and Germany stands out in Obama’s – they visited those respective countries four times while in office.

Biden is among 38 heads of government who have visited Ukraine since the beginning of the war there. Biden traveled to Kyiv as part of a surprise trip in February, days before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion .

While many heads of government visiting Ukraine have come from neighboring countries or countries in Europe (such as Poland’s prime minister, who has visited five times since the beginning of the war) that is not always the case. For example, Guatemala’s President Alejandro Giammattei and Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló traveled to Ukraine in July 2022 and October 2022, respectively.

Biden hosted 28 heads of government at the White House as of the end of 2022. Foreign leaders come to the U.S. for events including conferences, summits and bilateral meetings. Among those to visit the White House in 2021 and 2022 were then-Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson of Sweden, who met with Biden to submit her country’s application for NATO membership ; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who traveled to the White House on his first known wartime trip abroad ; and French President Emmanuel Macron, whose trip marked the first state visit of Biden’s presidency . In fact, the president of France has been the first leader to make a state visit to the U.S. for the past three presidential terms, with Macron visiting Trump in April 2018 and his predecessor, François Hollande, visiting Obama in February 2014. In April 2023, Biden hosted the second state visit of his administration , meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

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When it comes to government planes and political trips, who pays for a president’s campaign travel?

FILE - President Joe Biden boards Air Force One, March 11, 2024, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. The White House and the Democratic National Committee are splitting the cost of Biden’s travel while he runs for a second term. It’s part of a longstanding arrangement that prevents taxpayers from being stuck with the full bill for political trips. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez, File)

FILE - President Joe Biden, center right, and first lady Jill Biden, center left, walk off Air Force One, March 29, 2024, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. The White House and the Democratic National Committee are splitting the cost of Biden’s travel while he runs for a second term. It’s part of a longstanding arrangement that prevents taxpayers from being stuck with the full bill for political trips. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

FILE - President Joe Biden boards Air Force One at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, March 21, 2024, in Dallas, en route to Houston. The White House and the Democratic National Committee are splitting the cost of Biden’s travel while he runs for a second term. It’s part of a longstanding arrangement that prevents taxpayers from being stuck with the full bill for political trips. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

FILE - President Joe Biden boards Air Force One, March 13, 2024, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. en route to Milwaukee. The White House and the Democratic National Committee are splitting the cost of Biden’s travel while he runs for a second term. It’s part of a longstanding arrangement that prevents taxpayers from being stuck with the full bill for political trips. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

FILE - President Joe Biden boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., March 11, 2024, to travel to Manchester, N.H. The White House and the Democratic National Committee are splitting the cost of Biden’s travel while he runs for a second term. It’s part of a longstanding arrangement that prevents taxpayers from being stuck with the full bill for political trips. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

FILE - President Joe Biden boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., April 12, 2024, enroute to New Castle, Del. The White House and the Democratic National Committee are splitting the cost of Biden’s travel while he runs for a second term. It’s part of a longstanding arrangement that prevents taxpayers from being stuck with the full bill for political trips. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

FILE - President Joe Biden, second from left, boards Air Force One, March 28, 2024, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Biden is headed to New York for a fundraiser. The White House and the Democratic National Committee are splitting the cost of Biden’s travel while he runs for a second term. It’s part of a longstanding arrangement that prevents taxpayers from being stuck with the full bill for political trips. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s no simple matter to move the commander in chief from point A to B, and it’s even more complicated when the president is seeking a second term.

President Joe Biden recently spent three days in Pennsylvania , a pivotal state in the 2024 campaign, and he plans to be in Virginia and Florida this coming week. The Democratic incumbent is seeking an edge over Republican Donald Trump as he ramps up his travels around the country.

Here’s a look at how much it costs and who pays the bill during the campaign season.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

It’s not cheap to fly the president’s fleet.

The White House uses Sikorsky helicopters known as Marine One when the president is aboard, as well as custom Boeing 747s that are immediately recognizable as the iconic humpback Air Force One. (Sometimes the president uses a more modest modified 757 if his destination is nearby or if a runway isn’t long enough to accommodate the bigger plane.)

Marine One costs between $16,700 and almost $20,000 per hour to operate, according to Pentagon data for the 2022 budget year. Air Force One is even more expensive: roughly $200,000 per hour.

But those figures only scratch the surface of the real cost. There also are military cargo planes that travel ahead of the president to make sure his armored limousines are in place, not to mention the enormous security apparatus that follows the president everywhere.

New aircraft are in the works because the current versions are decades old. Sikorsky is producing 23 updated helicopters to serve as Marine One. Boeing is building two new Air Force One planes , and they are scheduled to be finished by 2028. According to the Pentagon, the planes will come with all enhancements, including “a mission communication system,” a “self-defense system” and even “autonomous baggage loading.”

WHO PAYS FOR THE TRAVEL?

When the president flies for political purposes, the campaign is supposed to pay the bill. But during an election year, the line between governing and campaigning can be fuzzy.

For example, Biden held an official event Wednesday in Pittsburgh, where he announced his proposal for higher tariffs on steel imported from China. The event, however, was a not-so-subtle opportunity for the president to rub shoulders with union members who are critical to his reelection, and he jabbed at Trump in his remarks. (At one point Biden joked that the former president was “busy right now,” a reference to the hush money trial that recently got underway in New York.)

It’s up to the White House counsel’s office to figure out what percentage of the president’s travels are campaign related. That determines how much the federal government should be reimbursed by the Biden campaign. Sometimes the calculations aren’t straightforward, such as when the White House adds an official event to an otherwise political trip.

Norm Eisen, a White House ethics lawyer under President Barack Obama, said both Republicans and Democrats have usually hewed closely to regulations.

“We had a set of rules on how to do the allocations,” he said. “They’re intricate, and we stuck to them.”

No matter what, taxpayers end up on the hook for most of the cost. Campaigns do not pay for all the Secret Service agents and the rest of the security apparatus. In fact, they usually only cover the cost of Air Force One passengers who are flying for explicitly political purposes — sort of like buying a ticket on a particularly exclusive private jet.

President Joe Biden, second from left, boards Air Force One, March 28, 2024, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

HOW MUCH HAS BIDEN PAID?

Biden’s campaign and his joint fundraising committee have been stockpiling travel cash in an escrow account maintained by the Democratic National Committee. From January 2023 until the end of last month, they deposited nearly $6.5 million.

Some of that money goes to general campaign logistics, such as staff expenses and advance work. The account is also used to reimburse the federal government for official aircraft used to transport the president, the first lady, the vice president and the second gentleman when they travel for the reelection effort.

So far, not much money has found its way back to the U.S. Treasury. As of the latest data available, just $300,000 has been provided.

It’s safe to assume that Biden’s campaign will end up forking over much more than that once the campaign is over. Trump’s team reimbursed the federal government nearly $4.7 million for travel expenses during the 2020 race.

But Biden probably won’t have trouble covering his bills. His campaign and the DNC had more than $192 million in cash on hand at the end of March.

AP White House Correspondent Zeke Miller contributed to this report.

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When it comes to government planes and political trips, who pays for a president's campaign travel?

Chris Megerian

Associated Press

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

FILE - President Joe Biden boards Air Force One, March 11, 2024, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. The White House and the Democratic National Committee are splitting the cost of Bidens travel while he runs for a second term. Its part of a longstanding arrangement that prevents taxpayers from being stuck with the full bill for political trips. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez, File)

WASHINGTON – It’s no simple matter to move the commander in chief from point A to B, and it’s even more complicated when the president is seeking a second term.

President Joe Biden recently spent three days in Pennsylvania , a pivotal state in the 2024 campaign, and he plans to be in Virginia and Florida this coming week. The Democratic incumbent is seeking an edge over Republican Donald Trump as he ramps up his travels around the country.

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Here's a look at how much it costs and who pays the bill during the campaign season.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

It's not cheap to fly the president's fleet.

The White House uses Sikorsky helicopters known as Marine One when the president is aboard, as well as custom Boeing 747s that are immediately recognizable as the iconic humpback Air Force One. (Sometimes the president uses a more modest modified 757 if his destination is nearby or if a runway isn't long enough to accommodate the bigger plane.)

Marine One costs between $16,700 and almost $20,000 per hour to operate, according to Pentagon data for the 2022 budget year. Air Force One is even more expensive: roughly $200,000 per hour.

But those figures only scratch the surface of the real cost. There also are military cargo planes that travel ahead of the president to make sure his armored limousines are in place, not to mention the enormous security apparatus that follows the president everywhere.

New aircraft are in the works because the current versions are decades old. Sikorsky is producing 23 updated helicopters to serve as Marine One. Boeing is building two new Air Force One planes , and they are scheduled to be finished by 2028. According to the Pentagon, the planes will come with all enhancements, including “a mission communication system," a “self-defense system” and even “autonomous baggage loading.”

WHO PAYS FOR THE TRAVEL?

When the president flies for political purposes, the campaign is supposed to pay the bill. But during an election year, the line between governing and campaigning can be fuzzy.

For example, Biden held an official event Wednesday in Pittsburgh, where he announced his proposal for higher tariffs on steel imported from China. The event, however, was a not-so-subtle opportunity for the president to rub shoulders with union members who are critical to his reelection, and he jabbed at Trump in his remarks. (At one point Biden joked that the former president was “busy right now,” a reference to the hush money trial that recently got underway in New York.)

It's up to the White House counsel's office to figure out what percentage of the president's travels are campaign related. That determines how much the federal government should be reimbursed by the Biden campaign. Sometimes the calculations aren't straightforward, such as when the White House adds an official event to an otherwise political trip.

Norm Eisen, a White House ethics lawyer under President Barack Obama, said both Republicans and Democrats have usually hewed closely to regulations.

“We had a set of rules on how to do the allocations," he said. "They’re intricate, and we stuck to them.”

No matter what, taxpayers end up on the hook for most of the cost. Campaigns do not pay for all the Secret Service agents and the rest of the security apparatus. In fact, they usually only cover the cost of Air Force One passengers who are flying for explicitly political purposes — sort of like buying a ticket on a particularly exclusive private jet.

HOW MUCH HAS BIDEN PAID?

Biden's campaign and his joint fundraising committee have been stockpiling travel cash in an escrow account maintained by the Democratic National Committee. From January 2023 until the end of last month, they deposited nearly $6.5 million.

Some of that money goes to general campaign logistics, such as staff expenses and advance work. The account is also used to reimburse the federal government for official aircraft used to transport the president, the first lady, the vice president and the second gentleman when they travel for the reelection effort.

So far, not much money has found its way back to the U.S. Treasury. As of the latest data available, just $300,000 has been provided.

It's safe to assume that Biden's campaign will end up forking over much more than that once the campaign is over. Trump's team reimbursed the federal government nearly $4.7 million for travel expenses during the 2020 race.

But Biden probably won't have trouble covering his bills. His campaign and the DNC had more than $192 million in cash on hand at the end of March.

AP White House Correspondent Zeke Miller contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Spartan Newsroom - News and information from student journalists at the Michigan State University School of Journalism

Spartan Newsroom (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2024/04/thrift-club-promotes-sustainable-fashion-on-msus-campus/)

Thrift Club promotes sustainable fashion on MSU’s campus

By bella short | april 26, 2024.

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Have you ever struggled to figure out what to wear or get bored of your closet? If you want to look unique from other people, MSU Thrift Club is a good alternative to ordering online from fast fashion companies. At a thrift trip, Meredith Bell, a third-year student studying zoology and vice president of the club, discussed how it can be difficult to thrift at college.

“A big thing when you first get to campus is not having a car, and not being able to get anywhere at all and there’s not a whole lot to do walking distance-wise,” Bell said. “So for the most part, we facilitate carpools and different things to different thrift stores around the Lansing area and also outside of the Lansing area.”

Thrift Club provides an opportunity for students to get out of their comfort zone and meet people who have similar interests. They will host swap meets throughout the year where students can come and get some new clothes or get rid of old clothes, without having to leave campus.

“I feel like it’s super easy for students, especially on campus, to just buy fast fashion and buy whatever is trendy,” said Thrift Club President Liz Fisher. “We give them an opportunity to carpool and buy something a little more sustainable and a little more unique which I think is fun.”

Fashion is an important part of human expression. Sophie Champion, a Thrift Club member, said in high school that she hated getting dressed in the morning because she knew that what she was wearing wasn’t her. But thrifting is the reason she found her style, and her closet is now predominantly thrifted.  

“You go into a thrift store and there’s piles on piles of clothes, racks and racks, like, you have to sift through things and you have to know what you’re looking for, know what you want,” Champion said. “It’s not served up to you on a model, or something trendy at a store, like you have to really know what you want.” 

Thrift stores are an accessible and affordable option for many people looking for alternatives to fast fashion. Brands like Shein and Temu are well-known for their wasteful supply chain practices. In places like France, according to CNN, approved a bill that will penalize fast fashion companies. The bill aims to help France offset their environmental impact by increasing penalties of up to $11 per individual item of clothing by 2030 and banning advertising for such products. 

“It makes your clothes more unique, so you’re not like the normal black top, blue jean combo that you see all over campus,” Bell said. “It just gives you like a little edge […] even though Shein’s like $7, you don’t have to pay that and you also don’t have to have that guilt. The Shein guilt. It’s a real thing. We like to minimize that as much as possible.” 

People order from fast fashion companies because of the cheap prices and fast shipping, but at Thrift Club swap meets students don’t have to leave campus and can find vintage pieces. Students can also make money at swap meets by trading their clothes and stop their closets’ from overflowing.

“One of them I made over $100 and that was crazy,” Champion said. “I don’t know how, I think there’s just a lot of people there randomly and I also just had like a ton of things which helped. I maybe sold like, 20% of the items I brought, but I brought so many that I started bringing more stuff to each one.”

At thrift trips, the club will travel to different thrift stores in the Lansing area like Volunteers of America and Goodwill, but they will also travel to Grand Rapids or Ann Arbor. Champion encourages students to join Thrift Club to meet fashionistas like herself.

“If you have like a huge closet, like I do and want to make some money off of it, if you want to go trade some stuff, or if you want to go accumulate cool clothes by going on thrift outings, […] it exposes you to different places and different types of thrift stores and like a ton of cool people,” Champion said.