Ovation proudly recognizes our Strategic Partners in Israel and Jamaica for winning a SITE Crystal Award, announced during the SITE Hybrid Global conference this month.
Eshet Incentives & Conferences has been awarded the Crystal award in the category: Excellence in Incentive Travel: Africa/Middle East. World System Builder hosted
its largest-ever incentive trip to Israel in September 2019. The numbers speak for themselves – 4,904 participants, 142 different flights, 3 waves over 15 days, 19 hotels, 85 coaches, 24/7 concierge, 43,000 sq. ft. platform erected and 85,000 bottles of water… all culminating in one unforgettable incentive trip and a 19% increase in revenue post-incentive.
Eshet worked tirelessly for two years on the build-up to this incentive. They collaborated closely with governmental and tourism authorities, local suppliers and contractors, ensuring that all parties understood the scope and scale of such an incentive and the economic benefits it can bring to a country. This all resulted in a true ‘Team Israel’ approach and led to a significant financial contribution from the Jerusalem Development Company as well as free-branding in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and complimentary use of the Hinnom Valley Park for the Gala Dinner.
The key WSB stakeholder and planner was clear on Eshet’s achievements: “On behalf of my family and WSB, we thank you for gifting our team with WSB Super Trip 2019: Israel! You and your team went above and beyond to deliver an experience of a lifetime for our 5,000 guests. We are still in awe of the feast you accomplished. Your meticulous preparation and wonderful surprises made the trip so much more memorable. The thought and detail that were put into this trip did not go unnoticed! Please express our utmost gratitude to all the people who made this possible at Eshet. You all made me, and 5,000 others, fall in love with Israel. This trip will stick with us for the rest of our lives.”
How is that for an acknowledgement…
The owner of our partner Eshet, Amnon Ben-David said: “After 33 years as a DMC In Israel, convincing a prestigious client such as WSB to hold its Super Trip in Israel was a dream comes true. Operating the largest Incentive ever to visit Israel with almost 5000 participants, with 3 Gala events for 1650 each, was a unique challenge. This was possible due to an amazing team we have built over 2 years. Receiving my 3rd Crystal Award was a great achievement and pride for Eshet Incentives as well to the Israeli Mice industry.”
Amstar DMC, Ovation’s Strategic Partner in Jamaica, was recognized with a SITE Crystal Award in the category: Most Impactful Effort Toward Corporate Social Responsibility as Part of an Incentive Program.
The Dufresne Spencer Group Ashley Furniture – Unity School program was a collaboration of people from two very different walks of life equally passionate about the welfare of children, community building, and the gift of giving.
The incentive program was designed to combine their annual meeting which focused on strategies and initiatives for the upcoming year, leisure time for the winning team members to meet and exchange ideas with other top performers, and a CSR project that resonated with the company’s core values. After assessing the needs of several rural communities, the UNITY SCHOOL in Bunker’s Hill, Trelawny was selected. What occurred over the several months leading up to the incentive trip and the actual implementation of the CSR project in Jamaica was magical. A company-wide initiative raised funds throughout the U.S. to benefit the school and the students. School supplies, learning aids and toys were purchased and packed into 500 participants suitcases and local Jamaican companies were engaged to assist/donate their services and products to supplement the on-the-ground goals. The day of the CSR workday, a Dufresne Spencer Group Ashley Furniture team journeyed to Bunker’s Hill and met the parents and community leaders of the small township – and the collaboration was on! The school was painted, a permanent community garden was constructed to help provide for school lunches, picnic tables were constructed and painted, a large donation of books re-energized the school library, and a new computer lab was equipped. More projects are planned for the future. The enthusiasm generated, the memories shared and reinforcing a culture of giving all aligned with the company’s core values.
“The goal of this CSR program was to make the largest impact we could for Unity school and the community in Bunker’s Hill, Trelawny. This was accomplished as most people involved in the project donated their time and skills. We were able to purchase most of the items we needed in Jamaica. We feel the program was a huge success.” said Pat Allen, President for Premier Tours.
“Having a CSR program recognized around the world is very special to our entire Meetings & Event team and especially our staff in Jamaica, led by Michelle Johnson, Regional Director of Sales, who developed, implemented and continues to be involved with the project. Earning this award validates our commitment to not only saying ‘we care’ but proving it,” said Michael Freedman, Vice President of Amstar DMC Meetings & Events. “Premier Tours, Pat Allen and her client Dufresne Spencer Group Ashley Furniture also deserve recognition for their own corporate culture dedicated to enriching the lives of others. We are truly honored by this award,” added Freedman, speaking from the company’s corporate headquarters in Cancun, Mexico.
‘The award is an exciting achievement for Jamaica, as it is the first time this award has recognized a CSR project implemented in our country. We’re proud to have partnered with Premier Tours and Dufresne Spencer Group Ashley Furniture to have a meaningful impact on the lives of the beautiful children at the Unity School and the whole community of Bunker’s Hill in Trelawny.” said Michelle Johnson, Regional Director of Sales – Amstar DMC Meetings & Events Jamaica.
Ovation is proud to have such key Strategic Partners. Congratulations again!