Memories created in Montenegro
How are you going to top that? That sums up the feedback to the Brighter team from happy delegates who were in Montenegro last week for One Global’s Unity Forum.
Having planned the successful One Global Community Partner Event in South Africa last year, we were tasked with delivering this bigger event which brought together more than 70 people from TMC partners and suppliers from over the globe.
The Chedi, in Luštica Bay, was the stunning base chosen for the event after members of the team visited earlier this year who were impressed with its event facilities and capabilities and sustainability credentials.
Having sorted all delegate registration and arranging all their travel from all over the world, including transfers to and from Luštica Bay, we worked with Montenegro Concierge DMC and the One Global team to plan an itinerary packed full of surprises.
With a theme of ‘Stronger Together’, all delegates met up for welcome drinks at the hotel before enjoying a beach barbecue.
The informal evening was a great way to get everyone engaging with each other before the following day started with early morning activities which delegates could choose – a bike ride, kayaking, yoga or a spa session.
Then it was down to the business of the day where we collaborated with One Global to plan the business sessions and supplier workshops which were split by a networking lunch.
We co-ordinated and ensured all the audio visual equipment was set up and ran smoothly, all the while keeping delegates updated on everything via a WhatsApp chat throughout the event.
In the evening we had around 25 vehicles head off in convoy from the hotel to drop off delegates for a breathtaking cable car ride to the summit of Mount Lovćen where we had arranged a performance from traditional Montenegrin dancers before everyone dined at the 5* Forza Kuk while enjoying the sun set.
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Delegates were then whisked back to the hotel, heading away down the famous Serpentine Road.
We set the delegates up for their second day with a fruit smoothie at the hotel before we got them on with their activities, with paddleboarding added into the mix.
The all-important business sessions, workshops and supplier networking followed – as well as a number of panel interviews to camera - before all eyes turned to the eagerly-anticipated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) day.
We purposely kept it a close-guarded secret after the success of last year’s day at a primary school in South Africa.
This time around we headed to the Island of St George off the coast of Perast, the home of a 12th Century Saint George Benedictine Monastery.
We chartered a fleet of boats to get us there, which included a stop-off at the renowned ‘submarine tunnel’ near the village of Rose.
All the boats made their way into the tunnel to be greeted by a vivid One Global Travel logo being beamed onto the wall while the theme tune to James Bond played – much to the delight of the delegates!
Next stop was the island.
In recent years the monastery and grounds have fallen into disrepair which is why we decided it would be a great way to give something back to the community by carrying out work there and donating to its continuing efforts to modernise.
Delegates took part in a range of activities from weeding the garden, raking the grass, planting olive trees as well as painting and varnishing windows and working in the kitchen.
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The delegates certainly worked up an appetite after their efforts in the sunshine and the event was to be rounded off with a farewell dinner in the village of Perast at a restaurant called Conte, having travelled to the village by catamaran.
While eating, everyone enjoyed the surprise of a Montenegrin band pulling up alongside them to perform and the farewell event was rounded off by an auction of local goods – as well as prizes pledged by our suppliers – which netted around £18,000 which will go towards the ongoing work at the Saint George Benedictine Monastery.
The following morning, all that was left to do was to ensure everyone got checked out of the hotel on time – for some we arranged an extended stay - and ensured all their airport transfers arrived.
But the work didn’t stop there.
One delegate left his passport at the hotel so the team speedily resolved the problem and ensured it was sent to the airport just in time for boarding.
Plus, some of the delegates who were heading away from Manchester by train found out their train had been cancelled so before hopping on the flight from Tivat, we’d managed to rearrange their travel – handily, with one of the One Global supplier partners who specialise in chauffeuring around the world.
It just goes to show you never really know what’s round the corner but we’re always on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly and that any problems are soon solved.