2010 Odyssey Teams, Inc. Top Tiered Media Placements ~ Abbi Public Relations

2010 Media Placements ~ Abbi Public Relations, Inc.

MARCH

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prevueonline.net - DESTINATION HOTELS + ODYSSEY TEAMS Wednesday, 17 March 2010

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DESTINATION HOTELS + ODYSSEY TEAMS Progressive hotel group + teambuilding company join forces to change the world What's New on Prevue Virginia Museum launches new space May 1 Early American, French and German masters to be showcased...

THE HILTON HEAD ISLAND DIFFERENCE New CSR program launches in the Lowcountry...

ASIA TOWN + COUNTRY Elephant polo in Thailand or Tai Chi on the roof of China, anyone?...

PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA Enjoying the Estancia Experience...

SHERATON PUERTO RICO HOTEL & CASINO No one could say we hadn't earned a little meeting la vida loca!...

DESTINATION HOTELS + ODYSSEY TEAMS

Terranea Resort is located in Palos Verdes, south of LA

Progressive hotel group + teambuilding company join forces to change the world...

The following was supplied to Prevue by Todd Demorest, lead facilitator with Odyssey Teams Business is all about relationships and the ability to create value. The more value that a person, team or business can provide—the more opportunities they will have to do so again in the future. Recently, two leaders in their respective industries—Destination Hotels & Resorts (DH&R) and Odyssey Teams, Inc.—have created a strategic alliance that increases the level of value they can both offer and deliver to clients.

DH&R is known for their luxurious, unique and one-of-a-kind properties. Odyssey Teams, Inc. is known as the innovator of the community-based philanthropic/CSR teaming events such as Life Cycles (Build Bikes), Helping Hands and Playhouse Challenge programs. Both companies pride themselves on creating the best experiences possible for their guests that will be valued and remembered for a lifetime.

DH&R first learned about Odyssey while Odyssey was delivering a multi-hundred person event at one of their flagship properties. What they saw (and heard from their clients) was not cheesy, contrived or cookie-cutter.

Rather, it was a high quality product that lined up perfectly with the type of rewarding experiences that DH&R's guests expect. At the same time, DH&R was hearing interesting news from their ‘Affinity Teams’ (cross-functional teams spread around the country that focus on sharing best practices and supporting each other's properties). Many of these teams said that many of their clients/guests were looking for a teambuilding session that was a mark above the standard. Thus the courtship began.

Having become DH&R’s exclusive Teaming Company, Odyssey had sent marketing, video links, etc., to DH&R so they could begin to promote the partnership and offerings to their guests. Quickly DH&R realized their internal team could best represent Odyssey and support their guests needs if they went through an Odyssey session themselves.

Related Articles A SILVER LINING C/O NEW ORLEANS (1 match) csr BEYOND THE FEEL GOOD (1 match) csr CHANGE THE WORLD (1 match) csr COOL BEANS (1 match) csr

In January 2010, the relationship was cemented at DH&R’s newest resort surrounded by 270 degree views of the Pacific, the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes, CA. It was here where Odyssey presented their Helping Hands

file:///C|/...nts/Abbi%20PR/My%20Dropbox/Abbi%20Public%20Relations%20Server/Projects/Odyssey%20Teams/441-destination-hotels-odyssey-teams.html[3/17/2010 10:46:41 AM]

prevueonline.net - DESTINATION HOTELS + ODYSSEY TEAMS event at DH&R’s “Partners Showcase” that included 225 pax from the various Affinity Teams.

The reviews and results thus far are outstanding. The group was profoundly touched by the value of the session at many levels and could see many opportunities for this new relationship to bring even more value to their guests.

Less than two weeks after the program, while listening to the needs of a corporate group customer, a DH&R Sales Manager was able to offer Odyssey as a solution. Having spoken of the program from a personal view, the client saw the potential immediately. The program was delivered a week later, and rave reviews and gratitude followed.

The Odyssey facilitator of the program met the DH&R Regional Director of Sales &Marketing, who reported all of their locations will be leveraging this relationship at every opportunity. Bill John, Odyssey Teams Inc. founder is grateful for the trust DH&R has in his company and the future of their strategic partnership.

Note: At time of publishing, negotiations were taking place for another alliance bringing value to another team in a different DH&R region.

Copyright ©2009 Worth International Media Group

file:///C|/...nts/Abbi%20PR/My%20Dropbox/Abbi%20Public%20Relations%20Server/Projects/Odyssey%20Teams/441-destination-hotels-odyssey-teams.html[3/17/2010 10:46:41 AM]

Teambuilding

Purposeful Programs That Build ROI

There was a time when teambuilding events were held for one reason and one reason only: to have fun. This is no longer the case. Today, concurrent with the trend emerging in virtually all of corporate America, teambuilding activities must show a return on investment or ROI. And with many companies reducing staff and expecting them to accomplish more, teamwork and teambuilding have never been more important.

The main premise behind teambuilding activities is that the things that happen on the course usually mirror what is happening back in the office.

When looking for the teambuilding activity that will work best it’s important to honestly assess the group.

What is the group’s physical prowess?

Average age? Size? Breakdown of men and women? Any physical limitations?

Bill John, president of Odyssey Teams, addresses Spherion Corporation’s meeting at Loews Coronado Bay, where attendees participated in the philanthropic teambuilding program “Helping Hands,” which donates prosthetic hands to those in need.

Outdoor teambuilding courses such as ropes courses have been favored for years and have been used by many with much success. Cooking classes and you-build-it activities are extremely popular. These are teambuilding activities held for a specific purpose.

Bike-building programs not only bring a group together but can change the life of an underprivileged child.

Increasingly, teambuilding incorporates donating time and manpower to do good and make a difference in a community in need.

Helping Hands For Haiti Teambuilding strikes the deepest cord in hearts and minds when it’s

linked to humanitarian efforts, especially following natural disasters when needs take on a special urgency. For example, helping to rebuild lives through corporate voluntourism programs in New Orleans after Katrina has profoundly touched the lives of countless residents and volunteers alike.

Through these efforts, participants not only have served the community but recommitted themselves to their coworkers and their organizations.

Tragically, another, more devastating natural disaster has presented corporate groups with more ways to make a difference. Haiti’s massively destructive earthquake crumbled Haiti’s capital city Port-au-Prince and crippled its

Photo courtesy of Spherion Corporation

Photo courtesy of Spherion Corporation

Together We Stand

population. Although cash donations are a chronic need, hands-on helping transcends any other type of giving, truly engaging and moving the spirit.

In the earthquake’s aftermath there “When they receive a new were countless injuries that resulted in amputations, creating unimaginable prosthetic, the light goes suffering and life-changing disabilion. They go from being ties. In response, the Ellen Meadows a shell of a person to Prosthetic Hand Foundation and being whole again.”

Odyssey Teams have partnered to offer a philanthropic teambuilding program “Helping Hands for Haiti,” in which parLain Hensley, COO, Co-founder ticipants will build prosthetic hands Odyssey Teams that will be donated to the injured. A Chico, CA prosthetic of this type would typically cost $3,000, making it unaffordable building program through which more but Odyssey’s have exceeded any I’ve for the majority of victims. than 1,000 children in developing ever done,” said Dahlton Bennington, “From what we’re hearing, there countries have received the smaller CMP, CMM, director of business meethave been so many injuries in which LN-4 prosthetic hand to replace hands ing services for Spherion. someone’s hand has been crushed and lost due to land mines, accidents or A Spherion incentive program for later needed to be amputated, not to birth defects.

315 winners and special guests was mention the amputations necessary Blue chip companies that have held last March at the Loews Coronado because of infections, that we know participated in the Odyssey Teams Bay in San Diego, CA. The company there will be a huge need for prosthet- Helping Hands programs have includ- wanted to incorporate a teambuilding ic hands in Haiti,” said Lain Hensley, ed Wells Fargo, Abbott Laboratories program that would be philanthropic COO and co-founder of Odyssey and eBay. as well. It contacted Odyssey Teams Teams Inc. and a board member of Spherion Corporation, a Fort Lau­ about its Helping Hands program. the Ellen Meadows Prosthetic Hand derdale-based recruiting, staffing, Foundation. “With that in mind, we and work force solutions provider, has ‘Extraordinary And Humbling’ hope to start production on the LN-4A used the services of Odyssey Teams “We were able to build relationships, [designed for adults] hand as soon as for years. foster camaraderie and make a sigpossible, and to be able to begin giv“I’ve planned hundreds of bike builds nificant impact on more than 100 chiling them away free of charge to dren’s lives,” said Bennington. earthquake victims in Haiti and “It was extraordinary and hum25 other developing nations in bling at the same time.” six months time.

Bill John, president of “It’s amazing what giving Odyssey Teams, was the facilisomeone a hand, literally giving tator for the Spherion program. them a hand, will do,” Hensley Wooden boxes were in front of continued. “I’ve heard stories each subgroup of six. In each of children and adults who have were bags of plastic parts and gone into isolation after losing shiny screws. He asked what a hand due to a tragedy. And they could be for. No one when they receive a new prosguessed a prosthetic hand. thetic, the light goes on. They go “When they were told that from being a shell of a person to was what they were making being whole again.” the emotions were overwhelmSpherion Corporation teams assembled prosthetic hands, Odyssey Teams (odysseyteams. which were donated to children who are land-mine victims ing,” explained Bennington. “That com) is known for creating the from Pasto, Columbia. Teams also decorated the wooden these little pieces could signifioriginal “Helping Hands” team- boxes that held the plastic parts and screws. cantly impact someone’s life.”

By Andrea Montello

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March 2010 • Corporate & Incentive Travel • TheMeetingMagazines.com

TheMeetingMagazines.com • Corporate & Incentive Travel • March 2010

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“Attorneys are by their nature very competitive, and they went at it eagerly and aggressively. Some of the spots they had to go to were 20 to 30 miles away.”

patulas

Photos courtes

y of Paydirt

Left-Handed S

Killer Bees

e Team Awesom

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Colombia. There has been fighting in this area — the border between Colombia and Ecuador — for years.

The group of 200 was divided into groups of six, and each was given wagon parts, hammers, screwdrivers and paint. Each group assembled and Wagons Galore decorated a wagon. The uniquely decoThe Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & rated wagons were then donated to Spa in New Mexico — The Tamaya, mean- PB&J Family Services, a child-abuse ing “a quiet and special place” — is locat- prevention agency that serves tens ed on 500 acres on the Pueblo of Santa of thousands of children and families Ana, adjacent to the Sandia Mountains throughout central New Mexico. along the Rio Grande River. Along with its unique cultural environment offering Green Team Quest a spectacular collection of Southwestern Treasure hunts and scavenger hunts and Native American art and tribal are extremely popular. They have even dance performances, the Tamaya also become high tech with the addition of offers a variety of teambuilding options. global positioning equipment. Called Groups can choose from activities such geocaching, hidden containers called as chili cook-offs, mystery tours, craft geocaches are found using GPS devices. car building, strategy games and more.

Krass Monroe, a Minneapolis-based For one local financial services company, law firm, took the concept of a treasure a customized community service project hunt one step further. The firm was was incorporated into their meeting. looking for a unique teambuilding ac-

March 2010 • Corporate & Incentive Travel • TheMeetingMagazines.com

quired for completing the scavenger hunt. However, the clues were designed to force the teams to be patient and work together.

The three teams (Team Awesome, the Killer Bees, and the Left-Handed Spatulas) set out for their Quest on a sunny afternoon in late September. All of the teams started at the same retreat location but were then sent to different second sites. Quest challenge locations included Savanna Portage State Park and the Long Lake Conservation Center, as well as a local “honey wine” tasting winery and ice cream shop.

Teams were also given the option to complete “bonus play” to subtract from their finish time, but were required to verify their completion of bonus tasks by documenting their participation on a digital camera. Once the teams

Krass Monroe paralegals Sheri Hoistad (left) and Deb Amundson were event organizers and Quest captains the day of the teambuilding challenge.

tivity that would expand upon its sustainability theme initiated by the firm’s Green Team. They contacted Paydirt, a Minneapolis, MN-based company, which helps organizations build sustainable strategies and programs that improve environmental performance, establish market differentiation and advance key business objectives.

The event objectives were to encourage friendly competition among staff, strengthen team member relationships and integrate an environmental theme in interesting and unexpected ways. To meet those goals, Paydirt designed an “Amazing Race”-style scavenger hunt dubbed “KM Quest” highlighting natural resources and historic landmarks in the Northwoods of McGregor, MN. “Many of our clients struggle with ways to make environmental steward-

© BMP / PHOTO BY JAMES PORTO

The group got busy assembling the pieces and decorating the wooden boxes. Those who finished first helped the others.

“It brought everyone together with a common purpose. Odyssey orchestrates incredibly moving programs,” said Bennington.

She is also impressed by the way Odyssey takes the time to understand a company’s goals and objectives.

“Helping Hands is extraordinary.

Anyone who has the opportunity should definitely jump on board. It will be well worth the financial outlay for what you get in return. It’s not that expensive as it will define your meeting for your attendees and convey your message in a meaningful way.”

The hands the Spherion group constructed were donated to children who are land-mine victims from Pasto,

Three teams from the Minneapolis law firm Krass Monroe competed in an environmentally themed “Amazing Race”-style scavenger hunt dubbed the KM Quest. At the end of the race, participants were offered bonus points for jumping into the lake.

ship engaging and enjoyable. After helping Krass Monroe form a green team earlier in the year, Paydirt was excited to help the firm plan an event that would bring their employees outside for some good old-fashioned fun and competition. The Quest participants had an opportunity to explore the north woods of Minnesota in an unexpected and often offbeat way. Not only did the attorneys enjoy it, but we had a blast planning it, too,” said Eliza Clark, JD, LEED Accredited Professional and a principal of Paydirt.

Each team was tasked with completing a series of challenges with only a map, camera, vehicle and their team’s skill, dexterity and resourcefulness to support them. Each participant received a McGregor tourism map that contained all of the information re-

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The company sponsors seasonal teambuilding exercises to motivate its departments to work together.

In July, for example, it celebrates Independence Day with a red, white and blue day. Each department works as a team to show its creativity, and patriotic and Rymax spirit. It also throws a company Fourth of July picnic with Simon Sez and a watermeloneating contest.

She pointed out that it can cost Photo courtesy of The Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa roughly 21/2 times an employee’s salary arrived at the final Quest location (a and to devise mutual ways to succeed to replace him or her, so by keeping evhammock!), the Quest captains veri- at the challenges.” erybody motivated and happy, costs are fied their performance and document“Attorneys are by their nature very reduced. By focusing on team camaraed their final time. competitive, and they went at it eager- derie, Rymax’s turnover rate has been Although the winning team (Team ly and aggressively,” explained event low and employee morale high.

Awesome) was undoubtedly the hap- organizer Deb Amundson, paralegal No matter what the teambuildpiest, all of the participants had a for Krass Monroe. “Some of the spots ing activity, it must require that the great time. Quest participant Shanna they had to go to were 20 to 30 miles group work together — communicatStrowbridge noted, “The Quest that away,” said Amundson. “In order to be ing, trusting, supporting one another, Paydirt put together for our firm was successful, they had to work together thinking creatively, planning and folnot only a great competition but also as a team. They had to figure out the lowing through in order to succeed.

Successful training activities such as these emphasize team problem solving.

When choosing a teambuilding com“Helping Hands is pany or consultant, research its track record, educational background and safety extraordinary. ...It will record. Some consultants, for example, define your meeting possess recreation experience but no for your attendees and business or corporate experience.

Think about it, professional sports convey your message in teams spend 95 percent of their time a meaningful way.” practicing skills but only five percent actually performing. In the business Dahlton Bennington, CMP, CMM world, an executive spends 95 percent Director Business Meeting Services of his or her time performing. What Spherion Corporation better way to practice skills than outFort Lauderdale, FL side the work environs where business valuable for teambuilding. All of the best and fastest ways to get to the des- results are not the measure of success? team members had to be involved to tinations. At its completion, they had Executives who have participated help solve the clues and determine the opportunity to earn extra points in teambuilding programs agree that the best course to take. Unlike team- for jumping in the lake, and all of them the end result is a newfound camarabuilding exercises we’ve had in the past took the plunge.” derie that opens new avenues of coopthat were mostly lecturing by ‘experts’ eration and collaboration back at the on how to work together or make the Seasonal Teambuilding office. Taking it a step further, when most out of people’s different styles Not all teambuilding programs need teambuilding helps to bond an employand personalities, our eco-challenge to be involved or elaborate. Take Rymax ee with his or her company’s mission allowed for a real case study in how to Marketing Services, a Pine Brook, NJ- (read: brand engagement), the return evaluate the best person for each task based company with 120 employees. on investment is a sure bet.

C&IT Culinary competitions remain a teambuilding staple. Here, HealthSouth employees compete in a Chile Cook-off at The Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa in New Mexico.

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March 2010 • Corporate & Incentive Travel • TheMeetingMagazines.com