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New ‘Adventures in Excellence’ Program Boosts Teambuilding’s Effectiveness
HUNTSVILLE, ON, May 2006 - With easy access to Toronto, Muskoka sightseeing at its doorstep, two 18-hole golf courses, an Aveda spa, two theatre shows and even its own airstrip, Deerhurst Resort is already a prime meeting place. Once planners and attendees arrive on-site there’s no need to leave for even the most action-packed events: paintball, Hummer tours, mountain biking, horseback riding, a water-ski school, ESPN Golf Schools, snowmobiling, tubing and dogsledding are just some of the activities on Deerhurst’s “800 acres of magnificent breakout space.”
So like any successful business, what motivates the Deerhurst team to keep raising the bar?
“In today's stressful, high-demand world your clients are counting on you for more than just a great meeting or incentive program – they’re looking for a total Experience, with a capital ‘E’,” says Deerhurst Director of Sales & Marketing Clee Varon.
“After function space and comfortable guestrooms they’re searching for a destination that builds creativity, curiosity, excitement and new skills. They want it all and they need us to make it happen.”
Here are a few of the latest ways Deerhurst delivers:
CHANNEL SURFING
Bringing the drama of a hit TV series to new territory the resort has created CSI: Muskoka, a hip teambuilding “who done it” that can be matched with dinner or work alone as an exercise. In their search for answers, groups of up to ten sleuths will locate and interpret forensic clues - fingerprints on suspicious cars, broken dishes, a missing painting – to identify the “perps”. Depending on the crime scene, provided materials can include police reports, evidence bags, mug shots, rap sheets, and barrier tape. Potential add-ons range from fingerprint brushes to uniform T-shirts and tackle box evidence kits.
Other TV dinners Deerhurst offers include The Planners inspired by Tony Soprano’s “fugedaboutit” Mafia complete with authentic Italian dishes and a “You’ve been busted” staged FBI raid. Here, extras could include an Atlantic City style casino, a pizzeria station, a “Last Writes” handwriting expert and gift bags filled with pasta fixings “From our family to yours.” Or, for a simple pre-dinner challenge to Survivor type events, no silverware is set out for the meal. The manager of each department gathers their tribe under a flag and they work together to get cutlery.
ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT
One key advantage Deerhurst offers when it comes to themed events is a full-fledged Entertainment Department that stages two productions year-round, the pop-driven Edge for all ages and, new this season, Live – After Hours, a sexy, adults’ romp through Vegas, Broadway, the Latin Quarter and Moulin Rouge. The band, performers and dancers are also available for skits, songs, dance classes and themed mini-shows, so break up your meeting with laughs from the Barenaked Laddies, some salsa steps, or a toast served by bubbly champagne girls. What gives Deerhurst’s talented performers extra inspiration? They work in the historic Lodge theatre that introduced superstar Shania Twain to public acclaim.
THE NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR FAVOUR
At Deerhurst Resort you really can have the best of both worlds, whether you’re a group of 10 or 1,000. Take advantage of 700,000 square feet of accommodation, dining, leisure and conference facilities all under one roof. Or branch out into one of the private enclaves scattered throughout lakeside grounds. Facilities encompass 40,000 square feet of function space and 32 distinct venues including two ballrooms with space for 1,000 people, 400 guestrooms including an impressive selection of suites, three restaurants, two lounges and a fully equipped Business Centre.
TEAM SCENE
Expectations in teambuilding vary from breaking down barriers to coping with change and learning new behaviours. To streamline the entire process Deerhurst has partnered with the Summit Training and Development, a national leader in goal-oriented programs.
“We’re activity and large-scale event experts, and we know that races or cooking classes fit different groups,” says Deerhurst Director of Sports & Leisure Mark O’Dell. “But we wanted to emphasize teambuilding’s concrete business benefits, increase its effectiveness and extend that learning back to the office.”
Participation in Deerhurst’s new Adventures in Excellence program follows a thorough, four-step process: needs assessment, custom program design, event delivery and a follow-up session. Traditional training methods, such as short seminars and inspirational keynotes are combined with experiential learning activities such as initiative challenges, high ropes course elements or just about any adventure-based activity you can imagine. Specialized workbooks and job aids can also be provided.
Using a combination of proven analytical tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Emotional Intelligence along with best practices showcased by innovators like Stephen Covey and Jim Collins, Adventures in Excellence zeros in on each company’s unique culture to target specific training needs. Program options vary from an immediate, one-hour Energizer to multi-day programs that support mergers or develop specific skills like conflict resolution or change management.
“One call to Deerhurst gets you everything from a wellness break that meets the demand for work-life balance to leadership training or complex events like our version of the Amazing Race,” says Varon. “Busy planners love our one stop shopping approach.”
Deerhurst Resort is home to one of Muskoka’s earliest historic lodges, superstar Shania Twain’s recording discovery and the region’s first modern, 36-hole golf course development. Located on Peninsula Lake just east of the idyllic town of Huntsville, the resort is only 30-minutes from Algonquin Provincial Park and about two hours and two turns north of Toronto. To request a proposal or book your Deerhurst event, call 1-800-461-6522 or click on www.deerhurstresort.com/meetings.
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If you would like to obtain more information or reproduction quality photographs, please contact:
Anne White
Director Public Relations
T 416.566.9297
F 416.883.8975
awhite@deerhurstresort.com
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