Two innovative travel agents recently orchestrated a unique networking event aboard a Virgin Voyages cruise to Amsterdam, fostering business connections and offering expert-led training.
- The event, named ‘Cruise to Success,’ was spearheaded by Rachel Tredwell and Janet Lacey, marking their largest group booking, involving 41 participants across 23 businesses.
- Significant speakers at the event included Paralympian Naomi Riches and digital marketing expert Elliott Botterill, enriching the professional experience for attendees.
- Attendees expressed overwhelming support for the event, highlighting the opportunity to dedicate time away from daily distractions to focus on business development.
- Plans are already underway for a follow-up event in 2025, aiming to replicate this successful experience on another cruise or at a land-based location.
Two prominent travel consultants have blurred the lines between relaxation and professional development by hosting an innovative networking event on the Virgin Voyages ship, Resilient Lady, sailing to Amsterdam. The event, ‘Cruise to Success,’ crafted by Rachel Tredwell and Janet Lacey, accommodated a total of 41 participants from 23 businesses, utilising 23 cabins during the four-day voyage. It was recognised as the duo’s most ambitious group booking to date.
The immersive nature of the cruise allowed participants to solely focus on their professional growth, free from the usual distractions of home and family responsibilities. Rachel Tredwell described the event as an unparalleled proposition, stating it to be daunting yet immensely rewarding and successful. The presence of esteemed figures such as Paralympian athlete Naomi Riches and digital marketing expert Elliott Botterill added substantial value to the networking sessions, ensuring participants gained valuable insights and made beneficial connections.
Janet Lacey emphasised the significance of the event, noting that attendees welcomed the chance to engage deeply with their businesses through expertly conducted sessions and peer interactions. The format offered a rare opportunity for professionals to step back and thoughtfully strategise for future growth, away from the usual rigours of daily work life.
The success of this endeavour has prompted the organisers to already conceptualise a similar event for the following year, raising anticipation for a new venue, possibly aboard another cruise or at a land-based destination. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing the desire to repeat the experience and recommending it to their peers.
Cruise to Success has set a benchmark in combining leisure with business development, paving the way for future innovative networking opportunities.
