Home > One of our Brighter Events team enjoyed a never-to-be-forgotten trip to Amsterdam
One of our Brighter Events team enjoyed a never-to-be-forgotten trip to Amsterdam as a reward for her efforts.
Kim Lacey, of the East Kilbride office, was selected for ‘Accoropoly’, the 2023 Festive Edition, after being selected by Head of Meetings and Events Claire Conboy following an invitation from Accor’s M&E Key Account Manager, Chris Ellis.
Kim was welcomed at Novotel Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel by Adrienne Tjepkema, Accor’s Director of Sales and Marketing, and Georgette Willems, Sales Expert for Accor Europe & North Africa, which is where her adventure began.
They headed to Rotterdam Central, where Koen Schouwenaars, Sales Manager for the Ibis Styles Rotterdam Ahoy, helped navigate all the attendees through the streets of ‘Monopoly’.
Kim said: “I had no idea what to expect from this experience but knew it was inspired by the Monopoly board game, which is a game I have grown up enjoying. I knew it would be a fantastic experience regardless, so I went into it with a very open mind.
“As the first day unfolded, the team were treated with beverages and an Italian tasting lunch, experiencing the warmth and hospitality that Accor hotels are known for.
“The journey continued at Rotterdam Ahoy, a vast convention centre and arena where Mirjam Herpst-van de Kamp, the Director of Conventions, revealed the vast spaces, including a sneak peak of a band doing a sound check in the arena.
“Returning to Ibis Styles, we indulged in dessert, including my first-ever cannoli, adding a sweet touch to our Accoropoly experience. Limoncello to finish off the evening, setting the stage for competitive games back at the Novotel Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel, including roller skating in meeting rooms.”
Saturday morning saw the Accoropoly adventure continue where delegates donning team-coloured Santa hats and navigated public transport.
First stop was the Mercure Amsterdam, where puzzles and painting earned the next property card and clues… for Novotel Amsterdam City.
The journey continued with experiences at The Hoxton in Lloyd Amsterdam, Movenpick Hotel Amsterdam City and INK Hotel Amsterdam MGallery, each with its unique charms and challenges according to Kim.
The climax awaited at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, where Maxime Den Houdijker – Assistant Director of Sales at the hotel – gave the party a tour and a quiz for the final clue which directed people to the Mercure Amsterdam City, their accommodation for the night.
Kim said: “We arrived at the final venue where we were greeted by all the venue managers that we had met. We enjoyed a buffet dinner and drinks and had one more surprise - a party on a canal boat that we accessed via the back entrance of the hotel.
“We enjoyed more drinks and socialising before the awards we given out. Of course, we finished in 1st place, go blue team!
“Each team member got to draw an envelope - I initially got two nights in London at the Novotel. After these were drawn, there were a few envelopes left, so I got the opportunity to gamble and trade mine as I had already stayed at the Novotel at the meeting show. I decided to risk it which was a success and I got a 2-night stay at the Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese, another stunning hotel, I’ve already checked and what a location!
“Off the boat we said our goodbyes and everyone went out or back to the hotels. I decided to enjoy every second of my hotel and do a bit of sightseeing the next day.”
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