As a seasoned Event Managers who have planned a lot of off sites and retreats globally, we can say that Malta ticks all the boxes needed to ensure a successful event and as a corporate event planner, it’s a destination you HAVE to consider for your events.
London based corporate event planners always need to choose locations where there are several flights a day (most of us have that rule stipulating you can’t have any more than X delegates from X department on any one flight) and, as a general rule of thumb a location no more than four hours away from London is often the brief. The fact that Malta is almost always sunny is also a huge bonus and, quite frankly, saves money on courier umbrellas out (on the off chance it will rain)! Check out the climate weather averages here.
The key to a great event when working offsite is a reputable DMC partner that you can trust, and I have found EC Meetings to be just that. EC Meetings Malta were established in May 2001, and their focus is always on doing things better. They believe that having a strategic vision and a commitment to work hard fuels their success, and I think it’s fair to say their longevity speaks for itself.
When working with EC Meetings Malta, a typical agenda for your delegates could look like this:
Day 1
Arrival at Malta International Airport & welcome by ECMeetings staff.
Corvette / Mustang transfer to Valletta Harbour (15 minutes) to board a private boat which will take the delegate directly to the hotel. Welcome glass of champagne, canapés and check-in on board.
Afternoon meeting/conference before checking into rooms before evening activities where delegates could find a welcome gift in their rooms (examples here).
Evening
Departure from hotel to the Ancient Capital city of Mdina for an exclusive dinner within the walls of the City.
Before dinner, the guests will have the opportunity to visit the fortified City on foot and be served drinks & canapés on the fortifications with an fantastic view of the entire island.
Dinner at the Xara Lodge (for larger events) or De Mondion Restaurant (for smaller groups)
Return to Hotel
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning of meetings
Lunch in your hotel or surrounding event space
Speedboat transfer to the Island of Gozo (20 minute high-speed ride) directly from the hotel.
Arrival in Gozo where the group will utilise 6-seater Jeeps (driven by a local driver).
Group visit to the famous Azure Window (filming location of Game of Thrones Season One) and have opportunities for wine tasting, olive oil tasting and visiting a traditional local bakery.
Speedboat transfer back to the hotel to change before dinner
Transfer to the hilltop village of Wardija for exclusive dinner at Castello Dei Baroni, a 16th Century Castle which still belongs to one of the Knights of Malta
Day 3
Breakfast at leisure
Morning meetings/wrap up of conference
Transfer to Valletta, Malta’s Capital City and European Culture Capital in 2018
iPad Challenge inside the City with starting point at the Upper Barrakka Gardens offers a fantastic view over the Valletta Grand Harbour.
The city IPAD Challenge will take them to historic locations such as Fort St Elmo, The Knights’ Old Hospital and St John’s Cathedral.
Return to Hotel & Check-Out.
Transfer directly to Malta International Airport & group departure.
This is just a guideline of the itinerary you could build for your delegates for your corporate conference, retreat or offsite. If it is more of an incentive you are looking for, there are even more activity options.
For more information on Malta for your events, reach out to Nikki, who will get you a brief for your event so you can get planning!