Top Incentive Travel Destinations in North America
Top Incentive Travel Destinations in North America to Reward Your Team
Incentive travel: experiencing the reward of a lifetime because of hard work. We explore the best incentive travel destinations in North America for employee motivation and business growth. Incentive travel offers a real solution to employee engagement and we review the best in North America.
Las Vegas, Nevada: Where Business Meets Extravagance
Las Vegas is where work meets play. This city is all about luxury combined with 5 start hotels, experiences and restaurants to please everyone.
World-Class Entertainment and Dining
Get ready for shows that will blow your mind. From Cirque du Soleil to headlining musicians, there’s always something to see. Vegas offers the most incredible restaurants known and run by celebrity chefs. You can enjoy food from all over the planet. Dance the night away at top clubs with world-famous DJs.
High-End Accommodations and Amenities
Stay in hotels that redefine luxury. The Bellagio offers stunning fountains. The Venetian will transport you to Italy. These hotels offer spas, pools, and service that’s second to none.
Team-Building Activities and Excursions
Feel the rush at a race car driving experience or take a helicopter tour over the strip at night. An incentive day trip to the Grand Canyon is a must-do and is perfect for large groups and team building.
Miami, Florida: Sun, Sand, and Sophistication
Miami is a city of sun, sand, and culture. This city offers a lively feel that makes it perfect for reward experiences.
Beachfront Relaxation and Water Sports
Miami’s beaches are world-famous. Your group can enjoy the beaches for team building activities and sports events. Group activities include jet skiing, paddle-boarding or boat tours.
Cultural Experiences and Culinary Delights
Walk through the Art Deco District and see cool architecture. Visit Little Havana and feel Cuba’s vibe. Miami’s food scene is very diverse and you’ll find flavors from all over Latin America and the Caribbean.
Unique Team-Building Options
Set sail on a team-building adventure. Go snorkeling and see the underwater world. An Everglades tour lets you see amazing wildlife up close.
Banff, Canada: Adventure in the Canadian Rockies
Banff offers stunning mountain views and outdoor fun. It’s a place where you can recharge and reconnect with nature.
Outdoor Adventures and Natural Beauty
Go hiking on trails with incredible views. Depending on the time of the year, skiing here is popular here in Winter. Keep an eye out for wildlife like elk and bears, enjoying Banff’s natural beauty and attraction.
Luxury Lodges and Spa Retreats
Large groups have the opportunity to stay in lodges that mix luxury with nature. The Fairmont Banff Springs offers top-notch service and spas as well as wellness programs that will make you feel brand new.
Team-Oriented Activities
Go on guided hikes and learn about the area. Snowshoeing is a fun winter activity for teams. Ice climbing will challenge you and build teamwork.
New York City, New York: The Ultimate Urban Experience
Our favourite place in the world and the perfect spot for incentive travel groups. New York City buzzes with energy. This city offers culture, food, and shopping and is an ideal place for an unforgettable reward trip.
Broadway Shows and Cultural Landmarks
See a Broadway show or a local production in the city. Visit museums like the Met and the Museum of Modern Art. Explore historical sites like the Statue of Liberty.
Fine Dining and Rooftop Bars
Enjoy fine dining at some of the world’s best restaurants. New York’s rooftop bars offer stunning city views and offer incredible event spaces for team building and meetings. Read more about New York City’s best rooftop event spaces.
Exclusive Team-Building Activities
Get a private tour of a museum just for your team. Take a cooking class or venture behind the scenes at a famous landmark.
Scottsdale, Arizona: Desert Luxury and Outdoor Thrills
Scottsdale blends desert beauty with luxury. This city is great for golf, spas, and adventure.
Golfing and Relaxation
Play golf on championship courses with amazing views. Enjoy spa treatments that will relax and recharge your group.
Desert Adventures and Scenic Views
Hike on trails that show off the desert landscape. Take a hot air balloon ride and see the desert from above or venture on a jeep tour.
Unique Southwestern Experiences
Visit Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home. Learn about Native American culture at local centers. Explore Old Town Scottsdale’s shops and art galleries.
Conclusion
Incentive travel in North America offers amazing opportunities. These trips can boost team motivation and create lasting memories. Are you ready to plan your next incentive trip? Remember that incentive travel is changing. People want trips that are good for the planet. They also want experiences that are personal and unique.
Smithsfields brings you the latest global MICE news for event profs. We publish destination content, a global supplier directory, event inspiration and incentive travel insights.
Contact us at hello@smithsfields.com
The above information is for general guidance.
Follow us on Instagram for the latest news, travel tips and event industry insights.
Top Picks for Local DMCs: MICE Events in North & Central America
Corporate Events and Travel in North and Central America: The Top Picks for Local DMCs
Organising global events can be tricky if you don’t know the destination well. One of the primary reasons to partner with a Destination Management Company (DMC) is to utilize their expertise in local event management. This article gives you an insight into the DMCs in North & Central America. A DMC acts as as your local contact when planning a destination event and specializes supplier, activity and venue coordination in events including conferences, incentive trips, board meetings, retreats, exhibitions and team building.
A DMC will negotiate on behalf of international event planners. DMC’s are able to source the best suppliers at the best rate, using their local knowledge and network of established relationships.
Researching and contacting suppliers to help plan an event with you takes time. Without a personal relationship, it can be difficult to vet potential suppliers online. The advantage of working with a DMC is that they have already done the hard work for you. Established DMCs have spent years cultivating a trusted, high-quality network of local suppliers. They not only know who’s the best in the business, but also who will add value to your event.
We’ve made the event planning process event easier by recommending the top picks for DMCs in North and Central America.
**certain countries and states have not been included due to insufficient suppliers. If something is wrong, please let us know: Contact us.**
Antigua, Barbados and Antigua DMCs
Bahamas DMCs
Belize DMCs
Canada DMCs
Costa Rica DMCs
Cuba DMCs
Dominican Republic DMCs
Grenada DMCs
Guatemala DMCs
Jamaica DMCs
Mexico DMCs
Panama and Nicaragua DMCs
Saint Kitts and Nevis DMCs
Saint Lucia DMCs
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines DMCs
Trinidad and Tobago DMCs
United States of America DMCs
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Our goal is to help elevate your event planning experience by recommending the best suppliers, venues and programs available in your destination.
Follow us on Instagram for the latest news, travel tips and event industry insights.
Incentive Travel: South African Safari, Vineyards and Private Dining in Cape Town
MICE in South Africa: Private Dining in Cape Town, Authentic Safari and Vineyards of Franschhoek for Business Travel.
We are still not fully over the THRILL of our South African adventure. We kicked 2025 off with a bang and I’m not quite sure how I will ever fully look forward to a (usually freezing cold) January again. It’s been a journey – exploring incentive travel programs, world class venues, vineyard dining with views of the countryside, and coasting across the wild in a Jeep Wrangler, spotting lions, buffalo and zebra by very close (but very safe) optic.
We’re back and here to bring you everything we’ve learnt along the way, laying out the best venues, suppliers and DMC’s South Africa has to offer for your next MICE event.
Home to the Big Five, we give you both activity based insight into the incentive travel options in rural South Africa, as well as inspiration for where to host meetings and team building events in the bustling city of Cape Town. The biggest perk of South Africa is it being an ideal travel destination all year round.
This article is written based on your group accommodation being situated within Cape Town. All of our recommendations are for activities, venues and things to do within a reasonable distance from the city.
Experiences
- Hosted or Self-Drive Safari
- Various reserves including Melozhori and Aquilla approximately 2 to 3 hours drive from the city
- We would suggest booking private transport and stopping en route at one of the wonderful vineyards. Break up the journey (and enjoy the wine
We respectfully do not recommend the ‘day trip’ activity bookings that many travel websites try to push. Book lunch and wine tastings in advance. - Smithsfields recommends: Horseback Safari
- Franschhoek Wine Tram
- Departing from Franschhoek or Groot Drakenstein Terminal
- Approximately 60 minutes from the city by car
- All day activity including hop-on-hop-off scenic travel through the valleys
- Curated wine tastings and outstanding culinary experiences
- There are 5 separate tram lines to choose from offering independent routes to differing local vineyards
- Smithsfields Favourite Stop: Grande Provence
- Overnight stay or team build at the luxury Babylonstoren
- Multi award winning venue including Luxe 100 Best Awards 2022 and 2024, Best Hotel in South Africa
- Cellar tours, vineyard experiences and ground drives across the 750 hectares of farmland in the heart of historic winelands in the Drakenstein Valley
- Private dining up to 100 pax. View all event spaces, here
- Day group hike up to the Lion’s Head
- It’s free and the best way to see the entire city of Cape Town!
- Excellent team building adventure planning between 3-5 hours of walking (easy and moderate routes)
- Table Mountain also offers a long hike or the option to cable car to the top
- Smithsfields Recommends: Head for brunch at Jarryds to refuel after your hike!
MICE Venues
- Rooftop on Bree
- Our outdoor deck and balcony measure 150m2 and our indoor covered space is 250m2
- Maximum 120 pax
- Inhouse furniture, tech and 6m bar
- Cape Business Centre
- The largest space is the auditorium at 56m² and hosts up to 45 pax
- They also provide smaller meeting spaces and boardrooms for more intimate events
- Onsite catering, furniture and tech
- The Iconic Cape Business Centre is situated on the waters edge in the V&A Waterfront, Cruise Terminal
- One & Only
- Luxury hotel and event space located on the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
- The Ballroom is the largest space and can host up to 140 pax
- Smaller meeting spaces and boardroom
- Full service event space including onsite catering, furniture and tech
- Lichtenstein Castle
- Unique, fully exclusive medieval castle overlooking the harbor in Hout Bay
- The ballroom has a capacity approximately 250 pax standing
- Five on-site accomodation rooms
- 30 mins (ish) from central Cape Town
- Cavalli Wine Estate
- Vineyard, picnics and oyster pairing in Stellenbosch
- Huge event space with a 600 cinema capacity conference room
- 40 mins (ish) from central Cape Town
Private Dining and Alternative Event Space
- Aubergine Cape Town
- Exclusive use of the restaurant or function venue
- Ability to host up to 80 pax
- Smaller private dining spaces for 10-50 guests
- Pigalle Cape Town
- ‘Cape Town’s largest indoor restaurant venue’, accommodating up to 350 pax
- Full in-house stage and resident jazz band and DJ
- Located by the V&A Waterfront
- The Silo Hotel
- The Wisdom Room is a glass-fronted private dining room which can comfortably host up to 22 guests
- Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner set menus
- Iconic luxury located on the V&A Waterfornt
Each region in South Africa is unique and beautiful in it’s own way. All destinations of SA offer a diverse range of landscapes, places of interest, activities and wonderful venues to explore. Cape Town was a fantastic base for us and we were able to enjoy the neighbouring wine valleys, luxury rural event spaces and the finest Big Five safari for incentive travel.
We’d love to hear from you if you’ve taken a business trip or incentive to South Africa.
Did we miss anything? Leave us a comment letting us know your favourite spots in SA.
Travel information
- Direct flights 14hrs
- GMT +7hrs
- Best all year round
DMCs