Sandals Resorts invests in travel agents and wants to give them the knowledge and tools to succeed in their business. For 6 years now Sandals has spent millions on sending travel agents from the US and Canada to 3 different Sandals resorts on 3 different islands in 3 days. Personal Travel was lucky enough to be hand selected to be a part of the Chicago Mega Fam from November 13 - 15. In those 3 days we got to see Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma, Beaches Turks and Caicos, and Sandals brand new baby La Source Grenada.
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| Andre Wade, Director of Industry Relations |
Andre Wade, Director of Industry Relations, is in charge of the Mega Fams each year and this year he proved to make 2014 the best! He was in charge of all 20 Mega Fams out of major cities in the US and Canada. These Mega Fams have been going on since September and will end in mid December. He has gone on every single one to oversee everything. He got the flights set up, ordered the planes, set up rooms for all agents, coordinated how the resorts would get all the agents through the resorts in a timely fashion and get all of them fed and back on the plane, as well as keeping everyone entertained and keep us on our toes. As you can imagine it's a tedious process and there are many moving parts that have to work together in order for everything to go smoothly. Mr. Wade has proven to be a major asset to Sandals as well as all of the Sandals team that has helped on all of these grueling fams. It only proves that Sandals believes in their travel agents and can raise the bar when it comes to training and supporting us.
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| Our Sandalized plane |
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| Our 767 landed in Exuma! |
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| Sandals Emerald Bay |
We started off in Chicago and got on a 767 chartered just for our Mega Fam. Got a bit of a late start taking off but we flew non stop to Georgetown, Exuma in the Bahamas. There were 210 agents on this Mega Fam which was a bit of an issue getting a plane big enough and to be able to land that aircraft in Georgetown Exuma which had never had a 767 land on their island...until our aircraft filled with 210 nervous travel agents and Sandals staff landed on that short runway. The pilot did an absolutely amazing job and we had a very smooth landing. Thanks to Vision Airlines we were all made comfortable and our anxiety if any was totally melted away by the crew. After a comfortable 3 hour and 30 minute flight from Chicago we were all excited to get off the plane and were whisked away in shuttle buses and SUVs. The drive was a very short 15 minute ride to get to Sandals Emerald Bay. This resort used to be a Four Seasons and is every bit as luxurious now that Sandals has put it's personal touch on it. This resort is located on such a gorgeous stretch of beach and has the prettiest turquoise water of all the Caribbean. The resort is known for having a famous 18 hole golf course that allows breathtaking views of the ocean while on it. This resort is luxurious, spacious, relaxing, and has one of the greatest pools complete with swim up bar. The restaurants range from Italian, French, Caribbean, as well as an English style Pub complete with fish and chips and karaoke at night. This resort is sure to tickle the fancy of the couple who wants to feel like they are completely cut off from the rest of the world and just relax and spend time drinking Pina Coladas on the beach or by the pool. That's not to say there aren't things to do though. If you get a little bored on the beach and want to experience an excursion you will never forget, there is the 007 Thunderball Tour. You can swim with the pigs! Yes, that's right! They take you on a speed boat until you reach an island with pigs who will swim up to the boat. You can choose to either feed them from the boat or get into the shallow waters with these adorable pigs. They are super cute and it's something that you can say no one else in your circle has done before. Sandals Emerald Bay has only club level suites as well as butler suites. The suites here range from views of the gardens or ocean and span to beachfront villas, which give you amazing views of the beach and have all the luxuries of home and more...complete with your very own personal butler. This resort is for that couple who wants to be completely pampered and get away from every day life and just relax.
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| Royal Villa at Sandals Emerald Bay |
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| Beaches Turks and Caicos |
After a few hours of enjoying our time at Emerald Bay we were whisked away back to the airport and got on our flight to Turks and Caicos. After an hour we arrived in Turks after dark and got through customs. We were taken to Beaches Turks and Caicos in a shuttle van which was a short 20 minute ride from the airport. We were checked in and got our room keys. After we arrived in our room we had to get ready for dinner. Since it was late we decided to eat something quick in the Pub and then participate in the fun karaoke they were doing that night. We sang the night away. This resort is located on a gorgeous long stretch of white sand beach and the color of the water is turquoise. Beaches is a family resort but the resort is so large I barely saw any little ones. This resort is separated into 4 villages. French Village, Caribbean Village, Italian Village, and the new Key West Village. Our suite was located in the Key West Village which was complete with kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, dining room, and living room. The Key West Village was my favorite and was so nice and quiet. The main pool is over in the Italian Village. They have 19 restaurants at Beaches Turks ranging from Italian, Japanese, Seafood, French, Pizza, English Pub, and an endless amount of other choices. You are sure to not have any problem finding a place to eat. This resort is active and has so many water sports to participate in. They have a water park here as well and you can't over look the Sesame Street characters walking around. They have a kids parade at 8:30 pm and the famous Night Night Sleep Tight to where a character will come to read to your child and tuck them in at night! This resort is perfect for families of all sizes.
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| Key West Village at Beaches Turks and Caiscos |
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| Beach at Beaches Turks and Caicos |
We got up the next morning early and we got some breakfast and headed to the Marketing Forum. We
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| Mr. Butch Stewart, Chariman of Sandals and Beaches |
learned more about how to sell Sandals and got to have the honor of listening to Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, Mr. Butch Stewart and CEO, Adam Stewart. It was such an honor to hear them speak to us! That was a treat and something I personally have been looking forward to for years now. After the forum was over we were fed a buffet lunch and then finally got to have some free time. We hung out at the jacuzzi pool overlooking the beach and watched the sunset. It was a pleasure hanging out with some wonderful travel agents. After relaxing for a bit we got ready for a nice dinner at Schooners which is their seafood restaurant. It was really tasty and would recommend it for sure. After a late dinner we went to hang out with the other travel agents at the chocolate buffet party where we danced and had an endless amount of choices for dessert at the chocolate buffet. When that was over we headed to karaoke and then called it a night.
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| Sandals La Source Grenada, Italian Village |
The next morning we awoke early and were taken to the airport by SUV and got on the plane to take us to Grenada. After a few hours flight and a few short naps we arrived in beautiful Grenada. We were again transferred in a shuttle and arrived at Sandals La Source Grenada within 5 minutes. Talk about saving the best for last! This resort screams "Sexy!". This is the newest of the Sandals resorts to open and let me tell you, they out did themselves with these suites. They took every unique top room category from the other Sandals resorts and put them all together at this property. You have the South Seas Village which is the furthest from the ocean but they have swim up suites, suites with tranquility soaking tubs, offering club level and luxury level services. Also in the South Seas Village they offer the Millionaire Suites as well as the famous Rondovals which were first brought onto the scene at Sandals Antigua and then added to Sandals Grande St. Lucian. The Italian Village is the middle and tallest building housing the famous Infinity Sky Pool Suite complete with soaking tub, private plunge pool on your balcony and your own personal butler. This room offers the best of both worlds, gorgeous ocean view and your own private pool. The Italian Village also offers swim out suites as well. The building closest to the beach is the Pink Gin and it offers the best ocean views because it is right on the beach and offers spacious rooms either with penthouse views or beachfront walkout rooms with tubs right there on your balcony or patio. This resort has many dining options ranging from seafood, Italian, French, Sushi, and Sandals very first steakhouse called Butch's Chop House. Be sure to check it out if you like steak! This resort screams sexy and is located on a volcanic island so it has darker sand and the water is darker than some other Caribbean islands such as Jamaica or Bahamas. This resort is amazing and we were so thankful to get to see it! After a great lunch and listening to the Minister of Tourism of Grenada we were taken back to the airport and were sent off Grenadian style with music, dancers, and duty free shopping. It was a long 5 hour flight back to Chicago and was filled with many agents napping after a short and packed full 3 days. It was a good way to see 3 islands though!
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| Sandals La Source Grenada, South Seas Village |
Sandals Resorts invests in their travel agents and these Mega Fams that only get bigger each year prove that Sandals loves and supports travel agents! We love our jobs and are so blessed to be partners with such an amazing company. Thank you to all of Sandals staff, team members, and BDM's. You make our job more enjoyable and we love you all!
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