For the first time, from 17 to 20 March, our region had the honour of hosting inVoyage, one of the most important international professional workshops in today’s MICE industry. The event captivated and surprised attendees: a total of 150 participants, with the involvement of many event planning agencies from the United States and Europe, specialised in premium incentive trips.
The synergy generated between suppliers and buyers and the range of activities and quality experiences on offer, served to highlight the power and diversity of the region’s services and facilities for corporate clients with those with high purchasing power. At the same time the event enabled us to open new collaboration channels with our members and establish high-value connections with organisers around the world who endorse us as the ideal destination for organising the most exclusive and quality meetings, incentive trips and events.
inVoyage brought together a great team, including co-organisers the Costa Brava Girona Convention Bureau and the Catalunya Convention Bureau in collaboration with the Spanish DMC Factor 3. The event also received the support of Camiral Golf & Wellness hotel, in Caldes de Malavella, which provided the venue.
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Unique spaces and stellar gastronomy
If there is something besides the landscape that stuns everyone who comes here, it is our cuisine. That’s why inVoyage placed particular importance on outstanding figures from our gastronomy such as Joan Roca, chef and owner of El Celler de Can Roca; Eugeni Llos, director of Peralada Resort; and Lluís García, director of elBulli1846. All three took part in the talk ‘Our unbeatable recipe as a food and wine destination’ focused on the roots, creativity and emotions that underpin these three major business projects that contribute to positioning and projecting the destination internationally.
One of the dinners was held at El Celler de Can Roca’s event venue Roca Mas Marroch in Vilablareix, with three-Michelin-starred catering in the gardens of this charming farmhouse, known for its traditional origins, dedication to sustainability and emblematic glass dome beneath which guests enjoyed dishes and wines that showcased local products and producers.
One of the other stellar meals took place in the Convent de Blanes space, which raised the curtain on panoramic views of the Mediterranean from its gardens, while caressing the sunset. The culinary menu was courtesy of Nandu Jubany, holder of a Michelin star. This former convent is set magnificently facing the sea, creating an impressive space that combines history with a touch of modern luxury. After dinner the guests were invited to watch local cocktails being created with Cocktail Time by Gerard Ruiz.
Local experiences
Another goal achieved during the event was allowing the attendees to discover the beauty of the region and experience unforgettable moments. The participants explored the city of Girona with a guided tour of the old quarter, where they visited unique historical event spaces such as the Jewish courtyard. The visit ended on a surprising and typically Catalan note with a casteller performance by the Marrecs de Salt human tower team.
On the second day, after the one-to-one meetings session, a series of activities for all tastes was arranged, with local experiences closely linked to the province of Girona’s culture, gastronomy and landscape. The activities included a visit to Gala-Dalí Castle in Púbol, a tasting session with DO Empordà wines and local products from Finca Bell-Lloc, a tour of the Empordà region’s medieval towns by electric bicycle, a cooking workshop at Espai del Peix, a golf clinic at Camiral Golf & Wellness, and a walk with La Gastronòmica along the coastal paths of the Costa Brava, among others.
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Inspiring testimonials
Being able to host such an event in the destination is an opportunity that brings many promotional benefits. This is also demonstrated by the feedback we have received from some of the participants.
Becky Pieters
Director of JetSet Events (United States)
“It’s a good opportunity to be able to experience first-hand the level of the options available, really feel the region, meet suppliers and network.”
Nick Hamilton
Managing Director at Inconnection (United Kingdom)
“The Spanish market is very important to us and having the opportunity to get to know Girona is fantastic: the food, the culture, the wine… This region has a lot to offer and we also flew to Girona airport, just ten minutes from the hotel.”
Michael Gwilliam
Director XSEM (United Kingdom)
“inVoyage is the best event of its type in the industry, with an excellent guest list of like-minded event professionals and best-in-class suppliers. The accommodation, tours and insights are always delivered to very high standards. A first-class experience.”
Catherine Lazzaroni
Global Account Manager de HelmsBriscoe (USA)
“Wellness is an important part of our lives and the region offers tranquility and serenity. I was able to relax and enjoy this incredible culture, the food, the natural way of living and organic production, in a spectacular place.”
Clara Vadillo
Sales Manager of W Ibiza (Spain)
“Definitely, one of the best events I have ever been to. From start to finish everything was brilliant. The organisation, venues, hosted buyers… I’ll come back for sure.”
Diane Coudry
MICE Sales Manager of InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hotel (France)
“It was my first inVoyage event and I found it to be a good blend of work, networking and exploration of a beautiful destination. The fact that it focuses on incentive buyers is precisely what we are looking for and I feel like they have been carefully chosen by the inVoyage team.”
