Opportunity: Bachelorette Getaways

Opportunity: With the success of the girlfriends getaway program at Gaylord Palms, the "group travel" concept was sure to have other interesting variations. By "re-skinning" the existing operationally successful Girlfriends "Truth or Dare" Getaways package, we now had a new PR story to tell.

Solution: Good Girls Bachelorette Getaways were born. Today's brides told us that they would rather have a night to remember... and not one they'd rather forget. While other destinations had their bad-girl getaways, Orlando (and Gaylord Palms) was embracing a getaway that didn't necessitate a "Get out of Jail Free" card.

We had all heard about bachelorette parties that went wrong. In the days of Google searches and social media photo albums, a night of fun had become hard to hide from the in-laws. Simply stated...what happens at the bachelorette party doesn't always stay at the bachelorette party.

We started with the premise that Cyndi Lauper was right… that we girls 'just wanna have fun.' But, in talking to those who were planning bachelorette getaways, we learned a bit more: foremost, girls just want the planning to be easy.

Because the job of planning the bachelorette party is often delegated to the maid of honor or an overwhelmed best friend, the Gaylord Palms program included a helping hand from a staff "experience coordinator" to assist with advance planning.

If you ask a bride, many say they would rather not have a night of chaos. It's no longer about just the party, but really about spending quality time with the girls. This getaway gives that opportunity.

In fact, the program was designed to accommodate the group in every way, from itinerary creation to assistance with final billing. The program also provided special incentives for the bride-to-be, such as an upgrade to a suite. The suite doubled as the perfect 'party room' or gathering place for the group of girls.

Armed with a menu of add-on experiences, the experience coordinator can set up activities in the suite or in a host of other locations:

• Game Night - a "Truth or Dare" themed game night experience, complete with cocktails and snacks

• Spa Related - activities such as a private exercise class or a pedicure party at the resort's on-site Canyon Ranch SpaClub.

• In-Suite Fun - including memory-making activities like a champagne toast, a movie night, chair massages, or even a visit from a fortune teller

• Gourmet Experiences - such as a private wine tasting or an in-suite "make-your-own-dessert" party

• Out & About Town - including numerous options such as shopping sprees with a personal shopper, VIP perks at local night clubs, or a private golf or volleyball tournament

Results: Again, this was more than a package, which made it more newsworthy. And bachelorette-related room production increased by 1200% the first year.

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