Corporate Retreats: Business with a (Cabo) Twist

Work can be a day at the beach when it takes place in Los Cabos

By Sarah Muñoz

With a wide range of resorts and hotels, an increasing amount of meeting space and a heavy dose of warmth, Los Cabos is an idyllic location for meetings, conventions and corporate retreats. Despite having some of the prettiest vistas in Mexico, make no mistake about it — business gets done here, and well. Meeting and business venues come armed with hi-tech equipment, spacious boardrooms and wireless Internet.

English is widely spoken here and hospitality is second nature. Any group size can find a suitable spot in which to have a first-class meeting and still enjoy their stay with a unique combination of work and relaxation. As for diversions… well, that's what Los Cabos does best!

For instance, The Westin Resort and Spa, Los Cabos' enhanced meeting and ballroom space includes more than 12,000 sqaure feet of indoor-function space, The property features a total of 20 meeting rooms, the largest of which is 4,860 square feet. The Westin also comes with a convention services team that's always at the ready. Other possibilities at The Westin? A putting challenge or beach party, with all the comforts, luxuries and attention to detail for which this hospitality brand is so recognized.

The Villa Group serves up the best of Cabo to business visitors with views of El Arco, a dedicated staff and every possible convenience: Internet connections, championship tennis courts, a deli and market, room service and more. Meeting facilities are extensive, with anything from audiovisual equipment to catering needs easy to coordinate. Adjacent to each other along the Sea of Cortés, the three resorts that make up the Villa Group offer three grand spaces for private events. The beauty of these developments is that you won't want for anything — they will become your home away from home.

The Meliá Cabo Real offers a total of nine meeting rooms, the largest of which is Gran Cabo Real, with a banquet capacity of 1,020. Cabo Real Golf Club, a championship course, is right next door, and entertainment options are plentiful — from zip-lining on the beach to nightly shows.

The Marquis Los Cabos Beach, Golf, Spa & Casitas Resort's meeting areas — foyer, terrace, four breakout rooms and group service center — provide state-of-the-art facilities, as well as the flexibility to be configured in any number of ways. Its Conference Center also includes a master ballroom that can fit up to 1,000 guests comfortably (or be divided into four meeting rooms), with individual remote light dimmer and air conditioning controls, telephone and computer connections, and automatic projection screens. In addition, the resort has a special team of MPI and SITE members on hand to put together incentive travel arrangements.

Pre- or Post-Meeting Fun
This is a corporate meeting planner's dream destination, as there's no need to do much head-scratching when searching for ways to entertain the troops. Chances are the choice of lodging here will offer a wealth of amenities, but Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are not without their share of outstanding dining, shopping and entertainment options. Companies seeking to leave the planning to professionals who know the area well have at their disposal a number of destination management companies in Los Cabos that are happy to set everything up. For instance, Tropical Incentives DMC can help prepare special events in areas covering everything from hotel accommodations to professional graphics. With a sound quality management system and specialties in employee recognition and incentive programs, meeting planning, and all types of congresses and conventions, this DMC is an old pro at ground services, tours, turnkey logistics, theme parties, team games and much more.

Terramar Destinations makes sure that everything from program planning to transportation needs and specialty programs (whether group or individual) is attended to down to the minutest detail. With more than a decade of experience focusing in groups and incentives solely in Los Cabos, Terramar offers a wide array of activities, from dinner cruises and cultural tours to progressive team-building programs.

Outfitters such as Pisces Fleet Sportfishing can provide both fishing and yacht charters with all possible conveniences for a day of leisurely entertainment on the waters surrounding Baja. Sleek and well-equipped charters are varied and plentiful here — from a 31-footer for trying your hand at catching that elusive marlin to a mammoth 110-foot motor yacht with three staterooms. You can find a Pisces office on the Marina, at the Cabo Maritime Center.

For additional information on meetings and conventions, please visit the official website of the Los Cabos Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.visitloscabos.travel.

Business and Incentives Quick Reference Chart

To continue learning more about the fine hotels, resorts and condos in Los Cabos, please visit: www.VisitLosCabos.org or click here for a complete quick list of accommodations.

Los Cabos Hotels