Perth plays the perfect game

With less than a month's lead time, the team at DMS Incentive Management in Perth devised and delivered a busy and creative incentive style conference last December for 30 general managers from an international pharmaceutical company. According to DMS event co-ordinator Ms Jeanette Clark, the programme for 30 was initiated by Aventis Pharma in Singapore and comprised general managers from across Asia, including China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand and Singapore, and Europe. "Perth was chosen as a number of senior company executives were keen golfers and the Vines resort and golf complex in the Swan Valley outside Perth was ideal for their needs," Ms Clark says. The four-day programme had the delegates working hard and playing hard, with teambuilding exercises devised by DMS to bring elements of fun and competition. The event commenced with an afternoon of golf followed by an Aboriginal welcome, complete with didgeridoo and dinner. The following day comprised a full day of conferencing, followed by a transfer using vintage cars and Harley-Davidson motorcycles to Sandalford Winery, one of the premier properties in the Swan Valley. A wine tasting compared some fine European wines with quality new world offerings - an exercise of great interest to the delegates. Being the festive season, a Christmas dinner followed, with plenty of crackers and decorations to brighten the room. A traditional Australian bush band was in attendance, with everyone getting involved, either playing an instrument or learning bush dances. Dinner comprised an array of west Australian beef and local seafood. The next morning everyone was issued with an Akubra hat before heading out in a fleet of four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles to Moore River, where the teams had to gather a range of typically Australian items. These included gum nuts, leaves, native bird feathers and answers to a range of questions about the area. Morning tea brought the fleet to the seaside town of Lancelin, where the visitors had the chance to experience the spectacular sand dunes in the area, both on 4WD and sandboards, with points given to the most adventurous. A gourmet picnic followed at Yanchep. Back at the resort, there was a brief break before heading out for a regatta on the Swan River where world-class yachtsmen were on hand to direct the race between the various yachts. That evening a barbecue under the stars at the Royal Perth Yacht Club wrapped up an energetic day. On the final day, a live video conference with senior company executives in Paris was co-ordinated by DMS managing director Mr Brian Robeson. A golf tournament followed the conference and prizes were awarded during the gala farewell dinner. Video highlights of the conference were also presented.