Jay's company does some nice things for its employees ... the benefit of working for a highly successful, privately owned business in the good ol' USofA where most employers refer to their workers as human capital. Gee, thanks ... lemme get my gray coveralls out of the dryer and where the hell is my metal lunchbox, comrade?
One of the really nice things this company does is take its employees who are celebrating 10, 15, 20, 25-year, etc. anniversaries with them on a weekend getaway to the Boca Raton Beach & Yacht Club. The whole trip is on the company and employees are allowed to bring one guest. Aren't I lucky that Jay asked me to come along?
Employees and their guests are allowed to choose two excursions that are sponsored and paid for by the company. We chose the following:
Everglades Airboat Tour: You and your guest will witness nature's wonders all around you while gliding over a river of grass in an airboat! Climb aboard the state-of-the-art, covered passenger airboats for an unforgettable experience in the Florida Everglades. The airboat tour is brought into focus by experienced guides who point out the highlights along the trip. These include the history of the Everglades and fascinating facts about the unique flora and fauna found there. Special stops are made along the way where you will see exotic birds, and even alligators, just feet from the boat!
Gallant Lady Intracoastal Cruise: You and your guest will have the opportunity to take a leisurely cruise aboard the 168-foot Gallant Lady. Spend time visiting with fellow associates while enjoying hoovers-doovers (thanks Lori!) and refreshments.
A note about the Gallant Lady ... it's owned by the company.
The company owns more than one yacht.
Goddamn - that's plush!
The rest of the schedule involves group pictures, two cocktail hours, and two banquets. There won't be a chance for us to visit the spa or lounge at the pool or stuff our stomachs at some of the many, varied dining options at the Boca Resort. We've already decided that if we really like the looks of the place and its amenities that we may come back in May 2009 and celebrate out 10th wedding anniversary here.
Some other nice things that the company is doing: each employee has been given a $100 Visa gift card to cover the cost of potential baggage fees being charged by airlines that are too stupid to know how to operate profitably in good economic times, let alone during a recession; all employees will also receive a $75 food allowance for the weekend (in our case that should be just enough to cover coffee and excess booze); transportation to and from the airport is being provided, all tips and gratuities have been pre-paid, there is a massive breakfast buffet each morning of our stay, and the company is hosting a hospitality room that will be open throughout the entire weekend where free food and drinks will be in ample supply.
Oh, and they totally overpaid for our airfare, which is probably the only "complaint" that I have about the whole setup. Not only are they flying us out of Stinktown on Delta, but it's not even a direct or non-stop flight. We get to spend two hours hanging out in Hartsdale International Airport in Atlanta. There are definitely worse airports to waste time in, but the anal travel planner in me gets annoyed when I realize that we could fly non-stop to Fort Lauderdale on Southwest for half the cost of what the company has spent on the tickets we have.
The above paragraph is the reason that I don't use travel agents. I'm a control freak when it comes to travel and by Gawd no one can plan better than I can. If I come across a corporate travel schmo next weekend I'm going to tactfully (for me) point out how I could have saved the company more than $500 on airfare while I had a second browser window opened on my computer at work yesterday as I underwrote a loan request for nine million dollars.
It's true ... I'm just that good at multi-tasking. ;-)
Stay tuned for pictures and reviews from our Boca getaway ... we leave in 10 days!!!
6 comments:
Can't wait to read more about "Boozin' Bendy's Boca Bash"!!
Lots of pictures please. :)
Sweet! Have fun!
Aww, the Everglades. I have fond memories of many MANY school field trips there when I was a kid. (One includes an open walkway, a very large aligator and my friend and I running for our lives. Good times.) See if they can get you a samplin of gator tail or swamp cabbage while you're there!
I can't wait to read more since it sounds like a fun weekend.
How was the trip? When will we get an update?!
Oh my, Brenda - I'm dying to know if you got eaten alive on that airboat ride!! I am a mosquito magnet, and I'm trembling at the thought - but then again I really liked Adaptation - hmmm...conundrum!
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