‘Sunglasses at work’

MANILA, Philippines - Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu has launched “Sunglasses at Work,” an unconventional take on destination meetings and events.

With the end goal of allowing companies to fulfill their business agenda in a “corporate away” feel or atmosphere, the Sunglasses at Work experience is anchored on three concepts: Involve, Indulge and Inspire.

Involve. The Involve concept revolves around the idea of meeting participants being genuinely engaged in the meeting or conference. The traditional boardroom venue is transported to the resort’s gardens or along the stretch of white sand with the sapphire-hued ocean as backdrop.

Meeting options include Green Meetings and Blue Sky Brainstorming Package. The resort’s Green Meetings offer environmentally friendly meeting options that allow companies to minimize the environmental burdens of their activities. Blue Sky Brainstorming takes inspiration from the emptiness of the blue skies, suggesting clutter-free thinking, predisposed to creative, original ideas.

Part of getting team members involved is challenging them through team-building activities. With the resort’s 13-hectare surrounds, companies have an extensive list of outdoor activities to choose from – from water recreation, such as snorkeling treasure hunt, raft building and fish-house making, to on-land activities such as traditional Filipino street games, Iron Chef competitions and wellness team activities.

Indulge. A touch of luxury is thrown in to spice up an otherwise straightforward, dull meeting or event. Coffee break sessions have been given a makeover with such themes as “It’s More Fun In the Philippines” (re-creating a fiesta-like atmosphere), “Mango Overload” (featuring Cebu’s signature fruit in all imaginable ways) and “Color Pop” (an overload of colors meant to overwhelm the senses).

Unique themes for gala dinners include “Glamping,” a glamorous take on camping, and “Playa del Fuego,” a fire-themed dinner by the beach showcasing the fiery rhythms of the island with tiki torches and flags. Flame dancers fire up the mood with electrifying beats from drumbeaters.

Inspire. The resort completes the experience by allowing participants to engage in uplifting activities, so they walk away feeling inspired and re-energized. Options include excursions to neighboring islands, where community work is carried out in a local public elementary school.  Tutorials to elementary students, painting of school building, arts and crafts session and story telling sessions are some activities that can be organized.

For those inclined to green sustainable practices, talks and demonstrations on vermicomposting (a technique of using  earthworms to turn organic waste into high-quality compost), bokashi and backyard farming can be organized with the resort’s resident flora and fauna specialist.

For inquiries on Sunglasses at Work, call Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu at (63 32) 231 8264 or email events.mac@shangri-la.com.