Lanny Goodman

Veteran Planners Going Contrarian Reap The Low-Cost Benefits of Baja

Despite sluggish economic recovery, companies still need meetings.  From sales events to strategic offsites, companies still need training, planning, and face to face interaction.  The challenge is how to do it for less- much less with the tightest budgets in recent memory. 

The challenge to be very creative is causing veteran planners to question everything from travel and food to conference facilities and entertainment.  Time and time again, Mexico’s Baja Norte emerges as an incredible value for groups and meetings.

The first big benefit, especially for Southern California Companies is the elimination of the airline ticket.  25 miles south of the border is American owned Las Rocas Resort and Spa.  Situated right on the crashing surf with every room having it’s own ocean view, there are few more magnificent settings up the entire North American coastline.  Groups are picked up in the USA in a first class bus that cost as little as the price of an airline ticket for one person-for the whole group.  No one gets lost, no rental car expense and many argue that the bus ride as a team is a benefit in itself.  Thousands in airline fees, rental car and shuttle expenses, as well as parking fees are saved right off the bat.

Room fees are the next big savings area.  Room rates for the aforementioned ocean front rooms are as low as 59. mid week at Las rocas resort, and with many groups, the meeting and conference rooms are included in this price as well. 

Food is also a great value.  Mexican meals are notorious for generous portions and variety and low cost, but the Baja Norte specializes in local seafood offerings which range from lobster and calamari to clams, mussels, white seabass, fresh tuna, and even sea urchin delicacies at incredible prices.  The emergence of the 30+ Baja Norte wineries have yielded some of the finest up and coming award winning wines available, also at great prices.  Of course fine tequilas, and great Mexican beers round out the table fare for a group who wants to have a fine time.

Entertainment in Mexico has recently experienced a resurgence of classical guitar and violin, opera singers and great local bands that are all available for private functions at incredible bargains, completing the group meeting atmosphere with real talent and taste. 

Work Team Adventures in the Baja, run by professional guides from Aquarius Training, include fantastic fishing, wine country tours, horseback riding on the beach, Sea Kayaking, Rock Climbing, and Sailing- all organized with American operational standards, geared for the comfort of the group and smooth logistics that make then safe, fun and very memorable.  Aquarius Training & Development, long time organizational consultants operate a corporate learning center at Las Rocas Resort, including a series of courses and offerings from leadership and team building to quality improvement, Sales Effectiveness and Lean Sigma.  ATD recently inaugurated a full high adventure ropes course facility on site specifically dedicated to corporate training groups.

Aquarius Training & Development have been delivering offsite training programs for American companies for more than 25 years.

While many are taken aback by stories of drug cartel violence in Tijuana, the fact is, none of this has touched American tourist groups, or corporate meetings who steer clear of seedier downtown areas especially when picked up and delivered by bus from the US.  Despite information to the contrary, Americans are routinely allowed re-entry to the USA with only a birth certificate and California ID. 

Planners and decision makers looking for a big win for their next meeting will enjoy the atmosphere of a foreign country with rich culture and lots of fun, for less than they could travel to an American city.  The reality is, Mexico has never been a better value, and locations like Las Rocas Resort and Spa offer anything a group might want at magnificent prices-right in the backyard.