Green Business Meetings in Costa Rica

May 26, 2012 - PRLog -- We interview Catalina Cuervo the creator to find out a little more. The idea is a simple one, business meetings in Costa Rica planned and executed in the most sustainable way possible. Having years of experience in the Costa Rica travel sector, C.R. Referrals – Costa Rica Travel Group broadened their scope in 2012 to focus on conferences and business meetings. They called this new program their “Green Corporate Retreats”.  You can visit them yourself at http://www.crreferrals.com/Green_Corporate_Retreats/

Costa Rica Social Network: So what makes a business meeting in Costa Rica a Green Corporate Retreat?

Catalina Cuervo - “The meetings are planned with the environment in mind from start to finish. It starts with the vehicles that chauffer our groups around. Using alternative bio fuels these transfers are done in the most responsible ways available. Next we use hotels and eco lodges that have achieved the highest levels of sustainability in Costa Rica, some hotels actually operate with a zero carbon footprint here! The tours we offer groups are low impact on the environment without losing any of the adventure. We can even offset air travel with government reforestation projects. It is possible to have a luxury business retreat with all the trimmings and leave behind a zero carbon footprint.”

Costa Rica Social Network – So where in Costa Rica do the meetings take place?

Catalina Cuervo – We use several different areas of the country for our meetings. From the foothills of Arenal Volcano, with its hot springs and endless adventures, to the rainforests of Manuel Antonio, from the gold coast of Guanacaste to the central valley. It all depends on the parameters of the meeting we are planning.

Costa Rica Social Network – What is the typical business meeting like? Walk us through one.

Catalina Cuervo – It’s hard to walk through a typical meeting because they are all different. Each business meeting is designed with the specific groups needs and desires met. Depending on the goals of the business meeting, the meetings take shape. As a general rule we try to incorporate group tours and retreats that put our clients in direct contact with nature. Many of the excursions on these retreats also act to build trust and strengthen the ability to collaborate with one another as a team. White water rafting is a perfect example of groups needing to work together to reach a final goal. We offer adrenaline packed adventure or relaxed tranquil outings for our clients.

These types of tours are always incorporated but there is also many times more important business matters may be at hand. Depending on the group they may need conference space, audio/visual equipment, buffet and private dining options, we facilitate all aspects of a groups needs.

Costa Rica Social Network – Are these run year round?

Catalina Cuervo – Yes, they can be done year round. The best months for meetings though would be mid November through mid August. This coincides with the best months of dry season and our green season. It is important to start the planning process at least 6 months before the retreat. This allows us the time needed to arrange everything that goes into these retreats and  please the client.

Costa Rica Social Network – How large are these green meetings?

Catalina Cuervo - We can handle group sizes up to 100 guests or more. Typically smaller environmentally conscience companies tend to like these experiences with group sizes around 30 - 50 but we can do groups of just about any size.

Costa Rica Social Network - Thank you for your time, I love the ideas behind it and wish you luck. Do you have any closing thoughts for readers?

Catalina Cuervo – We hope that our Green Corporate Retreats idea catches on in other countries around the world, that other companies start offering similar experiences. The only possible future we have is one with sustainability in all its many forms at the forefront. It starts with the will to act, to not just talk the talk but walk the walk. The ideas behind these business meetings are a natural progression from the traditional to the enlightened. We look forward to working with our current and future clients!

Read the full interview being released soon on the Costa Rica Social Network Blog!