FAM Trips & Downtime – A Critical Detail

Today's topic came directly from a valuable comment made by a meeting professional who watched On Air with Russell of Hotels – Show 302 yesterday.

Here’s what they said:
"Sometimes on FAM trips, there’s not enough downtime. There’s no moment to breathe, reflect, or even just enjoy the destination without being 'on' all the time."

That stopped me in my tracks—and I had to talk about it today.

We unpacked 3 important points:

* 1. Downtime is Not Wasted Time
When planners are on the move from sunup to sundown, they don't have a chance to mentally process the value of each property or destination. Downtime allows for reflection—and reflection turns into recall, which turns into bookings.

* 2. Experiential Over Exhaustion
Hotels and CVBs often try to impress with back-to-back activities, but sometimes less is more. A powerful, well-paced FAM lets the destination speak for itself. Build in moments where planners can absorb the experience, not just observe it.

* 3. Think Like a Planner
Ask yourself: Would this schedule inspire me to bring a group here, or would it burn me out? Balance the itinerary with site tours, interactive elements, and unstructured moments that let the planner discover personal connections.

The Bottom Line:
✨ If the FAM trip is too packed, the message might get lost.
Great impressions happen not just through programming, but through feeling. Let planners feel the destination.

* YouTube Title:
Are Your FAM Trips Too Packed? Why Downtime Matters for Planners | Daily Check-In with Russell of Hotels

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