04 November 2021 - Vienna is the city of choice for unforgettable experiences – a fact well known to US cosmetics brand Mary Kay, whose latest incentive trip brought it to Vienna. Around 60 of its independent beauty consultants spent a memorable weekend in an imperial setting – including a waltz course and the full support of the Vienna Convention Bureau.
It was a weekend that had it all, leaving no end of indelible impressions. The 60 most successful Mary Kay independent beauty consultants were invited to join the coveted incentive trip, which took place in mid-September. In the run-up to the trip, the Vienna Convention Bureau provided Mary Kay with all the necessary organizational support to make sure participants were treated to no end of exclusive experiences. The choice of the Austrian capital as the destination was no accident.
International and imperial
"The Mary Kay brand is connected with Vienna in various ways," explained Dirk Auer, Senior Supervisor Sales Force Events: "Vienna’s international outlook plays as much of a role as its imperial ambience, which was perfectly suited for taking our top salespeople on a fantastic VIP trip." And there is something else that unites the Vienna and Mary Kay brands. Auer: "Vienna is a self-confident city for self-confident women."
"Vienna is a self-confident city for self-confident women." Dirk Auer, Senior Supervisor Sales Force Events
Hotel Sacher, Ringstrasse boulevard, horse-drawn carriages
The itinerary for the independent beauty consultants and their partners who were invited to join them reflected this unique bond. The legendary Hotel Sacher, home of the world-famous Sacher Torte, provided the accommodation. And the activities lined up over the weekend were also imperial all the way – starting with a welcome aperitif at former purveyor of confectionary to the royal court Gerstner. Next came an extend tour of the Ringstrasse boulevard and a trip to the Spanish Riding School, with a look around the imperial apartments, a horse-drawn carriage ride and a waltz course also featuring on the packed program. And of course, no trip to Vienna would be complete without visiting a coffeehouse and Heuriger wine tavern. The highlight of the weekend was a luxury gala dinner inside the opulent Palais Ferstel. It was a full itinerary that went down extremely well with all concerned.
"The trip opened up doors to parts of Vienna that regular tourists just wouldn’t have experienced." Maureen McNally, independent Mary Kay beauty consultant
"The days with Mary Kay in Vienna were incredibly beautiful. The city has so much charm and class," said participant Nadine Guidara, describing the impression it made on her: "Unlike so many other fantastic big cities, everything was super laid back and clean, you just feel good in Vienna. It seriously exceeded my expectations."
Maureen McNally will also remember her weekend in Vienna for a long time to come: "From the reception at the Hotel Sacher it was clear that it was going to be a very exclusive trip. Thanks to the team at the Vienna Convention Bureau we felt like the Habsburgs while we enjoyed a gala evening with modern, rocking violinists at Palais Ferstel." McNally was particularly taken by the sheer volume of exclusive experiences: "The trip opened up doors to parts of Vienna that regular tourists just wouldn’t have experienced. For me, a private tour of the Gustav Klimt exhibition at the Belvedere Palace was one of the personal highlights of this unforgettable trip." Another of the independent beauty consultants, Gisela Müller, summed it up: "Actually the whole of Vienna was one big highlight. Thank you for the warm-hearted hospitality we were treated to in Vienna."
After three days, the participants headed to Carinthia for the second part of their incentive trip.
