Planning a corporate offsite, sales kickoff, or incentive trip sounds exciting — until you're the one managing room blocks, negotiating contracts, coordinating transportation, and keeping 50 people informed. Most companies end up with an overloaded executive assistant and a lot of group chats that no one reads.
At Studio M Travel, we take that entire load off your plate. We handle the venue sourcing, the contracts, the rooming logistics, the group experiences — everything — through one streamlined process so your team arrives energized, not exhausted.
We don't do one-size-fits-all programs. Whether you're a startup planning your first team retreat or a global company running a multi-day incentive trip, every program we design is built around your goals, your culture, and the experience you want your people to have.
Our job is to make your event look effortless — because behind the scenes, we're making sure it is.
We Design Group Travel That Actually Works
The right setting shapes the success of your meeting. We make sure every detail is working in your favor.
Before I founded my travel business, I spent 30 years working in Fortune 200 companies like Dell Technologies, Visa Inc., and Schwab. In these roles, I had responsibility for planning hundreds of employee, executive, press, and analyst events and travel all over the world.
That experience gave me something most travel advisors simply don't have: I know what it feels like to be on your side of the table. I know the pressure of a board meeting that can't be late, an incentive trip that has to exceed last year's, and a CEO whose preferences need to be anticipated before they're expressed. I've managed the vendors, negotiated the contracts, and solved the 11pm problems long before I did it as a travel advisor.
Founder, Studio M Travel
About Marilyn
- A flawless group program is my version of a standing ovation.
- I still believe the best team-building happens around a great dinner table.
- Spreadsheets don't intimidate me = I build them for fun.
- Give me a complex logistics puzzle and a good hotel, and I'm in my element.
A Few Fun Facts:
Now I bring all of that to Studio M Travel. Your team's time is valuable, your company's reputation is on the line, and the experience your people have — from the hotel to the excursions to the welcome dinner — shapes how they feel about the company that planned it. I'll handle every detail with the same precision I brought to Fortune 200 boardrooms. And I'll make it look easy.
how we make it easy for you
Transparent, Flexible, and Worth Every Penny
Many of our core services — like hotel sourcing and contracting — are commissionable, meaning there's no direct cost to you. For more complex programs, we charge a planning fee, and we'll always share that upfront before you commit.
Experiences Worth Talking About
We design group experiences that reflect your team's culture — from chef-hosted dinners and outdoor adventures to curated local excursions and team-building moments people will actually remember.
Logistics That Actually Deliver
Flights, ground transportation, rooming lists, VIP requests, billing accuracy — we take full ownership so nothing falls through the cracks and your internal team isn't left holding the bag.
Built Around Your Team, Not a Template
From remote startups to global enterprise teams, every program is customized to your goals, budget, and company culture. We listen first, then design.
Perks Your Team Will Actually Notice
Through our partnership with Fora, we unlock preferred group rates, room upgrades, and flexible contract terms with the world's top hotels and resorts — perks you simply can't negotiate on your own.
One Point of Contact, Zero Confusion
You have one person managing every vendor, every contract, and every update. No more chasing down five different suppliers or playing telephone between your team and the hotel.
Whether you need help with one piece of your event or want us to manage the entire program, we'll build the right level of support for your group.
Services
This is for you if you've already chosen your destination but need a professional to find the right hotel, negotiate the contract, and manage the rooming logistics. You want to stop drowning in spreadsheets and start trusting that someone qualified has it handled.
The Essentials
includes:
- Curated hotel recommendations based on your dates, group size, and goals
- Contract negotiation for group rates, concessions, and flexible terms
- Room block setup and management, including rooming lists and pickup tracking
- VIP requests, upgrades, and billing coordination
- Periodic status reports so you always know where things stand
Hotel sourcing +
room block management
Many hotel sourcing and contracting services are commissionable — meaning there may be no direct planning fee.
Contact us to discuss your group's needs.
This is for you if you want one partner to manage every moving part — from destination selection and venue contracting through transportation, group experiences, and guest communications. You're planning a multi-day program and want it executed with precision, not improvised on the fly.
The Full Program
Schedule a consultation and we'll put together a proposal.
- Everything in The Essentials, plus:
- Destination and venue sourcing (up to 3 destinations, 5 properties)
- Flight coordination and airport transfers
- Group activity and dining curation
- Guest communications and pre-trip information
- On-site concierge support (optional add-on)
- Post-program reporting (room pickup, vendor summary, lessons learned)
includes:
End-to-end group travel management
Custom pricing based on group size and program scope.
Custom proposal following consultation
The Signature Program
includes:
This is for organizations running high-stakes incentive trips, executive retreats, or multi-day conferences where flawless on-site execution isn't optional. You want someone who knows every detail of the program and can solve problems in real time — before anyone notices there was a problem.
- All services from The Full Program, plus:
- On-site coordination throughout the event
- Real-time vendor management and troubleshooting
- Daily check-ins and guest concierge support
- Management of all event logistics, timelines, and transitions
- Post-trip debrief and full program summary report
White-glove, on-site execution
Frequently Asked Questions
We typically work with groups of 10 or more rooms per night — but if your group is smaller, we're always happy to talk through what support might look like for your event.
Is there a minimum group size?
Not at all. We're just as happy to help with one part of your event — whether that's sourcing and contracting the right hotel, or coordinating flights and activities. We'll tailor our involvement to what you actually need.
Do you only manage full programs?
Many of our core services, like hotel sourcing and contracting, are commissionable — meaning they may come at no direct cost to you. For more complex or full-service programs, we charge a planning fee, which we'll always share transparently before you commit.
Do you charge planning fees?
Yes. We can coordinate flights, airport transfers, group dining, curated activities, and on-site concierge support. Whether you need a light touch or hands-on execution, we'll build the right level of involvement for your event.
Can you help with flights, activities, and on-site support?
All of them. Retreats, offsites, sales kickoffs, incentive trips, conferences, executive travel, association travel — if your group needs to get somewhere together and have a great experience when they arrive, we can help.
What kinds of groups do you work with?
Business School Reunion
Michael
"Marilyn made my recent business/pleasure trip to Philadelphia as unforgettable as four days in Philadelphia can be. High praise indeed... She has a very rare combination of tech-savviness and good old-fashioned customer service. Professional, but friendly. Extremely responsive. A good listener and an excellent communicator. Easy (and fun!) to talk to. Great attention to detail. Respectful of your time. Diplomatic when you make an ill-advised choice. The bottom line: She exceeded my expectations at every step in the process."
