Kanpai to Excellence: Bringing Marriott's 2025 APEC Top Performer Celebration to Life in Nara

Marriott International set out to create more than an incentive trip for its 2025 APEC Top Performer Celebration. Their vision was to recognise the people behind the achievements, bring together top performers from across the region, and create meaningful moments of connection with colleagues, friends and family through an unforgettable destination experience.

Our role was to bring that vision to life.

From 2–5 June 2026, our team had the privilege of designing and delivering a four-day destination experience at the JW Marriott Hotel Nara, bringing together Marriott's top-performing associates for a celebration that was both immersive and memorable.

Like every successful destination event, the work began well before guests arrived. Months ahead, our team travelled to Nara to conduct site inspections, coordinate with our local partners and fine-tune every operational detail, from production logistics to guest activities ensuring everything was in place before the first guest checked in.

Inspired by the spirit of omotenashi, Japan's philosophy of wholehearted hospitality, we created a welcome experience featuring sake barrels, handcrafted lanterns, floral installations and bespoke "Kanpai to Excellence" branding inspired by cherry blossoms.

Beyond the celebration itself, the programme invited guests to experience the destination through curated cultural moments, including a visit to Nara Park and local cultural experiences that fostered genuine connection before the main event.

The celebration culminated in an awards evening inspired by traditional Japanese design, featuring a torii gate entrance, gold folding screens, live entertainment and the presentation of recognition awards to outstanding performers across the region.

For us, destination events are about more than bringing people to a new location. They're about creating experiences that reflect a client's vision, embrace the local culture, and leave every guest with a meaningful story to take home.

Thank you to Marriott International for trusting us to be part of this incredible journey.