Tokyo to Bangkok Executive Retreat
An immersive 5-day incentive journey for 80 senior executives combining strategic alignment, cultural immersion, and exclusive Michelin-star dining across Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Destination
Bangkok & Chiang Mai
Delegates
80 Executives
Duration
5 Days
Industry
Investment Banking
The Challenge
Nomura Holdings needed an incentive programme capable of rewarding 80 high-performing senior executives from Tokyo โ a group accustomed to exceptional standards โ while simultaneously facilitating team bonding and leadership alignment ahead of a regional restructuring. The brief demanded Japanese-language coordination throughout, Michelin-level culinary experiences, cultural authenticity, and zero operational friction. Their previous agency had delivered a programme that received a 71% satisfaction score. They came to Explera demanding better.
Our Approach
Our Bangkok and Chiang Mai destination teams co-designed a narrative-driven journey rather than a simple itinerary. Each day was themed: Arrival & Connection, Cultural Immersion, Leadership Alignment, Adventure & Reward, and Farewell. We leveraged our exclusive venue relationships โ securing the only private buy-out of a Michelin-starred restaurant in Chiang Mai that year โ and partnered with a Japanese-language cultural interpreter embedded in the group for all five days. Every transfer, every briefing, every dining experience was scripted and timed to a precision Nomura's team had never seen from a DMC.
Execution
Ground logistics ran flawlessly across two cities. A private chartered turboprop flight connected Bangkok to Chiang Mai on Day 3, avoiding commercial airport friction entirely. Our on-ground team of 14 managed 80 executives through a 47-step programme โ from the private airport welcome lounge in BKK to the farewell Thai blessing ceremony by local monks. All dietary requirements (including complex Kosher and halal requests for 6 executives) were handled without any delegate being aware of the back-end complexity. Two bilingual Japanese-English event managers were embedded with the group from arrival to departure.
The Outcome
The programme achieved a 98% NPS โ the highest ever recorded in Nomura's MICE history. The post-programme survey showed 96% of delegates felt more aligned with company direction, and 89% reported the trip exceeded all expectations. Nomura re-engaged Explera for their 2025 APAC executive summit within 3 weeks of programme completion โ and referenced the Bangkok Retreat as a benchmark internally for future global events.
Day-by-Day Breakdown
Arrival & Connection
- Private chartered jet welcome at Suvarnabhumi's VIP terminal โ dedicated fast-track immigration clearance
- Luxury coach fleet transfer to Mandarin Oriental Bangkok with personalized welcome amenities in each room
- Sunset drinks reception on the private Chao Phraya river terrace โ welcome address by Nomura APAC CEO
- Private welcome dinner at Gaggan Anand's exclusive chef's table for 20 top performers (8-course avant-garde menu)
- All-group late evening cocktail social at Vertigo Bar, Banyan Tree rooftop (private buyout)
Highlight:Gaggan Anand chef's table for the top-20 performers was secured 4 months in advance โ one of only 6 exclusive bookings available that year.
Event Gallery
Blackitch Private Dinner โ Chiang Mai
1 / 5
Every single detail was handled with a level of precision and warmth that made our delegates feel truly valued. From the moment they landed in Bangkok to their final departure from Chiang Mai, the Explera team created something we had never experienced from a DMC. They understood Nomura culture without us having to explain it twice.
Kenji Yamamoto
Director of Events, Nomura Holdings APAC
Measurable ROI & Outcomes
Net Promoter Score
Highest in Nomura MICE history
ROI vs Previous Agency
Measured across satisfaction & operational KPIs
Executives Served
Senior & C-suite level
Rebooking Timeline
Explera retained within 3 weeks
Before & After Comparison
Measurable improvements delivered vs. previous agency / in-house execution
Delegate Satisfaction Score
Before
71%
After
98%
Programme Delivery Incidents
Before
7 issues
After
0 issues
Executive Alignment Score (Post-Event)
Before
61%
After
96%
Cost Efficiency vs Quote
Before
12% over-budget
After
2% under budget
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Success Story
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