Incentives, conventions, and conferences are ideal meeting points to learn, connect, celebrate achievements, or set organizational goals. But how does the destination influence the achievement of those goals? Let us share two extraordinary experiences that we could adapt to your meeting in Yucatán.
YUCATECAN CALLEJONEADA
Attendance has exceeded expectations, and our client had to book additional rooms at the hotel across the street. Participants will need to cross the street to join the activities at the main venue. Crossing may seem harmless, but it has become the elephant in the room, growing day by day: “Why were they placed in the main hotel and we across the street?” A joke, a tease that leaves a mark. Everything flows smoothly, but the comments and jokes linger in the air. In a follow-up meeting, the organizers told us, “What can we do? We want to eliminate that perception. What do you suggest?” Let’s turn the street crossing into a fond memory—let’s throw a Yucatecan party!
A jarana dance troupe with a traditional Yucatecan charanga band bursts in unexpectedly during a short farewell toast at the hotel across the street. Fireworks light up the sky, and “bombas yucatecas” (witty rhyming verses) are recited by mestizos dressed in colorful traditional attire. Everyone dances! What’s going on? Let’s cross to the main hotel! We danced and sang our way across the street—just like in a village festival! This time, it was to kick off the closing celebration of the convention. A total success! We turned a negative into a positive. Now, the hotel split is remembered as something joyful.
JETZ LU’UM: A CEREMONY TO APPEASE THE EARTH Where you live, where you come from, food means going to the supermarket. That’s fine, but you should know that it has dulled your sensitivity and intimate connection with nature—with the earth, where food is born. If I visit your home, I’m sure I’ll learn a lot about technology or financial returns. But if you come to mine, maybe your body will remember its origins when you breathe in the scent of wet soil, when you taste food that hasn’t traveled miles or sat in storage for days. I respect you. You respect me. We all learn and give thanks.
Can you take off your shoes for a moment? Step onto the earth. Let’s prepare it for planting. With the blessing of the sun god, the rain, and the guardians of the field, we will have food for ourselves, our children, and to share—so it reaches your supermarket. Raise your hands, higher, close your eyes, and offer respect with me and my family. Let’s ask for rain, for the sun to bathe us with its rays. What did you bring? I brought this—place yours on the table next to mine, with gratitude. Have you realized that what we brought isn’t really ours? That we are nothing compared to the vastness of this land? The gods have blessed us, and with this offering, we align our energy and reaffirm our connection to the earth. Thank you! Let’s work the land, let’s fulfill our duty, and once again—there will be abundance! Now let’s eat, drink, enjoy, and share. This is a celebration! Welcome!
This experience coincided with the visit of 15 Dutch doctors. Moved by the meaning of the ceremony, they participated with open hearts, eager to connect, show respect, and enjoy the original food—but above all, the extraordinary spiritual company of the living Maya of Yucatán. Are you ready to align your institutional meeting with the season of preparing the land?
