FLIGHTS + TRAVEL
Get ready to fly stress-free!
We got you covered!
Your flight, one guest, and kids under 21 are fully covered. We’ve got you covered with one checked bag per person, stroller or car seat fees, and carry-ons.
Plus, you can expense, meals on travel days, Uber rides to and from the airport, and even parking fees—it's all taken care of!
✅ Flights
✅ Bags
✅ Strollers
✅ Car Seats
✅ Travel Meals
✅ Ubers
Travel Issues
Should you experience any travel issues please contact TravelPerk or your airlines directly for immediate assistance. TravelPerk direct number (630) 333-4807.
Transportation
Innovative will be covering (4) Uber/Lyft expenses based on the following trip:
> From your home to your airport
> Airport to Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
> Loews Portofino Bay Hotel to airport
> Airport to your home
We are highly encouraging you to pair up and take Uber XL’s (6 passengers) based on those arriving at the same time or on the same aircraft – this also goes for returning to the airport from the hotel on January 25th (as this the busiest travel day). Kari has created a suggested travel buddy system if needed.
Important Reminders:
We will NOT have shuttle busses as originally communicated!
Use your personal credit card and submit the expense for reimbursement. NO RAMP CARD.
Ensure that you upload all receipts promptly for reimbursement or record-keeping purposes.
Uber/Lyft Black are not approved
The corporate Uber account will NOT be available during our time SKO
HOTEL
Arrive in style at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel!
This place has it all!
Check-in begins at 4:00pm on Wednesday, January 22, and checkout is by 11:00am on Saturday, January 25. Your room, taxes, and resort fees are included. Want to relax by the pool, listen to nightly live music, or indulge in on-site shopping? You’ll have access to all the resort’s incredible amenities during your stay!
Additional service available.
For any additional services like laundry/dry cleaning or room service, be sure to bring your ID and a credit card, these are not something you can expense.
Wi-Fi Reimbursement
When traveling on Tuesday, January 21 or Wednesday, January 22, employees who require Wi-Fi for work purposes are approved to purchase it using your personal credit card and submit it for reimbursement.
You gotta check this place out!
MEALS
We hope you bring your appetites.
Travels Days (Wednesday and Saturday)
When traveling for business, Innovative will reimburse meal expenses according to the following pre-tip/pre-tax allowances. These limits apply per person, per meal, and are not cumulative (i.e., the total allowance cannot be combined for a single meal):
Breakfast: $15 (eligible between 6:00 AM and 11:00 AM)
Lunch: $20 (eligible between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM)
Dinner: $40 (eligible between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM)
Additional Guidelines:
Payment: Use your personal credit card and submit the expense for reimbursement.
Alcohol: Expenses for personal alcohol consumption are not reimbursable.
Traveling Companions: Expenses for one additional adult and family members under 21 who reside in the same household will be covered, provided everyone is traveling together.
Specific Dates: Reimbursements are applicable only for meals on your specific travel days. Here are a few examples:
EXAMPLE 1: You travel in early on Tuesday to enjoy a day off Wednesday. Your flight is at 1:12pm. Therefore, you could use the per diem for lunch and dinner that day. However, meals on Wednesday will be covered on your own during your PTO day. Meals on Thursday and Friday are provided by Innovative for employees while in session, and for your guest(s) via room credits while we are in session. You fly home Saturday at 9am and arrive at your home airport at 12pm. Therefore, you would be eligible for the breakfast per diem on Saturday.
EXAMPLE 2: You fly in Wednesday night and land in Orlando at 8:02pm. You would be eligible for the dinner per diem on Wednesday. Meals on Thursday and Friday are provided by Innovative for employees while in session, and for your guest(s) via room credits while we are in session. You want to stay an extra day to enjoy the Harry Potter experience at the park, and fly home Sunday at 2pm. Therefore, you would be eligible for the per diem amounts for breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
Thursday
At our work sessions get ready to enjoy some delicious treats during morning and afternoon breaks, as well as a delicious lunch.
While we are in session, your guests won’t go hungry, each employee will receive a room credit, tailored to your group's size, for them to savor their own unique dining escapades.
When our work sessions are done, you won’t want to miss out on a fun happy hour (drinks and appetizers) to cap off the first night at Universal. Guests and families are welcome. After the happy hour, you can then grab a bite to eat, on Innovative, using your credits on your room key.
Snacks during work sessions
Lunch during work sessions
Company happy hour with family
Dinner with family and friends
Friday
During our short working session, we’ll again have some snacks and lunch. Then it’s time for our park day. While at the park, you can use your room key credits for any drinks or food you might want.
In the evening, we’re planning an amazing experience as well as buffet dinners – this is a great opportunity to mingle with colleagues and create lasting memories. Guests and families are welcome.
Snacks during work sessions
Lunch during work sessions
Company event with family and friends
Credits on Your Room Key
Innovative has applied a credit to your room key for the duration of our stay based on your party size. These credits can be used for:
> Drinks or snacks during the day
> Meals for your guests/families while Innovative is in session
> Additional credit will be applied to your room key for dinner on January 23 (following our Company Happy Hour).
> You may use your credits at the Hotel, Parks, or City Walk
Credit Values:
Independent traveler: $50.00
Traveling with a guest: $100.00
Traveling with family: $200.00
January 23rd Credit Values:
Adult: $30.00 per adult
Children: $25.00 per child
Restaurants
We are encouraging you to secure your own dinner reservations for the evening of January 23, 2025. With that, here are a list of options to consider:
PARK DAY
It's not all about work, don't forget about the play
How it's going to work
On Friday, January 24th, your guest and children will enjoy a full day at one of Universal Studios’ parks. After our morning sessions on Friday, employees will get a ½ day pass to the park of their choosing.
Getting to the parks is easy! Use the walking paths, water taxis, or shuttle buses connecting our hotel to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk. Note that Volcano Bay is only accessible via a complimentary shuttle.
Park Passes
Ticket Distribution:
Each Innovative employee and their guest(s) will receive physical park passes from Kari on Wednesday, January 22. Be sure to take a photo of your ticket in case it is lost.
Park Options:
On the day of distribution, you may choose to visit one of the following parks:
> Universal Studios Florida
> Universal Islands of Adventure
If desired, you can upgrade or add additional park options at a ticket kiosk. Note that upgrades and additions are a personal expense.
Universal Studios Express Pass:
Guests staying at Loews hotels enjoy executive benefits, including Universal Studios Express Pass access.
To use the Universal Studios Express Pass, each guest will need their room key (even kids above 3yrs old). They will bring their room key with them to the Park and to each attraction. The attraction will scan the room key and let the guest into the Express Pass Line. Good to use at the majority of our attractions. Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure does not have an Express Pass Line.
Guest staying at Portofino do not need to purchase an Express Pass.
Let's take a closer look at the different parks
JANUARY 22rd
Wednesday
Travel day, get ready for an amazing experience
While there are no company events scheduled, you can still explore the amazing amenities the hotel has to offer. So go get unpacked and rest up.
JANUARY 23rd
Thursday
8:00am - 5:00pm
SKO and QBR
Location: Tuscan IV
> Employees only
> Please bring a notebook, pen, laptop, and power cord
> Family members can stay at the resort, go to a park, or go off-resort
> VIEW ON MAP
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Company Happy Hour
Location: Citrus Piazza
> Families are welcome
> Cocktails, Mocktails, and light appetizers to be served
> VIEW ON MAP
JANUARY 24th
Friday
8:00am - 1:00pm
SKO and QBR
Location: Tuscan IV
> Employees only
> Please bring a notebook, pen, laptop, and power cord
> Family members can stay at the resort, go to a park, or go off-resort
> VIEW ON MAP
2:00pm - 7:00pm
Company Park Day
Location: Either Universal Studios Florida or Universal Islands of Adventure
> Families are welcome
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Company Dinner and Performance Awards
Location: Pat O'Brien's at Universal CityWalk Orlando
> Families are welcome
> Attire can be casual (whatever you wore to the park)
> Cocktails, Mocktails, Buffet dinner, and kids’ meals to be served
> VIEW ON MAP
JANUARY 25th
Saturday
Travel day, time to head home
No company events scheduled today. Get packed up, hop on the shuttle to the airport, and get home safely. See everyone on Monday.
RESOURCES
You need info while traveling, we got you covered.
Dress Code
A friendly reminder that our video team will be present and capturing the event throughout our stay. The ask is that you wear your Innovative gear to ensure branding is seen.
DRESS CODE DURING WORK SESSIONS:
> Consider wearing: Innovative light jacket, Innovative t-shirt, Innovative sweater, clean shorts
> Do NOT wear: Shorts, ripped jeans or dirty jeans
DRESS CODE FOLLOWING WORK SESSIONS:
> Consider wearing: Innovative merch that is mentioned above or Casual attire
Traveling with a Toddler
> Arrive early at the airport
> Avoid bringing unnecessary liquids - Liquids Rule (tsa.gov)
> Let your kids burn off energy before boarding
> Download movies and shows ahead of time
> Charge electronics and bring fully charged power banks
> Pack your kids' favorite snacks
> Pack extra clothes for you and your kids
> Skip shoes with laces
> Talk to your kids about what to expect
Stroller and Wheelchairs Rentals
Guests will be able to rent wheelchairs, strollers and ECVs for their visit. Per our usual cleaning protocol, each wheelchair, stroller and ECV will cleaned and disinfected between each guest use. Stroller rentals at Universal Orlando are $40 per day, including tax. Wheelchairs are available to rent for $15 per day and signed rental contract. Regular Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) are available to rent for $75 per day and Canopy ECVs are available to rent for $95 per day, both of which require a signed rental contract.
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