RSVP & Attendance
[fa icon="plus-square"] When is the RSVP deadline?

All RSVP's must be received by Friday, October 17, 2025 to secure your spot for the January event.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Can we bring a guest?

The Company Wide Kickoff Event is an Applause only employee event. 

[fa icon="plus-square"] Can I arrive early or extend my trip after CKO?

We have a limited amount of pre/post extensions. 

Please email Info@ExecutiveGroupTravel.com for extension requests at the discounted group rate. 

Once Executive Group Travel confirms your extension, you have 72 hours to cancel those nights. After 72 hours, any cancelled rooms will be your financial responsibility to cover any cost associated with the cancellation.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Is it mandatory for me to attend CKO?
Attendance is expected for all invited employees, as CKO aligns our strategy, builds connection, and includes sessions relevant to everyone.
 
Limited exceptions may apply - for example, a medical condition that prevents travel or a prior commitment that truly cannot be rescheduled. If that applies to you, please email your local People Ops team and your manager as soon as possible.
[fa icon="plus-square"] What is the process if I need to cancel my attendance?

Only legitimate business or personal emergencies will be accepted. Employees must provide written notice to their manager and PeopleOps as soon as they
learn they cannot attend, including the reason for cancellation.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What happens if I resign after booking travel?

If an employee resigns prior to CKO, they won’t attend the event, as it is no longer relevant for them. In cases where travel has already been booked, the
employee will be responsible for reimbursing Applause for any airfare or related expenses. 

Travel Logistics
[fa icon="plus-square"] How do I book my flight?

All flights should be booked using Brex or Applause's designated reimbursement platform based on your location. As a reminder, flights should be booked as non-refundable and along the most economical routes, in line with Applause Company Policy. We ask that you please book your flight by November 14! Please click the links below for the booking policy and training guide.

ARRIVALS

-   International employees can arrive on Monday, January 19th

-    All other employees must arrive on Tuesday, January 20th no later than 1:00pm EST unless approved by Brad Batchelder.

DEPARTURES

- All employees can leave on Thursday, January 22nd after approximately 1:00pm EST.

Attending the Company Kickoff is a key investment in our team. If travel is booked and you are unable to attend, only legitimate business or personal emergencies will be considered excused. Cancellations or no-shows, unavoidable reason may result in the associated costs being reimbursed to Applause.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Which airport should I fly into?

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).

Encore Boston is located (6.3mi) 15-20 minutes from the airport.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Will airport transportation be provided?

Yes, but for arrivals we ask everyone to use Uber/Lyft or taxi and expense the cost of your trip.  Please partner up with co-workers on your same flights.

Uber/Lyft: All Uber pickups at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) have moved to the Central Parking garage. To reach the pickup locations, head upstairs to the elevated pedestrian walkways and follow signs for Central Parking/Ride App Pickups.

The address of Encore Boston Harbor is One Broadway, Everett MA 02149

As a reminder, US employees have access to Uber for Business, making travel easier and expenses more convenient. When using your business profile in the Uber app, e-receipts are automatically sent to Brex for simplified expense reporting. Please reach out to ap@applause.com with any additional questions.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Can I coordinate travel with colleagues?

Applause will not be providing a group travel overview. If you’d like to travel with colleagues, we encourage you to coordinate directly with each other. 

[fa icon="plus-square"] Do I need a passport to attend?
Only international attendees require a passport. Please ensure your passport is valid prior to booking travel, with an expiration date at least six months beyond the January 2026 event dates.
[fa icon="plus-square"] Do I need a visa to attend?

Depending on where you are traveling from will determine if you need a visa or not. If you need a visa, you are responsible for submitting your own visa application. Applause will reimburse any visa-related fees and will provide official invitation and support letters to assist in the process. If a visa is unfortunately denied, employees will not be able to travel and therefore cannot attend in person. Please reach out to your local People Ops team with any additional questions.

[fa icon="plus-square"] Does Applause provide travel insurance for international employees?

Travel insurance is optional and up to each international employee to decide. If you choose to purchase coverage, Applause will ONLY reimburse costs for the
International Benefits’ Patriot America® Plus (select $0 deductible / $100,000 policy maximum).

If purchased, these expenses can be submitted through Brex or Applause’s designated reimbursement platform, depending on your location. Please note: if you purchase any plan other than the plan listed above, Applause will not reimburse the cost.

Hotel & Accommodations
[fa icon="plus-square"] Will I have a single or shared hotel room?

All employees will be provided with single hotel rooms. 

[fa icon="plus-square"] Where do I park at Encore Boston?

If you plan on driving here, the hotel offers convenient, indoor parking with direct access to our resort. Encore Boston Harbor is now offering free self-parking daily. Overnight parking is available to hotel guests only.

COST: Self-Parking is complimentary for all guests, subject to availability.

The address is One Broadway, Everett MA 02149

Please do not valet your car.  

Meals & Expenses
[fa icon="plus-square"] Is there an expense code I should use for CKO 2026?
For employees submitting expenses through Brex, please select the CKO 2026 code from the drop-down menu for expenses related to CKO. If you’ve already submitted an expense without using this code, the AP team will update it on the backend, so no action is required from you. For any additional questions, please reach out to ap@applause.com.  
 
Note for India employees: The handful of employees in India who have a Brex card should not book travel through Brex Travel. Brex does not currently have a POS set up in India, which makes airfare significantly more expensive when booked through Brex. Instead, please book flights directly with a carrier or through platforms like Google Flights or Expedia, and pay using your Brex card.
[fa icon="plus-square"] Will travel day expenses be covered by Applause?

Yes. Travel day expenses can be submitted through Brex or Applause’s designated reimbursement platform, depending on your location. Please refer to
the US Travel & Expense Policy for meal reimbursement guidelines.. Personal meal expenses on travel days are reimbursed based on reasonable actual costs with itemized receipts, up to a maximum of $75 per day.

Please note: Applause will be providing meals and snacks throughout the three-day CKO event. Meals provided by Applause will not be reimbursed.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What expenses are not reimbursable?
Food / beverage / activity expenses at the Hotel.
[fa icon="plus-square"] How are food allergies and dietary preferences handled?
Please include all food allergies and preferences on your registration form and we will work with the hotel to ensure you have the appropriate food options. At the plated dinner please let your waiter know your food allergy/preference and they will ensure you receive the proper pre-planned meal.
Event Information & Conduct
[fa icon="plus-square"] What is the dress code for CKO?

Daytime Attire (Smart Casual): The dress code for CKO is smart casual – professional yet comfortable. Collared shirts, blouses, sweaters, or polished tops; khakis, chinos, dress pants, or dark non-distressed jeans; neat, comfortable footwear such as loafers, flats, or boots. Avoid T-shirts with graphics, hoodies, sweatpants, flip-flops, or overly casual items.

Evening Attire (Cocktail): The Awards Night (Tuesday, January 20th) will be a dressier evening event, and cocktail attire is encouraged. Think polished and evening wear, such as cocktail dresses, jumpsuits, slacks with a jacket or sport coat, or other elevated evening wear. Choose shoes that complement a dressier outfit, and avoid casual items like jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, or athleisure.

[fa icon="plus-square"] What are Applause’s Guidelines for Conduct during the event?

All participants at Kickoff are expected to accept certain responsibilities, and adhere to acceptable business principles in matters of personal conduct, and exhibit a high degree of integrity at all times. This not only involves sincere respect for the rights and feelings of others, but also demands that employees refrain from any behavior that might be harmful to themselves, co-workers, to Applause, or that might be viewed unfavorably. Employee conduct reflects on the company, and we encourage everyone to observe the highest standard of professionalism at all times.

To review the Applause Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, please click here. 
[fa icon="plus-square"] If the itinerary changes, how will I be updated?

There will be two options.

1.  Download the Trip Plans app that Executive Group Travel sends you, it will be hard to survive this trip without it. It provides everything from hotel confirmation # to flight details to airport transfer information!

2.  The website will also have all updates posted before the event and during the event.