sales kickoff

A usually annual gala event thrown by a company in order to reassure its sales group that they are the most important and precious things in the universe. Typically takes place in an expensive location with golf courses. Sales personnel fly in from all around the world to be cooed, wined and dined so they don't leave to work for a competitor. Funds for the lavish, days-long indulgence are generally appropriated by denying unimportant employees the essentials they need, such as sufficient headcount and adequate equipment. Unimportant employees generally include anyone not in sales or upper management, especially anyone who actually helps a customer after the deal has closed, such as Customer Service or Technical Support.