Conference & Incentive Travel articles from April 2003

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from April 2003

FIRST OFF: Unifying measures for disparate times.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Fragmentation within the C&I sector is a topic that often merits comment, and is viewed as a regrettable state of affairs undermining the industry's true value and status. At February's Confex, HRH the Duke of York addressed this very issue at...

BTP lobbies Chancellor for C&I funding review.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Business Tourism Partnership (BTP) is urging the Government to review funding for business tourism following its budget submission to the Treasury last month. The partnership is supporting industry calls for a review of VAT, a freeze...

UK PRICE CHECK: One-day meeting.(Illustration)
April 1, 2003... Brief: A one-day meeting for 40 delegates with two nights accommodation and dinner on the second night. Costs include: accommodation, breakfast, dinner, meeting room hire, VAT. NOVOTEL BIRMINGHAM CITY Meeting cost ...

BTA and ETC union named VisitBritain.(British Tourist Authority and English Tourism Council)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The merged British Tourist Authority (BTA) and English Tourism Council (ETC) has been named VisitBritain. The associations merged at the beginning of the year but had yet to rebrand (CIT, January 2003). The logo will have two separate...

ITMA set to relax ATOL criterion as route to joining.(Incentive Travel and Meetings Association and Air Travel Organisers' Licensing)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... ITMA is proposing to revise membership rules and remove the criteria associated with holding an ATOL licence. ITMA executive director Charles Robinson said the move reflects the changing market, which had led members to broaden their offer....

NEWS IN BRIEF: International Confex 2003 trade drop.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... International Confex 2003 saw a 5.5% drop in trade visitors over 2002. It reports 8,000 visitors, 5% of whom were from overseas and 74% were of managerial level. Tel: 020 8987 7792.

NEWS IN BRIEF: First roadshow.(Coventry & Warwickshire Promotions)(Calendar)
April 1, 2003... Coventry & Warwickshire Promotions will host its first roadshow for buyers at Vinopolis on 30 April. Tel: 024 7660 7008.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Hilton introduces 'Move Home in a Week'.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Hilton has introduced an initiative called 'Move Home in a Week' to help UK meeting organisers move overseas functions back to the UK as a result of the current unrest. It promises to match the cost of the cancelled booking and relocate the new...

NEWS IN BRIEF: www.conference canterbury.co.uk set up.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Canterbury City Council and 12 conference venues have set up www.conference canterbury.co.uk, to demonstrate to buyers what the city can offer. Tel: 01227 862050.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Choice Hotels running trips.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Choice Hotels Europe is running a series of fam trips to its UK properties throughout this year. Tel: 020 8233 2023.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Purple Patch launches scheme.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Purple Patch, the consortium of hotels and meeting venues in the North Yorkshire Moors, has launched a discount scheme for visitors called the Purple Passport. Tel: 01904 607530.

NEWS IN BRIEF: M18 Meetings Link new consortium.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... M18 Meetings Link is a new marketing consortium formed by eight hotels and training venues in the Doncaster and Rotherham area. Tel: 01904 607530.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Blue Sky Conferences launched.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Blue Sky Conferences, a conference planning and management service, has been launched by Blue Sky UK, the Devon-based international exhibition specialist. Tel: 0117 9620472.

Gray Dawes lets staff go in rejig and office move.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Agency Gray Dawes has moved its event management arm to its head office, following a series of redundancies. The move from Hemel Hempstead to Colchester marked a challenging time for the agency, but marketing manager Louise Joplin has...

THA claims profits through flexibility.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... THA Group has recorded a 30% hike in sales for last year, over 2001. The agency expects gross profits to be as much as 20% higher than the previous year. It points to a series of new business wins as part of the reason for the increase,...

PEOPLE AND PLACES: IBR rebrands at Sanderson.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Ian Schrager's West End property, the Sanderson, provided the contemporary atmosphere IBR was looking for in a venue to launch its new corporate identity and celebrate its 15th birthday last month. More than 100 of IBR's clients, including...

Infotel wins lead to expansion of conference arm.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Lincolnshire-based conference organiser and hotel booker Infotel is set to expand its conference team. Infotel will grow both its conference and IT divisions. Senior manager Tanya Beresford said: 'The conference division has only been...

Bubble & Squeak launches its own events company.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... London-based marketing and PR consultancy, Bubble & Squeak Communications, has established a corporate events company. The Bubble & Squeak Experience will initially focus on hospitality and product launches but may expand in the future to...

Conference centre threat to hotel role.(report by PriceWaterhouseCoopers Hospitality and Leisure Group.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Dedicated residential conference consortiums could pose a competitive risk to hotel-based conference operators, according to a report published by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) Hospitality and Leisure Group. Hospitality Directions Europe...

Bournemouth gives Gregory top CVB role.(Bournemouth International Conference Bureau)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Bournemouth International Conference Bureau (BICB) has appointed Karina Gregory to head up the recently launched operation. Gregory will be responsible for promoting and developing the BICB. She moves from agency Conference Action...

London targets associations in marketing push.(London Convention Bureau )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... London Convention Bureau is looking to boost association business to the capital with a series of campaigns this year. The bureau kicked-off the 'Destination London' activity with a reception last month for association representatives at...

Change inevitable as industry steps out on war footing.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... As we face a world in turmoil, it is probably true to say the C&I travel industry as we know it is likely to undergo some inevitable changes. Some operators, still suffering from the knock-on effects of 11 September, and now exacerbated by...

Telford secures European funds.(conference marketing)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Telford has secured pounds 1.45m of European funding to support a conference marketing campaign for the region. The cash injection from the European Regional Development Fund will be used to raise the area's profile as a conference...

Jersey boosted by 30% growth in conferences.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Jersey Conference Bureau has seen a 30% rise in the number of conferences held on the island last year over 2001, from 154 to 204. Other figures saw the number of delegates taking part in conferences increase from 13,020 to 13,982 and...

Newcastle site offers booking.(Newcastle Gateshead Convention Bureau)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Newcastle Gateshead Convention Bureau has launched an online accommodation booking service for conferences. The system uses technology borrowed from credit card security protection. Delegates pay a small fee online to secure...

WEBWATCH: De Vere Group offer goes online.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The De Vere Group launched two websites at Confex, www.DeVereMeetings.co.uk and www.DeVereGolf.co.uk. The dedicated meetings site was designed in conjunction with Venuedirectory.com and provides a venue search facility for conference and...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Macdonald to host roadshows.(Macdonald Hotels )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Macdonald Hotels will be hosting a series of roadshows during May and June to showcase the conference facilities at its UK properties. Tel: 020 7437 1792.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Queen Elizabeth II appoints Graham.(Conference Centre)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre has appointed Nick Graham as sales manager. Tel: 020 7798 4017.

NEWS IN BRIEF: University lecturer publishes book.(Rob Davidson)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Westminster University senior lecturer in business travel and tourism, Rob Davidson, has published a book on the C&I industry. Business Travel is aimed at students training to enter the events industry. Tel: 020 7911 5000.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Bateaux London introduces rates.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Bateaux London has introduced day delegate rates of pounds 40 per person between 9am and 3pm. Its two vessels, the Naticia and the Symphony can hold a maximum of 120 delegates. Tel: 020 7925 2215.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Waypoint claims 60% of space.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Waypoint Exhibitions claims 60% of the floor space for this year's National Venue Show has been sold. Its promotional campaign also launches this month. This year's show will be held from 9-11 September at the NEC. Tel: 020 8910 7033.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Celtic Manor appoints Vazquez and Maxwell.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Celtic Manor has appointed Marcelo Vazquez and Kevin Maxwell to target the UK and New York conference markets. Tel: 01633 413000.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Conference Service launches guide.(Lancashire Conference Service)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Lancashire Conference Service has launched its latest conference guide. Tel: 01706 829356.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: MPI survey finds lack of war contingencies.(Meeting Professionals International )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Nearly 70% of planners polled by Meeting Professionals International (MPI) do not have a contingency plan in place for events affected by the war in Iraq. MPI director of European operations and global development Didier Scaillet said the...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: RTE cancels awards evening.(Reed Travel Exhibitions)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has cancelled the evening ceremony for this year's EIBTM awards in favour of a presentation during the show. The awards will now be presented on stage at Geneva's Palexpo at 2pm on Thursday 22 May. EIBTM show...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: South Africa UK office appoints C&I role contact.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... South African Tourism has appointed a dedicated C&I contact in its UK office for the first time. Patricia D'Arcy has moved from her role as marketing manager to the newly created position of MICE manager. Managing director for UK,...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: World Price Check - One-day meeting with two nights accommodation.(Illustration)
April 1, 2003... Brief: A one day meeting for 40 delegates with overnight stays the night before and day of the meeting, with a dinner. Costs include accommodation, meeting room, lunch and dinner. Holiday Inn, Paris Republique Day-delegate rate ...

OVERSEAS BRIEF: GB Airways introduces new routes.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... GB Airways, the British Airways franchisee, has introduced two new routes from Gatwick to Spain. The airline now flies daily to Girona, on the Costa Brava, and to Mahon-Menorca twice a week, increasing to four times a week in May. Tel: 01293...

OVERSEAS BRIEF: Now launches.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Now, a new budget airline, launched last month. The airline will fly from Luton from mid-summer to destinations including Rome, Jersey and Tenerife. Tel: 0845 4589737.

OVERSEAS BRIEF: Destinations Unlimited appointed.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Destinations Unlimited has been appointed as UK representative for Passage to Arabia in Dubai and Jetway Express in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. Tel: 01993 851590.

OVERSEAS BRIEF: Website for planners.(www.orlando convention.com)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Orlando CVB and the Orange County Convention Centre have teamed up on a website for planners. The site, www.orlando convention.com, offers comprehensive information on meeting facilities in the region. Tel: +1 407 354 5586.

OVERSEAS BRIEF: Rezidor SAS to launch brand.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Rezidor SAS Hospitality is to launch a lifestyle hotel brand in conjunction with fashion house Cerruti. Cerruti Hotels will initially be developed in cities across Europe. Tel: +32 2 702 92 00.

OVERSEAS BRIEF: Brussels Expo appoints CJA.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Brussels Expo, the conference and exhibition centre, has appointed CJA Marketing as its UK representative. Tel: +32 2 474 84 87.

OVERSEAS BRIEF: EIBTM networking evening.(Calendar)
April 1, 2003... EIBTM will host a networking evening at this year's show in conjunction with ICCA on 20 May. Tel: 020 7470 8855.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Cairns beats rivals to congress deals.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Cairns Convention Centre (CCC) has beaten off competition from Tokyo, Auckland and Philadelphia to win three international congresses. The events - the 5th World Congress of Paediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery, the Congress of the...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: ATC allocated more funds for campaign.(Australian Tourist Commission )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) has been allocated an additional Adollars 1m (pounds 380,000) for its ongoing business tourism campaign. The first phase of the activity launched last year, and focused on cultivating awareness of...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Melbourne CVB picks up pounds 45m business boost.(Convention & Visitors Bureau )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has secured 28 business events, generating more than Adollars 118m (pounds 45m) up to 2010. The events, which include the Zonta International Convention and the International Conference on the...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: A flexible approach is the only sure way out of uncertainty.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... By the time this column is printed, another Gulf War scenario will be underway. In some ways, it is the uncertainty that was causing the most difficulty because it is making many clients reluctant to book events abroad. Even those who are...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Slovenia's potential generates interest.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Slovenia is experiencing a renewed interest in its destination with 24 international congresses booked in this year, up from 19 in 2001. The capital Ljubljana will host the events, which include the 9th Conference of the European Society of...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: People and Places - Confec networks in Tenerife.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Tenerife was the destination for the third annual Confec networking event, a three-day forum for the C&I industry, held at the Mare Nostrum resort, jointly organised by McLean Events and Principal Promotions. Around 45 UK conference...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Vienna revenue from meetings grows in 2002.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Vienna pulled in EUR273m (pounds 182m) of conference business in 2002, up 17% on the previous year. Vienna Convention Bureau also reported a 4% rise in the number of overnight stays, while corporate events from the UK increased by more...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Gibraltar hopes anniversary will draw in groups.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Gibraltar Tourist Board is stepping up its marketing activity to tie in with the celebrations for 2004's 300-year anniversary of British rule. Next year will see a number of celebratory events in Gibraltar which the tourist board...

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Service increase.(SN Brussels Airlines)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... SN Brussels Airlines has increased services between Manchester and Brussels to seven daily flights. Tel: 020 7559 9797.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Kempinski to set up hotel chain.(Kempinski Hotels)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Kempinski Hotels has announced plans to set up a chain of three- or four-star hotels across Russia. Tel: 020 8307 7693.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Delta Air Lines introduces policy.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Delta Air Lines has introduced a policy for the short term that will allow passengers to change their transAtlantic travel plans without penalty. Tel: 020 7932 8300.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Cape Town to host ICCA.(International Congress and Convention Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Cape Town is to host the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) annual conference in 2004. Tel: +27 21 487 2718.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Ramon Pajares to open EIBTM.(European Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... EIBTM will be officially opened by international luxury hotelier, and former chief executive of The Savoy Group, Ramon Pajares. Tel: 020 7470 8855.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Dolce appoints sales team.(Dolce International)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Dolce International has appointed a global UK sales team. The team aims to provide a one-stop solution to UK buyers wanting to hold conferences in Europe. Tel: +33 1 41 39 07 44.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Silver Wind back in service.(Silversea cruise lines )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Silversea has announced that Silver Wind will be back in service from next month. The cruise line will also take Silver Cloud out of service from October until April 2004 for her to undergo refurbishment. Tel: 0870 333 7050.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: MPI to increase presence.(Meeting Professionals International in Canada)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... MPI (Meeting Professionals International) is to increase its presence in Canada by appointing management firm Fletcher Wright Associates and chapter operations specialist Elizabeth Henderson. Tel: +1 972 702 3033.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Copenhagen sees congress increase.(Wonderful Copenhagen statistics )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Wonderful Copenhagen has recorded a 38.2% increase in the number of international congresses it held last year over 2001. The destination pulled in 133 international congresses, generating over EUR100m (pounds 69m). Three IT companies were...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Pushing frontiers - Lithuania develops appeal.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Since Lithuania became an independent state in the early 1990s, the country's infrastructure has been dramatically modernised to meet international standards. The Baltic state is now drawing on the fact it is not an over-commercialised tourist...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Andorra eyes UK corporates for a growth market.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Andorra-based leisure travel agencies have earmarked the UK's C&I industry as a target market to grow their business. The principality receives 7,000 UK leisure visitors each year, but has yet to tap into the C&I sector. A number of travel...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Big hotel chains sign with online selling scheme.(Accor, Six Continents and Hilton International join Worldres Europe)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Accor, Six Continents and Hilton International have all joined a new online operation to market and sell their properties. Worldres Europe is an online hotel reservation network with more than 30,000 listed properties. It is designed to...

OVERSEAS BRIEF: Airline upgrades fleet.(Middle East Airlines; planes from Airbus Industries)
April 1, 2003... Middle East Airlines has upgraded its fleet with the introduction of nine new planes from Airbus Industries. Tel: 01780 754394.

OVERSEAS BRIEF: EIBTM running seminars.
April 1, 2003... EIBTM will be running a series of complimentary seminars in conjunction with leading industry associations ICCA, MPI and SITE during the show next month. Tel: 020 7470 8855.

OVERSEAS BRIEF: Triaena Tours teams with Sportsworks.(to offer packages )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Triaena Tours, the Greece-based DMC, has teamed up with Sportsworks International to offer group packages during the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004. Tel: 020 8680 2288.

OVERSEAS BRIEF: Brisbane Marketing launches card.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Brisbane Marketing has launched a delegate privilege card. The Delegate Passport will offer discounts in local attractions, restaurants and on public transport. Tel: +61 73006 6200.

OVERSEAS BRIEF: German CVB announce results.(domestic conference market survey)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The German CVB will announce the results of a major study into its domestic conference market at this month's Imex show in Frankfurt. The study will focus on business volumes and value for 2002. Tel: +49 69 24 29 300.

OVERSEAS BRIEF: Serrep Sales and Marketing appointed.(UK representative for Caen )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The city of Caen in Normandy, France, has appointed Serrep Sales and Marketing as its UK representative. Tel: 01959 542 555.

OVERSEAS BRIEF: MPI unveils strategy.(Meeting Professionals International )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... MPI has unveiled a strategy for the association to prepare its members for changes in the industry. Pathways to Excellence calls for a defined career path for meeting planners, increased influence with corporate and association decision-makers,...

OPINION: Sounding Off - The cost impact of Brown's new NI hike.(Gordon Brown's latest increases to National Insurance)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Gordon Brown's latest increases to National Insurance come into effect next month - with employers and employees paying an additional 1% on all income above the lower income limit. But did you realise this will also have knock-on effects to...

VENUEMASTERS: Seats of learning.
April 1, 2003... The second Venuemasters event will showcase the UK's academic venue conference offer. Jennifer Creevy reports on the some of the highlights The second Venuemasters Exhibition will once again be held at Islington's Business Design Centre....

VENUE FOCUS: Ascari Resort to launch.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Ascari Resort, a luxury resort aimed at motor-racing enthusiasts, is being launched in Ronda, Spain, this September. The hotel will have 20 rooms with a 5km racing circuit. Tel: 020 7467 5505 RE 817.

VENUE FOCUS: Millbank Tower opens as Lewis Media Centre.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Millbank Tower, the Labour Party's former media centre in London, has been refurbished and opened as the Lewis Media Centre. The venue can be used for conferences, product launches and training and can accommodate up to 200 people. Tel: 020...

VENUE FOCUS: Rezidor SAS to open Park Inn property.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Rezidor SAS is to open its first Park Inn property in Cape Town. The three-star Park Inn Greenmarket Square Hotel will have 170 rooms. Tel: +32 2 702 9224 RE 819.

VENUE FOCUS: Marsh Farm Hotel completes extension.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Marsh Farm Hotel in Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, has completed an extension to add a further 12 rooms to its bedstock. Tel: 01793 848044 RE 820.

VENUE FOCUS: Hilton announces development plans.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Hilton has announced plans for hotel developments in Moscow and Venice. The 436-room Hilton Red Square in Moscow will open in 2006. The Molino Stucky Hilton Venice, which will feature a conference centre for up to 1,500 delegates, is set to...

VENUE FOCUS: Macdonald opens Sheffield hotel.(Macdonald Hotels)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Macdonald Hotels will open an pounds 18m hotel in Sheffield city centre. The four star-plus property will feature 156 rooms and conference space for up to 500. Tel: 01506 815265 RE 822.

VENUE FOCUS: Accor to manage first property.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Accor is to manage its first property in Japan. The 250-room Hotel Lets Narita Airport will be revamped and will reopen as the Mercure Hotel Narita in the summer. Tel: 020 8237 7474 RE 823.

VENUE FOCUS: Wyboston Lakes Centre to upgrade.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Wyboston Lakes Conference and Training Centre is to undergo a pounds 2m upgrade. The centre will introduce new IT facilities, expand leisure facilities and refurbish the restaurant. Tel: 01480 212625 RE 824.

VENUE FOCUS: Convention centre for Kent opens on Tonbridge site.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The River Centre in Tonbridge, Kent, is a new purpose-built conference and exhibition centre. The venue can seat up to 750 delegates theatre-style in the main auditorium, and has smaller meeting spaces for workshops, training and lectures. The...

VENUE FOCUS: Heritage Hotels offers conference variety in Kenya.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Heritage Hotels offers a variety of properties and luxury tented safari camps throughout Kenya. The Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort, part of the Intrepids group of properties, offers three fully equipped conference rooms for up to 60. The...

VENUE FOCUS: Meadow at Roffey Park purpose-built venue.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Meadow at Roffey Park in West Sussex is a pounds 6.5m purpose-built venue. The main seminar room, the Hudson Suite, can hold 120 delegates and a variety of smaller suites are also available. A day delegate package is on offer from pounds 40...