Conference & Incentive Travel articles from August 2007

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from August 2007

Just how green is our garden?(Eventia unveiled its green plan)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The wait is over. Eventia has finally unveiled its 1% initiative, originally mooted a year ago at the summer conference. This magazine has been chomping at the bit for it - and welcomes the proposed scheme - but has it gone far enough and...

Eventia board elects new chair and unveils its 1% green plan.
August 1, 2007... Rob Allen, chief executive of TRO, has been elected chairman of Eventia to replace Nigel Cooper. Allen will be supported by new vice-chairman Patrick Collins, chairman of Universal CIT. Both were members of Eventia's 2006/7 board and...

Canon appoints Adding Value to organise African incentive.(Canon Europe)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Canon Europe has appointed Adding Value to run the annual travel incentive for the marketing communication department of its consumer imaging arm. Next April's 'Power to Succeed' programme will see 50 high-performing sales staff from...

Corporates lag in UK bookings.(2007 British Conference Venues Survey)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... While the overall meetings sector appears buoyant, corporate bookings are down, according to the 2007 British Conference Venues Survey. Published by the BACD, it includes data from 314 UK venues. Two-thirds said conference business in...

Tracker Briefs.
August 1, 2007... In C&IT News Tracker this month: - Virgin Atlantic is to take on the likes of Silverjet with the launch of an all business class airline, expected to be up and running within the next 18 months (06.06.07). - Red Lolly Events has...

IPA to measure worth of C&I.(conference and incentives)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising) is looking to value the event sector in its quarterly Bellwether Report for the first time. The marketing spend report currently summarises more traditional marketing disciplines, with...

Excel gets tough on show waste.(Excel is introducing penalties to discourage clients from using non-recyclable products)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Excel is introducing penalties to discourage clients from using non-recyclable products at the London venue. The policy should be in place by January and apply to any non-recyclable waste that will not fit inside a standard wheelie bin....

Stoddart at Skybridge helm as Hackney exits.(appointment of Paul Stoddart and resignation of John Hackney at Euro RSCG Skybridge )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... John Hackney has left his position as chief executive officer at Euro RSCG Skybridge after two years at the helm. The agency has appointed Paul Stoddart to the new role of managing director. Stoddart, who was previously chief operating...

Blank Canvas upgrades base.(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... East-Midlands agency Blank Canvas is to expand, propelled by predictions of record turnover for the year, having already filed impressive figures for 2006. Last year, the six-strong agency brought in pounds 1.1m and director Penny Noble...

US IT firm hires Travel Impact.(information technology)(Network Appliance Inc.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... US data storage giant Network Appliance has appointed Travel Impact to create an educational and incentive package for UK corporate customers to its California base this autumn. 'It follows a successful first trip earlier this year,'...

London's 02 venue reopens in style.
August 1, 2007... London's 02 venue reopened in style last month, courtesy of agency Jack Morton Worldwide. The 20,000-capacity site claims to offer planners 'the most technologically advanced entertainment space in the UK'

Airports no longer serve our market.
August 1, 2007... Airports are designed for the purpose of travel, yet BAA seems to be ignoring this simple fact, along with the needs of its customers. Judging by reports, it appears current strategies at Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted will see staff cut and...

Metro and G Cap rehire Ten80 for ski events.(Metro newspaper and commercial radio giant G Cap Media reappointed Agency Ten80 Eventsm to arrange ski events)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Agency Ten80 Events has been reappointed by the Metro newspaper and commercial radio giant G Cap Media to arrange ski events for 2008. The Chamonix-based agency won the business following ski trips organised for both media firms earlier...

Bill leaves agents at risk of jail.(Corporate Manslaughter Bill)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Nigel Cooper, immediate past chairman of Eventia and executive director at agency P&MM, has hit back at the Lords for putting the proposed Corporate Manslaughter Bill in jeopardy, warning that agency staff could face jail terms. The...

Gemini seals corporate deal with Man United.
August 1, 2007... Agency Gemini International has signed an exclusive agreement with Manchester United that will see it lead the football club's corporate incentive and staff development offer. The football link has seen Gemini and Manchester United launch...

Tondeur: 'six agencies to rule'.
August 1, 2007... Just six global C&I agencies will run 80% of events within the next few years, according to MCI president Roger Tondeur. Addressing the Eventia Summer Conference earlier this month, Tondeur said: 'I want to be one of those companies -...

Carrier news.
August 1, 2007... - Eurostar has partnered with regional train operator Southeastern to offer passengers free connections to and from Ashford International and the new Ebbsfleet International station on Southeastern services from 19 November. - Etihad...

The holy trinity for green events.(environmental impact of events)(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The environmental impact of staging events is, I think, well known to all of us by now. We're starting to understand the real effect of generating emissions and waste. Many of us have felt uncomfortable for years, but until recently, we...

Indian chain to use ITG in UK.(contracts of Park Hotels and ITG Europe)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Indian boutique property chain Park Hotels has appointed ITG as its UK representative. A key part of the brief is to attract more C&I trade to the properties in Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, New Delhi, Visakhapatnam and Navi Mumbai. 'The...

Fort Lauderdale's push targets British planners.(Greater Fort Lauderdale's Convention & Visitors Bureau)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Greater Fort Lauderdale's Convention & Visitors Bureau is investing in its first significant campaign to attract more international C&I business, particularly groups from the UK. The Florida city has seen the addition of a number of...

Ovation chiefs join MCI board.
August 1, 2007... The co-founders of Irish agency and DMC Ovation Group are now 'significant shareholders' in agency giant MCI, following a merger between the companies. Patrick Delaney, who co-founded Ovation with Padraic Gilligan, said: 'We are not...

One to watch: Geoff Bond - Corporate events manager for RAC, Norwich Union Insurance, Aviva Group.
August 1, 2007... - WHY ARE WE WATCHING HIM? Bond recently took up his first event management role as a corporate at the Aviva Group following 11 years working agency-side. He moved into his new role at the beginning of June. - WHAT'S HIS REMIT? ...

Appointment at The Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA).
August 1, 2007... The Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) has elected Zibrant managing director Chris Madge as its new vice-chairman. Madge takes over from Sue Burgess, who takes her 2008 chair role six months early, following the death of Tim Gasson in May

Appointment at RT Marketing.
August 1, 2007... RT Marketing has appointed Tony Stratton, chairman of CPM Group, to its board as a non-executive director. His role will involve input into strategy, as well as supporting RT's management with acquisition decisions

Appointment at The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO).
August 1, 2007... The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) has appointed Lesley Maltman, managing director of MCI Belfast, as chairwoman

Appointment at Starwood Hotels & Resorts UK and Ireland.
August 1, 2007... Starwood Hotels & Resorts UK and Ireland has restructured its agency sales team, placing emphasis on C&I. The team will by headed by director of MICE sales Penny Carter - formerly regional account director for the C&I market. Emma Ward...

Appointment at Club Med.
August 1, 2007... Club Med has appointed Marine Alex as Club Med business manager for UK & Scandinavia. Alex joins after spending six years at Disneyland Resort Paris

Appointment at Rocco Forte's The Balmoral in Edinburgh.
August 1, 2007... Ivan Artolli is to be the new general manager of Rocco Forte's The Balmoral in Edinburgh. Artolli joined the company in 2000 as general manager of Hotel Savoy in Florence

Special report: Meet the new Eventia men.(TRO)(Universal CIT)(dialogue with Rob Allen and Patrick Collins)(Interview)
August 1, 2007... James Thornton meets the two latest members of the association's 'gang of four'. Earlier this month, TRO chief executive Rob Allen (RA) was unveiled as trade body Eventia's new chairman, with Universal CIT chairman Patrick Collins (PC)...

Analysis: Pre- and post-event marketing.
August 1, 2007... James Thornton offers five ways to maintain delegate interest before and after events. 1. BE A TEASE Teaser campaigns are effective at driving longevity and impact and their use is on the rise, according to Maritz incentive...

CSR Campaign: CSR pioneers: we need you!
August 1, 2007... Join C&IT's Campaign for Change in South Africa for an incentive with a difference. C&IT magazine is calling on agencies to highlight their CSR credentials by taking part in the first-ever C&IT CSR Challenge, which takes place in...

Case Study: Panasonic raises the standard in China.(Panasonic U.K. Ltd.)
August 1, 2007... The electrical manufacturer rewarded top performing retailers in the run up to Christmas with an eight-day trip to China along a record-breaking theme. THE BRIEF - Panasonic's 'China 2007' incentive trip was based on sales of 42-inch...

Case Study: Allied Bakeries on the road.(Case study)
August 1, 2007... Kingsmill wanted an engaging roadshow to communicate its changes. THE BRIEF - Allied Bakeries approached Penguins to organise a series of live events focused on the new direction of the business. 'We had repositioned our lead brand,...

Venue focus: Property bulletin.(HYATT REGENCY LA MANGA)(LOFT LIFESTYLE - INTERCONTINENTAL LONDON PARK LANE)(PUDI BOUTIQUE HOTEL)
August 1, 2007... Phil Heard checks out the latest openings from Cheshire to the Gulf. HYATT REGENCY LA MANGA - SPAIN This 192-room property, set in the 1,300-acre La Manga Club resort, is undergoing its first major refurbishment since Hyatt took over...

Pushing frontiers: Time for ... Belgrade.(City overview)
August 1, 2007... With direct flights, a purpose-built convention centre and a new convention bureau, the Serbian capital's meeting offer is matched only by its incentive appeal. INCENTIVES The Serbian capital lies on the confluence of two rivers, the...

Agency focus: The C&IT Challenge.
August 1, 2007... The brief this month is to organise a long-distance, five-night winter-sun incentive to take place between November and January for a group of 60 top sales performers. We recommend taking the group to Jamaica to stay at the Half Moon...

5 Minutes with ... Real Affinity Events.
August 1, 2007... Agency: Real Affinity Events Locations: Oxford, Leeds and two offices in Swindon Staff: 120 What's the lowdown? Having set up Venues Unlimited in 1989, husband and wife team Anita and Chris Lowe grew the business, adding event...

In Person: Clare Rafferty, Computacenter.(events and sponsorship manager at IT product reseller Computacenter)(Viewpoint essay)
August 1, 2007... James Thornton meets the rock chick and events impresario at the IT services provider. Clare Rafferty is events and sponsorship manager at IT product reseller Computacenter, and takes care of some 60 events every year for 4,500 staff...

Said & done.
August 1, 2007... - My department is being moved from marketing into facilities, so I'm not sure where I'll be in a few months - One senior corporate reveals how events are not universally seen as a strategic marketing tool - We know that clients are...

Sounding Off: Let's set the rules on pitches.(marketing agency set the rules for marketing keeping in mind client's needs)
August 1, 2007... Martin Lines made an interesting subject for your 'In Person' feature (C&IT, June) but I'd like to question - or shall we say 'develop' - the points he made when talking about briefs and pitches. It is certainly true that clients do not...

Sounding Off: What's it like to work in ... Stockholm - Bo Magnusson, managing director MCI Stockholm.
August 1, 2007... WHEN DID YOU OPEN? PCO Stockholm Convention Bureau, also known as Stocon - and soon to be renamed MCI Scandinavia - became part of MCI in September 2006, when MCI became the majority shareholder. We currently employ 35 staff. We wanted...

Management Training Centres: The market in numbers.
August 1, 2007... As they have been built for purpose, management training centres offer corporate groups state-of-the-art facilities without the distractions. Leanne Bell looks at the sector's significant stats. 507 - Conference and training centres each...

Management Training Centres: Two takes on training.
August 1, 2007... Warwick Conferences and the Cotswold Conference Centre demonstrated their flexible approach with two very different events for their corporate clients. Leanne Bell reports. TRADITIONAL Company: Sainsbury's Event: Work-related...

Sporting Venues: Star stadia.
August 1, 2007... The nation's sporting venues are raising their game for events off the pitch. Recent years have seen something of a renaissance for the nation's sporting venues, with moves to make stadia if not bigger, then certainly better - all useful...

Rural retreats: Splendid isolation.(Hell Bay Hotel)
August 1, 2007... Yasmin Razak checks out one of the UK's more exclusive and remote retreats, Hell Bay Hotel. - Where is it? The Hell Bay Hotel is on the west coast of Bryher in the Isles of Scilly, and sits on the western tip of the archipelago -...

Rural retreats: Solitary refinement.
August 1, 2007... Susie Harwood rounds up some other venues where corporates can get away from it all. SHARROW BAY COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL, CUMBRIA Reputedly the first country-house hotel to use the term, Sharrow Bay is situated on the eastern shore of...

European Convention Centres: Continental choice.
August 1, 2007... Kerry Baggott recommends some of Europe's big meeting spaces using selected criteria. BEST FOR LARGE GROUPS ICC Berlin, Germany - Web www.icc-berlin.de Last year saw the ICC Berlin host one of Europe's largest medical...

European Convention Centres: Unusual venues showcase.(NATIONAL CONGRESS PALACE, ST PETERSBURG)(FORTRESS REVELIN, DUBROVNIK )(MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE CENTRE, MALTA)
August 1, 2007... There's no reason to choose a uniform modern venue with these quirky alternatives. NATIONAL CONGRESS PALACE, ST PETERSBURG This gem is the latest member of the Historic Conference Centres of Europe and host to high-profile events,...

International Airport Venues: Check out, check in.
August 1, 2007... Ben Lerwill recommends some airport properties that combine quality with convenience. BEST FOR LARGE GROUPS Regal Airport Hong Kong - Web www.regalhotel.com Consistently lauded by industry polls in the Asia-Pacific region, the...

Cruising: From shore to ship.
August 1, 2007... More cruise operators are targeting corporates with short itineraries. MEDITERRANEAN The Med offers an almost endless array of options for cruising, from the glamour of the French Riviera to the islands of Cyprus, Malta and the...

Italy: If the boot fits ..
August 1, 2007... From the cultural, gourmet and fashion capitals in the north to the idyllic retreats in the heel of the country, Italy has something to captivate every type of group. VENICE FOR CULTURE 'In cultural terms, Venice hits you straight in...

Italy: Case study - Alexander Forbes' Italian extravaganza.(Alexander Forbes Ltd.)
August 1, 2007... The finance firm hosted its annual C&I trip at two Italian destinations. Leanne Bell reports. THE BRIEF: Alexander Forbes' sales award conference and incentive were designed to celebrate the company's success and recognise key sales...

Sweden: 10 reasons to take a chance on Stockholm.
August 1, 2007... From battle ships to Abba hotels, the Swedish capital has a venue for every group. 1. With Volvo and Ikea unlikely to open up hotels, it falls to Benny Andersson of Abba to be a Super Trouper and lead the Swedish icon charge. His...

Sweden: Case study - Landmark in Stockholm.(Case study)
August 1, 2007... The venue for the wholesaler's annual conference has much to live up to, but Stockholm more than delivered. THE BRIEF: Landmark Wholesale's annual conference is seen as a leading event in its sector. With other players in the market keen...

India: Modern classics.
August 1, 2007... Mumbai and Bangalore are contemporary alternatives to the Golden Triangle. Along with China, India is routinely in the spotlight as one of the world's most vigorous economies, with its cities enjoying unprecedented growth and new-found...

Australia: The call of the wild.
August 1, 2007... Is Tourism Australia's innovative marketing campaign to increase C&I conversion rates re-energising UK buyers' interest in the country's offer? James Thornton investigates. At last year's biennial international showcase exhibition...

Diary: People, parties, pics.
August 1, 2007... Guess What? Ah, the Eventia summer conference, where the event sector gets to learn, liaise and lounge. And re-enact scenes from 1980s chick flicks, of course. Fans of Dirty Dancing will have loved our industry's very own Baby and Johnny...

Time bandit: Peter Brokenshire, Kuala Lumpur CC.(Country Club)(Interview)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... 35% - A great deal of my day is devoted to daily meetings with the sales team, clients and suppliers. 25% - Entertaining visitors and site visits. In six weeks alone, we had 36 site visits related to international conferences. The visits...