Conference & Incentive Travel articles from February 2003

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from February 2003

FIRST OFF: Ignorance could be heartbreak for hotels.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The opinions expressed by the subject of this month's In Person profile may cause concern in certain quarters (see p80). Simon Elliott, who controls budget for C&I activity at a division of DaimlerChrysler UK, intends to use hotels less in...

BTP urges UK suppliers to extend visitor stays.(Business Tourism Partnership)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The Business Tourism Partnership (BTP) is calling on UK C&I suppliers to implement measures to encourage delegates to extend trips to include a leisure element. With business travellers spending on average three times more than leisure...

Oxford takes topics to pharmaceuticals.(Oxford International opens new division, Summit Events)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Event management firm Oxford International has opened a specialist division for the pharmaceutical industry. The division, called Summit Events, will research hot topics in the sector and then create conferences around them and invite...

Jowell names Lickiss to take tourism post.(Tessa Jowell chooses Sir Michael Lickiss)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has appointed Sir Michael Lickiss as chairman of the re-launched tourism body. The body, formed out of the merger between the English Tourism Council and the British Tourist Authority (CIT, January), will be...

UK PRICE CHECK: Two-day meeting.(Illustration)
February 6, 2003... Brief: A two-day meeting for 20 at a country house hotel. Meeting costs include accommodation, dinner on both days, meeting room hire, lunches, tea and coffee breaks. Prices include taxes. Eastwell Manor, Ashford 24-hour rate ...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Belfast CVB produces booklet.(Belfast City Specials booklet)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Belfast CVB has produced a voucher booklet for conference delegates. The Belfast City Specials booklet offers discounts at restaurants, attractions and golf courses. Tel: 028 9023 9026.

NEWS IN BRIEF: James Bond exhibition extended.(at the Science Museum)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The Science Museum, London, is extending its James Bond exhibition until 27 April 2003, because of demand from corporate event planners. Tel: 020 7942 4357.

NEWS IN BRIEF: De Vere Group appoints.(Tom Hendry, Adrian Trumper hired)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... De Vere Group has appointed Tom Hendry and Adrian Trumper as north and south regional directors respectively. Tel: 01928 712111.

NEWS IN BRIEF: SECC wins bid.(Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre will host the Annual Congress of the European Respiratory Society)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The SECC (Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre) in Glasgow has won its bid to host the Annual Congress of the European Respiratory Society, which will attract 13,000 delegates to the city in 2004. Tel: 0141 275 6345.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Meridien UK & Ireland appoints.(Angela Canny appointment)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Le Meridien UK & Ireland has appointed Angela Canny as senior sales manager to develop C&I business at its two Manchester properties. Tel: 0161 238 9406.

NEWS IN BRIEF: www.circleevent.com launched.(Towergate Stafford Knight, The Circles Group set up Web site)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Towergate Stafford Knight, UK-based brokers, and Belgian internet company The Circles Group, have launched www.circleevent.com, which provides help with event insurance needs. Tel: 020 7481 6240.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Hilton UK wins award.(Hotel Marketing Association's Best Conference Marketing Activity award)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Hilton UK has won the Hotel Marketing Association's Best Conference Marketing Activity award for its Hilton Conventions product. Tel: 01628 488335.

NEWS IN BRIEF: VenueDirectory.com launches Directory.(suppliers directory available)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... VenueDirectory.com has launched the Suppliers Directory. The facility allows planners to match their choice of hotel or venue with suppliers in the area. Tel: 01580 715151.

Event agency Milestone sets out to succeed.(Milestone Event Management is created)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... A Surrey-based event management agency opened for business last month. Milestone Event Management will specialise in a variety of corporate events from product launches to golf days and conferences. Directors Paul Rockett and Luke Parry...

TM Group acquires JHA venue finders.(JHA Conference Services)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... TM Group has bought venue-finding agency JHA Conference Services. The agency has been rebranded as MWorld - Venue Solutions, a division under umbrella firm TM Group. It is headed up by joint managing directors Nigel Alden and Jennie...

Travel Impetus name reflects motivation role.(new name for Andes Travel)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Welwyn Garden City-based agency Andes Travel has rebranded as Travel Impetus. The firm's MD Martin Giblin said the old name 'gave the impression we were a travel agency with a conference division, but Travel Impetus conveys the idea we...

Ovation given Yorkshire remit for roadshows.(Yorkshire Building Society chooses Ovation Productions for event management)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Yorkshire Building Society has appointed event management firm Ovation Productions to organise a six-event roadshow. The aim of the roadshow is to present the Society's future plans to more than 1,800 of its employees. The events will be...

PEOPLE AND PLACES: Scotland Means Business.(Scottish Convention Bureau and Gleneagles Hotel host the trip)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The Scottish Convention Bureau (SCB) and Gleneagles Hotel hosted a fam trip, Scotland Means Business, last November for 46 UK and 31 overseas buyers. The event kicked off with a presentation by TV presenter Kirsty Wark on the first...

Cardiff calls for new convention centre.(Cardiff Conference Bureau)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Cardiff Conference Bureau is backing the construction of a purpose-built convention centre to boost business and its new Conference Ambassador Programme. A feasibility study into the construction of a centre is currently under way, but...

Belfast anticipating record year for CVB.(Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau forecasts record year)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau (BVCB) is expecting a record year for international association conferences with confirmed bookings already up 40% on 2002. BVCB has launched a year-long programme of marketing activity to drive this...

Yorkshire action plan to highlight groups tourism.(Yorkshire Tourist Board, Yorkshire Forward promote tourism)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The Yorkshire Tourist Board (YTB) and economic development agency Yorkshire Forward have unveiled a Tourism Action Plan. 'Business tourism has been highlighted as a priority and it's likely resources will be made available to develop it,'...

UK pins hopes on Cabinet backing for Olympics bid.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... By the time you read this, we will know whether the Cabinet will back London's Olympic bid. It may bemuse our marketing colleagues from other destinations that there could be any doubts. Most cities that have hosted major international...

Targeted approach pays off for London.(London Convention Bureau has increased association business)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... London Convention Bureau (LCB) has pulled in more than pounds 13m of association business over the past year. The wins follow a more targeted approach to the association market and the creation of a dedicated marketing team, headed up by...

BACD optimistic on association figures for 2003.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The BACD is confident association business will remain stable in 2003, despite the uncertain economic climate. The prediction comes from the BACD's ongoing research programme into UK associations' conference activity. From the 1,696...

ICCA plans year of events for UK.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... ICCA has set out a year-long diary of activity for its UK and Ireland chapter to highlight industry issues. The chapter will partner with the British Tourism Partnership (BTP) and BACD. It is currently working with the BTP on a briefing...

WEBWATCH: Online in East London.(TourEast London creates Web site)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Promotional body TourEast London is responsible for www.visiteastlondon.co.uk. The site features general information on London's East side but has just launched a dedicated section for event planners. To access the MICE section...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Brocket Hall appoints.(Andrew Harvey, Amanda Maskell hirings)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Brocket Hall has appointed Andrew Harvey as regional sales manager and Amanda Maskell as sales consultant. Tel: 01707 335241.

NEWS IN BRIEF: ILAM publishes guide.(ILAM Services publishes Conference Organiser's Timesaver)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... ILAM Services has published a guide for planners called Conference Organiser's Timesaver. Tel: 01491 874850.

NEWS IN BRIEF: British Airways to scrap and cut.(canceling routes and services)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... British Airways is to scrap 21 regional routes and cut services from Bristol, Birmingham, Newcastle, Southampton and Gatwick. Manchester wins three new routes and BA is debuting services from London City Airport from March. Tel: 020 8738 4464.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Jack Morton to produce ceremonies.(Jack Morton Worldwide (Europe) will produce Olympic Games ceremonies)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Jack Morton Worldwide (Europe) will produce the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games to be held in Athens in 2004. Tel: 020 8735 2000.

NEWS IN BRIEF: RPMC wins contract.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... RPMC, the entertainment marketing agency, has won the contract to provide VIP hospitality and travel packages for all 14 rounds of the World Rally Championship in 2003. Tel: 020 7631 9222.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Taste of the Vine appoints.(Richard Oatley hiring)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Taste of the Vine has appointed Richard Oatley as event marketing manager. Tel: 01428 656 319.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Oxon Hoath available for hire.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Oxon Hoath, a stately home and retreat in Kent, is available for corporate hire and can cater for groups of up to 50. Tel: 01732 811071.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Roof Gardens joins MIA.(Meetings Industry Association)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The Roof Gardens, Kensington, has joined the Meetings Industry Association (MIA). Tel: 01386 858572.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: France takes lead on European trade body.(alliance between a number of European meetings associations)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The French equivalent of the ITMA is spearheading an alliance between a number of European meetings associations. The Association Nationale des Agences d'Evenements (ANAe) held a meeting last month with association representatives from...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Star Cruises targets groups.(Norwegian Cruise Line and Orient Lines as well )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Star Cruises is set to get a campaign underway to pull in more C&I business from the UK. The Asia Pacific-based cruise company and its sister firms Norwegian Cruise Line and Orient Lines will target C&I buyers in the UK via direct mail,...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: DFDS sends out mailers to grow response rates.(DFDS Seaways)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... DFDS Seaways is embarking on a direct marketing campaign after witnessing a 50% rise in C&I bookings on one of its ships in 2002 over the previous year. Mailers containing the DFDS C&I brochure will be sent to buyers, and the cruise line...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: World Price Check - Two-day meeting.(information about meeting )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Brief: A two-day meeting for 20 delegates at a country house hotel. Meeting costs include accommodation, dinner, meeting room hire, lunches, tea and coffee breaks. Prices include taxes. Adare Manor, Limerick Meeting room hire ...

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Bentley becomes member.(Bentley Hotel memeber of Design Hotels consortium)
February 6, 2003... The Bentley Hotel in Istanbul, which opened last month, has become a member of the Design Hotels consortium. Tel: 020 7348 7040.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Inter-Continental offers rate.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The Inter-Continental Paris is offering a spring promotional rate of pounds 230 a night for residential conferences in April and May. Tel: +33 1 44 77 10 28.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: EIBTM and ICCA offer opportunity.(Forum for Young Professionals)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... EIBTM and ICCA are offering 20 industry executives aged 30 or under, with less than two years industry experience, the opportunity to take part in the seventh Forum for Young Professionals. Successful applicants will be hosted in Geneva...

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: AIPC running programme.(International Association of Congress Centres runs customer service program )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... AIPC (the International Association of Congress Centres) will be running its Excellence in Customer Service programme at Edinburgh's EICC from 15 to 21 March. Tel: +32 496 23 53 27.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Hello Florida! appoints.(Selfpromotion)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Hello Florida!, the US DMC, has appointed Selfpromotion as its UK representative. Tel: 01932 875485.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Rupperti named chairman.(Thomas Rupperti of The Austria Centre)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The Austria Centre, Vienna, has named Thomas Rupperti as chairman of its board of management. Tel: 020 1737 812939.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Andrew named director.(Graham Andrew at Silversea)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Silversea has appointed Graham Andrew as charter and incentive sales director. Tel: 0870 333 7050.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Metropole Palace delays refurbishment.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The Metropole Palace in Monaco has taken the decision to delay its planned refurbishment. Renovation work will now take place between September 2003 and May 2004 and the hotel will remain fully operational until then. Tel: 00 377 93 151503.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Asian hotel chains create consortium.(Asian Hotels Alliance)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Five Asian hotel groups have joined forces to form a marketing alliance. The Asian Hotels Alliance (AHA) represents more than 70 hotels and aims to offer similar levels of service across its portfolio. This includes the Marco Polo Hotel...

ILTM show looks set to boost C&I buyers.(International Luxury Travel Market)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... ILTM Media is looking to significantly increase the number of C&I buyers attending this year's International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM). The inaugural ILTM in Cannes last December pulled in 400 hosted buyers, 30% of whom registered as...

AIME nets more hosted buyers than 2002 show.(Reed Travel Exhibitions and Singapore Airlines host trade show )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has recorded a 14% increase over last year in the number of hosted buyers attending February's AIME show. The Asia Pacific trade show will host 330 buyers this year, with 19 from the UK and a total of 68 from...

Spend and keep an eye on ROI to beat the recession blues.(return on investment)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... As markets and profits get tighter firms are tempted to cut back. The marketing budget is often the first to suffer. Advertising, PR promotions, incentive programmes - everything gets cut in order to reduce costs. Yet as pressure...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: UAE hotels embark on marketing push.(Le Meridien properties)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Le Meridien properties in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have established a collective marketing strategy to boost tourism. The move is being championed by Francesco Borello, the general manager of Le Meridien's Abu Dhabi Grand. He is...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: SevenCenters to lure business to German facilities.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Seven of Germany's largest conference centres have joined forces to boost their chances of attracting major international events. SevenCenters will promote under the banner of 'Great places for Conventions' and will launch at IMEX in...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Jo'burg secures funding to open meeting bureau.(Johannesburg)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The City of Johannesburg has secured government funding of up to R12m (pounds 845,000) for its new convention bureau. The bureau, still unnamed, was established in January and will be fully operational by March (CIT, November/December)....

PEOPLE AND PLACES: Getting to love Paris in winter.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Maison de la France and the Paris CVB invited 30 UK buyers to experience Paris during the traditionally quieter winter months on a two-night fam trip in November. Called 'I love Paris in the winter', the aim of the trip was to showcase...

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Former ICCA president awarded.(Tuula Lindberg)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... ICCA recently awarded the lifetime achievement Moises Shuster Award to former ICCA president and MD of the Finland Convention Bureau Tuula Lindberg. Tel: +31 20 398 1908.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Hilton appoints area president.(Hilton International, Wolfgang Neumann )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Hilton International has appointed Wolfgang Neumann to the position of area president for the UK and Ireland. Tel: 020 7856 8293.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Sydney CVB designs website.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Sydney CVB has designed a website, www.scvb.com.au, which offers special deals to event planners. Tel: 020 7431 4045.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Grand Heritage launches directory.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Grand Heritage Hotels International has launched its 2003 directory. New members of the consortium include Ston Easton Park in Bath and Villa Dar Liqama in Marrakesh, Morocco. Tel: 020 7244 6699.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Mason Rose appoints director.(Elisabeth Kloepfer )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Mason Rose, the private, luxury hotel consortium, has appointed Elisabeth Kloepfer as director of sales. Tel: 020 7235 3245.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Hotel Martinez offers group rate.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Hotel Martinez, Cannes, is offering a group rate in February and March of pounds 100 a night. Tel: +33 4 92 98 74 11.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Serrep appointed UK representative.(for Eurotel Victoria)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Serrep has been appointed as the UK representative for the four-star Eurotel Victoria in Switzerland. Tel: 01959 542 555.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Hilton debuts scheme.(Hilton International agreement with Festival Cruises)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Hilton International has debuted its 'Hilton Floating Resort' scheme. The agreement with Festival Cruises, makes Hilton services available on Festival's ships from March. Tel: 020 7856 8293.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: SN Brussels Airlines appoints.(Philip Saunders )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... SN Brussels Airlines has appointed Philip Saunders as commercial director. Tel: 020 7559 9797.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Daytona publishes Planner.(Daytona Beach CVB's Golf Daytona Beach Travel Planner)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Daytona Beach CVB has published its Golf Daytona Beach Travel Planner. The brochure offers details of packages available at more than 48 courses and hotels. Tel: 020 8877 4508.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Melia Rio de Oro upgraded.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The Melia Rio de Oro Hotel in Cuba has been upgraded to Sol Melia's luxury Paradisus brand.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: MPI highlights gap in event prediction.(Meetings Professionals International research )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Conference organisers expect just a 1% average growth in the number of meetings to be held this year, according to research from industry body Meetings Professionals International (MPI). In contrast, the report, FutureWatch 2003, found...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Private initiative launched for 12 five-star hotels.(by Angela Griffin Associates)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Marketing representation company Angela Griffin Associates (AGA) has launched an initiative to promote a group of hotels around the world. Called The Private Collection, the initiative pulls together 12 five-star hotels from 11 countries...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: De Vere joins up with Destination in trade alliance.(De Vere Group, Destination Hotels & Resorts)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The De Vere Group has formed an alliance with US-based Destination Hotels & Resorts, to give both hotel groups the chance to break into each other's markets. 'Our chains are similar both in outlook and market positions,' said De Vere...

PUSHING FRONTIERS: Opening up Nova Scotia.(travel industry )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Nova Scotia is situated on Canada's east coast. It is two hours closer to Europe than any other mainland North American destination and is just five hours' flight time from Gatwick. The province has 4,600 miles of coastline and a...

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Paramount appoints.(Paramount Hotels, Carol Hornblower )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Paramount Hotels has appointed Carol Hornblower as senior agency sales manager. Tel: 0113 2380033.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Great Eagle to trade as Langham.(Great Eagle Hotels International as as Langham Hotels International)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Great Eagle Hotels International is to trade as Langham Hotels International. Great Eagle operates the Great Eagle Hotel in Hong Kong and owns the Langham Hilton in London. Tel: +852 2710 1888.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Eventclicks partners with Helms-Briscoe.(Helms-Briscoe International)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Eventclicks, the Asia Pacific event-planning service, has formed a partnership with US-based conference resource firm Helms-Briscoe International. Tel: +852 2911 7902.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Pan Pacific Whistler launches package.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The Pan Pacific Whistler has launched an all-inclusive winter sports package valid until April 2003. The deal includes a range of activities, such as skate-skiing, a fusion of the two sports. Tel: 01474 707934.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Eaton joins network.(Eaton Hotel Hong Kong joins SRS-Worldhotel)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The Eaton Hotel Hong Kong has joined SRS-Worldhotel's global reservations network. Tel: 01474 707934.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Tourism Tasmania appoints.(Sandra Leach )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Tourism Tasmania has appointed Sandra Leach as regional manager for UK and European markets, based in the UK. Tel: 020 7584 6553.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Kempinski appoints.(Kempinski Hotels & Resorts has appointed Michel Novatin )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Kempinski Hotels & Resorts has appointed Michel Novatin as director of operations. Tel: 020 8307 7653.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: EIBTM's Worldwide Watch on look out.
February 6, 2003... EIBTM's Worldwide Watch is on the look out for technology developments in the industry. The deadline for applicants is 28 February and the chosen company will be given the opportunity to display its product at the MPI Technology Village...

SOUNDING OFF: Cutting costs can be false economy.(travel industry )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... There seems to be a worrying trend appearing in some client briefs - low-cost airlines and three-star hotels. It's not that I wouldn't advocate their use if the profile of the delegates suited, but I am concerned these may be knee-jerk,...

CASE STUDY: Scottish Life warms to Marrakesh.(Skybridge helps find incentive destination )
February 6, 2003... Life assurance giant Scottish Life instructed Skybridge to find a warm, short-haul destination for its annual winter incentive. Having weighed up the options, the agency settled on Marrakesh. Stephanie Roberts reports on the group's five days...

CASE STUDY: Lloyds TSB on the road.(conference planning )
February 6, 2003... Lloyds TSB's staff roadshows signalled a move away from its traditional conference format, as Stephanie Roberts reports Interactivity was a key element for Lloyds TSB's 'Building a great bank' roadshows at the end of last year, as the...

AGENCY SURVEY: In the balance.(change hits incentive travel )
February 6, 2003... Reflecting the changes taking place in the industry, the 2003 CIT agency survey has adapted so as to include motivational meetings. Jennifer Creevy reports on a tough year for the sector Every industry experiences its fair share of change...

LUXURY VENUES: Setting the standard.(conference destinations )
February 6, 2003... As budgets diminish, organisers are looking to the UK to offer top-end venues because their undoubted quality ensures value for money. Abigail Wills finds a sector thriving in adversity The demand for high-class event venues in the UK is...

SURREY: Capital break-out.(meeting destination )
February 6, 2003... Surrey may be known as an idyll for the stockbroker set, but its meetings offer and proximity to London is now generating significant meetings business, as Paul Twite discovers Surrey has long been one of the more sought after locations...

HUNGARY: Building for Europe.(incentive destination )
February 6, 2003... Budapest has been identified as an emerging destination for some time. Its anticipated 2004 EU entry and raft of hotel development could now, as Mark Hillsdon finds, make Hungary a C&I destination to be reckoned with The popularity of...