Conference & Incentive Travel articles from February 2004

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from February 2004

FIRST OFF: Only a big ship gets everyone on board.(Corporate Event Association)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... One small missive received by many in the industry over the last few days has started a massive debate: the proposed merger between the ITMA and the CEA (see also p4). Whether the two bodies can sort out constitutional issues and pull the deal...

Possible merger of ITMA and CEA may create united voice.(Corporate Event Association)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... A new 'super-body' to represent the corporate events industry could be created if a proposed merger between the ITMA and the CEA (the Corporate Event Association, formerly the Corporate Hospitality Association) goes ahead. ITMA executive...

UK PRICE CHECK: Sales conference with exhibition in a five-star city centre hotel.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Brief: 100 delegates for two nights and three days in June. Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, refreshments, room hire, exhibition space and VAT. DE VERE GRAND HOTEL, BRIGHTON 24-hour rate pounds 42,300 Day...

MIA research signals recovery underway.(Meetings Industry Association )(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Research conducted by the Meetings Industry Association (MIA) has shown the first signs of a recovery within the UK conference industry. The survey, carried out among the association's 650 members, identified longer lead times and also...

Excel bolsters its standing with the launch of website.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Excel has consolidated its status as a meetings and special events venue with the launch of a dedicated conference website. The new site can be found at www.excel-london.co.uk and allows buyers to take a 360-degree virtual tour of the...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Readership survey inside this issue of CIT.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... A readership survey can be found inside this issue of CIT. We would ask all our readers to take the time to fill it in - this is an opportunity to air your views on the magazine. There is also a prize draw of a holiday to Greece for one lucky...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Jack Morton Worldwide appoints creative director.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Jack Morton Worldwide has appointed Simon Maier as creative director, while J Simon Mayne and Adrian Power move into senior producer roles. Tel: 020 8735 2000.

NEWS IN BRIEF: York set for successful business tourism year.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... York is set for its most successful business tourism year to date. Latest figures indicate a 20% increase on 2003 in conference bookings. Tel: 01904 554453.

NEWS IN BRIEF: South Warwickshire Tourism holds showcase.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... South Warwickshire Tourism will be holding a Shakespeare Country showcase on 24 March for anyone planning a conference or hospitality event in the Midlands. Tel: 01926 409888.

NEWS IN BRIEF: ISES UK members win three honours.(International Special Events Society)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... ISES (International Special Events Society) UK members won three honours at The Special Events Gala Awards 2004 held in Las Vegas in January. Moving Venue Management and Imagination were among the UK industry winners. Tel: +1 312 321 6853.

NEWS IN BRIEF: IBR adds to its portfolio of services.
February 23, 2004... IBR has added 'Activity Days' to its portfolio of services. These include go-karting, drumming workshops and wine tasting. Tel: 01483 520 790.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Conference & Incentive Travel subscription.
February 23, 2004... Readers who wish to take out a new subscription to Conference & Incentive Travel, or continue with an existing one for 2004, are reminded that they should call 020 8606 7500 or log on to www.citmagazine.com to arrange this.

Net firm's agency deal gives access to corporate travel.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... First Option, the UK's largest hotel and conference booking agency, has been acquired by internet firm lastminute.com. The pounds 12.1m purchase comes after several months of the company looking to enter the corporate travel sector. ...

Bainbridge fills post as BI head of events.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Ex-Archer Young head of events Emma Bainbridge has succeeded John Hooker as BI head of event management, executive vice-president David Hackett has exclusively told CIT. Hooker left in December to take up the position of general manager at the...

Jarvis Woodhouse and Key2 combine skills.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Jarvis Woodhouse, the communications, incentive and event management consultancy, has merged with incentive company Key2. Jarvis Woodhouse managing director Wayne Moss said: 'We've been working with Key2 on its new interactive motivational...

Smyle moves into events market as party work grows.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Fledgling agency Smyle Events has branched into the corporate events market, following a successful six months organising parties for private clients. The company, launched last summer by Rick Stainton, former P&MM creative events...

P&MM hires Lloyd to raise profile of sector in the mix.(Colin Lloyd)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... P&MM has appointed Colin Lloyd, current president of the Institute of Sales Promotion, as chairman of the company. The move follows the management buyout from the board in January. P&MM hopes that Lloyd's marketing experience will help...

PEOPLE AND PLACES: MTV'S MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The secluded facilities at Gloucestershire's Cowley Manor were chosen as the venue for MTV International's 2003 management conference. Twenty international delegates from as far afield as China and the US attended the four-day event, which took...

Marriott to renovate ex-Meridien hotels.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... A multi-million pound renovation of former Le Meridien properties Grosvenor House in London and the Shelbourne in Dublin is planned by Marriott International, which took over management of the hotels at the end of January. The renovation...

Boost for Newcastle Gateshead.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Conference business in Newcastle Gateshead has tripled in the past three years and brings in pounds 55.5m, equivalent to more than pounds 70m in terms of impact on the local economy. Consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers' findings were...

TOOLKIT: INTEGRUS.(digital language distribution system)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... What's this month's product and what does it do? The Integrus from Bosch is the world's first fully digital language distribution system. It offers simultaneous translation functions, making it useful for international conferences. How...

Good hospitality at shows is something of an event in itself.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The invitations to this year's round of trade shows have already arrived, with optimistic predictions from the organisers that they will be bigger and better than ever. In reality, visitor numbers are dwindling and organisers confirm that shows...

NEWS INTERNATIONAL: ABPCO members question need for European alliance.(Association of British Professional Conference Organisers)(Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organisers )
February 23, 2004... Members of the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) have stalled plans to create a Europe-wide alliance with four of its European counterparts. The associations from Britain, Spain, Belgium, and Portugal met at...

NEWS INTERNATIONAL: Monaco emphasises its cultural offerings.(Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Monaco is repositioning its C&I offer by placing an emphasis on spa and cultural products. A new slogan, 'Le nouveau sens', has been launched by the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority, and a series of events organised to...

NEWS INTERNATIONAL: Dutch tourist body changes title and targets UK market.(Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The Netherlands Board of Tourism has changed its official title to the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC). The new name is a result of the continuing partnership between the tourism board and the convention bureau, which...

NEWS INTERNATIONAL: WORLD PRICE CHECK - Sales conference with exhibition in a five-star city centre hotel.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Brief: 100 delegates for two nights and three days in June. Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, refreshments, room hire, exhibition space, travel and tax FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, PRAGUE Accomm/F&B pounds 52,520...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Festival Cruises releases figures.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Festival Cruises has released figures showing that the international cruise incentive market is set to increase by 15% annually in coming years. Tel: 020 7336 7313.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Dolce International appointed to manage.(Hayes Mansion Conference Centre )(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Dolce International has been appointed to manage the Hayes Mansion Conference Centre in San Jose, California. Tel: 01892 619100.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Le Meridien appoints new chief executive.(Robert Riley)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Le Meridien has appointed Robert Riley as its new chief executive. Riley takes over from interim CEO Stephen Alexander. Tel: 08000 282840.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Eurostar announces London-Avignon service.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Eurostar has announced its London-Avignon service will run this year from 10 July to 11 September. Bookings can be made now. Elsewhere, the firm has gained around a 50% market share of the Brussels air/rail route. Tel: 020 7922 4425.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Melbourne Convention Bureau appoints new chief executive.(Garry Kingshott)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Melbourne Convention Bureau has appointed Garry Kingshott as its new chief executive. Kingshott has more than 25 years' experience in management and marketing roles. Tel: +61 3 9650 8800.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: The Utrecht Congress Bureau releases new edition.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The Utrecht Congress Bureau has released a new edition of its handbook, providing information on business meeting venues and tourist events. Tel: +31 30 293 3484.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Hong Kong Tourism Board announcement.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Hong Kong Tourism Board has announced that hotel occupancy levels are back up to 75%, their highest since the SARS crisis. Tel: 020 7533 7126.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Air Malta to launch low-cost service.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Air Malta is to launch a low-cost service between the UK and Malta in April. Fare 4U will offer one-way fares from pounds 38. Tel: 0845 345 6045.

NEWS INTERNATIONAL: MPI survey indicates a robust year ahead.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The year ahead is showing all the signs of being a healthy one for the meetings industry, with spending on conferences forecast to increase by 3% and similar growth predicted for levels of employment, according to new research from MPI. ...

NEWS INTERNATIONAL: Cyprus awaits findings on venue.(Cyprus Tourism Organisation)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Cyprus's meetings offer could be strengthened if plans for a long-awaited purpose-built conference centre get the go-ahead. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) has announced that a feasibility study is now underway to decide if Limassol...

NEWS INTERNATIONAL: PUSHING FRONTIERS - THE FAROE ISLANDS.(Faroe Islands Tourist Board)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The Faroe Islands Tourist Board is to target C&I buyers this year with its first-ever UK campaign. Working with the Danish Tourist Board and three major incoming agents, including airline and ferry operators, it hopes to educate UK visitors...

NEWS INTERNATIONAL: Terrorism will have consequences that impact on C&I travel.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Towards the end of last year, the US was becoming an increasingly attractive destination as the dollar fell against the pound. Then the whole situation was turned upside down: the US announced changes to its visa requirements. From 26...

NEWS INTERNATIONAL: Western Australia buoyant after Perth CVB's forecasts.(Perth Convention Bureau)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Western Australia's (WA) conference and incentive sector is on course for its healthiest sales year to date. The forecast was reported by the Perth Convention Bureau, and is based on projected incoming business, as well as the AUdollars 37m...

NEWS INTERNATIONAL: Portugal capitalises on 2004 soccer finals.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The Portuguese Tourist Office (ICEP) has launched a dedicated C&I newsletter to keep UK buyers abreast of the developments taking place in Portugal for the Euro 2004 Championships. Director of tourism at ICEP in London, Jose Preto da Silva,...

NEWS INTERNATIONAL: PEOPLE AND PLACES - CYPRUS.(Hotel and Catering International Management Association)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Inspired by the appointment of its first Cypriot president, Theo Charalambous, the Hotel and Catering International Management Association (HCIMA) took its conference to Limassol in November. The event, entitled 'World-Class Standards for a...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: SITE names Mexico as chapter of the year for 2003.(Society of Incentive Travel Executives)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... SITE has named Mexico as its chapter of the year for 2003. The award acknowledges work carried out at local and regional levels in the country, including educational sessions and the recruitment of new members. Tel: +1 312 321 5148.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: AIPC adds four new member facilities.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... AIPC has added four new member facilities, including Manchester International Convention Centre and The Royal College of Physicians, London. The other new properties are in Calgary and Venice. Tel: +32 496 23 5327.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: CIT appointed as official UK media partner.(Conference & Incentive Travel )(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Conference & Incentive Travel has been appointed as the official UK media partner of Ireland's inaugural Conference Showcase. The event, organised by publisher Business & Finance, will take place from 28-29 March in Dublin. Tel: +353 1 4167800....

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Maritim set to take over management.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Maritim, the German hotel group, is set to take over management of 12 of LTI Hotels' 26 resorts. These are to include properties in Cuba and Bali. Tel: +49 1802 312121.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: SAD Scandinavian Airlines extends deadline.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... SAS Scandinavian Airlines has extended the deadline on its pounds 99 group fare London to Copenhagen offer until 31 March. Tel: 020 7259 5958.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Vienna Convention Burueau secures major conferences.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Vienna Convention Bureau has secured three additional major conferences for the Austrian capital, which are expected to generate around 120,000 extra overnight stays in 2005. Tel: +43 1 211 14 500.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Great Hotels of the World announces new member hotels.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Great Hotels of the World has announced the introduction of 35 new member hotels. These include Uhu Villa in Budapest and Athens's Astir Palace. Tel: 020 7380 8580.

ANALYSIS: When safety becomes paramount.
February 23, 2004... The steady rise of global terror, alongside the threats to health posed by SARS and now avian flu, have pushed client safety up the agenda. But the answer may simply lie in accepting 'the new normal'. There is little point in meetings...

OPINION: SOUNDING OFF - Finding information on health should be a part of the service.
February 23, 2004... It seems that as far-flung destinations form an increasingly important part of the C&I travel trail, health and security alerts are becoming ever more commonplace. In such a climate it is essential that organisers get better informed about the...

IN PERSON: Dev Anand, Sales and marketing director, The Montpelier Collection.
February 23, 2004... Dev Anand learnt the hard way that small is beautiful. But, as he juggles holding two conversations on different phones, you get the impression that his plans for The Montpelier Collection, of which is he sales and marketing director, are far...

CASE STUDY: HP conference heads for Disneyland.
February 23, 2004... Hewlett-Packard's 2003 Enterprise Sales Conference at Disneyland Resort Paris was on a scale that few companies would attempt. Sarah Wild reports on a global event attended by 3,500 delegates. Hewlett-Packard's (HP) Enterprise Sales...

SHOW REVIEW: Luxury always counts.(International Luxury Market)
February 23, 2004... This year's ILTM placed an emphasis on grandeur, with delegates enjoying not only the show itself, but also lavish social events. The sophisticated resort of Cannes was the setting for the second International Luxury Travel Market, which...

AGENCY SURVEY: Facing the future.
February 23, 2004... CIT's annual survey reveals mixed fortunes for the industry's players, although many of the concerns within the industry have remained constant. Abigail Wills analyses the findings. When CIT launched its annual agency survey in 1992 the...

CARDIFF: Twenty first century city.
February 23, 2004... Cardiff is no longer playing second fiddle to its European competitors. 2005 will herald Cardiff's 100-year anniversary as a city. As a fitting complement, it will also mark half a century since the Celtic seaport became the Welsh capital....

SURREY: Breathing space.
February 23, 2004... Close to the capital yet away from big-city commotion, Surrey is becoming the perfect getaway destination. Surrey boasts a wealth of quality corporate venues and offers several unexpected gems. Occupancy levels across the county are...

LUXURY VENUES: Selective spending.
February 23, 2004... Concerns over profligacy are causing a shift in the C&I industry. Catherine Chetwynd reports. If the second International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) held in Cannes in December last year is any barometer, luxury is still in, despite lack...

LUXURY VENUES: A showcase of global luxury venues.
February 23, 2004... The variety of classic venues worldwide is impressive and provides opportunities for C&I groups of all sizes. HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI Berlin, Germany. + 49 30 2261 0 Overlooking the Brandenburg Gate, the hotel has 256 rooms. Its two...

LUXURY VENUES: 20 of the best - Stylish venues always leave a lasting impression on visitors, as Catherine Chetwynd discovers.
February 23, 2004... ACKERGILL TOWER Contact: Ian Richards, 01955-603556 Website: www.ackergill-tower.co.uk Number of meeting spaces: 4 Capacity: 80 Location: Wick, Scotland AMBERLEY CASTLE Contact: Tanith Cummings, 01798 831992 Website:...

GREECE: The Olympic effect.
February 23, 2004... Greece may currently be underselling its C&I offer, but as Belinda Gannaway discovers, the Olympic Games will almost certainly provide the stimulus needed to turn that situation around. The Olympic Games in August 2004 are guaranteed to put...

HONG KONG: Turning point.
February 23, 2004... The outbreak of SARS inflicted serious damage on Hong Kong as a destination, but as Sarah Wild discovers, the city is working hard to re-establish its position of dominance. Last February, the future could not have looked rosier for Hong...

VENUE FOCUS: First of two Accor properties opens at Excel.(Ibis London Excel)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The Ibis London Excel opened its doors for the first time in January. The international two-star property is situated just three minutes' walk from Excel's main entrance. It offers 278 rooms as well as a bar and restaurant, and forms part of a...

VENUE FOCUS: Central Bangkok hotel joins Raffles stable.(Nai Lert Park)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Nai Lert Park in Bangkok has become a Raffles International Hotels & Resorts property. The hotel is centrally located in the heart of the Thai capital's diplomatic, business and shopping area. It boasts an executive club floor with broadband...

VENUE FOCUS: Port Palace/Monte Carlo.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Port Palace is Monte Carlo's first five-star contemporary luxury hotel. It offers 50 private suites, all with harbour views, and a sixth-floor restaurant and terrace. The hotel is situated half an hour from Nice airport and also boasts a spa...

VENUE FOCUS: Express/Holiday Inn Cambridge.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Express by Holiday Inn Cambridge was unveiled recently. It is equipped with 100 rooms as well as three purpose-built meeting spaces, and is less than 25 miles from Stansted Airport. The property, situated to the east of the city centre, also...

VENUE FOCUS: The Mandarin Oriental New York/Manhattan.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The Mandarin Oriental New York recently opened its doors in Manhattan. Situated close to Central Park, the 251-room property offers four meeting and function rooms with state-of-the-art AV facilities. There are three restaurants and bars on the...

VENUE FOCUS: Villa Golden Reef/St Barts.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Villa Golden Reef, a private hillside residence on the Caribbean island of St Barts, has been made available for hire. Located over three floors, it sleeps up to 13 and offers ample space for informal meetings. Tel: +1 212 616 5032 RE 916.

VENUE FOCUS: South Green Park/Norfolk.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... South Green Park, a pounds 1.4m conference and training venue in Norfolk, recently opened for business. Its Enterprise Centre boasts facilities for up to 100. Tel: 01362 857100 RE 917.

VENUE FOCUS: Hilton Arc de Triomphe/Paris.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Hilton Arc de Triomphe is to be officially opened in Paris in late March. The Art Deco property boasts 512 rooms, while its conference facilities include a ballroom for up to 600 delegates. Tel: +33 1 58 36 17 17 RE 918.

VENUE FOCUS: The Regency Park Hotel/Berkshire.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The Regency Park Hotel in Berkshire is celebrating the completion of an pounds 8m investment programme, which sees the 109-room property able to offer ten function rooms, as well as a purpose-built business centre. Tel: 01635 871555 RE 919.

VENUE FOCUS: Sol Melia/Shanghai.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Sol Melia has announced plans for a 700-room, five-star property in Shanghai city centre. It is due to open in 2006. Tel: 020 7388 7080 RE 920.

VENUE FOCUS: Beaumont House/Old Windsor.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Beaumont House in Old Windsor has opened a self-contained conference and training suite in its grounds for up to 180 delegates. The property already features 86 conference and training rooms, along with 196 guestrooms. Tel: 01753 640000 RE 921....

VENUE FOCUS: The Zetter/Clerkenwell.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The Zetter, a 59-room hotel and restaurant, opens in Clerkenwell in April. Housed in a 19th-century warehouse and built using sustainable materials, it will offer conference space for up to 50 delegates. Tel: 020 7324 4444 RE 922.

VENUE FOCUS: Ritz-Carlton South Beach/Miami.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Ritz-Carlton South Beach in Miami is now open. The restored 1950s property has meeting facilities and 375 rooms. Tel: +1 786 276 4000 RE 923.

DIARY: LET'S GO TO ... PITTSBURGH.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Sigh. Another American megalopolis - enough already. Don't be so quick to judge - it's a hive of innovation. Pittsburgh's creative whizz-kids have brought the world bingo, ferris wheels and banana splits over the years. As if that weren't...

DIARY: All us Brits really need is four walls to stare at.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... Recent research into what different nationalities want from a hotel stay has thrown up some intriguing insights: Belgians can't get enough of goldfish, Americans go potty without toilet seat covers and Germans go uber-crazy if hot and cold...

DIARY: I'm Baker. No, I'm Baker.
February 23, 2004... Remembering names isn't always easy (Diary still recoils in horror from the memory of its time as a Vietnamese postman, but that's another story). Those cunning folk at Penguins Events, however, have come up with a solution to awkward...

DIARY: CONFESSIONS OF AN EVENT PLANNER.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... A few years ago, we at Malone Associates were managing a show in the Palace Suite at the Birmingham Metropole. We arrived the day before the event and couldn't believe our luck - the banqueting manager took us to one side and offered us the...

DIARY: COMPETITION.
February 23, 2004... Every month, CIT will be testing your observational skills and giving away a fantastic prize. The winner of this month's competition will win a two-night stay for two people, with dinner, bed and breakfast, at Patshull Park Hotel Golf and...

DIARY: Bob's bob, bobbing along.
February 23, 2004... As zany meeting locations go, an orange raft drifting off the Welsh coast is about as out-there as it gets. So hats off and, erm, armbands on, to Pembrokeshire Watersports, who arranged a floating meeting with delegates from Disability Sport...

THE ITMA AWARDS.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... In praise of industry achievement now celebrating their tenth anniversary, the ITMA Awards are well established on the business calendar and have earned a reputation for singling out the very best corporate events and incentive travel...

THE ITMA AWARDS: The Judges.
February 23, 2004... CHAIR: Vanessa Cotton - managing director, The Event Organisation Company PANEL: John Bevins - creative director, JB Associates Patrick Collins - ceo, Universal Conference & Incentive Travel Matthew Davies - director of...

THE ITMA AWARDS: GREEN AWARD - THE ITMA AWARD.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... A discretionary prize presented by ITMA, the Green Award recognises an entry that made a significant contribution towards the protection of the environment. Roche Products asked Penguins Events to produce an activity-based day that would...

THE ITMA AWARDS: PLATINUM AWARD - THE CONFERENCE & INCENTIVE TRAVEL AWARD.
February 23, 2004... In a significant event to launch the seventh generation of Jaguar to a worldwide audience of dealers, P&MM developed a programme where every touch point reflected product and brand values. The need to encompass the contemporary values of...