Conference & Incentive Travel articles from February 2005

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from February 2005

First off: Events are key tool for building brands.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... When I handed the Grand Prix gong to P&MM at the ITMA Awards last month, I did so with total conviction. At the time of judging, this event, for the dealer launch of Land Rover's Discovery 3, really stood out for me. Enhancing brand...

Agencies need an enhanced role in brand management.
February 3, 2005... A third of the UK's top companies plan to spend more on events during 2005 compared to the previous year, with event marketing recognised as the primary means of building brand awareness. This is according to an Event Marketing Trends...

MPI poised to name its first secretariat.(Meetings Professional International)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Meetings Professional International (MPI) is to announce the appointment of its first secretariat this month. Bids for the association management company were issued last July, but funding problems delayed the interview process until January...

Time running out to back London's bid for the Games.
February 3, 2005... With time running out to register for CIT's Back The Bid initiative, industry figures are giving strong support to the campaign. First Protocol CEO and London MICE cluster champion Richard Waddington said winning would affect all...

UK Price Check.(hotel services)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Annual Sales conference with exhibition and gala dinner: 300 delegates for three nights and four days in April. Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, refreshments, room hire and VAT. HILTON BIRMINGHAM METROPOLE 24-hour rate: pounds...

Appointment at Fairmont's The Savoy.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Nicola Alexander has been appointed director of group sales at Fairmont's The Savoy. She took up the post on 31 January. Tel: 020 7836 4343.

Appointment at BI Worldwide.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... BI Worldwide has announced the appointment of Mike Davies, previously at Maritz, as director of Performance Improvement, and Rachel Stevens from THA as events operations director. Tel: 01908 214742.

Bath Conference Plus launches its Directory for Bath.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Bath Conference Plus has launched its 2005 Venues and Events Directory for the Bath area. Tel: 01225 477083.

Destination Bristol is the new name.(www.visitbristol.co.uk)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Destination Bristol is the new name for the former Bristol Tourism and Conference Bureau. Web: www.visitbristol.co.uk.

Bmi regional begins new flights.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Bmi regional will begin full-service flights from Nottingham East Midlands Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle and Nice from March, replacing the existing services run by low-cost subsidiary bmibaby. Tel: 0870 607 0555.

Monkleigh changes its name.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Monkleigh has changed its name to Elevation Events Group following recent acquisitions and to reflect its move towards becoming an integrated event marketing services group. Web: www.elevation events.co.uk.

Appointment at The NEC Group.(www.necgroup.co.uk)(Appointment)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Paul Thandi has been appointed commercial director at The NEC Group, which manages the NEC. Thandi, previously executive director at CMP Information, will take up the position in May. Web: www.necgroup.co.uk.

Award for The Mersey Partnership Conference Bureau.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The Mersey Partnership Conference Bureau has been awarded the UK's first Hospitality Assured-Meetings kitemark by the Meetings Industry Association. Tel: 0151 237 3922.

IBR workshops to tackle problems with procurement.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... IBR has launched a series of workshops tackling the issue of procurement. This follows the inaugural workshop in late 2004 entitled The Tendering Game, which covered evaluation of tenders, generating better bids and fair comparison...

P&MM prevails again at industry ceremony.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... P&MM collected the coveted Platinum Award for the third year running at last month's Incentive Travel and Meetings Association (ITMA) ceremony, held at Disneyland Resort Paris. The agency was also awarded six other first-place prizes. ...

Visit Scotland ups profile in London to improve service.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Visit Scotland is appointing a London-based sales manager to better serve its core business clients. 'Approximately 85% of enquiries come from London so it makes sense that we have someone in the capital to harness relationships,' said...

Conference body sets the standard for new members.(Conference Centres of Excellence)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Current and prospective members of the consortium Conference Centres of Excellence (CCE) will need to reach higher standards if they are to be part of the organisation. The announcement follows the introduction of an independently...

Members call for ITMA to disclose plans.(Incentive Travel and Meetings Association)(Corporate Events Association)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Members of the Incentive Travel and Meetings Association (ITMA) are calling on the organisation to be more open about its alliance with the Corporate Events Association. In a CIT poll of 23 of the industry's top agents, eight had no...

People and Places: Andalucia in London.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The Spanish Tourist Office and Government of Andalucia held a two-day workshop in London last month. The event, which was held to promote different MICE options in the country's colourful Andalucia region, was being run for the 14th...

Destinations in the East still have more storms to weather.(travel industry forcasts)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Over the past year organisers in the industry have been calling for support for the Asian destinations that have suffered loss of business due to perceived security risks. The shocking destruction and loss of life caused by December's tsunami...

North Wales to invest in conference centre.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... North Wales is making a major financial push to firmly establish itself as a C&I destination. Long overshadowed by the area in and around Cardiff to the south, the region is ploughing pounds 10.7m into its North Wales Conference Centre to...

UK business tourism booming.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Income from Britain's business tourism looks set to grow by up to pounds 1bn to pounds 18bn in 2005, according to the Business Tourism Partnership (BTP). BTP chairman Michael Hirst said: 'Business tourism is currently the fastest growing...

Webwatch: Great Hotels of the World.(www.ghotw.com)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Web www.ghotw.com What's the lowdown? The Great Hotels of the World (GHOTW) site showcases all its member hotels, which number around 270. These fall into four categories - business, spa, golf and romantic - all with a high standard...

IMEX likely to enjoy greater representation from the US.(Worldwide Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings and Events)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... IMEX is likely to see a greater presence of US exhibitors following the show's endorsement by the International Association of Convention Visitor Bureaus (IACVB). Made up predominantly of US bureaus, IACVB has earmarked IMEX as its...

World Price Check.(hotel services)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
February 3, 2005... Annual Sales conference with exhibition and gala dinner: 300 delegates for three nights and four days in April. Food and board is included. ASTIR PALACE RESORT, ATHENS 24-hour rate: pounds 191,892 Day delegate rate: pounds 9,750...

Brand repositioning for SRS-Worldhotels.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... SRS-Worldhotels has rebranded and dropped the 'SRS' prefix. In a move to clarify its brand positioning, Worldhotels chief executive officer Michael Ball said: 'The SRS 'bit' caused confusion. It stood for Steigenberger Reservation Service,...

Hyatt focuses on Europe in a bid to develop its profile.(International Luxury Travel Market)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Hyatt Hotels & Resorts is looking to raise awareness of its separate brands among C&I buyers within the UK and Europe. The announcement follows a month-long European sales blitz by 12 sales and marketing directors of Grand Hyatt hotels...

News brief: Visit Denmark.(Danish Tourist Board renamed)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The Danish Tourist Board has been renamed Visit Denmark, bringing consistency to its brand, including online marketing tools. Web: www.visitdenmark.com

News brief: Fox appointed.(Elizabeth Fox as regional director)(Jamaica Tourist Board)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Jamaica Tourist Board has announced the immediate appointment of Elizabeth Fox as regional director UK/Europe. Fox will direct and oversee the promotion of Jamaica's tourism industry in the UK. Tel: 020 7224 0505.

News brief: Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company hotel.(hotel launch)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is to open a 300-room hotel in Hong Kong in 2009. The venue will occupy the top 13 floors of an existing 100-storey building and will become the world's tallest hotel. Web: www.ritzcarlton.com

News brief: Carter appointed.(Ian Carter )(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Hilton International Hotels has appoined Ian Carter as chief executive. He takes over from the late Anthony Harris and also has a seat on the group board. Web: www.hiltongroup.com

News brief: Gibraltar's government invests in colony.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Gibraltar's government has announced it is to invest more than pounds 1bn in developing the east side of the colony. This will involve a 300-room hotel and a large marina for boutique cruise liners. Web: www.gibraltar.gov.uk

News brief: Maldives Tourism Promotion Board push.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board hopes to raise pounds 530m from its state and private sectors to embark on a marketing push to halt the downturn in business since the tsunami in December. (See analysis on p19). Web: www.visitmaldives.com.

News brief: Moulden scoops UK representation for Canadian hubs.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Tourism Vancouver and Tourism Whistler have picked Moulden Marketing to represent the two organisations in the UK conference and incentive sector. Managing director Gillian Moulden said: 'Whistler and Vancouver have UK business but are...

Norwegian cruises: a new group option.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Norwegian Coastal Voyage has launched a dedicated conference brochure aimed at the UK meetings and incentive industry. 'We've never focused on this market before, but as our ships have the appropriate facilities it makes sense,' said...

Sector positive about Airbus A380 impact.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The Airbus A380 aeroplane, unveiled last month in Toulouse, looks set to have a positive impact on long-haul C&I business. The 555-passenger superjumbos will come into public service in 2006 and major airlines including Virgin, Emirates...

People and Places: Toronto.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Last month, five buyers from the UK sampled the delights of Toronto courtesy of the Toronto Convention and Visitors Association, Starwood Hotels, Air Canada, the Canadian Tourism Commission and DMC Toronto Tours. The group stayed at the...

News brief: Sutton arena director.(Asia World-Expo)(Rachel Sutton appointed)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Rachel Sutton is the new arena director for Asia World-Expo, the new exhibition and event venue at Hong Kong International Airport. The venue is scheduled to open in December 2005. Web: www.asiaworld-expo.com

News brief: Grenada recovering well.(hotels)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Grenada is recovering well from Hurricane Ivan. Approximately 714 of its 1,700 hotel rooms are now open and 900 are expected to be available by the end of March. Web: www.grenadaemergency.com.

News brief: Air Jamaica back.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Air Jamaica is coming back into temporary government ownership following the decision by the majority of its shareholders to pull out of the airline. Unprofitable routes from Havana to London and Manchester have been axed. Web:...

News brief: Airlines to offer internet access.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The US Federal Communications Commission has voted to allow airlines to offer passengers high-speed internet access while they are in the air. Web: www.fcc.gov

News brief: VLM Airlines expands network.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... VLM Airlines has expanded its network with the launch of a route from Southampton to Brussels. This adds to its 11 daily flights from London City to Antwerp and Brussels. Web: www.flyvlm.com

News brief: Website enhanced.(www.shangri-la.com)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has enhanced its website and now offers more than 6,000 pages of improved content in English, Chinese and Japanese. Web: www.shangri-la.com

News brief: Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Swissotel Hotels & Resorts has reflagged Merchant Court Hotel Le Concorde Bangkok as Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok under its first franchise agreement. Web: www.swissotel.com.

US policy on terror is sure to backfire on tourist industry.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The king of the land, the name of which was Arrogant, gathered his advisors together and said: 'There are bad people in the world who want to harm us. We must find a way to stop them coming into our country.' He then told his advisors to...

CIT survey highlights destinations to watch.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... CIT's annual destination survey has identified India as the top new destination for 2005. Carried out among more than 20 of the top UK agencies, including Euro RSCG Skybridge and P&MM, just under half (41%) cited India as a potential...

Summit offers training reward.
February 3, 2005... Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Summit Hotels and Resorts have launched a professional development funding programme for C&I planners. Meetings and events planners can receive in excess of pounds 1,000 towards the Global...

Pushing Frontiers: AICHI.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The region of Aichi, in the centre of Japan, is gearing up to host the 2005 World Expo. A new hub, Central Japan International Airport, will open at the end of February and from 25 March to 25 September, a 175-hectare site across Seto...

Opinion: Sounding Off - Agencies need a collective voice to battle legislation.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Clients sometimes forget that event management agencies are businesses in their own right and have all the organisational problems that client companies experience. The avalanche of legislation since 1997 has had a significant impact on...

In Person: Tina Morris - Managing director, Euro RSCG Skybridge Events.(interview of Tina Morris)(Interview)
February 3, 2005... An industry without characters is like toast without butter: functional, perhaps, but ultimately dry and boring. An hour in the company of Tina Morris is a colourful assurance that the C&I business has at least one source of vibrancy -...

Special Report: Life after the tsunami.(tourism)
February 3, 2005... Following the horrendous impact of the tsunami on some of the most popular incentive destinations, Yasmin Razak gauges reaction from the industry. The terrible events of 26 December 2004 devastated an industry that has grown accustomed...

Agency Survey: Transparent finance.(meeting industry)
February 3, 2005... While the industry is showing signs of recovery, agents claim that times are still tough, with issues such as legislation and procurement affecting their business. Kerry Baggott reports. This time last year, when asked to sum up the state...

Case Study: Thyme management.(Bluehat UK)(annual conventions)
February 3, 2005... Team building in Victorian splendour was on the menu for employees of a property management company, reports Ben Lerwill. Conferences need a touch of the unexpected to stand out from the rest, and property management company Clear Springs...

Case Study: Kings of the castle.(annual conventions)
February 3, 2005... A young company in an old venue proved the perfect match for IDS when it held its annual conference in Bovey Castle. Kerry Baggott reports. Interactive Digital Sales (IDS), the sales arm for Flextech Television and UK TV, is made up of a...

Luxury Venues: 20 of the Best UK luxury venues.(hotels)
February 3, 2005... From townhouses to manors, Yasmin Razak checks out some of the UK's more salubrious hotels. CELEBRITY HAUNTS THE SOHO HOTEL Contact: Hayley Type, 020 7287 4434 Website: www.firmdalehotels.com Number of meeting spaces: 6 Largest...

Cardiff: Beyond the Millennium.(tourism and convention facilities)
February 3, 2005... While celebrating its historic heritage, 2005 is also the year that the Welsh capital embraces the future as a string of investments ensure it is one of the UK's destinations to watch. Dave Saunders reports. The flags are out in Cardiff...

Europe's Rising Star.(Croatia)
February 3, 2005... Promises of more flights will encourage C&I groups to join the tourists as Croatia re-emerges, reports Robin McKelvie. Croatia has come a long way since the messy war of divorce from Yugoslavia more than a decade ago. After a major...

Athens: History behind it.(tourism)(conference facilities)
February 3, 2005... Athens' choking traffic and lacklustre hotel stock have been consigned to the past. Adam Woods looks at a forward-facing city that is now capable of handling international conference and meetings business. Whatever one might have said...

Athens: 10 Incentives - Athens.(tourism)
February 3, 2005... 1. Visit the Acropolis - A visit to Athens' most famous feature, the Parthenon, is now even more pleasureable since the pedestrianisation of the area surrounding the hill on which it stands. The 2,442-year-old structure is being cleaned bit...

Jamaica: Caribbean beat.(tourism promotion)
February 3, 2005... With its first UK C&I marketing strategy now in place and more hotels servicing groups, Jamaica is keen to boost its profile as a C&I destination with a tropical twist. Catherine Chetwynd reports. The assault from Hurricane Ivan on the...

Australia: On top down under.(tourism promotion)
February 3, 2005... While Australia's incentive opportunities speak for themselves, the revamped tourist board is promoting its astute business acumen as the key to its success. Stuart Derrick reports. Australia is on the wish list for most delegates when...

Venue Focus: Landmark London Gazebo opening.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The Landmark London has bolstered its C&I offering with the opening of the Gazebo, located on the mezzanine level. The hotel's attractive glass-roofed atrium and botanic charms will provide event planners with a new choice for informal...

Venue Focus: Kempinski Hotels & Resorts property.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Kempinski Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its second property in Bulgaria. Nestling at the foot of the Pirin mountains, the Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena in Bansko features 159 rooms and suites. For the apres-ski crowd, the two bars and spa...

Venue Focus: Rushton Hall refurbishment.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Rushton Hall, a Grade I-listed Elizabethan country estate in Northamptonshire dating to the 16th century, has completed its 12-month refurbishment. New conference facilities include the Great Hall accommodating 160 delegates and Conservatory...

Venue Focus: Fairmont acquires Savoy.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The Savoy has become the second European property acquired by the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts group. The luxurious London hotel will benefit from an estimated dollars 48m (pounds 25.6m) in renovation capital to be invested in function space...

Venue Focus: Kimpton enters Florida market.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Kimpton Hotels has entered the market in south Florida with the Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove. Set to open by the spring, renovations include a new rooftop deck with pool and the Ginger Grove restaurant. An opulent spa and extensive...

Venue Focus: Accor announces opening.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Accor has announced the opening of the Novotel Cardiff Centre. The four-star hotel will be upgraded to Novotel's New Generation standards with a two-year refurbishment of all its 90 guestrooms and its conference and banqueting rooms. Tel:...

Venue Focus: Central Hotels & Resorts to manage hotel.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Central Hotels & Resorts is to manage Duangtawan Hotel Chiang Mai, its 11th property in Thailand. Located in the heart of the bustling downtown centre, the 500-room hotel has nine conference rooms catering for 50 to 300 people and a grand...

Venue Focus: 195 Piccadilly reopens doors.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... 195 Piccadilly, the home of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, has reopened its doors following a pounds 2m refurbishment. C&I planners in search of a central London venue with state-of-the-art technical facilities can hire the...

Venue Focus: Relais de Margaux opens spa centre.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Relais de Margaux, near Bordeaux, France, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, is opening a spa centre, brasserie and 18-hole golf course. The charming four-star deluxe chateau will also add 37 rooms. Tel: +33 5 5788 3830...

Venue Focus: Tasteful redesign with added function rooms.(Waldorf Hilton)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... The Waldorf Hilton in central London has relaunched after a pounds 30m refurbishment across the hotel. Boasting an 'elegant yet avant-garde' style, the Waldorf's 300 rooms have been restyled under two themes, Contemporary and Design....

Venue Focus: Taj Hotels adds property on Kerala's coast.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces has opened a beach property on India's Kerala coast. Located near the fishing village of Kovalam, Taj Green Cove Resort comprises 57 hillside and 18 floating cottages with stunning views across the backwaters...

Diary: Don't Miss..
February 3, 2005... ITMA Forum: 9 February - Taking place at the English Heritage Lecture Theatre in London, the theme is Recognising the Value of Human Capital. www.itma-online.org International Confex: 15-17 February. Around 1,200 exhibiting companies are...

Diary: Virgin's competition has retched its limits.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... Virgin doesn't tend to be backwards in coming forwards where bold initiatives are concerned, but the company's latest marketing ploy is truly something to behold. The Branson dominion recently held a competition to find fresh artwork for the...

Diary: Acting up at an event.
February 3, 2005... Ever fancied yourself as a MICE industry Macbeth? A C&I Caesar, perhaps? Budding thespian delegates could now find themselves treading the boards as part of a team-building programme, thanks to the Kensington Marriott's latest innovative...

Diary: Hitting The Headlines 10 years ago.
February 3, 2005... - The London Docklands Development Corporation unveils its decision to build a 47,000m2 exhibition centre on the Royal Victoria Dock. - Visitors to the inaugural ITMA Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel sees LMG International win the...

Diary: Competition.
February 3, 2005... Each month, CIT tests your observational skills. This month, readers can win a one night stay for two guests sharing at Chewton Glen, the five-star country retreat in Hampshire, near the New Forest (see page 39). The prize includes...

Diary: Room with a view.
February 3, 2005... They say that picturing an audience naked is a good way of soothing public speaking jitters. Depending on the crowd, this can either be highly effective or hideously traumatic. But recent visitors to Crewe Hall Hotel in Cheshire would...

International Confex: Show Preview - Rewarding experience.(event industry show)
February 3, 2005... 'Cautiously optimistic' is a phrase that I keep hearing. From agencies, tourist boards and corporate organisers to venues and suppliers, the phrase seems to sum up their feelings about how our industry will fare in 2005. Recent years...

International Confex: Confex conference programme.
February 3, 2005... The bar has certainly been raised in the conference, incentive and events industry during the past few years. Agencies are having to meet increasingly higher expectations if they are even to get passed the bidding stage, while corporate event...

International Confex: Overview - A fresh approach.
February 3, 2005... Several initiatives have been introduced to this year's show to make it even more worthwhile. International Confex is the one chance each year for everyone who works in the UK event, meetings and incentive arena to meet under one roof,...

International Confex: UK Exhibitors - The best in UK events.
February 3, 2005... There's an ever-increasing choice available in the UK for organisers at this year's show. New exhibiting companies at International Confex 2005 Destinations Berkshire - The Kindersley Centre is set in the heart of the...

International Confex: A global selection.
February 3, 2005... Confex is an ideal opportunity to tap into an array of overseas suppliers all under one roof. Europe Austria - Austrian Business and Convention Network is the dedicated department of the National Tourist Office, promoting Austria as...

The ITMA Awards: Rewarding Excellence in Motivation.(Incentive Travel and Meetings Association)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2005... By the time you read this, some of the best work in our business will have been rewarded by the ITMA, representing the collective labours of hundreds of our fellow professionals. I was pleased and proud to have the opportunity to chair the...