Conference & Incentive Travel articles from January 2004

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from January 2004

FIRST OFF: Communication: the key to a happy year.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Two events last November convincingly demonstrate the need for the meetings industry to get together regularly to discuss those issues that matter most. The First National Conference on Business Tourism (p4) and CIT's own forum (p18) both gave...

Industry conference poised to become a regular fixture.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The First National Conference on Business Tourism looks set to become an annual event, following the success of the inaugural conference. 150 delegates from more than 50 destinations attended the 2003 event, which took place at the Hilton...

VisitBritain monitors UK business tourism.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... VisitBritain has identified business tourism as a potential growth market in its bid to boost domestic tourism. The tourism body, in partnership with the England Marketing Advisory Board (EMAB), launched a three-year marketing strategy last...

New committee to study London venue potential.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... A feasibility study into a possible international convention centre for London was finally launched last month (CIT, October). An ad hoc committee will be formed in the new year, and is to consult representatives from all sectors of the...

UK PRICE CHECK.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Residential conference with a full day of golf Brief: 75 delegates for one night, two days, golf with lunch on second day. Costs include accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, refreshments, room hire, day of golf and VAT VALE HOTEL,...

NEWS IN BRIEF: New subscription.(Brief Article)
January 1, 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.

NEWS IN BRIEF: RSVP.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... RSVP, the only dedicated UK business publication for creative event planners, will be launched by Haymarket Marketing Publications at the end of March. Tel: 020 8267 4366.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Millennium & Copthorne Hotels.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Millennium & Copthorne Hotels has been named the best UK Conference Hotel Group by booking agency BTI UK. Tel: 020 7872 2480.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at Bournemouth International Conference.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Bournemouth International Conference Bureau has appointed Caroline Holman as its new business development co-ordinator. She brings with her four years' experience in the conference sector. Tel: 01202 456545.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Venuemasters launches magazine.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Venuemasters has launched In Any Event, a magazine dedicated to university and college meeting and group accommodation venues. Tel: 0114 249 3090.

NEWS IN BRIEF: BACD's Confer London event.(British Association of Conference Destinations)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The BACD's Confer London event in November resulted in business enquiries totalling over pounds 5m. The convention attracted 30% more visitors than in 2002, and showcased around 40 BACD member destinations. Tel: 0121 212 1400.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Wembley confirms events.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Wembley has confirmed that events will continue to play a major part in its future. The 55-acre site, which includes both the arena and conference and exhibition centre, is set for a pounds 20m refurbishment. Tel: 020 7736 4022.

Maritz introduces specialist service for UK organisers.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Maritz has launched a new range of services for UK meetings organisers who do not require a full event management service but still need assistance with individual elements. Marketed as Smart by Maritz, there are four products: Choice is...

Survey reveals faith in corporate events.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Budgets for corporate events are nearly twice as robust as those for other types of marketing tools commonly used by corporate clients, new UK-based research from the MPI Foundation has revealed. Of the 123 marketing directors from large UK...

MeetingsFare has top five place after Venues Etc merger.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Venues Etc, the conference and hotel booking agency, has merged with MeetingsFare, The Montpelier Collection's conference booking division. The deal will propel MeetingsFare, and its sister division BedFare, into the top five hotel booking...

Ex-TFI directors launch their own agencies.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Four former TFI Group directors have set up full-service events agencies. Bill Prosser and Mark James have joined forces to launch The Competitive Edge (TCE). Chris Moore is to establish an events division within Locum Destination...

PEOPLE AND PLACES: Tesco Company Conference.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Tesco's first-ever London-based company conference took place at Excel on 1 October last year. The biennial, one-day event, which brings together 2,000 senior managers from as far afield as Asia, used 13 of the venue's 34 flexible spaces to...

Collison and Reid join Archer Young board of directors.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Archer Young, the business performance improvement agency, has appointed two new members to its board of directors. Richard Collison, formerly with PCI:Live, becomes its operations director and Andrew Reid joins as head of creative planning...

ITMA steps in to help settle audits dispute.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The ITMA has helped end a stalemate between the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). The CAA was unhappy with the growing practice among accountancy firms of adding...

Wales introduces grade system.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Wales Tourist Board is rolling out an innovative grading system for hotels and conference venues. The Business Class Award Scheme will sit alongside the established Star Quality Grading Scheme for hotels. Venues will be awarded a gold,...

TOOLKIT EVENTS PERFECT.(Parrimark Technology )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... What's this month's product? Events Perfect, a venue management software package developed by Parrimark Technology of Sydney. What does it do exactly? The system allows event organisers to check the availability and suitability of...

Outdoor events will dominate as clients demand originality.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... How adept our industry has become at staging events in unexpected venues. In the UK alone, from Butlins Skegness to The Royal Yacht Britannia, few doors remain closed to the corporate delegate or business guest. It is difficult to know who...

Australian meetings sector to receive financial windfall.
January 1, 2004... The meetings industry in Australia has been given an important boost by the news that an extra Ausdollars 120.6m (pounds 51m) is to be made available to the Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) for overseas marketing purposes over the next...

India reaps benefits of recent marketing.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... India is expecting to see a surge in MICE business this year, following the success of the Incredible India campaign launched at the end of 2002. Assistant director for India Tourism in the UK Ashok Sharma said: 'The campaign has brought...

AIPC task forces created to tackle areas of priority.(International Association of Congress Centres)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... AIPC, the International Association of Congress Centres, has set up four task forces to develop priority areas identified in the association's business plan. The task forces will address the issues of research, education and training,...

WORLD PRICE CHECK.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Residential conference with a full day of golf Brief: 75 delegates for one night, two days, golf with lunch on second day. Costs include accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, refreshments, room hire, day of golf , travel and tax ...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Cairns Convention Centre confirms wins.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Cairns Convention Centre recently announced the confirmation of eight major international conference bid wins. The conventions are expected to be worth around Ausdollars 21m (pounds 9m) to the city. Tel: +61 7 4052 4200.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Zoom launches new flight service.(Zoom Airlines )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Zoom Airlines has launched a new low-cost scheduled flight service to Canada, which is set to commence in May. Destinations will include Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa. Web: www.flyzoom.com.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Palmera Plaza appoints Samafi.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Palmera Plaza Grand Hotel in Jerez, Andalucia, has appointed Samafi to oversee its sales and marketing in the UK. Tel: 01908 584910.

NEWS IN BRIEF: MPI holds online seminar.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... MPI held an online seminar in December, titled 'Why Procurement, Why Me and Why Now?' Participants included Amway Corporation director of special events Craig Ardis and McGettigan Partners CEO Christine Duffy. Tel: +1 972 702 3000.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at Starwood Hotels.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced that Vasant Prabhu has become the organisation's executive vice-president and chief financial officer. Tel: 020 7290 7106.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Great Hotels of the World welcomes new members.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Great Hotels of the World welcomes 20 new members to its 2004 Luxury Spa Collection directory. They include Begawan Giri in Bali, La Sultana in Marrakech and the Blue Palace Resort and Spa in Crete. Tel: 020 7380 8580.

NEWS IN BRIEF: EIBTM 2004 sells exhibitor places.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... EIBTM 2004, which is to be held in Barcelona at the end of the year, is selling exhibitor places at a rate exceeding forecasts. More than 65% of space has already been booked. Tel: 020 7727 8404.

Qatar kicks off 2004 with new campaign.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Qatar is targeting the C&I market as part of a dollars 2.7bn (pounds 1.5bn) global campaign to sell itself as a tourist destination. Aiming to consolidate its position in the meetings sector, it will concentrate sales activity on C&I,...

Terror fails to halt Turkish events.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Turkey's C&I market has been largely unaffected by the terrorist attacks in November, the Turkish Tourist Board has claimed. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office lifted its advisory against travel to the capital Istanbul and major Turkish...

PUSHING FRONTIERS: Taiwan.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Since the World Health Organisation gave it a clean post-SARS bill of health, Taiwan has undergone a strong tourist marketing campaign under the banner 'Touch your heart'. The Far East island, eternally overlooked by corporate groups in...

Unified trade body might provide real and lasting results.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Trade associations are judged to be effective according to their success or failure in communicating what they have achieved for their members. Maybe it is time for associations to associate, to form a larger umbrella body that can serve...

Palma targets international market with plans for venue.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Balearics government has announced plans to construct a new international convention centre. The purpose-built venue is planned for Palma in Mallorca and is expected to be operational by 2006. The exact location and size has not been...

New body to promote Austria's C&I offer.(Austrian Business and Convention Network)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO) has established a new division to promote the country as a conference destination. The Austrian Business and Convention Network (ABCN) will operate as part of ANTO and will work along side the...

PEOPLE AND PLACES: Hong Kong.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Hong Kong's mega incentive fam trip, Imagine Hong Kong, took place in November. It brought together 70 event organisers from Europe, the Americas and Australasia to sample Hong Kong's unique product, post-SARS. Twelve UK buyers enjoyed a...

NEWS IN BRIEF: British Airways adds third weekly flight.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... British Airways has added a third weekly flight to its London Gatwick to Paphos (Cyprus) service, commencing in February. Tel: 0870 850 9 850.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Reed announces launch.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced the launch of the first Latin America & Caribbean Incentive & Meetings Exhibition, to be held in Sao Paulo in June. Tel: 020 8910 7869.

NEWS IN BRIEF: MCI opens new offices.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... MCI, the conference and event agency, has opened two new European offices in Paris and Brussels. Tel: 01730 715200.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Hawaii Tourism Authority hires Hills Balfour.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Hawaii Tourism Authority has announced that travel marketing company Hills Balfour will represent the tourist board in the UK and Scandinavia. Tel: 020 7202 6370.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at InterContinental Hotels.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... InterContinental Hotels has appointed Gregory Preslier as key account director of UK C&I business for its two Paris properties, Le Grand Hotel and the InterContinental. Tel: 0870 606 0932.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Sydney CVB website.(Convention and Visitors Bureau)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Sydney CVB's website, www.scvb.com.au, attracted around 40,000 hits a month last year from event organisers, according to a three-month survey undertaken by the bureau. Tel: +61 2 9331 4045.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Success for Cape Town Convention Centre.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Cape Town International Convention Centre has announced a successful first four months. It has hosted more than 140 events, including a dozen international conventions. Tel: +27 21 410 5000.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Greek Tourist Office launches website.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Greek National Tourist Office has launched a dedicated website for C&I business at www.greece-conferences.com. Tel: 020 7499 4694.

ANALYSIS: Dollar weakness brings bargains.
January 1, 2004... A convergence of global influences has decreased the value of the US dollar, while travel to Europe can prove costly. Buyers should therefore be looking across the Atlantic to find many great C&I deals. While Europe is becoming...

OPINION: Sounding Off - Coherent message is vital to secure a voice in parliament.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... If the C&I industry is serious about receiving support from politicians, it is time to present them with an unambiguous message about what the meetings industry is worth. The sector's assets, which include high economic value and...

IN PERSON: Alastair Stewart - Managing director, Initial Style Conferences.
January 1, 2004... In 1986 two former army officers won a contract with IBM to operate the IT behemoth's training venue. Warbrook House in Hampshire was created and Alastair Stewart, fresh from completing a degree in catering and hotel management and with just...

FORUM: CIT Forum welcomes industry.(Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... CIT's first annual forum gave delegates the opportunity to network, meet key suppliers and discuss best practice. The first-ever CIT Forum for the MICE market took place from 19-21 November at The Grove, a new Leading Hotels of the World...

TRAVEL: Going the extra mile.
January 1, 2004... Many groups are concerned that the incentive experience only begins when delegates first touch down. Abigail Wills outlines the ongoing debate. Travelling in Europe has never been quicker or cheaper. For conference groups, where the...

CORPORATE HOSPITALITY: 20 of the best ideas.
January 1, 2004... Corporate hospitality. Some business entertainment providers are in a league of their own. Arts & crafts Supplier Crafty Arty Parties Contact Kitty Ebdon, 01300 345397 Website www.craftyarty.co.uk Cookery master class Supplier The...

MANCHESTER: A city reborn.
January 1, 2004... Rejuvenated Manchester is attracting high-profile events thanks to its impressive range of venues and facilities. Once the hub of an industrial revolution - a city epitomised by belching chimneys and the gaunt figures of LS Lowry -...

EUROPEAN GOLF VENUES: Active ingredient.
January 1, 2004... Golf remains one of the world's favourite sports, and Europe provides some of the best venues from which to tee off. Q: Which destinations offer the best value for money at a golf venue? A: Martin Sanders, event organiser at corporate...

GERMANY: Making the most of Germany.
January 1, 2004... Although well established as a conference destination, Germany is keen to promote its incentives offering. Ben Lerwill reports on progress. While the merest mention of some destinations can render delegates giddy with excitement, others...

BELGIUM: Hidden depths.(Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events)
January 1, 2004... Belgium is keen to reverse its current image with an emphasis on active incentives, as Sarah Wild discovers. Despite its rich cultural and artistic heritage plus a reputation for gastronomic excellence, Belgium is better known for its...

CZECH REPUBLIC: A new chapter.
January 1, 2004... The Czech Republic is determined to match the high C&I standards of its European neighbours. Belinda Gannaway reports. Soon to become a member of the European Union, the Czech Republic is expecting a surge in both business and leisure...

VENUE FOCUS: Country retreat is unveiled in southern Spain.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Hacienda La Boticaria opens this month on the outskirts of Seville. Located ten kilometres from the town centre, the 126-room country retreat features meeting space for up to 2,000 delegates theatre-style, as well as a 10,000 sq m lake and...

VENUE FOCUS: New conference hotel for Shropshire town.(The Telford Whitehouse Hotel )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Telford Whitehouse Hotel was completed recently, more than a month ahead of schedule. The 90-room property forms part of Telford United's Bucks Head stadium and offers a fully air-conditioned events suite with space for up to 400 delegates....

VENUE FOCUS: The Vineyards at Stockcross.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Vineyard at Stockcross, previously the smallest five-star hotel in the country and winner of numerous industry accolades, has added 18 further rooms to its existing 31. It offers three meeting spaces, including the decadent Music Room,...

VENUE FOCUS: The Sheraton Abu Dhabi.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Sheraton Abu Dhabi has reopened following a three-year, pounds 23m refurbishment. The hotel now features six conference rooms and an open-air amphitheatre. It also houses nine restaurants, including the renowned La Mamma, one of the UAE's...

VENUE FOCUS: The Crowne Plaza London.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Crowne Plaza London - The City was unveiled last month. Situated on the banks of the Thames opposite Blackfriars Station, the 203-room hotel has conference space for up to 180 theatre-style and also offers a dedicated business centre and...

VENUE FOCUS: The Centaur.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Centaur, a new business and entertainment venue at Cheltenham racecourse, is set to open at the end of next month. It will have a capacity of up to 3,000 delegates and is being billed as a multi-purpose corporate venue. Tel: 01242 262977 RE...

VENUE FOCUS: The Palais de la Mediterranee.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Palais de la Mediterranee has been unveiled in Nice. An Art Deco property, the 188-room hotel can hold theatre-style conventions for up to 330 and also boasts a casino. Tel: +33 04 92 14 77 02 RE 903

VENUE FOCUS: The Conrad London.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Conrad London has completed a redesign and refurbishment of all its 154 suites. The five-star property also boasts 14 conference rooms and a fully equipped gym. Tel: 020 7823 3000 RE 904.

VENUE FOCUS: The Corinthia Antwerp.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Corinthia Antwerp has opened its doors in Belgium. The four-star hotel, notable for its unusual glass architecture, is situated in the city centre and has 213 rooms and suites. Tel: +32 3 2448211 RE 905.

VENUE FOCUS: Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre has announced plans for a pounds 350m development programme to transform the site into a fully comprehensive complex. Tel: 0141 248 3000 RE 906

VENUE FOCUS: Ulysses.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Ulysses, the Dublin to Holyhead car ferry, is being promoted as a floating venue for meetings and seminars. Its Martello Sky Lounge accommodates 120. Tel: 08705 171717 RE 907.

VENUE FOCUS: The Radisson SAS Hotel.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Radisson SAS Hotel, Liverpool, is set to open in February. It will boast nine meeting rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Mersey, as well as a private bar. Tel: 0151 293 0505 RE 908.

VENUE FOCUS: Le Meridien Villon.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Le Meridien Villon opened recently in Vilnius, Lithuania. It houses 39 conference halls with natural light and can accommodate a total of 3,000 delegates. Tel: +3705 2739 700 RE 909

DIARY: Let's go to ... Luxembourg.
January 1, 2004... I can't wait for this. Don't start. It's a lovely country; welcoming and relaxed - all those things you like. And the concept of European Union was born here, lending the nation a certain gravitas. Do people watch paint dry? Certainly not....

DIARY: Where there actually is a spider on the web.
January 1, 2004... Bill Gates must be quaking in his mink slippers. The racy hotbed of innovation that is, erm, Hatfield, is 'basking in the white heat of a technological revolution', apparently. Ramada Jarvis has revealed figures that show visitors to its...

DIARY: Penned-up frustration.
January 1, 2004... Mind who's looking next time you're bored and have a biro - research by Etc Venues announces a casual conference doodle can actually be a window into a delegate's soul. It would seem that flowers suggest a desire to be fruitful in life, stars...

DIARY: Confessions of an event planner.
January 1, 2004... Being an event manager for a major financial services institution over a number of years leaves you prone to more than the odd occasion that raises a smile - I thought your readers might like to hear of a couple of amusing instances. The...

DIARY: Competition.
January 1, 2004... Every month, CIT will be testing your observational skills and giving away a fantastic prize. The winner of this month's competition will enjoy a weekend for two at the Waldorf Hotel in London, inclusive of a full English breakfast and use of...

DIARY: Enter, stage right.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Wrinkly Romeo Michael Douglas was at World Travel Market to promote Mallorca and, as the photo shows, he was joy and light personified. The wizened thespian is said to have jumped at the offer of a pounds 3m marketing deal with the Balearic...