Conference & Incentive Travel articles from July 2004

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from July 2004

First off: A louder voice will earn us recognition.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... It's always nice to be recognised for a job well done. However, the meetings industry often feels it doesn't get the recognition it deserves. Within the marketing community, C&I is often misunderstood. While the ad agency gets the...

ABPCO joins European body after changes in its strategy.(Association of British Professional Conference Organisers)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... An about-turn has seen the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) become one of the founding members of a European body for PCOs, despite recently rejecting the proposal. The decision to join The European...

C&I sector beginning to push green issues.(Confernce and Incentive Travel)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Green issues are now rising up the C&I agenda with the launch of several environmentally responsible initiatives. Etc venues has launched a recycling scheme following advice from green consultants 3Re and will try to increase their...

2004 ITMA Forum is set to focus on importance of HR.(Incentive Travel and Meeting Association)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... The 2004 ITMA Forum will focus on the growing importance of the HR function in determining internal communication and motivational strategy. The event, in association with CIT, brings together senior HR professionals from major...

UK price check.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 30, 2004... Company launch with exhibition and gala dinner: 80 delegates for two nights, three days in October 2004. Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, refreshments, dinner, room hire and VAT CHELTENHAM PARK HOTEL 24-hour rate pounds...

News brief: Mayoral Commission gathers initial views.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... The Mayoral Commission into a possible international convention centre for London has completed the process of gathering initial views. The information will be used to frame the commission's views for a second consultation set to take place...

News brief: Visit Scotland publishes guide.(Visit Scotland, Event planners )(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Visit Scotland's business tourism unit has published a guide to corporate entertaining to complement its Incentive Scotland and Conference Scotland brochures. The guide includes 280 entries. Tel: 0131 343 1608.

News brief: British Olympic Association appoints Initial Style Conferences.(Initial Style Conferences, Event planners)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... The British Olympic Association has appointed Initial Style Conferences as its official training and meeting provider until the end of 2005. The deal entitles the company to use the BOA logo in its correspondence. Tel: 0118 933 4000.

News brief: Easyjet launches new routes.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Easyjet has launched two new routes from Nottingham East Midlands Airport. Daily services to Cologne and Rome mean the carrier now flies nine routes out of Nottingham. Tel: 01582 525252.

News brief: North East hospitality show used as showcase.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... The North East Business Tourism and Corporate Hospitality Show is being used to showcase what the region can offer to conference, event and exhibition organisers. The inaugural show will be held at the Radio Metro Arena on 3 September. ...

News brief: Hilton Group invests in Hilton Meetings.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Hilton Group has invested pounds 2m on its Hilton Meetings brand for small and medium-sized events. Five new services, including online event planning, in-room call buttons and improved connectivity, are now available at 71 hotels in the UK...

P&MM aiming to raise pounds 5m capital with July flotation.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Motivation agency P&MM is looking to raise pounds 5m through a flotation on the London Stock Exchange this month, valuing at around pounds 20m. The company is raising the money through the LSE's junior list, the Alternative Investment...

First Protocol opens office in Manhattan.(First Protocol, Event planners)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... First Protocol, the strategic event management agency, has opened an office in Manhattan, New York. The new office has been created through the purchase of local shop Ryan Fable Productions and will operate as First Protocol Inc. CEO...

Southall wins new role as operations director with Rand.(Rand, Event planners)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Catherine Southall has been announced as the new operations director at conference agency Rand. Promoted to the board from within the company, she will take responsibility for the operations teams at both the Canterbury and Coventry offices....

Agency refocuses with new brand identity.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Full service communications agency MJM has launched a new visual identity, to better reflect its business focus. Formerly know as MJM Creative Services, the WPP-owned shop has overhauled its branding to highlight the company's broadened...

People and places: Private corporate collection.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... An exclusive black-tie dinner, organised by the Private Corporate Collection, took place at Hertfordshire stately home Brocket Hall in early July. Attended by 75 event organisers, the evening was hosted by the representation company's Spanish...

TFI Group acquires a majority holding in conference firm.(Meeting Point Conferences (Europe) Ltd )(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... TFI Group Ltd, the international events agency, has acquired a majority shareholding in Meeting Point Conferences (Europe) Ltd from The Motivaction Group. TFI will own 75.1%, with MPC's management holding the remaining balance. Peter...

ITMA and CIPS tackle procurement issues.(Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply)(incentive travel and meetings association)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... The ITMA has teamed up with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) to improve mutual understanding between events agencies and procurement departments. A set of best practice guidelines for procurement of events services...

Forum champions independents.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Independent hotels need to challenge their branded competitors for a greater share of the meetings market, according to a leading independent hotelier. Speaking at the inaugural Independent Hotel Forum in London, Francis Green, general...

Toolkit: CIM/net.(online travel information services)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... What's this month's product? CiM/net is a software package providing a one-stop booking service that allows companies and agencies to access more than 60,000 hotels worldwide. Although similar to a number of products on the American...

The reward for long service could now be a motivation tool.(Brief Article)(Column)
July 30, 2004... In my column, just over a year ago, I bemoaned the way in which events industry staff were being treated by employers who were forced to make redundancies. Depressed, guilty and insecure were the descriptions most frequently heard among those...

International: Vienna takes top spot in the ICCA's conference rankings.(International Congress & Convention Association)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Vienna has risen four places to become the number one conference destination in the world, according to statistics from the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA). The body's 2003 report on the International Association...

International: Barcelona is set to host international SITE event in 2006.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... The Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE) has chosen Barcelona to host its international conference in 2006. The event will be held at the Hotel Rey Juan Carlos from 28 November to 3 December. Barcelona picked up the event...

International: EIBTM gearing up for its awards ceremony.
July 30, 2004... Entries for EIBTM's 2004 global industry awards must be received by the deadline of 30 July. The awards are open to event organisers within international companies, their subsidiaries, or event management agencies who have organised...

International: World price check.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 30, 2004... Company launch with exhibition and gala dinner: 80 delegates for two nights, three days in October 2004. Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, refreshments, dinner, room hire travel and taxes MIGUEL ANGEL, MADRID 24-hour rate ...

International brief: Appointment at Hong Kong Tourism Board.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Hong Kong Tourism Board has appointed Michelle Peden as Europe manager for conventions, exhibitions and corporate events, plus incentive travel from UK and Ireland. Tel: 020 7533 7100.

International brief: Promotion at Reed Travel Exhibitions.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Reed Travel Exhibitions has promoted Julie Connery to event manager for the EIBTM exhibition. She will work with supporting organisations during the move to Barcelona. Tel: 020 8910 7869.

International brief: Five Star Conference Mile.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Rey Juan Carlos I, Melia Barcelona, Princesa Sofia and Hilton Barcelona have formed the Five Star Conference Mile, a consortium catering for events of 800 to 2,500 in the city. Tel: + 93 364 40 40.

International brief: Appointment at Brisbane Convention Bureau.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Brisbane Convention Bureau has appointed Paul Lewin as its new manager. Lewin was previously a sales and management consultant for several major hotel chains. Tel: + 61 7 3006 6261.

International brief: Stanley Chu unanimously re-elected as chairman.(Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association )(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... The Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association has unanimously re-elected Stanley Chu as its chairman, as the island continues its bid to become the meetings capital of the Asia Pacific region. Tel: +852 2878 1368.

International brief: Air New Zealand invests in new aircraft.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Air New Zealand is investing NZdollars 1bn (pounds 0.4bn) to acquire ten new aircraft. They will enter service from September 2005 as the carrier develops new routes and increases frequency on existing routes. www.airnewzealand.com.

International brief: Easyjet invites European airports to come forward.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Easyjet has invited European airports to put themselves forward as new destinations as part of its expansion plans. A similar exercise last year resulted in six new airports being chosen. www.easyjet.com.

International: Caribbean and Latin America assess C&I.(Conference & Incentive)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Latin America and the Caribbean's C&I potential was under the spotlight at an exhibition last month that examined emerging opportunities in the region. The inaugural Latin American & Caribbean Incentive & Meetings Exhibition took place...

International: Cape Town's conference boost.(Cape Town International Convention Centre)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Cape Town has picked up a brace of airline conferences, which will bring 1,200 bed nights to the city. The Cape Town International Convention Centre will host the Interline Sales and Marketing Conference in August this year, as well as...

International: Pushing frontiers - Puerto Rico.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Puerto Rico, the 'island of enchantment' located in the Caribbean just east of the Dominican Republic, is experiencing a dynamic growth in its tourism infrastructure, and European groups are keen to sample the exotic flavour of the...

International: The taxman won't accept naivety of firms as an excuse.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Twice recently, during separate overseas programmes, our clients have approached me on the topic of taxation. This is healthy and welcomed, as all clients take account of this overhead, but what they brought to my attention is exasperating...

International: JMIC members expected to approve report on industry.(Joint Meetings Industry Council)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) members are expected to rubber stamp a proposed international programme to increase the profile of the meetings industry and its influence. Members are expected to endorse a report, Profile and...

International: Luxury venues unaffected by world crises.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... High-end luxury venues are surviving global crises unscathed, according to research by Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH). SLH's figures show its worldwide reservations have risen 12% on last year, despite economic and political...

International: People and places - Porto.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... A fam trip to historic Porto - capital of the north of Portugal - took place in May, involving eight buyers from the UK. Organised by Destination Workshop, which represents local DMC AIMS Portugal, the three-day event was designed to showcase...

International brief: Great Hotels Organisation opens US office.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... The Great Hotels Organisation (www.ghorg.com) has announced the opening of a US office in New Jersey, to expand its membership within North and Latin America. This follows the recent opening of offices in Beijing and Melbourne. Tel: 020...

International brief: Confex forms partnership.(International Confex)(Association of Exhibition Organisers)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... International Confex and the Association of Exhibition Organisers have formed a close working partnership with a view to bringing more senior exhibition organisers to next year's Confex in February. Tel: 020 7921 8081.

International brief: Tourism Australia gets new board of directors.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Tourism Australia, the centrepiece of the government's AUdollars 235m (pounds 92m) white paper, began operations this month with a new board of directors. Tel: +61 2 6213 6000.

International brief: Siem Reap hotel rooms increase 50%.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... The number of hotel rooms in Cambodia's Siem Reap - the gateway to the Angkor temples - has reached 5,000. This marks a 50% increase on the figure from just six months previously. Tel: +855 23 26107.

International brief: Congress Innsbruck in merger.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Congress Innsbruck and Innsbruck Fairgrounds have merged in order to boost their standing in the convention market. They offer a combined space of 70,000 sq m. Tel: +43 512 5936 122.

International brief: Correction.(Correction Notice)
July 30, 2004... The Austria feature (CIT, May) incorrectly stated that Austrian Airlines has launched daily flights from London to Vienna. This service has in fact been available for some time. It should also be clarified that the Austrian Business and...

Analysis: Do agencies deliver added value?(incentive travel agency)
July 30, 2004... With C&I budgets under scrutiny, corporates watching the bottom line can be forgiven for keeping the function in-house. In light of this, CIT asked an incentive travel agency to justify the services it offers Organising incentive travel,...

Opinion: Sounding off - A standard method of evaluation could focus the industry.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Our industry is full of highly skilled professionals, served by editorially independent publications, and has spawned vibrant and dynamic trade shows, conferences, seminars and events. There are students studying courses with the specific...

In Person: Michael Newcombe, General manager, Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire.(Interview)
July 30, 2004... Never let it be said that hoteliers don't earn their crust. Seventeen years ago, the London night would have found Michael Newcombe polishing hotel rails with Brasso at 4am, fresh from a long evening of bag-carrying and reception duties, and...

Case Study: Dunlop boosts its brand with a majestic setting.(brand experience)
July 30, 2004... Multinational tyre company Dunlop chose the elegant surroundings of Castle Ashby in Northampton for a 'brand experience' one-day event. As Ben Lerwill discovers, the venue's historical setting provided the perfect backdrop for the firm to...

Associations Market: Reaching the membership.
July 30, 2004... Association events can earn significant revenue for the organisations involved, but as Mark Richards reports, the approach needed to attract a good attendance differs from that of the corporate sector Although the tag 'not-for-profit'...

Management Training Centres: 20 Of the best UK training centres.(Directory)
July 30, 2004... Firms are well served by adaptable sites with cutting-edge technology, says Catherine Chetwynd ASTON BUSINESS SCHOOL'S MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE Contact Lyn Snow, 0121 359 3011 Website www.meetings.abs.aston.ac.uk Number of...

European Convention Centres: Conventional wisdom.
July 30, 2004... The requirements of event organisers are evolving and convention centres across Europe are having to adapt their offer. Stuart Derrick assesses the implications of the changing market The UK public may not be keen on Europe as a political...

European Convention Centres: Focus on historic European venues.
July 30, 2004... A variety of centres throughout the region offer an alluring blend of style and history, says Ginny McGrath. NORRA LATIN CITY CONFERENCE CENTRE Stockholm www.stoccc.se This venue was originally a grammar school. The Pillared...

European Convention Centres: BIBA breaks out.(British Insurance Brokers' Association)
July 30, 2004... The British Insurance Brokers' Association conference is getting bigger by the year, so a large, well-organised venue was called upon. Report by Ginny McGrath Finding a venue for the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA)...

Luxury Venues: Top end innovation.(trends in event management)
July 30, 2004... Clients' desire for adventure and new experiences is affecting the luxury sector of the C&I market, which has responded by evolving its offer. Sarah Wild reports on the changes For event organisers planning top-end incentives and...

Luxury Venues: 20 of Europe's finest luxury venues.(list)(Directory)
July 30, 2004... The region provides culture and history with the very best in service levels. Round up by Sarah Wild. FIVE NEW LUXURY VENUES BLUE PALACE RESORT AND SPA, ELOUNDA, CRETE Contact Birgit Homer, +30 2841 065 624 Website...

Cruising: Flotation therapy.(Conference and Incentive Travel)(Industry Overview)
July 30, 2004... The rising popularity of cruising has continued unabated for almost two decades, and as prices become ever more competitive the C&I industry is starting to benefit. Last year saw more than one million Brits take a sea or river cruise,...

Tenerife: Island of contrast.
July 30, 2004... The southern region of Tenerife is a long-established travel destination with UK visitors. Yet as Yasmin Razak discovers, the north is now emerging as an ideal destination for the C&I market Often overshadowed by the heaving mass-tourism...

Bermuda: Hidden treasure.
July 30, 2004... Bermuda is not for bargain-hunters, but those willing to loosen the purse strings will be rewarded in spectacular style. Bermuda is small, clean, safe and wealthy. When Hurricane Fabian battered its shores in September 2003, reinvestment...

Venue Focus: Glasgow Science Centre.
July 30, 2004... Glasgow Science Centre has launched a new staging facility at the IMAX theatre, catering for 350 delegates. Set on the banks of the River Clyde, the venue is ideal for product launches or awards ceremonies. Tel: 0141 420 5000 RE975.

Venue Focus: Adriatic Luxury Hotels.
July 30, 2004... Adriatic Luxury Hotels has added a new property to its portfolio. The opening of the five-star Dubrovnik Palace Hotel & Conference Centre marks the end of the largest hotel development in Croatia for the past 30 years. Tel: +385 20 430...

Venue Focus: Cringletie House Hotel.
July 30, 2004... Cringletie House Hotel, a Victorian mansion set in the Scottish countryside just 40 minutes south of Edinburgh, has opened three new meeting spaces. The main boardroom seats 12 people while the Maguire and Sutherland rooms can accommodate 22...

Venue Focus: Melia Gaia Porto.
July 30, 2004... Melia Gaia Porto, a four-star deluxe Portuguese property located in the residential area of Vila Nova de Gaia, close to the Ponte da Arrabida bridge, opened last month. The hotel features conference facilities for 300 and ten meeting rooms....

Venue Focus: The Oceanarium Bournemouth.
July 30, 2004... The Oceanarium Bournemouth has launched a range of corporate packages for conferences, team-building events and receptions. Meetings can be held in the Offshore Cafe and exclusive evening hire can be combined with full access to the...

Venue Focus: Cairns Convention Centre.
July 30, 2004... Cairns Convention Centre has announced major refurbishment plans just eight years after the venue opened. The initiative by the Queensland Government, which owns the Centre, will enable the venue to introduce the latest audiovisual and...

Venue Focus: Al Maha Desert Resort expands its facilities.
July 30, 2004... Al Maha Desert Resort has completed an extensive expansion project comprising the opening of an additional ten bedouin suites, meeting facilities and a spa. Nestling in the heart of Dubai's Desert Conservation Reserve, the state-of-the-art Al...

Venue Focus: Marriott West India Quay promotes heritage.
July 30, 2004... The London Marriott West India Quay Hotel has opened and is promoting the venue's riverside location - and its history as a dock- to MICE organisers. Events can be held on the quayside or on a boat, while the hotel itself offers 600 sq m of...

Venue Focus: Le Meridien Changi Village.
July 30, 2004... Le Meridien Changi Village is the luxury group's second property in Singapore. Following extensive renovations, the hotel is appointed in a minimalist style to create a contemporary and relaxing ambience. There is a choice of 13 meeting rooms...

Venue Focus: The Concorde Experience.
July 30, 2004... The Concorde Experience opened last month at Manchester Airport, with a choice of meetings packages. Delegates are given a boarding pass and can hold meetings on board the aircraft. Dining can include re-creations of the original five-course...

Venue Focus: Conrad Hotels.
July 30, 2004... Conrad Hotels has increased its MICE offering in the US with a new property in Miami. The hotel offers a magnificent view across the skyline, and features a modern business centre and spa. Guests may dine in Atrio, the Spanish/...

Diary: Let's go to ... Pender harbour.
July 30, 2004... Pender Harbour, you say? That's a new one on me. A new one on most, I'll warrant. It's a secretive, traditional kind of town, tucked away in the inlets of Canada's little-celebrated Sunshine Coast - the sort of place where men still wear Davy...

Diary: The Drifters are back at the top of the charts.
July 30, 2004... Those charming chaps at First Option have been busy compiling data on our 'Top 10 moans about meetings', and it makes for an eyebrow-raising read. 'Drifting off the topic', 'lack of leadership' and 'lack of natural daylight' take the gold,...

Diary: Sinking to new depths.
July 30, 2004... Unnerving tidings for the population of the world's oceans last month when the Swedish Travel & Tourism Council went trawler-net crazy for a gut-busting crayfish party. The hundred guests - nattily kitted out, Diary is reliably informed, in...

Diary: Confessions of an event planner.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
July 30, 2004... I'm sure that almost all CIT readers would admit to living it up on occasion, but an incident at the recent IMEX show in Frankfurt left me wondering whether restraint might not be a better approach to adopt in professional situations. I...

Diary: Competition.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Every month, CIT will be testing your observational skills and giving away a fantastic prize. This month, readers can win an overnight stay for two at The Grand in Eastbourne, with dinner in the restaurant plus full English breakfast. The...

Diary: Lawn to be wild.
July 30, 2004... Michael Schumacher's dictatorial grip on the Grand Prix might have left race-watching on an excitement par with waiting for a bus, but here's a little something to ease the stupor. Ten out of ten and an overzealously waved chequered flag to...