Conference & Incentive Travel articles from July 2008

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from July 2008

Editorial: Making heavy weather of tenders.(Editorial)
July 23, 2008... When economics expert Roger Martin-Fagg opened this year's Summer Eventia plenary session with the forecast that the country is heading towards recession, it came as little surprise. The economist advised buyers and suppliers alike to...

Land Rover to launch 'Green R' sustainable events strategy.
July 23, 2008... Land Rover has unveiled its environmental sustainability strategy for events, which it plans to launch this month. The strategy will be known as 'Green R Events' and will focus on reducing waste, recycling and reusing materials during...

THA expands European reach with opening of four offices.(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... Agency THA Group is to open offices in Paris, Munich, Barcelona and Milan this year. The pounds 500,000-plus push will begin with the opening of offices in France and Germany, according to THA chief executive Darren Gilbert. 'I expect...

Las Vegas in UK PR move.(Hills Balfour Synergy )(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority has appointed representation agency Hills Balfour Synergy as it targets the UK, the destination's top overseas market. The authority aims to increase overall overseas visitors from 4.7 million in...

Tracker Briefs.(Merlin Entertainments)(The Concerto Group merges with Eventwise)(Megaron acquired by MCI)(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... In C&IT News Tracker this month: Merlin Entertainments Group announced plans to refurbish the London Aquarium and target the C&I market (28.05.08). Vienna won its bid to host the world's largest HIV/AIDS conference in 2010 at Reed...

BT nears end of events roster pitch process.
July 23, 2008... BT is in the final stages of completing its preferred-supplier roster and names of the successful agencies are emerging. The roster is understood to comprise 12 agencies, among them Mango Event Management and Adding Value. BT is...

Altitude seeks turnover boost.
July 23, 2008... Altitude Inspires is on target to more than double the pounds 1.1m turnover it achieved in the year to 31 December 2007. The agency recorded turnover of pounds 1,107,903 and gross profits of pounds 210,618 for the period, against figures...

Sector mourns GRG's Burrage.
July 23, 2008... Former Grass Roots managing director Rik Burrage died last month at the age of 61. 'The Grass Roots family benefits from Rik's corporate DNA in our daily lives, an imprint which is being spread around the globe,' said Grass Roots Group...

Hand Picked targets events.(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... Hand Picked Hotels is increasing its C&I focus as it looks to boost its portfolio to 20 properties by 2012. The 17-strong chain will launch a website this month, www.handpickedmeetings.co.uk, aimed at event planners. The group has...

BSI adds eight employees.(Irene Turner sales manager awarded)(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... Agency BSI has taken on eight staff having won pounds 15m of business this year. The staff join BSI's sales and marketing and account management teams Among them is sales manager Irene Turner, whose remit is to source and develop new...

Bonds that tie us in our dealings.(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... Competing for business is getting tougher and a tremendous amount of time and money can be spent pitching to potential clients. The trouble is that all your rivals are in the same position. And given that they probably have products and...

Austria to wind up its C&I business network.(Austrian National Tourist Office )(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... The Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO) is to drastically cut its global C&I presence by the end of this year as it dismantles its Austrian Business and Convention Network (ABCN). The dedicated events team will be cut from 12 to four...

Adding Value takes on Parker.(Roger Parker appointed as event operations director)(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... Adding Value has recruited industry stalwart Roger Parker to the newly created position of event operations director. Parker will join the Twickenham-based agency on 28 July after completing a three-month freelance contract with...

How to ... manage public-sector events.
July 23, 2008... - Expect the unexpected Agenda changes can happen any time because of policy decisions. - Work in partnership Value for money is key. Get to know venue contacts and work to attain the best possible rates, focusing on essential...

Fares have my head in the clouds.
July 23, 2008... Have you booked an online 'low-cost' airfare recently? Did you get to the last page and wonder why a pounds 19.99 quote is now costing pounds 99.99 - a lot more than many scheduled services? British Airways advertises fares on TV and its...

Excel London grows in bid to win US business.(Excel London following its pounds 318m acquisition Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company)(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... Excel London has unveiled the schedule for its second development phase and announced plans to target the US events market, following its pounds 318m acquisition by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) in May. The new owner...

Appointments.(Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau )(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... The Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau has recruited Sue Wilkes to the London-based post of director of business development, UK and Europe. She was previously a manager for ICMS in Sydney. Matt Brownfield has joined agency Fitchlive...

One to watch: Geoff Iredale, senior account director, George P Johnson.(Interview)(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... - Why are we watching him? After working client-side at BMW and Honda, and spending a decade with Imagination, Geoff Iredale now heads George P Johnson's London-based automotive division for clients including Mini, Jeep, Lexus and...

Summer Eventia: Collins in the chair seat.
July 23, 2008... New Eventia chairman Patrick Collins outlines his vision for the trade association and identifies some of the priorities for his year-long tenure. For me, at its most basic, it is the job of a trade association to make the lives of its...

Said & done.(Henley Management College )(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... 'I've suggested that if I bought my wife five Arran sweaters at pounds 50 we could save on our energy bill, but that wasn't well received' - That's right Henley Management College client director Roger Martin-Fagg, blame the ladies 'ROI...

Eventia Briefs.
July 23, 2008... The C&I sector is facing the 'perfect economic storm' finance expert Roger Martin-Fagg told the opening Summer Eventia keynote session. Eventia is to set up a research committee in an effort to establish an industry standard for...

Guidance not criticism.
July 23, 2008... A new initiative is set to address industry concerns about graduates. Education remains one of the hottest event industry topics, with vociferous debate on the standard of both courses and students. However, amid the wringing of hands,...

Hoover celebrates its centenary in London.
July 23, 2008... To celebrate 100 years of the Hoover brand, Candy Hoover wanted to mix business and pleasure at a time-themed event for key managers and customers. The brief Hoover wanted to celebrate its 100th anniversary with an event for 200 key...

Property bulletin.(convention centres are under construction)
July 23, 2008... Leanne Bell reviews new developments from the Med to Red Sea. DESERT DELEGATION Al Bustan Rotana, Dubai A new convention centre is among the developments and refurbishments carried out at this property to mark the tenth...

Venue Tracker Briefs.
July 23, 2008... In C&IT Venue Tracker this month: Luxury hotel brand W Hotels opened the 466-room W Atlanta-Midtown in the US (below). It offers 14 flexible meeting rooms including the 929m2 Great Room (05.06.08). Hilton Kuala Lumpur is opening a...

Pushing Frontiers: Time for ... Darwin.
July 23, 2008... A new convention centre is putting the Northern Territory on the C&I map. INCENTIVES Board a yacht or historic pearl lugger to spend the afternoon cruising Darwin's harbour, and watch the sun set over the Timor Sea. Experience the...

Agency Focus: The C&IT Challenge.(convention centers)
July 23, 2008... This month's brief is for an evening event in central London to celebrate the client's 50th anniversary and communicate its 12-month business plan to 120 senior staff and shareholders. Shakespeare's Globe at Bankside would be an ideal...

Agency Focus: 5 minutes with ... First Event.(Company overview)(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... Location: Menston, Ilkley, Yorkshire Staff: 12 What's the lowdown? First Event director Richard Murphy bought out business partner Andy Orrah in June to become sole owner of the agency Murphy paid an undisclosed sum to Orrah, who has...

In Person: Lucy Hall, Taylor Wessing.(Biography)
July 23, 2008... The law firm's events supremo on suppliers, success and sleepless nights. Lucy Hall, events and sponsorship executive at European law firm Taylor Wessing, has an upbringing that reads like that of an all-English action hero. Schooled in...

Sounding Off: Put the brand message before the event.
July 23, 2008... It can't be stated enough that any event, whether it's a conference, seminar or incentive trip, needs to be organised and run like clockwork. But when an organisation is communicating its brand to a particular audience - whether...

Country Retreats: Rural revisions.
July 23, 2008... Susie Harwood reports on five country hotels that have updated their offer. - Great Fosters, Surrey Overview: Set in the Surrey countryside just a five-minute drive from Egham station, this former royal retreat is a Grade I-listed...

Kent & Surrey: Home county values.(Convention centers)
July 23, 2008... Kent and Surrey offer groups a country alternative to the capital Victoria Furness reports. Groups looking to get away from the congestion of London have two leafy boltholes on their doorstep in the shape of the Surrey hills and Kent,...

Sporting Venues: Straight to the top of the league.
July 23, 2008... The growth in popularity of sporting venues is creating a series of statistics almost as impressive as events on the field. Phil Heard reports. 143% - According to the MIA's annual UK Conference Market Survey 2007, which surveyed 300...

Management Training Centres: Leadership qualities.
July 23, 2008... Mike Fletcher picks five centres with different attributes to suit executive groups of all kinds. BEST FOR CREATIVE THINKING Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre Used regularly by the likes of Friends of the Earth, EON, Innocent,...

European Convention Centres: Questions of capacity.
July 23, 2008... The wide range of options makes pinpointing the right venue tricky Here an agency, association and corporate event planner ask suppliers for guidance. Ben Lerwill reports. Q: We only consider in-hotel events, but a convention centre with...

European Convention Centres: Showcase - New and improved venues.
July 23, 2008... Europe's convention centre portfolio is being bolstered by enhancements and openings. - Convention Centre Dublin The Convention Centre Dublin is edging towards a long-awaited opening, with work on the venue scheduled to be completed...

European Convention Centres: Case Study - Citrix clicks in Copenhagen.
July 23, 2008... The IT company wanted a venue to host every component of its solutions conference. The brief: International IT company Citrix Systems has been running annual 'solutions conferences' for the past four years, and aimed to attract upwards...

Amsterdam: 10 of the best Venues.(Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel)(Holiday Inn Lijnden)(NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky)
July 23, 2008... Ben Lerwill selects ten new and improved properties in the Dutch capital for events. - NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Occupying a prime spot on Dam Square, the Krasnapolsky has the prestigious setting to match its rich old-world...

Montenegro: Adriatic addition.
July 23, 2008... Direct flights are opening up a new stretch of coast to C&I planners. Like its Balkan neighbour Croatia, Montenegro is witnessing rapid growth in its tourism industry. Arrivals and overnights from the UK market grew by more than 20 per...

Sweden: Scandic superstar.(Business travel Management)
July 23, 2008... Sweden's C&I appeal is growing as buyers discover more of the country. Sweden's C&I star is clearly in the ascendant. The capital, Stockholm, is firmly established, and now Gothenburg and Malmo are starting to attract UK event planners....

Finland: The event planner's guide to ... Helsinki.(Conference news)
July 23, 2008... The Finnish capital is developing a global reputation. Anna Maria Espsater finds out why. Helsinki has a long-standing tradition as a city for meetings, conventions and conferences. Many an accord and treaty has been signed here over the...

Canada: The insider's view.(Interview)(Interview)
July 23, 2008... Who better to give the lowdown on Canada's potential than two of its UK-based exiles? Yasmin Arrigo quizzes a corporate and agency buyer on their homeland's C&I strengths. Andrew Latta, head of corporate events and hospitality at Aviva,...

Egypt: 72 hours in ... Cairo.(Calendar)(Calendar)
July 23, 2008... Clive Walker recommends a three-day incentive itinerary in the Egyptian capital. DAY 1 09.00 The group starts the day with a leisurely breakfast at the 247-room Fairmont Towers, Heliopolis, where they checked in the previous...

Egypt: Showcase - Red Sea resort properties.
July 23, 2008... Six beachfront properties offering meeting facilities and access to a diver's paradise. - Grand Rotana Resort & Spa Offering 480 rooms and a ballroom for 380 standing guests, this Sharm El Sheikh five-star has hosted the World...

Oman: Arabian authenticity.
July 23, 2008... Oman is taking an understated and luxurious route to its development. Oman is often mentioned as a C&I destination in the same breath as neighbouring Dubai. Yet despite their close proximity and the fact both destinations are investing...

Mauritius: Incentive island.
July 23, 2008... Mauritius is backing its popularity with UK buyers by investing in its hotel stock. Leanne Bell reports. Mauritius is successfully establishing itself as a popular C&I destination for the UK market, recently attracting the likes of...

Mauritius: Case study - Mercedes-Benz rewards its best.(Mercedes-Benz (UK) Ltd.)(Case study)
July 23, 2008... The truck division's top sellers spent the beach portion of their African trip at Le Touessrok. THE BRIEF: Mercedes-Benz UK Commercial Vehicles runs an incentive, the Diamond Club Prestige. The top award this year went to 15 UK dealer...

Diary: Guess What?(Event planning)(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... This month, only one event was going to take the centre of the gossip stage - the three-day networking bacchanal that is Summer Eventia. And we weren't let down by the merry-making, that's for sure (see Accor Germany's Joerg Hamsmann,...

Diary: Said & done.
July 23, 2008... - 'If I was straight I'd fancy you, but I'm glad I'm not because you'd be a nightmare to date and cost me a fortune' Which dapper venue head attempted to charm Eventia's Izania Downie at the Howard's Walk fundraising dinner? - 'Yes,...

Diary: Pin board.(Visit Scotland)(Brief article)
July 23, 2008... Visit Scotland's party at London's Home House kicked the summer season off nicely, leading on to the Boodles Challenge at Stoke Park, where Mr Murray warmed up for Wimbledon. Over at the Howard's Walk fundraiser, Visit London's Peter Spring...

Diary: People, parties, pics.
July 23, 2008... Got any interesting pictures that will let our Diary writer's imagination run wild? Any crazy company initiatives? Any moments you'd care to share? Send your pictures and stories to Conference & Incentive Travel, 174 Hammersmith Road, London...