Conference & Incentive Travel articles from July 2012

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from July 2012

RBS Olympics Hospitality under Threat
July 16, 2012... Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has told C&IT that it is reviewing its Olympics hospitality in the wake of cancelling its corporate entertainment at Wimbledon when a much-publicised IT failure left customers without service. A spokesman for...

Big Brands at C&IT Forum
July 16, 2012... Coca-Cola, Green & Blacks and Indesit are among the corporate brands lined up to speak at C&IT's Agency Forum, taking place at The Cumberland and Thistle Marble Arch hotels in London from 5-7 September. Coca-Cola sustainable Games...

Labour APPG Candidate Could 'Operate with Greater Freedom'
July 16, 2012... BVEP chairman Michael Hirst has told C&IT that a Labour MP could operate with greater freedom as head of the All Party Political Group (APPG) for Events. Candidates from a range of parties are currently being considered among a shortlist...

Lodestar's Bang Media Buy Brings New Big Name Clients
July 16, 2012... Event planning agency Lodestar has bought Bang Media for an undisclosed sum, a deal that brings on board new clients including House of Fraser and Lexus Nexus. The deal is the first of its kind for Lodestar, which is celebrating seven years...

Jose Cuervo Launches Event Service
July 16, 2012... Tequila brand Jose Cuervo is to launch a branded event service targeting corporate planners and has partnered with The TFI Group to operate the new service. The agency has a long-term business relationship with the drinks brand, including...

On Brand
July 16, 2012... Vimto-owner Nichols held the soft drinks brand's annual charity golf day at The Mere Golf Resort & Spa in Cheshire in June. The event raised pounds 10,000 for North-West children's charity Derian House Hospice. The programme included a...

Paragon Recruits Betfair Planner
July 16, 2012... Paragon Events has hired former Betfair VIP and bespoke events coordinator Charlotte Ridley as its new event manager. Ridley will report to director of events Frances Green, and her remit will include overseeing several new accounts...

Everything Everywhere to Appoint Communique for Brandstock Event
July 16, 2012... Everything Everywhere - the owner of Orange and T-Mobile - has told C&IT that it plans to appoint agency Communique and venue Wasing Park for its 2013 Brandstock event. Brandstock's chief organiser Katie Ashmore said that the venue and...

Industry Backs Eventia Merger Plans
July 16, 2012... Eventia's proposed merger with the IVCA (International Visual Communications Association) has been positively received by two of the UK's largest events businesses. The bosses of Motivcom and Jack Morton Worldwide both welcomed the proposal,...

BMW Financial Services to Reappoint Zibrant for Business Manager Awards
July 16, 2012... BMW Financial Services is to appoint Zibrant to handle next year's Business Manager of the Year programme, on the back of the success of this year's event. According to Bob Jordan, the marketing and sales director of the automotive group's...

Corporate Rewards Chosen to Run Netapp Insight 2012
July 16, 2012... Netapp has appointed Corporate Rewards to deliver its Netapp Insight 2012 conference in Dublin in November. The computer storage and data management company has booked the Convention Centre Dublin for the event, which takes place 13-16...

River Marketing Adds Staff to Events Team for Key Accounts
July 16, 2012... River Marketing has expanded its events team for work on key corporate accounts including Mercedes-Benz. Tom Jenkins has been hired as account director to work on the agency's Mercedes-Benz account. He was formerly senior account manager at...

Move of the Month: John Kelly Joins Agency CI Events
July 16, 2012... John Kelly is returning to the agency fold after two-and-a-half years at hotel group Sol Melia, joining CI Events as director of sales and account management. Kelly, who was Melia's director of global sales, meetings and events, will report...

We Go Together ... Clare Miller and Dan Stevens
July 16, 2012... CLARE MILLER, GLOBAL DIVERSITY AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, SIEMENS Dan and I have different approaches, but I think that's why we work well together. I am very traditional, while he is very creative. Dan always provides a fresh perspective...

Bribery Act One Year On
July 16, 2012... The industry is erring on the side of caution, while confusion remains over what does and does not constitute an offence under the Act. The Bribery Act caused alarm in the events industry when it came into force in July 2011. Since then, the...

London 2012: London: The View from Abroad
July 16, 2012... Susie Harwood asks five event agencies from outside the UK if the Olympic spotlight has made London a more attractive destination. SOUDIAMBAKKAM NANDAKUMAR, HEAD OF MICE, SOTC, INDIA We have a deal with Prestige Ticketing for the Olympics...

Agency Challenge: The Brief ... Design a Three-Day Overseas Sales Incentive with a 'Hot Hot Hot' Theme
July 16, 2012... The client wants to reward its top 40 salespeople with an overseas incentive. The theme for the trip is 'hot hot hot', and it should involve a maximum of three days out of the office. RICKY KNIGHT, DIRECTOR, PICKLED EGG EVENTS For some...

Property Notes
July 16, 2012... Tom Hall takes a look at new developments from Birmingham to Bali, while Rob McKinlay reviews Rixos The Palm Dubai. 1. The Champagne Bar, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire Blenheim Palace unveiled its new Champagne Bar in June, a luxury space...

Portugal: 48 Hours in ... Algarve
July 16, 2012... Fresh seafood and wine-tasting come high on the list of the Algarve's attractions but those with an interest in karting or flora and fauna are equally well catered for. DAY 1 8am Start the day with breakfast at the Hotel Hilton Vilamoura,...

Portugal: Best of the Rest
July 16, 2012... Porto and Lisbon are also key destinations for event planners, while Troia has growing C&I appeal. TROIA Troia, a peninsula located in Grandola Municipality, is a growing destination for the corporate market. Home to a wealth of...

Associations: Are They Relevant?
July 16, 2012... Time constraints, economic factors, irrelevance or just plain apathy - all of these could account for the low involvement in event industry associations. Less than 10 per cent of corporate buyers surveyed in C&IT's State of the Industry...

The Big Debate: Can the Independents Challenge the Chains?
July 16, 2012... Event planners give their views on flexibility and tailored service versus consistency and network-wide deals. From idiosyncratic one-off boutiques to group-owned, utilitarian tower blocks, the sheer diversity of hotels means the varying...

Best of British: Home-Grown and Quintessential
July 16, 2012... From castle dinners to seaside treats, some experiences could only be British. Yasmin Arrigo and Christy McGhee pick a range of venues in which to celebrate our nation. SCOTTISH GALA DINNER AT GLAMIS CASTLE, NEAR DUNDEE Haggis balls with...

Brand Experience: Eurosport Keeps the Message Alive
July 16, 2012... Eurosport's brand messages hinge on making clients' and fans' sports media experience as memorable as possible. Events function Founded in 1989, Eurosport is a sports TV channel accessible in 59 countries. Available to Sky and Virgin...

Brazil: South American Splendour
July 16, 2012... Spectacular waterfalls, beautiful beaches, carnival cities and Amazon jungle: Brazil is a country of contrasts. Susie Harwood picks a selection of its best venues for events. SCENIC STAR Hotel das Cataratas, Iguassu Falls This...

Forever Living Picks Hong Kong
July 16, 2012... The Chinese metropolis proved ideal for the health and wellness company's joint World & Asian rally. Pre-event planning - Global supplier of health and wellness products Forever Living UK needed a purpose-built venue for its annual...

Case Study: Jose Cuervo Adds a Twist to Tequila
July 16, 2012... Jose Cuervo took 110 staff and clients to Mexico to emphasise the brand's rich cultural heritage and to highlight the appeal of tequila beyond a 'shot glass' experience. Pre-event planning - Jose Cuervo has traditionally taken clients on...

European Luxury Venues: 6 of the Best - New on the Block
July 16, 2012... Yasmin Arrigo looks at a selection of new and refurbished high-end hotels across Europe. HOTEL LONE, CROATIA Croatian city Rovinj's new design hotel combines seaside chic and forest surrounds with 236 rooms and 12 stylish suites. Event...

Jordan: Middle East Magic
July 16, 2012... With 17 flights a week from the UK to Amman and major development projects in the pipeline, Jordan's C&I credentials are solid. 80 - There are 80 vintage cars in the late King Hussein's collection on display at the Royal Automobile Museum...

Kent & Surrey: Satisfied Customers
July 16, 2012... Three home counties venues more than lived up to their corporate clients' expectations. GFK RETAIL AND TECHNOLOGY UK AT PAINSHILL PARK, COBHAM GFK Retail and Technology UK, a market research company, held an internal communications day on...

Leeds: M&S Returns to Its Roots
July 16, 2012... Despite some logistical challenges, the black-tie dinner to celebrate the opening of the M&S archive in the city where it first began trading was a success. Pre-event planning - High street retailer Marks & Spencer has a corporate...

Five Things You Didn't Know about Leeds
July 16, 2012... The city at the commercial and cultural heart of West Yorkshire is full of pleasant surprises for C&I planners. FIVE-STAR HOSPITALITY The pounds 60m Leeds Arena, due to open in spring 2013, aims to offer the best in multi-purpose...

The Masterplan: 'Over the Next 12 Months I Think We Can Double Average Meetings Occupancy'
July 16, 2012... Gary Davis, chief executive of Malmaison & Hotel du Vin, tells Christy McGhee about his ideas for growth. When Gary Davis became chief executive of Malmaison & Hotel du Vin in January this year, he spotted an opportunity to grow its...

Montreux: Everything Runs like Clockwork
July 16, 2012... The Jazz Festival may be what comes to mind when Montreux is mentioned but the city is also a classic choice for discerning C&I planners. The Swiss city of Montreux enjoys a picturesque geographical setting that is sure to make a good...

Preferential Treatment
July 16, 2012... Citywire's aim was to cement its relationship with VIP clients. The venue played a crucial part in achieving this. Pre-event planning Citywire Holdings and Finances holds an annual event to present industry experts to its clients. The event...

Put Waste Management Top of the Agenda
July 16, 2012... Last week was National Recycling Week, and a good opportunity to reflect on what you can do to make your events more sustainable, and help your budget stretch that bit further. Waste management is too often an afterthought when planning an...

Give Our Industry the Recognition It Deserves
July 16, 2012... What an incredible year for Great British events on the global stage. As I write this, we're on the verge of delivering the global event, and I for one cannot wait. But I am also increasingly excited to see the industry gradually getting...

Profile: Bob Jordan, BMW Financial Services
July 16, 2012... The sales and marketing director talks staff, agencies, brands and sporting events. 2012 marks Bob Jordan's 20th year of working for BMW Financial Services. The firm used to be a joint venture between the automotive group and Lloyds Bowmaker,...

Sweden: One-Stop Home Shop
July 16, 2012... With the opening of Sweden's first airport hotel, delegates will be able to walk straight from the terminal to their meeting place. Industry experts preview the Clarion Hotel Arlanda's C&I potential. The plan Scheduled to open in...

Sweden: A Test of Competitive Spirit
July 16, 2012... Ice-driving in Jamtland proved to be every bit as entertaining and challenging an incentive as Frimstone had intended. Pre-event planning Norfolk-based Frimstone carries out recycling and restoration projects in the East Anglia region, with...

Sweden: Spotlight: Malmo
July 16, 2012... Sweden's third largest city by population, Malmo is located near the southern tip of the country. The quickest and easiest way to get there is to fly to Copenhagen in Denmark - a high-speed train that leaves every 20 minutes connects the...

Destination of the Month: Time for ... Peru
July 16, 2012... The South American nation's unique natural charms and improving C&I offer make it an attractive long-haul option. Why Peru? Peru boasts 10,000 years of history, stunning archaeology and breathtaking Andean scenery, says Rosemary...

UK Sporting Venues: A Winning Combination
July 16, 2012... Sporting venues are big and versatile; now they can also capitalise on the kudos of the Olympics. In the run-up to the Olympic Games, London has witnessed more than pounds 11bn worth of investment in hotels, attractions, transport and...

Wales: There's a Welcome in the Hillsides
July 16, 2012... Three Welsh venues with an emphasis on sport and the outdoor life offer unbeatable opportunities for incentives and team-building. Vale Resort, Hensol The lowdown The family-owned resort is set in 650 acres of countryside, offering a...

Worldwide Convention Centres: 6 of the Best - New Convention Centres
July 16, 2012... Convention centres boasting stunning design and architecture are opening up around the world. C&IT looks at six of the best. Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, Reykjavik, Iceland Home of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the...

Brand Book: Automotive - Toyota Looks to Future with NEC Conference
July 16, 2012... The car brand split its 2011 GB conference into three days to present new models and highlight its plans to staff, retailer and fleet audiences. Pre-event planning: The Toyota Conference is a closed event with an invited audience where new...

Brand Book: Automotive - Motor Trade Bucks the Trend
July 16, 2012... The UK automotive industry is enjoying a revival, and events and incentives are working hard to make the most of it. Size of market: The automotive industry accounted for around 10.7% of the top-50 event agencies' business in 2011, according...

Brand Book: Automotive - Ruth Goddard, Mazda
July 16, 2012... Events and sponsorship manager Ruth Goddard has worked at Mazda for three years, and is in charge of the car firm's b2b and commercial events including product launches, dealership events and various local events. New generation This year...

Brand Book: Retail - Value without Losing Quality Is Key
July 16, 2012... While enduring tight budgetary constraints, retail brands are seeking to get better value for money from events, so every element must help fulfil key objectives. Size of market: Retail made up just 3.8% of the top 50 agency's corporate event...

Brand Book: Food & Drink - Hospitality Events Reap Results
July 16, 2012... Food and drink brands are proving resilient to the financial woes, with the market benefiting from the popularity of sampling-based and hospitality events'. Size of market: The food and drink sector of the events industry accounts for 7.5% of...

Brand Book: IT & Telecoms - Less Glitz, More Substance Needed
July 16, 2012... While there is still a huge demand from the technology sector, there is a growing emphasis on ensuring that events achieve their objectives and get points across rather than adding extravagant features. Size of market: The combined IT and...

Brand Book: Pharmaceutical - James Vachon, Millennium
July 16, 2012... On graduating from Penn State University, James Vachon joined hotel chain Marriott. He then worked for event agencies Universal CIT and Philadelphia-based Maritz McGettigan for 12 years until, four years ago, he was approached by Cambridge,...

Brand Book: Pharmaceutical Case Study - Double Delight for AstraZeneca
July 16, 2012... The pharma giant broke the mould and took delegates out of their comfort zone with its unique Primary Care Conference. Pre-event planning: AstraZeneca wanted to host a unique Primary Care conference for its Field Force and marketing team in...

Brand Book: Pharmaceutical - Pharma Remains Top Sector
July 16, 2012... The pharmaceutical industry tends not to follow wider economic trends and for that reason it has increased its market share among event agencies. Size of market: Pharmaceutical business accounted for 20% of the top 50 agencies' event-based...

Brand Book: Financial - Budgets Big Issue for Finance
July 16, 2012... The financial services industry remains one of the main cash cows for event agencies, but budgets are under scrutiny from all quarters. Size of market: Financial services events accounted for nearly 15% of the top 50 agencies' turnover in...

Brand Book: Luxottica UK Retail
July 16, 2012... David Clulow and Sunglass Hut parent company Luxottica UK Retail chose an Olympics theme for its annual managers conference. The two-day event in February at the Sheraton Skyline Hotel London Heathrow featured workshops, a fashion show,...

Brand Book: Lush
July 16, 2012... Natural cosmetics firm Lush holds four events a year for 250 general managers and trainees from its 98 UK stores, and needed to host its September event in an easily accessible location. Lush had used Bournemouth's De Vere Royal Bath Hotel in...

Brand Book: Harvey Norman
July 16, 2012... Retailer Harvey Norman holds an annual conference and team-building event for staff and suppliers from its European headquarters in Ireland. It wanted a venue that offered team-building facilities in an iconic setting. The five-star ME by...

Brand Book: Best Buy Europe
July 16, 2012... Best Buy Europe wanted to launch a programme to help its colleagues with time, money and resources to inspire and guide in the local community. Agencies TBA and The Bank were appointed to help plan the June 'One Team Expo' event at Birmingham's...

Brand Book: Alliance Boots
July 16, 2012... Grimaldi Forum in Monaco was the setting last year for pharmaceutical company Alliance Boots' 900-delegate global convention, judged to be its 'best event ever'.Organiser and director of group communications Yves Romestan says: 'Our delegates...

Brand Book: Debenhams
July 16, 2012... Debenhams runs a staff recognition scheme called 'Celebrating Success' that acknowledges and rewards staff for going the extra mile and making a difference. In September 2011, the retail brand held the Annual Winners event, designed to give the...

Brand Book: John Lewis
July 16, 2012... Having held a successful annual staff event at Alton Towers in Staffordshire in 2011, John Lewis returned to exclusively hire the theme park in March 2012. John Lewis Partnership pay research and analysis manager Jon White says the event's key...

Brand Book: Fat Face
July 16, 2012... Clothing company Fat Face held its summer conference for 265 internal retail team members in March at the Forest Holidays luxury cabins' site at Sherwood Pines. Brand experience manager Ian Williams says the venue was chosen as it reflects the...