Conference & Incentive Travel articles from June 2005

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from June 2005

First off: ROI will be worth all the time and effort.(return on investment)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... In the latest UK Conference Market Survey from the Meetings Industry Association (MIA) (page 4), it emerges that 60% of corporate meeting planners do not measure the return on investment (ROI) of their events. Having attended a seminar on...

MIA survey finds number of events up, but budgets fall.(Meetings Industry Association)(Industry Overview)
June 7, 2005... In the past 12 months, the number of corporate events has risen by 21%. This is according to the latest UK Conference Market Survey by the Meetings Industry Association (MIA) published earlier this month, and marks the first significant...

MPI seminar: 'better results, higher fees'.(Meetings Professional International )(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Agents may need to review their business models as the requirement to measure Return on Investment takes hold in the C&I industry. Presenting a seminar on how to measure ROI to members of Meetings Professional International last month,...

Hilton amends its cancellation rule to favour buyers.(Hilton Hotels Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... A change in Hilton Hotels' terms and conditions could save meetings organisers money. Under the new terms the chain will seek to resell space after a cancellation and deduct any money made from the amount the client owes. If it does not...

UK Price Check: Board meeting.(Hilton on Park Lane)(Dorchester)(Langham )(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Brief: A one-day, high-level board meeting for ten directors with an overnight stay in a top London hotel. Prices include a working breakfast, a working lunch, dinner and overnight accommodation. All prices include VAT. THE HILTON ON PARK...

News brief: Easyjet introduces group-bookings facility.(Easyjet Airline PLC)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Easyjet is introducing a group-bookings facility. It will now be possible to book up to 40 passengers on one flight simultaneously, as well as guarantee the total number of seats required. - www.easyjet.com.

News brief: Appointment at The Hotel Booking Agents Association.(Loraine Holdcroft)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... The Hotel Booking Agents Association has appointed Loraine Holdcroft as its executive director. She previously worked for the Institute of Travel Management. - www.hbaa.org.uk.

News brief: Excel and Visit London handbook.(Excel London )(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Excel and Visit London have joined forces to launch a handbook entitled Here's the plan - a practical guide to planning your next event at Excel London. - www.excel-london.co.uk.

News brief: Ramada Jarvis cited by independent research.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Ramada Jarvis has been cited by independent research firm BDRC as the UK's top hotel group for handling meetings enquiries. - www.ramadajarvis.co.uk.

News brief: ITMA announces its summer events schedule.(Incentive Travel and Meetings Association)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... The ITMA has announced its summer events schedule, which includes a presentation-skills course and its annual fun run in Battersea Park. - www.itma-online.org.

News brief: New service from Manchester to Canada.(Zoom Airlines)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Zoom Airlines has launched a new service from Manchester to Canada. Fares start at pounds 89 one-way, including tax. - www.flyzoom.com.

News brief: Scottish hotel named as Best Activities Hotel.(Macdonald Highlands Hotel)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... The Macdonald Highlands Hotel, part of Aviemore Highland Resort, was named Best Activities Hotel at the annual Scottish Hotel of the Year awards. - www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk.

News brief: Daily flight from Bristol to New York.(Continental Airlines Inc)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Continental Airlines is running a daily flight from Bristol to New York, the first non-stop flight to the US from the south west of England. - www.continental.com.

Beyond Certainty wins venue remit for global lawyer.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Beyond Certainty is now exclusive venue-finder for recently merged global law firm Pinsent Masons. The agency will service all domestic and international business for UK events for one year. Beyond Certainty director Haralambos Stavrou...

Long hours causing agency staff to quit.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Long hours and low pay could drive agency staff to work for corporate firms, a survey has revealed. Results from the survey commissioned by event management recruitment company Regan and Dean show that of nearly 100 agency workers randomly...

Industry mourns loss of Wrighton.(Keith Wrighton)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
June 7, 2005... Keith Wrighton, the founding chairman of World Event Management (WEM), passed away in April, aged 57, after a two-year battle against cancer. Keith's role in the industry had been high-profile and hugely respected for decades, particularly...

Board reshuffle at Olympics agency as Croneen quits.(Laurence Croneen)(Jack Morton Worldwide)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Jack Morton Worldwide, the agency behind the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games, has undergone a management restructure following the resignation of chairman and managing director Laurence Croneen. The reshuffle sees...

Transport for London appoints Olive 360 deg.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Event agency Olive 360 deg has won its bid to organise a high-profile one-day conference for Transport for London later this year. The agency's remit is to deliver the whole event, including audience generation, content and branding. The...

People and Places: Jamaica Tourist Board UK Roadshow.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... The Jamaica Tourist Board invited around 30 C&I buyers to a London showcase in April. The event, designed to highlight the Caribbean island's potential as a MICE destination, took place at the Jamaica High Commission in Knightsbridge, London. A...

Amex and Travent to save sector 'billions'.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... A partnership between American Express (Amex) and meetings management technology provider Travent could save the C&I industry as much as dollars 5bn (pounds 3bn). Expense management solution Meetingview Express integrates Amex's corporate...

Excel wins Rolls Royce repeats.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Rolls Royce has booked Excel for its AGM until 2008 following May's successful event. Rolls Royce head of corporate events Zara Turner said: 'Excel's contemporary technology reflected our brand. The in-house team was very accommodating and...

Webwatch: Maison de la France.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... www.franceguide.com/meetings What's to tell? In a bid to grow France's share of worldwide meetings business, Maison de la France has launched a fresh section of its website aimed purely at the conference and incentive buyer. What does...

There's a price to pay for too many fingers in one pie.(Destination management company )(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... It's clear from looking at agency financial accounts and listening to contacts that price and margins are a major issue in the industry. We're often told that this is because procurement departments have taken over the buying process, but...

Spending cuts force DTI to curtail C&I link.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has withdrawn direct support for the UK's business tourism industry. The department lost significant funding in last month's spending review, forcing it to cut some sectors of sponsorship. It...

T-Mobile procures event staff.(Event planning management)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... The gap between event specialists and procurement could narrow if corporates employ event staff in purchasing departments. Speaking at a joint seminar between the ITMA and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), T-Mobile...

BACD lays out its five-year plan.(British Association of Conference Destinations)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Education, quality standards, marketing, research, and representation have been highlighted by the British Association of Conference Destinations in its five-year plan. The association is keen to address the lack of data in the industry....

Privacy should not be sacrificed in the delivery of service.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... It's a curious feature of modern hotels that the more you pay for a room, the less privacy you will have. Look what happens when you arrive with a group at a major luxury hotel. You get to your room and soon afterwards, the bell rings....

International: Barcelona sees off Vienna in this year's ICCA rankings.
June 7, 2005... Barcelona and Paris have received a boost from the latest ICCA statistics, which see the Catalan city bounce back to the top of the international associations meetings rankings and the French capital making its return to the top ten. The...

International: Russia prepares for inaugural MICE show.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Russia is preparing to host its most comprehensive MICE event to date later this year. MICE Moscow will take place in the city's Penta Renaissance Hotel on 20 September and is designed primarily, but not exclusively, for Russian meetings...

International: Sri Lanka on track to recovery after tsunami disaster.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Sri Lanka continues to make an astonishing recovery from the tsunami. Although a number of key properties are still closed, the outlook is that the island will be attracting the same number of visitors as in 2004 by August. Last year...

International: World Price Check - Board meeting.(Illustration)
June 7, 2005... Brief: A one-day, board meeting for ten directors with an overnight stay in a hotel in Ireland. Prices include a breakfast, lunch, dinner and local VAT. SHEEN FALLS LODGE, CO KERRY Accommodation: pounds 1,445 F&B: pounds 737 Room...

International Brief: New incentive and event brochure.(German Convention Bureau)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... The German Convention Bureau has launched a new incentive and event brochure. - www.germany-meetings.com.

International Brief: Melbourne top destination.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Melbourne has overtaken Sydney as Australia's top destination for international meetings. Victoria's capital held 33 in 2004 compared with Sydney's 31. - www.mcvb.com.au.

International Brief: New residential seminary and travel package.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Eurostar and Disneyland Resort Paris have teamed up to offer a new residential seminar and travel package to UK corporates from pounds 199 per person. - www.drpbusiness.com.

International Brief: Conference package rates for bookings.(Millennium Hotels Paris Opera and Paris Charles de Gaulle)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Millennium Hotels Paris Opera and Paris Charles de Gaulle are offering conference package rates for bookings between 15 July and 19 August, starting from around pounds 100 per person per day, including accommodation, breakfast and room hire....

International Brief: A new MICE brochure.(Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Orient-Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises has unveiled a new 100-page MICE brochure to highlight the range of experiences it offers. www.orient-express.com.

International Brief: Qatar Airway takes delivery of its 40th aircraft.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Qatar Airways has taken delivery of its 40th aircraft and announced plans to increase capacity and frequency on its Manchester route. - www.qatarairways.com.

International Brief: MICE Asia first show at Raffles Hotel.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... MICE Asia will take place for the first time on 24 and 25 July at Raffles Hotel and Raffles The Plaza in Singapore. The show will also feature workshops and a social programme. www.miceasia.com.

International Brief: Concorde Hotels offering reduced group rates.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Concorde Hotels is offering reduced group rates at its Paris properties during July and August. www.concorde-hotels.com.

International: Indecorp to trade as Preferred Hotel Group in rebrand.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Indecorp, the luxury independent hotel company, has been rebranded as Preferred Hotel Group with immediate effect. In addition, the group's three existing portfolios - Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Summit Hotels & Resorts and Sterling Hotels...

International: Fifa stakes claim for World Cup packages.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Football's official world body Fifa has spoken out against companies offering World Cup 2006 corporate packages. The tournament, to be held in Germany, has already attracted significant attention from C&I buyers, but Fifa is advising...

International: Perth and Dubai in dual-trip push.(Tourism Australia)(Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Tourism Australia and Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) have formed a joint marketing agreement to attract UK C&I business. The two tourist boards are looking to encourage trips combining two nights in Dubai with...

International: TAP undergoes a revamp and signs with Star Alliance.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... TAP Air Portugal, the country's national carrier, is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a rebrand and has signed up to the Star Alliance. The carrier serves 42 destinations across 25 countries, and offers the alliance new routes to...

International: Canada 'to profit' from US passport ruling.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Continued US determination to introduce biometric passports could see it lose C&I business to its neighbour Canada. Despite calls from the EU to delay the move until 2006, passports issued after 26 October must be biometric even though only...

International: People and places: India.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Elephants, camels and royalty were on hand to greet nine UK C&I agents in India last month on a whirlwind four-day tour of Delhi and Jaipur to experience some of the programmes offered by DMC Incent Tours, represented in the UK by Moulden...

Arabian Travel Market: ATM's Dubai show the biggest so far.(Arabian Travel Market)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... The 12th Arabian Travel Market, held in Dubai from 3 to 6 May, was by far the biggest yet, and led to an increase of more than 30% in exhibitor space. More than 1,800 exhibitors from 64 countries attended the show, taking up a total area...

Arabian Travel Market: Dubai urged to drop complacent attitude.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Dubai still lacks awareness of its responsibilities as a MICE destination, according to a key player in its meetings industry. Speaking at an ICCA seminar at Arabian Travel Market last month, Net Conference and Conventions vice-chairman Ali...

Arabian Travel Market: Accor sets out its stall to dominate Gulf hotel market.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Accor has announced a long-term strategy that it hopes will see it become the leading hotel chain in the Middle East. The French group, which owns brands such as Novotel, Sofitel, Dorint and Mercure, currently handles only 19 properties in...

Arabian Travel Market: Chain eyes Middle East sector for its lower-cost brand.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced it will be introducing its budget Express by Holiday Inn brand to the Middle East region. Hotels are expected to open by the end of the year in Dubai, Jeddah and Riyadh, with up to 30 further...

Arabian Travel Market: Work in progress - Gulf round up.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 7, 2005... Designers around the Arabian Gulf are constantly stretching the boundaries of architectural feasibility. Here are a few of the more ambitious projects currently underway. DUBAI THE WORLD Following hot on the heels of the three Palm...

Arabian Travel Market: Etihad announces expansion plans.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... The national carrier of the UAE, Etihad, is reaching the end of its start-up phase and has announced bold plans for the future. The airline, which was launched at the end of 2003, is based in capital city Abu Dhabi, some 90 minutes' drive...

Opinion: Sounding off - Qualifications offer long-term security to events industry.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... The ongoing debate about the value of event management qualifications really boils down to a question of vision. Those who scorn time spent learning theory in favour of the instant gratification of ready-made experience are taking a short-term...

Opinion: Guest columnist - Live events make a real difference, so use ROI to prove it.(Return on investment)
June 7, 2005... Return on investment is a term easily understood by anyone who has ever deposited money into a savings account. So why is the definition of ROI not widely understood in the meetings and events industry? The ROI debate has emerged over the...

In person: Elaine Gordon, Head of events, BBC Worldwide.
June 7, 2005... On emerging from the en suite shower in Mel Gibson's bedroom, the last thing you might expect to encounter is a group of camera-wielding Japanese salesmen. The unsuspecting victim (fortuitously clad in a towel to spare her blushes) was...

Case study: L'Oreal seeks inspiration in Thailand.
June 7, 2005... Matrix, a division of L'Oreal, took its sales staff and key distributors to Bangkok and Hua Hin, where they experienced a taste of Thailand in a packed five-day itinerary. Yasmin Razak reports. When you've spoiled your group with trips to...

C&IT Forum: Speakers' corner.
June 7, 2005... C&IT is running a forum to enable 50 C&I agents to meet with selected suppliers and hear expert advice from key figures. Kerry Baggott reports. We all know networking is crucial, not just because of the professional relationships that...

Analysis: States of independence.
June 7, 2005... C&IT speaks to three people about why they decided to go it alone and set up their own businesses in the C&I sector. Plus, they reveal some start-up tips and highlight some of the obstacles they encountered on the way. THE NEW MOTHER ...

Reader Poll: The results.
June 7, 2005... In a bid to highlight the industry's favourite venues, destinations and agencies, C&IT's first ever reader poll has thrown up some predictable names, alongside a healthy array of more unexpected nominees. Here are the results so far, with more...

NTO Survey: World service.(National Tourist Offices)
June 7, 2005... How are the national tourist boards competing for your business? In this year's C&IT survey, Anna Bowden discovers a more proactive rather than reactive approach from the UK offices. National tourist offices (NTOs) are under pressure. As...

Scotland themed incentives: Regional specialities.
June 7, 2005... Not sure which area of Scotland would be best for your next incentive? Paul Blaney tours north of the border to determine the selling points of the country's regions and their appeal for groups. Glasgow for culture Glasgow's 'Scotland...

Scotland showcase: Monuments for hire.
June 7, 2005... From romantic towers to baronial fortresses, Paul Blaney highlights the pick of Scotland's castle portfolio. DUNS CASTLE ESTATE, www.dunscastle.co.uk Duns Castle was originally built in the 14th century as a defensive tower. Today, the...

Case Study: Scotland - Gynecare plays the home advantage.
June 7, 2005... The healthcare specialist chose contrasting venues for two events close to home, as Paul Blaney reports. Gynecare, the women's health division of Johnson & Johnson Medical, recently held events at two contrasting Scottish venues - one...

Scotland Q&A: Talking tactics.
June 7, 2005... What are the latest C&I developments and strategies north of the border? Paul Blaney gets the lowdown from Scott Robertson, marketing manager at Visit Scotland's Business Tourism Unit. Scott Robertson, 35, grew up in Africa before returning...

Scotland: Glasgow - Turning on the style.
June 7, 2005... One year on from the launch of its 'Scotland with Style' campaign, Paul Blaney visits Glasgow to see if its new image is winning business. With its brief to update Glasgow's post-industrial image into that of a stylish cultural hub, the...

Newcastle: Gateshead - Shock of the new.
June 7, 2005... Newcastle's renaissance shows little sign of abating and, with the opening of the Sage Gateshead, the city can boast another landmark venue. Ben Lerwill keeps pace with developments. Last year, The Times published an upside-down map of the...

Yorkshire: Forward march.
June 7, 2005... With long-awaited funding now on the horizon, Yorkshire can look ahead and start to redevelop venues and strengthen business tourism's contribution to county coffers. Steve Jones reports. At the beginning of 2004, conference desks in...

Iceland: Force of nature.
June 7, 2005... Iceland's recent volcanic past has left the island with a unique landscape that ranges from glaciers to geysers, along with a wealth of incentive activity options to match. Yasmin Razak discovers why the island is winning over so many UK...

Lisbon: Bright lights, hip city.
June 7, 2005... As major events continue to attract media attention and 'A' list celebrities to the city, the Portuguese capital is building on its incentive offer to draw in the C&I crowds. Yasmin Razak reports. When the last football banner marking Euro...

Ireland: Charm offensive.(conference and incentives market)
June 7, 2005... Challenged by the rising popularity of Eastern Europe's emerging destinations, venues across Ireland are forming marketing alliances to convey the country's assets. Ginny McGrath reports. The conference and incentives market in the Emerald...

Ireland Spas: Showcase - Irish spa properties.
June 7, 2005... Ireland is undergoing something of a spa revolution. Ginny McGrath picks out some of the country's best. PARK HOTEL KENMARE, www.parkkenmare.com: Treatments at this Samas spa in County Kerry can stretch to three hours, with thermal suites,...

Venue Focus.
June 7, 2005... Zeavola will become Thailand's first boutique all-suite resort when it opens this month on the Koh Phi Phi. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, it offers 52 'cottage suites', most with plunge pools and gardens. The resort is located...

Diary: Don't miss.(conferences of travel industry)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
June 7, 2005... Evenement France 2005: 24-26 June This year's fam trip takes in Nantes, St Nazaire and La Baule. www.franceguide.com London Venue Expo: 29-30 June Excel hosts this capital showcase. www.londonvenueexpo.com C&IT Agency Forum: 3-5...

Diary: An amazing incentive for meetings - get lost.
June 7, 2005... Escot House Conference Centre in East Devon has come up with the ideal solution for those delegates losing their way - and their will to live - in verbose sessions led by the finance director. Simply slip out and and get lost for real in the...

Diary: Virgin's heavy petting.(Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2005... In these days of pet passports, it was only a matter of time before airlines would twig that the animal kingdom was fair game for a loyalty scheme. Virgin Atlantic has stepped up to the plate with its Flying Paws programme. Gifts include a...

Diary: The headlines 10 years ago.
June 7, 2005... - Industry concern continues to grow over EU legislation, and the European Federation of Conference Towns urges its members to lobby for tourism to become part of official community policy in 1996's Maastricht Treaty. - A survey conducted...

Diary: Competition.
June 7, 2005... Do you know where this shot is taken? If you do, then you and a friend could be heading up to Argyll, Scotland for a two-night stay at the beautiful Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel. Overlooking the loch, the property is surrounded by some of the...

Diary: If the shoe fits.
June 7, 2005... What do you get if you cross nine female C&I agents, far too many Rupees and a shop selling the latest in glittery slippers? In short, mayhem (See picture). This was the result when, by popular request, the itinerary on a fam trip to Jaipur...