Conference & Incentive Travel articles from June 2006

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from June 2006

First Off: We're football crazy without any apology.
June 9, 2006... This month, like most of the country, we're football mad on C&IT. You'll have to indulge us - it only comes round every four years, and there is a business point to be made, honest. The last World Cup in Japan and South Korea was a...

Latest agency results point to improved profit margins.(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... C&I industry profits have increased dramatically, according to a benchmark analysis of agency results from Companies House. The most recent financial data submitted by agents for 2005 shows a boost in overall pre-tax profits to pounds...

UK Price Check.(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Brief: Awards Dinner for 450 with set-up during the day, champagne reception and half bottle of wine per person during dinner in a London hotel during October. ROYAL LANCASTER HOTEL Room hire & set up pounds 9,400 Dinner ...

Citroen gives Banks Sadler incentive role.(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Citroen UK has awarded Banks Sadler two overseas incentives for two separate areas of its business until 2007. The first incentive for Citroen parts managers will take place later this year, while the second event, for after-sales managers,...

Talking Point set to offer free event evaluation deals.(new package introduced to evaluate a event )(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Talking Point is offering its event-evaluation package free of charge until 31 July to corporates that book its full event management service. 'It's a driver for new business,' said Talking Point director Paul Ratcliffe. 'We want to...

News brief: Grand Hyatt unveils new creative space.
June 9, 2006... Grand Hyatt has unveiled a new creative space in its Beijing property. 'The Residence' is a 1,142m2 area comprising three meeting rooms, two coffee bars, and a lounge area. www.hyatt.com.

News brief: Exhibition Venues Association merges.
June 9, 2006... The Exhibition Venues Association has merged into the Association of Event Venues to strengthen its voice to other parties, such as contractors, organisers, government and the media. www.aev.org.uk.

News brief: Expomedia Group announces increase in turnover.
June 9, 2006... Expomedia Group, the London-based exhibition, conference and publishing company has announced an increase of turnover by 72% to pounds 17.7m in the past financial year. It organised 217 events in 2005, an increase of 63%. expomediagroup.com.

News brief: World Event Management appointed to roster.
June 9, 2006... World Event Management has been appointed to the COI Live Events Roster. The roster now comprises 94 related companies covering a variety of services across live events. www.world-events.com.

News brief: MCI to become majority shareholder.
June 9, 2006... MCI is to become the majority shareholder in Swedish PCO Stockholm Convention Bureau after buying stock from four of the six current shareholders, which include SAS, Hilton & Scandic and the Stockholm Hotel & Restaurant Association....

News brief: Production Bureau opens new office.
June 9, 2006... Production Bureau, the Norwich-based live events agency has opened a new office in Edinburgh to tap into Scotland's burgeoning financial sector. productionbureau.com.

News brief: East of England Showground owner unveils plans.
June 9, 2006... East of England Agricultural Society, owner of Peterborough's East of England Showground, has unveiled plans for a pounds 7m exhibition centre to increase its total space to more than 14,000m2. eastofengland.org.uk.

Seal Events wins Sussex Enterprise network contract.
June 9, 2006... Seal Events has been appointed by the Sussex Enterprise and Business Link to carry out a series of 95 events for its members throughout 2006. The deal, worth 10% of turnover to the agency, will involve organising networking events and gala...

Beetlenut scoops ICI and TK Maxx activity.(Imperial Chemical Industries PLC)(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Live communications agency Beetlenut has boosted its client base by more than 50% with four new client wins for 2006, including a series of regional conferences for retailer TK Maxx and a team-building and internal motivation scheme for...

New categories at ITM Awards 2007.(2007 ITM Awards)(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Eventia has unveiled new categories for its inaugural 2007 ITM Awards. The awards list has been designed to reflect industry trends, with new categories including Best Event Demonstrating Corporate Social Responsibility, Most Effective...

Pure strengthens C&I role after win at Hamptons pitch.(Conference and incentive)(Estate Agents UK )(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Estate agent Hamptons has appointed Pure Event Management & Hospitality to handle a year-long internal communications account after a four-way pitch last moth. The account comprises four Christmas functions, quarterly award ceremonies and...

Kall Kwik appoints Fresh for franchise role.(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Kall Kwik has appointed Manchester-based Fresh to run its bi-ennial business conference at the Belfry in Wisham this month. The event will bring together 300 franchisees with business print, design and digital solutions suppliers for a...

People and Places: Signature Collection Reception.
June 9, 2006... Sales representatives from New York's luxury hotel brand, The Signature Collection, descended upon W'Sens Restaurant in St James's, London last month for a cocktail reception hosted by NYC & Company. More than 50 delegates from companies...

NTL: Telewest installs GRG to run incentive.(Grass Roots Group )(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... NTL:Telewest Business has appointed the Grass Roots Group to run its first joint sales incentive programme since the telecoms companies merged last year. The campaign, called Think Big, runs from 1 July until 31 December and targets both...

Visit Britain reshuffles key staff.(Visit Britain appoints Joss Croft )(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Visit Britain has appointed Joss Croft as head of business visits and events this month, replacing Jeremy Brinkworth, who becomes general manager of quality. Croft joins from Visit Britain's Spain and Portugal office to head up the...

Webwatch: www.conference-oxford.com.(Website overview)(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... What is it? A free match-making portal for event organisers looking to stage an event at Oxford University. Users submit their criteria, which are then matched across 52 university buildings that include all 38 colleges and the Oxford...

Change is needed if we are to capitalise on new world order.(conference venues, industry forecast)(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Until recently when we talked about 'emerging markets', we used the term to signify exotic countries that offered new sources of business opportunity - Cuba, the Baltic States, Lebanon, Vietnam and Croatia spring to mind. However,...

Corporate hire spurs Seadream turnover.(Seadream Yacht Club's turnover)(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Luxury operator Seadream Yacht Club has announced turnover in excess of pounds 13m for its MICE business, with the UK accounting for 15% of bookings. The company estimated its MICE turnover at pounds 5.8m in 2003 and attributed the growth...

AIPC beats membership record.(membership record of International Association of Congress Centres )(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... The International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) has attained record membership with the addition last month of Riga Congress Centre in Latvia and Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi. The new additions bring the...

People & Places: Hungary.(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Castles, spas and a visit to a ranch were among the highlights of a fam trip to Hungary last month, run by Hunt & Palmer Marketing Services in conjunction with partner DMC Continental Travel. The three-day event saw 11 delegates from a...

Blue chips respond better to trust than the size of agency.(acquisitions and mergers in business travel industry, forecast)(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... I think it was in January that I wrote about the frequency of senior executive changes in the industry. Lo and behold, now the big boys seem to have stopped trading people and have moved on to companies. This is not new; companies have been...

ICCA ranks Germany as top Europe centre.(International Congress & Convention Association's service)(Germany leads the position for destination for meetings in Europe)(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Germany has confirmed its position as Europe's top congress and meeting destination as the World Cup kicks off. The latest ICCA rankings for 2005 show Germany retaining its position as the most popular destination for meetings in Europe....

Melbourne takes first bookings for convention centre.
June 9, 2006... The pounds 167m Melbourne Convention Centre has taken its first major bookings despite being three years from completion. The International Congress of Internal Medicine has confirmed 4,000 delegates for 2010, while the International...

Reed links up with ILTM founders for Asian luxury show.(International Luxury Travel Market)(partnership of Reed Travel Exhibitions )(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... International Luxury Travel Market founders (ILTM), Serge Dive and David Hammond, have teamed up with Reed Travel Exhibitions to launch an Asian event. Asia Luxury Travel Market (ALTM) will take place in Shanghai in June 2007 with around...

OM announces plans for offices in Croatia.(DMC OM)(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Cypriot DMC OM has announced plans to open a Croatia office. The DMC, which has offices in Limassol, Greece and the Baltics, will make its mark in the Adriatic with offices in Zagreb and Dubrovnik towards the end of the year. Managing...

World Price Check.(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Brief: Awards Dinner for 200 with champagne reception on arrival, and dinner, double occupancy rooms in a Lisbon hotel during October. All prices include local taxes. FOUR SEASONS RITZ B&B pounds 23,944...

Appointment: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
June 9, 2006... Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre has restructured its sales team promoting Shaun Mitchell to director of sales. Diane Norvick has been appointed director of marketing and communications, while Alison Gardner joins as international...

Appointment: P&MM.
June 9, 2006... P&MM has appointed Mark Reilly as account director of its travel and events division. Reilly joins P&MM following six years at Maritz Europa, where he was account development director.

Appointment: First Protocol.
June 9, 2006... First Protocol has hired Julian Clarke-Jervoise as director of business development and member of the group's board. He was previously at event marketing agency Rapier Group.

Appointment: Wyboston Lakes.
June 9, 2006... Wyboston Lakes has recruited Jean Church to the newly created position of sales manager. Previously at the Thistle Hotel Group, Church will develop new business.

Appointment: Marketing Manchester.
June 9, 2006... Marketing Manchester has appointed Catherine Walker as the new head of conference and business tourism. She was previously manager at the Chester and Cheshire Conference Desk.

Appointment: Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.
June 9, 2006... Fairmont Hotels and Resorts has named Lars Christiaanse as director of groups for the London sales office. He will support the UK sales efforts with a special emphasis on the European C&I markets.

Appointment: Catalyst.
June 9, 2006... Catalyst, the creative team-building agency, has appointed Charlotte Cornwallis as a national account director. She worked previously for the De Vere Group.

Arabian Travel Market: Qatar uses Asian Games as launch for 2007 activity.
June 9, 2006... Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has identified sports hospitality and high-end incentives as key drivers for its 2007 MICE campaign. 'Doha hosting the 15th Asian Games in December will create a halo effect for the region and it is one that we...

Arabian Travel Market: Reed extends 'IBTM' brand with Gulf show.(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) will launch its first Middle East meetings industry trade show in March 2007 in association with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition will take place at...

Arabian Travel Market: Kempinski opens Shaza hotel chain.(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Kempinski Hotels has announced rapid Middle Eastern expansion, spearheaded by the launch of a new hotel brand, Shaza. 'Shaza Hotels will be the first brand created specifically for the region,' said CEO Chris Hartley. 'Incentive planners in...

Arabian Travel Market: Reed and NPI look into sector's value.(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has joined forces with Dubai-based publisher NPI to research the value of the MICE sector in the Middle East. The survey will be based on 2005 figures and will quantify the number of incentive trips, the size...

Arabian Travel Market: Focus on Bawadi.(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... What is it? A seven-mile strip of hotels, theatres and attractions located in Dubai. Bawadi sets claim to be 'the largest hospitality and leisure development in the world'. How many hotels? A total of 31 themed hotels,...

Arabian Travel Market: Supereps hired to develop Bahraini DMC's C&I profile.(Bahraini DMC Algosaibi Travel contracts Supereps International)(Conference and Incentive Travel)(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Bahraini DMC Algosaibi Travel has appointed Supereps International to position its brand in the UK market. Managing director Brian Allen said: 'Our first challenge is to target key MICE players with direct sales calls and a dedicated...

Opinion: Sounding off - Our business model lags behind that of our garden centres.
June 9, 2006... So what can our industry and partners - such as British Airways, for example - learn from garden centres? Plenty, I discovered. I recently met a former colleague now running an association for garden centres. With a background in organising...

In Person: Paul Mulcahy, Managing director, hotel & stadium, Chelsea FC.
June 9, 2006... Sitting in an understated meeting room in the Hotel at Chelsea, Paul Mulcahy reflects on an impressive end of season performance. 'From the position we were in, to get to seventh, and gain entry to the Intertoto Cup, was a great performance...

Analysis: The agency dealmakers.(mergers and acquisitions trends in the Conference and Incentive travel industry)
June 9, 2006... The slew of acquisitions and consolidation among agencies, for some, represents a new maturity in the C&I industry, but others insist that in a personality-led sector, size doesn't matter. The past two years have seen an explosion in...

C&IT Showdown: The Apprentice challenge.(Tower Bridge as a venue for an event)
June 9, 2006... This year, Sir Alan Sugar chose his apprentice after a final which involved organising events on the twin walkways of Tower Bridge. Yasmin Razak issued the same challenge to four event planners. NATHAN HOMAN, THE ROUGE PARTNERSHIP ...

Case Study: Virgin Megastores in Marbella.
June 9, 2006... The music reseller opted for southern Spain for its first overseas trip to reward and motivate its store managers, as Kunal Dutta reports. The Brief: To reward Virgin Megastores' 125 UK store managers for battling through a fiercely...

Special Report: Dream team.
June 9, 2006... While England expects, clients demand. Stuart Derrick picks the team best suited to deliver winning meetings and events. As Sven-Goran Eriksson hones his final England selection in pursuit of World Cup glory in Germany, the importance of...

NTO Survey: Global Picture.(meeting planners frustrated by national tourism organisations' services)
June 9, 2006... Some planners are frustrated by the varying quality and services offered by NTOs, which raises the question about where their role crosses over with DMCs. Kunal Dutta investigates. On paper, national tourist offices should be the stuff of...

Diary of a start-up: Appoint pessimists to curb your enthusiasm.(entrepreneurs financial management)
June 9, 2006... Being an optimist - and show me an entrepreneur who isn't - I needed three pessimistic friends to curb my enthusiasm, provide good impartial advice and to keep me on the straight and narrow. Most people are only too happy to tell you that...

Kent: The secret garden.(Kent as conference centers)
June 9, 2006... Kent has good facilities, excellent accessibility and the epithet the Garden of England. The conference bureau's job now is to let people know about it. Andrew Brady reports. While Kent's moniker might be the 'Garden of England', in C&I...

Kent: 10 Things to do around the county.
June 9, 2006... 1. CANDLELIT TOURS OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL - Ideal for cloistered types Over the past two years, the Dean has taken a more relaxed view on events at the Cathedral, and consequently corporate guests can enjoy guided candlelit tours of the...

Brighton: Parties and politics.(about the design of Brighton city)
June 9, 2006... With its party conferences and good time-feel, Brighton might have C&I licked. Long before it hit the event planners' radar screens, Brighton was a coastal town that oozed hedonism. The Prince Regent ventured there to satisfy his...

Brighton: One city and two event solutions.(Spot On Entertainment)(MCL )
June 9, 2006... Kunal Dutta reports on two events, one association, one corporate, that Brighton handled this year. Company: British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) Event: Annual Conference and Exhibition Agency: Spot On Entertainment Dates:...

Brighton: Five places to party.
June 9, 2006... Kunal Dutta seeks out the best Brighton nightspots. BLANCH HOUSE - Tel 01273 603504 This Georgian townhouse combines the best of London's private clubs without their pretension. The seasonal menu features locally sourced ingredients,...

Yorkshire: White rose in bloom.
June 9, 2006... Led by the tourist board, Yorkshire's venues are raising their game to attract business tourism revenue from both home and abroad. Stuart Derrick reports on the county's ambitious plans. Yorkshire's image has been undergoing something of a...

More for your Money: Extend your spend.(travel destinations to be choosed carefully)
June 9, 2006... Despite big expectations and tighter budgets, you don't have to sacrifice quality when funds are tight. Anna Bowden reports. With the words 'return on investment' ringing through many a planner's nightmares and tighter margins making it...

More for your Money: Europe's pound-stretcher deals.(cheap locations for meetings)
June 9, 2006... Anna Bowden highlights six cities where a group of 50 can meet, eat and sleep for pounds 250 or less. LISBON - pounds 84pp Why: Portugal's capital has a fabulous cultural aspect and lively ambience. Where to stay: The four-star...

Luxury Venues: 20 of the best High-end retreats.
June 9, 2006... There is a world of choice for exclusive groups when only the best will do. Jane Dunford reports. 5 ROOMS WITH A VIEW OLD COURSE HOTEL, ST ANDREWS Contact: Andrew Langford, 01344 474371 Web: www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk Number of...

Cyprus: Mighty Aphrodite.(City overview)
June 9, 2006... The efforts of Cyprus's suppliers have been rewarded with an increase in UK groups enjoying the island's hotels, heritage and warm weather, as Yasmin Razak reports. Picture the scene. Scores of glamorous business people mingling in a...

Cyprus Hotels: What's new on the island.
June 9, 2006... Yasmin Razak reports on the most recent round of openings, additions and refurbishments at hotels around the island. THE AENEAS HOTEL - Web: www.aeneas.com.cy This year sees the popular resort hotel in Cyprus's club capital Ayia Napa...

Cyprus: Case Study - Franklin Covey meets in Paphos.
June 9, 2006... Delegates flew in from around the globe for its annual meeting. The brief: Business and training consultant Franklin Covey's annual regional conference brings together the CEOs and managing directors from across Europe, the Middle East,...

Lisbon: Top ten potential.(City overview)
June 9, 2006... Can Lisbon's charm and infrastructure make it a contender for Barcelona's crown? Lisbon and Barcelona sit on opposite sides of the Iberian Peninsula but have plenty in common. Both are dynamic, full of bold architecture; and each provides...

Lisbon: Lisbon packages by budget.(City overview)
June 9, 2006... Ben Lerwill suggests itineraries for planners from the budget break to the money-no-object trip. BUDGET How to get there: Easyjet flies twice daily to Lisbon from Luton. Where to stay: There are more than 40 four-star options to...

Iceland: The land of extremes.
June 9, 2006... Yasmin Razak hears what Iceland has planned to attract more international meetings business. Born and bred in Iceland, Anna Valdimarsdottir's first foray with the UK market was at Strathclyde University where she completed a Masters in...

Mauritius: Indian Ocean idyll.(City overview)
June 9, 2006... While tranquility and luxury are the watchwords of the island's tourism appeal, Mauritius is keen to beef up its C&I offer to capitalise on the increase in beds and direct flights. Ben Lerwill reports. You could be forgiven for thinking...

Mauritius Real Life Itinerary: The taste of paradise in five days.
June 9, 2006... With its watersports, spas and cultural allure, there's plenty to keep groups busy. DAY 1 Kick back on the overnight eleven-and-a-half-hour flight from Heathrow with Air Mauritius, arriving at 11.15 in the morning to be met by...

Italy: 10 of the best Italian venue options.(historic cites )(hotels)(Directory)(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... With its historic cities and stunning countryside, Italy has a venue for every group. THE DANIELI HOTEL, VENICE Contact: Sales, +39 04 15 22 64 80 Web: www.hoteldanielivenice.com Number of meeting rooms 4 Largest space holds 120...

Italy: Case Study - Dataselect's Ferrari days of thunder.(Dataselect contracts Beetlenut to manage its conference)
June 9, 2006... Delegates got to unleash the prancing horses on an exhilarating luxury weekend. The brief: Mobile telecoms supplier Dataselect wanted an exhilarating incentive to reward its top clients, and Beetlenut was asked to develop an experience...

VenueFocus.
June 9, 2006... Rezidor SAS Park Inn has taken over the Pulkovskaya Hotel in St. Petersburg. The 840-room property has a 600-seat congress hall and eight conference rooms for up to 60 delegates. Tel: +7 81 27 40 39 00 Carton House opens later this month in...

Diary: Don't Miss ..(Brief article)(Calendar)
June 9, 2006... London Venue Expo 2006: 28-29 June - 200 London venues on show at Excel London. www.londonvenueexpo.co.uk Where the World is Your Oyster: 2-4 July - Eventia's inaugural two-day residential combines with the NTO forum showcase....

Diary: After-dinner Badger is a tough act to swallow.(Ruth Badger )(Diary entry)(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Some gala dinners can be quite a strain on the old constitution - chewy chicken, stringy beef, gamey salmon with unsympathetic wines to match, so Diary's not quite sure if the nation's corporate digestion will be aided by the news that The...

Diary: All guts and no glory.(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Sighs of relief all round at the London Marriott West India Quay, where after a long investigation, the kitchen and the infamous lasagne have been exonerated from poisoning the Tottenham squad on the eve of their final game of the season - it...

Diary: The Headlines 10 Years ago.
June 9, 2006... - Millennium & Copthorne Hotels gets its chequebook out for an acquisition spree following its flotation on the London Stock Exchange. The Copthorne group will expand into Europe, while Millennium will look for opportunities in international...

Diary: A Break at Brown's Hotel.(Brown's Hotel)(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Win a luxury stay at Rocco Forte's Brown's Hotel in the heart of London's Mayfair. Stay in a stylish Executive Room featuring the latest in technology and exceptional levels of comfort. During your over night stay enjoy Brown's famous afternoon...

Diary: Putting on the Ritz.(The Ritz restaurant displays a Birthday cake construction by Elliotts of Oxford )(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Most people make do with a cake to celebrate their birthday - or the odd bucket of lager - but if you're a 100 year-old hospitality icon, with a name immortalised in song as being the bee's knees, then you'd better put on your top hat, put on...