Conference & Incentive Travel articles from June 2007

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from June 2007

2012 - let's begin with the ending.
June 8, 2007... It's two years since we learned that the Olympics were coming to town. So how are we celebrating? By announcing - against a backdrop of the Games' spiralling costs - job and budget cuts, first at Sport England and then at our own national...

Three-year deal sees BI take over General Motors UK work.
June 8, 2007... General Motors (GM) has handed its motivation and incentive contract to BI following a seven-way pitch that saw the agency take the account from incumbent Skybridge. The three-year agreement will see BI take on all C&I work for GM's...

Agency head calls for green unity among associations.
June 8, 2007... MVM managing director Richard Beggs has called for a multi-association agreement on green issues to help UK planners create environmentally friendly events. 'All the trade bodies want to do something. A single agreement for agencies to...

Rail firm calls upon Expotel.(Expotel contracts with Metronet Rail)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Venue finder and event agency Expotel has landed a three-year deal with Metronet Rail to handle its business travel, conferencing and events. Metronet, responsible for upgrading London's underground network, signed the deal as part of a...

Silk Event Management and C2 Events join forces.
June 8, 2007... Silk Event Management and C2 Events have joined forces to launch a DMC for the North of England and Scotland. All Points North will target the corporate sector in Europe and the US (02/05/07)

Rezidor Hotel Group see mixed results at first quarter of year.(Financial report)
June 8, 2007... The Rezidor Hotel Group saw mixed results in the first quarter of 2007, with total revenues up by pounds 12m to pounds 118m, but profit after tax still in the red (09/05/07)

Appointment at Events Industry Alliance.
June 8, 2007... Events Industry Alliance has appointed Nigel Nathan, group commercial director at EC&O Venues, as its new chair. He replaces outgoing chair Brenda Daly (16/05/2007)

Promotion at Kerzner International.
June 8, 2007... Kerzner International has promoted Henriette Attard, director of group and incentive sales at One & Only resorts, to also take on responsibility for its Atlantis, The Palm resort (opening in Dubai in November 2008). Attard was set to join Rocco...

Banks Sadler undertakes reshuffle.
June 8, 2007... Banks Sadler has undertaken a reshuffle that saw former managing director Leigh Jagger become chief executive - a more strategic, client-facing role - while former BSI deputy managing director Richard Eades was installed as chief operating...

Powwow ties in with Lycos.(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Powwow is to organise two incentive and reward events in London for Lycos as the internet portal targets media buyers. The first sees Lycos reinforce its partnership with film website Internet Movie Database, with Powwow lining up a...

Choice merges with Impact.(Choice Locations acquired Impact Conferences and Events)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Birmingham-based conference booking agency Choice Locations has acquired Leicestershire's Impact Conferences and Events for an undisclosed sum. 'Impact is well established with an excellent client portfolio,' said Choice director Sally...

Visit Britain to boost C&I despite job losses.(conference and incentives)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Visit Britain's C&I offer is likely to be bolstered this summer, despite there being 55 job cuts on the horizon elsewhere within the organisation. Visit Britain's head of business visits and events, Joss Croft, is anticipating an increase...

Tim Gasson in tragic accident.(managing director of agency Absolute Corporate Events and chairman of the Hotel Booking Agents Association)(Obituary)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Tim Gasson, managing director of agency Absolute Corporate Events and chairman of the Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBBA), was killed in a car accident on 20 May. 'Our thoughts and sympathies go to Tim's family and friends,' said...

Final call for C&IT Forum.
June 8, 2007... Just a few delegate slots remain available for this year's C&IT Agency Forum 2007. The networking and meetings event is being held on 1-3 August at Park Plaza Riverbank, London. Senior event organisers with significant purchasing...

Uefa benefit for glasgow.
June 8, 2007... Last month's Uefa Cup Final, which was held at Glasgow's Hampden Park and saw Sevilla claim glory for the second year running in a penalty shoot-out against fellow Spanish side Espanol, has so far brought a pounds 15m boost to the local...

We need to brush up on social skills.(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... The privilege of being able to ring someone and say 'Can I pick your brain for a minute?' is one that a lot of us take for granted, especially those of us who have been knocking around the industry for a few years. On countless occasions,...

Nestle partner status at O2 offers event potential.
June 8, 2007... Nestle has announced that it is to become one of The O2's founding partners, providing it with exclusive event opportunities at the London venue. The food giant joins other partners including the likes of Credit Suisse, BMW and AOL, and...

Etc Venues surpasses forecast.(London property portfolio)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Etc Venues, the six-strong London property portfolio, is on course for significant hikes in both turnover and profits and set to announce additions to its portfolio as it ends its first year as a standalone company. Managing director...

How to ... start your own agency.
June 8, 2007... Don't go it alone 21st century marketing services requires a team approach. Do you really want this? Ask yourself honestly - can I really make this work? What about your family, and social life - is it really a better path than you...

A standard according to who?(British Standards Institution standard on sustainable event management)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Heard the one about the new BSI standard? No? You know the one, it's the new BSI standard on sustainable event management? No? You must have, surely. It was written in consultation with and designed by the best brains on the subject in the...

Morris vital to Adding Value's seven year plan.
June 8, 2007... Adding Value's appointment of former Skybridge managing director (events) Tina Morris is part of a seven-year plan to become a major agency player, according to founding partner and former Skybridge chief executive Randle Stonier. Morris...

Honda UK reappoints Effective.
June 8, 2007... Effective Event Solutions has been reappointed by Honda UK Manufacturing to run its Summer Carnival, which is expected to attract a record 8,000 delegates this year. The event is aimed at Honda staff, plus family and friends, and takes...

Carrier news.(Silversea Cruises Ltd. launching new Cruise lines destinations)(Bmibaby joined BMI Diamond Club frequent flyer programme)(Eurostar five-month UK tour programs)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Thomsonfly is to offer the first direct flights from the Midlands to Jamaica this summer. The carrier will operate a weekly charter from Birmingham to Montego Bay until 20 October. Meanwhile, Airtours will offer a direct service from East...

Von Essen fills senior posts.
June 8, 2007... Von Essen, which bought Hunstrete House in Bath last month, has made three major appointments as it bolsters its head office support as part of global expansion plans. Mike Eldridge, previously HSBC senior corporate banking manager, is Von...

Eventia turns a profit and rebrands awards.(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Eventia has turned around its financial fortunes, having recorded a modest profit last year after losses in 2005. In the year to 31 December 2006, it made a surplus of pounds 1,102, while the previous year saw losses of pounds 36,000. ...

Oxygen takes on waste issue.(Oxygen Event Services launched an environmental services)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Production company Oxygen Event Services has launched an environmental arm - Ecoevent - to reduce the waste created by events. According to the company, the services offered by Ecoevent use innovative ways to reduce waste. Its practices are...

One to watch.(Visit Britain's events manager, Alex Paul)(Interview)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Alex Paul Associations and events manager, Visit Britain - Why are we watching him? Paul moves this month to head up a soon-to-be-formed associations and events team that is tentatively titled Event Britain. Paul's appointment...

Appointment at P&MM.
June 8, 2007... P&MM has appointed Alex James as account director for its travel and events division. James joins P&MM from RT Marketing, where he spent the past five years as an account director for clients including Motorola, Lloyds TSB and Orange

Appointment at De Vere Deluxe.(Angela Nottage appointed)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... De Vere Deluxe, part of The Alternative Hotel Group, has appointed Angela Nottage as director of sales and marketing at The Grand hotel in Brighton. She previously spent nine years with what was Forte Hotels, before moving on to Marriott where...

Appointment at Reed Travel Exhibitions.
June 8, 2007... Reed Travel Exhibitions has promoted Mandy Torrens to the role of EIBTM exhibition director. Formerly event manager, Torrens will continue to report to group exhibition director Paul Kennedy and joins the senior team responsible for developing...

Appointment at Accor.
June 8, 2007... Benedicte Ollagnon and Celine Diriberry have joined Accor's corporate sales team as senior key account manager and key account manager. Ollagnon joins from Radisson Edwardian, where she held various sales positions since 1999, while Diriberry...

Appointment at Business Tourism Unit.
June 8, 2007... The Business Tourism Unit at Visit Scotland has promoted Catriona Anderson to the post of associations manager, responsible for promoting Scotland to the international association market. Anderson has worked at Visit Scotland for eight years

Hyperactive in Vodafone role.
June 8, 2007... Agency Hyperactive has been appointed by Vodafone to organise events and corporate hospitality allied to its sponsorship of the McLaren Mercedes team during the 2007 Formula One season. The agency will be responsible for the events and...

Line Up takes Skandia pitch.(leadership conference in spain)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Agency Line Up has won a pitch to produce a three-day leadership conference in Spain this summer for Skandia, the European subsidiary of financial services group Old Mutual. The event will bring together 70 top Skandia global executives at...

Universal eyes Asia and Middle East for growth.(Universal CIT)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Universal CIT is set to launch Asian and Middle Eastern bases in the next two years as it seeks to take advantage of the growing demand for multi-national events. 'In terms of overseas offices, Asia, the Middle East and key European...

Rotork selects old favourite.(Rotork contracts with Conference Co-ordination for international sales conference 2008)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Conference Co-ordination has been re-appointed to handle UK engineering firm Rotork's international sales conference. The conference will be held from 20-24 April 2008 in Mauritius, with around 500 delegates expected from more than 60...

MCI purchases Viennese shop.
June 8, 2007... MCI has acquired Vienna conference, incentive and event management company Procon for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition, part of MCI's five-year growth plan, will see the original MCI Vienna set-up relocate to the Procon office. Several...

Your ship awaits.
June 8, 2007... Seadream Yacht Club has announced its 2008 schedules and itineraries, which feature a number of new ports both in Europe and the Caribbean. These include Volcano Island in Sicily, Nassbur in Bulgaria, Egg Island in The Bahamas and Trois Ilets...

Analysis: Education: the big debate.
June 8, 2007... Are business tourism schools and events degrees a waste of time, or do they adequately prepare students for life in the industry? Two experts offer their contrasting opinions. YES Cynics suggest that events degrees are a waste of time....

Vital statistics.(Events Industry Qualifications Survey Report)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... 40% of those surveyed had not planned to work in event management at the start of their careers 3.2% of respondents had events management degrees 41% of respondents had no degree or equivalent-level qualification 82% of the BA...

Analysis: Recent graduate experience.
June 8, 2007... With the debate raging over the value of events degrees, Leeds Metropolitan University graduates offer a perspective on whether their courses prepared them for the real world. AMY LIPSCOMBE, Event executive, Excel London Class of 2005...

Case study: Volvo's Icelandic adventure.
June 8, 2007... The automotive giant rewarded its top-performing dealerships with an exciting schedule that combined high-energy activities with breathtaking locations. Paul Oswell reports. BRIEF: 'Volvo wanted us to deliver an exciting staff incentive...

Case study: Motaquip inspires with Zanzibar trip.
June 8, 2007... The automotive company had a lot to live up to and required a destination that would impress well travelled delegates. Stunning Zanzibar delivered on all fronts. THE BRIEF: Peugeot-owned Motaquip, the UK's largest automotive parts company,...

Venue focus: Property bulletin - Yasmin Razak checks out the latest openings from Limerick to Miami.(Directory)
June 8, 2007... CASINO AT THE EMPIRE, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON Bringing a touch of Las Vegas to the capital, the Casino at The Empire is London's largest casino offering a raft of spaces for corporates with gambling habits or those in search of a glamorous...

Pushing frontiers - Time for ... Taiwan.(convention centers)(Directory)
June 8, 2007... Think of Taiwan, and most people visualise a busy commercial and industrial centre, but it is also home to six national parks and an array of top-notch venues. By Susie Harwood in here please, highlight authors name menu. INCENTIVES ...

Agency focus: The C&IT Challenge.(conference management services in Croatia)
June 8, 2007... For a summer event, Split, in Croatia would be perfect and provide a first-time visit for many. Flights are with scheduled (Gatwick) or low-cost carriers, with regional options, but given the low on-the-ground costs, we'd suggest chartering an...

5 minutes with ... Universal CIT.(facilities management services)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Agency Universal CIT Locations Head office in Slough; US offices in Connecticut and Indianapolis, as well as DMC business Get US in Florida. Plans afoot for Asian and Middle East offices Staff 150 What's the lowdown? Having...

In person: Martin Lines, Nestle.(Nestle Food Services)(Interview)
June 8, 2007... James Thornton meets the Nestle marketing man with responsibility for 400 products. Martin Lines fell in love with events while a graduate trainee at brewer Courage. He then embarked on a career that would see him reclaim tequila as a...

Said & done.(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... I had Miguel. He was strong Altitude Inspires managing director John Saunders explains his post-massage bruises We are not killers - we make things grow MCI group marketing director Martti Wichmann on whether there would be job...

Sounding off: Short-cuts lead to nowhere.(event planning and marketing services)
June 8, 2007... I read the analysis piece in your May issue with interest (C&IT, May 2007). The feedback from clients at the IMEX seminar on strategic event planning, and the challenges they face when dealing with agents, raises two interesting points. ...

What's it like to work in ... Toronto.(Imagination's services)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... When did you open? Our Toronto office opened in July 2004, but Imagination has been delivering projects for Canadian companies since 1995. We employ one full-time member of staff and up to 20 as part of an extended team. How did you...

Corporate hospitality: The entertainers.
June 8, 2007... Corporate hospitality doesn't start and end with sport. Leanne Bell looks at the options. Summer: Swing at Kew Gardens Contact: Mark Tibbles, Ambro Events, 01923 710970 Email: mtibbles@ambro-events.com Web: www.ambro-events.com ...

10 good reasons to visit Brighton.
June 8, 2007... The south coast city occupies a special place in the nation's heart. Ben Lerwill finds out why so many groups just keep coming back. 1. Having recently refurbished both its interior and its red-brick facade, Hilton Brighton Metropole is in...

Yorkshire: Stage to the stars.(International Indian Film Academy Awards 2007)
June 8, 2007... That Yorkshire is hosting the International Indian Film Academy Awards is testament to the tourist board's determination to improve and promote the county's offer. Kerry Baggott reports. The spotlight will be on Yorkshire this month when...

Scotland: Scottish portrait - Visit Scotland's Scott Robertson outlines a typical day at the NTO's Business Tourism Unit.
June 8, 2007... Scott Robertson, marketing manager at the UK Business Tourism Unit (BTU) has been in his current role at Visit Scotland for nearly four years. As a passionate Scot, promoting the country to the corporate sector is his perfect job. Previously,...

Scotland venues: New and improved.
June 8, 2007... Stuart Derrick rounds up the latest openings and refurbishments from venues around the country. Glasgow In Glasgow, the Science Centre (www.glasgowsciencecentre.org) has added the Atrium, a pounds 1m futuristic glass space, to its...

Luxury venues: UK luxury assortment: the corporate choice.
June 8, 2007... The UK offers a diverse range of locations that are perfect for high-profile events. We asked a selection of organisers to pick their favourite venue for that special occasion. Cliveden House, Berkshire Recommended by HSBC Bank...

Luxury venues case study: H.Stern refines its training.
June 8, 2007... The jewellery brand found an effective way to get retail staff on board. The brief exclusive Brazilian jewellery brand H.Stern, worn on the red carpets by celebrities such as Beyonce Knowles, Lucy Liu and Eva Longoria, wanted to organise a...

10 of the best unusual venues in Lisbon.(Directory)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... David Atkinson pinpoints venues in and around the Portuguese capital that offer C&I groups something that little bit out of the ordinary. Mosteiro dos Jeronimos Address: Praca do Imperio, Belem Contact: + 351 213 62 00 34 Web:...

Tenerife: A climate for business.
June 8, 2007... Magma convention centre and year-round sun will boost Tenerife's appeal. The year-round sun may have led to the moniker the 'Fortunate Island', but Tenerife remains a hard sell in the UK C&I market. The Spanish island, the largest Canary,...

Turkey: The Empire strikes back.
June 8, 2007... Following setbacks in recent years, Turkey is pouring funds into tourism, and increasing visitor numbers suggest that the investment is reaping rewards. Susie Harwood reports. With Istanbul enjoying a unique position as the only city in the...

Turkey: The jewels of Istanbul.(facilities management services)
June 8, 2007... It is no surprise that a country with such a rich heritage is laden with exotic C&I venues. Istanbul has served as the capital of three empires - Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman - for 3,500 years and consequently boasts an abundance of unique...

Turkey: Spotlight on ... The south coast.(Antalya and Bodrum emerging as conference and incentive management destinations)
June 8, 2007... Turkey's southern coast has long been popular with UK holidaymakers and ex-pats. But several resorts - most notably Antalya and Bodrum - are also emerging as C&I destinations with groups looking for an alternative to Istanbul. There are...

Toronto: 20 Reasons to visit Toronto.
June 8, 2007... Paul Oswell finds the best places to meet, eat, sleep and reward delegates in the Ontarian capital. 5 luxury boltholes: * Slated to open in July 2007, The Hazelton Hotel (www.thehazeltonhotel.com) will be Toronto's first six-star...

The Caribbean: The real cricket test.
June 8, 2007... Hosting the Cricket World Cup proved the Caribbean has the wherewithal to handle big events. Now it has to convert that capital into increased C&I revenues. Susie Harwood reports. The Caribbean was not found wanting during its turn in the...

Mauritius: King Creole.(Mauritius has the biggest conference centre)
June 8, 2007... Now Mauritius has the biggest conference centre in the Indian Ocean, it can consolidate its position as the regional C&I lynchpin, as Clive Walker reports. Go back 15 years and conference space was a scarce commodity on Mauritius. Now with...

6 of the best: C&I venues for groups.(Clive Walker rounds up six venues ideal for meetings and incentives for high-end groups)(Directory)
June 8, 2007... Clive Walker rounds up six venues ideal for meetings and incentives for high-end groups. - Shandrani Hotel This five-star, 327-room complex sits in 50-acres of tropical gardens overlooking three private beaches, just 15 minutes from...

Diary: Guess What?
June 8, 2007... So there you are, in St Petersburg, blue-chip drinks company client by your side, 35 thirsty delegates sat around you in your restaurant of choice. The complimentary drinks arrive and the ninja-like waiting staff disappear having left a supply...

Diary: Techno! Techno! Techno!(conferences management services)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... According to research carried out by First Place, Best Western's venue finding service, over 80% of delegates are not motivated by conferences with poor musical output. Labour Party anthem Things can only get better by D:Ream came out as the...

Diary: He's here, he's there ..(Manchester United contracts with Owen Hargreaves)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Owen Hargreaves, the England footballer born in Canada of English and Welsh parentage and, for the time, plying his trade in Germany, has been lined up by that country's NTO to be the face of its upcoming UK poster campaign. If his complicated...

Diary: The car's the star ..(Paramount Hinckley Island Hotel)(Brief article)
June 8, 2007... Well done to Matthew Murray, night-shift leader from the Paramount Hinckley Island Hotel, who won a spanking brand new car at Paramount Hotels' annual 'WOW' awards ceremony, beating off 19 of his colleagues in a lottery-style draw. The event...

Diary: Time bandit - Debbie Watt, Grass Roots.
June 8, 2007... 30% - Talking to clients about business objectives and the solutions we offer. It's the part of my role I enjoy most. 30% - Supporting my team in dealing with clients. I do this by giving strategic advice, sharing my experience and research...