Conference & Incentive Travel articles from June 2008

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from June 2008

Will the Act shackle our creativity?(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... The search for the all-elusive 'wow' factor has long had corporates clamouring for an edge of adventure to thrill delegates. From dune-bashing in the Middle East to skidooing in the Scandics, the exhilarating incentive is an established...

Tracker Briefs.
June 19, 2008... In C&IT News Tracker this month: - Universal CIT chairman Patrick Collins announced plans to step down from his position in the wake of the agency's acquisition by pharmaceutical services provider United Drug. However, he will remain in...

Fresh Group on target with eight account wins since restructure.
June 19, 2008... The Fresh Group is celebrating landing eight new accounts since restructuring at the end of March, which it claims are worth more than pounds 1.5m. The new accounts for the Cheshire-based agency include retailers Comet and Marks &...

Association confirms 'Future' theme for summer Eventia.(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... The theme for this year's Summer Eventia conference is 'Empowering for the Future', and the three-day event will include 16 workshops and seminars. Highlights include financial expert Roger Martin-Fagg's opening address on the UK...

GRG adds new faces to board.(Nick Bender has appointed)(Andy Lister joined)(Stephen Humphreys has appointed at Grass Roots Group )(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Grass Roots Group has appointed three of its senior group staff on to the board. Maritz managing director Nick Bender, Grass Roots managing director Andy Lister, Projectlink managing director Stephen Humphreys and Grass Roots Group chief...

Parrimark and C&IT team up.(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... C&IT magazine has linked with Parrimark Technology to help drive the event software specialist's education initiative, Today's People, Tomorrow's Potential (TPTP). Parrimark is carrying out a survey entitled 'Student vs employer,...

Skills Network appoints BSI.(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... The Learning and Skills Network (LSN) - a not-for-profit body that creates and delivers staff development programmes in support of government initiatives - has appointed agency BSI as its sole venue-finding and event-management provider. ...

Barclays extends event team as its remit grows.
June 19, 2008... Barclays UK Banking Events team has extended its annual event programme by 25%, taking the total number of events it produces to 300. The news follows the announcement that the team has expanded its remit to manage event activity for...

Motivaction in Red Letter Day.(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Motivaction has entered into a partnership with incentive provider Red Letter Days. The Red Letter Days deal follows in the wake of the traditionally more consumer-focused company setting up a new bespoke corporate events division. ...

Curtain call.
June 19, 2008... London's historic Cafe Royal is closing this December after some 140 years, following a decision by Crown Estates to develop the lower end of Regent Street. Current owner Starwood has issued a last call for event planners to use its 21...

Hooker seeking project by project consultancy.
June 19, 2008... Former THA director John Hooker is looking to move into project-specific consultancy, having left the agency at the end of April after 15 months. That period saw Hooker oversee THA's internal restructure and emerge as a commentator on...

CMPI gives Expotel show task.(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Media company CMPI - which includes Confex in its portfolio - has awarded agency Expotel the travel and accommodation contract to service 21 of its UK-based exhibitions over a two-year period. The contract includes Confex, IFSEC and the...

How to ... evaluate events.
June 19, 2008... - Learn from the past Study last year's forms - they'll identify dos and don'ts and may have a metric that can give year-on-year figures. - Prevaluate Ask delegates about expectations via a registration questionnaire -...

Out of the one come forth many.
June 19, 2008... I recently read an article about the proliferation of trade associations in UK business. At first, it seemed to me that the corporate events industry had bucked this trend. From its origins 20 years ago, the ITA:UK developed into ITMA before...

Real Affinity buyout to lead to staff ownership.
June 19, 2008... Venues Event Management is to offer staff the chance to become stakeholders in the business following its return to independent ownership last month. Plans are being discussed for financial director Andrew Hancox and operations director...

Mastercard tips First Protocol.
June 19, 2008... Agency First Protocol has been named as one of Mastercard's trio of preferred suppliers. The Mastercard deal sees First Protocol join a roster that covers all European and US events for the financial brand on a one-year rolling contract...

Carrier news.
June 19, 2008... Qatar Airways has ordered more than 200 new aircraft, including its first long-range Boeing 777-200, which will make its inaugural flight on 10 November from Doha to Houston. Easyjet has introduced a twice-weekly flight between London...

Fam trip hospitality is abused.
June 19, 2008... For some reason, there have been a lot of complaints surrounding fam trips of late, and it seems that while the age-old gripes are as fervent as ever, a number of new ones have been added to the pot. Invitees still grumble that...

Case study: DHL plans its vision in desert domes.
June 19, 2008... A last-minute change of destination from Kenya to Bahrain did little to dampen enthusiasm for agency, client or delegates. The brief DHL's emerging markets division holds a conference early each year, which it calls its 'internal...

Dublin scoops stats congress.(Convention Centre, Dublin )(Conference news)(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... The Convention Centre, Dublin (CCD), which is set to open in 2010, has landed a major international conference. The International Statistical Institute (ISI) has selected the 8,000-capacity venue to host its biannual conference in 2011 in...

Australia postpones its 2008 Dreamtime trip.
June 19, 2008... Tourism Australia has announced it is to postpone Dreamtime, its premier event for the incentive market, for a year. The exhibition and fam trip, which sees buyers from across the globe gather at a different Australian destination every...

Visit London in talks on charter.(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Visit London is to consult industry leaders as it looks to finalise its London 2012 fair pricing charter for event suppliers. The 2012 UK Events Industry Fair Price and Practices Charter (FPPC) will be overseen by a steering committee....

One to watch: Leigh Butterfield, head of corporate events, Finishing Touch.(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... - Why are we watching her? Butterfield's role with Finishing Touch is a new one, created as part of a wider move by the London agency to grow its corporate business. She is backed by a team of eight, including Noreen Clifford, who joined...

Appointment at Apex Hotels.
June 19, 2008... Apex Hotels has appointed Katie Warburton as sales manager, MICE, with responsibility for business to the group's hotels in London, Edinburgh and Dundee

Appointment at City of Manchester Stadium.
June 19, 2008... The City of Manchester Stadium has expanded its conference and events team with the appointment of Emily Robinson as sales coordinator She joins from The Lowry, where she worked as sales advisor for seven years.

Appointment at Kerzner International.
June 19, 2008... Kerzner International has strengthened its sales and marketing team with the appointment of David Spooner as senior vice-president, sales for Kerzner International, and Jennifer Ploszaj as vice-president, marketing for One & Only Resorts

Appointment at Drive Productions.
June 19, 2008... Event specialist Drive Productions has appointed Imogen Hammond as production designer. Hammond's previous experience includes TV projects such as Channel 4's Jamie's Fowl Dinners, designing TV commercials and internet viral campaigns for...

Appointment at Oxford International.
June 19, 2008... Oxford International has appointed three new account executives: Laura Outram and Jilly Bullock, who joined last month, and Hannah Cook, who joins this month on a one-year placement. It follows April's arrival of Simon Khano as business...

Appointment at QHotels.
June 19, 2008... QHotels director of operations Vivien Sirotkin, who is responsible for the 21 general managers within the group, is taking a seat on the board to oversee the quality and delivery of service, standards and customer satisfaction across the group

Grenada seeks UK C&I growth.(Grenada Board of Tourism )(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Grenada Board of Tourism is looking to follow the success of its recent roadshows with a fam trip this October for senior agency staff. The roadshows saw the tourist body and venue representatives visit London, Glasgow and Manchester last...

HMV develops Inntel's remit.
June 19, 2008... HMV Group has awarded Inntel a three-year contract worth pounds 1.75m. The retail group, which combines HMV and Waterstone's, has appointed Inntel to provide venue finding for its conferences and business travel. The move to include...

ADNEC arm purchases Excel London for pounds 318m.(Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company )(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... A UK subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) has bought Excel London for pounds 318m. ADNEC spokesman Malcolm Munro said the firm paid pounds 178m to the shareholders of Excel London's holding company, London...

Swiss chief in transfer to US.(Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau )(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau manager (meetings and incentives) Caroline Phillips-Pidroni is stepping down from her role after more than ten years in the London office as she seeks to replicate her UK success in the US. In...

Website offers online booking.
June 19, 2008... An online venue booking service has been launched, claiming to be the first free product offering immediate reservations online. Venuhub.com links with hotel groups' digital diary systems and allows venues to update availability at any...

Seat of learning.
June 19, 2008... The Lingotto Conference Centre, Torino, Italy is to host next year's MPI EMEC educational conference. This year's event took place at the end of April in London and attracted a record 600 attendees from 34 countries

Analysis: Corporate Manslaughter Act: questions of liability.
June 19, 2008... With the Act now in force, James Thornton puts agencies' scenarios to experts to see how it might affect the way they operate. The nightmare scenario of prosecutions and jail terms for agency chiefs guaranteed that the Corporate...

Analysis: Ensuring fair play for 2012.
June 19, 2008... C&IT and its readers get the latest Olympics lowdown from Visit London's David Hornby. The 2012 UK Events Industry Fair Price and Practices Charter (FPPC) - the supplier pricing initiative led by Visit London - is set to go live in...

Venue focus: Property bulletin.(THE RITZ-CARLTON, SANYA opening new property)(LE PARC TROCADERO completed first phase of renovation)
June 19, 2008... Susie Harwood rounds up the latest openings and developments. THE RITZ-CARLTON, SANYA China Ritz-Carlton has added to emerging Chinese destination Sanya's hotel offer with the opening of a new luxury property. Situated between...

Venue Focus: Tracker briefs.
June 19, 2008... In C&IT Venue Tracker this month: - Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has opened its first Greek property - the five-star Movenpick Resort & Thalasso Crete. It will offer meeting space for 800 delegates (24.04.08). - Hyatt Hotels & Resorts...

Pushing frontiers: Time for ... Porto Santo.
June 19, 2008... Madeira's smaller sister offers seclusion and a growing property portfolio. INCENTIVES Porto Santo boasts six miles of pure white sandy beaches, ideal for horse-riding, beach games and parties, and relaxing. A year-round mild...

Agency focus: The C&IT Challenge.
June 19, 2008... This month's brief is for a meeting in the UK or Western Europe for 500 delegates who speak seven languages for the announcement of a business merger, so translation services are vital. In the past, we have produced many corporate merger...

5 minutes with ... Sportsworld.(Company overview)(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Location Abingdon, Beijing, Sydney and Wimbledon (Mango) Staff: 65 What's the lowdown? Last month, Oxfordshire-based Sportsworld bought London outfit Mango. Sportsworld, as its name suggests, is best known for handling sports-based...

In Person: Suzanne Ackerman, Astrazeneca.
June 19, 2008... The specialist brands' event manager on the family business of events. Astrazeneca conference manager (specialist brands) Suzanne Ackerman is one of a team of 12 managers who run around 100 events annually for the pharma giant. These...

Sounding off: Carepar is a standard we can rally around.(Viewpoint essay)
June 19, 2008... I read with interest last month's piece on the Hotel Carbon Index and its carbon emissions project Carepar (C&IT, May). I must say that from both a Maritz perspective and in my position as an Eventia board member, its introduction is...

Yorkshire: Riding high.
June 19, 2008... The northern counties are reaping the benefit of investments in their business tourism infrastructure, as Victoria Furness reports. Yorkshire folk are renowned for being proud of their heritage - and rightly so. As a C&I destination, the...

Scotland: Brand messenger.(Interview)
June 19, 2008... Mike Fletcher speaks to the marketing manager of Visit Scotland's Business Tourism Unit. At the turn of the year, Lindsay Brown took on the role of UK marketing manager for the Visit Scotland Business Tourism Unit. Born in Edinburgh,...

Scotland: Case study - Imperial Tobacco's Edinburgh awards.
June 19, 2008... The global tobacco brand stuck with Radisson SAS but moved its regional sales teams' Christmas party and awards ceremony from Glasgow to Edinburgh. The brief: Imperial Tobacco wanted to combine an afternoon of work meetings with its...

Scotland: Showcase - Edinburgh luxury options.(prestonfield offers meeting rooms )(bonham provide private conference rooms)
June 19, 2008... Six hotels in the capital that offer high standards of comfort and service. THE BALMORAL The Balmoral offers striking views of Edinburgh Castle. The hotel's signature corporate facility, the Sir Walter Scott suite, can seat up to...

Scotland: Glasgow's game plan.
June 19, 2008... Winning the 2014 Commonwealth Games has capped the city's plans for the future. Susie Harwood reports. Glasgow's increasing popularity in both the leisure and C&I markets has fuelled major investment that will see 2,400 new hotel rooms...

Luxury Venues: A classic in Cambridge.
June 19, 2008... Hotel du Vin's tenth UK property brings a retreat feel and urban chic to the academic city. Where is it? Set on historic Trumpington Street, this former university building dates back to mediaeval times and has been transformed into one...

Luxury Venues: Showcase - The best home comforts.
June 19, 2008... From rural retreats to London's grandes dames, the UK is a haven for luxury. - Washbourne Court, Lower Slaughter, Cotswolds Part of the Von Essen collection of private hotels, Washbourne Court in the Cotswolds reopened in December...

Luxury Venues: Case Study - 3i strikes oil at the palace.
June 19, 2008... The venture capitalist chose Blenheim Palace for its oil industry seminar. The brief: Private equity and venture capitalist firm 3i hosted its oil and gas meeting for 100 clients and key contacts in January. An afternoon conference...

Luxury Venues: Case Study - Fenner's logistical challenge.(Conference news)
June 19, 2008... The Chester Grosvenor's flexibility was an ideal fit for the conveyor belt client. The Brief: East Yorkshire-based firm Fenner, which specialises in manufacturing conveyor belts for everything from food factories to diamond mines, hosts...

Cruising: On the ocean wave.
June 19, 2008... Cruising can be a great way to reward groups and guarantee attendance at meeting elements of itineraries. Ben Lerwill finds three options of varying duration and budget. 3 NIGHTS, THE BAHAMAS Royal Caribbean International (RCI)...

Lisbon: Lisbon in numbers.
June 19, 2008... Stuart Derrick finds the Portuguese capital has more to offer planners than the sum of its parts. 150 The flight time in minutes from London. Lisbon airport is served by 44 airlines including TAP Portugal, British Airways, Iberia, KLM...

Poland: Two city slickers.
June 19, 2008... Warsaw and Krakow are leading Poland's C&I popularity. After decades spent playing a bit part in mainstream consciousness, Poland looms large in today's Europe. A combination of EU accession, low-cost flights and overall product awareness...

Tenerife: Business and the beach.
June 19, 2008... With an array of venues and year-round sun, Tenerife suits all types of event. The incentive Tenerife's year-round sun, sea and surf allows for outdoor incentives even in mid-winter. DMC Cititravel suggests a Harley Davidson...

Turkey: 72 hours in ... Istanbul.(Travel narrative)
June 19, 2008... Paul Oswell takes to the Turkish capital on a three-day itinerary. DAY 1 09.00: Transfer from Ataturk Airport by deluxe Mercedes coach. As the group's luggage is taken to the hotel, they begin the 'Highlights of Istanbul' tour. ...

Turkey: Case study - GDS's oil gathering.
June 19, 2008... The publishing firm needed an accessible and secure venue for its oil industry summit. The Brief: To bring an international delegation of oil and gas executives together under one roof to learn about cutting-edge technologies from...

The Caribbean: Has the C&I sun set?
June 19, 2008... Paul Oswell asks if the Caribbean has had its day as an attractive proposition for UK groups. NO Rachel Stevens, operations director, BI The Caribbean continues to develop its product and re-invent itself. The islands may be...

The Caribbean: Regional round-up - Spas and boutique properties are starting to take centre stage.
June 19, 2008... St Lucia New openings for 2008 include the boutique hotel development, Cap Maison in July. It will be the first luxury residence-style boutique property on the island. On completion, the resort will boast 50 rooms with views of historic...

Spotlight on ... Trinidad and Tobago.
June 19, 2008... The islands of Trinidad and Tobago offer a twin-centre C&I trip, Groups can get the work part out of the way in Port of Spain, Trinidad, with relaxation just a 25-minute flight away in Tobago. Yet, there are incentive opportunities on...

Diary: People, parties, pics.
June 19, 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...

Diary: Said & done.
June 19, 2008... 'Thanks for your kind offer, but I saw the Scottish garden party in Manchester for the Rangers fans last night, and would like to politely decline your invite.' One C&IT reader's frank response to Visit Scotland's garden party invitation ...