Conference & Incentive Travel articles from March 2002

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from March 2002

Feel the difference. Royal Caribbean international and Celebrity Cruises continues to add to its reputation for world-beating C&I venues at sea with a number of extra hi-tech features and two brand new lines of luxury ships. (Sponsored Supplement).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... As one of the world's largest cruise lines and the pre-eminent name in corporate cruising, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises understand the essence of successful meetings afloat. With a dedicated team specialising in the...

Made for meetings: Extraordinary settings aside, Royal Caribbean international and Celebrity Cruises matches anything available on land when it comes to corporate facilities and top quality meetings venues. (Sponsored Supplement).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... There's little doubt that motivational conferences and incentives have great synergy with cruising. Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises realised this point many years ago during the planning and design stages of their vessels....

Business & pleasure: Whether it's a three-day cruise in the Bahamas or a week-long sailing in the Med, Royal Caribbean takes care of everything from the outset. (Sponsored Supplement).(Royal Caribbean International)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... In today's world of corporate events afloat the market is getting increasingly competitive. However, there are few companies that offer such a user-friendly 'one-stop' shop as Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Whether a...

Customised cruising: Royal Caribbean international and Celebrity Cruises recognises the need for individual experiences while still managing the demands of the larger C&I group. (Sponsored Supplement).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Delegates on Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises' discover a more relaxed atmosphere than the traditional cruising norm. With the average age of passengers on Royal Caribbean International ships being 37, and a slightly more...

Planning in advance. (Sponsored Supplement).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Itineraries Typical quote for 60 delegates on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing on Explorer of the Seas, departing Miami 14 December 2002. Itinerary: * Saturday -- embarkation lunch, sail away party, welcome aboard dinner...

The perfect package: For four glorious days, employees from Honda wined, dined and cruised through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world -- all in true Royal Caribbean style. (Sponsored Supplement).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Worldspan recently arranged two cruises for Honda (UK) Car Division on board Royal Caribbean International's Sovereign of the Seas. Both programmes for 110 participants were identical; the first was for Honda's sales managers, the second for...

Scandinavia: Capital of cool; Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden are the hub of hip Scandinavia and have group activities that are unrivalled... in summer spring, autumn and, of course, winter. (Sponsored Supplement).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Everybody thinks they know Scandinavia. It's all about snow, stunning landscapes, winter wonderlands, dark winters, bright summers, saunas and smiling faces speaking good English. All of that is true, but there is a lot more that makes...

Cool Copenhagen: Copenhagen is a modern city that simply oozes style, offering the C&I visitor an unmatched urban cool with a small-town smile. (Sponsored Supplement).
March 1, 2002... Copenhagen is an ancient waterside city at the cutting edge of modern design. It has a forward-looking attitude that manages to integrate past glories into its new developments. A relaxed city but also a businesslike one, often called the Paris...

Fantastic Finland: Whether you visit seriously stylish Helsinki, wild and wonderful Lapland, or combine both for a whole host of experiences, C&I groups will love friendly Finland. (Sponsored Supplement).
March 1, 2002... Finland's capital, Helsinki, is a city of contrasts. Dark and beautifully icy in winter, it is bright and can reach up to 30 degrees in the summer. It has a Scandinavian cultural feel and an exotic eastern influence due to its historic links...

Icelandie adventure: A landscape hewn in the ice age and a cool capital city combine to make Iceland one of scandinavia's hottest locations for C&I groups in the know. (Sponsored Supplement).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Iceland's wild, spectacular scenery and its reputation as one of the coolest countries in northern Europe has turned it from a well-kept secret into a hip destination for C&I visitors that is just a two hour 40 minute flight from London. ...

Swedish delights: Modern design, wild nature, great activities and fascinating history mean Stockhlom and Swedish Lapland are destinations with a difference. (Sponsored Supplement).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Stockholm is not only Sweden's capital, it is a capital of cool that plays host to fashionable design shops, restaurants and hotels. Museums and palaces show the development of the Swedish interior style to prove even its history is hip. It is...

10 good reasons to choose Radisson Edwardian.(Radisson Edwardian Hotels)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... 1. It's personal - natural warm hospitality - truly refreshing 2. Heathrow - and the Best Airport Hotel in the World as voted by the readers of Business Traveller magazine 3. The smartest central London addresses - exactly where you'd...

The MV Oriana. (UK Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The MV Oriana will host the second Travel and Meetings Forum from 24-27 October 2002.

The purple patch. (UK Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Purple Patch, a collection often meeting venues in North Yorkshire, was launched at Confex. The initiative is part of the drive to restore business in the area following the events of last year.

Fortesqueue. (UK Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Fortesqueue's, the event management company, is to provide a summer and Christmas programme of events at Lincoln's Inn Fields. The venue will be able to accommodate up to 2,000 guests.

ICCA UK & Ireland. (UK Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... ICCA UK & Ireland has announced its programme of activities for the remainder of the year. This includes two major debates and training workshops.

Corus and regal hotels. (UK Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Corus and Regal Hotels has launched a meetings and events brochure that features details of packages in more than 80 of its hotels.

DFDS Seaways. (UK Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... DFDS Seaways has introduced new C&I travel offers for its daily Newcastle to Amsterdam service. The initiatives coincide with the appointment of Alan Hope as manager for business tourism.

Thistle Hotels. (UK Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Thistle Hotels are offering three for the price of two on all 24-hour delegate rates at two of its leading London properties -- the Thistle Kensington Park and the Thistle Kensington Palace Hotel.

Newcastle Gateshead. (UK Briefs).(Newcastle Gateshead Convention Bureau)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... Newcastle Gateshead Convention Bureau has produced a conference guide for 2002.

BACD reports [pounds sterling]10bn UK business tourism drive. (UK News).
March 1, 2002... More than [pounds sterling]10 billion is to be invested in the UK's conference and business tourism facilities over the next two years, according to the British Association of Conference Destinations (BACD). Research was carried out among...

UK price check.
March 1, 2002... UK price check Brief: A company planning a corporate activity weekend for 50 delegates including three nights accommodation at a four-star hotel, activities and meals. Prices include taxes. Dormey Hotel, New Forest ...

BTP presses cities on delegate spend. (UK News).
March 1, 2002... The British Tourism Partnership (BTP) is to publish guidelines for the UK's cities and resorts on how to persuade visiting delegates to extend their trip for leisure, in a bid to substantially boost tourism earnings. Research has shown the...

Confex visitor figures reveal overseas rise. (UK News).
March 1, 2002... A total of 70% of exhibition space at International Confex has been rebooked for 2003, worth [pounds sterling]2m of business, despite a dip in visitor numbers this year. The show pulled in 8,583 (unaudited) visitors, while 9,362 attended...

Booking agent fuses divisions to expand offer. (UK News).
March 1, 2002... UK booking agent First Option has combined its conference and event divisions to strengthen its overall offer to clients. Previously the events team handled the accommodation requirements for major events out of its London office, while the...

SITE steps up buyer awareness initiative. (UK News).
March 1, 2002... The Society of Incentive and Travel Executives (SITE) is looking to boost interest from UK corporate buyers by running a series of seminars on how the association can work for them. The first seminar will begin on 5 March and will...

Hero's welcome for Unisys. (People and Places).
March 1, 2002... A heroes theme welcomed delegates to the annual two-day congress of Unisys users last October. The firm felt this provided a suitable background as it looks to develop a strategy for tougher times. Held at Brighton's Metropole Hotel, agency...

Event company ignite launches in the Midlands. (UK News).
March 1, 2002... Hotel and bar mogul Tony Sanders is heading up the launch of a Midlands-based event management company. Ignite Event Management will officially launch on 7 March with nine fulltime staff and be based in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. Jo...

TRO sees Allen take helm as founder quits. (UK News).
March 1, 2002... The Russell Organisation (TRO) founder Ian Russell has stepped down from his role as chairman. TRO managing director Rob Allen now heads up the company while Kevin O'Loughlin takes over as deputy managing director. Russell said: "I can...

Jurys grows portfolio in ambitious UK push. (UK News).
March 1, 2002... Irish hotel group Jurys Doyle is to focus on the UK market for a major expansion plan over the next four years. The group aims to boost the number of UK hotels as well as rolling out its meetings package throughout the properties. It looks...

Newcastle CVB sees [pounds sterling]100m trade boom. (UK News).
March 1, 2002... Newcastle Gateshead Convention Bureau (NGCB) has forecast its local conference market will be worth [pounds sterlings]100m in four years' time, following a number of investments in the cities. "In 1999 the conference market was worth...

MIA introduces national venue award scheme. (UK News).
March 1, 2002... The Meetings Industry Association (MIA) has launched its Best Practice Awards in association with Hospitality Assured Meetings (HA/M). The awards' criteria is a HA/M score of 80% or higher from a number of customer satisfaction checks...

Industry ought to pick the cream of the student crop. (Sarah Webster).
March 1, 2002... What started out as a favour for a friend turned out to be quite an education for me, when I spoke to approximately 200 students at the Hotelympia exhibition recently. Over the course of four days some 2,700 students of catering and hospitality...

Meeting venue proposal laid out in brighton. (UK News).
March 1, 2002... Architect Lomax Cassidy and Edwards has proposed plans to turn Brighton's derelict West Pier into a spa and 650 [metre.sup.2] conference centre. Managing director of the firm Nick Lomax said his proposal would bring business to the city,...

Keele aims for hotel approval. (UK News).
March 1, 2002... Keele Conference Park is seeking approval to build a 150 to 200-bed conference hotel on site. The academic venue already has year-round accommodation for 70 delegates at its management centre but demand from the meetings industry is such...

BTP petitions Mayor to back centre plans. (UK News).
March 1, 2002... The Business Tourism Partnership (BTP) is pushing for the Mayor of London to back plans for an international convention centre for more than 5,000 delegates in the capital. The BTP wants the initiative to be part of the Government's...

Dual corporate offer in wales. (Webwatch).
March 1, 2002... The Wales Tourist Board (WTB) has launched a dedicated Incentive travel website to run In parallel with its site on business travel. At www.incentives.visitwales.com the user is invited to consider Wales as an incentive destination and can also...

The Dubal government. (UK Briefs).
March 1, 2002... The Dubal Government's Department of Tourism and Commerce marketing has appointed Barbel Kirchner as director of UK and Ireland.

The white hart lane. (UK Briefs).
March 1, 2002... The White Hart Lane Conference Centre has announced a range of World Cup screening packages for the corporate hospitality market, priced at [pounds sterling]80 a head.

Bournemouth. (UK Briefs).
March 1, 2002... Bournemouth International Centre has appointed Jackie Goldsmith and Angie Wade as conference co-ordinators.

Catalyst events. (UK Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Catalyst Events has been announced as the official team-building and motivational event provider for conferences held at Manchester United's Old Trafford Stadium.

The Earls Court. (UK Briefs).(appoints Debbie Jackson)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Earls Court and Olympia group has appointed Debbie Jackson as director of corporate affairs.

Slr Christopher Wren. (UK Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Slr Christopher Wren's House Hotel has appointed Lisa Cook as sales manager.

The MPR Group. (UK Briefs).(uses employee motivation)
March 1, 2002... The MPR Group has announced plans to expand with the creation of a staff motivation division called Joint Forces.

Brisbane's marketing. (Overseas Briefs).
March 1, 2002... Brisbane's Marketing Convention Bureau launched a Meet in Brisbane campaign at AIME in Melbourne.

The Shangri-La. (Overseas Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Shangri-La, Kuala Lumpur, is offering business facilities and conference services free to those who book the Meet for Free package throughout April.

Radisson SAS. (Overseas Briefs).(expands services)
March 1, 2002... Radisson SAS has established an online booking facility for corporate clients called Corporate Direct, allowing companies to book any Radisson SAS hotel at the client's corporate rates.

The Peninsula. (Overseas Briefs).
March 1, 2002... The Peninsula Hong Kong is offering cookery classes for small groups at the Peninsula Academy.

The Athens Hilton. (Overseas Briefs).(scheduled for renovation)
March 1, 2002... The Athens Hilton is undergoing a complete renovation resulting in the hotel being closed until December. The project will increase meeting room capacity to 2,500, including a new ballroom.

Clearwater Sanctuary. (Overseas Briefs).(Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort, Malaysia marketing contract)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort, Malaysia, has appointed Supereps International as its representative in the UK.

Scandinavian airlines. (Overseas Briefs).(Radisson S.A.S. contracts travel packages)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Scandinavian Airlines and Radisson SAS are offering a unique programme called Fly, Meet and Sleep, aimed at UK meeting professionals. The package offers a choice of 33 daily flights from airports in the UK and features 21 Radisson SAS...

Greece improves offer in conference sector. (International News).(Greek National Tourist Organization)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) is launching dedicated congress offices in both Athens and London to drive more business to the country. The Athens office opened in late February, while in London the new service is to have...

Costa del sol invests in venues.(hotels, motels and convention centre openings, Malaga, California)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... The Costa del Sol's meetings industry is investing heavily in its infrastructure as the region aims to regain visitor numbers following 11 September. Malaga's new convention centre is earmarked to open towards the end of the year and will...

World price check.(Iceland, French Alps, United States, conference accomodation and airfare)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... World Price Check Weekend activity package Brief: A company planning a corporate activity weekend for 50 delegates based on two people sharing a room including three nights accommodation, activities and meals. Prices include taxes....

Hotel market upturn set for end of 2002. (International News).(analysis)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... Worldwide corporate travel was steadily being reduced throughout 2001 in response to the threat of recession and is not just a result of 11 September, according to a survey by BTI UK Hotel Service. The findings showed that worldwide hotel...

Strong competition to host 2004 EIBTM. (International News).(Reed Exhibitions draws up world cities shortlist)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Reed Exhibitions has drawn up a shortlist of five cities from the ten bids it received to host EIBTM from 2004. The five potential cities are Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, Vienna and current host Geneva. The committee will visit some or...

The client's goals are paramount in event organisation. (International News).
March 1, 2002... It is no surprise to learn that since 11 September this industry has endured difficult times. Whether your market is motivational meetings or truly inspired product launches, now is the time to drive more value into the conferencing business....

Festival cruises. (Overseas Briefs).(launches 3 ships; Mistral, European Vision and European Stars)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... Festival Cruises is to launch three ships on the C&I market this month. Mistral, European Vision and European Stars, will offer cruising itineraries in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, and are equipped with conference facilities for up to...

Sunrays travel. (Overseas Briefs).(Sunrays Travel and Tourism, Malta marketing contract)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Sunrays Travel and Tourism, a leading DMC in Malta, has appointed Serrep as its UK representative.

Moulden marketing. (Overseas Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Moulden Marketing has increased its portfolio and now represents DMCs in Cyprus, France and Portugal, as well as hotels such as Reid's Palace, Madeira, and Kipriotis in Kos.

Silversea cruises. (Overseas Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Silversea Cruises has appointed Philip Ordever as vice-president, passenger logistics.f

CONFEC 2002. (Overseas Briefs).
March 1, 2002... CONFEC 2002, the meetings forum for UK conference organisers, held in Cyprus, drew 50 buyers and 100 suppliers.

The tourist board. (Overseas Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The tourist board for Emilia Romagna has launched a brochure for the UK market, highlighting what the area on the Adriatic coast has to offer the industry.

Spanish exhibition takes on C&I focus. (International News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... The Spanish Tourism Exchange for Professionals (STEPS) exhibition is set to increase its emphasis on C&I business this year, according to the Spanish Tourist Office (STO). The exhibition is in its second year and will feature 50 hotels,...

Cisco finds bella center ideal. (People and Places).(Cisco Systems Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Cisco Systems recently held Its annual customer and partner event at Copenhagen's Della Center, The firm chose the destination because of Its accessibility and the venue for Its technical capabilities. Networkers is the firm's showcase...

Germany flags up trade shows. (International News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The German National Tourist Office has chosen the theme of trade fairs and events as the main thrust of its promotional campaign for 2003. The tourist office's marketing activities will be aimed at those delegates combining a meeting with...

Brisbane group bags award for [pounds sterling]18 of bids. (International News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Brisbane Marketing has won an award for best convention bureau in the state after it pulled in 31 convention bids worth almost A$50m ([pounds sterling]18m) last year. The award was won at the Meetings Industry Association of Australia...

Kempinski and airline team up on reward plan. (International News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Kempinski Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with Aeroflot Russian Airlines to drive conference and incentive delegates to its properties. The hotel group has become a preferred partner of the airline's frequent flyer scheme, Aeroflot...

Hotel group in staff reshuffle. (International News).(Sun International Hotels Ltd.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Hotel group Sun International has restructured its European focus by appointing its first incentives representative in the UK. Katrina Frazer, who previously worked at Sun International property Table Bay in Cape Town, is now based in the...

Morocco to tap into UK meetings sector. (International News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Morocco is looking to boost its share of the UK's meetings market with a five-year overhaul of its conference infrastructure and dedicated promotional campaigns. Five resorts are under construction at Guelmim, Taghazout, Larache, Saidia...

San Marino's old world charm. (Pushing Frontiers).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... San Marino Is the third-smallest Independent state In Europe. It Is Europe's oldest republic and is located on the eastern Adriatic coast of Italy, between Ancona and Rimini, and is only 12 kilometres at its widest point. There are just eight...

The Venetian Group. (Overseas Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Venetian Group, which owns the Venetian resort in Las Vegas, has formed a marketing alliance with Le Meridien in an effort to boost coporate travel to Las Vegas.

EIBTM. (Overseas Briefs).
March 1, 2002... EIBTM has put together a seminar for hosted buyers that focuses on efficient supplier relationships. This will take place during the first two days of the show.

Macau. (Overseas Briefs).
March 1, 2002... Macau has won the bid to host the 54th Pacific Asia Travel Association Annual Conference in 2005.

The Switzerland. (Overseas Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau has published a brochure called TeamSpirit to demonstrate that it is a year-round incentive destination.

SITE. (Overseas Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... SITE will operate workshops during EIBTM focusing on getting back to business.

Crossair. (Overseas Briefs).
March 1, 2002... Crossair is to be rebranded as Swiss when it introduces its summer schedule, with services to 123 destinations, at the end of this month.

Elegant resorts. (Overseas Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Elegant Resorts has expanded its portfolio of luxury villas in Europe and North Africa to include Cyprus, the Canary Islands and Morocco.

Five hotel chains. (Overseas Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Five hotel chains -- Hilton Hotels, Hyatt Corporation, Marriott International, Six Continents Hotels and Starwood Hotels -- have announced the formation of Hotel Distribution System. This is a venture that will market hotel rooms over the...

Incentives must get the message across. (Sounding Off).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The trendiest or most emerging destination of the moment is often sought after by both agencies and clients. It can make an incentive unique as well as successful. When implementing incentive trave programmes, companies tend to make this...

Letters.
March 1, 2002... Outsourcing work can be beneficial CIT's annual agency survey (February 2002) made interesting reading, particularly concerning the downturn in turnover. Following 11 September and the economy's state, this surely came as no surprise....

Fresh horizons: This year's CIT agency survey sees a slight reduction in incentive budgets, but emerging destinations are cropping up all over the world to allow cost-effective trips to be precisely tailored. (Special Report).
March 1, 2002... Incentives have always taken a global stance, whether for a handful of key clients or the top achievers in a sales force. But as groups get smaller and incentives become more exclusive, the range of emerging destinations has taken a wide and...

Economic alternatives. (London - Budget Programmes).
March 1, 2002... Despite the perception that London can be expensive, resourceful organisers willing to dig below the surface can find cost-effective solutions. Abigail Wills discovers that, even for groups on a budget, options are available London is...

Out of the ordinary: With new facilities popping up in London all the time, event organisers looking for an unusual venue are spoilt for choice. so what is the deciding factor? (London -- Unusual Venues).
March 1, 2002... If Dr Samuel Johnson could declare in the 18th century: "There is in London all that life can afford", imagine what the city can offer 300 years later. Lack of choice is never a complaint from event organisers as groups can hold conferences,...