Conference & Incentive Travel articles from March 2007

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from March 2007

Dublin: The Fair City at a fair price.(Convention Centre Dublin)
March 23, 2007... A VAT relief scheme is set to rekindle conference planners' love for Dublin. James Thornton reports. Many would say that Dublin already offers enough good reasons for C&I planners to throw their lot in with the Fair City. But for those few...

Switzerland: From pitch to peaks.(Interview)
March 23, 2007... Kunal Dutta talks to the SCIB's Caroline Phillips-Pidroni about Switzerland's C&I activity in the lead-up to the Euro 2008 football championships and its plans for the UK market. Caroline Phillips-Pidroni is Switzerland Convention &...

Croatia: 10 of the best hotels in Croatia.
March 23, 2007... From the palatial to the boutique, Croatia's hotel stock is ever-improving with venues to suit groups of all types. Robin McKelvie reports. THE EXCELSIOR Address: Frana Supila 12, Dubrovnik Contact: +385 20 35 33 53 Web:...

Marbella: Facelift on the Costa.
March 23, 2007... No sooner do some buyers feel that the Costa del Sol has lost its sparkle and originality than Marbella refines its offer to keep it looking good for UK buyers. Stuart Derrick reports. Appearances matter in Marbella, a fact amply...

Marbella: Venue Update - A fresh take on Andalucia.
March 23, 2007... Marbella's C&I properties are reinventing themselves to keep up with the competition. MARBELLA CONGRESS CENTRE Marbella Congress Centre, which has the largest purpose-built congress space on the Costa, is undergoing a sprucing up of...

The Algarve: Portugal's southern star.
March 23, 2007... The Algarve is enhancing its top-end reputation with new quality resorts and facilities, and is now putting more of a focus on addressing the UK C&I market. Ben Lerwill reports. The Algarve has been Portugal's most prominent resort...

The Algarve: 72 hours in the Algarve.
March 23, 2007... Ben Lerwill consults with local DMCs to design a three-day meeting and incentive trip. Day 1 10.00: Arrive at Faro Airport. Intervisa are among the DMCs that can arrange welcome drinks and bouquets of flowers at the airport. Transfer...

The Bahamas & Caymans: Two takes on paradise.
March 23, 2007... The Cayman Islands and the Bahamas are raising their C&I game Kerry Baggott reports. Soft sand beaches and crystal clear waters may present cliched images of the Caribbean, but they are still ones that keep potential incentive winners'...

Hong Kong & Macau: China's high-stakes bid.
March 23, 2007... With its Vegas-style ambitions, Macau is strengthening Hong Kong's hand. With the burgeoning economies in China and India slowly nudging the world onto an eastern tilt, Hong Kong's long pedigree as a key business centre is as pronounced as...

It takes guts to dare to be different.(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... Giving an annual event a new twist is a challenge many C&I planners will recognise. Creating a new experience while maintaining the core message for delegates who have attended year on year may sound easy, but to make a big impression, you have...

ONS to measure conferences and events through new code.(Office for National Statistics)(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... The Government is to give convention and trade show organisers a dedicated industrial classification code, enabling clear valuation of the event sector. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) will, from 1 January 2008, use the code under...

Grass Roots Singapore office to service regional ambitions.(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... Grass Roots Group is to open an Asia Pacific office as part of its ongoing global expansion. Grass Roots Asia Pacific will be based in Singapore and is scheduled to open by the end of this spring. Steve Hibberd, the founder and former...

Aviva signs up Banks Sadler.
March 26, 2007... Banks Sadler has won the meetings contract for the Aviva Group, including Aviva, Norwich Union, the RAC and Morley Fund Management. The three-year deal covers venue sourcing for external meetings and management of internal meeting spaces....

News brief: BI announces plans.
March 26, 2007... BI has announced plans to acquire event management and incentive travel company The Revill Partnership. A co-operation agreement has been concluded. Revill founder Brian Revill is to join BI's events team as client service director. -...

News brief: Millennium & Copthorne Hotels holds meetings.
March 26, 2007... Millennium & Copthorne Hotels is branding its meetings offering as it upgrades its C&I package. The group launched the 'Connect' meetings product at last month's Confex show and aims to bring the product to ten UK hotels this year. -...

News brief: HRH Princess Mary of Denmark to attend conference.
March 26, 2007... MPI's Professional Education Conference-Europe 2007 opening ceremony will see the attendance of HRH Princess Mary of Denmark. The annual conference will take place in Copenhagen on 18-20 March - www.mpiweb.org.

News brief: Marriott International adds hotel to its portfolio.
March 26, 2007... Marriott International is adding a sixth hotel to its portfolio in Ireland. The 94-room Limerick Marriott Hotel has been acquired under a franchise agreement with operating company Irresistible Hotels. The new hotel will have ten conference...

News brief: Park Plaza Hotels Europe opens London hotel.
March 26, 2007... Park Plaza Hotels Europe is to open its fifth London hotel, Park Plaza County Hall, later this year. The hotel will be located next to Waterloo station and is expected to open in September. It is to have a staffed business centre, which will...

MIA scheme's teeth will bite.(Meetings Industry Association)(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... The Meetings Industry Association's new Accredited In Meetings (AIM) scheme will have real teeth, with the threat of expuslion for members that repeatedly transgress its code of conduct. A pilot scheme involving 35 venues in the north west...

Shine reveals prize shortlist.(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... Sheena Darby of Future Travel, Lindsay Whitmore of Mango Event Management, and Sue Biggs of Kuoni Travel are among those shortlisted for this year's Shine Awards. The Awards take place on 13 March at the Italian Cultural Institute, in...

Out There Events wins IoD and Ask accounts.(Institute of Directors)(Ask Developments)(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... Manchester agency Out There Events has won the accounts for property firm Ask Developments and the Institute of Directors. The agency, which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, will organise the launch of St Petersfield, Ask...

Talking pictures.
March 26, 2007... Hilwood Resorts and Hotels has extended its portfolio to three properties through its pounds 9m acquisition of Bailbrook House, Bath Hilwood plans to extend its portfolio to 12-15 UK hotels and resorts.

Indeprod eyes further growth.(Conference & Incentive Travel)(acquires Oxford Motivation)(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... Indeprod is considering acquiring up to three more agencies, following its acquisition of Oxford Motivation last month. 'We are having various ongoing conversations. We're keen to add at least one more company in 2007,' said client services...

Core Cities go for Glasgows.(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... Preston agency Glasgows has been appointed to organise and manage the Core Cities Summit, to be held in Nottingham on 27-28 June. Glasgows organised the 2006 Summit for Bristol City Council. The event attracted more than 350 delegates, with...

Australia outlines plan for its biggest campaign.
March 26, 2007... Tourism Australia has unveiled details of its biggest-ever marketing campaign. The pounds 1m drive will see corporates and agencies in the UK, Ireland, US and Asia targeted with personalised gifts through a direct mail campaign. ...

Maritz on track to break even.(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... Maritz is on track to break even by the end of the financial year, according to managing director Nick Bender. Following a reorganisation of the business after its acquisition by the Grass Roots Group last April, the previously loss-making...

How to: Negotiate venue discounts.(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... Emphasise the importance of your event And/or the potential for repeat business that you can offer. This will establish your value as a client before you begin to negotiate. Avoid peak-time bookings If you have a degree of...

The best of times, not the worst.(Brief article)(Column)
March 26, 2007... I've spent my entire career working in the events industry and can honestly say that I'm enjoying it now more than ever. It's an exciting - and profitable - business to work in and never more so than now. So why do so many of the surveys...

Sharp gives RT logistics role for German show.(Sharp Electronics (U.K.) Ltd. signs up RT Marketing for CeBIT)(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... Sharp Electronics has signed up RT Marketing to handle travel and logistics surrounding its marketing for Cebit, the world's largest trade fair for digital IT and telecoms solutions. RT's work will see the agency fly 100 of Sharp's key...

Carrier news.
March 26, 2007... Etihad is to boost its UK operations with an increase in its Heathrow to Abu Dhabi service from 12 to 14 flights per week from 26 March. BA Connect, the low-cost arm of British Airways, is to fly between London City Airport and Glasgow...

Midland Co-op snaps up Yorks.(Midlands Co-operative Society Ltd. acquires Yorks Business Travel Management)(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... Midlands Co-operative Society has strengthened its Forward Travel Management portfolio with the acquisition of Northampton-based Yorks Business Travel Management. Yorks has more than 75 years of experience and incorporates a trade fair and...

Hotel greed does no-one any favours.
March 26, 2007... The pressure agencies face from clients and procurement to improve value on offer and decrease costs continues. The situation cannot differ when corporates go direct, which means hotels, airlines and others intending to bid for corporate...

KL's ICC enjoys good first year.(Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre)(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre handled 430 events, attracting some 1.5 million people in its first full year of business. Of the 430 events held at the venue, 48% were meetings, 34% banquets and 9% exhibitions. The 39th Association...

MCI looks to UK as part of its expansion plans.
March 26, 2007... MCI is looking to the UK for further growth opportunities as part of its worldwide expansion plan. The global agency currently has offices in Petersfield and London and MCI group marketing director Martti Wichmann said it planned to expand...

Vok Dams wins Swiss contract.(Vok Dams Group)(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... German agency Vok Dams Group has won a six-way pitch to run an anniversary event for a Swiss electronics firm. The Wuppertal-based agency fought off competition from five other European agencies to win the business with Expert...

One to watch: Ray Barrett, Event director, Blank Canvas.
March 26, 2007... Why are we watching him? Barrett has just joined Blank Canvas in the new role of event director, linking up with former THA colleague, Blank Canvas director Penny Noble. What's his background? Barrett started out as a draughtsman...

Appointment: Cyprus Tourism Organisation.
March 26, 2007... The Cyprus Tourism Organisation has appointed Phoebe Katsouri as director general. She was previously the organisation's director of tourism between 1990 and 1996, and held the post of head of administration between 1983 and 1990

Appointment: Archer Young.
March 26, 2007... Agency Archer Young has appointed Benjamin Hunt as business development manager

Appointment: Sofitel Hotels and Resorts.
March 26, 2007... Sofitel Hotels and Resorts has recruited Raccine Betteridge to be its conference and incentive sales manager. Prior to her appointment at Accor, she was business development manager at Pro-ven, a venue and accommodation provider

Appointment: Lufthansa.
March 26, 2007... Lufthansa has recruited Marianne Sammann as its general manager for the UK and Ireland. She was previously the airline's head of global corporate business and has worked for Lufthansa for more than 27 years

Appointment: Rocco Forte Hotels.
March 26, 2007... Rocco Forte Hotels has recruited Holger Flory as director of sales and marketing at The Charles Hotel, due to open in Munich, in summer Flory previously worked as director of sales and marketing for the Intercontinental Berchtesgaden Resort in...

Appointment: Wellcome Collection Conference Centre.
March 26, 2007... Wellcome Collection Conference Centre, which is due to open in London in June, has recruited Daniel Caleb as sales and marketing manager. He previously worked for Etc Venues, where he identified new areas of business

Appointment: DRP Group.
March 26, 2007... DRP Group has appointed Tony Roseman as production manager and David Lockwood as a junior product manager. Adam Pardoe has also been promoted to managing director of the events division

BACD nets associate US membership link-up.(British Association of Conference Destinations)(Destination Marketing Association International)(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... The BACD has negotiated a deal with the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), giving its members free membership of the US-based trade body. All 65 BACD members will enjoy full DMAI membership benefits without having to...

Eventia revises green initiative.(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... Eventia's environmental scheme is back on track, according to executive director Izania Downie, albeit with one key amendment. Speaking at last month's Confex, she said that the trade body had now drawn up a shortlist of two carbon-offset...

Liverpool Waterfront venue in three-event association deal.(Arena & Convention Centre)(British Society of Rheumatology)(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... Liverpool's Arena & Convention Centre - the pounds 146m project on the city's King's Waterfront scheduled to open in January 2008 - announced the booking of its biggest event to date on the opening day of Confex. The British Society of...

AHG reveals its De Vere plans.(Alternative Hotel Group)(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... The Alternative Hotel Group (AHG) unveiled plans at Confex to open a new De Vere venue in London's West End, as part of an expansion that will see it look to develop or purchase venues in most major UK cities. The company also revealed its...

Confex Brief: Convention Bureau launches initiative.
March 26, 2007... Newcastle Gateshead Convention Bureau launched an initiative to encourage carbon-neutral conferencing. The bureau will work with environmental charity Carbon Neutral North East to help events reduce and offset emissions. -...

Confex Brief: Thistle Hotels offers wireless broadband.
March 26, 2007... Thistle Hotels is to offer wireless broadband throughout all areas of its properties following a deal with BT. The group currently offers wi-fi access in rooms and meeting spaces through a variety of providers, but Thistle Hotels sales and...

Confex Brief: Telford and Shropshire CVB launches toolkit.
March 26, 2007... Telford and Shropshire CVB has launched an online toolkit for agencies to help make pitches and booking venues easier, in what it claims is a first for the UK. The toolkit contains information that agents might need when putting together bids...

Confex Brief: Four Pillars Hotels announcement.
March 26, 2007... Four Pillars Hotels announced that it is to add another property to its portfolio. The Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel's MICE facilities will hold up to 800 delegates and is due to open in August - www.four-pillars.co.uk.

Confex Brief: Parrimark announces alliance.
March 26, 2007... Parrimark announced an alliance with online venue-booking provider Venue Check. It will allow planners to check availability using Parrimark's technology via a live feed to provide up-to-the-minute information. - www.parrimark.com

Analysis: C&IT Corporate Survey.
March 26, 2007... The inaugural C&IT Corporate Survey reveals a worrying lack of investment in event budgets and a shortage of venues suitable for larger groups, says James Thornton. More for less. It won't come as a surprise to most agents that this is the...

Case Study: Norgine strengthens its bond with South Africa.
March 26, 2007... As part of its centenary, drug company Norgine wanted to host a celebratory conference that would reinforce its brand message and leave a lasting legacy. Susie Harwood reports. The Brief To create a memorable centenary-year celebration...

Case Study: Microsoft at Croke Park.
March 26, 2007... The IT giant needed a big, adaptable venue for its Irish Vista launch, says James Thornton. Brief A launch and business message presentation to three audiences drawn from 3,000 delegates to mark the launch of Microsoft's Windows Vista...

Venue Focus: Property bulletin.(convention services)
March 26, 2007... Check out the latest developments at properties across the globe. - Hilton Warsaw Hotel and Convention Centre, Warsaw, Poland: This new 29-storey hotel is 20 minutes from the airport and 10 from the city centre, and offers 3,000m2 of...

Pushing frontiers: Time for... Namibia.(Divava Okavango Lodge and Spa)(Leo's restaurant at the Hotel Heinitzburg)
March 26, 2007... Done South Africa? Then give Namibia a thought, with its rustic charm, great customer service, unique product offerings and range of national parks and excellent hotels. INCENTIVES Check out Africa's largest elephants at the Etosha...

Agency focus: The C&IT Challenge.
March 26, 2007... This month's brief? Produce an evening presentation and after-show party in London in February/March for 250 guests, within easy travelling distance of Earls Court Olympia. DEBBIE BRAGGER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, BEETLENUT The venue should...

Agency focus: 5 Minutes with... RT Marketing.
March 26, 2007... Agency: RT Marketing Location: Richmond, Surrey Staff: 12, two part-time The agency has rebranded from its former moniker of Rodber Thorneycroft It's about communicating a structured offer, director Ben Rodber says: 'The company has...

In Person: Sharon Slade, HSBC.
March 26, 2007... James Thornton finds out what makes the bank's communications and events manager tick. Sharon Slade is manager for corporate and customer events, HSBC Bank International. So far, she's spent 23 years at the firm, rising from her first...

Said & done.
March 26, 2007... Well, I'll still be working next year, so I haven't made that much money, but equally, I've still got my house.' - Event consultant Colin O'Toole reflects on his first year out on his own. 'When two of your 100 delegates have gone to bed...

Don't fear new experiences.
March 26, 2007... Clients are constantly asking us: 'What will motivate my team?' As experts in the incentive travel and events industry, we usually suggest programmes that offer, as a reward, travel to an exotic destination or unusual activities - something...

What's it like to work in... Stamford, Connecticut.(Universal Conference and Incentive Travel)
March 26, 2007... This April, Universal CIT will move into a new head office. The process has been complex and logistically tough, but after opening three offices in America since 2002, we have become experienced hands. When we opened our US HQ in Stamford,...

London Introduction: The capital's golden shot.(International Confex )
March 26, 2007... With the Games on the horizon and a host of new venues, London's reputation as an event hotspot is about to be enhanced further. Kerry Baggott reports. Anyone who attended last month's International Confex could not have failed to notice...

London Lives: Bafta rolls out the corporate red carpet.(British Academy of Film and Television Arts)(Conference notes)
March 26, 2007... Yasmin Razak ventured to the home of the Baftas, 195 Piccadilly, to meet general manager Sion Parry as he prepared to welcome 180 guests. During his three-year stint at the television and film academy's home, general manager Sion Parry has...

London Hidden Gems: London's hidden treasures.
March 26, 2007... It's not just the established venues that can add magic to an event. Susie Harwood asks five event professionals to reveal some of their favourite locations off the beaten track. FREEMASONS' HALL - MARK SCALES, ACCOUNT DIRECTOR AT CONCERTO...

London Restaurants: The new top tables in town.
March 26, 2007... With its plethora of restaurants, London has become almost synonymous with fine dining. C&IT explores four new eateries that have groups high on the culinary agenda. Bumpkin Contact: 020 7243 9818 Web: www.bumpkinuk.com Where: Close...

London Venue Update: Revisiting the classics.
March 26, 2007... New builds and refurbishment programmes are constantly changing the capital's mix of conference facilities. Susie Harwood hunts out a selection of the more impressive options. ARTESIAN BAR, LANGHAM HOTEL - www.artesian-bar.co.uk The...

Coastal Resorts: Beyond the beach.
March 26, 2007... The UK's coastal resorts offer a wealth of excellent conference facilities, as Emma Allen discovers. Blackpool Contact: Natalie Wyatt, Blackpool Conference Bureau Tel: 01253 478227 Web: www.visitblackpool.com Where to meet: The...

The North East: North by north east.(City overview)
March 26, 2007... Despite failing in its bid to become European Capital of Culture, Newcastle Gateshead is fast becoming a perennial winner in the convention market, reports David Atkinson. A failed bid was the catalyst for change and a dynamic partnership...

Hong Kong & Macau: Focus on... Macau.
March 26, 2007... C&IT gets the lowdown on the region from its Portuguese heritage to its bold new future. Getting there As things stand, there are no direct flights from the UK to Macau. Its airport is served only by regional destinations. The easiest way...

Athens: 20 reasons to choose Athens.
March 26, 2007... Its enhanced infrastructure and high service standards make a compelling case, says Kunal Dutta. 5 LUXURY HOTELS - Located on a private peninsula overlooking views of the Saronic Gulf and Mediterranean, the Astir Palace Vouliagmeni...

Show Guide: GIBTM - Middle East showcase.(Gulf Incentive Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition)
March 26, 2007... The inaugural GIBTM show reflects the demand in the Middle East region for a designated MICE industry show and the expansion of the IBTM brand. Leanne Bell sees what's in store. - What is it? The Gulf Incentive Business Travel &...

World Convention Centres: Global growth centres.
March 26, 2007... Being multi-functional is the key for new city conference centres Kerry Baggott reports. For cities around the world, it seems that the latest de rigueur accessory is an international convention centre. New builds are announced almost...

World Convention Centres: Long-haul contenders.
March 26, 2007... Kerry Baggott takes a tour of some of the world's premier convention centres. Asiaworld-Expo, Hong Kong Contact: Allen Ha Tel: +852 36 06 88 28 Web: www.asiaworld-expo.com Largest space holds: 13,500 Cape Town International...

World Convention Centres: Viewpoint.
March 26, 2007... C&IT canvasses a cross-section of industry opinions on the purpose-built sector. ASSOCIATION BUYER 'One of the key factors for me when choosing a destination is the versatility of the convention centre. I don't want a rigid structure...

World Convention Centres: Case Study - Nikken celebrates in Amsterdam.
March 26, 2007... The brief for Nikken's tenth anniversary celebration proved to be a challenge for P&MM. The brief Network-marketing company Nikken was celebrating its tenth anniversary in Europe. It wanted to host its largest event to date, bringing...

World Convention Centres: Directory - Europe's principal purpose-built centres.(Directory)
March 26, 2007... Austria Center Vienna Seating capacity 10,200 www.acv.at Congress und Messe Innsbruck Seating capacity 4,400 www.come-innsbruck.at Reed Exhibitions Messe Wien Seating capacity 3,300 www.messecongress.at NV Congrespaleis - SA...

Diary: Guess What?
March 26, 2007... The invitations flew thick and fast before last month's International Confex show in London, but which association organiser got so smashed at one of the many booze-ups that they woke up in their clothes? - here's a top tip, never tell a PR...

Diary: Confex pays the penalty despite home advantage.
March 26, 2007... To Confex, scene of a rare sporting triumph - an English team winning a penalty shoot-out. Kick It Events created a bit of a stir at the show with a virtual reality shoot-out game on its stand. A Haymarket team, led by C&IT's Ian Porter and...

Diary: Marathon efforts from the Indeprod roadrunners.(Brief article)
March 26, 2007... Any readers who drive at breakneck speeds along the byways of Buckinghamshire, be warned. Along with the odd unfortunate pheasant, rabbit and hedgehog, the careless driver could also find themselves washing Indeprod staff off their mudguards at...

Diary: Stardate 2010, Hawaii - the final frontier.
March 26, 2007... Already famed for its lunar-looking landscape, the Pacific island state is now set to become a space tourism capital. The state has passed a bill that will see an Oklahoma aerospace firm try to wrestle the initiative back from Richard Branson's...

Diary: Time bandit - Rick Stainton, Smyle.
March 26, 2007... 10% of my time is spent travelling from events. Next week, for example, I'll be flying in from a European conference and heading to the office for a staff briefing. 25% Getting an update on where we are with our different projects. We will...