Conference & Incentive Travel articles from May 2008

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from May 2008

Collaboration means quality for all.(Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Professional Education Conference-Europe )(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... When the long-established MPI PEC-E name was disbanded in favour of EMEC as it came to our shores, some of the industry's naysayers questioned why we had to change the name for our host event. However, with a record number of visitors...

United Drug acquires Universal CIT to extend industry reach.
May 16, 2008... Agency Universal CIT has been acquired for pounds 12.6m by Dublin-based United Drug, in a move that sees the pharma company extend its C&I reach. And the agency's chairman, Patrick Collins, will step down in the wake of the purchase. ...

Motivcom records increase in pre-tax profits for 2007.(Financial report)(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... Motivcom, parent company of P&MM, AYMTM and Zibrant, has reported a 22% increase in pre-tax profits. The firm posted a pre-tax profit of pounds 3.3m for the year to 21 December 2007, up from pounds 2.7m the previous year. Gross profits for...

Fresh picks up innovation win.(National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts)(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (Nesta) has appointed agency Fresh to organise its flagship event, The Innovation Edge, after a three-way pitch. The conference is expected to attract 2,000-2,500 delegates at the...

Tracker Briefs.(XSEM acquired agency The Events Office)(Kuoni Destination Management )(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... In C&IT News Tracker this month: - Leeds-based sports events specialist XSEM acquired agency The Events Office (Europe) in a bid to grow into the C&I market (26.03.08). - Corporates are intensifying pressure on hotels to reduce rates,...

Hooker departs in THA rejig.(THA has appoints McGarvey Russell and Sally McGarvey and director John Hooker departs)(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... Top-level changes at agency THA have seen director John Hooker leave and two big name consultants - including former McGarvey Russell head Sally McGarvey brought in. Hooker's plans were unclear as C&IT went to press, with THA stating that:...

Eventia details summer line up.(Conference news)(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... Eventia has announced the first details of content for its Summer Eventia conference, with the economy and education taking centre stage. A keynote address by economics expert Roger Martin-Fagg of Henley Management College will provide an...

MPI reveals new board and Futurewatch study.(Meeting Professionals International)(EIBTM exhibition has promots Mandy Torrens as president, Anthony Hyde as president and Paul Cook president)(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... Meeting Professionals International (MPI) UK Chapter has unveiled its new board for 2008/09. The association's members have approved the new board, which will come into effect on 1 July. EIBTM exhibition director Mandy Torrens will...

Land Rover in green strategy.
May 16, 2008... Land Rover is anticipated to launch a sustainability strategy for its events by summer. The automotive giant announced in January last year that it was in talks with two carbon-offset agencies. The aim of the talks was to develop a...

Grass Roots in legal firm win.
May 16, 2008... Law firm Herbert Smith has awarded Grass Roots a two-year contract to manage a series of UK and European conferences. Grass Roots won a three-way pitch to run a partners' conference, which will be attended by some 250 delegates in the first...

Gulf gateway.
May 16, 2008... Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan cuts the ribbon to open this year's GIBTM exhibition. Pre-audited figures for the show reported 1,588 attendees, of whom 229 were hosted buyers - an increase of 34% on 2007

Lynton Cooper figures show profits on track.(Financial report)(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... Agency Lynton Cooper is firmly back on track according to its latest set of full-year accounts. Figures for the Western & Oriental-owned company show a massive rise in profits from pounds 25,618 in the period 1 May 2005 to 30 September...

Venue staff need C&I training.
May 16, 2008... The need for venues to improve staff communication was an issue raised by corporates including Mercedes-Benz at a forum held by Real Affinity Events last month. The car maker's corporate event manager, Roy Baker, was among delegates who...

How to... run events remotely.
May 16, 2008... - Go local Where possible, use local suppliers for cost savings and area knowledge, but be prepared to take on specialists or equipment for complex tasks. - Get on site Ensure you arrange a site visit with suppliers at least once...

Is the best a matter of opinion?(Personal account)(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... I was recently engaged in a conversation about the best hotels in the world. You know the type - it's 1am in the bar: 'so what do you think are the top five hotels in the world?' Guess what - we all had different opinions. Most of us...

Black Tomato expands to boost C&I revenues.(Black Tomato has appoints Jenny Middleton as project manager and Lizzy Tinley as travel assistant for Wallpaper)(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... Black Tomato's C&I department has doubled in size as the London-based agency invests in strengthening its market presence. The agency has recruited four staff since January in a move to target new clients, with a focus on the beverage and...

Manslaughter Act now in force.(The Corporate Manslaughter Act)(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... As of last month, events agencies must be more aware of their duty of care to employees and customers. The Corporate Manslaughter Act, which came into force on 6 April, introduces a new offence that means organisations can be convicted of...

Carrier news.
May 16, 2008... - Indian carrier Jet Airways has announced three new routes servicing Abu Dhabi, San Francisco and Hong Kong. - Easyjet is operating from Manchester and aims to fly 500,000 passengers per year to Heraklion, Malaga, Malta, Paphos, Tenerife...

T5 is a blip on the UK's track record.(Terminal 5)(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... Everyone in the business was so excited about the opening of Terminal 5. Not only would it alleviate pressures at the world's busiest airport, but it would also provide visitors to the UK with a spectacular first impression. But, as we all...

Sector mourns loss of Bosel.(Obituary)(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... Creative Travel & Event Management co-founder and industry stalwart Tony Bosel has died suddenly aged 59. His business partner, Nick Wilson, said Bosel passed away a week after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in March. Bosel...

New Atol scheme could disadvantage agencies.
May 16, 2008... Trade association Eventia has warned that event agencies could be put at a competitive disadvantage by the new arrangements that have replaced Atol bonding. As from 1 April 2008, the bonding system has been replaced by a pounds 1 payment...

Ovation opens Chinese office.
May 16, 2008... Ovation Global DMC has entered the Chinese market with the opening of an office in Shanghai. The operation has five staff headed up by Frankie Gao, who comes from a corporate background and most recently ran an incentive house in China....

One to watch: Gemma Brown - Events director, Vinopolis.(Brief article)
May 16, 2008... - Why are we watching her? Vinopolis has merged the event operations and event sales management roles to create the position of events director. Brown moves from agency Instinct Events this month to take on the new role for the London...

Appointment at: P&MM.
May 16, 2008... P&MM has recruited Sarah Dunlop to the position of account manager for the agency's travel services team. Dunlop has 16 years' experience in travel and events and was previously a lead agent for Carlson Wagonlit Travel

Appointment at: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
May 16, 2008... Former Village Hotels UK national account director Simon Heartfield has joined Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. As director, global accounts - meetings and incentives, UK and Ireland, Heartfield's new remit will be to expand the hotel group's agency...

Appointment at: Royal Caribbean International.
May 16, 2008... Royal Caribbean International has appointed Richard Roberts to the position of UK and Ireland sales director. Formerly British Airways head of sales and distribution, Roberts is charged with heading up the establishment and operation of a sales...

Appointment at: Real Affinity Events.
May 16, 2008... Real Affinity Events has recruited Andrew Hancox to the position of financial controller. He was previously financial controller for Monteray, part of Haden Building Management

Appointment at: Event Supplier and Services Association.
May 16, 2008... Event Supplier and Services Association deputy director Chris Skeith has been promoted to the position of director of the organisation. He was previously EIA project director and Association of Exhibition Contractors deputy director

Appointment at: Macdonald Hotels & Resorts.
May 16, 2008... Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has appointed David Guile as chief executive and Gordon Fraser as deputy chief executive. Donald Macdonald remains executive chairman

Analysis: The hotel emission register.
May 16, 2008... Carepar is a standard that measures hotel emissions. Leanne Bell gauges industry reaction. Event planners in search of CSR solutions will welcome the launch of a standardised emissions index system for hotels and meeting venues. The Hotel...

Case Study: Canon Europe takes to the Everglades.
May 16, 2008... The electronics company's imaging division wanted to reward European resellers with a memorable trip that reflected its environmental concerns. THE BRIEF - Canon Europe's imaging division wanted an exciting itinerary to reward key European...

Case Study: Jaguar Land Rover adventures.
May 16, 2008... Creative thinking ensured take-up of the car giant's training programme. THE BRIEF - It is vital for Jaguar Land Rover that precise maintenance is a priority with technicians at the top of their game. To do this, a Technical Academy is in...

Venue focus: Property bulletin - Phil Heard checks out the latest openings from Abu Dhabi to Tokyo.
May 16, 2008... REVAL HOTEL NERIS Lithuania Reval Hotels has opened a 208-room property in Kaunas, Lithuania Facilities include a fully equipped conference and event centre with capacity for 1,000 delegates, the 140-seat Diverso restaurant, which...

Pushing frontiers: Time for... Tromso.(City overview)
May 16, 2008... From midnight sun to whale safaris, the Norway town is set up for adventure. INCENTIVES It's a remote city, roughly ten hours' drive from the nearest major town and surrounded by fjords and mountains, so there's a tangible air of...

Agency focus: The C&IT Challenge.
May 16, 2008... This month's challenge is to organise a luxury incentive to an emerging destination for a financial company's top ten performing staff who are accustomed to five-star treatment. I would recommend Muhu Island, off the Estonian coast, which...

5 Minutes with... Pickled Egg.
May 16, 2008... Location: Chichester, West Sussex. Staff: Six and currently recruiting What's the lowdown? Pickled Egg was launched by sales director Ricky Knight in 2003 as a corporate events agency. It has since developed into a specialised...

In Person: Keith Michaels, GM.(Biography)
May 16, 2008... The car giant's marketing operations manager on detail, timing and terror. As marketing operations manager for General Motors UK & Ireland, Keith Michaels oversees in excess of 1,000 events a year for the automotive giant's brands...

Sounding off: One failure and the travel levy will be dry.
May 16, 2008... Brian Kirsch, managing director, Event Assured and chairman, Eventia Regulation Committee. This is not about vested interest. That's the attitude the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) took in rejecting the advice of the insurance industry...

Southport: Open season.
May 16, 2008... The seaside town is hosting golf's major prize and opening a new convention centre. Like many coastal resorts intent on reinvention, Southport is finding that it pays to look to former glories when making plans for its future. Located...

Southport showcase: From seaside to trackside.
May 16, 2008... Southport's venues range from the UK's favourite racecourse to golf and resort properties. ROYAL CLIFTON HOTEL The Royal Clifton Hotel overlooks Southport promenade and provides 120 rooms and eight meeting spaces for up to 520...

Nottingham: Nottingham in numbers.
May 16, 2008... The figures point to the city enjoying growth and developing its C&I offer. 13,487 - The total hotel bedstock in Nottingham's city centre. More than 500 beds have been added over the past three years with new hotel openings from Jurys Inn,...

Christmas party venues: Celebratory themes.
May 16, 2008... An array of venues are offering memorable festivities for groups of all kinds. COCKTAILS AND CANAPES Jasmine Studios, nestled in West London, offers a luxuriously designed space that works as a contemporary setting for Christmas...

One hour from London: In touching distance.
May 16, 2008... Victoria Furness reviews five corporate events based in a one-hour catchment of London. GFK'S STRATEGY MEETING Client: GFK Location: Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey Group size: 150 Date: 29 February 2008 The event brings together...

Power 50: Power to the people.
May 16, 2008... Behind the scenes of C&IT's third Power 50 presentation evening at Brown's Hotel, London. The great, the good and the gossips of the C&I industry convened at Rocco Forte's Brown's Hotel in London on 31 March to toast the success of the...

Ireland: Eire for all seasons.
May 16, 2008... Stunning locations and a flair for hospitality make Ireland a winner. SPRING IN THE REGIONS Spring is one of the most popular seasons for visiting the Irish countryside. In 2008, Tourism Ireland invested pounds 25m in a six-month...

Copenhagen & Malmo: Norse neighbours.
May 16, 2008... Copenhagen has teamed up with Malmo to sell their twin-centre potential. Two for the price of one is no gimmick when it comes to the Danish capital Copenhagen and its Swedish neighbour, Malmo, because savvy buyers can now get the value of...

Germany: The Bundesliga - The Top Five Cities.(City overview)
May 16, 2008... Germany's major destinations offer a compelling range of activities, from lively bier kellers to exploring the nation's history. BERLIN FOR HISTORY Berlin is rich in history and, because the city is flat and cycle-friendly, one of the...

Germany check-outs: Two modern classics.
May 16, 2008... Teutonic giants from Berlin and Frankfurt that epitomise the spirit of the country. HOTEL DE ROME, BERLIN Where is it? Created out of the former Dresdner Bank HQ, Hotel de Rome sits in a prime city spot on Unter Den Linden, close to...

Austria: Imperial potential.
May 16, 2008... Ben Lerwill pairs the Austrian capital's venues with three types of C&I business. THE INCENTIVE - Historically one of Europe's founding centres of high art and fine cuisine, Vienna was last year also found to have the third-highest quality...

Austria Showcase: Event spaces for all occasions.
May 16, 2008... From former palaces to igloo incentive spaces, Austria offers a huge venue choice. HOTEL SALZBURG WEST Re-opening this month after an 18-month refurbishment, the Austria Trend Hotel Salzburg West is aimed squarely at business groups....

Monaco: Practical principality.
May 16, 2008... Despite having a reputation for glamour and expense, low-cost carriers and new hotel developments are giving Monaco the ability to host events for all budgets. Day-delegate rate: EUR69 Le Meridien Beach Plaza Monaco's days as a...

Hungary: 72 Hours in Budapest.
May 16, 2008... Paul Oswell follows AIMS International on a three-day tour of the capital. DAY 1 09.00: Delegates arrive at Budapest Ferihegy Airport. They then transfer to the Intercontinental Budapest in vintage cars. They are met by a guard of...

Hungary: Venue update - Growth in C&I business is being met by the pace of development.
May 16, 2008... With myriad developments across the country, Hungary is a fast growing C&I destination. The latest Country Brand Index, compiled by Futurebrand and Weber Shandwick in November 2007, rates Hungary second in the world for value for money, while...

Hungary: Budapest showcase - The capital's big hitters.
May 16, 2008... Paul Oswell looks at six of the properties that account for Budapest's popularity. BOSCOLO NEW YORK PALACE The original 1894 building has been transformed into a fashionista's dream hotel, with the eclectic style mixing Italian...

Malta: Business bastion.
May 16, 2008... Malta is becoming a C&I stronghold offering venues and activities for group of all kinds. VALLETTA FOR HISTORY AND CULTURE 'In terms of history and culture, Valletta is a masterpiece,' says Mario Borg, director at Malta DMC Allianz....

Malta Showcase: Gala venues of distinction.
May 16, 2008... The islands' historic palaces and castles make ideal and elegant dinner venues. PALAZZO PARISIO & GARDENS Located in the ancient village of Naxaar, Palazzo Parisio is one of Malta's great stately homes and provides an ornate backdrop...

Asia: Flavours of the Orient.
May 16, 2008... Readers recommend their favourite venues and destinations across Asia to Ben Lerwill. CATHRYN HANCOCK, MANAGER, MOTIVATION, PEUGEOT We ran a trip to Hong Kong in February and used the Grand Hyatt. Other people who run incentives on...

Diary: People, parties, pics.
May 16, 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 W6...

Diary: Pin board.
May 16, 2008... Fitness is this month's theme, with the boys at Fresh raising cash by losing pounds and Zibrant's John Kelly gave up wine to secure a 4.5-hour marathon run and raise pounds 2,200. Less healthily, Rome's Waldorf Astoria has launched Children's...

Diary: Said & done.
May 16, 2008... 'Can we create a wacky scheme with worms eating compost by the casino?' - MCI's Guy Bigwood goes back to nature with his plans for the Estoril Congress Centre 'He is totally famous over here. but he's not from holland.' - Stateside...