Conference & Incentive Travel articles from May 2012

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from May 2012

Global: Asia debut for First Protocol.(Brief article)
May 9, 2012... First Protocol is to establish a presence in Asia with the launch of an office in Singapore. The agency, which has offices in London, New York and LA, said the new Singapore operation would be operational by the end of May 2012. UK account...

Global: Hagen Invent wins Audi Twin Cup event pitch.
May 9, 2012... Dusseldorf-based events agency Hagen Invent has won a pitch to manage the 8th International Audi Twin Cup event for the car manufacturer. The event, which will take place in July in Western Europe, is the culmination of a year-round contest...

Global: New VP for Motivaction.
May 9, 2012... Minneapolis-based agency Motivaction has appointed Kari Vrba as vice president of business development. Vrba was previously vice president of group accounts at Aimia, which acquired Carlson Marketing in 2009. She has 20 years of experience...

Global: Adidas to host staff convention in Rome.
May 9, 2012... Sportswear giant Adidas is hosting a convention in Italy to update regional sales staff on developments and present its 2013 spring/summer collection. The three-day Adidas Sales Convention is taking place at the Sheraton Golf Parco de' Medici...

Global: Action Impact to represent GPJ in Middle East tie-up.
May 9, 2012... Global experience marketing agency George P Johnson (GPJ) has expanded its reach into the Middle East through a tie-up with Action Impact. The Dubai-based brand experience agency, which counts Nokia and Yahoo among its client base, will...

Global: HRG in VW China deal.
May 9, 2012... Hogg Robinson Group will handle Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive's meeting and convention travel needs after winning a competitive tender to manage the brand's corporate travel programme across Greater China. Gu Chunfeng, Shanghai Volkswagen...

Global: Maritz buys Experient.(Maritz Travel Co.)(Brief article)
May 9, 2012... Global agency Maritz Travel has acquired rival US agency Experient to bolster its association and government client roster. Experient CEO Jeff Price has stepped down and Experient will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Maritz Travel. ...

Global: On Brand.
May 9, 2012... The Coca-Cola Company has appointed RT Marketing to manage its hospitality at the London 2012 Olympic Games. After a competitive pitch process against UK and USbased agencies, RT was appointed to run hospitality across three venues in London...

Global: Tripadvisor's Asian Class.(Brief article)
May 9, 2012... Tripadvisor is to host a series of Master Class events across the Asia Pacific Region aimed at hospitality industry business owners and marketers. The educational events are aimed at helping businesses to develop their online presence and...

Global: Zurich to host Morocco incentive event.(The Event Company)(Conference news)(Brief article)
May 9, 2012... The Middle East and North Africa office of Zurich Insurance has appointed Dubai-based The Event Company to manage an incentive programme in Marrakech, Morocco. A team of 40 from Zurich, including employees and a number of their clients, will...

Global: Orlando top for business meetings in US.
May 9, 2012... Orlando and Las Vegas are the top markets for business meetings in the US, according to the Top 100 Meeting Hotels ranking by Cvent. The top five hotels in the ranking are: The Peabody Orlando; Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center...

Global: Access teams' cultural foray.
May 9, 2012... Stratevent is organising a three-day meeting and team-building event in Lisbon for French-based marketing communications company Access Consulting. The event, for 50 delegates, will take place from 6-8 June at the Hotel Real Palacio in...

Global: ISO for Banks Sadler, France.
May 9, 2012... The French office of events management agency Banks Sadler has achieved ISO 9001:2008 Certification, the internationally recognised standard for Quality Management Systems. The company first received ISO 9001:2008 certification for its UK...

Global: Asia Brand Focus - Laura Schleser-Low, Mercedes-Benz Singapore.
May 9, 2012... Having cut her teeth in events at Versace Sport, Laura Schleser-Low found she had transferable skills. If Laura Schleser-Low's job at Mercedes-Benz Singapore does not break the ice during a conversation then her title certainly will. As the...

Global: Asian Event - Meeting a tall order.(Pico TBA Consulting Group)(SAP AG)
May 9, 2012... For its inaugural IT trade show in Beijing - the largest ever in the city - SAP needed to educate and impress a staggering 15,000 delegates. Pre-event planning: SAP is a global market-leading company specialising in enterprise application...

Global: Event planner's guide to ... Rio de Janeiro.
May 9, 2012... As it prepares to host the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games, Rio de Janeiro is fast becoming a key destination on the C&I map. It is one of the planet's most recognisable city settings. White beaches fringe the coast below a backdrop of...

Global: Final Word - Global citizen, Joy Thomas.
May 9, 2012... Fico's director of corporate events talks to Yasmin Arrigo about her far-flung adventures. Clocking up the Air Miles? I've been on nine trips in the past 12 months, but within a 'trip' could be a series of cities; for instance, for one trip I...

Global: The Social Network - Sebastien Tondeur.
May 9, 2012... What can Google and the social networks tell us about Sebastien Tondeur, MCI Group's chief executive officer and MPI chairman? A quick search reveals plenty... Top three pages... Google's first link is to Tondeur's detailed Linkedin...

Global: European Event - Esso in mood to celebrate.
May 9, 2012... For its annual motivational event for service station operators held in four cities, Esso added regional influences into the mix. Pre-event planning: Once a year, Esso Germany invites all 900 leaseholders and operators of Esso service...

Global: Dubai - 6 of the best new and improved venues.
May 9, 2012... Investment in new openings in Dubai continues apace, as Abigail Wills reports. Rivington Bar & Grill, Souk Madinat Jumeirah Caprice Holdings opened its third restaurant in Dubai this spring. The Rivington Grill has 82 covers and...

Global: Dubai - Straight to the source.(Interview)
May 9, 2012... James Hobbs, senior director of global programmes at Oracle Applications User Group, talks to C&IT about his Connection Point events. What was your event? Connection Point is a series of global events that aim to provide education,...

Global: European Networking - Why pooling resources pays off.(European Union)(Organization overview)
May 9, 2012... As is often the case, sharing knowledge and expertise reaps rewards, and pan-European network 27Names is testament to this. Kim Benjamin talks to Jos Feijen, its president, to find out what makes the organisation tick. Who are 27Names? ...

Global: Europe Brand Focus - Jane Culcheth Beard, HP.
May 9, 2012... Running events about life-changing innovations makes the Hewlett Packard events manager tick. Events have changed unrecognisably since Jane Culcheth Beard started her career in the late 1980s. She says the industry has grown creatively and...

Global: Everyone's talking about ..(Pinterest )(Brief article)
May 9, 2012... Say what? Pinterest is a virtual pinboard, which lets users showcase all their favourite pictures and inspiration online. It is booming in the events industry as clients, agencies and suppliers all realise the site's potential to showcase...

Global: twitterific!
May 9, 2012... @FairmontHotels - Someone commented today '@FairmontHotels is perhaps the most #vegan friendly hotel chain ever'. Great way to start the morning! @LisaKraus - Green Meetings Conference vibrates with Sustainable Power @EventElephant - We're...

Global: News on citmagazine.com ..
May 9, 2012... Oslo Central Station is being redesigned, with plans to open a major conference centre by 2020. A committee to stimulate investment in the Qatar tourism sector has been established. The Qatar Hotels Committee aims to develop the tourism and...

Global: Middle East & Africa Agencies - Regional remits.
May 9, 2012... How is the events industry faring in the Middle East and Africa? Kim Benjamin asks five agencies to give their outlook for 2012. The Event Company Overview: The Event Company was started by Natalie Crampton in 2008 and has offices in...

Global: UK Market Review - Taking stock of the UK market.
May 9, 2012... C&IT's State of the Industry survey reveals the major worry for both corporate and agency event planners is, not surprisingly, budgets. With the UK economy officially in double-dip recession, it's no surprise that budget constraints are...

Global: US Agency Update - A break in the clouds.(BI Worldwide Ltd.)(Bishop McCann)(Meeting Expectations)(Company overview)
May 9, 2012... How is the US C&I industry faring as 2012 progresses? Abigail Wills talks to leading figures from the five biggest US agencies to find out how their businesses are performing. BCD M&I Scott Graf, president 2012 performance so...

Global: US Trade Shows - AIBTM versus IMEX.
May 9, 2012... Abigail Wills compares and contrasts two of the US' biggest trade shows. AIBTM 19-21 June 2012, Baltimore Convention Centre, Baltimore Launch Review AIBTM 2011 secured first prize for the 'Best of Show' at the 2011 Trade Show News...

Global: Global Forecast - A world of difference.
May 9, 2012... While it's mixed fortunes for the European events industry, many markets further afield are thriving. If the events industry in Europe were a person, it would most likely be a teenager, on the eve of adulthood and getting ready to vote....

Global: European Event - E-Plus kicks on.
May 9, 2012... For its annual Partnershop Congress, Germany's leading mobile phone operator E-Plus Group chose a football theme, which dominated the event. Pre-event planning E-Plus Group, Germany's third-largest mobile phone operator, has held its...

Global: Middle East Event - Breaking new ground.(Tata Communications)(Interview)
May 9, 2012... Having just completed a global cabling project in the Middle East, Tata Communications deemed Dubai the appropriate destination for its third annual summit for media and analysts. Susie Harwood reports. Tata Communications' third annual...

Global: US Event - Kawasaki's kickstarter.
May 9, 2012... For its most recent dealer event in the US, the motorcycle manufacturer needed a large, multi-purpose venue that would help it capture 2,100 dealers' attention and build their brand loyalty. Pre-event planning: Kawasaki has been staging...

Global: Liverpool - The world in one city.
May 9, 2012... Event planners will find Liverpool is well equipped to accommodate a surprising variety of requirements. CLASSIC Accommodation Liverpool's oldest hotel, the Britannia Adelphi, has 402 rooms and meeting space for 1,200 people. The...

Global: BBC event 'moves home'.(BBC Worldwide Ltd.)
May 9, 2012... After 25 years in Brighton, BBC Worldwide decided to move its Showcase to Liverpool. Pre-event planning: BBC Worldwide has held its annual Showcase event for 35 years, the past 25 of which have been held at the Brighton Centre. The decision...

Global: Croatia - Adriatic options.
May 9, 2012... Kim Benjamin compares and contrasts two of Croatia's most popular cities for events. DUBROVNIK Hotels The opulently styled, boutique five-star Hotel Pucic Palace, located in the old town, offers 17 rooms. For larger groups, head to the...

Global: Croatia - Seasonal shifts.
May 9, 2012... Summer or winter, Croatia's adaptable events offer will deliver. SUMMER IN CENTRAL DALMATIA Summer is the time to head to the coast and explore some of Croatia's 1,244 islands, including Hvar Island and Bisevo Island's blue grotto in...

Global: Singapore - 6 of the best corporate incentives.(Country overview)
May 9, 2012... Singapore's incentives are as varied as they are unique, from interacting with dolphins to being part of an orchestra. Underwater World The oceanarium on Sentosa Island allows groups to swim with dolphins under the supervision of a...

Global: Around the world.
May 9, 2012... Susie Harwood rounds up the latest international venue openings from Ajman to Albufeira, Kyoto to Kyiv and Indonesia to Istanbul. EUROPE France has seen a spate of openings in 2012, including the much anticipated 90-room luxury W Paris...

Agencies chase Ericsson event.
May 1, 2012... Mobile communications giant Ericsson is holding a brand experience pitch involving a list of agencies including incumbent Jack Morton Worldwide. The process, which is being overseen by Ericsson's Stockholm-based head of experience marketing...

BCD appoints new director.
May 1, 2012... BCD M&I has appointed Gary Povey as business development director of EMEA. Povey was previously area sales director for London at Intercontinental Hotel Group and Portman Travel. He fills the vacancy left by Jason Lancaster, who left...

Ernst & Young work to spark BSI expansion.
May 1, 2012... BSI Meetings & Events is to move into new offices on the back of new business from Ernst & Young and a number of undisclosed brands from the financial and professional services sectors. The agency, which is moving from owner Capita's...

Ward among senior figures to leave RPM.(Chloe Ward resigns RPM International Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2012... RPM's head of corporate Chloe Ward has left the agency, which is now seeking a replacement to head up its B2B events division. Ward has moved to agency Amplify, while three other staff have also left the firm - creative director Mark Millard,...

State of the Industry Report: Budgets remain tight as industry fights for growth.
May 1, 2012... Budgetary constraints will continue to be the primary challenge facing the events industry in 2012 and beyond, according to C&IT's State of the Industry Report, which surveyed 60 of the UK's top event agencies and 60 corporate event...

MCC to run IT awards.
May 1, 2012... MCC has been appointed to run Internet Retailing's award ceremony on 18 August. The event, which will host 250 delegates at Cannon Bridge Roof Garden in London's Fleet Street area, will feature clients and staff from the company. 'This is...

Eventia seeking merger.(Brief article)
May 1, 2012... Eventia vice-chairman Simon Hughes is planning a move towards further collaboration between events industry associations in the year ahead. Hughes - who will succeed Rob Allen as chairman of Eventia after its annual general meeting on 2 July...

On brand.
May 1, 2012... Porsche gathered 1,800 dealers in Gran Canaria last month for a two-day sustainability-focused event, organised by Vok Dams. The event was run in cooperation with charity Mindact, and groups of 300 delegates test-drove Porsche Boxster...

Win of the Month: Logica staff fun day to be hosted by Planet Pursuits.
May 1, 2012... Technology firm Logica has appointed Planet Pursuits to organise and host its annual staff and family event - a music festival-themed summer fun day that will be attended by 400 employees and their families. The agency, which also owns venue...

Move of the Month: Imagination hires Murphy.
May 1, 2012... Stephen Murphy, former publicity, promotions and media manager for Northern Europe at Sony Pictures Entertainment, has joined Imagination Marketing as business development manager. Murphy will be responsible for driving new business, revenue...

We go together ... Joanna McDonough and Jacquie Freer.
May 1, 2012... Joanna McDonough, commercial and operations director, Euro Finance and Economist Conferences CEMEA I have worked with Zibrant for seven years but Euro Finance has worked with them for 15. Jacquie and I have travelled the world together. She...

Final Olympic countdown.
May 1, 2012... Trafalgar Square's Olympics countdown clock last month passed the 100-day mark as the industry gets ready for the 'greatest show on earth'. Locog has been getting the measure of its up-to-the-minute venues, including the Aquatics Centre and...

First Protocol takes first steps into Asia.(open new office)(Brief article)
May 1, 2012... First Protocol is to make its debut in Asia this month with the launch of an office in Singapore. Managing director Mark Riches said the First Protocol name has been registered in Singapore and the office will be operational by the end of...

Nicky Curran leaves Crown.(Crown Business Communications)(Brief article)
May 1, 2012... Nicky Curran, client services director at Crown Business Communications, has left the company and gone freelance. Curran, who left the agency in March, said that the parting was amicable and concludes the completion of projects inherited by...

C&IT Awards open for entries.
May 1, 2012... C&IT is calling for entries for this year's C&IT Excellence Awards - the definitive awards event for the B2B events sectors. The awards, which will take place on 27 September at the Natural History Museum, are open to all companies...

One Hour From London: Capital connections.
May 1, 2012... C&IT asked three agency panellists to recommend venues within one hour of London that would best meet the following briefs. A non-residential option for a group of 200 flying into Heathrow and Gatwick for a one-day conference. ...

One Hour From London: Town and country.
May 1, 2012... C&IT checks out three venues that combine the best of both worlds: a country setting and easy access to the capital. Coworth Park The lowdown The Dorchester Collection's country retreat is everything you would expect from the...

Australia: 48 hours in ... Sydney.
May 1, 2012... It's impossible for delegates to be bored in the vibrant Australian city. Climb the bridge, visit the Opera House, meet the wildlife or sample the local foods. Day 1 9am Arrive on Qantas Airways' luxurious A380 service, and shake off the...

Australia: Island adventures.
May 1, 2012... The Whitsunday Islands off the Queensland coast are the last word in luxury living, unusual spaces and energetic incentives. Hamilton Island Ideal for large groups, Hamilton Island offers a range of accommodation and meeting options, on...

Aviation: The Big Debate - Should airlines prioritise C&I spend?
May 1, 2012... Ben Bold asks industry experts for their thoughts on the big issue of the month. According to some event planners, the halcyon days of airlines giving their full support to the C&I industry are a distant memory. Paul Evans, director of...

Brand Experience: Read all about it.(event marketing strategy of London Evening Standard)
May 1, 2012... Live events are at the heart of the London Evening Standard's strategy of promoting the paper as the must-read for Londoners. The events division A publishing institution since its launch as the Standard in 1857, the London Evening...

East Midlands: A taste of the east.
May 1, 2012... From historic tours to gourmet delights and outdoor experiences, the East Midlands has itineraries to suit a wide variety of groups. British history in Northampton Day 1 Get straight down to business at Whittlebury Hall. The...

Germany: Partners in learning.
May 1, 2012... Leipzig and its university had everything Novell wanted: a central location, modern facilities, culture and history and a variety of restaurants. Pre-event planning Bracknell-based software company Novell holds an annual technical conference...

Germany: Well matched.
May 1, 2012... Dresden and Munich both have much to offer C&I groups. DRESDEN HOTELS The Maritim Hotel Dresden has 328 rooms, one restaurant and a wellness centre with a pool and Finnish sauna. The 235-room Swissotel Dresden Am Schloss opened in...

Greece: Forging ahead.
May 1, 2012... Greece is still welcoming C&I groups, despite economic woes and negative publicity, but what do event planners think? Perception versus Reality. DIMINISHED INCENTIVE APPEAL 'It's an awkward one perception-wise, because news coverage...

Greece: Crisis, what crisis?
May 1, 2012... Santorini's popularity as a destination is undented, thanks to its unique scenery, stock of luxury hotels and the diversity of its incentive options. Greece might have its troubles, but no one appears to have told Santorini. Lauded in recent...

Hong Kong: Progressive state.
May 1, 2012... Hong Kong isn't standing still despite its reputation as a destination of choice. Investment in infrastructure, new venues and hotels continues apace. Hong Kong's success story continues unabated this year, with a spate of major new...

Hong Kong: HSBC in Hong Kong.(Tony Irving)(Red Door Events)(Interview)
May 1, 2012... Rob McKinlay meets Tony Irving, owner of Red Door Events, which ran the global bank's rugby sevens interactive village. Windsor-based Red Door Events specialises in global events and has been organising HSBC's presence at sports tournaments...

Hungary: Event planner's guide to ... Budapest.
May 1, 2012... C&I planners will find that Budapest, with its thermal spas, world-class music venues and diverse incentive options, is a fun and affordable option. Hungary may be a relatively new market for C&I planners, but the capital Budapest is...

Plaudits all round.
May 1, 2012... Four C&I organisers share their views on Hungary's events offer. Martin Rottine International team manager, CCD Global Events Budapest is in a central location, especially if you have delegates arriving from both western and eastern...

IMEX Preview: IMEX turns 10.
May 1, 2012... IMEX celebrates its tenth birthday with a host of new elements to ensure the event even surpasses previous successes. IMEX, the annual show for the C&I industry, returns to Messe Frankfurt this month to celebrate its tenth anniversary....

Malaysia: 6 of the best - Unusual event options.
May 1, 2012... A temple, cultural village and eco resort are among Malaysia's quirkier C&I venues. Thean Hou Temple With dragon-inspired columns and pagoda rooftops set against the Kuala Lumpur skyline, the Thean Hou Temple is one of the largest...

Tata's global tour de force.
May 1, 2012... Tata Communications' analyst event in Dubai, designed to build relationships with top influencers and position the brand as a global challenger, was a model of event organisation. Pre-event planning Telecommunications firm Tata...

Encourage employees to network.
May 1, 2012... Networking is described as 'socio-economic activities with groups of like-minded people to recognise, create, or act upon business opportunities'. But with the birth of social media the net has been cast to include a much wider audience. The...

Campaign to bring back the smile.
May 1, 2012... Okay, so there have been a lot of ups and downs to deal with over the past couple of years - we all get that. And resource is still under pressure, we get that too. But what has happened to the positive service-centric industry that we all...

Paris: Cause for celebration.
May 1, 2012... As the Paris tourist board turns 40 and is joined by a number of other famous institutions with landmark birthdays, a host of venues also make their debut. When the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau was first launched 40 years ago, its...

Disneyland's showcase.
May 1, 2012... Yasmin Arrigo meets Eloi Courcoux of Business Solutions at Disneyland Paris on the eve of the 20th anniversary event. It's the eve of Disneyland Paris' 20th anniversary VIP event and 2,000 key business influencers, press and tourism experts...

Paris: Everything to play for.
May 1, 2012... Sports Business Group aimed to provide insights into France's online gambling market, which has recently been hit by regulation. Pre-event planning: UK-based Sports Business Group, which provides information and marketing services for the...

Corporate Profile: Michele , SJ Berwin.
May 1, 2012... SJ Berwin's head of events has spent the past two decades integrating events into the firm's culture. Michele Lobl's 22 years at law firm SJ Berwin is testament to her staying power, and her assertion that she and her events have 'become part...

Destination of the Month: Time for ... El Salvador.(Travel narrative)
May 1, 2012... The stunning volcanic landscape and sites of Mayan culture are enough to put the Central American country on the C&I map. - Why El Salvador? The Central American country is compact enough for incentive groups to explore from its...

Property notes.
May 1, 2012... Susie Harwood reports on new developments and refurbishments from Abu Dhabi to Croatia, and Paul Oswell checks out the refurbished Hyatt Regency New Orleans. 1. The Museum of London The Museum of London has boosted its meetings and events...

UK Christmas Party Venues: A night to remember.
May 1, 2012... Ice-skating, masquerade balls and murder mysteries are among the offers on the menu at venues around the country. London will offer a variety of fresh festive options in 2012. Up to 120 can enjoy a 'Roaring 20s'-themed party at Dartmouth...

UK Christmas Party Venues: Festive promise.(Cavendish Group)
May 1, 2012... Agencies and venues are reporting an increase in Christmas party business compared with this time last year. Yuletide hangovers may be a recent memory, but the traditional Christmas cheer is back for 2012 with increased activity reported from...

State of the Industry 2012: Times still uncertain.(Industry overview)(Survey)
May 1, 2012... This summer's major events and the ongoing financial crisis mean State of the Industry respondents found the future hard to predict. With lead times seemingly shorter than ever, and the economic climate far from stable, forecasting business...