Conference & Incentive Travel articles from November 2007

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from November 2007

Motivcom's premier league class.(Zibrant )(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... If I had picked up a crystal ball at the end of last year, I might have guessed that we'd still be talking about ROI (p5). I might have also placed a wager on the dialogue on CSR turning into action (see special report, after p42) and that...

Euro RSCG new business rejig sees departure of Ivackovic.
November 12, 2007... Euro RSCG Skybridge is restructuring its new business approach in a move that has seen Mark Ivackovic, managing partner for business development (events) lose his job a year after joining the agency. This is the latest of a stream of...

MCI launches Mumbai office.
November 12, 2007... MCI has expanded again with an office in Mumbai, marking the group's first foray into India. 'India is a fast growing country, with a young, educated population,' said MCI president Roger Tondeur. 'Many clients want to expand their...

NHS Connecting for Health set to re-evaluate its events plans.
November 12, 2007... NHS Connecting For Health - the IT support wing of the health service - has named Heather Sheard as its new head of events following Ruth Dowson's departure to become a senior lecturer in events at Leeds Metropolitan University. Sheard,...

Tracker Briefs.(McMenemy Hill appointed Malcolm Summerfield and promoted Christina Lunoe )(Brief article)(Calendar)
November 12, 2007... In C&IT News Tracker this month: - The National Venue Show is set for a major repositioning next year with a possible rebrand under the Confex banner. (3.10.07) - McMenemy Hill has appointed former McCann-Erickson chief executive...

BAT to finalise supplier roster.(British-American Tobacco Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... British American Tobacco (BAT) is to create a preferred supplier list for all its incentive and motivation suppliers, which is being finalised this month. The move follows a similar initiative for venues, which BAT successfully created...

BTP wins deal from minister.
November 12, 2007... A delegation from the Business Tourism Partnership - including representatives from Eventia, EIA, MIA and Visit Britain - met Tourism Minister Margaret Hodge on 26 October, to seek her support for the events sector. On the issue of...

Motivcom promises to give Zibrant autonomy.(Company overview)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... Zibrant will retain its independence and to continue to grow as a standalone agency after its acquisition, new owner Motivcom has insisted. 'The operating board at Zibrant will remain intact and it will continue to operate from its three...

Adding Value in IT sector wins.
November 12, 2007... Adding Value has landed three new event accounts in IT and telecoms. The agency has a relationship with Vodafone, but the new work is with different divisions. The first, for Vodafone Enterprise, covers annual sales incentives, while the...

London unveils green scheme.(London Development Authority)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... The London Development Authority (LDA) has launched an green accreditation scheme for venues. Green Tourism for London offers bronze, silver or gold awards, to help planners assess a venue's green credentials. Help from advisors is...

Sky suite.
November 12, 2007... Singapore Airlines' debut Airbus A380 flight took off at the end of October from Singapore to Sydney. In a charity auction, the first of the 12 available suites for the flight was sold to a bidder for pounds 50,000

PWC generates 'green' ranking list for venues.
November 12, 2007... Pricewaterhousecoopers (PWC) is to create an environmental ranking system for the venues it uses by the end of this year and is considering a similar preferred supplier list for airlines in 2008. 'All our RFPs now have an environmental...

MPI set to empower chapters.(Meeting Professionals International)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... International association MPI has announced plans designed to empower its chapters as it looks to 'evolve from an association into a global community', according to president Bruce MacMillan. The changes are backed by promises of more...

How to ... run big summer parties.
November 12, 2007... The right location You need good access for attendees, suitable parking access on to the site and, ideally, a focal backdrop such as a country house. Reliable supplier base Your suppliers must be trusted and flexible enough to work...

Recession: call it and it will come.(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... One of the more unusual aspects of being a PLC is that you have occasional meetings with major investors, brokers and analysts. They normally ask how your market is and if you are performing to expectation. It is all fairly standard stuff,...

EIA's Foley aims blast at 'crap' college courses.
November 12, 2007... Events Industry Alliance (EIA) group chief executive Trevor Foley has called on colleges to up their game and create closer links with the events industry. 'There are 56 event management degrees out there and most of them are crap,' Foley...

Battley to give HRG C&I focus.(Hogg Robinson PLC)(Conference and Incentive Travel)(David Battley )(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) has charged recently appointed director (events and meetings management) David Battley with consolidating its C&I offer as it looks to put greater focus on events. Battley now heads up HRG's event divisions at its...

Carrier news.
November 12, 2007... Easyjet has acquired GB Airways for pounds 104m. GB Airways serves 31 destinations on 39 routes and reported a pre-tax profit of pounds 2.6m this year. Eurostar has introduced through fares from 68 destinations across Britain, offering...

Events must be led by content.(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... I attended an educational event the other day as a fully paid-up delegate, which is a bit of an indulgence for the self-employed. Needless to say, I noted the efficient registration staff, the quality of the sound and the seamless delivery of...

Hyderabad to host 49th ICCA congress in 2010.
November 12, 2007... Indian industrial hub Hyderabad is set to host the 49th ICCA congress and exhibition in 2010. Speaking at a Business Tourism Partnership breakfast seminar in London last month, ICCA chief executive Martin Sirk said: 'The destination for...

Switzerland to show CSR offer.
November 12, 2007... The Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau (SCIB) is creating a database of its suppliers to enable event planners to weigh up their CSR credentials. Due to go live online in December, SCIB meetings and incentives manager Caroline...

BI's Bainbridge quits the group.(Emma Bainbridge)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... Emma Bainbridge - former general manager at BI's Chinese operation Mint, and previously head of events at its UK office - has left the BI group after three and a half years. Bainbridge took on the Mint role in March this year following...

One to watch: Paul Casement - Head of events, Zibrant.(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... Why are we watching him? Obviously the big news this month was Motivcom snaffling up Zibrant, an agency that is no stranger to expansion itself. The latest phase of this has seen the creation of this new, hands-on position for Casement,...

Appointments: Real Affinity.
November 12, 2007... Agency Real Affinity has installed Martyn Archer as group finance director. Meanwhile, two managers have been promoted. Jo Rawnsley becomes head of group development, while Ashley Metcalfe, becomes head of group marketing

Appointments: De Vere Deluxe.
November 12, 2007... De Vere Deluxe has appointed Pauline Houston as group director of sales with a brief to build a new team of sales directors. Houston has so far recruited two - Rupert Brown from Royal Bath, Bournemouth and Ian Leat from University Arms,...

Appointments: Principal Hayley.
November 12, 2007... Principal Hayley has appointed John Ryan as group sales and marketing director. Ryan was most recently senior consultant at Boo.com

Appointments: International Centre Telford.
November 12, 2007... An increase in business at the at the International Centre Telford has seen the appointment of two new account managers. Pru McCarney joins from a recruitment company, while Carolyn Hughes' past experience includes working in business...

Appointments: Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.
November 12, 2007... Baerbel Kirchner has stepped down as Government of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) director after ten years to spend more time with her family in Namibia and pursue business interests. Ian Scott, who has several years...

Appointments: Event Business.
November 12, 2007... The Event Business has added two senior staff. Cressida Taylor who has ten years experience at agency and exhibition level, joins as business development director, while Drew Woodcock becomes event manager

Corporate Forum News: Corporates lash out at property standards and 'extra' charges.
November 12, 2007... One of the stand-out seminars at this year's C&IT Corporate Forum, held at the Marriott St Pierre Hotel & Country Club, Chepstow, saw a robust debate on buyer-supplier relationships, as client-side event planners listed a host of disagreements...

Corporate Forum News: Perl: Overlook crisis planning at your peril.
November 12, 2007... The opening seminar of this year's C&IT Corporate Forum kicked off with a call for a back-to-basics approach to crisis management. David Perl, chief executive of crisis management specialist Docleaf, warned of the dangers of not having a...

Corporate Forum News: Pullman pleasure.
November 12, 2007... Delegates from this year's C&IT Corporate Forum unwind in the luxurious cream and umber surrounds of the Orient Express, as they return from the hectic few days of seminars and networking at the Marriott St Pierre

Corporate Forum News: Pfizer - clear briefs are key.
November 12, 2007... Pfizer head of events Richard Parker urged clients to provide clearly defined briefs in his seminar: 'The key to achieving productive agency relationships is clear instructions.' said Parker. 'I've lost count of the times I've seen people...

Corporate Forum News: Said & done.
November 12, 2007... If there's something going wrong at your venue during an event, you've got to let them know and you've got to go at it hammer and tongs. - CIPD senior event manager Marie Ricot on when to get stuck in. I apologise if I talk any nonsense,...

Analysis: Is this the deal of the century?(Zibrant)
November 12, 2007... Susie Harwood talks to Motivcom's Nigel Cooper about the group's purchase of Zibrant. - You described this deal as the most significant in the industry's history. What makes this deal stand out? I'm not sure anybody has paid pounds 15m...

Analysis: Going back to basics.
November 12, 2007... James Thornton meets events evangelist Ruth Dowson, who is quitting her NHS role to go back to academia, where she hopes to bring on the next generation of event planners. Ruth Dowson's career has been a hectic one, taking in everything...

Analysis: Corporates buck the trend.
November 12, 2007... The number of meetings are up but lead times are down and budgets are far from buoyant. James Thornton investigates the mixed findings in this year's MIA Conference Market Survey. This year's Meetings Industry Association (MIA) UK...

The year in review: A look back at 2007 ..
November 12, 2007... Susie Harwood looks back at the year in C&IT, quarter by quarter. 2007 kicks off with further consolidation and expansion in the sector, as it seems just about every agency is eyeing up potential mergers and acquisitions. Highlights...

The year ahead: 2008: what the future holds for the C&I sector.(Conference and Incentive Travel)
November 12, 2007... As the year comes to a close, C&IT asks its readers for the key challenges they face next year and their predictions for 2008. - Natalie Gasson, events and publications manager, Welcome Financial Services 'Our infrastructure is growing...

Review of the Year: Client case study highlights.
November 12, 2007... From conferences, to fun days in English castles, and Moroccan incentives, Susie Harwood looks at the year's diverse case studies. FORD'S MARRAKECH BOND CONNECTION Client: Ford Event: Sales incentive Where: Palmeraie Golf...

Case Study: HMV finishes games conference in style.(Case study)
November 12, 2007... James Thornton reports on the retailer's all-important, pre-Christmas games conference at the Hilton Metropole, combining a product showcase with a gala dinner and awards ceremony. THE BRIEF: As the vital Christmas period approaches each...

Case Study: Speedo meets in Croatia.(Speedo International Ltd.)(Case study)
November 12, 2007... The global swimwear firm wanted to head east to launch its summer range. THE BRIEF: Speedo's spring/summer seasonal launch is the only time its entire global business unites in Europe. A huge fashion show featuring the forthcoming range,...

Venue Focus: Property bulletin.(George Hotel)
November 12, 2007... Phil Heard checks out the latest news from France to the Fulham Road. CHATEAU DE PIZAY, FRANCE Set in the Beaujolais region of France, the 62-room, four-star luxury Chateau de Pizay hotel has opened a new spa facility housed in a...

Pushing Frontiers: Time for ... Cape Verde.(City overview)
November 12, 2007... The beaches and waves on the tropical Cape Verde islands off the westernmost tip of West Africa make for a warm, fascinating and restful C&I destination, as Susie Harwood reports. INCENTIVES Cape Verde lies in the trade winds so...

Agency Focus: The C&IT Challenge.
November 12, 2007... The brief is a two-day summit introducing a new company strategy for ten directors from Russia, the US, the Middle East and Europe, with inspirational dining and team building. - Easy access will be essential for this busy group and...

Agency Focus: 5 minutes with ... CiEvents.(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... Location: UK bases in Wimbledon village and Surrey, but the parent company is based in Sydney, Australia Staff: Seven in the UK What's the lowdown? One of the top agencies in Australia with a 20-year pedigree in the events sector,...

In Person: Sarah Wright, Barclays.(Barclays American Mortgage Corp.)
November 12, 2007... James Thornton meets the bank's ever-prepared and sociable head of events. When Barclays head of events (UK Banking) Sarah Wright took time out from her Phd in Spanish Socio-Linguistics to organise a conference for the International...

Said & done.(Zibrant's Fay Sharpe)(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... I'm a bit vertically challenged so for anyone who can't see me, I'll wave. - Zibrant's Fay Sharpe steps up to the plate at the ITM/MPI breakfast I'm vertically challenged too, so I'm glad we've found a venue that can house my...

Sounding off: Supply outstrips demand.
November 12, 2007... The latest UK Conference Market Survey published by the MIA (see Analysis, p21) on the whole reflects the conference market we have been enjoying for the past 18 months, showing significant growth in corporate events and less pronounced growth...

What's it like to work in ... Germany.
November 12, 2007... Richard Waddington, chief executive, First Protocol - When did you open? 2005 - we set up in reaction to the work we were doing for Mastercard in Germany for the World Cup. Once we were up and running, we started to win other business....

Reader Poll: And the winners are ..(Survey)
November 12, 2007... The votes have been counted for this year's C&IT Reader Poll and it's time to put the spotlight on your favourites. Top Conference Destination Top UK cities, London, Birmingham and Edinburgh, dominate this year's poll with the capital...

Big Apple beckons for winner.
November 12, 2007... PJ Mitchell of the Dobson White Partnership is the lucky winner of the C&IT Reader Poll draw, and will be travelling via American Airlines (www.americanairlines.co.uk) to the Big Apple. On arrival, Mitchell will check in at The Westin New...

Unusual Venues: Going underground.(Interview)
November 12, 2007... Ben Lerwill visits the Beatles Story to learn about the C&I merits of the 'new' Cavern Club. Jerry Goldman, director, the Beatles Story, Liverpool - What exactly is the Beatles Story? The venue is laid out as a permanent museum...

Unusual Venues: Beneath the surface.
November 12, 2007... A round-up of some of the UK's most viable subterranean venues for hosting groups. - Cabinet War Rooms Located underneath The Treasury, London's Cabinet War Rooms have no trifling claim to fame - they were the base from which Churchill...

Bournemouth: 10 of the best places to meet in Bournemouth.
November 12, 2007... Victoria Furness takes a tour of the south coast gem's finest traditional and contemporary, chic venues. CLASSIC VENUES - De Vere Royal Bath Hotel Tel 01202 555555 Web www.devere.co.uk/deluxe/Bournemouth/ One of De Vere's...

Jersey: Channel hop.
November 12, 2007... Jersey offers glorious beaches, good facilities and lively nightlife, just an hour away. Should you be looking for a short-haul destination that offers chic, contemporary hotels in abundance, beautiful sandy beaches and a buzzing...

Jersey: The Grand revival.(Grand Jersey)(Interview)
November 12, 2007... Following a pounds 10m makeover, one of the island's leading hotels is welcoming groups again. The Grand Jersey, the island's most famous hotel, is halfway through a pounds 10m makeover to take it to five-star deluxe status, following its...

Jersey: The island, three ways.(City overview)
November 12, 2007... An agency, corporate and association discuss why they chose Jersey for their events. Company: Archer Young (now AYMTM) Event: Team-building and reward event Date: 20-21 July 2007 Group size: 24 Why Jersey? It's only a 35-minute...

Belfast: Back in the big time.
November 12, 2007... David Atkinson discovers how C&I is back on the agenda as more planners fall for Belfast's charms. Belinda Hawthorne has 15 years senior management experience in tourism, urban development, investment marketing and event management. She is...

Case Study: Diageo's Titanic dinner event.(Case study)
November 12, 2007... Company: Diageo Event: UK managing director's dinner Group: size 50 Agency: MCI Belfast DMC: Ovation International Date: 22 August 2007 Venues: SS Nomadic, Queen's Quay, Belfast Budget: Undisclosed MCI Belfast business...

Belfast: Venue Update.
November 12, 2007... The sheer volume of construction projects in the city illustratesits growing influence. Belfast is currently something of a giant building site with a slew of new venues under construction. In the city-centre Cathedral Quarter, the...

Paris: Readers - 'Paris, je t'aime'.
November 12, 2007... Planners and buyers from corporates and agencies explain to Susie Harwood why the hotels, shops, restaurants and all round chic of Paris have kept their passion for the French capital undimmed. - Sarah Young, event manager, Oracle I...

Milan: The event planner's guide to ... The best of Milan.(Conference news)
November 12, 2007... Leanne Bell looks at what's on offer in one of Italy's most fashionable and cultured cities. Mixing fashion and finance with lashings of culture, Milan is packed full of options for event planners. As a conference destination, it offers a...

Paris: Europe's venue capital.
November 12, 2007... Carol Zerah from the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau says that with ambitious plans and a renewed focus on the UK market, the French capital still has plenty to offer buyers. After graduating from ESSEC, Carole Zerah began her career...

Paris: City update.
November 12, 2007... The city's top hotels and venues are spending millions on massive refurbishment programmes. Name one of the big hotels or venues in Paris and it's likely to have either just been refurbished or about to undergo a renovation. Many of the...

Paris Incentives: A la carte activities.
November 12, 2007... From the cultural icons to catwalk shows, Paris has an activity for every type of group. 1. PARIS ON FOOT Ideal for fresh-air fans For a walking tour with a twist, try an experience with Paris Hors Piste, which transforms the...

Paris: A day at the races.
November 12, 2007... UK buyers witnessed the sport of kings at the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe event. When it comes to glamorous corporate hospitality events, a day at the races is hard to beat. And the annual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Paris's...

Paris Showcase: A Gare du Nord rendez-vous.
November 12, 2007... With Paris just over two hours away by Eurostar, why not meet in style by the station. - Mercure Paris Terminus Nord This 236-room property located just in front of the station is ideal for quick meetings or as an overnight for...

Scandinavia: Northern neighbours.
November 12, 2007... Susie Harwood finds out how Scandinavia's tourist bodies are targeting the UK C&I market. With stunning landscapes, chic design hotels, close proximity to the UK and a wide array of incentives from killer-whale safaris to glacier hiking on...

Scandinavia: A day in Stockholm.
November 12, 2007... Leanne Bell starts with cinnamon buns for breakfast and finishes with late-night icy vodka. 09.00: Track down a cosy cafe in Stockholm's Old Town, Gamla Stan, and tuck into a coffee and a cinnamon bun for breakfast. The Swedish love these...

Spain: C&I citadels.
November 12, 2007... The duopoly of Barcelona and Madrid is making Spain a contender for the top spot in Europe. With Barcelona in a seemingly unassailable position as one of Europe's most beloved cities, and Madrid and Valencia both shimmying up the league of...

Spain: Spotlight on ... Shell's Barcelona networking.
November 12, 2007... At this year's LNG 15 (15th International Conference on Liquified Natural Gas) in Barcelona in April, Shell Gas and Power International wanted to host a memorable networking evening. Shell briefed agency Beetlenut to produce the most...

Spain: Case Study - AA Insurance in Alicante.(Case study)
November 12, 2007... Company: AA Insurance Event: Incentive Group size: 80 Agency: BI Date: 10-13 May 2007 Venue: Melia Alicante Challenges BI project director Katrina Armstrong explains that there was only one possible problem. 'Alicante is focused...

Spain: Up and coming stars.(Country overview)
November 12, 2007... Spain's lesser-known cities are ripe for recognition and jostling for extra business. Valencia is a prime example of how a seemingly obscure but affluent sporting event can lift a city into international consciousness. Before it hosted the...

10 reasons to hold an event in South Africa.
November 12, 2007... The favourable exchange rate, time difference, spectacular scenery and world-class C&I facilities ensure that South Africa is maintaining its superpower status. 1. Accessibility It's long haul, but not as you know it. Thanks to...

Itinerary: 24 hours in Cape Town.
November 12, 2007... 08.00: Breakfast at the exclusive Table Bay Hotel on Cape Town's Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with views over Robben Island and Table Mountain. 09.00: A morning in the Cape Winelands beckons. Board a vintage electric train at Cape Town...

South Africa: Spotlight on ... Durban.
November 12, 2007... Durban, known as the playground of South Africa thanks to its subtropical climate, surf and pristine beaches, is working hard to woo the UK C&I market. Historically Cape Town and Johannesburg have been firm favourites, but now Durban is...

South Africa: Case Study - Adventure in Africa.(Case study)
November 12, 2007... BMW Aftersales' incentive trip to Cape Town combined excitement with relaxation. The brief: For three years, BMW Aftersales has hosted an adventurous incentive programme for its top-performing parts and bodyshop managers Just two of the...

Asian Incentives: Asia for all seasons.
November 12, 2007... Teresa Machan matches incentives to seasons in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and India. SPRING IN JAPAN Japan hosts more international meetings than any other country in Asia Spring's cherry blossom season is a sight to behold, and it's...

Show guide: 10 Good reasons to attend EIBTM.
November 12, 2007... Leanne Bell takes a look at what's in store for visitors at the annual global meetings and incentives exhibition in Barcelona this year. 1. TECHNOLOGY HOUR For the first time in the history of EIBTM, there will be an hour-long...

Diary: People, parties, pics.
November 12, 2007... 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,...