Conference & Incentive Travel articles from October 2002

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from October 2002

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Perth backs debut via buyer rewards.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2002... The Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) has launched an incentive scheme to boost bookings prior to its opening in 2004. The centre aims to attract up to 10,000 delegates by June 2003 with its Delegate Reward Program. The scheme...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Pushing Frontiers - Bulgaria's Balkan potential.(Bulgaria travel details)(Brief Article)
October 2, 2002... In the south-east of Europe sits Bulgaria, bordering Turkey, Greece and Romania in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. Its major towns include Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas - all of which offer varying degrees of C&I options. However, the...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: HCCE nominates dedicated rep in UK market drive.(Historic Conference Centres of Europe)(Brief Article)
October 2, 2002... Historic Conference Centres of Europe (HCCE) is undertaking a major sales drive across its key European markets. The consortium of 18 conference centres will target the UK market from next year and appoint a dedicated representative to...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Korean facilities spark ascent up UIA league table.(Union of International Associations)(Brief Article)
October 2, 2002... South Korea has witnessed a surge in meetings business and climbed seven places in the UIA's (Union of International Associations) conference league table. It has seen a 23% increase in the volume of incoming conference business over the...

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Resort & Spa to publish brochure.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2002... The Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa in Thailand will publish its latest C&I brochure this month. Tel: +66 02 253 0123.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Shangri-La Hotel appoints.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2002... The Shangri-La Hotel Dubai, scheduled to open in March 2003, has appointed Sherryn Bates as director of sales and marketing. Tel: 020 8747 8484.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Bureau appoints services manager.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2002... Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau has appointed Heather Walker as services manager for the membership department. Tel: +1 214 571 1000.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Grand Hyatt Dubai appoints.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2002... The Grand Hyatt Dubai, which is scheduled to open at the end of the year, has appointed Markus Mueller as director of sales. Tel: +971 4 209 6586.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Tourist Board appoints executive.
October 2, 2002... The Hong Kong Tourist Board has appointed Charlotte Weston as marketing executive for corporate events and incentive travel and Sarah Wasser as marketing coordinator for international associations. Tel: 020 7533 7127.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Eventclicks offers special rates.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2002... Eventclicks, the Asia-Pacific online events specialist, is offering a number of special rates at hotels throughout the region. Tel: +852 2911 7900.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Institute makes space available.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2002... The Dubrulle International Culinary and Hotel Institute of Canada in Vancouver has made its pavilion space available for group dining and cooking demonstrations. Tel: +604 683 5911.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: SITE elects members.
October 2, 2002... SITE, the Society of Incentive Travel Executives, has elected board members for 2003-2005: Peggy Lau, Bill Boyd Lex Granaada, Christina van Zeller, Jon Peck and Katrien Mergaert. Tel: +1 312 673 5806.

OPINION: Sounding Off - Industry needs to heed own advice.
October 2, 2002... Sometimes it's the most obvious things that get overlooked. How many times have you told clients that by implementing an effective reward and recognition scheme, they can motivate, reduce staff turnover, drive performance and profits? So...

CASE STUDY: HP takes new sales team to Berlin.
October 2, 2002... Following its merger with Compaq, computer giant Hewlett-Packard needed a venue in a centrally located destination to introduce and integrate the two outfits' sales teams. The ICC Berlin was a popular choice for both company and delegates, as...

SPECIAL REPORT: One year on.
October 2, 2002... The 11 September attacks exacted a terrible human cost and they also compounded difficulties for an industry facing global recession. Stuart Derrick hears how the sector has fought back With the first anniversary of the 11 September terror...

LONDON DEBATE: A call for civic pride.
October 2, 2002... Industry experts discuss how London can win business and become an international centre. Jennifer Creevy is in the chair 'London is a big beast,' says London Tourist Board and Convention Bureau (LTB) head Mady Keup. Not only that, it has...

LONDON - HOTELS: Capital assets.(hotel and motel service and facility details )
October 2, 2002... Demand outstrips supply in the capital for meetings space and hotel rooms but, as Paul Twite discovers, the city's offer is so strong that groups are prepared to pay premium prices There is not another city in the UK that could have added...

LONDON - CONFERENCE VENUES: Agency ratings.(location details and ratings)
October 2, 2002... CIT takes a look at eight of the capital's biggest venues and asks buyers how they rate them for capacity, accessibility, value for money, service, staff and catering. BARBICAN CENTRE Situated in the heart of London's financial...

LONDON - UNUSUAL VENUES: City selection.
October 2, 2002... London venues have learned they can enhance revenue by opening up to groups outside their normal operating hours. Amy Pemble investigates the pros and cons of their offers London's size and heritage ensures there is a plethora of venues...

EDINBURGH: Scotland's leading light.(travel and area description in relation to business travel )
October 2, 2002... Edinburgh's historic and architectural charms bely the city's steely determination to win corporate business. Ian Sclater discovers why the Scottish capital has a year-round appeal According to figures published in June by the International...

FIRST OFF: Conferences should be London's calling.(investment in London's convention facilities, infrastructure is long overdue)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... This month's London feature is nothing if not timely in light of the Mayor's three-year plan for tourism (news p6). It seems as if the capital may at last get the kind of meetings facilities and infrastructure it deserves. Such investment...

Mayor sets aside pounds 7m in capital tourism plany.(London, England implements program to boost business tourism)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The Mayor of London has identified business tourism as key to the capital's development in his three-year tourism plan. Visit London was outlined at the end of last month and includes extra public funding with pounds 7m being spent up to...

UK PRICE CHECK: Two-day conference.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Brief: A two-day conference for 100 delegates at a purpose-built conference centre with overnight stays at a nearby hotel. Costs include: meeting room hire, single room rate and dinner at the hotel. IMP COLLEGE/GLOUCESTER HTL Meeting...

BTA takes seminar up to Birmingham.(British Tourist Authority to offer Meeting and Incentive Travel workshop)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The British Tourist Authority (BTA) has made Birmingham host city for its Meeting and Incentive Travel workshop in 2003. The event will run from 7-9 March at The ICC. The BTA is expecting more than 80 corporate and association buyers from...

Davies Tanner in education drive to brief industry.(marketing agency offers forum for conference, hospitality industry)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Marketing agency Davies Tanner is hosting a forum on marketing and media within the conference and hospitality industry. The seminar will take place on 17 October and is open to all marketing personnel in the industry. It will be held in...

NEW IN BRIEF: Ken Livingstone to open WTM.(World Travel Market )(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... WTM is to be officially opened at Excel by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. Tel: 01580 211178.

NEW IN BRIEF: Concerto Group launch online guide.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The Concerto Group has launched an online venue guide, www.venue-seeker.co.uk. Tel: 01442 286808.

NEW IN BRIEF: New product launch by Leapfrog International.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Leapfrog International is to introduce a new corporate training product called Mobile Team Challenge. Tel: 01753 580880.

NEW IN BRIEF: DFDS Seaways to work with Murder on the Menu.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... DFDS Seaways's MICE division is working with Murder on the Menu to offer themed entertainment and motivational events. Tel: 0191 293 6261.

NEW IN BRIEF: Elite Hotels creates sales teamy.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Elite Hotels has created a group sales team headed up by business development manager Wendy Goodman. Tel: 01342 824988.

NEW IN BRIEF: Jerwood Centre joins consortium.(Royal College of Physicians' Jerwood Centre joins Conference Centres of Excellence)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The Jerwood Centre at the Royal College of Physicians has joined the Conference Centres of Excellence consortium. Tel: 020 7935 1174.

NEW IN BRIEF: Appointment at Excel.(Rob Mackenzie named associate director)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Excel has appointed Rob Mackenzie as associate director. Mackenzie will head up a new ventures division. Tel: 020 7069 4000.

NEW IN BRIEF: Appointment at Visit London.(Tamara Ingram named non-executive chair of London Tourist Board)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Visit London has appointed Tamara Ingram, chair and CEO of advertising agency McCann-Erickson, as non-executive chair of the London Tourist Board. Tel: 020 7932 2014.

NEW IN BRIEF: Annual survey by Capital Incentives.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Capital Incentives is conducting its third annual motivation survey online at www.capital-incentives.co.uk. Tel: 020 7736 4022.

NEW IN BRIEF: Appointment at Gekko Events.(Carolyn Soutar named head of production)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Gekko Events has appointed Carolyn Soutar to become head of production. Tel: 07966 518961.

US base assists WEM to rack up worldwide wins.(World Event Management expands its US division)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... World Event Management (WEM) has reported a series of global client wins following the expansion of its US division. Client wins include Johnson & Johnson, Wyeth and Aventis. Other undisclosed wins come from the healthcare sector, which...

Maritz unveils tool to cut expenditure.(Maritz Travel UK offers meetings management system)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Maritz Travel has launched a management system it claims will cut meetings expenditure. Meetings Consolidation is being rolled out in the UK. It mirrors the US initiative run by Maritz-owned McGettigan Partners last year. Maritz claims...

PEOPLE AND PLACES: Starwood party at Skyline.(Starwood Hotels and Resorts Inc.'s agents party at Sheraton Skyline Hotel)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Around 140 conference bookers came together at the end of August to enjoy the sixth annual Starwood agents' party at the Sheraton Skyline Hotel at Heathrow. The Mardi Gras-themed evening included entertainment, such as tarot card readers,...

British Airways launches cheap European fares.(airline launches advertising campaign promoting lower fares)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... British Airways has launched a major advertising campaign in a bid to challenge the notion the airline is expensive. The push showcases BA's new low fares on up to 6,500 flights a week to 170 European destinations, which will be available...

New Conference Co-ordination branding, Aspire.(Conference Co-ordination changes name to Aspire - The Event Consultancy)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Event agency Conference Co-ordination is to rebrand this December as part of its expansion plans. The company's name will change to Aspire - The Event Consultancy. Company partner Mike Lancaster said the old name did not sum up what the...

UK tops meetings league for Europe.(country market shares of European meetings market)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The UK was the most popular European destination for international meetings in 2001 and second only to the US globally, according to figures just released from the Union of International Associations (UIA). The UK overtook France to hold...

Councils join to form Conference Wiltshire.(Wiltshire district councils form conference bureau)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Three Wiltshire district councils have joined forces to set up a conference bureau for the county. Salisbury, North Wiltshire and Kennet District Councils have hired local event organising firm Positive Direction to operate the bureau....

Bmibaby seeks third UK airport in expansion bid.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Low-cost airline bmibaby is searching for a third UK base in a bid to expand its operations. The decision was taken after growth in business at the airline's East Midlands airport. It is also due to high demand for flights from its Cardiff...

The only certainty is the uncertainty on incentives tax.(survey of travel agents regarding taxation on incentive rewards)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The only certainties in this life, so they say, are death and taxes. This may hold true as far as income tax is concerned, but when it comes to taxation on incentive rewards the whole issue is far from certain - in fact it seems to be...

MRU finds shortage of conference staff.(results of MICE Research Unit's survey on company conferences)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The MICE Research Unit's (MRU) research into UK conferences has found that just two of the companies surveyed had dedicated conference-organising staff. Based at Bournemouth University, the MRU is part of the International Centre for...

WEBWATCH: P&MM builds in incentive travel.(Web site revamped)
October 3, 2002... Agency P&MM has revamped its company website and launched an online tool for incentive travel groups. The www.p-mm.co.uk site aims to reflect the variety of services the company offers. The home page includes details such as the company...

RTE claims WTM Excel debut will break records.(Reed Travel Exhibitions, World Travel Market 2002)
October 3, 2002... Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) is talking up World Travel Market 2002 claiming it will be the largest to date. The show has increased in size by more than 10%, with more than 36,200 sq m of space booked by 5,000-plus exhibitors. The...

NVS nets visitor number growth.(National Venue Show)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Visitor numbers at the National Venue Show (NVS) were up to 5,417 according to unaudited figures from organiser Waypoint Exhibitions. Visitor figures for the three interlinking shows - the National Incentive Show and the National Direct...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Seminar rescheduled.
October 3, 2002... The ITMA seminar titled Building Better Business Relationships has been rescheduled for 30 October. The deadline for entries for the 2003 ITMA awards is 18 October. Tel: 01737 779928.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Conference bureau rebrands.(Conference Kent)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The Maidstone, Medway and Kent conference bureau has rebranded as Conference Kent to avoid confusion about the area among buyers and to promote other destinations within the county. Tel: 01622 602485.

NEWS IN BRIEF: ISES appoints vice-president.(International Special Events Society)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... ISES, the International Special Events Society, has appointed Solveig Leonard, senior event manager at Excel, as vice-president for membership. Tel: 020 7476 0101.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Royal Garden Hotel appoints.
October 3, 2002... Kensington Royal Garden Hotel has appointed Tim Fryer as conference and banqueting manager. Tel: 020 7404 6777.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Hotel undertaking roadshow.(Marriott Hotel, delivery of new directory)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The Marriott Hotel sales team is undertaking a nationwide roadshow this month to deliver its new directory. The tour will include meetings with corporate buyers. Tel: 01582 499285.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Alexandra Palace launches initiative.
October 3, 2002... Alexandra Palace has launched an initiative to develop its catering and corporate event division. Tel: 020 8365 4314.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Bmibaby appoints.
October 3, 2002... Bmibaby has appointed Sue Underwood as head of sales and marketing. Tel: 01332 854687.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Venue may show incorrect numbers.
October 3, 2002... Venue, the directory of C&I facilities, may show incorrect page numbers on its index due to a printing error. The correct page numbers for the Hanover International properties are: Daventry, Northampton, p137; Eynsham Hall, Oxford, p141;...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: ATC eyes key markets with second-tier push.(Australian Tourist Commission, marketing campaign second phase )(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) has launched the second phase of its marketing campaign to boost business with a Adollars 1m (pounds 350,000) push in key international markets. The campaign includes fam trips for corporate buyers...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Sydney CVB celebrates wins.(Sydney, Australia, Convention and Visitors Bureau, events scheduled)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The Sydney Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB) has pulled in Adollars 197m (pounds 69m) worth of meetings business up to 2012, despite Australia recording an overall drop in tourism since September last year. Over the past three months,...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: World Price Check.
October 3, 2002... Two-day conference Brief: A two-day conference for 100 delegates in a purpose-built conference centre with overnight stays in a nearby hotel. Costs: meeting room hire, single room rate and dinner at the hotel. Berlin ICC, Interconti'...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: AIME generates interest from UK hosted buyers.(AsiaPacific Incentives and Meetings Expo )(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Asia Pacific meetings and incentives show, AIME 2003, has seen a surge in interest from UK and European hosted buyers. 'Our feedback from European hosted buyers has been excellent,' said exhibition director David Crooke. 'Reed Travel...

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Connect Global represents.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Connect Global now represents DMCs Berlin Contacts in Germany and Marimba Travelworks in South Africa. Tel: 01633 235900.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Movenpick signs agreement.(resort in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement to manage a five-star resort in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Tel: +41 1 712 22 22.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Tourism Whistler launches service.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Tourism Whistler has launched an online reservation service as part of its website www.mywhistler.com. Tel: +1 604 938 2795.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Kempinski introduces programme.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Kempinski Hotels & Resorts has introduced a 10% rebate programme called Meetings Bonus to reward buyers booking events at its properties in Germany. Tel: 0800 426 313 55.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Great Hotels of the World appoints.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Great Hotels of the World has appointed Kai Schomann as meeting and incentive services manager. Tel: 020 7383 2335.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: PATA and CEI to present report.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... PATA and CEI Asia Pacific, will present the industry's first annual report on the region's corporate meetings sector. Results will be published in CEI's January 2003 issue. Tel: +66 2 658 2000.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Paris Expo introduces package.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Paris Expo has introduced an all-inclusive day-delegate package at three of its venues: CNIT La Defense, Coeur Defense conference centre and Porte de Versailles. Tel: +33 1 43 95 16 51.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: AIPC appoints.(International Association of Congress Centres)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... AIPC, the International Association of Congress Centres, has appointed Antti Vihinen, managing director of Sibelius Hall Congress Centre in Lahti, Finland, to the board of directors. Tel: +32 496 23 53 27.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Tourism Malaysia in organiser incentive.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Tourism Malaysia has launched an incentive campaign to entice event organisers to place business in the country over the next two years. Meet & Experience Malaysia Truly Asia is aimed at event organisers worldwide, with the UK and Europe a...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Kenya hotels lobby for meetings facility.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers has put forward a proposal for the construction of a world-class convention centre in a bid to compete with neighbouring countries. At a recent three-day meeting in Mombasa for C&I...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Tourist boards moot forum for C&I information.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... C&I representatives from UK-based national tourist offices are considering creating a forum to share information and offer buyers a common voice. The move is spearheaded by Jonathan Cohen, Danish Tourist Board marketing manager for C&I...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Time to recognise not all groups sing from same sheet.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... When will hotels, DMCs and other providers around the world realise groups are not all the same? The age profile for my clients is young, usually from early twenties to mid thirties, their dress code is street casual and their focus is hands-on...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Denmark opens up Oresund to groups.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The Danish Tourist Board has launched a campaign to boost corporate travel to the Oresund region of the country. The project, using the title International Marketing of Oresund (IMO), has a three-year target to increase the number of...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: IMEX hosts day for association buyers at show.
October 3, 2002... IMEX will stage a dedicated workshop for association buyers the day prior to its exhibition. The Association Day on 7 April aims to attract 200 of the anticipated 500 hosted association buyers attending the show from 8-10 April. The...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Las Vegas fields big increase in venue enquiries.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority's (LVCVA) UK office claims it is handling four times the volume of enquiries for 2003 compared to last year. Convention attendance in Las Vegas was up by 17.8% for the year to May 2002, with...

PEOPLE AND PLACES: Microsoft goes to Barcelona.(Microsoft Tech-Ed 2002 )
October 3, 2002... Microsoft Tech-Ed 2002 was held in July at the Fira de Barcelona. PCI Live has produced the event - claimed to be one of the largest conferences to take place in Europe - since its launch nine years ago. The convention and exhibition...

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Kerzner International appoints.(James Kaplan )(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Kerzner International has appointed James Kaplan as vice-president of development for the Asia-Pacific region. Tel: 020 8742 8141.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Hotel launches package.(Regal Airport Hotel, Hong Kong)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... The Regal Airport Hotel, Hong Kong, has launched an executive conference package. Day delegate rates start at HKdollars 325 (pounds 27). Tel: 0870 606 0370.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: International Chapters launches website.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... International Chapters, the villa rental specialist, has launched a website for buyers. The site www.corporatechapters.com, features properties throughout France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Morocco. Tel: 020 7722 0722.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Preferred adds four members.(Preferred Hotels and Resorts )(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Preferred Hotels & Resorts has added four members to its portfolio including Sandy Lane in Barbados and the Washington Terrace Hotel in the US. Tel: 020 8875 2850.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: SITE to host.
October 3, 2002... SITE, the Society of Incentive Travel Executives, will host its 2002 International Conference in Miami from 8-11 December. Tel: +1 312 673 5806.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: House of Events launches.
October 3, 2002... The House of Events, a new DMC, has launched in Portugal. Tel: +351 22 9408284.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Mercator launches Vector.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Mercator, the IT division of the Emirates Group, has launched an event management system called Vector. Tel: +9714 203 2165.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Le Meridien offers cut rates.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2002... Le Meridien properties in Nice, Monaco, Juan les Pins and Malta are offering cut rates for groups from November to March 2003. Tel: +33 4 97 03 40 12.