Conference & Incentive Travel articles from October 2003

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from October 2003

FIRST OFF: BA's attitude leaves many disillusioned.(British Airways)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... 'Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse' is the phrase that springs to mind on hearing of the current debacle over BA and its group booking arrangements (News, p6). In last month's CIT columnist David Hackett took issue with BA's...

BA causes concern with its changes to booking system.(British Airways)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Changes to British Airways' groups bookings system have angered hundreds of C&I agencies. As of 1 October, all bar twenty agencies have to book through consolidators Travel 2 or Gold Medal. The twenty larger agencies, designated as...

UK Price check.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Senior level event in a contemporary setting Brief: 15 delegates for two nights, three days . Costs include accommodation, breakfast, lunch, refreshments, dinner, room hire and VAT. 42 THE CALLS, Leeds 24-hour rate pounds...

Site owner's review brings CCEC closure.(Commonwealth Conference & Events Centre )(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... London's Commonwealth Conference & Events Centre (CCEC) is to close for good next July following a review by site owner and charitable trust the Commonwealth Institute of its charitable activities. Managing director Paul Kennedy admitted...

Third Venue Show figures indicate a good attendance.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... An unaudited figure of 5,500 people visited the third National Venue Show (NVS), which is a minor increase on last year's attendance. The 2003 NVS was held at the Birmingham NEC from 9-11 September, and organisers were pleased with both...

NEWS IN BRIEF: The De Vere Grand Brighton launches service.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... The De Vere Grand Brighton has launched a service to help conference delegates unwind. 'Profitness' will provide services including reiki and head massages. Tel: 01273 224300.

NEWS IN BRIEF: The Business Tourism Partnerships meeting with DTI.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... The Business Tourism Partnership has highlighted the importance of encouraging small businesses to take part in conferences and exhibitions at a meeting with the DTI. Tel: 020 8563 3253.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Banks Sadler celebrates 21st anniversary.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Banks Sadler, the venue-finding, events and travel agency is celebrating its 21st anniversary. Tel: 020 7424 3330.

NEWS IN BRIEF: New members for Conference Centres of Excellence.(Stirling Management Centre in Scotland and Templeton College, Oxford)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Conference Centres of Excellence has two new members - Stirling Management Centre in Scotland, and Templeton College, Oxford. Tel: 01494 837484.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Whitbreak to build sites.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Whitbread is to build Touchbase business and meeting sites in Bradford, Birmingham North (M6 toll road) and Nottingham. Tel: 08701 977 077.

NEWS IN BRIEF: York Barbican Centre to host Conference.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... York Barbican Centre will host the inaugural York Conference Showcase in early October, to encourage C&I businesses to use the region. Tel: 01904 554453.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at East Midlands Conference Centre.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... East Midlands Conference Centre has appointed Jo Charlton to fill the freshly created role of disability project manager. Tel: 0115 951 5000.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at Millennium Hotel London Mayfair.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Millennium Hotel London Mayfair has appointed Virginia Masser, previously of the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and Claridges, as general manager. Tel: 020 7494 5750.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at Bluehat UK.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Bluehat UK has appointed Clare Edwards as a facilitator to develop learning on events. Tel: 020 8707 2001.

BUPA awards new event contract to Venues Unlimited.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Swindon-based agency Venues Unlimited has won a contract from BUPA to service the private healthcare provider's conferences, events and accommodation needs for the next three years. Following a client pitch, Venues Unlimited was retained to...

Agency rates highly in US title's new poll.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Event marketing agency The George P Johnson Company (GPJ) has been named as one of the top 25 marketing agencies in the World in a US poll. It is the first time an events marketing agency has made it onto the list, published by US title...

Orange hands BSI second account following review.(wins conference management contract)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Hotel and conference-booking agency BSI has won the account to manage conferences for Orange UK, following a review of the telecommunications giant's travel expenditure. BSI achieved savings of pounds 2m on Orange's hotel costs over the last...

AssociAction looks to diversify portfolio.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Specialist events agency for the association market, AssociAction Enterprises, is branching out into the corporate sector, following a buy out by its management team. Formerly known as Association Enterprises, the newly rebranded AssociAction...

PEOPLE AND PLACES: Macdonald Hotels Roadshow.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Macdonald Hotels operates a series of events throughout the year for agencies and conference organisers. It is currently planning its Christmas workshops but in May held its first-ever showcase event for southwest England. The five-star...

TRO set to provide logistical support for GM Daewoo UK.(The Russell Organisation )(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... The Russell Organisation (TRO) has won the contract to oversee the retailer and national events programme for GM Daewoo UK. The agency already acts for Vauxhall Motors in a similar capacity. Marketing services manager at Daewoo Nigel Unwin,...

Glasgow poised for a revamp of its image.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Glasgow is to undertake a major citywide rebranding project with a grant of pounds 1.5m from the European Regional Development Fund. The Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley Tourist Board is expected to appoint a creative agency by 15 December this...

Marriott targets meetings work.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... A dedicated conference agency sales team has been created by Marriott Hotels in the UK, in a bid to boost meetings business. The team of four will sell directly to events agencies and meeting planners to improve brand awareness. Director...

TOOLKIT: I love incentives.
October 31, 2003... What's this month's product? I Love Incentives, an online motivational solution used by companies such as BP, AstraZeneca and Sachs Boge. What is it? A fully customised and bespoke incentive solution that can be linked to a...

Relevance must be the main priority of academic courses.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Academic education in event management has been painfully slow to evolve, finally getting off the ground in 1996 with the Leeds Metropolitan University BA course, and then the City of Westminster College's HNC. Around that time more conference...

INTERNATIONAL: MPI survey spotlights role of procurement departments.
October 31, 2003... A recent MPI survey has confirmed the increasing role of procurement departments in dictating event budgets. Of the 220 respondents, 56% revealed that senior-level executives have the most influence over event spend, whereas meeting...

INTERNATIONAL: World price check.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Senior level event in a contemporary setting Brief: 15 delegates for two nights, three days . Costs include accommodation, breakfast, lunch, refreshments, dinner, room hire, travel and taxes. THE CLARENCE, DUBLIN Accomm/room hire ...

INTERNATIONAL: Radisson pledges to bolster client service.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts has unveiled an initiative to build relationships and strengthen its presence in the meetings and events market. Meetings and Events Promises, effectively a guarantee to its clients of the provision of a...

INTERNATIONAL: IMF meetings will showcase Dubai on a global stage.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Dubai is poised to get a significant boost from hosting this year's World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund meetings, according to local industry operators. 'This is an opportunity to showcase Dubai on a global stage... and to...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Ovation rebranded.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Ovation, the Ireland-based conference and event management agency run by MD Ciaran Hynes, has rebranded as Bravo! to offer an integrated approach to event solutions. Tel: +353 1 674 5930.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: The Singapore Tourism Board holds meeting.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... The Singapore Tourism Board recently held a brainstorming session for representatives of the C&I industry, including hotels, airlines, DMCs and convention organisers, to come up with fresh marketing ideas. Tel: +65 6736 6622.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Choice Hotels Europe launch.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Choice Hotels Europe is to launch the Clarion Collection, an extension of its existing four-star international Clarion hotel brand, in the UK and Continental Europe. Tel: 020 7437 1792.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Tourism Malaysia to work with Seal PR.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Tourism Malaysia has announced it will be working with Seal PR to continue its promotion of the country's visitor attractions. Tel: 020 7935 0276.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Emirates Towers Hotel voted favourite.(Favourite Overseas Business Hotel )(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai has been voted Favourite Overseas Business Hotel by the readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine. Tel: +971 4 330 0111.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: MCI opens new office.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... MCI, the events and communications agency, has opened a new office in Brussels. Tel: +32 27431540.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Paris Expo launches congress division.
October 31, 2003... Paris Expo has launched a congress division to coincide with the opening of 9,500 sq m of new conference space at the Espace Grande Arche. Tel: +33 1 43 95 16 51.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: The Convention Industry Council introduces exam in Singapore.
October 31, 2003... The Convention Industry Council will introduce its Certified Meeting Professional exam in Singapore, making it the first site in Asia for the certification. Tel: +1 703 610 9030.

INTERNATIONAL: Greek Tourist Office welcomes new CVB.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... The creation of a dedicated bureau for conventions, exhibitions and visitors in Athens has been hailed as a welcome and timely move by the Greek National Tourist Office (GNTO) in London. 'At last we've started the ball rolling and we can...

INTERNATIONAL: IMEX details latest 2004 plans.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... IMEX has announced the latest development for its 2004 trade show. IMEX will introduce a professional development pavilion at the show in Frankfurt next May. It will provide information on educational and training opportunities within the C&I...

INTERNATIONAL: Pushing frontiers - Toulouse.(plan events for Toulouse)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Event planners searching for a fresh destination with comprehensive facilities would do well to look at the Gascony region of France, and its major historical city, Toulouse. The 'pink city', so called because of its many rose-brick...

INTERNATIONAL: Claims of booming placements do not tally with the facts.(Editorial)
October 31, 2003... A couple of days ago I read an article announcing large-scale redundancies at two major C&I agencies. In the very same article, a trade recruitment agency stated that it was enjoying booming business. I cannot comprehend how these opposing...

INTERNATIONAL: Personal contact is critical to event success says AIPC.(International Association of Congress Centres)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... New communications technology may be revolutionising the way people do business, but it will never be a substitute for face-to-face meetings. This was the clear message to emerge when the International Association of Congress Centres...

INTERNATIONAL: Qatar tourism body set to appoint UK head.(Qatar Tourism Authority )(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... The Qatar Tourism Authority is to appoint a tourism director to head its new UK office. The appointment will be made by November and the incumbent will oversee both leisure and business tourism. One of their priorities in the role will be...

INTERNATIONAL: People and places - The Mistral.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... A 54-strong group of event organisers and tour operators took to the high seas in September for a two-day fam trip aboard the Mistral, one of a fleet of seven ships operated by Festival Cruises. The guests flew to Hamburg from London Heathrow,...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Appointment at Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Committee.(Jack Morton Worldwide)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Committee has announced that Jack Morton Worldwide will oversee the management contract for the event's opening and closing ceremonies. Tel: +61 3 9613 2006.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Appointment at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.(Austin Frost)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has appointed Austin Frost as its vice-president of international sales. Tel: +852 2599 3323.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: The Society of Incentive & Travel Executives Awards.
October 31, 2003... The Society of Incentive & Travel Executives recently recognised the best incentive and promotion campaigns of the past year at its Crystal Awards. Tel: +1 312 673 5806.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Etc Venues wins contract.(CBI Business House marketing contract)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Etc Venues, a meeting space provider, has won the contract to market CBI Business House in Brussels. Tel: 020 7518 8600.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Thebe Conventions to be member of the ICCA.(International Congress and Convention Association)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Thebe Conventions, the recently formed South African conference agency, has been accepted as a member of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Tel: +27 21 419 8310.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Appointment at One&Only Resorts.(Helen McCabe-Young)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... One&Only Resorts has announced the appointment of Helen McCabe-Young as senior vice-president of marketing for Europe. Tel: 01753 899 800.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: IMEX and BTC International sign agreement.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... IMEX and BTC International, a MICE trade show in Florence, have signed an agreement to collaborate on promotional activities for the two events. Tel: 01273 227311.

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Alpine Meeting Solutions launch in France.(conference management service )(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Alpine Meeting Solutions, a one-stop shop for conferences, events and destination management across resorts in the Alps, was recently launched in France. Tel: +33 4 50 27 75 51.

ANALYSIS: A battle to regain buyer confidence.(international travel restrictions)
October 31, 2003... With the media continually pushing stories of global terrorism and SARS, overseas suppliers struggle to attract international C&I buyers, a cause made more difficult by the easy availability of misinformation. Selecting an overseas...

OPINION: Sounding off - Delegates ought to be inspired by their annual conference.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... 'Conference objectives? Look, the venue's already booked and the entertainment's lined up, so let's just concentrate on giving everyone a good time, shall we?' If you can't see what's wrong with that sentence, stop reading now. But if you...

IN PERSON: Jeremy Brinkworth, Head of business tourism, VisitBritain.(Interview)
October 31, 2003... Those experiencing a sense of deja vu on hearing that Jeremy Brinkworth had been appointed head of business tourism for VisitBritain will be relieved to know it was entirely justified. The 45-year-old has returned to the role he held from1998...

CASE STUDY: Seychelles trip motivates Nissan dealerships.
October 31, 2003... To develop communications strategies via an incentive trip, Nissan Finance GB opted for a destination many would call paradise. Despite being part of the Nissan brand, Nissan Finance GB (NFGB) does not enjoy guaranteed support from the 240...

CASE STUDY: Reed Elsevier plumps for a flavour of Britain.
October 31, 2003... Reed Elsevier wanted a definite theme at their conference, and it proved a hit with delegates. When media group Reed Elsevier needed a quintessentially English country estate for its first stand-alone Electronic Publishing & Innovation...

SHOW GUIDE: M&IT back at Olympia.
October 31, 2003... The M&IT show is returning to Olympia after two years in London's Docklands, and organisers are hoping the new-look formula will win back business. Sarah Wild discovers what's on offer. This year's M&IT show may be retaining its 'More than...

AIRPORT VENUES: Business connections.(includes a directory of facilities)
October 31, 2003... Airport hotels may not always be pretty, but for location and budget they can be hard to beat. With time and budgets always at the forefront of buyers' minds, the functional airport hotel fulfils a number of demands. For international...

UK GOLF VENUES: Clubhouse rules.(includes a list of facilities)
October 31, 2003... Corporate golf events are an opportunity for delegates to relax and socialise, as well as conducting some business. Dave Saunders reports. The benefits of corporate golf days are summed up succinctly by Bryan Moore, managing director of...

TELFORD: United front.
October 31, 2003... With an industrial history and a contemporary outlook, there is much for the meetings market in Telford. Back in the late eighteenth century, as the British Empire was gaining colonial footholds around the globe, Shropshire's blacksmiths...

BIRMINGHAM: Meeting in the middle.
October 31, 2003... Already established in the international meetings sector, Birmingham still intends to innovate. Birmingham has built a reputation as one of the leading international conference destinations in Europe, offering an extensive choice of...

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE: A tale of two cities.
October 31, 2003... Despite their perceived rivalry, Oxford and Cambridge both provide a culturally rich setting for the meetings market, as Colette Doyle discovers. Rivalry between the cities of Oxford and Cambridge may be rife when it comes to the...

LONDON COMMENT: Time for action.
October 31, 2003... The popularity of London as a meetings destination is not in question, but new plans to improve its offer are long overdue. By Colette Doyle. Expensive hotels, the absence of a large-capacity, purpose-built conference facility and a lack...

LONDON CASE STUDY: Music unites Cable & Wireless staff.
October 31, 2003... When Cable & Wireless chose to motivate staff the method it used was unorthodox but highly effective. Colette Doyle details the conference's diary. Playing musical instruments may not be the first thing that springs to mind when a...

LONDON VENUES: 20 places to meet in London.(Directory)
October 31, 2003... As befits the nation's capital, London's venues are unrivalled and provide a variety of facilities to suit every buyer. ALEXANDRA PALACE Address: Alexandra Palace Way N22 7AY Contact: Katie Yiakoumi, 020 8365 4316 Website:...

COSTA DEL SOL: Affordable luxury.
October 31, 2003... UK buyers are finding that the Costa del Sol's offer is varied and cost effective. Recent world events mean the Costa del Sol is back in fashion among UK conference and incentive groups searching for somewhere sunny, safe and close to...

COSTA DEL SOL: Spotlight on the Costa del Sol's venues.(Directory)
October 31, 2003... Ease of access, improved facilities and beautiful locations provide everything that delegates could wish for. Gran Hotel Benahavis Benahavis +34 902 50 48 62 This 95-room hotel, which opened earlier this year, is located ten minutes...

SINGAPORE: A question of confidence.
October 31, 2003... Singapore suffered greatly from the recent outbreak of SARS, but a new campaign that offers financial support to event organisers is spearheading the recovery, as Abigail Wills discovers. On 30 August this year all 2,000 rooms at the...

NETHERLANDS: Holland's centrifugal force.
October 31, 2003... Amsterdam has long been seen as the epicentre of Dutch business tourism, but other areas have much to offer. Sarah Wild reports. Voted the seventh most popular overseas destination by readers in CIT's agency survey in March, the Netherlands...

PORTUGAL: Raising the game.
October 31, 2003... As the Portugese government prepares to centralise business tourism, Belinda Gannaway reports on the industry's reaction. With the Euro 2004 soccer championship around the corner, the government of Portugal has chosen a critical time to...

PORTUGAL: Ten of the best conference hotels.(Directory)
October 31, 2003... PESTANA CARLTON PALACE HOTEL Number of meeting spaces: 15 Maximum capacity: 509 Web: www.pestana.com In the centre of Lisbon, the hotel combines a 19th-century palace - set in a park landscape, with modern accommodation and a conference...

VENUE FOCUS: Small luxury venue unveiled on Cypriot coast.(Thalassa, a new hotel, set to open in November.)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Thalassa, a new deluxe hotel catering for the business tourism market, is set to open on the outskirts of Paphos, Cyprus in November. It offers three intimate board and conference rooms, as well as luxury sea-view accommodation for up to 76...

VENUE FOCUS: New conference facilities at Edinburgh hotel.
October 31, 2003... The Glasshouse, Edinburgh's latest five-star boutique hotel, has launched corporate facilities for its business users. The 65-room property has unveiled three state-of-the-art boardrooms, each of which accommodates 36 delegates theatre-style...

VENUE FOCUS: Hilton International, Thailand.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Hilton International has announced the 2004 opening of a Conrad resort in Phuket, Thailand. Tel: +65 6833 9768.

VENUE FOCUS: Signature Hotel Group.(The Mount Hotel and Conference Centre)(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Signature Hotel Group has completed its pounds 4m restoration work on The Mount Hotel and Conference Centre, Wolverhampton and Dunchurch Park, near Rugby. Tel: 01788 810656.

VENUE FOCUS: Choupana Hills, Madeira.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Choupana Hills, a five-star resort and health spa on Madeira, recently opened for business. The property, situated on the hillside above Funchal, offers conference facilities for up to 50 people. Tel: +351 291 20 60 20.

VENUE FOCUS: The Tram Studios, Camden, London.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... The Tram Studios in Camden, London, recently celebrated its first anniversary as a meetings venue. The Grade-II listed former tram depot can accommodate up to 350 delegates theatre-style. Tel: 0207 482 7044.

VENUE FOCUS: Park Hyatt Milano.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Park Hyatt Milano will open in October. Located in the heart of Milan, the 117-room hotel has more than 335 sq m of meeting space, and features a restaurant specialising in local produce. Tel: +39 02 8821 1234.

VENUE FOCUS: Ashdown Park, East Sussex.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Ashdown Park, a country club in East Sussex, has added opera evenings and reiki to its list of incentive activities. The luxury venue is a converted nunnery, and can host business events in a refurbished church. Tel: 01342 824988.

VENUE FOCUS: The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Florida.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Florida, opened to guests in July. The 584-room estate boasts facilities for up to 1,650 delegates. Tel: +1 407 206 2400.

VENUE FOCUS: Radisson SAS Hotel, Leeds.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Radisson SAS Hotel Leeds has reopened its historic meeting room after lengthy renovation. The Presidential Suite, formerly the boardroom of the Leeds Permanent Building Society in the 1920s, boasts oak panelling and stained glass domes. It can...

VENUE FOCUS: The Aria Hotel, Prague.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... The Aria Hotel opened for business recently in Prague. Located in the historic 'Mala Strana' quarter, the 52-room property features a 24-hour business centre and can accommodate up to 30 delegates theatre-style. The hotel is billed as a...

VENUE FOCUS: Hart's Hotel, Nottingham.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Hart's Hotel, a 32-room contemporary venue, has opened in Nottingham. The hotel stands on the site of the city's medieval castle ramparts, and can host meetings for up to 110 delegates. It is an extension of the established Hart's Restaurant,...

DIARY: Let's go to ... St Louis.(Brief Article)
October 31, 2003... Sell it to me. Well, it goes by the unassuming monicker of Rome of the West, it's a cultural and sporting city, and the base for the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog. Sound promising? Culture, you say? The Colisseum, the Pantheon......