Conference & Incentive Travel articles from October 2006

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from October 2006

First off: Join us to make CSR an industry concern.
October 26, 2006... In August, C&IT launched the first ever guide to CSR and the events industry. Created as an online supplement, the link was emailed to more than 50,000 C&I buyers. We were overwhelmed by the support across the industry. From corporate buyers...

Pricewaterhousecoopers to cut back on long-haul trips.
October 26, 2006... Consultancy giant Pricewaterhousecoopers (PWC) is set to reduce its long-haul incentive travel as it looks to reinforce its CSR credentials. PWC head of sourcing Iain Palfreman said: 'We have been talking to the Carbon Trust, but it's not...

Novartis keeps on with Banks Sadler after 'tough' pitch.
October 26, 2006... Pharmaceutical company Novartis has reappointed Banks Sadler to its event management contract following a multiple pitch. Banks Sadler will handle events in the UK and overseas, including sales incentives, product launches and doctor...

HBAA's Gasson eyes bookings resolution.(Hotel Booking Agents Association, Tim Gasson )
October 26, 2006... Incoming HBAA head Tim Gasson will focus on tackling the impasse over the 'multiple-booking system' when he takes over from existing chairman Robert Dixon in January. The multiple booking system means venues can offer the same options to...

UK Price check.(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Half-day meeting Brief: Half-day meeting for 80 delegates theatre-style, with LCD projector and screen in October in north London. Delegates get lunch on arrival, afternoon refreshments and a post-meeting champagne reception. HILTON...

C&IT's Client Forum.
October 26, 2006... Roche, Lehman Brothers and Canon are among the corporate speakers at C&IT's Client Forum. The event will take place at the Marriott Goodwood Park Hotel and workshop sessions include measuring the success and maximising the impact of your...

Grosvenor House plans to double its C&I staff.(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Grosvenor House has announced plans to more than double its dedicated C&I staff as it looks to grow group bookings two years into its pounds 100m refurbishment. Staff will increase to eight or possibly ten by the time the refurbishment is...

Von Essen targets C&I with brochure and hotline.(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Von Essen, the country house hotel group, is targeting the C&I sector with a brochure and a dedicated von Essen Events conference hotline. The brochure details facilities at each von Essen property. The launch follows von Essen's acquisition of...

Event Buyers Forum 2007 to take place 22 January.
October 26, 2006... The Event Buyers Forum 2007 hosted by Penguins will take place at the Hilton Tower Bridge on 22 January. Corporates from across all sectors including financial services, pharmaceutical, IT, FMCG and telecoms industries will be in attendance,...

Hilwood doubles property portfolio with Bovey Castle.(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Bovey Castle has been bought by Hilwood Resorts and Hotels for pounds 26m. Hilwood was launched by investment advisor Delancey and former Hand Picked Hotels operations and finance directors Gregor Ritchie and Arvinder Walia in 2006 with...

WEM reports growth after difficult period.(World Event Management)(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Yorkshire-based agency World Event Management (WEM) has recorded a strong financial performance in 2005 following a difficult few years for the company. Last year, saw turnover climb from pounds 17.8m to pounds 18.4m and profit before tax...

Wood is Carphone events manager.
October 26, 2006... Carphone Warehouse (CPW) has appointed Nina Wood as events and incentives manager. Wood has worked with CPW and other telecoms companies on a freelance basis since 2004 and, prior to that, spent five years at Archer Young. 'I've...

Talking Point sale leaves Ratcliffe in travelling mindset.
October 26, 2006... Talking Point managing director Paul Ratcliffe is to leave the agency he founded following its purchase by BCD Travel. Ratcliffe said he would leave within the next two months and planned to go travelling. 'I've had offers, but I won't...

Toyota appoints Maritz to handle incentive.(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Toyota has appointed Maritz to manage the annual incentive programme for its business centre network. The work takes the total value of business wins for the agency in September to more than pounds 1m. The event, scheduled for next...

People and places: Starwood.(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Through a blend of fine French cuisine, fortune-tellers, temporary tattoo artists and rooms resembling Le Louvre, Starwood Hotels paid thanks to agents and partners at its annual agency party. It saw 143 guests from agencies, including...

Eventia and C&IT link up for CSR initiatives.
October 26, 2006... Eventia is backing C&IT's Campaign for Change, with a series of joint CSR initiatives over the next 12 months. Eventia executive director Izania Downie commented: 'We support C&IT's drive to engage the industry with the launch of its...

NEC Group names Thandi as CEO.(Paul Thandi)(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... The NEC Group has appointed commercial director Paul Thandi as chief executive, to replace Andrew Morris, who resigned in April. Thandi joined the Birmingham venue portfolio group from CMP in April 2005 and has helped bring in more new...

Webwatch: www.concorde-events.com.(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Is it a bird, is it a plane? Neither, it's the website of the three year-old Concorde Experience, which offers organisers the chance to associate events with an era when the white heat of technology meant something more than an overworked...

Suppliers that hold on to refunds have no right to be used.(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... It will always be impossible to accurately predict the final spend when invoicing in advance of departure. Clients, quite rightly, expect us to complete a financial reconciliation as quickly as possible post-event, and as soon as this is...

Kavanagh back with Trinity Conferences.(Jacqui Kavanagh launches Trinity Conferences convention services)(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Jacqui Kavanagh, former managing partner at venue-finding agency Jigsaw Conferences, has made a speedy return to the sector with the launch of Trinity Conferences. Kavanagh's share of Jigsaw was bought out by joint owner Mandy Chagger at...

Pure aiming to double client list.(Agency Pure Events plans to expand its business)(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Agency Pure Events has exceeded its predicted turnover in its first year and now plans to redouble its efforts in year two. The Fulham-based agency - whose clients include JC Decaux, Vodafone, Red Bull and Astra Zeneca - posted a turnover...

Book Review: The Black & Gold guide.(Brief article)(Book review)
October 26, 2006... Even in these days of online directories, there are times when only a big, fat book will satisfy your desire for instant information. Although The Black & Gold Guide is the off-line component of an event-services website run by agency...

What are the legal issues over venue capacity figures?(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... A flick through the latest Venue directory the other day made me to wonder to what extent venues are legally responsible for the room capacity figures that they publish. And how stringent are they in turning away bookings for numbers above the...

Paris Convention Bureau to host London buyers event.
October 26, 2006... The Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau (PCVB) is holding its inaugural event in London to highlight its city's C&I offering to UK event planners. To be held on 7 November at London's private members club Paper, the event marks the first...

World price check.(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Two-day residential meeting Brief: Two-day residential conference for 80 with syndicate rooms for team building and a gala dinner in December in a property close to Frankfurt. SHERATON FRANKFURT HOTEL Bed and breakfast - pounds...

Philadelphia targets UK with fam trip push.
October 26, 2006... Philadelphia is finalising plans for a campaign targeting UK C&I buyers, its largest inbound market. The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau has appointed London agency Destination Marketing and allocated a budget of around pounds...

Visit Sweden puts Jolly in charge of raising its profile.(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Visit Sweden has hired former SAS account manager Chris Jolly to head its new C&I department. Jolly joins the Swedish convention bureau as meetings and incentives sales and marketing manager, a role that has been vacant since Annika...

Appointments: Sofitel Budapest.
October 26, 2006... Sofitel Budapest will have a new general manager from the end of October. Rene Angoujard will be moving from the Novotel London West, where he is general manager and has worked for five years.

Appointments: Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.
October 26, 2006... Hyatt Hotels and Resorts has appointed Tristan Dowell as director of sales and marketing at the Great Eastern Hotel, London, where he will be responsible for rebranding the property as a Hyatt hotel for January 2007. Dowell was previously...

Appointments: Logistik.
October 26, 2006... Logistik has appointed Abi Firth as account manager where she will work on the Marks & Spencer and Boots accounts. Firth was previously with experiential marketing agency Red Snapper where she was director of promotions, working with brands...

Appointments: Magic Circle Headquarters.
October 26, 2006... The Magic Circle Headquarters has appointed Paul Jablon as sales manager of the London-based venue, which includes a 162-seat theatre, the Devant Room, Club Room and a bar.

Appointments: Fresh.(Mike Snell, Emma Sybold and Emma Broadhurst )(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Fresh, the Manchester event agency has bolstered its team with new appointments. Mike Snell joins from design agency Electromedia as head of creative, while Emma Sybold has moved from House of Fraser to become a senior designer. Emma Broadhurst...

Turkey appointed the IMF and World Bank host in 2009.(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Istanbul is to host the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank annual meetings in 2009. Director of the UK Turkish culture and tourism office Cengiz Donmez said that the agreement, signed at this year's meeting in Singapore on 20...

Thailand CVB rejigs after 'top man' quits.
October 26, 2006... Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is rejigging operations following the resignation of director-general Peerapong Oeusoonthornwattana. The current TCEB chairman of the Bangkok-based executive committee, Kajit Habanananda has...

Malta DMC Arrigo hires UK representation.
October 26, 2006... Malta-based DMC and conference organiser Arrigo Conference & Corporate Business (CCB) is looking to boost UK MICE business by appointing representation company Moulden Marketing for a 12-month campaign. The promotion starts next month with...

People and Places: Las Vegas.
October 26, 2006... It was a case of Viva Las Vegas for a group of UK meetings planners who headed out to the Nevada gambling capital for the inaugural summit hosted by Krisam, the independent hotels marketing consortium, on 7-10 September. The event, held in...

Overseas briefs: Final call for entries to ITM awards.
October 26, 2006... Eventia has announced the final call for entries to the ITM (formerly ITMA) Awards - the closing date is Friday 13 October. The Awards event returns to Grosvenor House on 2 February. This year's reinvigorated awards can also be entered via a...

Overseas briefs: Efapco to hold its second general assembly and congress.
October 26, 2006... Efapco, the European Federation of Associations of Professional Congress Organisers, is holding its second general assembly and annual congress in Athens on 8-10 December. www.europemeetings.org.

Overseas briefs: Dolce Sitges acquired by Inchydoney Partnership.
October 26, 2006... Dolce Sitges, the Spanish hotel has been acquired by Irish venture capital fund Inchydoney Partnership for pounds 41m. Dolce International will continue to manage the property under a long-term deal. http://sitges.dolce.com/

Overseas briefs: Road to Mandalay ship undergoes first phase of refurbishment.
October 26, 2006... Orient Express's Road to Mandalay river cruise ship has undergone the first phase of a two-part refurbishment for the 2006/7 season. French architect Francois Greck had worked with local Burmese craftsmen to refresh the cabins, reception areas...

Overseas briefs: Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau launches Planner Guide.
October 26, 2006... Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched its 2006/7 electronic Melbourne Planner Guide. The online guide features all the information in the print edition. www.mcvb.com.au/plannersguide.

Opinion: Sounding off - Celebrity speakers; is it now time to get them out of here?
October 26, 2006... Mention sponsorship to people and they will immediately associate the term with brand building, awareness and enhancing corporate image. Mention celebrity speakers and feedback will range from 'she was tiny in real life' to 'that was so...

Diary of a start-up: A grand pilot scheme to win clients and business.
October 26, 2006... Being different is hard work; the temptation to rely on conventional models is overwhelming. But the stuff we are really pleased with is the work we produced from a blank sheet. Like our marketing strategy. We want to be in front of...

In person: Caroline Earley - Events and promotions manager K Nissan (GB).
October 26, 2006... A passionate environmentalist helping to drive car sales and a live-marketing advocate who cheerily admits that she has little time for hobbies because of a 'really bad' work/life balance, Caroline Earley, events and promotions manager at...

Analysis: In balance - the freelance lifestyle.
October 26, 2006... Event sector freelancers are achieving the much vaunted work/life balance. Stuart Derrick reports. Escaping the rat race and achieving a better work/life balance has become one of the preoccupations of our age. Unlike other sectors, where...

Case Study: Gucci Group gets together.
October 26, 2006... Bringing together the Gucci brands presented problems enough, but that was before Top Banana had to cope with a double-booking with the Tunisian prime minister. James Thornton investigates. Brief The Gucci Group comprises ten leading...

Survey Hotels: Service with more of a smile.
October 26, 2006... Agencies' concerns about the quality of service are finally getting through, while chains report growth in C&I revenues. James Thornton unravels the findings from this year's survey. The overall theme from this year's C&IT Hotel Chain...

Show Preview: World Travel Market.
October 26, 2006... This year, the world's biggest travel trade show is further developing its offer to the C&I market with an entire day dedicated to the sector, including MICE-industry focused seminar sessions. Next month will see representatives from 202...

Airport Venues: 10 of the best - UK airport properties.
October 26, 2006... RADISSON SAS HOTEL BIRMINGHAM Contact: Jag Kukadia, 0121 654 6000 Web: www.radissonsas.com Number of meeting rooms: 10 Largest space holds: 130 The second and third floors are dedicated to meeting space, with a fully equipped...

London days in the life of ... London lives.
October 26, 2006... C&IT follows C&I professionals from three sectors - London's tourist board, an events agency and a corporate - through a typical day. For more than a decade, Visit London's Zanine Adams has worked across the hospitality industry including...

London Case Study: LloydsTSB celebrates its star-performing staff.
October 26, 2006... The banking group took 2,000 incentive winners on an unforgettable weekend trip to London as thanks for their stellar efforts. Jennifer Creevy reports. Brief: Lloyds TSB's UK Retail Banking division wanted to stage a weekend motivational...

London Venues: New and improved arrivals in town.(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... From the welcome return of old favourite Ronnie Scott's to loft chic in Hoxton, London has the venues to entice C&I groups. Hilton London Tower Bridge Web: www.hiltonworldwide.com The Hoxton Hotel & Grille Web: www.hoxtonhotels.com...

London in the spotlight: The second coming of Battersea.
October 26, 2006... Construction work has finally started to transform one of the capital's most distinctive landmarks. Set alongside 400 yards of central London riverside frontage, Battersea Power Station is one of the capital's most iconic landmarks....

UK Golf venues: Getting in the swing.
October 26, 2006... With the growing popularity of golf, many of the country's prestigious C&I resorts are welcoming corporate golfers of all standards with an array of coaching and training facilities. Gleneagles, Perthshire Web: www.gleneagles.com...

Isle of Man: The island perspective.(Interview)
October 26, 2006... Paul Oswell talks to the Isle of Man Department of Tourism's conference executive Richard Cuthbert to discover how the island is aiming to develop its offer to attract the UK's C&I market. Born in Exeter, Richard Cuthbert moved to the Isle...

The Netherlands: The urban outlook.(Amsterdam)
October 26, 2006... Organisers familiar with Amsterdam's potential are starting to discover that Holland's other cities offer distinctive and effective alternatives for C&I events. Adam Woods reports. The Netherlands could never be accused of putting all its...

The Netherlands Venues: The best of Holland's historic venues.
October 26, 2006... Whether it's visiting the world in miniature or dining among old masters, the Netherlands is filled with old and unusual venues for custom-made unforgettable events. Adam Woods reports. Mauritshuis Museum, The Hague - Web:...

Special Feature: The Swiss Trophy [PP] Kunal Dutta.(Calendar)
October 26, 2006... Seven teams across Europe and America battled across Switzerland for the second annual Meeting Trophy organised by the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau. Day I 13.30 London City Airport bar Armed police anxiously patrol the...

Costa del Sol: Spain's southern star.
October 26, 2006... The ever-popular holiday region is adding real quality and capacity to its C&I offer to keep it front of mind for planners. Britain has long had a love affair with Southern Spain, traditionally as a two-week summer bolthole, but the sunny...

Costa del Sol incentives: 10 things to do around the costa.(Andalusia, Spain)
October 26, 2006... 1. See a shootout - Tel: +34 9 50 36 52 36 Ideal for John Wayne wannabes Traipse through the Wild West film sets of Sergio Leone classics such as A Fistful of Dollars, The Magnificent Seven and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. The film...

Portugal: 20 of the best reasons to visit Portugal.
October 26, 2006... Jane Dunford lists the best of Portugal, from the Algarve's golf resorts to its cities' leading venues. 5 luxury boltholes - The Heritage Avenida da Liberdade Hotel is the latest boutique hotel to open its doors in Lisbon. With a great...

A guide to Med Incentives: Mediterranean Incentives Cyprus - The activity island menu.
October 26, 2006... New on the block The Aphrodite Hills Resort opened last year and features an 18-hole championship golf course, golf and tennis academies, a spa and the 290-room Intercontinental hotel, which has a 43-room exclusive wing called Club...

Mediterranean Incentives Greece: Reliving the Olympic ideal.
October 26, 2006... New on the block Greece used to be a difficult destination to sell to UK clients, according to Choice Group managing director Tim Ball. But in the afterglow of the Olympics, Athens in particular has been looked on more favourably. 'People...

Mediterranean Incentives Italy: City classics and Tuscan treasures.
October 26, 2006... New on the block In Rimini, the Hotel Michelacci, located in Gabicce Mare, has opened a 500-seat conference hall after a pounds 3m investment. The DuoMo design hotel, with 34 rooms, opened in September 2005, and the 51-room Hotel Card, now...

Mediterranean Incentives Malta: Small but perfectly formed.
October 26, 2006... New on the block Over the past three years, P&MM has hosted six groups in Malta and, according to client services director Chris Clarke, it is a destination that easily exceeds expectations. 'There are some great properties there now,' he...

Mediterranean Incentives South of France & Spain: The good life in la belle France.
October 26, 2006... New on the block Le Mas de Pierre is a four-star property with 48 suites. French Convention Bureau promotion executive Cedric Farineau describes it as a 'small hotel with lots of cachet'. Meanwhile, Spa Neocea is set to open at Le Mas...

Mediterranean Incentives South of France & Spain: The picture from the Costas.
October 26, 2006... New on the block Alicante now has three five-star and seven four-star properties. In March, the 169-room Hotel Hesperia Lucentum opened, while a little further along the coast in Murcia, the Intercontinental Mar Menor Golf Resort and Spa...

Arabian Adventures: Keeping it real.
October 26, 2006... For top-end groups wanting to venture off the beaten track, Abu Dhabi and Oman offer luxury hotels, rugged incentives and a genuine Arabic experience and hospitality. Think Arabian incentive and the soaring shiny image of Dubai's iconic...

Arabian adventures Oman: Oman's great-outdoors offering.
October 26, 2006... Yasmin Razak offers the lowdown on how to get the best out of a trip to the Arabian emirate. Getting there Gulf Air's direct flight from London Heathrow to Muscat remains a popular choice with groups but British Airways flies from Heathrow...

Arabian adventures Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi's forthcoming attractions.
October 26, 2006... Dubai is not the only emirate with grand vision. Yasmin Razak reports on Abu Dhabi's future plans. Saadiyat Island - Web: www.saadiyat.ae Saadiyat Island lies to the north east of Abu Dhabi between the airport and the city centre. The...

VenueFocus.
October 26, 2006... Butlins has launched its first dedicated conference centre at Bognor Regis. The pounds 750,000 development can cater for up to 500 delegates with 300 theatre-style , a further large room for 180 and a boardroom for ten. Its year-old Shoreline...

Venue Focus International.
October 26, 2006... Sofitel, Accor's luxury hotel brand, has unveiled its first upscale property in Brussels' European quarter. The property offers seven meeting rooms, the largest of which is 240m2. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from Brussels airport. Tel: 0870...

Diary: Don't miss ..(Calendar)
October 26, 2006... Eventful: 17-18 October The south coast's first dedicated events show. www.eventfulexpo.com C&IT Client Forum: 23-25 October Learn, network and relax at the Marriott Goodwood Park Hotel and Country Club. www.client.citforum.co.uk...

Diary: Hotel chain addresses the four-legged issue.
October 26, 2006... On all these trips away from home it's terrible being separated from the one you love, and although you can ring your partner to find out how the dog or cat is faring in your absence, it's just not the same. Mewing and panting down the...

Diary: Shame about the trees.
October 26, 2006... Keep it to yourselves, but apparently there's a new C&I player of repute re-entering the London fray, and the word on the street is that it might be the May Fair Hotel. How do we source scoops such as this? The first clue was when the...

Diary: The headlines 10 years ago.
October 26, 2006... Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB) launches Tourism 21, its blueprint for tourism in the coming century. The plan hinges on developing Singapore as a hub for the region. Developments will include expanding the cruise terminal, a new...

Diary: A two-night stay at Gleneagles.(Gleneagles Hotels Ltd.)(Brief article)
October 26, 2006... Set in its own 850-acre estate, The Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland's premier resort is located one hour's drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh. The hotel offers three championship golf courses and an array of activities including a spa, shooting...

Diary: Can you dig it it?(time capsule)
October 26, 2006... If anyone's around in 50 years, take the hoverjet over to the Londonopolis borough of Ruralbuckingham and join the archaeologists puzzling over their latest find. As part of its tenth anniversary celebrations, Indeprod has buried a time capsule...