Conference & Incentive Travel articles from October 2008

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from October 2008

Editorial: Poor service is an opportunity lost.(Editorial)(Survey)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... At a time when suppliers across the country could be forgiven for fighting to win business, it seems surprising that the issue of declining service standards would dominate the pages of this month's issue. Yet while some chains, individual...

BT attempts to rationalise with extended event services roster.
October 1, 2008... Full details have emerged of BT's much talked-about event services roster - with a total of 42 agencies listed. The roster was previously thought to contain 12 names, but details obtained by C&IT reveal a much larger collection. The initial...

Trinity Conferences venture will focus on pharma market.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Venue-finding specialist Trinity Conferences is set to launch a pharma-specific offshoot this month, called Pharmameetings. 'The pharmaceutical market is clearly one of the most highly regulated sectors in the event industry, and this will...

Noble returns with start-up.(Penny Noble launches Noble Events)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Former Blank Canvas director Penny Noble has launched her own agency, Noble Events. The agency is based in Barrow upon Soar, and Noble is currently the sole full-time member of staff, supported by freelancers. She recently left Blank...

Tracker Briefs.(meetings are waste of time, poll revealed)(Business Event Management to expand)(Eventia reveals educational semminar)(Survey)(Calendar)
October 1, 2008... In C&IT News Tracker this month: 'Meetings are a waste of time' according to a Visit Britain poll. The survey, which was released to coincide with National Meetings Week from 15-21 September, found that 29% of work meetings did not...

Yahoo! reviews procurement.
October 1, 2008... Global media giant Yahoo! has announced plans to overhaul its meetings procurement programme. The move is set to follow Yahoo!'s completion of its accommodation booking strategy earlier this year. This saw it consult its 14,000 employees...

MCI continues growth policy.
October 1, 2008... MCI has extended its global reach once more with the launch of a Glasgow office, and the acquisition of Eventclicks - a corporate events agency with offices in Hong Kong and Singapore. The Glasgow move takes its UK office presence to four,...

TRO merger signals a period of expansion.
October 1, 2008... TRO is targeting annual turnover of pounds 30m by 2010 in the wake of its merger with fellow agency Exentio. The integration of the two agencies is due for completion by the end of this year. It follows TRO's acquisition - for an...

Gasson seeks new challenge.(Natalie Gasson to resign from Welcome Financial Services)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Welcome Financial Services' head of events, Natalie Gasson, is to leave the company after two years in the position. 'I was brought in to ring the changes with the events programme and I'm now satisfied that has been achieved, so it is...

HBAA Forum award wins.(Awards list)
October 1, 2008... The first annual Hotel Booking Agents Association Awards were presented at its forum last month. The winners were The Brewery (Training & Development Award); HBI (Promoting Excellence within the Industry); Travel Services (Commitment...

Staying green.
October 1, 2008... At Zibrant's 'How to green your meetings seminar' at De Vere Holborn Bars last month, 40% of the audience said the current economic client will not affect their aim to green their meetings

HBI purchase bolsters GRG's booking offer.
October 1, 2008... Grass Roots Group (GRG) has acquired venue-booking specialist HBI and plans to expand its empire with more acquisitions over the next year. The venue-sourcing agency, formerly Hotel Brokers International, joins the events division of GRG,...

MIA study brings good news.(Meetings Industry Association survey assessing the impact of the credit crunch on the event industry )(Survey)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... A survey assessing the impact of the credit crunch on the event industry has indicated the sector is still producing positive results. The study, which is set to become a thrice-yearly report, was commissioned by the Meetings Industry...

Carrier news.
October 1, 2008... Bmi is to add a second daily flight between Heathrow and Moscow Domodedovo from late October. Emirates will have exclusive use of the new 1km2 Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport when it opens this month. Easyjet has added extra...

Who stands to gain from this slating?
October 1, 2008... This year I have attended some fantastic industry events, meeting some incredibly talented event professionals from across all supplier groups and industries. To provide the very best service to clients, I attend to pick up best-practice...

Avenue Events set to go global.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... UK agency Avenue Events has unveiled plans to open franchises in Sydney, New York and Cape Town, and a wholly owned office in China, next year. 'They will assume our identity and business model and we will train and guide them on how to...

Eglue and Colt among wins for World Events.
October 1, 2008... Agency World Events has announced a raft of account wins, including projects for public sector, medical and telecoms clients. A total of seven wins have been confirmed, taking in global software company Eglue, the NHS Institute for...

Jack Morton in SA partnership.(Jack Morton Worldwide in strategic partnership with event marketing company O'mage)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Agency Jack Morton Worldwide has signed a strategic partnership agreement with South African event marketing company O'mage. The Johannesburg-based firm's clients include Toyota, Standard Bank and South African Breweries. Jack Morton...

One to watch: Claire Lawson, incoming commercial director, The Grove.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Why are we watching her? Lawson is to take up this new position at the Hertfordshire luxury property at the start of November, having spent seven years at award-winning London venue The Brewery. 'I have been at The Brewery for a long time...

Appointment at Reed Travel Exhibitions.
October 1, 2008... Atif Farid Malik has been appointed sales manager for Reed Travel Exhibitions' meeting and incentives portfolio. Based in Dubai, Malik will market shows such as the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) to the region

Appointment at Representation Plus.
October 1, 2008... Representation company Representation Plus has appointed Tom Nutley as its non-executive director. Nutley is non-executive president of Reed Travel Exhibitions

Appointment at The Cavendish Group.
October 1, 2008... The Cavendish Group has named Susie Bresler as manager of its event travel division. Bresler has more than 20 years' experience in the event travel industry and moves from a role at Gullivers Sports Travel

Appointment at Langham Hotels International.
October 1, 2008... Langham Hotels International has appointed Graham Parsons as director of conferences and events for the Langham, London. Parsons has worked in the conference and event industry for 15 years

Appointment at Leading Group Sales.
October 1, 2008... The Leading Hotels of the World's joint venture, Leading Group Sales, has appointed Soeren Huber as sales director for EMEA. He was previously employed as sales director at Badrutt's Palace in St. Moritz, Switzerland

Appointment at Guoman Hotels.
October 1, 2008... Jeff Karlson has been made executive director of global sales for Guoman Hotels. He will focus on driving international sales ahead of the company's planned acquisition of the Royal Horseguards in February 2009

Appointment at South Africa Tourism.
October 1, 2008... South Africa Tourism has appointed Donna Abberley as business tourism manager for its London office. She joins from Visit London, where she worked as event manager

Are hotels delivering the brief?
October 1, 2008... As value for money comes under increasing scrutiny, C&IT gives venues a chance to shine by appraising responses to a fictitious brief. THE BRIEF Event: A two-day, one-night conference for 100 people with gala dinner Client:...

Class of 2007 - where are they now?
October 1, 2008... Last year, C&IT spoke to the intake of the MA Conference and Events Management at the University of Westminster about their plans. One year on, we catch up with a select few. YUSHUAI CHENG I am currently on my vacation in China and...

Reader poll 2008: Vote for your top C&I stars and win a trip with flights to Las Vegas.
October 1, 2008... The C&IT Reader Poll is back and this year you could win a four-night stay for two in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, courtesy of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Virgin Atlantic and The Palazzo. On...

Sonicwall gathers for first overseas foray.
October 1, 2008... The IT network solutions supplier brought its partners from across the EMEA region to Marrakech for an event combining business and relationship building. THE BRIEF: Sonicwall is a global IT company specialising in network security...

Property Bulletin - Leanne Bell reviews the latest news from the Highlands to Hong Kong.(Principal Hayley opens new meeting rooms)(Mira Hong Kong restructures)(The Boat Hotel expands its capacity)
October 1, 2008... CHATEAU ST JUST, PARIS Hotel and conference venue group Principal Hayley has opened its first venue in France. Chateau St Just comprises a historic 17th-century chateau combined with modern conference buildings, and is located in Belle...

Venue Tracker Briefs.(Algarve Vila Sol Resort rebranded as Renaissance Golf and Spa Resort)(Marriott Tudor Park Hotel and Country Club renovates)(Hilton Malta opened extra rooms)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... In C&IT Venue Tracker this month: The Algarve Vila Sol Resort has been rebranded as a Renaissance Golf & Spa Resort. The 275-room hotel has 11 meeting rooms in 1,505m2 of event space (28.08.08). Marriott Tudor Park Hotel & Country Club...

Pushing Frontiers: Time for ... Panama.
October 1, 2008... With KLM flying direct, the republic is now more accessible than ever. INCENTIVES Head to the Soberania National Park to check out the diverse flora, mammals, birds, insects and reptiles. Get a bird's eye view of the treetops and...

Agency Focus: Challenge - The AGM.
October 1, 2008... This month's brief is to run an AGM in the UK for 1,000 staff located across the country. The client wants to make the same impact as last year, but with a budget cut by 20 per cent. Manchester's Bridgewater Hall would provide the perfect...

What makes me click - Charlotte Wilson, managing director, Pure Events.
October 1, 2008... I started out in PR in Cape Town, doing PR for wine estates and consumer brands before coming back to London to start my own business. I use my extensive knowledge and supplier base to produce high-end events, for clients such as Hamptons...

Agency Focus: 10 minutes with ... First Protocol.
October 1, 2008... Chief executive Richard Waddington talks Leanne Bell through the agency's future strategy. Location: Offices in London, New York and Hamburg. Staff: 43, excluding contractors and freelancers, based in the UK, the US and Germany. ...

In Person: Frederic Monteil, IPE.
October 1, 2008... Leanne Bell meets the publisher's events chief with an eye for art, design and the unusual. When IPE International Publishers' Frederic Monteil wanted to move into the newly created post of events director, he had a fight on his hands The...

Sounding Off: Venues missing a trick.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Having attending various recent industry events, the common thread from venues has been how can we achieve more business from you? How can we influence your customers to use our venue? While it is really great that properties are being...

Show Preview: WTM in focus.
October 1, 2008... Paul Oswell finds out what visitors can expect from the travel trade's global gathering at Excel London. The world's leading event for the travel industry returns to Excel London next month, and technology, CSR and the Olympics are all on...

London: Boom or bust?
October 1, 2008... With the economy faltering, some experts feel London might be in an ideal position to compete with more established European destinations, as Kunal Dutta discovers. With the baton firmly in its clutches and the countdown to 2012 officially...

London Countdown to 2012: Lessons from Beijing.
October 1, 2008... As the torch makes its way to London, what can the industry learn from China's Games? Plan for known unknowns In Beijing, the wealth of new hotels that were being built in the run-up to the Games meant that even with accommodation...

London: Toyota sets the stage at Excel London.
October 1, 2008... The car-maker's European Retailer Meeting saw 6,000 dealers assemble in London for strategy sessions and songs from the shows. The brief: Every three years, Toyota Motor Europe hosts a European Retailer Meeting (ERM) for its entire European...

London: O2 rewards its heroes.
October 1, 2008... The telecoms giant opted for an on-message venue for its annual awards. James Thornton reports. The Brief: 'The Spirit of O2 really is the pinnacle event for reward and recognition across the whole company,' says O2 head of internal...

London Check Outs: Unique, chic and boutique.
October 1, 2008... Susie Harwood and Leanne Bell run the rule over two of London's small but perfectly formed hotel options. THE DRAYCOTT HOTEL WHERE IS IT? Five-star luxury boutique property, The Draycott, is situated in a garden square, within walking...

London Top Tables: Capital eats.
October 1, 2008... Yasmin Arrigo and Susie Harwood road test two City restaurants offering British fare from local produce. THE MERCER Contact: 020 7628 0001 Web: www.themercer.co.uk Where: Threadneedle Street in the heart of the City ...

UK Islands: Sceptred isles.
October 1, 2008... Susie Harwood travels north to south to explore the C&I allure of the Isles of Skye and Man, and Guernsey. ISLE OF MAN Getting there: Flybe flies to Douglas from Birmingham, Gatwick, Manchester, Southampton, London Luton, Liverpool and...

UK Team-Building Venues: Strengthening bonds.
October 1, 2008... Whether a client's aims are for a strategic exercise or simply to encourage networking, the UK has a venue for every objective. Victoria Furness suggests options grouped by theme. STRATEGY SKILLS Located three miles outside Manchester...

UK Team-Building Venues: Interactive approaches.
October 1, 2008... Three corporate clients embark on three different ways to foster closer team relationships Client: Lexis Nexis Group size: 180 Date: 20 June 2008 Venue: Lake View at Thorpe Park, Surrey EXECUTION: Guests arrived at noon, in time...

European Golf Venues: 10 of Europe's most C&I-friendly Courses.
October 1, 2008... - Bowood Golf & Country Club, Wiltshire Set in the estate of a truly impressive stately home, and surrounded by one of Capability Brown's finest parks, Bowood Golf & Country Club is one of the west country's leading courses, and a...

European Golf Venues: Case study - Chivas at the home of golf.
October 1, 2008... The drinks brand wanted to strengthen its golfing ties and celebrate a record-breaking year with senior staff. THE BRIEF: To reward top performing sales staff and distributors from across Pernod Ricard's European and US offices after what...

European Golf Venues: Case study - Liberty Global at Stoke Park.
October 1, 2008... THE BRIEF: Liberty Global is Europe's largest cable TV and content supplier. Although it does not have a UK presence, it does operate in 11 European territories, and bases some of its administrative services in the UK, along with the chief...

European Golf Venues: UK Venue update - Raising their game.(Barnham Broom Hotel to offer spa facilities)(Gleneagles Golf Course offers spa services)(Marriott Corp. plans for renovation)
October 1, 2008... Barnham Broom Hotel, just outside Norwich, offers two golfing challenges, the slightly more straightforward Hill Course and the more testing Valley course, which uses the river and natural lakes to devastating effect for the unwary golfer. ...

The Netherlands: Double Dutch.
October 1, 2008... The Hague and Maastricht are targeting UK business with a new marketing campaign and a raft of openings. Clive Walker reports. With Amsterdam monopolising the Netherlands' C&I market, Maastricht and The Hague may not be the first...

Germany: GM's centenary event unites brand messages.
October 1, 2008... The car maker wanted to celebrate its centenary with its European dealer network and outline the strategy for its brands in a challenging marketplace. Stuart Derrick reports. THE BRIEF: With mounting challenges from fuel prices, vehicle...

Germany: Spotlight on Berlin.
October 1, 2008... Berlin's mix of historic heritage and modern facilities is making it a hit with UK buyers. It's almost 20 years since Berlin's notorious wall came down and the city was reunited. Then Berlin was the tense meeting point of east and west....

Germany: Showcase - Dresden's unusual venues.
October 1, 2008... The Saxony city's venues range from historic boutique retreats to a working factory. - Romantik Hotel Pattis Inside this boutique five-star, a former mill, up to 100 delegates can dine in two gourmet restaurants serving regional meals...

Switzerland: Peak performance.
October 1, 2008... Leanne Bell pairs up the facts with the figures on Switzerland's capabilities as a C&I destination. 671 - Switzerland is anticipating that 671 new hotel rooms will come on stream between now and 2011. Among the new openings will be the...

Czech Republic: 10 of the Best Conference Hotels.
October 1, 2008... - Radisson SAS Alacron Hotel The Alacron Hotel, built in 1932, reopened ten years ago under Radisson SAS ownership and was refurbished in a modern Art Deco-style earlier this year. The 206-room property is situated in the heart of Prague's...

Greece: Is Greece too traditional?
October 1, 2008... Paul Oswell asks four industry experts whether perceptions of Greece's ancient history and heritage sites can make it a hard sell as a destination for modern corporate incentives. YES - Alice Padmore, production executive, The Phoenix...

Greece: Rhodes spotlight.
October 1, 2008... The popular island is concentrating on developing its high-end offer as it expands its accommodation. Rhodes, the third biggest island in Greece, is making concerted efforts to shed its image of boozy teenagers running riot in the streets...

Mediterranean Incentives: Europe's playground.
October 1, 2008... Abigail Wills embarks on a tour around the Med to unearth the best incentive options. SPAIN SLEEP TIGHT: Over the next 18 months, 30 new hotels will open in Barcelona. Among the new offerings is the 53-room Murmuri, part of the...

Singapore: Pride of the Lion City.
October 1, 2008... Record visitor numbers, industry accolades and an ever-improving infrastructure - it is little wonder that the South East Asian destination is feeling bullish. Ben Lerwill reports. Things are going well for Singapore - there's not so much a...

Diary: People, parties, pics.
October 1, 2008... 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,...

Diary: Pin board.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... In downtown London, one of the EC Collective teams gets ready to take up the challenge, while at Copenhagen's sustainability fam trip, the group braves the weather and Visit Denmark gets free branding. At World Events' staff It's A Knockout...

Diary: Said & done.
October 1, 2008... 'dumbo. jude law. theo walcock. basil fawlty. lipstick pitbull. gok wan' Some of the names put forward by HBAA members at an interactive session at its forum, when asked who should head the trade body 'i'm a newcastle fan so i'm used...