Conference & Incentive Travel articles from September 2002

Conference & Incentive Travel archives from September 2002

FIRST OFF: UK must offer world class service levels.(for conventions and meetings)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The UK's meetings offer has taken a bit of a battering recently. At the ICCA UK & Ireland chapter's annual summer debate, the country was dismissed by Dennis Wheatley, who looks after the interests of most of the world's pharmaceutical...

Revenue outlines dual incentive tax contracts.(UK Board of Inland Revenue's new tax provision regarding incentive travel)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... A new tax provision opportunity for corporate clients who pay tax on behalf of incentive programme participants was outlined by the Inland Revenue at the recent ITMA seminar, 'The Tax Man Cometh'. Up until now, it has been common practice...

UK Price Check.(prices for hosting 100 delegates, United Kingdom)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
September 2, 2002... FIVE-DAY INCENTIVE Brief: A five-day incentive for 100 delegates in a top hotel with a half-day meeting and gala dinner. Costs: double occupancy rooms, breakfast, dinner,meeting room hire. Costs are inclusive of VAT. Four Seasons Canary...

Hunt & Palmer runs groups flight cover.(insurance for chartered flights)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Aircraft charter broker Hunt & Palmer International has launched a flight protection package for the C&I market. FlightProtect is designed to provide cover for factors beyond client control, such as airline insolvency, bad weather,...

MIA introduces C&I course for mid-managers.(Meetings Industry Association)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The Meetings Industry Association (MIA) has launched the UK's first accredited management training programme for the meetings industry. The Certificate in Management Development is in response to a survey of MIA members that identified a...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Hilton Conventions launched.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Hilton is launching Hilton Conventions, a product for large-scale events. The scheme will be introduced in 11 UK properties this month before being offered worldwide. Tel: 020 7856 8370.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Centre wins award.(Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre has won the Innovation in Business Tourism award at this year's London Tourism Awards. Tel: 020 7798 4426.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Wembley (Plc) sells subsidiary.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Wembley (Plc) has sold its Wembley (London) subsidiary, including the conference and exhibition centre, to Quintain Estates for pounds 48m. Tel: 020 8795 8003.

NEWS IN BRIEF: De Vere Hotels to expand service.(Priority One booking service)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... De Vere Hotels is to expand its Priority One booking service. The service covers all 21 De Vere properties and is available to buyers booking groups of ten or more. Tel: 0870 240 0101.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Marriott launches system.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Marriott Hotel Company has launched a centralised conference and events booking system across all 60 properties in the UK. Tel: 01582 499285.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Initial Style to open Centre.(Devonport House Conference Centre )(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Initial Style Conferences is to open Devonport House Conference Centre situated at Greenwich's World Heritage site at the end of October. Tel: 01483 285544.

NEWS IN BRIEF: TRO Orange wins in connection with programme.(Correction Notice)
September 2, 2002... The TRO Orange wins referred to in last month's CIT are in connection with an outdoor consumer and business events programme and do not reflect the management of Orange's total events portfolio. Tel: 01603 787787.

NEWS IN BRIEF: System offered in car park not centre.(Column)
September 2, 2002... Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) offers an upgraded infra-red deaf loop system and CCTV system in its car park, not the Brighton Centre as was reported in last month's CIT. Tel: 01202 456550.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Centre and Hatton members of consortium.(Conference Centres of Excellence )(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The Cotswold Conference Centre and the Hatton in London have become members of the Conference Centres of Excellence consortium. Tel: 01306 886900.

TMO falls in line with parent and rebrands as BI.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... TMO has rebranded as BI to adopt a more global positioning. The change follows the firm's acquisition last year by US-based agency Schoeneckers, which trades as BI and the TMO rebrand keeps it in line accordingly. 'We have changed our name...

Expotel division to fulfil planner remit.(Conference Solutions by Expotel)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Hotel reservations company Expotel has launched a conference and event management division, Conference Solutions by Expotel. The company will find its clients conference venues and event management planners within four hours of initial...

PEOPLE AND PLACES: Orion finds space in Sussex.(Orion Publishing Group holds conference at Grad Hotel, Eastbourne, England)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The Orion Publishing Group took full advantage of the facilities at the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne to host its annual sales conference earlier this year. More than 130 international sales reps attended the two-day event, which offered an...

Projectlink sets up Workslive for live event focus.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Event management company Projectlink has launched a live events division, Workslive. Although Projectlink had previously run live events, Workslive director Paul Girling said the separate division allowed the company to provide a more...

Gekko opens up agency for top three countries.(Gekko Events)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... An event management and entertainment booking agency has launched to target the UK, US and French markets. Gekko Events was set up by Kristin Magnuson, a former senior account director at US corporate communications firm, TBA. 'We are...

IBR reports shift in purchasing trends.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Budget considerations and a growing reliance on online technology have been identified by IBR managing director Chris Madge as two major trends currently developing within the UK event management industry. His comments come as the company...

ITMA refutes claims of membership bias.(conference and incentive industry association)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The ITMA has denied allegations that its annual awards ceremony is primarily aimed at, and won by, its own members. Clarifying the association's stance, ITMA executive director Charles Robinson said: 'The role of the ITMA is to represent...

Compass rejigs departments to streamline offer.(Compass Event Management)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Compass Event Management has restructured to form two departments, one for incentives and one for events. Incentive activities, team-building and corporate hospitality events, such as Cowes Week, will now be under the remit of Compass...

Gridlock is forcing the cost of group travel up in the air.(traffic jams delay air travellers)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Organisers just used to worry about the flights, accommodation, the programme, a dedicated check-in desk with corporate signage. Now and again there would be an overnight, but clients often dismissed this as unnecessary. Now delegates have to...

New Confex logo reflects relaxed show ambience.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 2, 2002... International Confex has a new logo designed to help 'pamper' visitors and exhibitors to its show. Its new logo projects the 'Event Therapy' concept, which will look to treat exhibitors and visitors in the same way as they would treat...

Reed organises WTM transport.(World Travel Market)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... World Travel Market (WTM) organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions has established a transport group to ensure the easy flow of visitors and exhibitors to the show's new London Docklands venue, Excel. 'We have studied both the hour-by-hour flow of...

West Wales sets up marketing initiative.(aims to attract conference and incentive industry business)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 2, 2002... Twenty-five C&I companies in Pembrokeshire have joined forces in a bid to attract more event business to the area. The consortium, the Pembrokeshire Business Tourism Group, aims to build on the success the south west of Wales has...

WEBWATCH: Guernsey raises awareness.(Conference Guernsey's Web site)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Conference Guernsey, the marketing group formed last year by suppliers on the island, has launched a website for conference buyers - www.conferenceguernsey.gg. It aims to raise awareness of what the island can offer the groups market and...

NEWS IN BRIEF: RS Live launches operation.(London, England)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... RS Live has launched its London operation. Amanda Stephenson will be general manager. Tel: 020 7255 5402.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointments at Marketing Manchester.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Marketing Manchester has promoted Paul Simpson to the position of deputy managing director and Olenka Brain has been appointed as head of business development. Tel: 0161 237 1010.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Macdonald introduces programme.(Macdonald Hotels )(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Macdonald Hotels has introduced a special rate programme for corporate groups entitled Business Solutions. Tel: 0131 527 4685.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointments at Chartridge Conference Company.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Chartridge Conference Company has appointed Michelle Robinson and Janine Daniel as business development managers. Tel: 01494 837484.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at Intel.(Sue Burgess)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Intel, the conference and hotel accommodation agency, has appointed Sue Burgess as operations director. Tel: 01206 210722.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at Thistle Hotels.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Thistle Hotels has appointed Luc Genest as head of business travel sales as part of its aim to increase its market share within the C&I industry. Tel: 020 7895 2236.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at Corus & Regal. (Corus and Regal Hotels).(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Corus & Regal has appointed Vicky Gurney as corporate marketing manager and Georgina Richards as corporate marketing assistant. Philip Moston has been appointed as sales and marketing manager. Tel: 01908 553125.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at SECC. (Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre).(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... SECC (Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre) has appointed Ian Grant as chairman. Tel: 0141 275 6215.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at Imark Communications.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Imark Communications has appointed Dilip Patel as general manager for its specialist event management division, First Contact. Tel: 01932 730704.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: UK groups concerned by flooding aftermath.(Prague, Dresden)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... UK C&I groups have expressed concern about travelling to Prague following the recent floods, despite the Czech Tourist Authority's (CTA) assurances that things are returning to normal. The CTA insists most of the tourism infrastructure remains...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Reed and Genesis part ways.(Reed Travel Exhibitions and Genesis Motivation)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) and Genesis Motivation have agreed to terminate the contract that saw Genesis provide travel arrangements for RTE-organised EIBTM. The decision follows RTE's investigation into the debacle that arose with the...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Irish DMCs join forces to create Ovation agency.(Ovation Group, Delaney Marketing merge)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Irish DMCs Ovation Group and Delaney Marketing have merged their two companies. The new group, trading as Ovation, will be based in Dublin but will have additional offices in Cork and Belfast. It employs 50 people and is expected to yield...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: World Price Check.(hotels)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
September 2, 2002... FIVE-DAY INCENTIVE Brief: A five-day incentive for 100 delegates in a top hotel with a half-day meeting and gala dinner. Costs: double occupancy rooms, breakfast, meeting room hire. Costs are inclusive of all taxes. Jumeirah Beach, Dubai...

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Vienna Convention Bureau wins bids.(two major psychiatry meetings )(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Vienna Convention Bureau has won bids for two major psychiatry meetings in 2003 and 2005 that will generate a total of 42,000 overnight stays and more than pounds 8m for the region. Tel: +43 1 211 14 500.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Moulden Marketing appointed.(Mare Nostrum Resort )(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The Mare Nostrum Resort in Tenerife has appointed Moulden Marketing as its UK representative. Tel: 020 7372 4844.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Starwood to sell assets.(Sardinia)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Starwood Hotels & Resorts is to sell off its assets on the island of Sardinia. These include the Hotel Pitrizza and the Cervo Hotel and Conference Centre. Tel: 020 7290 7105.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Fivestarfiller representing.(Cititravel and Konciti)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Spanish DMCs Cititravel and Konciti will now be represented in the UK by agency Fivestarfiller. Tel: 020 8651 0555.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Virgin Atlantic to reinstate fifth service.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Virgin Atlantic is to reinstate a fifth daily service between London and New York from October 2002 and a second daily service to Washington is set to be introduced from June 2003. Tel: 01293 747373.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Bureau publishes guide.(Barcelona Convention Bureau, Spain)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Barcelona Convention Bureau has published a new congress guide. Tel: +34 93 207 6811.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Appointment at Conrad Hotels.(Michael Governey)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Conrad Hotels has appointed Michael Governey as regional vice-president of development for Ireland. Tel: +32 2 542 4242.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Steigenberger launches 'Meet & Sleep' package.(Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts has launched a 'Meet & Sleep' package across 33 hotels throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Prices start from pounds 56 including one night's accommodation and the offer is valid until the end of the year....

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Luxury travel event looks full for debut.
September 2, 2002... More than 70% of the available floor space has already been sold for the debut International Luxury Travel event. Organised by ILTM Media and Reed Travel Exhibitions, the show is to be held at the Cannes Palais de Festivals et des Congres...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: South Africa aims to learn from EFCT link. (European Federation of Conference Towns).(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The South African Federation of Convention Cities (SAFCC) has allied with the European Federation of Conference Towns (EFCT) to learn how to market itself more successfully as a conference destination. Cape Town Convention Bureau CEO Rick...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Cape Town chief calls on airlines to up UK flights.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The Cape Town Convention Bureau (CTCB) is calling for more direct flights from the UK in its winter season between May and October. CTCB CEO Rick Taylor predicts the opening of the Cape Town Convention Centre in July 2003 and the high level...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Thanks to budget carriers we're all coach class now.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... I have commented before in this column about the impact of budget carriers, suggesting reduced in-flight service is contrary to the aspirational objectives of incentive travel. Of equal concern is the erosion of service that carriers offer...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: ATC push aimed at growing C&I share. (Australian Tourist Commission, conference and incentive).(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) has launched a Adollars 1m (pounds 355,000) business tourism campaign in a bid to increase its share of the global conventions and incentives market. This is the first time the ATC has had specific...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: People and Places - Evenement takes to Cannes.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Evenement France is an annual event run by Maison de La France that showcases a different region of the country each year. From 14-16 June, 80 agency buyers were invited to discover the twin attractions of Cannes and Antibes on the Cote d'Azur....

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Sydney bureau secures pounds 9m of congress trade.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 2, 2002... Sydney has secured Adollars 26m (pounds 9.3m) of international convention business over the past two months, pulling in an estimated 5,600 delegates to the city between next year and 2012. The International Federation of Home Economics congress...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Jamaica aims to stem decline via fam trip initiative.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in London is to host a number of fam trips to the island to revive flagging business. Deputy director of tourism at the JTB, David Barber, attributes the slowdown in visitor numbers to the general global...

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Appointment at Corinthia Hotels International.(Geoff Andrew)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Corinthia Hotels International has appointed Geoff Andrew as group director of sales and marketing. Tel: 020 8943 4194.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Rivieria joins Barcelo.(Rivieria Resort & Spa acquired by Barcelo Hotels & Resorts)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The Rivieria Resort & Spa in Malta has joined Spanish group Barcelo Hotels & Resorts. The Resort will operate under franchise and will be renamed the Barcelo Riviera Resort & Spa. Tel: 020 7242 3131.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Appointment at Millennium Hotels & Resorts.(Andrew Laviopierre)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Millennium Hotels & Resorts has appointed Andrew Laviopierre as vice-president of sales for the Middle East and North Africa. Tel: 020 7872 2480.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Greenland Tourism launches CD-Rom.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Greenland Tourism has launched a CD-Rom for corporate buyers containing information on facilities and activities on the island. Tel: 020 7201 3977.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Emirates and Jumeirah produce brochure.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Emirates Airline and the Jumeirah International group have produced a dedicated brochure aimed at UK conference and incentive organisers. Tel: 020 7235 1234.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Saleslink appointed as representative.(for Windsor Group and Incentive Travel)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Saleslink Marketing has been appointed as representative for the Madeira-based DMC Windsor Group & Incentive Travel. Tel: +351 21 386 8172.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Grand Heritage welcomes 20 members.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Grand Heritage Hotels International has welcomed an additional 20 members to the consortium, bringing the total number of properties in its portfolio to 140. New members include the Hotel Lawrence in Dallas, Texas and Le Grand Lodge in Quebec....

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Exhibition from 21-23 January.
September 2, 2002... The Scandinavian Hospitality Incentive & Event Exhibition will take place from 21-23 January in Stockholm. Tel: +46 8 506 651 12.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: UK and Irish top Dubai incoming visitor numbers.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 2, 2002... Visitors to Dubai from the UK and Ireland outnumbered those from any other European country last year, with an increase of 15.6% in visitor numbers to 348,477 and 7,065 respectively. Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Suppliers create Harare meeting market coalition.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Six C&I firms in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare have joined up to promote themselves as Conference Harare, despite the current political situation. The initiative aims to drive awareness of the product and maintain a solid customer base...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Star Alliance wins 50,000 delegates.(global airlines' coalition's Convention Plus service)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 2, 2002... Star Alliance's global meetings product Conventions Plus has secured business from event organisers for nearly 50,000 delegates. Launched just six months ago by the airline coalition - whose members include Bmi British Midland, Air Canada and...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Pushing Frontiers - Alaska wilderness meetings.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... As the US's most northern state, on the far side of Canada, Alaska is synonymous with natural beauty, thanks to its multitude of glaciers, fjords and icefields. This landscape lends itself to incentive activities, such as extreme skiing,...

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: NH Hoteles to open 38 properties.(acquires Astron)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... NH Hoteles is to open 38 properties in Spain and Germany over the next five years following its acquisition of German hotel group Astron. Tel: +34 91 398 44 00.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Remmen Hotels launches website.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Remmen Hotels, the Copenhagen-based hotel chain, has launched a website, www.remmen.dk, which features virtual images of meeting spaces, floorplans and also offers an online reservation facility. Tel: +45 4043 8151.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Appointment at WCVM.(World Council for Venue Management)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The World Council for Venue Management (WCVM) has appointed Joseph Floreano and Hans Mixner to the roles of vice-chairmen. Tel: +1972 255 8020.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Corinthia awarded accreditation.(Corinthia Towers in Prague)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The Corinthia Towers in Prague has become the first venue outside of the UK to be awarded the Hospitality Assured meetings (H/AM) accreditation. Tel: 020 8943 4194.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Millennium opens office.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Millennium Hotels & Resorts has opened its first global sales office in Beijing, China. Tel: 020 7872 2480.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Ciao Fly launches service.(between Luton and Parma)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Ciao Fly, the Italian low-cost airline, has launched a daily service from Luton to Parma. Tel: 0800 169 1687.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Centre picks up 2002 Apex award.(Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre has picked up the 2002 Apex award for World's Best Convention Centre at the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) general assembly. Tel: +32 496 23 53 27.

OVERSEAS BRIEFS: Federation holding workshops.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... The European Federation of Conference Towns is holding its next European Conference Markets workshops in Dusseldorf and Paris in October and London and Brussels next March. Tel: +32 2 632 69 54.

OPINION: Sounding Off - Pitch process lacks necessary dialogue.(bidding for conferences)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... It seems that pitching for business today is almost akin to having a punt on the National Lottery. When I started in this business one could reasonably calculate there was a one in three chance of securing the business, and you nearly always...

CASE STUDY: Puerto Rico fulfils meeting promise.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... When engineering firm Rotork needed a premium destination for its well-travelled employees, it was delighted when Conference Co-ordination suggested Puerto Rico. Bringing together 375 delegates from 75 countries to one destination for an...

CASE STUDY: Microsoft builds morale at Ascot.(holds meeting at Ascot Racecourse)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... Microsoft needed a large, local venue for an event, so Offland Associates suggested Ascot Racecourse. When Microsoft was looking for somewhere to host a one-day event in April for 500 of its UK staff, agency Offland Associates suggested...

UK TOWNS SURVEY: The state of the nation.(conference market reviewed)(Statistical Data Included)
September 2, 2002... This year's BACD membership survey outlines the state of the UK conference market. As Stephanie Roberts finds out, the needs of the corporate buyer remain very much a priority for the UK's tourist boards and conference bureaus What with...

CORPORATE HOSPITALITY: Low key luxury.
September 2, 2002... Hospitality events are an important part of the marketing mix, even when budgets are tight. Jennifer Creevy looks at some of the more innovative ways to entertain your staff and clients In a difficult economic climate, one of the first...

WALES: Finding its voice.
September 2, 2002... Infrastructural developments in Wales have established it as a regional centre for C&I business, but if this is to grow it needs to capitalise on its own distinctiveness, as Stephanie Roberts reports Wales' reputation as a destination...

ACADEMIC VENUES: Educated choice.(university facilities)
September 2, 2002... Academic venues always offer good facilities and value for money, but now a campaign of refurbishment has brought accommodation up to hotel levels, as Amy Pemble reports Thinking back to university days evokes memories of alcohol-fuelled...

SPORTING VENUES: Fit for business.
September 2, 2002... Sporting venues are keen to grow revenues and are improving their facilities to compete on an equal footing with traditional venues for a slice of market share, as Stuart Derrick finds out Although Twickenham has long been English rugby's...