All Entries Tagged With: "meetings"

ITM Appoints New General Manager

The Institute of Travel & Meetings UK & Ireland has today announced the
appointment of Emmanuelle Clément in the role of General Manager. Ms Clément
will replace Anne Deamer, who joined ITM in 2008 in the newly created role
but is leaving the association after conference to focus on her degree
studies.

Ms Clément has been Alumni Relations Manager at Cranfield School of
Management since 2007. She was responsible for managing the team, developing
an International alumni strategy and running five business networks. She
holds a Masters degree in Tourism and Management from Lyon’s University in
France and an MBA from Cranfield School of Management.

Paul Tilstone, ITM CEO, said of Ms Clément’s appointment, “*We are delighted
to welcome Emmanuelle to the organisation at an incredibly exciting time. I
have no doubt her management of people networks and language skills will
prove incredibly useful to ITM’s work, both in the UK and Europe*. *We want
to wish Anne Deamer all the best with her studies and thank her for all her
hard work and commitment to the association.*”

ABU DHABI TO HOST FRENCH TRAVEL AGENTS UNION CONVENTION

Abu Dhabi is readying to host the annual convention of the Paris section of the Syndicat National des Agences de Voyages (SNAV-Paris Ile de France) – National Union of French Travel Agents – which will see 180 of top French travel influencers arrive in the UAE capital next month.

The convention will be led by SNAV Paris Ile de France’s President Mrs Michele Herbaut and a delegate profile which includes 100 agency directors, the presidents of the six main travel retail agency networks and French travel trade media representatives.

“This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate, first-hand, Abu Dhabi’s expanding and highly diverse tourism proposition,” said Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) which is hosting the convention’s gala dinner.

The convention will be held in the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, which nestles amid the towering dunes of Abu Dhabi’s awe-inspiring LiwaDesert. Delegates will also sample other destination products including the signatureYas Hotel – the only hotel in the world to straddle an F1™ race track – the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Saadiyat Island Cultural District exhibition at Emirates Palace and a 4×4 desert safari.

News of Abu Dhabi’s selection as the convention host comes as ADTA statistics rank France 7^th in the destination’s top 10 markets for hotel guests. In the first two months of this year some 6,644 French nationals stayed in hotels throughout Abu Dhabi emirate – an 11% increase on the same period last year.

“We will be looking to show these important influencers just why two of the world’s top travel guides – Frommer’s and Lonely Planet – have recommended Abu Dhabi as a top 10 destination to visit this year,” added Ahmed Hussein. “We then hope the experience translates in further recommendations from which we can build on the improving hotel guest stays being recorded by French nationals.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Extends Meeting Promotions

BTC APPOINTS ADRIA CONGREX AS INBOUND AND GROUND HANDLING AGENCY.

THE AIA PALAS CONSORTIUM TO MANAGE ACCOMMODATION

ICCA and MPI join forces with GIBTM for Market Knowledge Exchange

Leading meetings industry associations ICCA and MPI have joined forces with GIBTM for “Meetings Reality & Potential in the Gulf Region – The Market Knowledge Exchange”.

Taking place between 14.00 and 17.30 on Sunday, 28 March at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, the interactive session launches Gulf Meetings Week and is open to all.

Key topics for discussion and debate include the ‘mood of the market’; challenges and opportunities; occupancy rates and pricing; training and how the region can attract more association events, corporate conferences and incentives.

Martin Sirk, CEO, ICCA said: “This session offers meetings industry professionals a rare chance to share inside knowledge, the latest frontline market intelligence, and their individual viewpoints on where future business is going to come from.

“The Gulf region has been so dynamic and difficult to read over the last couple of years, with extensive supply-side developments still coming on stream despite the global economic turmoil, ambitious strategic planning by the region’s rulers, and extremes of market segment volatility and unpredictable client behaviour – hopefully after this frank exchange of views, we’ll all be that little bit clearer about what’s going on and what practical steps can be taken to win more meetings business.”

Erica Keogan, GIBTM’s Education Content Manager, comments: “This initiative is an opportunity for the industry to meet and discuss how the Gulf meetings sector will develop in the future. We want to encourage attendance from all levels of the industry from those starting out to senior management; from travel agents and those representing destinations to technology and event companies. All have a role to play in the development of a sector that has enormous potential for growth.”

Didier Scaillet, Chief Development Officer, MPI adds: “The GCC countries continue to establish themselves as a new centre of gravity for the global meetings industry, with a unique location at the crossroads of East and West, a remarkable infrastructure and world-class airlines.”

“This past year has seen many changes in the demand for meetings and events, linked to this unprecedented global recession. We are very pleased to work in partnership with GIBTM and ICCA to stage this conference, designed to make meeting and event professionals successful in attracting additional business and developing their skills and competencies.”

IAPCO EXPANDS EDUCATION IN ASIA

“The first e-learning face-to-face meeting”

In its annual educational circle of conferences and seminars, IAPCO stops in Macau for the second time. The destination officials want to make Macau a learning hub for the Professional Congress and Exhibition Organisation in Asia and IAPCO is a quality driven association whose members deliver meetings worldwide.

This year seminar’s in depth topic was focusing on bidding for a congress or a destination with an attentive audience of hoteliers, CVBs and PCOs.

“I am very happy this year that we authorised our students to use their laptops during the courses” says Philippe Fournier, IAPCO President and Managing Director at MCI in France. “Delegates have access to the internet on their laptops in the classroom style session room. Most delegates are following the speakers on their electronic program (sent in advance) and some are doing their preparation for their working groups so they are alternatively listening to the speakers depending on their mood, choice, will!”.

“Whatever they are doing they are here and do not feel trapped as they can access their emails on a laptop instead of a handheld phone, so there is no need to run back to the office at each break! They can follow on the screen without having papers and can type their notes and comment instantly. The attendance has been remarkably high at all sessions. It actually has surprised us how well it is working – we definitely have happier delegates. Delegates can tune in and out of presentations as they feel appropriate to their needs” continues Jan Tonkin, IAPCO Chair of the Membership Committee and Managing Director of The Conference Company (New Zealand).

“IAPCO has created the first e-learning face-to-face seminar” concludes Ros McLeod, IAPCO Council Member and Managing Director of arinex (Australia) who is also a speaker at this educational course. “Congratulations must go to our host, the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), for promoting such a first class seminar with wonderful hospitality, and an excellent venue at the Grand Hyatt. Delegates have come in from Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines”.

European Cities Marketing: Focus on Sustainability

From 24^th to 27^th February 2010, European Cities Marketing had the honour of being hosted by the city of Turku (Finland) on the occasion of the ECM Spring Meeting. Delegates had the opportunity to attend a one-day seminar, learn from numerous case studies and participate in various workshops on sustainability.

“Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Cities – Does it really matter?” was the provocative title of the seminar chaired by Steen Jakobsen, Copenhagen’s Convention Director. Mr Jakobsen also contributed to the content of the seminar by presenting a contemporary and highly relevant case study of the “Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Protocol”. Together with Guy Bigwood (Group Sustainability Director, MCI and Incoming President, Green Meetings Industry Council) they shared their experience of organising the the UN Climate Change Conference, COP 15 sustainably. Three inspiring keynote speakers also came from Finland: Professor Alf Rehn, who was described recently by The Times of London as a “star” future thinker, presented his vision of a tourism that focuses on environmentally-friendly quality rather than unsustainable quantity; Professor Esko Antola (Jean Monnet chair, Centrum Balticum, Turku) presented the idea of sustainable tourism from the EU policy-making perspective and Jaakko Lehtonen, Director General of the Finnish Tourist Board explained how his agency brands and markets a quintessentially green country.

“The timing was excellent for an ECM meeting with this topic. Sustainability and caring about the environment has been on the global agenda for a long time and it is becoming more and more important. Tourism plays a major role in our cities economically but it also contributes to emissions and pollution and we simply have to act responsibly. People all around the world are becoming more and more aware of the need for sustainable behavior and these same individuals are also city visitors. Therefore we simply must act in order to respond to our clients,” explains Steen Jakobsen.

Immediately after the seminar, breakout sessions were proposed to allow meeting participants to share their experience by discussing the role of sustainability in three areas: meetings, city tourism and events from the host community perspective.

On Friday 26^th February, several workshops were held in addition to the usual Knowledge Group presentations. Helena Egan (Destination Marketing Sales Manager, Trip Advisor) explained how the user generated platform of Trip Advisor works and the ways in which cities could benefit from the content of Trip Advisor to complete the marketing image of a tourism destination. In co-operation with Modul University Vienna, two workshops were organised to help ECM members to master online tools: the TourMIS database and Facebook.

The next ECM meeting – the ECM Annual Conference & General Assembly – will take place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria from 9^th to 12^th June 2010 and the main seminar will deal with a timely and extremely relevant topic for destinations’ marketing: social media.

Research to Focus on the Performance Drivers and Value of Meetings

AIBTM Research Alliance Consolidates MPI, RTE Global Relationship

February 22, 2010 – Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) and the MPI Foundation announced a major AIBTM research alliance at MPI’s MeetDifferent in Cancun today.

In an initiative which further focuses both parties’ long standing relationship, the MPI Foundation will produce a comprehensive initiative on meeting and business event performance to be presented at AIBTM in Baltimore in June 2011 as part of an America Meetings Week.  This initiative is a culmination of a broad scope of initiatives that will focus on studying and understanding the appreciable business value of meetings.

“Through this alliance, meeting and event professionals will gain access to critical data and resources to more effectively design, implement and measure the business value of their meetings. We see our relationship with RTE as a prime driver in highlighting our commitment to content and thought leadership around the world,” said Bruce MacMillan, MPI President and CEO.

Vanessa Cotton, CMM Chair Reed Travel Exhibitions Meetings and Incentives Events, comments: “One of the areas that will set us apart from other events for the meetings industry in North America is our reputation in providing best professional education. Whether from the corporate, association or agency sector, this major piece of research is designed to provide the industry with information on key trends and developments that will have a significant impact on their business.

“Our global partnership with MPI, which additionally includes the development of education programs at all our IBTM events in Barcelona, Abu Dhabi, Beijing and now Baltimore, is an indication of the importance both parties place on the providing the industry at all levels with sources of relevant and validated knowledge.”

AIBTM will provide meeting and event professionals in all sectors – association, corporate, government and third party – with quality interaction with over 300 North American and international exhibitors. It is set to attract 500 Hosted Buyers, of which 100 will come from outside America and around 2,500 trade visitors made up of largely North American based meeting planners with domestic, interstate business.

America Meetings Week will raise the profile of the meetings and events industry to the wider business market and political community across North America, focusing on the economic contribution which meetings and events make to the economy, the number of jobs supported and the positive benefits which effective meetings and events bring to business development and communication.

KPMG Golf Business Forum May 12-14

Now in its 7^th year the KPMG Golf business forum is gearing up for this year’s event in Belek Turkey with a list of outstanding speakers and dignitaries from the world of golf.  This conference is a great opportunity to learn from the experts and to meet key people from within the golf industry.

The programme is extensive with   a full social schedule for networking, plus visits to local golf and leisure facilities. This year’s event will also include debate about the value and opportunities for developing ladies golf and golf tourism. The theme for this year’s conference is rethink, redesign and reposition the global golf industry more www.golfbusinessforum.com

Stefania Agostini: Rimini is ready to welcome BTC

“We will make all our know-how and the best resources of the region available”, says the director of the Riviera di Rimini Convention Bureau, which operates the new Palacongressi conference and exhibition centre.

Stefania Agostini is determined to offer Rimini’s best resources to ensure Italy’s trade show for the meetings industry is a success: “For the Riviera di Rimini Convention Bureau, BTC has always been the sector’s most important national event, and we have now fully embraced the call Be there to demonstrate; we will not therefore just be in attendance, but will take part in an active and proactive manner, which will allow us to show the Italian and international meetings industry gathering for BTC what Rimini has done and can do in this business”.

The new Palacongressi which will host BTC is already a tangible demonstration of the city’s commitment to strengthening and exploiting to the full its vocation for hosting events that began forty years ago. “It is a flexible venue, which allows a dynamic use of space, fulfilling BTC’s need to bring innovation to the traditional trade fair format,” continues Agostini. “Of course, we are also highly suitable for traditional exhibitions, but our experience lies in events, and we therefore offer our spaces in a way that enables people to meet in the freest and least conventional way possible. BTC will be able to capitalise fully on this opportunity”.

As an event destination, Rimini is highly coordinated and cohesive: the city’s conference hotels have formed the AIA Palas consortium – a shareholder of Palacongressi – through which they manage the accommodation for events hosted at the conference centre in order to provide guests with the best possible service. “We are also working very closely with Aeradria, which manages Rimini airport, with a view to improving links with the hubs of Milan and Rome and optimising those with Munich”, says Agostini.

Rimini is therefore preparing to give a united demonstration of its event-hosting capabilities. “We want to take BTC into the city, creating meeting places that supplement the networking activities that will occur within Palacongressi”, Agostini adds. “We are still working on it, but one such opportunity is the Notte Rosa (the Pink Night) on 2 July, a festival of music, dance, entertainment and performances throughout the city, which can be exploited for BTC buyers and exhibitors wishing to attend, creating an organisational synergy that adds value to the show”.

Another way in which BTC is being integrated with the city is ensuring that Palacongressi can be reached on foot or by bicycle, with routes and services that will offer BTC guests a truly alternative experience of the destination. “We really believe in this event, we are proactive, and are making available to BTC all our know-how, our supplier network and partnerships with local institutions. We hope that in Rimini, BTC will be able to truly innovate, grow and thrive” concludes Agostini.

Brewer Gets The Knowledge

Molson Coors (UK), the global family brewer, hosted its 2010 national conference in Liverpool because of a recommendation from… a number of local cab drivers.

80 of the world’s PCO leaders meet in Athens

Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs) are meeting in Athens for their annual gathering to discuss issues and answers to this tough economic period and to show that face to face meetings are still very important in such times. Greece has the honour to host the 41st IAPCO Annual Meeting and General Assembly, held in Athens in Grande Bretagne Hotel on 18-21 February 2010.

Unique moments in ancient Athens

Committed to providing your delegates and clients with the best ever meeting experience we’ve chosen the Athenaeum InterContinental Athens as our ‘Hot Pick’ destination this month.

The XII ISSIS meeting will be held in Chania – Crete, on April 06-09th, 2010, the annual event of the International Symposium on Scale Insect Studies – ISSIS

The meeting is locally organized by the Institute of Veterinary Research of Athens (NAGREF) in collaboration with Benaki Phytopathological Institute, and will take place at Mediterranean Agronomic Institute in Chania.

BTC CHANGES DATE AND MOVES TO RIMINI, IN LINE WITH MARKET REQUESTS. ENHANCED CONTENT AND LOWER COSTS TO MAXIMISE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

The 2010 Italian trade show for the meetings industry will be held on 1-2 July at Rimini’s new Palacongressi conference and exhibition centre. BTC hasconfirmed its partnership with MPI on educational content and cut the basic cost of exhibition modules. The call “be there to demonstrate”, which marks BTC as an innovative and experiental marketplace, is stronger than ever.

IMEX 2010 – on target for bigger business

Four months out from the opening of the eighth IMEX in Frankfurt organisers, the IMEX Group, have announced that they are on course to deliver more business opportunities than ever when the doors open on 25 May.

GROWTH OF GULF MICE SECTOR PROVIDES EXCLUSIVE VIP BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Hosted Buyer registration open for GIBTM, the Gulf’s leading event dedicated to the meetings, incentive, events and business travel industry

Maritim teams up with TripAdvisor to let the people decide.

Bad Salzuflen, 18 January 2009 – Guests seeking an independent opinion need but only visit the Maritim website. Independent? The recent integration of the world’s largest travel community – TripAdvisor Media Network – makes it possible. The comprehensive online review platform affords guests the possibility to read hotel feedback and even leave their own.

GATHERING OF THE TRIBES

A Tribal tattoo convention that brings you back to the Borneo golden age and exposes the multitude of cultures, customs & traditions of Sarawak’s indigenous tribes

Landmark Congress for EFAPCO

A record-breaking 180 delegates, from 17 countries, took part in EFAPCO’s 4th Congress held at the new state-of-the-art SQUARE Brussels Meeting Centre.

FutureWatch analyzes shift in meetings, events industry Technology enhancements, CSR, greater flexibility set tone for 2010

14 January, 2010 – In the eighth edition of its annual research, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and American Express have released FutureWatch 2010 to highlight trends and competitive factors shaping the future of the global meeting and events industry.

8th International Congress Satisfactory Longevity.

The Medical Association of the Caribbean (AMECA) and the 120 Years Club announces that on May 26 – 28 this year, the National Hotel of Cuba will host the 8th Congress Satisfactory Longevity: Integral vision.

The meeting has the objective of sharing the last advances in the fields of motivation, supply, health, physical activity, culture, environment, sexuality and longevity.

This year the central topic will be: “Satisfactory longevity in the 21st Century. What to do?”.

Besides the debates, other social and cultural activities as culinary, craft and paint expositions, encounter with centennials, demonstration of exercises and physical activities for different ages, the accustomed swimming competition for older than 80 years and the eternal youth’s walk (with the participation of children, adolescents, young adults, elder persons and sportsmen) will complete the agenda of the congress that will be an exceptional opportunity for everyone interested in discovering “what to do to live 120 years actively”.

For further information:
www.cubanacanviajes.cu

Cuba will host the 4th Pan-American Congress of Child and Youth Mental Health.

Arranged by the World Psychiatric Association, the Cuban Psychiatry Society and the National Group of Child Psychiatry, Cuba will host on July 5 – 10 the 4th Pan-American Congress of Child and Youth Mental Health.

The important meeting will take place in the Havana Conference Palace, with the participation of noted personalities of international prestige, and will be also supported by the Cuban ministries of Public Health, Culture and Education, the National Council of Health Scientific Societies, the Pan-American Health Organization, the United Nations Children´s Fund, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Mexican Association of Child Psychiatry among others.

The congress has the propose of promoting the exchange of experiences to improve the promotion of mental health, as well as the prevention, attention and rehabilitation of children and adolescents with mental disorders, as well as reinforcing the links among Cuban and foreign experts.

The schedule includes topics like: Mental health in the Community;
School health; Taxonomy; Psychotherapy; Narrative techniques; Culture and Mental Health; Sport and Mental Health; Suicidal behaviour; Addictions; Biological psychiatry; Non-transmissible Chronic diseases; Natural and Traditional medicine; Children with special requirements; Migration; Psychopathology; Forensic psychiatry; Transcultural and Social Psychiatry; Training of human resources; Ethics and Psychiatry among others. Pre-congress courses and visits to institutions of the Cuban National Health System will also be included.

The organizing committee announces that April 15th, 2010 is the deadline for the reception of summaries.

Anantara Golden Triangle Thailand bamboo raft adventure – it’s the only way to travel!

The bamboo raft has been an integral part of South East Asian life for millennia. Now guests at Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, Thailand can discover the charm of this ancient craft with a new Bamboo Rafting Adventure designed to give a taste of life in the slow lane!

The all natural raft allows guests the opportunity to see exotic flora and fauna at close quarters and to savour the peace and beauty of nature’s gentle voice.

Set on the banks of the Ruak River, Anantara Golden Triangle enjoys a unique location. As the raft meanders along both banks seem identical – but in fact one side is Burma and the other is Thailand. Used as a thoroughfare for fishermen from both countries and migratory birds who know nothing of border controls, the river is alive with the timeless culture that stands at the heart of the Anantara Experience.

Guests can choose to begin their adventure at dawn when the river begins to awaken or to set off in late afternoon when the water becomes streaked with the gold from the setting sun. The 90-minute tour starts with a short drive the local village of Wang Laos where guests will board the bamboo raft, which is designed with comfortable seating and a canopy to provide protection from the sun.

Once on the river, two expert raftsmen will use poles to guide the vessel in perfect harmony with the gentle flow of the water. Guests will have plenty of time to relax over a glass of champagne (or to enjoy a picnic breakfast on early morning tours) as fascinating sights, serene beauty and endless photo opportunities unfold before them.

Shortly before arriving back at the hotel’s private pier, guests may come upon the residents of the Anantara Elephant Camp as they arrive down at the river for a scrub from the mahouts and their daily romp in the water.

This intimate experience can be designed as a romantic event for two or as a great trip out for a family to enjoy together. Price THB 7,768net including Champagne.

Clarion Congress Hotel Prague provides free internet in guest rooms

Prague, January 13th 2010 – Since the beginning of 2010 the Clarion Congress Hotel Prague in the Czech republic, Prague 9 provides a free wired internet access in all 559 guest rooms. After the 24-hours room-service or non-stop lobby bar, implemented in the last month, it again provides higher level of comfortable stay.

Brighton continues evolution of its MICE product

With 2010 set to be the year meetings make a comeback, VisitBrighton announces a series of development plans to be undertaken by some of its partners.

“We are delighted to announce that several of our most prestigious venues will look to develop and evolve their meeting, event and conference facilities over the coming year, further enhancing the destination’s already substantial MICE product,” comments Darren Johnson, Convention Bureau Sales Manager, VisitBrighton.

One of the destination’s most popular venues; ‘The Brighton Centre’ has recently been awarded almost £1million of additional funding to improve its visitor experience. The redevelopment plans will focus on improving the public areas of the venue, which will include an upgrade to the existing breakout areas and the addition of alfresco coffee shops. The conference centre’s Skyline restaurant will also benefit from the funding as well as new signage throughout and a significant investment in the furniture and furnishing over the coming year.

The largest banquet and conference facility to be built in Brighton & Hove since 1992 has also been planned. This comes as part of the Sussex County Cricket Club £8 million development designed to drive the club’s non-match day facilities. The development will be phased over two years. Phase One is due to be completed in April 2010 and will include the new banqueting and conference facility. Phase Two will see new builds of the South and South West stands and redevelopment of the member’s pavilion increasing the capacity of the two current rooms and creating a new cafe/bar/private reception room in the old stables.

Capitalising on the influx of smaller meetings coming to the city, Brighton Dome has partnered with myhotel Brighton for the launch of its fully equipped meeting space for less than 100 delegates in February.  The Hilton Brighton Metropole will also announce the completion of its refurbishment of all 75 sea-facing bedrooms this month, which feature completely uninterrupted views of Brighton’s cosmopolitan seafront. Another hotel which has undergone recent refurbishments is The Thistle Brighton. The hotel’s meeting facilities, a selection of its bedrooms, The Promenade Restaurant and The Otium Leisure Club have all benefited from the upgrades.

“Continually investing in our MICE product has helped Brighton & Hove maintain its position as a premier business destination for the South coast,” concluded Darren Johnson.

Meet Visit Brighton and partners on stand B111, at International Confex 2010, taking place on 23^rd- 25^th February.

The 10 happiest cities in the World includes…

Forbes’ list of the 10 happiest cities in the World includes Barcelona as N°3 andMadrid as N°6…And we, Spanish Heritage, are the Happiest Spanish DMC!!!

The survey ranked 50 cities, with a wide representation of Latin and Mediterranean cities. Thanks to the votes of 10.000 people from over 20 different countries, it is with great pride that we inform you that Barcelona has been chosen as one of the happiest cities in the world, holding 3rd place in the Forbes list. Simon Anholt, who conducted the survey, described Barcelona as “the classical Mediterranean city.” At number 6, Madrid was also among the top-ten happiest cities on earth.Congratulations to both! It is our pleasure to work and live in these amazing and, of course, HAPPY CITIES!

Spanish Heritage, a happy DMC, is happy to receive your proposals and events for any of our happy cities. Smile, you are in Spain!

Global Tourism Interface appointed as AIME public relations agency

Reed Travel Exhibitions and Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau have appointed Global Tourism Interface (GTI) as the new public relations agency for Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME).

Visit London wins Meetings & Conventions magazine readers Gold Service Award 2009

London, the capital’s convention bureau, has won a prestigious Gold Service Award voted for by readers of U.S. business magazine M&C Magazine.

IMEX Wild Card winners 2010 showcase continuing diversity of international industry

Three destinations that have never before exhibited at an international trade show, are celebrating a significant win in the IMEX 2010 Wild Card programme this week.

As a result, Uganda, the new Hof Conference and Cultural Centre in Iceland and the traditional alpine village of Morzine, France will each line up free of charge on the IMEX Wild Card Pavilion at Messe Frankfurt when the eighth IMEX gets underway on May 25^th.

The Wild Card Programme is part of IMEX’s commitment to fostering growth and development in the global meetings industry. The programme recognises how difficult it can be for newer destinations to break into the international meetings market, even though they may be already well-established as leisure tourism destinations.

As IMEX Group Chairman, Ray Bloom, explains: “Many newer destinations often have good travel and hospitality infrastructures in place and have already proven their success in the leisure market. The Wild Card programme, however, offers them the ideal platform for focusing their marketing efforts on the meetings and conventions industry. It’s a low-risk, extremely high value opportunity, and one that puts them in front of thousands of high quality international buyers whilst lending unparalleled credibility and a global profile.”

Each of this year’s winners will receive a package including free exhibition space, access to discounted flights and free accommodation in Frankfurt. The winners also receive ongoing marketing guidance and support from the IMEX project team all year round.

One of the winners, Morzine in France (nominated by ski company Chillypowder) has dedicated conference and meetings facilities opening at the Hotel au Coin du Feu in May which will open in time to take full advantage of IMEX 2010. Morzine offers fine dining, shopping and a wide range of outdoor pursuits. The town is 1.5 hours from Geneva Airport and within driving distance of Switzerland and Italy. The Hotel offers 19 luxury bedrooms, underground car-parking and a large outdoor terrace. Chillypowder operates a number of luxury catered ski chalets.

By contrast, Great Lakes Safaris of Uganda in East Africa, feel confident about their entry into the meetings market as a result of recent improvements to flight schedules and roads in the region. Business and communication facilities are also being expanded in Uganda, which include a number of new hotels both in city areas and in national parks. The company provides tailor-made safaris including gorilla-tracking, primate walks and a variety of other wildlife-watching experiences.

The final winner, the new Hof Conference and Cultural Centre in Northern Iceland, is set to open in August. The Centre will provide conference facilities for up to 500 people, with other rooms available for a further 200 delegates. 10 restaurants seating up to 1500 guests will also be within a five-minute walk of the centre. A second conference centre is due to open in the University area, five minutes from the centre of the town (Akureyri).

For more information on the 2010 Wild Card Winners see http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/wildcard.html

REED TRAVEL EXHIBITIONS (RTE) APPOINTS NEW GROUP EXHIBITION DIRECTOR FOR GLOBAL MEETINGS AND EVENTS PORTFOLIO

Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has announced the appointment of CRAIG MOYES as its new Group Exhibition Director (GED) for the global Meetings and Events portfolio.
Moyes was previously Exhibition Director of World Travel Market (WTM), a position he has held since 2006.  Prior to this, he also directed and managed events for Informa PLC and Brintex Exhibitions Ltd and has had an international career in the exhibition and events industry for more than 15 years, working in South America, Asia and Europe.
Commenting on his appointment, Craig Moyes said: “As Exhibition Director for WTM, RTE’s flagship event, Europe’s biggest travel trade event and arguably the UK’s largest b2b event of any kind, I have worked on every continent with the travel industry and all its stakeholders. This strategic experience, coupled with the sheer size and scale of WTM, is a critical factor in working with the meetings and incentives team on the future development of their portfolio of events.”

Moyes’ role as GED will be to manage teams in five continents and oversee the continuing development and expansion of the international portfolio of events that include EIBTM in Barcelona, Spain; GIBTM in Abu Dhabi; CIBTM in Beijing, China; AIBTM in Baltimore, USA (2011) and AIME in Melbourne, Australia.
Commenting on the appointment Vanessa Cotton, Chair of the Meeting & Events Portfolio, said: “The appointment of Craig adds considerable weight to our leadership. We now have a superb Group Exhibition Director with unrivalled international operational experience, business background and contacts, an experienced executive team at our headquarters in the UK and regional meetings industry professionals in Asia, Middle East, USA and Australia. I am looking forward to working with the extended team and developing the RTE Meetings and Events portfolio.”
As a further demonstration of the Reed Travel Exhibitions’ commitment to the portfolio and the meetings market there has been a restructure of the management team.
Mandy Torrens, who has served for many years with EIBTM most latterly as Exhibition Director, is promoted to the new role as Head of Marketing and Buyer Programmes for the entire portfolio – responsible for the management of the marketing of all the events to maximise RTE’s global reach and market presence.  She will also spearhead the development of the Educational and Association relationships, essential to RTE’s deepening involvement with the meetings industry, as well as integrating and improving the buyer programmes across the portfolio.

Coinciding with Mandy’s appointment, Graeme Barnett will be moving across from Exhibition Director from CIBTM and GIBTM to EIBTM. He will also take on responsibility for delivering a world-class sales strategy for the portfolio.
Further announcements will also be made about senior positions for AIBTM, GIBTM and CIBTM over the coming weeks.

New HCCE Destination Offered to Clients: Centre Culturel de Rencontre Abbaye de Neumnster in Luxembourg

The exclusive association of historic conference venues is proud to extend its membership welcoming a truly exceptional new member centre as of January 2010 – Centre Culturel de Rencontre Abbaye de Neumnster. This quality venue is located in the heart of Luxembourg City, UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lime Venue Portfolio continues its expansion Dublin’s new venue to join flourishing directory

The opening of the Aviva Stadium is set to be one of Lime Venue Portfolio’s most monumental openings this year.

On 14 May 2010 the world’s oldest stadium will have been reincarnated to provide Ireland’s national rugby and football teams with a new home, and the global events sector a signature space set to inspire both planners and delegates.

The continuous curvilinear shaped structure draws together technology and nature and has been rigorously designed to be the most sustainable venue in Ireland.  Aviva Stadium is already setting its sights on becoming the world’s first BS 8901 certified sporting stadium, providing the assurance that all events will be planned and implemented in a sustainable manner; helping reduce carbon emissions and waste.

As event planners increasingly place ‘perception’ as a criterion of choice in their decision making process, Aviva Stadium has visibly positioned itself as venue of choice for corporates, agents and associations who seek to fulfil their wider CSR policies – a veritable illustration of duty of care. The venue’s uncompromising service standards, award winning food and beverage, state of the art technology and globally renowned Dublin welcome will combine together to offer planners a cost effective solution for world class progressive events.

Set over 6 levels, spaces can be booked for discreet meetings, product launches, award dinners and large association conferences. The spaces offer non prescriptive solutions for live events from 2 to 2000 people. Overseen by skilled event planners and managers, clients will be encouraged to think outside the confines of the traditional hotel box and create spirited events where objectives are fulfilled and return on investment achieved.

News surrounding the Stadium has already resonated across Europe with business wins secured from competitor destinations including Barcelona, Berlin and Paris.  The annual CEPIC Congress 2010 will bring together over 700 international delegates; closer to home 300 delegates from The College of Anesthetists of Ireland will meet for their 3 day annual conference.

Cailín Keaney, Marketing Manager for the Aviva Stadium, said: “Judging by the enquiries coming in, the message is certainly out there that we are about to open for business.  And as a landmark opening in Dublin in 2010 we’re all hugely excited about stamping Ireland’s benchmark of event excellence on to Aviva Stadium”.

Louise Amphlett, head of Lime Venue Portfolio, said: ‘At the beginning of a decade set to revolve around sport, and taking into consideration the successes of other sporting venues, it is very exciting to be launching the Aviva Stadium.’

NEUROPATHIC PAIN CONGRESS, ATHENS, 2010

The 3rd International Congress on Neuropathic Pain welcomes basic scientists, clinical scientists and practicing clinicians with an interest in discovering exciting new developments in the understanding and care of patients with neuropathic pain.

Rhodes will host the 9th European Congress on Epileptology from the 27th June to the 1st July 2010.

The 9th European Congress on Epileptology aims to reflect the current momentum in epileptology created by the challenge to translate the recent advances in basic neuroscience research, the emerging pathophysiology concepts and the powerful new diagnostic tools (from molecular probes to non-invasive brain imaging) into better epilepsy patient care.

Vienna Convention Bureau makes major impact as EIBTM sponsor

The Vienna Tourist Board‘s Vienna Convention Bureau acted as sole sponsor of the Association Program at EIBTM (European Incentive, Business Travel and Meeting) in Barcelona in December. Not only was the bureau highly praised for the quality of the events