Lewis Moody guest of honour for charity lunch at Church House Conference Centre

Former England Rugby captain Lewis Moody was the special guest at a recent charity lunch held at Church House Conference Centre. The event, organised by Under the Posts, was held to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Parasol Charity – an organisation which provides aid and comfort to injured service personnel and their families – and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Under the Posts was created in 2004 following England’s success at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. It organises fundraising events for and on behalf of members of the team and their associated charities.

Guests enjoyed a sumptuous three course meal created by Church House Conference Centre’s in-house award winning caterers Kudos. This was followed by a question and answer session with Lewis Moody during which he told stories from his days playing with the England Rugby team as well as revealing the highs and lows of his remarkable career. Former hockey player Roger Dakin compered the event, entertaining guests with anecdotes throughout the afternoon. The lunch also included an auction of signed rugby memorabilia and tickets for future Under the Post events, as well as a silent auction, with all proceeds being split between the three charities.

General Manager of Church House Conference Centre Robin Parker says: “Church House Conference Centre is renowned for hosting high profile personalities. We’re delighted the lunch with Lewis Moody proved so successful. The Harvey Godwin suite provided an intimate setting and meant the 94 guests were able to feel close to one of the country’s biggest rugby stars. Those who attended thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon of sporting entertainment and donated very generously. The money raised from the event will greatly benefit three worthy charitable causes.”

The Venetian Macao Named “Best Meetings & Conventions Hotel in Macau” for Fifth Consecutive Year

by TTG China Travel Awards

(Macao, May 8, 2012) – The Venetian^® Macao-Resort-Hotel has been named “The Best Meetings & Conventions Hotel in Macau” by the 5th Annual TTG China Travel Awards 2012 for the fifth consecutive year, demonstrating the integrated resort’s strong commitment to service excellence and its premium facilities.

Presented by one of the world’s most influential trade publishers, TTG Travel Trade Publishing, the TTG China Travel Awards plays a crucial and essential role in crediting the outstanding travel organizations that have achieved the benchmarks of service excellence and professionalism in the region. The winners of the 5th Annual TTG China Travel Awards 2012 were voted for by TTG China, TTG-BTmice China, TTG Asia, TTG India and TTGmice, through online and print voting held between January and March 2012.

Brendon Elliott, Vice President of Sales & Resort Marketing, Venetian Macau Ltd., said, “We are delighted to have been honoured again as the ‘Best Meetings & Conventions Hotel in Macau’ for the fifth successive year. The award signifies our continuous effort and commitment to strive to deliver to all clients globally. We are fortunate to be the largest and most diverse integrated resort in Northern Asia, which is ideal for hosting world-class events to intimate meetings. Our newest integrated resort, Sands Cotai Central, opened in April with the world’s largest Conrad and Holiday Inn, and with its international hotels it further cements Macao’s position as the largest integrated meetings destination in Asia.”

The Venetian Macao is specifically designed to meet the needs of meeting planners and event organizers and its award-winning service team makes anything possible for corporate events. With over 100,000 square metres of state-of-the-art exhibition space, flexible meeting space and ballrooms, the sheer size and scale of the CotaiExpo™ at The Venetian Macao sets it apart.

CotaiExpo offers more than 75,000 square metres of exhibition space, and is one of the largest exhibition centres in Asia. It is complemented by 7,000 square metres of pillar-free ballroom space and 108 meeting rooms with almost 25,000 square metres of flexible meeting space. The CotaiArena™, with seating for up to 15,000 people, is an ideal venue for major corporate events and product launches.

The Venetian Macao seamlessly combines state-of-the-art facilities, sensational entertainment and experienced MICE professionals to make sure every event is a successful one. Its team of tradeshow professionals works closely with organizers to ensure visitor promotion, marketing, travel services, logistics, conference management and technical support are all seamlessly integrated into the overall planning for events.

With the opening of Sands Cotai Central on April 11, Sands China’s meeting and convention capabilities have expanded, with the same guaranteed expertise and service that has made CotaiExpo the region’s MICE leader, providing organizers with a worry-free experience.

Some of the major events held at The Venetian Macao in 2011 were: 

·               Top Marques Macau

·               Ice World 2011

·               2011 China (Macau) International Automobile Exposition

·               Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (2011 MIECF)

·               The 6^th Asian Hairdresser Festival

·               The 16^th Macao International Trade & Investment Fair (MIF)

·               G2E Asia 2011

·               Youth Career Expo 2011

·               Macau Education Fair 2011

·               The 4^th International Tourism & World Heritage Travel Expo (Macau)

·               The 4^th Macau International Ani-Com

·               The 2011 Macau Winter Real Estate Fair

·               The 4^th Computer & Digital Product Expo

Barbican celebrates 30th anniversary with bumper year for corporate events.

Barbican records second best year for corporate business as the combined arts and meetings venue celebrates its 30th anniversary. 

In March 1982, the Barbican opened its doors to the public for the first time. And as the iconic venue commemorates its 30th anniversary, the Barbican is also celebrating its second best year for corporate business.

Anthony Hyde, general manager of Barbican Business Events, comments: “Meetings, conferences and corporate hospitality are an important part of the Barbican’s overall offering. And despite the economy stuttering and budgets being squeezed, the financial year for 2011-2012 was our second best on record. It’s recognition of the unique setting and high quality service we provide to clients. As the Barbican marks its 30th anniversary we look forward to the introduction of exciting initiatives and the completion of new spaces which will make the Centre even more attractive for meetings and conferences in the years to come.”

Barbican is located in the heart of the City of London, and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in March 1982. The architecturally renowned Centre – designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon in the Brutalist style – is now a Grade II listed building. Barbican is comprised of many spaces including the 1,949 seat Barbican Hall, the 1,166-seat Barbican Theatre, a 286 seat cinema, the Barbican Art Gallery, The Curve, Lakeside Terrace, a roof-top conservatory and Garden Rom as well as extensive conference facilities and three restaurants.

As the Barbican looks to the future, corporate clients can look forward to business becoming more integrated with the arts. The recently formed Barbican Business Events will bring together the venue’s rich heritage and history in this area and their professional expertise within the corporate events sector. The new approach is based on stronger partnerships with the artistic, creative learning and development teams.

Anthony continues: “As we look forward, the next couple of years promise to be very exciting. Our aim is to provide the best possible services. With the launch of the new Barbican Business Events team, which gives corporate clients access to highly professional event organisers as well as leaders in various artistic fields, the opening of new spaces within the Barbican’s portfolio and a host of other initiatives we’re confident the next 30 years will be even more successful for the Centre.”

Barbican, unlike many other venues was specifically built with the dual purpose of holding conferences and arts events and this ensures it remains one of the world’s most creative venues. Being centrally located the Barbican attracts clients seeking a high quality location for meetings and all events can benefit from the venue’s links with the arts in order to truly engage delegates.

COMPLIMENTARY WIFI FROM KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE

More value at no cost to event organisers and delegates!

Complimentary internet stations around the facility for convenient on-site accessibility

KUALA LUMPUR – In line with the Government’s call to get the federal capital all ‘Wi-Fi-ed up’, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) has upped its Wi-Fi connection to 40MB to offer guests faster connectivity at no cost on a best effort basis.
“Technology and social media are having a big impact on how venues are marketing themselves and packaging their product offerings.

It is becoming the norm; and not a competitive edge, for meeting delegates to expect to get their WiFi for free.

As a world-class convention facility, we are committed to ensuring we do our best to meet our guests’ expectations and needs in all areas, including information technology,” said Datuk Peter Brokenshire, General Manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
“The great bandwidth means guests can not only remain ‘connected’ at all times and at no cost, but also enjoy faster and easier real-time access.”
The Centre’s public wireless internet is available through Wi-Fi ‘hot spots’ so anyone with a Wi-Fi enabled computer can access the service. There are also complimentary internet stations around the facility for convenient on-site accessibility.

TEAMWORK AND VENUE NETWORK DELIVER MORE GLOBAL RECOGNITION FOR AEG OGDEN

Two more significant international convention and exhibition centre awards have been added to the growing AEG Ogden trophy cabinet.

This week, the AEG Ogden managed Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) was judged “Middle East’s Leading Convention and Exhibition Centre” at the 2012 World Travel Awards in Dubai.

The annual World Travel Awards acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

The QNCC was officially opened last December and debuted by hosting the 20th World Petroleum Congress. Since then, the venue has hosted 112 events attended by more than 128,000 visitors including the high profile UN Conference on Trade and Development.

In late March, the AEG Ogden managed Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) was named “Best Convention Centre in Asia” in the 2012 MICE Report Awards.

These awards are organised annually by the MICE Report, the ultimate magazine for business travellers, conference organisers and meeting planners.

The KLCC opened in 2005 and now features an impressive annual international event profile. It has won a number of industry awards including Travel Weekly’s Best Exhibition and Convention Centre in Asia two years running.

The awards to the Qatar and Kuala Lumpur centres follow other significant recognitions of a number of Australian venues managed by AEG Ogden. They include:

•    Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC)

The BCEC turned in a dominant performance at the prestigious Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) awards. It won Australia’s Best Meeting Venue for 500 delegates or more and was named joint winner in the Corporate Social Responsibility (over 30 fulltime employees) category. The venue had earlier won three MEA Queensland awards taking its total award tally to 124 including 57 for catering.

•    Cairns Convention Centre (CCC)

The CCC features regularly in the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) client survey which recognises excellence in convention centre management. Cairns was named by AIPC as the World’s Best Congress Centre in 2004 and has been in the top four World Congress Centres every year since 2002.

•    Darwin Convention Centre (DCC)

The DCC recently was the recent recipient of a major award by the prestigious Meeting and Events Australia (MEA) association. The Centre was announced the Northern Territory winner in the highly competitive category of Best Meeting Venue for 500 or more delegates.

AEG Ogden Director of Convention Centres, Geoff Donaghy said the company highly valued international and national awards bestowed upon its venues.

“They are recognition of the commitment, dedication and hard work that our management and staff put into making their venues stand out from the pack in what is a very competitive industry.

“Just as importantly, it shows the great teamwork that exists and operates within the entire AEG Ogden group.

“While each of our venues operate in highly competitive markets, there is a collaborative sharing of information, intelligence and resources across all of our venues.

“We are a genuine network and expanding even further into Oman, India and China. By working together, we are able to provide a unique and valuable service to the respective owners which entrust the management of their venues to AEG Ogden,” Mr Donaghy said.

Amsterdam RAI confirms leading position in sustainability

Amsterdam RAI can look back on a successful and sustainable 2011. With various environmental (re)certifications achieved and by including the new core value ‘Amsterdam RAI aims for sustainable results’ in its corporate mission, the RAI has firmly embedded its CSR policy within the organisation. Moreover, as the newly published sustainability report indicates, over the coming period Amsterdam RAI will be looking into ways to make CSR even more measurable and transparent.

Amsterdam RAI has high ambitions with regard to sustainability and the inclusion of the official core value ‘Amsterdam RAI aims for sustainable results’ in its corporate mission reinforces the point. “Our aim is to be a successful business that contributes to a sustainable society and ensures a good balance in all the choices we make,” explains Hans Bakker, General Director of Amsterdam RAI. “We believe that sustainability adds value to an organisation, and including it in the company policy will generate more clients and greater engagement among employees.”

Certifications
In the final quarter of 2011 Amsterdam RAI received three important certificates, namely an ISO-14001 certification, a golden recertification from Green Key and a silver recertification from EarthCheck. The certifications confirm that Amsterdam RAI has managed to firmly establish its sustainability policy and goals within its organisation and operational processes.

Sustainability goals
Amsterdam RAI strives becoming a leader in the field of sustainability within the conference and event industry by 2013. She is being reinforced by similar organisations, which allows the RAI to exchange knowledge and experience with other exhibition and conference centres, and stimulates it to take CSR activities to a higher level. Over the coming period, Amsterdam RAI will study how CSR can be made more measurable and identifiable within the organisation. This will allow the RAI to better monitor its own progress, and demonstrate that Amsterdam RAI is realising its aim to be a frontrunner in this field.

Seven themes
Amsterdam RAI has divided its sustainability goals into seven themes: energy and climate, mobility, water, waste, employees, procurement and social engagement. The RAI is a European frontrunner in the waste theme and in 2011 succeeded in the difficult challenge of finding an end product for carpets. Carpet waste is now used as a combustion product in the cement industry. EarthCheck was particularly impressed with the waste separation process at Amsterdam RAI. With its silver EarthCheck recertification, Amsterdam RAI maintains its leading position in the European MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) market with regards to eco-friendly business.

GRI B
The sustainability report was developed in cooperation with the BECO Groep and established in accordance with the guidelines of the GRI B (Global Reporting Initiative). The complete sustainability report 2011 is available via www.rai.nl/csr<http://www.rai.nl/csr>

Sands Cotai Macao showcases new infrastructure at IMEX Frankfurt 2012

Asia’s largest integrated resort city to be represented at prominent meetings industry exhibition 

(Macao, May 3, 2012) – Sands^® Cotai Macao will showcase its five international hotel brands in a newly designed booth this year at IMEX Frankfurt, the international show where the global meetings industry continues to do business while maximising connections and networking opportunities, featuring over 70 sessions of education.

To be held at Messe Frankfurt Hall 8, meeting planners attending IMEX Frankfurt 2012 can come to the Sands Cotai Macao booth A240 from May 22 to May 24, to learn about the world-class meeting facilities that this dynamic destination can offer.

Natasha Tomé, Executive Director of Marketing, Sands Cotai Macao, says, “IMEX Frankfurt provides us a valuable opportunity to showcase the amazing developments of Sands Cotai Macao to the international market. With our newest hotel brands, Conrad Macao and Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central having just opened on April 11, our room inventory and meeting and convention capabilities have expanded, but with the same guaranteed expertise and service that have made the CotaiExpo™, CotaiArena™ and The Venetian^® Macao the region’s meetings destination leaders, providing organisers with everything under one roof. The expert and international team at Sands Cotai Macao work diligently to meet and anticipate meeting planners’ needs to ensure their event’s success.”

Sands Cotai Macao provides an unbeatable range of over 9,000 guestrooms from five international hotel brands: The Venetian Macao; Conrad Macao, Cotai Central; Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central; Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central and Four Seasons Hotel Macao. With 120,000 square meters of flexible and versatile meeting and exhibition space, including 274 breakout rooms, every type of event, large or small, is catered for.

In addition to its world-class accommodation and convention facilities, Sands Cotai Macao offers world-class concert events at the 15,000-seat CotaiArena, exclusive and intimate shows at the 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre and exciting Streetmosphere™ performers to wow delegates. With 59 international restaurants and lounges, a food court and a fleet of over 150 vehicles with connections to air, land and ferry hubs, Sands Cotai Macao is truly an all-inclusive destination for meeting planners.

Macao’s rich Sino-Portuguese history and beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage Sites provide the perfect backdrop for any event. It is in the unique position of being the meeting point of eastern and western cultures in Asia. Located at the tip of southern China and only 45 minutes from Hong Kong by high-speed ferry, Macao is an ideal location for international delegates with free visa entry for nationals from more than 70 countries and a local population that speaks Putonghua, Cantonese, English and/or Portuguese.

For more information about Sands Cotai Macao’s presence at IMEX Frankfurt 2012, or to submit an RFP, please contact Natasha Tomé at +853 8118 2008 or via email at natasha.tome@venetian.com.mo.

Vienna on top – the Congress Dances at the Hofburg

The latest meetings statistics make excellent reading for Vienna, with significant growth for the entire industry in 2011. Conferences and meetings totals jumped 7% to 3,151, overnight stays were up 6% to 1,412,133 and induced GDP for the calendar year rocketed 9% to EUR 838.4 million. The Hofburg Vienna stood out with a set of particularly strong results .

Putting the impressive statistics to one side for a minute, the capital also made headlines with numerous awards during the year. Vienna led the inaugural global Smart City Ranking, leaving traditionally strong competitors such as Toronto and Paris in its wake. Smart Cities are characterised by factors such as exceptional innovation, sustainability, quality of life and digital governance. The 2011 Mercer quality of life study and the latest ICCA Congress rankings both saw Vienna claim the top spot. And according to another international study you would be hard pressed to find anyone more hospitable than the Austrians in Europe.

With all of that in mind, it’s hardly surprising that the Hofburg Vienna is in a position to offer such an impressive line-up of events each year. Upcoming highlights include the 33rd International Vienna Motor Symposium (26-27 April), which will bring together 1,000 experts from the industry. After that it’s time for a series of medical events including the MedicRes Congress (7-9 June), the TERMIS World Congress (6-8 September) and the European Neuroendocrine Association Congress (11-15 September). The Hofburg will also host a number of scientific get-togethers later this year such as theICAR – International Conference on Arabidopsis Research (3-7 July) and the Third International Symposium on Life Circle Civil Engineering (2-6 October).

Cairns Ready to Welcome the World

The Cairns Convention Centre will host 13 international conventions with over 8,000 delegates in the coming six months as the city gets ready to welcome the world.

In addition to international visitors the Centre will also welcome over 4,000 national conference delegates in what promises to be an exciting year for the region.

Some upcoming events include:

•   33rd Conference of the International Society for Animal Genetics
•   Nuclei in the Cosmos International Symposium on Nuclear Astrophysics
•   12th International Coral Reef Symposium
•   75th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society
•   Cosmetex 2012
•   Dioxin 2012

The choice of Cairns as the host city for Dioxin 2012 was a simple one for the bidding team.

Professor Jochen Mueller, Conference Chair, said, “We really wanted to show our global colleagues the great natural environment offered by Australia – and Cairns is the jewel in the crown of Australia’s world heritage environmental attractions”.

“The convention centre in Cairns has world-class facilities, and is the right size to host our large group. The opportunities for great social events in Cairns and the surrounding region are endless – there’s no doubt the city will help participants have lasting memories of an amazing event,” said Professor Mueller.

The future also bodes well for the region as the Convention Centre Team continues to win these important international events. Some recent bid wins include:

•   International Society for Gastrointestinal Hereditary Tumours Meeting 2013
•   International Children’s Continence Society Meeting 2014
•   25th Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry 2015
•   International Conference on Photonic, Electronic and Atomic Collisions 2017

Ross Steele, General Manager, Cairns Convention Centre said, “The Centre’s long term international marketing focus along with the proven success of Cairns as a business events destination are the catalysts for hosting so many prestigious international events. We look forward to welcoming the world to Cairns not only this year but well into the future.”

Full list of coming events: http://www.cairnsconvention.com.au/eventcalendar-12.html

UniSpace Sunderland secures Swedish association conference for first time in UK

UniSpace Sunderland has secured a contract with Swedish-based Operation, Maintenance and Acoustics International Association to host its two-day annual Maintenance Performance Measurement and Management (MPMM) conference in September 2012, bringing the event to the UK for the first time ever.

The win marks the first international event secured by UniSpace, which launched to the national and international conference market at Confex in March.  The MPMM opportunity was created as a result of links between the University’s Institute for Automotive & Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP) department and is the first win generated by UniSpace’s new ambassador programme.

The conference will see around 200 Delegates from across the world head to Sunderland to discuss engineering concepts, optimisation of equipment and energy efficiency to the impact of the global recession on the maintenance industry.  Plenary and workshop sessions will take place on the Sir Tom Cowie Campus on the banks of the river Wear, with an industry exhibition in the Prospect Building. The delegates will also have an interactive reception at The National Glass Centre, including glass blowing demonstrations.

Dr David Baglee, MPMM committee representative and senior lecturer in the University’s Faculty of Applied Sciences, will chair the conference. He said: “We are delighted to be hosting this highly specialised conference for the first time in the UK.

“As a committee, it is important that we select venues with both great facilities and a reputation for excellence in our field: UniSpace offers both of these features in abundance.  Hosting the conference on campus will help to showcase the excellent research carried out within the university, and in particular AMAP.”

Sharon Olver, University Commercial Services Manager responsible for UniSpace, said: “We are delighted to have secured an international event so soon after making our big push to the wider market.  The MPMM conference gives us an excellent opportunity to showcase the diversity of our venue on an international scale.  Moreover, Conferences like the MPMM not only raise the university’s profile as a venue for large association and academic conferences, but also strengthen the region’s proposition.  This event in particular has a tangible positive economic benefit to Sunderland and the region as a whole.”

Associations ahead of the field

Cheltenham Racecourse sees an increase in business

Renowned sporting venue Cheltenham Racecourse has seen a 63% increase in business from the association sector.

Cheltenham Racecourse has a long history providing conference and events to a multitude of sectors, recently seeing  a marked increase in bookings this year from the association sector. Bookings for 2012 include the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Gloucestershire Ladies County Golf Association (GLCGA), the Association of School Business Managers and the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway.

The Centaur, a 2,250 seated auditorium, has proved a popular space, enabling clients from the association sector to take advantage of the state-of-the-art lighting and sound capabilities, as well as the numerous break-out rooms available. The Panoramic Suite, commanding scenic views of the racecourse, is also a favourite amongst this sector, providing guests with a refreshingly unique space complemented by countryside vistas.

Located only one mile from Cheltenham town centre, the course is accessible from the Midlands’ major arterial routes including the M40 and M5, as well as direct train links to London and Bristol. Cheltenham Racecourse also boasts over 10,000 free car parking spaces as well as 300 acres available for outside events, making it an ideal choice for large scale events.

Babatunde Akinfisoye, operations manager RCCG, said: “The entire team at Cheltenham Racecourse worked exceptionally hard to ensure the success of our Ordained Ministers’ Conference (OMC) 2012, which welcomed over 2000 guests. The brief was met really well and the support we received from staff before and during the day was first-class. The readiness of staff to be flexible where necessary and provide creative solutions to our needs was undoubtedly a contributory factor to the success of the conference.  Cheltenham Racecourse certainly was the perfect choice; our guests really enjoyed the benefits of the spacious venue and ample free car parking facilities and we have received some excellent feedback.”

Susie Bradshaw, conference and events manager at Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “We are very pleased to have seen the significant increase in bookings from the associations sector this year. Our convenient location and large capacity means we are an ideal choice for associations, who favour venues with plenty of space.  The recent boost in bookings is testament to Cheltenham Racecourse’s position as a key destination for event and conference organisers.”

Successful year for Amsterdam RAI

Amsterdam RAI has announced a turnover of € 133.9 million for 2011, an increase of 7.1% compared to 2010 and 23.8% higher than in 2009 which had a similar event calendar. The good results were achieved with both RAI-organised (trade) exhibitions in the Netherlands and abroad, and the letting of the RAI complex to (international) organisers. The operational profit was € 8.3 million, while net profits came in at € 3.4 million. In 2011 the RAI complex facilitated 595 events that attracted around 1.6 million visitors. Amsterdam RAI expects both turnover and net profits to be even higher in 2012.

Major events in 2011
Exhibition titles such as AutoRAI and Aquatech (as a prominent part of the International Water Week) and events organised by third parties such as IBC, IS Europe and PLMA were major cornerstones of the continuity of Amsterdam RAI in 2011. One-off successes were achieved with ERS (European Respiratory Society) and Gastech. Combined with the effects of the previous economic downturn in 2008-2009, the turnover from corporate events virtually disappeared in 2011. International exhibitions organised by Amsterdam RAI in India, China, the USA, Poland and Turkey (in the field of water management, traffic technology and professional cleaning) also made a significant contribution to the results.

Crisis-resistant
General Director Hans Bakker of Amsterdam RAI is pleased: “The past year showed once again how companies choose to continue to meet to find inspiration and create value, despite the economic situation. The international character and market-leading position of many events we organise or accommodate have contributed to making Amsterdam RAI sufficiently recession-proof thus far.”

Vision for the future
Developed by Amsterdam RAI in cooperation with the City of Amsterdam (Dienst Zuidas), the (Spatial) Future Vision RAI ensures the future of the RAI at the Europaplein for the long term. The Future Vision gives the RAI the space to realise high-quality innovation and expansion at its current location over the coming decades in order to facilitate more multi-day international events of the highest standard in Amsterdam.

This will include the start in 2013 of the construction of the ‘Scheldeplein building’, with which Amsterdam RAI will be adding a multifunctional and remarkably sustainable office and conference centre with restaurant to its premises. The vision also includes the construction of a new parking garage for 1000 cars to bring the RAI’s parking capacity back to the desired level. Moreover, the new park & ride facilities also enhance the sustainability of Amsterdam.

Renewed strategy
Amsterdam RAI has also defined its strategy for the coming five years in which connecting physical and virtual meetings, linking the new economic superpowers to Europe and strengthening client focus play an important part. In combination with the aforementioned physical innovations, Amsterdam RAI is well-prepared for the future.

Best International Venue
The RAI’s investments and (hospitality) policy of the past few years received industry recognition in London in March 2012 when Amsterdam RAI was named ‘Best International Venue’ by leading trade magazine Exhibition World. In this category the RAI faced stiff competition from renowned conference centres in Cape Town, Singapore, Rio de Janeiro and Abu Dhabi, making the achievement all the more impressive.

Expectations
So far 2012 is going well. All the large RAI-organised events (Horecava, Huishoudbeurs) and third party events (IS Europe) have booked positive results, and the BedrijfsautoRAI, which returned in a revitalised form after a five year hiatus, also met expectations. With the regular events and one-off international conferences in the field of gastroenterology, haematology and Microsoft’s TechEd in the planning, Amsterdam RAI expects a higher turnover and net profit in 2012 compared to the previous year.

In film:
- RAI CEO Hans Bakker on the 2011 annual figures; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plLYpOjCE0U
- RAI CEO Hans Bakker on the future of the RAI; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi0LCXS0d7o

Limo Bus, a luxurious coach, a “moving conference center of the highest standards”

Welcome the Limo Bus, a luxurious coach, a “moving conference center of the highest standards”.

The Limo Bus is a multi-seat limousine, with all the lavishness that comes together with such a superb vehicle. It is a world exclusive creation that was designed and manufactured for the Greek company Greek Limo Bus, at the VDL BOVA factory, situated at the Netherlands. Its creators aimed at introducing a moving conference center of the highest standards, which will cover the specific needs and demands of its special passengers.

This special group of people includes among others: businessmen, politics-related individuals, scientific committees, international showbiz and sport stars.

Limo Bus has been developed to cover this significant disadvantage observed in the Greek tourist product. We are addressed to all professionals connected not exclusively to tourism but also to the vast majority of business related companies, such as conference organizers, decision makers, pharmaceutical companies, luxurious excursions organizers etc.

The personnel of Greek Limo Bus is in a position to fully cover the entire service pack offered by the company. High level training, experience and specialization are its three main characteristics.

In order to best serve its passengers Greek Limo Bus offers:

• Air conditioning with an individual PSU for every passenger
• Blaupunkt Professional line Radio CD
• DVD-MP3- Apple iPod
• Surround sound systems
• 9″ passengers monitors
• Internet Routers
• VGA connections for computer projections on the monitors
• Electrically controlled curtains at the front
• Tinted double windows
• TV receivers
• Vogel Accent 280 seats 2-1 design
• Leather cushion-pillow
• Leather case in every seat
• Dust bins
• Computer network sockets
• Eight channel selector with headphones that enables travellers to watch TV and DVDs, listen to the radio and iPod devices and attend the meetings held at the table
• Workbenches
• Storage wooden shelves
• Black curtains for full obscuration
• A wooden parquet floor
• Wood faced Kitchen/bar with a refrigerator, a freezer, a coffee machine (espresso, cappuccino, filter coffee), icemaker, warm chamber, glass storage space, dishwasher, cold and hot water tap as well as mineral water tap.
• Special Chemical Toilet
• Especially Designed guard-robe at the luggage compartment
• IT and computing equipment, computers, printers, color fax, photocopy machine, audiovisual systems if required.

More info at : http://www.greeklimobus.gr

SICEEP development an opportunity to showcase diverse business event options

17 April 2012: Business Events Sydney (BESydney) welcomes the New South Wales (NSW) Premier’s announcement today of the tender for the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) and is ramping up efforts to profile other venue options during the three-year build.

The tender confirms the functional brief and development timelines for the new precinct, which will see the existing Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre close in late 2013 and new facilities open in late 2016.

“Premier O’Farrell’s announcement today clearly demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to essential improvements to Sydney’s convention, exhibition and entertainment facilities and their understanding of the valuable legacies – both economic and social – that business events deliver to NSW,” comments Lyn Lewis-Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Business Events Sydney.

“The closure of the existing Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is an end to a stellar 25-year innings for these facilities, but the decision gives the industry welcome certainty about timelines and the Government’s intention to fast track the project.

“BESydney and the wider industry have been long-term advocates of the need to create a cutting-edge and world-class International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct to ensure that Sydney’s business event industry remains globally competitive well into the future.  SICEEP will cement our status as Australia’s number one destination for conferences, conventions, exhibitions, incentives and corporate meetings,” adds Lewis-Smith.

Commenting on the development period, Lewis-Smith says “BESydney will continue to work closely with clients and industry to ensure that it is well-known that Sydney is open for business.”

“Change presents great opportunity. It’s time to really show how Sydney businesses collaborate and innovate and how we can accommodate a growing business event sector with agility and enthusiasm. Sydney has a diversity of venue options that can be used as standalone venues, or as part of a combined solution for large events.

“When you look back at the 93^rd Lions Clubs International Convention in 2010, the 2010 Forbes Global CEO Conference, 2008 World Youth Day, the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games you’ll see it was not just one or two venues in the harbour city that made these events spectacular, but a raft of venues and a ‘whole-of-city’ approach. This is what makes the Sydney event experience like no other.”

For further information on the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct development, visit www.siceep.com 

For free assistance with business events in Sydney contact Business Events Sydney at www.businesseventssydney.com.au or call 1300 134 920.

MCC appoint Tim Harrington as the new Executive Head Chef at Lord’s Cricket Ground

Tim Harrington has taken up the position of MCC Executive Head Chef at Lord’s Cricket Ground. He starts the role in time for the first day of the 2012 season at Lord’s, as London rivals Middlesex and Surrey start their LV County Championship clash at the Home of Cricket.

Harrington joins the Lord’s kitchen team with a wealth of experience and expertise in fine dining and large volume catering, having previously held the positions of Executive Head chef at The Royal Opera House, and most recently Executive Chef at global law firm Linklaters LLP.

He will now oversee all of the catering output at Lord’s – from the players lunches on match days, to large event dinners in the Long Room – and heads up a talented MCC kitchen team, which includes resident pâtissier, Thierry Besselievre.

Speaking about his new challenge at Lord’s, Tim Harrington said:

“It’s tremendously exciting and I’m looking forward to the season starting. It’s a daunting task because expectations around the food at Lord’s are very high. But I see my job and role to enhance the experience of people visiting the Ground, and as long as the food matches the cricket and vice-versa then I’m a happy man.

“In particular I understand that the players are very happy with what is served up at lunch and tea – although I’m not sure I could eat a three course meal and go and play in the hot sunshine! So at this stage I’ve got no real plans to change the food for the players.”

In 2005 MCC incorporated its catering, meetings and events operations in-house. Today Lord’s Cricket Ground is renowned for delivering high quality events for up to 600 people in a range of unique venues, including the iconic Long Room, J.P. Morgan Media Centre, Nursery Pavilion and Thomas Lord Suite.

Last year the Ground hosted ten civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies, and offers space and catering options for grand and intimate weddings. Traditional Afternoon Tea in the iconic surroundings of the Pavilion’s Long Room has also become a firm fixture at the Home of Cricket after debuting in 2011.

Centre Shows It’s Switched On to Switching Off

The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has demonstrated again that it’s switched on to environmental issues – by offering exhibition organisers the option of switching off.

In a move designed to reduce power consumption and exhibitor costs, the Centre has installed dedicated electricity outlets for cleaning in its main exhibition halls, enabling exhibition organisers to switch off all other power overnight.

The new system was trialled at the Reed Gift Fair – the biggest trade show in Australia – during February, and played a major role in reducing power consumption at the event by an impressive 12 per cent.

Centre Chief Executive Ton van Amerongen said the new power reduction option would now be offered to all exhibition organisers.

“The Centre has won many awards for energy saving initiatives associated with its environmental program Ecowise but we are constantly looking for new ways to conserve energy,” Mr van Amerongen said.

“This latest initiative is part of our ongoing drive to reduce our carbon footprint and set the benchmark for the events industry.”

The Centre has won the Best Green Initiative category at the national Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia’s Annual Awards for the past four years and recently won the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) New South Wales Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.

The Centre participates in Earth Hour each year and has been recognised as a Green Globe (Silver) Benchmarked Convention Centre, a Bronze Partner of the NSW Government’s Sustainability Advantage program and received the Earthcheck Silver Certification and ISO 14001:2004 Standard for Environmental Management Systems.

MAX ATRIA @ SINGAPORE EXPO OPENS

 SINGAPORE’S FIRST BCA GREEN MARK PLATINUM AWARD VENUE AND ASIA’S FIRST VENUE WITH COMPLIMENTARY, PATENTED WI-FI
Introductory packages invigorate meeting and banquet experiences

Singapore, 22 March 2012 – Managed by Singex Venues Pte Ltd, MAX Atria @ Singapore EXPO welcomes organisers and delegates with a new, redefined convention experience. Benchmarked as the first purpose-built MICE venue in Singapore to attain the Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) Green Mark Platinum award, MAX Atria is also the first venue in Asia to roll out complimentary,
high performance Wi-Fi patented by Xirrus.

Developed at a cost of S$55 million, MAX Atria features 32 column-free rooms with spacious foyers, a garden courtyard and rooftop space. The 12,700sqm convention wing accommodates over 3,500 people in a variety of versatile spaces configured for meetings, conferences, banquets, light exhibitions and product launches.

Throughout the venue, natural light complemented by verdant landscaping, architecture and interiors appointed with green initiatives transform the event space and experience. Incorporated in the construction stage, energy efficient measures have been implemented in lifts, escalators and airconditioning systems. Additionally, light sensors installed in the pre-function foyers, staircases and restrooms, LED light fixtures in meeting rooms and landscaping will contribute more than 30 percent
of energy savings every year compared to a conventionally designed building of the same size.
Besides these energy saving measures, MAX Atria is extensively outfitted with Green Label certified products and products with at least 30 percent recycled material.

For an exceptional Wi-Fi experience, organisers and delegates connected to the patented high performance Xirrus Arrays will enjoy complimentary and seamless connectivity up to a bandwidth of 2mbps. Depending on the number of events and visitors, the Xirrus Arrays can be scaled up accordingly to accommodate a larger capacity and bandwidth. The energy-efficient Xirrus Arrays require fewer access points and less cabling to be installed, contributing to the venue’s sustainability efforts.

“In our capacity as a venue manager, it is incumbent upon us to partner with our clients to create sustainable and impactful event experiences. Enabling onsite organisers and delegates to stay connected and multi-task seamlessly is the new norm, hence, we are pleased to offer complimentary and high performance Wi-Fi access”, said Singex Group Chief Executive Officer Aloysius Arlando.
“The opening of MAX Atria caters to a growing trend of integrated event platforms, be they co-located exhibitions, conferences, symposia, workshops or product launches. This customisation allows organisers not only to enjoy versatile options in personalising the event experience, but to maximise their return on investment (ROI)”.

Recently appointed as the resident caterer at MAX Atria, TungLok’s culinary team will serve guests attending corporate luncheons, gala dinners or banquets signature dishes and innovative creations from their award-winning Chinese and fusion menus. Mr. Arlando continued, “Our partnership with TungLok is complementary as they share our commitment to enrich our visitors’ experience through an exceptional culinary selection”.

Vincent Phang, senior vice president of TungLok, said, “With MAX Atria set to become one of the region’s leading event venues, we are pleased to be given a platform to showcase our culinary and catering services. Be it a board meeting lunch or a banquet for 800 guests, we will strive to create excellent dining experiences in Singapore’s newest convention centre setting”.
Supported by the operational and service excellence of Singapore EXPO, a unique visitor experience through a customised scentscape and soundscape invigorates the experience. Designed to bring nature into the venue, the combination of bergamot, white rose and cardamom infuses the air with a refreshing scent. For the soundscape, distinct tempos and musical styles differentiate the experience from a morning conference to an afternoon meeting or an evening banquet.

Opening package rates and accompanying benefits are available for half-day or full-day meetings.
Full-day meeting packages start from S$66 and enquiries can be made by contacting sales@maxatria.com.sg For couples looking to tie the knot, the introductory rate for an eight-course banquet starts from S$918 per table, inclusive of a complimentary bottle of wine for a minimum booking of 25 tables. Banquet enquiries can be made through events@maxatria.com.sg

Amsterdam RAI in three minutes – The story behind the square metres

‘We believe in the power of connecting. In a world full of possibilities that unite people, ideas and visions. For over a century we’ve found ways to bring together people, brands and markets from our base in Amsterdam. Nationally and internationally.’

These are the words that herald the start of the new film by Amsterdam RAI. They encapsulate the identity of a convention centre and exhibition organiser that has been successfully connecting worlds, people and markets for over a century. The story of the RAI is told in a little under three minutes, with the link between two images symbolising the power of connection.

Manifesto

To Amsterdam RAI the film is more than just the story behind the square metres of the event complex. “It is a promise to each other and the environment in which we operate,” Hans Bakker, Chairman of the Board of Amsterdam RAI explains. “It reflects how we see the world and what we believe in.”

The power of connection

1+1+1=4: This is the core principle behind Amsterdam RAI. Connecting context, content and communities to create added value. In line with this philosophy, Amsterdam RAI developed the film in partnership with advertising agency Lemon Scented Tea, production company Minibar and director Jasper Faber.

Panda Delegate Rates (PDRs) launched for corporate market

Edinburgh Zoo, a unique venue offered as part of the Lime Venue Portfolio collection, has created two corporate packages giving delegates the chance to view the Zoo’s newest additions, giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang, also affectionately known as ‘Sweetie’ and ‘Sunshine’*.

Located close to Edinburgh’s city centre, Edinburgh Zoo has capacity for up to 200 delegates, with a range of conference and meeting facilities available.

The half-day and day packages are priced at £35 and £45 respectively, with a percentage of the profits earned from events re-invested into the Zoo to support their charitable objectives.
The rate includes a panda viewing (subject to availability), room hire, buffet lunch with seasonal produce, tea and coffee with homemade biscuits, water, conference pads and pens and free entrance and parking.

Helene Van Der Ploeg, Catering General Manager at Edinburgh Zoo said: “Event organisers on the lookout for memorable experiences now have the opportunity to offer an event that will be unique, and leave a lasting legacy for both delegates and Edinburgh Zoo’s charitable work.”

In-house AV team winners at the Victorian MEA Awards

Wednesday 14 March 2012

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) took home the ‘In-house AV Services Award’ for a second year in a row at the prestigious Victorian Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) Awards, held at the MCEC last night.

MCEC’s chief executive Peter King said the accolade further reflected the organisation’s contribution to the business events industry.

“The MEA awards are highly regarded within industry and it’s a great honour to receive this recognition.

“I would like to thank the MCEC team for all their hard work, initiative and professionalism” King said.

MCEC’s Director of Technology Services, Michael Walsh said “I’m extremely proud of my team and the fact that we’ve achieved many industry firsts since the Melbourne Convention Centre opened in July 2009.

“We are committed to implementing the latest technology to make events easier for our clients and visitors, and being the first centre in Australia to launch free Wi-Fi is a great example of this” Walsh said.

The MCEC’s performance was assessed across a wide-range of criteria, including business and financial plans, marketing activities, sustainability and innovation.

As Victorian winners the MCEC have now qualified for the 2011 MEA National Awards where winners will be revealed at the MEA National Conference in Sydney on 24 April 2012.

The world class venue was also a finalist for the ‘Business Development Person of the Year Award’ – Prue Rogers, Senior Sales Manager and the MEA and Ungerboeck Systems International Young Professional Scholarship – Abby Giese, Sales Administrator, Conventions.

Kempton Park Racecourse aims for Guinness World Record

Kempton Park Racecourse is to be the new home of The Mascot Grand National.

Taking place on Bank Holiday, Monday 7^th May, the race is set to break boundaries as Kempton Park ups the stakes with an attempt at a Guinness World Record for the largest mascot gathering, currently held at 166 mascots at a venue in Germany. Now in its 13^th year, The Mascot Grand National draws mascots from across the UK with past entries including squirrels, hippos and giant dogs, all taking part to fundraise for charity. There are high levels of anticipation to see who will become lead sponsor in what organisers expect will be the race’s Guinness World Record-breaking year.

As horseracing is the second largest spectator sport in the UK, coverage of the event is anticipated through Sky Sports as well as screening via Turf TV and to an audience of over 500,000 viewers on Racing UK. YouTube and social media channels are also expected to feature as significant ways for potential sponsors to benefit from the event.

Kempton Park is part of The Jockey Club, the largest commercial group in British horseracing, and is renowned for its creative take on traditional horse racing. In December 2011, Kempton Park hosted its inaugural Christmas reindeer racing, which was picked up by media across the globe, as well as hitting gaining over 29,000 YouTube hits. With 3.2 million homes in a 60 minute radius of the racecourse, sponsors have become increasingly attracted to the branding and sponsorship opportunities that the racecourse offers and the access it affords to a wider televised audience.

Simon Beynon, sales director for Kempton Park Racecourse, said, “We are really excited to be running The Mascot Grand National, as the race embodies a fun take on a traditional sport – something we are keen to be associated with. We are looking forward to seeing who becomes the lead sponsor and benefits from the massive reach this race has across all media channels.”

OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE TO DEBUT AT GIBTM 2012

The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre will make its debut at GIBTM, the Gulf’s premier meetings industry tradeshow this month.

According to Geoff Donaghy, the Director of Convention Centres for AEG Ogden, the manager of the Oman Centre, GIBTM will showcase the venue to key international and Gulf region decision-makers.

“Our message to these decision-makers is that Oman is constructing a world-class venue and precinct that will have the capacity to host some of the world’s and region’s most prestigious events that may have not been possible previously.”

“Not only will this inspirational project open the world to Oman, it will open Oman to the world of business events,” he said.

Mr Donaghy said as venue manager, AEG Ogden would utilise its global expertise to deliver service excellence in all areas of the operation including catering, technology and event management to expand the already high level of professionalism in the meetings and exhibitions industry in Oman.

“AEG Ogden will provide a memorable first-class experience for all attendees adopting the spirit of the traditional Omani hospitality that the Sultanate is renowned for.”

“We are encouraged by the interest already shown by the international decision-makers and key Omani stakeholders in staging future events in Muscat. Our preliminary research and sales activities have identified business as far ahead as 2024,”  Mr Donaghy said.

In addition to large scale convention and exhibitions the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre’s flexible design will cater for smaller meetings, banquets and functions as well as concerts and special events accommodating up to 10,000 people.

GIBTM is being held in Abu Dhabi from 26 to 28 March 2012. The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre will be featured on the Oman Ministry of Tourism stand E110.

For more information visit www.omanconvention.com

More than 90 per cent of waste is sorted at the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre

Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre’s aim of generating only five percent unsorted waste is realistic for next year. The amount of unsorted waste has dropped dramatically from 2007 levels, when some 44 per cent of waste ended up unsorted in landfills. In 2011, the corresponding figure was only 6 per cent.

The Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre was the first Finnish exhibition and conference centre to receive ISO 14001 environmental management certification for its environmental management system. On the basis of an environmental survey, three primary environmental goals were set for its operations: reducing the waste load, optimising energy consumption and promotion of the use of public transport. Moreover, all co-operating partners are expected to act responsibly and commit themselves to the environmental management system.

Energy consumption and waste create the highest environmental load at the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre. In recent years, particular attention has been paid to waste sorting, and this has resulted in a remarkable reduction in the amount of unsorted waste: in 2007, some 44 per cent of waste from the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre ended up in landfills unsorted, but this year, the corresponding figure was only 6 per cent.

- Today, sorting of waste is possible at all facilities of the Centre. In addition, we have managed to control energy consumption regardless of major investments in new premises, comments Lasse Willberg, Property Manager at the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre.

Cheltenham Racecourse asserts itself as a South West business destination

Cheltenham Racecourse is raising its profile with Gloucestershire based businesses, hosting a series of networking events in partnership with The Citizen and Gloucestershire Echo Women in Business Awards 2012.

The racecourse hopes the series of networking events will help assert itself as a leading South West events destination through showcasing the range of conference and events facilities at the venue. Located only one mile from Cheltenham town centre, the venue offers a multitude of event spaces including The Centaur, a 2,250 seated auditorium with state-of-the-art lighting and sound capabilities, as well as 300 acres available for outside events.

Cheltenham Racecourse has hosted two networking events this year in conjunction with the Women in Business Awards, the final event will take place on Thursday 8^th March before the Awards ceremony in the venue’s Centaur Suite on Thursday 29^th March. The annual awards ceremony shines the spotlight on women at the heart of the county’s business community, sponsored by Coutts & Co, the Awards consist of eight categories including Woman of the Year, Women in the Workplace and Rising Star of the Year.

Emma Samways, head of events Gloucestershire, Somerset and Dorset, said “We are very pleased Cheltenham Racecourse is sponsoring The Citizen and Gloucestershire Echo Women in Business Awards which are now in their third year. The networking events are a great way to help promote the Awards and they have been really well received by women in business from the Gloucestershire area, guests have been treated to Bloody Mary shots, desserts from across the globes and tasty Spanish tapas.”

Susie Bradshaw, conference and events manager at Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “We are relishing the opportunity to host local business women at our venue, creating networking opportunities whilst also revealing the catering and event spaces we have to offer to our key target audience. The events have been highly successful and we are very honoured to be working with the Women in Business Awards, which highlight the hard work and determination of the talented women who help drive Gloucestershire’s economy.”

1 in 10 delegates goes free for meetings held in the first half of 2012

The 1 in 10 offer from Hilton hotels in Austria allows you to get more for your budget.  There is no longer a reason to leave a valuable team member behind – and every reason to book today.

Benefit from this great promotion and make additional savings based on the number of participants.
This special promotion is available for new requests for meetings or events from January to June 2012.

Hotels participating:

• Hilton Vienna
• Hilton Vienna Danube
• Hilton Vienna Plaza
• Hilton Innsbruck

This special offer is bookable until 31 March 2012.

Offer limited to a maximum of twenty (20) meeting fee waivers and twenty (20) free room nights per meeting.

One of a kind convention and exhibition centre launched at AIME

A one of a kind convention centre, currently under construction at the RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane, has been officially launched to the industry during the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo in Melbourne today.

RNA Chief Executive Jonathan Tunny was joined by Brisbane Marketing Convention Bureau Director Annabel Sullivan to unveil Brisbane’s newest convention centre, which is projected toattract more than 220 events and 30,000 visitors annually.

“The RNA is proud to announce the world-class $59 million Royal International Convention Centre (RICC) will open in March 2013 and bookings are being taken now,” he said.

“It is the only convention and exhibition centre currently under construction in Australia with work set to be completed by December.

“The RICC is part of stage one of our exciting $2.9 billion 15 year RNA Showgrounds Regeneration Project, which will transform the site into a vibrant year-round destination offering a unique lifestyle and cultural hub.”

Mr Tunny said the historic regeneration of the RNA Showgrounds – a famous Queensland social heritage and cultural landmark – will cement its place as a leading national and international events precinct.

“It represents Australia’s largest Brownfield development, is the most significant urban renewal project in Brisbane since South Bank and includes 340,000m² of new residential, commercial and retail precinct development,” he said.

Mr Tunny said the 22,000m² multi-level centre is set to hold international, national and local business events, which in 2010-2011 pumped a total of $212 million* into the Brisbane economy.

“Situated in one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, the new RICC is ideally located just 1.6 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD and 15 minutes from international and domestic airports,” he said.

“It will sit pride of place on the 22 hectare RNA Showgrounds site, which is Brisbane’s biggest indoor/outdoor events venue attracting a million visitors a year.”

Mr Tunny said the RICC offered Australian first features including a custom-built operable ceiling grid system which can cut exhibition set-up time by up to a day.

“It is the only centre nationally to feature this state-of-the-art rigging system which will result in less labour, less time and less set-up costs,” he said.

“The 30, 9m² frames are each capable of a 700kg load, are fitted with power and network ports and able to be lowered by remote control.”

Mr Tunny said the RICC is positioned to stage domestic and international, business and social events and will be supported by a professional team of in-house event planners, an operations team and experienced catering staff.

“Our catering facilities will be world-class and feature 12 of the latest designed self-cooking centres, capable of serving 2,600 plates in 40 minutes,” he said.

“The ovens enable us to produce fresh food on a daily basis for large numbers and feature a computerised system to track and monitor the quality of food being served.”

Mr Tunny said the RNA Showgrounds has a long and close relationship with the Queensland community and this new centre has been specifically designed to cater for Brisbane’s significant growth.

“The RICC will become home to leading events on a year-round basis including banquets, conferences, exhibitions and seminars,” he said.

Across two levels, the centre will house:

• 4,500m2 of exhibition space which fronts 1,800m2 of flexible open space known as Ekka Plaza
• Three flexible halls totalling 3,210m2 plus 1,500m2 of foyer space
• Seven meeting rooms of flexible combination totalling 630m2 plus two board rooms
• A 1,200m2 commercial kitchen
• Approximately 140 car parks

Brisbane Marketing Convention Bureau Director, Annabel Sullivan said Brisbane’s status as a leading destination for national and international business events is strengthened by the planned RNA Showgrounds Regeneration Project, of which the Royal International Convention Centre is a key part.

“Attracting business events to Brisbane Australia’s new world city has a positive effect on the bottom line of the local economy and creates lasting legacies for local businesses and individuals whom benefit from knowledge enrichment and skills transfer for years to come,” she added.

(*Source: Brisbane Marketing – Economic Value of Brisbane’s Events Industry)

ICCA France-Benelux Chapter meeting in Paris : « An inspiring summit! »

30 members from France, Belgium and the Netherlands participated in the ICCA France- Benelux Chapter Summit held this month at Le Palais des Congrès de Paris (February 6-7, 2012).

This one-day event was a great opportunity to learn about some of the latest industry trends from expert speakers: Ben Hainsworth from the European Society of Cardiology presented the new destination selection process which is going to be implemented for all their congresses, and James Bedford and Deirdre Jarvis from Cisco Systems presented a simultaneous live and virtual session on Hybrid and Virtual Meetings with speakers from their headquarters in San Jose, California.

One of the highlights of the event was a new idea for a session open to abstracts from the different members. On the general theme of “What is your greatest challenge in winning international business and what creative solutions have you found to overcome it?” four different members came forward to share their success story with their peers.

“Feedback from post-event evaluations were extremely positive: all the participants thought that the event met their primary objectives, the speakers were graded at 83% excellent or very good, 92% enjoyed the networking opportunities, and most important of all, 100% of participants say they will come back next year!” concludes Marta Gomes, Congress Department Director of Viparis and Chairperson of the ICCA France-Benelux Chapter.

A feeling shared by the participants: “An interesting and thought provoking session. I look forward to the next one”; “I had time to do some networking and liked the idea to share our ‘success’ stories”; “A great way to, within a small group, exchange ideas and interact”; “It was an inspiring summit!”.

Spanish conference centres welcomed more international visitors in 2011 and generated an impact of €1,200 million

20th February 2012

The activity report published by the Spanish Association of Conference Centres’ (APCE) members reveals that in 2011 its venues held a total of
4,981 events and welcomed 3,918,629 visitors. This generated an economic impact for their cities of around €1,200 million.

The aggregate data provided by APCE members show that last year Spanish venues held a total of 436 congresses which were attended by 446,076
delegates. They also held 393 conventions which were attended by 267,403 participants and 1,324 symposia with a total of 389,348 visitors. The
direct and indirect economic impact generated from these activities reached €1,200 million.

In comparative terms, the report seems to indicate that the number of congresses and visitors, which had remained reasonably stable until 2010,
fell slightly during the year. However, corporate events, which had been harder hit by the difficult economic circumstances, seem to have slowed
their downward trend.

In terms of types of events, 65% of conventions and 80% of congresses were national or international meetings, whilst 75% of congress delegates
and 88% of convention delegates had a national or international profile.

The study highlights an increase in international visitors which rose by 35% in the case of congresses and 8% in the case of conventions
compared to the previous year. This type of participants contributes to reduce the seasonal nature of tourism and generates an economic impact
which is far superior to that of an average holidaymaker, thanks to higher daily average expenditure.

In terms of the conclusions to be drawn from the study figures, José Salinas, the Valencia Conference Centre’s CEO and Chairman of the APCE’s
Board of Directors, stated that “the presence of key factors in boosting our cities’ economies, such as conference centres, is even more
important in difficult times. The adverse economic environment has generated a slowdown in the domestic market which has partly been
balanced out with increased activity on the international stage compared to the previous year. This puts us in a better
position on the international market and makes us more competitive outside Spain”.

Salinas also added that “It is important for Spanish venues to continue to climb the international MICE ladder. In fact, one of our strategic priorities is to promote conference centres using both traditional channels and new online tools”.

Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Takes Traffic Management Online

In a first for the Australian events industry, the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has designed an online traffic management system for its exhibition hall loading docks.

The move is part of the Centre’s ongoing program to boost operational efficiency and recognises the high level of demand put on the Centre’s six exhibition halls, which are the busiest in the country.

 The new system enables a central traffic controller to log all truck arrivals online, and advise waiting drivers by SMS when it is their turn to move to the loading dock to offload or collect exhibition material.

The system also allows exhibition organisers to easily review the flow of traffic during their event, while freight companies can access the system to assess waiting times for their vehicles.

Chief Executive Ton van Amerongen said the Centre’s security team had studied venue traffic management methods worldwide before partnering with a company to tailor-make its own system, which breaks new ground.

“No other venue in Australia has an online management system and whilst some international venues use them, we discovered that none of them offered the detail we need so we decided to create our own,” Mr van Amerongen said.

“The new system is premised on the need for efficiency and safety on the loading docks. Not only does it reduce the waiting time for trucks, it keeps all the key players in the loop during the crucial days spent setting up and dismantling an exhibition.”

Mr van Amerongen said the program also provided post-event reports which could be used by organisers to assist planning for future events.

Lord’s Cricket Ground launches team building package

Companies will now be able to take inspiration from the iconic “Home of Cricket” back into the work-place, after it was announced that Lord’s Cricket Ground will offer corporate team building events in 2012.

Following a thorough selection process, four suppliers – Chillisauce, Accomplished Events, Blue Hat, and ESC Events – have been appointed as the official team building specialists for events at Lord’s.

The extensive range of venues and facilities within the world-famous cricket ground will provide a unique setting for the delivery of the wide variety of team building packages offered by the four suppliers.  In particular, access to the newly refurbished MCC Cricket Academy will allow companies to enjoy indoor cricket net sessions in a world-class training environment, as used by international players such as Andrew Strauss, Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne.

Nick Kenton, Meetings & Events Sales Manager at Lord’s, said: “Lord’s Cricket Ground is one of the most iconic venues in sport, and over the years some of the best teams in the world have played on the hallowed turf.  The Ground therefore provides an ideal venue for team building events, combining an inspiring history alongside access to world-class facilities.  I am delighted with the four new suppliers that have been appointed to help us take team building to the forefront of our business in 2012.”

Matt Curran, Business Development Manager at Chillisauce, said: “Chillisauce is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such an esteemed organisation.  We’re very much looking forward to engaging our expertise, energy and enthusiasm so that between us we can offer clients events of a quality and nature that befit such a globally renowned setting.”

Jenny Pink and Nadia Brown, Directors at Accomplished Events, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with such an iconic London venue, made even more special by its prominence in the Olympics this year.  Lord’s Cricket Ground is perfect for so many of our team building products due to the number of unique spaces to suit a whole range of client needs.”

Steve Perkins, Head of Marketing at Blue Hat, said: “Working in partnership with Lord’s, Blue Hat UK is able to offer one of the biggest selections of team building events in the world.  With over 100 products, many award winning, we can advise on the perfect indoor, outdoor or evening event.  Our knowledge and experience of the venue and its amazing facilities allow us to match the right event to your group and objective, be it a Crystal Maze challenge or our amazing Italian Job!”

Paul Burke, Event Services Manager at ESC Events, said: “ESC Events are proud to be a supplier at the Home of Cricket.  We are looking forward to an exciting year exceeding client expectations in incentive and team dynamic events.”

Beaulieu launches Bond in Motion

Hampshire’s venue set to put the 2012 event calendar in motion

With fifty vehicles on display, BOND IN MOTION is the largest official collection of original Bond vehicles the world has ever seen. On display for one year only at the National Motor Museum, this could be your only chance to see these vehicles on display together.

Featuring 50 iconic Bond vehicles, event organisers and corporates searching for unique venues and experiences will be able to host drinks receptions, canapé evenings and gala dinners in the National Motor Museum and view the Bond in Motion exhibition, which includes the Aston Martin DBS from Quantum of Solace, villain Zao’s Jaguar XKR from Die Another Day, the Aston Martin DB5 from GoldenEye, Goldfinger’s Phantom lll Rolls-Royce from Goldfinger and the original SFX Cello Case Ski – famously navigated by Timothy Dalton in The Living Daylights.

The drinks, canapé and dinner events include dry vesper Martini’s on arrival, bespoke canapés, a three course menu featuring ‘Martini Sorbet with a Hint of Lime’ as starter, ‘seared duck breast with savoy cabbage, bacon, apples and herb pomme anna with red wine thyme sauce’ for main course and raspberry and Cointreau mousse for dessert. The evenings can be rounded off with bespoke entertainment if clients so wish.

Gemma Moody, sales manager from Beaulieu, said, “We are delighted to be able to offer such a unique experience in what is already a truly unique space for events. Our 2012 offer capitalises on the best of British filmography, food, surroundings and motoring history.”

Richard Kadri-Langford, head of marketing at Lime Venue Portfolio, comments, “Beaulieu can deliver a fantastic package for corporate events. The opportunity of being able to view a unique collection of Bond vehicles at the same time is truly unique and isn’t available anywhere else in world.”

Cheltenham Racecourse pulls the crowds Cheltenham Racecourse pulls the crowds Cheltenham Racecourse pulls the crowds

Cheltenham Racecourse is proving to be a popular crowd pleaser as it builds on its non-race day activities with an exciting programme of live events for 2012.

The venue’s South West location has proved invaluable in pulling footfall across the country from Bristol and Birmingham to Cardiff and Oxford. 2012′s line-up includes the Greenbelt and Wychwood festivals and a live performance from Jools Holland, who will once again join his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra on tour. Cheltenham Racecourse launched its ‘LIVE’ division in 2011 and has since hosted well-known faces including John Bishop, Micky Flanagan and Alexandra Burke.

The venue offers a multitude of event spaces including The Centaur, a 2,250 seated auditorium with state-of-the-art lighting and sound capabilities, as well as 300 acres available for outside events. Located only one mile from Cheltenham town centre, the course is accessible from the midlands’ major arterial routes including the M40 and M5, as well as direct train links to London and Bristol. Cheltenham Racecourse also boasts over 10,000 free car parking spaces, making it an ideal choice for concerts and comedy promoters.

Susie Bradshaw, conference and events manager at Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “Cheltenham Racecourse is known for hosting some of the UK’s most prominent racing fixtures; however, through securing an exciting live events line-up we have certainly helped to put us on the map as a popular events destination as well.”

Lord’s Cricket Ground appoints AV specialists

Officials at Lord’s Cricket Ground have announced that three new audio visual providers – Aztec Event Services, Smyle and Fisher Productions – have been added to the Ground’s exclusive AV supplier list.  Eclipse Presentations, who have worked at Lord’s for eight years, will continue to offer onsite AV support throughout the Ground, with a resident venue manager overseeing operations.

Lord’s – the Home of Cricket – has hosted a range of external events over the past twelve months, including the International Wine Challenge, British Swimming Awards Dinner, and the LTI Taxi launch, in addition to the internationally acclaimed MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture in July last year.

Nick Kenton, Meetings & Events Sales Manager at Lord’s Cricket Ground, said: “Aztec Event Services, Smyle, and Fisher Productions are three of the leading lights in the audio visual industry, and I am delighted they are now official suppliers at Lord’s.  With Eclipse Presentations continuing to offer in-house support, clients now have more choice and flexibility for AV solutions, which allows us to provide a world class service from the best in the business.”

John Robson, Aztec Managing Director, said: “This is another step in our expansion of audio visual service offerings to sporting venues that host conferences and meetings.  We believe that Lord’s chose us because of our experience in this type of venue, and our reputation for quality, reliability and efficiency which reflects the same ethos as that of Lord’s.  We have worked at Lord’s before and see this as the beginning of a closer long-term relationship.”

Rick Stainton, Smyle’s Managing Director, said: “Smyle has been blessed through being able to produce events in some of the UK’s most historical venues.  Our team are absolutely thrilled that another of London’s unique venues has recognised our capabilities.  We are renowned for our technical creativity and the team are really looking forward to reinforcing this reputation by producing events in this globally iconic venue.”

Kelly Yeomans, Venue Relationship Manager at Fisher Productions, said: “Fisher are very excited to be appointed by Lord’s Cricket Ground to provide creative production.  Lord’s is a particularly versatile canvas for events therefore Fisher Productions are looking forward to providing creative solutions for the Ground’s future clients.”

HOFBURG Vienna – set for success

Results for 2011, outlook for 2012

A series of high ranking events, and an upswing in catering revenue set 2011 apart.

The conference centre continues to invest in trailblazing 3D and mobile technologies.

Le Grand Bal ready to debut this New Year’s Eve.

2011 – a successful year all round

With revenue of more than EUR 10 million, 2011 was an extremely strong financial year. “There was a slight upturn on the conference market, while banquets and galas moved into the ascendancy with significant gains,” explains HOFBURG Vienna Managing Director Renate Danler. Accounting for 14 percent of total revenue, the booming Banquets and Galas segment advanced to become the second largest area of business after the Conferences and Meetings segment (56 percent of the total). A number of new arrivals including the Styrian Ball and the Confectioner’s Ball saw the Ball segment claim 10 percent of revenue, followed by fairs and exhibitions with seven percent. Revenue generated by events did not reflect the additional EUR 7 million accounted for by catering activities. The highlights of the year included a line-up of high-level political meetings such as the World Economic Forum, the Vienna Energy Forum and the World Policy Conference. All in all some 320,000 visitors attended the 328 events and conference hosted by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) at the international conference and event centre. Added value for the national economy generated by the HOFBURG Vienna ran to about EUR 190 million in 2011. After the meeting spaces reserved for use by the OSCE, the Festsaal reported the highest occupancy rates. The Grosse Redoutensaal and the Zeremoniesaal were the next most in-demand. 

2012 – a year of innovation

From July 2012 the HOFBURG Vienna will be offering culinary creations from three exclusive new catering partners: DO & CO, a premium international caterer; GERSTNER, an established gourmet specialist; and COPALOCA, a byword for creative, fresh event catering. The new catering partners give the conference centre’s customers access to a greater choice than ever before and add a new dimension to event catering. 

The HOFBURG Vienna’s very own innovation management strategy is helping it to keep pace with all the latest technological developments and communications trends in the events industry. Recent introductions include free WiFi on request, a smartphone-optimised website and 3D models of the event spaces. 

The next phase will see the launch of an augmented reality application which will enable the HOFBURG Vienna to give customers an even more lifelike virtual tour of the facilities. This new technology will bring hybrid events a step closer. 

With 21 conferences already booked, 2012 is already shaping up to be a highly promising year for the HOFBURG Vienna. Like scientific events, medical conferences are in the ascendancy. Highlights include the MedicRes World Congress (7-8 June) with around 1,200 medical professionals, the International Conference on Arabidopsis Research with 1,000 cell researchers (3-7 July) and the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERMIS) World Congress (6-8 September) with 1,000 doctors. The international conference of the European Resuscitation Councils (16-20 October) will attract more than 1,900 physicians. Other major dates include the Tara – life goes on benefit gala (1 December) and the inaugural ReiseSalon travel fair (23-25 November). Returning events include the Romy gala (21 April), the Una Notte Sportiva sports gala (28 September) and the Entrepreneur of the Year award ceremony (10 October). 

The year will be brought to a glittering close with the first ever Le Grand Bal, the HOFBURG Vienna’s very own New Year’s Eve ball. “The HOFBURG Vienna’s Le Grand Bal is a unique combination of a traditional Viennese ball night, with a luxury gala dinner and New Year’s Eve celebration,” Renate Danler explains. Between 2,500 and 3,000 ballgoers from Austria and abroad are expected to attend.

Increase in events for Bella Center A/S

In 2011, Bella Center A/S held 127 events, which is 11 per cent more than in 2010.

Bella Center A/S, Scandinavia’s leading trade fair and congress centre, held 127 events during 2011. This is an increase of 11 per cent from the previous year, when the Group held a total of 114 events. One reason for the increase is the opening of the Bella Sky hotel back in May 2011.

 Photo: Claus Starup

‘Investing in largest hotel in the Nordic region has made us an even stronger player in the Danish trade fair and congress market. With 31 extra conference rooms we can attract even more meetings and conferences. We also still have the venue and the expertise to attract major international congresses to Copenhagen. Events this year include the two major congresses EWEA (Europe’s largest wind energy congress) and EAGE (the world’s largest geoscience congress),’ says CEO Arne Bang Mikkelsen.

In 2011, Bella Center A/S had 1,108,000 visitors.   

• Bella Center and Forum Copenhagen held a total of 127 events in 2011.
• In total, 45 trade fairs and exhibitions were held, as well as 82 congresses and events/theatre events, of which 17 were international congresses.
• In 2011, events took place on as many as 257 days.
• Since its opening in 1966, Bella Center has had more than 27,000,000 visitors.
• Forum Copenhagen has had 5,500,000 visitors since it was taken over by Bella Center in 1997.

THE HOTEL PORTAVENTURA UPDATES ITS FACILITIES

Just 100 metres from PortAventura Convention Centre, this has become one of the favourite hotels for attendees and delegates holding their professional events in the facilities of this venue.

Vila-seca/Salou, January 2011.- After several months of refurbishment work, the Hotel PortAventura, just a stone’s throw from PortAventura Convention Centre, is looking completely renovated. Exclusive decoration and a highly personal design: these were the key to the refurbishment of every one of the 502 rooms in the Hotel PortAventura.

“We want our guests’ stay to be as comfortable as possible, and this is why we have chosen every detail with great care, from the furnishings to the decoration,” stresses Franck Barbaras, head of PortAventura Business & Events. “But there can be no doubt that the biggest improvements have been in the field of technology. All the rooms now have a WI-FI connection and a comfortable work space, as well as a plasma television. Like this,” adds Barbaras-“Attendees and delegates at any of the numerous events we host in our facilities and who are staying at the Hotel PortAventura because of its nearness and convenience, will have a full range of comforts and amenities to make their stay a much more pleasant experience.”

The refurbishment work which has been carried out at the Hotel PortAventura in recent weeks has also included two of its most outstanding spaces, the facilities of which have been expanded and improved: the Buffet del MarRestaurant and the Sala Bosc.

In the very near future, agencies throughout Spain will be the target of a special promotional campaign concerning the new amenities and comforts of the Hotel PortAventura, which join those it already boasted.

Meeting Package: a unique product

The Hotel PortAventura in fact plays a starring role in the “Complete Meeting Package,” a highly interesting product to make any event or professional meeting into a unique experience, at a price which is more than attractive. The Meeting Package represents a comprehensive offer: a welcome drink, a night’s accommodation at the Hotel PortAventura (double room for single use plus breakfast); the hire of a room with equipment (one day); two coffee breaks (morning and afternoon); lunch and dinner; wi-fi connection free of charge, late check out by 5.00pm and one free room for every 30 paid for. All this at an exclusive price, from 185 Euros. “With the launch of this package, unique in our sector, we aim to share our excellent facilities and amenities with all those in the Meetings & Events segment,” states Franck Barbaras, head of PortAventura Business & Events and PortAventura Convention Centre.  

OCCC EVENTS DONATE MORE THAN $1.6 MILLION TO LOCAL CHARITIES

Orange County Convention Center tradeshows donate more than $1.6 million locally in 2011 Food, school and building supplies among donations

While the Orange County Convention Center is known for providing an economic boost to the Central Florida community, it’s also become a major source of donations for several of the area’s charitable organizations. In 2011, it’s estimated more than $1.6 million in goods and services were donated to local organizations by visiting conventions and tradeshows and their exhibitors and attendees.

More than four dozen visiting shows made donations that included nearly 250,000 pounds of food to local food banks, more than $175,000 in educational supplies and grants and more than $100,000 in building supplies.

“We are so proud of all the conventions and shows that choose to make a donation to one of our local groups,” said Kathie Canning, the convention center’s deputy general manager. “It’s great to see our visitors are providing a positive economic impact to our community not only by spending locally, but also giving locally.”

Over one million visitors to the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre in 2011

In 2011, the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre attracted a total of 1,006,892 visitors to fairs, meetings, congresses and other events. More than 80 exhibitions, covering various areas and interests, were organised at the Centre.

‘The fairs, many of which broke attendance records, demonstrated their power as a true social media’, says Marketing and Communications Director Maria Mroue.

The largest fairs of the year included the Matka 2011 Nordic Travel Fair and Caravan in January (83,280 visitors), the Book, Music, Wine, Food and Good Living exhibitions in October (80,851 visitors), the Helsinki International Boat Show in February (78,130 visitors), the Habitare, Salon Helsinki, ArtHelsinki and Light exhibitions in September (69,365 visitors) and the Skiexpo, Boardexpo, DigiExpo, Hifi and the Lätkä&Säbä ice hockey and floorball exhibitions in November (68,149 visitors).

The Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre hosted 1,706 meetings and other events. The largest international congress of the year was ECP, the European Congress of Pathology, which brought 2,400 top medical professionals and exhibitors to the Centre.

Successful opening of the new Hall 7

In early autumn, the grand opening of our newest exhibition space, the light-filled and spacious Hall 7 was celebrated in Helsinki. With the introduction of the new hall, the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre increased its exhibition space by the equivalent of two football fields. In terms of versatility, Hall 7 is in a league of its own: in addition to fair and meeting use, it can be transformed to an arena for indoor sports competitions.

The public programme of the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre kicks off in January with the Matka Nordic Travel Fair and Caravan fairs, and the MP12 Motorcycle Show. In February, sailing aficionados cast anchor at the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre to attend the largest boat fair in Northern Europe.

SPANISH CONFERENCE CENTRES ELECT THEIR NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Spanish Association of Conference Centres (APCE), which currently has 37 members and represents Spain’s main congress venues, has unanimously elected its new Board of Directors during its annual general assembly in Madrid.

Fifteen years after the Association was founded, the Valencia Conference Centre’s CEO, José Salinas, has been unanimously re-elected as the Chairman of the Association’s Board of Directors at the APCE’s general assembly held in Madrid, a position he has held since 1999.

The other members of the new Board of Directors are Carlos García Espinosa (Cadiz Conference and Exhibition Centre) as Deputy Chairman; Jon Ortuzar (Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall, Bilbao) as Secretary; and Luis Acosta (Canary Islands Conference Centre, Alfredo Kraus Auditorium), Enrique Pena (PALEXCO – A Coruña Conference and Exhibition Centre), Belén Mann (IFEMA Madrid Trade Fair Convention Centre), and Ana Cavada (Santander Exhibition and Conference Centre) as the other board members.

The initiatives undertaken by the Association since it was founded in 1995, which have included promoting its members’ profiles and improving their positioning on the national and international congress markets, have helped conference centres to become Spain’s main event tourism venues, hosting 70% of international congresses and 80% of large national congresses in the last 10 years.

The APCE’s strategy has centred on creating a brand image and differentiating itself from its competitors through the added value conference centres offer thanks to their specialised staff and the quality of their facilities which have been designed by many highly prestigious architects.

Over the last fifteen years, the Association has championed conference centres as key players in the event tourism industry and as the driving force behind the expansion and transformation of the cities in which they are located. Their capacity to face up to new challenges and contribute to the progress of the economy has meant that in 2010 conference centres generated an economic impact of over €1,600 million.

In the words of the APCE Chairman, “these are new times for the Association in which it will be more and more important to back conference centre activities as a driving force behind local economies, against the backdrop of a difficult economic situation. We shall nevertheless continue to work to improve our members’ positioning on the event tourism market and provide leading services based on quality and professionalism”.

Messe Berlin: High growth and maximum utilisation of capacity – new exhibition grounds to open in July 2012

Group turnover at around 180 million euros, 14 per cent more than in 2009 – capacity utilisation at Berlin ExpoCenter City among the world’s best – excellent business expected in 2012 – trade fair grounds to expand at two venues

London Hotels Insight Inspects the Heathrow Meeting Rooms at Radisson Edwardian Heathrow

London Hotels Insight recently launched a free advisory service for companies to help them identify the best free WiFi meeting venues in London. A recent visit to the Radisson Edwardian Heathrow revealed that it ticks many of the criteria.

Johanna Tolonen Appointed CEO of Finlandia Hall

Ms. Johanna Tolonen, M.Sc. (Econ), has been appointed Finlandia Hall´s CEO as of January 2, 2012. Johanna Tolonen was until recently CEO of Wild North Destination Management Company. Previously she held the position of CEO to the Arktikum Service Company. Arktikum is a museum, science centre and a conference house in Rovaniemi, Lapland.

Finlandia Hall enhances its profile

Finlandia Hall is a unique venue for meetings and events, and concerts are an additional aspect alongside these business events. Its latest asset is the recently completed Finlandia Veranda which enhances Finlandia Hall’s profile by providing customers with a versatile space of 2,200 square metres.

Located in the new extension on the Töölönlahti bay side of the building, Veranda can also be divided into four separate spaces. Veranda is ideal for conference exhibitions, festive occasions and corporate events, such as product launches. The street-level extension also houses the modern Café Veranda, which is now open to the public.

Finlandia Hall is among the most popular conference venues in Finland, and conferences and events comprise some 80 per cent of its revenue. It has over 300,000 visitors and over 400 conferences every year, some 20 of which are international conferences with thousands of participants.
According the Finland Convention Bureau, the income effect of a single congress guest is EUR 1,175 in Finland.

Strong assets

Finlandia Hall is located in Helsinki’s city centre, right by the sea and in the heart of an attractive park.
The central location is a significant advantage when competing for conferences, as there is no need for international guests to travel out of Helsinki. Other assets include the beautiful and versatile premises, professional staff and nearby hotels.

Moreover, Alvar Aalto’s architecture and design are important factors that spark interest and will always set Finlandia Hall apart from Finnish and international competitors.

The largest auditorium in the building is the statuesque Finlandia Hall, which is a magnificent and spacious hall for 1,700 people. State-of-the-art sound and light engineering as well as the widely versatile stage make it the perfect venue for events such as fashion shows, concerts and films.
The building also has 25 other halls and lots of smaller rooms. If the entire space is used, you can organise an event and catering for as many as 5,500 people.

Finnish companies, organisations and NGOs also appreciate the parking provided which will only improve when the Töölönlahti underground parking facilities open in autumn 2012.

Ahead of its time in many respects, Finlandia Hall is also concerned about the environment and has been awarded the Green Office Certification.
Finlandia Restaurant has been awarded the Swan ecolabel for its environmental choices.

Lord’s Cricket Ground has announced a new day delegate rate exclusive to January and February 2012.

The Home of Cricket, which has become recognised for the variety of its different event spaces from the ultra-modern J.P. Morgan Media Centre to the historic Grade II* listed Pavilion, is offering a £49.50 DDR targeted at budget conscious conference bookers. The no frills package includes a choice of three different menus and can be booked in a number of rooms within the Ground.

The choice of venues, within Lord’s, include the Thomas Lord Suite; a fully AV-supported conference space and the Nursery Pavilion, a 1000sq of event space which is extremely flexible and can cater for up to 600 guests.

The J.P. Morgan Media Centre, which overlooks the most famous field in world cricket, has seen demand from organisers for forum style events, with its tiered seating promoting a high level of interaction.

Corporate clients who have held conferences at Lord’s over the past 12 months include The Incorporated Society of British Advertisers, Ascert and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Menus reflect Lord’s commitment to sourcing local provenance; meat from the award-winning Pipers Farm, Cullompton in Devon and deliveries of field-fresh vegetables and herbs daily. Three different varieties of cold buffet lunches feature homemade recipes such as Scotch Quail Eggs and Lemon Poached Salmon Ballantine with a Light Caesar Salad, while tea, coffee and herbal infusions are served to delegates at four different points throughout the day.

Nick Kenton, Meetings & Events Sales Manager at Lord’s, said: “This new DDR underlines our dedication to keeping conferences at Lord’s attainable and affordable, without compromising our quality and service values.  The New Year looks set to be a busy time in the Capital and this offer will allow us to keep a competitive edge as 2012 comes to the boil.”

* Minimum numbers apply and will vary for different venues. Bookings must be made for events that take place in January or February 2012.

Centre Wins National Environmental Award

For the fourth year running, the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has won the Best Green Initiative category at the national Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia’s Annual Awards.

 Announced at a gala dinner in Sydney last night, the award recognises the ongoing emphasis that the venue places on its environmental practices as well as its role as an industry leader on sustainability issues.

Centre Chief Executive Ton van Amerongen said he was extremely proud of the achievement, which reflected the passion and enthusiasm of the Centre’s team.

“The fact that the Centre has won this award every year since it was first launched in 2008 recognises the commitment of our team,” Mr van Amerongen said.

“They are focussed on creating a more sustainable events industry and are always looking for new ways to improve our environmental performance.”The award comes at the end of a year which has seen the Centre win more than 10 major industry accolades, including C&IT’s Worldwide Convention Centre Team of the Year , Australasia’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre in the 2011 World Travel Awards and Best Meeting Venue for 500 delegates or more in the Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) National Awards.

The Centre’s submission for the national EEAA awards highlighted its continued improvements in its environmental measures, overseen by its own Ecowise team, as well as work this year to create a long-term strategic plan for the venue which identifies new waste management targets for the period 2011 to 2015.

In the past year, the Centre’s green initiatives have earnt it a number of industry awards. It has also been recognised as a Green Globe (Silver) Benchmarked Convention Centre, a Bronze Partner of the NSW Government’s Sustainability Advantage program and received the Earthcheck Silver Certification and ISO 14001:2004 Standard for Environmental Management Systems.

The Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is to open Europe’s first fully automated convention center in autumn 2012

Located at the heart of Europe, just 60 km from Geneva, the Swiss Tech Convention Center – with a total capacity of 3,000 – will include a 2,200-seat conference room with an 800-seat balcony, as well as fifteen fully modular meeting rooms on the garden level.

RIU opens the Riu Palace Bavaro

Palma de Mallorca, December 2nd 2011

The opening of this new hotel coincides with the celebration of 20th Anniversary of the international presence of the hotel chain

The new Riu Palace has a modern Convention Center with a capacity for up to 1,000 people

RIU Hotels & Resorts opened today the Riu Palace Bavaro, a modern and elegant hotel located in the RIU Punta Cana Complex, becoming the 34th RIU resort in Latin America & the Caribbean. The opening of this new hotel coincides with the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the international presence of the hotel chain which in November 1991 began operating outside of Spain the hotel Riu Taino. Two decades later, on the same site where this historic hotel was located, the hotel chain opens the Riu Palace Bavaro hotel.

After an investment of more than 80 million dollars, the Riu Palace Bavaro will be the fifth hotel in Punta Cana and the third of the luxurious range Riu Palace, as the hotel chain already has the Riu Palace Macao and Riu Palace Punta Cana in this destination.

This elegant hotel will feature 610 rooms distributed between the main building and luxurious villas that will offer wireless internet access in their suites and Jr. Suites, (Wifi service also available in the lobby). The new hotel presents a vast gastronomic selection of tastes in its main restaurant, four specialty restaurants, a lobby bar with ice cream and pastries as well as a Sport Bar open 24 hours. The hotel will offer four swimming pools, two of which have integrated Jacuzzi, a children’s pool with a mini-club, the famous entertainment programme and a Spa with sauna, jacuzzi, gym, casino and a Convention Center of 12,916 sq ft which will be able to accommodate up to 1,000 people, all under the renowned 24 Hours All-Inclusive programme.

The evolution of the hotel chain in the Dominican Republic has been consistent, satisfying customer demand and demonstrating a strong commitment to the country which has been reflected by the last year renovation from the Riu Bambu, the refurbishment of the modern and spectacular Riu Naiboa, the opening of the Riu Palace Bavaro, the renovation of the Riu Palace Macao for 2012 and the upcoming merge of the ClubHotel Riu Mambo and ClubHotel Riu Merengue in Puerto Plata for next year.

The RIU Punta Cana complex, which form part the Riu Palace Bavaro, Riu Palace Punta Cana, Riu Palace Macao, Riu Bambu and Riu Naiboa, is located on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Playa Arena Gorda, and where its music and cheerful Dominican culture, offers the perfect attributes for an unforgettable vacation.