The International Management Magazine for English Version Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Exhibitions
The International Management Magazine for Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Exhibitions
The International Management Magazine for Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Exhibitions
The International Management Magazine for Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Exhibitions
Single Price: 9,40 â‚Ź www.events-magazine.com
Issue 2– May 2009 The
In
The Inte The International Management Magazine for Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Exhibitions
The International Management Magazine for Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Exhibitions
The Int The International Management Magazine for Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Exhibitions
The International Management Magazine for Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Exhibitions
Generation Y:
Eyes wide open: About meetings, events & incentives of the future
Destinations: Korea: Simply heavenly! Ireland: Zest for life!
A trade adheres to a mode: The Pharmaceutical Code of Conduct Good advice: Ten tips for events with tight budgets World of Events: The apparent death of a brand
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BERLINER FREIHEIT / Berliner Freiheit 2 / 10785 Berlin / MAil@BerlinerFreiheit.coM / www.BerlinerFreiheit.coM
E ditOrial
The children are always the ones who suffer!
Wellness
fürs Business
Scenes from a marriage: W and N don’t get along any more. These things happen and it’s not the end of the world. Up until now, N has taken good care of the single child for over ten years. It’s actually her child, anyway, since she brought it into the marriage. The biological father of the child died young. Now, after endless acrimony, N wants to move out of the shared apartment, which by the way, W has let go to rack and ruin for years, so much so that there’s genuine concern about the child’s health. It seems obvious that N will take the child in order to give it a good future. She doesn’t want anything from W. She just wants a clean slate; she only wants W to let her go in peace. “Stop!” shouts W: “If you leave now, I’ll take your child away!” Well, W doesn’t have much else to cling to and such a well-reared child is something one can be rightly proud of. At first, N is completely speechless. But, faster than the police admit, W grabs the child and barricades the door. N requests a preliminary injunction and W has to let the child go again. But W finds a sympathetic judge who thinks it’s entirely possible that W might have a right to half a child, on account of the years spent together and so on. To everyone’s shock and despite all attempts to mediate by M, the brother-in-law from the far side of the river, the two eventually tear apart the hopeful child. The story sounds a lot like Bertolt Brecht’s Caucasian Chalk Circle, doesn’t it? It only ended differently
TUN SIE IHREM BETRIEBS� KLIMA ETWAS GUTES
has to think of her old-age pension. W has gotten over it quickly and adopted
Wo Sie den perfekten Urlaub genießen, finden Sie auch das perfekte Ziel für Ihre Incentive- und Seminarreise. Drei Neueröffnungen mit idealer Infrastruktur gibt es dieses Jahr bei Aldiana:
a vain, tarted up brat whom he now brings out in public. Only nobody really
– Aldiana Salzkammergut in Österreich
likes her! And can you trust her at all? Well, it just goes to show where stub-
– Aldiana Bad Griesbach in Bayern
because all comparisons and allegories are imperfect. The closest relatives, the child’s sad playmates and schoolmates and even the local press representatives now want to help N raise a new child. After all, she doesn’t have much left and
born dogmatism, vanity and the inability to let go can lead. It’s a hell of a world,
– Aldiana Makadi Bay in Ägypten
that world of events!
Best regards and a sly wink,
Hans J. Heinrich Editor in chief
This editorial refers to our article “Gunsmoke” starting on page 154.
Auch in unseren Clubs in Spanien, Tunesien, Zypern, der Türkei und am Hochkönig in Österreich sind Sie und Ihre Kollegen herzlich willkommen.
Weitere Informationen auf: www.aldiana-gruppen.de
con ten ts 2 / 20 09
Management Fresh figures on the events & incentives industry............................................ 6 ROI at Annual Meetings................................................................................. 7 Compliance: VIP invitation entails redundancy................................................ 9 More on the Pharmaceutical Code of Conduct............................................ 12 Leading article: What does Generation Y expect of meetings, events & incentives?.................................................................... 17 Part II: Quality management for events........................................................ 26 Drum Sessions as dramaturgical tools.......................................................... 29
Destination Reports Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland...................................................... 31 Korea.......................................................................................................... 69 Heart and soul in Berlin.............................................................................. 139
Get to know Special Locations in the Metropolitan Region of Rhein-Neckar:
starting on page 164!
Feedback stb in Mainz: Three questions to the organizers........................................... 47 Overestimated: Large-scale sporting events like the Euro 08......................... 54 It’s tough in the Gulf: Welcome to reality .................................................... 56 China’s Meetings Industry still toddling along............................................... 58 Well done Cologne: The ‘Kölner Kongress- & Eventtag’............................... 60 Humorous impressions: A fam trip to Finnish Lapland.................................. 62 EVVC Annual Meeting: new faces................................................................ 65 What happens in agencies?..................................................................... 85
Ideas Nightball: Close your eyes – and go!............................................................ 91 Sleeping in the rain free of charge............................................................... 92 Ten tips for events with a low budget........................................................... 93 Scents doing the trick.................................................................................. 94
Hotels A success story: Dr. Monika Gommolla, Maritim Hotels................................ 96 Participation welcome: IMEX raffle by Dolce Hotels plus six partners............ 99 Accor ensures standardized booking conditions......................................... 102 People....................................................................................................... 104
Locations Certified: Color Line ships.......................................................................... 111 Bambi goes to Babelsberg.......................................................................... 112 New Penthouse Location in Berlin.............................................................. 114
Destination News Best places for party folks.......................................................................... 131 Record year in Styria.................................................................................. 133 Tegernsee network now boasts 60 partners............................................... 136 Online competitions for World Football Championship in South Africa........................................................................................... 138 4 events 2/2009
Congress World Five Austrian centres forge alliance............................................................ 146 Fantastic figures from Karlsruhe................................................................. 148 Interplan reinforces its management.......................................................... 149 Congress in Linz: Blood is a special juice..................................................... 152
Associations Almost there: Successful lobbying by EVVC................................................ 153 Newsflash.................................................................................................. 154
Education Background information on the 8th Stuttgarter Wissensforum................... 156 GCB offers a wide array of seminars during IMEX...................................... 158
Preview: Trade fairs & Events New and dignified: Event locations exhibiting in Heidelberg on the 4th of July..................................................................... 164 Hannover HIGH: four days and three nights by the banks of the River Leine . .................................................................... 166 Conga-Award 2009: Useful info and a coupon for your vote Preview on IMEX 2009!.......................................................................... 168 The World of Events is dead! Long live…???.............................................. 170
CSR Green Meetings in Bonn – the first step is made........................................ 174 Newsflash.................................................................................................. 177 Imprint..................................................................................................... 186
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M A NAGE M EN T
2,700 event planners can’t be wrong The “Future Watch 2009” report, jointly commissioned by American Express and MPI, surveyed 2,740 event professionals. The result: in 2009, the event industry will be defined by the topics of cost-cutting, values, flexibility and innovation. On the one hand, events will be assessed far more critically in terms of economic criteria and the actual results achieved. On the other hand, in times of global insecurity, events will have an increasing role to play in the transmission and promotion of values. There is also a noticeable trend toward increased flexibility and innovative solutions. The international companies, suppliers, conferencing and event managers surveyed forecast an estimated nine percent reduction in the number of events held this year, compared with 2008, with budgets for meetings and events being cut by six percent. They also expect to see tangible changes evident in both the planning and content of events. Three out of four respondents stated that they now measure the derived benefit of events systematically. This process often involves calculating the benefit per euro committed – using deals concluded as a benchmark, for example. Since the number of events in 2009 is likely to decrease, those surveyed predict that service buyers will benefit from improved negotiating terms when dealing with suppliers such as hotels. They are expecting a broadening of concessions and discounts, even extending to free services – perhaps involving the transfer from airport to hotel or meal arrangements. “As a provider of professional event services, we warmly welcome these trends,” comments Ralph
Knoblauch, Manager American Express Corporate Groups & Events for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. “We forecast that companies’ increased cost sensitivity will result in an increased reliance on specialised service providers for the planning and execution of events. This will not only reduce company expenditure but will also bring gains in transparency and efficiency. At the same time, events now have increased expectations in terms of flexibility, innovation and value messaging. All indications therefore point towards a shakeup in the areas of both event planning and content.” Meetings going “green” The study reveals how soft factors such as social and ecological responsibility will come to play a greater role in conferencing and events in the long term. Some companies choose their event locations based on the availability of ecologically-viable transport to the venue – such as the use of public transport, for example. Other com-
panies donate a certain sum per attendee to charitable organisations. “While appropriate strategies in these areas are not yet make-or-break factors, we are nevertheless noticing an increased focus on these issues,” explains Knoblauch. Time for flexibility and innovation Another direct result of more restrictive budgeting is the development of more flexible event management contracts. Both buyers and suppliers are increasingly tending towards the inclusion of exit clauses in their terms and conditions of business. This gives them more room to manoeuvre if meetings are cancelled. Planners are expected to maintain a set of flexible and innovative solutions appropriate for any kind of event. Related to this is the fact that even though they may be hosting fewer events, companies nonetheless wish to set a higher standard of quality for each event held.
Incentive travel: Programme quality trumps destination Incentive travel is a much-loved marketing instrument and has already been utilised by over three-quarters of companies responding to a survey from Quasar Communications: 78.8% of these companies regard such strategies as “important” or “very important”. The trend monitor, conducted in February 2009 by the Wiesbaden-based agency group, focused on the methods used by companies in applying incentive travel as an instrument and future deve lopments in this segment. Field representatives made up the largest core target group for incentive travel (51.6% of all companies), followed by commercial partners (39.1%), customers (32.0%) and commercial sales staff 6 events 2/2009
(26.6%). In utilising incentive travel, the management staff surveyed aim to achieve highly specific goals: for 46.9% of respondents, the main goal is the achievement of set sales targets or an increase in
customer loyalty. Four out of ten companies (39.1%) use the instrument to reward exceptional performance. Over two-thirds (68.0%) of companies surveyed employ the services of an incen-
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M A NAGE M EN T
tive/event agency when organising incentive travel. Here, too, they have specific requirements that the agency employed needs to meet: the majority of businesses prioritise creativity in programme design (71.9%), plus excellent service orientation and responsiveness on the part of the agency (67.2%). In addition, most of those surveyed also expect local agency support, booking expertise for flights and hotels and know-how in the area of participant management. Travel destinations within Europe are seen as especially attractive for incentive trips by two-thirds of respondents (64.2%). For three out of four companies (76.9%), incentive trips last between two and four days, while the average per-person ex-
penditure for an incentive trip lies between 1,000 and 3,000 EUR for 69.5% of the companies surveyed. Holger J. Bub, Managing Director of Quasar Communications: “Our trend monitor reveals the key role played by incentive trips as part of a company’s general marketing strategy. Over half of the companies surveyed believe that the methods used to realise an incentive trip will be more important than the destination in the future. This fact shows us that Quasar is orientated perfectly on the market by adopting the strategy of a full-service provider in the incentive travel sector.”
4,200 marketing decision-makers from Quasar Communications’ own customer portfolio and is carried out at regular intervals. The complete survey results for “Accentiv’ Quasar Trend Monitor February 2009: Incentive Travel” can be ordered as a white paper from Holger J. Bub at Quasar Communications -- telephone 0611 / 188 87-15 or email hjb@quasar.de - or downloaded from www.quasar.de. The results include data on travel time, average expenditure committed per person, the programme elements used, how cashequivalent benefits are handled (or how taxation is applied) and estimates of future developments in the market.
The Accentiv’ Quasar Trend Monitor is based on an online survey of around
New analytical instrument for annual general meetings The Frankfurter Institut für Markencontrolling BrandControl GmbH brings a new assessment tool to the market: the Annual General Meeting Monitor (AGM Monitor) measures the success of the annual general meeting of listed companies. With this new controlling instrument, created by a neutral institution, organisers can document the success of their activities from corporate communications and investor relations: what is the response of the business media to the meeting? What core messages were transmitted to the shareholders and how believable were they? How are analysts evaluating the event? The AGM Monitor is the first ad-hoc evaluation that provides information about the success of a general meeting with an independent and scientific basis. With the AGM Monitor by BrandControl, managers now have an instrument on hand that can measure the success of the GM on a scientific basis and permit optimisation of future activities. By 14 days after the meeting, the analysed company will have available a report with a profile of strengths and weaknesses. “With the AGM Monitor’s help, communications directors can view the results of their work as quickly as possible using informative key figures,” explains BrandControl business executive Dr. Harald Jossé. “In addition, the chairperson will be more accepting of our institute’s objective analyses than of assessments from one’s own ranks. That heightens the value of the services 8 events 2/2009
of all accountable employees, which can greatly increase their motivation.“ The AGM Monitor works in six steps. After a briefing, BrandControl analyses the preparations for the annual general meeting: Are the core messages – e.g. in invitations or the business report – being communicated clearly? Does the company’s presentation match its desired image? One week before and one week after the GM, the institute will survey a representative group of 100 shareholders, ten professional analysts and ten professional journalists about these core messages and their opinions on the company image, among other things. In addition, it evaluates the response to the GM in the ten most important, influential
business media. The concluding analysis report displays strengths and weakness in the preparation, execution, and assessment of the meeting. With the Communication Information System (CIS), BrandControl has developed an instrument that measures and links the effects of corporate communication, public relations, and brand communication simultaneously with an integrative approach. With CIS, the institute won the PR Report Award 2007 in the category of “Best evaluated campaign / Corporate communication.” www.brandcontrol.com
Final stop Schalke: football invitation costs a man his job The following account, reprinted with the permission of the Koblenzer Rhein-Zeitung, highlights how important it is for our industry to finally secure legal certainty in many grey areas. One annoyance is the sometimes overly strict, often very changeable tax treatment of incentives, famtrips, etc., especially in Germany. Besides this national competitive disadvantage, the labour law aspects are also increasingly becoming a sword of Damocles, whose weight, length and sharpness no one really seems to know. Providers are sticking their heads in the sand and the invitee is the one who has to dig them out in the end. Compliance is important and corruption a morally reprehensible crime. But in Germany in particular, one has to be careful not to be holier than the Pope and throw the baby out with the bathwater. It’s high time to seriously engage with the topic in the industry, otherwise unsettled corporate clients will react with general abstinence and many dearly bought customer retention tools will go for nothing. The signs are multiplying. Now, the account ad verbum: A momentous visit to a German Football League match: the personnel director of a company near Bad Kreuznach lost his position after 18 years at the firm because he accepted an invitation to the business area of the Schalke stadium. The higher labour court has come to an explosive verdict in matters of customer care. Although the company should not have dismissed him without notice, the judges did not object to proper dismissal without a prior warning. The court calls into question a practice that includes VIP areas not only at sporting events. “The best business deals are concluded in an extraordinary atmosphere - at a fascinating football game,” says Eintracht Frankfurt’s advertisement for the Business Club of the in Frankfurter City
Forest. In a study conducted by the sports law marketer Sportfive involving 469 arena marketing decision-makers who were guests or hosts at VIP events, 92 percent stated that customer care or customer retention was a very important or important facet, while more than 80 percent named the development of new business and sales promotion.
The impression of potential availability is apparently enough What was marketed to companies an “unforgettable experience with great chances of success” was for the judges a violation of corruption law. The personnel director, who was also responsible for hiring temporary workers, was invited by a tempo-
rary employment agency with multiple domestic branches. For the management, it is the “purpose of such an engagement to offer the possibility of cooperation at a single event, to thereby stand out from the mass of providers and have a good time together.” The man was even given a lift. He did not inform his company of the trip. But an executive manager below the business management level still must do so, according to the judges (ref.: 9 Sa 572/08). He destroyed the trust necessary for continued employment. The gift, valued at 250 euros, was not of little value. It could create an impression that the recipient could be bribed. Whether or not the recipient allows himself to be influenced doesn’t matter, according to the court: merely the appearance that a leading employee does not consider only the interests events 2/2009 9
M A NAGE M EN T
of his employer when making decisions is not acceptable.
that discussion of the legal situation has an effect on their VIP programmes – and not only for sports.
Marco Klewenhagen, executive editorin-chief of “Sponsors,” calls the decision Uncertainty can backfire against the policy, “unworldly.” The magazine is the profes- says Klewenhagen: “It endangers fundsional paper of the sports business industry, ing for stadiums.” In the German Football already plagued by “noticeable uncertain- League, 80 percent of the spectator revty” due to the penal aspect, says Klewen- enues come from 20 percent of the seats. hagen. Insecurity exists even after the ac- Accordingly, Mainz 05 wants to increase quittal of the former EnBW manager Utz the number of boxes from 11 to 30 in their Claasen for sending World Championship new stadium. “We need this in order to invitations to politicians, because there are remain competitive,” says marketing dino clear guidelines for the judicial position rector Dag Heydecker. Conversations on on criminal corruption. Klewenhagen: “It’s the highest level touched on the policy noticeable in certain cases because spon- response to the “grey zone” of VIP seats, sors are withdrawing.” In the Sportfive says Heydecker. However, he also says: study, 59 percent of the VIP hosts admitted “The topic has been discussed since there
have been boxes. I don’t think there’s any reason for concern.” When sponsors investigate an engagement, it’s usually because of the economic crisis. For the dismissed personnel manager’s company, the visit to the match became a belated away victory: the manager was already going to be sacked for making 14 private telephone calls. For the judges, however, that was not the reason for dismissal. This article by Lars Wienand appeared in the Koblenzer Rhein-Zeitung on 16.04.2009. We are grateful for the permission to reprint it.
Classic ticket sales on the way out? Ticketscript, the Dutch market leader in online ticketshop software with European ambitions, enters the German market.
Festivals, theatre, musicals, sports events, club events, parties and shows – more than 127 million admission tickets were sold in Germany in 2007. According to a study by the consumer research company GfK, this enabled the events sector to achieve sales of around € 3.8 billion. Up till now the classic advance sales outlets have still enjoyed around 43 percent of this business. But this is set to change. With its online ticketshop software, the Dutch company Ticketscript offers every event organiser a simple and cost-effective plug and play ticketshop for selling e-tickets via their own website. The company has been active in the Netherlands since the end of 2006. More than 10 events 2/2009
gument for organisers to use the Ticketscript software is the cost savings. Online selling via Ticketscript is completely free of charge for the organiser. The whole system is supported by a small fee on top of the ticket price, which is lower in any event than classic advance ticket sales. Dispatch processing and other organisational costs no longer apply either, as the end customer prints their e-ticket out themselves.
600 organisations have sold more than a million tickets to date with the help of the very easy to use software. “Once people “We are meeting with great interest for discover how they can open their own our offering amongst German events orticketshop on their website with just a few ganisers,” says Jonker delightedly. The clicks of the mouse, they remain with us as UBC-Tigers from Hannover, the second customers on our system for all their future federal basket ball league, the Hot Jazz events,” comments the founder and CEO Club in Münster, the Club Transmediale 09 of the company Frans Jonker. The core of Festival in Berlin and the venerable Circus the user-friendly software is the so-called Universal Renz already handle their ticket dashboard. Using this, the event organiser sales either completely, or in combination can call up statistical data about the status with classic advance sales outlets, using of advance ticket sales at any time and can the new system. also build up direct contact with his customer base, via email, for instance. Additional information is available at: www.ticketscript.com As well as the fact that it keeps potential customers on their website, a strong ar-
Ready for take off: Station Airport.
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M A NAGE M EN T
Pharmaceutical events and the German FSA Code of Conduct
When doctors travel at the expense of pharma- ceutical companies...
...nothing is like it used to be. According to the definition in the Brockhaus dictionary; “To bribe is to promise or supply gifts to a government-appointed official in order to persuade this person to commit an act that is prohibited.” Here the poor old civil servant is being treated as the whipping boy for something that has become widespread in other professions. It has long been suspected that certain of the questionable marketing and sales techniques employed by the pharmaceutical industry (particularly the provision of continuing education courses for physicians) were primarily being used to suborn, to entice rather than instruct. Exclusive trips, stays in luxury hotels and tickets to top-class golf events tended to be high on the agenda. In order to improve conduct within the industry, 40 companies founded the association “Freiwillige Selbst kontrolle für die Arzneimittelindustrie e.V.” (FSA) in 2004. The aim was to promote a more ethical approach to the way in which the pharmaceutical industry interacts with members of the medical profession and to ensure that the field is level for all competitors. Their efforts have not been without success. The legal decision in the so-called “Spreewald affair” in 2008 12 events 2/2009
set an example. In order to promote a new product, Novartis had invited physicians and their families to come and enjoy a relaxed boat trip followed by a BBQevening. The local medical council decided that the event could be classified as educational although, as it turned out, the ‘educational’ part of the weekend consisted of little more than a short presentation. Novartis was fined € 50,000. And membership of the FSA has since grown to 80.
www.signalwerk.com
Once upon a time... On the initiative of the German Association of Event Organisers (Vereinigung Deutscher Veranstaltungsorganisatoren), a course entitled “Pharmaceutical Code of Conduct – more than just empty rules” was held on 17 February in Frankfurt. The event was initiated because of an academic dissertation which involved an extensive survey of awareness of the FSA Code among agency personnel. The result of the survey: ignorance is widespread and urgent steps need to be taken. “This course represents the start of a process that will ensure that pharmaceutical event agencies have the knowledge they need to be perceived as competent business partners in the future,” specifies Gerhard Bleile, Chairman of the Association, who has worked for the pharmaceutical industry for more than 40 years. Bleile censures the unwillingness of the sector to take this aspect seriously and suggests that certification could represent a way forward: “Once upon a time, everything that was possible was permissible, but now only what is permissible is possible. If agencies fail to follow the Code, the company they are working for will get the blame. And that is the best way to lose customers…for ever after!”
Avoid even the slightest hint of bribery... According to Dr. Peter Dieners, who spoke in detail of the legal aspects during the workshop, it is now no longer acceptable to invite physicians to attend events that do not conform to the Code. The German Pharmaceutical Code stipulates that physicians may not be given gratuities or inducements in view of ethical and healthcare policy-related considerations. Physicians must remain independent in the interests of their patients. Of course, the continuing education of physicians is desirable, but this must not discredit a whole profession. “Continuing medical education must always be specialisationrelevant: a dermatologist would be out of place at a congress for cardiologists. Problems can arise as soon as there is even the slightest hint of bribery,” Dieners warned. As a legal consultant, he has long been interested in compliance management in healthcare and has written a detailed Ratgeber1 on the subject, required reading for anyone who needs to be familiar with this complex field. It should be borne in mind that the German Code alone contains 29 articles, and there are similar codes of conduct in other countries. The matter becomes even more complex if a Danish company invites German and Spanish physicians to attend a congress in Italy. In this case four different codes of conduct would need to be consulted. Although the various European codes are, on the whole, very similar, country-specific niceties need to be taken into account. A major problem in Dieners’ view is the fact that many agencies are unaware of the potential consequences of their often inadvertent infractions. A violation of the Code of Conduct is now treated as a breach of the German law on
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health care advertising (HWG, Art. 7) and of the law on unfair competition (UWG, Art. 39).
Ignorance of the law is no defence Wolfgang Ostrowitzki, Head of Congress Services at Bayer Vital, believes that event managers have tended not to give the Code the consideration it deserves. Appropriate liability clauses are now incorporated in contractual agreements, and this means that if an event
events discussed constructive implementation of the Code with Gerhard Bleile events: Mr Bleile, what benefits has the introduction of the FSA Code had? Bleile: If I may be provocative, I think it has undermined the attitude that only greed is good; it has brought greater transparency and means that it no longer easy to try to offer inducements to physicians.
Gerhard Bleile, Chairman of the German Association of Events Organisers
events: What effect do you think the Code has had on the quality of medical events? Bleile: The Code has met with wide-scale resistance and is still a contentious issue. But the fun factor in medical events has been pushed much more into the background since its introduction in 2004. The transfer of knowledge is now almost exclusively the focus. That’s the way it should be. events: What has changed from the point of view of the agencies? Bleile: Basically nothing. The losers are the agencies who specialised in the provision of incentives for physicians. Today’s agencies need to be well versed in the requirements to ensure that an event conforms adequately to the Code. Clients want binding and legally accurate advice and event planning. Any mistakes made in this sensitive area are inexcusable and also tend to be expensive.
More information Dr. Peter Dieners Handbuch Compliance im Gesundheitswesen, 3.Auflage Verlag C.H Beck, ISBN 978-3-406-58458-9 Contact details for Gerhard Bleile: gerhard.bleile@t-online.de www.fs-arzneimittelindustrie.de www.efpia.org (Europäischer Verband der Pharmazeutischen Industrie) (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations) 14 events 2/2009
turns out to be in violation of the Code of Conduct, it is the organising agency that will bear the brunt. “In the past, event agencies had little interest in the subject, but now I receive several enquiries daily from them. Although they claim to take the matter seriously, there is little more than hot air behind it all,” claims an irritated Ostrowitzki. Because every violation is now just what the press has been waiting for, he points out that “prevention is better than compulsion.”
events: What should agencies do now to ensure that they remain competitive? Bleile: I would urge everyone to ensure as a priority to be well informed in this area. Agencies that are not able to demonstrate sufficient familiarity with these complex codes will increasingly find themselves not being asked to organise events by pharmaceutical companies. There is a deterrent factor because the consequences of errors can be so catastrophic. But this is avoidable if training and certification systems are introduced. events: What would be required to obtain this certification? Bleile: Well, that’s currently our major concern and we are working on the problem. There is currently no certification system in this sector whatsoever anywhere in Germany. I am currently putting together a concept in cooperation with leading experts, and hope that it will be possible to launch appropriate courses later this year. events: Where can agencies find appropriate subjectspecific help? Bleile: I always recommend Dr. Peter Dieners ‘Handbuch Compliance im Gesundheitswesen’. It will not be possible to institute an official advice centre, as the enquiries tend to be too individual and always require a consideration of the specific situation. However, anyone with concrete queries relating to events is welcome to contact me for advice. events: Who has the right to report violations of the Code? Bleile: Anyone. As soon as there is a justified reason for believing the Code has been violated. All that one has to do is contact the FSA in Berlin. There have even been physicians who have reported breaches of the Code to the FSA. Gisela Katharina Prenzel
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New book on event communication Read how to create emotional responses to a brand by means of appropriate event marketing techniques in the new publication “Eventkommunikation” which is now available. Good is whatever you consider to be good. In view of the fact that ever more similar products are coming onto the market, it is the way that these are perceived by consumers that is increasingly determining whether a company succeeds or goes under. This means that greater emphasis needs to be placed on promoting the brand. “This is where event communication comes into its own: our involtainment® strategy helps make a brand that little bit more distinctive in an increasingly difficult environment. In times like these, it is essential now
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more than ever for a brand to dynamically erleben: Signalisation, Emotion, Interakinvolve the target group in communication, tion und Information im Eventmarketing” so that it actively spends part of its time [Experiencing brands: signalisation, emoin perceiving and experiencing the char- tion, interaction and information in event acteristic brand content and information. marketing] in the recently published book It is only then that promotional measures “Eventkommunikation”. can be really effective,” claims Markus Schaumlöffel shows how to plan and sucSchaumlöffel, CEO of proteco and a co- cessfully implement emotionally charged author of the book. Schaumlöffel describes brand-related events. Actual examples are how brand perception, brand commitment cited to illustrate the theoretical deliberaand brand loyalty – in other words, posi- tions. Studies of projects implemented for tive emotions and quantifiable results – can Toyota, SPAR (Switzerland), the German be achieved in his contribution “Marken Bundeswehr and Continental AG and in14.04.2009 14:03 Uhr Seit terviews with those involved illustrate the modus operandi behind successful large scale events. Strategic event communication in the German Sparkassen Financial Group is described by the book’s editor, Ralph Dann häuser. The Head of Event Communication of the publishing arm of the Financial Group, the Deutscher Sparkassenverlag, provides a behind–the-scenes look at the creation of major projects and recurrent promotional activities. RA Dr. Ralf Kitzberger and Sami Sokkar discuss further facets of event communication. Sokkar describes the theoretical background to event communication and stresses the importance of defining goals properly and monitoring efficacy. Kitzberger supplies detailed information on aspects such as liability and dealing with the press through to copyright, contract law and competition law.
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The book: ”Eventkommunikation – Expertenerfahrung in Theorie, Recht und Praxis“ Ralph Dannhäuser (Hrsg.), Dr. Ralf Kitzberger, Markus Schaumlöffel, Sami Sokkar To order, go to: www.proteco.de/involtainment/buch
What does „Generation Y“ want from Conferences and Incentive programmes? All businesses must adapt their products and services to meet the changing needs of their customers, and the conference and incentive travel industry is no exception. It must constantly evolve in order to ensure that the business events it offers effectively meet the needs and aspirations of each new generation of participants. Conferences and incentive trips play a key role in fostering communication between members of the same profession or the same organisation and achieving greater business results. Most of the end-users of such events, those who invest their time in participating in conferences and incentive programmes, are men and women in some form of employment. For them, such business events can play a key role in their careers, as important sources of information, motivation and networking opportunities.
Today, for the first time in history, there are four generations in the global professional and managerial workforce : > The Traditionalists, born between 1925 and 1942. Most, but by no means all of these, have retired or entered semi-retirement. > The Baby Boomers, born between 1943 and 1960. The oldest of these have begun retiring from employment. > Generation X, born between 1961 and 1976. Many of these are already established in management positions. > Generation Y, born between 1977 and 1995. These form the latest cohort to enter the global workforce.
By Rob Davidson, Westminster University, London
events 2/2009 17
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This article examines the particular characteristics of Generation Y and investigates the ways in which conferences and incentive programmes can be designed in such a way that they appeal to this youngest, but fastest-growing, segment of employees. The recommendations will be of interest to all intermediaries and suppliers in the conference and incentive travel industry, including convention bureaux and other destination marketing organisations; destination management companies; professional conference organisers; incentive travel houses, venues and speakers.
Defining Generation Y? Authors focusing on the most recent generation to enter professional employment use a variety of terms to describe this cohort. While most refer to ‘Generation Y’, alternative phrases include: Generation Next, Echo Boomers, Digital Natives, the Millennium Generation or Millennials. There is also some variety of opinion among authors as to the exact years of birth which define Generation Y, with some commentators put the qualifying date as early as 1976 and others defining it as beginning in 1980.
„The most coddled, well-informed, open-minded to diversity, technically-enriched generation” For the purposes of this study, we will use Hira’s (1) span of birthdates of 1977-1995, as this is the most widely accepted. We will refer collectively to the cohort under consideration as ‘Generation Y’, and the term ‘Y-er’ will be used to denote an individual member of Generation Y. A thorough understanding of the values, tastes and preferences of the youngest generations of employees is vital to the success of any industry targeting them with its products and services. In many ways, today’s twenty- and thirty-somethings differ considerably from previous generations of employees. And they are gradually accounting for a greater percentage of the workforce. 2008 is a critical year for the inter-generational balance of power. This year, for the first time Generations X and Y collectively will be able to out-vote Baby Boomers. As these two generations are increasingly represented in business, the media, and public life, their values, attitudes and lifestyles are gradually replacing those of the previous generations. The salient characteristics of Generation Y may be summed up in one author’s (2) description of them as the ‘most coddled, well-informed, open-minded to diversity, technically-enriched generation’. The parents of Y-ers are widely portrayed as having nurtured their offspring with a programme of activities since they were toddlers and as continuing their hands-on involvement well into their children’s early adulthood. However, many authors are at pains to point out that despite this parental cosseting, most Y-ers may be characterised as being independent and confident in outlook. Neither does the indulgence of Y-ers’ parents appear to have produced a generation particularly characterised by selfishness. Indeed, the majority of commentators list tolerance, concern with equality and fairness and a deep-seated social consciousness as major attributes for this generation.
Electronical devices are “extra limbs” There is widespread agreement among commentators that, having been encouraged, since birth, to feel special by their parents and the media, Y-ers tend to have high expectations of themselves and are tenacious and questioning, as well as highly vocal and 18 events 2/2009
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full of energy and innovative drive. Many specialists in inter-generation differences focus on the fact that members of Generation Y have, above all, high expectations that life should be fun and therefore place higher priority on their personal life and leisure time, than previous generations ever did. Nevertheless, there is little evidence to suggest that, as a whole, this generation shows signs of being hedonistic or indolent. On the contrary, Y-ers tend to demonstrate a deep-seated desire for ongoing education, which they regard as the key to success in professional life. Some commentators have described them as ‘lifelong learners’, for whom education and training is perceived as the norm rather than the exception. Predictably, Generation Y’s acquaintance and aptitude with technology in all of its forms, from an early age, considerably sets it apart from previous generations. It has been said that Y-ers regard electronic devices as ‘extra limbs’, and one source (3) encapsulates them as ‘a multimedia generation learning to juggle many more ideas simultaneously than their parents did’. This is the first demographic to grow up with the internet and it is clear that they view the Web as a 2-way communications tool. Their high level of technological skills and their preference for instant communication and social networking tools have made Generation Y into efficient multi-taskers. But persistent exposure to high-tech tools is also cited by several commentators as a contributory factor behind the phenomenon that Generation Y appears to desire everything on demand anytime, anyplace, with a pronounced tendency towards the need for instant gratification and markedly shorter attention spans than previous generations.
Ignorance by him? Or wrong approach by them?
much can be deduced from what is already known from investigations into their experience of education and working life in general. Table 1 summarises the key differences in these respects, between Baby Boomers and subsequent generations. These differences mean that the needs and expectations of Generation Y in particular, regarding participation in conferences and incentive trips, are in many ways very distinct from those of previous generations. The rest of this article reviews those differences and suggests ways of creating business events that will appeal to this latest cohort of employees.
Effective ways of communicating information about conferences and incentive programmes to Generation Y.
Y-ers respond to communication that understands their uniqueness, their particular way of receiving and What are the key differences? processing information. The use of too many words in Although there has been comparatively little research marketing messages is a guaranteed turn-off for Gencarried out into the attitudes of Generation Y towards eration Y. The key to effective communication with Ytheir participation in conferences and incentive travel, ers is to use as few words and as many strong images as possible. Generational marketing expert Ann A. Fishman believes that this age group think differently: BABY BOOMERS GENERATIONEN X & Y they think in text-messaging format – short, very short, efficient copy is required. Structure Flexibility Worker as instrument Worker as a human resource Another commentator emphasizes the use of images: ‘Generation Y depends on visual learning. All their lives, Work as labour intensive Work as knowledge intensive they were raised on graphics, games, the Internet and Hierarchical structures Participatory structures online games. This is a generation whose marketing Education completed Lifelong learning has been pictorial and graphic … to attract them, you need to be dynamic in your use of graphics and picAdapted from tures’. Ramsborg and Tinnish 20 events 2/2009
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Effective use of technology This generation expect more – and better – use of technology in every aspect of conference and incentive planning. They expect all information about the event to be online – in an attractive, easy-to use format. They are highly unimpressed by clunking, complex, poorly-designed websites. Fishman advises meetings planners who have any doubts about how their conference websites shape up for younger generation attendees to have their own employees in that agegroup analyze those websites and adapt them to Generation Y. Incentive programme ‘teasers’ can be sent to younger participants using their preferred means of communication: the mobile telephone. Indeed, according to US commentators Ramsborg and Tinnish: ‘The full capabilities of technology must be exploited before, during, and after a meeting. Blogs, mobile phones, YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, podcasts, virtual meeting environments, RSS feeds, videos, widgets, mashups, wikis, moblogs, and social networking sites … Learners who use these technologies every day expect technology to be seamlessly interwoven into learning situations, i.e., meetings’.
More involvement at the design stage Gen Y is an interactive generation that is used to being consulted for feedback on almost everything that affects them, from their level of satisfaction with their educational courses to their experiences of the products they use. As a result, they are used to interacting with service providers of all kinds. Conference and incentive travel planners targeting this age group are advised to involve them, from the earliest stage, in the design of the programme, choice of activities, and even the selection of speakers, so that they feel a sense of ‘ownership’ of these events. Fishman suggests that … ‘the meeting planner can ask early registrants if they have special concerns [they can just email them to you] which will enable you to see if the meeting will meet the younger audience’s needs or if the meeting needs to be tweaked a little. Taking that extra step … can make a big difference’ .
More attention given to Corporate Social Responsibility and environmental issues At EIBTM in 2007, Andy Besent of the InterContinental Hotels Group identified a greater concern for CSR 22 events 2/2009
and the need to have some interaction with the local community at the conference/incentive destination as two of the most distinguishing characteristics of Generation Y as participants in such events. Arguably, much of the impetus towards ‘greener’ meetings and incentive trips is being driven by this youngest generation of participants, who are far less tolerant of waste and the negative impacts of such events on the natural environment. They also appear to care more about the human environment, and are uneasy about the apparent elitist aspect of many business events, particularly when these take place in destinations marked by widespread poverty and disadvantage. Progressive conference and incentive planners respond to these concerns by giving their participants the opportunity to take time out to interact with the local community during the event and to ‘give something back’ – by, for example, raising funds for a local charity or playing football with the local children. Such activities hold great appeal for Y-ers, who regard them as an ethically-sound antidote to the conspicuous consumption and elitism that can characterise business events.
More effective use of speakers It is often said that Y-ers’ short attention spans make them a difficult audience, at any conference. But all of the psychological research indicates that for delegates of any age, attention levels drop dramatically after the first 20 minutes of any presentation. The drive towards shorter, more interactive sessions will intensify as Y-ers account for an increasingly large proportion of participants in business events. Generation Y participants expect interaction, in real time, with each other and with speakers, through having the opportunity, for example, to text-message their questions to a big screen during sessions. Having grown up with computers at home and an abundance of TV channels, multi-tasking Y-ers expect, and thrive on, constant change and stimulation. What do they expect from speakers? Fishman believes that they want: > Substantive information that can help them advance in their current jobs or become better prepared when they move on. Motivational speakers don’t motivate them. > Information they cannot get off the Internet or from a book. They don’t like to waste their time. > To hear from speakers who are in a position of power. They want to know how the game is played.
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> PowerPoint to be used correctly: - PP slides only when necessary - No ‘laundry list’ of multiple points the speaker is about to make - Few words on each slides Above all, speakers need to deliver their material in a way that combines education and information with entertainment – edutainment and infotainment are what Y-ers expect from all of their experiences. As Ramsborg and Tinnish put it: ‘The adult learners of today expect “infotainment,” the delivery of information in an entertaining format. Even the most serious programming on television, the news, is created now with graphics, music, lighting, and special effects. Sports arenas now have giant television screens to show instant replays and powerful sound systems for commentary and music. There aren’t many places that people go where they are not treated to a “show” - and meetings are no exception’.
Conclusion The continuing success of the conference and incentive travel industry depends upon achieving a firm un-
24 events 2/2009
derstanding of Generation Y’s needs from meetings and incentive programmes and communicating with Y-ers on their terms. If such events do not adapt to meet the needs of this generation, Y-ers will vote with their feet and stay away from association conferences and refuse to participate in incentive programmes that do not motivate them. The future of face-to-face business events – and the businesses and destinations that depend on them – rests on all stakeholders achieving an accurate understanding of how conferences and incentives must be designed and run in such a way that they hold a significant appeal for Generation Y participants – while, at the same time, not alienating any of the members of older generations in the workforce. Sources Hira, N. A., Attracting the twentysomething worker, (15. Mai 2007), abgerufen am 13. Januar 2008 unter http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/05/28/100033934/ Bryan, The New Workforce –Introduction (1. Februar 2007), abgerufen am 13. Januar 2008 unter http://cmsreport.com/generation_next_4 Doing it Their Way (26. April 2005), abgerufen am 13. Januar 2008 unter http://www.smh.com.au/news/Business/Doing-it-their-way/2005/04/25/1114281505124. html Lockyer, S., Operators motivate Generation Y with responsibility, rewards, Nation’s Restaurant News (19. September 2005), abgerufen am 21. November 2007 unter http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_km2929/ is_200301/ai_n6937791 Ramsborg G and Tinnish S, How Adults Learn, Teil 1, aus: Convene magazine (PCMA), Januar 2008. Lynch, B M , Planning for the new demographic, aus: Meetings & Conventions magazine, Januar 2006. http:// www.mcmag.com/on-the-cover.aspx?articleid=49490 Ramsborg G and Tinnish S, How Adults Learn, Teil 2, aus: Convene magazine (PCMA), Februar 2008. Fishman A, Where generations meet: how to adapt your meetings to younger generations, unter: http:// vnutravel.typepad.com/migurus/ann_fishman
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Event Quality Management (Part 2) How to systematically plan and monitor the quality of your events * For the purpose of this article, we are assuming that ‘marketing events’ are all events instigated by a company for the purpose of achieving its marketing and communication objectives. The terms ‘event’ and ‘marketing event’ here represent the same concept.
In the first part of this article (published in issue 01/2009), we considered the basic requirements for a quality management (QM) system for marketing events*. In the second and final part, we provide an overview of selected instruments that can be used for the quality management of marketing events. Event processes in the focus Events are processes that involve interaction between the company implementing the event and the event guests. The form that this interaction takes determines the extent of satisfaction of the participants and their perception of the quality of the event. Any point of personal contact between guests and event personnel is thus, quite literally, the ‘moment of truth’ as far as the quality management of events is concerned. We have decided to profile a selection of tools that can be used for the quality management of the event process – of the so-called ‘main event’. This is not to say that quality management is redundant when it comes to the aspects of ‘pre-event’ and ‘post-event’ – our intention is merely to stress the special significance of the event process for the purposes of evaluation of event quality.
26 events 2/2009
contact personnel and the back office functions responsible for the provision of input et cetera to the contact points. The first step is to prepare a blueprint. This takes the form of a flowchart showing the event processes as a sequence of contact points (see the hypothetical example of a congress reception in Fig. 1). The processes that occur at each contact point are classified by level according to their proximity to the guests, and these levels are separated by lines:
Contact point analysis
> The line of external interaction separates the activities of the guests from those of the event contact personnel. > The line of visibility separates the activities that are visible for the guests from those that remain invisible to them. > The line of internal interaction separates the activities of the contact personnel from those of supportive processes.
From the point of view of a company, it is important that all impressions gained by participants during a marketing event provide a coherent image of the way the company would like to portray itself, its brands and its products. This means that it is essential that guests are provided, at all contact points, with a consistent concept of the quality of the event which conforms to the image that the company wishes to impart. For this reason, contact point analysis is a particularly useful instrument in event quality management. As the name implies, it involves a systematic review of all points of interaction during an event – the external points of contact between guests and contact personnel but also the internal points of contact between
Drawing up a blueprint (Fig. 1) is of considerable advantage in the quality management of events: the event process is registered from the point of view of the guests and its structure is made transparent to all involved. All external and internal points of contact are identified and the ways these interact with each other is revealed. This makes it possible to find the cause of quality problems in retrospect and even to avoid them in advance by, for example, modifying processes to cut down on potential sources of glitches or redistributing personnel and technical facilities to avoid likely bottlenecks. Blueprints are also excellent for process simulation when it is necessary to prepare personnel and train them in new behaviour techniques.
KARLSRUHE 09/10 MESSEN & KONGRESSE (Fig. 1) Blueprint of a congress reception (hypothetical)
Critical incident technique The critical incident technique (CIT) was originally developed in connection with the quality management of service processes but can be applied directly – similar to many of the models and instruments used in the quality management of services – to the processes of live communication. It is based on the blueprinting technique. ‘Critical incidents’ are those contact situations perceived to be especially satisfactory or unsatisfactory by event guests. In order to be able to identify such qualitycritical situations, selected subjects are asked to reconstruct the event in their minds using a provided blueprint. As a rule, they are asked the following questions: 1. Can you remember any incident that you as a participant at our event found to be particularly satisfactory or unsatisfactory? 2. Can you explain why? 3. What specific circumstances were the background to this incident? 4. What was the response of the service personnel involved? What did they say? How did they react? 5. Why do you feel that this was a particularly satisfactory or unsatisfactory incident?
CIT thus makes it possible to recognise the particularly quality-critical contact situations. However, this does not make it apparent which of any identified problems should take precedence when it comes to remedial measures – critical incidents that occur only very rarely are not necessarily problems that need to be considered first. In order to prioritise problems, the frequency with which they occur also needs to be assessed. This is exactly what the next instrument we will outline does.
Frequency relevance analysis Frequency relevance analysis of problems (FRAP) can be used to determine the sequence in which quality problems need to be eliminated. Urgency is defined on the basis of the frequency of problem occurrence (problem frequency) and the extent of the negative effect it has on event guests (problem relevance). Both are established by means of a survey of guests, usually in the following form: > > >
Did the problem in question occur? How annoying did you find it? How did you react/did you wish to react?
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low
Problem relevance
(Fig. 2) Catering situation frequency relevance analysis (adapted from Meffert/ Bruhn, Dienstleistungsmarketing, 6th edition. 2009, p. 209 ff.)
Hence, it is apparent that passive complaint management (waiting until guests make complaints on their own initiative) is inadequate. If guests have complaints, they must be actively persuaded to make them; in other words, they must be contacted and invited to report any negative experiences they may have had. Encouraging people to make complaints in this way has many advantages: if guests are dissatisfied, they
high
catering-related example shown in Fig. 2, the long wait until drinks are served is the problem that needs to be eliminated most urgently because this problem is particularly relevant and occurs very frequently. On the other hand, although guests are extremely annoyed if their food is cold when it arrives, this is only an infrequent problem and so does need not to be tackled immediately.
low
Dr. Hans Rück, Dean of Uni of Applied Sciences, Worms
Problem frequency
Using FRAP, management can recognise what problems at what contact points need to be dealt with first. By indicating how quality-enhancing measures should be prioritised, FRAP makes an important contribution towards the systematic quality management of events.
Active complaint management Active complaint management is also of paramount importance in the event sector: dissatisfied event guests do not usually make complaints (unless they are actually encouraged to do so), but will waste no time in telling as many outsiders as possible of their negative experiences and thus function not as advocates of the brand being promoted, but as its denigrators. 28 events 2/2009
high
will at least have the satisfaction of knowing that their complaints have been registered: this will tend to prevent them reporting elsewhere on their negative experiences. Moreover, information on (concealed) sources of quality problems may be brought to light and it is not infrequently the case that useful suggestions for improvements are obtained – gratis!
Conclusions and outlook Quality management is an essential prerequisite for ensuring that events are both effective and cost-efficient – and is thus clearly a discipline with a future! There is no lack of reliable and useful instruments that can be used for this purpose, as it is hoped that this overview will have shown. Finally, we want to encourage you to use them!
Drum Cafe helps with event dramaturgy Dramaturgy always involves theme, character and structure. That applies just as well to M.I.C.E. events as to theatre or film. Interestingly, there are few stated dramaturgs on the German market and the field is diversifying to include event direction, script consulting, and many other functions. The issue of good dramaturgy is essential. It’s like cooking – while no salt means no flavour, it’s easy to add too much. A dramaturgical structure in which each highlight follows another leaves the participants just as unsatisfied as nothing. The same thing happens if the theme is missing or the characters are poorly chosen. An event should take participants on a journey that offers highs and lows that everyone can identify with. Elements like surprise and fascination, excitement and resolution, dynamics and recovery, mysticism and reason must be mixed, but with an underlying logic and plausibility. Everyone recognises this when they talk about a good film – these parameters should be re-
membered during event planning. Drum Cafe Events takes participants on such a journey, starting with absolute scepticism about all those drums and how this is supposed to work. Expected patterns are bypassed when this question is answered in the first few minutes entirely non-verbally and yet with complete success. The participants remain the focus and experience events 2/2009 29
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how a previously unimagined result can be achieved together using the vehicle of drum music. The experience itself fosters motivation and excitement about their own abilities and teamwork. Once this is understood, the important question of when this message should be sent arises.
From Nelson Mandela’s birthday to the national football team The timing requires good intuition and an awareness of what other ingredients went into the recipe of the day. Experience with thousands of general events and Drum Cafe Events with their own micro-dramaturgy can play a major part in this. Drum Cafe Events has worked with more than two million participants worldwide. Thanks to this experience, support in planning the overall dramaturgy is a basic component of Drum Cafe services – if the customer desires it. Whatever else is said about dramaturgy: asking yourself what you want to achieve with your dramaturgy is the first step in recognising its importance. And that makes the foundation of a successful event.
> At the beginning of the event, to spark initial energy and continuously add new contributions to it. > In the middle of the general event, when facts are communicated and the participants should connect with them emotionally. > At the end, to ensure that the showdown sums up the day in a motivating way. > Or a combination
Drum Cafe is the pioneer and world-wide market leader in interactive drumming events. Every participant receives their own drum and becomes part of an intoxicating community experience. From team training in a conference room with 20 participants to fusion in the airport hangar with thousands of participants and drums, from company events to public galas on Nelson Mandela’s birthday to motivation events for the German national football team in preparation for the European Championship 2008. The experience is unforgettable. www.drumcafe.de
Destinations: Ir el a n d
The Celtic Tiger loses its roar Tuesday, 7 April 2009 – a day that Ireland will not so quickly forget. Throughout the republic, the nation sat spellbound in front of their radios and TV sets as the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, delivered his budget speech. This was a budget that had been anticipated with some trepidation and turned out to be just as painful as feared. In order to shore up Ireland’s shaky economy, the Irish government had decided to dig deeply into the pockets of its citizens. Announced were increases in taxes and duties and reductions in benefits. People earning more than the threshold rates of €15,028, €75,036 and €174,980, for example, will now have to pay 2%, 4% and 6% additional income levy annually. The health levy has been doubled to 4% or 5% depending on income (tax payers in other countries may consider them moderate). Child benefits are to be reduced, wage increases have been put on hold and government expenditure cut. Lenihan said he was aware that this would lead to falling standards of living but emphasised that “Ireland will continue to have one of the lowest tax wedges within the OECD”. The new measures will come into effect on 1 May 2009. Tasks that now need to be tackled are the stabilisation of the banking system, stimulation of the ailing business sector, restoration of the country’s competitiveness and of the confidence in its economy. Once the Minister for Finance had finished, it was the turn of the Opposition to respond. They happily used the opportunity to eloquently savage the Government for its mishandling of the economy, listing in detail the various misdemeanours it had perpetrated over the years. Under this barrage, the man chided so vehemently visibly
shrivelled into his seat, head slumped between his shoulders. The global financial crisis has claimed yet another victim and also private bankruptcies have become inevitable. During the boom years, many an Irishman speculated on the property market (partly in statesponsored schemes), took on multiple mortgages and lost vast fortunes before even owning them. The value of once high-priced real estate has collapsed and the current oversupply of property means lack of interest in renting, much less buying. Projects are no longer getting off the drawing board and upfront investments made are gone for good. To date, Irish property investors have been able to take advantage of ‘Section 23’, which provided tax relief on investments in residential accommodation, a cushion they will not be able to fall back onto in the familiar way in the future. The Celtic Tiger may now be licking its wounds, but will sooner or later be back on its paws – just like all cats would.
Celtic Tiger is used as a metaphor when describing the period of extremely rapid economic growth that began in Ireland in the 1990s. There was a slowdown in 2001, a recovery in 2003, but the good days were definitively over by 2007. In early 2008, economists still believed that Ireland’s economy would manage to make a ‘soft landing’. However, by January 2009, the Irish Times declared in an editorial: “We have gone from the Celtic Tiger to an era of financial fear with the suddenness of a Titanic-style shipwreck, thrown from comfort, even luxury, into a cold sea of uncertainty.” During the boom, Ireland was transformed from one of poorest countries in Western Europe into one of its wealthiest. Disposable income soared, fuelling massive growth on the domestic market. In the best times, unemployment fell to just 4%. The new wealth was invested in improving the infrastructure; roads, tunnels, transport systems were developed and even a new monument intended to symbolise Ireland’s new sky-high ambitions was built – the Spire of Dublin (the ‘Rod to God’, as dubbed by the locals). Ireland’s centuries-old tradition of emigration was suddenly turned on its head as the republic became a destination for immigrants (mainly from Poland and the Baltic States), so that by 2007, 10% of the population was foreign-born.
DE STIN ATIONS : Ire l a nd: Dublin
Dublin: Look out! It’s infectious! And: quirky! The word is much in fashion and seems to have been coined with Dublin in mind: the city is young and vibrant, cultural, traditional and historic, modern and unconventional. It is confident enough to be itself and to put its eccentricities on display. It is unsurprising that the Irish word for fun and enjoyment – ‘craic’ - has entered the English vocabulary. Consider Dublin’s innumerable pubs, restaurants, cafés, bars, clubs, theatres, cinemas, concert halls, its love of fashion and art. You’re never far from the bright lights and excitement here – life is far too short to be spent moping in a corner. Neither Ireland’s unpredictable weather nor the economic downturn have managed to put a damper on things. Prices are falling, also in hotels and restaurants: Good news for business tourism. Dublin never sleeps, its zest for life is not only palpable – but is infectious! 32 events 2/2009
Hurling is similar to hockey. It was played by the Celts more than 2000 years ago and is thus believed to be Europe’s oldest field sport. The players use a wooden stick – the ‘hurley’ to strike the ball or ‘sliotar’ up and down a 137 x 82 m pitch. To score a goal, which is equivalent to three points, the ball must be passed under the goal crossbar into the net. A team of 15 players battles through two halves of 35 minutes each.
What exactly is hurlties for some seriing? The game that ous work before can be described as watching the Ireland’s national match. More than sport is taught to 5000 sqm of floor children at school space is given and even to girls as over to corporate ‘Camogie’. After ice hospitality; there hockey, it is the fastest field team game in the world. are 87 conference rooms (all with natural daylight), Players take a refreshing ice-cold bath prior to each the Hogan Suite (one of eight) for up to 800 persons match to ensure that they are in first-rate shape. The (theatre-style) with views of the pitch. Team building playing field and goals are identical to those in Gaelic events help neophytes become acquainted with the football and both sports are fervently played in Croke secrets of hurling; this can be the source of consideraPark Stadium in front of enthusiastic crowds. Want ble amusement as learners repeatedly take mighty but to experience a whole stadium going wild? There’s ineffective swipes (the ball must be served while in the never a row or even a single seat going begging here. air!). There is also an in-house museum acquainted The excitement of nearly 82,300 spectators can be with the secrets of hurling; www.crokepark.ie. Linked literally felt as it boils over in a scarlet bubbling caul- symbiotically with the stadium and just across the road dron against a backdrop of eardrum-splitting noise. is Jurys Croke Park Hotel**** www.jurysdoyle.com/ And everyone can then go home happy, stocked up crokepark, a very attractive, contemporary hotel with with enough endorphins to last them until the next 232 guest rooms and suites and three conference big game. The stadium is similarly well-filled with fran- rooms with excellent amenities that can accommotic fans for rock concerts, particularly if home-grown date a maximum of 50 participants (theatre-style). bands, like U2, are performing. Those organising events and meetings in DubThis is an unforgettable experience also for groups. lin will find it an ideal partner: in addition to Croke Park Stadium offers a range of meeting facili- the Convention Bureau and the Tourist Board, a events 2/2009 33
DE STIN ATIONS : Ire l a nd: Dublin
Housing Bureau provides support by supplying information on where and when facilities are available in hotels, congress centres and and locations. Dublin is easily covered on foot and venues and hotels are frequently located close to each other in clusters. Careful planning will subsequently prevent logistical headaches. Here are a couple of examples:
Trinity Capital Hotel*** www.trinitycapitalhotel.com Dramatic, audacious and divinely different
Zentrum Hotels Westbury Hotel***** www.doylecollection.com The Westbury is part of the Doyle Collection, one of the Leading Hotels of the World. It underwent complete refurbishment in 2008 at a cost of € 20 million (power sockets for Europe/USA/IRL!). Luxury fabrics in decorous, muted tones and a fantastic lobby – ‘The Gallery’: here is displayed a wealth of art compiled by an art-collecting board member. This is the place to go for afternoon tea! Every one of the comfortable armchairs is occupied and the relaxed murmur of people in animated conversation fills the air. Adjacent is a meeting floor with Business Centre: all seven of the well-equipped conference rooms have natural daylight. The Wilde restaurant can be privatised for up to 100 guests. The window front of The Café Novo Brasserie bar is folded back in good weather to allow the bustling street to spill inside. All the rage: a concentration of ‘super pubs’ in XXL size in Dawson Street The Brasserie Balzac at La Stampa Hotel & Spa www. lastampa.ie./balzac, the Café en Seine – opposite the Trinity Capital Hotel – www.capitalbars.com, Fire – at the Mansion House Dawson – www.mansionhouse.ie. Royal College of Physicians – www.rcpi.ie
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Meetings in front of elegant mantelpieces: This venue has a series of impressive rooms that are used for the most part to accommodate the college’s own lectures and master classes in the various branches of medicine. But it is also possible to stage all sorts of events, such as a charity ball following a James Bond theme that occupies the whole building. Or smaller banquet dinners for 35 – 50 persons that can be held in the oldest medical library in Europe and state-of-the-art video conferences and webcasts (available online for six months): Via the Hearn Room participants from up to eight countries can be brought into contac with each other. The college’s museum exhibits Napoleon’s toothbrush, which he bequeathed to his Irish physician on his deathbed, undoubtedly a most treasured possession, and a gruesome collection of saws used to amputate limbs from wounded soldiers. Royal College of Surgeons – www.rcsi.ie/information Located on St. Stephan’s Green, the older part of this building dates back to 1810 and houses the College Hall (180 guests for dinner) with its Minstrels Gallery and the elegantly decorated Boardroom with a hand woven carpet in front of imposing fireplaces, ideal for characterful receptions (180 guests). When combined, the College Hall and Boardroom can accommodate a reception for up to 400 people. The modern section of the building contains state-of-the-art auditoriums in contemporary-style. Other interesting locations: Trinity College – www.tcd.ie Dublin Castle – www.dublincastle.ie Guinness Store House – www.guinness-storehouse.com Temple Bar – venue for Dublin’s nightlife Legends Bar – www.legends.ie Irish Night at the Arlington Hotel It is essential to book in advance for an evening in Legends Bar. There isn’t a place more ‘oirish’! The menu only lists traditional dishes (such as Irish stew), there are self-service taps for a draught Guinness. The live show starts at 9.00 pm with a spirited folk group (fiddle, guitar, button accordion) happily playing requests and encouraging customer participation. The audience sings, cheers, laments, kicks up a shindig, claps and stamps along with the band, and finally applauds them to the skies. Four former members of Riverdance/Lord of the Dance then perform to shrieks and skirls and jump and stamp until the vibrations knock the audience from their barstools. Dinner and show cost € 30 per person.
You too? The Clarence – www.theclarence.ie A must for anyone interested in contemporary music! Fame and fortune were merely a fantasy when U2 started to frequent the hotel bar. It was pure nostalgia that made Bono and The Edge purchase the hotel in 1992. Following a stylistically apposite restoration without unnecessary extravagancies, the Clarence still is the band’s stronghold. All 49 rooms including the penthouse suite can be block-booked (early reservation is recommended). The authentically preserved Tea Room Restaurant (maximum: 100 persons) may also be exclusively hired, just like the legendary Octagon Bar and three smaller meeting rooms with views of the River Liffey.
The Docklands Not yet complete but already has its nickname: The hypermodern Convention Centre on the Liffey, designed by the architect Kevin Roche, is to be opened
CCD
in May 2010 but is already making a splash. It has been dubbed, not without some justification, ‘The Barrel’. To provide easy access by foot or vehicle to the opposite bank of the river a new bridge is to be built to supplement those already in place. Convenient for groups staying in accommodation on the ‘other’ river bank, for example: events 2/2009 35
DE STIN ATIONS : Ire l a nd: Dublin
Their offices are located in a former church: www.dublinconventionbureau.com · www.visitdublin.com
The Maldron Hotel**** – www.maldronhotels.com The hotel has 304 rooms and a health and fitness club. A new conference centre is due to open at the Maldron in spring 2009 that will provide seven daylit conference rooms for up to 120 delegates. Five other meeting rooms (2 – 50 pax) are already available; amenities are excellent: There is a 24-hour delegate package while the hotel has a dedicated meeting and event coordinator. The Vertigo Bar may be privately booked for up to 250 guests.
founder, Tim Greenwood, reveals to pupils of all abilities the secrets of fine international cuisine, from spicy Thai dishes to Irish stew (50 different courses are on offer). One of the easiest pathways to success for the culinary learner is still via that good old standby – Sushi: almost everyone likes Sushi and almost everyone can make it. Cooking demonstrations are also very popular: here urbane corporate executives discover that the purpose of that enigmatic kitchen device is to crack the shell of a lobster or learn the correct procedure for removing the backbone from a fish while
MV Cill Airne – Floating Restaurant, North Wall Quay – www.mvcillairne.com In its former life, the Cill Airne was a tender boat that serviced the great ocean-going liners that plied between Britain and America, ferrying passengers and mail to and fro between ships and shore. That was then: now the vessel is moored permanently in the Docklands, the Restaurant (seats 64), Blue River Bistro Bar (120 guests) and White Bar (50 persons) are always fully booked – at the height of Irish atmosphere. Due to its popularity, privatising the entire ship may prove difficult.
Royal Marine Hotel
Kilmainham The Royal Hospital Kilmainham: This oldest surviving neoclassical building in Ireland was originally built as a home for veteran soldiers. It houses the Irish Museum of Modern Art and provides generously proportioned rooms that can be used to stage gala dinners, intimate receptions, seminars, exhibitions, product launches and concerts. The former chapel now serves as an imposing conference space in which even the pulpit is yours serving as a lectern. Opposite lies a magnificent ballroom that can seat up to 500 guests for dinner. There is direct access to the cobbled central courtyard with its decorative cloisters: A perfect architectural ensemble. www.rhk.ie Also worth visiting: Kilmainham Gaol. Just five minutes on foot from the Royal Hospital Kilmainham and Heuston Station, there is an imposing glass structure awaiting new guests: the brand spanking new convention centre No. 1 Kilmainham. Located within easy reach of both venues is the Hilton Hotel Kilmainham****.
Dun Laoghaire/Dublin Bay – 30 minutes drive from the city centre Can’t cook? Can cook! Cooks Academy in Dun Laoghaire (pronounced ‘dunleary’) has successfully established itself and has been recognised as one of the leading cookery schools over the past four years. The team led by Cooks Academy 36 events 2/2009
leaving it unscathed. Two flat screen monitors ensure that groups of up to 25 persons have a good view of the action – monitors that could prove useful during a prior or subsequent meeting in the same room. Companies such as Microsoft, Google, KPMG, to name but a few, have already discovered the appetising nature of holding meetings here. Cooks Academy also provides DMC services and will put together a package on request that comprises not only instructive, entertaining interactive cookery sessions, but also participation in sailing regattas with www.sailingwest.ie, theatre visits, walking tours and accommodation, for example in the nearby Royal Marine Hotel, which is, by the way, an excellent conference venue. www.cooksacademy.com Great atmosphere in the Royal Marine Hotel – www.royalmarine.ie The original old part of the hotel incorporates broad passageways wide enough for female guests in crinolines (who included Queen Victoria) to move about freely. The Royal Marine remained closed from 2004 to 2007 for a complete make-over that required an outlay of € 70 million! The 228 rooms are all very spacious and comfortably furnished, while the tasteful conference rooms gaze out over the blue Irish Sea. The largest of the salons with its gallery can accommodate theatre-style seating for up to 750 or a banquet for 400. Room Laurel’s combined with Hardys Bar make perfect space for receptions. The spa has nine treatment rooms and there is an enormous fitness centre!
C H O O S E
tel: 353 (0) 21 4318036 mobile: 353 (0) 87 2883136 email: ann@corkconventionbureau.com www.corkconventionbureau.com
C O R K
DE STIN ATIONS : Ire l a nd: Cork
Cork: A land of milk and honey Many a story-teller of bygone times dreamt up bold tales revolving around that paradisiacal place: There, in a care-free world, fried quails would be gliding right into one’s waiting mouth, chocolate bars readily be dangling from trees and riverbeds be brimming with milk or wine. The cookery part still needs to be taken care of around here, but as for the milk and the honey, Cork City and County are pretty close to the virtual original!
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On the boil Culinary fever seems to have taken hold of the world with the same tenacity as that of the financial crisis: there is hardly a television channel that does not broadcast at least one cookery-based programme daily involving people with more or less adequate kitchen talents. If one cannot brag about one’s own vineyard nowadays, one at least has to show off one’s ‘personal’ butcher’ or become acquainted with the family tree of the particular sea bass before buying it. A disconcerting survey reveals: People still can’t cook! To change things and get all those couch potatoes actively involved, cookery schools are taking on the challenge of turning heathens into master chefs. Watch your fingers! It is a good idea to acquire a few basic skills required for cooking first. How to rapidly chop spring onions with one of those hellishly sharp professional knives without amputating a fingertip and how
to pull the mantel over the head of a truly unsightly octopus while retaining all of its three hearts and nine(!) brains. And then how to cut the rest into uniform rings for frying. In the middle of the idyllic countryside is one of the most prestigious cookery schools in Ireland, run by the Allens in Ballymaloe: founded by mother Myriam and continued by her daughter Darina and Darina’s daughter-in-law, Rachel. Their cookery books, with their easy-to-follow instructions, are treated like Bibles by today’s Irish, and both are regular TV show presenters. The Ballymaloe Cookery School exclusively uses organic produce from its own farm, gardens and greenhouses. Meat comes from its own herds and poultry, while fish is delivered fresh from the sea in nearby Ballycotton. There is accommodation available, too. www.cookingisfun.ie
Foto: mick dunne
Ballymaloe House in Shanagarry is a country guest house, with conservatory, pond and plenty of character – and is second to none when it comes to charisma and its fantastic gourmet menus. Next door is Ballymaloe Shop & Café and a natural stone barn currently undergoing renovation is shortly to be opened as a convention centre with room for up to 400 delegates. www.ballymaloe.ie The English Market in Cork City: a feast of organic foods! The covered market is a true gourmet’s paradise: top quality products are displayed appetisingly on counters and behind glass – fish, mussels, oysters, salted and smoked fish spread out on broad, crudely made wooden tables, carefully prepared meat and poultry of all imaginable kinds, colourful fruits and vegetables, events 2/2009 39
Old City Gaol
a vast array of different cheeses – and everything at surprisingly 180 guests for a gala banquet). www.ucc.ie reasonable prices (five excellent lamb chops cost only € 4). You The UCC also owns a sports field that can be privately booked for will discover delicacies here that you could never hope to find in team building activities. any supermarket. It is an ideal hunting ground for groups look- UCC, Jurys Cork Hotel and The Kingsley Hotel are not only ing for those elusive ingredients required for the next cookery located closely to one another but also cooperate successfully: a lesson. Up in the gallery is the Farmgate Café, run with a firm perfect trio. The two hotels occupy picturesque sites on the bank hand by Kay Harte, who believes that first class dishes can only be of the River Lee and provide idyllic views of the hills of Cork. prepared from first class ingredients. Her philosophy is to source products locally whenever possible to ensure that everything is Porridge anyone? The Old City Gaol Overhead heating provides for comfortable warmth inside the cold thick walls of this former women’s prison suitable as a venue for gala dinners, product launches and concerts: the acoustics are outstanding thanks to the height of the building. And: The gaol can be vamped up wonderfully for every special occasion. A marquee is available for larger events and there are four designated catering firms to choose from. www.corkcitygaol.com
Hotels in Cork City
fresh when it comes into her kitchen. Signature dishes include wonderful chowder, fish direct to your table from fishing boat or the fishmonger downstairs and fragrant, freshly baked bread with excellent wines. The café is only open during the official opening times of the market. Farmgatecafe@yahoo.ie
Venues UCC – University College Cork The Lewis Glucksman Gallery is a contemporary building with an open design incorporating much glass. The gallery hosts rotating art exhibitions. There are also elegantly unostentatious rooms that can be hired for dinners and receptions: however, the untreated wood floor is not red wine-proof. The cafeteria on the ground floor with seating for 120 has a completely glazed front wall that provides views over the generous terrace to the park; it can also be booked for private events. The atmosphere in the conference room on the same floor is similarly enticing. Located in the UCC is the venerable Aula Maxima which contains a valuable collection of books, so that care is needed when dining by candlelight (the Aula can accommodate 40 events 2/2009
The Jurys**** – www.doylecollection.com – stay (182 rooms), celebrate and meet in a distinctly inviting and harmonious atmosphere: the ‘Weir Room’ – currently a bistro and breakfast room – is being developed into an exclusive meeting space. The Kingsley***** – www.KingsleyHotel.com – 131 luxury rooms and a spectacular view of the River Lee and the hills beyond from the breakfast room. There are eight conference suites and a ballroom than can seat 200 guests for dinner. Excellent technical amenities. Hayfield Manor***** – www.hayfieldmanor.ie – The five-star hotel has been run by the same family for four generations and could hardly be more delightful: this former private mansion is surrounded by an extensive, peaceful garden and exhales history. However, modernity has also found its niche here and the combination of the two can only be described as very striking. Generously proportioned rooms (all with their own mini ‚putting green‘), splendid corporate facilities, the Restaurants Perrotts Garden Bistro and Orchid. The hotel’s wine cellar can be hired as a private venue.
Cobh Cobh (pronounced ‘Cove’ and formerly known as Queenstown) was the last port of call of RMS Titanic before it departed for America. Cobh is said to be the second largest natural harbour in the world. It is the main base of the Irish Naval Service and the extensive former dockyard is now only used for repairs: the pharmaceutical industry has moved in where once steel and ferti-
Incentives CorporateHospitality Exhibitions Belfast has been welcoming visitors to the city for over 400 years. Now a dynamic meetings and incentives destination, Belfast combines the spirit of a modern European city with famous Irish hospitality,internationalgolfcoursesandawardwinningvenues. Tofindoutmoreaboutwhyyoushouldholdyournextmeetingor event in Belfast visit:
www.belfastconventionbureau.com Tel: +44 (0)28 9023 9026
Business Meetings Product Launches Conferences Seminars
Cobh
liser production ruled. Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis have become the major employers in the harbour area. Places here are called Passage West and Monkstown and are characterised by the tiny, colourful, picture book houses looking out over the bright blue sea. Only a red brick chimney is left as a reminder of the public bath houses in which the poorest of the emigrants were deloused, scrubbed clean and supplied with fresh clothes before being allowed to board a ship bound for the New World. Not all were to survive: the Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat in 1915. Tickets for the Titanic could once be purchased from the Titanic Bar, a little yellow building which is still standing at the mouth of the River Lee, where there is also a rather ramshackle pier mounted on simple wooden piles that has a dramatic, almost 100-year-old history. A Whale of a Time Contact Mike Hallahan and Whale of a Time if you’d like to experience waterborne fun in the mouth of the River Lee, the harbour and the numerous tributaries in the Cobh area, or even 3 miles out to sea – and in practically all weathers! Mike has four rigid inflatables that provide room for up to 50 passengers packed in wind- and weather-proof clothing and those who are willing, will be manoeuvred at top speed over the waves. Also on offer are Treasure Hunts in which participants can navigate their boats themselves, salmon fishing, dolphin watching and much more. www.whaleofatime.ie A heavenly dram: Jameson Distillery It is not just the age that determines the price of a whiskey: after 18 years storage, almost 50% of the volume will have been lost from the cask – the so-called ‘angel’s share’. The distillery is worth adding to the itinerary and is a one-stop-shop, including the Stills Cottage which accommodates 12 persons for dinner, an auditorium for meetings, a restaurant serving four course meals and a bar with whiskey-tasting area. Warehouse No. 8 can be booked for hosting distinctive events for up to 200 persons; in summer, it can be combined with the courtyard spreading out before it. www.jamesonwhiskey.com 42 events 2/2009
Microcosm: Castlemartyr Hotel***** Rent-a-dog: The two Irish Setters are called Earl and Countess. Those who have not yet got round to a four-footed friend of their own are encouraged to try out a walk with them in the elegant hotel grounds. An excellent idea, particularly here, where nature and holism play the overriding – and convincing – roles. A range of relaxing activities are available within the hotel facilities and grounds, such as yoga, meditation, fishing, bicycle riding, carriage driving, archery, laser clay pigeon shooting and – last but not least – golf. There is an 18-hole championship golf course. Castlemartyr can also organise other activities in Cork and its surroundings. There are 103 beautifully decorated rooms and suites, with gigantic bathrooms and walk-in cupboards, a 24,400 sqm(!) spa, the Capel Suite, a glass atrium seating 200 guests for dinner (particularly elegant), the ‘Kiltha’ for private dining for up to 70 persons and three boardrooms. www.castlemartyrresort.ie Fota House and Gardens The quality of this location becomes even more apparent with every room one enters. Fota House, restored with considerable care and filled with artwork, is exactly the right venue for the discerning client. The building itself is extensive and there are innumerable doors that open onto an almost endless succession of genteel rooms. For a glimpse back in time, visit the old kitchen and larder – both now museums. www.fotahouse.com Sheraton Fota Island Hotel & Spa The hotel boasts 131 very comfortable guest rooms (many of which have a fantastic panoramic view of the surrounding woodlands and golf courses). The Smith Barry Suite is an impressive space with chandelier and large fireplace that can seat 240 persons for dinner. The terrace with water features and modelled lawn is the ideal venue for grill parties and summer soirees. There are conference rooms for 8 – 60 guests. The entire hotel can be block-booked – enquiries welcome! www.starwoodhotels.com It takes less than 30 minutes to drive between Cork and Cobh. All the attractions described are within easy reach of one another. Cork offers a cornucopia of incentives and conference venues and eight of the many golf courses are of world class quality. For more information, contact the Cork Convention Bureau: www.corkconventionbureau.com
DestinationS: Northern Ir el a n d
Belfast – City on the Rise
Belfast? That Belfast? For decades, Northern Ireland was the source of bad news. During the period of political unrest, the province tore itself in two and there seemed to be no foreseeable end to the acts of violence against people and property. The culmination may have been on Bloody Friday on 21 July 1972, when 22 bombs were detonated in and around Belfast, killing eleven and injuring 130. Thirty years later, the IRA issued a statement of apology. The conflict was officially ended in 1998 by the Good Friday Agreement. Belfast has had time over the past ten years to patch up its wounds: the political climate has grown considerably more clement, the economy has recovered and the city has become – almost overnight – a ‘destination’. Not just for tourists, but also for the event and incentives industry in view of 3000 guest beds and the fact that the city is served by direct flights from the USA, Canada and Europe. Business and industry have also returned to Belfast and financial service providers, electronics and IT concerns have contributed to
the economic upturn. Queen’s and Ulster universities are powerhouses of technological development and research. The architecture in the city itself ranges from brand new to historical and thanks to the compact ground plan, Belfast can be comfortably explored on foot, an advantage also when it comes to shopping in its many boutiques and consumer temples. The new Victoria Square Mall was developed at a cost of £320 million and is one of the largest of its kind in Europe.
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DE STIN ATIONS : Northe rn Ir el a nd
A city of quarters Titanic Quarter: Europe’s most extensive dockland development project will give Belfast a massive boost. Sampson and Goliath, two yellow cranes that rise robustly and proudly into the skies, have been retained as mementos of the shipyards that once flourished here. Cathedral Quarter: All the hustle and bustle of life: the cobbled streets and lanes are lined with art galleries, restaurants, pubs, bars and night clubs. These create a cosmopolitan atmosphere in a city that has its eyes firmly on the future but does not ignore its past. Sumptuous accommodation at the centre of the hubbub – the recently opened Merchant Hotel*****. It was originally built as a bank and its guests can now watch life going on outside from within its comfortable, heritage-protected walls. Queen’s Quarter: Located in the southern part of the city, Queen’s Quarter hosts the ‘Belfast Festival at Queen’s’, the largest festival in the whole of Ireland. Gaeltacht Quarter: Another craic-loving district. Surrounding the Falls Road, this quarter is now famous for the many murals created by the population as a political outcry to the world.
Choose your venue Would a Presbyterian church dating from 1905, complete with ecclesiastical architecture and original stained-glass windows, suit you? Then the Spires Conference and Exhibition Centre is right up your street www.spiresbelfast.co.uk Or what about an interactive science museum with views of the River Lagan? W5 provides hospitality rooms, including a boardroom with fully glazed front wall, an auditorium and exhibition spaces. How about a boat? SS Nomadic has a somewhat grim history: it was built together with the Titanic to ferry first and second class passengers to the doomed liner. An extension has recently been added to the historic Grand Opera House (which dates back to 1895); it now has a new ‘sister’ and in combination they make an even more flexible event venue. Intelligent meetings? Queen’s University would be the right place – founded in 1845 by no less a person than Queen Victoria herself. For sparkling ideas, try the former bath house, now the Ormeau Baths Gallery, where well-known artists, including Yoko Ono and Gilbert and George, have exhibited. Clifton House was originally built by the Belfast Charitable Society as a base for its work for the poor. A venue with historical associations – perhaps for a conference on social issues?
The Incentive side: Up, up and away! Those who are interested in gaining the overview are well-advised to book a flight with a tethered balloon. They can then fly in comfort and tranquillity over the impressive Giant’s Causeway, one of the most celebrated natural attractions in Ireland. According to legend, the colossal basalt columns were put in place by the giant 44 events 2/2009
Did you know that RMS Titanic was constructed in Belfast? On completion, she was the largest ship afloat. From here she departed on her maiden voyage to America keen to accomplish the most rapid Atlantic passage, ambitiously striving to win the Blue Riband. Then she called at Southampton, Cherbourg and Queenstown (now Cobh) harbours to take on passengers. On 14 April 1912 at 11.40h in the evening she collided with an iceberg and sank within 2 hours and 40 minutes. Nearly 1500 of the 2200 passengers on board drowned due to an insufficient number of lifeboats. A Titanic Treasure Hunt is thus an absolute must, even though one always has the unfortunate fate of the liner before one’s eyes. It seems very unlikely that the event would have been as romantic as it is portrayed in the film with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Finn McCool. Following touchdown, why not play a few holes at one of the nearby championship golf courses (Royal Portrush and Royal County Down) in order to come properly back to earth? And nowhere else are the greens as green as in the Emerald Isle! Once an alert mind is not the prime requirement, it’s time for whiskey tasting at Bushmills Distillery – one of the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distilleries. Excursions in the surrounding region One only needs two hours to travel around Northern Ireland in a car. You might decide visit Lisburn, where you can learn about Ireland’s linen industry and call in at Hilden Brewery to find out
Note to self... call the Dublin Convention Bureau. Take everything you need to plan
the perfect conference. Easy access. A warm welcome. State-of-the-art business facilities. Impressive conference venues. World-class hotels and restaurants.
Add a service that offers a free venue search. Expert advice. Help with site inspections. Liaison with suppliers. Promotional support. Marketing assistance, innovation & creativity.
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DE STIN ATIONS : Northe rn Ir el a nd
how to make ale. Antrim on the shores of Lough Neagh, with its castle and beautiful countryside, is certainly worth a visit. Go for the really unusual, and watch demonstrations of how they used to make spades at Patterson’s Spade Mill in Newtownabbey. In Carrickfergus you will find the UK’s oldest gasworks (now a museum) while the grave of St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, is located in Downpatrick (Armagh & Down). In Derry (formerly: Londonderry), the turbulent past is preserved on murals, while Derry’s blackest day, Bloody Sunday in 1972, is commemorated in the Museum of Free Derry. Hotels Hilton Belfast***** www.hilton.co.uk/belfast Merchant Hotel***** www.themerchanthotel.com Best Western Wellington Park Hotel**** www.mooneyhotelgroup.com Hastings Europa Hotel**** / Hastings Stormont Hotel**** www.hastingshotels.com Holiday Inn Belfast**** www.holidayinn.com/belfast Park Plaza Belfast**** www.parkplazabelfast.com Radisson SAS**** www.belfast.radissonsas.com Ramada Belfast**** www.ramadabelfast.com Contact: Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau info@belfastconventionbureau.com www.belfastconventionbureau.com If you require any Ireland-related information, please contact: www.irland-incentive.de www.tourismireland.com CF
How to get there: The national carrier Aer Lingus provides direct flights from Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich to Dublin, from Berlin and Munich to Cork and from Munich to Belfast. The prices are very reasonable, although self-service is required for check-in at Dublin. Food and drink are offered at a charge onboard by a very friendly crew! www.aerlingus.com 46 events 2/2009
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stb Mainz as a learning venue:
You have exactly three seconds! Or: a dog is not a cat! In the supporting seminars at the Seminar- und Tagungsbörse of MICE AG one can hear prominent experts free of charge and learn something on top. And even if not all is new, at least long-buried gems of knowledge are unearthed. That some of the speakers tend to indulge in a little too much self-promotion here and there may be excused. At the Mainz stb in March, once again 1,300 interested planners were treated to 250 exhibitors, nine expert speakers and some sparkling new ideas from the organisers. Martin Limbeck
Hard selling – selling means selling What he says is accepted immediately: amongst other things Martin Limbeck’s lecture took a striking, masculine and insistent approach to presenting the “DNA
of a hard seller”: He has to be optimistic so that every night he can go to sleep looking back on a positive balance to the day, he needs to have fun and enjoy what he does, must be focussed on selling, but also be able to show his emotions. He must actively model success, by subjecting himself to his own benchmarkevents 2/2009 47
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ing in the interests of learning (what do other people do better?). A good salesman wants to measures up! He must have concrete goals, plan them realistically so they can be achieved within a set timescale. The successful salesman is well dressed (if you want to “get at other people’s money, you need to look like money yourself”), self-confident, motivated, always well informed and seeking closure. This takes courage, because after the sales discussion he has to ask the customer the all-decisive closing question – where “closure” means “order”. “Assuming we meet your requirements in all respects, can we count on your firm booking?”
If you only want to advise your customers, you will force them to buy somewhere else. If you have to live by selling, you will sell: the higher the basic salary, the harder the salesman will find things. Summary: And yet: > The most important language for a salesman is body language (55%, voice 38%, content of what he says 7%!!) > The first impression is what counts (and he gets all of three seconds for this), because: You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Nothing new, but very true and worth remembering every time! Soft selling that packs a punch
Delighting the customer: Nicole Kobjoll, Schindlerhof Nürnberg It is no surprise that a hotel as a product has to be marketed and sold differently than a car, for example. As well as price and performance, Nicole Kobjoll swears by emotions, including those of her staff, who are so satisfied with their employer that the latter recently took 8th place amongst the “Best Employers in Germany”. It is taken for granted at Schindlerhof that personal support is offered within the team and that the staff is involved in development processes and reward rituals. And last but not least, in terms of QM features alongside basic quality and the quality of expectations and surprises, they also swear by the effect on the staff. It is no accident that guests above all return due to the friendliness and efficiency of the team! 48 events 2/2009
For creative sessions everyone is cloistered together in the three different areas - Dream Space, Sweat Box and the implementation area – as new concepts are thrashed out and put into practice. The “Schindlerhöfler“ never tire. They have realised one thing above all: To remain true to their philosophy and ensure their success, they have to “keep coming up with new surprises”.
The road to business excellence never ends. To illustrate the concept of authenticity – which can be translated into a whole series of areas - Nicole Kobjoll uses a figurative example: You may well hang a sign on a dog which reads “cat”, but you will never turn it into a cat. Agreed – wholeheartedly! Dieter Lange
You can spot the winner right at the start – and the loser too Attitude is everything: The lucky ones are the ones who can forget the things they can’t change. Dieter Lange addresses some uncomfortable facts: 40% of CEOs in the USA are out again after two years. Hired for their professional expertise and fired for their personality defects. Because success means being true to yourself. But remember, success makes you unhappy too! Take Michael Schumacher during the press conference at the height of his career: When he realised that it couldn’t get any better, he burst into unrestrained tears. On the other hand: You can’t “arrive” in life, because “it carries on beyond the horizon”. For this reason, the journey is and remains the goal. The ones who have arrived tend to be unhappy.
If you don’t trust yourself, you can’t trust other people either. If you can’t motivate yourself, you can’t motivate other people either. If you can’t lead yourself, you can’t lead other people either.
Essentially: If your perception is correct, then the proper next steps will happen automatically. It’s like the old motto: Self-knowledge is the first step towards improvement! We are essentially all split personalities, constantly torn between what we have to do and what we want to do, between diverging paths which generate constant discomfort: if you are always making compromises, “both sides” will come off badly. Dieter Lange’s absorbing explanations are hard to condense. Apparent was that he spoke to his audience straight from his soul for a good hour: A packed hall listened spellbound and quite a few people appeared to see themselves reflected in Lange’s explanations. His final sentence was: “… but you have all known that secretly for a long time”. Of course, everyone nodded!
“Saw your GM in two”: Ehrlich Entertainment shows how on stb
One who set forth…
Gabriele Schulze stands in for Günter Mainka Supporting programmes which are out of the ordinary was to have been his theme; unfortunately he himself had to drop out of the programme due to illness – an event regretted by everyone. But Gabriele Schulze rose brilliantly to the ad hoc challenge, and with charm took the courage to moderate a programme she was not at all familiar with! And this went
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down well with the public! Support was provided by Looked at critically: a clowning representative of an improvisation theatre, Three questions to the MICE AG who rapidly assumed the “identity” of each of the ten suggestions for supporting programmes from behind The stb marketplaces are a trade fair format a screen, then by means of Karaoke (number 8 on the which has been successful for years. Obviously list) used a wealth of gestures and guffaws to break this has been looked at critically every now and the ice between the actors and the public. Everyone then, because trade fairs are in fact rather like certainly knew “Michaee-la-a-ha” – and the entire politics, where everyone sees themselves as hall switched to “reception”. Right at the end came a bit of an expert. In particular, the retirement the three very best recommendations for supporting of Kurt Schüller and the expansion on the comprogrammes, each entertainingly illustrated by events mando bridge of the organiser now operated as presenters of the appropriate genre: Wild West action MICE AG by Gabriele Schulze and Günter Mainka, with two cowboys who came to blows, puzzles with spurred this on. The stb needs to get in shape the Kryptex Code, admirably portrayed by a “mad” for the future. Changes to the tried and tested professor and last of all the “criminal” element com- formula are irritating, but we all know that what plete with corpse. Here the interaction with the public was tried and tested yesterday can be old hat by worked especially well, as after only brief training they tomorrow. Setting off across uncharted waters – quickly understood at which points they were meant some people call this the future! – always takes to shout out “Help, help!” in desperation, “Oh my courage and an urge to experiment. The price God, oh my God!” or “Police! Police!” The murder that has to be paid for this in the short term is victim was chased down the central aisle to the place criticism from some observers, but in the ideal of his death and managed to fall on the stage in al- case the long-term reward is security for the fumost perfect form – right onto the pre-drawn chalk ture and new growth. outline straight from the best detective shows. And because it was just like being at the cinema, there was events: Ms. Schulze, Mr. Mainka: Some people are thrilled, but other observers also accuse you of having ice cream for the audience. experimented too much in the stb marketplace recently. What do you say to this – and could you describe successful and less successful “experiments”? MICE AG: At the moment the background conditions are changing completely in very short periods of time. So it is no longer the biggest players who are winning, but rather the fastest. Questions such as: “Who is exhibiting in the stb marketplace today? Who is consciously and actively deciding not to stick their head in the sand?” and “Nowadays who can still actually afford to go to trade fairs on the theme of events?” call for very different answers in many cases now compared to a year ago. So it is not just the fact that now is the right moment for brave decisions and new concepts – it is a must. Let us summarise what we have changed at our trade fairs in the space of a year, in other words since the first stb in 2008: > Every trade fair now has its own special theme (e.g. Healthy Conferences & Green Meetings, Christmas celebrations, supporting programmes & teambuilding ideas). On the one hand this means they appeal to new groups of visitors. On the other hand we are giving exhibitors the opportunity of finding NEW messages to fit the trade fair. They can present these messages and ideas by coming up with appropriate designs for their exhibition stands. 50 events 2/2009
Events Incentives Action > Trade fairs have to be marketplaces for what is new – otherwise they aren’t interesting enough for visitors. And when an exhibitor places a new supporting programme or a cool idea for a Christmas celebration in the centre of their stand statement, this gives them an opportunity for an additional statement: “Hotel presents innovative Christmas event” – which really attracts new prospective clients. > We have restructured our workshop programme. Visitors can book a maximum of two workshops in advance. In addition, the number of places has been limited since Essen 2008. Thus there is a maximum of 200 – 300 trade visitors in parallel in a lecture, which means that the attendance in the exhibition remains much more consistent. Previously there were three or four peak periods which created the impression of visitor levels, as 700 people streamed out of the lectures and into the hall at the same time. > With the last stb marketplace in Mainz we responded to the experiences of Hamburg at short notice and – as is our style – immediately brought new concepts to life. The Meet & Greet, the party on the evening before our trade fair, is generally constantly evolving. 60% of our exhibitors are represented at several stb marketplaces, so they mustn’t be bored at the evening party but instead should already be making their first customer contacts. Just like every event organiser, we know that party guests always want to see and experience something new. The last Meet & Greet in Mainz went down especially well: Every guest was announced and presented by name using their business card. During the event we made sure that whole table groups were taken across to other tables. That was active networking! It was a help to them and at the same time a concept which many of the trade visitors immediately wanted to implement themselves at their own next event. At the wish of our trade visitors, we expanded the mix of exhibitors. More artists, events agencies, technology suppliers, event locations, booking portals and other MICE services now present themselves at the stb marketplace. We moved the After Work Club into the middle of the exhibition; until Hamburg this was held in a separate hall. The new After Work Club is introduced in so-called “Party Zones”. So starting at 16.00, there was subtle music and snacks and drinks were served at five central points in the exhibition. Exhibitors and visitors met each other in a casual atmosphere so they could really keep on actively networking right up to the last minute. Surveys of exhibitors revealed that 80% found this concept to be right – even if we do still need to fine-tune the details. Those are the major changes. They have been accompanied by numerous small improvements such as a set-up service for exhibitors, a special area for campaigns, a clearly improved, very high quality lecture programme and links to sector events such as the MICE Day in August in Düsseldorf. Overall it has to be said that “revamped” does not automatically mean that the changes have even been consciously noticed and used by all the visitors and exhibitors. We are now already planning the fifth stb marketplace with a special theme, and have noticed that it is only now that the majority of exhibitors are getting more intensively involved in using this theme. It takes time for every innovation to be noticed and used. And while everybody is still getting used to the current changes, we are already working on the next innovations. Coming soon: Silent auctions, networking ahead of the trade fair between visitors and exhibitors, a further education forum called MICE Horizon and a totally new, greatly improved registration tool are undergoing preparation for Berlin on 16 and 17 June this
Erleben Sie einzigartige Locations & Incentiveprogramme auf dem ältesten Studiogelände Europas.
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Das neue Multifunktionsatelier in direkter Anbindung an den Filmpark Babelsberg
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Making Movies
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year. We would prefer to be criticised for being too fast, rather than for not moving with the times! After all, the events business is constantly looking for new settings and contents – so the trend trade fair for this market mustn’t stand still. events: It is always the same with trade fairs: There are some exhibitors who are exceptionally satisfied,
campaigns, in advance of stb we also phoned more than 5,000 businesses and invited them personally to stb. > Trade visitors ought to stay for longer: In order to keep visitors at the exhibition for longer, we attract guests through the turnstile in the morning by giving travel vouchers to the first 200. To bridge the time until the After Work Club we have launched the ChillOut and Party Zones. events: You have decided to hold the first two-day stb in 2010 and at the same time have chosen Frankfurt as the location – which means giving up the traditional location of Mainz. Here too presumably there are one or two sceptics: Well, provided it works, what do you say to them and what made you take this step? MICE AG: A good catchword. We are holding the first 2-day stb in parallel with SHOWTECH in Berlin in June this year. In the meantime a lot of exhibitors are incurring high costs for their stands and these will pay for themselves much better if instead of the usual 1,500 visitors, there are more than 3,000 to show its potential. As we are opening the exhibitions mutually with SHOWTECH and visitors and exhibitors from all over Europe will be meeting up in Berlin, we are confident that the plan will work.
and some who are less so. That is our perception from conversations with exhibitors at the stb’s? You are doing a lot for visitor attractiveness. Nonetheless there is a growing rumour of a lack of visitors at the stb! Is the perception true, or is it just a perception, and if so, what are you doing to counteract it? MICE AG: Our visitor numbers and exhibitor surveys speak a clear language. Satisfaction amongst exhibitors is on the increase and so are visitor rates, even if to a certain extent it has proved a bit harder since the beginning of 2009 to achieve a level of 1,300 – 1,500 trade visitors. We have fewer exhibitors – although they are still using the same total area. Quality instead of quantity. The presentation of the individual exhibitors on a larger stand area naturally means that they can put their messages across much more clearly. The ratio of exhibitors to trade visitors has clearly improved in quality as a result of this. And to make it possible to increase trade visitor numbers further, we are implementing the following measures: > Precise analyses: What do trade visitors expect of the stb marketplace and what can we implement in a narrow timeframe (see the new concepts). > Markedly stronger communication in advance: As well as the usual advertising and direct marketing 52 events 2/2009
Mainz has been a very good location for the stb marketplace for many years. But evaluations show that exhibitors and trade visitors prefer to meet each other in a single, large exhibition hall. We can no longer manage this in Mainz. The numbers of exhibitors and trade visitors have been developing so positively for years – to our joy – that unfortunately the current hall in Mainz has got a bit too small for us. In Frankfurt we can meet the wishes of our exhibitors and visitors and the people of Hessen are delighted. They also want to make active use of the stb marketplace to promote Hessen as a conference destination. As we have been able to welcome many trade visitors from Frankfurt to Mainz, we are confident that people from Wiesbaden and Mainz will also be attracted to Frankfurt. And our “roaming stbs” – for instance in North Rhine-Westphalia, where we actually alternate each year between Cologne, Düsseldorf, Essen and Dortmund – also clearly show that a change of site will again ensure there is plenty of new blood at our trade fairs. This is precisely what a lot of exhibitors would like to see.
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Benefiting from global sporting events:
The Euro ‘08 in Switzerland was overestimated!
The recently published accommodations statistics of Switzerland should cause some ears to perk up. Considerable losses appear in the month of June 2008 during the European Football Championship 2008: overall, the number of overnight lodgings decreased by 2.5% compared to June 2007 (-82,000 overnight lodgings) and of the four host cities, only Basel, which organised the most matches in Switzerland, improved by +3.7%. Zurich and Geneva registered losses of between 4 and 5%, and in Bern the decrease totalled 12.7%. Of the nations playing in Switzerland, the Netherlands registered an increase of 41,000 overnight lodgings and Romania an increase of 21,000 overnight lodgings. For Germany, which played in Austria, overnight lodgings in Switzerland decreased by 37,000. This negative trend is troubling, as it challenges the view in the industry and in the public that such large events create a strong increase in overnight stays. Jörg Krebs, the assigned project leader of the Schweiz Tourismus umbrella organisation, qualifies this with the argument that a natural displacement effect was expected and that many non-football tourists switched to the months of May and July/August. 54 events 2/2009
The accuracy of this view is doubtful, as the numbers for the months of July and August were excellent mainly because of the beautiful summer weather in Switzerland at the time. This prompted many bookings at short notice, not to avoid the EM, but to enjoy the good weather. It is more likely that travellers who wish to avoid a large sporting event don’t choose another travel date, but a different destination.
Unfortunately, no figures are available for the MICE sector, as most private events are not reported or do not generate overnight statistics. The run-up to big sporting events (such as is taking place currently for the World Championship 2010 in South Africa) always heralds a great deal of pressure and nervousness in the industry, and everyone scrabbles for the biggest, fattest contracts from the corporate world. The reality is usually different – there is very little to do besides classic hospitality packages (which large sponsors offer on a B-2-C basis) and there were ultimately few contracts even for the EM 2008. In its concluding report, Schweiz Tourismus therefore points to the unmeasurable benefits, like a general improvement in image, especially in neighbouring countries and a long-term positive impact on decisionmakers in the MICE scene and in tourism. These were the original qualitative goals: 1. Presentation of Switzerland as a friendly, safe, modern and cosmopolitan country. 2. Strengthening Switzerland’s image and creat-
ing awareness and appreciation of Switzerland, its people and its products. 3. Switzerland will be remembered as THE host country. Whether these goals were actually reached will probably only become clear in two to three years. In the meantime, of course, other, negative events (like the banking crisis) are eating away at this image. It remains a fact, however, that these huge global events don’t automatically fill all hotel rooms, as was painfully realised recently at the Olympic Games in Beijing. And in South Africa as well, where the talk is currently about thousands of hotel rooms too few, the World Championship will not prove to be a big windfall for the hotel industry. Maybe, with a bit of luck, demand will rise in the coming years, but the case of Barcelona, which catapulted to become one of the most popular tourist and MICE destinations in Europe with its successful 1992 Olympics, won‘t be repeated so quickly. Daniel Tschudy
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Welcome to Reality At Abu Dhabi’s meeting industry week (MPI conference and GIBTM exhibition), the trade prefers not talk openly about a crisis. For the first time in modern time, the United Arab Emirates returns back from the future. What has been a constant growth since its foundation in 1971, financed by petrodollars and motivated by visionary leaderships, has come to an abrupt stop. During the crisis 1972, the Gulf States were part of the problem, and during those in 1992 and 2002, they tried to stay away from troubles. But in autumn of 2008, the global financial crisis hit hard, particularly in the Real Estate industries. The impact to the hospitality business is substantial, even though the Gulf industry sort of avoids talking openly about it. At MPI’s Gulf Conference and at GIBTM, both staged back-to-back in Abu Dhabi, the difficult matters were not on the agenda. On one hand, because in this region delicate items are not laid open to discuss - part of traditions and the cultural heritage - and on the other hand, there is simply no (domestic) experience of how to deal with such a compact and global negative development.
Dubai hit harder Dubai seems hit harder – as their soon-future is not based on gas or petrol, but was planned on creating a major global megacity, a centre of hospitality, and a hub between East and West. Space and money was available, cheap manpower was brought in from (i.e.) neighbouring Kerala – and the ‘City of Babel’ could be built. The ten-year old elegant Burj al Arab, originally standing as symbol and icon for Dubai’s growth, now almost seems like a boutique hotel in view of what is being constructed in downtown Dubai, around the Marina and in Jumeirah. And, the true tower of Babel, the 818 meters (and 206 floors) high Burj Dubai is both inspiring and frightening.
Getting nervous And so it happens that people get nervous and the lack of ability for direct confrontations now becomes a handicap. Before, the fabulous growth strategies were based on cheap money and cheap labour (from within the New World). Now, that should all be questioned, and seriously, and fast. But to discuss openly and 56 events 2/2009
publicly failed strategies (regardless of who’s mistake it is) is difficult in the Middle East. And so decisions are being turned around, plans scrapped, projects stopped, yet, without public discussions or explanations. That creates insecurity and it increases pressure. The results can be seen, in Dubai more visual than in Abu Dhabi: unfinished apartment buildings, 80% credit for house purchases, untouched fronds on the Palm island and a brand-new Atlantis, which less than half a year after its opening as splendid luxurious premises reduces its rates substantially in order to fill the rooms. Hundreds of mass tourists, 20 minutes queuing for breakfast, a low-quality internet connection, and a lack of service attitude summands the consequences. So Dubai drives fast towards its possible destiny, to become the “Las Vegas of the Middle World”, with Macau taking that position in the East. Masses for masses and quantity instead of quality.
Ethihad Airways a role model Abu Dhabi acts differently and for obvious reasons still has money to flow for decades. So the capital’s development – part of its 2030 plan – runs quieter and as it seems more focused. 5 year-old Ethihad Airways now serves already 50 cities (just added Australia with direct flights) with a brand-new fleet and a quality understanding competitive with Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways. And the highly publicised Saadiyat Island project, just offshore from Abu Dhabi with the Guggenheim and Louvre museums (both opening in 2010) and the Performing Arts Center, are a clear gesture towards culture, and thus quality. But Abu Dhabi, too, does not want to talk about a crisis publicly
– the paroles are ‘think positive’ but the faces (of the panellists) speak a different language. For example, they plan another 5000 hotel rooms by 2010 and it is not clear how to really fill them – conference business might be the safest bet. The question is (in order not to follow for example AIG’s or UBS’s inadequate communication policies), whether the region learns to exchange and process openly about the economic developments and particularly about what is happening in the meetings industry. Because confidence and trust into the Gulf area is, without straight and immediate communication, not possible and would only provoke that foreign interests and investments will hush away as quickly as it came. And those tens-of-thousands soonready apartments and hotel rooms in the UAE will just be staying empty ... or be filled with even lower-level markets.
MPI’s answers to the ‘thirst for knowledge’ MPI is both able and willing to respond to the challenges in the Gulf States’ meetings industry: on one hand the constantly growing infrastructure (convention centres, hotels, event locations, transport and fabulous airport-hubs) and on the other the need for education, fine-tuned operations and market-specific sales approach. What now seems understood is that the meetings in-
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dustry is not leisure tourism and tour operating. What still needs to be brought to the trade is open communication abilities, confrontational behaviour and the acceptance of the fact, that the Gulf States, too, are part of the ‘global whirlpool’ – it bubbles everywhere if turned on. Demonstrating its commitment to the Gulf Region’s meetings and events industry, MPI opened its Middle East Office in Doha, Qatar, supported by the MICE Development Institute (QMDI) and the Qatar Foundation. The partnership with QMDI is a key tool to transfer the global industry’s expertise to the region. www.mpiweg.org.
Facts and Figures of GIBTM 2009 240 exhibitors participated at the 3rd edition of GIBTM (represents a growth of 7% on the previous year). New destinations have participated such as Jordan, Oman, Gulf Air, and Turkish Air. The pre-audited figures show a total visitor attendance of 1904, which includes 236 Hosted Buyers - an increase of 15% on 2008. Exhibitors increased to 768 attending personnel. In total, 6390 pre-scheduled appointments were undertaken at the event; up 23% on 2008. GIBTM will be held again in Abu Dhabi from March 29 - 31, 2010. www.gibtm.com Daniel Tschudy
16. - 18. Juni 2009 | Messe Berlin
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China’s meeting industry:
Still in its infancy
While the service infrastructure (that is, the ‘hardware,’ like airports, motorways, hotels, venues and conference centres) is taking huge strides to meet international needs, the ‘software’ side is just starting up. Even a basic connection between tourism, business travellers and meetings industry guests (or MICE, as it is still called throughout Asia) is only beginning to grow: there are no statistics yet – or any convention offices (or they are just being built). The industry itself packages ‘all in one’ and tries to sell anything it has as quickly as possible; often without a clear target demographic, let alone detailed marketing strategies. The IT&CM China in Shanghai made this clear: few exhibitors, even fewer visitors, and over all, no positive energy – although this was already the third trade fair. The presentation of the predominantly Chinese providers (mostly hotels), with its well regarded 6,000 sqm (gross), ultimately focused on the three or four well-known global hotel chains, a couple of China’s main destinations (Beijing was missing, along with 58 events 2/2009
Xian or Tibet) and a few neighbouring markets (Japan participated for the first time). From further abroad, Turkey stood out the most, making an enormous effort to present itself in line with the market (own programme; brochures in Chinese and visit by the Turkish ambassador in China to the fair).
What does the IT&CM China want? It was difficult for the 150 registered foreign hosted buyers to orient themselves. The ‘Destination China’ offers were hardly representative. If all of Asia was supposed to be covered (the motto runs: China for the world, and the world for China), then the exhibition was even less representative. The same question applies to the 150 registered Chinese hosted buyers: What does the fair want to show us?
Officially, the organisers may well speak of 2,000 professional visitors – that would include exhibitors, media representatives, and all hosted buyers – but the wide halls were mostly empty and the sales staff at the booths outnumbered the visitors by far. This must be a disappointment for such an immense market as Shanghai, as hundreds of people from the industry alone would have had to move to the not exactly modern ‘ShanghaiMall Expo’ centre. But this absence of industry representatives is not due to a poor attitude on the part of the Chinese or too little interest in training and networking. It is more likely that awareness of the MICE industry branch is lacking – or at least in its infancy – and the “meetings industry” has practically no lobby in China. This is incredible, since MPI stated in the “War for Talents” report that in China alone, considerably more
than one million trained employees will be needed in the hospitality industry in the next ten years. The IT&CM China did not manage to bring more than a few industry insiders to the table at this third fair. In 2007, there were 26 million non-Chinese visitors to China (plus 105 million with Chinese origins) – so the general demand for tourism is there. However, it will take time for the meetings industry to ripen – perhaps the September fair of Reed Travel Exhibitions, the CIBTM in Beijing (www.cibtm.com), will be fertile ground for this groundwork.
Facts The third IT&CM China had 6,000 gross sqm of exhibition space leased and 211 exhibitors (according to organisers, “5%-10%” less than in the previous year) and 300 hosted buyers (half from China and half from abroad) – a rather modest showing! Daniel Tschudy; for events
BRAND ACTIVE
The fact that the World Exposition 2010 was not presented at this fair clearly shows that local awareness of the IT&CM was low as well.
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FE E DBACK Josef Sommer, executive director of Köln Tourismus, in an intense conversation with Wilhelm Luxem, spokesman for the hotel association “Take Five.” www.takefivehotels.de
Early in the morning in “hats off for prayer” mode: the first visitors listen to the welcoming address of the upcoming exhibition day in the Kölner Gürzenich.
The Kölner Welcome GmbH set up a “wine casino” in a side room and presented their great new alternative to conventional wine-tasting at various “game tables” and with great success: Casino Vinophil www.welcome-gmbh.de
“… or can you offer me a reasonable alternative to KölnKongress?” Bernhard Conin, top marketing manager of ten locations, seems to ask here.
Concert legend Fritz Rau was the star guest of the hosted buyer evening and read from his book “50 Jahre Backstage.”
A charming ambassador of his city: Cologne’s mayor, Fritz Schramma, only one day after he announced that he would not be running again for the highest municipal office.
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A contented smile at Stephanie Franke’s welcoming address on the hosted buyer evening. “As the central Cologne Convention Bureau, we are promoting this Convention and Event Day in order to present the great potential Cologne possesses as a MICE destination to all of Germany. We want to offer industry professionals the opportunity to browse and try out the city’s diverse offers all in one place,” says the director of the Cologne Convention Bureau.
Claudia Stern is much more than “just” a sommelier and proprietor, she’s the “soul of the company” at VINTAGE, the first floor gourmet station in Stern’s event salon. www.sterns.tv
Over 300 visitors inhaled the scent of Eau de Cologne Uniting their forces, the citizens of Cologne demonstrated the cathedral city’s great potential for the meetings and event market on 31 March 2009. United forces means the newly founded Cologne Convention Bureau, the IHK and KölnKongress. For the first time, a hosted buyer evening was organised the day before the event, so that 50 selected event planners had an opportunity for an optional early dialogue with Cologne providers. The scene was perfectly set by the hosting Take Five hotels – the “VINTAGE Genuss Schule” left no culinary wish unfulfilled and those who desired could join in the cooking dressed in
tasteful aprons. The Austern Bar on the terrace, radiating with a light Mediterranean flair even at the end of March with its grill station and heating system, was downright besieged. On this beautiful evening, the citizens of Cologne skilfully showed what gastronomic pleasures the cheerful city can offer besides “Halven Hahm, Kölsch, and Hämmchen” – a cheese sandwich, beer, and wine. Essentially, anything! On the following day, the main event went off without a hitch at Cologne’s great hall, the Gürzenich, with over 600 visitors and 50 exhibitors. The 9th Congress & Event
Day stood out in particular because each visitor was able to go on site inspections throughout the city individually, using a prepared shuttle service, in order to immediately apply what the exhibition hall presented to the litmus test. The accompanying general programme of the Congress and Event Day was very well received by the professional guests and was already fully booked ahead of time. It included bicycle and segway excursions, workshops, and the “Casino Vinophil,” developed by Welcome GmbH in Frechen.
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Finnish Lapland – Journey into another world
The reindeer is a fractious beast... First the city sights – Helsinki in fast-forward mode: Olympic Stadium, up onto the tower, look out over the city, onward through nattily turned-out streets, there the theatre, here the opera, down to the harbour, diplomatic quarter just round the corner, to right the Gulf of Finland. Eva-Lisa, our loquacious Finn, bombards us with historical facts the whole time. About the Vikings, the time of the Russian occupation, Jean Sibelius and the fantastic summer months. “It’s always called the ‘Land of 1,000 Lakes’ – but that’s completely wrong. We have more than 180,000,” she explains – not without pride. And so begins our trip from Helsinki into the far north of Finland. Onward we go. Night is soon upon us. Just time for a quick visit to Senate Square, rich in history, with the green domes of Helsinki‘s landmark building – the Neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral – rising majestically above it. That was “Finland for Beginners”. Via aeroplane, we travel northwards – to Kittilä, about 150 km south of the Arctic Circle. Moderate temperatures as we land: minus eight degrees. At the airport, each member of our party is handed ski overalls and warm boots. Fourteen pairs of boots trudge clumsily through the soft snow. Thereafter, the journey proceeds rapidly by sled: motorised sleds, in fact – termed “ski-doos” by those in the know. A loud roar cuts through the Lapland night, somewhere in the snowy wilderness between Kittilä 62 events 2/2009
and Levi. Snow and birch trees, birch trees and snow, wherever one cares to look. Anyone losing their way would have to put their trust in God or a frost-proof mobile phone. After all, you’re more likely to bump into a reindeer out here than into a human being.
Time stands still in Lapland Reijo Jääskelainen is a champion dogsled racer. After bowing out of professional racing, he now breeds both huskies and wolves – and very successfully. Some of them have even become film stars. And the tame reindeer at the gate gives every visitor a furry kiss – on promise of a proffered biscuit.
To warm everyone up, the ex-racer invites us into a rustic log cabin. Fish soup is bubbling on a hot plate and giving off an appetizing aroma. „The Germans are always in a hurry, everything has to go according to plan. But here we live in harmony with nature. That‘s why I always collect people‘s watches before long journeys,“ he says, with an impish grin. And then, at last: on with the harness! Ten dogs pulling a three-person sled. A cacophony of barking breaks out. The dogs can hardly wait to show their prowess, and run as if they‘ve taken leave of their senses. Jääskelainen drives the leading sled, shouting incomprehensible commands through the No-Man‘s Land. A well-trained husky can cover 200 km a day, but needs time to rest and the right sort of food. The weeklong tours – right across Lapland – are especially popular. Accommodation is either in a cottage or, optionally, in a snow cave: furnished with reindeer hide, of course.
Rudolph is a mule Sámi reindeer breeders know almost all there is to know about snow – their language has countless words for the delicate white stuff. And they can forecast the weather from the character of a single snowflake. With reindeer, that‘s a more difficult matter: they‘re entirely unpredictable. Reindeer are pigheaded – and more stubborn than a mule. The savvy Lapland lady in traditional costume gives us advice: „Show the reindeer who‘s boss – and use force if necessary.“ The heavy rope smacks loudly against the fence. And then the wooden sled slowly picks up speed, gliding quietly through the snow-bound forest. All is still – the only sounds are the bell at the reindeer‘s throat and one‘s own heartbeat. We start slowing down, surrounded
by white nothingness: Finland for survivors. After a few minutes, the bloody-minded animal comes to a stop, starts eating snow and refuses to budge. Patience is a virtue. After a torturous pause, the reindeer breeder says what’s on everyone’s mind: “Sometimes you train a reindeer for more than two years to pull a sledge. But finally you decide: You better eat it!”
Cool bar in Snow Village ice hotel
Snowbusiness Almost unique in Europe: the chance to frolic on the slopes for seven long months. In Finnish Lapland, the ski season starts in November, but the snow can still be falling as late as May. And while the rolling hills can’t compete with the Alps, the quality of the snow makes up for the lack of height. The long winter offers countless opportunities for outdoor activities. First and foremost, everything that moves on runners: husky, reindeer or motorised sleds – or just the manual kind. Those wanting to test their mettle can explore Finland ad infinitum via cross-country ski runs. Thick-skinned types don a kind of “Teletubby” diving suit before jumping into the Baltic in sub-zero temperatures to try out Arctic Diving. The very brave can try out a kind of accommodation with a stay-fresh guarantee. The “Snow Village Lainio” ice hotel, 40 minutes away from Kittilä, is the ice-cold alternative to a comfy, heated hotel suite. In the 31 double rooms, the temperatures stay astonishingly constant (from zero to minus three degrees), independently of the temperature outside. Ice is an insulator. Every guest receives a polar sleeping bag and a detailed briefing. No sleepwalking! The elaborate snow and ice construction is built from scratch every year in November – in just 13 days. events 2/2009 63
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A sudden panoply of colour Deep in the darkest part of the year – December to January – a natural phenomenon brightens up the nights in Lapland. Polar auroras illuminate the heavens in wonderful pastel colours. The “Taivaanvalkeat Northern Light Farm” (near to Levi) even offers a viewing platform just for watching this imposing spectacle. “We live in an Arctic environment – the winters are hard and long. But, thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, we also have other seasons – though they are short and boisterous,” explains Päivikki Palosaari, our stouthearted hostess at “Taivaanvalkeat”. When spring comes suddenly in May, the flowers usually shoot up through the snow and, in a few days, everything is red-green-yellow-orange-purple. Summer follows immediately afterwards. The proximity to the Arctic Cir-
A well-trained husky can cover 200 km a day
cle turns biorhythms topsy-turvy. “Up here, we have many strange kinds of plants – and all because we have 24 hours of daylight in summer. And our strawberries taste out of this world. Fantastically sweet and juicy,” claims Palosaari. Indefatigable types can spend 24 hours playing golf, fishing, hunting, kayaking over all the lakes, wearing out their Nordic walking sticks or hiking up to the Arctic Circle.
Are the Finns quite right in the head? Their sauna tradition is like a religion to them, and the country boasts more “sweatboxes” than churches: 64 events 2/2009
over two million saunas for around 5.3 million inhabitants. Since the Sauna Holiday was introduced in 1986, everyone can sweat together. And the Finns can be proud of an achievement that is truly world-class: the only cable-car sauna in the world. Resembling a hanging packing crate with its wooden cladding, it‘s the cynosure of all eyes. The 80-100 degree sweat capsule ascends to the summit of the 718-metre-high YlläsFjäll– one of the highest mountains in Lapland.
Book tip: The Sweet Poison Cook In this book, Arto Paasilinna, Finland’s best-loved author (and also a native of Kittilä) reveals a great deal about the idiosyncrasies of his fellow Finns. Not a traditional crime novel, it‘s rather more a typically scurrilous Finnish tale. Peppered with absurdities – but
eminently sensible in context. Those who know the country and its customs will meet some familiar faces. As yet, there are no direct flights to Kittilä from Germany. Finnair flights leave from all major German cities to Helsinki several times a day. From there, there are hourly connecting flights. The Munich-based “Realize” Event Academy will be delighted to help with event planning: www.realize-events.de By G.K. Prenzel
A new EVVC president and a new Vice have been elected This year’s annual general meeting of the lationships and on the other, the rather Europäische Verband der Veranstaltungs reserved Joachim König, always the loyal zentren (European Association of Event “mastermind,” the intellectual backing Centres, EVV) was all about a change of behind the president. Joachim König is guard. It was the pleasant kind of change the director of the Congress Centrum of of guard that proceeded harmoniously Hanover and no doubt the right man to there at the Congress Center of Messe continue the work of the CC Mainz leader Frankfurt. The vice “succeeded” his presi- and especially to monitor the desired rejudent, who stepped down as scheduled af- venation process. The first act on this path ter two election periods and had already was the appointment of the dynamic Matchosen his new comrade-in-arms – natu- thias Schultze as vice-president. Matthias rally with the AGM’s approval! Retrospec- Schultze is an executive director of a most tive and outlook: these two characters so prestigious real estate property, the World outwardly different have had a big impact Conference Center of Bonn at the young in eight shared years. age of 28 and gives the impression that he’s definitely “not finished yet.” events On the one hand, the charming, extro wishes the new leadership duo of the verted Austrian August Moderer, said to EVVC the best of luck! be a “real giant” in managing social re-
Two always on good terms now parting: August Moderer and his successor
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A chic set-up for the festival evening at the Gutenbergsaal in Mainz, held under the motto “Passages”
Impressions from an annual general meeting Martina Engert’s young team – EVVC has a knack with the next generation...
Kurt Schüller reveals something about his new field of activity on the margins of the meeting: He’s working on certification systems for nursing homes and assisted living and has opened a car wash for lorries “just on the side.”
She knows the industry from Inside out and steers the highly effective “administrative mothership” of the EVVC with a steady hand – the branch office in Bad Homburg: Martina Engert
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Two nice pieces of evidence for good youth work: the “alumni” from the EVVC branch office: Simone Klotz, now at GCB, and Jana Maria Schäfers, now at World Conference Centre Bonn.
How long will he stay in such a good mood? Michael Syhre, facing the difficult challenge of planning a new events fair for the people of Wiesbaden as director to the Rhein-MainHallen.
Another “old hand,” Johann Wagner, is transferring from city marketing director to Mannheim, after successfully “marrying” the two congress centres of Böblingen and Sindelfingen.
It’s about time that a photographer got photographed: Thorsten Zimmermann, the association’s favourite photographer.
Dr. Ursula Paschke, Halle Münsterland, is happy about her newly-created board position “CSR/sustainability.” Knut Seidel (Kassel) is taking over the marketing department from her.
Lovely idea, this “bed of tulips,” says Kerstin Quirin from events...
Sandra Heinecke, new to the sales & marketing team of CC Mainz, in animated discussion with Günter Ihlenfeld (Pforzheim) and Dr. Thomas Karsch (Kongresspalais Stadthalle Kassel)
Time to say goodbye for two AG chairpersons, a treasurer and a president!
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The best centres win awards This year’s EVVC Awards, which are based on two structural principles, were presented at the annual general meeting gala in the Mainz Rheingoldhalle. The prizes in the “Best self-organised event” and “Social responsibility” categories are judged traditionally, while the Best Centre Awards are determined using a mix of customer surveys and finely differentiated Mystery Shopping. This “supreme discipline” is designed, carried out and assessed every year by Professor Helmut Schwägermann (FH Osnabrück) and a student work group. It is almost common practice for the popular ZDF host Gundula Gause to shake the winners’ hands, and, given her almost too familiar affiliation with the EVVC, she hardly needs a cheat sheet and is capable of making spontaneous charming small talk. In the stylishly cool ambience of the Gutenberg room, enhanced with a “Bed of Tulips” in the spring spirit, the following awards were presented: In the category “EVVC Award – Best Centre 2009” for AG I (establishments with a capacity of up to 1,200 seats with row seating in the largest room), the MaxReger-Halle Weiden. The Lokhalle Göttingen (hats off!) scored a double: the award for AG II (establishments with a capacity of up to 4,000 seats with row seating in the largest room) and the prize for the best self-organised event with “Pop meets Classic”. The winner of AG III (properties with a capacity of over 4,000 seats with row seating in the largest room) was Stadthalle Rostock. The judges’ prize for the “EVVC Award – Social Responsibility 2009” in the “Society” category went to Gasteig München for the project “Gasteig Youth Academy”. Ecological points were scored in the CSR category by Westfalenhallen Dortmund for the development of the photovoltaics system in the vast hall roofing.
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Photo: Kim Tae-su
General information Official name: Republic of Korea (Daehan-minguk) Population: approx. 48.5 million Capital: Seoul Government: Semi-presidential republic
Tourism Current figures show around 7 million tourists visiting Korea every year – with the aim being to increase this number to 10 million by 2012. The country intends to raise its profile with the help of the Korean Tourism Organisation’s campaign “Visit Korea 2010-2012”. One aspect of this is promoting the World Expo 2012, which will take place in the southern city of Yeosu in 2012. In early October 2008, the government set up a committee staffed by experts from the travel, hotel, media and cultural sectors: its purpose was to support a range of marketing, PR and advertising campaigns aimed at achieving greater marketing success for Korea.
Economy Phoenix from the ashes 1960: Widespread devastation from the Korean War (1950 to 1953) renders the Republic of Korea one of the poorest countries in the world. Rapid economic development follows over the next four decades. Today, this “Asian Tiger” is one of the world’s developed industrial countries and a member of OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). Major global multinationals – or chaebol – such as Samsung, LG or Hyundai are among the world’s leading corporations in the automotive industry, shipbuilding and information/telecommunications technologies.
Head of state: Lee Myung-bak, President Business languages: Korean, English Religions: 46% no religion, Buddhist + Christian: approx. 26% Time difference: + 9 hours (GMT) Currency: won (W) - 1 won = approx. 0.79 Euro International dialling code +82
Turbulent times 2008: Despite the onset of increasingly difficult conditions, mid-year results once again reveal economic growth of just under 4%, following a strong period of business. In the second half of 2008, the global financial crisis finally catches up with the Korean manufacturing economy. Forecasts for 2009 have to be adjusted downwards (to approx. 2% – according to the IMF). In autumn 2008, the government put a number of strategy packets in place to secure the liquidity of the financial market and keep the wheels of industry turning. Cuts to income and corporation tax – which had already been in the pipeline – are now implemented to stimulate domestic demand. Within a short space of time, the Bank of Korea lowers its key interest rate in multiple stages to 4.25%. In October 2008, a swap* agreement valued at over 30 billion USD is concluded with the US Federal Reserve Bank. The aim is to counteract liquidity bottlenecks. (Swap = a contractual agreement between two parties to exchange cash flows.) And yet: foreign currency reserves are substantial (200 billion USD) and public debt is relatively low (32% of the 2007 GDP). These are figures that give the Korean government more than enough room to manoeuvre its national economy through an international economic crisis. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Germany December 2008
Running smoothly A Korea Convention Bureau has existed since 2007: Korea achieves a gross domestic product of 970 1979 as a subdivision of the KTO – the Korea billion USD, equating to a per-capita income of ap- Tourism Organisation. Since then, further CVBs proximately 20,000 USD. Heavy industry and construc- have opened in Seoul, Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, tion contribute around 37%, with service industries Jeju and Gwangju. (incl. public services) making up approximately 57%. However, agriculture, forestry and fishing decrease to less than 4%. Thanks to strong exports (+14.1%) and solid domestic demand (+4%), the national economy continues to grow by 4.9%.
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As early as the 18th century a King named Yeongjo had a concrete idea of how to improve the appearance of Cheonggyecheon River. So he simply employed an army of 200,000 workers to dredge the riverbed and to straighten its course. After the Korean War in the 1950s, the littoral deteriorated into slumland. Years later, it was simply concreted over – even covered by an urban motorway in an attempt to master skyrocketing traffic levels. As Seoul continued to grow unabated, the area transformed step-by-step into a hectic urban centre, buffeting its denizens with noise and environmental pollution. In 2005, the river was returned to Mother Nature and now winds some 6 km through the bustling metropolis, once again forming the focal point for 10 million inhabitants. Seoul has a rich cultural legacy, with historical monu- 12 underground lines and 93% of the city’s population ments (two UNESCO World Heritage Sites), magisterial use mobile phones: some citizens never seem to sleep palaces and temples, all of which are sustained by a and, taken together, they are responsible for genercontinual process of restoration. A total of 26 hills lie ating 22.5% of Korea’s GDP. Seoul is one of the top in and around the city, which is divided into 25 auton- 10 conferencing destinations worldwide, and relies on omous “Gu”. The Han River is crossed by 27 bridges the expertise of 155 PCOS. and more than 27% of urban space is green. There are
Cheonggyecheon River
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cial border separating the two countries. Former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun took a step towards reconciliation in October 2007, crossing the border on foot to attend a political summit in Pyongyang and meet with the North Korean head of state, Kim Jong-Il. The North Korean flag flutters above the Propaganda Village of Gijeong-dong on the tallest flagpole in the world: weighing 270 kg and measuring 35 m x 28 m, The Changing of the Royal Guard it’s also the largest ever made. In 1953, 12,773 prisoners of war crossed the “Freedom Bridge” from the Popular excursions North to the South. Through a tunnel 73 m deep and Templestay with tea ceremony 1,635 m long, around 10,000 soldiers and 30,000 ciSubmerge yourself in the heavenly quietude of a Bud- vilians struck out for a better life in the safety of the dhist temple in the middle of the metropolis, e.g. the South. Jogyesa Temple – one of 41 temples nationwide that A little railway line takes seven minutes to reach a are now open to the public! Monks initiate visitors lower platform – just 170 m away from the DMZ. Peofrom the four corners of the earth into their mysteri- ple with heart problems, claustrophobia or asthma are ous rituals: Buddhism, culture, meditation – a mind- advised against using it. set and a philosophy. Those who are good with their hands can also participate in a number of workshops. The Changing of the Royal Guard This highly colourful spectacle takes place several times a day at Deoksu Palace and Gyeongbok Palace. The traditional changing of the guard – “imported” from the Joseon Dynasty – is a lovely greeting from the traditional past to our bustling modernity. 56 km from Seoul: the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) – the place where North and South Korea meet The DMZ boundary line, established at the end of the Korean War in 1953 on the 38th parallel, is 248 km long and 4 km wide. It is monitored by the Military Armistice Commission (MAC), based at Panmunjeom, and staffed by representatives of both sides. At its centre lies the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) – the offi72 events 2/2009
A taste of Korea A fiery customer! It‘s hot as hell and is swarming with lactobacilli. Yuk? Not at all! Tongbaechu Kimchi, the all-purpose food consisting of fermented Chinese cabbage, – is rich in vitamins A, B and C, a prophylactic against yeast infections in the body and – according to recent studies – can even prevent cancer cells from forming. High-fibre and low in fat, the vegetable is good for cleansing cures or diets and thus can even make you beautiful! There are supposed to be around 200 kinds available, made from a variety of ingredients – from fresh to three years in storage ... preserved in the traditional brown ceramic flagons: onggi. The clay jars are air-permeable, filter poisonous toxins out and are said to absorb the revitalising chi. The jars stand outside in orderly rows sorted according to size or are buried carefully – depending on their contents. Nature‘s bounty for South Korea – from North Korea Tricholoma matsutake grows in the Chilbosan National Park in North Korea. September is the month for harvesting the mushroom: around 200 tonnes are collected every year by comparatively well-paid North Korean workers, employed directly by the government. The highly-prized delicacy counts as one of the most important sources of foreign revenue for North Korea – Japan and South Korea in particular will pay over 500 EUR per kilo for it! Stag tea is healthy! The gamekeeper and antler harvester Sasha Tcherepanov chooses 60 Caspian red deer from a herd of 500. For stags living in the Russian region of Sauzar, the onset of June means just one thing: their antlers will soon be gone! This animal headgear brings traders the greatest profits when still „fresh“ – covered in velvet and with a good blood supply. South Korean dealers pay several hundred dollars for a set of antlers like this: shaved into tissue-thin slices, it is mixed into tea in the belief that it has health-giving properties. Taekwondo – A martial art for body and soul The philosophy that informs taekwondo may well be of greater import and substance than that powerful kick to an opponent‘s midriff: respect for one‘s parents (elders), loyalty, spiritedness and mental training.
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Convention Centres in Seoul: COEX: in the World Trade Center complex. Finished in 1988, extended and re-opened in 2000. 225,000 sqm over eight levels. With an auditorium, congress hall, large ballroom, 30 meeting rooms and four additional exhibition halls from 1,639 to 10,368 sqm, plus the 428 sqm ASEM Hall. www.coex.co.kr aT Center: 8,047 sqm of exhibition space, conference rooms from 58 to 548 sqm. www.atcenter.co.kr Sejong University Convention Center: 2,700 sqm, 3,200 person capacity for a single event, a range of meeting rooms seating between 40 and 200 persons, and 82 guest rooms. www.sejong.ac.kr 63 Building Convention Center: for max. 1,500 persons (theatre). www.63.co.kr Hotels In General, the hotels are very well equipped technologically and offer a huge range of diverse event possibilities – occasionally in XXL format. Hardly surprising, since one needs a lot of space for private functions in Korea, too – like for gargantuan weddings. COEX Intercontinental Seoul (653 rooms): Varied list of event rooms – the largest is the Harmony Ballroom at 10,108 sqm! State-of-the-art technology, first-class communications systems and services in the Business Centre and guest rooms. www.seoul.intercontinental.com Grand Hilton Seoul (396 rooms): set against the background of Mount Baengnyeonsan. Low-key meeting, seminar, major conference or extravagant ball – the hotel can rise to meet any challenge! Convention Center: 1,536 sqm, Grand Ballroom: 837 sqm. www.grandhiltonseoul.com Grand Hyatt Seoul (601 rooms): Enjoys the reputation of being Korea’s leading business hotel and is known as Seoul’s classiest venue for meetings and conferences. Largest event space: Grand Ballroom 1,213 sqm. www.seoul.grand.hyatt.com Grand Intercontinental Seoul (535 rooms): Grand Ballroom with a capacity for 1,800 people, two other ballrooms, 14 meeting rooms. Off-site catering possible in COEX for conferences and banquets. www.seoul.intercontinental.com Imperial Palace Hotel (395 rooms): Hotel with a European flair, elegant and cultured with the slogan “The Best of Everything”. Largest rooms “Dubhe” and “Selena”, with space for 800 and 650 people respectively. www.imperialpalace.co.kr JW Marriott Seoul (497 rooms): Hotel for sporty types with an indoor jogging track, scuba diving pool, climbing wall, fitness and spa areas, etc. Grand Ballroom for 1,000 people. Lotte Hotel Seoul (1,354 rooms): Enough accommodation for a whole village. Plenty of space in many event rooms for 40-1,500 people. www.lottehotel.com Mayfield Hotel (202 rooms): Will probably suit European tastes in terms of atmosphere and size. Conferences in the region of 100-500 guests. www.mayfield.co.kr The Lexington Hotel (234 rooms): Traditional, elegant and pleasantly sized hotel in the European style. Meeting rooms suitable for 10-200 people. www.thelexington.co.kr
KINTEX Expansion Plan
Goyang: KINTEX – Korea‘s largest MICE Venue for mega conferences And we do mean large: five multifunctional halls totalling 53,541 sqm, 22 meeting rooms, a Grand Ballroom... All of it space that will truly be needed for the next mammoth conference in June 2009: for Herbalife APAC & China Extravaganzas, no less than 25,000 international dealers will be attending, participating in two mega-conferences and a huge VIP themed party.
KINTEX organises a complete conference package for customers, helped by DMC partners and local authorities: a committee staffed by urban and tourism organisations supports marketing strategies for MICE customers via PR/promotions and branding for the event, using shared press channels, newsletters and even free ad placement services.
Herbalife not only decided on KINTEX as a venue because of its available capacities, but also because of this heady cocktail: active support by local government authorities, excellent transport infrastructure and the fact that the Congress Centre is handily close to Korea‘s largest water park, the Urban Entertainment Centre (UEC), the Demarcation Line and the metropolitan region of Seoul. Located within a 30 to 50 minutes-drive a wide selection of 70 hotels of all categories are strategically affiliated with KINTEX allowing better room rates, free shuttle service and other complementary services for participants and visitors.
Around 4.6 million visitors – 100,000 from abroad – come to KINTEX every year, attending around 90 trade fairs and events, plus 400 conferences and meetings. The complex will be extended by another 54,000 sqm, an auditorium seating 6,000 and by more than 20 meeting rooms. Completion expected in September 2011. And another superlative: in 2016, the Rotary Club will be hosting a conference – with 50,000 attendees! www.kintex.com events 2/2009 75
KDJ Convention Center
Gwangju, surrounded by mountains in the southwest of Korea, was the scene for the summit of Nobel Peace Prize winners in 2006. Among other things, the conference commemorated the meeting of former president Kim Dae-jung with Kim Jong-il in North Korean Pyongyang, which led to the so-called North-South Joint Declaration. In the year 2000, Kim Dae-jung received the Nobel Peace Prize for this achievement. Gwangju benefited greatly from Korea’s economic growth and experienced an upturn due to development projects like e.g. the Gwangju Hi-tech Industrial Complex. However, it sees itself rather as a city of art: Namjonghwa (Chinese painting) and Pansori (Korean singing) supposedly originated here, and the Biennale, a festival of arts and culture lasting three months, forges an international reputation for this city populated by so many artists! During the Kimchi Festival in Gwangju World Cup Stadium, visitors can help themselves to a world of several hundred kinds of pickled cabbage; production is demonstrated in workshops. The International Music Festival is also well attended. Convention Centers Kimdaejung Convention Center: 10,800 sqm of exhibition space, with all the latest technology. Congress hall for 1,500 people (theatre) and a multitude of space. www.kdjcenter.or.kr 76 events 2/2009
Sori Arts Center of Jeollabuk-do: interdisciplinary cultural centre with three theatres, exhibition hall, congress hall, amphitheatre (7,000 persons) and the 4,410 sqm “Nori-madang”. Stages starting at 69 sqm, simultaneous translation into six languages (251 listener booths). www.sori21.co.kr Hotels Hotel Tirol***** (114 rooms): alpine resort-style with a view of Mount Deokyusan (National Park). 14 meeting rooms named “Stubaital”, “Wilder Kaiser” or “Edelweiß”. www.mujuresort.com Prado Hotel (93 rooms): Banqueting facilities for 90-240 people. Shin Yang Park Hotel (87 rooms): Receptions for up to 800, meetings for 14-120 persons. www.shinyangparkhotel.com Core Hotel (111 rooms): five rooms for 40-500 attendees (theatre). www.corehotel.co.kr Jeonju Core Rivera Hotela (165 rooms): Jeonju, a Mecca for art: two rooms with 7,400 sqm and 1,575 sqm. www.hotel-rivera.co.kr Damyang Resort (42 rooms): Idyllic location, with spa and pool. Banqueting hall: 438 sqm, seminar room: 167.8 sqm. www.damyangspa.com www.gwangjucvb.or.kr
Haenyo - The nixies of Jeju Already 59, she has never been squeamish. Her face, tanned into a friendly mask by wind, weather and salt water has many fine lines -- especially around her eyes. Her small, compact body is sheathed in a padded black Neoprene suit and she has large rubber flippers on her delicate feet. She sets the brittle diving goggles over her eyes, puts on her underwater gloves and – in the company of some other women – dives down into the icy sea. She has been doing this since she was six – although then she was only allowed to harvest seaweed. By 14, she was taking valuable shellfish from greater depths. Her mother offered up her most closely guarded hunting grounds, training her to be always on her guard against the dangers lurking underwater. Soon 78 events 2/2009
she was making four dives a day – even today she still manages two. As the decades passed, her body changed to meet ever-increasing demands: her lung capacity is hugely enlarged and even her spleen serves as an additional oxygen reservoir. The lungs contract when diving – just as is being observed in whales and seals. This forces red blood cells into the circulatory system and permits longer dives of about 90 seconds at a depth of around 20 metres. The rib cage, pressed together underwater, expands again immediately on reaching the surface and oxygen streams into the lungs from the blood. Loss of consciousness is not unusual, which is why diving is done in groups.
Korean Air: Portrait Executive Chef: flying ultralight! Charles Muther is Swiss by birth and yes, he does know how to fry Röschti! He is simply an inveterate globetrotter, a chef to hotels and resorts in Stockholm, Dubai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Taipei and Manila who now draws on a wealth of gastronomic experience for his own creations: a little something from each cuisine, know-how implemented and continual improvement to the end product. Under his aegis, culinary trends for Korean Air on-board meals are further developed with the addition of tastes from the Western palate. A development team of young Korean chefs works with him in an almost frenzied research for ever-more novel and subtle creations. Muther’s philosophy requires food to do more than just taste good – the texture is also crucial. It should be healthy, light and generate long-lasting memories – after it has first impressed one’s initially stunned tastebuds. Bibimbap – a Korean national dish served in complex fashion on a host of tiny dishes – is part of the standard menu at Korean Air: in 1998, it received the International Flight Catering Association’s Mercury Award. Charles Muther creates menus for 34 (!) airlines, producing 50,000 meals per day on average from 20,000 different daily menus.
Who needs Dr. Ruth? Between folklore and teddy bear museum: the “Love Land” theme park stretches over an area equal to two football pitches, placing on view some extremely interesting and often impressively large exhibits and sculptures in astonishingly flexible positions. Jeju – a favourite destination for honeymooners – thus combines educational elements with a rather delicate walk in the park. www.jejuloveland.com
She works fast, hacking shellfish from the stony seafloor with a sharp blade, lobbing thorny sea urchins carefully into her fish trap, held secure by a block of polystyrene bobbing about on the surface. She gathers obscenely expensive abalones – a delicacy now barely affordable in Asian restaurants – while not letting herself be disturbed by the grim, frowny-faced squids floating about. She also finishes off the odd fat fish or two with an expert cast of her razor-sharp spear. She surfaces with a stitch in her side - and with bloodcurdling, alien sounds rasping and whistling from her burning lungs: what‘s known as sumbisori is caused by exhalations after long-suppressed breathing. Other Haenyo surfacing at the same time join in, creating in
alien cacophony an almost inhuman chorus of sighs. Like sirens. The sirens of Jeju, whom the ocean swallows on 15 particular days in a month, calculated according to the lunar calendar. Traditionally, Haenyo are matriarchs and providers for their families. As a result, their status in the Asian world is unique. Since 1950, their numbers have halved to the present figure of approx. 6,000. She has frequent headaches, bad hearing and suffers from neuralgia and she is the oldest diver in her village. Her daughter also dives. But her granddaughter dreams of a career in the big city.
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A superb geographic location and a moderate climate may be the reasons why Busan has slowly but surely been transforming itself into a prized location for filming, and why Korean productions are achieving international recognition. The technical term for this is „hallyu“ – The Wave. Even off the set of the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), one can visit the various film locations freely and compare hand sizes on the „Walk of Fame“ on PIFF Square. Funded jointly by the Ministry for Culture, Sport & Tourism and the City of Busan, PIFF will take place in October 2009 for the 14th time, singling out the best from around 300 entries from 60 countries. The organisers are expecting a tidal wave of international interest amounting to some 200,000 film fans, for whom no less than 37 „screening venues“ will be available in Haeundae and Nampo-Dong.
The five floors of the Museum of Art will be the venue for the Busan Biennale – a festival for contemporary art. Those wishing to dive into Busan’s cultural history can visit the Busan Museum, which offers over 25,000 exhibits from prehistoric to modern times. The importance of culture and education for the citizens of Busan is shown by this curious fact: during journeys on the underground, passengers may borrow books freely from what must be the world’s only Underground Library. And Busan‘s suitability as a city for conferences and trade fairs is shown by the excellent infrastructure of event locations. The Shinsegae UEC (Urban Entertainment Center) near BEXCO is a world all of its own: as well as a department store, it also plays host to a „Spa Land“, an ice rink and the 543-room Haeundae Centrum Hotel. Convention Centers Bexco Busan Exhibition & Conference Centre: nine convention and multipurpose halls from 104 to 2,082 sqm (Grand Ballroom), five trade fair halls – 1 x 8,836 sqm, 4 x 4,418 sqm. Exterior space: 13,223 sqm. Further expansions are planned until 2012: an extra 20,000 sqm and a new auditorium with 4,000 seats. www.bexco.co.kr/eng CECO (Changwon Exhibition & Convention Center): two conference halls, each with space for 3,000 attendees (theatre), three smaller rooms for 130-300 guests (reception), infrared simultaneous translation system for six languages, first-class technical facilities. Two 3,913 sqm exhibition halls, exterior space: 2,800 sqm. www.ceco.co.kr APEC House: 400 sqm conference hall and 350 sqm banqueting hall with a sea view. Busan Cultural Center: Arts and cultural centre. Large conference hall: 1,874 sqm, exhibition space 1 x 1,296, 1 x 756 sqm. www.bsculture.go.kr 80 events 2/2009
Hotels Samsung Heavy Industries Geoje Hotel***** (80 rooms): Near to the SHI shipyard, elegant and luxuriously-appointed hotel, comfortably-sized and to central European tastes. One meeting room for up to 250 persons (theatre), four seminar rooms for 8-10 persons. www.sghotel.co.kr The Westin Chosun Busan (290 rooms): five minutes from BEXCO. Five rooms from 58 to 746 sqm. www.echosunhotel.com Busan Marriott Hotel (356 rooms): Large selection of rooms and halls from 44 to 539 sqm. www.busanmarriott.co.kr Haeundae Grand Hotel (321 rooms): Smallest room 40 persons (banqueting), largest 660 persons (classroom). www.grandhotel.co.kr Hotel Nongshim (242 rooms): Owns its own “Hurshimchung” hot springs, five rooms from 102 to 1,182 sqm. www.hotelnongshim.com Commodore Hotel Busan (314 rooms): Asian style, with a pagoda roof and a view out over Busan harbour. Four event rooms in sizes ranging from 103 to 705 sqm. www.commodore.co.kr The Busan Convention and Visitors Bureau (BCVB) provides detailed advice plus major discounts of up to 60% for hotels, venues or transportation. Getting there: Gimhae International Airport is a one hour flight from Seoul. Rail/bus: as with most cities in South Korea, Busan has excellent express and intercity bus connections with almost all cities in the country. The KZX high-speed train completes the 409 km-long stretch to Seoul in a brisk 160 minutes. www.busancvb.org
Photo: Kim Tae-su
Expo 2012 Turn the Ocean of crisis into an ocean of hope! „Yeosu“ means „beautiful water“. And beautiful it shall stay! The city of 320,000 souls is just over an hour‘s flight from Seoul, has 915 km of coastline and is surrounded by 317 islets. The inhabitants of the southern coast earn their livelihoods from the purity of the ocean and widespread tidelands, enjoying the rich resources of the sea as they always have done. With its slogan „The Living Ocean and Coast – Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities“, Yeosu is setting up Expo 2012 to be CO2-free. All of the energy needed comes from renewable sources such as wind and solar power. Experimental models using marine bio energy as well as tidal energy will be proposed. „Our focus on the retention of natural resources and the sustainable development of this Korean region was the key reason for deciding on Yeosu for 2012,“ comments the former Director of the Korean Tourist Organisation in Frankfurt, Mr. Pyung-Sup Shin. Yeosu successfully fought off bids from Tangiers and Wroclaw in Poland.
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Yeosu is a successful Asian industrial city with oil refineries, shipyards and the second-largest container port in Korea. As part of preparations for the Expo, the city has taken the next step towards an innovative ocean economy termed „Blue ECOpolis“ – a new generation of maritime science, industry and technology. www.expo2012.or.kr Delegates from the committee for the 2012 Expo travelled 3.67 million km around the planet to promote their exhibition. For 255 countries, they required 13,104 hours and covered distances equal to 91.65 circumnavigations of the globe. 100 countries will be exhibiting over 1.74 million sqm of exhibition space, visited by an expected 7.5 million people over a period of 93 days. The Expo should generate 12.3 trillion won – and 79,000 new jobs!
Ways to get to Korea: Korean Air: www.koreanair.com, Asiana: www.flyasiana.com and Lufthansa fly direct to Seoul’s Incheon Airport. Passengers with longer stopovers are offered a range of transit tours, so as to spend their time usefully until their next flight. Bookings to be made at the Transit Tour desks. National flight times are short: Korea is small! High-speed trains roll from Seoul to all major cities. The bus-network is well-developed. This report can only represent a fraction of what Korea has on offer. General information at: Frankfurt office:
www.visitkorea.or.kr www.koreaconvention.org Korea Tourism Organization Baseler Str. 35 - 37 / 60329 Frankfurt am Main Phone: 49-69-23 32 26 / Fax: 49-69-25 35 19 Email: kntoff@euko.de
Source for facts & figures on Convention Centres and Hotels: Meeting Planner’s Guide, KTO
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Two new members in the FME New to the association Forum Marketing Eventagenturen (Forum Marketing Event Agencies) are the agencies McCann Momentum from Frankfurt and Domset from Cologne. This brings the network of specialists in live communications to 45 members. Both agencies have been eyeing the FME for a long time and have now decided on membership for similar reasons: McCann executive Ralf Specht sees the benefits of membership in active networking with colleagues and better industry representation on topics like “sophisticated” pitch culture, recognition of the service capabilities of event agencies, representation of industry interests and utilisation and security of legal knowledge. Dominik Deubner, executive of Domset, is glad that, starting now, he’s linked to other agencies through the FME who are on the same wavelength as him on the subject of live communications. “The association represents our mutual interests and creates a podium for valuable exchange among ourselves. Not least, the FME membership encourages confidence and security in our (existing and potential) customers – in regard to our creative and service capacities, but also in regard to the reliability and professionalism of the general project development.”
Dominik Deubner, CEO of Domset
MAM begins cooperation with pharmaceutical industry The Munich agency MAM – Marketing And More GmbH, on the market for 16 years and currently in fifth place among the best German creative agencies according to W&V rankings, is expanding its portfolio with the starting signal for the new business unit MAM Pharma Communication. The offer encompasses full service in the pharmacy and health sector. This includes the organisation and execution of national and international congresses, conferences, incentive trips, trade fair appearances, and product introductions. Unit leader Katharina Hanowski feels at home on the international stage of the pharmaceutical industry. Her abilities are based on years of cooperation with wellknown major pharmaceutical companies at congresses and meetings of all kinds around the world. The pharma expert and her team carry out a customer-specific needs assessment, the planning of the event programme, and all other services for creative and code-compliant communication. Exclusive rates for airline companies and best price guarantees from hotel partnerships make MAM an ideal partner. The synergetic connection to other business units of the MAM agency allows targeted marketing strategies and industry-oriented events management to be realised under one roof. www.m-a-m.de
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They call it the “Düsseldorfer Pakt”... ...but are really only doing in institutional form what many events agencies do: working together with complementary competencies on an individual project basis. Kogag, Totems Communication GmbH and media artist Andree Verleger have entered into a creative partnership. Under the name “Düsseldorfer Pakt,” the group is aiming to combine the complementary abilities of the three specialists for live communication and to work together on selected projects. In this form, it’s the first group to bring together leading members of the disciplines of architecture / space communications (Totems), multimedia staging (Andree Verleger) and live communications (kogag). The three are now delivering perfectly tailored ideas, while leaving the independence of the project partners untouched. The Totems agency, with locations in Stuttgart, Amsterdam, and recently in Düsseldorf, is one of the top names in innovative space communications. Their outstanding work includes the German Pavilion at the Expo 2008 in Zaragoza: the design received a number of awards. Andree Verleger was responsible for broad areas of media production for the opening celebrations of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where he created impressive images. Verleger also boasts experience in the field of live communication – he worked for a long time as a freelance event creative director. As one of the leading agencies in the conception and implementation of creative live communications in the fields of events, promotions, and incentives, kogag completes the Pact. According to the partners, early discussions with interested companies show that the idea is now bearing the first fruits. “It looks as if exciting tasks lie before us,” say the three Pakt founders with a positive outlook.
VOK DAMS certified for the 10th time VOK DAMS was certified in 1999 as the first events agency and has signalled process reliability to its customers for over a decade since then. The certification team of TÜV CERT, under the leadership of head auditor
MCI: push for expansion undeterred The MCI Group has opened its 34th office world-wide, the third in China (after Shanghai 2006 and Hong Kong 2008). MCI already has substantial business in Beijing. In July of this year, for example, 3,000 delegates of the so-called ‘Million Dollar Round Table’ of an association in the life insurance and financial services field, and in June 2010, the one-week World Congress of Cardiologists, where no less than 20,000 participants are expected. Furthermore, MCI is the official ‘service partner’ of the World Exhibition 2010 in Shanghai.
André Maschke of TÜV Rheinland attests: “With this high level of quality, they’re situated at the very top and are already meeting the requirements of the reworked DIN EN ISO 9001: 2008 standards,” says André Maschke, “I’m always fascinated that they don’t view their QM system as an annoying necessity, but actively use it for their employees’ qualification and make it part of the living business culture.”
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On photo, from left to right: Frankie Gao, general manager, MCI China (headquarters in Shanghai, Roger Tondeur, president of MCI Group, Suvi Saxeen, general manager, MCI Beijing, Robin Lokerman, president, MCI Asia-Pacific (headquarters in Singapore)
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Kogag is enjoying two excellent incentive allocations The Solinger kogag reports that it has been commissioned by TOTAL Deutschland with the implementation of a five-day incentive programme for 115 participants in Lisbon in June. The 50 top-selling petrol station partners with escorts, as well as directors, regional, marketing and sales managers of TOTAL will be in attendance. For the seventh time now, kogag has been awarded the development and implementation contract for an incentive event of the bu siness unit Automotive Aftermarket of Robert Bosch GmbH. 180 participants from all of Europe will travel to Budapest in May.
ART LIFE arranges Euro-training for E-Class Stagg & friends is the head agency and the event service provider ART LIFE once again responsible for set organisation for the Eurotraining for the new E-Class. The event location for Mercedes Benz international sales training is the Balearic island of Mallorca.
The centre of this year’s product presentations and workshops is the Robinson Club Cala Serena and the Star Resort Hotel Blau Porto Pedro. Both facilities were transformed into training centres especially for this for a period of three months. Based on planning by stagg & friends, a Düsseldorf-based creative agency for marketing events, ART LIFE carried out all construction of the event architecture. This includes stage construction and decoration for the vehicle presentation and the evening event, outfitting of themed booths and creation of exhibition systems. 88 events 2/2009
ADC Nails for the “events” category were awarded The Art Directors Club awarded another batch of “nails” at the end of April. These include awards for exemplary events according to the ADC jury’s definition. The following prizes were given: Silver went to the Hornbach Baumärkte for “The House of Exhibition” HEIMAT, Berlin, and to Airbus A380 “First Delivery to the Emirates,” Kontrapunkt Agentur für Kommunikation GmbH, and finally to Sony Ericsson Walkman® Mobile Telephones “FanWalk 2008”, Serviceplan. Bronze went to taz, the tageszeitung “Thank you for your subscription” taz Verlags- und VertriebsGmbH, to ELIA “Hot cars don’t need hot girls”, Scholz & Friends, to ThyssenKrupp “Idea Park 2008”, Milla und Partner Agentur & Ateliers, and to Mercedes-Benz GLK “The :place”, Jung von Matt AG/Jung von Matt/ relations GmbH. Additional awards went to Rodenstock for “Larger than life,” THE EVENT COMPANY/THE COMPANIES, the Blaue Nacht Nuremberg “Into the Blue,” phocus brand contact GmbH & Co. KG, the Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing for the tai chi section of the opening celebration, congaz düsseldorf visual media company GmbH and the Humba Aktion “11,000 Belly Dancers,” realised by facts+fiction GmbH.
Accor Services takes over marketing and incentive services for Maritz customers in Europe Through an alliance with the Accentiv’ Network of Accor Services, Maritz wants to provide its multinational customers in Europe with solutions and services in the areas of motivation, qualification, liaisons, authentication, events and reward systems, since it now has access to specialist service providers from the Accentiv’ Network in Germany, Great Britain, France, and Spain. In Germany, Accentiv’ includes Quasar Communications, the agency for sales and relationship marketing. Holger J. Bub, business executive of Accentiv’ and Quasar Communications: “We’re happy that Maritz has entrusted Accentiv’ with services for its customers in Europe. Maritz customers will benefit from our experience in local markets and so successfully implement programmes outside the USA and Canada. In return, our customers have an attractive option for expanding their programmes in the USA and Canada with the help of an industry market leader like Maritz.” Steve Maritz: “The Accentiv’ incentive marketing network of Accor Services has an excellent reputation as a high-quality provider of marketing and incentive services and solutions in Europe. Our customers are used to this kind of service at Maritz and, thanks to the agreement concluded, we are in a position to continue offering them this level of service in Europe as well through a full service provider of the accustomed quality.”
Refreshing: munich one speaks plainly Some honesty at last: munich one live communications reacts to the effects of the world-wide recession with target crisis management. Due to the low level of orders and cautious forecasts for the coming months, the Munich events specialist has temporarily implemented countermeasures for cost reduction and improvements in efficiency: “We’re handling the currently depressed market situation by slimming down as much as possible for the coming months, managing the crisis and fortifying this with a transparent communications policy both internally and externally. Since the end of last year, we have been lowering the cost structure of the agency. During this process, we had to say farewell to three
employees for economic reasons, which we regret very much,” says Michael Brohn, executive of munich one live communications, in explanation of the measures introduced. In the past year of 2008, munich one live communications was able to connect profitably to the excellent business years of 2006/2007, successfully expand existing customer connections and win new customers in the premium segment. For the first time in its almost four-year success story, munich one is now switching to consolidation: “Currently – and the times are far beyond any verbal dressing up – incoming orders are depressed and the savings policy in regard to the communications budget and the associated budget for the
entire year of 2009 is expected to remain in place,” explains Martin Stenzel, managing partner of munich one live communications, of the current outlook. With dedication and strength of purpose, munich one wants to use the crisis as an opportunity and successfully structure the agency for the future. As a result, the business portfolio will be strategically expanded by the divisions of sponsoring and sports marketing under the leadership of Andreas Merkel and current projects will be prepared and executed according to the usual premium standards.
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For the first time, upstairs stages & motivates for Linde Material Handling GmbH ...and invited the sales team of its 27 retailers in Germany to the Annual Kick-Off Event at Fulda in February 2009 under the motto “Passion 4RED.” The team of the For the Retailers‘ Annual Kick-Off event agency ‘upstairs’ ensured Event 2009 of Linde Material Hand that the event went smoothly.” ling GmbH, the company chose The well-attended multimedia for the first time upstairs Event & kick-off event enjoyed an enviCongress Agentur GmbH. ronment full of light displays that accompanied the participants throughout the day on their journey through various rooms. The participants, divided into seven groups, were steered by a cleverly devised light guidance system to the individual presentations and workshops during the course of the day. Various mobilisation concepts in the individual workshop areas supported the topics to be discussed and ensured a high level of attentiveness. Emil Schneider, director of German marketing for Linde Material Handling GmbH: “The quality of the event was rated very positively by the participants.
The value of the Linde brand was communicated competently and in an innovative environment. Cooperation with the upstairs event team was very pleasant and professional from the first day onwards. All 350 participants actively joined in the event’s final show. A lot of fiddling created a machine sized ca. 40 x 15 metres, based on drafts of the Swedish scientist Christopher Polhem (1661 - 1751). A joint effort by the retailers themselves put together two of the seven new Linde hand pallet trucks and high-lift trucks. The core team of the agency upstairs Event & Congress Agentur assumed responsibility at this event not only for the concept, but also for the product presentation, the show and conference technology on a total of three stages, the stage construction, the selection of all partners and actors and the smooth execution on site.
Recommended reading: Handbuch zum Eventrecht Funke/Müller Practical: Missing authorisations, lapsed organiser duties or violated provisions can be expensive for both organisers and consultants. It’s necessary to have something like this practical guide, by practitioners for practitioners and with examples, in order to plan and execute events successfully and with all legal requirements. Graphics, check lists, and temples
> Choice of legal form, contract law, incentive and travel contracts > Trade law, duty to report and duty to obtain a permit > Possibility of authorisation, liability and insurance law > Labour, copyright, competition and media law > Environmental law, tax law > Social security for artists
Newly added subject areas > Photography and video rights > Non-smoker protection > Passenger transport > Poker events > Compliance
The following contracts are examined: > Naming right contract > Trade fair participation contract > Preferred partner contract > Cooperation contract > Media partnership
Well-researched: All relevant areas of law are discussed in detail:
The following laws are included: > German Telemedia Act, MoMiG
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> German Environmental Damages Act, AGG. Competent: Both authors are practitioners with many years of professional experience: Barrister Elmar Funke specialises in event, competition, and media law. Barrister Günter Müller focuses on tax and corporate law in addition to event law. Excerpts in the online library: www.otto-schmidt.de or order: Funke/Müller: Handbuch zum Eventrecht by barristers Elmar Funke and Günter Müller. 3rd edition 2009, approx. 650 pages, lexicon format, large issue ca. 130,- €. ISBN 978-3-504-40095-8. Issued in March 2009.
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Nightball – top marks for success and fun It’s a completely unique concept, scientifically supported and distinguished with the Trainer Prize for creativity. As an event, nightball offers all participants an unusual and memorable experience with a lot of fun. Nightball is now celebrating its 15th anniversary. In nightball, the player has only one objec- tators. At least, that’s the experience of the tive: to score a goal. It isn’t easy, because companies who have booked nightball in the only method of orientation is music. past years. Sportscheck in Munich, for exSeeing is impossible. Players wear blind- ample, was among the first to organise the folds and a nightball helmet. If they do suc- “blind date with team spirit.” Since then, ceed, it’s a triumph of the strategy worked nightball has celebrated its 15th anniverout during the game and problem-solving, sary and can point to a long list of satisfied trust-based cooperation with a team. In customers, including the Audi Academy, nightball, team and player achieve their the Accor hotel chain, Hypovereinsbank, very best. What they get in return is the Otto-Versand and many others. feeling of having accomplished something impossible together. Playful dynamics
A highlight of the events programme Nightball is booked by agencies and companies for their events and regularly proves to be the highlight of the programme. Nightball sparks excitement not only in the players, but in the spectators as well - an excitement that lasts long after the game. This excitement arises from the euphoria of shared experience and a connection to the game, but also from the fun had all around, providing positive discussion material and lasting motivation for the players and spec-
Visual stimuli are blocked out and the participants act authentically within a group. “The great success of nightball is mainly due to all the participants acting on the same pre-conditions,” says “inventor” André Lange. “Every game brings out what’s personal and authentic in the players. That highlights the growth potential of each individual and the overall group and can be playfully expanded on.” The players from this event take home important realisations for their workday with the team. “The ‘aha’ effect was huge,” say participants, describing their experiences.
Positive effects scientifically supported The lasting effect on the teams in scientifically documented. In a study by the University of Freiburg, even three hours of short training demonstrated a clear increase in team identification which, according to the experts, is not least due to engagement with the lesson contents. The training module’s high level of fun also receives top marks. Lange: “We all know that nothing brings together a group like the shared experience of having fun. Nightball received the Trainer Prize for creativity as early as 2001. Nightball is suitable for teams from six to 500 people and can be played in seminar rooms or conference rooms in hotels domestically and abroad - including with multi-lingual groups. Depending on group size, the participants are instructed and guided by one or more trainers. The fees for the training, organised at a high technological level, run to 199 Euros per person. www.lange-erfolg.de/nightball.php
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ideas
If it rains, you sleep free of charge! The new fine weather guarantee concept at the Ferienart Resort & Spa Hotel in Saas-Fee ensures that guests are in a sunny holiday mood. The fine weather guarantee is being offered to all hotel guests who book at least three days between June and October. If it should rain for more than two days during their visit, their overnight stay for every further rainy day will be offered free of charge. A rainy day is defined as a day on which the weather station in Saas-Fee measures more than 5 mm of rainfall in one day. “We are trying to offer our guests innovative holiday concepts. Thanks to new tools in weather risk management, we have discovered an opportunity of benefiting from the reputation of Wallis as the sunniest canton in Switzerland”, says Ferienart owner Beat Anthamatten. As a pioneer in his sector, Beat Anthamatten is the first hotelier in the canton to make use of the potential of weather derivatives from CelsiusPro as additional benefits for his guests. CelsiusPro offers companies in a variety of sectors, such as events, energy and transport, the opportunity of insuring themselves against losses caused by the weather. Beat Anthmatten’s many years of experience in the tourism industry and the expertise of CelsiusPro in managing weather risks have enabled a concept that not only offers holiday visitors an attractive option, but also insures hotels against losses of income due to the weather. events has already reported on the weather derivatives from Celsius Pro several issues ago. www.celsius.pro “The cooperation between Ferienart and CelsiusPro is creating new opportunities for the hotel industry, which is why together with the Ecole Hotellerie Lausanne we are carrying out a study of the possibilities of using weather derivatives as an attractive instrument for risk management and marketing in the European hotel industry”, explains Mark Rüegg, CEO of CelsiusPro. 92 events 2/2009
CelsiusPro The Swiss company CelsiusPro AG specialises in structuring and selling individual weather certificates. The CelsiusPro AG weather certificates are based on data provided by national weather stations which extend from Oslo to Seville. Since it was founded, CelsiusPro AG has worked together with the established multinational reinsurance group Swiss Re. www.celsiuspro.com
Ferienart The 5-star Resort & Spa Hotel Ferienart offers 81 rooms, suites and family apartments, five restaurants and a modern wellness and spa area with a fitness centre. As well as the weather safeguard, the hotel also offers its guests a CO2 certificate for the duration of their stay. Due to its unique offering and the numerous awards it has won, the establishment is also one of the most renowned hotels in Switzerland. www.ferienart.ch
Tips for events on small budgets The full service events agency Roadtrack AG (www.roadtrack.de) is also making a meaningful contribution to the crisis and has created 10 commandments for using your budget sensibly. Well, it isn’t all new and most of it ought to be taken for granted by clever planners anyway, but it won’t hurt to summarise it again. In the ideal case, the “crisis” will flush the clever ones to the top. And they are the ones who have actually always done it right. 1. Clearly define the objective of the event What is the aim of the event? Cultivating contacts or providing information? Do you want to offer your guests a particular show, or is the focus on spending some pleasant time together? Having a clear focus helps you to decide where to invest – and where you can simply make savings. 2. Set your timeframe intelligently Set your event up so that the guests do not have to stay overnight, and ideally can also use economical means of transport to get there and get home again. Open-ended events with a get-together at the bar often take the drinks bill way over the top. 3. Just one highlight instead of many Not just the boy band, but the famous magician and the television newsreader as well? Avoid having too many programme items on the basis that “less is more”. One carefully chosen highlight often leaves a greater impression than an entire parade. 4. Select locations sensibly Special locations can be a highlight in themselves, and can often make it superfluous to book expensive artists or lavish decorations. It is fine to find a less expensive location if, for instance, you are booking star guests or a Michelin starred chef for your event. Tip: Cinemas are perfect for many events and also have the right atmosphere. 5. Scale technology sensibly Lighting, sound, pictures, stage – you should think carefully about which technology on which scale you really need, and what you can do without. It isn’t the specially produced speaker’s desk with the three-dimensional company logo that creates an impression, but rather the lecture itself. There is potential for savings here! 6. Catering which is satisfying and looks good Exquisite finger food certainly looks good, but sometimes it isn’t very satisfying and is also usually very expensive. Serve something substantial instead and use finger food simply as an accent. This will save you up to 80 %. 7. Keep an eye on the cost of drinks Be wary of letting guests help themselves at the bar, especially when expensive wines or cocktails are involved. A well-compiled selection will meet most people’s wishes and protect you from higher bills. 8. Giveaways: Better creative than expensive Replace “more amazing, more expensive, more sophisticated” with fun and original ideas that are also more cost-effective. A fun photo session at the end of the event involving all the guests may well be remembered longer than an expensive giveaway such as a Swiss knife. Tip: Have a brainstorming session involving the entire department. 9. Reduce setup and dismantling times Skilled planning and logistics can greatly reduce the setup times for events. This can often save the costly and unproductive day spent dismantling too. 10. Don’t forget the human components Above all your guests want to feel good. Give them the opportunity for this and concentrate on building in the appropriate components. A personal greeting on the way in, the right person to talk to during the meal … aspects such as these are often more important than external appearances.
THE CRETAN INCENTIVE
Kalimera Kriti overlooking the blue Aegean Sea located near the fishing village of Sissi and surrounded by colourful gardens on the northeast coast of Crete. High-Tech meeting facilities combine with a five star beach resort to provide the perfect meeting and incentive retreat. • Auditorium for 450 persons providing high-tech facilities • Additional meeting rooms for 10 – 360 persons • Natural cave for unforgettable events • Beach parties & theme dinners • Choice of restaurants & bars • 415 luxury guestrooms at the main building, bungalows and suites • Sandy beaches, 2 pools, grass areas for teambuilding activities • Sports (Gym, Squash, Tennis, Soccer,Watersports, etc)
72400 Sissi, Crete Tel +30 28410 69000 Fax +30 28410 71598 kalimera@kalimerakriti.gr www.kalimerakriti.gr
ideas
Fragrances turn heads – including at events Droll news items are always popular. The latest of these: “Researchers want to recreate Pharaoh perfume,” found on Spiegel.de. No joke. Serious scientists from Bonn have discovered a vial next to Hatshepsut’s mummy whose dried remains of liquid drops will now be broken down into their components. The goal is to resurrect the scent of the Egyptian ruler. The Pharaohs were well aware of the beneficial effects of fragrances. If they are light and pleasant, they can heighten sensation. A nasty cloud of scent, however, can ruin an entire evening. And the nose, of course, decides whether we like someone or can’t stand their smell. Now Flash Art, a company specialising in event effects (pyro, laser, and water technology), is making waves in fragrance marketing as well. In April, the new fragrance concept with the “CON SCENT” scent machines was presented for the first time at Prolight & Sound in Frankfurt. According to trade director Dengra Ju, the response was surprisingly positive: “People sought out and found our booth by following the pleasant vanilla scent. Everyone who came by our booth couldn’t help but turn their head. In America, one would say it was an absolute head turner.”
But fragrances must work subconsciously and cannot seem intrusive. That’s why scents must be used with restraint. Other companies have no doubt attempted scent marketing before, but the polished technology of the “CON SCENT” machines is brand-new. In conventional fragrance facilities, the aroma substance is heated, which usually distorts the fragrance and leads to an unpleasant, smelly cloud. “Our machines carry out the vaporisation by means of an ultrasound. It “cracks” the scent particles, breaking them into tiny pieces. This allows an even distribution throughout the air, which is considerably less obtrusive and more effective,” Dengra Ju emphasises.
The scent machines offer a wide spectrum of uses, both in events and in retail trade - such as for supermarkets or car dealerships. The various models cover rooms from 200 to 150,000 cubic metres. Their mobility and fully automated control via timers or infrared sensors ensures that management is simple. “Scent marketing is still a young field in Germany and potential customers first have to be made aware of this topic,” says Dengra Ju. After a music, light, and projection DJ, there will also be a scent DJ in the future who orchestrates a balanced olfactory atmosphere. And if the event motto is “Jungle Book,” the “D-DJ” can create the smells of lianas, crocodiles, snakes, and Mowgli.
Currently, the machines are still available at entry-level trade fair prices and come to between 135 and 3,150 euros. Those who don’t wish to make a purchase can also rent one by the day or week. Contact: www.flashart.com
Scents have to be “cracked”...
G.K.Prenzel
Scent machines can be used to remove unpleasant smells, to promote sales, or to provide a memorable background for an event. At this time, more than 80 scents – from apple pie to cedar wood – are available. All aromatic substances have been medically tested and declared harmless. Almost any scent can be prepared upon request (within a certain preparatory pe94 events 2/2009
riod). The scientists of Bonn would no doubt be happy to help with the odour of the Pharaoh. “Fragrances have a secret power over our emotions. Good smells awaken feelings that the intellect can no longer control,” says Dengra Ju.
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Portugal: CLUB MED DA BALAIA****
Away from it all in the Algarve The resort extends over 52 acres and is filled with the spicy scents of olive trees and the heady aromas of eucalyptus and pine. From the plateau located high on the craggy coast, there is a breathtaking view far out over the Atlantic. All this is rounded out by a magnificent sandy beach with a staircase providing easy access – the guarantee for a relaxing stay. The Club Med resort was reopened in April 2009 after being renovated and remodelled by the interior designer Didier Gomez. The resort provides for total well-being, thanks to its numerous relaxation and lounge areas. The 372 rooms and suites are divided between three hotels linked by means of glassed-in walkways: the eight-floor ‘La Tour’ with elevator opposite the swimming pool, the ‘Pyramide’ with its four-storey main building and two-storey wing near the tennis courts and the six-floor ‘Golf’ close to the golf club house. After sporting activities such as archery, volleyball, fitness training, salsa dance courses, high sea fishing or a breezy sail on the ocean, the visitor can unwind in pool, Turkish bath or a beautifully refurbished wellness centre. Restaurants: Da Balaia provides a buffet with international cuisine; the Vasco da Gama is renowned for its culinary expertise (and even offers a late midday meal for golfers). Organisers of meetings and other events will find a series of facilities available at attractive prices: ‘Evora’, for example, that can accommodate 40 guests, costs € 240/day, while the ‘Algarve’ for 180 participants is priced at € 640/day (both with theatre-style seating). The Club Med resort Da Balaia is only a 45 minutes drive from Faro airport. Please contact (in Germany): Club Med Business-Team Club Méditerranée Deutschland GmbH Schwalbacher Str. 62, D-65760 Eschborn Fon: +49 (0) 6196 / 7640-300 Fax: +49 (0) 6196 / 7640-170 Email: cmb.deutschland@clubmed.com www.clubmed.de events 2/2009 95
Hotels
Success story 3:
Dr. Monika Gommolla – Success by example. “Meeting and living under one roof.” Well, it’s really a very simple principle and very accessible logic. Somehow effortless – we think. And yet, it’s one of the most successful ideas a German hotelier has ever had. Developed at a time when conferences and overnight stays didn’t go together at all, it’s genius – and the basis for one of Germany’s largest congress- and holiday hotel empires, which has already taken root overseas and even arrived at the Great Wall of China. She’s sitting across from me now at the Maritim Cologne – the grande dame of the most famous hotel chain in Germany – the chairperson of the supervisory board of Maritim Hotels. First, I have to say that she’s disarmingly friendly and pleasantly unpretentious. Later, I find out how dedicated and passionate she is.
One of the few photos existing of Dr. Gommolla
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As a child, I dreamed of how fantastic it would be if my father were the head of our little Edeka shop. I wanted to help sell gummy bears. But he was “only” a teacher. Hotel manager – what an even better dream! For Dr. Monika Gommolla, it became a reality. Today, she’s the head of the entire chain with a responsibility that could hardly be greater: 49 hotels, 37 of them in Germany and 12 abroad, with over 9,400 employees and a sales volume of 436.1 million euros in 2008. And I shouldn’t forget the sales increase of 46 million euros compared to the previous year. She’s clever, very clever. She completes law school with a doctorate. But the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. It’s not the law, but entrepreneurial thinking and dealing that will shape her life, as it did her father’s. His career is highly impressive. Her parents came from eastern Germany; her father was a peat-cutter. But his passion was for the precision of machine
construction and he became partner in a firm for woodworking machines.
Her father invented the particle board Boring? No, he invented the particle board and was one of the few people in the 50’s who travelled throughout the entire world, as far as the depths of India, for his business. The hotel stays were not the only valuable experience gained for later. The inventive man managed to leap into architecture, which was only logical in view of the residential construction required after the war. As the third man in an architecture firm, he built houses until the market was almost sated. To keep his employees on the payroll, he began to build hotels. It makes sense, but it’s actually a huge idea. In 1969, a luxury hotel was built outside a major city – unusual at the time: the Seehotel Maritim at Timmendorfer Strand. Ac-
tually, the community wanted a congress centre, but Hans-Joachim Gommolla convinced the mayor to build a hotel with a large conference centre. The idea was really something. But now, the entire year is high season. The Maritim name resonates. And the company’s next steps are just as deliberate and powerful as the strokes of a long-distance swimmer. In the following years, many large hotels in medium-sized cities were built; at the end of the 80’s, the outstanding buildings of the very large Maritim hotels in major cities followed. Bonn is entered into the Guinness Book of Records and the building erected in 2007 at the Düsseldorf airport – the largest conference hotel in NRW – was welcomed by the meetings industry with lots of bookings. Naturally, all the premises and interior fittings were developed and completed by the company’s architecture office. The knowledge gained and the cost savings benefit both the company and, ultimately, the guests. events 2/2009 97
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Interior design: “We stand out!”
be one. But what does she do for fun? She says her life couldn’t be better. She’s grateful that she meets interesting people every day and has interesting experiences. “You get what you give. When I’m sitting on Mauritius under the starry sky during a dinner with business partners, I get the feeling that I’m getting my reward. I really enjoy that.”
treatment, she emphasises, not assistance like for the automobile industry. “In general,” she says, “small- and medium-sized businesses – the backbone of the Germany economy – offer millions more jobs than the automobile industry.”
I dare to breathe a word of criticism and comment that the interior design of Maritim Hotels is rather stubbornly conservative. I blush even as I’m speaking, because my synapses are whispering that Sheraton There’s a little hope. Sarkozy has interhas already changed owners four times vened on behalf of gastronomy in France; and Accor’s position is also wobbling a bit. the pressure on Ms. Merkel is growing as And what do marketing students learn in “Where to now?” I ask her in times of a well. “We’re working hard on strengthentheir first semester? Positioning comes be- true economic crisis in the world-wide ho- ing small- and medium-sized businesses fore marketing. “We stand out,” is all she tel industry. She says that Germany may be in the hotel and gastronomy sector,” she says. I have to smile. She’s absolutely right! able to weather the crisis better than other says. I think that’s good for Germany. With Maritim, what you see is what you countries. The economic downtown in get. Everywhere. Germany consists of (last quarter 2008) ca. Even better is her latest idea: the patient 6.8%, in contrast to Spain with 25%. “But hotel. As one of the first hotel chains in The positioning is unambiguous. Especially even well-known economic experts can’t Germany, the Maritim hotel company is when it comes to the inner life. Dr. Gom- make reliable predictions,” she reckons. committed to developing an innovative molla is always on the road in the family product line. The accommodation should business. She is a living example of busi- So Maritim is bravely continuing to invest benefit stationary patients as well as amness culture. She’s an accessible leader in existing branches and furthering ex- bulatory ones during recovery. It pays off who trusts her numerous employees of pansion abroad. Among other things, the – health insurance is covering it! Members many years. “Customers sense that. You Maritim-affiliated HMS International Hotel are, of course, welcome and potential don’t go to the Maritim, you go to Mr. GmbH has signed a second management guests. The university clinic of SchleswigHuber,” she says. Appreciation of the busi- contract for a hotel in Anting near Shang- Holstein is a partner in this project. And ness goes both ways. And every year, Dr. hai. The new five-star Maritim Hotel Hui- one must ask oneself, why didn’t anyone Gommolla thanks not only her employees, zun is currently under construction and is ever think of it before? “We worried at the but also many loyal customers with inven- scheduled to open at the beginning of May concept alone for two and a half years, but tive invitations. No one is surprised if she, 2010 at the Expo-Shanghai. The company now the contracts in Lübeck have been for example, goes for a stroll with the is well-situated thanks to a series of sales signed,” says Dr. Gommolla, not without home secretary of the Emirates through and marketing measures and is expecting pride. the weekly market of her home town of stable sales in 2009 in comparison to 2008. Bad Salzuflen. To the bay of Lübeck, then. Aha. There, Expansion is her issue. However: “We It’s about time to lower the the success story began 40 years ago. Her don’t have to,” she says. Healthy growth birthday is on 26 April, and what other hotel tax! and prudent, step-by-step development possibility is there, Dr. Gommolla extends are her credo. She considers fast returns Despite her optimism about her own busi- an invitation to all Maritim Hotels on the unreliable. That much is obvious. It took ness, Dr. Gommolla is seriously concerned “Open Day.” Thanks very much. And best eight years to move from the idea of a ho- about her industry colleagues. She says a wishes from thousands of satisfied confertel to the execution. But then the idea is reduced hotel tax is necessary. “Some ho- ence planners. Cordially! teliers are up to their ears; anyone located, Marie Fink solid and Maritim’s profit is undisputable. for example, in Berchtesgaden or on an East Frisian island has been hit hard, since “You get what you give!” neighbouring Austria or Holland can make It’s not necessary to ask about her private much more affordable offers.” She vehelife. It’s apparent that there can hardly mently demands equal treatment. Equal 98 events 2/2009
Anzeige
‘Collect and win’ with Dolce Hotels At IMEX 2009, Dolce Hotels and resorts presents its six European destinations together with selected media and convention offices. Fair visitors and hosted buyers can collect points on a Dolce obstacle course and win weekend getaways to exclusive conference resorts in Germany, France, Spain and Belgium.
Whoever stops by the events booth at the fair or al- According to the company motto, “meet with inready has an appointment planned here should not spiration,” the card invites you to find three out of forget to get “points.” events is one of four media nine potential stations, be inspired and collect points. partners supporting the Dolce group in its fair promo- Xavier Louyot, Director PR & Marketing Dolce Europe: tion “collect and win.” The international meeting spe- “A successful meeting starts with a good discussion. cialist in the hospitality industry will set IMEX visitors That’s why we’ve chosen the network of our partners: on an obstacle course with prospects of a European the leading German media of the MICE industry and weekend getaway: requirements include a participant the convention offices of Dolce locations in Europe card, issued by a Dolce hostess at Booth F 615 or by offer participants a persuasive incentive by means of the partners. varied and specialist information.” The cardholder deevents 2/2009 99
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opening in April 2010 in the north of the Bavarian state capital. Other prizes include weekends for 2 people at Dolce Chantilly near Paris, Dolce Frégate Provence near Marseille, Dolce Sitges near Barcelona, the Belgian Design Resort & Conference Hotel Dolce La Hulpe Brussels and Dolce Bad Nauheim near Frankfurt. Dolce “collect and win” partners: events magazine, Booth G 010 Tagungswirtschaft, Booth B 700 CIM, Booth G250 Convention International, Booth G 308 German Convention Office, Booth F 100 Congress Office Munich, G 120 Maison de la France, Booth D 200 Sitges Convention Bureau, Booth Tourspain E 400 OPT Wallonie et Bruxelles, Booth E 120
cides individually which of the available booths to visit, based on what interests them. The cards are to be handed over at the Dolce booth after completion of the course. On 26 and 27 May 2009, the lottery drawing for prizes will take place here at 16.00h. The first prize: a luxury weekend for six people at the new conference destination Dolce Munich,
100 events 2/2009
CONTACTS Tel +44 (0)1273 227311 | Fax +44 (0)1273 227312 | info@imex-frankfurt.com | www.imex-frankfurt.com PRE-REGISTER NOW www.imex-frankfurt.com
Practice makes perfect.
IMEX hasn’t become the hottest show on the global meetings and events landscape by chance. Handling the winds of change in this vibrant sector is precisely why IMEX exists. Our strategy for business growth inspires the world’s leading players, which is why, every year, record numbers of top exhibitors and buyers attend the show. Join them at IMEX 09, 26-28 May, live in Frankfurt. Not to be missed: your business revitalised with fresh thinking, new contacts and great deals done. Also on the agenda: unique industry insight and career guidance through the clever IMEX New Vision programme. As one visitor put it, “IMEX is genuinely a hot spot for new experiences”. The chemistry, networking, learning and profiting are now. And IMEX intelligence lets you explore your further potential. Come to IMEX 2009. Come and be inspired. The essential worldwide exhibition for meetings and events.
It only gets better IMEX quickens the pulse of the industry • Record attendances every year since launch: 15,000 global players in 2008 including 3,500 exhibitors from over 150 countries • Year after year the show creates more business, greater knowledge and indispensable motivation – driving industry growth and personal career development.
09
26-28 May/Frankfurt
Hotels
Accor:
Standard booking conditions in 170 German conference hotels Accor is the first hotel chain to offer business customers standard booking conditions for its 170 conference hotels in Germany. The Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, all seasons and Ibis brands now have standard conference packages nationwide which offer full service at a fixed price that business customers can rely on – as well as standard cancellation and deposit conditions. “Accor is setting new standards in the business travel market with the innovative concept of ‘Advanced Meeting Conditions’,” says Daniela Schade, vice president of sales & distribution. “We make it possible not only for our business customers to plan
conferences and budgets quickly, simply and transparently, but present ourselves – especially in times of difficult economic conditions – as a strong partner who offers security and confidence.”
The right ideas for every business conference With its broad brand portfolio from bud get to luxury hotels, Accor satisfies diverse 102 events 2/2009
budgets and needs. The dense German national hotel network guarantees a high degree of flexibility in the selection of a suitable conference hotel. The economy brand Ibis offers features in the area of business travel. The new hourly-based conference flat rate combines maximum flexibility with excellent service for the price. Further individual services can be booked in addition to the conference room as the main service. With the Ibis conference offer, Accor is reacting to the current savings trend and its impact on budget and economy accommodations. “Accor’s roots lie in budget and economy accommodations. We are worldwide market leaders in this field and have a broad product portfolio available. Given the trend towards budget and economy brands, we have positive expectations for the future,” says Daniela Schade.
Cooperation with AirPlus Meeting Solution ensures modern procurement The AirPlus Meeting Solution offers an innovative billing solution: conference bookings without a deposit, a standardised, centralised bill, free choice of booking methods, a centrally controlled method of payment, and above all, a transparent
and paper-free billing process. Accor’s conference hotels guarantee transparency of data and costs – an important factor for corporate financial planning that increases confidence in the hotel partner. The Novotel hotels in Germany will offer the AirPlus Meeting Solution starting at the end of 2008. Sofitel, Pullman, and Mercure were connected in the 1st quarter of 2009.
Accor: The quarterly report was shaped by the crisis Accor is reporting an 8.7 percent decline in sales in the hotel sector for the first quarter of 2009 on a comparable basis. In the 1st quarter of 2009, the hotel branch generated 1,182 million euros in sales, registering a stated decline of 7.8 percent in comparison to the same period in 2008. The figure includes the sale of objects (share -2.4%), the developmental policy of the group (opening of 5,110 hotel rooms and full consolidation of Orbis: 32 million euros, which contributed to the quarterly sales by an additional 4.2 percent), and exchange rate factors, which decreased the sales of the reporting period further by 0.9 percent. In most European countries (especially Germany, Spain, and Belgium), the 2008 Easter holidays fell during the month of March, while in 2009 they took place in April. This delay contributed to the hotel
sector sales volume with 0.9 percentage points. Since 2008 was a leap year, however, the 2009 quarterly sales dropped by 1.0 percentage points.
percent. In Great Britain, the decrease is higher in the counties (RevPAR -16.5 percent) than in London, where the RevPAR sank by 7.0 percent.
lands (-10.9 percent) and Belgium (-10.5 percent). Economy hotels in the USA reported an 11.5 percent decline of sales on a comparable basis.
Luxury- and medium-class hotels lose more
The economy segment was characterised by a volatility of the RevPAR double that of the GDP changes. Values of four- to sixtimes were measured in the luxury- and medium-class. As the GDP is strongly entrenched in most European countries, the reported sales of economy hotels sank by 7.7 percent in the 1st quarter of 2009. In Germany, comparable sales decreased by 5.0 percent, for Ibis and Etap Hotel by 4.6 percent. In Great Britain, the sales decline in London was higher (RevPAR -15.1 percent) than in the other parts of the country (RevPAR -11.5 percent). Other European countries were off worse, for example Spain (comparable sales decline of 29.3 percent), Italy (-17.5 percent), the Nether-
Savings are essential!
In the 1st quarter of 2009, the reported decline in sales in the luxury- and mediumclass hotel sector amounted to 9.2 percent. Overall, medium-class hotels suffered less than luxury hotels. This conclusion is confirmed by France, where the medium-class (RevPAR -10.1 percent) was more robust than the luxury-class (RevPAR -13.4 percent). Additionally, Paris was harder hit (RevPAR -14.7 percent) than the other parts of the country (RevPAR -6.6 percent). In Germany, the comparable decline in sales came to 1.9 percent. Adjusted for the delayed Easter holidays, it amounted to 8.1
Given the increasing economic slow-down in Europe in the 1st quarter of 2009 as compared to the 4th quarter of 2008, the group has decided to limit annual refurbishment spending for 2009 and 2010 to 315 million euros. This sum is 175 million euros less than the expenditures for 2008. Besides the already announced savings in general expenses (75 million euros in 2009 and 25 million euros in 2010), Accor is already planning additional cost reductions.
CCH – Congress Center Hamburg Experience the future
Happy to serve you!
• 10,000 sq.m. of exhibition space plus additional seating for a total of 12,500 persons • New multifunctional exhibition hall • Spectator events for up to 6,000 persons • Prize-winning, state-of-the-art audio and event technology • Optimal city-centre location adjoining trade fair grounds • ICE high-speed train station Hamburg-Dammtor on the doorstep
Phone +49 40 3569-2222 info@cch.de · www.cch.de
Hotels
Wolfgang M. Neumann to head up Arabella Hospitality Group In the person of Wolfgang M. Neumann, an established top hotelier succeeds Stefan Schörghuber at the helm of the Arabella Hospitality GmbH & Co. KG. Neumann has also been appointed to the board of Schörghuber Stiftung & Co. Holding KG with responsibility for the group’s Hotel Sector. He thus joins Christian Böll (Marketing and Sales) and Dr. Christoph Scherk (Commercial Management) to constitute the management trio running the company in which the Schörghuber Group has combined its hotel and tourism interests. After training at the prestigious Institute for Tourism and Hotel Management of the Kleßheim Tourism School in Salzburg, Wolfgang M. Neumann began his career in 1984 working for the Hilton group of hotels. After initial management experience in New York (1984 - 1989), London (1989 – 1992 and 1995 – 1996) and Brussels (1992 – 1995), Neumann was appointed General Manager of the Hilton Paris. In 1998, he moved to Frankfurt as opening General Manager, before becoming Vice President of Hilton Western and Northern Europe in 1999. After assuming further transnational management responsibilities as Senior Vice President of Hilton Nordic in Stockholm (2001 – 2003) and President of Hilton United Kingdom and Ireland in London (2003 – 2005), Neumann was promoted President of Hilton Europe. In this post, he was responsible for 90 hotels in 25 European The Schörghuber group countries employing more than 20,000 personnel. The four corporate divisions of the group – Hotel, Air“With his more than 25 years of experience of working in the top echelon craft Leasing, Beverages and Construction and Propof the international hotel sector, we consider Wolfgang M. Neumann to erty – employ some 6,300 personnel throughout the be the right person to lead our group with its high profile hotels into a world. www.schoerghuber-unternehmensgruppe.de. successful future – despite the current economic difficulties. Moreover, he All the hotel and tourism interests of the group are will continue to preserve the concept of hospitality originally formulated by merged within the Arabella Hospitality Group. It is the Stefan Schörghuber,” asserts Dr. Klaus N. Naeve with conviction. majority shareholder (51%) in a joint venture with Starwood Hotels & Resorts (49%) – the ArabelWith the appointment of Wolfgang M. Neumann, the designated Chief laStarwood Hotels & Resorts GmbH – and principal Executive of the Schörghuber group and company head Alexandra Schörg shareholder (49.8%) in Design Hotels AG, one of the huber have now put together the future management quartet for Schörg most successful international marketing platforms for huber Stiftung & Co. Holding KG. In addition to Dr. Naeve and Neumann, lifestyle-orientated luxury hotels. In addition, it holds this will include Hans-Peter Hoh, who will be responsible for the Beverages an interest (40%) in the tour operator aovo Touristik division and Dr. Jürgen Büllesbach, who will head up the integrated ConAG and offers golf-related activities and other services. struction and Property division of the Schörghuber group.
New Marketing Director at Dolce Bad Nauheim Stefan Fischer has been Director of Sales and Marketing at the international conference hotel Dolce Bad Nauheim since 1 April 2009. The 36-year-old executive already has three years’ experience as Director International Sales at the four-star hotel. He is also well versed in the international sector, having worked for prestigious hotel organisations such as Hilton Hotels Worldwide (Sales Manager MICE and Key Account Manager for Southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (Regional Sales Manager Groups and Incentives). Fischer has been happily settled at Dolce for the past 5½ years: “Most of my colleagues have also been employed by the group for many years and radiate a high level of identification with the product. This is something that our congress and holiday guests appreciate.”
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Hotels
Martina Wendel responsible for five Park Inn hotels A second Area Director of Sales has recently been appointed at Park Inn: Martina Wendel. Working in tandem with Danuta Krawczyk, who has been responsible since December 2008 for the Park Inn hotels in Bochum, Dortmund, Düsseldorf/ Kaarst, Hanover, Kamen/Unna and Cologne, her mandate with immediate effect will be the Cologne-based event hotel group’s houses in Bielefeld, DüsseldorfSouth, Hamburg, Mainz and Mannheim. Martina Wendel holds a degree in hotel management, has experience in working abroad and was lately Director of Sales at the Hotel Crowne Plaza in Heidelberg.
Best Western extends its marketing arm
The restructured marketing sector at Best Western Hotels Deutschland GmbH has now gained female reinforcements - Elke Born and Yvonne Hentschel. As Marketing Director for Tourism, Elke Born will be responsible for brand development in the tourism programme division, while Yvonne Hentschel has been appointed Director of the Business Travel Marketing department. The qualified tourism administrator Elke Born (47) held various management posts with Steigenberger Hotels AG in Frankfurt am Main from 1994, and was lastly responsible for the marketing and sales activities of the European holiday hotels of the group as Marketing and Sales Director.
Yvonne Hentschel
Elke Born
Best Western was able to find someone to occupy the post of Marketing Director Business Travel from among its own ranks: Yvonne Hentschel (32) has been working for Best Western Hotels Deutschland since 2002. Her most recent appointments were Key Account Manager, which involved dealing with corporate customers in the southern region of Germany and Sales Director Corporate Market.
First zoo-themed hotel in Hamburg The first zoo-themed hotel in the world was opened in Hamburg directly next to the zoo and tropical aquarium. The Lindner Park-Hotel Hagenbeck accommodates 158 rooms on five floors. The roughly 30 million euro building is designed in the colonial-exotic style. The interior design of the various floors is inspired by the continents of Africa and Asia. The top floor, housing the suites and fitness area, reflects themes of the Arctic world. Everyone familiar with the events scene in Hamburg is quite certain: “There’s never been a hall like this in Hamburg before.” They’re talking about the Carl-Hagenbeck-Saal. Even from the outside, the dimensions of the 250 square metre room with its own terrace are apparent: five metre high lattice windows cover three sides of the seven metre high hall and over the glass walls floats a 106 events 2/2009
two-storey pagoda roof with an additional row of windows between the roofs.
Magnetised walls – stage-ready technology The four additional event rooms, which can be used individually or combined as a 120 square metre hall, are also full of innovations. In order to avoid setting up partitions, for example, the interior designer had the walls covered with a metal film. Presentation and training documents can then be attached directly to the wall with magnets without leaving behind marks. Digital surround sound equipment ensures great acoustics. Lighting technology that is usually only used in theatres is currently being installed for the illumination and presentation of people or products. RGB (red-green-blue) light ensures perfect illumination for varying needs, since fashion presentations, for example, require neutral light with a higher proportion of blue, while for groceries, warmer lighting with a higher proportion of red is more suitable. www.lindner.de
Dialogue in the Park:
Two new programmes in Bad Driburg It’s easy to linger in Gräflicher Park, where Friedrich Hölderlin found inspiration during his walks. The first-class hotel “Gräflicher Park hotel & Spa,” not far from Paderborn, has always been a meeting point for people and opinions, situations and sentiments. The well-balanced combination of a hotel with 135 stylish rooms, 13 representative conference and/or banquet rooms for up to 500 people, the elegant “Caspar’s Restaurant”, the cosy local “Pferdestall” and the authentic GARTEN SPA with a medical spa (all within the 65 hectare Gräflicher Park, distinguished several times) is an attraction meeting high demands on the conference and events market. The facilities offer ample room for meetings, contacts and gatherings, shorter: for dialogue in the park. There are two new comprehensive programmes available. Off-road expeditions provide thrills and build team spirit. Only a few kilometres from the hotel, tucked away in the beautiful hilly landscape of the region, is the drive resort “Bilster Berg.” The unique topography of the area is ideal as an obstacle course for exciting off-road expeditions. Appropriate vehicles are
available for incentive groups and the participants are instructed by professionals before they test the challenging terrain. Fencing fosters competition, accuracy, strategy, deftness, stamina, concentration, timing, and teamwork. That makes fencing ideal for management training. During training with two-time Olympic champion for fencing, Dr. Arndt Schmitt, and his team, guests of the “Gräflicher Park Hotel & Spa” can discover the draw of one of the oldest martial arts in the world. Participants are provided with complete fencing equipment. www.graeflicher-park.de
Treff Hotel opening in Münster in autumn
Cologne’s InterConti one of the best again
With the Treff Hotel Münster City Centre, a hotel belonging to the Hospitality Alliance AG (RAMADA and Treff Hotels Group) is opening its doors in autumn for the first time in the Westphalian metropolis. The four-star property is located in the new Stubengasse centre and is thus in a prominent position between the main railway station and the historic old town.
Cologne’s InterContinental took 11th place in the list of the best German business hotels and is thus the city’s only establishment to make it into the Top 25. The hotel has improved its previous ranking of 20th (2008) by an astonishing nine places. Topping the leader board is Berlin’s Ritz Carlton, followed by the Taschenbergpalais in Dresden and Düsseldorf’s Breidenbacher Hof. Experts assess the German hotels according to the categories of location, business orientation, service, comfort, cuisine and value for money – a new category added just this year. With three other hotels ranked in the Top 25, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has thus also been voted the top hotel chain in Germany. The chain’s hotels in Berlin, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt occupy places 7, 8 and 18.
130 comfortable double rooms with flat screens await guests, along with eight 50 square metre suites, each with its own roof terrace. The restaurant seats 140 and a special note has been created with the attractive glass roof. Adjoining the restaurant is a large terrace. Two conference rooms offer capacity for up to 120 people.
Background: This year, the business magazine “€uro” once again assembled its jury of five renowned hoteliers, tasked with identifying the best business hotels in the country. The results have just been published events 2/2009 107
Hotels
Steigenberger directors gain MBA in Tourism Management In September 2007, 22 executives of the Steigenberger Hotel Group began their studies for the Executive MBA in Tourism Management at the Steigenberger Academy in Bad Reichenhall in parallel with their full-time employment. Now they have all received their diplomas. The part-time 18-month course was offered by the Steigenberger Academy in Bad Reichenhall, in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences HTW Chur/ Switzerland and the Europäisches Institut für Hotelmanagement (European Institute for Hotel Management) in Heilbronn. Nearly two dozen directors of Steigenberger and InterCityHotels and from Stei-
genberger Group Headquarters took part. During their last year the exam candidates for the Executive MBA wrote their final dissertations, which they successfully presented in February to representatives of the Hochschule, the Heilbronn Institute and the Steigenberger Hotel Group. The formal diploma ceremony was held on 3 April 2009. To recognise the efforts they had put in alongside their daily professional lives, the hotel company held a reception and gala dinner at the Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof in honour of the Executive MBA participants. André Witschi, Chairman of the Steigenberger Hotel Group, emphasised the high level of commitment shown by the staff to their company and
praised the excellent study results achieved by the class of 2009. The Executive MBA course through the Steigenberger Academy is the only one of its kind in Germany to enable executives in the hotel sector to follow a master’s course without having completed a university course beforehand. The master’s course, taken in parallel with working fulltime, provides targeted consolidation of the knowledge of senior staff and prepares them for the challenges posed by the hotel and tourism industry today. It employs a practical approach to providing the theories and management tools needed for integrated management of hotel businesses and similar establishments.
Dorint takes part in a quality offensive Consistent and comprehensive promotion of service quality in tourism is the goal of the quality offensive “ServiceQualität Deutschland,” kicked off by the regional tourist associations and regional governments. As one of the leading hotel chains, Dorint Hotels & Resorts is now participating in this initiative. “Quality is the alpha and omega when it comes to turning guests into regulars” says E. Ulrich Schweitzer, regional director of operations of Dorint Hotels & Resorts. “That’s why we consider it a matter of course to support the qual108 events 2/2009
ity offensive and carry out the training.” complaint management, for example. In The federal certification will supersede addition, quality problems in the hotels the previous internal Dorint Quality Index will be recognised and rectified. “Participa(DOQX). By the end of the year, all 29 Ger- tion in the quality offensive will force us to man Dorint Hotels & Resorts will have ap- regularly scrutinise our work and engage plied for certification in order to complete the views of guests,” explains Schweitzer. step 1 of the quality offensive. About 120 This will motivate employees and guaranquality coaches are being trained for this tee continuous further development. And: purpose. These are employees of the in- “We’re already looking forward to seeing dividual branches assigned with getting the Q-Logo at all entrances to Dorint Hoother employees into the service mindset. tels & Resorts in 2010!” Goal: to exceed guests’ expectations. The training sessions will treat topics such as
Higher value-added tax in German hotels remains a persistent nuisance The chairperson of the Hoteldirektoren vereinigung (Association of Hotel Directors) addressed the political world in an open letter. Subject: the constantly postponed discussion of a reduced value-added tax rate. “Does the problem lie with a lack of unity that makes the industry seem weak in the face of challenges and public perception?” asks Alexander Aisenbrey. And more: “The organisations have to pull together – and they’ve made a good start. The Hoteldirektorenvereinigung Deutschland e.V. (German Association of Hotel Directors) is in contact with the DEHOGA and the IHA; the FBMA and the HSMA also see a good foundation for group action and unity. DEHOGA and IHA are already in agreement on the sensitive issues. When will the politicians take us seriously? When will our industry get relief and not just new or increased costs – such as GEMA, VG Wort, VG Medien, broadcasting fees, tourism fees, visitor’s tax – that we are sub-
ject to for our guests’ sakes? And there’s another tax problem that isn’t even being broached. Hotels buy goods at 7% and at the moment when they’ve passed through the kitchen, they’re taxed at 19%. Who pays for the difference? The hotel sector has it easier abroad. Politicians, who usually love to talk about distortion of competition, remain blind in this respect.”
City hotels struggle against the crisis After sales expectations muted by the financial crisis, the executives organised in the Hoteldirektorenvereinigung Deutschland e.V. are slowly breathing a sigh of relief. 55 percent of those surveyed said that they’re expecting a stable or even improved business profit in 2009. The members of the HDV represent about 350 branches with more than 40,000 rooms, about 20,000 employees, and estimated
annual sales of more than two billion euros. However, 45 percent of those surveyed disagreed with the industry’s cautious optimism, expecting an even lower profit in 2009 than in the previous year, with losses in revenue between 10 and 30 percent. Interest in new ways out of the crisis is correspondingly high. It’s difficult to implement cost-saving measures that will be unnoticed by hotel guests. The spotlight is on energy costs and inventory management. Savings in the personnel department, including dismissals, are also under consideration. The system of overtime hours, reduced hours and vacant positions that can’t be filled is an additional consequence of the crisis. Many hotel directors, however, see investment as a remedy against the crisis. Hoteliers especially want to spend money for service, equipment, and facilities once again in 2009.
InterConti Group launches “Green Engage” The InterContinental Hotels Group, the world’s largest hotel business in terms of room numbers, is testing an online system for effective hotel environmental management. Initial trials with the “Green Engage*” planning tool have achieved some truly outstanding results, indicating potential savings of up to 25% in the area of energy consumption alone. If the online system were to be used by all 4,000 hotels in the Group, then savings of well over 200 million USD could be achieved. The system – developed in-house by the company – is available for all seven IHG brands, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn. In testing since late January 2009, a planned midyear rollout will see the system become available to all owners and managers of the Group’s 4,000 hotels worldwide.
Individual hotels and resorts enter their data using the “Green Engage” software. The system compares similar establishments worldwide and then outputs a range of suitable strategies aimed at reducing waste and the consumption of water and energy.
Guests prioritising environmental commitment
Areas in which the IHG hotels can take action: > Logging: own energy and water consumption, waste levels and CO2 emissions. All hotels can compare themselves to other hotels and set ambitious yet attainable goals for reducing their own figures. > Control: the area where hotels have the greatest influence on the environment. Possible strategies here range from lagging the hot-system, introducing recycling programs and switching to organic detergents to bestowing “Green Champion” awards on individual employees. > Reporting: on progress made – not only internally but also to the hotel’s guests and business clientele.
The initiative recognises the increasing preference expressed by hotel guests for accommodation in establishments that manage the environment responsibly. Complementing decision-making criteria such as location, price or outstanding amenities, the cost to the environment also plays a decisive in hotel bookings. * “Green Engage” - patent pending
events 2/2009 109
Hotels
Bakker and Pütz at Hospitality Consulting GmbH The consulting and hotel management company Hospitality Consulting (HC) is on course to take pole position in the market for hotel consulting to mid-size and chain hoteliers within Germany. Irene Bakker (40) and Fritz Pütz (50) now join the Group’s corporate management, headed by company founder Haakon Herbst (44). Herbst will continue to direct the com- maintains offices in Bendorf, Frankfurt, pany’s business and product development, Düsseldorf and Cologne. and manage its corporate communications policy. Irene Bakker, who can look back on HC’s consultancy expertise is sourced from six years managing the operational needs a wealth of experience in the strategic, of HC’s own establishments, now takes on technological and structural issues within the management of Operations & Finance. distribution, operational know-how and An HC joint partner since March 1, 2009, a high degree of networking within both Fritz Pütz will contribute his sales, pricing agency and client markets. With access and distribution expertise in the interna- to associations such as HSMA, VDR, Vertional corporate hotel sector. anstaltungsplaner and the Travel Industry After 16 years’ consultancy experience in Club, consultants have a powerful netrenovation, turnaround management and work and knowledge base to draw on. project development, the future portfolio will be rounded off with interim manage- Just three types of hotel in ment and sales consultancy. HC will thus the future? become a full-service provider for the hotel sector, offering a portfolio that includes “Bad times are good times for good peosales & marketing, distribution, product, ple”: after 200 consultancy projects – inhotel leasing/management, insolvency cluding support for 50 hotel openings and consultancy, hotel design/architecture and the establishment of its own hotel chain utilities management. The only exceptions – this is the catchphrase Haakon Herbst will be the areas of legal and taxation. The uses to justify his decision to invest in the Group can draw on a pool of 20 consult- growth of the Group under the current difants from its total workforce of 100, and ficult economic conditions.
The two newcomers in brief A native of Amsterdam, Irene Bakker took on the management of the Ramada Schlosshotel Goldschmieding on graduating from hotel management college. After positions at Renaissance, Marriott and the Carlson Group, the AachenMünchener insurance group then appointed her PreOpening Manager and Hotel Director for the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg. Drawing on broadbased experience as an hotelier, she has managed the HC-owned budget design “hotel friends” brand since 2003 (Cologne, Düsseldorf, Hückelhoven and Bendorf), as well as “Diesayn Burg” in Sayn, near Koblenz. “Networker” Fritz Pütz has recently held positions in the international hotel sector as VP Global Sales at Dorint AG (and Accor, post-integration) and VP Sales & Marketing for the Northern, Central & Eastern Europe Division of the InterContinental Hotels Group. He has been a freelance consultant to the hotel and event sector since 2005, recently supplemented by his role as partner to eventcompetence+compagnie, with whom he developed and continues to manage products for the business hotel sector. 110 events 2/2009
When one considers the 3,000 hotel insolvencies in the last two years and the 20,000 hotels in Germany of which only 3,500 thousand belong to a brand, a magic bullet for branding is certainly in great demand. HC promotes a middle course, since sophisticated product policies can also work to push branding. The HC management team believes in the long-term survival of just three kinds of hotel: budget hotels, fulfilling the basic need of a place to sleep; strong branded hotels in the 3-5 star category, thanks to their management and sales expertise; and niche hotels with precise target audience appeal. Hospitality Consulting is one of the top corporate consultancy firms in the hotel industry. With the launch of its own „hotel friends“ hotel in Düsseldorf (2002), HC pioneered the idea of budget design hotels with themed accommodation. Additional hotels in the chain opened in Cologne (2003), Hückelhoven (2007) and in Bendorf near Koblenz (2008) – the latter being the first budget conferencing hotel. The “hotel friends” chain showcases know-how in product planning and target audience appeal, applied to both managers and guests. HC offers no ready-made products: each project starts from scratch. During the next 12 months, the budget design “hotel friends” hotel brand, launched in 2002, will welcome another six hotels, including a hotel near Heidelberg, a business boutique hotel in Darmstadt and a divers’ hotel in Siegburg. www.hospitalityconsulting.de
LOC ATIONS
New standard for conferences at sea:
Color Line distinguished as “Certified Conference Ship”
The Norwegian ship-owning company is setting new standards for conference, meetings, and events at sea with its regularly scheduled cruises. On 27 March 2009, the two ships, M/S Color Magic and M/S Color Fantasy, running between Kiel and Oslo, were the first ships distinguished by the VDR Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V. (Association of German Travel Management) with the title of “certified conference ships.” The two cruise liners have highly modern, separate conference sections that offer room for events and congresses with up to 330 participants. Certificates of the business travel association VDR are considered quality grades in the hotel and events industries. M/S Color Magic and M/S Color Fantasy are now the first conference facilities at sea certified according to the detailed VDR catalogue of criteria as “certified conference ships” and thereby demonstrably up to the high quality standards of professional event organisers. The president of the VDR, Michael Kirnberger, praises the conference ships of Color Line on the route between Kiel and Oslo as a good alternative to conferences on land: “Ideas soar in inspiring surroundings – working on results and promoting
team spirit become a unique conference experience. Event decision-makers are always on the look-out for innovative events venues with high quality standards like this.”
Modern technology The flexibly combinable rooms on board are suitable for small meetings and large congresses. Up to 860 guests can stay in the 1,600 square metre separate conference areas on Deck 12. The largest room, the auditorium, holds 330 people. Proper technology in all areas, even WLAN internet at sea, is a given. All devices are available without extra charges and the
atmosphere on board Color Line makes every event an unusual experience. The guests can make use of the cruise’s entire spectrum of offers as a framework programme: show and entertainment, health and fitness facilities, a wide variety of food options in eight restaurants and the option of various excursions to Oslo. Events on board Color Line are on offer for a package price starting at 269 Euros per participant. That includes the sea voyage from/ to Kiel, two overnight stays in the category booked, two breakfast buffets, a light lunch, two Scandinavian gourmet buffets and conference rooms including techno logy, soft drinks, coffee and fresh fruit during the conference. events 2/2009 111
Glamour & Tradition – Made in Babelsberg! The Metropolis Hall®, at the heritage site Potsdam Babelsberg, has become a soughtafter location for large events in the first six months since its opening. For trade fairs, congresses, and above all, glamorous media events: after Stefan Raab’s “Bundes vision Song Contest,” the BAMBI awards have booked the next two years in the newly built hall. 17 live bands performed at the live broad- and the city of Potsdam announced the cast of the “Bundesvision Song Contest” news: “Germany’s most important media at the Metropolis Hall®. The 2,000 guests award, BAMBI, will be conferred on 26 Nopresent were impressed by the huge LED vember 2009 and in 2010 as well at Potswalls and the outstanding light and sound dam’s new Metropolis Hall® in the Filmtechnology. The heart of the studio is a park Babelsberg.” BAMBI manager Patricia round stage 13 metres in diameter. The Riekel is happy about the new location: necessary equipment was brought in on “German society and history, European 25 articulate lorries, creating a logistical tradition and international glamour come tour de force for Holger Rennert, director together in Potsdam. World stars regularly of technology for the company Brainpool. work at the Babelsberg film studios and He praised the technical conditions of the bring Hollywood style to Brandenburg. Metropolis Hall®: “There are fixed sites for Potsdam represents the successful cultural outside broadcast vans and the cable runs growth of Germany like no other place, esto the cameras are short.” The electricity pecially on the 20th anniversary of the fall supplier is also “excellent,” thanks to two of the Wall and German unification. independent transformers with 2000 amperes each. Great conditions for a media The new, TV-suited multifunctional studio event of this magnitude. But the hall in was opened in October 2008 with direct Potsdam Babelsberg has other assets ... connections to the Filmpark Babelsberg. The multifunctional nature of the hall has In March, only four weeks later, Hubert been preserved. Party conventions, conBurda Media, the state of Brandenburg certs, gala events, presentations and con112 events 2/2009
gresses for up to 3,000 participants have already been booked. After the first trade fairs at the Metropolis Hall®, Enrico Schulze, Messe Potsdam GmbH, said: “The hall definitely took us forward by a large step – as Messe Potsdam, we now have a professional venue. And this great new location is sparking exhibitors’ interest in presenting themselves in Potsdam. At our first four fairs, 530 exhibits presented themselves to almost 30,000 visitors.” With over 4,000 square metres of space, the hall can host events for up to 5,000 guests. The architecture of the Metropolis Hall® is based on that of the film studios of the Wilhelminian style. The name of the hall recalls the film, “Metropolis,” Fritz Lang’s monumental science-fiction film, shot at Babelsberger Studio in 1927. www.metropolis-halle.de
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• 13 Tagungsräume, z.T. befahrbar, bis 280m2 • Kreative Incentive-Ideen, ganzjährig! • Außergewöhnliche Locations für interne und
externe Abendveranstaltungen • Weltbekannte Sehenswürdigkeiten in nächster
Das Steigenberger Hotel Der Sonnenhof liegt 75 km westlich von München und ist bequem mit dem Auto über die A 96 München / Lindau zu erreichen. Direkte Flugverbindungen aus Hamburg, Berlin, Köln / Bonn zum 35 km entfernten Allgäu Airport Memmingen.
INSPIRA Steigenberger Hotel Der Sonnenhof meeting@inspira-sonnenhof.de • www.inspira-sonnenhof.de Tel. 08247 / 959595 • D-86825 Bad Wörishofen
Nähe: Neuschwanstein, Ammersee u.v.m. • 156 neue Zimmer • 3 Restaurants, Terrassen und Bar • Wellnesslandschaft, Fitnessraum
Fotos Lufthansa
Locations
Berlin’s new 400 sqm penthouse event venue Simple elegance, breathtaking panoramas, first-class realisation – all elements united by KARLSSON, high above the rooftops of the Gendarmenmarkt. An impressively modern and sophisticated atmosphere greets visitors, who can enjoy a unique view of Berlin’s historical landmarks such as the Konzerthaus or the German and French Cathedrals. Situated on the 6th floor of the WissenschaftsForum, the U-shaped venue’s choice of fixtures and fittings, materials and furnishings are all to a very high standard. With 400 m² of available space plus its own bar, smokers’ lounge and cloakroom facilities, it offers an infrastructure to match any event.
Brand new: Lufthansa Training & Conference Center in Seeheim Barely two years after the old building was demolished and following an investment of roughly 100 million Euros, the LH Training & Conference Center opened its doors in February 2009 – as one of Germany‘s most modern conference centres. The 9,120 square metre area boasts a conference hotel with 483 rooms, conference rooms up to 600 square metres and comprehensive catering with lounges and large outside terraces. The main beneficiaries of the elegant venue are about 109,000 Lufthansa staff from more than 150 nations gathering here for training, seminars, meetings and networking. And the complex is environmentally friendly as well: constructed according to the low-energy concept, a rainwater reservoir, optimal thermal insulation and a geothermal plant ensure environmentally friendly preservation of resources. www.lh-seeheim.de
Corporate branding can be realised via projector and flat screen TV, while the lighting system offers illumination right across the colour spectrum. Rounding out the package is a professionally-rigged sound system. Two lifts situated in the building lobby take guests directly to the penthouse. Capacities: 450 (party), 400 (reception), 160 (dinner), 80 (theatre-style seating). www.karlsson-berlin.de
New director of business solutions for Disneyland Resort Paris Eloi Courcoux is the name of the new director of business solutions at the Disneyland Resort Paris. He is the successor of Carlo Olejniczak, who was promoted to vice-president of sales and marketing. In this role, Eloi Courcoux will lead the team responsible for all MICE events at the Disneyland Resort’s hotels and theme parks. Courcoux has worked for Disneyland for nine years in various capacities. Previously, he was responsible for marketing of L’Oreal, Paris in Madrid – obviously a man who knows what corporations like! Eloi Courcoux has a Master’s Degree in Marketing Studies & Strategy from the Paris Institute of Political Studies and a MBA from Lausanne. 114 events 2/2009
DESTINATION n ews
Ibiza and Berlin have the best hotels for party people What’s the best place to “let your hair down” after the conference? Citysam.de has the answer: Ibiza is still the best choice of travel destination for party people, along with the capital city of Berlin. For everyone who wants to party during their next short or long holiday, the hotel and travel portal has investigated the “Top 20 Party Locations.” A mixture of beach relaxation and tourist nightlife singles, families and other groups in equal numbers seems to have won a good rating for Ibiza and the - this ensures that the result is not skewed by, for examthird-placed S’Arenal. A comparison on the level of ple, only young party people going to Ibiza while many countries shows that hotels in Spanish holiday resorts types of guests visit Munich. seem especially suited for party tourists. In contrast, in Berlin the urban club scene and the rich selection of centrally-located and inexpensive hotels guaranteed a An overview of the “Citysam Top 20 Party Locations” high ranking. All these factors – a good mixture of sand, sun and city – were equally esteemed and ensured that hotels from Miami, Barcelona and Los Angeles also found their way onto the list of recommendations. Other well-known holiday spots like Bodrum and Lloret de Mar, London and New York just missed the top. Summarised by country, that means first place for Spain, followed by Greece, Germany, the USA and Turkey. As for the romance factor, Spain is clearly in the lead. S’Arenal, Ibiza and Barcelona nab the first, second and fifth spots. Miami took third place and Bodrum fourth place. Berlin is the first city from Germany, somewhat lower in eighth place for romance and meeting people, followed by Frankfurt (17th), Cologne (19th), Düsseldorf (36th) and Munich (68th).
Rank
City
Recommendation*
1
Ibiza (Spain)
84%
2
Berlin (Germany)
84%
3
S’Arenal / Playa de Palma (Spain)
83%
4
Miami / Miami Beach (USA)
78%
5
Bodrum (Turkey)
76%
6
London (U.K.)
76%
7
Lloret de Mar (Spain)
76%
8
New York City (USA)
75%
9
Barcelona (Spain)
75%
10
Santorin (Greece)
75%
11
Los Angeles (USA)
75%
12
Mykonos (Greece)
75%
13
Rimini (Italy)
75%
In order to determine the best 20 party locations and 14 Frankfurt (Germany) 74% the best romance factor, Citysam.de surveyed more 15 Las Vegas (USA) 74% than 5,000 customers who booked a hotel over the 16 Manchester (U.K.) 74% site. After their trips, they could rate on a scale of zero 17 Amsterdam (Netherlands) 73% to 100 percent how suitable their hotel was for party tourists or for romance. Hotels on Ibiza and in Berlin 18 Paris (France) 73% received the greatest number of points – they were 19 Wien (Austria) 73% recommended for party trips with an average of 84%. 20 Zürich (Schwitzerland) 72% S’Arenal received a recommendation score of 83 percent for romance. The results include evaluations by * Average recommendation of hotels for party travellers events 2/2009 115
DE STIN ATION n ews
Hotel business in Hungary:
No longer a rhapsody – but not the blues either! overs have since also dropped along with a decreasing occupancy rate. The miniupturn over Easter was only cold comfort and the harbingers for July are medium to poor again.
The Hungarian hotel industry currently finds itself in a difficult position – as do its neighbours. City hotels, mainly in Budapest, are recording a serious slump in the business travel sector since October 2008: the domestic demand is far lower here than at the leisure hotels in the countryside. These country, spa and wellness hotels did surprisingly well until February 2009 but, compared to the previous year, their turn-
A highly positive aspect in this turbulent economic situation is the focus on securing jobs: very few hotels part with their employees! Instead, they concentrate on cutting costs wherever possible and on providing even better service to their customers in order to ride out these hard times together with their team. A gratifying signal on the part of the new government also provides great relief: postponement of the planned taxation of the “holiday checks”, which would amount to 24-25% and 40-45% of the
total and the domestic turnovers respectively in many Hungarian provincial hotels. The sector hopes that it will be spared such drastic action in the coming year as well! The Budapest city hotel business is launching a major campaign under the motto “Summer Adventure Budapest” to boost the summer business: the weakened Forint is also opportune here – to the Euroland guest, it has doubled in value! The Hungarian tourism authorities are also increasing their efforts in the source markets with the promotion of a sensational price/ performance ratio. Looking at the direct neighbours, the effect is already evident: visitors from Slovakia are increasingly elated about the buying power of their Euro and there is no sales slump on the Austrian horizon either.
Styrian Conference and Convention Tourism:
What will happen after the peak year 2008? With average increases in their turnover of ten percent in conference and convention tourism, the members of the “Steiermark Convention” were more than satisfied when they took stock of last year. There was also a slight increase in January and February 2009. “Conference and convention tourism is a very important pillar of tourism in Styria. I am delighted that the last financial year went so well and that the bookings situation is also currently looking good,” says “Steiermark Tourismus” boss Georg Bliem. He is bound to be pleased, as on average convention tourists leave more money in the province and also invigorate the mid-season periods. The Steiermark Convention numbers 43 members, namely: 26 convention hotels, six conference centres, four events locations, two events agencies, three Regional Convention Bureaus and two excursion destinations. Over the last year the ARGE booked 200 enquiries via the free information point of the Steiermark Convention alone. This was in addition to the enquiries which came in directly to the member businesses. Conference calendar 2009 – Hotel sector: Good bookings despite tight budgets The conference calendar is well filled throughout Styria. Graz, Leoben, Schladming, Bad Radkersburg (where the new congress centre is set to open in May!) – they are all reporting conferences with more than a
thousand participants (see information box). Hence the convention hotels are essentially well booked for 2009. But: “Customers’ budgets don’t leave much room to manoeuvre. A sound price/performance ratio with good quality ensures that customers will come back again,” explains Andrea Sajben, Manager of the Steiermark Convention. The Steiermark Convention has been handling national and international marketing for the Styrian conference, conventions and seminar specialists for five years – with its quality logo “Steirisch tagen” or “meet in Styria”. According to Sajben, around 200 direct booking enquiries came via the Steiermark Convention, while a large number of customers approached the businesses directly. The success of the joint appearance continues: the Steiermark Convention consortium under the umbrella of the Steiermark Convention has been extended for another three years.
Conference and convention calendar Styria – Highlights for 2009 Graz
RoboCup
2.000 participants
June
Graz
Investment convention
1.000 participants
April
Graz
Austrian Librarians’ Convention
1.000 participants
September
Graz
40 General Medicine Congress
1.000 participants
November
Leoben
Conference of Cities
800 participants
May
Gynaecology Congress
200 participants
October
Volksbanken Winter Games
1.500 participants
March
UniCredit group SkiMeeting
4.000 participants
March
Oompah music congress – Mid Europe
3.500 participants
July
Geodesy congress
1.000 participants
October
ÖGATAP Congress (Öster. Gesellschaft für angewandte Tiefenpsychologie und allg.
500 participants
September
Schladming
Bad Radkersburg
th
Psychotherapie – Austrian Association for Applied Depth Psychology and General Psychotherapy)
events 2/2009 117
DE STIN ATION n ews
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Incentive trips with Beachcomber-Hotels
An incentive experience with character awaits all island lovers in the Beachcomber Hotels in Mauritius and the Seychelles. Customised programmes are on offer especially for group and incentive trips. Combinations of different Beachcomber locations with their own incentive department are also possible. This kind of trip is often more affordable than a corresponding offer within Europe Example of a group trip to the Beachcomber Hotel Le Mauricia. Price 998 €/person incl. flight! Friday: The participants can work until the afternoon, as the joint departure from Germany only takes off from Frankfurt in the evening. The comfortable night flight can fly directly from Frankfurt with Air Mauritius, for example. The time difference is only two hours. 118 events 2/2009
Saturday: After arrival on Mauritius in the morning, a transfer journey leads through the interior of the country past sugar cane fields, colourful temples, blooming avenues and lovely towns directly to the Beachcomber Hotel Le Mauricia where you will be greeted by live Mauritian music. The beautiful hotel directly next to the bay of Grand Baie is known for its friendly and trendy atmosphere. The first day: Relax on the hotel beach, try out one of countless free sporting activities, or go on a trip to Grand Baie with its many small bars, bistros, boutiques, and animated nightlife. From here, hotel guests can easily reach shopping and entertainment locations on foot. Sunday: Today, the guests learn more about Mauritian culture and traditions while touring the island in Jeeps far beyond the tourist paths. Stops are planned, for example, for a demonstration of rum production, a sega dance class or a card game tournament with locals. In the evening: Relaxed pirate dinner with feet in the sand and diverse delicacies at tables under the palms. Monday: Take a boat through turquoise-blue water to the dream isle of Ile des Deux Cocos! Due to its beautiful location in the middle of a marine reserve, several of the best snorkelling sites are found here, complete with corals and colourful tropical fish. Champagne, snorkelling, swimming, sun-bathing or a walk through the rich vegetation of the island and a sumptuous BBQ directly on the beach! Back at Le Mauricia, the lessons of the day can be translated into action on a Mauritian evening and the trip can end perfectly: after typical dishes, dance to sega music until the torches burn down... Tuesday: Return journey to the airport and back home. Arrival in the evening. Example of a group trip to the Beachcomber Hotels Shandrani and Dinarobin. Price upon request Wednesday: Arrival as in Example 1 Thursday: Welcome with flowers at the airport. On the way to the hotel: a champagne breakfast in complete seclusion in one of the sugar cane-fields. Anyone who prefers more pomp can order a police escort for the drive to the hotel – available to anyone on Mauritius. And so, the guest will be brought to the first lodgings, shielded like a president – the Beachcomber Shandrani Resort & Spa, the first five-star all-inclusive hotel on Mauritius. After check-
in: how about tai chi, a pleasant beauty treatment or an antijetlag massage at the spa? Friday: After a dream breakfast, go directly from the hotel beach to the Pirogue Regatta in traditional fishing boats. The sails can be printed with the company logo if desired or arranged according to individual wishes. Then enjoy some relaxation with classic tilapia fishing. Successful fishers can make use of their catches that very evening: at a barbecue on the beach, the light of the fire will slowly fade into the evening. Saturday: Mini Cabrio Rally: After a morning tea tasting, continue on to the production of your own perfume. Then the path leads to the “Escale Creole,” the traditional Creole cuisine and culture. The next stop is a rum tasting at our own display distillery, followed by arrival at the second Beachcomber Hotel of the trip the Dinarobin Hotel, an all-suite hotel directly at the foot of the Le Morne mountain. A sundowner awaits in the Carbanon Bar with ‘chill out’ music and a lounge atmosphere. Then: a top-class evening – the Fisherman’s Evening at the restaurant La Ravanne. Boats bring the guests to the restaurant in the dark and a group of sega dancers sways on
the torch-lit harbour entrance to atmospheric Mauritian tones. Sunday: An early catamaran tour for dolphins or - depending on the season – whale watching. And in the meantime: snorkelling by the reef! Board music and lobster BBQs on deck. In the afternoon: depending on preference, either an underwater stroll on the seafloor, a drive on an underwater scooter or a submarine expedition. Charity tombola. In the evening, visit a private island in the lagoon before the Beachcomber Hotel Paradis. At low tide, a night-time torch-lit stroll to the island is possible. If raindrops do fall unexpectedly, however, a transparent marquee is available. The group spends the last hours sega dancing and feasting on seafood until the closing fireworks illuminate the night sky. Monday: A helicopter journey with a singular view rounds off the impressions and brings the group to their home-bound plane as quickly as possible. Arrival in the evening.
Beachcomber Hotels Dianastr. 4, 85221 Ottobrunn Tel: +49 (0)89 / 629 84 90 Fax: +49 (0)89 / 609 68 11 Your contact for complete presentations: Christian Ast c.ast@beachcomber.de
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Hotel Zur Post in Kreuth
Tegernsee network continues to grow It is gratifying to see how well the association of event professionals in the Tegernsee valley has grown. Since the Tagungserlebnis Tegernsee was founded in 2007, 60 companies have joined it to look after the well-being of business travellers in the Tegernsee valley.
Quite chic now: Hotel Bayern.
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A new addition is the Hotel zur Post in Kreuth. This 4-star traditional hotel with its Bavarian-style cosiness is the ideal setting for price-conscious customers, from small meeting groups to company conventions of 100 people. Guests who prefer exclusive family hotels will find an ideal offering in the Hotel Garni Westerhof in Tegernsee. Located high above the lake, this attractive private hotel offers its guests a spectacular view and a setting
which is perfectly in tune with small but excellently formed meetings. For guests who are seeking more in the way of peace and isolation, such as an executive level conclave, the SuttenhĂźtte in Rottach-Egern is virtually ideal. It can be reached easily by car but is still far from the crowd in the middle of the Tegernsee mountains. 11 rooms and perfectly harmonised supporting programmes for refugees from civilisation! Healthy conventions are the buzzword at the moment, and here too Tegernsee as a convention venue has found the ideal partner in TerraSana Life AG â&#x20AC;&#x201C; forward-looking health activities customised to individual needs are specially developed for convention participants and provide added value for every event.
Hotel Bayern reopened after conversion The fact that quality and tradition are the formulas which bear fruit in the Tegernsee valley is demonstrated by the new offerings from the two 4 and 5 star hotels, the *****Park-Hotel Egerner Höfe in RottachEgern and the ****Hotel Bayern in Tegernsee. With their ultra-high quality convention centres they show what the state of the art currently looks like in the Tegernsee valley. High above the lake reigns the SuperiorHotel Bayern with its famous Sengerschloss. This establishment is deemed to be a real hot spot amongst business and wellbeing hotels outside the Bavarian regional capital. With its new convention centre, where a quite unusual art project has been implemented by a Munich gallery, newly designed rooms and the new NaturSpa, it now offers better facilities and plenty of room for a staff or customer event. Room for up to 200 people is available for events on two floors. A variety of locations, all air-conditioned and fitted with ultramodern technology and high speed DSL and LAN, ranging in size from 30m² to 124m², can be flexibly enlarged or reduced. If you are looking not so much for small team building rooms or an exclusive company convention, but more
for space for a major congress or banquet, then the Wandelhalle in Bad Wiessee offers a generously sized events area with capacity for up to 600 people. The professionally managed network Tagungserlebnis Tegernsee offers its services free of charge to interested business customers to create customised individual offerings for seminar and convention visits to the Tegernsee, and also provides suggestions for the perfect setting in the surrounding area. The network presents itself all year round at trade fairs such as the ITB in Berlin or IMEX in Frankfurt, as well as at national seminar and convention exchanges. The lively Tegernsee team have even been nominated for the Conga Award 2009! www.tagungserlebnis-tegernsee.de
Idyllic setting: The Suttenhütte
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New Director of Tourism for Indian Tourist Office The Indian Tourist Office has appointed a new Director to manage its European business. As Director of Tourism for the next three years, M.N. Javed will be managing the Tourist Office in Frankfurt plus the associated twelve offices in the European Union, CIS countries and Israel. Anil Oraw will continue to provide support in his role as Associate Director. The 56-year-old tourism manager can draw on many years of experience in the tourism business, and the European market will be one very familiar to him from his time as Director of the Indian Tourist Office in Madrid (1989-1993). As Director for South America (1999-2002), he was responsible for tourism promotion throughout South America. M.N. Javed is also a recognized expert on the Indian market, not only managing several regional tourist offices but also holding senior positions in the Ministry of Tourism. Recently, as Deputy Director General, he was responsible for the entire Indian hotel sector. As India’s long-standing representative at the WTO, M.N. Javed has also made a name for himself on the international stage. Key players in the tourism industry have honoured his achievements in the service of Indian tourism on multiple occasions, with the “Award of Excellence” in 2004, 2005 and 2008 and, in 2007, the recognition of “an outstanding 25-year partnership” by India’s national hotel and catering association.
With a bit of luck, visit the World Cup in South Africa
Morocco’s tongue-in-cheek campaign
In order to really get enthusiasm going for the World Cup, South African Tourism has now unveiled a major campaign enjoying substantial support from celebrities. With some team spirit you can become a member of a huge fan community and win a trip to the FIFA World Cup 2010, as well as other great prizes! What do Desmond Tutu, Mario Adorf, Johann Lafer and Veronica Ferres have in common? They are all avowed South Africa fans and part of the campaign which has just been launched by South African Tourism. Numerous celebrities from society, showbiz and sports have already posted their statement about the dream country on the Cape on www.dein-suedafrika.de and are receiving strong support from other lovers of South Africa. Likeminded people still have until the end of May 2010 to join the South Africa team at www.dein-suedafrika.de and tell the world what they particularly love about the country and its people. Simply register, upload a photo and write a short note about South Africa. In the end a huge photo mosaic will be created showing the many lovers of South Africa and numerous VIPs! As well as lots of great prizes every month, there will also be a prize draw amongst everyone taking part with the chance to win a holiday, including a visit to a World Cup match!
Morocco strikes just the right note with a nice anti-crisis campaign. Since April 1, 2009, visitors to www.moroccotherapy. com can have their everyday illnesses diagnosed by Professor Karam, who then suggests appropriate treatment. After a few introductory words from the friendly Professor Karam and after answering a number of questions, users must then await the professor’s diagnosis. To understand the nature of their afflictions more clearly, these illnesses are illustrated with videos in which patients relate their experiences ... and the successes of Professor Karam’s remedies. Regardless of the outcome of the diagnosis, the ever-smiling Professor Karam always has the right therapy up his sleeve: only a visit to Morocco can hope to help – a sporting holiday for lethargitis, whereas acute furiosis responds best to a wellness holiday and thalasso treatments or long walks and relaxation in the Moroccan countryside.
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One thing is clear: Morocco, with its culture and natural beauty, is a wonder drug for everyday ailments! After the English, French and Spanish language versions of the website racked up 30,000 visitors in the very first week, the German version is now online at www.marokkotherapie.de.
“I have left my suitcase in Berlin”... Participants in conferences and conventions, incentives and events from around the world prize Berlin’s excellent hotels, rich palette of meeting opportunities and ease of travel. The capital occupies the second spot in the International Congress & Convention Association’s city rankings. Cultural diversity has positively exploded since reunification, but cultural freedom and its untameable bursts of creativity existed prior to this, when Berlin was still surrounded by a high wall with a crown of barbed wire.
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A central station like a crystal palace. Once, the Lehrter City Railway Station stood here and, not far away up Invalidenstraße, the blue neon tubes of the U-shaped Hamburger Bahnhof draws astonished stares; today, it is a museum and a venue with a lovely courtyard and a Sarah Wiener restaurant in the side wing.
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Ambitious fashion designers assiduously developed then-unknown labels in hidden courtyards and painters painted wonderful pictures in shabby attics with clammy fingers. A frugal subculture lived life by its own rules and, then as now, celebrated the ‘Berliner Schnauze’ – the Berliners’ famously sharp tongue. Berlin has always been authentic and cheeky and has never bowed to intimidation. Today, it’s also new, high class, culinary, cosmopolitan - presentable and internationally in demand! It has a heart, a soul and a charm that a single word could hardly describe.
Statistics: for orientation – and for delight! In 2001, the BCO initialised a congress statistics programme as a pilot project. It has since delivered informative facts and figures about the development of the meetings and congress situation in Berlin. The data is evaluated semi-annually and serves as a guideline for future planning. The results for 2008 are excellent: 8.15 million visitors were drawn to Berlin (2007: 7,970,000), 20 percent of them from abroad, and 104,600 events took place (2007: 101,200). Positive development of connections by land and air made travel easier. Further expansion of international flight connections like non-stop flights
from the USA on Delta Airlines/Continental and from Qatar on Qatar Airways bring international business tourism to Berlin by the fastest routes – soon via a brand-new airport.
Berlin Brandenburg International (BBI) – Project running according to plan The new airport Berlin Brandenburg International BBI will be located at the site of the current BerlinSchönefeld airport and will eventually not only replace Schönefeld, but also Tegel airport. The legendary Tempelhof Airport was already closed at the end of October 2008 (see events 5/2008). The opening of BBI is scheduled for 2011. The impressive glass Central Railway Station, located in the neighbourhood of the Reichstag and the Chancellery, welcomes predominantly national visitors. After the BBI goes into operation, airport shuttles will connect the city to the new airport with departures every 20 minutes.
Outstanding range of accommodations... ... at very good prices. Berlin definitely scores points in this regard, since participants in meetings and conven-
www.berlin-convention-office.de
BERLIN MAKES
your heart beat faster! Ihr professioneller Partner f端r Meetings,Conventions und Incentives in Berlin Berlin Convention Office berlin tourismus Marketing Gmbh Phone +49 - 30 - 26 39 183 E-mail berlin-convention-office@b-c-o.com
DE STIN ATIONs : Berlin
tions particularly value this feature: they booked 4.7 million overnight lodgings in 2008 in response – that’s five percent more than in the previous year. Hotels of international groups are already benefiting from Berlin’s potential or planning new openings in the near future: the Spanish Silken group with a four-star design hotel near the Ku’Damm in the autumn of 2009 and the Scandic group with premises at Potsdamer Platz at the beginning of 2010.
Business is booming at the ICC Berlin
The demand is high, the booking situation for 2009 excellent and the outlook is promising. Additional conference facilities at the Berlin exhibition centre at the Palais am Funkturm are increasingly being used for meetings of all kinds. Bookings by convention organisers extend to the year 2016! In 2008, a total of 623 meetings and shows with over 280,000 participants took place. Compared to the previous record year The 161 conference hotels already in existence con- of 2005, sales in 2008 doubled at 20 million Euros. stitute approx. 53 percent of the potential space for World-wide recognition makes the commercial sucevents: in 2008, 87,600 events were held here (+3%) cess in the convention field plain: for the fifth time and a total of 4.8 million participants were served in a row, the ICC was distinguished with the World (+2%). For organisers, Berlin’s wide range of venues is Travel Award, the “Oscar of the travel industry,” as particularly appealing: behind 135 historical, designed, a “leading conference & convention centre.” Around or eccentric walls, 14,500 gatherings (+5%) took 167,000 tourist industry professionals from agencies, place with 2.5 million participants (+2%). hotels, airlines, tourism centres and other tourist institutions from all continents participated in the vote. The city’s six convention centres and halls hosted about 2,500 events with 850,000 participants in the Medical conventions at the ICC year 2008, e.g. at the Estrel Berlin – Europe’s largest convention, entertainment, and hotel complex, at the Berlin owes its top position as an international convenaxica conference and convention centre at Pariser Platz tion destination to them in particular. Noted organisers of medical conventions have increasingly settled on or at the ICC. the ICC Berlin for the future as well: > The joint orthopaedics and trauma surgery convention will bring more than 10,000 specialists to the city on the Spree by 2015
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> The “Medicine + Health” convention with approx. 7,500 participants will take place once a year until 2012 > The German Association for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Neurology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie, und Nervenheilkunde, DGPPN) will holds its annual meetings with 8,000 participants in Berlin until 2011 > The German Cancer Association (Deutsche Krebgesellschaft) will gather for a convention and cancer action day in even years until 2012 with 15,000 participants > In even years between 2008 and 2016, up to 6,000 medical professionals from practice and research fields will meet at the convention of the Deutsche Gesell schaft für Chirurgie (German Association for Surgery)
Curfew? Far from it! Native Berliners, immigrants, temporary inhabitants and visitors alike mix in countless elegant, quirky or rustic restaurants and pubs (like the always packed “Ständige Vertretung” near Bahnhof Friedrichstraße, dignified ones like the ‘Vau,’ high-class comfort ones like Lutter and Wegner at the Gendarmenmarkt... and many more), clubs or bars with original names like Bar jeder Vernunft (Beyond All Reason), WunderBar (Wonderful), or Bar Celona. Life is everywhere. The Berlin events calendar has 1,500 listings daily and 175 muse-
ums, over 130 stages in operas and playhouses, theatres, ensembles and seven large symphonic orchestras provide more variety than most people can soak in. In February 2009, the Dali Museum at Potsdamer Platz was opened for lovers of primarily surrealist art, and before that, the temporary Kunsthalle Berlin at the Schlossplatz, which will be a venue for contemporary art for two years and offers space for events for up to 1,000 guests. In October, the New Museum will open on the Museumsinsel. Based upon the ‘Long Night of Museums,’ successful for many years now, the ‘Long Night of Opera and Theatre’ was offered for the first time in April, while 50 Berlin stages introduced themselves in half-hour presentations.
DE STIN ATIONs : Berlin
For energetic athletes, white steeds or rock musicians: the O2 arena at Ostbahnhof Station
after Beirut, Washington DC and the Galapagos Islands! > On the anniversary of the fall of the Wall (9 November), guests of Westin Grand can have a go at a piece of wall: it It cost 150 million euros will specially be brought – the new arena was orto Friedrichstraße for ganised as a joint project this purpose. of the Anschutz Enter> Funkhaus Berlin now tainment Group from a venue: Treugast 105 the USA and the Munich GmbH has been markettelecommunications coring the Treptow-Köpenporation O2. With room ick broadcasting centre for up to 17,000 visitors, as a venue since March 59 entertainment suites 09. and a total area of 60,000 square metres, the O2 > And another new venue: Karlsson (on the roof): arena is the venue for sporting, music and entertain- a penthouse with a view of the German and French ment events. Highlights in 2009: the performance of Cathedrals at the Gendarmenmarkt offers 450 square the Spanish Riding School (14-16 May) and the MTV metres for up to 450 guests. Europe Music Awards on 5 November. > ICC celebrates its 30-year anniversary: Since April 1979, 17,777 convention and exhibition events have taken place there with about 11.1 million participants! Berlin Tickers > Air Berlin won the European Business Award for the > In March, the BCO came up with a special idea for a category of ‘Customer Focus.’ road show in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich: 31 hotel representatives introduced ‘their’ venue in Berlin. What was original about it? The venues were Berlin Convention Office presented three-dimensionally on easels in the form of The Berlin Convention Office (BCO) of Berlin Tourpainted pictures – and commented on by the respecist Marketing provides support for the organisative sponsor. tion of conventions, conferences, and incentives. > The list is rather odd: Berlin was ranked 4th of the Interested parties are briefed in detail about BerTop 44 destinations selected by the New York Times – lin as a convention and conference metropolis, as well as about culinary and cultural highlights. In addition, customers profit from an extensive network of contacts and free procurement and booking of hotel contingents. The BCO as a member of the ICCA and the UIA – Union of International Associations – has access to current statistics from both organisations about the world-wide conference and convention market. Berlin Convention Office Am Karlsbad 11 10785 Berlin www.berlin-convention-office.de www.meeting-place-berlin.com Phone: +49 (0)30 26 39 183
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Berlin, Berlin, we’re going to Berlin! The capital attracts visitors again with ‘Meeting Place Berlin 2009’ From 2 to 6 July 2009, the city on the Spree will host about 100 national and international decision-makers from the meetings and incentives industry: for the fifth time, the Berlin Convention Office (BCO) of the BTM, BTM-Partnerhotels e.V. and Preferred Agencies are > “Meet Facilities Day”: A field study is presented jointly issuing invitations for an exchange on a com- here: hosted buyers will learn how extensive Berlin’s munications platform previously received positively by range of event spaces is on a tour of sites straight providers and users alike. This year, too, hosted buyers across the events scene. from associations, companies and agencies will get to > “Meet Berlin Day”: A day to let the charm of the know the quality of the capital as a conference and ‘capital with a heart’ win you over: the programme convention site in detail during a multi-day workshop. consists of art, culture and pure Berlin. An unforgettDivided into groups, they will complete the following able experience could become the highlight of the schedule in rotation: day: the visit to the Classic Open Air Festival at the Gendarmenmarkt, one of the most beautiful squares > “Meet Professionals Day“: Here, local providers in Berlin. like five-star hotels, venues or gastronomy businesses The trip is affordable: the 1st class events ticket of meet with participants on a fixed schedule (pre-sche Deutsche Bahn costs only 49 Euros round-trip. duled appointments); that is, the service provider approaches the participants. Information on Meeting Place Berlin 2009: www.meeting-place-berlin.com CF
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cONGR E S S wor ld
Five centres combine to form a new constellation in Austria’s congress firmament “Take five” is the maxim here, as congress centres in Austria have also resolved to join together in an alliance. The objectives are to enhance their external profiles and to reduce outgoings. Bregenz, Graz, Innsbruck, Linz and Salzburg have unanimously made the decision to unite and promote themselves in the future under the title ‘5Star Congress Group Austria’. The combo had its official debut at the Vienna Chamber Opera in the presence of their existing clientele, congress and event organisers and the hope is that new customers will soon come flocking to their doors.
The 5Star Group at the Vienna Chamber Opera: Heinz Kammerlander, Barbara Schwaiger (both Salzburg), Helga Ginzinger, Gerhard Stübe (both Bregenz), Ralph Kerschbaumer (Innsbruck), Heidrun de Jong, Thomas Ziegler (both Linz), Claudia Kranjec (Graz), Sabine Peternel (Innsbruck), Elisabeth Hansa (Graz).
Another intention is to create awareness of the special expertise of the five centres: these are their high level of professional competence, personal support and consulting services, rapid and uncomplicated project implementation and an attractive palette of other services. Each of the centres has a success story to tell. Thanks to its spectacular location directly on the lake, Bregenz has even managed to impress the makers of the latest James Bond film. Linz has stage-managed many a dramatic event among the timeless contemporary architecture of its Design Center. As far as Innsbruck is concerned, its great advantage is its natural surroundings, Salzburg is the 130 events 2/2009
arena for success and Graz combines one of the most beautiful cityscapes in Europe with an impressive benchmark of a congress centre. All five have the capacity to meet the most stringent requirements. On the other hand, they are still of a manageable size, so that pathways remain short and all contacts are with real human beings. To this must be added the imposing architecture and the range of attractions in the environment outside the congress centres themselves which give each of the locations an individual quality. The members of the 5Star Congress Group Austria will be marketing themselves jointly in the future. A new homepage
and newsletter have been launched and intensive PR activities, events and telemarketing campaigns are planned. “We are convinced that this will generate greater awareness of our services than if each of us were to undertake promotional measures independently,” says confident Project Manager Helga Grinzinger. The 5Star Group on the net www.5starcongressgroup.com Bregenz: www.festspielhausbregenz.at Graz: www.mcg.at Innsbruck: www.come-innsbruck.at Linz: www.design-center.at Salzburg: www.salzburgcongress.at
Te Ke sten nn S zu enle ie un ge rnr s: win ei ne se n!
Andrea Bisping, new chairperson of the Munich ICCA Committee Andrea Bisping, director of the International Congress Center Munich (ICM), was appointed as the new chairperson of the Munich ICCA Committee (MIC), the successful merger of the Munich congress economy, on 1 April 2009. As the successor of Peter Trautmann, who led the committee until the end of 2008 as business executive of Flughafen München GmbH, Andrea Bisping wants to push organised tourist marketing for Munich further and successfully advance internationalisation of the congress market. The election of Andrea Bisping as chairperson of the Munich ICCA Committee underlines the long-standing close cooperation of players at the congress and conference site Munich and was welcomed by all MIC members. Predecessor Peter Trautmann: “I’m very happy that Andrea Bisping will advance the interests of the congress industry in Munich as leader of the International Congress Center Munich with feminine charm and great professionalism. In her short time at the ICM, she built extensive relationships with the industry with great success and contributed to the extremely successful realisation of the famous cardiology congress in 2008. As chairperson of the Munich ICCA Committee, Andrea Bisping will strengthen Munich’s position as a top international destination, especially in the current difficult market environment and contribute to Munich’s profile in all branches of the congress industry.” The Munich members of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) – world-wide umbrella organisation of the congress and events industry – joined the Munich ICCA Committee (MIC) in order to guarantee professional congress and event management on a local level (information at www.icca-muc.de or www.icm-muenchen.de ).
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cONGRE S S wor ld
Karlsruhe’s trade fair and conferencing on the right track “Faszination Modellbau” (“Fascination Model-Making”) draws in the crowds at Karlsruhe – third major new public themed fair for 2010 ensures full bookings for Karlsruhe fair’s first half-year
Charming and indefatigable as Karlsruhe’s ambassador at the ITB: Regina Halmich
“We can announce that we are booked out from January to May 2010,” beams Britta Wirtz, company spokesperson for Karlsruher Messe- und KongressGmbH (KMK), commenting on the move of the successful “Faszination Modellbau” fair to KMK from 2010. The move marks the success of KMK management in attracting a third major public fair to Karlsruhe as a fair site, following on from “Echtdampf Hallentreffen” (“Real Steam Enthusiasts”) and “Faszination Motorrad” (“Amazing Bikes”). “The site is perfectly qualified to offer ‘Faszination’ in Karlsruhe the best starting conditions,” comments Messe Sinsheim GmbH, organisers of “Faszination Modellbau”. “The airport is located next to the fair site, there’s plenty of set-up room and it’s not far from our previous successful site at Sinsheim. And in Karlsruhe, we have a major new catchment area for visitors.” The company is optimistic for the future of “Faszination Modellbau Karlsruhe”. The re-location of “Faszination Motorrad” und “Echtdampf-Hallentreffen” from Sinsheim to Karlsruhe had already been announced in January. By then, Karlsruher Messe- und Kongress GmbH and Messe Sinsheim GmbH had already concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement. This collabora-
Now the second-largest art fair in Germany: the art Karlsruhe
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tion will see Karlsruhe hosting these two annual public fairs, which draw 500 exhibitors and around 60,000 visitors, from 2010 onwards. Ernst Pfister, BadenWürttemberg’s Minister for the Economy, sees the executive decision made by the two trade fair companies as “underlining the fact that Baden-Württemberg is a trade fair centre with a spirit of cooperation rather than confrontation.” The re-location of “Faszination Modellbau” marks the continuation of this strategic partnership. Then again, even KMK’s own developments have kept it in the headlines during 2010’s first trade fair quarter: art KARLSRUHE drew a record number of over 40,000 visitors while achieving top marks in terms of number of exhibitors (212) – who also achieved record rates of turnover. “No sign of the crisis” was the comment of industry insiders, and art KARLSRUHE has now established itself as one of the two leading German art fairs. NUFAM, the commercial vehicles fair for the South West, also bucked all the trends in late March by reporting record attendance from the first day – as did RESALE. Karlsruhe’s conferencing business can also report positive news. One example is the partnership with “KIT” (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), which ensured that the “International Conference on Magnetism (ICM)”, the largest and most significant international gathering in the area of magnetism, will be held in Karlsruhe’s Conference Centre – following Rome (2003) and Kyoto (2008). The one-week conference expects to draw over 1,500 physicists, chemists and materials scientists from all over the world. It’s appropriate here to mention that the City of Karlsruhe broke new ground with accommodation in 2008, totting up around 850,000 overnight stays. Prior to completion of the trade fair site and investment in the Conference Centre in the city centre (2003), the number had barely reached 600,000. 30% growth in five years: Karlsruhe is booming – to everyone’s benefit.
INTERPLAN continues on its successful course and expands management As part of its continuing expansion, INTERPLAN AG is strengthening its corporate management. Effective March 1, 2009, long-standing staff members Marion Metzner and Ursula Lau-Thurner now hold senior management positions. “This was an essential move – not only in response to the corporate growth seen in recent years, but also to ensure we continue to provide personal, first-class support for all of our congresses,” comments INTERPLAN Managing Director Dr. Markus Preußner.
uns Wir sehen EX 2009 auf der IM rt in Frankfu 8. Mai. vom 26.–2ndstand F 100 eutschla Koje 28
Halle 8 | D
The Munich head office has also made some additions to its personnel. Hotel buying will now be centralised under the management of Heike Störmer, who recently worked for Maritim in Ursula Lau-Thurner Stuttgart. Marketing & Sales is also undergoing expansion, and welcomes Sylvie Lohr to the team. After many years as an event manager at the Hanns Seidel Foundation, Ms. Lohr was most recently employed at CMPWEKA. Despite the difficult economic climate, INTERPLAN is happy to report a workforce of 60 permanent members of staff and a process of continual growth. “We have now been able to expand our core customer business to 70% and we are thus very optimistic about the future,” states Managing Director Bruno Lichtinger.
Marion Metzner
Messe Erfurt AG | Gothaer Straße 34 | 99094 Erfurt Telefon 0361 400-1320 oder -1330 | Fax 0361 400-1111 tagen@messe-erfurt.de | www.messe-erfurt.de
cONGRE S S wor ld
Going Orange:
DüsseldorfCongress remains “Colour Trendsetter” the colour orange right from the start – although it was unusual for the time. In so doing, DüsseldorfCongress associated itself with the Messe’s own colour scheme, since the parent company also used orange in its corporate communication. Hilmar Guckert, company spokesperson for DüsseldorfCongress, has had no regrets about the choice he made 14 years ago: “As the chic colour of the 1970s, orange stands for flamboyance, daring, strength and creativity. The colour is a symbol for optimism and joie de vivre, and is often associated with dynamism, energy and having a good time.”
The Dutch “Oranje” shirts from the football arena now face some competition, since increasing numbers of companies, associations and parties have discovered a brand-new colour in recent times: the colour orange! It began in 2004, when the Ukrainian opposition chose to wear the colour orange as a symbol of their resistance against the vote-rigging practised by the government of the time. You no doubt remember the “Orange Revolution”. Following this, many western parties also adopted the new colour – one of them being the German CDU. Increasingly, orange has also become the colour of choice for companies and associations. And the event industry is no exception to this trend. Recently, for example, both the Wiesbaden Congress Alliance and Duisburg’s Mercatorhalle settled on orange as their corporate colour. DüsseldorfCongress Veranstaltungsgesellschaft has pioneered this trend colour in the conferencing and event industry.
A bold move – 14 years ago Founded in early 1995 as a subsidiary of Messe Düsseldorf and the City itself, the company decided on 134 events 2/2009
In Guckert’s opinion, it is exactly these associations that should be awakened in visitors to events hosted in the various locations owned by DüsseldorfCongress. “Congresses and conferences should be sources of new ideas and get the industry moving. Concerts and sporting events should evoke pleasure, high spirits and excitement. We decided on the colour orange so that we could also bring these messages across in our advertising.” Hilmar Guckert is extremely happy to see that orange has now become the new trend colour in European business and politics: “As a result, we have now become a trendsetter in our industry: a nice side-effect of our choice of colour, which we of course could not have predicted 14 years ago.” To further intensify the positive effect of its corporate colour, DüsseldorfCongress will no longer be restricting the use of orange to its advertising, but will also be employing it as a design colour – in the modernisation work currently in progress at the CCD (Congress Center Düsseldorf), for example. According to planning, the information desks and furniture will soon be sporting the colour orange.
Netzwerken am Meer Bei Messen oder Tagungen lädt die berühmte türkische Gastfreundschaft zum entspannten Arbeiten ein. Verabreden Sie sich mit Ihren Kollegen zum Meeting mit Meerblick – in der Türkei. Tel: 0 30/27 58 52 01, Tel: 0 69/23 30-81/82 info@tuerkei-kultur-info.de, info@reiseland-tuerkei-info.de goturkey.com
macht einfach Spaß
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Congress in Linz:
Blood is a very special juice... From 16 - 17 April 2009, the 10th Annual Nata Congress took place at the DESIGN CENTER LINZ with some 400 participants. The topics covered at the NATA congress included blood transfusion and blood products. The attraction of this congress shows that the city of Linz is becoming ever more interesting to international congress organisers. Decisions about venues usually also have something to do with the thematic synergies on site. Austria is the third-largest consumer of blood in Europe, after Greece and Denmark. Dr. Hans Gombotz, chief of anaesthesiology and intensive care operations at AKH Linz, has been an advocate of bloodsaving measures in hospitals for years and can produce numerous international studies that show that nonindexed blood transfusions have clear side effects for patients – up to an increased risk of infection and higher rates of heart attacks.The effects on the health 136 events 2/2009
care system – from a financial perspective as well – are therefore of great import. Internationally recognised experts from the fields of anaesthesiology, intensive care, surgery, haematology and transfusion medicine addressed this problem during the NATA congress. The conference site: With easy access via the Airport Linz and a multifaceted programme in connection with the European Capital of Culture year, the Design Center Linz proved to be an ideal conference site. The timeless modern architecture of the Design Center offers much space for ideas. Above all, the glass roof that creates an atmosphere of natural light is unique. The some 10,000 sqm of space accommodates 22 rooms of varying sizes (32 - 4,300 sqm). The light, sunny ambience stimulates communication and the first-class conference technology contributes as well.
A ssociations
Successful EVVC push into the Bundestag The consistently maintained commitment to active lobbying in political Berlin has borne fruit. And again, it was the EVVC who not only boasted, but carried through. For the first time in the history, the events industry had the opportunity to introduce itself to the tourism commission of the German Bundestag and present its political positions. At its presentation on 25 March 2009, the Europäische Verband der Veranstaltungs-Centren e.V. (European Association of Event Centres, EVVC) was received with great interest and found many willing ears. Marlene Mortler MdB (CSU), chairperson of the commission, greeted the visitors and the exchange of opinions with these words: “We should support our events industry so that it can maintain its leading position in Europe and continue to guarantee about one million local jobs in Germany.” Now we’re getting somewhere! August Moderer (currently still president of EVVC and executive of the Congress Centrum Mainz) and Joachim König (vice-president of EVVC and director of the Hannover Congress Centrum), with support from Dr. Hubert Koch (EVVC Berlin bureau), presented the almost 20-person board with important figures and facts about the industry and the association, to conclude by formulating four concrete policy topics and requests:
4. Support for the development of a transition to flexible working hours (relaxing of the 10-hour rule) for cost-neutral, competitive optimisation of quality and service, naturally with complete compliance with laws protecting minors. In the following three question and answer sessions, the members of parliament particularly addressed the economic status of the industry and asked about the significance of indirect returns on events and possible over-capacities as well as the cooperation of the EVVC with other associations, especially the Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismis (German National Tourist Board, DZT) and the Bundesverband der Deutschen Tourismuswirtschaft (Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry, BTW). The importance to the industry’s future of training and continued education was also discussed intensively. EVVC’s spokespeople received signals of support from all parliamentary groups in this regard. The desire to jointly present Germany as an event location in order to bear up against strong world-wide competitive pressures also found much support.
1. Support for the industry in the development of a standard job description for “event “For the first time, we were able to present the idea manager” with mandatory entry qualifica- of the congress tax before a political committee,” tions, a standard curriculum, and a manda- August Moderer said, drawing a positive conclusion. tory length of training. “The members of the tourism board appreciated our attempt to find alternative financing models for our 2. Support for marketing Germany as a branches.” congress and event destination abroad e.g. through participation of industry representa- For Joachim König, vice-president of the association, tives in the chancellor’s and ministers’ travels the board members’ suggestion of organising a parliaabroad. mentary evening in Berlin in the new election period, since many EVVC topics also interest members of oth3. Political incentives to improve the funding er boards, was a positive conclusion and a transition to status of event centres. The EVVC here sug- lobbying work in the coming years. “Naturally, we will gests e.g. a congress tax – it would unburden act on this idea,” says König in a personal comment. tax payers, as it would be levied from participants only. At the same time, it would reduce the need for subsidies. events 2/2009 137
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Dirk Gerdom is the new VDR president From left to right: Volker Huber, Bernd Ruttloff, Daniela Schade, Carsten Czub, Ralph Rettig (vice-president), Dirk Gerdom (president) and Hans-Ingo Biehl (HGF)
The members of the Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V. (Association of German Travel Management, VDR), the German business travel association, elected a new chair at the 35th VDR annual general meeting on 2 April 2009 in Cologne. The new president is Dirk Gerdom, head of global travel management for SAP AG in Walldorf. He has been a member of the executive committee since 2003. Ralph Rettig, senior manager of corporate travel management of the ZF Group of ZF Friedrichshafen AG in Friedrichshafen, was re-elected as vice-president. He has
been a member of the executive committee since 1997. Bernd Ruttloff, director of procurement indirect material & services of Hochtief AG in Essen, member of the committee since 1994, was confirmed as treasurer in office. Carsten Czub, corporate travel / fleet coordinator of the GEA Group AG in Bochum, VDR member since 1997, was newly elected to the committee. Daniela Schade, vice president of sales & distribution for Accor Deutschland SMARD GmbH in Munich (committee member since 2000) sits on the committee as representative of the suppliers, as does Volker
Huber, senior vice president of global sales & solutions for Lufthansa AirPlus Servicekarten GmbH in Neu-Isenburg (committee member since 2004). The period in office of the volunteer executive committee consists of three years. The seventh member of the committee is HansIngo Biehl, chief executive of VDR e.V. and executive of VDR-Service GmbH. Michael Kirnberger, VDR president since 1994, was unanimously elected as an honorary member and honourary president by the other members.
460 proud participants at MPI’s EMEC in Turin The European Meetings and Events Con- news, the foundation of a Polish MPI chapference 2009 in Turin of the international ter was announced. The new regional asassociation MPI was a pan-European meet- sociation already has almost 40 members ing of the elite with 467 participants from and is under the leadership of Krzyszstof 36 nations. 35 training modules were of- Celuch, a senior project manager at the fered during the three-day event in beau- Polish Convention Bureau. tiful Turin - the focus was on challenges Sue Potton of George P. Johnson: “I’ve visand opportunities in the meetings industry ited many MPI conferences in recent years in both operative and strategic respects. – in both North America and Europe. But MPI CEO Bruce MacMillan announced the the calibre of the contributors and the levintroduction of the new online platform el of content were higher than ever in Tuwww.MeetingIndustryCrisisCenter.org and rin! Key political and economic topics that the first figures from EventView 2009, an affect our industry were openly discussed investigation jointly carried out by the MPI and the conference offered exciting opFoundation, the Event Marketing Institute portunities for meaningful dialogue with (EMI) and George P. Johnson. In further a wide spectrum of market participants.” 138 events 2/2009
Heather Phelps of the Canadian Tourism Commission saw it this way: “In view of so much dramatic change in the industry, there were many opportunities here to understand the deeper connection. The networking sessions brought me a good exchange of experiences with meeting planners from Great Britain and Europe (she said it like that!!) and valuable new contacts.” The big European MPI conference at the sunny Costa del Sol will take place next year in Malaga from 28 February.
SITE International Conference 2010 in Cape Town Dave Frandsen, executive manager of the International Marketing & Cape Town Convention Bureau, is looking forward to the conference, taking place on African soil for the first time in December 2010. “We see our destination as one of the best in the world for incentives and are happy to be able to show Cape Town and the western Cape region to incentive managers.” According to SITE CEO Brenda Anderson, Cape Town was chosen for its diversity growth and focus on the future.
From “Fresswelle” (feeding frenzy) to authenticity A DeGefest regional conference provided the occasion for a discussion of marketing ideas. Professor Stefan Luppold (Merkur Internationale Fachhochschule Karlsruhe) provided insight into the economic trends of the 40’s as evidenced by feeding and consumer frenzies, the leisure time craze, postmaterialism and the lifestyle trend of the 90’s through to the current polarisation between basic consumption and luxury consumption at the Darmstadtium Science and Congress Centre of Darmstadt. Luppold led into a forecast of future trends and offered strategies to meet the challenges to the events industry in the future. “Base the economy on experience,” is his credo: the product is not the focus, but instead the customer’s benefit - which must be communicated better than in the past. But it isn’t sufficient to state the benefits. Authenticity is also needed, that is the capacity to demonstrate benefits for the long-term. If you are interested in Professor Luppold’s presentation, please contact the branch office by mail (info@degefest.de) or telephone (0800-2288227).
Zu Dir oder zu mir? Zu zweit ist es am schönsten! Die Kongresshalle Böblingen und die Stadthalle Sindelfingen sind das Congress Center Böblingen / Sindelfingen. Congress Center Böblingen / Sindelfingen GmbH, Schillerstraße 23, 71065 Sindelfingen Fon: +49 7031-4911-0, Fax: +49 7031-4911-999, info@cc-bs.com, www.cc-bs.com
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Don’t skimp on continuing education! Initiative leads to success: that’s the way it was, the way it is and the way it will always be. Without adopting a proactive strategy, it’s impossible to achieve change or improvement. Gerd Kulhavy is Managing Director of the Top 100 speakers’ agency Speakers Excellence and organiser of the top education events in the industry. We asked him how companies can succeed in achieving valuable momentum for change processes, given only modest time and investment budgets. Mr. Kulhavy, on 2 October 2009, you will be organising the 8th Stuttgart Wissensforum, which has developed into the largest continuing education event in the German-speaking region. How would you characterise the changes in continuing education in the last few years? As Europe grows ever closer together, the significance
of personnel as a company resource is becoming ever more important. Particularly in times of economic crisis, senior managers are needed who are prepared to tackle “education” head-on. Yet many companies make the fatal mistake of reducing (or even cancelling) their training, coaching and continuing education budgets in times of economic difficulty. But this is an entirely inappropriate knee-jerk reaction. Continuing education is not “nice to have”: it is a critical factor for the success of a business. What advice on continuing education planning would you give to decision-makers in the car or chemicals industries, for example, where a considerable slump in sales volume has already made itself noticeable? Would you not be sympathetic to the argument that personnel development staff are now being forced to make budget cuts? As I’ve already said: budget cuts send out the wrong signal. For every stated goal and every budget, there is a range of strategies available to support staff and the success of the company. We at Speakers Excellence have long since been catering to this varied range of needs. We give clients the chance to book speakers, trainers and coaches from a huge variety of skill areas, while our team helps companies in both planning and realising continuing education strategies. The aim is to plan more effectively, think through ideas more carefully, motivate the workforce to educate itself and demonstrate continuity. And of course, the selection of trainers and consultants plays a decisive role, needing to be matched precisely to the requirements. How do you go about arranging your large-scale events? Do your clients’ continuing education needs make a major contribution?
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Definitely, yes. Our education events make it especially easy for companies to gain access to modules from the realms of training and continuing education. This year, we are organising our Wissensforum events in Stuttgart, Rosenheim, Zurich, Rostock, Passau, Cologne and Vienna. In addition, we also organising “Knowledge Academies” at seminar and meeting fairs in Hamburg, Mainz, Berlin, Düsseldorf and Munich. And we are also co-organising other well-respected congresses, such as the 13th Swiss “Success Forum” and Swiss Marketing Day, as well as the International Alpensymposium – one of the top events in Europe. As you can see: we go to where the companies are. Since we are present throughout the entire Germanspeaking region, it’s a simple matter to book staff into our events and let them benefit from valuable ideas for the workplace and their personal lives. What is the format you use for these events? What do attendees take away from the event? Our Wissensforum events feature 6-8 speakers, drawn motivation, incentives and professional incentive sysfrom our Top 100 list of presenters. This means we tems. The fair will be held from October 1-2, 2009 in have the best of the best from the areas of Personality the Hans-Martin-Schleyer-Halle. The Wissensforum it& Success, Communication & Motivation, Marketing & self will take place on the second day of the fair in the Sales, Management & Leadership and Health & Fitness. adjoining Porsche-Arena. Together with experts from The days are packed with the concentrated secrets of spring Messe Management GmbH, who organise success from outstanding experts in their fields. Each “Zukunft Personal” and other well-respected personnel Wissensforum also features a small “Fair”, where our trade fairs, we will be offering a solid programme of exhibitors can present their services and products in speakers and exhibitors. The topics will be training and the field of continuing education. We also prioritise continuing education, incentive systems in sales and the subject of networking. Personnel development marketing and customer relationship management staff and decision-makers have the chance to view and incentives. Leading experts will also be appearing multiple speakers in one day, and then get in touch at the trade fair itself. We are offering two free-towith them to discuss their future planning. In recent attend forums with a practical focus, featuring expert years, our Wissensforum events have developed into speakers offering best practice talks aimed at joining regular industry get-togethers – not to be missed by up the theory and the practice. In addition, we have anybody who has promising ideas for the continuing also signed up a number of star keynote speakers. education sector. Can you already name a few names for the Stuttgart Your event in Stuttgart – the “original”, so to speak – Wissensforum and “Motivation”? is planned to be even bigger and better this year. It’s been paired up with a full-blown trade fair, to make For the Wissensforum, speakers will include Nikolaus the event even more attractive. Can you give us some B. Enkelmann, Thorsten Havener, Slatco Sterzenbach, more details? Urs Meier, Klaus-J. Fink, Dominik Neidhard, Dieter Lange, Stefan Spies and Günter Mainka: a total of Nearly 3,000 attendees in 2008, more than 40 ex- eight top speakers and one top presenter. As trade hibitors, 55 partners and sponsors, a new attendance fair keynote speakers, we have so far acquired the record and the best Wissensforum program we ever self-motivation expert Dr. Stefan Frädrich, the trainer had have all convinced us that we are on the right Daniela A. Ben Said, the sales pro Ady Hagmaier, Alextrack with our plans for this year’s Wissensforum. The ander Christiani, Antony Fedrigotti and Susanne Klein8th Stuttgart Wissensforum will take place as part of a henz. Our work on further programme highlights is new trade fair, “Motivation”: a specialist trade fair for currently in full swing.
Nikolaus Enkelmann, the epitome of a management trainer
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Great GCB-seminars at IMEX Every year in May the GCB ties up an attractive education package at IMEX. 15 seminars free of charge in German and one lecture in English are on the intellectual menu in 2009. The CEO of the GCB, Lutz P. Vogt, is proud of the programme: “We have been successful in attracting top-class speakers from a wide variety of sectors and can thus offer visitors to IMEX a unique range of education offerings on current themes from the convention and business travel sector.” We are going to give you a few examples in detail and at the end of this feature an overview of the full programme. Colja M. Dams, CEO of VOK DAMS Gruppe
Under the title “Small budget, large effect – exciting catering concepts in times of tight budgets, too”, on Tuesday 26 May from 09.30 to 10.30 Georg W. Broich will explain what it all comes down to in choosing the setting for an event. In doing this he will grant insights behind the scenes at Broich Premium Catering – which won the 2005 “Caterer of the Year” award. The portfolio of the family firm, which was founded back in 1891, includes event locations in places such as Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Köln and the Nürburgring, as well as Europe-wide catering for events for 50 to 5,000 people. “I am delighted to be able to 142 events 2/2009
present my ideas at the leading MICE trade fair and thus perhaps be able to bring even more creativity to the German catering offerings”, says Georg W. Broich. On the second day of the IMEX trade fair, 27 May, from 16.00 to 17.00 Colja Dams will be focusing on “Trends in events: the impact of current trends on live marketing”. As well as general social trends and their influence on corporate communication, the speaker will also be explaining the effects on the events sector and demonstrating concrete routes to solutions by means of numerous examples. The lecture
Georg W. Broich, Caterer will shed light on themes such as ecology and live of the Year 2005 marketing, the significance of the individual on the internet or leisure time as the “sacred cow” of consumers. Colja M. Dams is Managing Shareholder of the VOK DAMS GROUP, the agency for events and live marketing, which specializes in direct, experiential and results-oriented marketing communication. In addition to its head office in Wuppertal, the “’Travelling smarter’ – Priorities for effective travagency also runs branches in Hamburg, Munich and el management during the financial crisis” is the Frankfurt plus subsidiaries in France, the USA, Chi- theme of the workshop by Martina Eggler on Thursday na and Dubai. “As one of the leading live market- 28 May from 09.30 to 10.30. As Vice President Strateing agencies, we look after clients with well known gic Sales & Account Management, Marketing Central brands both in Germany and abroad. I am looking & Eastern Europe at Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Martina forward to sharing these experiences with the semi- Eggler has detailed knowledge of the business travel nar participants”, says Dams. segment. On the assumption that this year all companies will be focussing on the costs of business travel, The workshop “Insurance solutions for events – the seminar tackles questions such as: Which levers How can I ensure the financial success of an should be applied in 2009 in order to control travel event? Suggestions on minimising and transfer- costs better and optimize them further, particularly in ring liability”, on Wednesday 27 May from 09.30 to this unstable economic environment? Alongside direct 10.30, will show how the events organiser can avoid travel costs, what are the other starting points for optior reduce risks and thus protect himself against loss mising corporate travel programmes? How important of earnings due to claims for compensation. An additional focus will be on the successful commercial implementation of the event, even if unforeseen problems crop up. The speaker, Thomas John Meyer, Managing Shareholder of the company Von Rauchhaupt & Senftleben GmbH, will also present insurance products covering liability or event cancellation insurance. “Our company motto is: Making risks calculable means using opportunities”, says the speaker Thomas John Meyer. “Through the workshop at IMEX I am hoping to improve the opportunities for successful conferences and conventions”.
On Thursday 28 May from 15.00 to 16.00 the events and culture manager Melanie Botzki will shed light on the theme “Project management for events – from the initial idea to the successful event”. In a short lecture the speaker will provide a practice-oriented overview of all aspects of planning an event, starting with the proper organisation via the dramaturgy and setting. Other topics cover the various planning phases and concepts suitable for the respective target groups. Melanie Botzki has been an independent events and culture manager in Hannover since 2004 with her company botzki konzept, and she is also a member of the Board of Directors of the EISFABRIK e.V. cultural centre in the state capital. “A successful event is a complex interplay between objectives, creativity, logistics, players and of course improvisation. I would like to give newcomers to events planning help they can take away with them to master this interplay”, is how Melanie Botzki describes her aim.
is a travel policy, especially right now? How does the economic situation affect the planning of meetings and events? “Now in particular, the emphasis should be on the value of an effectively managed corporate travel programme– business travel planners need to make use of this opportunity”, says Martina Eggler.
Joey Kelly, musician and extreme sportsman
Special highlight: the seminar with Joey Kelly The GCB seminars at IMEX cover not only events planning, but also themes involving marketing, creativity and motivation. So, on Wednesday 27 May from 09.30 to 10.30 Joey Kelly is giving a talk on his sporting successes: “You have to set yourself a goal, and then you simply have to start”. The folk musician has also made a name for himself as an extreme sportsevents 2/2009 143
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man. Within the space of just one year he completed eight Iron Man contests as the leading triathlete in the world. In addition, he also completed, amongst other things, 34 marathons, 20 ultra-marathons, several 24hour bike marathons and extreme courses, achieving excellent rankings. By participating, Joey Kelly also
supported donation marathons amongst the general public. The musician and extreme sportsman Joey Kelly is convinced that “When you really want something, there are no limits. Everyone who realises this experiences an incredible boost to their motivation – and this can certainly also be used in the MICE sector”.
Date, time, room, level (B = Beginners, A = Advanced)
Title, speaker
Tuesday 26 May, 09.30 – 10.30, Logos Room, B
CSR in marketing – with creativity and innovations Speaker: Kristin Vorbohle, CSR NEWS GmbH
Tuesday 26 May, 09.30 – 10.30, Esprit Room, B/A
Small budget, large effect – exciting catering concepts in times of tight budgets, too Speaker: Georg W. Broich, Broich Premium Catering
Tuesday 26 May, 09.30 – 10.30, Genius Room, B
Challenges and strategies for efficient representation of interests in election year 2009 Speaker: Dr. Hans Bellstedt, hbpa – Hans Bellstedt Public Affairs
Tuesday 26 May, 16.00 – 17.00, Dialog Room, B
Boom factor 50plus - Marketing in times of demographic change Speaker: Andreas Reidl, A.GE - Agentur für Generationen-Marketing
Tuesday 26 May, 16.00 – 17.00, Logos Room, B/A
Climate-friendly events as a win-win strategy Speaker: Rainer Lucas, Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie GmbH
Tuesday 26 May, 16.00 – 17.00, Genius Room, B
World light athletics championships 2009 – Opportunities and risks for the leading professional association at a mega event Speaker: Frank Kowalski, Deutscher Leichtathletik-Verband e.V.
Wednesday 27 May, 09.30 – 10.30, Logos Room, A
Insurance solutions for events – How can I ensure the financial success of an event? Suggestions on minimising and transferring liability Speaker: Thomas John Meyer, Von Rauchhaupt und Senftleben GmbH
Wednesday 27 May, 09.30 – 10.30, Esprit Room, B/A
“No limits – You have to set yourself a goal, and then you simply have to start” Speaker: Joey Kelly
Wednesday 27 May, 16.00 – 17.00, Seminar Room, B
Trends in events: the impact of current trends on live marketing Speaker: Colja Dams, VOK DAMS GRUPPE
Wednesday 27 May, 16.00 – 17.00, Logos Room, B
Medical events – implementing events in accordance with the pharmaceuticals code Speaker: Petra Kimmig, Sanofi Aventis Deutschland GmbH
Thursday 28 May, 09.30 – 10.30, Logos Room, B
Creativity – getting to the top with innovation Speaker: Joachim Böttcher, Gesellschaft für Kreativität
Thursday 28 May, 09.30 – 10.30, Genius Room, B/A
“Travelling smarter” - Priorities for effective travel management during the financial crisis Speaker: Martina Eggler, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Thursday 28 May, 08.45 – 10.00, Esprit Room, B/A
Why most conferences are boring Speaker: Richard John, RJA (GB) Ltd. - English Seminar -
Thursday 28 May, 15.00 – 16.00, Seminar Room, B
Project management for events – from the first idea to the successful event Speaker: Melanie Botzki, botzki konzept
Thursday 28 May, 15.00 – 16.00, Logos Room, B
Corporate Social Responsibility – Sustainability in travel management Speaker: Torsten Kriedt, Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V. / VDR Akademie
Thursday 28 May, 15.00 – 16.00, Esprit Room
Active travel cost management – Increasing transparency and security Speaker: Michael Fürer, Lufthansa Airplus Servicekarten GmbH
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8. STUTTGARTER WISSENSFORUM MENSCHEN BEGEISTERN – UNTERNEHMEN AKTIVIEREN
Slatco Sterzenbach
Günter Mainka
Alexander Christiani
Stefan Spies
Urs Meier
Dominik Neidhart
Dieter Lange
Nikolaus B. Enkelmann
Klaus-J. Fink
Thorsten Havener
Freitag, 02. Oktober 2009 Porsche-Arena Stuttgart – Von 12:15 Uhr bis 22:00 Uhr MANAGEMENT & FÜHRUNG
PERSÖNLICHKEIT & ERFOLG
KOMMUNIKATION & MOTIVATION
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TEXTILREINIGUNG
TRIEB
Pr eview: Tr a de fairs & E ve n ts
First time: SHOWTECH 2009 and stb join Some 350 exhibitors will be presenting stage and light technology, event safety and sound and media technology equipment at the international trade show that is to be held 16 – 18 June in Berlin. Fixed installation and event service providers will also be offering and showcasing their skills. Technical directors of entertainment venues, trade fair sites, conference and congress centres and arenas will find a unique range of products and services on offer. Through its EVENT3 platform, SHOWTECH will this year again be providing event managers from agencies and companies with ideas and know-how for implementing original concepts. For the first time, SHOWTECH and stb international will held in parallel over two days (16/17 June) while the opportunity will also be used to present the Conga-Award for the first time in Berlin. Interesting synergies are likely to emerge. SHOWTECH has been providing a prominent gathering place for the event industry in the form of EVENT3 since 2007. Those with staging technology for hire, event venue and event service providers can meet here with event managers from agencies and companies. In an accompanying three-day Lecture Forum, specialists will be providing insight into award-winning projects and outlining the details of the technology, planning and creation of successful events: the subjects will range
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from technical equipment through temporary structures, personnel and catering to safety aspects. The experts attending this year’s EVENT3 Forum will be demonstrating that public viewing events involve more than simply installing a daylight-viable LED wall and that risk management is also an important factor in conjunction with open-air concerts. What are the current trends in the event sector? How do you optimally bring the creative and technological sides together? A total of 22 speakers will be providing answers to questions like these and discussing issues currently relevant to the event industry.
Action stage safety: from rigging to noise control management SHOWTECH 2009 will be placing particular emphasis on all aspects of safety at events. This subject will also form part of the programme at the EVENT3 Forum on the third day of the trade show. Live demonstrations of the new safety action stage in
Hall 3 will be rounding off the events on all three days. Throughout each trade show day experts will also be revealing how to avoid oversights in event safety and outlining the safe practice guidelines that need to be applied.
Programme of the DTHG congress SHOWTECH will be accompanied by a congress organised by the German Theatre Technology Association (Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft; DTHG), the ideal SHOWTECH sponsor. The focus of this year’s programme is 21st century stage technology. The lecture and discussion events planned to coincide with the trade show will deal, among other things, with the innovations in lighting and set design, the new requirements for theatre workshops and the potential and limitations of sound technology. www.showtech.de
Everything except the ordinary! New trade fair in Heidelberg After last year’s successful premiere in Mainz, attended by 600 guests, LOCATIONS Rhein-Neckar will be hosting another “LOCATIONS” event in Heidelberg – and thus the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region – on June 4, 2009. An event in an old-timer museum, a meeting in a world-famous palace – or just leasing an entire football stadium? Maybe the next party should take place at the movies? “Everything except the ordinary” might well be the catchphrase describing the trend for selecting event locations. And the “LOCATIONS” events have a lot to offer in terms of extraordinary event venues. In 2008, around 600 registered experts from the marketing and event sector attended the event, which showcased the wealth of unusual event spaces available in the Rhine-Main region. Notable among the exhibitors were event venues with a particularly impressive style, atmosphere, unusual historical background or high-profile location. The Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan region is a dynamic economic area, characterised by its wealth of companies, agencies, associations and institutions. It also possesses a comprehensive portfolio of highly-diverse locations, which make this region extraordinarily attractive for event planners.
Many brand-new insider tips The exhibitors who have already registered for the LOCATIONS Rhein-Neckar event reflect the variety shown by the diversity of the event venues. Exhibitors who have already confirmed their participation
include Mannheim’s Rosengarten and Capitol, the Dorint Kongresshotel and Maritim (also Mannheim), the Mannheim-based John Deere Forum, the Kesselhaus/Turbinenhalle in Worms, the Hockenheim Ring, Schwetzingen’s Alte Wollfabrik, the Portland Forum from Leimen near Heidelberg, Halle 02 and the Europäische Hof (also Heidelberg), as well as a number of other attractive event venues and service providers from across the entire Rhine-Neckar region. Many of these exhibitors are real “insider tips”: they are not attending other promotional events and wish to be discovered first by visitors to LOCATIONS Rhein-Neckar. With representatives from palaces in Mannheim, Bruchsal, Schwetzingen and Heidelberg, there are some true “pearls” in attendance at this event. The Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz in Ladenburg offers a venue with rooms where Carl Benz himself performed his pioneering work in car construction. The evocative rooms of the former construction hall now offer the opportunity for hosting stylish events flanked by cars from yesteryear. In contrast to the historical event locations, more modern venues are also available – such as the new Rhein-Neckar-Arena, home to the German football league club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The stadium is also exhibiting at LOCATIONS Rhein-Neckar. Also exhibiting is the Hockenheim Ring – a Formula 1 circuit well loved by motorsport fans throughout the world and an outstanding location where one events 2/2009 147
messe- u n d eve n tvorschau
can keep up-to-date on the latest developments in automotive technology as they thunder around the racetrack. Appropriately enough, the event is not taking place in a drab trade fair or exhibition hall, but in
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the Heidelberg Convention Centre â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and thus a place overflowing with Art Nouveau atmosphere. The Heidelberg Convention Centre fuses traditional architecture and modern technology. As an HCCE member (in
common with Mannheim’s Rosengarten), it is the equal of Vienna’s Imperial Palace or London’s Central Hall Westminster.
... plus a well-organised lecture programme Complementing the exhibition is a lecture programme that visitors can attend from 10:30 to 16:50 to find out more about event venues in the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan region. Distinguished speakers and recognised experts from the region will be presenting talks on current topics such as catering, event staging and liability issues, as well as discussing trends and responding to questions from the audience. Speakers confirmed for the event include m:con Managing Director Michel Maugé from Mannheim, GCB’s Deputy Managing Director Anke Pruust, Vera Cornelius, Managing Director of Heidelberg Marketing GmbH, Professor Dr. Rück and Jörn Huber, Managing Director of pro-event live-communication GmbH. The lecture programme will be chaired by MPI’s MD Uwe Klapka. Key target audiences represented by visitors include decision-makers from the areas of senior management, marketing, sales, event management, corporate secretariats, event agencies and associations – all looking to host events in the Rhine-Neckar region and therefore searching for a suitable event venue. The organiser of the “LOCATIONS” events will be the Wiesbaden-based SINN! – Agency for Event Management, Event Design and Production. Agency MD is Michael Sinn, who worked as Marketing, Sales & Planning Manager for Rhein-Main-Hallen in Wiesbaden and Mainz Congress Centre from 2000-2007 – and as Deputy Managing Director in both companies. Since August 2007, the SINN! agency has been active in the area of event management, organising expert congresses, public trade fairs and events with accompanying supplementary programmes. For LOCATIONS Rhein-Neckar, two strong local partners have been brought on board in the form of the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region Convention Bureau and Heidelberg Marketing GmbH. As an industry publication, events will be providing professional media support services to the LOCATIONS programme. Further information about the “LOCATIONS” events can be found at www.locations-rhein-neckar and www.locations-rhein-main.de.
Readers of events may register free of charge at www.locations-rhein-neckar.de/events
Pr eview: Tr a de fairs & E ve n ts
Three times in a row, because it was so good: Hannover HIGH 2009 From June 4-7, 2009, HannoverKongress, the central and independent point of contact for congresses and events in Hannover, will be inviting potential customers from the MICE sector to Hannover HIGH 2009 (Hannover Information & Greater Hospitality). Over three days, the best agencies, venues, caterers, hotels, congress centres and other service providers will be presenting their wares to the guests and introducing the great diversity of Hannover’s services portfolio. Hannover HIGH 2009 is inviting decision-makers, industry experts and interested attendees from across Germany to make the trip to this metropolis on the River Leine – promoting not only the city’s service providers but also the city itself as the ideal destination for business tourism. Not only boasting a perfectly-appointed infrastructure – bestowing on Hannover its Europe-wide USP of the “city of short distances” – the city is also bursting at the seams with short-stay accommodation and event venues. On this long June weekend, guests will experience interactive dialogue in the form of workshops, seasoned with all sorts of goodies and entertainments (firework competition in the Herrenhausen Gardens). Further details (program, target audience, sponsors and partners, etc.) are available at www.hannover-high.de. Direct link to registration form: www.hannover-high.de/anmeldung (Registration closes May 15th, 2009)
Deferred: American MICE Fair AIBTM in Baltimore During the AIME taking place in Melbourne, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) announced that the AIBTM – Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition – planned for June 2010 will be postponed until 2011 or 2012. The reasons lie with the current global economic situation in general and not primarily with the development of the meetings industry itself, Paul Kennedy emphasised. ‘We decided on a postponement until 2011 or 2012 because of the macroeconomic climate,’ he said. ‘We’ll be happy to work on the exhibition in Baltimore at a later time. I’m certain that the meetings industry is healthy – as is our portfolio – but now would be a bad time for an investment of this size.’ 150 events 2/2009
New: Lake Constance industry meeting in Friedrichshafen In 2009, Lake Constance will enjoy a very special industry meeting. On 13 July 2009, H&B Hotel Professionals will organise a Lake Constance industry meeting on the MS Graf Zeppelin for the first time. Starting at 17:30h, the ship leaves Friedrichshafen as a “moving network platform.” In cooperation with event.Friedrichshafen, about 60 selected representatives of German and Austrian business tourist operations are expecting about 140 event planners. Pro secco and Flying Buffet offer ideal opportunities for contact and discussion about service offers, programmes and meeting capacities in a relaxed atmosphere. “The idea is great,” says Susanne Heil of H&B Hotel Professionals, who has been organising such boating events for five years, “because it offers event planners interaction with top companies from the three- to five-star range with varying capacities in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.” Entrance is free for personally invited customers. Companions pay a sum of 20 euros at registration, which is donated to the “Antenne Bayern hilft” foundation. This foundation supports people and families who require emergency help through no fault of their own. An overview of the exhibitors is available at www.hotel-professionals.com
The Conga Award 2009 On the evening of 16 June 2009, the third annual Conga Award winners will be announced in ten categories. At the same time, the industry’s best will be rewarded in front of 400 guests during a gala evening at the stb international and SHOWTECH in the Marshall-Haus (also known as the ZDF Fernsehgarten) on the grounds of the Messe Berlin. This year, comedian Martin Quilitz and STUDIOeins moderator Christiane Stein (ARD) will host the evening. Everyone who has enjoyed this eclectic and interdisciplinary industry meeting in past years will already be looking forward to a dramatic and atmospheric event. The Conga Award The Conga Award is not granted by a jury, but by event Get an impression of last year’s event through the picorganisers in Germany in a two-stage voting process. tures and information at www.conga-award.de ... In the first stage, several hundred experts, including media specialists, particularly experienced event ... and now it’s time to vote! organisers, and MICE opinion leaders, are surveyed about their top tens, their favourites in 10 categories. Industry prizes that are awarded not by a jury, but by The results are listed on your ballot on the next page. “customers,” need as many voters are possible. Please In the second stage, all of the vent organisers choose participate and fill in the following ballot – presented the best providers, who are then honoured with the exclusively to events readers. Conga Award. Voting is also possible at the IMEX in Frankfurt and by e-mail. Join in – choose 10 of your top favourites by crossing one box per category. If you don’t have a preference in one category, just leave it blank.
Voting is a point of honour – and worth it. It works like this: check one favourite per box (you can also leave boxes entirely blank), write your contact data on the coupon, tear off the sheet, and send it by fax to 069-955236 22. The last day for submissions is 29 May 2009. Thank you for participating!
Participants are entered into a raffle for the following prizes: 1st Prize: 1 Berlin weekend including flight within Germany and two overnight stays 2nd Prize: 1 overnight stay and two tickets to the awards gala (value of ticket: 390 Euros) 3rd Prize: 2 tickets to the awards gala International Destinations Salzburg Dubai Barcelona Amsterdam Edinburgh Cape Town Stockholm Strasbourg Prague Mallorca National Destinations Berlin Hamburg Munich Cologne Leipzig Düsseldorf Stuttgart Essen Dresden Tegernsee Convention Hotels Estrel, Berlin Schloss Rheinfels, St.Goar Yachthafenresidenz Hohe Düne Hotel Concorde, Berlin Bio-Seehotel Zeulenroda Schindlerhof Nürnberg
WestLB Akademie Schloss Krickenbeck Parkhotel Bremen Grand Elysee Hamburg Historisches Herrenkrug Parkhotel Convention Centres Messe Köln CCH, Hamburg Congress Center Messe Hannover CCM, Mainz ICS, Stuttgart Congress Center Messe Frankfurt ICC Berlin ICM, München Congress Center Düsseldorf Congress Center Messe Leipzig Event Venues/Event Locations Zeche Zollverein, Essen Europapark, Rust Phantasialand, Brühl Alte Oper, Frankfurt Kai 10, Hamburg E-Werk, Berlin Adagio, Berlin Da Capo, Leipzig
Tanzbrunnen, Köln Wasserwerk, Berlin Event Technology Lightcompany Gahrens & Battermann Brähler ICS Konferenztechnik Lichtwerk Team Technik Showtech GmbH PCS rent4event screenvisions tennagels Exhibition & Event Services TRUST Prom, Munich Storz GmbH, Esslingen Alles Klar GmbH Anzug Alex Bitsteps GmbH Smavicon GmbH Kirberg Catering GmbH Fairnet BPE Events & Services GmbH, Kempen VOM:FAIR Speakers & Moderators Prof. Dr. Lothar Seiwert Jörg Löhr Klaus J. Fink
Sabine Asgodom Bernhard Wolff Nina Ruge Hermann Scherer Nikolaus B. Enkelmann Frank M. Scheelen Alexander Christiani Instructors & Trainers Andreas Buhr Slatco Sterzenbach Oliver Geisselhart Sanjay Sauldie Peter Sawtschenko Antony Fedrigotti Monika Matschnig Sabine Hübner Martin Betschart Martin Limbeck Entertainment Ehrlich Entertainment Cirque Bouffon Improtheater Paternoster Rhythm, Drum & Dance Thorsten Strotmann Waldemar Müller music4friends/Goodfellas Ladies Swing Quartet Junge Junge Meet the Beatles
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Fax this coupon to 069-955236 22
Pr eview: Tr a de fairs & E ve n ts
Gunsmoke High Noon: It was Friday, the 20 March 2009 at around noon, when Rhein-Main Hallen executive director Holger Syhre set off a small bomb and sent e-mails throughout the country with the following intro: “The World of Events” (WoE) in the Rhein-Main Hallen “The partnership with CC has unfortunately fallen Wiesbaden (RMH) has long been recognised as “the” apart,” comments Syhre on the fruitlessly concluded leading fair of the events industry. At its 11th incar- contract negotiations with Corporate Communicanation in January 2009, it broke its own record with tions. “At the World of Events 2010, scheduled for 430 exhibiting companies and about 8,500 visitors. 20 and 21 January 2010, we will have a very expe“Hessen’s capital city will remain a meeting place for rienced new exhibition partner at our side,” Syhre innovations from all event services in the future,” em- announced. The text goes on. Syhre unabashedly adphasises Holger Syhre, executive director of the Rhein- vertises with a past that doesn’t really belong to him Main Hallen Operating – and meanwhile, the “New ideas, new concepts, new venue – our leading Company – “though partner is already out fair is reinventing itself,” Vok Dams, CEO of the “VOK under different ausof the bag: it’s Messe DAMS: ILM Institute for Live Marketing” in Wuppertal pices.” Until now, the Frankfurt. Cut. Shortly says happily. “After eleven years in Wiesbaden and World of Events has thereafter, the Rheinsuccessful development and expansion into one of been jointly run by Main Hallen were the most important industry fairs, Dortmund as a new Corporate Commuprohibited by a temlocation offers the opportunity for a reorientation and nications GmbH and porary provision to lay further dynamic development to become the most the Rhein-Main Hallen claim to the “World of important event fair in Europe.” VOK DAMS Operating Company. Events” trademark for 154 events 2/2009
world of even ts “With the move to Dortmund, the events fair is getting a jump start we’ve been waiting on two years now,” says Alexander Ostermaier, leader of business communications at Neumann&Müller Veranstaltungstechnik. “For the exhibitors, the generous space allotted means that they can present their range of services much better - and that makes the whole fair more attractive to visitors. A good decision!”
their planned exhibition. Sender: Bea Nöhre of Corporate Communications GmbH, legitimate owner of the trademark rights, who now announced that on 20 and 21 January, the World of Events would take place at the Messe Westfalenhallen Dortmund. Which quickly won her another temporary provision from the Rhein-Main Hallen disputing the organiser’s sole ownership of the trademarks in a still pending legal altercation. The first casualty was clearly the World of Events trademark. The trademark’s value evaporated in a heartbeat and an entire industry felt itself on uncertain footing. Two event exhibitions in 2010? With two new names on the same date? It sounded like a duel to the death. What had happened?
Dortmund offers good conditions for new development Now, the Rhein-Main Hallen executive director – and it must be said, the local politics in the background – claimed, based on legal actions still to be clarified, shares of the trademark rights to WOE
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for himself and additionally wanted to bind the organiser Corporate Communications GmbH to the site of Wies baden for several years. This despite the fact that there was considerable argument in the Wiesbadener Kurier about upcoming renovations to the RMH, or even imminent demolition in the next few years, and in this article, RMH authorities even addressed “dilapidation” in individual areas.
In addition to this, according to the organiser’s statements, more and more exhibitors and visitors were complaining about poor parking opportunities, completely unsatisfactory assembly and disassembly logistics, too little outside space, and general conditions affecting the boundaries of possibility. The almost classic RMH drama was recurring: if a fair launched in Wiesbaden has reached a certain size, it moves away so that growth won’t be hindered by the limited structural situation. It’s happened before. Circumstances that highlight how atypical the Rhein-Main Hallen actually are as an exhibition centre. But,
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4/20/2009 2:07:55 PM
Pr eview: Tr a de fairs & E ve n ts “No more WoE!? First we thought: What?? Then: why not? Every change also contains the opportunity for improvement. And Wiesbaden had come up against its limits. And Dortmund is a European Capital of Culture 2010. And besides: Bea Nöhre is the mother of all events fair organisers. So the question of whether or not to go didn’t even come up. SOUL KITCHEN turns a proud 15 years old in 2010. That should make for a huge party together with the new exhibition idea! We’re looking forward to 2010 in Dortmund! Stefan Köhl, SOUL KITCHEN
limited by a close personal relationship ing behind the organiser. We, like the with former executive director Thomas magazine “event partner,” will risk a Krohne, who went into retirement in prognosis and see the future in Dortthe previous year, organiser Bea Nöhre mund! gladly turned a blind eye to a few deficiencies. Due to countless small arguAnd Wiesbaden? ments, the organiser was far from an That’s not to say that Wiesbaden is even remotely close relationship with not a good location for meetings and new executive director, Holger Syhre. events and even smaller forms of ex hibitions. Just not for an events fair And now she was supposed to share of the magnitude in question. Now, the trademark and bind herself to a the “Universe of Events” is being dehouse and person with whom she no terminedly launched from the Rheinlonger got along? It was a strong and logical decision to build a new fair on proper fair grounds. Dort- Main Hallen with an organiser established by Messe Frankfurt (It’s mund, Capital of Culture 2010, offers first-class conditions for a clear which way the wind is blowing!). On a crash course to the new beginning under a new trademark: Best of Events. You hardly exact same date. With the subtitle “The World is not enough,” have to adjust: from WOE to BOE! The honorary advisory board underlined with hubris and/or chutzpah. This unrelenting game and important key exhibitors clearly emboldened Bea Nöhre to will go badly for one of the opponents. Come to your own contake this step. By the editorial deadline, over 1,600 sqm of exhibi- clusions about the state of affairs on the two homepages: tion space were already booked; the honorary advisory board and www.universeofevents.de · www.boe-messe.de. Read another the first industry magazine “wie eine Eins” were already stand- “Opinion” on the subject in the editorial.
IMEX 2009 has the environment in mind On 26, 27 and 28 May, Frankfurt will again be under IMEX’s star. In 2008, IMEX was the first trade fair to generate its local energy needs from hydraulic power and switched to biodegradable and recyclable materials for the 21,000 tickets and fair passes – in the
previous years, plastic badge holders and fasteners had been used. By using 100 percent recyclable material coated with a polymer made of lactic acid, a huge amount of plastic equal to the weight of five average people could be saved. The first independent ecological audit of IMEX, carried out by “The Carbon Consultancy,” confirms the success achieved by the trade fair in this area: despite greater numbers of participants, CO2 emissions per participant were lowered by 6.3 percent in comparison to the previous year. In addition, reductions were achieved by fewer hosted buyers arriving by airplane, the modes of transportation of IMEX employees, and waste accumulation.
Even more environmentally friendly in 2009 IMEX will be the first fair to introduce ribbons of plant silk and provide badges of organic materials reclaimed from grain crop waste. Furthermore, biooperational transfer buses will be used, surplus food 156 events 2/2009
will be reused by local providers and bags and printed materials will be made of environmentally friendly materials. In 2009, there will again be a “Corporate Responsibility Centre,” held together with the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) for the benefit of visitors and exhibitors. The agenda includes information about useful resources and suggestions for event planners who want to improve their social and environmental efforts. “Green” workshops will be offered at the Corporate Responsibility Stand for the first time. Tamara Kennedy, executive director of the Green Meeting Industry Council, and Fiona Pelham, founding member of Positive Impact, will hold two daily seminars with tips about the most recent industry standards. During the IMEX Green Awards in cooperation with GMIC, prizes for successful environmentalism in the categories of Green Meetings, Green Supplier, Green Exhibitor and Commitment to the Community will be awarded. Global studies on environmental topics are free for download at: (www.imex-frankfurt.com/dataexchange.html).
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Meetings under the microscope: ten new workshops For now, ”Meetings Under the Microscope” will consist of ten free workshops where participants can gain a quick insight into tested case studies of event planning and evaluation and an introduction to the basics of social science and the role it plays in events. Workshops will address topics such as meetings content and whole audience engagement; managing emotional states and the psychology of learning; meetings environments plus communications and preparation management. Presentations by expert like Maarten Vanneste, author of the book “Meeting Architecture, A Manifesto,” Holger Scholz, IAF-certified training director, and Jon Bradshaw, personnel consultant and founder of Equinox Motivation are expected. All participants will receive a “Meeting Under the Microscope” diploma packet with free didactic material, case studies, and an electronic handbook at the end. The workshops will take place at the IMEX Professional Development and Innovation Pavilion. This year, IMEX is going strong with more than 70 educational events. The GCB German Convention Bureau and the IMEX fair are also promoting the German seminars under the new brand name GCB Seminar Days “Innovision – Learning More Effective Meetings & Events.”
Discover Malta for Meetings & Incentives! This EU-member state offers all the elements required by event organizers: easy access in less than 3 hours’ flight time from major European gateways. With an area of only 316 km 2, short transfer times are simple to achieve. The Island’s 7000-year history is reflected in the numerous historical venues. The Islands’ four conference centres and fifteen 5-star conference hotels total some 3,500 rooms, in which to host delegates. The combination of the professionalism of our local service providers and our renown Maltese hospitality guarantees the success of your events!
Information: Malta Tourism Authority, Auberge d’Italie, Merchants Street, Valletta VLT 1170, Malta, Tel. +356-22 915 206, E-Mail: mice@visitmalta.com www.visitmalta.com/business-travel Visit us at IMEX, on stand D120.
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from l. to r.: Mayor Horst Naaß, Dr. Markus Große Ophoff, Prof. Helmut Schwägermann, Dr. Winfrid Häser, Matthias Schultze, Prof. Michael-Thaddäus Schreiber, August Moderer and Dr. Andreas Rechkemmer.
In Bonn, the standards for CSR in the German meetings industry are being developed! 158 events 2/2009
On 3 and 4 March 2009, the WCC Bonn distinguished itself once again as a 1A venue in the field of sustainable event culture as organiser of the first “Green Meetings Germany” conference. Matthias Schulze of the WCC had the idea - not quite: others had had it as well. But he deserves the credit for being the first to get PS underway! There were interdisciplinary presentations and discussions about how to develop and implant consistent recommendations for CSR standards in the German events industry. That is, alongside all the excellent reasons even in a best case scenario in terms of considerations highly relevant to business, and especially the goal of supporting Germany as an internationally competitive location for the long-term and of further expanding its pioneering role in this field. Germany is well on its way. “Put the message!” was the word. Those in the know cried, “We need symbols!” and emphasised that attitudes have to change now and one shouldn’t dawdle until it comes to a serious discussion of “rationing frequent flyer miles per human life.” events 2/2009 159
led by Joachim König, then still vice-president of EVVC, Marco Böttger, chairperson of ISPEX Aktiengesellschaft, Dr. Große Ophoff, Dannie Quilitzsch, CSR consultant, Peter Westenberger, director of sustainability and environmental information of Deutsche Bahn AG, Jan-Ole Jacobs, environmental concepts for Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Dr. Thaddäus Schreiber of the Euro päische Institut für TagungsWirtschaft (European Institute for the Conference Industry), Tilmann Flaig, executive director of Tourismus & Congress GmbH Bonn-Region/Rhein-Sieg/Ahrweiler, and Gerrit Jessen, executive director of the MCI Berlin Office.
Flanking a relaxed evening event were two no less relaxed and yet highly inspiring half days filled with memorable presentations and workshops. The 250 participants in the former Chamber of the German Bundestag (could there be a more striking location for such an event?) included many familiar faces from various branches of the meetings industry. The list of speakers also merited all honours. All this, even though the opening event was only launched very shortly ahead of time!
Respectable players in Bonn > Dr. Andreas Rechkemmer, executive director of the United Nations University held a talk about the global climate protection programme and innovative solutions for the public and private sector > Dr. Markus Große Ophoff, professional director of the Zentrum für Umweltkommunikation (Centre for Environmental Communication) of the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt gave a passionate and highly competent presentation about strategies for sustainability in Germany and their implementation in the events industry > Sustainability and Climate Protection at Deutsche Post World Net was the presentation topic of Dr. Winfried Häser, vice-president of environmental strategy and policy of the concern. > The subsequent workshops on various topics were
On the following day, the speakers included Guy Bigwood, director of the Green Meeting Industry Council, Elisabeth Steingrübner of the German Federal Environment Agency, EVVC President August Moderer (“Somebody has to hold the throttle, and that’s going to be us!”) and Prof. Helmut Schwägermann of the Fachhochschule Osnabrück, who formulated possible goals for the next conference in 2010 in closing. The next conference should include concrete implementable decisions, perhaps even certification standards and finally, the “oath” that could mean the end of the as of now, still relatively non-binding statements. But perhaps nothing will go as quickly as desired, since in the meantime, an additional workshop has taken place under the direction of the EVVC on the margins of the EVVC annual general meeting, which even saw development of a rough schedule through the end of 2011. First, the appraisal of the status quo “Sustainability Days” should be concluded by the autumn of 2009, followed up by a survey of members of the EVVC together with ISPEX. The current data on the energy industry, waste management, material consumption and catering will be requested. The German Convention Bureau is preparing an overview of current standards - including international ones - and defining the expanded value-added chain of Green Meetings with help from MCI. The next workshop of the AG is planned for the end of June in order to adopt a concrete project description and a final schedule. The
The Imex shows how it’s done! The Imex in Frankfurt was mentioned as a good example of ecological-economical sincerity: 87% of the total waste is recycled and overall, waste was reduced by 34% in 2008 compared to the previous year. 40 tonnes of paper alone were recycled into 91,000 copies of the FAZ, so that one can justifiably claim that rubbish educates! 32 tonnes of paper changed into shoeboxes and and and! From a semantic point of view at least, Edgar Hirt’s (CC Hamburg) comment earned its applause: perhaps it should be considered whether those hosted buyers who don’t travel by environmentally friendly means should pay a sort of “green fee.” 160 events 2/2009
project is complicated, the organised beginning worthy of praise, and the time is ripe:
80% of buyers are taking environmental concerns into account... ... when organising an event. Recent polls that should be taken seriously show this. So Professor Schwägermann is not without justification for speaking of the necessity of action and the next generation’s corresponding demands. It’s very important that the enquiry covers not only demands, but values the corresponding efforts of dedicated and progressive suppliers even for priority contract placement! Suppliers who want to aggressively market their CSR commitments should not delay in consulting CSR or Green Meetings agents, since it’s the only way to ensure an effective performance. Effective performance in CSR matters always means the three pillar model of sustainability: ecology, corporate responsibility, an economy. That sustainable business can and should bring very concrete commercial advantages is clear from a number of examples presented. According to these, it’s usually the invisible things that make the “big points” – the combined heating and power station in the cellar is more effective than the huge, impressive solar array on the exhibition roof. Monika Zimmermann of ICLEI made some interesting contributions. ICLEI is a world-wide association of municipalities that advocate sustainability and maintain their own environmental bureau in Bonn. ICLEI conferences almost always include a lump sum for environmental compensation.
ICS Internatio nales Congres scenter Stuttg im Herzen vo art n Europas In novationsreg ion Nr. 1
Though that could get so expensive for the CO2 footprints of international conferences as to be impracticable, since it can drive up participant fees by over 100 Euros. Reassuringly, it seems unlikely that the EU will implement any mandatory legal measures in the near future. Better standards and good leaders are far more helpful in moving things forward. Environmental hysteria is something nobody needs in the current situation. Responsible action on all fronts is. August Moderer rightfully warned - and as a dedicated advocate he is very trustworthy: “Our industry is an energy glutton and affects masses of people.” We are very sensitive to this and know that we can’t afford to charge ahead and play the golden boy in every respect - that would’ve been fine for the most enthusiastic do-gooders only. As a rule: practical policies are more valuable here than recommendations and much, much better than laws. That’s why the Bonn Initiative, operated as an example by the EVVC, deserves full attention and support. events will report further.
www.ics-stuttgart.de
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Estoril Congress Center:
Persuasive sustainability!
How do you run a congress centre without emissions and waste? In response to the market trend, the Estoril Centro de Congressos ambitiously pursues this goal using a new strategy: the concept of environmental protection, social responsibility for the health of the public, employees, suppliers and partners must – wherever possible – be nurtured by avoiding or re-processing all types of pollution and providing environmentally-friendly products and services – in cooperation with local companies.
services, offering customers the option of enhancing the quality of their events in accordance with environmental guidelines and CSR objectives. The five new services are: CSR-, safe- and wellness programmes, Green events and Carbon-Zero events – answering to the environmental demands and needs in the meetings and incentives market; in this way, events should increase in effectiveness and attract more participants. With the slogan “Reduce your footprint and survive” and the umbrella-brand “B Green the only option”, ECC is dedicating also its 2009 campaign to the responsibility for greener meetings – subsequently receiving an invitation to the GMIC 2009 (Green Meetings Industry Council) in Pittsburgh/USA to inform the participants about the ECC’s sustainability strategy and certification process.
To this end, the Center committed itself to a series of measures published in an environmental catalogue on energy and water consumption, waste production, communal participation and the implementation of an integrated environmental and social policy. Green Globe awarded the ECC the bronze Benchmark Status – in the first certification phase. “Utilizing the quality benchmarking and certification systems delivered by Green A campaign launched by the ECC in De- Globe, Estoril is well positioned to be a cember 2008 comprises five innovative leader in green meetings and a focal point
of sustainable practices for their world class destination,” stated Bradley Cox, chief operating officer of Green Globe International. As a CSR project, the ECC supports Africa in the distribution of iStraw, a simple water purification system which customers can support through sponsorship. > www.estorilcongresscenter.com Green Globe The Green Globe brand and programme date back to the UN summit meeting in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, where 182 heads of state signed Agenda 21 for the promotion of sustainability – this was applied mainly in the travel and tourism sector. It is now increasingly also expanding into other business areas where responsible handling of the environment is gaining in importance. The Green Globe brand is a response to climate change and a symbol for growing environmental awareness; its standards are accepted in some 50 countries.
New: Think Tank for Sustainability Do you know what LOHAS are? How can you lower costs, save the environment and win new customers all at the same time? The answer to the question lies in sustainability. Admittedly, both consumers and companies need to be well-informed and well-advised. The newly-founded Think Thank for Sustainability will bridge this gap. In an individual analysis tailored to the customer, the trend and futurology researchers Ingrid Schick and Anja Kirig demonstrate the potential for sustainability within a company. Communications professional Steffen Ball develops strategic PR measures based on the analysis in order to effectively reach new markets. As a company and communications consulting agency, the Think Thank for Sustainability is developing personal and profitable ideas: “Sustainability is proving to be a recession-resistant strategy. Sustainably functioning branches of the economy are demonstrably profitable and promise revenues even during the crisis,” explains Ball. The experts see the greatest customer potential in so-called LOHAS. This group of consumers maintains a “lifestyle of health and sustainability”, a lifestyle oriented to health and sustainability that brings together consumption and responsibility. In contrast to earlier environmentalists, they have no dogma or ideology. The LOHAS are a well-informed, critical customer group with modern networking. “Companies that have recognised the potential of LOHAS can secure future markets and long-term customer connections,” Kirig says confidently. More information on the Think Tank for Sustainability on the Internet at www.lohas-pr.de. 162 events 2/2009
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DMCs Germany Zip Code 8
Pro Sky Flüge für Gruppen Hohenstaufenring 29-37, 50674 Köln Telefon: +49-221-920 440 Telefax. +49-221-920 44-22 e-mail: info@pro-sky.de Internet: www.pro-sky.de
WEICHLEIN TOURS + INCENTIVES Incoming, Special Interest Tours, DMC Neuhauser Straße 23, 80331 München Tel.: 089-85636630, Fax: 089-85636636 e-mail: info@weichlein.de Internet: www.weichlein.de
Professional Training and Education Zip Code 4 IST-Studieninstitut für Kommunikation Moskauer Str. 25, 40227 Düsseldorf Tel.: +49 (0) 211-77 92 37-0 Fax: +49 (0) 211-77 92 37-27 E-Mail: info@ist-komm.de Internet: www.ist-komm.de
Stages, tribunes and special constructions Zip Code 3 TS Tribünenservice GmbH TS plant, vermietet und verkauft mobile Tribünen mit und ohne Dach Helmkestr. 5 B, D-30165 Hannover Tel.: +49-511/35319626, Fax: +49-511/35319627 info@ts-tribuenenservice.de www.ts-tribuenenservice.de
PLZ 9
NÜSSLI (Deutschland) GmbH Temporäre Bauten für Events und Exhibitions Rothgrund 6, D-91154 Roth Tel.: 09171-9763-0, Fax: 09171-9763-50 Nikolaus-Otto-Straße 13, D-14974 Ludwigsfelde Tel.: 03378-2005-0, Fax: 03378-2005-55 Oberlachweg 9, D-35394 Gießen Tel.: 0641-944-663-0, Fax: 0641-944-663-50 e-mail: roth@nussli.com, ludwigsfelde@nussli.com giessen@nussli.com, Internet: nussli.com
Caterer Zip Code 1 Catering‘s Best by InterContinental Budapester Straße 2, 10787 Berlin Tel.: 030/2602 1430, Fax: 030/2602 1421 e-mail: cateringsbest_berlin@interconti.com Internet: www.cateringsbest.de
Zip Code 7 DEBEOS GmbH Ein Unternehmen der ISS Facility Services Werk 086/HPC 7000 Postfach 80 02 45, 70502 Stuttgart Tel: +49 711 17-165, Fax: +49 711 17-98800 info@debeos.de, www.debeos.de
destination management company Tel: +49/(0)89/24218-434 Maximilianstr. 35a · 80539 München munich@my-dmc.de · www.my-dmc.de
TOP BAVARIA TRAVEL GmbH Schulstraße 11, 80634 München Tel.: 089-130009, Fax: 089-165994 e-mail: info@top-bavaria.de Internet: www.top-bavaria.de
DMCs Europe Austria AIMS International I AHR Travel Your Austria Connection A-1090 Wien, Mariannengasse 32 Tel.: +43 1 402 77 55-0 • Fax: +43 1 402 77 31 vienna@aims-international.com www.aims-international.com
Baltikum Travel MICE Lettland - Estland - Litauen Kreuzbergstr. 7 g, 40489 Düsseldorf www.travel-mice.com, e-mail: info@travel-mice.com
Belgium Brussels International Travel Service Rue Arthur Diderich 30, B-1060 Bruxelles Tel.: 0032-2-5431010, Fax: 0032-2-5381294 e-mail: belgium@euromic.com Internet: www.brussels-international.be AIMS International Brussels Your Belgium Connection B-1831 Oude, Oude-Haachtsesteenw. 107/3 Tel.: +32 2 722 82 30 • Fax: +32 2 722 82 40 brussels@aims-international.com www.aims-international.com
Bulgaria AIMS International Sofia Your Bulgaria Connection BG-1000 WTC Affiliate, 9 Iskar Street Tel.: +359 2 811 7400 • Fax: +359 2 811 7410 sofia@aims-international.com www.aims-international.com
Croatia Dubrovnik Travel DMC Obala S. Radica 25, 20 000 Dubrovnik, Croatia Tel. +385.20.313.555, Fax +385.20.313.550 croatia@dubrovniktravel.com, www.dubrovniktravel.com. German representative: Rene van der Veen, Tel. +49 172 2545728
MU N I CH
Airline broker Zip Code 5
RINA TRAVEL Ihr DMC Partner in Kroatien Jarun 22, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Tel.: +385 (0)1 38 65 715, Fax: +385 (0)1 38 65 717 info@rinatravel.com, www.rinatravel.com
Czech Republic AIMS International Prague Your Czech Connection CZ-182 00 Prague 8, Pomezní 7/1387 Tel.: +420 284 007 340 • Fax: +420 284 007 350 prague@aims-international.com www.aims-international.com
Finland Finland Special Tours Ltd., DMC Sibeliuksenkatu 19, 04400 Järvenpää Tel.: 00358-9-2790980, Fax: 00358-9-2711772 e-mail: finland.spezial.tours@kolumbus.fi www.kolumbus.fi/fstours/
France DESTINATION – Ihr Elsass-Spezialist Incoming – Meeting – Incentives – Events 15, Boulevard d’ Anvers, F-67000 Strasbourg Tel.: + 33 3 88 60 70 70, Fax: +33 3 88 61 93 32 e-mail: incoming@destination-fr.com homepage: www.destination-fr.com Ring-Tours Vision Ihr deutschsprachiger DMC-Partner für ganz Frankreich 5, Rue de Castiglione, 75001 Paris, France Tel.: (0033)01-49277008, Fax: -49277044 e-mail: incentives@ringtours.fr homepage: www.ringtours.fr
Greece Different Routes Event Consulting 23, Agiou Dimitriou, GR – 17455 Alimos – Athens Tel.: +30-210-9 85 26 02; Fax: +30-210-9 85 25 67 www.different-routes.com dvdr@different-routes.com FREI S.S. Travel – Congress Paprigiopoulou 3 10561 Athens – Greece Tel.: 0030-210-3215600 Fax: 0030-210 321 9296 www.frei.gr, e-mail: info@frei.gr events 2/2009 163
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Helden S.A. International Services Limited 170 Ipsilantou Street, GR- 185 35 Piraeus/Athen Tel.: +30-210-42 96 000, Fax: +30-210-41 012 86 travel@helden.gr - www.helden.gr Representative in Germany: Tourism Affairs, Eva.muminovic@tourism-affairs.com
Hungary MOTIVATION BUDAPEST REISE GMBH Hattyu u. 16, H-1015 Budapest Tel.: 0036-1-224-7141, Fax: 0036-1-355-8693 e-mail: motiv@motivation.hu Homepage: www.motivation.hu
ON SITE MALTA Ihr deutschsprachiger MICE-Partner Kontakt: Paul Selis 23, Salvu Camilleri Street, Mellieha MLH04 Tel: +356-2152 4020, Fax: +356-2152 5645 paulselis@onsitemalta.com, www.onsitemalta.com
Grass Roots Switzerland AG Weinbergstrasse 11, CH-8001 Zürich Tel.: +41 44 252 50 30 Fax.: +41 44 251 31 49 E-mail: contact-ch@grg.com Internet: www.grassroots-ch.com
Monaco
Kuoni Destination Management Kuoni DMC is a global organiser of Meetings & Incentive programmes. Überlandstrasse 360 CH- 8051 Zürich, Switzerland Tel.: +41-1-325 23 46 Fax: +41-1-322 41 13 meetings.zrh@kuoni.ch, www.kuoni-dmc.com
Agence C.I.R. C. Calmettes 147, Domaine les Michels, 13790 Peynier Tel.: 0033-4-42530364, Fax: 0033-4-42530840 cirfrance@aol.com, www.cirfrance.fr
Portugal
Spain
AIMS International Budapest Your Hungary Connection H-1054 Budapest, Honvéd u.22.III.2 Tel.: +36 1 266 2943 • Fax: +36 1 266 2946 budapest@aims-international.com www.aims-international.com Continental Travel Kálmán Imre Str. 19, H-1054 Budapest Tel.: +36-1-373-0616, Fax: +36-1-373-0617 continental.travel@continentaltravel.hu www.continentaltravel.hu
Iceland Destination Iceland Ltd. (Come-2 Iceland DMC) Vatnsmyravew 10, IS-101 Reykjavik Tel.: 00354-591-1020, Fax: 00354-591-1050 e-mail: travel@dice.is, www.dice.is
Italy William Clementson srl Incentives - Kongresse Via Statilia 4, I - 00185 Rom Tel.: 003906-77209079, Fax: 003906-7092506 info@clementson.com, www.clementson.com
Malta SPECIAL INTEREST TRAVEL Ltd. ‚Demajo House‘, 103 Archbishop Street, Valletta Tel./Fax: 00356 2552 0000 - Fax: 00356 2552 2553 e-mail: jcaruana@sit.com.mt – www.sit.com.mt Representative in Germany: Tourism Affairs Eva Muminovic – info@sit.com.mt
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AIMS International Lisbon 15.05.2008 Connection P-1200-203 Lisbon, Rua Garrett 61-3° Tel.: +351 21 324 50 40 • Fax: +351 21 324 50 50 lisbon@aims-international.com www.aims-international.com • www.aims.pt
Unbenannt-12 1 Your Portugal
EVENT + INCOMING SERVICE H-1118 Budapest, Háromszék u. 28 T: +361 266 2414 F: +361 266 1914 tibor@event-incoming.hu www.event-incoming.hu www.budapest-event-planner.hu
IBEROSERVICE INCOMING SERVICES Büros in Spanien: Alicante, Barcelona, Costa de la Luz, Costa del Sol, Lanzarote, Madrid, Mallorca, Sevilla, Teneriffa Ausserhalb Spanien: Brasilien, Costa Rica, Dominikanische Republik, Kuba, Mexiko, Portugal und Venezuela Zentralbüro: Mallorca e-mail: incentives.commercial@iberoservice.com 15:57:48 Uhr http://brochure.iberoservice.com
team quatro Ihr Partner in Portugal Rua Mestre D‘Aviz 11, P-1495-014 Algés/Lisboa Tel: +351-21-411 1300, Fax: +351-21-411 1310 e-mail: info@teamquatro.com www.teamquatro.com TFT - Viagens & Turismo Lda. Englisch - Deutsch - Französisch Edifício St. Barbara, Esc. 8, Estrada da Rebelva, Lte. 307-A, PT-2775-726, Carcavelos Tel: +351-21-4582178, Fax: +351-21-4583143 info@tftportugal.com, www.tftportugal.com
Slovenia Albatros Bled, Congress Agency Ribenska 2, SI-4260 Bled Tel./Fax: 00386-45780350 / 00386-45780355 info@albatros-bled.com/www.albatros-bled.com
Switzerland Executive Events GmbH - the creative Swiss DMC Sumpfstrasse 26 CH-6301 Zug Tel.: +41(0)41 747 43 66 www.executive-events.ch
Turkey A-LEVEL TOURISM Destination Management Services Taksim Cad, Sakarya Apt. No 25 D 2 TR – 34437 Taksim-Beyoglu-Istanbul Tel.: +90 212 235 59 50, Fax: +90 212 235 59 52 ozlem.oztok@a-leveltourism.com a-level@a-leveltourism.com www.a-leveltourism.com IDEE Travel Services co. incentives-congress-cruises-group-fit Kore Sehiitleri cad. Mehmet Gonenc sk. No 6 D:9-11, TR – 34394 Istanbul - Zincirlikuyu Tel.: 0090(212)2123284, Fax: 0090(212)2751867 e-mail: info@ideetravel.com, esra.levent@ideetravel.com, Internet: www.ideetravel.com
DMCs Africa
DMCs Asia
SWA Safaris (Pty) Ltd. Ihr Reiseunternehmen mit Erfahrung P.O.Box 20373, Windhoek / Namibia Tel.: +264-61-221193, Fax: +264-61-225387 e-mail: swasaf@swasafaris.com.na Internet: www.swasafaris.com.na
AIMS International Shanghai Your Shanghai Connection Universal World Building Top 2903, 168-172, Yuyuan Road Shanghai, 200040, China Tel.: +86 21 6249 32 62, Fax: +86 21 6249 15 71 shanghai@aims-international.com
Namibia
South Africa
Ihre Ansprechpartnerin: Anke Rochau
Ihr deutschsprachiges DMC-Team mit Spezialisten für kreative Incentives & Veranstaltungen im südlichen Afrika Tel: +27 (0)21 415 2000 Fax: +27 (0)21 421 0229 anke@thatsafrica.com www.thatsafrica.com
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DMCs America Dominican Republic
Event agencies Zip Code 0 FUCHS congress + incentive gmbh Einsteinstr. 4, 01069 Dresden Tel.: +49-351-479300, Fax: +49-351-479 30 29 Internet: www.fuchsincentive.de
Zip Code 1
05.02.2009 8:12:02 Uhr
Turinter, DMC Leopoldo Navarro #4, Santo Domingo Tel.: 001-809-6864020 Fax: 001-809-6883890 e-mail: incoming@turinter.com Internet: www.turinter.com ULTRAMAR Express Dominicana Resp: H´nas. Mirabal #3, Puerto Plata. R.D. Tel.: 001-809-5869373 Fax: 001-809-3208236 e-mail: ultramar@codetel.net.do
Mexico KOMEX TOURS S.A. Benjamin Hill 243, Col. Condesa MEX-06140 Mexico, D.F. Tel.: 0052-55-52729913 Fax: 0052-55-52720648 e-mail: komex@data.net.mx
U.S.A. EastWest Travel GmbH Neumarkt 33, D-50667 Köln Tel.: (+49) 221-39760600, Fax: (+49) 221-2336450 e-mail: info@eastwest.travel www.eastwest.travel TOP DMCs für USA und Kanada
Global TBS Incentives – Konferenzen – Events Blumenstrasse 49, 10243 Berlin Tel.: 030-397445-0, Fax: 030-397445-14 e-mail: info@globaltbs.de www.globaltbs.de MR CONGRESS & INCENTIVE GMBH Alt Friedrichsfelde 11, 10315 Berlin Tel.: +49 30 44 35060 Fax: +49 30 44 350620 info@mr-congress.com www.mr-congress.com Red Carpet Event GmbH, Office Berlin Berolinahaus am Alexanderplatz 1 10178 Berlin Tel: 030.2325 74 - 00 Fax: 030.2325 74 - 11 E-Mail: berlin@red-carpet-event.de Internet: www.red-carpet-event.de CPO HANSER SERVICE GmbH Conference - Event - Destination Management Paulsborner Str. 44, 14193 Berlin Tel.: 030-3006690, Fax: 030-3057391 e-mail: berlin@cpo-hanser.de Internet: www.cpo-hanser.de
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Zip Code 2 C³ event.net Cross Communication Concepts Postfach 730607, 22126 Hamburg Tel.: +49 (0)40 - 645 32 333 Fax: +49 (0)40 - 644 25 695 info@c3event.net www.c3event.net
LIVE ART COMMUNICATION Schirmerstraße 59, 40211 Düsseldorf Tel.: 0211 - 26 105 185 Fax: 0211 - 26 105 117 E-Mail: liveart@arcor.de www.liveart-kommunikation.de
Zip Code 5
Agentur für integrierte Live-Kommunikation
Gesellschaft für strat. Kommunikation mbH Incentives, Tagungen, Promotion national und international Gellertstr. 5, 22301 Hamburg Tel.: +49 (0)40-287866-0, Fax: +49 (0)40-287866-28 info@people-events.com www.people-events.com
Zip Code 3 LENZevents Bodelschwinghstraße 5, 34119 Kassel Tel.: 0561-72884-0, Fax: 0561-72884-59 e-mail: info@lenzevents.de Internet: www.lenzevents.de
V.I.T. GmbH Veranstaltungen, Incentives, Trainings Hagäckerstrasse 4, 73760 Ostfildern Tel.: +49-711-1327322, Fax: +49-711-1327333 e-mail: info@vit-gmbh.de Internet: www.vit-gmbh.de
Büro Bonn Kaiserstraße 33 53115 Bonn
Büro Berlin Hausvogteiplatz 2 10117 Berlin
Büro München Theresienhöhe 12 80339 München
Tel. 0228.91530-0 event@pleon.com www.pleon.com
Zip Code 6 DERCONGRESS - DERTOUR GmbH & Co. KG Frau Sandra Opper Projekt Manager DERCONGRESS Emil-von-Behring-Str. 6, D-60439 Frankfurt Tel. +49 69 9588-3617, Fax +49 69 9588-3608 service@dercongress.com www.dercongress.com
POG Incentive Management GmbH Echterdinger Str. 38, 70771 Leinfelden Tel.: 0711-75075-0, Fax: 0711-75075-13 e-mail: info@pog.de, Internet: www.pog.de
Zip Code 8 MAM Live Communication Marketing And More GmbH Donnersbergerstraße 22a, 80634 München Tel.: +49 (0)89 20 20 69-0 Fax +49 (0)89 20 20 69-69 e-mail: info@m-a-m.de, Internet: www.m-a-m.de ten & one Eventagentur Meyerbeerstrasse 12, 81247 München Tel: 089-2554 190, Fax: 089-2554 1920 info@tenandone.com www.tenandone.com
Zip Code 4 Grass Roots Germany GmbH Prinzenallee 15, D-40549 Düsseldorf Tel.: +49 (0) 211 99100-210 Fax: +49 (0) 211 99100-600 contact-de@grg.com, www.grassroots-de.com
NESTLE TELEKOM BMW CAMPARI FREIXENET RUSSIAN STANDARD RADEBERGER DAVIDOFF CAFE GRANINI
Gesellschaft für Marketing und Kommunikationsdesign mbH Hasengartenstraße 22
Red Carpet Event GmbH, Office Düsseldorf JENOPTIK 65189 Wiesbaden SIPAHH 0611. 188 75 - 0 Neuer Zollhof 3 FRESENIUS go.advertising@go-ad.de 40221 Düsseldorf www.go-ad.de SONY BMG Tel.: 0211.220 59 - 350 Fax: 0211.220 59 - 419 Quasar Communications GmbH E-Mail: duesseldorf@red-carpet-event.de AZ_58x20_cti 26.02.2007 11:01 UhrIncentives, Seite Prämien, 1 Kundenbindung Internet: www.red-carpet-event.de Friedrich-Bergius-Straße 15-17, 65203 Wiesbaden Tel.: 0611/18887-0, Fax: 0611/18887-20 Agentur für Events und Live-Marketing e-mail: info@q-com.de, www.quasar.de info@vokdams.de www.vokdams.de
GERMANY – FRANCE – USA – CHINA – DUBAI
PANROYAL Agentur für Absatzkommunikation GmbH Event - Incentive - Messe Berghauser Str. 1-5, 42349 Wuppertal Tel.: 0202-24190, Fax: 0202-470021 info@panroyal.com · www.panroyal.com
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Zip Code 7 ellis EVENTS GmbH Conferences - Events - Incoming - Incentives Frischlinstraße 25, D-72336 Balingen Tel. +49 7433/999 10, Fax +49 7433/999 123 info@ellis-events.com www.ellis-events.com
EGM Eventgruppe GmbH Events, Conventions, Incentives Landsberger Straße 68, 80339 München Internet: www.eventgruppe.com
REALIZE Live-Marketing GmbH Agentur für integrierte Veranstaltungen Münchner Str. 12, 82008 Unterhaching-München Tel.: 089/66 07 99-0, Fax: 089/66 07 99-66 e-mail: info@realize-events.de www.realize-events.de
Zip Code 9
Zip Code 7
NEMA Entertainment GmbH Events - Shows - Full Service Alfred-Hess-Straße 18a, 99094 Erfurt Tel.: 0361-226 01 46, Fax: 0361-225 19 68 info@nema-entertainment.de www.nema-entertainment.de
Event tents
POG Incentive Management GmbH Echterdinger Str. 38, 70771 Leinfelden Tel.: 0711-75075-0, Fax: 0711-75075-13 e-mail: info@pog.de, Internet: www.pog.de
Zip Code 8 GLOBO Incentives GmbH Reisen, Kongresse & Events Viktualienmarkt 3, 80331 München Tel.: 089-24 20 850, Fax: 089-24 20 85 50 e-mail: info@globo-incentives.de Internet: www.globo-incentives.de
SKY 001-08 RZ Anz Eventbox 58x20.indd 1
Flexible Displays
23.10.2008 15:10:06 Uhr
EXPO DISPLAY SERVICE GROUP Frankfurt, Zürich, Wien, Apeldoorn e-mail: info@expodisplayservice.com Internet: www.expodisplayservice.com
Incentive Agencies Zip Code 0 FUCHS congress + incentive gmbh Einsteinstr. 4, 01069 Dresden Tel.: 0351-479300, Fax: 0351-4793029 Internet: www.fuchsincentive.de
Zip Code 1 i-contravel GmbH incoming - concept - incentive – congress Am Karlsbad 15, 10785 Berlin Tel.: 030-257570-0, Fax: 030-257570-70 info@i-contravel.com, www.i-contravel.com Ihr Partner an der Ostsee V.I.P. Hanse Touring GmbH Am Strande 3, 18055 Rostock Tel.: 0381-5481210, Fax: 0381-5481211 e-mail: info@vipcentive.de Homepage: www.vipcentive.de Global TBS Incentives - Konferenzen - Events Blumenstraße 49, 10243 Berlin Tel. 030-397445-0, Fax: 030-397445-14 E-Mail: info@globaltbs.de www.globaltbs.de
Zip Code 4 Grass Roots Germany GmbH Prinzenallee 15, D-40549 Düsseldorf Tel.: +49 (0) 211 99100-210 Fax: +49 (0) 211 99100-600 contact-de@grg.com, www.grassroots-de.com
MAM Live Communication Marketing And More GmbH Donnersbergerstraße 22a, 80634 München Tel.: +49 (0)89 20 20 69-0 Fax +49 (0)89 20 20 69-69 e-mail: info@m-a-m.de, Internet: www.m-a-m.de Top Bavaria Travel GmbH Schulstrasse 11, 80634 München Tel.: 089 / 130009, Fax: 089 / 165994 e-mail: info@top-bavaria.de Internet: www.top-bavaria.de REALIZE Live-Marketing GmbH Agentur für integrierte Veranstaltungen Münchner Str. 12, 82008 Unterhaching-München Fon: 089/66 07 99-0, Fax: 089/66 07 99-66 e-mail: info@realize-events.de www.realize-events.de
Croatia alta maris d.o.o. Incentive Travel Croatia Cindrova 6, 21312 Podstrana/Split-Croatia Tel.: +385-21 334 110, Fax: +385-21 333 109 Petra Svacica 8, 20000 Dubrovnik-Croatia Tel.: +385-20 436 517, Fax: +385-20 436 519 info@altamaris.com, www.altamaris.com
Tunesia I
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Zip Code 7
USA
New York · California · Florida
Li z a r d IncentEvents With offices in New York, Los Angeles & Miami For the US and Canada Phone: +1-212-868-2121 welcome@liz-ie.com · www.lizard-incentevents.com
Limousines Rental Zip Code 6
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Maritime events Zip Code 8 OceanEvent – Maritime Conventions, Launches & Incentives Seearkaden/Zweigstraße 1,D-82319 Starnberg Tel.: 08151 746 49-0, Fax: 08151 746 49-1 info@oceanevent.com, www.oceanevent.com
17.12.2008 14:19:37Product Uhr
ETS Limousinenservice Wiesenhüttenplatz 39, 60329 Frankfurt/M. Tel.: 069-271010 Fax: 069-235695 info@ets-frankfurt.de www.ets-frankfurt.de
Locations for Events Zip Code 1
Matrix Club und Event GmbH Faszinierendes Ambiente für 50-3.000 Personen Warschauer Platz 18, 10245 Berlin Tel.: 030-29 36 999-10, Fax: 030-29 36 999-99 e-mail: alexander@matrix-berlin.de www.matrix-berlin.de
Zip Code 6 Bumb‘s Junior Finest Catering Japan Tower 25. Etage & Konferenz Zentrum Taunustor 2, D-60311 Frankfurt am Main Tel.: 069-954400-0, Fax: 069-954400-90 e-mail: info@bumbs-junior.de www.bumbs-junior.de
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Neckar-Käpt‘n - Neckar-Personen-Schiffahrt Berta Epple GmbH & Co.KG Anlegestelle Wilhelma, 70376 Stuttgart Tel.: 0711-549970-60, Fax: 0711-549970-80 e-mail: buchung@neckar-kaeptn.de Homepage: www.neckar-kaeptn.de Partyfloß + 4 Schiffe
Online eventplatform Spain Event Planner Spain, S.L. Paseo de la Sierra, 38-20 29018 Málaga, Spain Tel.:+34 952 294 327, Fax: +34 952 292 831 clientes@eventplannerspain.com www.eventplannerspain.com
Teambuilding Zip Code 8 OPEN DOOR GmbH Teambuilding and more! Schützenstr. 9, 80335 München Tel: 089-515 188 51; Fax: 089-515 059 11 E-Mail: info@opendoor-events.de www.opendoor-events.de
Ticketing Zip Code 7 ReserviX GmbH – mit uns die besten Karten. Erbprinzenstr. 2a, 79098 Freiburg Tel.: 0761-556529-80, Fax: 0761-556529-99 info@reservix.de, www.reservix.de
Technologie for events Zip Code 5 SHOWTEC Beleuchtungs- und Beschallungs GmbH Köhlstr. 10, 50827 Köln Tel.: 0221 / 53994-0 Fax: 0221 / 53994-530 e-mail: mail@showtec.de Internet: www.showtec.de
Advertising agencies 23.10.2008 Zip Code 8
SKY 001-08 RZ Anz Eventbox 58x20.indd 1
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Impressum, Agentur für Kommunikation & Text WERBESTRATEGIEN FÜR IHR EVENT Zweigstraße 1, D-82319 Starnberg Tel.: 08151-559 1240, Fax: 08151-559 1241 info@impressumonline.de www.impressumonline.de
events BOX : E xhibition a nd Confer e nces
Exhibition and Conferences Active breaks Zip Code 6 DRUM CONVERSATION Trommelshows & Workshops Märkerstr. 7, D - 60437 Frankfurt am Main Tel.: +49-6101-558260, Fax: +49-6101-558261 info@drum-conversation.com www.drum-conversation.com
Druckerei und Großbilddrucke PLZ 6
Zip Code 6 Conventure - Your Personal Congress Organizer Messe Frankfurt Venue GmbH & Co.KG Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1, 60327 Frankfurt/Main Tel.: 069 / 75 75-54 31, Fax: 069 / 75 75-57 37 anke.wannagat@messefrankfurt.com www.conventure.messefrankfurt.com meet & more Eberbacher Straße 19, 65375 Oestrich-Winkel Tel.: 06723-9989010, Fax: 06723-5487 Mobil: +49-171-686-2299 e-mail: un@meet-and-more.de www.meet-and-more.de
Zip Code 8 Digitaldruck Offsetdruck Großformatdruck
PROSKE | group GmbH meetings & hospitality worldwide Oberaustr. 34, 83026 Rosenheim / Munich Tel.: +49 (0)8031/8008-0 Fax: +49 (0)8031/8008-88 info@proskegroup.com, www.proskegroup.com
Exhibition concept, appearance and installation Zip Code 2 Alles für Ihren Event oder Messeauftritt: Berthold Druck GmbH Bettinastraße 77 63067 Offenbach/Main Telefon 069-82 00 07-0 info@bertholddruck.de www.bertholddruck.de
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MICE MEISSNER EXPO GMBH Schnackenburgallee 16, D-22525 Hamburg Tel.: +49(0)40529050, Fax: +49(0)4052905118 e-mail: info@mice.de, web: www.mice.de ISDN: +49(0)4085322274
Zip Code 8
»» Banner und Poster
Wir produzieren alles im Haus und mit eigener Vorstufe. Sie reduzieren Ihren Aufwand erheblich und the fair agency profitieren von kurzen SKY 001-08 RZ Anz Eventbox 58x20.indd 1 23.10.2008 Lieferzeiten. agentur für messedienstleistungen Neumarkter Str. 34, 81673 München Tel: 089-2444 193-70, Fax: 089-2444 193-79 info@the-fair-agency.com Conference and Web: www.the-fair-agency.com meeting agencies
Zip Code 3
Silver‘s business travel GmbH Prinzenstraße 3, 30159 Hannover www.silvers.de, info@silvers.de Fon: +49 511 59 09 31 30 Kostenfreie Vermittlung von Tagungs- und Seminarhotels Veranstaltungsorganisation
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PCOs
Zip Code 1 CPO HANSER SERVICE GmbH Conference - Event - Destination Management Paulsborner Str. 44, 14193 Berlin Tel.: 030-3006690 Fax: 030-3057391 e-mail: berlin@cpo-hanser.de Internet: www.cpo-hanser.de
eventsBOX: Artists
Zip Code 2 C³ event.net Cross Communication Concepts Postfach 730607, 22126 Hamburg Tel.: +49 (0)40 - 645 32 333 Fax: +49 (0)40 – 644 25 695 info@c3event.net www.c3event.net congress & travel Willi Simon GmbH meetings - incentives - congresses - events Hasporter Damm 9, 27749 Delmenhorst Tel.: 04221-9660-0, Fax: 04221-9660-50 e-mail: info@congressimon.com
Zip Code 3 Silver‘s business travel GmbH Prinzenstraße 3, 30159 Hannover www.silvers.de, info@silvers.de Fon: +49 511 59 09 31 30 Kongress- und Eventorganisation Einladungs- und Teilnehmermanagement kostenfreie Hotelvermittlung
Zip Code 6 Conventure - Your Personal Congress Organizer Messe Frankfurt Venue GmbH & Co.KG Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1, 60327 Frankfurt/Main Tel.: 069 / 75 75-54 31, Fax: 069 / 75 75–57 37 anke.wannagat@messefrankfurt.com www.conventure.messefrankfurt.com
Zip Code 7 CONGREX Deutschland GmbH Potsdamer Platz 11, 10785 Berlin Tel: 030 2589 4629, Fax 030 2589 4100 Haupstrasse 18, 79576 Weil am Rhein Tel.: 07621-98330, Fax: 07621-78714 weil@congrex.com / berlin@congrex.com www.congrex.com
Zip Code 8 E U R O K O N G R E S S GmbH Congress + Event + Exhibition Management Schleissheimerstr. 2, D - 80333 München Tel.: 089 / 21 09 86-0, Fax: 089 / 21 09 86 98 e-mail: info@eurokongress.de www.eurokongress.de
Slovenia Albatros Bled, Congress Agency Ribenska 2, SI-4260 Bled Tel./Fax:: 00386-45780350 / 00386-45780355 info@albatros-bled.com www.albatros-bled.com 170 events 2/2009
Hire & sale of mobile event and business area solutions
Imprint
Membership:
SILVER-Line – mobile Eventund Businessraum-Lösungen von OECON Mobilraum GmbH – Zum Flugplatz 1- D-73566 Bartholomä Tel:. +(49) (0)7173 - 9701-0, Fax: +(49) (0)7173- 9701-11 E-Mail: vertrieb@oecon.de, Homepage: www.oecon.de OECON- Verkaufsbüros: Bartholomä, Halle/Saale, München
Artists and artist agencies Artists
H
www.soulkitchen.de
Artist agencies
Zip Code 8
DJ ‚n‘ Artists- DJs & Live-Musiker Beringstraße 17, 53115 Bonn Tel.: 0228-8864740 www.tk-medienservice.de
Zip Code 8 JOHN BARKER CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT THE CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERTS Waldmeisterstr. 4, D-83109 Großkarolinenfeld Tel.: 08031-50994, Fax: 08031-59211 info@johnbarker.de, www.johnbarker.de
ICCA – International Congress and Convention Association GCB – German Convention Bureau EVVC – Europäischer Verband der Veranstaltungs-Centren e.V. VERANSTALTUNGSPLANER.DE – Vereinigung deutscher Veranstaltungsorganisatoren Publishing House: Werbe- und Verlags-Gesellschaft Ruppert mbH, Trakehner Straße 7–9, Bürohaus A, D-60487 Frankfurt a.M. Tel.: +49/69/95 52 36-0 Fax: +49/69/95 52 36-22 E-Mail: info@events-magazine.de www.events-magazine.com Managing Director Gerrit Klein Editor-in-Chief Hans Jürgen Heinrich Editor Christina Feyerke Publishing Director/Advertising Director Joachim Berger Manager Sales Central Europe Kerstin Quirin Manager International Sales Inga Schade Birte Oberfranz Contributing Editors Gisela Katharina Prenzel, Daniel Tschudy, Marie Fink Graphic Design Rainer Schmoll, 65307 Bad Schwalbach Printing L.N. Schaffrath DruckMedien GmbH & Co. KG, 47608 Geldern Translations Tilti Systems GmbH, Vienna Advertising rate list No. 37 as of 1 November, 2008 Advertising Coordinators: Thomas Pfisterer, Katja Wittig Advertising Representatives: Hungary: Media & Print Kft. Tátrá u. 12/a fszt. 2., H-1136 Budapest Tel.: +36/1/32 92 174 u. 32 05 410 Fax: +36/1/35 93 046 Middle East: Media Seen, Mr. Sunil Anand, Director, Cell: +97150/6490344, Ms. Indira Mohandas, Sales Manager, Cell: +97150/3672089, 3rd Floor, Moosa Habib Building, Al Wahda Street, Sharjah, PO Box 5320, United Arab Emirates Tel. +9716/5593711, Fax: +9716/5591226 Dubai Office: Tel. +9714/3535049, Fax: +9714/3535479, E-Mail: sales@mediaseen.com, www.mediaseen.com Annual subscription fee: Euro 42,– Single copy: Euro 9,40 + postage + VAT (national) Bank Account: Frankfurter Sparkasse, Account No. 320 200, BSC 500 502 01 For members with EVVC, FAMAB, VERANSTALTUNGSPLANER.DE events is included in their membership fees Copying, if only of excerpts, requires authorisation by the publishing house. Articles mentioning names of authors do not automatically mirror the opinion of the editorial office. Unwanted editorial contributions do not entail any legal rights for the sender. Print run: 23,000 copies per issue: 20,000 in German 3.000 in English © Werbe- und Verlags-Gesellschaft Ruppert mbH, Frankfurt/Main
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on the green side.
We are committed to take responsibility. Our Responsible Business programme was introduced in 2001 in response to increasing demands from our guests. We take our role seriously, facilitating the preservation of the natural environment and our commitment to have all our hotels certified with their respective regional certifications. In Germany, Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts is the first hotel chain with almost all hotels certified to ISO 14001: 2004 standards. Basel • Berlin • Cologne • Cottbus • Dresden • Düsseldorf • Erfurt • Fleesensee • Frankfurt • Hamburg • Hannover Karlsruhe • Leipzig • Lübeck • Lucerne • Merseburg • Wiesbaden • Neubrandenburg • Rostock • Rügen • Salzburg St. Gallen • Stralsund • Vienna • Zurich
+49 (0)69 976 932 00 radissonblu.co.uk/meetings