Single Price: € 9.40 € Magazine for The International Management Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Exhibitions
The International Management Magazine for Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Exhibitions
www.events-magazine.com
The In
Issue 5 – December 2008
The International Management Magazine for Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Exhibitions
The International Management Magazine for Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Exhibitions
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
A
10
The International Management Magazine for Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Exhibitions
page focus: 2009 – opinions prevailing in the trade
The times, they are a-changing! Event Awards 2008 – an overview Seehotel Zeulenroda – a success story Øresund Region – green as can be ICCA in Victoria – why?
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Crunch time? Loud noises often cause most alarm. There is frequently nothing more than an empty resonance behind it all and one tends to assume it will not be of long term relevance, as one is already acquainted with those making the clamour. Even so: the publishing house Springer has already cancelled all major events for 2009, including classics such as its ‘Goldene Kamera’ and ‘Goldenes Lenkrad’. The Goldene Kamera award ceremony was cancelled only 6 weeks prior to the scheduled date, meaning that Springer incurred considerable expenses. This illustrates what overhasty cutbacks do - although they may have been originally designed to meet current spending restraints, they end up merely serving the mantra of “setting a clear example” (whatever that may mean). The fact that the cancellations will apparently save Springer a total of € 13 million in 2009 speaks a clear language – assuming these figures are correct. So, the ‘crisis’ is picking up speed and has begun to impinge on the entertainment branch – and thus on our industry; this terrifying monster has already begun to loom on the horizon of 2009. We need not sit back and patiently await our fate. Spectres haunt us more frequently now, us, the spoiled brats of the economic wonder years. But they are vulnerable as they are created from a hodgepodge of assorted elements and are, to a certain extent, easy to see through. They consist of lame rationalizations for stupid failures made by ourselves (vide the automotive industry) by which the need for commercial reassessment is repeatedly buried under a plethora of artificial hype, and also of pre-emptive statements of justification made because of the dark foreboding that our future may not be quite as rosy as we had hoped. Just as futile are often the initial measures taken in the hope of exorcising these phantoms: those who realise that they lack necessary fat reserves to survive the effects of the coming dearth, tend to rein in their spending. And anyone who was quite happy to live on credit begins to panic, sowing dismay and despondency among his neighbours. On the other hand, those who have kept an orderly and to some extent successful house may find themselves confronted by certain risks, by the possibility of set-backs, but will refrain from running through the streets howling like Cassandra in predicting the coming doom. These persons may have had enough of simple-minded “let’s all pull together” and “it’ll come out alright in the end” slogans. They are aware of the potential seriousness of the oft conjured paradigm change, the depth of the problem compounded by ignorance due to trust and an unwillingness to depart from the familiar comfort zones. A crisis representing a threat to one business, can be an opportunity to another. Change is an essential element of life. Attempts to gloss over or avoid it are inimical to life itself, while healing can be achieved by accepting that things will be different. Couples facing break-up and people buffeted by bad luck are aware of this. We should pause and reflect and should know that growth has its limits. Our logical conclusion should be that our infantile delight in the superlative is unsustainable. That is the way things are: those who refuse to slow down often run into a brick wall. So please do not rush out and hit the road to Panic City and keep a wary eye open for the traffic. Do you still remember Paragraph 1 of the German highway code? You might find it helpful in getting through the coming (crisis) winter! Stay healthy and confident in 2009! Hans J. Heinrich, Editor-in-Chief
Johanna Lamke, Sales Manager
Die TÜV-Plakette für Hotels Wenn es um unsere Autos geht, haben wir uns bereits an die regelmäßigen TÜV-Inspektionen gewöhnt. Auch die Umweltplaketten, die in vielen deutschen Großstädten bereits eingeführt wurden, sind nichts Neues mehr. Nun ermöglicht es der unabhängige Prüfdienstleister TÜV Rheinland auch Hotels, ihr jeweiliges Umweltmanagement zu durchleuchten und nach eingehender Prüfung und - wenn nötig,Verbesserungen - zertifizieren zu lassen. Ziel ist hierbei, gemäß der international anerkannten Norm ISO 14001, die systematische Reduzierung von Risiken für die Umwelt und die Verbesserung von Umweltleistungen. Im Rahmen unseres „Responsible Business“ Programms haben die Radisson SAS Hotels in Deutschland gemeinsam entschieden, sich um diese sehr aussagekräftige Plakette zu bewerben. Als erste Häuser haben bereits das Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel in Düsseldorf und unser Kölner Haus das Audit erfolgreich bestanden. Wir, das Radisson SAS Hotel in Frankfurt, und weitere 12 unserer Schwesterhotels in Deutschland folgen bis zum Jahresende. Alle umweltrelevanten Bereiche des Hotelbetriebs stehen gerade auf dem Prüfstand: von Fragen der Entsorgung und Abfalltrennung über die Klima- und Energietechnik bis hin zu Sicherheitsaspekten und Unfallvermeidung. Zudem schulen wir unsere Mitarbeiter und informieren unsere Gäste über unser Engagement. Nach Erhalt der Umweltplakette werden wir jährlich kontrolliert und nach drei Jahren werden wir uns wiederum einer komplett neuen Inspektion stellen. Mit dieser unabhängigen Überprüfung dokumentieren wir unseren eigenen hohen Anspruch gegenüber Mensch und Umwelt. Wir wollen Ihnen, unseren Gästen und Kunden, nicht nur First-Class-Service bieten, sondern dabei auch unserer gemeinsamen ökologischen Verantwortung gerecht werden!
Radisson SAS Hotel Franklinstraße 65 D-60486 Frankfurt Tel.: +49 69 770 155 3626 www.professionalhotelfacts.com/radissonsas Johanna.Lamke@radissonsas.com
CON T E N Ts 5 / 20 08
Trade Fairs World of Events: the fair, the congress, the party........................................... 6 Beaming from ear to ear: Messe Frankfurt..................................................... 8 New trade exhibitions in Slovenia and the Canton of Ticino......................... 10
Management The ‘crisis’ as the Meetings Industry sees it................................................... 11 Part 2: Taxation of Incentive Trips................................................................. 22
Ideas The taming of the stallion: Rodeos – a brand-new trend............................... 24 Pimp your Wine Tasting: Here comes Casino Vinophil!................................. 28
The times, they area changing... How a panel during EIBTM 2008 saw the ‘crisis’, what occupies the minds of thought leaders and why Hugo Slimbrouck believes in Live Communication more than ever
Page 11
Congress World An historic treasure becomes HCCE-member: Festhalle Frankfurt................. 32 Nikolaus Breisach: How is he faring?............................................................ 35
Destinations Flying visit to Toledo..................................................................................... 38 Finnish Lapland – invitation for a very cool Fam Trip..................................... 39 Lyon – warms the heart and fills the stomach............................................... 40 What happens in agencies?..................................................................... 46
Locations A 220 million package for the Nürburgring Racetrack.................................. 52 An oriental dream in Marrakesh................................................................... 55 Take care, Tempelhof!.................................................................................. 56
Hotels Abama – an oasis of luxury on Tenerife........................................................ 58 Seehotel Zeulenroda – how did they do it?.................................................. 62 Helpful: Benchmarking for Hotels and Destinations...................................... 66 Notes........................................................................................................... 68
Focus AwardsAwardsAwards Gripping the prize – year by year.................................................................. 72
CSR/Sustainability Gerrit Jessen (MCI) about the green future of the trade............................... 84 1st International Sustainability Conference in Nuremberg.............................. 85 Green standards for Germany – a prelude in Bonn....................................... 87 The greener the cleaner: The Øresund Region in Denmark........................... 90
The icing on a Fam Trip: Finnish Lapland
Page 39
Associations ICCA World Congress in Canada – a review................................................. 93 Montreux: Incentives specialists discuss ‘the change’.................................... 96 Imprint..................................................................................................... 106
4 events 5/2008
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macht einfach Spaß
Trade Fairs
11th World of Events
Meet 400 exhibitors, party and: learn a thing or two! On January 21 and 22, 2009 the events sector will again be gathering in the RheinMain-Hallen in Wiesbaden. The organizer of the event Bea Nöhre seems to be unaffected by the crisis and has no cancellations to report.
Events organiser Bea Nöhre has every reason to feel satisfied. The 11th WoE is well within her sights, and the branch association FAMAB is also fully involved for the first time.
6 events 5/2008
The Kurhaus in Wiesbaden will also be opening up will present spectacular excerpts from the current Sarits festive halls and reception rooms in 2009 for the rasani dinner show “Trocadero” in Dresden. Later on, traditional “WoE night”. At the end of the first day of the ultimate mood on the dance floor for the remainthe trade fair, visitors and exhibitors have an oppor- der of the evening will be provided by the nine-man tunity here to continue their personal and business soul and party band “The Goodfellas”. Practical inconversations – and to launch themselves into a lively formation: For just € 79 you can travel to Wiesnight’s partying. To start with, a large speciality buf- baden by 1st class rail! There and back from any fet from “Käfer’s” will await the guests in the festive station in Germany. Bookings via the Hotline concert hall, beginning at 7:30 pm. The subsequent 01805/311153 mentioning: “World of Events“. programme of music and stage entertainment starts with the group “Have You Met Miss Jones?”, who Brainfood: VOK DAMS : ILM Live are probably one of the best European quartets; the Marketing Convention guests at the “WoE-Night” can look forward to a repertoire of jazz, bossa, pop & soul, virtuoso musicians You can find out everything that is worth knowing and above all the unique voice of Miss Jones. The about current trends in live marketing at the 2nd Germagician André Sarrasani and international acrobats man Live Marketing Conference being held on January 21 and 22 in Wiesbaden as part of the World of Events. The focus is on the strategic and emotional success factors of live marketing and how to integrate them into communication strategies. So under the title “Moving the Future: Live Marketing in the Integrated DB Group” Gabriele Handel-Jung, Manager, Group Marketing Services and Media, and Steffen Straub, Team Manager Trade Fair and Event Management of DB Mobility Logistics AG, will provide an insight into the communications mix of the DB Group and cast light on the particular value attached to live communication. Professor Rück from FH Worms [Worms University of Applied Sciences] will speak about the apparently ageless current “pitch madness” and Thorsten Terlohr, Manager Sponsoring/Events at the WARSTEINER Brewery will present a particular aspect of live marketing in his lecture: “Innovative Live Marketing. WARSTEINER Brewery and the Experience Region of the Nürburgring.” The Nürburgring is one of the best known brands worldwide in the events sector. A complete new infrastructure is currently being constructed in the Eifel,
messen
with the focus amongst other things on the theme of Adventure and Entertainment. Thorsten Terlohr will present the involvement of the WARSTEINER Brewery, whose active involvement in terms of brand experience and appealing to consumers and the creation of new subject areas is very different from classic sponsorship.
Glamour: Barbara Schöneberger is coming
of the 14 cooperation partners. A theme which is important not only for the doers in the communication sector, but also and in particular for the decision makers in sales and marketing, who want to use their budgets sensibly and successfully in the future too. www.deutscher-live-marketing-tag.de
Celebrities in live marketing is the theme, where an object lesson will also be offered through the presence of Barbara Schöneberger. GALA editor in chief Peter Lewandowski and Alexander Elbertzhagen, CEO of Pool Position Management, are the speakers during this talk which closes the first day of the conFAMAB officially on board for the ference. The second day of the conference then starts with a first time highly current topic, especially in view of the financial The FAMAB “Business Forum on Direct Business Comcrisis: Creating trust through communication. munications” will celebrate a real first at the coming Dr. Mark Weigelt, Executive Director, Head Market- WoE, where the focus of its contribution to the coning & Communications of UBS Deutschland AG will ference will be on the themes of event communicareport on live marketing as a driver of success in fi- tion and trade fair marketing, along with multimedia nancial business. productions and integrated direct communication. In The VOK DAMS : ILM Live Marketing Conference the context of this cooperation, the FAMAB Associatakes on particular significance through the support tion for Direct Business Communications will again of the specialist press, also at the closing event. also be represented in Wiesbaden with the FME “FoThe future of events communication will be discussed rum Marketing-Eventagenturen” [Forum of Marketin a sector talk with 10 journalists from the sphere ing Event Agencies] on their own trade fair stand.
Not to be forgotten in WoE circles: Jochen Nöhre, the founder of the WoE, here in a photo at the WoE 1999 shortly before his sudden and very premature death.
events 5/2008 7
Trade Fairs
Messe Frankfurt on the Zenith The economic press conference at the Argentina and Dubai in 2008 – took place for the first time in up-and-coming China; there the newly estabend of November 2008 went on a hap- lished Water Expo China successfully took the stage py note: no wonder, as the figures an- in November 2008. nounced gave good reason for a collective shot of endorphins. “With a turnover Conventions and seminars of 436 million Euros we are looking for- On the domestic market the Group is not only successful with trade fairs: ward to a new high in the group’s his- The metropolis on the River Main counts as one of tory,” declared Michael von Zitzewitz, the leading convention destinations in Europe and Chairman of the Board of Management has met with unabated interest from the organizers of 110 conventions and conferences. The offering of to Messe Frankfurt in high spirits. This seminars and further education has also enjoyed a excellent result was achieved through strong level of take-up and still offers room for ex67,400 exhibitors at 104 trade fairs and pansion: over the last year the Academy of the Messe Frankfurt has already recorded 160 such events with exhibitions attracting 2.56 million visi- around 1,500 participants. tors. In 2009 it will most likely be a handWhat about 2009? ful more, thanks to IAA events cycles. When you’re successful, get building – Hall 11 presently is the last step of a total investment of 570 million Euros over the past 10 years.
8 events 5/2008
103.8 million Euro – one quarter of the total turnover in 2008 – was generated by 62 foreign trade fairs only. An expansion of the portfolio of the Messe’s own trade fair brands took place with the latest baby, Intersec (on the theme of security), which - following
Difficult! But optimistic! Experience has shown that in times when the economy is weak, exhibitors prefer trade fairs as their platform and tend to cut back on resources for other marketing activities (although in turn 80% visits of buyers are said to be depending on the trade cycle). “Despite the difficult economic situation we are still in an optimistic mood. The Messe Frankfurt is fortunate in being able to invest counter-cyclically,” says von Zitzewitz. Such as in Hall 11, whose construction is smoothly running on schedule (it will definitely be finished right in time for IAA 2009!), in the relaunch of the Internet presence or in strengthening the Messe Frankfurt as a brand. An investment of 570 million Euro has flown into the trade fair site alone over the past ten years. www.messefrankfurt.com CF
Head of Cologne’s trade fair now on the UFI Board Gerald Böse, CEO of the Koelnmesse, has been chosen as the new Deputy Chairman of the European Chapter of UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry). This makes him one of the four leading brains in the largest regional UFI section, which represents 273 trade fair organisers, owners of trade fair facilities and trade fair associations from a total of 33 countries. The term of office is two years. “Trade fairs are the most efficient marketing and communication instrument of all. They can move individual companies forward just as much as entire sectors. Offering an equally high quality standard for events worldwide is one of the main tasks of the international trade fair industry”, emphasizes Gerald Böse. “Particularly in Europe, due to the large number of medium-sized structures I see great opportunities for introducing more companies to the trade fair as a medium, for example through more and regionally specialized training and development programmes. Out of the 20 million smaller and medium-sized companies in Europe, no more than 10 percent regularly go to trade fairs. There is still a great deal of potential here.” The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry UFI comprises 530 members in 84 countries.
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CEO leaves Koelnmesse The Supervisory Board of the Koelnmesse and Executive Vice President Dr. Gerd Weber (43) have agreed not to extend the latter’s contract, which runs until December 31, 2009. Dr. Weber has been responsible for the development and implementation of a master plan which has made the Koelnmesse competitive again on an international scale since the year 2000. The reason for the decision is said to be that no
Main Sponsor:
Strategic Partners:
comparable major projects are planned for Koelnmesse in the near future. Organisation : Conevex, an easyFairs company Roderveldlaan 3, BE-2600 Berchem • Tel.: +32 (0)3 280 53 00 Fax: +32 (0)3 280 53 53 • emif@easyFairs.com
New 1st deputy Chairman of the FKM – Egon Galinnis In December 2008 Egon Galinnis (56), CEO of Messe Essen GmbH, was selected as 1st Deputy Chairman of FKM – a company for the voluntary control of trade fair and exhibition figures. He succeeds Dr. Joachim Henneke. Michael von Zitzewitz, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, remains as Chairman of FKM, while the 2nd Deputy is Heiko Könicke, Managing Shareholder of AFAG Messen und Ausstellungen GmbH, Nürnberg. The members of FKM comprise 69 German events organisers and three guest members from Hong Kong, Moscow and
Brand identity pepped up: coloured diamonds for Reed Exhibitions To the flagship EIBTM there has always been a glittering red diamond. In order to make the different shows in the constantly growing Reed portfolio instantly recognisable, each of the events is to receive a different coloured diamond with the name of the respective trade fair in the cen-
Verona. It examines exhibitor, space and visitor figures and the visitor structures of trade fairs according to unified standards.
New MICE trade fair in Slovenia At this year’s EIBTM in Barcelona 47% of all visitors expressed an interest in organising events in Eastern and Southern Europe. Encouraged by the general trend towards events in the local area, the Slovenian Convention Bureau has decided to launch a smaller MICE trade fair in Ljubljana. As well as other visitors, 150 hosted buyers will meet with 120 providers. Conventa will take place for the first time on 22 and 23 January 2009. www.conventa.info
tre: GIBTM in Abu Dhabi: yellow, CIBTM in Beijing: blue and AIBTM in Baltimore, USA: green. Paul Kennedy considered the timing of this brand makeover ideal in light of the new baby AIBTM and thinks: “Our events are designed as the basis for best business practices, best further training offerings and best networking. The new IBTM brand identity is fresh and clear and reflects our global coverage and spread, our professionalism and our reputation in the events sector throughout the world.“
10 events 5/2008
New luxury trade fair in the Ticino In cooperation with the tourism authorities of the canton of Ticino, a new international trade fair will be held in Lugano from February 4 – 6, 2009, the “MeetingLuxury”. The event is intended to present new trends in the luxury sector and at the same time become a meeting point for the suppliers involved in this segment. www.meetingluxury.com
managemen t
Panel EIBTM 2008 – The Mood of the Market
The Times, they are a changing!
Quicker, it seems, than back in Bob Dylan’s day. And more rapidly than bad tidings pouring down onto global communities from every business sector could be digested collectively or even individually. The overly strained ‘financial crisis’ has now wrapped its ugly tentacles also around hideouts previously considered untouchable, using its powerful suckers to pull the prosperity of spoilt industrial societies to the edge of the abyss. At the beginning of December 2008, unemployment figures recorded in the USA soared to their highest level in 15 years and the real estate market hit rock-bottom, whilst the abused cash cow Credit Card wastes away miserably. International stock markets are subjected to merciless rollercoaster rides, the German industry records 6.1 percent fewer contracts in October 2008 compared to September – with 8.3 percent already displaying the most dramatic deficit since the country’s reunification – and the prognostic gross domestic product for 2009 hovers uneasily at a zero decimal point. How this affects the meetings industry, or rather how it per- Summary: In comparison to 2007, 2008 was a good year. And formed during 2008, was revealed in a survey undertaken with 2009? 700 European events organisers. The results were presented be- In light of the current economic climate, 64% expect pressure on fore a panel of three (Christian Mutschlechner, their budget, 39% admit that this has already > Economists say: Events will Prasamt Saha, Elizabeth Rich) at EIBTM 2008 by been reduced, and 30% expect a significant become more reasonable in Sally Greenhill from The Right Solution Ltd. , the drop in the number of events, with a similar the coming year. responsible agency. number of participants and duration. 86% events 5/2008 11
M anagement > Christian Mutschlechner: New forms of communication such as the Internet will not let face-to-face networking die. And – unlike the survey: “Crisis is the mother of all invention...” ... states Prasamt Saha, Subcontinent- representative on the panel. Content is up, up, up!
view CSR and the environment as relevant to very important. One should sit down calmly with his clients and have Although location and price play a significant role when choosing the courage to touch on emotional as well as economic aspects. a venue, quality and the services provided score higher. Bad qual- “No sense in doom and gloom” comments Elizabeth Rich from ity in services and food – long journeys with possible delays – a Australia. Just don’t allow the ‘end of the world’ atmosphere boring programme – unimaginative presentations or unsuccess- to creep in! In general, she advises towards new directions and ful organisation are considered as recipes for disaster. Easy ac- more long-term contracts, and draws attention to ‘stimulus packcessibility and clear communi- ages’ from the government, sinecures which should be tracked > Christian Mutschlechner: cations are decisive factors in down. She is convinced that the future lies in national markets. Long-term growth cannot be choosing a venue – and their “Associations and governments will continue to hold conferences, expected. Don’t reduce your importance was ranked higher whilst company events will, in all likelihood, decrease”. marketing! Streamline, find than content! On the popular- Christian Mutschlechkey issues. The delegate is ity scale, Germany occupies ner, the freshly-crowned > China and the Middle East are full of promises for 2009. There, the client! the throne (well done, GCB!), EIBTM 2008 Industry followed by Spain, France and Personality of the Year, the average planner has a budget of 1.1 and 2.15 million US dollars Italy. In contrast to this are a number of hesitantly emerging des- makes it short and sweet respectively. tinations such as Uganda, the Philippines, Bulgaria and Trinidad with: “Be optimistic!” & Tobago! The attractiveness of a destination influences choice Could you do with a Planmaking by 70%, followed by easy access, with 57%. ner’s Little Helper in these turbulent times? The Genius Works at The detailed report can be downloaded at www.eibtm.com. www.einsteinpicasso.com helps to minimise your plight.. CF
The events survey: The consequences of the crisis in the financial market Our questions were: What effects do you expect the so-called crisis to have on the development of your business in 2009? In what form has there already been a drop in bookings? The answers are as varied as the events industry is heterogeneous – yet they still display many parallels! Mihaela Djuranovic – Estrel Berlin There are absolutely no indications of a drop in orders. New Year business is buzzing and 2008 was our second-best year ever! Claudia Delius-Fisher – Congress Frankfurt The one effect here in Frankfurt this autumn fortunately didn’t affect us: The Euro Finance Week took place with us immediately after the G20 summit in Washington and there was a high turnout. The “associated” gala had been planned in the old Opera building and was cancelled at short notice. Any forecasts are difficult, as in many places the extent of the impact can not yet be estimated. I feel 12 events 5/2008
that we are in the calm before the storm: Is the crisis tsunami really underway? Will it sweep over us? It’s really hard to say. What is certain is that:
- Inquiries on events are currently being received on very short notice. - A great deal of flexibility is being expected. - As 2009 has already shown itself to be a strong year for trade fairs and a weak year for conventions in our long-term planning at the Frankfurt trade fair grounds - our eyes are more directed towards 2010 and 2011. Both of these years still appear to be developing into good convention years. - There have been some bookings for the first half of 2009 which hadn’t been secured contractually and were cancelled due to the financial crisis. So the first half of 2009 doesn’t look very good, but on the other hand the slots available in the second half of the year have largely been taken.
was the case five years ago. But this trend too took hold earlier and has more to do with the companies’ marketing strategies and in many cases also with the expiration of patent rights. In this respect we have been seeing constant ups and downs for many years – but fortunately the underlying trend seesaws at an acceptable level. Due to our orientation we are also looking forward to the next few years quite optimistically.
Friedhelm Lenz – CCN CongressCenter Nürnberg When the economic engine starts spluttering, then sooner or later conventions and events will start to feel it too. Above all when the economic situation is running out of steam all over the world. Ultimately we see ourselves as a mirror of the sectors, so for Joachim König – the year 2009 the CCN CongressCenter Nürnberg is Hannover Congress Centrum taking into account a three percent drop due to the The ultimate significance of the current crisis is cereconomic situation. This is purely preventive – at the tainly difficult to assess. When the detailed insights moment we can neither foresee nor feel any effects and the real insider knowledge, if such a thing exon our events. Quite the opposite: We will finish the ists, are lacking, then it makes sense to concentrate 2008 events year with a new record turnover of clear- on your work and provide optimal service for your ly above 11 million Euros, whereas we had planned customers. The effects for the events sector distinctly lie mainly for 9 million Euro for the year. in the individual cuts we have already noticed in the sectors which have been substantially affected (banks, The CCN is holding back on concrete forecasts for 2009. The main theme for us is the lack of confi- insurers, financial services providers, the automotive dence. Conventions and events live by confidence and sector), but even here not everything is going to coloptimism about future developments. However, the lapse, because you don’t get out of a crisis by doing experience of past economic downturns has taught nothing. Christmas business in the corporate area us that when times are hard, companies save less on was also rather difficult this year. But otherwise we are actually expecting a good busiattendance, but more on their appearance. ness year in 2009, as business with existing customers and the developments over the last few years have Hugo Lichtinger – INTERPLAN As we are active solely in the scientific sector, and given us some good preliminary work. Possibly the have scarcely any corporate business, the recession maximum planned numbers of participants won’t always turn up, and savings may possibly be made clearly has less effect on us – thank goodness. here and there on the extras in the gastronomic and The “quality” of evening events at our conventions technical areas, but the substance is alright. started cooling off a while ago and have less to do with the economic options for the events and more In this sense we shouldn’t add to the crisis by talking with the restrictions imposed on us by the Pharma- it up into a self-fulfilling prophecy. It won’t make things any better anyway! And anyway, ceuticals Codex. nobody in the real business world knows whether Of course we have specialist areas where the indus- there may not still be a few more “Lehmann Brothtry’s money is no longer flowing so generously as ers” or not. events 5/2008 13
M anagement
Bernhard Conin – KölnKongress GmbH In times of increasing uncertainty about economic trends, KölnKongress has applied greater commercial caution as a basis when forecasting the rudiments of its business plan compared with previous years. Although up to now KölnKongress has only had to cope with two actual cancelled events (in the automotive sector), the further effects in the near future are hard to assess at the present time.
tries, some of which seem not directly affected by the crisis The association industry will keep busy significantly our However, based on the variety of unusual events cen- calendar in 2009 and generate a high level occupantres and the associated numerous different options cy during the autumn and offset a quieter early year. Our order book before the actual onset of the crisis had a significant advance that allows us today, despite some cancellations, to ensure that the 2009 target had been fixed before the crisis (subject of course we do not suffer other major cancellations at the last minute that we could not replace). Our new approach Act Green and our concrete offer Green Event represent a real competitive advantage and give us a new visibility in the MICE industry. Colja Dams – VOK DAMS We are cautiously optimistic about our business development. German / Europe will stagnate – the USA is already declining slightly.
for using them, KölnKongress is assuming that there will not be any substantial slump in the number and sales of events. Laurence Garino – Commercial Director, Grimaldi Forum Monaco Some cancellations, but few volume therefore, have penalized our Orderbook 2009 on the first months of the year in particular. The trend of requests declined sharply since November. Very few last minute and therefore little or no opportunities to replace the cancellations, nor to finish out our 2009 schedule. Large files under negotiation for years to come are put on waiting list – the decisions are hampered by lack of visibility. The image of the high level destination Monaco is not on our side in times of crisis. The portfolio return customers (large accounts and faithful clients) allows us to maintain a level of activity generally stable throughout the year. Our customer portfolio is composed of very varied indus14 events 5/2008
The events agency market will continue to consolidate. A concentration process will set in, just as it did in the 1993 crisis. The proof of this for instance is the fact that the first trainee events organizers from agencies which have gotten into difficulties are continuing their training with us. In times like these clients turn to the solid and highperforming agencies which can look back on many years of experience in the market. The smaller agencies often face the challenge of having to fulfil increased requirements for project pre-finance, which they cannot resolve.
…Drop in bookings? We are currently seeing a fall in the number of events of a purely entertaining nature. This is often hard to illustrate – we are also seeing it in the fact that customers are reporting back about events less. The demand for staff events at short notice has increased noticeably. Uncertain times in particular lead to the need to talk to staff (and customers) urgently. Well-intended emails and in-house communications aimed at cheering people up are not much help. Especially at times like these staff expect clear leadership, direction and sincere visions. These have to be communicated and they are only credible when they are done live. In this context the demand for events for managers has also increased strongly. The demand for incentives (travel and prize programmes) has increased slightly. Short-term competitions are being set up so as to boost sales.
Peter Gastberger – scalaria scalaria is well established in its existing market niche. Of course we are also concerned with the current crisis and are facing a less profitable year in 2009 with a flexible and dynamic team. This is expressed above all in a reduced marketing budget, tighter financial planning and increased commitment in the sales department. In addition we are expanding our portfolio to include a staging environment which will offer room for 1,400 guests. This will put us in a position to offer and provide major events for all sectors. The uniqueness, versatility and options offered by this complex will mean we can appeal to existing and new customers. Ronald Schwär – Confertainment Europa-Park We can foresee that in 2009 we won’t have any fewer events than in 2008. A slight tendency towards a somewhat lower budget per event can be seen in
Dateiname: Image 4c 184 133 HV events 05.08.pdf; Nettoformat:(206.00 x 154.17 mm); Datum: 10. 12 2008 09:00:30; PDF-CMYK; L. N. Schaffrath DruckMedien
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events 5/2008 15
M anagement
a few of our regular customers for 2009. With new Georg Lamp – customers it is impossible to make a statement like Congress & Messe Innsbruck GmbH that, due to the lack of comparisons to events in pre- The way it looks in Innsbruck is that naturally the first vious years. cancellations from the corporate area have come in, although on a fairly small scale. The order books The number of events for 2009 which have been can- for 2009 don’t look rosy at all, demand has fallen by celled has also remained comparable to the figures about 30% and acquiring orders has become harder, affecting the corporate area above all. In the union for previous years. business there is no drop to be seen yet. Gerrit Jessen, MCI To date we haven’t received any cancellations for cor- André Rasel – porate events for 2009. It remains to be seen to what member of the management of kogag extent the participant numbers for scientific conven- At the present time we know that some of our customers have made budget cuts for 2009, but to date tions will decline in 2009. our measures for these companies haven’t been Dr. Achim Stegmann – affected by this. How welcome Veranstaltungsgesellschaft mbH We are feeling the first effects. Our customers are be- these budgets will develop ing cautious to restrained; unlike previously, for many further is impossible to of the events that are planned for 2009 we have had predict at the moment. I to develop detailed cancellation terms along with the get the feeling that a large concept so that the customer can react accordingly if number of companies are things get even worse. For formal jubilee events for currently on standby, and example we are now implementing the “new simplic- are governed by a sense In genity”, far removed from any ostentation. Some budg- of uncertainty. ets have been reduced (further) and they are operat- eral the individual sectors of the German economy ing under “new austerity”. have been affected by the crisis to different degrees. We are anticipating a difficult year in 2009 (see be- Our advantage is that we benefit from our very wide low) and are arming ourselves accordingly. We are customer portfolio. being calculatedly optimistic and applying two sayings from Cologne: “Et hät noch immer jot jegange” Up to now there have been no cancellations or re(learn from the past) and “Et bliev nix wie et strictions placed on measures. Based on our experiences of the brutal collapse of the events sector after wor” (be open to new things) ... September 11, 2001 of course we are now watching out for any sign, but we feel we are very well armed! … Drop in bookings? A pile of cancellations in a short space of time. We expected and received the cancel- Christian Mutschlechner – lation of a marketing forum by a production Vienna Convention Bureau company associated with the automotive Generally we are looking towards the convention (unindustry, whose parent company is based ions) and corporate business with optimism for 2009. in America. The Americans are always re- Particularly with the major company events we have ally radical business-wise and revert to tabula had no cancellations to date. rasa very quickly if the figures aren’t right. We didn’t expect but have had cancellations However, the business from smaller companies is very from companies far removed from the auto- volatile – more remote markets sometimes do not folmotive industry, which could be considered low through with their enquiries, or they come less as the “domino effect”. Major trade fairs and often, but on the other hand we are seeing an inevents are being cancelled; with the troubled creased volume of enquiries from the closer markets. mood due to the global economy, markedly It is hard to say anything definite about 2009 here .... fewer customers of these companies are coming to planned events. “Imagine you organized an event and nobody came ... “ 16 events 5/2008
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M anagement
Live events are the way to the future –
now more than ever! Leaders of the global meetings and event management industry have gathered again in Barcelona in early December. With an industry, both in public as in private sectors, that is affected by the recent downfall of the financial services industry in the US, event planners (both corporate and association) as well as their procurement agents are confused. Corporations are cancelling events or put them on hold at a time that they should actually do the opposite! So what are the options for the people working in The Meetings Industry? What are the alternative options for the CEO’s of corporations and associations who are their clients? Shall we all go fishing, go sailing, hike in the mountains, merge or consolidate, look for other clients, change in our differentiation or just give up? Do we need to change our image? And what about our noble causes: CSR and the greening of the meetings and events industry?
18 events 5/2008
So what is the value that meetings generate in terms of professional development, knowledge transfer, investment generation, technical progress and all the other areas that define why these events happen in the first place? In reality, meetings, conventions and exhibitions are primary engines of both economic and professional development – key vehicles for not just sharing information – something that in many cases can be done just as effectively on the Internet – but building the kind of understanding, relationships and confidence that can only be achieved on a face-to–face basis. The importance of this factor is well understood by marketers, association leaders and corporate leaders, who consistently rate meetings, conventions and exhibitions as primary tools for advancing their objectives, and who continue to invest accordingly. As the world enters new, and inevitable, stages of economic and political challenges, they will only increase in importance. What we as a meetings industry should all do in dealing with our clients and prospects, is to showcase the importance and value of face to face meetings, travel and motivational programs. Incentive travel and motivational meetings in particular have the power to reward higher performance, ensuring effective communications to customers, staff and distribution channels. Motivational programs and meetings show high improvement in customer services and spur innovation through enhanced collaboration between employees and channel partners. This is exactly the communications tool that corporations need in this time of trouble.
What can we do, in our relationships with our clients and business partners, to ensure business in 2009? > Define the business value created through improvement of product and services knowledge. If corporations cut events and meetings, what impact will that have on their internal and external communication? How does this affect the motivation of their staff and distribution channels that need motivation and education now, more than ever? Those who continue now to motivate and communicate better will be the survivors of this recession and will be ‘lean and mean’ at a time when business picks up again. > Show how to improve selling performance through live training and motivation modules. Communication experts around the world have seen this shift to live communication happening in the recent past. If you can live through an experience, the quality of the message is stronger than through any other means of communication, because it speaks to the heart of the people as well, not just the mind (the left brain/right brain story). Business need to survive and win through to the other side. There will be down sizing hence the need to outsource more to teams that can deliver on specifics. Customers will be under massive pressure to deliver results with less. Organizations will need to energize people to keep their heads high and drive forward. Cul-
tures need to adapt to a new winning styles and high value talent will need to be retained and re-trained. > Establish clear measurement criteria that show the ROI (Return on Investment) or ROO (Return on Objectives) of meetings & events. Which brings me back to the most important question we should ask any client or prospect: why do they plan this event? Because that is the ultimate goal of the communication exercise and it defines the desired outcome, but also the investment, which one wishes to spend in order to make this happen. > Share success stories: by aligning, measuring and reporting business results of meeting and incentive programs across the entire organization, its channels and its clients. Use personal references from your clients more than ever. Use the industry awards that set you apart from the rest. > Communicate the value, power and profile of our meetings and events industry to all stakeholders, including the public, regulatory bodies, employees and channel partners. A fine example of this is for instance the comparison of scope and size of the tourism, business and events industry in the UK which appears to be bigger than the agricultural sector, or the pharmaceutical sector. > Show more transparency in the investment, services and pricing models that are accountable for business results. Corporations are very much under scrutiny now with procurement taking on a bigger role in purchasing. Corporations want to spend smarter and save money. In making our pricing models more transparent we will create trust and win business. Never before has trust been a more crucial asset or a more career-critical skill for organizations than it is right now. Trust, more than Euros, Pounds, or dollars, is the new currency of business. > One has questioned what was to become of CSR (corporate social responsibility) in these difficult moments but we tend to believe that CSR is part of the solution. CSR can help you make events affordable by cutting out the extra fat and focusing on the core purpose of the deal, making the events less expensive and more affordable. > In general, emphasize on a greater personal commitment to business goals. Where relationship marketing was very much under pressure from the procurement side, it will play an increasing role if we want to be successful in a down economy. Go out there and sell! Not just the sales people in your organization but also other members of your management. Include staff that is normally working on-site because this is a valuable experience for both parties. For your staff to learn more and understand better the thinking and negotiation process of the prospect/client. For the client it means greater value bought in through the knowhow of non-sales staff. Bookers will work with tighter budgets and the input from operations staff on how to deliver the same service but to a lesser price will help you win the business. The advantage will have a double effect: it will enhance creativity into a more transparent pricing model. > Improve efficiency. Primarily by organizational measures, looking into which business has been key to your results in the past events 5/2008 19
M anagement
“Let us be thought leaders in 2009”
But it is a perfect opportunity for upgradbut also internally, how you can improve ing our internal and external efficiency. organizational set-ups. Time to clean out Business opportunities remain the same the office and review your filing systems, and healthy ongoing business will remain pick up forgotten ideas and analyze why you lost clients or specific pieces of business. There is a great deal in some quarters. Re-structuring and consolidation of organizaof value in your client data. Instead of leaving this filed away, use tions will create new opportunities for face to face meetings, that data to revive old contacts or to follow up, better prepared, education and motivational events. In the given circumstances, when calling on clients. Train your staff that that any small call for an organization, that does not see their events department as a information can become a confirmed piece of business so give it core activity, will outsource their business. We are committed to helping make things happen for our clients. the attention it deserves. Time as well to analyze how quickly you can reply on RFP’s. Be- Let us be thought leaders that inspire to do better business than cause the business will be much more short term which means as we all expect in 2009. But you, our clients and prospects also well short term negotiations. And follow up pro-actively, do not need to tell us how we can help even more in the planning of your events, meetings and any other forms of live communicajust wait till the client calls you back, make it happen! > And above all: stay in touch with your clients, suppliers and tions. prospects. Strengthen industry partner relationships. Educate and certify. Maintain your visibility top of the list by being in So how is our group coping with the storm? touch with your prospects and clients. It is time for you to host a client event or even a supplier event. Focus on new and emerg- I questioned our president Roger Tondeur during ing markets or client segments too. The reason why they meet the MCI Group annual conference in Granada and and create events is not going away because there is a recession. here are his views: That basic need still remains and needs fulfillment.. We indeed will have to cope a little bit longer with low demand, MCI suffered, as most of its colleagues and competitors, from event cancellations, budget restrictions and over-capacities. Dur- project cancellation and many projects were postponed to 2009. ing times of economic turmoil, the need for personal communi- The top reason cited for the change in plan is “perception” and cation increases; but regardless of this there will be a push and no specific business reason is cited. pull between quality and sustainability on one side and price and We believe that strong brands will continue to work with strong speed on the other. The crisis is not something we brought upon brands, therefore MCI feels very confident with its competitive ourselves but nonetheless we are experiencing its consequences positioning. and the situation may last for another couple of years. The use MCI sees meetings and events as a key strategic communication of time within an event and the use of resources (financial and tool of organizational strategies. Our message is that meetings non-financial) will be at the core of every negotiation of a live and events budget should NOT be cut and are of critical strategic communication event. importance in volatile times. Reason why we went ahead with the Granada conference gathering 400 talents from all over the world. With the headcount freeze in place at some of our client organizations, we see a potential for companies and associations to outsource more programs than in the past. One of the most inspiring quotes I have read in the last few months comes from Kevin Roberts, CEO of Saatchi, who said that traditional forms of marketing are dead and that brands now need to focus their attention, investment and strategies on Hugo Slimrelationship building, live experiences and face to face marketbrouck is a ing. Live events are the way to the future! So says one of the Director with gurus of marketing, and so say all of us... Ovation Global Hugo Slimbrouck – www.ovationdmc.com DMC and Past President of SITE and JMIC.
So how can the Meetings Industry help to fight the crisis?
The fact is that meetings, conventions and exhibitions – the kinds of events that together comprise what we refer to as “The Meetings Industry” – have three critical areas of interface with the 20 events 5/2008
broader economy, whether that be at a global level or in the context of an individual community. Each alone makes an important contribution to the development process; together, they comprise an absolutely critical combination. First, the industry has an economic role – for lack of a better description, it generates revenue for the economy, be it local or global. This revenue arises from a number of factors, but largely it is a product of the spending that takes place by delegates, exhibitors and organizers who make up event attendance. This spending is so diverse that it spreads into many areas of the economy, from transportation and accommodation to restaurants, retail and entertainment. In fact, many beneficiaries have no idea of the extent to which they owe at least part of their income to the meetings industry. Second, there is a business development role, which reaches far beyond the immediate effects of event related spending. For a start, meetings, conventions and exhibitions attract business audiences that wouldn’t necessarily otherwise visit a particular destination, and who are more likely to be investors and decision makers than other types of visitors. In this way, events serve to expose the host city and its investment opportunities to a whole new audience – a process that can rival even the most highly evolved economic and investment development programs mounted by the business community. At the same time, they provide a vehicle for local business and professional groups to host colleagues and create a showcase for local products and services, all key elements in the economic development process. But above all, there are the benefits associated with the community enhancement role – because these are the ones that most directly impact the largest number of people in a community. For a start, meetings and conventions create access to a wide range of professional development opportunities for local residents by making these more accessible to those in the community. Major or even regional gatherings bring what is often world class know ledge and expertise within the grasp of local businesses and professionals, improving overall knowledge in ways that would not otherwise be possible. When such gains are made in areas such as the medical or research fields, the benefits to the rest of the community can be very profound in terms of how they improve the overall quality of life. But even without this effect there are ways that local communities benefit in a very tangible way from the meetings conventions and exhibitions taking place there. For a start, it justifies and in large part finances the development of facilities that can then be used for the community’s own events and cele brations. But best of all, the arrival of non-resident delegates means a lot of new tax revenues from outside of the usual local tax base which can and will be applied to supporting ongoing community services. All of these are key roles – and all arise from the kinds of events that the meetings industry represents. But in an age of ongoing and growing global uncertainties, there is an even more important role for the future. That role goes to the very heart of what meetings are all about, which is the importance they have in bringing together diverse interests and cultures to address common challenges. Meetings, conventions and exhibitions not only support professional, research, technology and academic development – the pivotal activities that underpin global progress – but they also help build networks and bridge cultural differences that threaten world order and advancement. The simple fact is, meetings are vehicles for finding solutions to global issues – and that is something we will have no shortage of in the years ahead! Source: JMIC – www.themeetingsindustry.org
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setting higher standards
www.dercongress.com
M anagement
Putting your head in the sand with regard to the tax regulations as they apply to gratuities may lead to unpleasant surprises during the next tax audit... Did you know that one eye of an ostrich weighs more than its whole brain?
Hiding one’s head in the sand is not the way to approach the law on taxation of gratuities
Additional payment or intended to strengthen a business relationship? The theoretical aspects of legal problems are generally easy to understand, but the difficulties arise when these need to be practically implemented. In order to provide greater insight into the guidelines cited in the first part of this series (events 4/2008, pages 90-91), the basic principles are again illustrated by two examples. It must also be borne in mind that, because of the many special and individual rulings and exceptions, it is only possible to provide simplified examples of how gratuities are taxed from the point of view of the donor. It is not possible in this context to discuss specific exceptions to the rules. Where gratuities are classified as tax-deductible operating expenses, they are subtracted from profit, reducing the overall sum subject to tax. It is thus a matter of considerable interest to donors to know what gratuities are considered tax-deductible and how much can be deducted from operating profit.
Example 1: A weekend for employees Company F arranges an incentive trip over a weekend to a wellness hotel in spring 2008 for its employees M, N and O. The 22 events 5/2008
weekend costs F € 500 per person, but actually has an intrinsic value of € 800 per person. Over the weekend, F provides all meals for its employees, who receive a gift hamper worth € 40 at the end of the weekend. In this case, all expenses – i.e. the actual costs of travel at € 500 per person, the costs of hospitality and the gift hampers (worth € 120 in total) are all tax-deductible operating expenses. The profit subject to tax can thus be reduced by the full total value of these gratuities. However, as far as employees M, N and O are concerned, the weekend trip represents an additional benefit when the cost is compared with that of an equivalent trip at the place of donation. M, N and O must thus each declare € 800 as additional income and the donating company, F, must pay the appropriate employer contributions due on this income.
An alternative variant: the donating company F has its own holiday accommodation and invites the three employees to stay there. The costs of accommodation and hospitality in this case are also tax-deductible. One point to note, however, is that if the owner of company F also participates in the trip, the expenses incurred for this person are not tax-deductible.
in kind. In other words, these are tax-deductible only up to a value of € 35 per recipient and year. This means that the cost of the trip, the book and the writing set must be added together for A and only € 35 can be deducted from profit from these total expenses. Hospitality costs are treated as in variant 1, so that 70% of these are tax-deductible.
Example 2: A successful business deal
For the costs of the gratuities given to employee U, the following rules apply: The actual costs of the trip are tax-deductible for U – As a result of completing a deal successfully with its business i.e. the full sum of € 1,000. Again, however, this employee must partners, company F decides to donate an incentive trip in sum- declare the value of a comparable trip at the place of donation mer 2008. Employee U of company F participates in the trip as – i.e. € 1,500 – as additional income, and the employer or donor representative of F, together with the business partners A, B and must pay the relevant employer contributions on this sum. Only C. The trip costs € 1,000 per person (instead of the customary 70% of the costs of hospitality provided for U are tax-deductible. € 1,500 charged for such events). Company F also assumes the However, the total cost of the book and the writing set - €129.80 hospitality costs arising at the venue. In addition, F presents all – is tax-deductible as these items are benefits in kind. But as the participants with a coffee-table book on the region visited as a cost exceeds the threshold limit of € 40 permitted for each emsouvenir (value € 29.90) while A and U are also given a high- ployee, U must declare these gratuities as supplementary income and the employer must pay the employer contributions on the quality writing set (value € 99.90). sum. It should be noted that, from the point of view of the tax regulations, it is irrelevant whether the actual business partner or one Alternative variants: The participants are accommodated in residential premises owned by the donor that are not located in the of the business partner’s employees participates in the trip. vicinity of the donor’s business (i.e. not within the district adminIn determining what the tax-deductible expenses in the case of istered by the same communal or municipal authority). In this A, B and C are, it is first necessary to determine whether the trip case, the costs of accommodation and hospitality for A, B and C is to be considered as an additional payment made for services are not tax-deductible. On the other hand, if the participants are provided as a result of the successful completion of the business accommodated in premises owned by the donor that are located deal (variant 1) or whether the purpose of the trip is to initiate, locally to the business, the related costs are tax-deductible. The costs of providing accommodation and hospitality for employee strengthen or improve a business relationship (variant 2). U are tax-deductible, irrespective of the location of the premises In the case of variant 1, the actual costs of travel and accommo- owned by the employer (cf. also the variant for example 1). dation (€ 1,000 per person) are tax-deductible operating expenses, while 70% of the costs of hospitality donated to the business In certain circumstances, the costs arising in connection with acpartners can also be deducted from pre-tax profits. A further dif- commodation and/or hospitality provided to a spouse accompaferentiation, however, is required in the case of the other benefits nying a business partner or employee on such a trip or to a busiin kind (called “gifts” when donated to non-employees of the ness lunch may also be tax-deductible. However, it is not possible donor) – the coffee-table book and the writing set. If the book to discuss this aspect adequately here. is the only gift presented to B and C in 2008, the costs can be deducted from operating proceeds. In the case of A, the total When considering the tax status of gratuities, incentives and value of the gifts, the book and writing set (€ 129.80), exceeds benefits in kind, it must always be borne in mind that the actual the threshold limit of € 35. Where the value of benefits in kind situation must be carefully analysed: it is also essential to ensure given to a single recipient per year exceeds € 35, the full cost that the case does not represent an exception to the regulations is not tax-deductible. This means that F is permitted to deduct or is subject to any special rules drafted by the fiscal courts. only € 35 from profit for the gifts given to A. The balance of € 95.80 is disregarded for tax purposes and is not considered a tax- Thomas Waetke (Legal Consultant), Ricarda Vocke (Legal Trainee) Kanzlei Schutt, Waetke Rechtsanwälte, www.schutt-waetke.de deductible operating expense. In the case of variant 2, where the donor’s intention is to initiate, strengthen or improve a business relationship, the costs of the trip also represent gifts from the point of the view of the donor (as defined in § 4, Section 5, Subsection 1, No. 1 of the German Income Tax Regulations [EstG]), and are to be treated as benefits events 5/2008 23
When the boss flies... Everyone knows the story about the spider in the Yucca plant and many other modern fairytales, including for instance the one that the most innovative events come from the USA. So what are events like in the land of unlimited opportunity? Is the entire event nation sitting in level hotel ballrooms or are people getting together for a BBQ in white trainers in the office car park? Both are possible, because we Germans also don’t just wear Lederhosen and goatee beards. It will never really be possible to get to the bottom of who set which trend and when which form of events spilled across the pond. The Oktoberfest in Miami or Halloween in Braunschweig-Nord – they were both part of a two-way process and belong to the fixed institutions of the events culture of both nations. There hasn’t been a comparative study to evaluate who has unearthed the more creative or innovative events, and we don’t need one. Our impressions of the Americans’ events world are stamped by Hollywood films or the election parties we have seen a lot of lately. Confetti guns, bands on stage, huge stages framed by XXL screens and a clearly choreographed performance by all involved on the stage: They are fascinating spectacles. If we wanted to compare them with German election events, then the Americans are clearly in the lead 1:0. German election events tend more to have the feel of a PHS course on “modelling with potato salad” held in the shopping centre in Baunatal. “And we like it the way it is!” shout some people, while others are already ordering the necessary number of potatoes. 24 events 5/2008
But apart from Halloween there is one other great American event which has reached the European mainland: the rodeo
...there are sometimes bulls and broncos involved! Rodeo is the sport of cowboys and cowgirls in the USA. Wildly bucking bulls and wild horses, cowboys with their lassos and cowgirls on their fast horses during the barrel race – scenes that everyone in America knows well. But in Good Old Germany too cowboys try to stay on the wild horses for all of eight seconds or dare to try to ride a Tornado, a bull weighing nearly 1,000 kg! Rodeo in Germany is an extreme sport, which made its way to Europe more than 30 years ago. Every year between ten and 15 rodeos are held in Germany and the neighbouring countries. More than 100 cowboys and cowgirls come to every rodeo from the specially founded ERCA (European Rodeo Cowboy Association) and the GRCA e.V. (Ger-
Western saddle. The major differences are the shorter stirrup straps and the absence of a saddle horn. With one hand the cowboy finds a hold on the rope fastened to the halter. The other hand is stretched out upwards. The cowboy has to last for eight seconds on the wild horse, as only after this is his ride valid so that he will get points for it. The maximum number of European companies have discovered this event with points available is one hundred. The number of points its family party character for their staff and custom- is made up half from the cowboy’s style and control of the horse and half from the wildness and bucking ers. of the horse. If the rider touches the horse, himself or Behind every 8-second ride in front of the applaud- the equipment with his free hand, he is disqualified. ing public there lie endless hours of training, muscle The same applies if he slips from the stirrup or misses aches, lots of hours on the motorway and countless his “marks”. ”Marks” means placing the heels of his kilometres to drive to the next rodeo. Cowboys and boots on the horse’s shoulders when it first jumps out cowgirls nowadays are more than the cliché which of the starting box. If you want to set a challenge for precedes them. They are athletes striving for sporting your boss, you can register him for this contest, as anyone who is confident enough can have a go: Yes, success in the arena. we can! man Rodeo Cowboy Association e.V.), comprising more than 200 American and German members. Disciplines such as wild horse riding, working with the lasso, fast races around barrels and of course the high point of any rodeo, the bull riding, delight thousands of spectators.
Rent a Rodeo for your stakeholders! The goings-on around the rodeo are reminiscent of a travelling circus. It is well known that you can hire a full circus from acrobats to zebras for corporate events. It is similar with rodeos, as here too you can get everything in one stop, from the bull via the arena right down to the daring cowboys. Over recent years the rodeo has mainly been present in the public events sector. It has taken a long time for the rodeo business to reach German companies. Some 35 years ago, Alan Jacob was the founder of rodeos in Germany and the first to import the American Quarter Horses from America to Germany, as well as being a founder member of the DQHA (Deutsche Quarter Horse Association). Today you can book rodeos via the organisations or from rodeo operator Dieter Brand (contact addresses in the appendix). You can get everything in one stop here and the events organizer will even look for an area to hold it in. The people who take part in the rodeo are organised in an association, either the ERCA (European Rodeo Cowboy Association) or the GRCA e.V. (German Rodeo Cowboy Association e.V.). There are both Americans and Europeans practising this sport in Germany. The rodeo has different disciplines in which cowgirls and cowboys can compete against each other. Rodeo is a highly varied spectacle which is divided into different disciplines. The classic rodeo is Saddle Bronc Riding, which originated in the historic Wild West. As the name suggests, a saddle is used for saddle bronc riding. This is very similar to the usual
Do 2,000 pounds of live bull meat sound good? Other disciplines such as bareback riding, break away calf roping or the rapid barrel race ensure spectacular appearances in the arena. The biggest Oooh´s and Aaah´s can be heard during the bull riding. Bull riding is the main attraction of any rodeo. 2,000 pounds of concentrated muscle mass awaits the cowboys, who have to sit on the bull and let it rampage underneath them for eight seconds. It is the most dangerous rodeo discipline.
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The bulls are fast, agile and dangerous, as they will usually attack the rider directly if they get the chance. The rider places his hand in a bullrope which is slung round the bull’s belly, and then wound around the rider’s hand again. The other hand is again stretched up into the air. The cowboy closes his fist and with his body slides close up to the rope and his hand - slide and ride! A short nod of the head and the bull shoots out of the starting box! The judges assess the rider’s style. This involves body position, leg work and the use of the “free” arm. The rodeo clowns play an important role in this discipline: when the ride is over they distract the bull so that it can’t concentrate on the rider and won’t attack him when he is trying to get away from it.
Affordable Calgary feel in Recklinghausen – with a saloon evening included!
The spectator encounters a variety of different impressions and experiences and discovers that a rodeo is more than just an open-air event. Rodeo represents the synergy of tradition and real tough cowboy action in its most original form. It is the horses and bulls who guarantee a lasting impression, hence rodeo in Germany is subject to strict controls in terms of the way the animals are kept and handled. According to information from vets, the way the animals are handled is exemplary and there have been no complaints! The animals are in good health and it tends to be the flying cowboys who hobble off into the sunset with bruises, grazes and other injuries. As the vet says: That’s what you get when you do that. After the action in the arena the evening continues on stage with live bands and dancing can go on till late at night. Rodeo is a breathtaking experience and also affordable, even considering the tighter budgets at the moment. Looking at it like that, the next summer party or incentive can happen after all! The recommended visitor numbers are from 200 to 10,000 guests.
The rodeo is rounded out with the so-called mounted shooting, a discipline which was first carried out in Germany during a rodeo by Keith Lannigan from New Mexico in 2008. Here the cowboy rides around man-made obstacles in the arena and shoots at balloons with his gun at the same time. Every balloon he “Fetch me my horse, Harry!” says doesn’t hit means a five-second penalty. The shooting Günter Mainka (Autor) is done using blank cartridges, whose pressure bursts the balloons. The fact that this truly poses a challenge Contacts: www.grca-ev.de – can be confirmed by events columnist Günter Mainka, www.rodeoamerica.de – www.westernreiten.tv who shot his way round the arena on a crazy stallion, yet as a “former Western rider” managed to come away with a highly respectable 4th place.
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Willkommen im Business Unterwegs sein, die Welt kennenlernen, neue Menschen treffen und Kontakte knüpfen: Reisen ist spannend und aufregend. Für Menschen, die viel unterwegs sind, ist jedoch vor allem eines verlockend: an einen Ort zu kommen, an dem man nicht nur ein Reisender ist, sondern sich sofort zu Hause fühlt. Ein großer Anspruch – den Sheraton Hotels auch für Tagungen und Kongresse perfekt umsetzen. Mehr als 93 Prozent aller Reisenden weltweit kennen es laut einer kürzlich veröffentlichten Studie: Das berühmte S mit dem umgebenden Kranz ist das bekannteste Symbol für Gastfreundschaft. Kaum eine andere Hotelkette kann auf solch eine hohe Wiedererkennbarkeit und zudem äußerst erfolgreiche Geschichte zurückblicken. Eine Insel des Wohlgefühls: Bei Sheraton kommt niemand nur irgendwo an – man kommt nach Hause. Und auch bei Meetings, Tagungen, Konferenzen und Galas genießen alle Sheraton Gäste dieselbe zuvorkommende Aufmerksamkeit – ganz gleich, ob 10 oder 1.000 Teilnehmer. Neue Ansprüche, besserer Service Als sehr bekannte Marke steht Sheraton unter dem Druck, sich permanent neu zu erfinden und dennoch seiner Philosophie treu zu bleiben, sich neuen Ansprüchen anzupassen und gleichzeitig den Gewohnheiten der Stamm-
gäste – vor allem Geschäftsreisende und Veranstaltungsteilnehmer – zu entsprechen. So legt man höchsten Wert darauf, gestressten Geschäftsleuten und Eventmanagern immer, zu jeder Tageszeit und Angelegenheit, einen gelungenen Aufenthalt zu bereiten. Und wirklich – wenn man ein Sheraton Hotel betritt, empfängt einen das angenehme Gefühl, sofort dazuzugehören. Wie sie das denn machen? Die Rezeptionistin lächelt und erwidert mit einem Augenzwinkern, dass das zu den am besten gehüteten Geschäftsgeheimnissen gehört. Link@Sheraton – das Büro in der Lobby Der Link@Sheraton ist ein separater, mit moderner Technik ausgestatteter LoungeBereich in der Lobby, der allen Gästen kostenlos zur Verfügung steht. So hat jeder Gast die Möglichkeit, sich mit denen in Verbindung zu setzen, die ihm wichtig sind. Für die einen ist das die Familie auf einem anderen
Kontinent, für die anderen sind es die Kollegen zwei Städte weiter. Gemütliche Sitzgelegenheiten und Fernseher mit Plasmabildschirmen sorgen für ein Rundum-Wohlfühlerlebnis.
Düsseldorf Essen Frankfurt Hannover München Nürnberg Offenbach Davos Zürich Pretoria Persönliche Beratung: 089 93001 6463 E-Mail: sheraton@arabellastarwood.com www.sheraton.com
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Putting the fun back into wine tasting:
Here comes Casino Vinophil! The “Casino Vinophil” is an innovative ‘wine casino’ game concept that provides original gourmet entertainment. “Faites vos jeux” – but in this case, unlike in real life, you will win every time! What you will win will be a sensuous, interactive and entertaining taste experience. In this amusing game involving wine tasting, sommeliers take The tables are all run by qualified sommeliers who have been the role of the croupiers at typical casino tables with specially de- specially trained to work within the wine casino environment. signed game cloths whose fields represent various wine-related Their skills mean that they can provide players with tips and hints aspects. So taste and place your bet – “et rien ne va plus”. Is your while inviting them to accompany them on an entertaining trip nose sensitive enough? Have your taste buds deceived you? Are through the world of wine. In contrast with gambling casinos, you able to collate all your sensory input correctly? This exclusive the wine professionals provide information that – with a little bit team game is concerned with aromas and bouquets, flavours of luck – will help players win. and taste, grape varieties and colours, regions and vintages. The Casino Vinophil can be used to give events that extra someCasino Vinophil combines gaming and wine. There are three thing. It provides light entertainment and promotes communicacasino tables: tion. The wine casino can be erected anywhere within an ap“Grape variety roulette” table propriate setting. It can be used, for example, as part of a stylish Although the basic concept is similar to casino roulette, the bets evening programme or as an attraction at thematically-related are not placed on numbers, but on the name of the grape variety trade fairs. and wine colours. “Sommelier poker” table The Casino Vinophil will be of particular interest to corporate In this game, the players must identify the country of origin, the clients, agencies, venues and hotels. It is transported to the venue region and vintage of the wine they have just tasted and bet their and set up there. The casino can be hired as standalone element, chips accordingly. but there are additional features available, ranging from elegant “Wine blackjack” table room decoration, through a top-class singer and the amusing This game has seven levels. The wine that is the subject of the stilt walking act and even additional gourmet attractions. game is tasted from a black glass. The players then have to specify whether the wine is white or red, sweet or dry, from a wood ‘Wine’ chips and suitable tasting glasses are supplied. Special or metal barrel, etc. “wine packages” are available for the casino. The event organiser can even select the wines to be used in the games in prior consultation with the sommeliers. Each of the players is given a certain number of chips to play with and they themselves determine the risk and the size of their bets. Another feature: on request, the tables can be branded through a company logo or an event motto. The Casino Vinophil is an event product of the welcome Veranstaltungsgesellschaft mbH. This original concept was developed in collaboration with Sommelier Consult, a unique alliance of wine lovers and experts from throughout Germany. www.welcome-gmbh.de; www.wein-casino.de, www.casinovinophil.de
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Wallow in wine after truffle hunting and hard work at the riddling rack...
Anke and Julien Wright have a flair for finding the best in culinary pleasures and treasures concealed behind cellar doors in palatial chateaux and leading wineries, not to mention truffles lurking in oak forests in the Champagne, Burgundy, Bordelais and PĂŠrigord regions. They personally check out each element of their programmes. These can be incorporated in a prespecified tour or can be combined to create a complete gourmet experience at the wish of corpo-
rate clients planning events or incentive travel. They offer activities such as champagne tasting in a world-famous chateau, visits to a chocolatier and clients can also join in hunts with truffle hounds. Accommodation is provided in luxury class hotels, chateaux and wineries or in lovingly cared for mid-class country inns. “We spend a lot of time and care analysing the requirements of our clients to ensure that we meet their needs down to the very last detail. We are personally present at all our venues to provide advice on the delights available, act as interpreters, and where necessary, help with the selection from menus in three-star temples of gastronomic excellence. We accompany our clients all the way on the route from cookery course to cultural monument�, says Anke Wright. www.delikatours.com
CONC R E S S WOR LD
Three years of the KLCC... … and pretty good ones, too. Peter Brokenshire, GM of the Centre, is delighted about “his” contribution to the financial wellbeing of Kuala Lumpur: half a billion US dollars has been generated for the city with more than 1,700 events and 6.1 million participants. Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall are reliable partners here who provide help in bringing an international public to Malaysia. The KLCC has a central location in the city, and is so highly regarded that it has even been allocated its own postal code.
...and just a few months of the Convention Bureau Karlsruhe Karlsruhe already ranks amongst the top ten most successful convention destinations. The Convention Bureau, which was newly established in 2008, will continue to be a supporting pillar in marketing the location for national and international events. “As a service point, the Convention Bureau is the first contact for everyone who is planning MICE in Karlsruhe and the Karlsruhe Technology Region”, says Klaus Hoffmann, CEO of Karlsruher Messe- und Kongress GmbH and the Convention Bureau. “From providing contacts right through to a full service offering, everything is on hand from one source at the Convention Bureau. Our aim is to increase our competitiveness as a MICE location and strengthen Karlsruhe and the region”.
Spruced up: www.weimarhalle.de In its day, the previous look had been honoured with the Events Award and the EVVC Marketing Prize, but after a number of years it needed a facelift. Now it is more compact, clearly structured and easy to navigate. In developing the site great value was placed on functionality for visitors. A list of the technology which is available and details of all the layout variations, together with the booking options for incentives or rooms, are a great help in planning. A virtual tour and a film show the centre from a variety of perspectives.
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Forever young in Mainz!
raum
In October 2009 more than 1,000 participants from all over the world will meet in Mainz for the threeday European Congress on Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine. “We are delighted about this new addition. We were able to win out against the competition (such as Düsseldorf and Vienna) with the exceptionally good hotel infrastructure in Mainz, combined with the optimal conference facilities of the Rheingoldhalle. Mainz also scored with its outstanding position in the most important economic region, Rhein-Main. The direct proximity to the Rhein-Main Airport and the good connections to Hahn Airport in the Hunsrück are also reasons for choosing the state capital as the venue for the 2009 European Anti-Aging Congress”, comments Franz Ringhoffer, head of the finance department of the City of Mainz and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Congress Centrum Mainz GmbH (CCM). “We are proud that with this event we join the ranks of the Anti-Aging congresses held in Las Vegas, Dubai, Sydney and Singapore. The congress is not only greatly significant for us as the CCM, but also for the City of Mainz and the hotel industry. On average every participant at an event spends € 260 a day in the city during their visit”, says August Moderer, CEO of the CCM.
Wagner accompanies hall merger, Junker leaves Knut Seidel attended the celebrations on October 20, 2008 as a Director of the EVVC [European Association of Event Centers] to say goodbye to Hartmut Junker, who retired after 30 years. At the same time Johann Wagner was presented as CEO of the Stadthalle Böblingen and future CEO of the Veranstaltungs- GmbH Sindelfingen-Böblingen, which will be a newly merged company as of January 1st. The merger of two convention centres which were previously independent, and in fact in competition with each other, is a real first on the convention scene. Wagner was a front man in Lübeck for a long time (MUK [the Lübeck Music and Convention Hall] and in tourism) and following a short interlude as press spokesman for the Dräger works, he has now returned to hall management.
Hören. Sehen. Verstehen. Kommunikation zum Anfassen. Sich kennen lernen. Sich näher kommen. Von Mensch zu Mensch
für kommunikation KölnKongress steht für eine besondere Kommunikationskultur: für die Kunst des Gastgebens.
KölnKongress | fon +49 2 21 . 8 21 - 21 21 | www.koelnkongress.de
CONC R E S S WOR LD
Congress Frankfurt’s Festhalle is a “member of the club”! Something as attractive and historic as this simply has to be a member of this historic group!
With the Festhalle Messe Frankfurt, Congress Frankfurt ranks amongst the members of the exclusive European association “The Historic Conference Centres of Europe” (HCCE). Founded in 1996 and based in the Netherlands, this is the only international consortium of historic conference centres, its members being 25 historic convention centres in 13 European countries. These have to be at least 100 years old – and yet offer ultramodern technology and comprehensive service. “We are totally delighted that Congress Frankfurt with its historic Festhalle has been included in this exclusive association; membership will offer us new networking routes”, says Claudia Delius-Fisher, Manager of Congress Frankfurt. The Congress Center at the Messe Frankfurt was opened in 1996. Together with the Festhalle inaugurated in 1909 and enjoying the status of a protected historic monument as well as the Forum which was built in 2001 and the adjoining exhibition halls, the Frankfurt exhibition centre is ready and waiting with a wide variety of events options. The range of rooms for conventions and conferences currently comprises seating for more than 20,000 participants. With the completion of exhibition hall 11 and the adjoining entrance building, both in the Western section of the exhibition grounds, further conference areas will be available beginning from summer 2009. www.congressfrankfurt.de
Europe’s largest convention centre to be created in Milan Due to open in January 2011, it will provide space for 18,000
ICC Berlin: the “world-leading congress centre” proudly announces a record year The congress area of the Messe Berlin can look back over its most successful business year to date, which has helped the destination to take its place as the world’s number two congress destination. Raimund Hosch, Chief Executive of Messe Berlin
delegates.
GmbH: “Berlin is booming as a trade fair and congress destination and is developing
The complex on Mario Bellini’s
dynamically. Berlin comes out on top in congress business. The unique connection
drawing board will provide: a 1,500 seat auditorium, a plenary hall for 4,500 visitors, 73
between the conference areas of the ICC Berlin and the Berlin trade fair is unbeatable. This layout constellation is almost ideally tailored for events which involve conferences and supporting industrial exhibitions which are increasingly in demand. And last but not least, the perennial attractiveness of the capital city Berlin and its region, with its
modular halls seating between
cultural variety and ideal tourism infrastructure, are the deciding sales arguments to
20 and 2,000 and an incred-
hold conference events in the German capital”. In 2008 a total of 623 conferences and
ible 54,000 sq. m. of support-
shows took place, with more than 280,000 participants. Of around 226,000 confer-
ing exhibition areas.
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ence participants foreign congress visitors stood at approximately 70%, the highest proportion recorded within one year to date.
Hilmar Guckert now spokesman for the Executive Board He has cause for double celebrations: firstly because his contract with DüsseldorfCongress has been extended by five years, and also because he has now been appointed as spokesman for the Executive Board. Guckert has been Managing Director of the company since it was founded in 1995. Under his auspices the subsidiary company of the Messe Düsseldorf has grown to be one of the largest events companies in Europe. In 2007 DüsseldorfCongress registered a total of 2,845 events in nine premises with more than 1.8 million visitors and a turnover of 27.4 million Euro. Starting in 2009, DüsseldorfCongress is also taking over the marketing for the new event location Station Airport, which has space for a maximum of 1,650 people and offers a unique view of the runways of Düsseldorf International airport (see photo). And now DüsseldorfCongress is also getting involved in research – and launching its cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute and their new inHaus2 in Duisburg. Behind this name lies a research facility for residential and commercial property. As well as new ideas for housing, offices and hotels, the events areas of the future will also be tested here with immediate effect. DüsseldorfCongress is the exclusive partner of inHaus2 for this.
Airy and with a view to dream of: Station Airport
CONC R E S S WOR LD
10,000 visitors “too many” in darmstadtium’s first year The Science and Convention Centre darmstadtium counted 160,000 visitors in the first year after it opened. “We are highly satisfied and have more than met our goals”, emphasized the CEO, Klaus Krumrey, who had himself reckoned on 150,000 visitors. Bookings through 2012 / Numerous re-bookings Around 270 events have taken place in the darmstadtium since the beginning of December 2007, including cultural events such as the “Associations Day” for the Darmstadt public, but above all conventions and meetings held by companies, foundations and organisations. These included the third National IT Summit with Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, and the Deutsche Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress [German Air and Space Conference]. According to Krumrey bookings are already in hand through to 2012. A “not insubstantial” proportion of these are from customers who have already visited us. “This shows the high level of satisfaction of nearly all our events holders”. In 2009 amongst other events, the DSAG Technology Days 2009, Software AG with their international Kick Off Event and the 6th Sparkassentag Hessen Thüringen are planned at the darmstadtium. Brand marks: “Green Meeting” and multimedia technology In the coming year Krumrey also wants to anchor two special features in the national and international convention landscape: “For the events sector our brand marks are the “Green Meeting” and the exceptionally high multifunctionality of the building”.
DESIGN CENTER LINZ 1st in EVVC ranking
The Design Center took 1st place in several categories in the European benchmarking comparisons of similar businesses (in terms of size, capacity and functionality). Two years ago the Upper Austrians reached 3rd and last year 2nd place in the same ranking. The initiators of this field study were the EVVC (= Europäischer Verband der Veranstaltungszentren / European Association of Event Centres) and Symbios AG. The working group from the participants which were compared with one another consisted of a total of 14 events centres within the German-speaking area, whereby the 2007 business year was evaluated. As well as the positive operating result of the Design Center, its other outstanding performances are also noteworthy. In the areas ‘Operating result in relation to’: > lettable rooms > visitors per event > total area > staff per 1,000m² > staff numbers the Center run by Magister Thomas Ziegler scored first.
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How is Dr. Nikolaus Breisach faring?
Nikolaus Breisach, a lemon and an artist named Wurm... That’s popular in Austria: a youngster studies law, gets his doctorate – and then devotes himself to something totally different. For someone who has never run with the pack it offers an excellent basis: venture out and assess things, test them out and push them to the limit till it hurts – at least the others! Having a few paragraphs ready now and then comes in handy. And in order to enjoy art at all times, he takes over the chairmanship of the Austrian Sculpture Park, despite a tight schedule; a book is being published. Award winner and loyal for 27 years: The sector is where he is part of the Execufamiliar with Nikolaus Breisach as the innovative tive Committee. In his private life head of the Grazer Congress, with he now lends “Being involved with art an unmistakeable feel for the “art a helping hand to his wife, finally in its various facets has of advertising” – resulting in an exwants to learn how to cook and is cellent reputation of his venue with adding the odd fine photograph or always been part of my lasting success and recognition – all life; now I have more time two by classical modernists to his inseparably connected with his own own art collection. In fine weather for it.” personality: that hurt too. Since mid he luxuriously rolls along the banks 2007 Nikolaus Breisach is longer the boss of Grazer of the river Mur in his rakish vintage car and lets the Congress. Styrian mountain breeze stir new ideas. And now he has even become a photographer himself! “Kleidergraphie” is the title of the coffee-tableNikolaus Breisach, no lemon and an book to be published artist named Breisach soon. The man is brilliant! Forgotten alSuddenly there was time at hand: first to relax, then ready? CF to reflect, then to act. Or quite simply: to live, and – finally – plenty of time for his beloved art. But there was also time for work. For example, to implement art in management and architecture (Art Consult) and – fun again! – to expand collections. He gave up his chairmanship of the sculpture park (meanwhile standing on its own feet); now he devotes himself, his knowledge and the many years of experience to the Friends of the Neue Galerie at the Landesmuseum Joaneum, events 5/2008 35
DE STIN ATIONs
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In the footsteps of Don Quixote “Meanwhile they came across a good thirty or forty windmills standing on the field, and as soon as Don Quixote caught sight of them he said to his equerry: “Fortune favours our matters even better than we could have wished, for look, Sancho my friend, there are thirty or even more huge giants, with which I am disposed to have a battle and take the lives of all of them...” “Which giants?” asked Sancho Panza. “The ones you can see there” answered his master, “with the mighty arms which in some cases must be two miles long.” “But look Sir,” said Sancho, “what you can see are not giants, but windmills, and what you think are their arms are the sails which the wind turns, which sets the millstone in motion.” ... And thus began Don Quixote’s “terrible and unequal battle”.
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DE STIN ATIONs
On a knife’s edge and marzipan with saffron in Castile-La Mancha
Must not be missed: the works of El Greco. Most famous: “The Burial of Count Orgaz” in the Church of Santo Tomé.
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How do we know that Toledo is Toledo? Because it is the name of a small car? Or because our intellectual subconscious remembers that the painter El Greco worked there? No! It’s the saffron: the valuable red filaments of the crocus flower which are painstakingly harvested, come from the province of Toledo! You wouldn’t have chiefly associated it with marzipan – a mistake! More with sabres, knives or daggers! Cutting tools and thrusting weapons of the finest finish have been created here glowing in red-hot smithies for centuries in time-consuming processes. Everyone knows that! The heights of craftsmanship produce aristocratic swords with flashing steel blades, either smooth or finely engraved. If you have a meeting in Toledo, then in any case should you find the time to look over a blacksmith’s shoulder. For a souvenir with local colour, instead of a sword, which is a bit difficult to transport, you could go for a handy pocket knife – a true friend for the resourceful planner, who will thus be armed at all times for the duel with everyday organising life, and in an emergency will even be able to splice a cable all by themselves…! … whereby the battle with windmills armed with a pocket knife would be even more futile. In the group activity “One night in La Mancha” the burlesque – together with professional actors – is simulated just for fun though.
Marqués de Griñon (www.pagosdefamilia.com), Gonzalez Byass with the “Finca Constancia” (www. gonzalezbyass.com) and Osborne with the Bodega “Osborne Malpica” (www.osborne.es) present their products at wine tastings and special dinners. Settings for smaller events can be found in the “Cigarrales”, traditional houses surrounded by olive, almond or cypress groves and with outstanding views – or in castles, stately homes and other historic buildings – dignified alternatives to events held in modern hotels. The food is high class too, with a cuisine dominated by game dishes. Typical Toledo products also include the Manchego sheep’s cheese and of course marzipan – introduced by the Arabs in times long gone by. Close to town: Cigarral de las Mercedes. With five reception rooms and capacities for 48 – 175, plus a marquee for 500 people, the Cigarral is well equipped for presentations, gala dinners and meetings. In the evening the well-groomed garden with a view over the town glows under romantic lighting to create a stylish atmosphere; the establishment’s cuisine has won several awards. Over the next year 20 luxurious bedrooms are going to be opened. www.cigarraldelasmercedes.com Accommodation is well taken care of with more than 3,000 beds in hotels in the ***, ****and *****-star categories; some establishments have tuned in to the needs of meetings and incentives and offer well equipped capacities for up to 2,000 guests.
Hotel tips: Boutique-Hotel Fontecruz Palacio Eugenia de Montijo***** The archbishopric of Toledo, stamped over the cen- www.palacioeugeniademontijo.com turies by the three cultures of Christianity, Islam and Hotel AC Toledo**** www.ac-hotels.com Judaism, has approximately 77,000 inhabitants and is Trade fair and convention centre: Talavera Ferial . enthroned around 100 m above the river Tajo, which From 2009: El Miradero with an auditorium for apmeanders out from deep in the cliffs of the plateau. prox. 1,000 participants and a trade fair centre. Always visible is the fortress of Alcázar in the upper Toledo is just some 80 km from Madrid’s Barajas town: Shortly after the start of the Civil War in July International Airport. The new Don Quijote Inter1936 a colonel, José Moscardó, barricaded himself national Airport in Ciudad Real can be reached in in there for several months with officers and soldiers, approx. 75 minutes (130 km). 22 high speed AVE men of the Guardia Civil, members of the Falange trains a day commute to the capital and back in and a number of cadets from the military academy, just 30 minutes, and there are direct bus connectogether with around 550 women and children as tions. well as several dozen Republican hostages. Franco’s troops finally conquered the town. We have only selected out some of the most attracSpecial locations for meetings are easy to find in To- tive of a whole wealth of activities. ledo: old monasteries or churches, medieval palaces or The Toledo Convention Bureau knows more: majestic Renaissance buildings are venues which are in www.camaratoledo.es/tcb CF high demand by Central European minds. Operators www.spain.info of vineyards in the area, such as Pagos de Familia des
Invitation to a Fam Trip to Finnish Lapland! From March 6th to 9th the REALIZE Live Marketing Event Academy invites you to a FAM trip of a most unusual kind. Plunge into an impressive destination with a variety of opportunities, unique beauty and breathtaking nature! With the start of spring the daylight has also returned to the world around the Arctic Circle. Already by March the days here are longer than in Central Europe. After a visit to Helsinki, the real adventure starts in Kuusamo. From the airport you will travel across the endless expanses to the wilderness camp at Pohjanseita, where participants will receive a fitting welcome with an exquisite 3-course dinner featuring Lapland specialties. Unusual activities await you over the next few days in the snowy wilds of Lapland between the Arctic Circle and the North Pole. A racy snowmobile safari will take you through the fascinating nature to a reindeer farm – with lots of activities to raise a sweat around Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer & co! Then to the world famous Snow Castle with its fascinating ice creations, to the wilderness camps of Savotta and Kivalo and to the World Cup location Levi. The quaint Restaurant Kammi offers the perfect atmosphere for a typical reindeer feast with plenty of delicacies. A stop at the unique Wilderness Spa offers the perfect opportunity to get really warm and relax your muscles a bit. During the entire trip participants will stay overnight in high quality and
sometimes unusual accommodation. The REALIZE Live Marketing Event Academy and its local partners are keeping plenty more exciting surprises ready for you – but we can’t reveal what they are yet! After some thrilling days you will fly back to Munich with great long-lasting memories in your suitcase. You can look forward to a fascinating and exclusive winter adventure in the trendy incentive destination of the Far North!
With friendly support from:
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Note: We reserve the right to make changes to the programme. Registration does not entitle you to participate, as participation in the fam trip is limited and only effective after confirmation. A cost contribution will be charged, which has yet to be determined.
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events 5/2008 39
Lyon It is only with one’s heart that one can see clearly* - but the stomach has a say too! Not just a slender volume, but a background bible for grownups: “The Little Prince” is such a literary success that right up to the present day it is impossible to imagine bookshops or home bookshelves without it. The author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, was born in Lyon. Paul Bocuse, co-inventor of Nouvelle Cuisine, who rigorously de-cluttered chaotic plates and instead decorated them with delicately placed, microscopically small portions is also from here. A popular destination for gourmets is his restaurant, the “Abbaye de Collonges” five kilometres outside Lyons (max. 490 guests/seated). Fine wines from the neighbouring vineyards of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône provide an enological contribution. The diocese of Lyon with around 466,000 inhabitants is picturesquely situated along the Rhône and Saône, and it is here that Interpol has its headquarters. The Lumière brothers, who turned the static world upside down with their Cinematograph, once lived here and the splendid light show, the Fête de la Lumière, is witnessed by crowds every year. The Old Town with lovely inner courtyards, Renaissancestyle galleries and the typical traboules (skintight clandestine passages between houses) is on the UNESCO list.
A 1,000 sq m stage is visible from the 2,800 seats arranged in a semi-circle, which can be increased to 3,200 seats when needed.
40 events 5/2008
Once again it was the renowned architect Renzo Piano who created this unusual convention centre with a modular total area of 25,000 sq m.
With two major conventions just before the end of 2008, the CCC Lyon hasn’t been short of orders. ICT 2008 – Europe’s largest event on the theme of Information and Communication Technologies was organised in November by the Directorate General of the European Commission and hosted by the French Presidency of the European Union. The subject of the convention was the substantial changes in the Information and Communication Technologies landscape during the next decade and also the research and innovation activities which will arise as a consequence. Eminent speakers from industry, the economy and politics shared their findings and visions with the participants in numerous seminars. Business people from Europe and China met once more at the 5th EU-China Summit – every year they choose a destination for their meeting alternating between China and Europe; thus the last summit took place in Beijing in 2007. Again under the French EU Presidency, during a whole day of plenary sessions and workshops business owners and managers from Europe and China exchanged views including a debate about the turbulence raging on the world markets, in order to be able to jointly face the challenges arising. The “Joint Declaration” which they issued will be sent to the Presidents of France, China and the European Commission. www.ccc-lyon.com CF
events 5/2008 41
DE STIN ATIONs
Sun international gets involved in Chile
Turismo de Portugal now in Berlin At the end of 2008 the Portuguese National Tourist Office moved from Frankfurt to the centre of Berlin, in the immediate vicinity of the Portuguese Embassy, the Consulate and aicep Portugal Global, the state investment and trade agency. The new Manager of Turismo de Portugal is João Sampaio e Castro. The 52-year-old was previously active as a management consultant for travel sector companies in Switzerland and the Azores, and before that Manager of the airline Portugália. New address: Turismo de Portugal, I.P. Zimmerstraße 56 10117 Berlin T: 030 254 10 60 F: 030 254 10 699
42 events 5/2008
The South African hotel, resort and casino operator Sun International has fired the starting pistol for one of the most ambitious tourism projects in Chile: With an official ceremony, the Monticello Grand Casino was opened in Mostazal, 57 kilometres south of Santiago de Chile. Sun International has thus laid the first milestone in the construction of an integrated leisure and tourism complex. The Grand Casino & Entertainment World is the largest exclusively privately financed tourism and leisure project ever seen in Chile to date. Sun International has been entrusted with the management and has a 200 million dollar involvement in the project. The new casino is part of a complex which covers 66,300 square metres in total. The opening of the adjoining hotel facilities with a total of 150 beds, a shopping passage and numerous entertainment facilities is planned for 2009. For the Monticello Grand Casino & Entertainment World Sun International for the first time has applied its experience in the development of combined resort, hotel and casino projects in South America. “We are proud to be able to pass on our know-how as a leading hotel chain and casino operator in Southern Africa on to Chile,” says David Coutts-Trotter, CEO of Sun International. www.suninternational.de
Three Swiss cities dominate global rankings for best quality of living The most recent Mercer city ranking survey again ranks Zurich highest in terms of quality of living. With an index score almost identical to that in 2007, Zurich retains first place, followed by Vienna and Geneva. Among the top ten are the German cities Düsseldorf, Munich and Frankfurt (rankings 6 – 8), as well as the Swiss capital, Bern. At the bottom of the list is, unsurprisingly, Baghdad. Moscow ranks as most expensive city in the world, while Asuncion in Paraguay is the cheapest. In the list of cities with the highest personal safety ranking Luxembourg comes out top. For more interesting details of the survey, go to www.mercer.com
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S U N DRIES
Air Partner happy with annual figures For the third time in a row Air Partner, one of the world’s largest charter aircraft suppliers, has announced record results. Turnover worldwide rose by 35 percent to 308 million Euro, and at 11.3 million Euro worldwide profits were also 21 percent higher than the previous year. Major contributions to the positive annual figures came from the strongly growing government sector, a doubling of the share of sales held by wealthy private customers and an outstanding business result in Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany. The turnover of the German Air Partner GmbH increased by 14 percent. The strongest growth was obtained in the freight sector and the automotive manufacturing segment. Profits remained roughly constant in Germany and Austria.
Do you recall our last editorial? For some years powerful associations have been eager to abolish the acronym MICE in exchange for ‘Meetings Industry’. As so often, reality proves different – as above photo confirms: It was taken at random during EIBTM 2008. Players of the trade seem of have grown fond of it – MICE is nice and practical and comes in handy, and they couldn’t care less about what megalomaniacs cry for.
Successful entry into the Swiss market by Kofler & Kompanie Kofler & Kompanie in Berlin reports that its acquisition of a “majority stake” in the Swiss top caterer Oggenfuss has been successful. Roger Wilfinger, the former owner of Oggenfus Catering, continues to hold 20% of the company’s shares and manages the skills of the Swiss branch from Küsnacht-Zürich, where there is also a showroom and a dedicated production operation, managed by chef Alexander Kunert. There is a further branch in St. Moritz. In addition Kofler & Kompanie looks after a series of event spaces in Switzerland as an exclusive caterer, for example the “Davidoff ship” on Lake Zurich, and the Zurich locations Schloss Sihlberg and Bost Productions, both designated as preferred partners. Details at: www.koflerkompanie.ch
Tourism/Transport Department of FH Worms:
Plenipotentiary of the Steigenberger Group becomes member of the Advisory Board Claus-Dieter Jandel is now a member of the Advisory Board of the Tourism/ Transport department of the Fachhochschule Worms [Worms University of Applied Sciences], which is very proud to have the Executive Vice President of Steigenberger Hotels AG and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHO) on board. Jandel’s precipitous career began in 1974 at the Steigenberger specialist hotel school in Bad Reichenhall, and by 1993 as the Regional Director for the South based in Frankfurt/Main he was already responsible for up to 25 hotel businesses belonging to Steigenberger Hotels AG in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Spain. General power of attorney in 1994 was followed in 1998 by his being appointed as Fully Authorised Representative/Senior Vice President. In parallel he has undertaken a large variety of functions (executive activities) in the company’s subsidiaries. 44 events 5/2008
American Express: higher airfares and hotel prices in Germany in 2009 Business travellers are going to have to pay more in 2009 – this is the prophecy of the Global Business Travel Forecast 2009 from American Express. Flight tariffs are set to rise by up to seven percent worldwide and up to nine percent in Germany/Europe. Tickets are becoming more pricy because airlines are offering lower capacities and suppliers will be disappearing from the market; this reduces competition. Hotel accommodation will probably be up to six percent more expensive worldwide. In Europe and Germany an average increase by up to 6.5 percent is assumed.
Klaus Laepple remains President of the DZT In December 2008 at the general meeting of members of the Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus (DZT) new elections were held for the members of the Administrative Board. Klaus Laepple, President of the Bundesverband der Deutschen Tourismuswirtschaft e.V. (BTW) will continue to be President of the DZT Administrative Board for an additional three years. As Vice-Presidents the members voted in Ernst Fischer, President of the Deutscher Hotel- und Gaststättenverband e.V. (DEHOGA), who was also confirmed in his position as President of the DZT advisory board, Reinhard Meyer, President of the Deutscher Tourismusverband e.V. (DTV) and Martin Zeil, Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology.
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• Unvergessliche Erlebnisse an einzigartigen Locations Vom eigenen Fußballturnier bis hin zum exklusiven Segeltörn
Brussels Airlines soon to be member of the Star Alliance The CEOs of the Star Alliance member airlines have voted to include Brussels Airlines in the airline alliance. Users of the Privilege frequent flyer programme from Brussels Airlines will initially be able to collect and redeem miles from Star Alliance member companies. In order to be able to offer all the advantages of the airline alliance, the teams put together especially for this purpose by Brussels Airlines, Star Alliance and the member airlines will drive the integration process ahead. Once this has been concluded, Brussels Airlines will be a fully-fledged member of the Star Alliance network, which currently includes 21 airlines.
• Individuelle Konzepte für Ihre Veranstaltung Mit absoluter Kostentransparenz und garantierter Budgetsicherheit • 22 Clubs in 10 Ländern Mit außergewöhnlichem Ambiente und Service auf höchstem Niveau • Von 10 Zimmern bis hin zum kompletten Club 4-Sterne-Komfort, harmonisch eingebettet in die Natur
Fordern Sie Ihr persönliches ROBINSON Incentives- und Tagungsangebot auf unserem neuen Webportal an:
www.robinson.com/gruppen
AgenCIES
heinrich & kappler win silver at EVA In front of 1,100 guests in Bochum’s Jahrhunderthalle, CEO Jens Heinrich and Susanne Stobitzer of SAP accepted the silver EVA Event Award in the category “Exhibition Event” for the showcasing of SAP at CeBit 2008. How to enable SAP to reach the relevant contact persons in the target group small and medium enterprises amidst all the hustle and bustle at CeBit? With this aim in view, heinrich & kappler, working closely with Be One Entertainment (Mannheim), Messebauer mac (Langenlonsheim) and the clients, developed a comprehensive concept that was implemented in Hanover. The result after the six days of the trade fair: SAP not only experienced a 44% boost in visitor numbers over the previous year, but the increase in the rate of qualified contacts exceeded even the most sanguine expectations. The 194% increase represented a near threefold rise over the year before – a very real ROI! The jury said: “The showcasing event represented stringent orientation towards success and a reduction of concomitant shortfall while achieving an increase in client contacts. The multilayered fair and event concept concentrated on and was specific to the required target group. Using such varied techniques as stage productions through small workshops, the target group was provided with precise details of the benefits of the products. Worthy of particular mention is the successful way the project managed to pinpoint a very specific target group – ‘medium-sized new clients’ – who are otherwise difficult to identify during a trade fair.“ www.heinrich-kappler.de
ProFlight: new Internet look for “experienced” fliers and novices ProFlight, subsidiary of the Bremen-based aviation and space travel event organiser PRO TOURA, has given its website a facelift. “We have a range of attractive events on offer that deserve to be given a presentational overhaul,” explains director and ex-flight captain Walter Drasl. Dreams of flying made real – anyone can be a temporary ‘pilot’ in a genuine flight simulator. There are simulators replicating the experience in the cockpits of 14 different aircraft in the training centres in Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt and Vienna while trained ProFlight personnel are also on hand to provide professional help. If you are planning a presentation or gala event in addition to flight simulation incentives, just contact the parent company of ProFlight, PRO TOURA, for more information.
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Michael Quade pilots Bureau Q towards innovation Nexus is followed by Bureau Q and ‘Q’ stands for quality: quality services, quality lateral thinking and quality creative ideas. Michael Quade explains: “The words of the recent song ‘Haus am See’ by Peter Fox express exactly what inspired me to found Bureau Q: ‘… the world behind me is getting smaller. But the world before me is made for me! I know it’s waiting and I’ll go and get it!’” With wellestablished clients like Wempe and the Deutsche Bank already in its portfolio, the start-up of the new event agency is likely to go off without a hitch. To follow the career of Bureau Q from January 2009, go to www.bureau-q.de
TAS revs up for “RWE ProKlima Strom 2011” tour “This will be the future trend,” claims Thomas Siepmann, director of TAS Emotional Marketing. “Clients want an authentic link between the classic form of the campaign and live communication.” The manager of the Essen agency knows what he is talking about. Together with his team, he will be implementing the major “RWE ProKlima Strom 2011” campaign on behalf of the German utility company RWE throughout Germany. More than 100 days of events from December 2008 to late March 2009: for a six-figure sum, TAS has agreed to devise and realise the promotional concept for the new RWE fixed price product. The “RWE ProKlima Strom 2011” model developed by RWE offers customers a price guarantee for the next three years. The utility company is hoping to win customers for its new concept by means of a major promotional campaign featuring the German band “Trio”, who made their name in the 1980s. The next stage will involve exposing the target group to live events. As far as Siepmann is concerned, “A stable energy price over a period of three years is an absolutely unique selling point in the rapidly changing utility market. We intend to use playful and interactive techniques to make potential customers aware of this.” The “RWE ProKlima Strom 2011” promotional tour will be visiting nearly 50 different towns and cities in Germany and will be providing interactive and game modules on sites up to 100 m2 in size. The features will include a full life-size game “3 Bleibt”, a Segway driving course, scratch cards and a plethora of give-aways. There will be an information counter at which potential customers can get advice and even change to the price-fixed RWE tariff. Six branded electro scooters with poster trailers will also be on the road at the venues. TAS Emotional Marketing has been conceiving and implementing events and promotions for RWE since 2006. These include the RWE “City Duel”, the “RWE Hautnah” and “RWE Erlebniswelt” roadshows, the “RWE Bädertour” and the “RWE Energieaktionshaus”.
Michael Hasselbusch to head kogag Creation The kogag Conception & Creation team now has a new supervisor: Michael Hasselbusch was recently appointed Creative Director. The 38-year-old was previously employed by kogag from 2004 to 2006 as Senior Conceptualiser before moving to the Uniplan agency in Kerpen near Cologne for an 18-month stint as Head of Concept Design. The qualified media and communication designer not only brings with him to kogag his extensive live communication skills but also his well-based know-how in advertisement copywriting thanks to his previous experience with the BBDO Group, Detterbeck Wider and Klementine (all based in Hamburg) and the JK advertising agency in Bielefeld. According to Michael Hasselbusch: “Original creativity is still in short supply in the live communication branch. There is plenty of opportunity to make a name for oneself.” The new Creative Director also defined his future strategy: “Our aim is to develop innovative creative solutions and to implement these in the best possible quality.”
events 5/2008 47
AgenCIES
munich one goes Berlin Together with his team, Raffaele Castelli, in the recently established munich one creative lab in Berlin, is planning to make original and innovative ideas reality. The new creative lab will be offering below-the-line concepts, with particular focus on the sectors live communication, PR, celebrity management, guerrilla marketing, viral marketing and film in the areas lifestyle, beauty, fashion and automotive. The services provided will range from idea generation, through conceptualisation to implementation. www.creativelaboratory.de In common with all members of the FME, munich one has undertaken to observe the FME best practice guidelines and thus ensure that the greatest possible transparency and security are observed during commissioning and project realisation. The guidelines drawn up by the Forum Marketing-Eventagenturen (FME) also require members to pledge that they will abide by current laws, provide for sustainability and observe ethical standards and values, while ensuring that strictly defined criteria are applied with regard to quality and project management. The purpose of these detailed guidelines is to provide the best possible level of transparency and trust between principle, agency and partners in cooperative projects and to enhance the perception of the quality of the services provided by members of the FME.
PLEON entices Patrick Hertner away from Roth & Lorenz PLEON Event + Sponsoring strengthens its management team: effective immediately, Patrick Hertner will be heading the Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN) team as Senior Consultant. In this capacity, Hertner will be mainly responsible for strategic support and the management of events and sponsoring engagements. In Hertner, the Bonn-based agency has acquired an acknowledged specialist in brand management and marketing and corporate communication. Over the past eight years, Hertner was a major contributor at Roth & Lorenz, where he was entrusted with numerous projects in the brand positioning sector and the implementation of integrated marketing strategies for top-shelfclients, such as Coca Cola, Lancaster and Procter & Gamble.
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New agency founded in Frankfurt: 42 Incentive Silvia Ganser, for many years director of Marketing and Sales at Club Med Deutschland GmbH, has decided to swim against the tide and start her own agency – 42 Incentive. In a time of financial crisis and the fear of recession, a very persuasive concept is required if a new agency is to assert itself in the incentive marketplace. Silvia Ganser explains that one of the reasons she decided to found the agency was her belief that even greater emphasis will be placed on marketing in the future and that incentives will also become increasingly important for companies as motivational elements. However, it is essential that the agency can meet the altered needs of individual clients, and has sufficient experience and resources to implement projects – even the most unusual – within Germany and abroad. This is to be provided for by means of close collaboration with VOK DAMS. With its global branch offices and range of cooperation partners, the agency can provide on-site support and is aware of those regional differences that need to be taken into account if international travel is to be successful. The VOK DAMS: ILM, Institute for Live-Marketing (also part of the VOK DAMS GROUP) also has the extensive know-how of flourishing communication agencies and is a specialist in motivation, communication and training relating to ambitious incentive projects. As a consequence, 42 Incentive will not only be offering the standard incentive travel packages but also complete reward and bonus systems, client binding programmes and hospitality events, in addition to VIP and client travel options. Asked about the remarkable name of her new agency, Silvia Ganser explains, “You’ll have heard of the number 42. It is, as the famous quotation from Douglas Adam’s Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy puts it, ‘the answer to life, the universe and everything.’ The message we hope to put across through our name is that we have all the answers in the incentive sector.” Well then, bonne chance! www.42incentive.de
A successful evening in the MICE field! On November 12th a select group of around 60 planners and friends of the company had a site meeting in the MICE field – or to be more precise at the Berliner MICE AG. To start with, Directors Gabriele Schulze, Marcus Wiesner and Günter Mainka presented their newly-occupied 1,500 sqm offices at one of Berlin’s best addresses on Friedrichstraße, which received a highly enthusiastic response. After a wittily commentated evening bus tour through Berlin, the last stop was at Queens 45. The evening began in true Berlin style with curry sausages and peach liqueur in the bar, and the subsequent dinner in the lovingly restored theatre hall was announced by live menus (“Food is a matter for the belly!”). After an artistically appealing laser performance, the thoroughly sophisticated guests were finally thrilled for more than an hour by the Cologne a capella group “Basta!” in an unusually intimate performance, which could almost have taken place in their living room. Witty, entertaining, superb quality – well done, MICE AG!
AgenCIES
“Event Agency” becomes POMMEREL – Live-Marketing After 11 years of market activity, the event agency Pommerel (based in Berne near Bremen), has decided on a complete relaunch. The company has revamped its name, logo and internet site, and is now presenting its regenerated self under the name “POMMEREL – Live-Marketing“. A rectangular logo that accentuates the name is also a major feature of the new corporate design, which is also characterised by reiterated coloured rectangular elements intended to express the emotive qualities of the industry. The agency has been providing event-related services under the management of its owner since 1997, including consultancy support, concept development and production and has had a hand in the realisation of many hundred events since that time. One reason for the transformation was the development of the agency in recent years: additional personnel have been hired, the facilities expanded, larger and more complex projects have been taken on and the agency – as the only one in this branch in Lower Saxony – has joined the industry’s umbrella organisation, the Forum Marketing-Eventagenturen (FME). All these are an indication that the ownerrun agency is well placed to meet future challenges. “Let’s not forget that the way we understand the concept ‘event’ has changed,” claims the agency director and owner Reinhard B. Pommerel. “While it is true that everything can now be described as more or less ‘an event’, it is also true that events have become a key element of marketing that needs to be taken very seriously. ‘Live marketing’ is, in effect, what we can achieve for our clients by means of strategically planned and professionally implemented events.” Although POMMEREL – Live-Marketing is also keeping a wary eye on current economic developments, it hopes that event and promotional-related activities will prove resistant to the downward trends. The agency is already involved in planning events for a major energy supplier and for the anniversary of a leading foodstuff supplier that are to take place in 2009.
East or west – home’s best! Commissioned by its client Vredestein, Frankfurtbased event and incentive agency MIT staged an event with an authentic local atmosphere – based on themes in and around Frankfurt – the Main Tower and Stock Exchange, Skyline and Römer, Goethe and Badesalz, Frankfurt lifestyle and staged events – not forgetting Frankfurt’s own version of cider “Ebbelwoi” (as “Apfelwein” or apple wine is called in the local dialect). More than 100 of Vredestein’s German business partners were transported by MINI-promotion vehicles to the three-day event in the capital of the Main region, where they competed for the “Bembel Trophy”. Even a specially-made film was shown as part of the programme, its subject: the first quotation of “Apfelwein” stock! Highlights were presented and prizes were awarded during the evening event. 50 events 5/2008
Eventgruppe relocates Munich’s EGM Eventgruppe GmbH is expanding and has relocated to new facilities on the sixth floor, high over the roofs of Munich, in December 2008. The many commissions taken on by the company meant that it needed to hire more staff, necessitating its move to Landsberger Straße 68. The agency has retained its email address and telephone number.
Michael Vagedes expands his team
18 successful months for VOK DAMS in Dubai
BRAND ACTIVE
Michael Vagedes GmbH continues to expand: two new trainees have been appointed as Account Assistants. The close collaboration with the IST-Studieninstitut will be further facilitated by the establishment of the new branch in Hamburg. It will now no longer be necessary to travel all the way to Düsseldorf to attend the mandatory six to eight weekend seminars.
Free Zone – Dubai Studio City: the international team (Dutch, Irish, Belgian and German) under director Jeroen Berghuis specialises in corporate event management in the Gulf region and has already arranged events for clients such as Bugatti Automobiles SAS, Microsoft, Gulf, METRO Cash & Carry, Rotary Dubai, Arvato Finance, Khasawneh & Associates (in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Economy), the Dubai Government Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and the Dubai Printing & Publishing Group, not to mention planning a conference for 1,100 personnel of the HSBC Bank. “Every country has its own characteristic values,” states Jeroen Berghuis. He was responsible for the global expansion of the VOK DAMS GROUP in 2004.
Im Prinzip: Ja!
Schon eine gute Sache, die
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Locations
220 million Euros for the “green hell” On December 16, 2008 the legendary “green hell” was more like a frosty white bank of cloud, which swallowed up the celebrities and representatives of the press gathered for the topping-out ceremony. A little over a year after the first spade went into the ground, the topping-out ceremony for the 220 million Euro investment is like a palpitation in advance of the heart-stopping finale in summer 2009. This is when – assuming the winter is kind to the builders – a substantial leisure and business centre is set to go live, creating up to 1,000 new jobs for the structurally weak Eifel region and opening up a major new playground which is not only for firms with a close affinity to motor sports. The legendary racetrack, which following the massive investments should (and surely will) trigger hot flashes even in the numerical heart of Bernie Ecclestone, has been offering much more than simply racing sport for 80 years: around 100 motor sports events a year and around 200 other events – including such well-known major events as Europe’s largest music festival, Rock am Ring.
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Germans put the Nürburgring in 9th place on a list of their most popular national monuments, and have been taking pleasure in it for many years during tourist trips around the north loop, driver training and formula courses, off-road vehicles or quad bikes through the off-road park, ATV tours, mountain biking round the north loop, drift taxi on the dirt track, BMW ring taxi, as a co-pilot in a Viper jet, on helicopter sightseeing flights and motorbike tours in the Eifel. Non-motorised offerings such as paintball, Western riding, karting or the high ropes course complete the portfolio. But what was missing was a contemporary peripheral offering which would be competitive even outside the immediate region.
pants and organisers, men and women active in the areas of driver training, mountain bikes, Nordic walking etc., corporate customers from the automotive industry and its suppliers, convention and conference organizers and last but not least tourists and people on day trips in the region.
This is now under construction. With the addition of a wide range of overnight accommodation in the immediate vicinity of the racetrack, plenty of new offerings for demanding corporate customers such as The largest economic development measure in the presentation and events areas which are not affected federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate excluding the by the weather, and a so-called “ring°werk” (an in- Hahn Airport has been extensively analysed by the door attraction similar in content to the “myth of the Deloitte auditing institution. The experts have conNürburgring” and with the fastest rollercoaster in the firmed that the calculations for the business plan are world). Four business areas will set the tills ringing realistic and conservative, the further development of after the investment, the amount of which is entirely business as a result of the expansion will generate undisputed: Racing, Adventure, Business and Holiday: substantial additional profits and as a result the comThese four channels focus on the four core target pany can sustain this investment. And what if not? groups of the Nürburgring: Racing sport fans, partici- Then it won’t only be the Finance Minister Professor
Marketing-Leiter Stefan Cimbal verbreitet genau den Optimismus, den Großprojekte vor der Eröffnung brauchen.
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Locations
Dr. Deubel, who has champi- Facts – ring°werk: 15,000 sq m indoor theme park oned the development with which takes around 4 to 5 hours to get round. Mixcommitment, who will have ture of science centre, museum and adventure park. one heck of a problem. But it is Themes: the myth of the Nürburgring, history, racing essential all the same that ma- sport (Formula 1, 24-hour race, DTM, truck Grand jor investments on this scale in Prix, 1000-km races), technology lab, Nürburgring Germany are made boldly and Academy (schools programmes), simulators, 4D cinabove all without all the indeci- ema on the 24-hour race sion and quarrelling that were Facts – ring°racer: Fastest roller-coaster in the well known in the past. No world with stretches along the starting and finishing guarantee of the future can be straights and through the boulevard. Acceleration expected from those who usu- and bend speeds like those of a Formula 1 car: Maxially harbour misgivings or criti- mum speed: approx. 215 km/h cism of any major investment, Facts – welcome°center: as entrance gateway to the especially in regions which are Nürburgring and central access to the ring°boulevard, ring°werk und ring°arena. Bus and car driveway. weak structurally. So we must just cross our fin- Facts – new main grandstand + business lounge: gers, and hope that the fasci- Construction of a new modern main stand with 4,760 nating new adventure resort seats directly connected to the ring°boulevard, with will go down well with the 28 business lounge for up to 600 people and a mobile million people in the catch- grandstand with 1,000 seats ment area of just two hours’ travelling time. Well differentiated
Fine-tuned concept made up of individual modules The ring°boulevard The boulevard along the starting and home straights accommodates the brand experience area for leading automotive manufacturers and accessory specialists, the new ring°werk indoor theme park, the ring°arena plus the WARSTEINER event center and the welcome center. All in all around 92,000 sq m of covered areas for strolling around, and which are directly connected to the ring°arena, WARSTEINER event center, ring°werk and the multistorey car park, and 3,468 sq m of brandworlds (purely exhibition space without secondary areas) Facts – WARSTEINER event center: 1,770 sq m of playable area without pillars + 200 sq m foyer
accommodation offering In addition to the already-existing Dorint Hotel, above all the Lindner Group is involved with a great new facility: the Lindner Congress & Motorsport Hotel will consist of a 4-star-plus inn with 148 rooms and 6 suites, with a direct connection onto the boulevard, and an integral gaming casino, business & wellness area and helicopter landing pad. In addition, a motor sport resort is being created close to the racetrack with themed architecture and around 100 holiday home units / 574 beds for family and group holidays, and the Eifeldorf Grüne Hölle opposite the boulevard, which offers a gastronomical experience of an Eifel village character for up to 5,000 visitors, several restaurants, themed bars and discotheques. Plus a 2-3 star hotel with approximately 65 rooms / 130 beds, and a staff accommodation building with 100 staff apartments nearby in Adenau.
Wide range of event venues in the Zurich area Eventframe AG of Zurich, created last summer from the former K&O agency, has become a specialist in recent years in providing event venues in the Zurich area. On its books are ‘Chicago 1928’, the EventDome (in Pfäffikon on Lake Zurich), the Giardino Verde and StageOne in Zurich and the TrafoHallen in Baden. Director Charles Krabichler’s team already has 18 years of experience in the event sector. www.eventframe.ch 54 events 5/2008
A Hotel to die for:
AnaYela – a ‘riad’ in Marrakesh AnaYela is still fairly new, but even so, it is already one of the most famous hotels in the world. More than 250 articles on it have been published. Harper’s Bazaar calls it “a hotel to die for”, Forbes Traveller considers it to be “Morocco’s sexiest hotel”, while the New York Times raves about what it calls “a getaway with a story to tell”. The aim of Bernd and Andrea Kolb, the owners, is to create the ideal setting for unforgettable, emotional experiences, to tap into the souls of their guests and to stimulate all their senses. And it would seem that that is just what they have achieved. They could well win a World Hotel Award in the (appropriate) category “Soul Experience” in the first quarter of 2009. In any case, AnaYela has been nominated. www.anayela.com
Want more AnaYela? Write to andrea.kolb@anayela.com for information on inspiring incentives and events – outside the everyday. events 5/2008 55
Locations
Berlin Tempelhof Airport is closed since late October 2008
Tke care, Tempelhof! The end of a story…? It was the first commercial airport in the world, inaugurated in October 1923 by the German Reich’s Ministry of Transport. The first route operated to Königsberg (now Kaliningrad) in
1st Lt. Gail Halverson
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former East Prussia. The newly founded “Deutsche Luft Hansa” had its maiden flight from here to Zurich and even gigantic Zeppelins started from Tempelhof. By the 1930s, it was the busiest airport in Europe, ahead of Paris, Amsterdam and London. It became legendary for the dramatic role it was to play in postwar Germany. At the time, Berlin still largely lies in ruins and debris. It is carved up between and occupied by the four victorious allied powers – USA, Britain, France and Soviet Russia. The currency reform in June 1948 in the western occupied sectors of Berlin sees the introduction of the Deutschmark to replace the old Reichsmark. Russia, in the eastern sector, feels sidelined and decides to retaliate with a blockade: all road, rail and waterway transport connections into the western sectors of
Berlin are disrupted or completely severed, electricity is cut off and two million people still suffering after years of deprivation, suddenly find themselves isolated from all sources of supply.
322 days: airlifts to provide bare necessities – chocolate by parachute Retaliation by the American military governor, General Lucius D. Clay, is immediate. He initiates “Operation Vittles”, thus ensuring survival of allied service personnel and civilians of the western sectors alike. The the air, carrying a long-missed freight priceless for first American airfreighter lands on June 26, 1948; them: sweets! later, up to 50 aircraft simultaneously are crowding the skies over Berlin. During the April 1949 “Easter “People of this world…look upon this city...” Parade”, 12,000 tonnes of supplies are flown in by (Ernst Reuter) means of nearly 4,000 starts and landings. “Little Vittles”: When US pilot Gail Halverson happily dips the Many of the pilots lose their lives during the airlift. wings of his aircraft Spirit of Freedom – the Rosinen- The Soviets lift the blockade in May 1949 and the bomber - to wave Hello, the faces of thousands of operation is discontinued in September. This unparalchildren light up brightly: Like snowflakes tiny para- leled relief effort is still considered the most remarkachutes made from handkerchiefs are circling through ble logistical challenge to aviation in history. It clicked like clockwork, with the planes maintaining a regular 90 seconds between landings despite frequent disruption emanating from the Soviet sector. 2008 saw the 60th anniversary of the airlift. It was worthily remembered during the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) held in Berlin. Gail Halverson had come, too.
What now?
Luftbrückendenkmal am ”Tempelhof should be converted to a trade fair Platz der Luftbrücke – „Hungerkralle“ für die site” Berliner! “...the main hall at Berlin Tempelhof Airport may in future serve as a venue for trade fairs and congresses. Despite the proposed selling off of the airport grounds, there are no plans to sell the main hall because of the historical links...” “Director of the German Historical Museum: move Allied Museum to Tempelhof“ “...the Director of the German Historical Museum, Hans Ottomeyer, has suggested that the Allied Museum could be moved from Berlin-Dahlem to Tempelhof Airport.” “Film studio shows interest in Tempelhof“ “Tempelhof could become the third Berlin-based film studio in addition to those in Babelsberg and BerlinAdlersdorf.” “Following the failure of the referendum on whether Berlin Tempelhof Airport should continue to operate commercially, Studio Babelsberg AG has announced its intention to develop the site as a film studio.” CF events 5/2008 57
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Got a fancy for Usuzukuri de cherne con papa arrugada y mojo verde*? If so, hop on the next flight to Tenerife and make your There are, however, also somewhat more low-priced way from Tenerife South-Reina Sofia Airport to Guía options for coping with those extra pounds, such as de Isora about 30 km to the west. Keep your eyes salsa, belly dancing and sevillanas courses. If that is peeled for a banana plantation and head for the Cita- too strenuous for you, get your head down – under del that towers over it. Now all you need to do is book the water in the Cueva de los Cerebros (‘Brain Cave’) a table in the restaurant ABAMA Kabuki, whose head for example. Don’t worry, you won’t be expected to chef, Ricardo Sanz de Castro, prepares exquisite Japa- perform feats of mental agility, just admire the wonnese/Mediterranean fusion dishes – such as *slivers derful effect of the natural light that penetrates this of sea bass with Canarian wrinkly potatoes and green 60 metre wide and 10 metre deep submerged cavern. sauce. Usuzukuri as it should be. And with any luck, Thanks to the volcanic origin of the island, the entire those tiny potatoes will have shrunk to their perfect seafloor here is studded with mysterious, multifacdimensions by the time you arrive! But don’t forget eted sculptures spat out by an eruption millions of the nine other restaurants that serve food of a quality years ago. vouched for by star chef Martín Berasategui, who has ABAMA considers itself a “luxury oasis in which orthree Michelin stars to his name. nate architecture and subtropical landscape are combined in a perfect symbiosis. Rising above the 90,000 The ABAMA Hotel Resort, which proudly sports five palm trees, the vividly coloured flora and the waterCanarian stars on a rust-red background, may be situ- falls is the majestic Citadel, while the ensemble of ated very near to the water, but it is perched at a safe exclusive villas integrates perfectly with the surroundheight on a rocky plateau with a simply unbelievable ings.” It could hardly be better expressed. Also on panoramic view of the deep-blue Atlantic. The resort hand are a Meeting and Events Centre, eight themed occupies a total of 160 hectares – an area sufficient bars, fitness, wellness and spa facilities, an 18 hole for a main building (the Citadel with its unusually spa- golf course (with lakes), tennis courts, eight swimcious 330 rooms and suites that are up to 50 m2 in ming pools and much, much more. size) and the exclusive villas grouped around it, provid- And if you need to hold the odd meeting or two ing accommodation in an additional 148 rooms and among all the leisure activities, there is a 1,500 m2 suites. Should you find that you need a little more modular conference area equipped with the latest room than usual because you have been unable to technical aids available in the resort. The ABAMA Howithstand the temptation to sample the delights on tel Resort is run by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. offer in all the gourmet restaurants at the resort, then www.abamahotelresort.com CF the Presidential Suite, with its 220 m2, is for you! events 5/2008 59
Bio-Seehotel Zeulenroda
A success story soon gets around – if you know how! A car trip through the German countryside. Place names: Magdala, Sömerda, Apolda – have we strayed into Sweden? No, we are on our way to Zeulenroda, in the heart of Germany, in the forested and very tranquil region known as the Thuringer Vogtland, rich in rivers and lakes. But where we are going might well be the German counterpart of the “little Gaulish village” known from the Asterix comics, as Zeulenroda too has become world-renowned for its remarkable magic! And let’s not forget the menhirs, joie de vivre, and enthusiasm. Located in Zeulenroda (who would have thought it?) ver approaching € 200 million – in other words, is a is a conference hotel that has won more awards than healthy enterprise in the mid-sized sector with a full almost any other in Germany: Best Congress Hotel order book. Just another illustration of the famous in Germany (2005), first and only Organic Congress quotation by Helmut Kohl that has actually turned Hotel in Germany, Best Event and Congress Hotel in out to be true. It was Kohl who spoke of the “flourGermany (2006), winner of the International Spirit- ishing landscape” in the east of our republic. at-Work Award, Best Event Hotel in Germany, No. 1 The Seehotel, built prior to reunification for the among ‘Tagungshotels zum Wohlfühlen’, among the Free German Trade Union Federation (FDGB) as leitop ten for the Conga Award (2007), again in the sure accommodation for commended union officials, top ten for the Conga Award and Best Event Hotel in originally provided 1,000 beds. In 1981, Bauerfeind Germany in 2008. Not bad at all! decided to buy the “old ruin”. He was particularly imIn this instance, the motivation behind this remark- pressed by the wonderful Vogtland landscape and the able series of awards was provided by one Prof. Bau- light-hearted attitude of the people who lived there. erfeind, who is the owner, initiator and supervisor Everyone advised him against it, but he had had an of the Bio-Seehotel Zeulenroda. He is also the third inspiration that would keep him occupied for many generation director of a company – Bauerfeind AG – years to come. His concept was to convert the buildwhich produces medical excipients and products. The ing to a congress hotel with some 300 beds and he company has nearly 1,800 employees and a turno- has invested (to date) € 26 million in his project. 60 events 5/2008
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The ‘Karpfenpfeifersaal’ is good for 500 guests. Why is it called that? Citizens once rejected a carp tasting of mud that was presented to them shouting out loud to the chef: Get lost with your carp, and born were the Get-lostwith-your-carp-people – after whom the ‘Karpfenpfeifersaal’ was named…
A quantum of luck after four worn-out managers
the shape of Stephan Bode. Blown in on a wind from Heligoland (where he was discovered by Bauerfeind), Stephan Bode took the fate of the hotel in his hands However, initially there was resistance to booking at as Managing Director. He (literally) opened doors and the hotel. It was a while before the hotel was able to with the help of a creative agency (Twilight) based in shake off the stigma of having been a home for the Berlin, he arranged events that were media-relevant ‘privileged’ under communism. People continued to and at last managed to capture the attention of appeer through the windows, rather than coming in, just propriate target groups. as in the days of the former East Germany. It took an- Now business is booming – the hotel has registered other three years before the grand opening was held double figures in terms of its business growth index. and during this period four managers fruitlessly tried The “hardware” required for a good congress hotel their luck. But then a quantum of solace appeared in is all in place. The nine light-flooded congress rooms,
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named after the 27 species of fish in the Seetalsperre reservoir, provide congress participants with a superb outlook. The coveted awards began coming in in 2005, a result that would have many a hotel manager (not just in the provinces) reduced to tears of joy. But this is not the end of the story. The “software” here is represented by a policy where added value is generated through added attractions. A massive new enterprise culture opened new doors and helped the Seehotel become the ‘Bio-Seehotel’, or organic hotel. Not just the first organic hotel in Thuringia, but also the first organic congress hotel in Europe. ‘Management by love’ is not a concept that is treated with disdain here; it is a strategic element that has produced very genuine concrete successes. “I am really lucky to have my wife”, says Stephan Bode. How romantic. But is this relevant to the hotel? She is an alternative practitioner and looks after the wellbeing of the 130 staff, who receive her services free of charge. That is indeed a piece of luck for all involved. When the staff is happy and contented, this ensures that guests are also happy and contented.
‘Systematically organic’ as the route to success Wellbeing is the factor that dominates. All the cuisine is prepared from foods that are certified 100% organic and are, of course, locally sourced. Sustainable raw materials are used for office stationary and printed matter. The hotel’s cleaning agent supplier has been required to use biodegradable substances only. Rooms are chemical-free and electrosmog-reduced. “So, what’s your carbon emission level?” Here’s where it becomes unusual. Guests are encouraged to get interactively involved. They can use the climate terminal provided in the hotel to calculate their carbon footprint and offset their environmentally-damaging emissions by sponsoring a wind power plant or a reforestation project! This is more than simply ‘green lifestyle’. And when the Seetalsperre is opened, as is planned, there will be no going back. Water means life. Zeulenroda will no longer be the Davos of Germany but a location “with a presence that is globally unique, with opportunities to off-set and slow down climatic change,” claims Stephan Bode. Onwards and upwards. ‘Angie’ is coming. As commerce in the east of Germany is booming, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is happy to act as patron for a project that will contribute towards the success story of the hotel. In March 2009, the second future conference for mid-sized and family enterprises – the ‘Arena for Sustainability’ will be organised by the BioSeehotel. Talks on aspects of ‘sustainability’ in the commercial world will be given by leading authorities, while expert teams, such as those from B.A.U.M. (the Federal Task Force for Environmentally-friendly Management) and the Fraunhofer Society will be on hand to provide advice. www.nachhaltigkeitsarena.de
About the author: Marie Fink is a graduate designer, lawyer, share holder and creative director at e-Factor GmbH (8 years) and Media Network GmbH (12 years) in Cologne, Berlin and Majorca, but also a (guest) lecturer in visual communications, creator and consultant on live communications and conferences for various events agencies. She is also a coinitiator of the Conga Award. And she enjoys writing her excellent contributions to events!
Is this the tale of an everyday congress hotel? Clearly not. It represents the realisation of a dream that, starting in 2009, will not only result in transformation of the 10 hectare hotel site, but will see the whole of the Zeulenroda-Treibes district converted to a bioenergy region. A viability study has already been commissioned. Where entrepreneurial courage and cooperative management style result in such a positive economic outcome, hotel manager headhunters begin to lick their lips. But they have no chance here. Stephan Bode has found his niche. He has plans to go even further and is considering the option of using the hotel as a research and development tool to generate a new business model for an entire hotel chain. A global hotel chain, of course. events 5/2008 63
Space for Shooting Stars The meteoric career of the sensational TSG Hoffenheim-team continues to baffle the world of sports. Certainly they will defend their enviously eyed top position in the Bundesliga they clinched in their stride – and not only through strategy, tactics and chutzpah. Here, condition is asked for, and the players in the past have been shaping up also on the (eight) pitches at the La Manga Club Football Centre. In January 2009, Hamburg SV will return to the mild Mediterranean climate to get fit for the second half of the Bundesliga season. The grandstand offers some 600 spectators the chance to soak up the atmosphere, as professional clubs go head to head on the pitch below. Tennis 28 sand, hard and Astroturf courts, some of which are floodlit, provide an excellent setting also for large-scale corporate incentives. Matches for the Davis or Federation Cup are a regular occurrence, whilst
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the Lawn Tennis Association and the Bavarian Tennis Association feel at home here so much so, that they have chosen the premises for their official winter training camps. Less presentable skills can be honed at the tennis academy with the aid of the latest digital V1 analytical technology and highly experienced trainers.
hole pitch & putt course (par 47), helping rising talents to conquer their handicap. Residing on five and a half hectares – indulging in 20 restaurants and bars Guests are free to choose: The Hyatt Regency La Manga***** featuring 192 rooms and 400 sqm of conference premises beside two Golf courses or: the newlyrenovated Hyatt Las Lomas Village Apartments**** for practical self-catering and magnificent views from one of the highest points in the resort. The Las Lomas Village offers a total of 111 villas and apartments, 60 guest rooms, 410 sqm of meeting and banquet halls, a Spa with leisure facilities, pools and restaurants. And for those who wish to buy: 1800 villas and apartments are privately owned.
Golf 3 x 18 hole courses in Masters quality ca- Location tering for different levels and continuously The La Manga Club is situated in Murcia in improved over 30 years, are not only an at- the South of Spain, just 20 minutes from tractive environment for demanding tour- Murcia-San Javier Airport. Low-budget naments; they are also host to the Ger- flights operate from Central Europe to man PGA during the winter months. The Alicante. From there, the resort is approxicourses are complemented by a range of mately one hour’s drive. practice holes, a golf academy and an 18- www.lamangaclub.com CF
Das wirkliche Meeting beginnt nach Feierabend.
www.spain.info SPANISCHES FREMDENVERKEHRSAMT • www.spain.info/de 10707 BERLIN. Kurfürstendamm 63, 5 OG. Tel: (030) 882 65 43 - Fax: (030) 882 66 61 - berlin@tourspain.es 40237 DÜSSELDORF. Grafenberger Allee 100 “Kutscherhaus”. Tel: (0211) 680 39 81 - Fax: (0211) 680 39 85 - duesseldorf@tourspain.es 60323 FRANKFURT / MAIN. Myliusstrasse 14. Tel: (069) 72 50 38 - Fax: (069) 72 53 13 - frankfurt@tourspain.es 80051 MÜNCHEN. Postfach nº 151940. Tel: (089) 530 74 60 - Fax: (089) 53 07 46 20 - munich@tourspain.es 8008 ZÜRICH. Seefeldstrasse 19. Tel: 044 253 60 50 - Fax: 044 252 62 04 - zurich@tourspain.es 1010 WIEN. Walfischgasse 8/Mzz. Tel: (01) 512 95 80 - Fax: (01) 512 95 81 - viena@tourspain.es Nur für Prospektbestellungen innerhalb Deutschlands: Tel: (06123) 99 134 - Fax: (06123) 991 51 34
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City & Hotel-Benchmarking:
Do you know your market position? By using a new market monitoring tool individual hotels can now generate market comparisons for whole regions and establish their own competitive position. Once they have joined, businesses can have their data imported into the benchmarking system on a daily updated basis, where it can be evaluated and compared at a local or regional level with the anonymised results of the competitors. Reports on trends are possible in terms of occupancy and the average rate. A comparison with index data can be viewed without any difficulty, and comparisons in the context of trade fairs and events can be generated along with ranking lists.
submits their figures in good time, we have the ability to recognise trends in real time – and even on a daily basis – and not a year later in some report or other”, says Rainer Weiglein, Director of the Holiday Inn Hotel Heidelberg-Walldorf.
Evaluate market data – legally The company Fairmas has obtained a statement of acceptance from the German Federal Cartel Office for the benchmarking system, which means that market data can be evaluated and viewed legally. Each participating business decides for itself, which establishments and regions are to be compared. At least five establishments in any category or price segment must Market developments made be represented for a personal benchmarking-set to transparent be defined and, in addition, predefined comparison“It would be good if as many colleagues as possible sets within a cluster can also be used. The customer would get involved so that we can benefit from one receives all the key figures on the competitors’ daily in another. A lot of businesses think they have a poorer anonymised form, and thus constantly has up-to-date “revenue per available room” (RevPar) and thus can’t information on his own market position compared to compare themselves. But here it is all about seeing the competition. the market trend and drawing conclusions. If for in- The regions in Germany which are currently available stance the RevPar in the market moves upwards at a are: Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Dresden, Düsselweekend because of an event, then we can obtain dorf, Erfurt/Weimar, Frankfurt, Hanover, Heidelberg, valuable findings from this. We used to have to rely Leipzig, Mannheim, Munich, Rostock, Stuttgart and on statements from tourism associations and market Wiesbaden. In cooperation with the company Rubiresearch institutes. Nowadays, provided everyone con, as a complement to its own range of offerings, 66 events 5/2008
New Hotel partners of Fairmas & STR Global Fairmas also allows smaller hotels and hotel chains special access to the Rubicon MarketVision® Report, enabling it to accelerate the pace of web-based data analysis in the German hotel industry. Benchmarking must ensure that all the figures entered are reliable, in terms of being both up-to-date and credible in terms of content. So how is this ensured? Fairmas: “Customers enter their key figures on a daily basis. The Fairmas system has its own plausibility controls. If data is not input in time, firstly the customer is not able to access the reports and secondly a reminder email is sent; Fairmas also contacts them personally. Experience shows that our customers work actively with the figures, and if those are not realistic from a customer’s perspective, Fairmas receives automatic feedback. However Fairmas does not share any information on individual data – neither with customers nor third parties.“ www.fairmas.com
Suitehotel Berlin Potsdamer Platz, Maritim Rhein-Main Hotel Darmstadt, Maritim Konferenzhotel Darmstadt, Express by Holiday Inn Dortmund, NH Dortmund, Dorint Hotel Dresden, Hilton Hotel Dresden, Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe Dresden, Mercure Hotel Newa Dresden, Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf, Golden Tulip Hamburg Aviation, Maritim Hotel Reichs hof Hamburg, NH Hamburg Altona, NH Hamburg Norge, Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg, Maritim Airport Hotel Hannover, Hotel Vorfelder Heidelberg, Hotel Brücker Sportpark Köln, Maritim Parkhotel Mannheim, Dorint Kongresshotel Mannheim, Holiday Inn Mannheim City Centre, Steigenberger Mannheimer Hof, Park Inn Mannheim, NH Mannheim-Viernheim, NH Weinheim, Victor`s Residenz Hotel München, Maritim Hotel Nürnberg, Hilton Nürnberg, Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nürnberg, NH Nürnberg City, Holiday Inn Nürnberg City Centre, Best Western Hotel Ketterer Stuttgart, EuroHotel Stuttgart Sindelfingen, Stuttgart Marriott Hotel Sindelfingen, NH Stuttgart Airport, NH Stuttgart Sindelfingen
Resort benchmarking in cooperation with STR Global InterContinental Resort Berchtesgaden, IFA Graal-Müritz Hotel, Spa & Tagungen, Relexa Hotel Bad Steben, Romantik Hotel Bollant’s im Park, Precise Hotel Bad Malente, Radisson SAS Wutzschleife, Hotel Schloss Fuschl, Hotel Jagdschloss am Fuschlsee, Country Inn & Suites Timmendorfer Strand
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New luxury Vienna hotel celebrates its opening
Vienna, the 1st district, Herrengasse 10: Behind the neoclassical facade of the former Herrenhof coffee house, which was built in 1913 and where famous men such as Friedrich Torberg or Robert Musil kept the Vienna coffee house tradition alive, a modern hotel for quality-conscious business travellers and city lovers opened
in the form of the Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof on December 1, 2008. The Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof is just a stone’s throw from the Hofburg and the Kohlmarkt shopper’s paradise, and skillfully combines aspects of the Belle Époque, the 1920s and the modern period. Many other attractions well worth seeing such as the Spanish Court Riding School, St Stephen’s Cathedral, the museum district and the Albertina can be reached comfortably on foot from the hotel. Facts: 186 elegant rooms, with an average area of 31 sqm, and ten suites of between 60 and 85 sqm, a 600 sqm conference area with ten combinable seminar rooms, and a 280 sqm Spa. The Hotel Herrenhof is the first establishment of this brand in Vienna.
A star for the Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof The 2009 German edition of the Guide Michelin has honoured its Restaurant Français and chef Patrick Bittner with a Michelin star. The Guide Michelin is probably the most influential Guide for Restaurants and Hotels. It was initially published by the Michelin tyre company and planned to be a regular guidebook.
With his persuasive performance, Patrick Bittner has followed the culinary reputation of the restaurant, which has already received a number of different awards. General Manager Spiridon Sarantopoulos is delighted: “I am very pleased that Patrick Bittner has received this honour with the Français. The fact that our gourmet restaurant has a star makes us all very proud, and it is an important milestone for our hotel’s strategy and positioning. In the future I would like us not only to maintain this quality, but extend it.” Since the Français was completely refurbished in June 2006 with an investment volume of 800,000 Euros Bittner has had the perfect setting for his creations in the flagship of the Steigenberger Group. Bittner’s purist cuisine stands out through its reduction and concentration on the essential. The 37-year-old Westphalian describes his culinary art, which is based on classic French cuisine, as light, but strong on flavour.
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photo: Terje Rakke
New Rezidor Hotels in Paris At the end of December 2008 the former Hotel Ambassador opened its doors as the Radisson Ambassador Hotel Paris Opéra on the Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement in the centre of the Opéra district. It is close to the Opéra Garnier, Galéries Lafayette and Printemps as well as to the business district around the Paris Stock Exchange. The hotel is in Art Deco style, with high glass ceilings, golden pillars and dark wood. 296 rooms and suites, the “16 Hausmann” restaurant, the “Lindbergh Bar”, eight conference and meeting rooms, a business centre and a fitness area await discerning customers. The hotel will remain open for business while it undergoes an extensive renovation, which is scheduled for completion by mid-2010. The Radisson Ambassador Hotel Paris Opéra is a joint project by Rezidor and Westmont Hospitality. In the third quarter of 2011 the Radisson Hotel Paris La Défense, which is currently being newly created, will take up operations. The Group already runs five Radisson Hotels and one Park Inn in the French capital. “With the two new hotels we have a total of 1,600 rooms in operation or under development in the highly competitive Paris hotel market. Throughout France we have more than 4,000 rooms, which marks a new milestone in the growth of our Group,” comments Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of the Rezidor Hotel Group. He received a prize for his life’s work during the Worldwide Hospitality Awards in Paris in November 2008. With Ritter at the helm, the Rezidor Hotel Group has become one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. The brand new Radisson SAS Hotel Toulouse Airport recently joined the network, and with its 200 rooms it is the largest hotel in the Southern French city.
NORWAY FOR NATURAL REASONS www.NorwayConventionBureau.no
Pullman Hotels in Aachen and Berlin The Hotel Schweizerhof in Berlin and the Quellenhof in Aachen have adopted the brand name Pullman
Hote ls
Park Inn Papenburg – Four-star comfort in an attractive tourist location Since October 2008, Papenburg in the north-west of Germany (known for the Meyer Wharf) has been enhanced by another centre of attraction for tourists: In an idyllic position on the Turmkanal the 4-star Park Inn Hotel Papenburg has opened its doors, with 101 rooms, five meeting rooms, a bar, bistro and restaurant. Also available to help guests relax is a 120 sqm wellness and fitness area with a steam sauna, a Finnish sauna, a selection of cardio-fitness equipment and two whirlpools. Conference organisers have five rooms with a total area of 350 sqm at their disposal, for meetings and banquets of between six and 300 persons. All the rooms have daylight and are equipped with state of the art events technology, wireless and wired LAN and air conditioning.
effective immediately, and are now the Pullman Berlin Schweizerhof and the Pullman Aachen Quellenhof; ... and one has also opened in Erfurt: The former Mercure Grand Hotel am Dom is
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts now also in Hanoi In December 2008 Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts opened a top class boutique hotel in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, thus doubling their portfolio in Vietnam: They had already taken over the management of the Mövenpick Hotel Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City.
now the Pullman Erfurt am Dom. The re-branding of the top hotel, which opened in 2004, took place in close coordination and by mutual agreement of the owning company and the Accor Hotel Group. The concept of the Accor
The new Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi is situated in a preferred central location in the heart of Hanoi, and since its extensive renovation, it has been wowing visitors with its stylish design. 154 generous rooms and suites with modern facilities, warm colours and elements of typically Vietnamese styling, together with the dark wooden floors, ensure a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere. The culinary offerings comprise the “Mangosteen” Restaurant with 110 seats and the “Lounge 83” with its creative Rösti specialities and integral wine cellar. Four multifunctional meeting rooms with ultramodern facilities for 10 to 110 people complete the offering, which is targeted at business travellers. Knuth Kiefer, General Manager of the hotel, says: “With our central location, smart design and modern business facilities, our guests will feel at home immediately.”
brand Pullman has been specially developed for the needs of discerning business and conference travellers, and is embodied by 59 hotels in 23 countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. By 2015 there will be 300
InterConti Berlin – Bestes Business-Hotel 2008 in Deutschland
establishments in total throughout the world.
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Erneut kürte das Magazin „Der Feinschmecker“ das zertifizierte Konferenzhotel InterConti zum besten Business Hotel Deutschlands und so zum Spitzenreiter dieser Kategorie – es bürge für Tagungen auf höchstem Niveau. Das Hotel liegt günstig zwischen Potsdamer Platz und Ku‘damm und richtet seit Jahren den Bundespresseball aus; mit 584 Zimmern und Suiten und rund 5.750 Quadratmetern Veranstaltungsfläche ist es ein gefragtes Venue für größere Veranstaltungen mit Niveau.
Be part of the IMEX success story... join our award-winning team
Organising Manager Hove, East Sussex, UK IMEX, the worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events, is looking for an Organising Manager to join its busy Organising Department.
A theatre for the brand relaunch And one of their own even! The Hotel Dolce in Bad Nauheim has the incredible good fortune of being able to use a full pedigree Art Nouveau theatre as their own corporate location. And it jumped at the opportunity of revealing its new brand identity there before 70 invited guests. Following a comprehensive facelift – new look, new logo, new global services and new group management structures - there was plenty of reason to celebrate the brand relaunch together with customers and media representatives. Spot on for the guests, who enjoyed a select menu during a Dinner on Stage wrapped in fine background music with a carefully adjusted volume: The StreetLIVE band with their leader Joe Whitney successfully provided atmospheric numbers to get the event going and gentler strains during the dinner. The song composed by the group (“The Hitgiganten”) may spread their reputation throughout the Dolce world. The new logo uses three interlocking rings to symbolise the elements of nourishment, connectivity and community.
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The candidate must be fluent in both English and German and have the following key attributes and experience: • Minimum of five years’ experience in the meetings, events or exhibitions industry or equivalent qualifications • Excellent communication and organisational skills • Exceptional attention to detail • A committed team player who is also able to work on their own initiative • Proven organisational management experience and delivery of exceptional events • Thrive on working under pressure and to tight deadlines • Fluent German and English essential You will be responsible for liaising with exhibitors and stand constructors from across the globe, helping to ensure their successful preparation for IMEX. In addition, the successful candidate will be responsible for delivering the Exhibitor Manual and Show Catalogue, managing the stand construction of shell scheme stands, plus the technical management of IMEX seminars, press conferences, etc. You must be prepared to travel to Germany on a regular basis. Excellent salary and benefits package – to attract the best. Please send your CV with a covering letter to Carina Bauer, Marketing & Operations Director, IMEX,The Agora, Ellen Street, Hove, East Sussex BN3 3LN, UK; carina@imex-frankfurt.com Closing date: 30th January.
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It comes round every year:
Peak period for awards At the end of every year we go through the agency performances for the year which has just finished. 2008 it started back in mid-November 2008 with ADAM & EVA in Bochum, followed by the EIBTM Awards and the Austrian Event Awards. All three awards are honours which one has to apply for, in other words the winner is always “just” the best of all those who applied, while sleeping gems are not considered. So it is down to the jury to separate the wheat from the chaff. This is often difficult enough. Sometimes shockingly dreadful print presentations are made bearable by not quite so bad film documentations handed in along with them. There the despairing juror has to fumble his way through endless floods of words and wretched gibberish even up to the ‘Emperor’s new clothes’ and finally finds: There’s nothing there!!! Apart – to quote Rilke somewhat freely – from a white elephant now and then – meaning an extremely good, structured presentation of an extremely good event, coherently demonstrated by means of good photos and film clips. Quite simply: everything logical and easy to understand and – there you are! You have already joined the ranks of the winners!
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But even that doesn’t always happen everywhere. A comment detected by chance: Michael Hasselbusch, the new Manager of Thus a submitter may find glowing praise in the eyes Design & Creation at the agency kogag in Solingen (see agency reports in of one jury, while exactly the same event simply falls this edition of events), commented so appositely on the EVA award in the flat with a different award and (note well) different last agency newsletter, that we didn’t want to deprive you of it: people on the jury. This is what happened at this year’s EIBTM and EVA awards. One jury was impressed by the glitter and glamour of well-crafted “battles of materials”, while the other placed greater value on the storyboard and creativity, totally in line with the motto: (Almost) anyone can throw a lot of money at things! So creating something exceptional and being successful with the right There we were again on November 14th: The loveliest and sweetest fruits presentation in front of the “right” jury can be two of live communication put themselves on show and waited to win an award. totally different things. Knowing this, on the follow- Or in plain English: The time had come once again for ADAM and EVA, the ing pages we present to you the winners of three ma- sector’s top awards. For anyone who didn’t know (including me until now), jor awards once again, clearly laid out so you can flick here once again are the bare facts on the jury’s criteria: For projects to win through them, interspersed with comments from our EVA awards, creative design, the didactical communication of information columnists “Pütz & Eichenlaub”. and dramaturgical staging all play a deciding role, together with emotional and rational elements and the defined objectives of the customer. Even if these assessment criteria are as clear as the river Ruhr which snakes its way through Bochum, where the event is held, one thing immediately became clear to observers: The attractiveness of the many young, stylish visitors is clearly higher than what is to be seen on the display boards. In brief: The Well structured in garden of Eden of creativity has perished in the cold of the Bochum autumn. quality and quantity: The jury comprises a mix Speaking of creation ...Why is there so little new and creative to be seen? of agencies, science, 1st possibility: The creative types are hiding behind the fig leaf of “customindustry and media. From ers not being daring enough”. I am very glad that the culture department left to right: Martin Eichhorn of the city of Nuremberg or Sony Ericsson are there to teach us a lesson to (Competition Partner the contrary. Thank you for your courage, customers, thank you for your Event GmbH), Jochen trust in good things. 2nd possibility: The creators can’t think of anything Seefried (Team better. It doesn’t matter, but please, dear agencies, in that case just leave Seefried), Prof.Dr.Jörg the display boards in the agency cupboard. Nobody wants to see them! Beier (Berufsakademie Ravensburg) , Dr.Gerd Wirtz (Face to Face I would like to turn to the supporters of the 1st possibility and launch an GmbH), Ralf Domning appeal to them: Take the wonderful fruits of your creativity and savour them (kogag), Erik Ljungberg for the sake your customers.If creativity is used for the right purpose it turns (SCANIA AB), Thomas into a sustainable magic weapon. It is all about achieving communication Hüser (Medienhaus objectives. And creative staging and lovingly coordinated communication Hüser), Antje Schmaus (Deutsche Bank AG), tools really make the difference when assessing the concepts. OperationDr.Walter Wehrhan al services are important – albeit obligatory. Customers simply expect to (Event Partner) have logistical services, technical solutions, perfect catering offerings and the like. Then you will realise: A1-creativity is what makes the difference!
“The garden of Eden of creativity has perished in the cold of the Bochum autumn!“
And, dear jury, do me a favour: Pay more attention to creative values. We see enough rock-solid craftsmanship. But these delicate, enchanting blossoms of the power of creation are rare, and there ought to be more of them. In this way the EVA 2009 will also move forward a bit. Last but not least: a creative word of praise for the organisers: Despite modest monetary resources: a good spatial concept in the Jahrhunderthalle, comfortable furniture with style, drinks at your seats (a great idea!) and tight control of the programme timing were displayed” … says the new kogag creative director.
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The Golden EVA 2008 Prize Winners We present you with a case study of the six main award-winning agencies and their events. Jury comments can be read in green. Category: Charity-/Social-/Cultural-Event (B2P) phocus brand contact GmbH & Co. KG with partner Visuarte for the city of Nuremberg
Into the Blue On May 31, 2008, the city of Nuremberg hosted its Blue Night for the ninth time. Germany’s largest art
and museum night witnessed some 130,000 visitors flocking to the city’s old town for an artistic and cultural event with an island theme, which carried on well into the small hours of the next morning. ‘Ins Blaue’ (Into the Blue) was based on the image of a shipwreck on an island, and encouraged visitors to interact and communicate. One such initiative involved messages in a bottle, with visitors invited to
write their own message and send them off down the Pegnitz River. The result was some 1,200 clear glass bottles, each containing a message written on transparent paper by a visitor. A blue LED light glimmered through the transparent paper, illuminating each message’s course as they floated down the Pegnitz to the collection point three bridges further downstream. Some of the messages were projected onto one of the bridge arches, with the steady stream of blue bottles underneath. Behind the bridge at the last collection point, the messages reached a new owner: Here, the messages were fished out of the water, distributed amongst visitors and carried into the Blue Night as gleaming blue lights. Through the carpet of light provided by the bottles, even onlookers were given the opportunity to follow the inherently poetic flow of communication. Jury: Economical, effective and poetic, with a lasting effect. A simple and charming initiative, which, with an extremely low budget, turned all eyes to the Pegnitz. At the same time, however, the event also created a link between the message senders and receivers: A new take on blind dating. Quite simply: Art and culture at its best.
Category: Consumer-Event (B2C) pulsmacher GmbH with partner Mediacluster / Ross and Partner for ESPRIT Europe GmbH
YOU SCREAM Competition They came, they screamed, they conquered! MTV Networks International and edc by esprit first embarked upon an international, cross-platform cooperative initiative with the MTV Europe Music Awards in Munich in 2007. A significant part of the event sponsoring was made up of competitions and ‘on the ground’ activities in Esprit stores and concerning the event itself. And precisely that was the challenge: edc by esprit wanted to 74 events 5/2008
launch a spectacular promotion targeted specifically at young people through a sensational competition to win 300 Golden Screamer Tickets for the EMAs 2007. The motto: Scream yourself there! For this, two ‘YOU SCREAM’ boxes were planned and created for potential screamers to portray just how much they wanted to attend the MTV Event. Both boxes set off on a major promotional tour, stopping at the various Esprit Retail Stores throughout Southern Germany. During the four weeks of the edc ‘BEST SCREAMER’ tour, thousands of screamers entered the casting boxes in the Esprit Retail Stores in Stuttgart, Regensburg, Nuremburg, Salzburg and Munich to shout, scream and perform their way to winning. The goal was to be invited to the edc ‘BEST SCREAMER’ final casting in Munich on October 28, 2007 to clinch one of the coveted Golden Screamer Tickets to the EMAs. The final casting event was accompanied by a truly bombastic atmosphere, with several of the winners crying tears of joy as the high-profile jury announced that they would be brushing shoulders with the stars at the mega event on November 1, 2007. Jury: One of very few initiatives where screaming youngsters are not annoying. With this concept, the Esprit brand managed to present their sponsorship of the MTV Awards to a wide audience, whilst attracting the target group to its stores. In light of its high participation factor and the successful link between live activities and online marketing, the brand made a lasting effect on its target group.
Category: Corporate-Event (B2B) PLEON Event + Sponsoring GmbH for Daimler AG/Mercedes-Benz Cars
World Premiere Mercedes-Benz CLC
taste of things to come: Within the framework of a fashion performance, models from real life are thrown into design mode with an intricately produced outline animation echoing fashion design sketches. At the same time, a design sketch of the CLC takes shape, emphasising the individual design and style highlights from the automotive sector. Throughout the animation, the CLC outline gradually changes and the sketch becomes increasingly detailed: The new CLC design. Simultaneously, two CLCs are driven down the catwalk: An authentic leap from the world of design into the reality of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. Jury: Excellent analogy between the creation of fashion and the design of a vehicle - excellent analogy between lifestyle and automotive technology. With the consequent integration of all aspects of product launch communication into the fashion world, a perfect symbiosis is created between the lifestyle event and fashion show. The creative basis of the concept is especially noteworthy: The reversal of the finished fash-
The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week held in Berlin in January 2008 is enriched through the addition of a further highlight: The title sponsor Mercedes-Benz uses the international lifestyle platform for the press presentation of its new SportCoupé. The challenge: To achieve a link in content between the fashion shows hosted by famous designers and the presentation of the new CLC. The solution: Style and design as the common denominator between the worlds of automobiles and fashion – after all, these concepts are significant key factors in achieving success in both fields. A preview of this season’s HUGO Collection reveals a events 5/2008 75
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ion creation back to the very beginning of its design; the silhouette and transformation of the outline into the real vehicle during the presentation. This intelligent transformation represented a truly successful connection between the virtual and real worlds. The message: Design is universal.
Category: Exhibition-Event (B2B, B2C und B2P) insglück Gesellschaft für Markeninszenierung mbH for Deutsche Messe AG
CeBIT 2008 International Opening Event Based on the four columns of Business Solutions, Public Sector Solutions, Home & Mobile Solutions and Technology & Infrastructure, the CeBIT 2008 unveils a new structure, a sharper profile and stronger visitor orientation. The challenge at hand focuses on making the new structure of the trade fair tangible at its opening event. In addition to this, the kick-off ceremony must offer an adequate stage for the appearance of prestigious speakers, including Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, the French president Nicolas Sarkozy, the EU president José Manual Barroso and the CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer, whilst consolidating the CeBIT brand and signalling the trade fair’s new beginning. The new structure and range of topics offered by the world’s largest IT trade fair, coupled with the rapid developments taking place within telecommunications, are portrayed in a dynamic ‘Free Run’ through the world of CeBIT 2008. In an aesthetic mix of media sequences and spectacular live performances, five cast members – all
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young entrepreneurs – take the new CeBIT by storm. Borders between the virtual and real world are blurred onstage – just as happens in the IT and communication sector. The performers move through the new CeBIT structure using a mixture of live actions, movements caught in dynamic film sequences and simple silhouette impressions. The prestigious speakers are also announced through an impressive mixture of live performance and media animation. The finale, which uses cutting-edge Microsoft surface technology, is a captivating unification of modernity and tempo enveloped in an atmosphere of departure, with the coherent integration of all speakers. Jury: At last, CeBIT visitors know what’s going on. The opening ceremony also doubled as a launch event for the fair’s new structural concept – a pleasant side effect. The perfect touch was added by the play between the real and virtual worlds. And where could this fit better than at the opening ceremony of the world’s largest IT fair?! Another huge success was achieved in enhancing normally conservative, informative political speeches with elements of charm and appeal.
Category: Staff Event Serviceplan BRANDEVENT GmbH & Co.KG for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
Sony Ericsson Employee Conference 350 Sony Ericsson employees from all across Europe met in Athens for a three-day event to prepare for the new business year and to commit themselves to the brand. The focus of the conference was the new Walkman mobile series. On the basis of this, the event’s motto was ‘I love to feel the beat’. After a conference replete with mobile communication highlights, staff members were invited to take part in the music competition, with teams made up of employees from a variety of departments going face to face. During the music competition, staff members were transformed, giving way to beat boxers, gospel singers and dancers. They guessed songs from a few beats, and invented musical instruments from household objects. A particular highlight was presented by the ‘chest muscle movers’, who jerked their chest muscles to imitate the beat of famous songs, which were to be guessed by the teams. The competition ended with the announcement of the winning team. All 350 employees celebrated the end of the event with a private concert
Fresh approaches. Take a long cool look at IMEX and you’ll like what you see. You’ll discover an exhibition with a vitally different take on the global meetings and events industry. An exhibition with the energy and influence to grow your business with fresh thinking, brilliant ideas , new contacts and great deals done. Also on the IMEX agenda: unique industry insight and career guidance through the clever New Vision programme. As one visitor put it, “IMEX is genuinely a hot spot for new experiences”. No wonder IMEX has become the unmissable show in the global business calendar. With record numbers of exhibitors and top decision-makers every year. Join them at IMEX 09, 26-28 May, live in Frankfurt. Be there. And have your business refreshed.
09
The essential worldwide exhibition for meetings and events.
26-28 May/Frankfurt
PRE-REGISTER NOW www.imex-frankfurt.com
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.
✮ CONTACTS Tel +44 (0)1273 227311 | Fax +44 (0)1273 227312 | info@imex-frankfurt.com | www.imex-frankfurt.com
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by Jamiroquai. Right in line with the motto ‘I love to feel the beat’. Once everyone had returned from Athens, it was clearly observed that communication between the various offices had improved, with smoother work processes and a larger degree of mutual understanding. As a result, the following business year was one of the most successful in the company’s history. Jury: This staff event stands out due to its high level of affinity between message, motto and product. The event’s motto remained at the forefront of this spectacular conference from beginning to end, leading to the immensely effective diffusion of the desired message. The projection of Sony Ericsson’s fresh, young style onto its employees, who have embraced the beat and pulse of the brand and diffused it in a range of dance and music workshops, makes this event an unforgettable experience with a high degree of motivation.
Category: Public-Event (B2P) VOK DAMS GRUPPE for Evonik Industries AG
Evonik Industries AG, Brand Launch It is not often that one finds communication tasks which are as complex as the fundamental transformation of a large company. The superficial focus of the project was the successful public launch of a new brand. Nevertheless, all 43,000 employees in over 100 countries were also to internalise and support the changes. In order to stage the company’s new beginning as effectively as possible and create an impressive image to be presented in the media afterwards, the highlight of the project involved an initiative in which the company headquarters in the 78 events 5/2008
centre of Essen were covered and later unveiled. At the beginning of September, the façade was enshrouded in three layers of high-tech special canvas. Old elements, such as the RAG logo which had been around for years, were taken down in highprofile acts, leaving the headquarters draped in a bleak grey dress. As night fell, however, this apparently drab ‘dragon’s skin’ shimmered in all the colours of the rainbow. All of a sudden it became clear: “Something is going on here. The change has begun!” During the second phase, the top layer was gradually removed. Next, the façade became host to a number of sentences, such as ‘Good day’ and ‘Hi’. In the second stage, exclamations such as ‘Hello, I’m new here’, were unveiled. The finale to ‘Day One’ involved façade climbers tearing open the second layer from the middle upwards, thus unveiling a glimpse of the new beginning: the name, logo and claim of Evonik Industries. One day before, a conference was held to inform company managers. In order to ensure that all staff members were involved in the brand launch, a road show was developed, with stops in all 33 company locations. Jury: A new concept in the events branch: A brand is born and simultaneously presented in one event. RAG has brushed away the coal-dust to reveal a modern, cutting-edge company. The layered revelation process was immensely successful in symbolising this. At the same time, the brand launch event was an excellent starting point for long-lasting 360-degree communication. The branch can be proud of this event, which not only created a brand, but achieved extremely effective staging and wide diffusion amongst the public.
EIBTM-Awards 2008
Two out of Six for Germany A jury of international specialist journalists was given the arduous task of selecting winners from the 58 submissions made within the six categories which formed the EIBTM Meeting & Incentive Awards 2008. Three prizes went to the USA, whilst Germany still managed to close its grip on two of the coveted trophies, which were awarded to Face to Face and Business & Nature. As a member of the EIBTM jury, the Editor- the turning point, with the house gradualin-Chief of events made some interest- ly becoming a comfortable and safe place ing observations: two submissions which for the future – work is done everywhere came out trumps at the German EVA in and around the home known as ‘ComAwards did not stand a chance with the pany’: In the ‘kitchen’, in the ‘garden’, in jury in London. Why? Does the interna- the ‘living room’ and everywhere else, evetional angle offered by juries from nine rything has been carefully thought through countries change the perspective? Is it and established. A prize for sound creativthe composition of a jury that makes the ity and consistency, rather than for a battle difference or is competition simply fiercer of materials! www.facetoface-gmbh.de in international award events? This is by In addition to this, recognition was made no means easy to answer, but is certainly of VOK Dam’s Lamborghini Launch. Nevworth acknowledging. A special mention ertheless, this acknowledgement by no should also be given to the prize winner means serves to undermine the top-class in the category ‘Best Conference more range of other winners. than 250 participants’. In light of his position as jury member at the EVA awards, Best Special Event Gerd Wirtz from Face to Face was not en- Tom Bercu Presents from Los Angeles and titled to participate in the German event. George P. Johnson for “VM WARE”. In a Considering this, it was more than fair hangar spanning 132,000 feet, the streets that the EIBTM award went to his team of San Francisco were mirrored in a unique for its excellent creative feats. The jury was and multi-faceted networking platform for especially impressed with the conference storyboard, which told the tale of 500 staff members who move into and furbish a house to make it liveable for everyone. With its naïve graphic visualisation, ‘The Takeda House’ portrays simplicity and trust - two extremely important traits against the backdrop of today’s pharma sector, shrouded in uncertainty and insecurity towards the future. And just as everything in this bleak, dark atmosphere begins with an overwhelming negative setup, the appearance of the ‘CEO with the candle’ provides
some 11,000 guests – the one-off evening event included a street carnival and live concerts. www.tombercupresents.com Best Conference (for less than 250 participants) Business & Nature with ‘The Champs of Tomorrow’ – an immensely effective ‘CSR saturated’ teambuilding event for 45 IT specialists on the premises of a nursery school in Potsdam. www.business-nature.de Best Product Launch USA-based OPTS Ideas for a Microsoft Windows event with 15% growth in sales as directly measurable ROI. www.optsideas.com Best Incentive Programme Harith Production for Endo Pharmaceuticals (both based in Philadelphia, USA) ‘An Evening of Carioca Pride’ – a multi-day pharma incentive to Brazil with a range of creative and interactive modules and integrative activities within the local community. A prize was also awarded for the Best Event Evaluation, which was clinched by Procter & Gamble’s annual sales meeting. Finally, we would like to highlight a request made by the jury’s chairman, Jeremy Garbett: Next year, we would like to see more submissions from small and medium-sized companies – these entities are the cribs of immense creativity. In keeping with this: Overcome the fear of the unknown and submit your entry for 2009 – it doesn’t cost much and propelling your reputation internationally is an excellent incentive – the two first prizes won by German events are encouraging inspiration! events 5/2008 79
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Pütz & Eichenlaub:
About Morbus AWARDitis Fritz Pütz and Sven Eichenlaub are experienced events professionals who bring together their various competences from many years of event and hotel management for their customers in eventcompetence + compagnie. As events columnists they deliver sharp-tongued comments on the minor and more severe medical symptoms in the sector. But they don’t just put their finger into the wounds, they also recommend suitable measures for healing them. www.eventcompetence.de
are distinguished for services rendered, the prize and what it stands for, when the allow themselves to be judged and face bodies awarding the prizes don’t take the public – there is nothing reprehensible care to communicate the qualities of their prize to the people they want to sell the about that! “recognition of achievement” to? In other Eichenlaub: Alright, then kindly ask me words: The intrinsic value of such awards about the specific awards of the event in- must be appreciated by industry customers so that the winners of the awards can dustry and related species ... achieve greater success in business … This defines the disease as a chronic disease which occurs after excessive consumption Pütz: Specifically: Have we got too many of self-congratulatory and adulatory pres- awards in our industry and what in your Put more industry customers on the jusure to perform in public, apparently with opinion is in need of improvement in the ries! ones which are considered to be prestigvery little chance of recovery. Pütz: OK, then let’s take a concrete look ious? at the general problem taking as an examThe symptoms have taken hold of almost all the disciplines in the sector. The source Eichenlaub: Inflationary is the keyword. ple the “Adam & Eva Awards” – the major of infection seems to be displays of van- Everyone who wants to make himself look traditional awards in our sector. ity orchestrated by the media – often poor important with his stakeholders founds an copies of American cultural assets à la Os- award. Does the world really need that? Eichenlaub: We can also quite happily incar. I have heard reports, Pütz, that you The awards in our sector are very diver- clude other awards here; in recent years I gent through the variety and diversity of have preferred only to go to events of this too are suffering from AWARDitis … the criteria and their juries, which are of- kind wearing a mask and by the back door, Pütz: This is all too destructive for me and ten made up much too heterogeneously so that I don’t have to be embarrassed for other people and above all don’t have to a bit presumptuous, as the subject has real and are often simply thrown together. potential to be taken seriously. If people What is the economy supposed to do with consider events like this as being the “best Pütz: Have you heard anything about this disease, or is it one of these new-fangled media inventions? Eichenlaub: Morbus AWARDitis was found in the “Medical dictionary of EVENTS”.
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of” our sector. In my opinion we are miles away from being a great show nation. For me it is about the level of awareness, the quality and thus the perceived value of the awards on the customer side, so that they are finally appreciated beyond our own specialist press in the general economic and public media. But that’s not the way it is: “I am the winner!” at least ensures that your customers hear about it. But above all explain to them why you won the award and what the criteria were for selecting you. And if you are the organizer, don’t just collect applications or raise your image as the person giving the award – the job also involves communicating about the award and the winners! Pütz: But isn’t the award itself enough for the customer as a mark of the quality of the agency, the trade fair organizer or the service provider? Does the customer really have to know about it in detail in order to be able to see the value of it? Eichenlaub: If a trophy like this is going to be useful in a meaningful way, the problem is that the selection criteria which lead to victory or defeat are largely lacking in transparency. Pütz: Does the industry customer really have to sit on the jury, and if so why?
Eichenlaub: If the evaluation criteria are clearly defined and at best also supported scientifically, then the jury is bound to pick the proper winner. Any subjectivity can be ruled out if the voting isn’t just by feel, but there is a procedure following clear guidelines. The winner is worked out mathematically, by adding up points and weighting criteria. Then there wouldn’t be any more bad aftertastes on account of the jury.
The sector needs a real Red Carpet Event Pütz: Do the jurors have access to the ROIs of the submissions? And if so, how meaningful and verifiable is the evaluation information provided by the submitters? Eichenlaub: Awards are always a “best of”, and that usually means a “best of what has been submitted”, and not an absolute best. So the value is limited in advance. So you have to ask yourself: How pontifically perfectionist do you have to be, because behind the actual submissions there are usually even better ones which simply haven’t submitted anything? In any event, the form and content of the evidence for evaluation ought to be communicated in advance to potential submitters as binding specification criteria. The problem is, on the customer side as far as I know, there is very little budget set aside for evaluation.
and brand experiences for our customers, sometimes in almost perfect settings? It is high time we really showed what we can do … especially to the people who need to know about it so that they will buy from us tomorrow! Pütz: So let me get this clear: We are almost of the same opinion, that we need awards of a good character, with high awareness, well-founded scientific selection criteria and untouchable jurors who are highly involved and come from the circle of customers – in other words, awards from customers for customers! Eichenlaub: Yes, we are almost of the same opinion, but only if as live communicators we can get together with our specialist media to create a single major lasting event for the industry, which is worthy of the public. We will gladly pass this creed and the responsibility that goes with it on to the specialist media and equally to our clients, the industry. It will be interesting to see, if they make something of it … it’s about time they did. Time we had a “really good show” …
Eichenlaub: There is only one answer here: Always !!! The “why” was surely Pütz: A provocative question for you: Why meant as a joke – because ultimately don’t we line up with a top format like in my view the industry customer is the “People of 2008” or the “XY” amongst only one entitled to award a trophy like the top shows at the end of the year? this, as I have learned that unless they are Then we would have great public awarenon-profit or charitable, events must sell. ness and a wonderful retrospective view Who bears witness to the success or fail- of the events of the year just ended. ure? Without any doubt it isn’t the people who simply generate costs upfront and Eichenlaub: Yes, we finally need to think work according to their briefing, but the out of the box in this sector. We need a customer who has footed the bill for the Red Carpet Award to create PR, so we can marriage … use the effects triggered by the public media to make the importance of the sector Pütz: So has the industry customer really more adaptable emotionally. Taking it one got the 360° panoramic view which is es- step further, aren’t we precisely the ones sential for the activities of a jury? who create these amazing productions events 5/2008 81
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Ten “eyeball” winners on the rostrum in Salzburg On December 3, 2008, the winners of the Austrian Event Awards were announced in Salzburg for the first time, after the competition had been held for 11 years in Linz and Vienna. The venue was the Messezentrum and the Messe liveComm provided the event framework. Another first here was that two presenters were used. Presenter Conny Zehetbauer and veteran presenter Thomas Königstorfer announced the gold award winners chosen by nearly a dozen jurors from the 47 top-ranked competitors from the total of 106 nominations.
In addition to the mandatory certificate, each winner was given an “eyeball on a stick” – at least, that is what the unusual and distinctive trophy designed by the initiator Walter Ilk for his Austrian Event Award ceremony looks like. Global communication: identum communications GmbH & X OVER Tremschnig u. Geissler OEG for the VOLVO XC ICE CAMP. Corporate Events: Austrian Airlines AG for 50 JAHRE AUSTRIAN AIRLINES Corporate Public Events: Jung von Matt/relations GmbH for GAME OVER CO2 Corporate Efficiency Events: Putz & Stingl Event, PR und Werbung GmbH for the POST GOLF-SOCCER CUP Employee Events: Rupert Hirner Bungy Jumping GmbH for INTERSPORT EYBLs “WIR SIND FEUER UND FLAMME” Consumer Events: Euro RSCG Vienna GmbH for MO82 events 5/2008
BILKOM AUSTRIAs “BOBBY IM AUFTRAG VON BOB” Exhibition Events: Highent Messe- und Eventagentur GmbH for their GRAZ AIRPORT STAND Public Events Charity/Social/Cultural: lawine torrent for HANNIBAL (Ötztaler Gletscherschauspiel) Public Events Sport: PDM Schüler- und Studentenreisen for the WORLD SPORTS FESTIVAL 2008 Incentives: Zoom Entertainment GmbH for “VIKTOR UND ROLF: FLOWERBOMB ON TOUR” (L`OREAL) Organiser Walter Ilk was very satisfied with the results of the 12th AEA ceremony and stressed the fantastic outcome of the event: “We were expecting 350 guests but 460 actually turned up, considerably exceeding our expectations.” The awards, first presented in 1997 on the personal initiative of Ilk, the owner of the Eventwerkstatt in Linz, have now become a fixed part of the award calendar and the award ceremony is already a not-to-be-missed occasion for the Austrian event industry.
Do you know MICE ? – the answers! Here are the solutions to our MICE prize quiz published in the previous issue. It appears that the quiz was rather more difficult than we had supposed, as the response was surprisingly cautious. Be that as it may, the winner of the Euro 500 optician voucher is Martina Engert, Director of the Bad Homburg branch of the EVVC. Congratulations to her! The next big prize quiz will be published in our next issue available from late February/early March. Below are the complete images on which we have again marked (just to remind you) the cut-out eye sections with the relevant names and descriptions:
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Name: VOK DAMS, Wuppertal
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Name: RAY BLOOM (IMEX)
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Name: CHRISTIAN MUTSCHLECHNER, Wien
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Name: LUTZ VOGT (GCB)
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All is well, the Styrian’s coming! A former hotel expert with experience in Africa, Asia and cruise shipping. A charming and virtuoso performer on any stage. Pure gold for his ears are the bells of a nearby cathedral. One thing he never forgets to bring along for his many journeys: the first-aid kit!
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The one who dances with the cranes and was lifted up where he belonged. Now he manages to bring the world to Germany. His office lies in an ‘illustrious’ area. There he is outnumbered by the other gender.
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Little big man. Now leading a ‘second life’, cruising through the industry with undiminished verve. Rules over a large army from an island with a charming smile - and an iron hand. Acts like Alfred Hitchcock: you must always count on him showing up!
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Advisor, guardian and tutor from Southern Germany. The first president of the German MPI division knows all about “Printes” and Baden-Baden; he is a passionate worker in his newly-extended rose garden who also voluntarily tends to the needs of the Gauls in his spare time.
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The doyen of live communication. While others almost capsized, he didn’t go bottom-up. Lacking an “r”, his name is easy for Chinese to pronounce. He taught brands to shine and his son the business. The “Code Rouge” lies on his bedside table.
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This powerhouse and forerunner of the industry has been identified as one of the 25 most powerful personalities of the meetings industry in 2008. He has a big name and works tirelessly at his steadily-growing international network. He is the only European to have won the international MPI Award. See him latest in Barcelona!
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12 Oktoberfests were enough. High time to peep over Helmut’s and Loki’s picket fence. Internationally, one may address this good shepherd of a North German congress centre as “Mr. President”.
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Name: AUGUST MODERER (EVVC)
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Name: PAUL KENNEDY (EIBTM)
He is one of the “Magnificent Seven” and at the helm of 10 locations at home. From childhood onward he endured “Big Peter” striking at him regularly and rather enjoyed it. He doesn’t drink Altbier on principle, and from the balconies of the world he sorely misses the view over the……...
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Name: MICHEL MAUGÈ, (m:con)
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Name: EDGAR HIRT (CC Hamburg)
His favourite pastime is touring on a motor bike (with a CC plate!) in his Franconian homeland. All kinds of extravagance are an abhorrence to this former officer – whose family and career are his life’s essence. And: he’d never be caught lazing around!
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Name: Bernhard Conin (KölnKongress)
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Born in 1953, this economist was ICCA President before holding the same title at EFCT. For 18 years, he has run the Convention Bureau with success and sly humour in the world capital of wit. Those not in the know is for the industry too slow……..
Name: Friedhelm Lenz (CC Nürnberg)
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Green for Hope...
Copyright: MCI Berlin
The ever-advancing climate change and increasingly prominent ‘green conscience’ has also given way to major challenges facing the German events sector: The call for ecologically compatible events is growing louder: Word creations such as ‘Green Events’ and ‘Green Marketing’ have become synonyms for climate-neutral action. Nevertheless, while the UK and Scandinavia have been ‘green’ for quite some time, German MICE providers seem to have made a comfortable spot for themselves leaning against our sophisticated waste disposal system. Just a few months ago, events carried out a survey on sustainability initiatives with German event organisers – with sobering results: The majority of organisers placed the highest amount of importance on waste separation. After all, our waste disposal methods top global scoreboards! Whether on train station platforms, in airports, at conference centres or even within our own four walls – we are subjected to daily terrorisation: bulky rubbish bins, complete with a never-ending list of instructions concerning which bin to use for which item. And just when we have finally worked out that the apple belongs in the residual waste bin - although if we deliberate further, it really should go for compost – we see our train whizzing by. And those who separate glass depending on colour are of course the epitome of environmentally friendly beings: brown, green, white, blue! Blue? No way. Yet many places have witnessed what everyone has long been thinking: The diligent container
Gerrit Jessen, Director Corporate Division MCI Berlin 84 events 5/2008
emptier comes along and piles the carefully-separated bottles together in a colourful rainbow of shards. Now, at the very latest, ecology and waste separation go their own ways.
Little more than a resourceful marketing gag? Climate catastrophe was crowned by the Society for the German Language as the ‘2007 Word of the Year’. Indeed, climate protection is a popular topic at trade fairs and events. In particular, this year’s IMEX has committed itself to sustainability and collaboration with environmentally responsible organisations. But is this simply a marketing train upon which everyone is eager to clamber? After all, a genuinely sustainable concept means saving available resources rather than thinking of ways to dispose of those which have already been wasted. events met Gerrit Jessen, Director Corporate Division MCI Berlin, to discuss the ‘green future’ of the MICE industry. events: ‘Green Event Management’ has been a trend in the UK, Sweden and Denmark for a long time. How far along is Germany? Gerrit Jessen: Generally speaking, we are heading in the right direction, although efforts are still to be made concerning state regulations. Major German agencies have developed positive concepts, but we still need to capitalise on these to make a shoe to fit
Singapore / Singapore
all sectors. We are in a good position concerning ‘green suppliers’, especially in light of the new energy efficiency law which offers a range of incentives for the construction of ecological event locations.
Infrastructure Distance to airport in km: 4.1 km Distance to train station in km: 0.5 km Parking Number of parking spaces: 2500 Number of parking spaces with video surveillance: all Cost per hour in decimal number: $2.30 for 1st two hours Cost per day in decimal number: $13.00 per day Hotel rooms in the city and surrounding area 3-Stars hotels – 166 rooms 4-Stars hotels – 1045 rooms 5-Stars hotels – 4022 rooms Association membership ICCA
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events: Do you believe that legislation should be passed concerning Green Event Management? Gerrit Jessen: I don’t, no, given that it is difficult to monitor and review. Clearly defined emissions regulations would certainly be more effective. For MICE agents this could mean that state events are only awarded to them, if service providers adhere to minimum standards. If approaches such as ‘Event Culture and Sustainability’ were consolidated, they could culminate in the establishment of a standard, such as the British BS 8901. Recently, MCI agreed on a strategic collaboration project with Green Globe International, the world leader for sustainable travel and related business sectors. In the future, both companies will offer consultancy services concerning environmental compatibility for events premises and destinations. G.K.Prenzel
Sales Director: Janice Yee Telephone: +65 6403 2160 Fax: +65 6822 2616 E-Mail: sales@singaporeexpo.com.sg
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events: And are such standards observed? Gerrit Jessen: They tend to be observed selectively, given that people in Germany still lean too heavily on the country’s apparently leading position in waste separation. Other than that, a range of international initiatives such as the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) are being implemented after being adapted for the German market by agencies and associations. At MCI, we have introduced a standard linked to these regulations, which is strictly observed by our project managers.
Director (CEO): Edwin Low Telephon: +65 6403 2160 Fax: +65 6403 2616 E-Mail: management@singaporeexpo.com.sg
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events: Which sustainability standards are currently in place concerning the German events industry? Gerrit Jessen: The most well-known institutionalised recommendations are rooted in the project ‘Eventkultur für Nachhaltigkeit’ (Event Culture for Sustainability) undertaken by the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy – with funding of more than half a million Euros.
Singapore Expo 1 Expo Drive, Singapore Singapore www.singaporeexpo.com.sg
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events: Why are these countries further on than us? Gerrit Jessen: The above-mentioned countries are the forerunners of sustainable development, which can clearly be seen in the activities implemented in relation to the ‘local Agenda 21 programmes’ established in Rio de Janeiro. Considering this, they had more time to extend the model of sustainability over as many spheres of activity as possible. In the meantime, the UK has reached a standard which brings certain advantages for those who comply with it, such as during tenders.
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1st International Sustainability Conference in Nuremberg From February 17 – 18, 2009, the CongressCenter East in Nuremberg’s Trade Fair Centre will host the first International Conference on Sustainable Production, Trade, Consumption and Lifestyle. Participants from all over the world are due to attend the forum for information and experience exchange on sustainable business practices, with a particular emphasis on verifiability. Credibility and transparency are extremely important guidelines for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). What is sustainability and what simply greenwashing? Customers should be able to better understand and control whether businesses uphold company responsibilities through CSR. events 5/2008 85
C S R / sustainabilit y The HSMA Award for Sustainability, held for the first time at Munich’s stb marketplace, goes to Best Western Hotel Victoria in Freiburg for its extraordinary engagement in environmental projects. The award aims to distinguish particular achievements concerning environmental protection, coupled with economic and social responsibility within the hospitality sector. “This award honours our integrated environmental concept and the continuity we have upheld for more than twenty years concerning environmental protection and the responsible treatment of natural resources”, states the Freiburg’s hotel’s husband and wife team, Mr and Mrs Späth. The Best Western Premier Hotel Victoria only uses renewable energy and has its own solar power plant. The hotel’s air conditioning system is cooled using groundwater, whilst an environmentally-friendly wood pellet heating network ensures sufficient warmth. In addition to this, a range of other activities are promoted by the Späths and their staff. All windows are thermally insulated, electricity-saving bulbs are used and waste is separated in an elaborate recycling process. Even water-saving initiatives are practised in all areas of the hotel, enhancing its integrated environmental concept even further. Since 2006, the Späths have adorned their wall with the EMAS certificate awarded by IHK Freiburg, which distinguishes businesses which operate in accordance with the EMAS voluntary European environmental management model. Last year, they also won the German Solar Award 2007.
HSMA Award for Sustainability goes to Freiburg
Please welcome the new German sustainability award! Under the title of ‘Vorreiter’(forerunner), Germany’s business. The log book for the German Sustainabilvery first Sustainability Awards were held at the be- ity Awards documents the measures adopted in the ginning of December 2008. This new distinction is fields of logistics, communication, partner selection, awarded to companies who successfully conciliate guest management, events production and catering, their value-added chain with ecological, economic and serves as a basis of calculation for the event’s and social responsibilities. The event is organised by emissions value. “We aim to ensure the best prac“Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis” as part of the Dus- tices in each of the areas, whilst establishing a basis seldorf agency Coment. During the planning stage, for an individual improvement process” says Stefan the agency was supported by Wuppertal-based VOK Schulze-Hausmann, Coment Company Director and DAMS: ILM Institute of Live Marketing. Through the initiator of the German Sustainability Award. consultancy services offered by the Institute, the sus“The topic of sustainability is becoming increasingly tainability of the event was guaranteed. significant in the events sector”, confirms Wolfgang Altenstrasser, Company Director of VOK DAMS: InIn order to ensure a systematic approach to the topic of sustainability, VOK DAMS: ILM orientates stitute of Live Marketing. “It is entirely possible that its advice and assessment services based on a series alongside budget and concept, sustainability balance of guidelines, such as the British Industry Standard. sheets could become a state of the art feature for In addition to this, a range of concepts developed events in the future.” And at VOK DAMS, this deby the Wuppertal Institute and the Federal Environ- velopment does not go unnoticed. As ‘forerunner’ mental Agency concerning sustainable events were in event sustainability, the agency launched the ‘co2 integrated into the planning of the awards. Thanks control’ CO2 calculator on its Internet site over a year to the support of the institute, all production and ago. This cutting-edge calculator enables those acorganisational phases were planned and executed tive within the sector and other interested parties to in an environmentally-friendly manner. Every group calculate the carbon footprint of events, road shows, involved, from catering to technicians, coupled with incentives and promotions in just a few mouse clicks. every partner and sponsor, were strongly committed The figures confirm the sustainability trend: In just to the special requirements implemented to ensure a one year, over 10,000 clicks have been recorded. The successful sustainable event. Within the framework specific carbon footprint of a given event has been of a Code of Conduct, all parties involved also agreed calculated over 1,000 times. to observe sustainability practices in their day-to-day 86 events 5/2008
Bonn initiates national concept:
1 GreenMeetings Germany Specialist Conference 2009 st
For years, Germany has figured amongst the world’s top congress and conference destinations. Last year alone, some 314 million participants attended 2.8 million events in a total of 6,200 locations. In light of this, it is no wonder that issues of sustainability and environmental protection have assumed a central role amongst suppliers in the events sector. Never before have environmentally-responsible measures and possibilities for meetings, congresses and events witnessed so much debate. And never before have such discussions been followed by so many concepts and acts. Concerning this, it is not only ecological aspects that are deliberated, but also economic and social elements, such as the use of regional and fair trade products, or promoting development coop-
erative initiatives. As a result of this, the events sector consolidates Germany’s traditional role as leader in the field of sustainability. The term Green Meetings is a worldwide concept which stands for the environmentally responsible organisation of events. Simultaneously, however, creativity and innovation are given a free reign. Green Meetings is the indisputable ‘in’ term of the moment, although a unitary definition –
The former plenary hall: Which place would be more adequate to formulate a national consensus for Green Meetings?
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and thus a coherent series of guidelines – is yet to be established. In contrast to political levels, the events sector also lacks a unified, across-the-board objective to reduce the environmental repercussions already caused.
Aim of GreenMeetings Germany Specialist Conference The aim of the GreenMeetings Germany event is to provide a unified and transparent thematic roof for the various structures and formations concerning environmentally responsible and climate-neutral events already in existence in Germany. As the organiser of the specialist conference, the World Conference Center Bonn Management GmbH is supported by a range of entities, including the Europäische Verband der Veranstaltungs-Centren e.V (European Association of Events Centres), the European Institute for the Conference Industry and CO2OL, a brand of the Forest Finance Group. Core themes are: > What is understood by Green Meetings? > What do Green Meetings consist of? > What can every individual do to reduce environmental repercussions caused by the German events sector?
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As a result of the GreenMeetings Germany Specialist Conference, next year should witness the agreement of objectives for the entire national events sector. Such aims will then be presented at the next conference in 2010. The conference target groups are: Management and senior staff at event centres, professional congress organisers, service provides within the events sector, commercial enterprises and employer’s associations, representatives from scientific fields and local authorities, in addition to managers and specialist staff in destination management organisation. Programme Concept > To present the importance and meaning of Green Meetings > To provide food for thought concerning innovative solutions > To emphasise the relevance of Green Meetings for commercial enterprises. Workshops: > Best practice examples as impetus at the beginning of the workshops > Innovative measures and ways to reduce environmental repercussions as the result of workshops > Preparation of objective agreement for next year
Provisional Programme
Görresstraße 15
In Bonn (certified by the European Energy Award), the topic of sustainability is actively practised and taken seriously. The city is part of the ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) and the Climate Alliance of European Cities. Since the end of 2005, Bonn’s mayor has also been chairperson of the World Mayor’s Council on Climate Change. In addition to this, Bonn is a member of Global Compact, and is thus committed to promoting the active engagement of society in making globalisation a more social and ecological concept. In 2006, the city launched the Sustainable Bonn Project with the aim of nurturing a more sustainable conference industry in Bonn. The World Conference Center Bonn also participated in the project. With ‘Sustainable Bonn’, the UN city of Bonn assumes a leading role, whilst providing valuable impetus for sustainable trading within the conference sector. Meanwhile, a total of 31 businesses, including hotels and catering providers, have been distinguished as ‘Partners of Sustainable Bonn’.
March 4, 2009 9:00 pm Participant accreditation 9:30 pm Guy Bigwood, Director Green Meeting Industry Council, MCI Sustainability Services 10:00 pm Elisabeth Steingrübner, Federal Ministry of the Environment 10:30 pm August Moderer, President of the European Association of Events Centres e.V. 11:30 pm Perspectives – Prof. Helmut Schwägermann (economist), Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade 12:00 pm End of event
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The World Conference Center Bonn is at the heart of the city’s former Tel.: located +49 (0)228-9267-0 Fax: government +49 (0)228-9267-110 district, offering the opportuE-Mail: info@worldccbonn.com nity to hold conferences where members of the Bundestag once debated. Another unique feature is its close proximity to the UN campus with 18 institutions (including the climate secretary). Bonn is an excellent symbol for all issues concerning sustainability, from climate to early warning syswww.worldccbonn.com tems and biological diversity. 53113 Bonn
The participant fee for the conference is 195 Euros including food and drinks. Information and registration is now available at www.greenmeetingsgermany.de
SMI HYUNDAI Management GmbH
gedruckt auf FSC-Papier
Conference location WCC Bonn
World Conference Center Bonn
March 3, 2009 12:00 pm Participant accreditation and lunch 13:00 pm Welcome Mayor of Bonn, Chairperson of the World Mayor Council for Climate Change Matthias Schultze, WorldCCBonn Director 13:30 pm Siegmar Gabriel, Federal Minister (pending confirmation) 14:00 pm Dr. Andreas Rechkemmer, UNU-IHDP International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Die Business-Class fürEnvironmental Konferenzen: Change das World Conference Center Bonn 14:30 pm S.Frankenberg, Senior Vice President Go Green, Deutsche enPost World Net AG it erweitert l e 2009 m Ab End(pending nd Hote u confirmation) en ät it paz Kongresska 15:30 pm Workshops. The results of the workshops flow into the work programme as the basis of objectives for the 2nd Green Meetings Germany 2010 Specialist Conference. > Sustainable management of events centres – Sustainable and profitable business in facility management > Customer benefits – future development perspectives of Green Meetings > Environmental impact caused by mobility – perspectives > Conference offices and PCOs – the foundations for lasting success of conference and congress premises. 18:30 pm Evening event in the Rheinlobby of WorldCCBonn
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Green – yes they can!
Climate and Environmental Protection in the Øresund Region
Copyright: Visitdenmark, Jan Kofoed Winther
For eight years now, Denmark and Sweden have been linked via the impressive Oeresund Bridge. Here, a fruitful tension has been used to bring two countries together beyond their borders. On one side, the lively metropolis of Copenhagen, and on the other Sweden’s third largest city, Malmö, with its breathtaking hinterland. In its beginnings, the bridging over the Øresund aimed to promote the economic collaboration of both countries. With great success: today, the Øresund Region is one of the strongest economic regions in Europe.
The impressive Oeresund Bridge links Denmark to Sweden
Despite – or perhaps as a result of – this rapid economic growth, 600 apartments, sun and wind are used to provide energy, and environmental and climate protection are prominent issues in the water is recycled and re-used. The conference centre and symbol region. Concerning Green Event Management, the area is firmly of Malmö, the Turning Torso, is a high-rise building formed from at the forefront of Europe: According to a study, over 90% of nine segments twisted in themselves, and is supplied solely by Copenhagen’s conference premises and hotels practise specific renewable energy.. measures to protect the environment. Numerous tourist facilities and conference centres are certified with the ‘Green Key’ envi- World Ecological Metropolis of Copenhagen ronmental stamp. Copenhagen also assumes a leading role in other areas of sustainability: 97% of households are connected In the year 2000, Copenhagen became one of the first cities in to the district heating network, and CO2 emissions per capita Europe to introduce ‘citybikes’. Throughout the city centre, some are, at less than five tonnes, just half of figures recorded in Ger- 130 ‘Bycykel’ stations can be found, offering the free use of bicymany. What’s more, the aim is to reduce them by a further 20% cles for CO2-neutral tours of the city. The Citybike rental follows by 2015. Malmö also follows an ambitious climate protection the same principle as is used for shopping trolleys: A 20 Krone programme. In a disused industrial area, the ‘City of Tomorrow’ coin is inserted, and the bike is yours to cycle away! When the was created as a European model for sustainable living. For all bicycle is returned, the coin pops out again. For those who don’t 90 events 5/2008
Sightseeing in Copenhagen with free Citybikes
Moreover, in order to consolidate the mentality of sustainability further, ambitious plans have been drawn up for the next few years: by 2015, Copenhagen aims to become the world capital for both sustainability and the use of bicycles. In striving for this title, the city is to place particular emphasis on promoting pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The city centre’s bicycle network currently spans some 332 kilometres, with another 50 planned for the near future. In particular, one of the city’s most important traffic arteries is to be transformed into an exclusive bicycle highway. With this initiative, Copenhagen’s Technology and Environmental Agency hopes to dramatically reduce vehicle traffic and the corresponding CO2 emissions. By the end of 2009, the city on the banks of the Øresund will have invested 150 million Danish Kroners in new bicycle paths, safe junctions and more bicycle parking spaces. The vision for 2015: The CO2 emission per capita will be reduced to 3.7 tonnes, 50 percent of Copenhagen’s citizens will carry out all city-centre journeys by bicycle and 90% of inhabitants will be able to reach a beach or swimming pool by foot in a maximum of 15 minutes.
New Values and Models? In view of contemporary discussions on values within society, sustainable measures have also assumed increasing importance within the events sector, and are encouraged as an active company value in all aspects of event organisation. After all, alongside appropriate business practices, long-term company growth also requires the structuring of immaterial factors. Values and models and social and ecological responsibility play an ever-increasing role. And quite rightly so: studies show that companies which uphold concepts of sustainability are more successful.
events presents positive examples of a ‘green MICE future’: Brøchner Hotels, Copenhagen BWithin the family-run hotel group Brøchner, the ecological treatment of resources has become a firm part of everyday business. But this was still not enough for Managing Director Kirsten
Copyright: Brochner-Hotels
During the past few years, the city on the Øresund has invested a great deal in its bicycle network, and is now considered as one of the bicycle-friendliest capitals: In 2007, it was awarded the title of ‘Bike City’ by the International Cycling Union. A truly remarkable distinction. In the meantime, doing everything by bike has become a natural aspect of everyday life. Currently, over one third of Copenhagen’s population travel to work, school or college by bicycle.
Brøchner-Mortensen. “We still emit too much CO2, given that we are still dependent on coal-fired power plants. Because of this, I wanted to set a signal for local energy providers.” Based on the hotel group’s energy consumption, its total CO2 emissions were calculated for one year. For the same amount, emissions certifications were purchased on the stock market (as contemplated in the Kyoto Protocol). “This forces conventional energy providers to change to more climate-friendly methods. After all, as soon as the market price for certificates rises above the costs for investment in emission reductions, they will automatically invest in renewable energies.” Obviously, questions regarding the meaningfulness of this have been raised. Even so: through this initiative, Brøchner became the world’s first CO2 neutral hotel group. In the meantime, Ms Brøchner-Mortensen is working on a new idea. She founded a network for CO2 neutral hotels – there are currently only four worldwide – and invited their directors to Copenhagen. This meeting aims to nurture ‘green concepts’ for the sustainable operation of the hotel and meetings sector, such as the foundation of a ‘climate school’ to provide environmental training courses for hotel Kong Arthur is one of the four Brøchner personnel. Hotels – the world’s first CO2 neutral Copyright: Visitdenmark
fancy pedalling themselves, a selection of bike taxis are available for rent, and include valuable event and leisure tips.
hotel group Scandic Copenhagen Since 1996, the efficient use of resources has played a prominent role in everyday business, and is observed by both employees and event organisers. From this date, numerous concepts have been implemented which have led to significant savings. During the last ten years, the energy consumption per stay has been reduced more than twelve percent. A strict rule in the hotel: no plastic bottles. The drinking water served in glass jugs comes directly from the tap and is said to be a spring quality. And in Scandic Copenhagen’s kitchen, steam from cleaning dishes is captured through an elaborate piping system and re-used to heat water. A similar process is employed to capture steam produced from cooking, which is re-used to heat the restaurant and conference rooms. All organic waste is collected and burned in a Danish biogas plant. Disused bed sheets or furniture are donated to homeless shelters. In addition to this, most of the furniture carries the environmental label ‘Swan’ and is recyclable. A brochure in every hotel room explains the ‘green activities’ to guests and encourages their active support. “The awareness of our guests concerning such subjects has developed extremely positively in the last few years. More and more of our corporate clients place a large events 5/2008 91
Copyright: Visitdenmark, Jan Kofoed Winther
C S R / sustainabilit y
The Scandic Weber is one of the most beautiful hotel groups in Denmark, situated just a stone’s throw from Copenhagen’s main train station. amount of importance on CSR”, states Bettina Johansen, marketing manager of the Scandic Group. Recently, the northern hotel chain was distinguished with the coveted Green Key. Nevertheless, there are still improvements to be made. The welcome fruit platter provided in every hotel room contains a large number of fruits from overseas. Hof Ängavallen, Southern Sweden: Even the pigs are grinning! The southern Swedish region of Skåne is the country’s undisputed granary, and is famous for its lush expanses of nature. Here, numerous farms have changed to practising ecological agricultural measures. One example of this is Ängavallen Farm, near Malmö. For 35 years, owner Rolf Axel Nordström has upheld nature-orientated principles of livestock farming. Today, he has over 100 pigs, sheep and cows. The farm’s logo is a grinning pig, which can be seen everywhere: It adorns the tiles, decorates every cup, and is even shaped out of marzipan and served as dessert. And as far as the human faculty of judgement permits, the pigs really do look happy. Roaming freely in an expansive meadow, they grunt contentedly around the farm. The farm’s philosophy is based on species-appropriate treatment, healthy fodder, sufficient space and a genuine enthusiasm for the animals. The dishes served at the table are ecological through and through – the farm carries out its own slaughtering and production processes. “Our pigs die in a stress-free manner with a smile on their lips. We use ‘dignified’ slaughter methods which are based on the knowledge of animal psychology”, em-
At Ängavallen Farm, marzipan pigs take form and are shown how to smile.
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phasises the owner’s son, Niclas Nordström. “This has a positive influence on the taste of the meat, since the animals release practically no stress hormones before their death.” For meetings and conferences, Ängavallen also offers two large conference rooms. The cosy Swedish hotel rooms lie at the heart of the large farm premises – close contact with the animals and the fresh air of the countryside come as a free bonus.
Spoilt for Choice Currently, there are over 30 different environmental labels for tourist operators. Nevertheless, details are seldom given concerning the criteria used to evaluate such companies and how strictly these must be met. Achieving a clear orientation here seems hopeless. While the European eco label jungle looms as an insurmountable peak, the Scandinavian countries have been committed to standardisation for years. Here, the following labels are used across the boat. Swan Label The Swan Label is the official Nordic environmental label, and is also one of the strictest currently in existence. It was established in 1989 by the Nordic Council of Ministers, an intergovernmental forum for the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark), with the aim of producing a standardised Nordic environmental label. It is awarded by the Institute for Standardisation and is monitored by an independent organisation. The white swan on a green background is available for some 60 product groups. Over one thousand licences have already been granted. The strict criteria follow a comprehensive approach; the entire production process is meticulously examined. In addition to energy and water consumption, CO2 emissions are also considered. Every producer who wishes to receive the certificate must therefore provide all details of the production process used. The Green Key The Green Key is a certificate used to distinguish particularly environmentally-friendly tourist establishments, such as hotels and restaurants. The label has been in existence since 1994 and predominantly been used in Scandinavia, the Netherlands and France. In light of a campaign promoted by the international Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the green key has been introduced in an additional 30 countries. The standardised international criteria catalogue has been adapted to the specific legislation applicable in each country. The criteria used include resource saving and environmental management, staff training and technical environmental protection. Some 650 companies in Europe have already been awarded the label. Labels are awarded for the period of one year, and regular controls are carried out during this time. G.K. Prenzel
A ssociations
ICCA World Congress 2008
“Flatter World” in British Columbia “Surviving in a flat world” was one of many subjects which a near-record-number of 745 participants from 65 countries discussed at the 47th Congress & Exhibition (including General Assembly) of ICCA held in Victoria/B.C., Canada. The number of participants is respectable, particularly in view of the long travel needed for the majority of visitors (Asia, Europe). Equally impressive is the fact that again some 250 “first-timers” came to Canada – identifying how much industry-exchange, networking and education programs are in need; regardless of the e-world around us.
Quick elections Elections were due, almost on the day of the one for US presidency, but the matters went quickly during the General Assembly: Current ICCA President Mr. Leigh Harry of the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre, Australia, was elected unopposed for a second term of 2 years as ICCA President. Newly elected members of the ICCA board are: sector “Destination Market-
ing”: Mr. Steen Jakobsen (Wonderful Copenhagen, Denmark); sector “Meetings Management”: Ms. Miranda Ioannou (SCS Ltd., Cyprus); as well as Mrs. Sus Nygaard, Scandinavian Airlines, Denmark, elected unopposed as a representative for the Transport sector. In the sector “Venues”, Mr. Alec Gilbert (Adelaide Convention Centre, Australia) was re-elected unopposed as a representative as well as Mr. Brian Horsevents 5/2008 93
A ssociations
burgh (Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre, U.K.). A further election was the one for “Africa/Middle East representative”, in which Mrs. Nina FreysenPretorius (The Conference Company, South Africa) was elected. And finally, Industry pioneer Harry Baum was confirmed by acclamation as an Honorary Member of ICCA.
About success in tomorrow’s even flatter world One of the highlights of the Victoria meeting, was a forum moderated by Jurriaen Sleijster (Executive VP,
for our industry that where commodity services are concerned, prices will very quickly become the determining factor and service providers will have to include more and more added value services to distinguish themselves from their competitors.” And Patrizia Semprebene Buongiorno, IAPCO president and Managing Director AIM, adds “Competition is becoming more intense, we operate in a world without borders. Our staff must have an intercultural competence; and we must avoid downstream execution and the commoditisation of our services”. If the world is flat, where would the new centre of the world be? Automatically in the new markets, just because it is their time and momentum? Or in the middle of the flat world – but then, where are the boarders? “The beauty of the flat world is that there will not be just one centre, but many. And these centres will connect, and new “centres” will be popping up everywhere, anytime; some of which will be virtual only”, says Sleijster, and Buongiorno reflects “competencies are moving, human resources are moving, the world today is in continuous movement. And it will run faster and faster in the coming years”. US journalist Thomas Friedman and his book “The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century” (2005 and 2007) was in everybody’s mind and one of Friedman’s statements (“It is pure idiocy that (US) Congress will not open our border, as wide as possible, to attract and keep the world’s first-round intellectual draft choices in an age, when everyone increasingly has the same innovation tools and the key differentiator is human talent”) seemed to confirm the panel’s view-point. Those not joining in that globalisation process, those protecting interests and believes against new ideas and changes, will be left behind. And then, so concludes the panel-group, PCO’s who are not open to the flat world, will be left behind too … with left-over’s from the future cakes. Or, as Buongiorno concludes: “in a flat world, small companies have to learn to be big”.
MCI Group), about how flat the world is. Parmenides seemed to be the first person that found out that the world is not flat, but round (540 - 480 BC). Now, 2500 years later, a new teaching is arriving: the world is flat (again) ... and international congress organisers discussed the matter. Asked to define the ‘flatter world for PCO’s’, Sleijster explained: “A flatter world is a world where information is more readily available and where people will compare prices and services more easily. This means 94 events 5/2008
The 48th ICCA Congress will be held from November 7 – 11, 2009 in Florence, Italy. Daniel Tschudy
What’s in a destination? Although ICCA initiated a second-best-in-history par- enough to invite a global audience, such as ICCA. ticipation figure to their annual key event, the choice He also states, that both Victoria and Vancouver poof Victoria BC might be questionable (as much as for sition themselves as ‘Asia friendly’ and thus receive example Rhodes was in the past). Why select a city, as quite a piece of business from across the pacific. charming as it is, that will not be able to host most of the ICCA-member’s movements, either because of its The feedback of the participants, however, was mostsize or its geographical situation (accessibility, air-hub, ly different: the visit to Victoria in off-season (really etc.)? ICCA claims that the destination is predomi- not much to do here…), the complexity of travel from nantly used as “tool to meet” and less as an industry- Vancouver airport to Victoria, and a modest MICE-inshowcase. But on the other hand, every year, up more frastructure in the city (the exhibition had to be staged than 250 first-time participants join to the ICCA as- in a temporary marquee set-up) were explanations sembly – and would they not want to get acquainted given, why indeed a majority of the audience would with a potential C&C destination on the same time? have preferred meeting, for example, in Vancouver. And for those top decision makers, maybe since decades in the industry, isn’t time everything? Would A Victoria television channel reported on the General they not prefer ‘quick-travel-destinations’ too? Assembly and about “… the superb potential of conventions being produced over the next five years by the Asked about the situation, Martin Sirk, CEO of ICCA-audience…”. However, it is doubtful that more ICCA explained that in the case of Victoria, it was than a handful ”lucky-punch”-bookings will arise out a bid supported by the entire Canadian and fore- of this event for Victoria. As much as it is doubtful, most the Vancouver industry and that ICCA was that Rhodes got even a single convention business as not to question this initiative. At the end, ICCA a result of the ICCA 2006 General Assembly there... only needs suitable proposals. Sirk also points out that Victoria, while indeed not able to host 1500 Daniel Tschudy pax-congresses, is very strong for meeting and assemblies up to 800 persons, and that itself is reason
Clean Air – at high cost Canada is known for its strong support of a smoke-free society, both in business and private environments. So, for example, in every room of Victoria’s Grand Pacific, a message introduces the policy of clean air and how much the hotel requests the assistance from each guest. It begins with the statement that „all of our guestrooms are smoke free“, and I guess that is probably just about ok for everyone. But then, reading on, the message warns that „a C$100 fee will be applied to your account for any evidence of smoking both in your guestroom and on the balcony“. Now that is new. Not only that you can’t smoke on the balcony anymore (greetings from California..), but now a hotel stipulates a fine – notably without prior consent from the customer – that if evidence is found such a fine will be added to the bill. Maybe, the local hotel industry is going just a bit too far there. Or then, they would have to add this item to every reservation and make people sign to such a law before obtaining the confirmation. And that would be quite contra productive, wouldn’t? Will regulations of that sort be the future of our industry? Daniel Tschudy
events 5/2008 95
Searching Incentives Specialists meet in Montreux The Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE) called to Lake Geneva and 475 incentive specialists from 39 countries met in Montreux during Pressure on DMC’s the International Conference. During the Montreux-talks, the strongest outburst of insecurity Crisis, what crisis?
and complains came from the DMC’s … the smaller, the more they are hit at the moment. In today’s speed of work and unrestricted information access on the web, the DMC, as we knew it ten years ago, does not exist anymore. Unless the agency creates an USP (of services or products) or joins forces with a stronger alliance (supplier, partner or client) it can hardly survive. But the message in Montreux was clear: be creative, fight, develop – but don’t complain. It’s hard world out there, but for everybody.
Both during seminars and free time, participants main topic was the crisis and the impact it will have for the next two years. Surprisingly, no consent was found whether the industry is in a real crisis or just in a sort of slowdown period – an unclear situation, as also heard during EIBTM in Barcelona: In the Corporate new SITE presents 2008 Crystal Awards World, budgets are down and/or more content is being asked, and measurable (ROI). Corporate sponsor- During the annual General Meeting, SITE officially launched its ship is certainly down with a quick result in for ex- new strategic vision, brand and communications platform. Toample the automobile industry (Honda bailing out of gether with the new logo, the association also changed its webFormula 1). The booking patterns changed also dra- site-address: www.siteglobal.com. Site President, Padraic Gilmatically with no contingencies in the budgets or op- ligan, comments; “In our ever-changing, global business world, erations and decisions being held back until the last the most prized asset remains constant: excellent performance. moment. The Association Industry seems stable and The highest levels of workplace performance are reached by in fact, participation figures are high, particularly in individuals and teams that are highly motivated. We want to the pharmaceutical and medical areas. People seem redefine our industry with a new language and our vision for to understand on one side that during difficult times, this is Unleashing human potential through extraordinary, mocontinuous education is crucial and on the other tivational experiences. Our promise is to be the global authority hand, they want to relate and feel with their indus- connecting these motivational experiences with business results.” try’s network. By the way, both 2008 main events of ICCA in Canada and MPI in Las Vegas showed record- In that same spirit, SITE presented the 2008 Crystal Awards: Most numbers of participants. of the winners came from overseas (US, Australia, South Africa); and those from Europe are MCI Brussels & Geneva (Numico event in Morocco), THA group Brussels (AXA insurance incentive One step back in Senegal), and Ovation Dublin & Veritas Sydney (Board MeetAs seen in 1992 and 2002, Incentive movements ing for South East Asian Financial Institution; event in Australia). seem to have shorter travel distances: long-haul projects might come nearer (i.e. Bali to Egypt), mid- Currently SITE has over 2,100 members in 87 countries, with 36 haul traffic (i.e. Emirates) might come to France; and local and regional chapters. The next International Conferences Europe-destined groups might be placed regionally will be held from October 30 to November 2, 2009 in Aruba and instead. The reasons are not only smaller budgets, in 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa. Daniel Tschudy but also the fact that business professionals want to be more flexible in case they need to quickly return to the office (this concerns certainly the banking- and finance industry). 96 events 5/2008
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Airline broker
DMCs Germany
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
Zip Code 9
Nüssli (Deutschland) GmbH Vermietung und Verkauf von Tribünen, Bühnen, Messebau, mobilen Hallen und Stadionbauten Rothgrund 6, D-91154 Roth, Tel.: +49-9171-9763-0 Niederlassungen auch in Berlin und Gießen e-mail: roth@nussli.com, Internet: www.nussli.com
Caterer
France
Zip Code 8
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 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
Zip Code 1
Croatia
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
Dubrovnik Travel - Premium DMC of Croatia Obala Stjepana Radica 25 20000 Dubrovnik, CROATIA Tel.: +385 20 31 35 55, Fax: +385 20 31 35 50 info@dubrovniktravel.com www.dubrovniktravel.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/
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
MU N I CH
Zip Code 5
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
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
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 See Italia s.r.l – Ihr DMC in Italien Head Office: 13,via Nomentana, I-00161 Roma Tel.: +39-06-4537400, Fax: +39-06-44254937 info@seeitalia.it, www.seeitalia.it William Clementson srl Incentives - Kongresse Via Statilia 4, I - 00185 Rom Tel.: 003906-77209079, Fax: 003906-7092506 info@clementson.com, www.clementson.com events 5/2008 99
events BOX : E VE N TS
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 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
Monaco 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
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
Portugal
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
Switzerland Executive Events GmbH - the creative Swiss DMC Sumpfstrasse 26 CH-6301 Zug Tel.: +41(0)41 747 43 66 www.executive-events.ch 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
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
Turkey
Slovenia
IDEE Travel Services co. incentives-congress-cruises-group-fit Büyükdere Cad./ Kaya Aldogan Sok No 12/4, TR - Istanbul - Zincirlikuyu Tel.: 0090(212)2123284, Fax: 0090(212)2751867 e-mail: info@ideetravel.com, esra.levent@ideetravel.com, Internet: www.ideetravel.com
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, Unbenannt-12 1 15.05.2008 15:57:48 Uhr Dominikanische Republik, Kuba, Mexiko, AIMS International Lisbon Portugal und Venezuela Your Portugal Connection Zentralbüro: Mallorca P-1200-203 Lisbon, Rua Garrett 61-3° e-mail: incentives.commercial@iberoservice.com Tel.: +351 21 324 50 40 • Fax: +351 21 324 50 50 http://brochure.iberoservice.com lisbon@aims-international.com
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Czech Republic
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
Spain
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
Büros in: Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Sevilla, Tenerifa, Valencia Fon: +34-952-206-110 E-Mail: agp@cititravel.es Internet: www.cititravel.es Lloyds ISO 9001:2000 Quality Certicate
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
Albatros Bled, Congress Agency Ribenska 2, SI-4260 Bled Tel./Fax: 00386-45780350 / 00386-45780355 info@albatros-bled.com / www.albatros-bled.com
www.aims-international.com • www.aims.pt
ITB DMC Barcelona, Madrid & Costa del Sol Ramblas 113-1er, E-08002 Barcelona Tel.: 0034-93-4815858, Fax: 0034-93-4815859 olga@bcn.viajesitb.com, www.viajesitb.com WE OPERATE ALL OVER SPAIN
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 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
U.S.A.
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
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
Cyprus CREATIVE TOURS Creative Events auf Zypern Verkauf Deutschland: Martin Albrecht Gutenbergring 38, 65549 Limburg Tel.: 06431-941361, Fax: 06431-941360 dmc@creative-cyprus.de,www.creative.com.cy
DMCs Africa Namibia
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
Zip Code 0
Ihr deutschsprachiges DMC-Team im südlichen Afrika
Ihre Ansprechpartnerin: Anke Rochau
info@thatsafrica.com www.thatsafrica.com
TA_EventBox_20x58.indd 1
DMCs America
3/14/08
Dominican Republic
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
Event agencies
South Africa Tel: +27 (0)21 415 2000 Fax: +27 (0)21 421 0229
DMCs Asia China
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
Global TBS Incentives – Konferenzen – Events Blumenstrasse 49, 10243 Berlin Tel.: 030-397445-0, Fax: 030-397445-14 11:18:29 AM e-mail: info@globaltbs.de www.globaltbs.de
Turinter, DMC Leopoldo Navarro #4, Santo Domingo Tel.: 001-809-6864020 Fax: 001-809-6883890 e-mail: incoming@turinter.com Internet: www.turinter.com
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
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
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
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
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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events BOX : E VE N TS
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
Agentur für Events und Incentives info@emotiva-events.de www.emotiva-events.de Hermannstraße 46 | 63263 Neu-Isenburg/Ffm | 0 61 02 - 88 38 78
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
Zip Code 4 Grass Roots Germany GmbH Goltsteinstr. 28, 40211 Düsseldorf Tel.: +49 (0)211-99100-0 Fax: +49(0)211-99100-600 contact-de@grg.com, www.grassroots-de.com
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 MIT Event- und Incentive-Management GmbH Wöhlerstrasse 5, 60323 Frankfurt am Main Tel.: 069-710 423 300 Fax: 069-710 423 400 e-mail: info@m-i-t.de Internet: www.m-i-t.de DERCONGRESS - DERTOUR GmbH & Co. KG Herr Oliver Bransch Produktleiter Congresse / Messen Emil-von-Behring-Str. 6, D-60424 Frankfurt/Main Tel.:+ 49 69 9588-3344, Fax: + 49 69 9588-843344 service@dercongress.com www.dercongress.com NESTLE TELEKOM
Red Carpet Event GmbH, Office Düsseldorf Neuer Zollhof 3 40221 Düsseldorf Tel.: 0211.220 59 - 350 Fax: 0211.220 59 - 419 E-Mail: duesseldorf@red-carpet-event.de AZ_58x20_cti 26.02.2007 11:01 Uhr Internet: www.red-carpet-event.de
BMW CAMPARI FREIXENET RUSSIAN STANDARD RADEBERGER DAVIDOFF CAFE GRANINI JENOPTIK SIPAHH
Seite 1
FRESENIUS SONY BMG
Agentur für Events und Live-Marketing
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
EMOTIVA_eventsBOX.indd 2
Zip Code 5
Gesellschaft für Marketing und Kommunikationsdesign mbH Hasengartenstraße 22 65189 Wiesbaden 0611. 188 75 - 0 go.advertising@go-ad.de www.go-ad.de
circ GmbH & Co.KG Beratung, Konzeption, Realisation circ – performing by experience Unter den Eichen 5, Gebäude F / Officio III D-65195 Wiesbaden Tel.: 0611-98682-0, Fax: 0611-98682-57 info@circ.de, www.circ.de Quasar Communications GmbH Incentives, Prämien, Kundenbindung Friedrich-Bergius-Straße 15-17, 65203 Wiesbaden Tel.: 0611/18887-0, Fax: 0611/18887-20 e-mail: info@q-com.de, www.quasar.de
18.02.2008 16:06:07 Uhr
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
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 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 EGM Eventgruppe GmbH Events, Conventions, Incentives Kochelseestraße 10, 81371 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 6
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
MIT Event- und Incentive-Management GmbH Wöhlerstrasse 5, 60323 Frankfurt am Main Tel.: 069-710 423 300, Fax: 069-710 423 400 e-mail: info@m-i-t.de Internet: www.m-i-t.de inventive sp gmbh & co kg incentives und events Gustav-Adolf-Str. 2, 65195 Wiesbaden Tel.: +49-611-9514661 / Fax: +49-611-9514631 info@inventive-sp.de www.inventive-sp.de
Event tents
Zip Code 7 SKY 001-08 RZ Anz Eventbox 58x20.indd 1
Flexible Displays
23.10.2008
POG Incentive Management GmbH Echterdinger Str. 38, 70771 Leinfelden 15:10:06 Uhr Tel.: 0711-75075-0, Fax: 0711-75075-13 e-mail: info@pog.de, Internet: www.pog.de
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 Goltsteinstr. 28, 40211 Düsseldorf Tel.: +49 (0)211-99100-0 Fax: +49(0)211-99100-600 contact-de@grg.com, www.grassroots-de.com
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 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
events BOX : E VE N TS
Croatia
Locations for events Zip Code 1
Teambuilding
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
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
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
Tunesia
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
I
Zip Code 8
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
Zip Code 7 Neckar-Käpt´n–Neckar-Personen-Schifffahrt Berta Epple GmbH & Co. Anlegestelle Wilhelma, 70376 Stuttgart Tel.: 0711-549970-60, Fax: 0711-549970-80 e-mail: buchung@neckar-kaeptn.de Homepage: www.neckar.kaeptn.de DVD „Events in Fahrt“ jetzt anfordern!
USA
New York · California · Florida
Lizar 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
Lizard_Anz_40x58_02.indd 1
Zip Code 6
17.12.2008
Maritime 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
Zip Code 8
OceanEvent – Maritime Conventions, Product Launches & Incentives Seearkaden/Zweigstraße 1,D-82319 Starnberg 14:19:37Tel.: Uhr 08151 746 49-0, Fax: 08151 746 49-1 info@oceanevent.com, www.oceanevent.com
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
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Technologie for events
SKY 001-08 RZ Anz Eventbox 58x20.indd 1
Advertising agencies
23.10.2008 15:10:06 Uhr
Zip Code 8
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 x hibition and Conferences
Exhibition concept, appearance and installation
Exhibition and Conferences
Zip Code 2
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
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
Zip Code 8
Conference and meeting agencies Zip Code 3
SKY 001-08 RZ Anz Eventbox 58x20.indd 1 the fair agency
hotel reservations
business travel GmbH
professional congress organizer meetings & conventions events & incentives
23.10.2008 15:10:06 Uhr
agentur für messedienstleistungen Neumarkter Str. 34, 81673 München Tel: 089-2444 193-70, Fax: 089-2444 193-79 info@the-fair-agency.com Web: www.the-fair-agency.com
Your partner for success! fon +49(0)511 • 59 09 31-30 info@silvers.de | www.silvers.de
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 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
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
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 Reisebüro Willi Simon, PCO Hasporter Damm 9, 27749 Delmenhorst Tel.: 04221-9660-0, Fax: 04221-9660-50 e-mail: info@congressimon.com
events BOX: A rtists
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 AKM Congress Service GmbH Hauptstrasse 18, 79576 Weil am Rhein Tel.: 0 76 21-9 83 30, Fax: 0 76 21-7 87 14 info@akmcongress.com www.akmcongress.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
Hire & sale of mobile event and business area solutions 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 World of Events 2009 in Wiesbaden: 21./22.01.09 Halle 5 Stand 544
Advertising and promotional items
Zip Code 6
MIT Event- und Incentive-Management GmbH Wöhlerstrasse 5, 60323 Frankfurt am Main Tel.: 069-710 423 150, Fax: 069-710 423 400 e-mail: info@m-i-t.de, Internet: www.m-i-t.de
Artists and artist agencies
Imprint
Membership:
Artists
H
Europäischer Verband der Veranstaltungs-Centren e.V.
www.soulkitchen.de
Artist agencies
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, Sven Eichenlaub, Fritz Pütz, Daniel Tschudy 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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Do you organise Conferences, Events, Incentives or Business Travel?
The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, UAE
31 March - 2 April 2009 GIBTM is the only dedicated Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) event in the Gulf bringing together meetings industry and business travel professionals from the region and across the globe. GIBTM is part of the Gulf Meetings Week and offers the best opportunities for business, networking and professional development for buyers, planners and suppliers. For more information and to register as a Visitor or Hosted Buyer go to: www.gibtm.com Supported by:
Exclusive Airline Partner:
Organised by:
A Division of Net Group of Companies
Lassen Sie Ihrem Verhandlungsgeschick freien Raum.
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