Spain for events 2012

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Ken Banks, kiwanja.net

Spain for events

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Top hotels – Great deals, for your meetings in Spain meetingspacks.com: the Hotel Deal Finder for your groups and events

Small group? Choose & book your group online at www.meetingpacks.com Larger group? Our professionals will search and negotiate with hotels on your behalf.

Save money, be professional using meetingpacks.com for your meetings and events in Spain www.meetingpacks.com 04 |

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+34 932 720 778 – info@meetingpacks.com

Anders Ekström

EDITORIAL 06 SPANISH CREATIVITY 10

GOLF 14

WINE 16

BARCELONA 18

MADRID 30

VALENCIA 48

CANARY ISLANDS 52

TENERIFE 56

MAJORCA 60

COSTA DEL SOL 64

ASTURIAS 70

SEVILLE 74

ZARAGOZA 78

BILBAO 82

SAN SEBASTIAN 86

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COVER FEATURE: SPAIN FOR EVENTS Cover photography by - Editor: eventoplus medios s.l., Diputació 256 5º 1ª, 08007 Barcelona España t +34 902 90 31 90 f +34 93 272 09 12 web www.eventosmag.com News and content: info@eventosmag.com Director: Eric Mottard Editor in chief: Neus Duran Editorial Commitee: Francesca A. Crispino, Cristina Muñoz Soro Photographers: Jordi Salas, Jesús Antón Art Direction and design: Maria Leone Illustration: Leo Paskarel Padula Comunicación: Eva Da Pozzo Advertising: Christian Bergmann, Silvio Camafreita, Alex Barbero, Luis García, Jose Luis García RRPP in Madrid: Bárbara Gómez International: Pilar Lafuente Post-sales: Esperanza Iglesias Subscription: Nabila Katira (suscripciones@eventosmag.com) Administration: Noemí Ordóñez Advisory: José García Aguarod, Lynn Wong Legal registration: B-37.971-2005 ISSN 1885-4699 Printed in Spain.

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EDITORIAL

Spain: passion for MICE As President of the Spain Convention Bureau, representing 53 cities, I firmly believe that Spain, despite the global economic situation, is still attracting the most important and numerous congresses, conventions, events and incentives due to it’s unequalled attractions, it’s great accessibility by air, sea and land, and its modern and excellent congress infrastructure: more than 50 congress centres, hotels, spectacular & historical venues…

All the above, together with our outstanding complementary offer -gastronomy, cultural heritage, nature, leisure, sea, among others- enables Spain to defend its privileged position compared to other destinations, and maintain it in the long term.

Spain is one of the top leading destinations in the world within the important segment of MICE, but we should all keep working hard in order, not only to maintain our privileged position, but also to place Spain as the number one country in terms of the number of congresses and delegates worldwide.

Spain also has something that you can’t see but you can feel: the great hospitality of our people and the vast experience of our professionals. Please take advantage of the professional staff from our 53 member cities throughout Spain, to get the right advice on how, when and where to bring your congress, event or incentive to it’s respective destination. Spain is a country with multiple destinations, each

A whole country with a knack for great events You know Barcelona and Madrid, two event-minded (or should we say eventobsessed) cities with amazing infrastructure, great activities and professional staff for meetings and events. And you now also know about Valencia and Seville, a pair which have expertly positioned themselves on our industry’s map... and just as expertly used events as an excellent destination-positioning tool, by the way!

However, you might not be as aware of the rest of the country, but I can assure it is just as event minded. The fact is, writing a special issue like this one has reminded us, once more, that the whole country was made for events and can offer meeting planners a spectacular setting.

It all starts with a fiesta. This word, probably the best known Spanish word, epitomises Spain’s love of the good life, of company, of discussions, of sharing good moments and of hospitality. All those things you liked while you were an Erasmus student still make sense (albeit in a more sober way…) when you take a group on an incentive trip or to a congress in Spain. People just feel good here (and that works well for your bottom line too!).

Your delegates will love the good atmosphere and they will also love its cuisine

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(after all, according to a ranking by Restaurant Magazine, four of the world’s top-ten chefs are Spanish!). They will enjoy traditions like nowhere else, and these same traditions will make your events unique.

Yes, Spanish people really do organise the running of the bulls in the streets of Pamplona, burn huge paper statues in Valencia and have parades featuring pyrotechnic, flame-spitting dragons in Barcelona. They even throw tonnes of tomatoes at each other in the Tomatina celebration in Buñol. This love of tradition will give you endless possibilities for thematic activities to make your event truly unique.

But Spain means more than a great party; there is also an extremely serious element behind this national passion for events. Today Spain is a machine geared for getting large events and organising them professionally. Just some high-profile examples include the Olympics, the Universal Exhibition, the Forum of Cultures, the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the America’s Cup. Spain has events in its DNA and it should be no surprise that it is consistently in the global top-five for international meetings, according to entities like the ICCA and UIA.

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of them offering something different and original from the others, making our cities not compete but rather complement one another.

Francisco de la Torre President of the Spain Convention Bureau

We could remind you of the country’s rich historical heritage, its natural settings and its amazing selection of congress centres and hotels. We could also tell you about its nearly 50 convention bureaus. However, the best way to experience the meetings mindset of this country is by trying it out: organise your next event in Spain and you will get a higher and more enthusiastic turnout than last year’s edition, something we consistently see when talking to meeting planners!

Eric Mottard Managing director of Grupo eventoplus

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DO YOU WANT TO WORK WITH INTERNATIONALMINDED PARTNERS? The following companies have been partners of our international magazine, Spain for Events, for several years. They are international-minded, they are used to working with international clients. It makes sense to work with them!

MNAC: A reference venue in Barcelona, home of the Catalan National Museum of Arts (MNAC). www.mnac.cat

DUSHOW: A European leader in technical services for events: lighting, sound, video, rigging, based in Barcelona. www.dushow.com

AUDITORI AXA: A perfectlyequipped congress centre and concert hall, right in the centre of Barcelona on the Diagonal Avenue. www.auditoriaxa.es

TOP ATLÁNTICO: Your DMC for in all areas of the Iberian Peninsula, with the finest quality of service, attention to detail and quick turnaround time. www.tadmc.com

EXPO HOTELES: It has never been so easy to organise an event. 28 halls for up to 1.800 guests in Barcelona, Valencia, Marbella, Tenerife... www.expogrupo.com

MADRID CVB: The Madrid Convention Bureau is at your service to ensure the perfect development of any event in the city. www.esmadrid.com

LA LLOTJA: Built in the XVIIIth century, this iconic classic venue in Barcelona has hosted key trade Catalan institutions. www.casallotja.com

EVENTÍSIMO: International communication agency specialising in the organisation of conventions and incentive trips, offering a comprehensive service. www.eventisimo.com

VISIONAREA: Audio, video, lighting, interactive services, IT rental for meetings, with a comprehensive high-quality service. www.visionarea.es

CVB GIJÓN: In Asturies, the city of Gijón offers so much to discover and a city to fully enjoy. www.gijon.info

AUDIOMIC: The right team of people to make your ideas come true, specialising in sound, lighting, video a technical production. www.audiomic.com

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SPANISH CREATIVITY

s e t i v n i h c s o B 00 guests on a e m 1,8 i t h g u o r h t e s i u cr Three days, three cities and three historical periods: the event Bosch on Board, organised by Halcón Eventos, brought 1,800 passengers on board the Sovereign, a ship with which they would explore the 90 years of Bosch's history while navigating the waters of the Mediterranean.

Each day of the sea-fairing convention, passengers would wake up to a different city... and to a different époque. The cities were Barcelona, Alicante and Malaga and the historic moments were the 20s, the 60s and today. To get the Sovereign into character, each night a team of 15 people decorated the ship with scenes recreating the historical context of the different periods represented. And Marilyn, Audrey and Lady Gaga wouldn't miss the celebration for the world...

The ship became a showcase for the brand, including a museum featuring elements from the brand's history. There was also the main hall, which served as a gateway to another world, complete with props and live music.

The second day, a convention was held for the Bosch Service network in the ship's theatre. Later, when the ship made landfall in Alicante, the nearly 2,000 passengers were transported to the “City of Light” studios, where they had a gala lunch and an Oscar-style awards ceremony. Journalists Olga Viza and Pedro Pinto were the hosts and top executives from Bosch also made appearances.

The goal of the event was to convey the values of the brand while encouraging long-term relationships with members of the Bosch Service network, all while mixing business and pleasure. One of the highlights of the three-day trip was the presence of actors dressed to represent each period, and interacting with the passengers. The actors also entertained guests with a musical featuring hit songs from ABBA, Fame and Grease.

To get things rolling before the event took place, Halcón Eventos tantalised the curiosity of the passengers before they ever got on board.

The agency made a website which contained practical information regarding the event. They also carried out a series of direct marketing strategies. One example was when they sent an informational teaser package which revealed just a few subtle hints about the convention, piquing guests' curiosity.

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SPANISH CREATIVITY

“48 hours lefónntiiconas”: with Te of conve

10 years ión c a c i n u m o C m u u Q y b d e s i n a g or

Elements are harnessed to present the new BMW 3 Series Two events, one adjective: spectacular. To present BMW's new 3 Series in Madrid and Barcelona, agencies Tango and Bacus Eventos were ready to meet the challenge.

Water: Madrid's Manzanares river came to life in front of more than 1,000 spectators. To celebrate the “Spirit of Victory” and the core values of strength, speed and safety which the new 3 Series represents, a unique show was created: images were projected on a giant screen made out of... water. This created an impressive holographic effect and was the first time a show of this type took place in Spain. The ephemeral stage, which measured 32x12m, told a story using movement and 3D images that were created, as if by magic, using only light, sound and the element of water.

Air: the same week, the Motor Munich dealership presented the new BMW 3 Series with an air show. Bacus Eventos took on the project in a unique way: the new 3 Series arrived not by road but by air, gently touching down on the roof of Hotel W (with a little help from a helicopter). From there, guests made their way to Eclipse, the bar on the 26th floor of the hotel. There, participants enjoyed spectacular views of the Mediterranean and the starry skies over Barcelona. Keeping with the theme, “drink the sky”, guests tried the S3 cocktail, a blend of vodka, sake and blue curaçao created especially for the occasion.

The night reached a climax when the music stopped and the world champion acrobatic pilot flew over the terrace in a helicopter, treating participants to a dazzling acrobatic show.

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This large annual event landed agency Quum Comunicación an eventoplus Award. The goal was to strengthen ties with 600 large accounts, create a business forum, and share its business strategy and product selection.

Palma de Mallorca hosted the two-day event which featured two convention-wide sessions, four smaller sessions, two dinners and 14 social gatherings. The Telefónica family became its own galaxy under the slogan, “10 Years Shining Together”. Leading up to the event, participants were sent a pack describing a star registered under their name, as well as instructions on how to view it on the Internet.

The congress-wide meeting was decorated with a cosmic theme, embodied by a transparent screen measuring 8x6m which seemed to float in the air, as well as model planets and projected heavenly bodies. Projections stood alongside in-the-flesh characters, blurring the line between the real and the imaginary.

The gala dinner took place in an enormous cave, done up to look like an EinsteinRosen bridge, or “wormhole”. Lighting, art installations, fantastic creatures and holographic female androids combined to leave a lasting impression on guests.

Participants at Peugeot's international convention used the Exhibition Hall at CCIB and the outdoor spaces of the Fòrum as headquarters.

Peugeot invites 4,000 people to experience new models To present new, hybrid versions of their 208 and 508 models, French car company Peugeot turned to Parisian agency Lever de Rideau and chose Barcelona as the host city. Over 10 days, the massive international event welcomed 4,000 people to experience the new cars.

The event unveiled the new 208 and 508 models to the marque's global network of dealers. The idea was not only to learn about all the technical advances behind the new models (which they did) but also to truly live the new models. This was achieved over the 10 days of the event by organising parallel events over each groups' two-day stay so that groups of up to 600 people could personally experience the hybrid cars in a short amount of time.

Using the Exhibition Hall of the CCIB as headquarters, along with exterior spaces at the Fòrum, participants had 430 examples of the two models ready to take a test drive through Barcelona. The routes covered various zones of the city, were several activities took place, all of which ended at the Arenas bullfighting ring, where guests enjoyed a gala dinner in the dome. The next day, guests tackled a 4x4 course created exclusively for the event.

Jordi Martí of Drivingevents says: "We had 134 people on staff just to take care of the cars, cleaning them, refuelling them, bringing them in and taking them out. Throughout the 10 days, we worked an average of 16 hours per day because each night, it all started over again. It was by far the largest and most complex driving event we've ever put on.”

Drivingevents handled the automotive logistics while DMC Eumotivation handled the human and communications elements.

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GOLFER’S PARADISE S

cottish style fairways…but without the rain! Making the most of its perfect climate, natural beauty and rich light, Spain has developed an impressive offering of golf courses. Key golf regions include tourism powerhouses like Andalusia’s Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz, Catalonia, the Balearic and Canary Islands and Valencia. With no less than 313 courses, there is definitely a spot for everyone. Plus there is a wide range of options to organise the most original golfrelated incentive activities. Here are a few:

Teeing off at sea

Using biodegradable balls which dissolve in the water and become fish food, Admeeting proposes teeing off from the deck of a boat while enjoying a glass of champagne. Complementary activities on deck include massage classes and a dance with DJ included. The agency also organises night golf in a football stadium, in the snow or sessions with professionals. Another company, Making Golf, organises beachfront tournaments.

Golf in small spaces

Practising your swing in venues with limited space is now possible thanks to the Golf Radar, by Trackter. It can be installed in 20 minutes and includes a radar that shows the speed of the ball.

The game was used in a golf incentive programme in which activities were prepared with the support of staff to match the skill levels of each participant. A few inflatable ranges were installed, along with a three-hole rural golf course and a putting green.

Like real golf, the game measures a golfer’s skill in getting the ball into the hole.

Technology Golf

Technology has left its mark on golf in other ways too. Indoor golf is now possible, perfect in bad weather or simply to try something new. Golf simulators such as the GPS Simulator from Ever Golf offer a new range of possibilities, allowing the player use real golf balls and clubs in a virtual course selected by the player. The player stands on a mat of synthetic turf facing a screen 12 metres square and drives the ball to reach the hole projected on the screen. The only thing missing is the smell of cut grass.

Night golf: a new format for events courtesy of Green Canal Who says you have to be putting out on the 18th hole by sunset during a golf-related event? Green Canal decided to solve this scheduling challenge when they took the sun out of the equation and introduced 180 event professionals to night golf last March 31st.

This golf course located right in the middle of Madrid was one of the first to make golf accessible to city residents who didn’t want to trek to the suburbs. And Green Canal wanted to take this one step further by doing golf in style and promoting the sport as an exclusive activity in a unique location… and at new time of day (or night!). Not a bad way to swing into spring…

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Golf for beginners

Intensive half- or full-day golf clinics taught by golf professionals or courses for both beginners and seasoned veterans are all available to meet the needs of different groups. TUI España offers Easy Golf, an activity directed towards non-golfers which includes a two-hour class with a golf pro. The session begins with theoretical background followed by a hands-on experience of newly learned skills.

Courses for golf fanatics La Cala Resort, Marbella: three golf courses totalling 60 holes, a golf academy, two professional football fields, a 5-star hotel and three meeting rooms. It organises golf events for companies.

La Manga Club, Murcia: with three courses, it has been nominated the “Best Golf Hotel in Europe” and “Best Conference Hotel in Europe” in the World Travel Awards.

Torremirona Golf & Spa Resort, Girona: a wide selection of golfrelated activities as well as seven meeting rooms and the 18-hole “Championship Course”.

Dénia Marriott La Sella Golf Resort & Spa, Alicante: offers a golf academy with professional teachers, an 18-hole course and more than 1,200 square metres of meeting rooms.

Hotel Valencia Golf, Valencia: surrounded by exuberant gardens that enclose a rustic patio, the hotel also organises incentive activities.

Hotel Golf Peralada, Girona: an 18-hole golf course measuring offer 6,000 metres comes with the Castillo de Peralada, a casino and a wine museum, as well as a conference room for 350 pax.

Vincci Costa Golf, Cádiz: bordering the 14th hole of Novo Sancti Petri, a golf course designed by Severiano Ballesteros, the facility also includes a conference centre.

Lidner Golf & Wellness Resort, Mallorca: part of the Bendinat Golf Club, it includes a wellness centre and conference rooms.

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WINERIES AND EVENTS: A PERFECT PAIRING Cristina Muñoz Soro -

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n Spain, wine is much more than a beverage, it is a way of life. It is part of our culture and even of our landscape. Vineyards covering rolling hills, charming old estates and an end product that is appreciated around the world... for all this and so much more, wine is an endless source—you might even say a bottomless glass—of events.

Caves Vilarnau offers the opportunity experience a real grape harvest: they provide clippers, baskets and sun hats.

Then, accompanied by a winemaker, participants make their way to the vineyard for the harvest. There, they will sample grapes right off the vines, tasting the difference between varietals. The grapes harvested by guests are then added to more grapes arriving on a trailer and all is taken back to the winery where the cava production process begins. The day then finishes off with a cava tasting and a hearty lunch.

Vilarnau was also the winery chosen by the agencies Marbet and Vinus Brindis to host a picnic for the executives of a German business. After visiting the cellars, participants celebrated a scaled-down “cava fair” where they enjoyed trying a series of different cavas, each one served in a different corner of the winery. To wrap up the event, the executives donned straw hats for sun protection and enjoyed a rustic picnic featuring locally-sourced products.

Andalusi Club organised a day packed with unique experiences: guests started their day exploring the vineyard on foot, horseback or horse-drawn carriage. Then they learned about how wine is made, aged in oak barrels and how brandy is distilled in copper stills. The group then learned the proper way to pour wine. This was followed by a tasting of 20-year-old VOS wines, and even some very special VORS (vinum optimum rare signatum), over 30 years old. To enhance the enjoyment, quality cured ham, cheese and shellfish were served. To put the final touch to the event, the tasting took place in a room holding one of the most important private art collections in the country, including works by El Greco, Velázquez, Sorolla and more.

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In Vallformosa, ITB Viajes organised an amazing visual spectacle for a German IT client. First, guests spent the day at a vineyard, where they participated in a grape harvest before taking part in a tasting of fine wines. They then enjoyed a rustic picnic while watching an incredible show featuring Andalusian horses that were so close, guests could almost reach out and touch them.

Car dealership Rio chose Caves Vilarnau for the presentation of the new SEAT Alhambra to its most important clients. The VIPs were taken on a tour of the vineyard before enjoying a wine tasting in which the wine and cavas embodied the characteristics of the new Alhambra.

Monvinic recently decided on a most unusual pairing: six excellent wines and the great jazz guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. This unique experience fused two worlds, using jazz and poetry instead of the usual tasting notes... a unique way to delight the senses.

PROMOTIONAL SECTION

A powerful team for the technical side of your events Dushow is a lighting, sound, video, rigging and technical support company, one of the most important in Europe. Created in 1982 in France, and since 2005 in Barcelona we support events throughout Spain, France, the UK and other global destinations.

We consistently perform to the highest standards for events large and small. Our experience is wide ranging from conferences and exhibitions to gala dinners, concerts and catwalk fashion shows.

We have a vast selection of industry leading equipment, Vari*lite, MA Lighting, Martin, L-Acoustic, Meyer Sound, Christie, Barco… and are consistently renewing our stock as new innovations are released.

As we aim to expand across Europe we have assembled an international technical and design team who are able to work with clients in their native languages. We are a young and dynamic team and feel our approach is fresh and complementing to the ever-changing field of world events.

For this Cap Gemini annual convention in Barcelona, the daytime presentations took place in the Arts Hotel. Dushow designed an LED based lighting system, using elegant Octostrip LED to outline the stage and the screen.

And a night at the MNAC Sala Oval! For the evening event the idea was to “bathe” the venue in an elegant red ambiance. 60 Vari*Lite fixtures and 24 Stick LED lights around the hall have been used. 40 motors and 5 intelligent hoists for aerial show were used in the event.

Interview: Riad El Abed, Managing Director of Dushow Spain

Riad knows his stuff. He has been working with the group since 1996 and has led Dushow in Spain since 2005. “We were Eclipse a division of Arpege France part of the Dushow group. This year, 3 of the main Dushow divisions: Arpege, Dispatch and Cameleon fused to create the new DUSHOW company based in 4 cities: Paris, Barcelona, Nice and Marseille”.

Eight years in Spain. What has been accomplished?

“We have achieved a lot,” he continues.

“We were involved with every World Mobile Congress since 2006, working for brands such as Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG. We have supported everything from small press conferences to major events. A 2000 guest gala dinner for Amway, a Google conference in Seville, events for Peugeot, Atlas, Renault, Cap Gemini… We consistently work for clients Jack Morton, George P Johnson, MCI, Havas Event, Le Public Système, and many more.”

The market is crowded, how do you differentiate?

We pay special attention to the state of our equipment and abilities of our staff. Everything has to be clean. We have stock of the latest industry equipment and being the Dushow group gives us many possibilities; if we need additional material, we can distribute from our other warehouses in only a few hours. We also have a 3D render studio, which empowers us to pre-visualise and pre-program your event to ensure your show is perfect. Our designers have created a 3D library of the main event venues of Barcelona to conceptualise and then realise our clients’ ideas.

A tip for planners coming to Spain?

Call us! We will ensure your event runs smoothly. We are reliable. Our clients and freelance technicians would agree we strive for perfection every time, we love what we do and perfection is our obsession.

An important French agency brought Peugeot to Barcelona for a massive launch in January 2012. Dushow Barcelona set up several events such as the gala dinner in La Cúpula of the magnificent Las Arenas. The whole set-up took place in just one day, and required 400m of structure, 110 moving lights, 50 Arcaline2 LED bars and many other latest generation lighting fixtures.

Our Company in Numbers

3256 moving lights 15551 conventional lights 8250m of truss 3523 microphones 2702 speakers 875 rigging motors 850sqm of led screens, 6 - 40 mm 60 video projectors 10 to 30.000 lumens Global sales: 60M euros 6781 events in 2011 170 full time employees 4 Cities: Paris, Nice, Marseille, Barcelona 1 team

www.dushow.com

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Barcelona Francesca Aliai Crispino -

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he world’s third most popular congress city, according to ICCA, is also the only city in the world with nine buildings on the Unesco World Heritage list. In 2011, a total of 650,000 delegates passed through the Catalan capital to attend events such as the Mobile World Congress and EIBTM, as well as to take part in meetings for leading companies, such as Google, HP and Microsoft.

Barcelona is a magnet for high profile meetings. “Its myriad assets give it endless potential in the sector”, says Cristoph Tessmar, the recently-elected head of the Barcelona Convention Bureau. “The sea, the Gothic Quarter, Gaudí's Catalan Modernism, contemporary architecture and shopping make Barcelona a singular destination.” Furthermore, from artists to fashion designers, the Catalan city has a unique flair for design and creativity which adds value to its events.

It has now been 20 years since the 1992 Olympic Games gave birth to leading conference centres and hotels. Today, the city continues to constantly renew itself. The result is a destination that combines an impressive event-friendly infrastructure with a buzzing street life and excellent climate. Discover its possibilities…

A castellers' performance in MNAC

Barcelona is a magnet for high profile meetings.

“Its myriad assets give it endless potential in the sector”, says Cristoph Tessmar, the recently-elected head of the Barcelona Convention Bureau

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Surprising nooks • La Pedrera (Casa Milà): the roof-top terrace of one of Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces impresses visitors for its unique character and magnificent views. In summer, enjoy a drink on the rooftop while listening to live music.

• The Mercat de la Boqueria: for many, this emblematic market is the city’s best, thanks in large part to its rich colours, smells, and vibrant human activity. Don’t miss its insect– selling booth, a surprising delicacy…

• Plaça de Catalunya and the surrounding area: banks, designer fashion, department stores, old cafes and avant-garde shops are found in this area while all the best luxury brands have stores just a few steps up Passeig de Gràcia. This area is Barcelona’s true city centre.

• El Liceu: this stunning opera house, renovated after a fire, offers several rooms for private events.

• Parc Güell: located on top of one of Barcelona’s hills, this park was commissioned by business mogul Eusebi Güell and designed by Antoni Gaudí. It has been a Unesco World Heritage site since 1984.

• Santa Maria del Mar: the only complete Catalan Gothic church has an absolutely beautiful interior.

• Els Quatre Gats: one of the city’s quintessential examples of Catalan Modernism, this cafe was inspired by Le Chat Noir cabaret in Paris. At one time, it hosted art exhibitions; in fact, Picasso’s first two public showings of his art were at this Barcelona institution.

• The oldest remaining house in Barcelona, found at number 6, Sant Domènec del Call, was already inhabited in the 1100s. Over the centuries, it passed through several ups and downs and was even used as a bordello in the year’s following the Civil War.

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BARCELONA

Famous for…

• Gaudí, the architect who left an unmatched mark on Barcelona when he designed some of the city’s best-known buildings (and a park!).

• Gastronomy, with Ferran Adrià taking the lead as a creator and researcher. In 2011 he opened a new bar de tapas in the city, Tickets, where he experiments and creates new flavours and textures to dazzle adventurous diners.

• Shopping. Barcelona created the Barcelona Shopping Line, a dedicated bus route linking a wide variety of stores. Shopping is quoted as the preferred activity by tourists in Barcelona.

• Les Rambles, one of the most famous streets in the world. This boulevard charms visitors with its flower and animal stalls, human statues and vibrant street life.

• Barcelona has more than 4km of beaches, all of which have been integrated into the city since the 1992 renovation. What better place to enjoy wine and paella under the sun or to carry out a team-building activity?

The MNAC, a classic for high-profile events in Barcelona

Gaudí, the architect who left an unmatched mark on Barcelona when he designed some of the city’s best-known buildings (and a park!)

Hotel Bagués, by Derby Hotel

Mobile World Congress 2012

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Casa Llotja de Mar in Barcelona

events with a future

Gala Dinners

Spaces with a history

Conferences Congresses Business Lunchs Receptions

Concerts

The Casa Llotja de Mar is an historical building situated in the maritime range of Barcelona, stands as one of the most emblematic and in-demand venues for the exclusive organization of company events.

Enter at www.casallotja.com and discover your favourite spaces

Information: Cristina Ymbern · (0034) 932 956 414 · cymbern@cambrabcn.org Casa Llotja de Mar · Passeig d’Isabel II, 1 · Barcelona

S P E C I A L S PA I N F O R E V E N T S 2012 | E V E N T O S M A G A Z I N E |

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Highlighted venues In Barcelona

• Well, they’re not exactly “highlighted venues” but they are highly recommendable nonetheless... Barcelona has several “unofficial” restaurants, hidden behind a bar or a store, unannounced on the street. These clandestine dining sites recall Prohibition-era speakeasies. Due to their underground nature, we can’t write about them for our own sake... But ask your DMC! • The classic MNAC, overlooking the Montjuic fountains, is a museum of Catalan Art, which includes a stunning oval hall and an outdoor esplanade. A classic for high-profile events in Barcelona.

• Palau de Congressos de Catalunya and the Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I: with 25,000sqm of meeting space, a 2000-pax auditorium and beautiful gardens for events, this five-star GL hotel is ready to host meetings in style.

• Palau de la Música Catalana: this concert hall is a true jewel of Catalan Modernism and can be rented for events.

• Torre de Collserola: designed by Norman Foster, this telecom tower overlooking the city offers a 200sqm vista point you won’t want to miss. Ideal for cocktail parties and dinners.

• La Cúpula: a new venue located on the top of Las Arenas shopping centre.

Spectacular new shopping mall that opened in 2011 in a former Barcelona bull fighting ring and which welcomed 10 million visitors in its first year of operation.

• The beaches of the Olympic Port include trendy bars and clubs like Catwalk, Carpe Diem and Shoko, Opium Mar (which hosted the EIBTM party in 2011).

• Montjuïc: home of the 1992 Olympics, this small mountain offers a wide range of venues such as the sports arena Palau Sant Jordi or the Olympic stadium. Some of them offer green areas while all have great views of the city below.

• CCIB: this convention centre, created for the 2004 Culture Forum, offers 100,000sqm of exhibition and meeting space and a 3000 pax auditorium.

• Historical venues: the Drassanes (old shipyards and current maritime museum), Gaudí’s famous Casa Batlló, the impressive Castell de Montjuïc and several museums such as the contemporary art venue MACBA… All these venues and more can be rented for events.

• The Llotja de Mar, or old commodity exchange, is an historical building in the old town which dates to the 14th century. Sitting near the sea, the facility is now exclusively dedicated to business events.

• W Hotel Barcelona: this five-star hotel created by the famous Ricardo Bofill rises above the beachfront. On the rooftop, you’ll find Eclipse, a bar with 360º views.

• The last few years saw the launch of other trendy designer hotels including ME Barcelona, Barceló Raval, Ohla Hotel or Hotel Omm. • The old workshop of the Bagués-Mastiera, a classic Catalan jewellery firm, has been converted into a “bijou hotel” by Derby Hotels. To decorate the interior, designers used 2.5kg of gold as well as ebony and marble imported from Brazil.

• The Mandarin Oriental is famous for its luxury and the cuisine of chef Carmè Ruscalleda. Other luxurious options in the centre include the renovated Palace Hotel which has maintained the style of the glamorous 1920s.

• Hesperia Tower Hotel: this five-star hotel includes a large convention centre and is found between the airport and the city.

• Poble Espanyol: a re-creation of the typical villages of Spain, it includes many bars and restaurants in a closed, fortress-like monument. It can be used for cocktail parties, dinners, concerts and more...

• Fira de Barcelona: the trade show grounds are divided into two areas: one next to Plaça Espanya and the other closer to the airport. Together, they boast 365,000sqm of exhibition space and a convention centre. Lodging needs are met by nearby modern hotels like the Congress or the Porta Fira Barcelona, or the Catalonia hotel which features a vertical garden (opening mid 2012).

• “La Casa de les Punxes” offers three very elegant halls for small events.

• Contemporary architecture venues include the Pavelló Mies van der Rohe and the Joan Miró Foundation, both on Montjuïc.

• Palau Marbett: this 1783 PALACETE in the centre of Barcelona offers 365sqm of interior and exterior space for events.

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Blai Carda Hotel Omm, Raval Antoni Bonfill Palau de la Música Catalana

Shopping Mall Las Arenas

CCIB

e2s.cat

La Pedrera, A Gaudí jewel One of Barcelona’s most emblematic buildings, La Pedrera has a spectacular roof terrace with views over the city, and its facilities provide an exceptional venue at which to hold your events.

La Pedrera makes its unique spaces available to institutions and companies to hold their events in one of Barcelona’s most exclusive settings.

La Pedrera Provença, 261-265 Barcelona | www.lapedrera.com S P E C I A L S PA I N F O R E V E N T S 2012 | E V E N T O S M A G A Z I N E |

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Fun facts

Deloitte goes all in on Barcelona's classic venues Some of the Catalan capital's most emblematic sites were selected by Deloitte for its three-day Annual Partner Meeting, which welcomed a guest list of 300 made up of company employees and their partners.

The Llotja (the old mercantile exchange), the Hotel Arts and the Picasso Museum all served as a backdrop for the event.

A guided bike tour through the city and a casual dinner in the Gothic patios of the Picasso Museum (which was closed down exclusively for the group) gave guests unique insight into Barcelona.

To wrap up the event in style, a gala dinner was held in the Llotja. This event was organised and designed by RPA Imagen y Comunicación. Prizes were given for successful business projects while the careers of team members who were about to retire were celebrated.

• Barcelona is in the top 20 cities recommended by National Geographic, the most visited city in Spain, and the second gay destination in the world.

• From 1 January 2012 all bull fighting is banned in Catalonia after the Parliament of Catalonia voted in July 2010 to abolish bullfighting on the grounds of animal cruelty.

• The Football Club Barcelona Museum is the second most visited museum in Catalonia.

• According to architectureweek.com, Gaudí is the most famous architect in the world; his masterpieces act as universal symbols of Barcelona.

• Casa Batlló, the most famous of Gaudi’s buildings, has a fairy-tale façade which explains the legend of Saint George: the roof represents death and the dragon, mortally wounded by a spear.

• Will the Sagrada Família ever be completed? Builders broke ground in 1882 and expect to finish around 2020. The church is the most memorable element of Barcelona’s skyline with its spires rising over 300 feet.

Highlighted venues Outside Barcelona

This spring, Avenida Maria Cristina will host its first Dinner in the Sky, which will place diners 5m in the air, where they can enjoy breakfast, lunch or an apéritif above this Montjuïc avenue.

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The outskirts of Barcelona offer countless beautiful country houses for events. Mas Solers (a beautiful 14th-century palace), Mont Sant Benet (see activities section), Sant Miquel del Fai (an old monastery), Masia d’en Cabanyes (a 1798 country house with a large garden), Bell Reco, Masia Museu Serra and Mas Canovas all combine rustic country charm with the most modern amenities.

• Wineries: Bodegas Torres, the large wine producer, offers a convention centre and visits and activities related to wine culture. Vallformosa also offers its winery as a convention centre.

• Badalona: next to Barcelona, this city has the BCIN convention centre with 1,600sqm for meetings.

• Dolce Sitges: a modern hotel and conference centre with 263 rooms and 2,175sqm for meetings.

• La Mola: this conference venue in the middle of a 14,000 hectare natural park and next to one of Europe's best golf courses also has 4,000sqm of meeting space.

• Casa Bacardí, Sitges: many people don’t know that the famous rum firm was founded by a Catalan. This new venue invites guests to learn about the history behind this man and the business. It offers events featuring rum, culture and Catalan Modernism, not to mention a great waterfront terrace.

We make your event a reality

Located in the exclusive Avenida Diagonal, at only 12 km from the airport · Fast access to the city centre · 25 suites and 475 rooms · 26 halls · There is seating capacity for 1,200 people in Salón Catalunya · Contraste Restaurant · German Biergarten · Terrace · Garden

The Club 3 exclusive floors · 62 rooms · Private reception and lounge · 15-minute massage · 2 hours of Wi-Fi

AQUA Diagonal Wellness Centre Urban SPA · Treatments · Gym · Solarium · IQ Smart Fresh Food · Hairdressing Salon · Swimming Pool · Garden

Hotel Princesa Sofia · Pl. Pius XII, 4 · 08028 Barcelona, España · Tel. (+34) 93 508 10 00 Fax (+34) 93 508 10 01 · psofiasales@expogrupo.com · www.princesasofia.com S P E C I A L S PA I N F O R E V E N T S 2012 | E V E N T O S M A G A Z I N E |

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Activities In Barcelona

• Shop at the world's most famous food market—La Boqueria— then cook a suquet de peix (traditional fish soup) under the guidance of a star-awarded chef. Finally, of course, dig in!

• Organise a dinner in the FC Barcelona stadium: you can rent the team’s bus to get to this legendary pitch where you can enjoy the presence of the one of the club’s players or even play a game against some of your childhood heroes (a team made up of former club players).

• View Barcelona at dusk from a catamaran while sipping cava from the region. A classic! You can also organise your own regatta. Companies such as BCNautic offer this service.

• This spring, Avenida Maria Cristina will host its first Dinner in the Sky, which will place diners 5m in the air, where they can enjoy breakfast, lunch or an apéritif above this Montjuïc avenue.

• Eat at “Dans le Noir?”, a unique sensorial experience in complete darkness.

• Live the Barcelona experience and discover the city centre through some fun activities such as the Spy&Art Game, a gymkhana based on art and mystery organised by Amfivia. In this activity, participants have to find a famous picture hidden in the city. Another proposal is RelacionArte, an activity based on the art of Picasso.

• Discover new places in the city and share itineraries on Facebook with the ITINEtours application.

• Go beyond the traditional tours and explore the city with a GoCar. This convertible car (with GPS included) takes you on a relaxed city tour while you follow easy-to-understand audio directions. Or, if you prefer something environmental friendly, try the Trixi. Kuoni DMC organises exciting treasure hunts with these fun vehicles.

• Tour Barcelona by bicycle: companies like Un Cotxe Menys offer guided bike tours. Stop at the beach or in the Gothic Quarter for tapas. Pleasant, fun and green!

• Discover the secrets that Gaudí hid on the terrace of La Pedrera.

The architect was also a deeply religious man and he left some symbols which can still be spotted by the trained eye: through the holes in the sculptures, you can see the most important temples of the city.

• Barcelona from above: helicopter tours can be arranged.

• Try traditional Catalan food in some restaurants that are well over a hundred years old, such as Can Culleretes, the oldest in the city, or 7 Portes. In both of them you can taste escudella i carn d'olla, a stew of mixed meat and vegetables cooked in broth. In this most authentic of all Catalan dishes, the meat is served first, followed separately by the broth.

• Catalan traditions offered by Kuoni DMC include participative tours with a typical Barcelona breakfast or the sardana, a traditional Catalan dance where participants form a circle and dance holding hands.

• Meeting Expectations coordinates cultural visits where guests learn about the city while being lead through its streets by an experienced guide.

• You’re in Barcelona, so dance the night away! The city is known for its varied nightlife, from the most classic venues to cutting-edge options.

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Emotion meets technology: Stryker's strategy for the future Stryker held its first European Divisional Meeting in Barcelona for its 1,400 employees. The two-day event was organised by the Italian event agency Input Group at the Palau Sant Jordi. The theme focused on seeing the future as an active, participative concept which springs forth from the human imagination.

This concept was developed throughout the event thanks to 3D video mapping, complete with images projected on a one-off stage measuring no less than 50m accross constructed in the parquet circle of the Palau Sant Jordi. The resulting three-dimensional narrative described humanity's great discoveries and advances while stressing how the power of new ideas and team work can shape the future.

Smaller themed meetings and larger meetings for the entire group eventually culminated in a closing dinner party. A 3D video projector along with 2m-tall LED-lit helium balloons brought the stage—and Palau facade—to life. The “Future Me” project featured interactive visual platforms using touch-screen technology which allowed guests to take photos of themselves and express their personal view of the future using drawings and words. Then participants' projects were automatically projected on giant screens and melded into a composite image illustrating the collective vision and dreams of an entire company while its workers spent two days living “together as one”.

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Activities

Outside Barcelona • Build your own human tower! Team Towers offers this very traditional Catalan activity for groups of up to 500.

• See the industrial side of Catalonia at the Colònia Güell, where an industrialist set up his own company town complete with a church, factory and school in the 19th century. Gaudí was the main architect.

• Feeling green? Go hiking with Scenic Walking Barcelona, which offers hiking routes for groups in nearby hills and mountains.

• Test a Carver One on a race track! E&TB organises activities in the Can Padró circuit, found near a country house from the 13th century. Driving these vehicles, a sort of combination between a motorcycle and a car, can be a fun option. After the performance, guests will have lunch before returning to Barcelona.

• Discover local wine and cava culture with activities and visits organised by large wineries such as Codorniu, Bodegas Torres or Vallformosa. (These facilities also usually include a convention centre).

• Go green! The Sitges Convention Bureau proposes a reforestation activity in the Garraf Park, which burned in a 2006 forest fire. This open-air activity combines teamwork with recreational and environmental elements.

• Enjoy the charming town of Sitges and its microclimate of 300 sunny days a year. Why not try an elegant theatre-themed visit to the Palau Maricel, a pleasant Òpera a la fresca (an opera session in a lovely garden) or a visit to the Museu Romàntic?

• Relax, meditate and connect with yourself in a Buddhist monastery in Garraf.

• Live the traditions of Penedès (a wine region near Barcelona): Amfivia offers activities which include trencadís (Gaudí-style ceramic mosaics), sardana dances, el porró (a traditional drinking implement that requires users to pour wine into their mouth in a narrow stream without touching it to their lips... or staining their shirt!), or a castell (Catalan human towers).

Hotel W

Llotja de Mar, an historical building exclusively dedicated to business events

Henri Smeets The agency Apple Tree Communications organized the Opening Party of World Mobile Congress

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Where your event will match excellence The AXA Convention Centre is more than a venue: it’s a Barcelona’s myth.

Designed and built by the worldwide laureate Rafael Moneo the avant-garde design and quality emerge from each and every detail of this building: glasscovered walls, diaphanous bright spaces surrounded by panoramic windows, refined lines and advanced technologies to assure high-quality performances in all your presentations.

This is the AXA Convention Centre: a place to share excellence and to turn up your presentations in memorable events.

- Auditorium: 621 seats along two areas: stalls: 326 / amphitheatre: 295) Located in the main artery of Barcelona - Small meeting rooms: from 20 to 160 the access from the Airport and main train seats. station (Sants) are quick and easy: no more - A.V.: BARCO DLP R-12 (12.000 Ansi Lum) than 20 minutes. Moreover, as a part of L’illa and BARCO iQg-500 (5.000 Ansi Lum).

Diagonal, it is surrounded by a refined shop- 60 sqm Frontal Screen. ping centre, a huge parking lot, hotels bet- P.A. System: D&B Audiotechnik ween 3 to 5 stars, and near 30 restaurants. loudspeakers, five table microphones, six All services and products you may need for wireless microphones (inc. lapel, headband) your activity will be surely provided around.

- 4 booths for simultaneous translation.

- I.R. system for 11 channels We are convinced that the AXA’s Convention Centre is the perfect setting in the city of Barcelona to host your next event: from a small meeting to a big convention, from a concert to a catwalk. Visit our website and get convinced. Wellcome on board!

Auditori AXA Diagonal, 547

Planta Deu i Mata Deu i Mata, 111 (revolving door)

(Centro Comercial L’illa Diagonal) pere.alvarez@axa.es

info.auditori@axa.es

T. 93 290 11 02 Fax 93 290 96 88 www.auditoriaxa.es

S P E C I A L S PA I N F O R E V E N T S 2012 | E V E N T O S M A G A Z I N E |

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Madrid C. M. S. -

F

rom secluded street corners to the grandest thoroughfares, Madrid is full of surprises. The city is a collection of microcosms, each different from the next, and each with its own distinct personality.

Thanks to this diversity, everybody is sure to be surprised by one (or more!) of its many facets.

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Photo courtesy of Madrid Convention Bureau

Upon entering the cityscape of the Spanish capital, one might be struck by its large commercial skyscrapers, its modern avenues or its compelling architecture, yet venture deeper into the heart of this city, and it is also possible to find little nooks where time stood still. Moving between Azca and Chueca, or from the Cuatro Torres to Madrid de los Austrias is like taking a trip without ever leaving the city.

It is precisely this diversity that makes Madrid so perfect for dynamic events, and this is in no small part thanks to the capacity of the city, its streets and its inhabitants to join in the fun. Madrid is truly a warm, welcoming city, and it is easy to get caught up in the vibrant energy of any event that is held there. One example was Fusión, an event that

Madrid Río came about as part of a new, more welcoming and sustainable vision of the city Madrid Río, more than one million square metres of event-ready recreational space Madrid might not have a beach, but it definitely has a river, and one that gets better and better. The Manzanares has become the backbone of a new zone of the city known as Madrid Río, a park with more than one million square metres of space ready for a wide range of activities. The MTV Madrid Beach Festival or the celebration of the Football World Cup are just two of the big-time open-air events held at Madrid Río. But don't think outdoor events are the only options available at Madrid Río: the Matadero Madrid Contemporary Art Center (in the former slaughterhouse of the city) offers plenty of indoor options as well.

Madrid Río came about as part of a new, more welcoming and sustainable vision of the city. The plan goes beyond the banks of the river, however, and one striking example is the M30 project, which will take parts of the city's inner ring road and have them pass underground. In what is proving to be Madrid's most important environmental project in recent memory, more than 200,000 cars that would be passing above ground will now navigate below the city, creating a green corridor stretching from the Prado Museum to Getafe, joining once-separate historical gardens and urban parks. This freed-up space includes 30,000 new trees, 42km of walking trails, 33 sports fields (including football pitches, tennis courts and skateboard and BMX parks) and a mountaineering school. There is even a planned dock for rowing fans.

Madrid is truly a warm, welcoming city, and it is easy to get caught up in the vibrant energy of any event that is held there

could have been closed to the public but which organisers instead decided to have spill out onto the street. Held at Gastrofestival, this event successfully encouraged the participation of local shops, bars, restaurants and residents. Another case in point is Madrid Río, a true adventure in urban planning which has already brought Madrid and its very own Manzanares River closer to each other. While the Manzanares once split the city, it is now a meeting point which lends its vitality to a wide range of events thanks to both its extensive green space and other reclaimed spaces.

Madrid came in sixth in the most recent ICCA global ranking of conference destinations. More and more, the Spanish capital is consolidating its powerful position as a congress destination, while branding itself as a city ready for events that want to truly create an experience.

S P E C I A L S PA I N F O R E V E N T S 2012 | E V E N T O S M A G A Z I N E |

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MADRID

While the Manzanares once split the city, it is now a meeting point which lends its vitality to a wide range of events thanks to both its extensive green space and other reclaimed spaces

Fun facts • Madrileños are often called gatos (cats) because of an historical legend claiming that during the Arabic invasion, a soldier climbed the outer walls with the agility of a cat.

• Madrid’s official symbol is a bear rearing up on its hind legs and feasting on berries from the madroño tree.

This metaphor for Madrid’s growth represents the possession and importance of wood, which is essential to building a country.

• The resistance of Madrid during the Spanish Civil War was converted into a rallying cry for the Republican cause with the famous slogan “¡No pasarán!”, meaning “They will not pass!”.

• The running of the bulls, held in San Sebastian de los Reyes, is an amazing and colourful tradition which consists of a race in the street where bulls charge full steam ahead while people run with them, trying to have fun and, more importantly, survive. The event is considered the second most important in Spain after the San Fermines in Pamplona.

• One word perfectly defines Madrid’s character: castizo, which means something between “the real deal” and “of good stock” or “authentically madrileño”.

The new direction of the Spanish capital is celebrated in Fitur's stand, which was made of eco-friendly materials that reflected the newly renovated area surrounding Manzanares river. The stand included a scale model of one of the main icons of the project: the twin bridges located in front of the Matadero. The real bridges are known for their vaults covered in the largest photographic mosaic in Europe, which were designed by Daniel Canogar.

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FIAT unveils its the new 500c on the streets of Madrid Agency Grupo Eñe de Comunicación had to introduce the FIAT 500c in a way that would compliment the fun, daring and retro styling of the car while exposing it to a young, urban audience. The philosophy of “Be Open” meshed perfectly with one of the car's main highlights: it's a drop-top. Since FIAT wanted the promotional activity to be fresh and viral, the introduction of the car was carried out by way of the smallest megafestival in the world: the Be Open Festival. This openair festival was made up of a series of small stages where various bands played their sets right next to the new model.

In addition to the concerts, various thematic corners were created so participants could take part in fun activities right on the street. Curious pedestrians could test their voices at the singer corner, take part in a photo contest, snack at the “open food” space or get a close look at the new 500c.

E V E N T O S M A G A Z I N E | S P E C I A L S PA I N F O R E V E N T S 2012

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S P E C I A L S PA I N F O R E V E N T S 2012 | E V E N T O S M A G A Z I N E |

MADRID

Events at Madrid Río MTV Madrid Beach Festival.

Madrid was a key player in this music festival: the city's extensive open spaces were the perfect open-air venues in which to enjoy music in the still-warm September weather. Performers included Nothink, Triangulo de Amor Bizarro, Fucked Up and Johann Wald. Spectators also could discover the work of urban artists exhibiting their work throughout the area.

EcoCity converts Madrid Río into the capital of renewable energy The large green space offered

by Madrid Rio is perfect for events focused on renewable energy. One such event was, by the agency Last Lap, the first urban competition in which vehicles running on alternative energy raced one another. The Casa de Campo was converted into an actual race track where thousands of spectators could watch 21 teams go head to head in a sustainable way.

Decathlon Europa. When organisers of a massive event needed a sustainable, open-air venue with more than 40,000 sqm of space, they opted for Madrid Río. The event was Solar Decathlon Europa, an event focused on sustainability in the home. In this competition teams of university students from around the world had to design and build an energy selfsufficient home, powered only by solar energy. The 20 teams assembled their houses on the 40,000 sqm of open space.

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Evenings of fire on the river. During the festival of Madrid's patron saint, San Isidro, the French company Carabosse covered the Manzanares and its banks in more than 8,000 points of light. The company devised an array of small flames that would be set out over the water which included floating spheres between two and four metres wide containing 56 little flames. The structure also had four-metre-tall tulips as well as water lilies, which were actually small flame-lit structures anchored to the river bottom. There was even a 13m-tall floating machine with seven articulated arms holding more flames. A series of characters (also holding flames, of course) guided visitors. There were even hammocks along the river bank from which relaxed spectators could observe the light show.

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Highlighted Venues In Madrid Río

• MATADERO. Since opening in 2007, it has become one of the capital's most dynamic destinations for creative meetings, events or art shows. This flexible, dynamic space is housed in one of the most emblematic examples of local industrial architecture from the early 20th century. The facility does open its doors to private events, though it's important to remember that meetings must sometimes be planned around cultural events. It offers several spaces, including the Plaza Matadero, with 5,000sqm of open-air space, a main hall of the Naves del Español theatre for cocktail receptions for up to 1,260 pax or the Café Teatro Matadero, with room for 350 pax. Nave 16 is another of its halls, with room for cocktail events of up to 4,000 pax. This unique space can be split up into smaller areas for a diverse array of applications.

• NH Ribera del Manzanares. This hotel, which is located near the Royal Palace, sits on the new river-front boulevard and the gardens that run along the banks of the Manzanares. The Almudena Cathedral is also nearby. The hotel offers 224 rooms and conference rooms of up to 169sqm.

Madrid chic American Express Barceló organised an exclusive incentive trip for its best employees and their partners as part of an important financial USA Company event. The trip started in Barcelona and ended in Madrid, after guests travelled on a chartered AVE high-speed train. In the Spanish capital, they stayed at the sophisticated Westin Palace and made day trips to historical destinations such as Segovia, Toledo, El Escorial and Aranjuez. Then they toured some of the best museums in the world in the “Golden Triangle”, which includes the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyseen Bornemisza. The closing gala was held at the Círculo de Bellas Artes, one of the most important private cultural centres in Europe. Prizes were given out in the Fernando Rojas Theatre, and this was followed by a cocktail reception, dinner and party at the dance hall.

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Famous for…

• Its nightlife and especially the movida movement of the 80s, a crazy cultural explosion which brought unbridled creativity to the Spanish capital, especially in terms of art and nightlife. It’s also worth noting that in Madrid, a night out starts later, with most people staying out of the bars until 10 or 11pm.

Clubs generally open at about midnight and don’t fill up until significantly later so remember to adjust your internal clocks!

• Its traditional dishes like the calamar sandwich, which features fried calamari; the famous chocolate con churros, inevitable after an all-night party; and the cocido madrileño, a hearty stew based on chickpeas.

• Hosting some of the greatest museums in the world, including the Reina Sofía, the Prado or the Thyssen-Bornemisza.

• The charm of its surrounding cities, six of which are World Heritage Cities (Alcalá de Henares, Avila, Segovia, Toledo).

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MADRID

New venues Madrid is constantly being renewed and, despite the explosion of new event options at Madrid Río, there are other new venues as well... Here are a few examples.

• LaSede. The new seat of the Madrid College of Architects (COAM) is one result of the spectacular remodelling of the old Piarist Schools of Saint Anthony in the very heart of Madrid. It offers 12,000sqm spread over several different areas, most of which can be rented for events.

There is a multi-purpose room fully equipped with projectors, a screen, robotic cameras, audio, a control booth, simultaneous translation, Wi-Fi and live streaming capability. There is also excellent communication between the exhibition areas and the interior garden. Another advantage is that the open spaces can be joined together, forming distinct areas capable of hosting events of all sizes. There is a garden floor and another separate lodge floor with a garden terrace.

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Palacio Neptuno

Callao City Lights

LA. Showroom

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West Park Studios

Faena Madrid

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Teatro Goya

• Faena Madrid. Created in an old nightclub, this unique venue offers 900sqm of event space, including a 50-sqm stage with a hydraulic catwalk, the only one in Madrid. It also has its own kitchen, run by gourmet chef Carlos Romera. It was the space Grupo eventoplus chose for the presentation of its 2012 Market Study. The space worked perfectly with the cabaret-themed evening, as the space encouraged audience participation and was perfect for the informal networking session following the event.

• West Park Studios. Located in Plaza de España, it totals 1,600sqm and is divided into four different open spaces. Conveniently located, this new meeting space also offers a lot for a full-scale production, including a hair salon, make-up room, art buying department, casting, tech staff, photographers, assistants and more.

• Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. It has been available for events for a long time (Grupo eventoplus held a memorable awards ceremony in 2011, on the pitch), but the novelty now is Eventos VIP, specifically tailored to high-end meeting and incentive clients, which offers both more familiar areas in the stadium as well as special VIP areas. Starting in April, clients will be able to organise a private event on the day of a match, where they will enjoy private access to a customisable room adaptable to a range of presentations or activities.

• Callao City Lights. This two-movie-theatre complex, which includes the Callao movie theatres, has a total capacity of 2,450 pax and sits in the busiest pedestrian zone in Spain, and the third most trafficked in Europe. Here, movie magic becomes real at film premieres as the indoor theatre can be combined with a private use of part of the square, with the help of two giant outdoor LED screens, for a high-impact outdoor event.

• Teatro Goya. This new avant-garde space is located near the “Deaf Man's Villa”, where Goya himself lived along the banks of the Manzanares, and is just five minutes from the Puerta del Sol. It features several halls and auditoriums, from small groups to 1,500 pax.

• LA. Showroom. A venue for unique events. With its wood floors, white walls, wide spaces, luxurious balconies and fireplaces and high ceilings, this venue adds its own unique touch of class to events. It is located in Chueca, one of the most charming neighbourhoods in Madrid.

• Palacio Neptuno. The Palacio Neptuno has some classy neighbours: the Prado, the Hotel Ritz, the Hotel Palace, the Stock Exchange, the Bank of Spain and the Congress. Located in the heart of the financial and museum district, this venue has large rooms and an impressive stained-glass window in the central patio, complete with columns designed by Manuel Ortega. Its many rooms and opulent architecture add up to an exclusive venue.

• Utopic_US. This former fabric warehouse makes for an original space in the heart of Madrid. Measuring 1,200sqm and located at street level, this venue is divided into two floors of 600sqm each, with four customisable window displays. This is the perfect space to host events for anywhere from 20 to 400 people.

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MADRID Things to do in Madrid By agency Imagen LĂ­mite Discover a hidden Madrid. This activity is tailored to provide international visitors with a special glimpse into the mysteries and legends of a Madrid that usually goes unknown to outsiders. Participants wander charming alleyways on foot while discovering unique shops, interesting monuments and hidden tapas and wine bars, as well as tucked-away corners of the city which, despite their classic Madrid character, are unknown even to some locals. There are even scavenger hunts in which the group has to find and photograph key checkpoints following an iPad road map. For those that are more competition minded, madein-Madrid prizes can be given to the most creative team, or for those teams that successfully finish the route. This activity can take place in the morning, leaving the afternoon free for some tapas, a typical ‘cocido’ stew or other specialities of the capital's cuisine.

Designer tapas and the best wines Spain. Tapas are always a hit with guests from abroad, but depending on the size of the group, space can sometimes be an issue.

To meet this challenge, this activity provides a creative solution: bring some of the most well-known chefs in Spain to the visitors, where they will create the most typical tapas right at the event. While guests sample typical cuisine, they will also learn culinary secrets from the chefs themselves. And what tapas would be complete without the finest Spanish wine?

Foto pintxo The flavour of Spain (three events in one). In this activity, guests will break into three groups and learn the surprisingly challenging art of cutting a fine Iberian cured ham from an expert ham cutter. When sliced by an expert, the true flavour of a world-class ham becomes far more apparent. Naturally, once the ham is sliced, guests will sample their handiwork! After trying the world's finest ham, participants will create designer pintxos (typical Basque tapas) in a fun master class. Next, guests will learn about the latest trends in designer gin and tonics and other cocktails before taking part in Madrid's famous night life at a fun, informal dinner.

Gourmet tastings. Lucky participants can sample some of the most exclusive and hard-to-find cheeses from around Spain, some of which are so rare, they can't even be found in stores. Another option is to sample traditional olive oils made from trees planted by the Romans 2,000 years ago.

Discover a hidden Madrid. This activity is tailored to provide international visitors with a special glimpse into the mysteries and legends of a Madrid that usually goes unknown to outsiders

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Highlighted venues In Madrid

• Palacio Municipal de Congresos: this municipal congress centre has an avant-garde design and offers 30,000sqm for meetings. It is divided into exhibition areas, two auditoriums for 1,900 and 900 pax and 30 rooms.

• Auditorium Juan Carlos I: this site has a capacity of 9,500 pax seated or 13,000 standing.

• Palacio de los Deportes: a sports arena in the city centre with retractable seats that can host events of up to 16,000 pax.

• Las Ventas: the largest bullfighting arena in Spain, it is designed in a Neo-Mudéjar style, which is the 19th-century version of Musliminspired medieval-Spanish architecture. The ring can host nearly 25,000 pax.

• Círculo de Bellas Artes: this Madrid institution offers 15,000sqm with two exhibition rooms, historical meeting rooms, a library, a billiard room, a theatre, a movie theatre and more.

• Real Fábrica de Tapices: this 18th-century tapestry factory has two rooms for events and is one of Madrid’s most classic venues.

• Thyssen Museum: with an impressive collection, it offers unique insight into the history of European painting since the 13th century.

It complements the other two great museums: the Prado (older paintings) and the Reina Sofía (20th-century art) in the famous Paseo del Arte.

• Madrid Casino: this prestigious venue with a classical style and more than 170-year history is also forward thinking: Ferran Adrià is the culinary adviser.

• Palacio de Gaviria: this site offers 1,300sqm of history right in the centre of Madrid, with ceilings inspired by the Italian Renaissance and a cabaret or DJs available for modern events.

• Teatro Real: Madrid’s opera house is one of the most important in Spain and is a true symbol of the city’s cultural life. Imagine holding a meeting in a 200-year-old venue!

• Palacio de Linares: famous for being haunted, it follows a 17th-century French style and offers various rooms decorated in a variety of styles.

• El Corral de la Morería: this famous tablao (flamenco bar) appears in the book “1,000 places to see before you die” and features 18thcentury furniture.

• The Debod Temple: this Egyptian temple, dating to the second century BC, is one of Madrid’s best places to enjoy the sunset.

• Off Limits: this former bakery has an avant-garde look and minimalist decoration in addition to a 210sqm room.

• Sol&Sombra: this bullfighting-inspired venue with a very modern touch includes LED-based lighting and decoration.

• ME Madrid: this new, extremely trendy hotel includes a business centre, meeting rooms and two terraces with a 360º view of the city.

Another trendy option is the stylish Urban Hotel.

• Hotel Puerta América: with a façade designed by Jean Nouvel, each floor is decorated by prestigious architects such as Norman Foster or Ron Arad, making for a total of 18 different floors competing to impress you.

• Hotel Auditorium: this massive hotel with more than 800 rooms and a full conference centre is also conveniently close to the airport.

• Castillo de Viñuelas: this fortified castle from the 17th century has various meeting rooms and a great view of the Jarama River.

Serrano street is converted into the “Avenue of Wool” Madrid's city centre was transformed into a unique farm as part of the Campaign for Wool.

Organisers placed a flock of sheep in the middle of the Plaza de la Independencia near the posh Serrano Street. After a press conference held at the Hotel Hospes, the Campaign for Wool took to the streets, where it transformed the centre of Madrid into the “Avenue of Wool”.

Over 50 giant clouds, 30 sculptures and 20 trees with wings attached changed the look of the city streets while 24 dancers from the ‘Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Mariemma’ strutted their stuff in wool costumes. The Campaign for Wool is an initiative born in London last year and which has since spread as far as Berlin, Amsterdam, Oslo and Tokyo, not to mention Madrid. Its goal is to encourage the use of wool by informing the public of its benefits.

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• Bangaloo: this multi-room venue includes a restaurant, meeting rooms and a discotheque and is located in the centre of the Castellana area. Its three floors totalling 1500sqm are done in the deluxe style of Tomás Alía.

• La Capilla de La Bolsa: this mystical old church has been renovated and has a very unique style.

• The Market: this 2100sqm exhibition space is part of a larger complex which includes a hotel and a restaurant capable of seating 200 pax.

• Milk Studio: a white, versatile 255sqm space with a modern style.

• Hotel Santo Domingo: with a four-star rating, this hotel has 205 rooms and 450sqm of meeting rooms, which will soon be expanded to 1200sqm. It has just undergone a complete renovation.

• El Jardín de Miguel Ángel: this garden features 1000sqm of thick vegetation right in the heart of Paseo de la Castellana. It is part of the Hotel Occidental Miguel Ángel 5* and has space for events of up to 500 pax.

• Casa de Campo: with 40,000sqm of open-air space and 33,000sqm of spacious halls, this site includes former trade show area.

Revista Eventos Ingles.ai 1 07/05/12 the 13:45

• Teatro Quinto: located in the Art Deco District and with a capacity of 3500 pax, this multi-space venue can be converted from a conference auditorium to a hall for events.

• Mercado de San Miguel: this market located in old Madrid can host events.

• Casa María: this restaurant organises events related to wine and winemaking as well as corporate events.

• Matadero: this 148,000sqm open space specialises in creative and artistic events.

• The upcoming International Convention Centre, designed by architects Tuñón and Mansilla, will evoke a large rising sun emerging from the four new skyscrapers of north Madrid’s new business area. It will have a 15,000sqm exhibition area and an auditorium for up to 5,000 pax.

• La Caja Mágica has strengthened the city’s offer for large events.

Last November it hosted the MTV Europe Awards which allowed the Spanish capital to shine as a capital of music.

• Museo Nacional del Romanticismo: this museum can now be rented for events.

Let us introduce ourselves: we are the technical department of your agency.

Since 1997 we have worked in over 1200 events for both Spanish and multinational agencies in Spain and abroad.

It’s not only about AV equipment rental. It’s not only about good professionals. The agency deals with the customer, we take care of technical production.

TECHNICAL PRODUCTION FOR LIVE EVENTS S P E C I A L S PA I N F O R E V E N T S 2012 | E V E N T O S M A G A Z I N E |

Puente del Duero, 1 · 28006 Madrid · Tel: +34 91 411 36 95 · mily@buenaonda.es · www.buenaonda.es

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Madrid Fusión: events take to the streets

Highlighted venues Outside Madrid

• La Moraleja Business Resort: set on top of an old convent, this renovated, modern-style hotel sits amidst 35,000sqm of gardens.

• La Quinta del Jarama: with15,000sqm for events in San Sebastian de los Reyes, this venue offers open space for 1,200 seated guests and 2,000 standing.

• Madrid SnowZone: this indoor ski slope in Xanadú, a shopping and leisure centre, is located near Madrid.

• Kinépolis: located in Pozuelo de Alarcón, this large, event-ready movie complex has real Hollywood style. Its HD projection capacity makes it especially useful for visual presentations.

• Fuente Pizarro: this 7000sqm complex has multi-purpose halls for events. They also organise outdoor events in Collado Villalba.

• Club las Encinas de Boadilla: situated in Boadilla del Monte with more than 450,000sqm, this venue has been the setting of several movies and advertisements. It even includes an authentic fort from the Wild West.

• Hacienda Jacaranda: this old horse-riding school in Miraflores de la Sierra has been remodelled for events and offers meeting rooms set up like an amphitheatre around a covered 900sqm central square.

• The old Convent of Boadilla del Monte: renovated to be used as a hotel, this former convent offers various meeting rooms for 750 pax seated banquet-style.

• Palacio de Negralejo: this hotel complex was built in an old, 18th-century country palace in San Fernando de Henares.

• Bodega del Real Cortijo, in Aranjuez: this national monument includes El Lagar, which consists of 14 arcades and La cueva, an underground 2500sqm cave.

It offers themed dinners and music shows.

• Clericó Sports: in San Sebastian de los Reyes, this venue features a lounge with seating for 120 and a terrace capable of seating 240.

• Aldea Santillana: located in the northern mountain range, it features 600 hectares of space, meeting rooms for 400 pax, a private kitchen and 62 rooms.

• La Casa de Mónico: this ‘herreriano’ style house was built in 1946. It has a 30,000sqm English style garden and four meeting rooms.

• Las Rejas Open Club: a leisure, sports and wellness centre found to the north of Madrid, it includes a golf course, fitness facilities, a spa, courts for tennis and pádel, and meeting rooms.

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Madrid Fusión, the already-famous international culinary meeting, celebrated its 10th edition at the Madrid Congress Center from January 24th to the 26th. Under the banner “Doors to the Future”, this mega event once again placed Madrid at the centre of global culinary and gastronomic innovation.

For the second year running, the event encouraged the participation not only of official Fusión participants, but also that of citizens and visitors to Madrid.

This took place at the Gastrofestival, a series of street events that united culture with gastronomy. Highlights included demonstrations, tips, conferences with the best chefs in the world, and a variety of other smaller events. By having the event pour out onto the street, the various activities helped the whole city get caught up in a festive spirit and celebrate a love for fine dining.

Involving the general public was also made possible with the help of clothing stores, restaurants, museums and the municipal movie theatre. During the two weeks of the event, many ‘madrileños’ (Madrid residents) became experts in gastronomy. Street-based marketing and an original urban picnic held right in the middle of Paseo de Recoletos all showed that the Madrid's citizens can be some of the best ambassadors for their city's brand.

Conventions don´t have to be conventional A business trip to Madrid seems less like hard work than most.

Sunny weather, conveniently located conference venues and gourmet lunches are just some of the bonuses for when you visit on business.

After a busy day, Madrid’s famous museums and elegant stores are a great way to recharge before sampling the vibrant nightlife.

Relax over tapas in an outdoor cafĂŠ or dance until dawn. Whatever you do, Madrid is the business.

info.mcb@esmadrid.com (+34) 91 758 55 28 www.esmadrid.com/mcb S P E C I A L S PA I N F O R E V E N T S 2012 | E V E N T O S M A G A Z I N E |

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Activities In Madrid

• Enjoy tasca or tapas hopping, which can be offered as a fun, authentic way to eat, or themed to turn it into a game or team-building activity.

• Live the Madrid experience with agency Sankara’s cultural gymkhana, where participants have to find an object hidden by the Madrid Architects Association by solving problems and quizzes with the help of the most influential characters in Madrid’s history.

Figures include Velázquez (the group will have to paint his works) or a typical Real Madrid football fan (they will play a little ball and answer questions related to football).

• Play “Philip II’s Talisman”, a game devised by Kuoni Destination Management that combines discovering Madrid with teamwork and entertainment. It is a type of gymkhana where participants make their way through Madrid de los Austrias (Habsburg Madrid) on foot. The teams have to solve various tests with historical characters from Spain’s Golden Age. • Make movies: teams must prepare a promotional video for Madrid. The video must include not only images of the city’s most emblematic sites but also interesting tidbits about the city and interviews with Madrid residents. This activity is organised by Kuoni Destination Management.

• Learn about Spanish food traditions at a typical Spanish restaurant. The group will learn how to cut Iberian ham and Manchego cheese, make sangria and try Spanish wines after an explanation by a sommelier.

• A New Skyline: Madrid has plenty of great locations for watching the sun go down, including the Debod Temple and Las Vistillas.

Over the years, many famous painters, from Velázquez to Antonio López, have found inspiration at these and other locations and then tried to capture them on canvas.

• A green visit by bike: the Casa de Campo Park and the Parque Lineal del Manzanares, in the Usera neighbourhood, can be a good choice for fun on two wheels.

• Flamenco Fusion: vibrate with the passion of flamenco as it is mixed with subtle tones of jazz and blues. Las Tablas and Cardamomo offer flamenco sessions.

The Beetle celebrates its birthday in Callao The Beetle's classic charm was once again made apparent in an event organised by Volkswagen in Madrid: more than 28,000 people lined up to enjoy various models of this automotive icon, ranging from classic editions to the most recent version.

The exhibition, “The Beetle: from zero to 200 in 66 years”, was organised by the German automotive giant and aimed at familiarising the public with its newest models while also giving them a history lesson in models from years gone by. Volkswagen also offered guests the ability to experience the new model first hand thanks to a small fleet of eight Beetles which embarked on more than 100 test drives.

Along with these activities, other parallel events were also organised, including placing the latest Beetle as a guest of honour in the main clubs and most fashionable bars in the city. The event was all the more successful since it shared in the dynamic energy of Madrid Fusión.

Outside Madrid • Shoot your own western movie at the Club las Encinas de Boadilla.

The guests will write the script, handle the casting and decorate the place… There is even an Oscar night included!

• Discover the Aranjuez gardens and its monuments during a canoe ride on the Tagus River. In this “Pawnee gymkhana”, participants are members of an Indian tribe which competes with other tribes. Activities include making weapons and traps as well as Indian cries. Organised by Sankara.

• Experience an automotive rally through the Valley of Lozoya, a unique terrain which, thanks to its distinct climate, has plant species from both the centre and north of Spain. The activity consists of a 4x4 ride with several small challenges. You can even have a famous rally driver ride along with you! Organised by Kuoni Destination Management.

• Experience Geoplaying in Aranjuez (with Sankara). This activity features both old-fashioned navigation in the gardens of Aranjuez and modern GPS technology. Participants carry out part of the challenge on foot and another phase in 4x4 vehicles. They must discover all the hidden treasures in the town with the help of local characters like a farmer or a hunter.

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WYD takes Madrid The Catholic World Youth Day, held every three years, is probably one of the largest and most impacting events a city could host.

From August 16 through 18, Madrid hosted two million people who came to host and attend religious meetings, fairs and concerts. The event was truly a logistical challenge, which put to the test the organisational abilities and professionalism of the businesses involved in the event.

The enormous turnout for the event surpassed all expectations and proved to be a logistical challenge. However, the event was a smashing success thanks to the help of more than 30,000 people of all ages, sexes, and personal and professional backgrounds who gave it their all throughout the event.

How Where When need ideas?

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Valencia F. A. C. -

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alencia is a city on the move, and its creative, forward-looking character is converting it into one of the most ambitious event venues in Europe. The America's Cup, the urban F1 race and the City of Arts and Sciences have combined with a renovated old town and excellent infrastructure to propel this city forward.

“The city is continuously renovating, diversifying and complimenting what it has to offer” says José Salinas, Managing Director of Turismo Valencia. As proof, he highlights some of the larger meetings held in the city in 2011, such as the European Congress on Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ECCEO), which welcomed 5,000 delegates. Another example is the Joint International Congress of ILTS, ELITA, and LICAGE, a congress on liver transplants. Other events are the International Congress on Trends in Medical Mycology, the Nuclear Science Symposium (NSS) and the Medical Imaging Conference (MIC), the first MIC held outside the United States, with 2,000 participants.

The arrival of the AVE (high-speed train) that connects the city with Madrid in 90 minutes is a new impulse for international events that want to combine the two cities. Highlighted by new buidlings designed by leading architects that blend futuristic venues with its historic old quarter, Valencia has a lot to offer, including its Palacio de Congresos, recognised last year by the AIPC as the world’s best. No surprise that Valencia last year registered a 13% increase in bednights...

VLC-Turismo Valencia

Fun facts • The saying “estar en la luna de Valencia” (to be under the moon of Valencia) applies to someone who, because of distraction, doesn’t get to do what he wants. It originated when Valencia was a fortified city whose doors closed every night. Whoever didn’t make it back in on time had to stay out of the city during the night.

• The Holy Chalice of Valencia is believed to be the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, and is kept in the city’s Cathedral.

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VLC-Turismo Valencia

The arrival of the AVE (high-speed train) that connects Valencia with Madrid in 90 minutes is a new impulse for international events that want to combine the two cities

Activities

VLC-Turismo Valencia

Famous for…

• Paella: Valencia is the home town of the most famous Spanish dish and other local productions such as oranges and the “orchata” drink, made from almonds, rice, barley or chufas (tigernuts).

• The fallas, a traditional and highly colourful street celebration where the locals build enormous paper statues, display them in a street procession and then burn them in a big celebration.

• The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, an impressive futuristic venue which epitomised the renewal of the city and its opening to the sea.

• Traditional boat ride departing from the America’s cup port. The guests will learn everything about this port and the tournament. After sailing along the coasts (guests who like sailing can help in the navigation), the boat stops at the beach to allow guests to go for a swim and snorkel. The boat ride includes lunch, a glass of champagne, open bar, and a singer and guitarist playing Spanish music. Offered by Ultramar Events.

• Event agency 3n1 offers a Formula III experience to participants. Each guest receives a helmet, gloves and racing suit. During the “hot lap”, participants can feel the same adrenaline rush felt by world champion race-car drivers.

• Show cooking. Learn to cook paella in the natural park of la Albufera, surrounded by rice fields, and take a ride in the park on a traditional fishing boat. You can even have lunch on the boat.

• Fireworks workshop, where participants learn how to make and handle fireworks. Fireworks are a very typical activity in Valencia (often used in popular celebrations, weddings, burials, etc.).

• They say that you don't truly know a city until you've gone shopping in it... And that's precisely why 3n1 offers tours with a personal shopper, combining tourism, shopping and, of course, fun.

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VALENCIA VLC-Turismo Valencia

Palau de les Arts turns red for Banco Santander During Valencia's F1 week, the large Spanish bank invited a select group of clients to F1 Lounge VLC, a private party organised by event planner The Market Room. Keeping with the bank's branding, red was the dominant colour of the décor.

After a welcome address by Enrique García Candelas, CEO of Banco Santander, and an interview with Pedro de la Rosa, guests were treated to a special dinner prepared using locally-sourced ingredients by chef Quique Barella. The event continued with an aerial dance performance that used the building itself as a stage, lending the event a lyrical quality. Finally, a live jazz performance by the Ximo Tébar Band added a touch of elegance to this unforgettable Valencian evening.

The “Golden Triangle” is one of the most beautiful areas of the city. It is made up of the central market, the Llotja de Mercaders and the church of Santos Juanes Making a Falla

VLC-Turismo Valencia

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Organised by Grupo Alade3 Las Fallas are undoubtedly the most important cultural event in Valencia. Alade3 Group has designed a teambuilding experience in which participants give free rein to their imagination, creating their own ninots (colourful carton sculptures which are burned at the end of the celebration), in a traditional Valencian style. This project combines teamwork, communication and trust, but is also a perfect activity to immerse in the Valencian culture. In a true fallero workshop, under the guidance of a local artist, the groups get to see their final creation, from beginning to fiery end.

VLC-Turismo Valencia

Highlighted venues • The “Golden Triangle”: this area is made up of the central market, the Llotja de Mercaders and the church of Santos Juanes, and is one of the most beautiful areas of the city.

• Parque Natural de la Albufera: this natural park to the south of the city is one of the most beautiful areas in the region. The lake includes dune-like formations called mallades.

• Three channels link the lake to the sea and each of them has its own distinct wildlife,making it an extremely interesting destination.

• The City of Arts and Sciences: designed by the famous Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, it is the flagship of the city’s renovation. It includes auditoriums, an aquarium, and the artsoriented Palau de les Arts (Palace of Arts).

• Veles e Vents: created for the America’s Cup, it is a new icon of the city. Located next to the new marina, it offers 10,000sqm over four different levels, giving the impression that the floors are suspended. Its green area connects the port to the beaches and includes restaurants and leisure areas.

• Bioparc: a zoological park with more than 4,000 animals located next to the Turia River.

• The Valencia Conference Centre: designed by Norman Foster, it can host 4,000 pax, with 1,480 in the main hall. In 2013, the facility will be improved and expanded, strengthening its position in both the city and the wider, international event context.

• Feria Valencia: this trade show venue has expanded drastically over the last few years, and now offers 231,000sqm of space, making it the largest single trade show area in Spain.

In 2007, it also added a convention centre for up to 5,000 pax.

• The Ágora, also by Calatrava, completes the City of Arts and Sciences with 1,810sqm of space for over 5,000 pax. It hosted the tennis tournament Open 500 in November 2009.

• Hotel Palacio Marqués de Caro 5*: this 19th-century palace, situated in the centre of Valencia, offers a Michelin-starred restaurant.

• Outskirts of Valencia: don’t miss the country houses and castles. Among them, • Campo Aníbal: (a beautiful mansion named after Hannibal, who stayed there on his way north from Africa), the Hort de Santa María or the Masia de Xamandreu. Markets such as the MercatCentral or the Mercat de Colón can also be rented for events.

VLC-Turismo Valencia Veles e Vents: created for the America’s Cup, it is a new icon of the city.

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Gran Canaria Neus Duran -

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round island for well-rounded incentive options… In recent years, Gran Canaria has seen a significant increase in event activity, thanks to its good air connections with mainland Europe and several other attractive factors. One bonus that this little corner of the Atlantic offers is that nothing can be more than 80km away, which makes it possible to explore desert dunes, a volcanic crater or even a snowcovered mountain peak... all in one day.

A natural destination for incentives that revolve around golf or water sports, the island's mild climate has made it the go-to spot for outdoor-themed events held during winter months. And less sporty activities are also available as the island offers many options for a more relaxing stay. If the latter, more chilled-out vibe is desired, don't forget that Gran Canaria has no less than three conference centres and a wide selection of 4 and 5* hotels. Be sure to take advantage of unique event venues which include the inside of a cave, colonial haciendas on old banana plantations, or even a literary club gabinete literario. Adding to these special options is the island's rich historical heritage, which includes indigenous peoples, colonists and pirates. Even Christopher Columbus passed through! All this makes it the perfect jumping-off point for thematic adventures.

However, don't think this festive, relaxed atmosphere means that Gran Canaria isn't ready for business: the island also offers powerful infrastructure, including congress centres such as the Gran Canaria-Infecar Conference Centre, the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium and Conference Centre, with room for 9,000 spectators, and the ExpoMeloneras Conference Centre in Maspalomas.

The Alfredo Kraus Auditorium and Conference Centre

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A pioneering destination for golf and nautical sports

Gran Canaria is a privileged golf destination, and has always been on the cutting edge of the Spanish golf scene, due in no small part to the fact that you can tee up any day of the year. Thanks to these natural advantages, the island now offers some of the most wellrounded selection of golf options in Europe. Also Gran Canaria has always been a strong destination for nautical sports. In fact, its beaches offer some of the best windsurfing in the world, with hotspots Playa de Vargas and Pozo Izquierdo hosting top international windsurfing competitions. Larger craft are also welcome, as the island hosts events such as the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), a transoceanic regatta with over 1,000 participants. You can even fish for blue marlin and other exotic fish. Finally, let's not forget that there is a long-standing tradition of spa treatment which made Gran Canaria a prime wellness destination.

The Gran Canaria Convention Bureau suggests several adrenaline-charged activities: “learn to sail at the Estación Náutica or how to handle a sports car at the Maspalomas Autodrome. Follow up with a relaxing moonlit music or dance performance at one of the many terraces at the Ciudad de Mar y Culturas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria itself, or on the southern tip of the island.”

The national conferences of both the Spanish Cardiology Society and the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine are among the recent large-scale events held at ExpoMeloneras, while the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium and Conference Centre recently welcomed the Spanish Society of Contraception as well as the annual meeting of the ICCA Iberica. Another event worth highlighting is this year's Spanish Society of Nephrology Conference.

Maspalomas Congress Centre

Famous for…

• Its variety of landscapes: volcanic, white dunes, wild forests, black-sand coves, lunar landscapes, coffee plantations, cliffs...

• Whale-watching all year round.

• The mix of indigenous heritage and colonial architectural style.

• The salsa de mojo, a dipping sauce made with black pepper, sweet peppers, garlic, cumin and coriander.

Fun facts • The island's aloe vera is considered the purest in the world, and is expertly used in many of the hotel spas of the island.

• During the Age of Discovery, this archipelago was the last safe bit of land explorers would pass before embarking into the great unknown.

• An impressive 43% of its territory is protected environmental reserves.

• With 100 types of flora that live exclusively on the island, visitors can gain valuable insight into the evolution of plants at this botanical Galapagos.

• Here, nautical sports have been elevated to the status of a religion. In fact, 31 world champion nautical athletes hail from the island, and the Royal Nautical Club of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the world's most decorated.

Golf and a personal vehicle: the keys to a relaxed island visit Golf is without a doubt one of the island's greatest attractions, and there is no shortage of agencies that include it in their itineraries. One such agency, Iré Viajes, recently organised a four-day event for 350 pax who stayed at the Hotel Sheraton Salobre. After a relaxing, low-key first day, guests began their second day on the golf course, with less-experienced participants receiving lessons. Guests who didn't feel like hitting the fairways were given another attractive option: a whale-watching outing on board a sail boat. After a buffet lunch, groups of four guests were given the keys to their own loaner cars and a map loaded with tips on what to see throughout the island. Thanks to the small size of Gran Canaria, guests could discover it at their own pace without covering large distances. That night, they celebrated a Canary-style fiesta in the Finca Condal Vega Grande. On the next day, they once again hit the road, meeting with Iré personel who were waiting at key points of interest, such as the Columbus Museum.

Europe-wide improvement in air connections is one of several factors leading to a jump in event activity in Gran Canaria in recent years

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GRAN CANARIA

Surprising nooks

Highlighted venues

• La Hacienda del Buen Suceso: just 12km from the city of Las Palmas, it is built with tea wood, tiles and quarry stone from Arucas.

• Finca Condal Vega Grande. This historical complex sits on 20,000sqm of space and has several unique spaces, including a palm grove and the celebration room for 700 diners.

• Hacienda de Anzo. This colonial-style mansion has six bedrooms and is the perfect match for small events. Surrounded by a tropical garden, this hacienda features the La Cueva (Cave) room, which holds 250 pax.

• La Casa del Reloj: located in the old part of Vegueta and close to Las Palmas Cathedral, this venue has three large lounges decorated with a refined classicism and is capable of hosting up to 130 guests.

• Columbus House: the house visited by Christopher Columbus during his journey to the Americas in 1492. Its rooms feature information regarding the role of the Canary Islands in the Age of Discovery.

• Painted Cave of Gáldar: this aboriginal art site features geometric designs based on squares, triangles and circles in red, ochre and white colours. To this day, they leave a large mark on contemporary art from Gran Canaria.

• La Casa del Vino, or wine house, is a renovated historical building in Santa Brígida where you can taste and learn about a variety of wines from the Canary Islands.

• Alfredo Kraus Auditorium: located in front of the capital city’s Las Canteras beach, it combines striking architecture and a great location to provide a unique coastal environment.

• Gran Canaria Congress Centre: located in Las Palmas, it offers garden spaces and a diverse range of halls for events, totalling more than 7,500sqm.

• Maspalomas Congress Centre: a modern building in the south of the island, it offers 24 conference rooms with electronic screens and mobile stages.

• Hotel de Montaña Las Tirajanas: located 1,000m above sea level in the heart of the Island, this hotel has views of the island’s inner valleys and a room for small meetings.

• Literary Club: in the north of the Island, this 14th-century convent has been renovated for events and features numerous rooms in a romantic and neoclassical style.

• Hacienda de Anzo: this old colonial mansion is suitable for small events. The La Cueva room is located in a natural cave that has been adapted to accommodate 250 pax.

L’Oréal Profesionnel Portugal hair dye conference at Expomeloneras Ineventing, along with Geostar, organised the 8th annual L’Oréal Profesionnel Portugal conference. The chosen setting was the ExpoMeloneras Conference Centre, just five minutes from the Hotel Baobab, where the 500 guests stayed. They spent several days experiencing first hand new hairstyles by Guy Kremer, all for an actual dance performance.

The Hotel Baobab, adjacent to ExpoMeloneras, makes this event complex a perfect—and practical—option

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Space Mission: Gran Canaria This experimental incentive, created by Ineventing, is a sophisticated version of a gymkhana. The activity takes full advantage of the island's stellar natural resources, which include deserts, rocky mountains and hidden valleys. Against this backdrop, participants embark on a “space mission” as a group of astronauts on a distant planet sent to solve a series of enigmas. The adventure actually started one month before, during “phase 0: pre-lift-off”, when adventurers chose their astronaut profiles and were informed of their mission. Then, in “Phase 1: establish base camp”, guests had to discover the location of their space station (known to non-professionals as a “hotel”!). This incentive trip can last from one to three days. During their mission, astronauts can explore the dunes of Maspalomas (known here as the Arkania Desert) or the Calder de Bandama (The Alpheriedies II Crater). Guests will be sure to remember this adventure long after they return to Earth...

Be a race-car driver for a day at the Circuito de Gran Canaria

With some of the widest golf options in Europe, this pioneering Spanish golf destination is ready to tee off

Activities • Gran Canaria was a pioneer in introducing golf to Spain. Today, most of its golf courses are relatively new and the great climate makes it possible to swing away 365 days a year.

• The Guagua turística, or tourist minibus, was just unveiled and runs on less-trafficked, alternative routes to key points in the island.

• Let Capital Incentive take you on a camel ride through the Maspalomas dunes, a seaside nature reserve with more than 400 hectares of golden sand.

• Sailing: the water temperature, the harbour infrastructure and the sea and wind conditions make this island a perfect place for sailing and other water sports.

• Robinson Games: participants have to find a set of survival elements such as tools, water, food, etc. At the same time, they will have to help each other build a shelter. All this occurs on an island (or an isolated beach) with few resources. This activity can be enhanced with a bivouac stay.

• Town to Town: this adventure involves navigating a car through the island and trying to discover various checkpoints along the way, all based on a provided scenario. At these locations, participants will discover various aspects of the island's living history, including cultural heritage or local crafts. After the specific points are found, guests will have to complete a quiz about the island.

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Tenerife N. D. -

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ull of amazing activities and enhanced by fairytale hotels, banana plantations, volcanic caves, environmental recovery programmes and dinners set against the backdrop of the sound of crashing waves, Tenerife is full of possibilities. Nearly half of its territory is protected by nature reserves, it has nearly 1,000 known micro-climates and its ecosystems are known for their diversity. It is simply the perfect destination for outdoor-themed incentive trips and activities.

Diego Fernández of the Tenerife Convention Bureau suggests starlit dinners and night-time surf shows as some of what the island has to offer. He also encourages you to enjoy other attractions on the island: “It is possible to visit two World Heritage sites on a single island: the Teide National Park and the city of San Cristobal de La Laguna. Go whale watching: all year, cetaceans are so close to the coast that the island has become the world's second most important site for this activity. Bottlenose dolphins also live in the area year round, swimming in pods off the south-western coast of the island.”

Surprising nooks • La Noria Street in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: this lively thoroughfare offers intense night life in traditional houses that have been converted into bars.

• La Orotava and La Laguna: historic and artistic sites, they are famous for their unique balconies and interior patios.

• Acantilados de los Gigantes (the Cliffs of the Giants): an impressive landscape in the south of the island, it has cliffs that reach as high as 600m.

• The Teide National Park. This lunar landscape gets its otherworldly appearance thanks to its peculiar solidified lava formations. It is classified as a Cultural Heritage site.

Bioclimatic lodging in the south of the island

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Thanks to a lack of “light pollution”, the region is one of the world's best spots for contemplating the heavens, and is comparable to Hawaii or Chile when it comes to stargazing.

Why not dine under the stars?

Highlighted venues • Tenerife Auditorium: located in the heart of Santa Cruz, it is housed in an avant-garde building designed by Santiago Calatrava and has a seating capacity of 1,600 pax.

• Puerto de la Cruz Congress Centre: this venue is housed amidst 110,000sqm of subtropical gardens with splendid views of the sea and a capacity for 1,000 pax.

• Magma Arte & Congresos: the striking main auditorium has seating for 2,500 pax and a 300-sqm stage.

• Pirámides de Güímar Ethnographic Park: this historical monument illustrates the origin of the island's great indigenous civilisations, providing valuable insight into the first inhabitants of the area. The venue includes an auditorium for 164 pax.

• Siam Park: this huge water park in Costa Adeje features the largest artificial wave in Europe. It includes private islands, VIP cabins and a white-sand beach, not to mention a 3,000 pax capacity.

• Ábaco: in Puerto de la Cruz, this 18th-century mansion in typical Canary Islands style is surrounded by gardens and has been adapted for events. It has also been catalogued as a building of cultural interest.

• Arona’s Pyramid Convention Centre, part of the luxurious Mare Nostrum Resort, is situated right on the El Camisón beach on the southern side of Tenerife. It can house 1,815 delegates.

The lunar landscape of the Teide National Park gets its otherworldly appearance thanks to its peculiar solidified lava formations

Fun facts • Its carnival is one of the most colourful and best known in the world.

• The Teide, 3,718 metres high, is the highest peak in all of Spain.

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Activities • Bioclimatic lodging: In the south of the island, visitors can try sleeping in a new type of lodging. In the Renewable Energy Technology Institute, there are 24 bioclimatic lodging units that are completely energy self-sufficient. This “village” has zero CO2 emissions, and makes a nice surprise for environmentally conscious participants.

Incentive trips can also be complimented by 100% organic catering or educational activities such as accompanying a fisherman as he searches for his daily catch.

• A wine tour: the island is divided into five different wine regions, each with a unique terrain and climate. The various DOC zones are: Abona, Valle de Güímar, Tacoronte Acentejo, Valle de la Orotava and Ycoden Daute Isora. Organise an incentive that features local food samples, wine tasting or food and wine pairing.

• Whale watching year round: because whales are near the coast of Tenerife during the entire year, the island has become the world's second most popular site for whale watching. Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are a sure bet for exciting incentives.

• Dine under the stars: the region is one of the world's best for star gazing, and has even been compared to Hawaii and Chile. Take advantage of this and organise a dinner under the stars at the Parador de Turismo las Cañadas del Teide, a state-run tourist lodge.

• Discover the largest lava tube in Europe while armed with a helmet and headlamp during a visit to the Cueva del Viento cave in Icod de los Vinos.

• Dinner in a banana plantation: in Punta del Lomo, guests can dine in a century-old banana plantation on imperial tables measuring nearly 100m and surrounded by banana trees, a crop inextricably linked with the island's history.

• Hollywood star: the hit film Wrath of the Titans was filmed in the Teide National Park and a tourist route retraces where key scenes were filmed. An excuse to discover one of Tenerife's two World Heritage Sites.

• CSR: the Sustainable Ocean Association runs the Adeje marine sanctuary and they invite you to collaborate with them on underwater and eco-themed incentive trips. A perfect opportunity to discover a unique part of Tenerife's natural wonders.

• High-intensity sports incentives: ready to work up a sweat? T3 – Tenerife Top Training is a sports facility on the south of the island that specialises in year-round, high-intensity sports activities tailored to business customers.

• Night-time surf show: your group can dine on a 9,000-sqm beach while enjoying surfing acrobats at Siam Park, the largest water park in Europe. With a 1,500-pax amphitheatre, private islands for hire and luxury bungalows, Siam Park is ready for a wide range of events.

Bullfighting was the central theme in an event Creatur planned for a European company in Tenerife. The client demanded attention to the last detail, including a request that “bulls, blood and sand” be present on the tables during dinner! To create this ambiance, Creatur took the Osborne bull (a classic Spanish icon) and had versions made up in forged steel. For the ring, they used a mirror topped with sand.

Finally, to simulate banderillas and blood, they used red sand and helicornia flowers.

Hollywood star: The hit film “Wrath of the Titans” was filmed in the Teide National Park and a tourist route retraces where key scenes were filmed

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The Teide National Park

Impressive landscapes Mercedes-Benz sales teams were dazzled by striking scenery and impressive roads which served as a backdrop for the global launch of their C and SLK models in Tenerife. More than 700 professionals affiliated with the prestigious German brand visited the island from the March 2 through 25. All were able to test the vehicles on island roads while enjoying such spectacular sites as the Teide National Park, Buenavista del Norte and GuĂ­a de Isora. A plane with 60 journalists landed every day in the island, where they stayed for three-day tours.

Carnival of the Far West Tenerife has one of the world's most renowned carnivals‌ Taking advantage of this heritage, Teamfactory designed a programme for 500 pax. The experience started with a team-building activity where attendees had to integrate with local carnival local groups (and their floats!). Then, donning costumes and putting on makeup, guests joined the locals and participated in the Gran Coso de Carnaval. After, they performed on the streets of a village decorated like a scene in the Wild West. At the end of the performance, they had a barbecue with local products followed by a party with a live band.

Bioclimatic lodging in the south of the island

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Majorca F. A. C. -

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hen it comes to incentive trips, the island of Majorca offers a rich and vibrant selection of activities matched only by its rich and vibrant variety of scenery. This Balearic island combines charming cities, rugged mountains and beautiful beaches. And all this is packed into a space where the longest trip in a straight line takes about an hour.

Marga Méndez, Director of the Mallorca Convention Bureau, says “anything is possible in Majorca. It has excellent connections, a temperate climate which makes great excursions possible any time of year, and a top-of-the-line hotel and service infrastructure.”

However, don’t think growing tourism has spoiled the island; the fact is, most of the coast is still intact, offering everything from stunning cliffs to tranquil creeks. And the island’s rural areas—dotted with small villages—are the perfect place to take a bike tour to take a break from the more crowded areas.

With all this nature on hand, it’s easy to see why Majorca has been so successful in impressing visitors.

Famous for…

• The Catedral de Palma, the Llotja and the Castell de Bellver, all excellent examples of Gothic architecture.

• Its typical pastry, known as the ensaïmada, and its famous cured sausage, called sobrassada.

• Its locally-made products, including footwear, hand-blown glass, Manacor pearls and herbal liquors; the latter have been prepared in the island’s monasteries since the Middle Ages.

• Its marvellous beaches bordering turquoise-coloured, crystalclear waters and spectacular sea beds.

With all this nature on hand, it’s easy to see why Majorca has been so successful in impressing visitors

Bellver events

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Bellver events

Fun facts

Pide la luna

• Frederic Chopin and George Sand arrived to Majorca in 1838 to continue their love affair. They stayed in the Cartuja de Valldemossa, where Chopin composed various pieces while Sand worked on her famous novel, Un hiver à Majorque (A Winter in Majorca). She wrote of Majorca: “All that a painter or a poet can dream of, nature had created in this place.”

• Painter Joan Miró lived in Palma de Majorca from 1956 until his death in 1983.

• The Palau de Miravent in Palma is the summer residence of the Spanish royal family.

• Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones, Richard Branson, Claudia Schiffer and Boris Becker are among the many celebrities with a house in Majorca.

• Robert Graves, who settled on the island, also described Majorca as “paradise”.

An exclusive event Event agency Pidelaluna organised a soirée for 20 Camper PR managers from around the world. Participants were taken on an excursion to a secluded cove where, dressed in white, they enjoyed a cocktail reception and a casual dinner. After the meal, guests followed a San Juan tradition by writing a wish on a small piece of paper, wading into the water, and lighting a small candle, which they then used to burn their wish to make it come true.

Surprising nooks • The Reserva Puig de Galatos natural park: Here you can participate in 4x4 gymkhanas, cross Tibetan and Amazonian hanging bridges, rock climb or rappel, all against a backdrop rich with wildlife.

• The Coves del Drac in Menorca, a set of impressive caves, includes spectacular chambers with thousands of stalactites, not to mention the park’s Martel Lake and several ponds. There are numerous other spectacular caves scattered around the island.

• Palma’s Arabic baths: The baths date back to the era of Muslim domination in the Balearic Islands.

• Chapel of the Santísimo in the Palma cathedral: opened in 2007, its ceramic altarpiece created by artist Miquel Barceló recreates the miracle of bread and fish. In contrast to the altarpiece, the cathedral itself is a Gothic building which took over 500 years to build.

• Standing 1,445 metres above sea level, Puig Major is the highest point on Majorca.

Getting touched by the sea without ever setting foot on a boat...

Click-mallorca.com

Pide la luna

This was precisely what a group of 80 pax from across Europe asked of Bellver Events. The agency decided to create a beach outing: guests enjoyed a day at a beach club with views of the island's fabulous coastline while participating in a diverse array of activities. However, a casual setup allowed guests to take it all in at their own pace. Whether relaxing on a hammock, grazing at a natural buffet or sipping a juice or cocktail at the open bar, guests followed their own rhythm.

Bellver Events

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Highlighted venues • Jumeirah Port Sóller, Hotel & Spa: unveiled in 2012, this 5* Superior hotel has 120 luxury rooms distributed across 11 buildings. With a total of 18,000sqm of space, this facility sits on the cliffs overlooking Port de Sóller.

• The Barceló Illetas Albatros Hotel has a multi-purpose room measuring over 250sqm, for up to 150 pax. However, what sets it apart is the fact that the room is a glass-enclosed space on the hotel's rooftop terrace!

• The Palma Auditorium, with a capacity of 1,600 pax, is located on the city’s famous Passeig Marítim.

• The Palma Convention Centre is nearing completion. The building, located on the edge of Palma Bay, has an auditorium with room for over 2,000 pax which is complimented by a 1,120sqm conference hall and a 650sqm room.

• Pueblo Español Congress Palace Palma: this venue, the largest hall on the island, has room for up to 1,500 pax.

• Auditori de la Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró: originally the workshop where the Catalan artist developed his creative work, the site is presently a meeting point for writers, artists and musicians. It can host 100 pax.

• Can Domenge–Centre Tecnològic: this convention centre, with a capacity for 300 pax, focuses on technological services.

• The Real Cartuja de Valldemossa: this monumental complex dates back to King James II, who chose this 400-metre-high location to build a palace for his son. Today it is a cultural centre.

• Hotel Gran Melià Victoria’s convention centre: with 11 meeting rooms designed in traditional Balearic style all connected to the hotel, this facility is ready for meetings. And its Magna room has space for 500 pax.

• The five-star Biomar Gran Hotel & Spa has meeting rooms for up to 350 pax.

• Riskal, a large entertainment centre, has gardens, walkways, restaurants, cafes, music clubs, a discotheque, venues for events and open air multi-purpose areas.

Jumeirah Port Sóller, Hotel & Spa

On the road, island style Majorca was the theme for a presentation of new tourism models to industry insiders. The destination was chosen not only for its sun-kissed weather but also for its hotel infrastructure and great roads. The agency Iberoservice organised a tour down various country roads, taking participants across terrain of unbeatable natural beauty, allowing them to experience what it's like to drive on the picturesque island.

Guests covered all the planned routes over a twoday period. At the end of the trip, the going-away party took place at a famous restaurant in Palma. Over several phases, 750 participants took part in the event.

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Activities • Event agency Pidelaluna suggests seeing the island from a unique perspective: why not get a bird's-eye view from the cockpit of a plane during a flying lesson, or check things out from the saddle of a Vespa scooter while cruising through Majorca's rural landscapes?

• Fans of a slower-paced adventure will enjoy taking a vintage train from Palma to the town of Soller.

This narrow gauge railroad has covered this route through the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range since 1912.

• In the fall or winter you can join a Majorcan family as they harvest olives and grapes and learn how to produce organic olive oil and wine.

• Bellver organises exclusive showings and fashion events to help participants discover the traditional furs and textiles of the islands.

• The same agency offers trike trips through the Serra de Tramuntana, a zone recently declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.

• Majorca is also very attractive for equestrian tourism, a perfect option for nature lovers who want to enjoy beautiful rural and coastal environments on horseback.

• Sailing is a well established sport in Majorca, as is windsurfing, kite surfing and wakeboarding; there are even sea excursions in pedal boats! Canoeing and water skiing are other waterborne options.

The island also has aquatic parks, a dolphin zoo and sailing schools to round out its maritime selection.

• Event agency Pidelaluna organises photography workshops in little, off-the-beaten-path towns in the island's interior.

• Diving is also offered, especially from March to May and from September to November.

• Ivents suggests a themed dinner in Cap Rocat, an old restored fortress perfect for medieval themed events, gala dinners, horse shows, falconry and sword fights.

• See craftsmen work in the Passeig de l’Artesanía de Palma in Sa Gerreria, one of Majorca’s oldest neighbourhoods. The traditional handicrafts were recuperated from medieval trades and are now showcased in 15 workshops. You can buy handicrafts like ceramics, glass, jewellery, pearls, leather, etc.

Other Balearic Islands

Ibiza

Menorca, Formentera

Menorca created its own convention bureau and offers some interesting venues for events, such as the 19th century Fortalesa d’Isabel II and La Mola, both suitable for large events. Other options include Ses Pedreres de s’Hostal and Lítica, two old rock quarries converted into natural/cultural spaces that include impressive stone landscapes, labyrinths and gardens.

And don’t forget the Cova d’en Xoroi (a discothequecave in Cala’n that literally hangs from a cliff). In Menorca, you can practise all sorts of sports in the open air, with everything from sailing, diving, Last but not least, don’t forget Formentera, the smallest and quietest of the four. This little island is perfect for exploring during a one-day cycling tour.

The island of Ibiza has so much to offer: magnificent sunsets, idyllic beaches, a strong offering of outdoor sporting options and a classy night life. However, did you know it's also great for events? Ibiza has a Convention Centre with a 437-seat auditorium as well as several rooms. There is also a fairground, perfect for fairs and other large events. Or the historical Teatro España. Meanwhile, the Dalt Vila, or Old Town, has several options of its own: historical military installations or the city council's own cloister offer options for events shrowded in exciting local history. A nice place to visit is the Es Canar market in Santa Eulària des Riu, which takes place every Wednesday and continues to be the essence of Ibiza's hippie lifestyle. Ibiza has plenty of outdoor activities as well, including kayaking and windsurfing or horse-back riding and bike tours. Incentivos Ibiza DMC offers plenty of great activities ranging from a Bohemian beach dinner to a 4x4 adventure through rural backroads. When Mercedes took an incentive trip to the island, the DMC organised an outing in classic Citroën 2CV which included a picnic lunch in San Lorenzo that was set to live guitar and drum music. Later, guests watched the famous island sunset from a catamaran.

formenteraforme

Do you want something different?

INCENTIVOS IBIZA DMC Crta. S Antonio km1 07800 Ibiza Phone: + 34.971.193.069 Mail: info@incentivosibiza.com Web: www.incentivosibiza.com

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Costa del sol F. A. C. -

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ith a long-standing tradition of catering to the business sector's recreational needs, the Costa del Sol has always been a cradle of events in Spain. It boasts strong infrastructure, including a new terminal at the Malaga airport, the AVE high-speed train and a new freeway network that opens up the region to national tourism. Meanwhile, the hotel sector carries out extensive renovations. Yet this doesn't stop the local hotels from continuing to offer surprisingly affordable pricing, considering the excellent quality of the facilities.

It is through strategies like these that the region continues to grow in the event sector. One example is the main city, Malaga, which recently hosted a striking number of key industry events (highlights include ICCA, SITE, MPI and the first Iberian MICE Forum). And if that wasn’t enough, the region is also pushing to become a sustainable destination through its new triple-R programme (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle), spearheaded by the Costa del Sol Tourist Board.

Today, between 25 and 30% of Spain’s large luxury hotels are found in Marbella and the surrounding area. Air connexions are strong. Meanwhile, the first-class golf courses that dot the landscape are just one example of the luxurious options this region has to offer. All this contrasts with the charm of typical Andalusian villages, famous for their narrow streets and white-washed houses adorned with flowers.

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It’s hard to talk about Malaga, the regional capital, without talking about art: Picasso was born here and a new Thyssen Museum was inaugurated in 2011, right in the city centre. On the other hand, there is no shortage of more down-to-earth pleasures, as the region is known for its famous pescaditos (delicious small fried fish perfect for enjoying on a sun-washed terrace).

Fun facts • Talk about extreme customisation! In Malaga, when ordering a coffee with milk, no less than eight different names are used to describe the exact proportions of coffee and milk one would like.

• The late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia spent his summer holidays in Marbella accompanied by an entourage of 3,000 people, 200 cars, helicopters, planes, and an army of bodyguards.

• Malaga aspires to become a European cultural capital in 2016.

With this goal in mind, all existing museums are undergoing renovation or improvements while several new museums are under construction, including the Wine Museum, the Flamenco Museum and the Semana Santa (Holy Week) Museum.

• One could say the Costa del Sol’s modern history begins in Torremolinos with the arrival of George Langworthy, better known as “el Inglés” (the Englishman). He and his wife resided in the Castillo de Santa Clara.

Júzcar, home of the Smurfs

The first-class golf courses that dot Marbella’s landscape are just one example of the luxurious options this region has to offer

The fishing village of Júzcar lays claim to being the world's first real home of the Smurfs —and a plaque in front of the citycouncil building proves it. To celebrate the release of the film The Smurfs, the typical brilliant white houses of the town were painted completely blue. Riding on the promotional wave of the film, the town has organised “smurf tours” and a “smurf market”.

Nickname • The Costa del Sol is a nickname in and of itself (Coast of the Sun). An alternate name is the Golf Coast, because it has the largest number of golf courses in Spain.

The global presentation of the New Mercedes 500 SL This year Malaga and Marbella hosted the unveiling of the new Mercedes 500 SL. From 6th to 21st March, 600 journalists streamed through the region back to back. The presentation took place at the new Malaga Automotive Museum and the journalists stayed at the Marbella Club hotel. Other activities took place at the Marbella Convention Centre. And, of course, the reporters had the opportunity to take the coupes out for a spin on the roads of the province. For several weeks, this event made these two Andalusian cities the centre of both culture and technology. The event was organized

by Oliver Scrott Communikkation.

The Costa del Sol is a nickname in and of itself (Coast of the Sun) S P E C I A L S PA I N F O R E V E N T S 2012 | E V E N T O S M A G A Z I N E |

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Highlighted venues • Automotive Museum in Malaga: this brand new facility is geared to entertainment, art, culture and, of course, cars. This modern, 6,000-sqm facility boasts one of the most important collections of cars in Europe.

• The Thyssen Museum, a gallery of 230 painting masterpieces, was recently unveiled at the Palacio de Villalón, located in the historic centre of Malaga.

• With over 3,000sqm of multifunctional rooms, the La Cabane Beach Club in Marbella offers the most exclusive buffet on the Costa del Sol, with a wide range of fresh seafood.

• The Hotel Vincci Posada del Patio was the first five-star hotel to open in Malaga. It is located right in the historic city centre and has 109 luxurious rooms.

• The Descalzos Viejos Winery: located on the edge of Ronda's famous ridge, the Tajo de Ronda, this former chapel was once part of a convent dating to the 16th century. Now restored, this fully operational winery is full of light and has a special magic that makes it perfect for incentive trips.

• The Hacienda Nadal is an 18th century mansion and today it offers 15,000sqm of space and gardens with a capacity for banquets of up to 1,000 pax.

• El Gran Gastby: located on the pier at Puerto Banús (Marbella), this restaurant and lounge positions itself as a place for fine cuisine, a relaxed atmosphere and, of course, events...

• Malaga Picasso Museum: located in the magnificent Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista, this important cultural facility can also be rented for events.

• Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Malaga: avant-garde architecture brings style to a 60,000sqm facility with room for up to 20,000 pax.

• Jardín Botánico Histórico de La Concepción: a spectacular venue dating to1850, this facility is available for events and themed dinners.

• Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Marbella: this venue includes a top floor with more than 3,000sqm and a plenary room with 1,600 seats.

• Palacio de Congresos de Torremolinos: the main hall is divided into two floors of 3,000 and 2,500sqm. Plus, this year, it has opened the first meeting room for smokers in Spain.

• Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Estepona: this facility combines 21,000sqm of indoor space with a 15,000sqm garden.

Other amenities include a heliport and an all-purpose pavilion.

• Escuela de Arte Ecuestre: located in Estepona, this venue has rooms for events and themed dinners.

• Palacio Duque Heredia: this 19th century palace has a 21,000sqm garden, which is part of the Botanical Garden of Malaga.

• Palacio de Cropani: this 1,200sqm neoclassical building has five meeting rooms and can hold a cocktail party for 300 pax.

• Bodega Ecológica Joaquín Fernández: this eco-friendly winery offers a cellar for 80 guests and an outdoor hall for 300.

Descalzos Viejos Winery

It’s hard to talk about Malaga, the regional capital, without talking about art: Picasso was born here

Hacienda Nadal

Famous for…

• Its year-round mild temperature and hours of sun.

• Puerto Banús, a luxurious sporting hub and entertainment centre for the jet set.

• Being the summer residence of many celebrities.

• Picasso, who was born in Malaga.

• Pescaditos: these small fried fish are perhaps the most famous example of Malaga’s gastronomy.

Thyssen Museum, a gallery of 230 painting masterpieces, in Malaga

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El Gran Gastby, at Puerto Banús (Marbella)

Activities • Attend a polo game at the exclusive Sotogrande Club followed by a visit to the facilities. You can also organise a polo clinic for your guests (organised by Ultramar Events).

• Each year Malaga celebrates the Spanish Film Festival, a hugely successful event that draws both large numbers of visitors and extensive media coverage.

• The Convention Bureau recommends a visit to Ronda, one of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia. This charming city has one of the oldest bull-fighting rings in Spain, known as the El Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda, as well as many other monuments of amazing diversity and beauty.

• Experience the Moragas: in these typical dinner parties on the beaches of Malaga, fishermen take fresh fish from right off the boats and cook them up on the spot.

• Wine tourism is all the rage in Serranía de Ronda, and there are several local vineyards that produce and export excellent whites and reds. Several winery boutiques and tasting rooms are worth a visit...

• Discover the beautiful city of Malaga on a Segway: see authentic, local spots in the Old Town and follow the Picasso route (Picasso Museum, Picasso birthplace, Santiago Church, etc.).

• Drive an Ascari race car on the Ascari Race Resort’s private track, located in Ronda. This luxurious resort and academy is for very exclusive incentives.

• Come to the Hacienda Moreno to try ceramic and pottery workshops, take flamenco lessons or learn how to guide a cart pulled by two mules. This farm, dedicated to breeding fine horses of the Purest Andalusian breed, is situated in the incomparable setting of the Guadalhorce River Valley, just twenty miles from Marbella.

• Take a tapa tour on two wheels: Malaga Bike Tours offers excursions in which participants learn the history, culture and tales of the city. At each stop, they can try tapas and local wines while listening to the guide’s local insight.

• Explore hidden coves while admiring the rich natural seabed from the deck of the Fly Blue Catamaran. Organised by Ultramar Events, this excursion can even be combined with a ski trip to the slopes of the Sierra Nevada in the same afternoon.

• Drive off-road cars to an isolated farm in the Malaga mountains and enjoy a unique experience participating in the daily life of a local family in their own cottage. Groups can go grape-harvesting in the vineyard, learn how to dry the grapes to make raisins and share an informal country lunch with the family. In a nearby village, they can make their own wine the traditional way by stamping the grapes with their feet (by España Incoming & Incentives).

• Restaurant Roca Tranquila offers participants the opportunity to spend a day in the open kitchen of Roca Tranquila preparing a three-course menu with inhouse chef Kasper Nielsen. After guests prepare typical Mediterranean dishes, they can enjoy the fruits of their labour in a private room.

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Surprising nooks Malaga city

• Castillo de Gibralfaro: the city’s best watch tower. A tour around its decorated walls and towers allows you to get a bird’s-eye view of the entire city.

• Hotel del Pintor: this small boutique hotel, owned by artist Pepe Bornoy, combines art with comfort.

• La Antigua Casa de Guardia: opened in 1849, this is the city’s oldest winery. Drinking a glass of Muscat wine is a must.

Surprising nooks The rest of the Costa del Sol

• The historical town of Marbella: with white alleys and balconies decorated with flowers, this area houses the Plaza de los Naranjos and the remnants of the Arabian castle known as the Castillo Árabe.

• Cuevas de Nerja: the most important natural heritage site in the area was formed over thousands of years as water eroded marble surfaces, creating unique caverns known for their great beauty and impressive size.

• Ocean Club: situated in Puerto Banús, this luxurious club has facilities which can be rented for events.

• Real Maestranza de Ronda: this neoclassical bullfighting arena opened in 1785 and has the largest ring in Europe, measuring 66m in diameter.

• Paraje Natural de El Torcal: located in Antequera, this natural park features more than 12,000sqm of limestone rocks that emerged from a prehistoric seabed 150 million years ago.

Choose to get it right The best venue for your event

Located on one of Marbella’s quietest, sunniest and most beautiful beaches · Over 40,000 m2 of tropical gardens · 300 days of sunshine every year · Just 30 minutes from Malaga’s International Airport · 243 elegant rooms · 15 meeting rooms with natural lighting · Over 2000 square metres of space for meetings and conventions · The most advance technology, special lighting and flat screens, as well as high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the entire Resort.

Avda. Zurita s/n 29604, Marbella (España). Tel.: (+34) 952 76 88 00 - Fax: (+34) 952 83 34 29 Reservations: dcgrupos@expogrupo.com S P E C I A L S PA I N F O R E V E N T S 2012 | E V E N T O S M A G A Z I N E |

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Asturias N. D. -

W

hen it comes to incentive travel focused on nature and outdoors, few destinations can compare with Asturias. Rugged, craggy landscapes, tiny fishing villages, and wide forests stand alongside plenty of beautiful countryside, making Asturias ideal for groups seeking outdoor activities in a wholesome environment, far from the overcrowding typical of other “sun and sand” destinations. However, Asturias is much more than a natural paradise: over the last few years it has really kicked into overdrive for meetings. Gijón has renovated its stunning venue of La Laboral, and is adding more exciting options such as the Thalasso Poniente centre. Gijón has also opened up their stadium, the Estadio del Molinón, to meetings, and their Aquarium to more intimate dinners for smaller groups. And Oviedo added the Exhibition and Congress Centre City of Oviedo to its repertoire, an impressive facility designed by star architect Santiago Calatrava.

Ana Braña, Director of Gijón Turismo, highlights some of what the city has to offer: “We're a destination with so much to discover. You can organise an event inside a giant clock, host a dinner in a medieval castle, enjoy the magic of our Botanical Garden, sip a cocktail while observing sharks and penguins, or take part in a cider-pouring competition”.

Rather than simply rely on its historical charm, Oviedo continues to strengthen its selection of venues. The team at Oviedo Conferences recommends Cisvial, a new 400.000-sqm facility just 20 minutes from Oviedo. They also recommend the Lola Orato art space, a centrally located gallery that can be hired out for a sophisticated cocktail reception. Meanwhile, Aquaxana, a spa, rounds out the the facilities at the Caldas Villa Termal hot springs,

offering night-time hot baths. What better way to relax after a long, fun day on an incentive trip? Another option is the Tierra Astur Águila Cider House, a typical Asturian restaurant where guests can dine in a barrel. As your host puts it: “It is the ideal place to take part in an espicha (traditional cider party), something typically Asturian, and which has great potential for meetings.”

And the best part is, you don’t need to choose between these three great cities... just 20 minutes apart, they compliment rather than compete with each other. With this three-part combination, you can combine a presentation inside of a clock in Gijón with an entertaining afternoon looking for gold nuggets in Navelgas, and then top it all off with a cocktail and seafood feast in the old fish market in Oviedo.

The stadium of football club Sporting de Gijón, El Molinón, has just joined the ranks of meeting-ready facilities in the city

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Famous for…

• Its gastronomy, including the fabada (a traditional dish made with white beans, meats and sausages) and more than 40 types of hand-made cheeses.

• Traditions linked to the culture of cider, including espichas, and typical celebrations held in lagares, or cider houses.

• Being one of the greenest regions in the country as well as the Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe) park, situated in the Cantabrian mountains.

• Unique, pre-Roman Asturian art, some of which is listed as a World Heritage Site, as well as its first-class prehistoric cave art.

With the Molinón stadium ready for events and the Aquarium prepared to host small-scale dinners, Gijón is always a dynamic choice

A relaxing novelty: night-time spa and hot spring treatments at Aquaxana

Surprising nooks In Oviedo

• Sculptures: more than 100 sculptures of varying styles can be found throughout the city. There is even one of Woody Allen.

• Campo San Francisco: in the heart of the city centre, this 90,000-sqm space has 127 species of plants. Oviedo has more than one million square metres of green areas.

• Monte Naranco: this rounded hill measuring 636m and with more than 30,000sqm of natural open space crowns the Asturian capital.

In Gijón • Cimadevilla Neighbourhood: this old Roman settlement has been declared an artistic site and houses some of the most emblematic buildings in Gijón. It also has lots of popular bars and the sculpture Elogio del Horizonte, a symbol of the city.

• Aquarium: it is composed of a screening room, a panoramic restaurant, a workshop and a marine bird observatory.

• Talasoponiente: a thalassotherapy centre which is part of the “The City of Water”, located right next to the Aquarium.

Two relaxing activities are arriving in Asturias, thanks to DMC When&Where: the Stop Stress programme involves taking a common fantasy—running through an office or home with a hammer and breaking everything in site. In this stress-relieving activity, participants are provided with clothing, materials, music and, of course, an office. Locations include options near Oviedo, Gijón and Avilés. In the picture, an incentive trip for Aircal.

Yogastur proposes maximising the potential of Asturias' natural wonders in a relaxing, yoga-related activity. Small groups of up to 20 people can release tension in various carefully-chosen locations.

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Activities • Go down the River Sella in kayaks and then enjoy a riverside tasting of typical Asturian food and cider.

• Experience the Ruta’l Quesu y la Sidra, or Cheese and Cider Tour. Visit a cheese shop, a cheese-ageing cave, an apple grove and, finally, a lagar, or cider house, where you will experience a traditional espicha (cider party). Another option is the Ruta de la Sidra, or Apple and Cider route, which includes a visit to a cider museum, an apple plantation and some of the wineries to the east of Gijón. The Comarca de la Sidra Foundation also offers activities focussed on discovering the production methods of typical local products.

• Discover coastal villages by boat. Embarking from Gijón or Avilés, DMC When&Where offers to take groups of up to 50 pax on short voyages to discover the most charming of the Asturian coastal villages. The tours last between six and eight hours and can be held on sail boats, yachts or catamarans.

• Visit the Museum Train in Gijón. The tour includes a visit to the Museo del Ferrocarril, (where steam engines are still in working condition) and a ride in an old train to visit a mine, where you will learn about the life of miners.

• Visit the caves where cabrales, a delicious goat cheese, is aged and learn about its production process. Then experience a cheese tasting with more than 40 types of cheese coupled with the best wines… all in the spectacular setting of the Picos de Europa.

• Skipper your own F1 team. You no longer need to be Luca Cordero di Montezemolo to have your own F1 team... at least for a day. Motor sports are a passion in Asturias, the region of Fernando Alonso. Participants have to create the Top Team in Neozink F1. They split into groups and each one must create their own team, building a car, signing drivers, planning the budget and even deciding on uniforms. In the end, team members will record a TV spot promoting the team.

• Dive into Asturian mythology. The trasgu, the xana, the Nuberu... Asturian mythology is full of colourful characters and legends. To get a little closer to these mythical characters, try a special dinner organised by XTRM. Over dinner, several of these characters will be act out the most popular legends of the Principality, and even have their picture taken with the participants.

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The Gijón Aquarium has a 100-pax Auditorium as well as a restaurant with views of Poniente Beach with room for 180 pax. The new Pelagic Room hosts gala dinners alongside seven tanks, where up to 40 diners can observe various types of fish during their meal. The ground floor is also available for 200-pax cocktail receptions.

Fun Facts • Cider, the region's traditional drink, has been documented in Asturias for more than 2,000 years, and was already being enjoyed when the Romans arrived. It is usually enjoyed in lagares (local cider houses).

• The coastline between Gijón and Ribadesella has some of the most important Jurassic dinosaur fossils and footprints in the world. The fascinating Jurassic Museum, located in La Griega Beach, is built in the shape of a dinosaur footprint.

• The Museu de Anclas de Salinas, a museum dedicated entirely to anchors, features a specimen from the mythical Titanic.

• Looking for an original present from Asturias? Try cabrales chocolates, a cheese-flavoured desert. You can get them in La Casa del Chocolate on San Franciso street in Avilés.

• At the ice-cream parlour ‘Islandia’, next to the Plaza Mayor of Gijón, you can find cider- or fabada-flavoured ice cream.

Highlighted venues In Oviedo

In Gijón

• The Convention and Exhibition • Convention and Exhibition Centre: 160,000sqm situated in the heart of the city’s trade-show area.

Centre, designed by Santiago CaIt has a hall for 800 pax and two conference rooms latrava, is in the centre of Oviedo. for 200 pax.

Measuring out at 15,530sqm, it is • Laboral City of Art and Culture: this event-friendly one of the biggest in Spain. complex combines a historical building and a the• Principe Felipe Convention Centre atre seating 1,500 pax as well as various meeting and Auditorium: this modern venue rooms, including the original Clock Room, where has been built with neoclassical flair you can celebrate your events. in the city’s antique water deposit.

• Reconquista Hotel: this historic ho- • The Asturian Rail Museum: the train museum has locomotives that can be used for events. A meeting tel includes an impressive hall which can even be held on the train tracks! once was the chapel of a hospice dating back to the 17th century.

• The Caldas Villa Termal: with an area for meetings and events, this site features a spa centre, hot spring and five-star hotel.

• Villabona Palace: this 15th-century palace has been declared an artistic-historical monument. Its interior halls are decorated with tapestries while the exterior includes 20 hectares of Asturian-style gardens.

• Bosque de la Zoreda Castle: just five minutes from Oviedo, it offers a pavilion with seating for 1,400 pax and a view of an early 20th-century castle. All this is surrounded by a luxurious forest.

• San Cucao Castle: an historic venue which includes the 14th-century Valdés Tower and another, adjacent, modern-styled building.

• Finca La Isla: built in 1870, this site brings together the beauty of plants and the symbol of water. It is located in the Botanico Atlántico botanical gardens.

• Palacio de Luces: this five-star hotel, built on the foundations of a stately 16thcentury home, is situated on the coast.

• Gallery Art and Food: a multi-disciplinary, avant-garde space that combines an art gallery, meeting rooms, a bar and a restaurant serving the finest cuisine.

Gijón suits you just right!

At the Tierra Astur Cider House, groups can enjoy a typically Asturian meal dining inside of a barrel 100% ADRENALINE Participants in the activity “Natural Paradise: No limits”, by Neozink, didn't even have one minute to rest...

This multi-sport challenge featured paintball, quads, buggies, boats, horses, and even a zip line measuring more than 100m and crossing the river Sella. An adrenaline-packed plan, teamwork and competition, it also maximizes the major asset of Asturias, nature.

Tierra Astur Águila Cider House is a typically Asturian option in Oviedo. This authentic, 1,000-sqm venue has 3,000 bottles of cider hanging from the ceiling. The cider house also is equipped with audiovisual equipment, making it perfect for conferences and presentations, which often wrap up with an espicha, or traditional ciderfueled celebration.

Do you feel inspired enough to organise your event inside a clock?

Would you like dinner served in a medieval castle or would you prefer the magic of the Botanical Gardens?

How about setting a course through or even losing yourself in an enchanted forest?

Without a doubt, Gijón suits you just right! www.gijoncongresos.com

Northern Spain with Zest S P E C I A L S PA I N F O R E V E N T S 2012 | E V E N T O S M A G A Z I N E |

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Seville C. M. S. -

S

eville hardly needs an introduction: well known around the world, the Andalusian city is a fixture in literature and cinema. Yet, perhaps most importantly, it is the place that embodies all the most basic clichés of Spain in the collective consciousness. However, Seville is much more than a charming city that has seduced visitors for years with its special brand of authenticity. Rather, it is also a large metropolitan area that, over the years, has become an impeccable destination for events and conferences.

One of Seville's greatest strengths is how well connected it is. The AVE high-speed train and air travel take care of arrivals by land and air, but why not arrive by river? Seville's modern river port is cruise-ship ready and, in recent years, new convention centres and hotels have sprung up in the area, with options ranging from the small and charming to the most sophisticated 5* GL. If the city itself was attractive enough for a visit, with a simple trip from the train station to the hotel having its own kind of magic, it turns out the city is also quite irresistible as a destination for our events.

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Fun facts • Lord Byron wrote of Seville that it is "a pleasant city, famous for its knives and its women".

• Every year, Seville celebrates its Feria de la Tapa where you can taste a variety of traditional tapas in the market while learning about the latest developments in small-plate cuisine.

• The Feria de Abril originated in the 14th century as a livestock fair and, with a few changes, remains an important date for the locals to this day.

New venues • New Conference Centre at FIBES. Seville's convention complex, already has an Exhibition and Conference Centre. Now it has a recently completed conference centre. Both spaces are completely different from one another in terms of both function and style yet they are connected by a dramatic walkway that allows the two facilities to be connected and used together as if they were one. FIBES is one of this year's biggest attractions in the meeting & event sector. The numbers speak for themselves: more than 90,000sqm for meetings and over 40,000sqm of exhibition space, including five auditoriums with room for more than 3,000 pax and over 70 meeting rooms.

• Pabellón de Navegación. The Pavilion has reopened after months of renovation and is now ready for events. This venue, which dates back to the Universal Exposition of 1992, sits along the banks of the Guadalquivir river, right in the centre of Seville. It offers several large rooms and a very wide exterior space.

There is also a permanent exhibit dedicated to transatlantic navigation, a wide hall and a tower with spectacular views of the city below.

• Metropol Parasol. Somewhere between an impressive sculpture and a “liquid” building, the Metropol Parasol has been unveiled. This mega structure is 150m long and 75m wide and towers 28m above Seville's city centre. “The mushrooms”, as locals have dubbed the building for its unique shape, has four separate levels. The second level has 3,500sqm of event space, the third has a dramatic restaurant and the fourth has a balcony with panoramic views. To round out this unique combination, there is the Antiquarium, a small museum which holds the archaeological remains discovered during its construction.

• New and renovated hotels! Just a few weeks ago, the Hotel Palacio Alcázar 4* opened in Seville's historic city centre. The luxury hotel sits in what was once the home of the famous painter and bull fighter John Fulton. Another recent addition was the reopening of the Hotel Alfonso XIII 5*GL after nearly one year's worth of renovation, including an updating of the Royal Hall.

The renovation also added two new suites and a restaurant. Finally, those willing to wait until June can expect the new Hilton Garden Inn, a 142-room hotel with seven meeting rooms, in one of the towers in the Business Park.

Seville's modern river port is cruise-ship ready and, in recent years, new convention centres and hotels have sprung up in the area, with options ranging from the small and charming to the most sophisticated 5* GL

Alfonso Catering proposes really Sevillian dinners

Only in Seville...

We asked Manuel Macías, director of the Sevilla Congress & Convention Bureau, what could only be done in Seville. Here are a few ideas: Flamenco classes at the Flamenco Museum, rides along the Corredor Verde or Camino del Rocío in a horse-drawn carriage, reenactments of life during the Roman period at the Cotidiana Vitae Centre, bird-watching excursions at the Doñana nature reserve, a cruise along the Guadalquivir river, farm visits and culinary seminars specialised in tapas.

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An “electrifying” convention...

Unveiling the new Mégane to the international press

Agencies also choose Seville Seville is not just a joyful city but also one that is excellent for corporate events. That is precisely why it was chosen by American Express Barceló Meetings & Events for its own three-day annual convention, which hosted 200 of its employees. The event kicked off at the Abades Triana restaurant, which is perched along the banks of the Guadalquivir river. From the restaurant's spectacular terrace, participants enjoyed excellent views of the Triana neighbourhood.

Along with meetings and other activities, the group enjoyed their own private area in Seville where they could enjoy an authentic Feria de Abril (April Festival), complete with stages, decoration, tapas and traditional dancing and music. The event was topped off with a show featuring Andalusian horses.

In February and March 2012, Renault chose Events & Co to unveil its new model to 700 journalists from 55 countries. In addition to Seville's usual charms, the event also spiced up the event with the Monteblanco race track and charming Hotel La Boticaria.

The idea was to try the Mégane on various types of roads during the airporthotel trip. Once at their destination, the official unveiling of the new version of the Mégane followed dinner. The following morning, participants made their way to the race track where they tested out the car in more challenging conditions, including water, ice and mud.

Surprising nooks • Baños Árabes – Aires de Sevilla. This Arab bath is located in a 16th-century house just 50m from the cathedral. The house has different rooms which can be used for meetings, including the Tetería (tea room) and its courtyard and terrace with views of the city.

• Las Atarazanas Reales: built in the 13th century, these shipyards served to construct ships that would cross both the Guadalquivir River and the Mediterranean. It was converted into a museum in 2008.

• La Plaza del Salvador: in addition to being one of the most beautiful squares in Seville, this plaza is a midday meeting place for the locals. On sunny days, it is a very pleasant place to have a beer and enjoy the atmosphere.

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Renault once again chose Seville as the site of its International Electric Vehicle Sales Convention, an event attended by more than 8,000 sales representatives from 30 European countries. The event marked the official introduction of the brand's first two vehicles in their electric car line. ZE (zero emissions) editions of both their Fluence luxury saloon and their Kangoo commercial van were unveiled. While the convention itself was held at the Hotel Barceló Renacimiento, the cars were test driven in Seville's city centre.

Activities

Highlighted venues • The Palacio de Congresos de Sevilla (FIBES) offers three 7,200sqm pavilions and nine rooms. It features a new 3,500-seat auditorium, which will soon expand its capacity to 5,000.

• The new FIBES auditorium, designed by prestigious architect Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra, includes a 3000sqm roofed footbridge joining the original structure to the new one. The facility includes an all-purpose building with a catering area measuring more than 2500sqm as well as a 3200sqm registration area and 18 rooms.

• Centro Sevilla Congresos, in Osuna, has a capacity for 7,000 pax and more than 20 meeting rooms.

• Cartuja 93, Andalusia's most important technology park, was made for EXPO'92 and covers 639,000sqm.

• Casino de la Exposición: the old Exhibition Theatre (today known as the Teatro Lope de Vega) was built for the 1929 Ibero-American exhibition and stands next to the Maria Luisa Park. It has a 750 pax capacity.

• El Coto las Canteras, in Osuna, is an old stone enclave dating back 1000 years. It has been restored and now the natural cave has a capacity of 1,400 pax.

• Naves del Barranco. This 14th-century structure was originally a fish market.

It is an example of iron architecture in Seville and has a 300 pax capacity.

• Museo del Baile Flamenco: this 18th-century urban palace can host intimate events, including flamenco shows for up to 20 pax. It is promoted by the great bailaora Cristina Hoyos.

• Casa de Pilatos: the most sumptuous 15th-century noble residence in Seville has a capacity for 700 pax.

• Kuoni Destination Management organises a typical pilgrimage through villages in the south of Spain.

Upon arrival, the group is greeted by drummers and flamenco dancers. The participants walk through the streets on a pilgrimage during which they make stops to eat, drink and enjoy the landscape. The group is accompanied by a rociero, or traditional choir, as well as a rumba sevillana band. The activity ends with the group singing all together at the estate.

• Seville’s rooftops give a magical atmosphere to any event in the city. Whether you want to offer a welcome drink with superb views of Seville by day or cocktails under the stars, there’s a wide range of establishments in privileged locations in the historic heart of Seville.

• España Incoming & Incentives proposes a fun variation of polo for teambuilding activities: donkey polo.

All you need is a bullring, 10 donkeys, brooms, a ball and a referee.

• Bandolero Tours offers you the opportunity to sample the lifestyle of a 14th-century highwayman in the Sierra Morena.

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Zaragoza C. M. S. -

O

ne drawback of being a country known around the world for its sun-kissed coastal destinations is that Spain's inland jewels are often little known to outsiders. These cities are much more than an integral part of the Spanish economy. Rather, they are places with their own unique personalities and which offer an infinite variety of scenery, culture, gastronomy and urban culture. In short, they are sure to make an unforgettable impact on anyone willing to venture from the coast.

Zaragoza, the capital of Aragon, is such a city. Geography alone makes it special: just a stone's throw from the rugged Pyrenees, the spectacular Monegros desert or the incredible valleys of Huesca, the Aragonese capital could hardly have a better location. This privileged position is enhanced by the fact that it is now Spain's first city in terms of logistical capacity and its fifth in terms of population. And did we mention that Zaragoza is just 300km from Spain's most important cities? Better still, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao are all connected with Zaragoza via the AVE high-speed train system.

The Expo 2008 left an indelible mark on Zaragoza. After the event, Unesco honoured the city as the “International Headquarters of Water”, a reference to the Expo's theme of water and sustainable development. Zaragoza was the perfect destination for the event, as it sits along the meandering Ebro river. The Expo left an important legacy for the city both in architectural and economic terms, as Zaragoza inherited a series of unique venues. This push wasn't wasted: since the Expo, Zaragoza has maintained its status as a prime destination for events and conferences, pulling in €50.5 million from the sector in 2011.

Feeling the adrenaline rush of water A walk into the Parque Metropolitano de Zaragoza, Parque Luis Buñuel, the only resort with water sports activities located within an urban area.

You can organise a rafting trip, where the crew must overcome the rocks circuit, rowing out of the eddies without falling into the water. Hydrospeed and kayaking are other options.

You can also organise a dinner in the Ebro area, managed by the traditional restaurant Zaragoza El Cachirulo, located in the centre of the park.

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Zaragoza, the capital of Aragon, is such a city. Geography alone makes it special: just a stone's throw from the rugged Pyrenees, the spectacular Monegros desert or the incredible valleys of Huesca, the Aragonese capital could hardly have a better location

Highlighted venues • The Pabellón Puente (Pavilion Bridge) links the whole Expo area with the Almozara. It will be used for exhibitions.

• The Spanish Pavilion, with a structure that looks like a forest, is sustainable and will be the future home of the national centre for climate change.

• The Aragon Pavilion resembles a wicker basket. This building created over three structural cores is now a ministry of the local government.

• The Expo Palace of Congresses has been naturally transformed into the Congress Hall of the city.

• The Torre del Agua (Water Tower), 76m high, channels the water of the Expo site, creating a circuit in which various activities can be performed. It will be used as a museum.

• The River Aquarium is the largest river aquarium in Europe.

• The volunteerism gateway connects the two banks of the Ebro.

Fun facts • In the “Tubo” neighbourhood, you’ll find the famous cabaret La Plata, keeping the spirit of cabaret alive with three performances a day.

• The city has been called very noble, loyal, heroic and beneficial in recognition of its resistance to Napoleon's army, a reputation embodied by the city’s famous heroine, Agustina de Aragón.

• Several of the most popular Spanish bands are from Zaragoza as Heroes del Silencio, Radio Futura or Amaral.

Fotos cedidas por Zaragoza Convention Bureau, © Daniel Marcos, Félix Bernard

• The Puente del Tercer Milenio (Third Millennium Bridge) connects the right bank of the Ebro with the Expo.

• The cable cars connect the Zaragoza train station to the metropolitan park and the Expo.

• Hotel Palafox: has a business centre for up to 800 people, plus a conference room with 375 seats.

• Hotel Hiberus: five rooms with a capacity of more than 3,000 people.

• Boston Hotel: 11 rooms with a capacity of up to 600 pax.

• Hotel Meliá Zaragoza: offers a congress centre with 16 rooms for up to 350 people.

• Fine Wines and Vineyards: winery museum with place for 80 pax.

• Plaza de Toros: one of the oldest in Spain. It has an adjacent building to the arena of about 475 square metres and has capacity for more than 10,000 pax.

• Finca El Greyhound: for 400 pax, its halls are lost in a vast green garden with lake.

• Torre del Pino: its main gazebo, brick floor and boulders, is ideal to get back to roots.

• Hotel Reina Petronila 5* and Universo Aragonia: inside the large cultural centre designed by the international architect, Rafel Moneo, this Hotel plus the Auditorium and the other 15 meeting rooms can become a real convention center by joining all the spaces. The result is a venue with capacity for more than 1,000 pax. In few days it will hold de International Congress of Proctology with more than 500 delegates.

• Centre hydrothermal & Golf Las Ranillas: in the very centre of Zaragoza, this new urban Spa just two minutes walking from the Hiberus hotel, dedicates 10,000 squar meters to relaxation.

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From the valley to the ridge line: a well-rounded event Orienta Viajes y Eventos is aware of the immense range of possibilities Zaragoza has when it comes to both large conventions and smaller seminars or incentive trips: the city itself has unique architecture and a reputation for fun, yet it's also just a stone's throw from some of the most rugged wilderness in Spain, the Aragonese Pyrenees.

For the convention of a German company, they designed a oneof-a-kind experience: Upon arrival, participants were taken to the Loarre castle, the best preserved in Spain and setting for Ridley Scott's latest project. Next, they descended into the Tena Valley, where they dined in Tramacastilla, a charming village in the high Pyrenees. After lunch, guests returned to Zaragoza where they spent the afternoon exploring the famous streets of the old town and the “Tubo” neighbourhood before having dinner at El Churrasco.

During their time in Zaragoza, guests enjoyed the unique architecture of the city, a legacy of an historical heritage including Roman, Muslim, Jewish and Christian elements. Highlights include the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, the “la Seo” Cathedral and the Jewish Baths.

The trip was rounded out with a bullfighting exhibition and a bell concert with a carillon reserved especially for the guests.

Even more challenging...

A client wanted to hold a convention at a ski slope near Zaragoza with one stipulation: no skiing! Viajes Excelsior jumped at this unique challenge and took 40 guests to Formigal, where they rode snowmobiles, built an igloo in which they drank vodka, drove their own dog sleds, played paintball in the snow, rode bikes in the snow and had dinner looking over the slopes in a restaurant accessible only by ski lift. To cap off the memorable evening, guests rode sleds down the slopes, guided by flickering torches, before cutting loose at a party at Beeper, a local nightclub.

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The Expo left an important legacy for the city both in architectural and economic terms, as Zaragoza inherited a series of unique venues

Activities

The largest river aquarium in Europe Inspired by the Expo, water is still an important theme in Zaragoza. One manifestation of this interest is the river aquarium with around 5,000 specimens of 300 species hailing from river basins in five continents: the Nile, the Mekong, the Amazon, the Murray-Darling Basin, and the Ebro. And for those that don't like aquarium glass separating them from their adventures, guests can even try diving in the “River of the World”, a tank that is home to species from ecosystems and rivers around the world, including piranhas and arapaimas.

• Zaragoza Turismo suggests some activities in the city: • The Parque del Agua (Water Park) offers adventure sports: rafting, golf, train, bike and water-laser games.

• Enjoy the 5,000 square-meters of beach by the Ebro river, with silica sand, a swimming pool in the river and a 1,000 square metre terrace for cocktails.

• A walk in the clouds: travel by cable car with a unique view over the Ebro river and the Expo. A Kodak moment…

• A route by the river? The city has four different river courses and offers several boats for groups.

• Learn how to make wines, travelling to the small cities with a great wine culture and enjoying traditional cuisine at Casa Domino, a classic restaurant, or Casa Juanico with a traditional menu.

• Orienta organises various activities to make the most of the charm of Zaragoza: • Get to know the cabaret tradition of the city with the oldest Cabaret Café in Spain; enjoy the new show created by renowned film director Bigas Luna, and offer your guests a visit by the most ‘tempting side of Zaragoza.

• Zaragoza and the Cinema: the first movie in Spain was shot here. The city has produced great filmmakers such as Buñuel, Saura or Forqué. Tour the most famous filming sites of the city, and have dinner at the famous cabaret El Plata.

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Bilbao C. M. S. -

F

ew cities have reinvented themselves in as spectacular a way as Bilbao, an aesthetically impeccable Basque city framed by mountains and crossed by an estuary. The Biscayan capital now moves effortlessly between the traditional charm of its old town, the famous “Seven Streets” (Siete Calles) and the Guggenheim, a museum which left its mark on the entire world.

For centuries, Bilbao was one of the industrial powerhouses of the Iberian Peninsula, but it was hit hard by the economic crisis of 1975. However, rather than slipping into permanent decadence, the city bounced back and took these challenges as a jumping-off point for a reinvention that went well beyond simple economic recovery. Improvements had urban, cultural and environmental dimensions. The city had tended to “turn its back” on the estuary, which had suffered chronic industrial contamination. Yet after many of these business closed down, a comprehensive clean up was undertaken, recuperating and reclaiming the river for the city.

The following story is a familiar one: architect Frank Gehry designed the Guggenheim, inspired by the blue-green banks of the estuary upon which it sits. This then sparked an in-depth aesthetic renovation of the city which included the Euskalduna Palace, a beautiful bridge by Calatrava, a project by Zaha Hadid on Cape Zorrozaurre, a Norman-Foster-designed metro and the visionary renovation of the AlhóndigaBilbao, an old wine warehouse, by Phillipe Starck.

The grey Bilbao of a century ago regained its color without losing the character of its old town, the charm of its narrow streets or the hospitality of a population proud of their city's lifestyle and mythical gastronomy. This mix of advantages has since made Bilbao one of the most demanded destinations for events, and it's no wonder why.

The grey Bilbao of a century ago regained its color without losing the character of its old town, the charm of its narrow streets or the hospitality of a population 82 |

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Fun facts • The Puppy, the mascot of the Guggenheim museum, was created by Jeff Koons, the controversial kitsch artist. This West Highland white terrier is built with a steel structure and covered with a huge variety of flowers, which are maintained by an internal watering system. The structure is an icon of the city.

• In the Biscay province, surfers claim you can find the best left-breaking wave in Europe at Mundaka beach.

• The titanium-covered Guggenheim Art Museum, said to resemble a metallic flower, is the largest gallery in the world.

• Bilbao’s old town initially had only three streets— Somera, Artecalle and Tenderia—and it was surrounded by a defensive wall.

A glamorous event for Sebastián Professional The well-known cosmetic- and salon-product brand Procter & Gamble wanted nothing but the best. Meeting this challenge, Innevento organised the company's annual convention in the legendary Guggenheim museum, which provided a more spectacular backdrop than the client could have imagined. The impressive atrium welcomed 400 participants over three days, where they enjoyed a special union of fashion, art and hairstyling.

An incentive activity with views of the Cantabrian Sea American Express Barceló Eventos organised an annual incentive trip for the top 30 clients (and their spouses) of the Mexican insurance company Metlife. The trip started in Donostia-San Sebastian and made its way to Bilbao, where participants visited the Athletic Bilbao Museum, the Guggenheim, Philippe Starck's AlhóndigaBilbao and the enchanting old town, which wouldn't be complete without its Siete Calles, or Seven Streets. After dining at Zortziko, they travelled to the charming port town of Getaria, where they ate a typical flame-grilled dinner and visited traditional wineries.

Famous for…

• Combining two of the most famous museums in the country: the Guggenheim and the Museo de Bellas Artes (fine arts museum).

• The Ribera market, considered to be the first covered wholesale food market in Europe.

• The medieval city with its “Seven Streets”: a combination of squares and intimate alleys perfect for just wandering around.

• The Biscay Suspension Ferry Bridge (called “El Transbordador de Vizcaya”), a Unesco world heritage building. It is the oldest and best preserved structure of its type in the world.

• The amazing underground, designed by Norman Foster.

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New venues Expansion of Euskalduna Conference Centre The dynamic nature of Bilbao remains. One example is the expansion of the Euskalduna Conference Centre, which unveiled a 2,200sqm new space extending into the interior esplanade. This structure will give a brand new look to the cityscape while capitalising on existing pedestrian access and loading areas, improving the facility's overall connectivity. The new space will sit under a large metallic covering which will shelter a variety of different rooms which are capable of being converted into a large space with room for over 400 people.

The city bounced back and took these challenges as a jumping-off point for a reinvention that went well beyond simple economic recovery

Activities • A day of canoeing along the Gernika docks in the Biosphere Reserve of Urdaibai could be followed by lunch at Laiene restaurant and a horseback ride along the slopes of the Durangaldea County mountains.

• The DMC Stop offers an architecturally themed visit of Bilbao where guests observe both old and new emblematic buildings.

Recent creations to be visited include the Guggenheim, the Towers of Arata Isozaki, the Norman Foster-designed underground and the Santiago Calatrava bridge. Immersion in the past includes a tour of the old city with a visit to the Iglesia de San Antón and the Plaza Nueva.

• Bici & Art: "Bilbon Bizi" is an artistic route along which your group can enjoy sculptures and architectural works located near the "bidegorriak" or bike lanes.

• Golf lovers can practice their favourite sport at the three clubs available: Club de Campo Laukariz, in Mungia; Real Sociedad de Golf de Neguri, in Getxo; and Club de Golf Artxanda, in Bilbao.

There are also four equestrian sports clubs.

• Trips in canoes, kayaks and piraguas. In two hours, it is possible to canoe from the Gorliz Bay to the Butrón castle. A longer, three-hour option is a tour of the Butrón River.

• An excursion to the Oma forest is an original tour that combines art and nature. The painter and sculptor Agustín Ibarrola let his imagination run free and painted human and geometric figures on tree logs using intense colours. Some of these are visible only from certain positions and viewing the logs together sometimes reveals an entirely different image.

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Bilbao Arena And let's not forget the award-winning Bilbao Arena, lauded by the Arch Daily as the best sports facility of 2011. Not one to rest on past laurels, the venue is opening a new space with a capacity approaching 9,000 spectators, which can used for both sporting and non-sporting events.

The AlhóndigaBilbao and De Chirico An old modernist-style wine warehouse exquisitely designed and rebuilt by renowned French designer Philippe Starck hosted a fascinating show based on the work of painter Georgio de Chirico. The performance fused video art, dance, music and architecture. Innevento chose the atrium of the AlhóndigaBilbao, which perfectly evoked one of the solitary squares found in De Chirico's surrealist paintings. In doing this, they created a contemporary space that echoed the artist's creative universe while also redefining the public space as something playful or even magical. This work mesmerized several thousand spectators and definitively positioned the Alhóndiga as a singular venue in Bilbao.

Highlighted venues • Guggenheim Museum: a unique environment for prestigious meetings. It has three areas for events: the atrium, the auditorium and the hall. Booking the venue requires being a corporate member of the museum.

• Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC): with a total of 18,000sqm and a usable surface of 5,500sqm divided in three areas, this facility has room for up to 2,500 pax. It is 10 minutes from the centre of Bilbao and has been designed to hold a wide variety of events.

• The Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall: featuring outstanding contemporary architecture, this 53,000sqm centre in the heart of the city is home to one of the Basque Country’s most renowned restaurants, featuring a 450-seat dining room and space for banquets of up to 1500 pax.

• Palacio San Joseren: surrounded by century-old trees, this mansion has a 500-guest capacity.

• Teatro Arriaga: located in the Old Quarter, its auditorium can fit 1,200 pax. The furniture follows the style of the era, as do the magnificent embroidered carpets.

• Orue XXI: located in the countryside atop a sunny hill, it has five meeting rooms and a 168-seat auditorium.

• Sheraton Bilbao Hotel: inspired by the works of the sculptor Eduardo Chillida, this five-star hotel has seven function rooms, with room for up to 350 pax.

• Cámara de Comercio de Bilbao: its business centre,

Living the city with BILBAO INCENTIVES Recently, this agency organised an intense incentive for one of their clients. After checking in at the Sheraton Bilbao Hotel, they had lunch at a cider house, a typical Basque restaurant where the main menu commonly includes cod omelette, chorizo, morcilla, cod and grilled steak... all washed down with locally-produced cider, to which people help themselves straight from the barrels in the cellar! The group then visited the Guggenheim museum.

The following day, the group took a transfer to Urdaibai area to enjoy an adventurous day canoeing, practising archery, riding zip lines and taking part in other outdoor activities. Urdaibai is a natural reserve declared a heritage site by Unesco. Lunch was then held at the old Castillo de Arteaga. Once back at the hotel, guests had dinner in an industrial building which has been converted to an event venue.

LIGHTING

Vari Lite Avolites Martin CM Lodestar Milos

located in the city centre, has six equipped meeting rooms with a capacity of 152 pax.

• Silken Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao: this luxury hotel faces the Guggenheim Museum and is filled with iconic 20th century furniture.

• Barceló Hotel Nervión: in addition to its 348 bedrooms, the hotel has 13 meeting rooms with capacity for 850 people.

• Barceló Avenida: this avant-garde hotel includes a convention centre for up to 631 pax.

• Hotel Carlton: one of Bilbao’s emblematic buildings, the Carlton has 12 function rooms.

• Hotel Abando: located opposite the Palace of Justice and close to the main sights such as the Guggenheim Museum and the Old Quarter, this hotel offers a wide range of meeting rooms.

• Castillo de Arteaga: at the heart of the natural reserve of Urdaibai, this spectacular neo-Gothic tower of limestone and marble was built in the 13th century and rebuilt in 1856. Now, guests can stay in any of its 14 exquisite rooms and enjoy an unforgettable evening.

• Atrio Edificio Ensanche: in the very centre of Bilbao, this market has become a modern multipurpose building, thanks in large part to the ATRIO, a large pilarless space.

• Hotel Convento de San Roque: a space for unique business events, this hotel is housed in a former convent of the Order of Saint Clare. It has a large glazed central cloister and a restaurant, which is located in the old refectory. 21 rooms.

• Alhondiga Bilbao (opened in May 2010): this old modernist wine warehouse was declared a “Cultural Property” by the Basque Government in 1999. Now, the facility is celebrating 100 years of existence after the restoration of its facade and interior, including new areas built under the supervision of Philippe Starck. This urban space, sober but original, is full of surprises that will leave no one indifferent.

• Teatro Campos Eliseos (opened in April 2010): known as the "Bombonera de Bertendona", this theatre was renovated in recently. You can completely empty the main room for your event, allowing you to create a special experience in an innovative atmosphere that simultaneously retains all its historic flavour. Think modern meetings infrastructure coupled with memories of the Paris of the last century!

• Bizkaia Aretoa (opened in February 2011): his university infrastructure in the heart of Bilbao hosts academic, cultural and science events. The spectacular building, created by the Pritzker-winning architect Álvaro Siza, has over 9,000sqm and a car park, plus a spacious ground floor of 2,300sqm and four upper floors in an L-shaped configuration.

Technical design and production management in shows and events Rental and staging (sound, video, lighting, rigging)

SOUND

EAW D&B Audiotechnik Yamaha Digidesign Shure

VIDEO

Christie Pioneer Extron JVC

Avda. txorierri 46 Pab. 2 A - 48150 Sondika - Vizcaya Tlfno 944 711 579 - Fax 944 710 551 - audiomic@audiomic.com S P E C I A L S P A I N F O R E V E N T S 2 0 1 2 | E V E N T O S M A G A Z I N E | 85 www.audiomic.com

San Sebastian N. D. -

I

t seems that San Sebastian is immune to the economic crisis. While the rest of Europe is doing its best to weather the storm, struggling to minimise the loss of business, the Basque city is moving forward, full steam ahead. This “Little Paris” is in robust health and, while others struggle, it has actually increased its activity in the sector: in 2011, one of the chicest and most glamorous cities in the country has seen 34% growth in its congress activity.

El 'El peine del viento', a sculpture by Eduardo Chillida

Despite these accomplishments, however, the recently dubbed 2016 European Culture Capital won't rest on past laurels. This winter, it unveiled new venues, including the Balenciaga Museum. And there are new twists on existing venues, such as dining with views of sharks at the city's renowned aquarium, with food courtesy of the renowned A tourism tradition restaurant Bokado.

Add to this rewhich stretches back cently improved more than a century air connections by has left a legacy of Helio and Vueling, excellent venues and you've got a for a wide range of recipe for success.

Without forgetting activities the city's already well-known attractions, which include its mythical bay, its architecture and, of course, its status as one of the world's culinary Meccas. Who wouldn't want to visit the city with the most Michelin stars per square metre?

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A tourism tradition which stretches back more than a century has left a legacy of excellent venues for a wide range of activities. Planning a meeting for a group of professionals? Possible locations include a typical English-style cottage with views of the famous La Concha Beach, the classic Miramar Palace, or the futuristic, translucent Kursaal Convention Centre. This last venue receives a special recommendation from Marijo Beltran de Guevara, director of the San Sebastian Tourism & Convention Bureau: “Located in the heart of the city and overlooking the sea, this Rafael Moneo structure won the European Union's Mies van der Rohe Award”. This industry insider also recommends “enjoying a gala dinner in the San Telmo Museum, a monumental building dating to the 16th century”. As for lodging, San Sebastian has several 5* options which take guests back to the city's Belle Époque glory days. San Sebastian's total capacity clears 6,800 beds, most of them in 4* hotels with conference rooms.

However, San Sebastian's potential goes beyond these numbers, as there is also a qualitative improvement in the type of congresses that are attracted to the city. One example is last fall's International Particle Accelerator Conference, which brought 1,200 scientists from around the world. Another success was ESCOP, the Meeting of the European Society for Cognitive Science, which converted the city into the nerve centre of the study of, well, the nervous system.

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Famous for…

Activities

• The Paseo de la Concha, a street running along one of the world's great urban beaches.

• The beaches of Zarautz and La Zurriola, where international surf competitions are held annually.

• Cider production, one of the oldest traditions in the Basque Country. If you're in San Sebastian between late January and early May, a visit to a local cider house is a must.

• The surrounding area: if possible, don't miss the towns of Getaria, Mutriku, Hondarribia, Zumaia or Pasai. Mutriku's port, built in the thirteenth century, is one of the oldest in the Basque Country. In fact, all the streets in the town lead to its ancient port!

• Gastronomic experiments. San Sebastian simply can't be visited without sampling some of its legendary culinary delights and the Convention Bureau will do its best to make sure you don't miss out!

They suggest taking groups to top-tier restaurants such as Akelarre or Arzak, or participating in a culinary seminar lead by such renowned chefs like Juan Mari Arzak and Martín Berasategui, each of whom have three Michelin stars. After the seminar, guests can enjoy a sampling of the chefs' creations!

• Jai Alai. Nowhere are local traditions stronger than in the Basque Country, and what better way to create an exciting incentive trip than by bringing participants closer to the host culture? One option, recommended by Marijo Beltran de Guevara of the Convention Bureau, revolves around Jai Alai, the Basque sport most widely known ¡. The activity involves taking participants to a Jai Alai court, where they will meet the players, known as pelotaris, and learn the basics of the game. Once the pelotaris have trained the participants, guests will take part in their own tournament. After prizes are given out, traditional fare will be served up, including pintxos, cod omelettes, cider and grilled steaks. All this is set against the backdrop of traditional Basque music.

• Cinematic nights. Using the famous film festival as a jumping off point, September offers plenty of options for movie-themed activities. In one version, the group is assigned its own PR host and put up in an upscale hotel. Guests are treated to a relaxing spa session before getting their hair done, VIP style, in the festival showroom.

Then they walk down the red carpet, following in the footsteps of the stars, before attending the festival's opening ball and dining at a three-michelin-star restaurant. Add to all this a kick-off party and an official cocktail reception and you've got a week to remember.

Just like in the movies...

An in-depth look at San Sebastian...

A group of about 20 Dutch executives from a telecommunications business chose May to visit San Sebastian. After landing in Bilbao, the group made its way to San Sebastian's Hotel Astoria 7, a 4*, movie-themed hotel. Each one of its 102 rooms pays homage to a different star of the seventh art that has passed down the Film Festival. Their visit kicked off with a walk along Mount Igueldo, which offers panoramic views of the city as well as off Eduardo Chillida's famous sculpture, ‘El peine del viento’. Next it was on to the Miramar Palace and the city centre, where guests took part in a gastronomic workshop at the Ni Neu restaurant, known for its avant garde Basque cuisine. Dinner included pintxos that participants concocted themselves using fresh, seasonal ingredients. The following day, they made their way to the neighbouring region of Goierri, home of cheeses such as Idiazabal and wines like txacolí. There, guests sampled more-traditional Basque fare at the Casa Dolarea de Beasain, a classic Basque restaurant. That afternoon, it was time for a Romantic Tour, which included a visit to the legendary Hotel María Cristina, a walk through the old fishermen's neighbourhood and a visit to the Victoria Eugenia Theatre. Dinner that night was at Recondo, a traditional Basque restaurant which features a cellar with more than 100,000 bottles of wine. The third day was dedicated to the Kursaal, the San Telmo Museum and the Aquarium, which was followed by a pintxo tour through the city centre before guests were taken back to the airport.

Nowhere are local traditions stronger than in the Basque Country, and what better way to create an exciting incentive trip than by bringing participants closer to the host culture?

Fun facts • During the Belle Époque, San Sebastian's Casino was frequented by spies, opera singers, politicians, bull fighters, aristocrats and royalty. Even Mata Hari and Trotsky were known to have passed through the mythical casino.

• Alfred Hitchcock, Ava Gardner and Audrey Hepburn are just some of the stars that made their way down the San Sebastian film festival's red carpet.

• The La Concha beach was the world's first beach where people were hired just to keep it clean, all the way back in the 1930s.

• The city has at least eight names: San Sebastian, Sanse, Donostia, Donosti, Donostia-San Sebastian (the official name), la Bella Easo and Irutxulo or Hirutxulo. The latter means "three holes" in Euskera, the native Basque language. This is the name fishermen gave to San Sebastian, inspired by the fact that the city, when seen from out at sea, looks like three entrances or “holes”.

The first hole is formed by the gap between Mount Igueldo and Santa Clara Island, the other is situated between Santa Clara and Mount Urgull and the last is found between Urgull and Mount Ulia.

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Highlighted venues • Kursaal Convention Centre: this spectacular building is formed by two translucent glass cubes and overlooks the Cantabrian sea. The venue has an auditorium for 1800 pax.

• Ficoba: a trade show area which includes an auditorium for 390 pax and various meeting rooms.

• The Balenciaga Museum: since its inauguration last June, nearly 80,000 visitors have passed through this fashion museum. This site offers presentation spaces and guided visits which shed light on the golden age of haute couture. The atrium can handle a cocktail reception for 1,000 pax or 850 seated guests. And the entrance hall is perfect for receptions of 400 people while the attic of the Aldamar building can host 40 pax.

• KutxaEspacio Science Museum: with attractions such as an observatory and a multimedia digital planetarium, it has meeting rooms for up to 250 pax.

• San Sebastian Technology Park: opened in 1997, it has an auditorium for 250 pax.

• Miramar Palace: this complex includes a palace with a park as well as various buildings and gardens, all totalling 34,000sqm. It has meeting rooms for up to 950 pax.

• Victoria Eugenia Theatre: one of the most emblematic buildings in San Sebastian, this theatre was opened in 1912 and transformed in 2007 into a scenic venue complete with the most modern equipment. It can hold 910 pax and has rooms for events for up to 195 pax.

• Hotel Maria Cristina: one the most well known hotels in San Sebastian, it is a favourite for actors in town for the city's renowned film festival.

• The Aquarium: in addition to a 164-pax auditorium, it includes an area where 100 pax can enjoy a cocktail reception surrounded by interesting wildlife. And now dinners catered by the restaurant Bokado can be arranged with views of spectacular sharks! And the Bokado-Aquarium restaurant has a capacity of 80 pax seated banquet style or 120 for a cocktail reception.

Kursaal Convention Centre

• Hotel Husa Europa: a Belle Époque building located near the Kursaal Conference Centre with 68 rooms and a meeting room for 70.

• San Telmo Museum: recent improvements include architectural reform and the modernisation of the museum's content as well as redefining the basic concept and objectives of the museum: it is now a cultural heritage centre which will interact with the public while speaking to tourism, education and cultural recreation demand.

• Hippodrome: an original venue, one of the social centres of San Sebastian.

The Balenciaga Museum

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Surprising nooks • Mount Urgull, one of the parks running along La Concha Bay. This hill has spectacular views which are complimented by the vestiges of an old fortress, which now hosts the city’s History Museum.

• Cristina Enea Park: recently renovated, this is one of the city’s main parks. Rich in flora and fauna, it is also famous for its peacocks!

• Arzak: housed in a building dating to 1897 and originally founded as a wine inn and tavern, this establishment has since been transformed into a stylish restaurant which, last April 20th, was nominated as one of the top ten restaurants in the world.

Score a winner with Spain!!!

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Contacts Transport entities RENFE (Railway company) www.renfe.es +34 902 243 402 AENA (Spanish airports authorities) www.aena.es +34 902 404 704 Meeting and event- related associations in Spain Spanish DMC Association www.aedmc.es info@aedmc.es Spanish PCO association www.opcspain.org info@opcspain.org +34 915 527 745 MPI Spain www.mpi-spain.org info@mpi-spain.org +34 934 459 729 SITE Spain www.sitespain.org olga.navarro@sitespain.org +34 609 062 124 ICCA Iberian chapter www.ibericca.com B+ (Barcelona network of DMC’s, now part of the Spain DMC Association) www.b-plus.es info@b-plus.es SIMA (Spain Incentives and Meetings Association) www.sima.es sima@sima.es Convention bureaus and tourism offices Spain Tourism Board (Turespaña) www.spain.info +34 913 433 500 Spain Convention Bureau www.scb.es info@scb.es +34 913 643 700 Andalusia Almería Oficina de Congresos www.turismodealmeria.org turismoalmeria@aytoalmeria.es +34 950 281 449 Cádiz Convention Bureau www.cadizcongresos.com info@cadizcongresos.com +34 956 290 313 Córdoba Convention Bureau www.cordobaconvention.com ccb@cordobaconvention.com +34 957 760 071 Costa del Sol Convention Bureau www.visitacostadelsol.com +34 952 12 62 72 Granada Turismo www.granadatur.com +34 902 405 045 Huelva Convention Bureau www.turismohuelva.org turismo@diphuelva.es +34 959 257 467 Jerez Convention Bureau www.jerezconventionbureau.com comercial@jerezconventionbureau.com +34 956 184 120 Málaga Convention Bureau www.malagaturismo.com convention.bureau@ayto-malaga.es +34 952 061 830 Sevilla Convention Bureau www.turismo.sevilla.org turismo@sevilla.org +34 954 592 915 Torremolinos Convention Bureau www.ayto-torremolinos.org turismo@ayto-torremolinos.org +34 95 2 37 9 5 12 Aragón Zaragoza Convention Bureau www.zaragozaturismo.es zcb@zaragoza.es +34 976 721 333 Asturias Turismo de Avilés www.avilescomarca.info info@avilescomarca.info +34 985 544 325 Gijón Convention Bureau www.gijon.info congresos@gijon.info +34 985 180 153

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Oviedo Convention Bureau www.palaciocongresos-oviedo.com congresos@ayto-oviedo.es +34 985 272 307 Cantabria Santander Convention Bureau www.santanderconventionbureau.com congresos@ayto-santander.es +34 942 203 002 Castilla La Mancha Oficina de Congresos de Cuenca www.turismocuenca.com congresos@turismocuenca.com +34 969 241 050 Toledo Convention Bureau www.camaratoledo.es/tcb congresos@toledo-congresos.org +34 925 213 112 Castilla León Avila Convention Bureau www.avila.es congresos@ayuntavila.com +34 920 225 969 León Convention Bureau www.aytoleon.com turismo.ebl@aytoleon.com +34 987 895 453 Salamanca Convention Bureau www.salamancaconventionbureau.com congresos@turismodesalamanca.com +34 923 272 408 Valladolid Oficina de Congresos www.valladolidcongresos.com congresos@valladolidturismo.com +34 983 219 438 Catalonia Barcelona Convention Bureau www.barcelonaturisme.com/bcb bcb@barcelonaturisme.com +34 933 689 700 Barcelona Meeting Total Convention Bureau (Barcelona Region) www.meetingtotal.org meetingtotal@diba.cat +34 93 402 29 66 Girona Convention Bureau www.gironacb.com infoturisme@cambragirona.org +34 972 41 85 00 Catalunya Convention Bureau www.catalunyaturisme.com +34 93 484 99 00 Costa Daurada Convention Bureau http://cdcb.costadaurada.org cdcb@turisme.altanet.org +34 977 230 312 Lleida Convention Bureau 80www.turisme.paeria.es infoturisme@paeria.es +34 973 700 402 Lloret Convention Bureau www.lloretcb.org/convention-bureau/index.jsp lloretcb@lloret.org +34 972 36 57 88 Sitges Convention Bureau www.sitgescb.cat info@sitgescb.cat +34 938 944 251 Tarragona Convention Bureau www.tarragonacb.org tarragonacb@tinet.org +34 977 240 350 Galicia Turismo de La Coruña www.turismocoruna.com infoturismo@aytolacoruna.es +34 981 184 344 Santiago de Compostela Convention Bureau www.santiagoturismo.com sccb@santiagoturismo.com +34 981 555 129 Vigo Convention Bureau www.vigoconventionbureau.com info@vigoconventionbureau.com Balearic Islands Menorca Convention Bureau www.menorcaconventionbureau.org conventionbureau@menorca.es +34 971 368 678 Mallorca Convention Bureau www.mallorcacb.com info@mallorcacb.com +34 971 739 202

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Canary Islands Lanzarote Convention Bureau www.turismolanzarote.com conventionbureau@lanzarotecb.com +34 928 811 762 Gran Canaria Convention Bureau www.grancanariacb.com info@grancanariacb.com +34 928 261 570 Tenerife Convention Bureau www.tenerifecb.com info@tenerifecb.com +34 922 237 889 La Rioja Logroño Convention Bureau www.lrcb.es lcb@logro-o.org +34 941 273 713 Madrid Madrid Convention Bureau (city) www.esmadrid.com info.mcb@esmadrid.com + 34 917 585 528 Madrid (Region) www.turismomadrid.es turismo@madrid.org +34 912 767 200 Murcia Murcia Convention Bureau www.murciacongresos.com murcia.congresos@murciacongresos.com +34 968 341 818 Oficina de Congresos de Cartagena www.oficinadecongresoscartagena.es oficinadecongresos@puertoculturas.com +34 968 341 818 Navarra Pamplona Convention Bureau www.pamplonaconvention.com pcb@pamplonaconvention.com +34 948 228 919 Basque Country Bilbao Convention Bureau www.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo bicb@bilbaoturismo.bilbao.net +34 944 795 770 San Sebastian Convention Bureau www.ssconvention.com bureau@donostia.org +34 943 481 466 Turismo de Vitória www.vitoria-gasteiz.org congrestur@vitoria-gasteiz.org +34 945 161 261 Valencia Alicante Convention Bureau www.alicantecongresos.com congresos@alicanteturismo.com +34 965 147 052 Benidorm Convention Bureau www.benidorm.org turismo@benidorm.org +34 966 815 463 Elche www.turismedelx.com turisme@turismedelx.com +34 966 658 140 Valencia Convention Bureau www.turisvalencia.es turisvalencia@turisvalencia.es + 34 963 606 353 Touristic brands and programmes Silver Route (Ruta de la Plata) www.rutadelaplata.com info@rutadelaplata.com +34 985 185 189 Quixote Route (Ruta Don Quijote) www.donquijotedelamancha2005.com donquijote2005@jccm.es +34 925 283 496 Santiago Route (Camino de Santiago - Galicia) www.xacobeo.es informacion.xacobeo@xunta.es +34 902 332 010 Wine Tour Spain www.vintagespain.com info@vintagespain.com +34 947 310 126 The Rioja Alavesa Wine Tour www.rutadelvinoderiojaalavesa.com +34 945 297 004

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