Your Professional Partners for a Successful Event
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Message From Headquarters Dear reader, In this issue, we feature two of our jewel destinations: Costa Rica & Panama. Several events of all kinds have taken place here and have been successful to the delight of the attendees. What accounts for this? It is the unique combination of breathtaking nature, tourism infrastructure, and a professional and seasoned staff backing our customers. Your professional partners in both Costa Rica and Panama cleverly use the wow factor to enamor our clients with the charming hospitality that characterizes our people. And since we know that a group is not all about business, but that there is also a need to relax, enjoy the culture, and give back to the community, we tailor events that have all of this in mind. This way your experience will be well-rounded. Please read on to see what your group can expect while visiting us. Sincerely, Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS President
About Us Our Vision: Associates: Preserve our company as the best place to work, so that our multicultural staff can thrive professionally and thus always perform their best. Customers: To offer an innovative high-quality service that exceeds all expectations. Partners: To continually consolidate our network of honest and successful partners. Revenue: To maximize the investment of our shareholders & help them gain good dividends. Planet: By means of our hard work instill in others the responsible management of resources.
Our Mission: To serve our customers supported on international certifications ISO 9001 and ADMC, thus ensuring 100% satisfaction to groups, conventions, incentives and special events customers. We create memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression on attendees visiting each and every one of the destinations in which we operate.
Our Objective: Always aim for 100 % overall customer satisfaction.
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Year 9 Vol. 1, Issue 118 Visionary, Founder, Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS & Master Coach jmgarcia@ividmc.travel President Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS manolo@ividmc.travel
Contents:
Page
Cover Subject
Costa Rica & Panama:
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Your Professional Partners for a Successful Event
General Comptroller Trinidad SANCHEZ tsanchez@ividmc.travel Corporate Marketing and Francisco BAEZA, DMCP Business Director fbaeza@ividmc.travel Corporate Quality Director Julia ORTIZ jortiz@ividmc.travel Electronic Publishing Alejandro PECH apech@ividmc.travel Content and Editing Omar GALLEGOS ivicorp@ividmc.travel Managing Director Jorge OROZCO, DMCP —MyDay Travel jorozco@myday.travel
Advertise with CommuniQuest
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The Customer’s Always Right
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Friends of the Maya Foundation
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Let’s Cook — Green Juice
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Travel Tip: If Your Bags Go Astray
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Corporate Headquarters: Av. Acanceh 1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Q. Roo, 77500 Mex. Ph. +52 (998) 287-1700 www.ividmc.travel
Destination Offices: Mexico
Caribbean
Central America
South America
IVI DMC² Cancun & Riviera Maya Raquel MIJARES, CIS Marketing, Business & Planning Director rmijares@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Dominican Republic Genaro ALMONTE, CIS Regional Managing Director galmonte@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Costa Rica Sonia VARGAS Destination Manager svargas@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Brazil & Argentina Andrea MAJELA Regional Managing Director amajela@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Mexico City, Central Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, & Riviera Nayarit Jaime NELO, DMCP Destination Managing Director jnelo@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Cuba Alejandro DEBASA Regional Managing Director adebasa@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Panama David JOHNSON Destination Manager djohnson@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Colombia Ligia VARGAS Regional Managing Director lvargas@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Los Cabos Mario FOSTER Destination Managing Director mfoster@ividmc.travel
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© Copyright 2016. All Rights Reserved. 3
Cover Topic:
Costa Rica & Panama:
Your Professional Partners for a Successful Event If you are thinking your incentives group deserves paradise, then Costa Rica is absolutely what you are looking for! Our magical destination is both a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature’s wonders and also a well-prepared, service-oriented community that always strive to give the best and MAKE YOU SHINE! About 25% of the country is made up of protected areas holding 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Aside from canopy and zip-lining tours, you can enjoy volcanic mud baths, magnificent views while riding on a horseback or ATVs, and of course, experience world-class fishing. In Costa Rica you will be taken care of and be pampered by nature herself! At IVI DMC2 Costa Rica we are always looking for opportunities to make you and your guests happy by providing the best support during the planning stage and a flawless performance when the program is in full swing. Our multidisciplinary team will back you up all the way with an expert in each field, whether it is operations, tours, creative out of the box theme parties, and CSR or team building activities.
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COMPELLLING REASONS TO VISIT US ON YOUR NEXT INCENTIVE TRIP 1. We are ready! IVI DMC2 Costa Rica provides excellent and creative options for all the services your program requires: ground transportation, tours, hospitality desk services, entertainment and creative parties, wonderful décor, gifts and giveaways, and CSR events. In summary, everything you will need for your group. We are already looking forward to meeting you here!
2. It is easy to get here! There are already many airlines servicing Costa Rica, and as our destination becomes even more popular, more flights are added every year!
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Costa Rica
Costa Rica
April 2016
3. Nature Flanked by miles and miles of beaches on the Pacific and the Caribbean, Costa Rica’s inland is a lush cornucopia of rainforests, green and golden rolling hills, active volcanoes, and the habitat for some of the greatest biodiversity on Earth. It is a place where thousands of species thrive: gigantic ferns, neon-bright macaws, sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, frogs, and so many more! If you adventure at the ocean you will also have your share of natural beauty up and below, as many times our guests have witnessed dancing dolphins, singing whales and romantic turtles. You too, may be in line for an up close marvelous experience!
4. Great Hotels for M&E Many of the hotel flagships that you already know and trust have wonderful properties in Costa Rica, so you will be taken care of by well known brands such as Marriott, Westin, Four Seasons, Intercontinental, etc. Because the country focuses on education, there is always English-speaking, service oriented, well trained hospitality professionals to take care of your needs and requests. And to top things off, Costa Rica will soon start the construction of the much expected convention center, which will hold up to 5,000 people in state-of-the-art facilities.
(Creative Team Building and CSR Programs)
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Cover Topic (continued...)
5. Atmosphere of Tranquility Costa Rica has been a peaceful democracy without a military for more than 60 years. Costa Ricans decided to fund free education through the 11th grade instead of having an army. This has resulted in a high standard of living with the highest regional literacy rate (96%) and an average life expectancy of 78 years. Costa Rica’s long-term vision of a qualified work force, social stability, and an efficient public health system has paid off with flocking foreign investment.
6. Sustainable Growth Our country’s system of national parks and reserves protects approximately 25% of the country’s biodiversity, a percentage that sits among the highest in the world. Despite having a high density of precious metals in the South Pacific, oil along the Pacific Coast, and rare hardwoods in the rainforest, Costa Rica has said no to over exploiting its vast natural resources for the sake of so called commodities. Instead, we have opted for an ethic and sustainable development, and a commitment to fall back on renewable energy. Costa Rica is already on its way to becoming the first carbon neutral country, with 99% of the country’s energy needs met through a combination of geothermal, hydroelectric, and wind power.
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Costa Rica
Costa Rica
April 2016
7. Great Weather Conditions In Costa Rica the average annual temperature is around 21 to 27 ºC or 70 to 81 ºF. The coolest months of the year are November, December, and January. And March through May are the hottest months of the year, specially along the coast; this is most appealing for enjoying water activities and getting a wonderful tan! The country has no real winter time, and the sun shines here throughout the year. The rainy season here lasts from May to November, with the months of December through April having little to no rain and September and October being the heaviest rain period. Let us guide you to achieve what many have called, “their best program in years”, in paradise! See you soon in Essential Costa Rica!
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Cover Topic (continued...) How long do you take deciding on which destination will be next to excite and motivate your audience? What if we told you a secret, that will certainly help you make up your mind, about one of the best kept places on Earth? There is a petit but colorful country at the heart of the world, where the two oceans get together as almost nowhere, Panama. Locals generally believe that the word Panama means “abundance of fish, trees, and butterflies”. From the planning through the execution and even beyond, Panama is ready to meet and exceed the expectations of corporate businesses and meeting planners. The country has become a must-visit destination in Latin America and we look forward to welcoming you in our beautiful country. Allow us to take you into an unspoiled destination that will confirm that you made the right choice. Combining top infrastructure, amazing air connectivity, and unique venues and activities, we assure that you and your guests will have a successful meeting. Since it is a lot of work to organize the whole thing for a successful program, we’ll do all the crunching behind the scenes while you have a blast!
Meeting Space First it is important to identify the meeting space options that the destination offers. Starting from the Atlapa Convention Centre, where up to 10,000 people may gather for your meeting at the heart of the city and immediately besides the main highway that connects this venue with the International Tocumen Airport. Just a 20 minute ride separates you from your international flight to your meeting. During the last few years many worldwide hotel chains have opened in Panama, and they most definitely have built amazing properties with plenty meeting space:
Event Space in Square Feet
Minutes Away from the International Airport
Hilton Panama
+25,000
25 minutes
Westin Playa Bonita
+65,000
45 minutes
Trump Ocean Club
+25,000
20 minutes
Riu Plaza
+55,000
30 minutes
Hard Rock Hotel
+50,000
20 minutes
Waldorf Astoria
+4,000
25 minutes
Hotel
Ritz-Carlton
Soon to Open in Mid 2016
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Panama
Panama
April 2016
Coming Soon - July 2016! Hotel Las Americas Golden Tower Panama Two hundred eighty-five upscale rooms and suites with the best views of Panama City; this hotel was designed by Carlos Ott, an architect internationally renowned for his exquisite designs, which led him to win the contest for L’Opera Bastille in Paris and Dubai National Bank among many other projects. The hotel bears Ott’s signature in every detail, from the surprising shapes of its exterior design, its bronze color, its harmony and avant-garde spaces, comforts, and deluxe finishing. Hotel Las Americas Golden Tower Panama is an architectural jewel in Panama City and a new icon for this city that has been catalogued as the business capital of Latin America.
Audiovisual Equipment and Conference Services Panama has specialized, reputable A/V companies with equipment that will surpass anyone’s expectations. Our selected hotels too, are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment at feasible, competitive prices. Since this aspect of a meeting is crucial, we will listen carefully to your needs and provide you with the best options available. Showcase your company logo and services on full color printed pop up displays, lanyards for the participants, wristbands, foam board printing, banners or stickers. We have it all to make you and your participants look GREAT! 9
Cover Topic (continued...) Panama is a 100% Incentive Destination! Your meeting day has just ended. Your participants are ready now to enjoy Panama. Our destination combines a cosmopolitan city - considered by many as the Dubai of the Americas -, lush rainforest, pristine beaches, Panama Canal, UNESCO sites, and indigenous villages. Isn’t it wonderful to be able to enjoy some of these activities on the same day of your meeting? Escape from the city life and visit our exotic rainforests. Just 30 minutes from your meeting venue you may enjoy places where you can see endemic flora and fauna, ride the aerial tram way above the highest trees and enjoy the sights and sounds of birds, monkeys, the Panama Canal, and the soothing breeze. Just about 2 hours from the city you will find the Guna Yala archipelago boasting 365 islands. Let your feet be massaged by soft white sands of its beaches. Snorkel in the warm and pristine waters of these islands full of reefs, schools of fish, and even a sunken ship! Find out why one of the most famous reality shows, Survivor, chose Pearl Islands as their home. Have you ever wondered why so many whales appear in the intro of “Survivor: Pearl Islands”? The answer is that Panama is one of the only two places in the World where humpback whales from the Northern and Southern hemisphere come to breed and give birth. This archipelago is just 1 hour and 45 minutes away from Panama City and it is the perfect place to enjoy these turquoise waters while kayaking, snorkeling, or enjoying the sun rays while resting on the beach chaise lounges. Remember Panama means abundance of fish? The many fishing world records support the fact that our destination is among the best for sport fishing in the world. Panama’s waters teem with blue, black, and striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and swordfish. Also, just 30 minutes away from Panama City tons of peacock bass are waiting for you at Lake Gatun, a man made lake that provides water to the Panama Canal.
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Panama
Panama
April 2016
Enjoy UNESCO’s Archaelogical Site of Panama Viejo and Historic District Panama, just 10 minutes away from Panama City. Walk through Casco Viejo cobblestoned streets, wear your Panama hat while you enjoy one cup of geisha coffee from the World’s most expensive and sought after coffee regions in the World, Boquete. This District offers a ton of variety, ranging from important churches, several Spanish-style plazas, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, art galleries, and much more. On the same day you may also visit Panama Viejo, the first city in the Pacific coast of the Americas. Participate in the native dancing and traditions of the indigenous villages of Panama. Located just about 45 minutes from Panama City, you will be in canoes travelling in the Chagres river, surrounded by howler monkeys, toucans, hundreds of colorful and playful birds, butterflies and ancient trees that will lead you to these handful of indigenous villages that have opened their heart to the world.
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Cover Topic (continued...) Hundreds of Restaurants to Choose From! Whether you have had fun enjoying the two oceans that surround Panama, the lush rainforests, UNESCO’s archaeological sites, the Biodiversity Museum of Frank Gehry, river rafting, canopy, or any other adventure that you participated in, its time to let yourself be pampered by the enviable gastronomy that our cosmopolitan city has to offer.
Have your meal while a ship full of containers goes through the locks of the Canal.
Enjoy a delightful meal under a vaultlike ceiling typical of colonial buildings such as this 200-year -old customs office.
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Panama
Panama
April 2016
Enjoy Panamanian dishes while the Chef explains each one of them.
Enjoy the sights of the Panama Bay while having some drinks while relaxing on a terrace.
Eat on a rooftop while you enjoy Panama’s skyline.
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Cover Topic (continued...) Off Site Events Are a Remarkable & Unforgettable Experience! Our expertise includes both the planning and execution of any size of events. Our wow factor venues include the Panama Canal - where we have set up events that let the participants enjoy tasty drinks while seeing big ships go through the locks, as well as the ruins of Panama Viejo which date from 1519.
Contemporary venues where you can enjoy ocean and garden views.
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Panama
Panama
April 2016
Have your event surrounded by three different areas that narrate the history of the Afro-Antilleans, native, and Spanish in Panama.
Below: Panama Viejo
The explosive creativity of IVI DMC2 Panama’s staff includes a vast catalog of theme parties, which range from funny to formal. Your group will be in good hands since we abide by ISO 9001:2008 quality standards. Taste and see the well known Panamanian hospitality. Our 30 years of experience in the M&E market are at your beck and call!
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Advertise with CommuniQuest Travel Digest Advertising and promotional opportunities are now available in CommuniQuest magazine. Sponsorship placement opportunities are limited and are reserved on a “first come, first served� basis. We invite you to advertise in our vastly distributed magazine which is already available to over ten thousand avid readers. These readers are dedicated members, stakeholders, and fine suppliers. The magazine is an inviting 'cover to cover' read, ensuring an eye-catching and successful advertising. Click here to receive more information.
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April 2016
The Customer is Always Right Good morning Ibonhe, I made it home safe and sound!
Thank you for your hospitality and your company at the Rhythm of the Nights. It was a very enjoyable evening. Your staff (friends) did a great job. I look forward to working with all of you on the Express Pipe group. When I return from my next group, the middle of November, we can start the planning process.
Roberta Goldberg | Program Manager HMI Performance Incentives
IVI DMC² World Headquarters: Ave. Acanceh #1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mx Phone: +52 (998) 287-1700 Email: ivicorp@ividmc.travel Serving the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions industry since 1986.
For further information on the fine hotels, deals, activities, and group packages mentioned in this magazine, please contact Francisco BAEZA: fbaeza@ividmc.travel
Find us in over 40 destinations throughout:
100 children’s bicycles were donated to the Chanchen, Pacchen, Punta Laguna, and Tres Reyes communities
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Mexico Cuba Dominican Republic Belize Guatemala El Salvador Honduras Costa Rica Panama Colombia Brazil Argentina Chile Coming soon...Peru!
Green Juice Green vegetables are highly sought after for their high nutritional content. These are well known because of their healing properties that promote a healthy alkaline pH in the body, detoxing and helping the body's immune system because of the high content of antioxidants. A quick way to consume these nutrients is in juice form.
If they are included in a diet on a regular basis, these vegetables can:
Increase energy during the day
Promote weight loss
Remove toxins from the body Strengthen skin, hair, and nails
4 sprigs of parsley
Enhance the immune system
1 piece of nopal (cactus)
Reduce the likelihood of chronic disease
Improve sleep patterns Improve athletic performance
Grapefruit juice Fresh pineapple
1/2 piece of celery
Help build muscle (which requires more than just protein)
Orange juice
Ingredients:
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April 2016
Travel Tip: If You Bags Go Astray
The last carrier is responsible for it - even if the first carrier goofed.
Ask for cash for emergency purchase. If the baggage supervisor refuses, save all receipts and try to get a refund later. Claim all loss or damage within twenty-four hours (preferably before you leave the terminal). Get the agents name and phone number in case the problem is not resolved to your satisfaction. And make certain the airline will deliver your bags without a charge when they are found. If you checked in on time, the airline will deliver them free.
Keep your baggage claim tag or a photocopy. Your claim tag is proof your bag was checked.
Currently, the limit you can claim for lost luggage is $1,250. The value of lost items are figured at depreciated, rather than at replacement cost. And the amount is not per bag, but $1,250 total, which may soon increase. If your loss is more than $1,250, your household insurance policy may cover part of it.
“As my father always says, ‘There are two kinds of luggage - carry-on and lost’. – Lilly Walters (Taken from page 134) James Feldman, (a.k.a. Doctor Travel) is a Certified Facilitator and internationally recognized professional motivator, author, television host, and radio personality. His company Incentive Travelers Cheque Int’l provides individual and group incentive travel awards for many Fortune 500 companies. His book “Doctor’s Travel Cure For The Common Trip” is an entertaining and invaluable travel guide whose purpose is not to tell you where to go, but rather to help you get ready for the adventure. CommuniQuest is pleased to share some of Mr. Feldman’s travel wisdom with our readers, who from time to time must deal with lines, cancellations, lost luggage, and a person in the adjacent seat making extensive use of the air sickness bag. Reprinted by permission from the Author: jfeldman@itcheque.com
THANK YOU FOR READING Like life in general, the M&E Industry seems to move at the speed of light. As a committed B2B partner, we aim to help you keep up with the latest industry news and opportunities. CommuniQuest magazine is a valuable tool that brings you the timely information and analysis that you need, with a lair for what's hot, relevant, and interesting. I wish you the best of success in your quest, whatever it may be. Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach
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