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Message From Headquarters Dear reader, Do you want to turn a good meeting into a fantastic one? In our experience, a successful event is not all about business, rather, adding a party with a good theme will significantly enhance the attendee’s experience. When you visit one of our destinations you’ll be awed by the array of options we have for you. With the mentality that there’s never a bad excuse to throw one, our DMC experts have brainstormed and have come up with the cleverest theme party ideas just in case you’re looking to shake up your standard fete. These ideas go from Havana nights to a traditional party with a modern spin, masquerades, etc. Rest assured that we will help you create a sure-fire memorable event and thus achieve the “wow” factor. 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 121 Contents: Visionary, Founder, Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS & Master Coach jmgarcia@ividmc.travel
Page
Cover Subject
Theme Parties
President Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS manolo@ividmc.travel
Get Crafty When It Comes to Planning Your Next Theme Party
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 Corporate Headquarters: Av. Acanceh 1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Q. Roo, 77500 Mex. Ph. +52 (998) 287-1700 www.ividmc.travel
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Brazil Olympics | August 2016
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DQuest
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Quick Hits: Friends of the Maya
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Advertise with CommuniQuest
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The Customer’s Always Right
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Let’s Cook : Corn Tortillas
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Travel Tip: Create Your Own Airport Ritual
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Destination Offices: Mexico
Caribbean
IVI DMC² Cancun & Riviera Maya Raquel MIJARES, CIS
IVI DMC² Dominican Republic
rmijares@ividmc.travel
galmonte@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Mexico City, Central Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, & Riviera Nayarit
IVI DMC² Cuba Alejandro DEBASA Regional Managing Director adebasa@ividmc.travel
Genaro ALMONTE, CIS
Marketing, Business & Planning Director Regional Managing Director
Jaime NELO, DMCP Destination Managing Director jnelo@ividmc.travel
Central America
South America
IVI DMC² Costa Rica Sonia VARGAS Destination Manager svargas@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Colombia Ligia VARGAS Regional Managing Director lvargas@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Panama David JOHNSON Associate Regional Managing Director djohnson@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Brazil & Argentina Andrea MAJELA Regional Managing Director amajela@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:
Themed Parties & Special Events
Get Crafty When It Comes to Planning Your Next Theme Party
Pirate’s Night
O
n board the Jolly Roger, a pirate galleon inspired by the Santa Maria vessel of Christopher Columbus, you will enjoy an incredible adventure in the Bay of Cancun while having fun watching the battle between the pirates. The clashing of swords as pirates fly above on ropes, and staged cannon shootings will keep you on the edge of your seat. Your ticket includes a delicious meal, 3 hours of open bar, and a fun atmosphere!
Cancun & Riviera Maya
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June 2016
With our teambuilding activities we will make you look great! Teambuilding’s aim is to build and make teamwork fun. To achieve this we have developed comprehensive programs and activities (games, dynamics, tournaments, etc.) that are characterized by being fun, different, and innovative. Your company’s core values such as teamwork, leadership, confidence, motivation, courage and decision making will be strengthened indeed. Take for the example the following options:
Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera Gallery Wrap yourself in an atmosphere of sophistication of the artistic and intellectual elite of Mexico. The Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Gallery is a theme party like no other. Surreal, colorful, and giant reproductions of the works of two of the most celebrated icons of our country will bring your event a unique touch. The perfect environment to highlight the richness, culinary, and musical variety that Mexico offers, bringing to your mind one of the most beautiful eras of this great country.
When we hear the word “Xochimilco” the first thing that comes to our mind is a relaxing ride aboard a trajinera, or boat, on the waterways of this southern borough. This picturesque corner of Mexico is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 11, 1987.
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Cancun & Riviera Maya
Cover Topic (continued...)
Pueblito Village
At the heart of Mayakoba, "The Pueblito Village" resembles an authentic Mexican village, with a mix of restaurants, boutiques and even an art gallery. It offers a variety of options for events: from intimate dinners to large parties. A farmer’s market with produce and crafts brought from nearby communities takes place every Sunday. With this initiative the Mayan communities have more opportunities to improve their income. Book the quaint patio of The Pueblito Village in Mayakoba for your private or corporate events!
Cancun & Riviera Maya
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June 2016
In addition to these theme parties and many others, in IVI DMC² Cancun we can help you in designing, planning, and producing any type of event. With our team of professionals by your side, you will create the event of your dreams to the delight of your guests. Our support includes the customizing of any given event, A/V, venue and space optimization, artists, entertainment, catering, furniture rental, and more. Your participants will identify the company’s brand by means of our using its essence in everything we put together. We have so many ideas for using your corporate colors, company logo, initials, the message, etc. Take as an example a customized menu card used for a dinner and that features your corporate colors and logo; many folks often take it home as a keepsake! In any corporate event it is important that the brand is featured.
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Cancun & Riviera Maya
Cover Topic (continued...)
San Jose del Cabo Gallery District
I
n Baja Mexico, behind San Jose del Cabo's historic main square and church lies the ever-growing Gallery District. In recent years it has become
the cultural hub of Los Cabos with many high-end fine art galleries displaying original paintings, sculptures, photography, prints, and jewelry made by both Mexican and international contemporary artists. Among these art galleries are shops housing the works by the top folk artists and artisans of Cabo and Mexico. Along with an abundance of galleries, the Gallery District is home to some of the area’s top restaurants.
Los Cabos
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You and your group will fall in love with all the greatness that envelops this magnificent event. For all the logistics, you can count on the expertise of our bilingual IVI DMC2 Brazil staff. As always, our unfailing commitment is to make you look GREAT!
The Summer Olympics will be held in Brazil in
PLAN YOUR GROUP IN ADVANCE!
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Cover Topic (continued...)
I
t is because when you give a theme to your party everything just falls into place easily and ideas flow naturally. By defining a theme you are streamlining your options so you are more focused when planning, and that is always a good thing when you have so many things to plan for. But even when you are deciding on a theme it doesn’t mean that you have to choose a cookie -cutter boring option; there are always so many things that you can adapt, add, and change! Let’s talk for example about one of our favorite events: the Pura Vida surfer’s party. This is the kind of event where the choice of venue comes first, as you definitely need to be beachfront for this. Once you have an amazing location you can work on all sorts of surfer lifestyle ideas and be inspired by the color of the ocean or even by the bright colors of the surfboards and swimsuits. Sometimes what you need is a WOW factor and that is when our Rain Forest theme party will be in order. Here you can opt for it to be as lush as the deepest rainforest and therein transport your crew within a marvelous world they might never get to know otherwise. Play with textures, sounds, smells, and whimsical creatures and you will have some magic that will never be forgotten.
One-of-a-kind Party Favors
Costa Rica
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June 2016
Maybe what you want is to give a glimpse of our country’s culture? We love to do so when throwing welcome parties and thus explore the music and the taste of different regions in our country. This also provides a great opportunity for wonderful pictures in one of our creative photo-booths. It is a fact that the power of memories captured in pictures never gets old and your guests will cherish that memento forever. Does your company have a special theme you want to work with and tailor just for you? We are open to the challenge! We have explored star-gazing zodiac parties, cultures around the world (great in multicultural groups), gastronomic experiences, and Bonfires at Surfer’s Party so many more. Share your vision with us today and rest assured that your event will be one of a kind and unforgettable! At IVI DMC2 Costa Rica we have a dedicated event planning department that is always on the lookout for new ideas and sources for an unparalleled theme party your group will always remember.
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Costa Rica
Cover Topic (continued...)
S
ticking to the same high standards initiated in IVI DMC² Cancun 30 years ago, IVI DMC² Panama has performed successful events during the last 8 years. We’ve worked with the most exclusive incentive houses, important DMC’s, and companies that have chosen this tropical paradise as their destination for their program in Latin America. There is no question about how unique our venues are for special events and what an exciting destination we are! Rest assured that we will give you a warm welcome and help you achieve success. In IVI DMC² Panama we pride in the uniqueness of our destination and also in our expertise and professionalism to provide a premium service to you and to your clients. We have an abundance of talent at your disposal in order to offer you the best choices according to your needs. Amaze your attendees with creative and innovative theme parties with all the paraphernalia that accompanies it. Excellence is the trademark that characterizes our catering services, staging, entertainment, sound, lighting, etc. You will definitely wow all your participants with elements such as: joy, the Afro-Caribbean heritage, salsa, and state-of-the-art equipment to make your special event a memorable one!
Ideas and Concepts for Your Next Event in Panama Panamanian Night Perfect for a welcome or going away event. Your guests will experience the Panamanian folklore first-hand. We suggest an “al fresco” cocktail in the gardens of your preferred hotel while the participants enjoy the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean. The cocktail table linens will feature our worldwide famous pollera, the traditional dress and symbol of Panamanian identity. Iconic figures of our local folklore will be entertaining guests with their singular costumes, such as the “diablico sucio” - devils that wear red and black stripped suits with a cone-shaped hat decorated with fake red macaw feathers; or beautiful women dressed with polleras together with the men dressed with their montunos, a traditional dress.
Panama
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Aqua Night Theme Party
Gala Night These theme parties are very fashionable, customized to customer requests. Gala nights are perfect for awards and are indispensable to create great memories. Aqua Night It is an extraordinary example of a theme party; fuchsia and turquoise stand out as main colors; the large black curtains covering the walls recreate the darkness of the deep waters where depictions of marine life such as giant jellyfish will adorn walls and ceilings. Centerpieces have a similar concept: pompous hydrangeas inside long glasses with a gelatin effect and internal lighting convey that unique atmosphere; great air acrobats will delight everyone with exquisite, lively performances. Farewell Party A farewell party needn't be sad. They can be a chance to reward your teammates. It can be thrown outside the hotel at a representative place in Panama such as at the ruins of Old Panama, the Museum of Biodiversity, or on a restaurant terrace with beautiful views to our great Panama Canal.
Aqua Night Centerpiece
Mi Pueblito Colonial
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Panama
Cover Topic (continued...)
C
olombia is characterized as a country rich in diverse cultures and possessing exceptional landscapes. This inspires us to take all the beauty of this country into
account as we develop our festivals and events that stand out above the rest. Indeed, getting crafty is our specialty! Each theme party is customized to our client’s liking. We strive to make everyone in your group happy by giving attention to detail. This is why IVI DMC2 Colombia justly stands out above the rest!
Fun in the Jungle! An event has never looked more spectacular, green and original as our Rainforest Theme Party. Be enveloped by nature: large trees, vines hanging from the ceiling, artistic centerpieces illuminated by candles, a large arch covered with dried leaves at the entrance to the living room will contribute to a natural environment giving the illusion of being immersed in a rainforest. And what better way to complement the above than by being greeted by acrobat dancers hanging from the ceiling and dressed as wild animals prowling around the room and interacting with guests. But everything is not green! Red, yellow, and blue are vivid colors present in the lives of passionate Colombians. These bright colors permeate everywhere in this destination. Take for example the Colombian carnival from Barranquilla with its colorful marimondas,
Colombia
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a kind of masquerade jester. We can also include skillful dancers who will encourage all present to dance to the rhythm of tropical beats. These kinds of events
are
special
for
welcome
receptions or for groups visiting this beautiful country for the first time. Welcome cocktails, awards ceremonies, conferences, and gala dinners are some of the many special events that we transform into a unique experience for each guest. We can turn a good event into a great one, something that attendees
will
remember
forever. Our promise is: In Colombia
everything
is
possible.
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Colombia
Cover Topic (continued...)
B
razil, worldwide famous for its soccer, samba, carnival, and beaches, is a multi-ethnic society of 200 million people. These factors coupled with the warmth of Brazilians make for an attractive array of events and theme parties. In this great country beauty is everywhere, but on this occasion we will showcase two cities’ special celebrations: the festival of Parintins that through allegories and original scenarios “tell” fascinating stories such as legends, rituals & indigenous customs; and the Carnival in Rio that overflows with joy and beauty.
The city of Parintins is host to the Parintins festival held every year. Called also the Festival do Boi Bumbá, this celebration takes place for three days at the end of June. It is considered one of the most important regional festivals in the country. Celebrated since 1965, this festival is the second largest held in Brazil; it is only dwarfed by the Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro. What is this festivity about? Put simply, it is a competition between two teams, the Garantido and the Caprichoso. They each try to put on the best three-hour show possible telling the story of the legend of the “bride and the ox”. Elaborated floats are constructed, intricate dances are choreographed, and boisterous songs provide the background for the detailed displays. The captivating story of two disputing families will unfold before you – a dispute that resulted in a competition of two man-made bulls, one black and one white. Each family also presents a repentista, a singer who will challenge his counterpart to sing a better song or recite a better poem. With colorful costumes and samba sounds, this is truly a feast for the eyes and ears.
Brazil
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Rio is the second largest city of Brazil and it is also called the wonderful city not only due to the beautiful landscapes that can be seen, but also due to the most famous carnival in the world, its joyous inhabitants, and the touristic sites offered. Rio’s carnival is famous for its parades by samba schools and sticky music that is so inviting to dance to. This festival is a legacy of ancient Spanish and Portuguese navigators who along with the Afro-Brazilian culture created a syncretism with interesting characters such as the blocos, which are associations formed by people who dress according to certain themes and who celebrate the carnival in a very peculiar way. Samba schools are true organizations who work really hard throughout the year in order to prepare for the carnival parade. These schools parade in the Sambadrome stadium designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, in which 70,000 people gather together every year. The Sambadrome MarquĂŞs de SapucaĂ, or simply Sambadrome, is a purpose-built parade area in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where samba schools parade competitively each year during the Rio Carnival. It opened in 1984 and is one of the largest spaces for large outdoor events in Rio de Janeiro. It is used mainly during carnival parades. The Sambadrome is 1,800 ft. (550 meters) long. Each school parading is about an hour and twenty minutes long, with breaks of 15 minutes between each school. Each participant of a samba school plays an important role in the Parade. The different aspects of the parade receive a particular score, so it is important that each group member performs his role to perfection in order to ensure a good grade. Preparations for the next carnival begin right after the present edition ends. The theme and samba song remain the best kept secret until December, when they are revealed and rehearsals begin at full speed.
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Brazil
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Free medical checkups benefited more than 200 persons in the communities of Muyil, Chumpon, Chunon, and Tres Reyes
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June 2016
Advertise with CommuniQuest Incentive Travel Digest Advertising and promotional opportunities are now available in CommuniQuest Incentive Travel Digest. Sponsorship placement opportunities are limited and are reserved on a “first come, first served” basis. We invite you to advertise in our vastly distributed Incenctive Travel Digest which is already available to over 10,000 avid readers. These readers are dedicated members, stakeholders, and fine suppliers. The Incentive Travel Digest is an inviting 'cover to cover' read, ensuring eye-catching and successful advertising. Click here to receive more information.
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. Find us in over 40 destinations throughout:
The Customer is Always Right
Gregorio saved us on getting a car last minute for VIP. Fausto did an amazing job. Very helpful, above and beyond.. Ms. Ellen Darcy | Program Manager
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Mexico Cuba Dominican Republic Belize Guatemala El Salvador Honduras Costa Rica Panama Colombia Brazil Argentina Chile Coming soon...Peru!
For further information on the fine hotels, deals, activities, and group packages mentioned in this magazine, please contact Francisco BAEZA: fbaeza@ividmc.travel
Corn Tortillas
Corn tortilla is the oldest culinary symbol of Mexico’s culture. No matter the social status, the tortilla is consumed daily by 94% of Mexicans.
Ingredients:
2 cups of corn flour 1 cup of water A pinch of salt Vegetable oil to spread tortillas
Preparation: Mix the corn flour and water in a large bowl (a large tablespoon of dough for each tortilla). Pour water gradually so that the dough is fine and uniform. Mix it until a soft dough forms, not too dry or too sticky. Put the dough between two sheets of waxed paper. With a rolling pin, keep kneading until the dough has an irregular circumference of about 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter. Make a pile between sheets of waxed paper to stack the tortillas. A tortilla press can also be used; it makes the process faster and easier! As you appreciate in the pictures, they can also be shaped the old, traditional way: using the hands; this action is called tortear. Heat a non-stick skillet or comal (a typical pan; see photo) to medium-high heat. Place the tortilla in the skillet and cook for 30 to 60 seconds on each side. Place the tortillas in a clean kitchen cloth to keep them warm and moist until they are ready to be eaten.
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June 2016
Travel Tip: Create Your Own Airport Ritual
As long as they don’t answer back - Rita Derbas, an innovation consultant (who doesn’t mind the middle seat), talks to her suitcases and tells them to go where she is going. “The check-in person laughs,” she says, “ but so far I’ve not had any luggage lost or delayed that I’ve talked to.” Soul food - Melinda Henning, founder of Doing Business by PhoneTM has a pre-boarding countdown ritual. She always allows enough time to enjoy a cup of nonfat frozen yogurt, which she eats very slowly before boarding. Repeat after me - Padi Selwyn, a professional speaker and author, uses a mantra to calm herself when flights are canceled or delayed. She repeats over and over again. “Well, everybody has to be somewhere. I guess this is where I have to be right now!” (Taken from page 54) 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&I 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 Incentive Travel Digest 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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