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Year 8 Vol. 1, Issue 91 Visionary, Founder, Jose-Manuel GARCIA jmgarcia@ividmc.travel and Master Coach President Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA manolo@ividmc.com Marketing Vice President Alicia ASTUDILLO, DMCP aastudillo@ividmc.com General Comptroller Trinidad SANCHEZ tsanchez@ividmc.com Corporate Business Director Francisco BAEZA fbaeza@ividmc.com Corporate Quality Director Julia ORTIZ jortiz@ividmc.com
Contents:
Page
How to Prepare A Tequila Sunrise Cover Subject:
Ideal Hotels for Painstaking Events in:
Mexico Dominican Republic Costa Rica Colombia Brazil
Trending Destinations for Honeymooners
Electronic Publishing Alejandro PECH apech@ividmc.com
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Quick Hits:
Content and Editing Omar GALLEGOS ivicorp@ividmc.com Managing Director Jorge OROZCO jorozco@myday.travel —MyDay Travel
Friends of the Maya Foundation, a Noble Cause
Travel Tip: Choosing a Flight
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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
Central America
South America
IVI DMC² Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit, Mexico City, & Central Mexico Jaime NELO Regional Managing Director jnelo@ividmc.com
IVI DMC² Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, & Honduras Jorge LAZO Regional Managing Director jlazo@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Colombia Carolina CALDERON Regional Managing Director ccalderon@ividmc.com
IVI DMC² Los Cabos Mario FOSTER Regional Managing Director mfoster@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Costa Rica Sonia VARGAS Destination Manager svargas@ividmc.com
IVI DMC² Brazil Andrea MAJELA Regional Managing Director amajela@ividmc.com
The Caribbean
IVI DMC² Panama Ligia VARGAS Regional Managing Director lvargas@ividmc.com
IVI DMC² Argentina & Chile Leila GOROSITO Regional Managing Director lgorosito@ividmc.com
IVI DMC² Dominican Republic Genaro ALMONTE Regional Managing Director galmonte@ividmc.com
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March 2015
How to Prepare A Tequila Sunrise The Tequila Sunrise is a cocktail made of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup and served unmixed in a tall glass .
Ingredients:
3 oz (6 parts) Orange juice
1 1/2 oz (3 parts) Tequila
1/2 oz (1 part) Grenadine syrup
Preparation: Pour the tequila and orange juice into glass over ice. Add the grenadine, which will sink to the bottom. Do not stir. Garnish and serve.
Served: On the rocks; poured over ice Standard garnish: Orange slice, Cherry It's another Tequila sunrise...
expectations by going the extra mile so to speak in regard to superlative service. A satisfied client is our ultimate goal. With these lofty standards in mind, we strive to choose and only work with suppliers that meet our criteria in order to render an out-of-the-ordinary service.
Message From Headquarters As President of IVI DMC2, I deem it an honor to run this prestigious company and continue its positioning as one of the best in the market. The canons assertively say that the customer is first, and I concur. I also agree that our associates are the strong backbone of our company, and I consider them as my extended family. Without them we would not be where we are today.
After 28 eventful years in the business, IVI DMC2 is proud of the relationships we have forged with thousands of satisfied customers. We invite you to enjoy the pleasure of doing business with us and see for yourself that an unforgettable and successful event is feasible. You have my unfailing commitment to make you and your group look great!
Our company is recognized in the M&I industry as being down to earth and having an outstanding service-minded attitude. Our unchangeable commitment is to exceed our customers’
Sincerely, Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA President
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Cover Topic:
Ideal Hotels for Painstaking Events
BANYAN TREE MAYAKOBA “Sanctuary for the senses” Enjoy the new offerings and benefits that Banyan Tree has for your stay:
Complimentary premium internet access (30 MB bandwidth) in all of our villas.
Complimentary bicycles (up to 2 bicycles per villa)
New seasonal menus in all our restaurants, with fresh products grown and handpicked from our own Chef’s garden. Discover our newest culinary experiences, such as having tapas on a boat while you sail through the canals of Mayakoba, or if you are looking to try authentic Mexican cuisine, this is the opportunity to do so in our Oriente Restaurant; and meat lovers will be on for a treat in our Churrasqueria Nights, with a selection of fine cuts as well as a family style served options. Last but not least, our new venue “El Pueblito” is the perfect spot for the ultimate event you are planning, with a patio for up to 600 persons, a gazebo and a charming Mexican style chapel perfect to have a dreamed wedding.
Cancun and Riviera Maya 4
Cancun and Riviera Maya
March 2015
FIESTA AMERICANA GRAND CORAL BEACH RESORT & SPA CANCUN, MEXICO Located on Cancun’s most secluded stretch of white sand beach, Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Cancun Resort and Spa offers 602 all-suite ocean front accommodations, each with a private terrace facing the turquoise waters of the Caribbean and lagoon-like pool. The resort’s top two floors are dedicated to the Grand Club, which provides lavish services and above-and-beyond amenities both pool and beachside as well as a dedicated lounge and concierge service. The 40,000 square foot, sleekly-designed Gem Spa offers innovative treatments inspired by gemstone therapy and a dramatic 10-step 90 minutes Hydrotherapy Ritual. Guests can choose from a variety dining outlets, including the AAA Five-Diamond Le Basilic serving French Mediterranean cuisine and La Joya, an authentic Mexican experience replete with tequila lounge. A perfect blend of serenity and activity, the resort is steps away from Cancun’s vibrant nightlife, entertainment and luxury shopping as well as the high speed ferry to colorful and picturesque Isla Mujeres. This award-winning resort is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
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SANDOS Hotels & Resorts Whether you are looking for some fun in the sun or a cosmopolitan city as a hot destination to celebrate your upcoming event, we have it all! We can customize a detailed event tailored to your group’s needs and using only the best of the best hotels and conference centers. Some of these fine locations are: Real InterContinental or Wyndham San Jose; or how about the elegant and comfortable meeting rooms at hotels like Holiday Inn San Jose, Costa Rica Marriott, Los Sueùos, Four Seasons, Hilton Papagayo, Andaz Papagayo, Double Tree Cariari, Double Tree Central Pacific, JW Marriott, or The Westin Resort? And since Costa Rica is a trendy destination for incentives, there are more available choices of great quality with the newly opened hotels such as Dreams Las Mareas and the Mangroove. Imagine having your special event at a brand new hotel!
Cancun and Riviera Maya 6
Cancun and Riviera Maya
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March 2015
Cancun and Riviera Maya 8
Cancun and Riviera Maya
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March 2015 2015 March
Embassy by Hilton Santo Domingo Business event planning is a breeze at Embassy Suites. Use our meeting resources to celebrate and get more for your meeting: more space, more amenities, and high end technology to get the job done. Embassy Suites understands that no two events are alike. From small meetings and banquets to trade shows and conferences, we can help you plan and host practically any event. Many of our hotels feature 10,000 sq. ft. (930 m 2) of event space. And with our full-service meeting facilities including audio-visual support and professional catering, your event is sure to impress.
Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort The Paradisus Palma Real is located on the beachfront of the idyllic Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The natural beauty of the setting, the stunning tropical gardens, and a climate of eternal summer all year round are their trademark. This luxurious hotel has a passion for service, thus it can offer guests the most magical moments & unforgettable experiences. In addition to the 25,000 sq. ft. (2,320 m 2) of existing meeting space and their fine record of success in hosting groups from around the world, Paradisus Palma Real is pleased to announce the expansion of its meeting facilities with the construction of the new Palma Real Convention Center. This will add 8,000 sq. ft. (743 m2) of state-of-the-art technology and comfort. No wonder Paradisus Palma Real is the ideal place for any event!
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Dominican Republic
March 2015
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana Welcome to the first all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels. All the coolness you expect from a Hard Rock Hotel venue now with the Caribbean warmth and all-inclusive meeting and incentive pricing. Should there be something to know about the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana - and event professionals know it well - is that we count with about 65,000 sq. ft. (over 6,000 m 2) of flexible meeting space. Our Fillmore Ballroom alone can comfortably seat up to 3,960 guests. Then there's the dramatic Woodstock outdoor venue, where up to 3,600 guests can gather while enjoying the fresh sea air under the warm tropical sun by day, or a dramatic canopy of stars at night. Of course, they can accommodate smaller groups indoors and outdoors as well.
Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe & Barcelo Convention Center The Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe is found on the seafront of one of the most beautiful Punta Cana beaches, and it is characterized by its incredible levels of comfort and luxury. Within the Barcelo Complex, you find The Barcelo Bavaro Convention Center, the largest and most modern convention center in Dominican Republic. Its conference rooms feature a maximum capacity of 5,000 guests and over 123,000 sq. ft. (11,500 m2) of flexible space divided into 13 rooms that can be customized into a total of 24 rooms. The hotel is proud to say that it is a ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) member. It offers the latest in cutting-edge technology and a great range of convention-related services such as gala dinners.
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Whether you are looking for some fun in the sun or a cosmopolitan city as a hot destination to celebrate your upcoming event, we have it all! We can customize a detailed event tailored to your group’s needs and using only the best of the best hotels and conference centers. Some of these fine locations are: Real InterContinental or Wyndham San Jose; or how about the elegant and comfortable meeting rooms at hotels like Holiday Inn San Jose, Costa Rica Marriott, Los Sueùos, Four Seasons, Hilton Papagayo, Andaz Papagayo, Double Tree Cariari, Double Tree Central Pacific, JW Marriott, or The Westin Resort? And since Costa Rica is a trendy destination for incentives, there are more available choices of great quality with the newly opened hotels such as Dreams Las Mareas and the Mangroove. Imagine having your special event at a brand new hotel!
Costa Rica 12
Colombia
March 2015
First Class Hotels for Meeting & Events in Colombia Colombia is the new hot spot destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and events in Latin America, boasting top brand hotel chains such as: Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, Intercontinental, Sofitel, Charleston, Royal, Real Resorts, Occidental Resorts, Decameron, and so many more!
Cartagena Las Americas Resort, Spa, and Convention Center A superb hotel in Cartagena that combines prestige and expertise for the M&I within a Caribbean setting. This venue is ideal to celebrate large events since it can easily accommodate groups of up to 5,000 people.
Bogota Marriott Hotel combines beauty and comfort with its 11 meeting rooms that can be used for up to 500 people.
Crowne Plaza Tequendama Bogota Hotel A fancy hotel with 32 spacious and elegant meeting rooms that can be customized to accommodate up to 2,500 participants.
InterContinental Medellin Hotel A hotel designed with the M&I industry in mind. It has 16 meeting rooms with capacity for up to 2,100 people. The perfect venue for all kinds of events: banquets, cocktails, welcome receptions, dinners, and congresses.
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Hilton Integrated into the CENU (United Nations Business Center) complex, the Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi hotel features an underground access to the CENU shopping mall, convention center, and heliport. Offering 13,000 sq. ft. (1,200 m) of meeting and conference space and located only 5 miles (8 km) from the Congonhas National Airport, this Sao Paulo Hotel is ideal for business. Hold your next event or show at the Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi and enjoy fully equipped boardrooms and flexible meeting rooms and ballrooms. This conveniently located Sao Paulo hotel can accommodate meetings of up to 2,600 participants. Plunge into the 28th floor rooftop pool overlooking the Sao Paulo skyline. Invigorate in the 24-hour LivingWell™ fitness center and unwind in the sauna and relaxation rooms. Pamper yourself with a treatment in the Amazonian Spa.
Try the modern Sol and Sombra restaurant for a delicious lunch with your clients. Admire the artwork suspended from the ceiling as you dine in the Canvas Bar and Restaurant. Savor contemporary Brazilian cuisine, special wines from the 170-label wine cellar or a creative drink from the bar. Listen to live music and relax with a cocktail in the stylish Canvas bar.
Meeting and Event Highlights Located in the CENU business complex 13,000 sq. ft. (1,200 m2) of versatile meeting space Certified meeting planners Access to heliport, shopping malls, and local attractions One block away from Sao Paulo World Trade Center
Upgrade to an executive room to enjoy well-chosen amenities while working. Business is a pleasure in the sleek 377 sq. ft. (35 m2) meeting rooms offering separate seating and working areas. The hotel has city or river views. Guests staying in the Executive floor rooms or suites will enjoy private check-in and check-out services.
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Brazil
March 2015 2015 March
Pullman Hotel Ibirapuera Comfort and connectivity blend perfectly in the best region in town. Located next to the most important main square in town (Parque Ibirapuera), Pullman São Paulo Ibirapuera is near a rich architectural ensemble of important buildings including the Obeliso, Museu de Arte Moderna, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, Bienal, and others. The hotel is on the corner of 23 de Maio Ave. and the Tutóia Viaduct. It’s also near the city’s main business and leisure centers, such as Jardins, Itaim, Moema, and Vila Olímpia, with easy access to Paulista, Faria Lima and Berrini avenues, besides the Paulista, Ibirapuera and Iguatemi shopping. For private or public events, business meetings, or seminars, Pullman hotels are the ideal venue. Pullman hotels give meetings the special attention and expertise you deserve. More than 30,000 events are organized every year in Pullman hotels. For Pullman hotels an event is a really important occasion, they take business meetings seriously and thus they give personal attention to detail. It features the right décor, service, catering and timing, so that product launches, incentive meetings and/or congresses will be a success!
WTC Sheraton The Sheraton Sao Paulo WTC hotel is an ideal haven for business travelers, offering an array of amenities and a convenient location in the heart of the city. The hotel has direct access to D&D Shopping, a specialized mall for design and decor items for your home or business, the biggest of its kind in Latin America. The Sheraton comprises 20 dining options, bank agencies, currency exchange, a drugstore, and more. Next to the hotel is the WTC Events Center, featuring 129,167 sq. ft. (12,000 m 2) of flexible space divided among five floors. The facilities including the WTC Golden Hall, a multipurpose area spanning more than 32,000 sq. ft. (3,000 m 2) with a soaring 15-meter ceiling. Enjoy the convenience of having direct indoor access through the Sheraton Sao Paulo WTC Hotel. Together, the hotel and the WTC form one of the most comprehensive Latin American complexes for accommodations and events. After a long day of travel, our friendly staff will welcome you like you deserve. Relax in one of our 296 beautifully designed guest rooms or suites. Additional amenities and services will make your stay a comfortable one, this includes a shuttle service to and from the airport (reservations required and fees apply), and a certified helipad. Enjoy international cuisine with a Brazilian flair, as well as a selection of wines and cocktails at our restaurant.
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Trending Destinations for Honeymooners Hottest Honeymoon Spots Mexico's Riviera Maya has become a hot spot that is attracting more and more honeymooners of all types. Honeymooners will for sure find something to suit them, from world-class resorts offering up-to-the-minute amenities and services, to funky little beachside palapa-roofed hotels loaded with charm. Honeymooners here are pampered with all kinds of perks such as a free bottle of champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, or breakfast in bed. More and more resorts are seeing the convenience of catering to this type of tourism. What can honeymooners find in the Riviera Maya? Quaint towns along the way provide plenty of local color, such as Puerto Morelos, Tulum, Akumal, and of course the super-chic and Euro-oriented Playa del Carmen. While some honeymooners may never choose to leave their resort, those who do will find a rich assortment of activities and attractions – everything from scuba diving to exploring Mayan archaeological sites. Our destination guarantees lovers relaxation, solace, and endless silver moons!
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March 2015
Friends of the Maya Foundation, A Noble Cause Friends of the Maya Foundation began over a decade ago with the lofty purpose of giving back to the community while at the same time providing our multicultural visitors the opportunity to provide sustainable developments while protecting the environment in various less fortunate Mayan villages. You can contribute to fund totally or partially through a wide array of projects and infrastructure services, below are just a few of those options:
IVI DMC² World Headquarters: Ave. Acanceh #1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico Phone: +52 (998) 287-1700 Email: ivicorp@ividmc.com
MAR is a series of environmental protection and recycling workshops, working mainly with children from public and boarding schools. By supporting this project we will be able to reach a wider audience and create awareness of the environmental hazards posed by pollution.
Serving the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions Industry since 1986.
Tortuga Azul provides the opportunity to learn how to protect the ocean, its coral reefs, and marine life. By supporting this project we will be able to grant children and adults the opportunity to learn how to scuba dive. Thus, they will become more appreciative of their marvelous underwater world.
KATIRA is a series of workshops focused on healthy eating habits, which starts by enriching the soil, learning how to produce their own fruits and vegetables, and learning how to improve their nutrition and the management of resources. By supporting this project we will be able to teach families in the villages how to achieve the above. Permarquitecture provides the opportunity to participate in the improvement and makeover of houses in the Mayan villages in order to transform them into sustainable buildings. By participating in this project, we will be able to provide Mayan families with a healthier environment.
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Find us in over 40 destinations throughout: Mexico Dominican Republic Guatemala Belize El Salvador Honduras Costa Rica Panama Colombia Brazil Argentina Chile Coming soon...Cuba!
For further information on the fine hotels, deals, activities, and group packages mentioned in this magazine please contact Alicia Astudillo: aastudillo@ividmc.com
Destinations • Mexico • Dominican Republic • Guatemala • Costa Rica • Panama • Colombia • Brazil • Argentina • Chile This portal was created to assist Meeting Planners in easily locating ideal destinations, hotels, services, and activities within the group market in Latin America. On this site you will find a large collection of photographs and videos of selected hotels, tours, and activities that fit the needs of the M&I industry, as well as a RFP engine that will directly connect you with the hotel of your interest.
Easy to use
Go to the menu on top of the home page and click on the destination(s) of your interest. For instance, if you want to know more about Dominican Republic for a possible group follow these steps:
From “Destinations” select Dominican Republic. Immediately you will be on the Dominican Republic home page. As with each destination, you can see 10 reasons that make each destination stand out above the rest. You can click on each photo to see even more images.
To the right side there is a submenu showing airlines, hotels, restaurants, what to see, and what to do, etc. The content of each submenu includes: property description, amenities, location (google map), photos, videos, pdf downloads. Some properties have 3600 photos.
You can use this site for your own presentations; feel free to use the photos and videos. From the home page menu you can easily access videos, sample programs, change the language, get connected through our social media, & contact us.
About Us... Our Vision: To run a world-class company that sets fresh trends and establishes new standards for best practices in the M&I industry by exceeding customer expectations. Mission Statement: To earn and maintain our clients’ trust at each one of our destinations by convincing them that their goals are our goals, and by delivering services that exceed industry standards and customer expectations. We also will meet client needs by providing exceptional product knowledge, creative solutions, cost-value and effectiveness in every measurable way. We pride ourselves on our efficient business organization that relies on strong management systems, ISO quality standards, and belief in the remarkable abilities of our people. Our mission also features an infinite commitment: "To make you look great!" Our People: IVI DMC2 has more than 150 year-round full-time associates within the entire Latin American network with great personalities, knowledge, a caring attitude, and vast M&I business experience! “Yes, since 1986, we are those neatly attired people in the turquoise blue and white uniforms. Many people call us "the Smurfs". We are knowledgeable, witty, fun to have around, and beautiful or handsome (not necessarily in that order).”
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March 2015
Travel Tip: Choosing a Flight United Airlines asks us to "Fly the friendly skies." American Airlines tells us they are "Something special in the air." And Delta Airlines says "We love to fly and it shows." With such enticing advertising copy, how do you know which carrier to choose? To answer this question, you need to consider a number of factors and then decide which carrier is best for you. Some of the things to consider when you choose a flight: price of ticket departure/arrival times nonstop/multistop versus change of plane aircraft type (older planes need more maintenance) frequent-flyer mileage rewards airline hub closest to your home best safety record current labor disputes or contract negotiations best on-time record
(Taken from page 47)
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 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.
The Customer is Always Right
Raquel was wonderful to work with. We enjoyed working with all of your Staff! - Jayne Schmitt
Jose-Manuel GARCIA Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach IVI DMC²
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