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Year 10 Vol. 1, Issue 155 Directory
Cover Subject:
Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS jmgarcia@ividmc.travel Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS, CMS, CCM manolo@ividmc.travel
SPECTACULAR VENUES THAT PROMOTE CREATIVITY
Second Generation, Innovator & President
Francisco BAEZA, DMCP fbaeza@ividmc.travel Vice President
Mexico Pages 4-9 • Dominican Republic Pages 10-15 • Costa Rica Page 16 • Panama Page 17 •
Trinidad SANCHEZ tsanchez@ividmc.travel General Comptroller Raquel MIJARES, CIS Corporate Marketing Director Julia ORTIZ jortiz@ividmc.travel Quality Director
Advertise with CommuniQuest Page 20
Alejandro PECH apech@ividmc.travel Electronic Publishing Omar GALLEGOS ivicorp@ividmc.travel Content & Editing
Pages 18, 19
Fernando ROSAS corp.image@ividmc.travel Design
Dr. Travel’s - Travel Tip: Choosing a Flight
Jorge OROZCO, DMCP jorozco@myday.travel Managing Director - MyDay Travel
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© Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.
Destination Offices Mexico
Caribbean
Central America
South America
IVI DMC² Los Cabos Yazmin ELOSEGUI Destination Managing Director yelosegui@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Cuba Alejandro DEBASA, CMS Regional Managing Director adebasa@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Costa Rica Ligia VARGAS, CIS Regional Managing Director lvargas@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² South America Jorge OROZCO, DMCP Regional Managing Director jorozco@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Mexico City, Central Mexico, IVI DMC² Dominican Republic IVI DMC² Panama Puerto Vallarta, & Riviera Nayarit Ramon RIJO, CIS David JOHNSON, CIS Jaime NELO, CMS, DMCP Regional Managing Director Associate Regional Managing Destination Managing Director Director rrijo@ividmc.travel jnelo@ividmc.travel djohnson@ividmc.travel IVI DMC² Cancun & Riviera Maya Raquel MIJARES, CIS Corporate Marketing Director rmijares@ividmc.travel
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Message From Headquarters Dear reader, Welcome to our bountiful database of Latin America based crafty spaces which is encompassed by a wide range of different venue sorts, from unique meeting rooms to creative desk space, historical buildings to contemporary designs. You name it, we’ve got it! Our meeting spaces are absolutely ideal for bringing your participants together and getting the creative juices flowing. Use your upcoming event as an opportunity to showcase or envisage your own creativity. The venues listed here have nominated themselves as ‘Creativity Welcome Here’ spaces for that special day. Book a space that suits you. Be inspired to meet, create, and innovate. These locations are so inviting that your folks will want to come in and use their cafés and foyers as spaces to get crafty, to celebrate the success that you worked hard to achieve. So, take your pick and revel in your creative space! Sincerely, Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS, CMS, CCM Second Generation, Innovator & President
Our Objective
Our Vision
Always aim for 100% overall customer satisfaction.
Associates: Keep the ideal place to work, where our multicultural staff give their best, every day Customers: Offer an innovative high-quality service that exceeds expectations Partners: Consolidate our network of honest and successful partners Utilities: Maximize the return of investment to shareholders
Our Mission
Planet: Inspire responsible resource management by means of our work
Serve customers through our international certifications ISO 9001 and ADMC; ensuring 100% customer satisfaction of incentives, conventions, and special events; providing memorable experiences in each of the destinations in which we operate; maximizing return of investment to shareholders.
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VALLARTA & RIVIERA NAYARIT
VIDANTA, a leading destination resort company in Latin America, has been selected
to host the World Meetings Forum at the newly opened Grand Vidanta Convention Center at Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta in July 2018. This achievement furthers Vidanta’s position as a premium conference provider for meetings and events in Mexico. An architectural marvel, Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta features fabulous indoors and outdoors, towering palapas, lush gardens, and miles of winding wooden pathways. The Grand Vidanta Convention Center complements the landscape with a striking design and floor-to-ceiling windows that capture the spectacular views of the surrounding Sierra Madre Mountains. The crowning feature is the 60-foot ceiling open-layout entryway allowing for an experience unlike any other in Riviera Nayarit.
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A first-of-its-kind in the region, the Grand Vidanta Convention Center is the largest event space in Riviera Nayarit, spanning over 41,000 sq. ft. and accommodating over 3,200 guests across its flexible spaces. Each area comes equipped with high-speed Internet, streaming audio/video capabilities, as well as a full suite of presentation hardware. A dedicated service team of caterers, event planners and technology experts are available to lend support and enhance the overall guest experience.
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CENTRAL MEXICO: PUEBLA CITY
CENTRAL MEXICO FEATURES STATE-OF-THE-ART MEETING FACILITIES Central Mexico, peaked by Mexico City and followed by the most important business, culture and incentive cities that surround it, is a multi-destination you must consider for your upcoming events. As a sample, consider Puebla, A.K.A. Angelópolis, which means “City of Angels”, located only a two-hour drive away from Mexico City, as a perfect option.
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WILLIAM O. JENKINS CONVENTION CENTER PUEBLA The William O. Jenkins Convention Center in Puebla is unique in the American continent as it is located in the heart of the city’s historic center. It was built adjacent to old textile mills which were once a thriving business; in an effort to preserve this legacy, the latter were remodeled and recovered their luster, adding a beautiful contrast to the venue. The convention center features an area of 355,000+ sq. ft., 17 spaces ideal to perform any type of event depending on your needs. It has a main ballroom of 30,095 sq. ft., 4 smaller rooms, 4 rooms that can be used as offices, press room, work meetings, etc. Within the premises there is also available the Angelópolis auditorium, with a capacity of 264 participants and cinema-type seats; it is perfect for plenaries, award ceremonies, and premieres.
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CENTRAL MEXICO: PUEBLA CITY CENTRO EXPOSITOR PUEBLA This venue is located in emblematic area of “Los Fuertes de Loreto y Guadalupe”. It is an important exhibition center of the city of Puebla. It is an impressive convention facility with a modern architecture and it boasts of state-of-the-art amenities. It can be customized for trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences, seminars, and many more events.
It has 3 large architectural blocks: one for events, another for exhibitions and another for service areas. It offers 40,000 m², divisible up to 8 independent rooms. The exhibition area has 43,556 sq. ft. with the option to divide into 5 rooms. The convention area features 55,972 sq. ft. all carpeted, with 7 meters of clear height and is divided into 2 main rooms. Up to 24 simultaneous rooms can be adapted in the 2 levels by means of acoustical folding partitions. It has a fully equipped kitchen for up to 3,500 participants, a 2-story restaurant area near to 10,000 sq. ft. It also has a presidential hall, a 860 sq. ft. business center, and a 1,300 sq. ft. press room. The venue is unlike any other conference facility in the city, as they celebrate every event through dramatic displays of props, lights and colorful decorations.
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CANCUN & RIVIERA MAYA
Cancun and the Riviera Maya are a world-class and popular destination for business tourism. In addition to the beautiful beaches, we can offer various entertainment options, a wide range of gastronomic offerings. Our thriving infrastructure is focused on business tourism. Cancun and Riviera Maya are considered the most important destination in the segment of tourism in Mexico.
Cancun has large capacity venues, and can offer banquets for up to two thousand people in a room; our paradisiac destination has options to cover all kinds of events and the ability to compete worldwide with destinations such as Singapore, Rio de Janeiro, Las Vegas, London, among others. The state-of-the-art facilities offered by the Cancun Convention Center and many hotels both in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, along with an efficient connectivity, make us an ideal venue for groups and conventions. No matter how large or small your convention or meeting is, many hotels offer plenty of room for indoor/outdoor events.
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Being the number one in the Caribbean with the most meeting facilities, Dominican Republic has the largest number of rooms in Punta Cana with over 65,000. Our destination has world-class hotels suitable for meetings and incentive groups. Our smooth connectivity make it a breeze to visit us due the easy access through the 8 international airports we have in beautiful Caribbean island. With 1,790 rooms, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers a large convention center, with an area of 65,500 sq. ft. of meeting space in 43 meeting rooms, one of them featuring 37,500 sq. ft. It is the most complete and largest convention center in the destination!
Barceló Bávaro Beach is a leader in the organization of large professional, official and private events. Located just 25 minutes away from the Punta Cana airport, it is host to the country’s largest convention center, with 123,784.97 sq. ft. (11,500 m2) of space spread across 13 multipurpose halls that can be divided into 24 meetings rooms; it is able to seat up to 5,000 attendees. It is also equipped with the latest computer and audiovisual technology. They are experts in organizing gala dinners, themed parties, and gatherings, among other exclusive hotel services. 1,402 rooms, 9 á la carte restaurants, 2 buffets, 12 bars and a coffee lounge, make this big complex the perfect one to fit your needs.
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The Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa has more than 9,490 sq. ft. of dynamic meeting space. It is located just 20 minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport. It features facilities such as a main ballroom that can be divided into four flexible meeting rooms, four individual breakout rooms are available as well, outdoor areas with exquisite views, latest audiovisual technology and a full service business center. All this features along with 457 luxury suites, 8 gourmet a la carte restaurants, 1 buffet and 1 café as well as 6 chic bars and lounges round up the offer.
Now Larimar Resorts & Spa provides the perfect setting for your next meeting, conference or group event. It is located 30 minutes away from Punta Cana International airport; it offers 9,040 sq. ft. of meeting space to host your event with flexible spaces customized into 9 versatile meeting rooms. The resort offers comfortable accommodations in its 540 guestrooms and suites which feature modern-style Caribbean décor with stunning ocean, tropical and pool views. Guests also may choose from eight dining options including 5 a la carte restaurants, a buffet, a café and a grill on the beach; the 24-hour dining options allow guests to enjoy late night bites at the Carnival International Café and the 7 bars. Located inside the same complex is Secrets Royal Beach, which offers 464 suites and shares the same meeting spaces than Now Larimar, which comes handy for hosting groups of up to 2,600 people. The Punta Cana Resort & Club complex also offers an exclusive and idyllic beachfront location, La Cana Golf Course, which consists of a magnificent and very well-maintained 9-hole golf course designed by P.B. Dye, as well as open spaces suitable for gala or awards dinners, weddings or sporting events; in fact, most of the triathlons in the destination take place in this beautiful venue.
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Melia Hotels International has 3 excellent options: Paradisus Palma Real Resort is located just 20 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, 1.5 hours from La Romana and 3.5 hours from Santo Domingo International Airport. The resort features a total of 554 oversized suites, including 102 royal service suites and 2 presidential beach front suites as well as 12,447 sq. ft. of flexible and accommodating meeting space within 4 meetings rooms, plus 6 breakout rooms. Sit-down banquet facilities can serve up to 1,000 attendees and its multiuse Olympus ballroom, is available for special events; it has an area of 12,876 sq. ft. As well as รก la carte restaurants and 2 poolside buffet restaurants and 8 bars.
Melia Caribe Tropical is located inside the same complex; it offers 20,705 sq. ft. of meeting space with a capacity for up to 1,000 people and can be divided into 13 meeting rooms, as well as two beautiful gazebos for weddings and special events. The resort features 1,100 suites, an exquisite selection of 10 fine restaurants, 3 buffet and 14 bars. With 20,137 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, Paradisus Punta Cana Resort is ideal for meetings, conventions, and leisure groups. It offers 13 meeting rooms with sit-down banquet facilities and service for up to 700 attendees. The facilities are equipped with the latest technology and the most modern audiovisual equipment.
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Thanks to sustainable development initiatives in the Dominican Republic in recent years, finding suitable off –property venues can greatly benefit your group programs. Among the options we can suggest Pearl Beach Club, with 4 different areas; this place works perfectly for day and night events; the modernity and stunning beaches converge in this cosmopolitan place. One of the perks of this place is the beautiful outdoor landscape and well-thought-out layouts. It has a maximum capacity of 600 people and it has its own restaurant.
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If you are looking for a historical, medieval or vintage touch for your event, we recommend visiting ALTOS DE CHAVÓN, located inside the Casa de Campo complex in La Romana. It is a replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village in the heart of the Dominican Republic. It was designed meticulously by Dominican architect José Antonio Caro and Italian film expert Roberto Coppa. Its enigmatic cobbled streets have an archaeological museum which offers a fascinating view of history; there is also an impressive Greek-style amphitheater with 5,000 seats and stunning views of Chavón River and the Caribbean Sea. The amphitheater has been the scene of countless concerts, events and presentations since its opening in 1982 with the performance of Frank Sinatra, and many other renowned artists such as Sting, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, Gloria Estefan, Juan Luis Guerra, and Air Supply.
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SANTO DOMINGO
Santo Domingo is considered an excellent destination for meetings and conventions. The pulsating nightlife of the city, its fancy shopping and its diverse gastronomy make it an extraordinary option for your attendees. Our sophisticated and modern metropolis has a past of great historic importance, fine cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. Its enviable location in the Caribbean Sea, make the island's capital an excellent choice for conventions. In the Dominican capital, meetings of 1,500 people can be held in the large halls of the main hotels, such as Barcelo, Catalonia Santo Domingo, Hotel El Embajador, Renaissance Jaragua, Sheraton Santo Domingo, and Crown Plaza Santo Domingo; these hotels are located 25 minutes from Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo, and 2 and a half hours from Punta Cana International Airport. On the tech side, our destination also offers a variety of technological options, keeping up to date with market trends thus allowing us to cover all audiovisual requirements and branding of any event, be it a trade show, conventions, awards and gala dinners, congresses, conferences, and sporting events in open spaces.
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COSTA RICA Costa Rica is not resting on her laurels from awesome achievements in the tourist industry in these previous decades; to the contrary, it is planning actively to keep her privileged position in the area and further improve in strategic aspects of tourism. For this reason, one key factor in this planning ahead is the construction of the new convention and meeting center in San Jose. This will make us more competitive in the convention tourism sector, a sector that generates $11 billion annually. An approximate of 120,000 conventions with 120 million people take place every year. The project is the cornerstone of a strategy to promote the country as an ideal location for meetings, conferences and conventions. Providing flexible space, convenient location and great service, Costa Rica is the perfect place to do business! According to plans, the main building will have a capacity for 4,600 people and will be built on a 25 acres property located 6 miles from downtown San JosĂŠ, and 5 miles from Juan Santamaria International Airport. The design includes extensive green building standards, such as reflective roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, automatic shut-off taps, high efficiency air conditioning systems, LED lighting, and 10,000 square meters of solar panels which will provide energy for the building. This venue will be ready by mid-2018.
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PANAMA Well known facts that make Panama City a magnet for business meetings, seminars and conventions are: A beautiful place in the picturesque Bay of Panama; Panama City is fun and cosmopolitan; modern infrastructure; first class hotels and restaurants; world-class shopping; and amazing nightlife; Panama is safe, that makes our destination so attractive to the business traveler. All your meeting expenses can be deducted from your U.S. corporate taxes. Did you know that the U.S. dollar is the official currency of Panama? Lots and lots of things to do within a short ride away! Panama has may high-end venues, among these are: Atlapa, Figali, and Amador Convention Center, which is coming soon. Of this three wonderful venues and among the best in the world is Atlapa. It is the most important convention center in Panama and Central America. This fabulous 8-acre complex offers a maximum capacity for 10,500 attendees. It is easily accessible from Tocumen International Airport and it’s only minutes away from the major hotels and the financial district. It has an exhibition area of 3,200 square meters, enough space for 200 exhibition stands of 9 square meters and 5,000 visitors. By using moving walls, this area can be divided in three sections of equal size to allow simultaneous events. Adjacent to this area, the main lobby provides an additional 1,600 square meters for exhibitions, banquets or registration areas. The convention center also has nineteen rooms of different dimensions that can be equipped to your specifications. Panama is indeed the business hub of the Americas!
Expo Shows
Meeting Rooms
2015 CEO Summit of the Americas
Figali Convention Center Amador Convention Center coming in 2019 17
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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: • • • • • •
Mexico Cuba Dominican Republic Costa Rica Panama South America
For further information on the fine hotels, deals, activities, and group packages mentioned in this travel digest, please contact: Francisco BAEZA fbaeza@ividmc.travel
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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 offer, 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&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 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, & 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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