1
Year 7 Volume 1, Issue 84
Visionary, Founder and Jose-Manuel GARCIA jmgarcia@ividmc.travel Managing Commander-in-Chief President Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA manolo@ividmc.com
Contents:
Page
How to Prepare: Guacamole
3
Message From Headquarters
3
Marketing Vice President Alicia ASTUDILLO, DMCP Cover Subject: Entertainment aastudillo@ividmc.com Brazil: The Perfect Night Getaway General Comptroller Trinidad SANCHEZ tsanchez@ividmc.com Corporate Business Director Francisco BAEZA fbaeza@ividmc.com Corporate Quality Director Julia ORTIZ
jortiz@ividmc.com
Electronic Publishing Alejandro PECH apech@ividmc.com Content and Editing Omar GALLEGOS ivicorp@ividmc.com Managing Director Jorge OROZCO jorozco@myday.travel —MyDay Travel Corporate Headquarters: Av. Acanceh 1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico 77500 Ph. +52 (998) 287-1700 www.ividmc.com
Costa Rica: Come & Have Fun
Dominican Republic: Coco Bongo
Mexico City: World Class Circus
Panama: It´s More Than a Hat
Vallarta-Nayarit: Classic Rock Festival
4
5
Eventing: The Importance of Hiring a Wedding Planner
6
The Best Group Manager Award Goes to...
6
DQuest.travel
7
Banyan Tree Mayakoba Riviera Maya
8
Quick Hits
9
Dr. Travel’s Tip: Easing Fear of Flying
10
Destination Offices: Mexico
The Caribbean & Central America
South America
IVI DMC² - Puerto Vallarta, Nayarit Riviera & Central Mexico Jaime NELO Regional Managing Director jnelo@ividmc.com
IVI DMC² - Dominican Republic Genaro ALMONTE Regional Managing Director galmonte@ividmc.com
IVI DMC² - Colombia Carolina CALDERON Regional Managing Director ccalderon@ividmc.com
IVI DMC² - Costa Rica Sonia VARGAS Destination Manager svargas@ividmc.com
IVI DMC² - Brazil Andrea MAJELA Regional Managing Director amajela@ividmc.com
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 - Los Cabos Mario FOSTER Destination Manager mfoster@ividmc.travel
Follow us on...
© Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved. 2
November 2014
The Best Group Manager Award Goes to... For the 18th consecutive year the magazine ConvencioneS conducted a nation-wide survey among its readers and experts in the tourism industry. The Best Group Manager and other categories were awarded at the MĂŠrito de Calidad en Convenciones 2014 (Merit Quality Convention 2014). To present the awards, ConvencioneS organized a gala dinner on November 10, 2014 at the Fiesta Americana Reforma, in Mexico City. We are pleased to announce that Laura Robles, Group Director for Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach, was chosen as The Best Group Manager. No doubt this is a reflection of her excellent work during this year.
Congratulations to Laura Robles! Your hard work truly paid off.
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. 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’ 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.
3
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!
Sincerely, Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA President
Cover Subject: Entertainment Brazil:The Perfect Night Getaway Rio Scenarium is one of the best clubs in Rio de Janeiro. It is a privileged and fun space for dancing: Samba, MPB (Brazilian pop music), Choro (instrumental music that often has a fast and happy rhythm), and Gafieira (a type of pair dance). At night, Rio Scenarium becomes alive and adds luster to the colorful Brazilian folklore. Located on 20 Lavradio Street, in the Historic Center of Old Rio, Rio Scenarium is a mix of antique shops and music. Rio Scenarium has become a must-visit venue. It is frequently in the limelight of major newspapers and magazines. Visitors truly enjoy Rio Scenarium’s unique vintage ambiance created by the amazing collection of antiques.
Costa Rica: Come & Have Fun Often customers say, "We just want to have fun!� and IVI DMC 2 Costa Rica fully knows how to comply to those wishes. For those looking for a good show there are many options to choose from: drums with neon splash, Big Band sets, performances with LED costumes, and much more. Or, if you are looking for circus-styled shows with aerial silk acrobats and fire performances, don't worry, Costa Rica has that too! For those looking for a representative fusion of culture and entertainment, we offer shows with folk dances and traditional music performed on the Marimba (a percussion instrument consisting of a set of wooden bars struck with mallets to produce melodious musical tones). Fun learning opportunities also await you: wine glass and art classes, how to combine craft beers with certain typical foods, or chocolate making classes and coffee tasting. IVI DMC2 Costa Rica is constantly ahead of the game on providing the most memorable entertainment options.
Dominican Republic: Coco Bongo The famous nightclub and theater chain Coco Bongo Group, prepares to settle in the tourist region of Punta Cana. It will offer a unique and cosmopolitan appeal as it already does in Cancun and Playa del Carmen in Mexico. The project covers an area of 4,000 m 2 (13,000 ft2) in downtown Punta Cana. Boasting an investment of around $10 million USD, the operation will focus on the tourism market by working along with hotels and tour operators as they usually do in the above mentioned destinations. It is expected to be fully operational for the 2014 winter high season. It will create 350 direct jobs, plus incentives to partners. It will have several areas in which visitors can choose to go from the lively nightclub entertainment to more peaceful areas overlooking the lake.
4
Cover Subject: Entertainment Mexico City: World-Class Circus The greatest and most amazing circus is under the direction of European professionals who have generations of tradition. It will amaze the senses and catch the heart of your group participants. How so? Imagine the great performance of about 40 artists and characters including jugglers, stunning dancers, and professional live singers, including a charming Russian soprano!
Panama: It´s More Than a Hat Conventions and events become truly memorable experiences through IVI DMC2 Panama. Entertainment packages are carefully designed according to clients’ wishes and needs. Look at what you can expect from these well-chosen programs:
A Panamanian hostess wearing a typical dress to welcome the guests. National dances masterfully performed and talented musicians play the best of the Panamanian folk music. Artistic and interactive shows performed according to the theme selected. You can choose dance and percussion lessons, aerial silk acrobats, and a body painting runway. Music bands, orchestra, string trio or acoustic groups add a unique touch for cocktails & dinners. Do not forget to include fireworks, glowing accessories, wigs, hats, and much more!
Vallarta-Nayarit Classic Rock Festival 2014 In December, Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit will be the stage for legendary rock bands who will perform at an unprecedented event! 19 stellar bands such as, Cheap Trick, Jefferson Starship, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Foghat, and Kansas, amongst others, will literally rock this extraordinary dual tourist destination. In addition to these fantastic live shows, there will be an art exhibition display portraying album covers that made history, as
well as a philanthropic golf tournament which will donate the proceedings to Mexico’s DIF (Institute for Work and Family Integration.) Some of the bands will stay after the event and perform in several night clubs.
5
Eventing: The Importance of Hiring a Wedding Planner A wedding planner will recommend food and beverage options; help you choose flowers and decorations that suit your budget and style. Pick out your wedding style, colors, other details you would like to include, and also based on their experience recommend the best suppliers to work with. The cost of hiring a wedding planner is a beneficial investment, not an expense. It is as important as hiring the location or décor. Surely, you will be provided with the best advice to create the perfect day! A wedding planner is a professional consultant who will help you with all the tasks involved in planning your big day! Wedding planners get to know you through the planning process thus tailoring a full range of services to your needs and preferances in order to create your dream wedding. Eventing will guide you step by step on this adventure by first drafting a budget and helping you utilize it in the best way possible.
Ingredients:
How to Prepare: Guacamole
2 ripe avocados
1/4 cup minced onion
1minced serrano or jalapeño pepper
1 tomato chopped (first remove seeds)
1 tbsp. of finely chopped cilantro
2 tbsp. of lime juice
1/2 tsp. of salt
Preparation: Cut avocados in half. Remove the seed and the skin. In a bowl, mash the avocado with a fork. Add the chopped onion, pepper, tomato, cilantro, salt, and lime juice. Stir to combine all ingredients. Serve immediately with corn chips.
6
November 2014
DQuest.travel Getting to Know DQuest.travel - Your one-stop-shop for travel planning in Latin America. DQuest.travel is an innovative and efficient marketing portal that positions Latin America as a premier allseason tourism destination for Meetings & Incentives. It was created to assist Meeting Planners in easily locating ideal destinations, hotels, services, and activities within the group market in Latin America and the Caribbean. Herein, you will find a striking array of options in order to best meet the needs of the group market. DQuest contains information on more than:
500 hotels and resorts, 400 restaurants 800 golf courses and recreational attractions. Also on DQuest you will find a large collection of:
Photographs Videos As well as a RFP engine that will directly connect you with the hotel of your interest.
DQuest.travel is a very dynamic and useful portal designed to allow you to deal directly with hotels, thus there are no hidden costs or fees. And you can rest assured that you will be getting exceptional deals for your events!
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).”
7
Trump Ocean Club International Hotel & Tower Pnama (Shown left)
8
November 2014
Quick Hits
For further information on the fine hotels, deals, activities, and group packages mentioned in this magazine please contact Alicia Astudillo: aastudillo@ividmc.com
IVI DMC² Participated in Meeting Place Puebla 2014
Alaska Airlines (SEA-CUN) Cancun continues to be on the spotlight as a preferred destination! Starting November 6, Alaska Airlines revived its nonstop flights from Seattle/Tacoma to Cancun, Mexico, with affordable deals all the way through May 15, 2015. With this new route, the Mexican Caribbean will be connected to the northeast part of the U.S. very close to the Canadian border. The duration of the flight will be of approximately 5:40 hours. Having a nonstop from this airport will certainly be a commodity and will appeal to many U.S. passengers who will realize that visiting the Mexican Caribbean will be a breeze!
“Meeting Place Puebla” was held last month. This is a business forum where specialized suppliers from the M&I industry, corporate buyers, and associations from Europe, the U.S., and Latin America, gather together with the sole purpose of networking and closing business opportunities. “We had the opportunity to introduce ourselves to clients, associations, government agencies, and potential buyers from the world over”, said Jaime Nelo.
IVI DMC² World Headquarters: Ave. Acanceh #1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico Phone: +52 (998) 287-1700 Email: ivicorp@ividmc.com
Serving the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions Industry since 1986. Find us in over 40 destinations throughout:
Mexico Dominican Republic Guatemala Costa Rica Panama Colombia Brazil Argentina Chile
The Epitome of Our Spirit:
Picture from left to right: Fernando Compean; organizer of Meeting Place Puebla; Jaime Nelo, IVI DMC2 Director in Mexico City and Central Mexico; and Rafael Moreno, governor of Puebla state.
Read CommuniQuest Magazine every month!
9
We can run faster than Speedy Gonzalez, we can be in two or three different places at once, and we are willing to do anything legal for our clients. You can find us popping up at airports, historical and archaeological sites, deluxe resorts, charming hotels, golf courses, scenic beaches, and even at the best restaurants in town. We can do the impossible right away. Miracles may take a little bit longer!
November 2014
Doctor Travel’s Tip: Easing Fear of Flying If you have a fear of flying, you are not alone. Airborne anxiety plays no favorites. It can attack anyone, including the rich and famous. Three-time heavyweight champion Mohammed Ali said, “The only thing in the world I’m scared of is flying.”
Travel Tip: Easing the Fear
Stop those thoughts.
Your mind can either be your greatest asset in overcoming your fear of flying or your greatest enemy. When the plane encounters some turbulence, for example, instead of thinking about every bump, consider all the people at amusement parks who are spending their money to be bounced around on rides. Imagine the joy children have on roller coasters and vividly see their exuberant smiling faces in your mind. (Taken from pages 177 and 179) 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.
Jose Manuel GARCIA Visionary, Founder, and Managing Commander-in-Chief
10
The Customer is Always Right
“Raquel organized very well, Victor was wonderful. We all enjoyed the whole experience of the handler company. Great!” Carla Staples Aladdin Travel & Meeting Planners