HQ38

HEADQUARTERS The Pan-European Magazine for Association Executives Supported by ESAE, European Society of Association Executives, and UIA, Union of International Associations, Brussels

38

Meeting Media Company Meetings Industry Publishers (Belgium) Afgiftekantoor 2800 Mechelen 1 Bureau de D茅p么t 2800 Malines 1 Published 6 times a year: February, April, June, September, October & December Edition April 2010 - P3A9029

NANTES

ECO CONGRESS CITY BETWEEN THE LOIRE AND THE ATLANTIC

ALSO + AN UPDATE ON LITY CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY + ESAE, UIA & SOCIAL MEDIA

More choice - More flexible Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Australia’s most awarded convention centre expands to provide more choice with flexible integrated space

The perfect fit to 8,000

The perfect fit to 600 P +61 7 3308 3063 E sales@bcec.com.au W www.bcec.com.au

H&J 10904

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on Grey Street OPENING MID 2011

HQ > CONTENTS

COLOPHON

CONTENTS

HQ OR HEADQUARTERS IS A NICHE PUBLICATION FOR EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS HEADQUARTERED IN BRUSSELS AND ALL MAJOR EUROPEAN CITIES DEALING WITH THE ORGANIZATION OF WORLDWIDE CONGRESSES. IT IS PUBLISHED 6 TIMES A YEAR. CIRCULATION IS 5000 COPIES. Subscriptions Subscription amounts to 65 EUR (all incl.) in Belgium, 75 EUR (all incl.) in the EU and 95 EUR (all incl.) in the rest of the world.

The subscription entails 6 editions of HQ per year including the special edition Meeting Trends, as well as an online access to the website.

To subscribe: www.headquartersmagazine.com Editor in Chief Marcel A.M.Vissers T: +32 (0)3 226 88 81 marcel@headquartersmagazine.com Managing Director Cécile Caiati-Koch T: +32 (0)2 761 70 52 cecile@headquartersmagazine.com Editorial Officer Rémi Dévé T: +32 (0)2 761 70 54 remi@headquartersmagazine.com Editor Igor Hendrickx Design UPSILON advertising, Gent T: +32 (0)9 267 39 40 info@upsilonadvertising.be Print Cartim - Destelbergen Supported by ESAE and UIA

MARCEL’S PAGE

3

CONTENTS

5

NEWS

6

IMEX

9

ASSOCIATION PORTRAIT: IFMSA Cover HQ38: Ideally located between the Loire and the Atlantic, Nantes is an eco-friendly city where international associations can organize events like no other

10

CSR SPECIAL FEATURE INTRODUCTION

12

HOTELS

14

TRANSPORT

16

AIPC MEMBERS SPEAK

18

ESAE: ASSOCIATIONS & INFORMATION OVERLOAD

20

UIA: TIME TO UPGRADE?

28

COVER FEATURE NANTES, ECO CONGRESS CITY BETWEEN THE LOIRE

Address 59, rue René Declercq B - 1150 Brussels (Belgium) T: +32 (0)2 761 70 50 F: +32 (0)2 761 70 51 www.headquartersmagazine.com

AND THE ATLANTIC

Responsible Publisher Meeting Media Company Marcel A.M. Vissers Mechelseplein 23, bus 1 B - 2000 Antwerpen (Belgium)

WORLD FORUM, THE HAGUE

41

STRASBOURG

43

HYDERABAD & LAVASA

45

IAPCO IN ATHENS

47

WINNIPEG

49

AUSTRALIA

53

Cécile Caiati-Koch

Rémi Dévé

HQ magazine sets great store by sustainable development and therefore chose environment-friendly FSC certified paper which comes from a controlled source.

More info: www.fsc.org ® FSC, A.C. FSC-SECR-0045

30

DESTINATIONS

HEADQUARTERS ASIA-PACIFIC #1!

The wait is finally over. The very first issue of HeadQuarters Asiaa--P -Paci acific has just been published. HAP#1 includes: + Singapore, a genuine driving force - An interview with Melisssa Ow w + The state of the association market in the Asia-Pacific region and a UIA UIA re repo port por po + Association Portrait: Australasian Society for HIV Medicine + A Special Feature on Darwin + A focus on the Asian Association of Convention Bureaus Make sure to drop by our stand at IMEX (G312) to secure a copy fo or or yourself! Or visit www.headquartersmagazine.com to read it online..

HQ

> MEETINGS FOREST Marcel A.M. Vissers, Ben Goedegebuure and Rémi Dévé

HOW WE MERGED TWO MEETINGS FORESTS

Meetings Forest Founding Partners: HeadQuarters • MIM • Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre • Trees for Life

CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT I HAD NEVER PLANTED A TREE IN MY LIFE AND SUDDENLY FOUND MYSELF STANDING IN A FOREST NEAR LOCH NESS WITH A SHOVEL IN MY HAND? SPRING WAS ALMOST THERE AND WE WERE GOING TO PLANT THE FIRST TREES IN THE MEETINGS FOREST WE NOW SHARE WITH THE SCOTTISH EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE CENTRE (SECC)… TEXT MARCEL A.M. VISSERS It was a festive mood when Rémi Dévé, Editorial Officer of HQ magazine, Ben Goedegebuure, Sales Director of the SECC, and I drove up to the Caledonian Forest in Scotland to formalise the merging of our respective Meetings Forests. Under the capable leadership of Jane Beaton, Sales & Marketing Manager of Trees for Life, the charity organiza-

TREES, FLOWERS, ANIMALS, INSECTS AND FISH Restoring a forest does not just involve planting trees. Flowers should be replanted, animals and insects should be released and fish should be placed in the rivers. All this is possible with the Meetings Forest. You can buy twin flowers, a black grouse, a pine looper moth, a European beaver, or even an Atlantic Salmon at www.treesforlife.org.uk!

HEADQUARTERS 4

tion whose aim is to restore the Caledonian Forest, each of us planted a Juniper Tree, officialising the merger. One month later, I received a mail from Jane saying: ‘It was great to meet you all here at Dundreggan and I checked your trees this morning: they are all doing well. The snow has gone and it is a bit warmer, so the leaves will be appearing on the rest of the trees soon, I hope!’

The collaboration between the SECC, Trees for Life and HQ & MIM magazines came into being spontaneously. A few years ago, when the idea of a Meetings Forest for the global meetings industry dawned on me, I never thought that we would get to 70,000 trees in such a short time. Of course this is mainly due to the already existing project of the SECC. When we heard each other’s plans, it was only natural to merge our two Meetings Forests. After all, the ultimate goal is to compensate the meetings industry’s negative impact on the environment.

Our brand-new logo formalising the merger

Alan Watson Featherstone, Executive Director & Founder of Trees for Life, was at the charity’s Dundreggan Estate, where the trees were planted and acknowledged the merger himself. During a brief speech, I told him I was delighted about our decision to combine our efforts and that I would make sure that we, as a publishing company using a lot of paper and travelling a lot, would play an important part in the development of the Meetings Forest. As a founding partner of this forest, I think we can actually do a lot of good.

Ben Goedgebuure added: ‘Corporate Social Responsibility continues to grow in importance amongst our clients, visitors and staff.

We’re really proud of our green credentials, it gives us the chance to balance any negative effects our events have on the environment.

Everyone at the SECC was incredibly proud of the massive venue has made our contribution to Trees for Life and even prouder of the merging of our groves with the ones of MIM & HQ magazines.’

To make donations or to plant a tree visit: www.treesforlife.org.uk/groves/meeting_ media_company.html

HQ

> M A R C E L’ S PA G E

PRODUCING CONTENT WITH ADDED VALUE Corporate Social Responsibility and social media stand at the heart of this edition. But we have to see the bigger picture: what will the meetings industry look like in the future? I must return to my youth to find an easy answer.

At that time I heard almost daily a song on the radio: ‘When I was just a child, I asked my mother, what will I be?... Que Sera, Sera, Whatever will be, will be.

The future’s not ours, to see.’

Those were simpler times then and people went on living quietly. Now the questions have remained the same, but the answers have changed, even if I feel that another question should be asked: ‘What is the future of printed magazines, including meetings magazines?’

MARCEL A.M. VISSERS Editor in Chief

If I were to believe marketing guru Seth Godin, we are dead. He literally says: ‘I cannot imagine that in ten years we will eradicate forests to make paper, that we will print a newspaper or magazine and do door-to-door delivery.

People with money and young people will most easily start using their android phones to get news. Newspapers and magazines give news of ‘Yesterday’.’

When I read this, I admit there’s some truth in it. But you won’t see me - as a magazine maker - aiding The print landscape will change significantly in the and abetting this silent death. future, but will never disappear. Magazines will need Not at all! My answer to the guru: to report other news based on the input of highly the print landscape will change specialised journalists who use their readers’ opinion significantly in the future, but will as starting point never disappear. Magazines will need to report other news based on the input of highly specialised journalists who use their readers’ opinion as starting point. Editors who wish to participate in interactive webbing - such as Twitter, Facebook, blogs, videos, links to search engines - and still report yesterday’s news on printed paper will disappear into thin air. Producing content with added value, that is the message for and of the future. Original stories and unusual angles, in-depth articles on a subject which the reader likes to read about, sitting quietly in chair. That’s the future for a magazine reader.

If I write an article tomorrow about the transparency of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), then I know that I will gain hundreds of readers.

The trouble is: I’m not allowed to attend. That’s how ‘up-to-date’ our meetings industry is! Let’s not even mention ‘visionary’!

» READ MORE OF MARCEL’S STORIES ON HIS BLOG: MARCELSBLOG.HQMAGAZINE.EU!

HQ

> HEADQUARTERS NEWS

BARCELONAINTERNATIONALCONVENTION CENTRE BECOMES CO2 EMISSION NEUTRAL Being aware that its carbon footprint must be acted upon, the Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB) has decided to become a CO2 emission neutral organization. To achieve this, in addition to the energy efficient measures that are being applied, the CCIB will be offsetting its 2009 emissions by purchasing units with official value under the Kyoto Protocol. These credits come from the Monte Rosa Bagasse Cogeneration (CHP) Project in Nicaragua, under the standards of the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change. www.ccib.es

Barcelona International Convention Centre

CHANGE OF SECRETARY GENERAL AT THE FAIB

FRANCE WINS PRESIDENCY OF IAPCO FOR THE FIRST TIME

Danièle Vranken has replaced Ghislaine de Coninck who served as Secretary General of the Federation of European and International Associations (FAIB) established in Belgium for 25 years. In the past, Danièle worked for Brussels-based European Cosmetics Association (Colipa) as Director, Finance & Administration, in charge of financial matters, human resources, events co-ordination, general office administration as well as statutory aspects of the association. www.faib.org

At the recent General Assembly held in Athens, Greece, Philippe Fournier, of MCI, was unanimously elected as IAPCO’s President.

Philippe took over the office immediately and was delighted to receive the vote of confidence. ‘In these challenging times where the meetings sector requires the attention of all stakeholders, IAPCO has an important role to play as a Quality driven association. With the implementation of our Quality programme, we can now go a step further and continue with education, commitment to produce events and meetings that are environmentally and socially responsible, branding and other involvement for the development of our members.’ he said.

Patrizia Semprebene Buongiorno takes up the post of Chairman of the Committee of Ethics. www.iapco.org

PUERTO RICO ON PACE TO BECOME TOP MEETINGS DESTINATION

Danièle Vranken

HEADQUARTERS 6

Beyond Puerto Rico’s beauty lies a destination that leads the global marketplace in such commercial areas as product manufacturing, financial services, pharmaceutical development and biotech research. It is this unique paradox

Old San Juan - Puerto Rico

that has helped propel the continuation of Puerto Rico’s business infrastructure to the benefit of the Island’s meetings market. Since the opening of the Puerto Rico Convention Center in 2005, Puerto Rico has worked synergistically to attract events of all kinds. From hosting conventions for groups like the Asociación Latinoamericana de Pediatría (ALAPE) to manufacturing-related gatherings, Puerto Rico is demonstrating its prowess as a centre of commerce and a natural choice for meetings and conventions within these market sectors. www.meetpuertorico.com

SUNTEC SINGAPORE AND RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA SEAL PARTNERSHIP Suntec Singapore and Resorts World Sentosa announced an exclusive partnership that will

> HEADQUARTERS NEWS

Suntec Singapore

have the two properties cross-sell each other to create real business opportunities for both venues while growing the international meetings business for Singapore as a whole. The agreement between Asia’s leading convention and exhibition centre and Singapore’s first integrated resort allows event planners to offer their clients the opportunity to conduct their exhibitions and day meetings within the Central Business District in Suntec Singapore, and continue with after-hours social functions at Resorts World Sentosa. www.suntecsingapore.com www.rwsentosa.com

leaders in their fields, in a collaborative partnership to boost the profile and standing of Brisbane internationally. The project aims to play Brisbane’s world changing science to the international community and promote the city’s potential as a destination for international conferences. The Advocates Partnership has already delivered results with the securing of two specialist international meetings and a regional conference as well as some corporate events. www.bcec.com.au

Where: Bruges, Belgium When: 27 & 28 June 2010 EFSMI aims to inform and educate meeting professionals to meet different. This event goes far beyond green meetings. The program will cover the basics of CSR, highlight concrete tools on how to save money and present concrete case studies. You will learn, exchange and network. The forum will be a model on its own on how to organize a sustainable meeting.

ICELAND ON THE INTERNATIONAL MAP The management of the Icelandic Convention & Incentive Bureau and Portus invited representatives of international associations in Iceland as well as Iceland’s 300 leading companies to the centre which is being constructed by Reykjavík harbour. The purpose of the gathering was to show the potential that Harpa offers for holding international conferences in Iceland. ‘The guests we have invited to Harpa have influence and connections in the association and business worlds.

We encourage them to help us raise awareness abroad of Iceland and of Harpa, a very attractive conference venue. We want to establish good lines of communication with our ambassadors, and to let them know what Reykjavík has to offer in the conference arena,’ said Anna R. Valdimarsdóttir, the Bureau’s manager. Harpa will open its doors in May 2011. www.icelandconvention.com

NEW SMARTPHONE APPLICATION FOR THE MEETINGS INDUSTRY

BCEC CONVENTION ADVOCATES PARTNERSHIP PUTS SCIENCE ON SHOW

HOFBURG VIENNA MEETS GREEN THOUGHT

Through the newly formed Convention Advocates Partnership, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre brings together a group of influential and dynamic scientists, researchers and academics who are international

EFSMI 2010, THE 1ST EUROPEAN FORUM ON SUSTAINABILITY IN THE MEETINGS INDUSTRY

E-proDirect, specialized in marketing products and services for the meetings industry, announced the launch of a new product, My Mobile Meetings. Aimed at associations, event organizers, hotels and resorts, DMOs/ CVBs, and all level meeting planners, it’s a fully customized mobile application that generates sponsorship revenue while enhancing the meetings and events experience. With this state-of-the-art mobile platform, users can easily keep attendees connected and informed by delivering rich media content tailored to their event including, but not limited to: hotels/resorts information, event and city resources and timely updates and alerts. www.eprodirect.com

In the past and even more so in the present the HOFBURG Vienna is committed to responsible business practices and the consideration of environmental and social issues in all business matters. A short overview of the ‘green’ activities shows permanent practice

EFSMI is a Chapter Driven event rotating every year in another European country. This year, MPI Belgium is hosting the Forum. Each of the Chapters will take on a specific role and commitment. The concept of the Forum has been created to educate Meeting Professionals to become more conscious about their impact on the environment and the local community. It is the first time that all the European chapters join forces to organize a common event.

The romantic city of Bruges, Belgium is hosting the 2010 Forum and will showcase how a historic destination can be sustainable and how EFSMI interacts with other sustainable initiatives.

The programme and all relevant information are available on www.EFSMI.eu. Please note that registration is limited to 150 persons max.

Book early to secure your place and avoid disappointments.

For more information Charles-Eric Vilain XIIII EFSMI Conference Director charles-eric@c-believe.com Tel:+32 476 61 23 45

HEADQUARTERS 7

HOFBURG Vienna

as well as activities in process. Thus, among other things, 95 percent of daylight in meeting space allows lower commitment of energy, ‘green’ power from waste incineration is used, caterings use local and seasonal products and avoid non-disposable dishes, and standby electricity is going to be reduced, while measurement of the carbon footprint per event will be implemented. www.hofburg.com

OVATION GLOBAL DMC’S GROWTH CONTINUES AT 7 NEW LOCATIONS

A European scope to support you in your upcoming projects Colloquium group has been assisting professional associations in both their daily activities and the organisation of their congresses since 1953. Our international expertise and European scope gives us a unique advantage to provide our clients with the best possible consulting services.

For more information visit colloquium-group.com

Continuing its global expansion Ovation Global DMC announced offices at seven locations across Europe and Asia. The new offices will provide destination management services to Ovation customers in Croatia, Finland, Korea, Montenegro, Oman and Russia and Slovenia. At each location Ovation services will be provided by exclusive Strategic Partners who have been selected by Ovation according to strict criteria including industry reputation and legacy, operational excellence and efficiencies and ability to deliver a truly insightful DMC service beyond mere logistics and tactical delivery. www.ovationdmc.com

Q SELECT AT QATAR NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) just launched the Q Select programme. Q Select inaugural members are eligible for exclusive offers from QNCC such as priority bookings, private invitations, VIP treatment, client forums, and access to preferential commercial terms. ‘This is our way of rewarding the trailblazers who want to be part of our inaugural journey, via Q Select,’ says Sue Hocking, QNCC Director of Sales. ‘One of our introductory offers has already created enormous interest. Simply book your next meeting, convention, exhibition or trade show by 31 December 2010 to and we will hold current rates. This applies to all events held prior to 30 June 2013. Do book early to secure your preferred dates as space is selling fast.’ When QNCC opens in 2011, it’s not just the launch of a new convention centre but also the start of groundbreaking standards in venue design, facilities and services. www.qatarconvention.com

2010 MEETINGS INDUSTRY FAIRS WORLDWIDE: MAKE YOUR CHOICE! IMEX - Frankfurt // 25-27 MAY 2010 // www.imex-frankfurt.com CIBTM - Beijing // 31 August - 2 September 2010 // www.cibtm.com IT&CMA AND CTW ASIA-PACIFIC - Bangkok // 5-7 October 2010 // www.itcma.com.sg EIBTM - Barcelona // 30 November - 2 December 2010 // www.eibtm.com

B R U S S E L S - PA R I S

HQ > IMEX

IMEX 2010 SIGNALS GLOBAL GROWTH AND STRONG BUSINESS OUTLOOK THE EIGHTH IMEX WILL OPEN ON MAY 25TH AT MESSE FRANKFURT WITH ITS LARGEST EVER HOSTED BUYER PROGRAMME IN PLACE AND BUYER, EXHIBITOR AND TRADE VISITOR TARGETS ALL ON COURSE FOR YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH. ‘We have spent the last 12 months concentrating on developing new partnerships with intermediaries who can deliver more high quality buyers from the most important and resilient long-haul markets,’ explains IMEX Group Chairman, Ray Bloom. ‘What is more, we have made sure that a large proportion of these buyers will be staying for three full days and spending longer on the show floor doing business with exhibitors.’

45 new hosted buyer groups have been confirmed for IMEX 2010; with many of these new buyers coming through key global hotel groups. These include Marriott International, Mandarin Oriental, Kempinski, Hilton, Starwood, the Ritz, Rocco Forte, Concorde, Sol Melia and Leading Hotels of the World.

A total of 50 exhibitors have already increased their stand space compared to 2009.

Continued strength among Asian exhibitors is also demonstrated by increased space for Seoul, Korea, Malaysia, Macau, Indonesia and Japan. From the Middle East, Qatar and Discovery Jordan will be taking bigger stands, whilst further growth in the Latin American market has prompted Argentina and Uruguay to increase their stand space.

ASSOCIATION DAY - RESULTS REVEALED This year’s IMEX Association Day will be held at the Messe Frankfurt Congress Center. This important annual event allows association buyers and planners to participate in a tailormade education and networking programme.

Concurrent and themed sessions for 2010 include: Strategic Global Planning for As-

Ray Bloom

Association Evening - IMEX 2009

sociations; How to Decide where to Hold International Congresses and Leveraging Conference Content Online.

Association Day allows association buyers and planners to participate in a tailor-made education and networking programme The day’s educational programme will also include highlights from an important new piece of global research: ‘Convention 2020 Research - A Snapshot of The Future of Association Meetings.’ Following the daytime education element, suppliers from recognised association partners of IMEX will be invited to network with Association Day guests. This evening drinks reception frequently draws up to 700 people and has become the unofficial start of the show, taking place as it does the night before opening.

Honorary Bruce Baird, MP, Australia. Both have extensive experience of the impact a major sporting event can have on a destination and its long-term legacy and will share their insights with delegates.

As Ray Bloom explains: ‘With each passing year the importance and influence of this Forum becomes more obvious and more direct.

I am delighted to announce the Politicians Forum is already expanding into other countries through a variety of new IMEX alliances and I will announce further details after the show.’

Association executives who organise congresses internationally can also apply for the IMEX hosted buyer programme at www.imex-frankfurt.com/imexassociations which includes complimentary transport and accommodation in Frankfurt.

Wishing to register for Association Day? Contact natalie.lowndes@imexexhibitions.com

POLITICIANS FORUM AND FUTURE LEADERS FORUM 2010 Industry and association leaders and politicians attending this year’s IMEX Politicians Forum will hear the views of panellists including Mr Hein Verbruggen, President of SportAccord and Honorary Member of the International Olympic Committee and the

Politicians Forum - IMEX 2009

HEADQUARTERS 9

HQ

> ASSOCIATION PORTRAIT

IFMSA in Macedonia

Minke van Minde

IFMSA in Tunisia

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF MEDICAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS (IFMSA) A talk with Minke van Minde, Vice President for External Affairs THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF MEDICAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS (IFMSA) IS AN INDEPENDENT, NON GOVERNMENTAL AND NON POLITICAL FEDERATION OF MEDICAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. IN 2009 IFMSA HAD 97 MEMBERS, WITH NATIONAL MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS FROM 92 COUNTRIES ACROSS FIVE CONTINENTS AND REPRESENTED MORE OVER 1.2 MILLION MEDICAL STUDENTS. MINKE VAN MINDE EXPLAINS HOW HER FEDERATION IS STRUCTURED. HQ: Could you briefly introduce IFMSA? Minke van Minde: Founded in 1951, the IFMSA is run for and by medical students on a non-profit basis. It is officially recognized as a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) within the United Nations’ and by the World Health Organization as the International Forum for medical students. It serves medical students all over the world. Its mission is to offer future physicians a comprehensive introduction to global health issues.

Every year, nearly 10,000 students participate in the exchange programs of the IFMSA; thousands more design projects, attend

HEADQUARTERS 10

conferences, and plan events in such areas as human rights and refugee health, medical education, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS, international research and public health.

Our mandate, as we interpret it, is to train and sensitize medical students to become advocates for health issues that they will face later as practitioners.

Twice a year IFMSA organizes a conference, better known as General Assembly, in one of the member countries. During these GA’s almost 700-800 medical students gather, share experience and participate in sessions, workshops and trainings for 6 days. Thus, the IFMSA is now one of the biggest student

networks in the world and our meetings one of the largest student gatherings.

HQ: What is the association’s decision process concerning the organization of a congress?

Minke van Minde: IFMSA Member Organizations have a bid for hosting a GA one year prior to the event. The candidatures are voted upon by the Member Organizations themselves. Our members decide where the next conference will be held according to certain criteria.

Every IFMSA General Assembly has its own charm; this is mostly due to the different destinations where the meetings take place.

We just returned from Bangkok, Thailand, and the August Meeting will move to the other side of the world, to Montreal, Canada.

The destination of the March 2011 Meeting will be Jakarta, Indonesia. The Member Organizations themselves elected this venue during the meeting in Bangkok. Asia is becoming popular!

> ASSOCIATION PORTRAIT

IFMSA GENERAL ASSEMBLIES + March Meeting 2006: Pucon, Chili (500 delegates) + August Meeting 2006: Zlatibor, Serbia (600 delegates) + March Meeting 2007: Perth, Australia (600 delegates) + August Meeting 2007: Canterbury, United Kingdom (800 delegates) + March Meeting 2008: Monterrey, Mexico (600 delegates) + August Meeting 2008: Ocho Rios, Jamaica (600 delegates) + March Meeting 2009: Hammamet, Tunisia (800 delegates) + August Meeting 2009: Ohrid, Macedonia (700 delegates) + March Meeting 2010: Bangkok, Thailand (800 delegates) + August Meeting 2010: Montréal, Canada + March Meeting 2011: Jakarta, Indonesia

HQ: What kind of venues do you need for your congress? What criteria must it satisfy?

Minke van Minde: We prefer a venue where both the hotel and conference centre are located, this to reduce time between moving from one place to the other. The venue must accommodate up to 900 participants, having one big conference room where the plenary can take place and at least 15 smaller workshop rooms. All these rooms must have projection, internet and air-conditioning.

HQ: Do you work with a PCO or a DMC? Why? What do you expect of them?

Or do you do everything in-house?

Minke van Minde: Most our conferences are organized in-house; they are organized by our own members; medical students who received training enabling them to do so. Some externals or eminent professors may intervene or conduct a part of a session. We devote ourselves to conduct professional conferences and to offer to our international counterparts trainings that will build their personality, and give them the tools to make a difference in their communities.

IFMSA in Bangkok

CASE

STUDY

IFMSA General Assembly, March 2010, Bangkok, Thailand The 59th General Assembly was held this year in Bangkok, Thailand, at the Rama Gardens Hotel.

Number of delegates was 700 from outside Thailand and around 100 Organizing Committee and Thai delegates. The main theme of the conference was ‘Complementary and Alternative Medicin’.

Feedback from delegates was mainly very positive: ‘The Thai Organizing Committee did a fantastic job’, ‘Bangkok is a great city to have a meeting in, it offers a variety of social program events’, ‘Great to finally have a meeting in Asia!’. Feedback from the Organizing Committee was positive as well. To organize a meeting in Bangkok seems to be easier than in other provinces of Thailand; transport and venues are more available and accessible. Staff recruitment was more difficult though: the recruitment of medical students from different faculties is a tough task and of course the funding was not easy. Janewit Wongboonsin, Vice President of

HQ: How would you summarize new trends in the association congress world?

Minke van Minde: Since we’re a students’ association, registration fees must be low, as our members have to pay the amount themselves, most of the times. Overall, the destination has to appeal to most people: they tend to vote on the venue that has the best facilities (such as transport and accommodation) and is the most pleasant to the

the Organizing Committee said: ‘I am really proud that we were able to organize this meeting in Bangkok, especially when we were honored with the presence of her Royal Highness the Princess of Thailand for our opening ceremony.’

Bangkok is easy accessible as a conference destination and transport within the city is easy and quick. In spite of traffic jams, travelling time is rather short. Thai people are very helpful as it is accustomed not to say ‘no’, Western people should be careful not to take advantage of that!

The Organizing Committee of the meeting worked in collaboration with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau: they cooperated with the bidding, contacted the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the government. They also helped with the funding and to contract a suitable venue.

eye. Potential destination must offer social programs which combine cultural, traditional and fun aspects. On a side note, some members may need visas, which can be difficult to acquire. The country which is easier to get visas for or the hosting member who offers more assistance in applying for them will be more likely to get our vote!

www.ifmsa.org

HEADQUARTERS 11

HQ

> CSR-BEGINNER’S GUIDE

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SUSTAINABLE MEETINGS CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR), THE DELIBERATE INCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST INTO CORPORATE DECISION-MAKING, IS NO LONGER A MERE TREND BUT AN ESTABLISHED VALUE. DESPITE THE CONTINUED ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, MOST COMPANIES KEEP HONOURING THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE OF ‘PEOPLE, PLANET, PROFIT’. THIS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CAN ALSO BE SEEN IN THE MEETINGS INDUSTRY: INCREASINGLY EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL MEETINGS. TEXT IGOR HENDRICKX

can take care of the CSR aspects. The local community could propose a socially beneficial activity, the venue and/or hotel can be environmentally friendly or can promise to donate a share of its earnings to charity.

The amount of information available about organising sustainable meetings can be overwhelming at first. Almost every international association or organisation has its own approach to sustainability. This article gives an overview of ways and means to put ‘Planet, People, Profit’ front and centre when organising events.

An important question to ask yourself is: ‘Who will be responsible for the CSR aspects of the event?’. The association planner can fund the extra costs to make sure that the event is sustainable. He/she can also look for a charitable organisation willing to help fund the event. Such a collaboration can be mutually beneficial: the association benefits from the good name of the sponsor, while the sponsor can put its name on a high profile event. Finally, the destination and/or venue

HEADQUARTERS 12

BE GREEN Environmental concerns have been around since the Industrial Revolution. It’s no surprise then that the majority of sustainable practices in the meetings industry is concerned with the environment. These practices are already well known and widespread. Suffice it to say that green practices are mostly about the efficient management of energy, water and waste: virtual technologies as an alternative to distant travel and printed paper, bio-based recycled product offers, replacing bottled water with water-filling stations, ... Being innovative is the most important part. For example, this magazine is printed on FSC certified paper and, in collaboration with the Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow, we have planted a Meetings Forest to support the Trees for Life conservation charity.

BE SOCIAL The new generation of meeting participants seems to be uncomfortable with the type of conspicuous consumption that characterises such events - especially when these events take place against a background of disadvantaged communities or in developing countries. The interest is growing to make a difference and give something

> CSR-BEGINNER’S GUIDE

The new generation of meeting participants seems to be uncomfortable with the type of conspicuous consumption that characterises such events - especially when these events take place against a background of disadvantaged communities or in developing countries

a social legacy with minimal impact on the event itself. + For longer events, where there is less pressure on participants’ time, a more hands-on approach to leaving a social legacy can be used: participants take a day or half-day out of the event’s proceedings to work directly on a construction or renovation project. + Many participants are more motivated by outreach activities, which give them the opportunity to meet and interact directly with local people. This works particularly well when part of the objective is to raise awareness of social issues impinging on the local community.

back to those communities. Rob Davidson, Senior Lecturer in Business Travel and Tourism at the University of Westminster, clearly delineates three kinds of social legacy initiatives for business tourism: + Donations to a sustainable project or fundraising among delegates, possibly with top-ups by the venue, agency and other suppliers. This is the most common and relatively simple way of leaving

To avoid the impression that your CSR efforts are a mere public relations cover or distraction, you should take the following in account. CSR should be long-term and tie into your organisational goals, mission and vision. You should be sensitive to the local communities’ plight. Finally, the choice of the CSR’s recipient(s) must be handled carefully. Convention Bureaus can help to select local charitable causes. Following these simple guidelines should guarantee that all involved will profit, whether people, planet or your association.

IN PRACTICAL TERMS There are several certificates, standards and protocols to help event planners and managers.

Here is a selection of them: + Green Globe: A global certification for the Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Industry. Members are certified annually based on their environmental impact. It includes additional worldwide certification programs and a broad range of sustainability tools and consulting. + Green Key: The Green Key is an international eco-label for leisure organisations. Demands are made on environmental management, technical measures, communication and on environmental education. www.green-key.org + EU Ecolabel: The EU Ecolabel is an official sign of environmental quality that is both certified by an independent organisation and valid throughout Europe. It was originally created to reward tourist accommodation services and tourists that respect the environment. www.ecolabel-tourism.eu + BS 8901: British standard developed by British Standard Institution to move the events and planning industry in a more sustainable direction. Acts as a baseline and organisational framework for risk assessment and puts measures in place to reduce negative effects of events. + APEX Green Meeting Standards: Though under review, the APEX standard critically considers all facets of an event from communications to accommodations to transportation and scores your event on a green scale.

The APEX standard is complex to implement and interpret, and is not recommended for the average meeting planner. + ISO 14001: This is a standard for environmental management systems that is applicable to any business, regardless of size, location or income. More generic, it provides requirements for environmentally friendly management systems and helps organisations minimize how their operations negatively affect the environment. + Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Protocol: Inspired by the UN Conference in Copenhagen, several organisations are developing a flexible umbrella framework. It is used to organise large, complex, multi stakeholder meetings in a sustainable way and was completed last February.

HEADQUARTERS 13

> CSR-HOTELS

ROOM FOR SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABLE HOTEL PRACTICES GUESTS INCREASINGLY ASK FOR MORE SUSTAINABILITY AND EVENT ORGANISERS MORE OFTEN BASE THEIR CHOICE OF ACCOMMODATION ON THE ECOLOGICAL MEASURES A HOTEL HAS TAKEN. AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE MEETINGS INDUSTRY, IT’S INTERESTING TO SEE WHICH MEASURES VARIOUS HOTEL CHAINS TAKE TO MEET THESE SUSTAINABLE DEMANDS OF THEIR CLIENTS. DRAMATIC CHANGES CAN BE ACHIEVED BY TAKING SMALL STEPS.

HQ: How important is CSR for your hotel chain?

Accor: Our Environment Department was created in 1994 and its duties were expanded in 2002 to include social as well as environmental issues. Accor launched the Earth Guest program in 2006, with one motto expressing the Group’s philosophy: ‘As guests of the Earth, we welcome the world’.

This program is divided into two broadbased projects: the EGO project and the ECO project.

IHG: Our priorities are to support local economies and to work towards making a night with IHG more carbon efficient. Our focus is on innovations to address how we build and run our hotels. Last year we rolled out Green Engage to help our hotel owners to measure, manage and reduce energy consumption. We already have 900 hotels signed up to Green Engage. This should save our hotels up to 25% of their energy use helping them save money and help the environment.

Marriott: Corporate Social Responsibility is

HEADQUARTERS 14

very important to Marriott International. We have an initiative called SERVE that focuses on S-shelter and food; E-environment; R-readiness for hotel careers; V-vitality of children; E-embracing people with disabilities.

We have programs to support each area of focus which helps us create more sustainable and thriving communities around the world.

NH Hoteles: We want to continue growing in a responsible manner, committed to all our stakeholders, which is why, in 2008, we have redefined our Vision, Mission and Values.

To enhance the time that our guests spend with us by heightening their experience and contributing to a more sustainable world. Our CSR Department has developed a strategic plan for 2008-2012.

Rezidor: Our conscientious Scandinavian roots contributed to the implementation of our first environmental policy 20 years ago in 1989. Blu since 2009, but green since 1989. Our Responsible Business programme strives to improve the environment, social

responsibility and the health and security of our guests and of our personnel. We have a Responsible Business Manager for the whole group and several for on regional level.

Starwood: We have established Global Citizenship, a global group responsible for shepherding our CSR initiatives and for developing a consistent framework for social responsibility.

Environmentally, we focus on conserving energy and water, reducing waste and enhancing indoor environmental quality. Socially, we try to improve the communities in which we work.

HQ: Which ecological measures have you taken?

Accor: Our environmental commitment starts with the development and construction of hotels. For example, we promote renewable energies, in particular solar energy, and our Ibis and Novotel rooms only use FSC- or PEFCcertified wood. Day-to-day measures include recyclable soap dispensers instead of little bottles. We also encourage guests to reuse bathroom towels and we have pledged to give

> CSR-HOTELS half of the money that gets saved on laundry to 7 reforestation projects around the world.

IHG: It makes business sense to develop new properties that will be both efficient and sustainable. A great example is our new Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers which has innovations in place to reduce its footprint without compromising quality and comfort. It boasts Denmark’s first groundwater-based cooling and heating exchange system. It also has the country’s largest privately owned solar panel park which will cover all sunny surfaces.

Marriott: We are on track to reduce our energy and water consumption by 25% in the next ten years. Marriott International planted 3,000 trees around the world in 2007. We replaced 450,000 light bulbs with fluorescent lighting in the US, and Marriott and its guests have reduced water usage by more than 15% over the last five years. On top of this we engage in several partnerships like the Conservation International, Amazonas Sustainable Foundation for instance.

NH Hoteles: A specific project has been launched in kitchens which enables the energy efficiency of equipment, ovens and kitchens to be controlled given that these areas can represent more than 25% of the total hotel consumption. Training has also led to an increase in good operating practices by kitchen users. Currently, this project is being implemented in 21 hotels in Spain.

Rezidor: All employees receive unique Responsible Business training and we were the first hotel group to offer carbon offsetting possibilities to guests Responsible Business is integrated fully into the guest experience - often through actions behind the scenes the customer does not even notice such as low-energy light bulbs, low-consuming minibars and low-flow taps.

Starwood: In July 2008 we opened our first Element by Westin hotel in Massachusetts.

It’s the first environmentally friendly brand

www.accor.com

www.ichotelsgroup.com

of hotels with energy and water efficient features. Associates now have access to the Starwood online Sustainability Resource Center, a one-stop-shop to learn the how-to’s of environmentally sustainable operations and building practices.

As an important part of the meetings industry, it’s interesting to see which measures various hotel chains take to meet these sustainable demands of their clients.

Dramatic changes can be achieved by taking small steps HQ: How do you contribute to the social environment?

Accor: We offer fair trade products. As a result more than 1,000 French hotels purchased 278 metric tons of products in 2008. Whenever possible we try to procure our products locally: in Cambodia Sofitel Royal Angkor purchased 10% of fruit and vegetables from family-run farms. A similar program is scheduled to start in Phnom Penh. Since 2002 Accor has been fighting against child sex tourism with ECPAT and in the same year we joined the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS. IHG: Ensuring that we operate responsibly in local communities is a key priority for us.

Given the economic downturn, our focus this year has been on maximising the benefits we bring to local economies. Our online sustainability tool, Green Engage, recommends hotels take actions such as forming partnerships with local businesses, employing local people and supporting local community projects. In addition to our corporate efforts,

www.marriott.com

www.nh-hotels.com

IHG hotels are also very involved in their own right with their communities through in-kind donations, grants and volunteering programmes.

Marriott: Our properties worldwide are focused on five global issues - poverty alleviation, the environment, community workforce development, the well-being of children, and diversity and inclusion. We help put roofs over people’s heads and food in their hands, provide education so people can secure jobs, and help youth who are vulnerable to poverty, exploitation and lack of opportunity. We also help through donations, volunteerism and employee fundraising activities.

NH Hoteles: We aspire to be the ‘Neighbour of Choice’. With the aim of covering the need for accommodation, catering and rooms for training volunteers or charity events

by NGOs, Foundations and Institutions, the chain started up its ‘NH Amigo Solidario’ Program, which offers them the services of NH Hoteles at a minimum of 30% of the best available price.

Rezidor: We’re proud to have the World Childhood Foundation as its international charity organisation. Our various hotels sponsor many charities and non-profit initiatives at local level throughout the year. In 2009, over 170 hotels participated in the annual Responsible Business Action Month in September when hotels are encouraged to organise environmental and community activities.

Starwood: Since 1995 Starwood has partnered with Unicef to raise money for their immunisation and other life-changing programs through our ‘Check for Children’ program, which is incredibly simple yet effective. Starwood’s guests and staff have raised over $21 million, through the addition of $1 or its approximate equivalent in another currency to the guest’s bill as they check out of their hotel.

www.rezidor.com

www.starwoodhotels.com

HEADQUARTERS 15

> CS R -S U STA I N A B L E T RAV E L

GO GREEN

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL OF ALL THE ASPECTS OF AN EVENT, ATTENDEE TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE EVENT HAS THE GREATEST IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT. ACCORDING TO A WHITE PAPER PUBLISHED BY CLIMATEPATH AND CERTAIN SOFTWARE, 90% OR MORE EMISSIONS OF AN EVENT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO ATTENDEE TRAVEL. NEVERTHELESS FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS ARE OF COURSE MORE DESIRABLE, AND OFTEN, MOST PRODUCTIVE, AND AS A RESULT TRAVEL REMAINS UNAVOIDABLE. TEXT IGOR HENDRICKX

‘Sustainable development’ is a very broad term. Depending on your interpretation of it, you can either concentrate on organising a green event that will have little or no negative impact on the environment or you can ensure that local communities benefit from your event. A truly sustainable event would reduce its environmental footprint while also improving the lot of the community where the event takes place. And all this while still making a profit.

Many ecologically friendly activities exist to at least reduce the carbon footprint of your event. Oftentimes it simply means eliminating inefficient and wasteful practices. + Air travel: Keep in mind that direct flights tend to be more efficient than flights with connections and find a central and direct location for your event. This can cut your

HEADQUARTERS 16

event’s carbon footprint in half and save 500kg of CO2 per attendee. + Airport-to-event: Airport transfer considerations can also have an impact.

Cutting the travel distance and using vans can reduce the carbon footprint by 80% or 20kg per attendee. Software can help coordinate this by providing manifests for shuttle drivers and by pre-scheduling. + Drivers: Even when driving is the norm for an event, you can still have a large reduction impact by optimising the location and by arranging for carpools. Cutting both drivers and mileage in half can save up to 75kg CO2 per attendee.

These are just a few ways in which a planner can reduce the carbon footprint of his event.

The choice of transportation depends mostly on the distance that needs to be travelled.

Some delegates prefer to use the train for

distances shorter than 600km and only fly for longer distances.

Trains are powered by electricity, so no carbon is emitted when they are running. The size of the carbon footprint of high-speed rail traffic therefore depends on how the electrical power is originally generated. As more renewable sources are used in Europe, emission levels decrease. Switzerland is a fascinating example. Because hydroelectric power is used as the main source of energy on railways in Switzerland, travel by rail results in virtually no carbon emissions. In fact, some modern trains actually create energy by converting the energy from braking into electricity and returning it to the rail network through the overhead lines, for use by other trains.

Travelling by train is not only advantageous for the environment. Many rail companies

> CS R -S U STA I N A B L E T RAV E L

offer the possibility to organise meetings on their trains. Finally, travelling by train is truly travelling city-to-city: you don’t lose time transferring and you always arrive in the centre of your destination. Railteam.eu, the alliance of high-speed train operators offers an overview of the ever expanding European high-speed train network. Operators include: ICE, TGV, Eurostar, Railjet and Thalys.

Air traffic has always been accused of creating pollution although it has a moderate impact on climate change and is responsible for 2 to 3% of global CO2 emissions. All members of the International Air Transport Association, including Oneworld, Star Alliance and Sky Team - the world’s three largest air alliances, assume their share of responsibility regarding climate change.

That’s why they have agreed on a vision of zero emissions by 2050. Being able to operate efficiently is critical to the future of the aviation industry, not just for environmental reasons but also for financial ones - especially since fuel is one of the industry’s most costly expenses. Aircraft operations are already over 20% more efficient than 10 years ago, but the industry is aware that much more needs to be done. Consequently, the quest for further efficiency continues on a number of fronts.

Travelling by train is not only advantageous for the environment. Many rail companies offer the possibility to organise meetings on their trains.

Finally, travelling by train is truly travelling city-to-city + Technological innovation improves the efficiency of aircraft to reduce the level of emissions per passenger or over the distance flown. This includes: new aircrafts and engines, winglets and alternative fuels. + Operational efficiency makes each flight as efficient as possible, for instance by reducing the weight on board, employing alternative power units where possible and using new landing procedures. + Infrastructure improvements in air traffic management systems reduce the amount of fuel wasted through inefficient routing and flight patterns. It is a fact of modern aviation that the route from A to B is not always as direct as it could be, so there is scope for improvement. + Economic measures provide incentives for

the industry to reduce emissions through buying more efficient aircraft, funding research and development, and emissions trading. From 2012 on, air transport will be included in the EU’s emissions trading scheme.

The air transport industry is actively involved in promoting public transport for accessing airports, plus replacing or complementing flights with high-speed train connections, such as between Paris and Brussels for long haul passengers flying in to Charles de Gaulle.

In short, it’s obvious that a few simple measures and a few simple choices go a long way towards sustainable transport to and from your event.

HEADQUARTERS 17

> CSR-AIPC MEMBERS SPEAK

GETTING SUSTAINABILITY INTO PERSPECTIVE ROD CAMERON’S DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW AS WITH THE OLD PENDULUM EXAMPLE, ISSUES HAVE A WAY OF RUNNING TO EXCESS BEFORE THEY COME BACK TO SOMETHING THAT REPRESENTS A LOGICAL BALANCE BETWEEN THE IDEALISTIC AND THE REALISTIC. FOR SOME YEARS, THE ‘GREEN’ MOVEMENT HAS BEEN ON SUCH AN UPSWING, AND WHILE MOST PEOPLE HAVE NOW ADOPTED A REASONABLE LEVEL OF EXPECTATION ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY, THERE ARE ALWAYS THOSE WHO FOR VARIOUS REARod Cameron, Director of Programming and International Development for AIPC

In the case of the meetings area, the odd thing is that there are many of us who are devoting more energy to the ‘green’ issue than we are to making the arguments about the value of meetings themselves - which is ironic given that this may well result in a drastic impact on our collective future.

Many within our industry have become almost obsessive in their promotion of the green agenda, even to the point where there is now a significant gap between what kinds of facilities and programming can be delivered and what most client groups are demanding (or, in an even better test of sincerity, are willing to pay for). To a certain extent, this is a good thing, as it demonstrates that we are getting our house in order on an issue where there is a lot of public concern.

The problem is that in many cases this has been at the expense of advancing our own arguments as to why face to face meetings remain an important element in global

HEADQUARTERS 18

SONS WANT TO PUSH THE AGENDA AS FAR AS IT WILL GO.

economic, professional and cultural development - a factor that needs to be balanced against the inevitable impacts associated with the travel required to actually attend those meetings.

That travel factor is never going to go away, however green we make our events and facilities. So maybe it’s time for us to recognize that the only meeting that has no environmental impact at all is the one that doesn’t take place - not exactly a great business development strategy - and instead concentrate a bit more on balancing the discussion about why a certain amount of impact is a small price to pay for what meetings accomplish and the advances they bring about for the global community.

This doesn’t mean abandoning our support for sustainability - that’s pretty much built into everyone’s program these days, and will remain a key element for the foreseeable future.

But if anyone should be promoting the idea of getting the green issue into some kind of perspective, it should be us.

There are and will continue to be lots of people (and self-interests) promoting the green agenda. So shouldn’t we be devoting a bit more time to promoting our own?

The fact is, there are a whole host of reasons why conventions, and convention centres in particular, will always be driven to higher standards of sustainability, and these are only partly related to the market.

Centres are overwhelmingly government owned and community sensitive, which means that they are likely to be amongst the first to adopt sustainability measures regardless of what the market demands.

They are also increasingly adopting standards that demonstrate their environmental qualities as part of building codes, community standards and a host of emerging formal certifications.

The bottom line is that even the most zealous amongst us need not worry that our sector is going to become environmentally regressive any time soon since we have, as both a society and an industry, already gone way beyond that - and will inevitably continue to improve in the years ahead. Something better to worry about is that fact that as the green arguments reach fever pitch in some quarters, it is our industry that will suffer. In fact, there is now a growing list of powerful organizations calling for significant, defined reductions in business travel and meetings participation - music to the ears of those engaged in providing technological alternatives and bound to resonate as well with governments and corporations eager for an excuse to reduce travel-related spending.

The green agenda needs to be tempered by the realization that life can't simply come to a halt because that's the most ‘sustainable’ thing to do What is fascinating is that we may have brought this on at least in part by our own actions focusing on the green agenda to the near-exclusion of pretty much everything else we might instead be arguing about the value and importance of the events that make up our industry.

And it’s not as though there aren’t some pretty good argu-

ments. Meetings and conventions are typically where the most significant global exchanges take place, leading to everything from medical and technical advancements to cultural enhancement and the creation of better understanding and interaction amongst different groups worldwide. Does anyone really think the world will become a better place if we all stay at home and communicate via the Internet? Are we really prepared to continue our push for even more aggressive environmental measures when the inevitable result is that fewer people will be able to or even want to travel in order to engage with their colleagues around the world?

Environmental standards are not going to move backwards. The point has been made, and we are all beyond waving placards and into the stage where responsibility and sustainability are simply expectations that must and will be satisfied. So let’s start applying ourselves more effectively to the other side of the argument - that the green agenda needs to be tempered by the realization that life can’t simply come to a halt because that’s the most ‘sustainable’ thing to do, and that we need to accept the fact that there are intelligent tradeoffs to be made if we are going to continue our use of face to face encounters in order to progress as a society.

Because if we as an industry don’t make that argument, it’s hard to imagine who else will.

AIPC CONTACT DETAILS www.aipc.org marianne.de.raay@aipc.org

#V VJKU XGT[ OQOGPV PGY KFGCU CTG ETGCVGF D[ FGNGICVGU 9JGP FQ [QW EQPUKFGT VJG 8KGPPGUG CODKCPEG QH PGVYQTMKPI! WWW.AUSTRIAN.COM WWW.MESSECONGRESS.AT WWW.VIENNA.CONVENTION.AT

CAN ASSOCIATIONS CUT THROUGH THE JUNGLE OF INFORMATION OVERLOAD? IN THE AGE OF OVERFLOWING INBOXES, HOW CAN ASSOCIATIONS COMMUNICATE VALUE IN A COMPELLING WAY? HOW TO CUT THROUGH THE NOISE? TEXT LUC MAENE PRESIDENT OF ESAE AND DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL FERTILIZER ASSOCIATION

Perhaps even more preoccupying, the internet provides a wealth of free information on virtually any topic at the click of a button, that competes with associationproduced content. How can associations become the preferred source of their members?

Several commentators have recently disputed the concept of information overload as a recurring myth of humanity: even the printing press was considered problematic because more books had become available than an individual could read in a single lifetime. Each time systems were developed to manage the problem: in the case of books the solution included cataloguing systems and schools. David McCraney notes that even hunters/gatherers in the jungle deal

Associations need to stop automatically cranking out information in a we’ve-always-done-it-this-way mindset and to start thinking strategically about helping members zoom in on the right information I believe that the answers lie in helping to simplify life for members. Rather than dumping more reading material on members, savvy associations will figure out how to help them cut through the jungle to reach the hidden temple of knowledge. This means that associations need to stop automatically cranking out information in a we’ve-always-done-itthis-way mindset and to start thinking strategically about helping members zoom in on the right information. It also means coming to terms with the need to push content out to where members are online when doing their jobs, rather than expecting them to come to our destination websites.

HEADQUARTERS 20

with massive quantities of data; their coping mechanisms include teaching the essentials through storytelling.

Clay Shirky states that the problem is not information overload, but ‘filter failure’.

We used to expect information producers (publishers) and librarians to tell us what was important. Today, the responsibility for filtering has shifted to the individual, but most people are not yet very good at it.

This creates a huge opportunity for associations. Chris Hall, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at the International

Association of Business Communicators (IABC), and his team are working to build a ‘discovery engine’ for IABC’s online library.

Among other things, it will suggest content based on semantically similar terms and provide feedback on how other members have rated various items.

Some of the questions that we association executives should be asking ourselves include: + Does the association have a strategy focused on helping members pinpoint the content that is most relevant for them, or are the association’s communications focused on broadcasting and just adding to the noise? + Do we have staff members who are knowledgeable about rapid developments in communication technology? Are those same employees cognizant of the needs of their colleagues and members? + Are content experts being trained to understand and use new tools for maximum benefit? + Are we taking advantage of how social media make it possible for members to guide each other by rating and ‘sharing’ content directly in our online libraries? Are we using new syndication tools that make it easy to link multiple social media channels so that they talk to and feed one another?

www.esae.org

WEB 1.0, WEB 2.0 AND WEB 3.0 SIMPLIFIED FOR NONPROFITS

WHILE THERE ARE A GOOD NUMBER OF TECH-SAVVY HIPSTERS OUT THERE THAT UNDERSTAND TERMS LIKE ‘STATIC WEB’, ‘DYNAMIC CONTENT’, ‘USER-GENERATED’, ‘CLOUD COMPUTING’, AND ‘SEMANTIC WEB’, THE MAJORITY OF NONPROFITS DON’T TALK OR UNDERSTAND SUCH TECH SPEAK. SO, TO SIMPLY FOR THE NONPROFIT MASSES, I PRESENT HERE AND FRAME VERY SIMPLE DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS OF WEB 1.0, WEB 2.0 AND WEB 3.0.

TEXT HEATHER MANSFIELD, DIOSA COMMUNICATIONS, CREATOR OF NONPROFIT TECH 2.0

WEB 1.0 = WEBSITES, E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS AND ‘DONATE NOW’ BUTTONS Web 1.0 is one person or organization pushing content out to many people via websites and e-mail newsletters. The donation process is not interactive or public. You donate and then receive a ‘Thank You’ email. It’s one-way communication.

WEB 2.0 = BLOGS, WIKIS, AND SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES At its core, Web 2.0 is the beginning of two-way communication in the online public commons. People can post comments and converse with your organization in public for all to see. It’s one person or organization publishing content to many on social networking sites who then re-publish your content to their friends, fans, followers, connections, etc. Donating is a public experience.

Friends, fans, followers, connections, etc. on social networking sites see your giving and

fundraising activity through widgets, Apps, and peer-to-peering fundraising tools, like fundraising pages.

function like e-mail newsletters in Web 1.0… to drive traffic to your mobile website.

Text-to-Give technology allows quick, easy donations on your mobile phone inspired by

All of these tools are now affordable for nonprofits (even mobile marketing tools!).

It’s just a matter of keeping up and finding the staff time - and the right person on staff to master Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0 WEB 3.0 = MOBILE WEBSITES, TEXT CAMPAIGNS AND SMARTPHONE APPS Web 3.0 is all of the above except that the Web experience is no longer limited to desktop and laptop computers while stationary in one place. It’s the Internet on the go fueled by mobile phones and tablets. Mobile websites must be designed to be easily read on mobile devices. Group text campaigns

urgent calls to actions. Smartphone Apps enable content to be published and shared easily while on the go. Effectively donating via smartphone Apps doesn’t exist yet, but its coming. Very soon.

WEB 1.0 + WEB 2.0 + WEB 3.0 = INTEGRATED WEB COMMUNICATIONS What’s important to understand is that all three eras of the Web are complimentary and

HEADQUARTERS 21

build and serve one another, rather than replace one another. They can also overlap. You use Web 2.0 tools to drive traffic to your website, to build your e-mail newsletter list, and to increase visits to your Donate Now buttons. You use your Web 2.0 communities to launch your Web 3.0 campaigns. And you use your Web 3.0 tools to grow your communities on social networking sites and to send supporters and donors to mobile versions of your e-mail newsletter ‘Subscribe’ and ‘Donate Now’ pages.

And while many nonprofit communicators are overwhelmed by all these new tools, it’s important to understand that there has been a paradigm shift in web communications. Some supporters and donors still prefer to be engaged by your nonprofit Web 1.0 style. Others think ‘e-mail is for old people’ and consistently get most of their content and inspiration from social networking sites. Web 3.0 will organize the masses in ways never seen before through geolocation, group texting and mobile websites, and much of it will be done via Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and FourSquare smartphone Apps.

Bottom Line: There’s no ‘One Fits All’ communication tool or tool set anymore. Age, class, race, gender and location play huge roles now in how people want to receive information and calls to action from nonprofits. The good news is that all of these tools are now affordable for nonprofits (even mobile marketing tools!). It’s just a matter of keeping up and finding the staff time - and the right person on staff - to master Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0.

Those nonprofits that do it best will be the most successful in sharing their mission and programs, creating social change, and securing and maintaining new donors.

That’s my take. How about you?

nonprofitorgs.wordpress.com

HEADQUARTERS 22

SOCIAL MEDIA FOR NON-FOR PROFIT: MEETING THE MEMBERS OF TOMORROW SOCIAL MEDIA HAS MODERNISED THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND HAS DEMOCRATISED KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION. OVER 2 BILLION PEOPLE ARE CONNECTED ON THE ONLINE WORLD AND INTERACT DAILY ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. TEXT CLÁUDIA FORTES, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERT, MCI BRUSSELS OFFICE

SOCIAL MEDIA: FROM BUZZ TO ACTION, TO RESULTS The buzz about social media has truly evolved and it is now more widely known as the umbrella that comprises online platforms for social and professional exchange of content, text, audio, images and video in real time. These platforms - like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace, and YouTube - have deeply changed businesses and social interaction.

In the case of professional associations, marketing mixes and community building have been reshaped. Membership acquisition and retention and event promotion is now also done through online platforms and new audiences, and results have been reached.

Cláudia Fortes

WHY INVEST TIME AND RESOURCES? Currently 2/3 of the global Internet population (almost 2 billion) visit social networks and it is the 4th most popular online activity.

If Facebook were a country it would be the 8th most populated one. The World Wide Web has brought together people and businesses. Social media has created the platforms for their interaction. These platforms are used to connect audiences that are vital for the development of products and services. Associations can also reach a wider audience of industry professionals and offer their products and services by using these worldwide populated platforms.

+ Thought-leadership – position the association as a thought leader in relevant industry topics. Stay ahead of the curve by regularly screening trends and ideas on social media and be the first to react to industry needs.

THE PLAN TO FOLLOW

It is time to take social media as a serious tool for association’s marketing mix and community building. Social media is not just a marketing tool it also comprises:

Step 1: Investigate with members on how and when they want to be engaged. Select the necessary social media platforms where members already have or want to have a presence. Take immediate ownership of the association’s name and space on the selected platforms. The platforms should be chosen according to the messages that need to be conveyed and the audience that needs to be targeted. For example, a blog is a channel for discussion forums and knowledge sharing, Twitter is an efficient channel for event updates and promotion, and LinkedIn for professional networking.

+ Public relations - build the association’s awareness and visibility to a larger audience. Include social media on the PR and crisis plan and consider having social media press releases.

Associations can reach a wider audience of industry professionals and offer their products and services by using social media

IT IS A DIALOGUE NOT A MONOLOGUE

+ Customer service - specific social media platforms can be used for membership recruitment and retention. Membership surveys and information on membership benefits can be made available via these platforms. The customer service strategy can also be adapted to include a plan for online product queries response. + Loyalty building – mix the traditional loyalty programmes with the use of online platforms for members, partners and event sponsors. + Networking – use social media as a platform where members and industry professionals can network. Claim the benefit of being the connector in your industry.

Step 2: Define the association’s social media strategy and plan. Incorporate it on the association’s overall marketing strategy and business plan. Do go through the budget and resources needed and set specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the selected social media platforms.

Step 3: Plan actions and keep the association’s brand consistent in all platforms.

Ensure that the online dialogue is kept alive.

Step 4: Engage with the community and cater to their different interests and discussion topics. Members that are active and interested in social media can become ‘virtual ambassadors’ from and to the association’s community. They can initiate discussions and invite their professional contacts to also

be a part. And they can have a pivotal role in successfully maintaining the dialogue and engagement.

PRACTICAL EXAMPLES OF SUCCESS According to Roy Young, President of MarketingProfs Research, and his survey results on ‘The state of social media marketing 2010: hype or real business impact?’, the use of social media by the non-for profit organisations has been ranked as follows: 9% MySpace, 30% YouTube, 39% LinkedIn, 46% Twitter, and 51% Facebook.

The majority of associations in Europe have a presence on LinkedIn and Facebook. For industry related associations the preferred

HEADQUARTERS 23

social media platform is LinkedIn due to its professional nature.

Some associations in Europe have created a LinkedIn group that can only be joined by their members. The group is put forward as an additional membership benefit and members can have access to regular industry updates, networking opportunities, content sharing, and information and updates on events relevant to their profession.

For example, an association in professional services created a LinkedIn group open to any professional. The goal was to widen their audience and attract new members. A short overview about the association and its membership benefits was made available on the group, and membership information was sent to non-members that were part of the group.

Several professional associations are present in for example LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter with a consistent brand and message and a thought through target audience and KPIs. A well researched selection of social media platforms combined with a regular feed of valuable content to a targeted audience can result in fast growing numbers of members on the social media groups and association, and an improved attendance to their events.

Social media offers cross-fertilisation opportunities to associations since their products and services can grow and evolve via a multitude of channels and audiences.

Associations can access new audiences and their future members through social media platforms. Social media offers the opportunity to anticipate industry trends and needs and to adapt products and services according to audiences’ requests.

KEEP THE BALL ROLLING: VALUE RELATIONSHIPS, CREATE CONTENT AND NETWORK + Be connected and tell your community how and where to engage and participate. Use the newsletter, website, brochures, email signature, etc.

+ Be transparent in actions within social media. This can be perceived by members has a clear sign of trust on their valuable contributions.

+ Evaluate, adjust and optimise your social media plan by reacting to the response and receptivity to the selected platforms. If your audience is not actively participating in one of the selected tools then look into phasing it out. And if the discussions on another platform mention trends and changes to products and services, proactively respond to them.

+ Always maintain the brand and image on all selected social media platforms. The brand of the created groups has to be identical to the association overall brand.

Also make available guidelines on how to use and participate on the selected groups and platforms. Be clear on the use of semantics in order to have consistent messaging in line with the association’s positioning.

+ Gain feedback from your audience and use it for your products and services offers and messaging. Monitor the discussions and participation trends. Further expand the results from monitoring by launching a consequent debate or by surveying the audience. + Measure (metrics for your Return on Investment - ROI) audience, engagement, loyalty, influence, action, etc. Analyse and interpret your social media metrics in conjunction with your web analytics.

Several ready made tools for social media measurement and monitoring are available on the market.

BUT BEFORE GETTING STARTED, KEEP IN MIND… + The online world is fast growing but real time and resources have to be invested.

Some international associations have already integrated a full time social media specialist in their marketing team. + Social media is not another promotion vehicle for marketing. It is not the association’s online strategy or plan. And it cannot make a product or service a suc-

HEADQUARTERS 24

cess, it can only assist in the promotion of the product/service of the association.

START TODAY! Allocate the necessary time and resources to include social media in the marketing mix of your association. In case the association does not possess enough resources or hesitates on how to best proceed, do consider hiring or consulting a social media specialist.

You are one online connection away from revitalising your association and its products and services. Engage your community and join the billions of online users. These are your members of today and your members of tomorrow.

www.mci-group.com/associations www.growglobally.org twitter.com/MCIAssociations

YOUR ASSOCIATION AND WEB 2.0 WEB 2.0. THIS GEEK-TERM IS BUZZING IN EVERYONE’S EAR THESE DAYS AND CAN BE FOUND POPPING UP IN NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, NEWS PROGRAMS AND WEB SITES GALORE. BUT HOW DOES WEB 2.0 IMPACT YOUR ASSOCIATION? EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOW CAN YOU MAKE WEB 2.0 ONLINE TRENDS WORK FOR YOU AND HELP YOUR MEMBERSHIP THRIVE? TEXT KATIE LAIRD (KLAIRD@SCHIPUL.COM)

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CONVERSATION The concept of Web 2.0 is essentially the idea that the online world is a dynamic and interactive place, brimming with knowledge to be shared and relationships to be made.

Web 2.0 savvy sites are now creating communities of people - connecting humans with humans and allowing humans to connect with the information they seek - instead of serving visitors with static pages of stagnant data and sending them on their way.

Open and honest association-membership interaction is key in this new participatory phase of the Internet. Forward-looking organizations are using their online presence as a conversation tool to promote membergenerated content, to gather members’ feedback and new ideas and to put organizational emphasis where it truly lies: the members!

Online technologies like blogging, podcasting, comments, Wikis and RSS feeds, pave this two-way street of communication and provide your organization with the tools to grow your organization and increase activity and excitement among your membership.

YOUR MEMBERS - SHOW SOME LOVE TO YOUR ASSOCIATION’S MOST VALUABLE ASSET Web 2.0 is a powerful online movement only because of the high rate of user participation and interaction. The same goes for your association and your association’s Web site.

Without your members, you would have no organization. Without making your members

an integral part of your Web site’s content creation and interactive community, your Web site is only a series of stagnant pages offering minimal value and interest to your association.

So how do you take advantage of your association’s most valuable asset (your members)? Open your site to their brain power, experiences and feedback. Here are just a few basic ideas to turn your Web site from ‘blah’ into an interactive community: 1. Allow your members to create and post relevant articles. This encourages member contribution and adds great new content which helps your ranking in search engines!

Online technologies like blogging, podcasting, comments, Wikis and RSS feeds, pave this two-way street of communication and provide your organization with the tools to grow your organization 2. Record your meetings, speakers at conference events or training seminars and podcast / vodcast them on your site. Podcasts (and their video brethern, vodcasts) are a great way to reach out to members in other physical locations and serves as a special benefit to new members who may not have been around to hear that great speaker or event.

3. Start an association blog using active members of your association as authors. Fresh and frank blog posts (which could cover anything from upcoming association activities to industry-related happenings) keep members coming back to your site regularly to check for new content. For new voices and ideas, rotate your blog authors or look for occasional

HEADQUARTERS 25

guest authors from your organization to spice things up a bit.

4. Open a rating or commenting system for your Web site content.

Including a ‘rate this’ feature on articles, releases and other contents allows you to receive valuable membership feedback. Not only will your members’ voices and opinions get heard, but you may get lots of great ideas and open up a whole new avenue for member discussion.

5. Shoot and share event photos.

Encourage your members to share their event and meeting photos by posting them to online photo sharing sites (like Flickr) and tagging them with key terms related to your event.

You can stream these photos to your site, adding interesting and frequently updated content - plus, photos are a huge traffic draw to any site, so you’ll be guaranteed some extra member visitors.

6. Incorporate a wiki for collaboration purposes. Follow-up your next big meeting or conference with a wiki for members to contribute their notes and thoughts on. Collaborate on documents, press releases, outlines, etc. - the possibilities are endless!

Wikis can be password protected, so you can restrict access to certain groups of people, or keep things open for everyone’s thoughts.

Allowing your members such a prominent voice on your Web site can be scary at first - to some degree, you are relinquishing direct control and this can be daunting! But a move towards an open and participatory online community can do wonders for generating excitement for your association, keeping current members happy and up-to-date and enticing new members to join.

HEADQUARTERS 26

BEST PRACTICES FOR NON-PROFITS USING WEB 2.0 WHICH NONPROFITS ARE USING WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGY IN AN INNOVATIVE WAY TO LISTEN AND TALK WITH THEIR CLIENTS AND CONSTITUENTS AND FURTHER THEIR MISSIONS? A LOT HAS BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT WEB 2.0, OR THE SOCIAL WEB, TO COMMUNICATE AND SHARE INFORMATION. HAVE YOU SEEN NONPROFITS DO THIS EFFECTIVELY? HOW ARE THEY USING THE POWER OF THE WEB TO SPREAD INFORMATION AND HAVE VIRTUAL CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR SUPPORTERS?

Alexandra Samuel answered, we work with a wide range of non-profit and change-oriented for-profit organizations who are using the web to deliver their message, but more crucially, to engage audiences in a conversation. Some of the best practices we note: 1. Focus your site on a particular goal or conversation, rather than a general mandate. For example, the UN Foundation has had a dazzling success with its Nothing But Nets website, which focuses specifi-

cally on providing malaria nets to kids in the developing world.

2. Invite your community to make contributions other than money. Non-profits often experience ‘donor fatigue’ because so much of their public interactions hinge on asking for money. The web is a great place to ask for other kinds of contributions - whether that means connecting people directly with people who need their expertise or services or asking them

to share their personal experiences (as with the March of Dimes’ Share your Story project).

3. Play nicely with other non-profit (and forprofit) organizations. The web is just that: a web of interconnections. Succeeding in an internetworked environment means working effectively with others, collaborating, and interacting - it’s not just about getting your own message out there. So being a good 2.0 non-profit means engaging with conversations and ideas on other blogs. Change Everything, a project of the Vancity credit union, is in the middle of a contest that will award $1,000 to a non-profit organization - and the contest has fuelled a great deal of interest and awareness of non-profit activities in British Columbia.

4. Don’t feel that web 2.0 means building your own online community. In fact, it’s a lot easier to ease into the web 2.0 culture by making effective use of existing web tools - whether that means fostering internal collaboration by choosing a common del.icio.us tag to use when storing your favorite web sites, or creating an iGoogle page that lets you constantly see the latest news in your key issue areas, or creating a photo-based petition on Flickr (check out the Oxfam example).

Or try setting up a Facebook group - we attracted 1,300 people to a Flickr group within 3 weeks of launch. Once you’re comfortable with the idea of web 2.0, you can start thinking about whether it makes sense to build some community features into your own site.

5. Be gentle with yourself, and your colleagues. It’s a big challenge for most non-profits to shift from message delivery to conversation, or from approaching your members as donors to seeing them as content contributors. For organisations that have been all about the message, and

Don’t feel that web 2.0 means building your own online community. In fact, it’s a lot easier to ease into the web 2.0 culture by making effective use of existing web tools

have approached that for decades from a paradigm of message control and careful rollout, it is a genuine (and at times frightening) adventure to bring your audience into the conversation in public, and before you’ve got everybody lined up to stay ‘on message’. Be patient with colleagues who need to get comfortable with this new approach.

6. Stay current with how other non-profits are using web 2.0, and learn from their experiences. A great way of doing that

is to track the ‘nptech’ tag on del.ici.ous, where people from all across the nonprofit sector share the latest resources on nonprofit technology activities; it’s a great place to find blog posts or tech developments to comment on. And Compumentor’s NetSquared project is dedicated to helping non-profits make the most of web 2.0.

Alexandra Samuel, Ph.D. is the Director of Social + Interactive Media Centre Emily Carr University and a principal of the social media agency Social Signal.

Alexandra Samuel

HEADQUARTERS 27

UIA ı UNION OF INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

UIA’S POINT OF VIEW: TIME TO UPGRADE? IN THE QUEST FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES, ICT-BASED COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS HAVE FOR SOME TIME BEEN VIEWED AS THE WAY FORWARD. STILL, SOME ASPECTS REMAIN IN THE SHADOWS. IN THIS ARTICLE THE EDUCATION & SUSTAINABILITY TEAM PRESENT THREE DIFFERENT WAYS OF MAKING EVENTS MORE

most of it ends up in countries like China and India where children collect, burn and re-sell what they can, not to mention the contamination it brings to the rivers, land and sea.

SUSTAINABLE WITHOUT IGNORING THE DARKER SIDE OF THE ICT INDUSTRY. TEXT MARCUS LIND & HELOISE BUCKLAND, EDUCATION AND SUSTAINABILITY (WWW.ES-ONLINE.INFO) AND MARILYN MEHLMANN, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UIA

Just upgraded to the latest videoconference equipment? Or are you waiting for an even slimmer iPad that weighs ‘next to nothing’?

Well, the inconvenient truth is that these products have a heavier impact than we think.

Let’s take the example of mobile phones.

Around 30 different minerals go into making each phone; and to give you an idea, for the extraction of a tonne of platinum 950,000 tonnes of raw material are displaced. Next comes the manufacturing process; each chip

HEADQUARTERS 28

requires approximately 3,200 litres of water, 72g of chemicals and 700g of nitrogen and produces 6 kg of CO2. Add to that the 99 kg of CO2 produced using the phone. As with all kinds of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), around 80 % of the environmental impact of mobile phones comes from their use, not the manufacturing process.

Globally, around 50 million tonnes of electronic waste are produced each year, and

To sum up - the market price doesn’t include all the ‘real’ costs of ICT. So where does that leave us? What is our responsibility as event organisers, businesses and digital citizens?

How can we use the new technology more sustainably and fairly, how can we reuse and redistribute resources, and most importantly, how can we make sure we make the most of the collective, interactive and open learning processes that the new technologies offer?

For starters we know that learning takes place more in the coffee breaks than the conference room, and that we learn through a process that relates to personal experience,

How can we use the new technology more sustainably and fairly, how can we reuse and redistribute resources, and most importantly, how can we make sure we make the most of the collective, interactive and open learning processes that the new technologies offer?

social networks and interactive applications.

So social networks, phone applications and all sorts of online stimulation are a must. Energy efficiency, low impact, switching off, free software, open source, creative commons, recycling, and donating old equipment are all part of the challenge.

There are endless possibilities for creating web-based environments to reduce the environmental impact of your conference but before you upgrade, think about the consequences!

Even the organizers were a little surprised at the response: nearly 50 case studies were submitted in advance. Consequently the workshop was judged a success despite its severe time limits; and participants have continued to interact both directly and via the website after the event. Having only 3 overnight stays considerably reduced costs.

The organizers have concluded that a 3-day event (4 nights) would have been optimal.

CASE 2 Almost everyone stays home. Video links enable interaction.

CASE 1 People travel, but stay for a shorter time.

Event: A 2-day workshop on Pedagogy for Sustainable Development Held by SWEDESD, the Swedish International Centre for Education for Sustainable Development together with Global Action Plan International, in Visby, Sweden, November 2009.

Normally an event of this kind would be expected to last for at least 4 days. Since the 65+ participants came from all around the world, this would have meant 5-6 or even 7 nights’ stay, depending on connections.

Instead, the workshop was preceded by a kind of e-learning program. A website was set up, using e-learning software. Registered participants and facilitators were divided into groups and invited to submit structured descriptions of their case studies in advance, and to comment on the case studies in their group.

Event: Acting Towards a One-Planet Future, a 1-day ‘interactive conference’ Hosted by WWF Sweden for universities and others, February 2010.

This was an asymmetrical event with a main event in one place, Stockholm; only a handful of people travelled to the event, principally one of the main speakers (from the USA) and a small group of Norwegian participants.

Around 10 universities in other places were connected - at least sporadically - by video link. All participants there were local.

It would seem that the potential for such events could be great, at least when there are easily identified local groups. The opportunity for hosting organizations is to provide permanently installed, tested and reliable video conferencing facilities. The time lost by using ‘imported’ equipment and trying it out during the event can be considerable.

CASE 3 Working with regional nodes. 2-days on-site, 1500 users off-site.

Event: EMSU - Environmental Management for Sustainable Universities Hosted by the Technical University of Catalonia, the Autonomous University of Barcelona and RCE Barcelona, 15-17 Oct. 2008.

EMSU is held every two years with the aim of stimulating the higher education sector into action for sustainability, covering multiple issues from climate change to poverty, governance to urban futures. The conference series targets academics, students, and administrative staff in universities around the world.

The idea in 2008 was to do things differently – and above all more coherently with the global theme. Why generate tonnes of C02 flying people across the globe to talk about ways to reduce emissions? In addition, the organisers also wanted to reach a large and diverse audience as well as keep to their modest budget - maximum participation, minimum footprint.

Six months before the conference regional ‘nodes’ were set up to participate in the EMSU activities before, during and after the conference in 7 different countries.

Participants joined the debate via a social network, online questionnaires, workshops and research and the results were shared in the conference via a variety of media; Skype, videoconference and pre-recorded messages.

www.uia.org

HEADQUARTERS 29

HQ

© OTNM-P. Gérard

> NANTES

NANTES CITY OF ART DE VIVRE AND AVANT-GARDE

ALREADY WELL-KNOWN IN FRANCE FOR ITS QUALITY OF LIFE AND CULTURAL DYNAMISM, NANTES IS NOW AIMING AT BECOMING THE NEW EUROPEAN HOTSPOT OF THE ATLANTIC COAST. Nantes is a port that has long tradition of openness and welcome. Like a young Jules Verne standing on the quayside dreaming of adventures to come, you are going to find a town with the culture of discovery and creation, a town where the spirit of enterprise blows.

With each and every person who has a role to play, we have decided to build on our assets and values to bring Nantes real international ambition.

Now, as always, Nantes is maintaining its lead by anticipating its future. The launch of building work on the new airport, the new

HEADQUARTERS 30

town centre TGV train station, the great urban project on the Isle of Nantes, the EuroNantes business district development: our invitation is for you to come and discover these and more.

The strong, dynamic economic growth that Nantes has enjoyed over the last 20 years has been built on 3 main pillars: investment in innovation and creativity, the quality of life and strong social fabric.

It’s in bringing out the best in young talent that Nantes gets to shine. Wherever you look: in research - there’s an important centre in biotechnologies and new materials here, in economic development - Nantes is in the top three economically vibrant French towns, or in culture - where its creators, artists and theatre companies like Royal de Luxe, Les Machines and the famous classic music festival ‘Les Folles Journées’ are exported around the world.

The quality of life that Nantes has is above all due to what the outstanding Loire estuary environment gives us: an environment that we value and care for with an ambitious approach to the climate. It’s also about the idea we have of ourselves in a town that’s constantly reinventing itself, making it a better and more pleasant place to live, while making more acces-

sible, sustainable, eco-friendly public transport too - the first French town to have a modern tram network was Nantes.

Our strong social fabric means that as many people as possible benefit from our growth whether in terms of work or of services. It is this togetherness which is fundamental to our common identity.

It is these values that we we would like to share with you during your stay in Nantes.

I am grateful to La Cité and all those who play a role in welcoming our visitors for being a part of this process by maintaining such high standards in international congresses and having a real environmental approach.

Through its acts, La Cité is in total harmony with everything we stand for. © Mairie Nantes

AN INVITATION

BY MAYOR JEAN-MARC AYRAULT

Jean Marc Ayrault, Mayor of Nantes, President of Nantes Métropole, French MP

> NANTES

More than 60 regular business destinations direct from Nantes

©Aéroport Nantes Atlantique

ANNOUNCEMENT

Elodie Coudre is Nantes’ Association Lady I wasn’t surprised for long when I heard the news that Elodie was on her way to Nantes. She has opted for a new destination with great prospects in the international association market. Elodie contributed to the development of international congresses in France and she’s highly recognized by professionals in the sector. Much of Elodie’s success is due to her energy, her professional abilities and her human qualities. I would like to add another quality: international charm!

THE NEWEST CONGRESS CITY IN EUROPE NANTES IS THE MOST ACTIVE FRENCH ECO-CITY. IT IS A CITY THAT MAY CONSIDER ITSELF LUCKY TO BE SITUATED ON A RIVER AND NOT JUST ANY RIVER, BUT THE RIVER LOIRE, THE LONGEST IN FRANCE. MOREOVER, IT IS THE ONLY MAJOR FRENCH CITY - THE SIXTH-LARGEST IN FRANCE - SITUATED ON THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION IN WESTERN FRANCE HAS LED US TO CALL IT: ECO-CITY, BETWEEN A RIVER AND AN OCEAN. THE DYNAMIC NANTES CONGRESS CENTRE, ‘LA CITÉ’, IS STARTING ITS INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION CAMPAIGN WITH A NEW BRAND, A CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAM AND ATTRACTIVE NEW SERVICES.

that wants to move forward. Promoting the city and hosting international events are the first and foremost important objectives of the people working at the Convention Centre.

A new logo has just been designed and the advertising campaign is clearly visible throughout the whole city. I even heard Paul Billaudeau, CEO of La Cité, say: ‘As a local public company, we are offering more than just a Convention Centre, we have everything a town has to offer too. Within a few years, we’ll hardly hear anyone ask: where on earth is Nantes?’

REPORT MARCEL A.M. VISSERS

When I was asked by La Cité for a report on Nantes, I thought: ‘Where is it again?’ While many people can flawlessly point out a few major French cities on the map, it seems there are many who have only heard a little about Nantes.

When I arrived in Nantes on the TGV, two hours from Paris, the sun was shining.

Warmth and relaxation are part of this

region, I thought. My hostess, Laurence, told me from the start that she would never leave this city. Afterwards, I often heard that life in Nantes is good and that it’s easy to fit in - the city has been elected several times ‘Best Place to live in France’.

It is a very attractive, historical and cultural city with a great drive for innovation. A city

CONTACT Elodie Coudre Marketing and Business Development Manager La Cité, Nantes Events Center Mobile +33 (0)6 16 34 88 44 elodie.coudre@lacite-nantes.fr www.lacite-nantes.com

HEADQUARTERS 31

> NANTES

NANTES INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE: LA CITÉ A congress and culture temple, built in a city but designed by water

‘THIS BUILDING IS 18 YEARS OLD,’ EXPLAINS PAUL BILLAUDEAU, CEO OF LA CITÉ (NANTES INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE), ‘AND IT’S STILL IN PERFECT CONDITION.’ THE LOCATION IS EXCEPTIONAL: BUILT IN A CITY BUT DESIGNED BY WATER’! LOCATED WITHIN A STONESTHROW OF THE HISTORIC CITY CENTRE, LA CITÉ PROVIDES AN IDEAL ENVIRONMENT FOR ANY CONFERENCE. ITS ELEGANT ARCHITECTURE, EASE OF ACCESS AND DEDICATED FACILITIES MAKE IT A AN ATTRACTIVE AND WELCOMING VENUE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE TO Paul Billaudeau

MOST HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, SHOPS AND TOURIST ATTRACTIONS.

We’ve settled nicely into the President’s office, with a view onto the harbour. ‘I’m certain that no other congress centre in France is situated right on the water across from the TGV railway station.’ This was the opening to a fascinating conversation about the new future of La Cité, Nantes International Convention Centre.

one of the most important congress centres in France. The venue benefits from Nantes’ national reputation in the hospitality sector of being dynamic and the town’s international cultural label. The ‘Folle Journée’ classical music festival created in Nantes for example is being exported to Japan, Brazil and Spain.

A GREAT NAME IN FRANCE

Paul Billaudeau comments: ‘We’re very proud of this building, every year we dedicate a

Nantes International Convention Centre is

HEADQUARTERS 32

very large budget on the maintenance and refurbishing in order to run congresses under the best conditions. The building, itself of high-quality specifications, is often considered as new.’ He adds: ‘Our centre is ideal for congresses of up to 2,700 people - within that range, we can deliver tip-top service. Accessibility is at its best. At the door step of the Convention Centre you’ll find: a TGV railway station, public transportation and shuttles to the International Airport. Quality service is the trademark of this Convention Centre (certified ISO 9001 since 2004). La Cité personnel has established a grand tradition in customer service - which is also due to the fact that most of the staff has worked here for a long time and built up a great deal of experience. One third of our business volume comes from loyal clientele.’

Paul Billaudeau can hardly contain his enthusiasm as he talks about La Cité. ‘We are the only French congress centre that has been

> NANTES FAC TS

AND

FIGURES

La Cité Auditorium spaces La Cité captures your imagination with its large entrance hall (with lots of wood and natural light) and its three exceptionally beautiful auditoria with easy access for the disabled. The Grand Auditorium (with 2,000 seats), Auditorium 800 and Auditorium 450 offer you excellent acoustics and maximum comfort for conferences, gatherings and performances. The design of Nantes International Convention Centre makes it possible to use the auditoria independently or in a complementary mode with exhibition and catering areas. Each area features integrated, modular high-performance equipment that will meet all your set-up and presentation requirements.

Meeting Rooms And Exhibition Spaces

La Cité’s elegant architecture, ease of access and dedicated facilities make it a an attractive and welcoming venue within walking distance to most hotels, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions.

La Cité offers meeting rooms ranging from 30 to 300 seats. The equipment set-up and the style of the various areas can be adapted to the atmosphere that the organiser wishes to create. All lecture rooms are accessible through rest areas and feature the comfort of warm furnishings and adjustable exposure to daylight. The Lower Foyer, connected directly to the Great Hall, an exhibition space of 6,000 m2 with direct parking for exhibitors, includes a lecture room with 300 seats and 6 areas with 15 to 40 seats. The Upper Foyer is serviced by a 500 m2 Mezzanine with daylight exposure. In addition to Auditorium 450, the upper foyer includes a one-level room with seating for 200 people, featuring a control room and simultaneous translation booths, 8 commission rooms and 6 management offices. All units are connected to a 200 m2 foyer featuring balconies onto the Great Hall and reception and relaxation facilities (coatroom, mobile desks, sitting areas…).

Accommodation nominated at the AIPC Awards (Association Internationale des Palais des Congrès). With proactive professionalism, we won 12 bids for international congresses last year. And this year, we are hosting 8 international congresses, including the Annual EAIE Conference (European Association for International Education) with more than 3,500 delegates.’

BUILDING THE FUTURE Paul Billaudeau continues: ‘If we want to grow, then we need to look and plan ahead,

and analyse too. We call that ‘building on knowledge and insight’. In the first phase, we listed our strong points. Then, we made an in-depth quality assessment: organisationally and financially. What do we have to offer and how much has that cost us over the last six years. And in the third phase, we’ll need to take strategic decisions. How will we position our strengths versus our competitors and better serve our costumers? And how creative are we in raising Nantes’ profile?’

Nantes has over 5,500 hotel rooms, 2,500 of which are in the immediate vicinity of the congress building itself. La Cité offers the comfort of an integrated 3-star hotel with 105 rooms. This hotel is one of the first in France to feature the latest generation of ‘Novation’ rooms launched by Novotel. Thanks to new space design and furnishings (large sofa, revolving desk) decorated in warm tones, the concept combines comfort and serenity.

www.lacite-nantes.com

HEADQUARTERS 33

© V.Garnier © Gervais Barré © M.Braux

Brand-new

Rebranding La Cité Today, La Cité is presenting a brand-new logo and new advertisement images. The new campaign has been launched. Everything is becoming more international and values are expressed: transparency and citizenship for pleasure and business on the Atlantic coast!

“Together we go faster and further” HEADQUARTERS 34

Paul Billaudeau analyzes even further: ‘Out of this whole thought process, 3 major strong points have emerged. The first is Corporate Social Responsibility and excellence.

Sustainability rests on three pillars: environment, society and economics. We’re attuning

We are strengthening our strategy towards international congresses and tradeshows ourselves to ISO standard 26000 for 2011.

‘A second strong point is Innovation: information and communication technology plays a large role in this. The results will be seen in the new products, new services, new labour and production processes. For example with

the University of Nantes, we are going to offer an Internet speed of 50Mo for a video conferencing service.’

‘International development is a third line.

We are strengthening our strategy towards international congresses and tradeshows.

To carry out all of this, we’ve set up an ambassador programme - key people who are able to influence decisions. We have defined our alliance strategy with the scientific community, competitiveness clusters, PCO’s, and convention centre networks, members of ICCA, AIPC and UIA.’

MORE INFORMATION www.lacite-nantes.com

EXPO NANTES ATLANTIQUE, LA BEAUJOIRE EXHIBITION CENTRE Fair ‘centre’ on the Erdre river: the first eco-friendly exhibition centre in Europe FRANCE HAS MANY FINE, WELL-DESIGNED EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRES. THIS IS WHAT MAKES OUR COUNTRY STAND OUT. BUT ONE COMPLEX IS PRIMUS INTER PARES: EXPO NANTES ATLANTIQUE, PARC DE LA BEAUJOIRE. IT’S IN A FABULOUS LOCATION: RIGHT ON THE RIVER, COMPLETE WITH ITS OWN LANDING STAGE AND ORNAMENTAL PARK AND GARDENS. JUST LIKE ONE OF THE LOIRE CHÂTEAUX.

THE

Today Expo Nantes Atlantique is wholeheartedly committed to the environmental approach certified ISO 14001. Additionally, there is a strong programme to protect the biodiversity and develop the large, natural grounds surrounding the centre.

BY BOAT TO THE CONGRESS What does Nantes do if, for example, a request arrives from the National Confederation of French Lawyers for a conference of more than 5,000 delegates? That’s not hard to answer as Expo Nantes Atlantique

can accommodate even larger conferences.

‘We are in easy reach of the city’, explains Frédéric Jouet, ‘so delegates can easily find their way to the Beaujoire exhibition centre.

Nantes Atlantique Airport is only 25 minutes from here and delegates travelling by TGV get here in just 15 minutes with a direct tram running from the TGV railway station and town centre. Conference organisers can even sail their groups across the water with one of the ‘Bateaux Nantais’ boats: what a nice way to come to a congress!’

MEET IN A LARGE VENUE

Right on the river, complete with its own landing stage and ornamental park and gardens, Expo Nantes Atlantiques enjoys a unique location

Frédéric Jouet continues: ‘Nantes is a city of change, of growth and of progress.

We’ve noticed that in recent years by the increased demand for trade fairs and congresses. We can offer a conference organiser everything. For instance, a planner can ask as many questions as they want about our complex and it’s our philosophy to let the organiser take a pro-active part in any brainstorming. Because the needs of our customers always vary, we constantly adapt.

We offer all services in-house or the client can choose their own caterer or AV provider should they so wish. Obviously, we are onhand to present him with our list of trusted partners. With us, Parc means ‘service’. And we always care about the customer!’

HARD

FAC TS

Expo Nantes Atlantique The Nantes La Beaujoire Exhibition Centre is one of the most beautiful centres in France.

It is well served by bus and tram services and situated close to the Nantes ring road.

Hosting capacity + 63,000 m2 in total over 20 hectares, including 30,000 m2 of covered exhibition areas spread over 6 halls and one Grand Palais (Exhibition Centre); more than 33,000 m2 of terraces (open air space) + Grand Palais on 2 levels totaling 11,500 m2 + 6 exhibition halls, 4 of 2,484 m2, one of 3,105 m2 and one of 5,103 m2 (pillar-free spaces). The initial purpose of these areas is exhibitions, but they can equally well host conferences on a grand scale (5,000+ people).

Expo Nantes Atlantique also manages: + a press pavilion, a catering area + two halls for conferences, competitions or dressing rooms + 2 restaurants, one with a panoramic view seating 100 and one for 400 seats at the River Side

HEADQUARTERS 35

© Valérie Joncheray © Stéphanie Fuentes

> NANTES

© OTNM-Nautilus Nantes

Les Machines de l’ïle Castle of the dukes of Brittany

©OTNM - Nautilus Nantes

A NEW TOURIST DESTINATION THE CAPITAL OF THE PAYS DE LA LOIRE REGION WAS ALREADY THE MOST IMPORTANT CITY OF THE HISTORY OF BRITTANY, BUT IT NOW OCCUPIES AN EVEN MORE IMPORTANT PLACE CULTURALLY, ARTISTICALLY AND GASTRONOMICALLY. NANTES IS THE NEW TOURIST DESTINATION IN FRANCE.

The castle of the Dukes of Brittany is a large fortified château located right in the middle of Nantes. As both a urban fortress and an elegant palace, the castle offers a rich palette of surprises and emotions, where you can find out more about the history of Nantes, ‘born of the river and the ocean’. The 500-metre walk along the battlements provides views not just of the castle buildings and courtyards but also of the town. Close by, there are also three wellequipped conference rooms. You can organise a conference enhanced by a guided tour of the castle as well as a coffee break, lunch, gala dinner or cocktail from 30 to 300 people.

FINE ARTS MUSEUM OF NANTES The entrance hall of the Musée des BeauxArts de Nantes is a great place for evening functions, such as cocktails and dinners. Art work in the collection ranges from paintings from the XIIIth century to modern art, including Monet, Picasso and Kandinsky.

THE MACHINE-ANIMALS OF NANTES The Machines de l’Ile are monumental mechanical structures that carry the public to a world of dreams and magical journeys. This totally unique artistic project - you have to see it to believe it! - blends the imaginary worlds of Jules Verne, the mechanical universe of Leonardo da Vinci, and the industrial history of

HEADQUARTERS 36

Nantes. During the tour, you will be explained the history and workings of these strange creatures and maybe invited to operate the controls of the deep sea animals yourself!

This poetic universe appeals to the public, promotes economic development and the tourist industry, and attracts visitors from all over the world. My hosts couldn’t have explained it any better: ‘Here, the Congress of Lawyers in France will enjoy a dinner like they never have before. We can organize unique events from thirty to a few thousand people. Since our city became host to the fascinating sculptural display ‘Les Machines de l’Ile Nantes’, planners have praised this one-of-a-kind meeting venue.’

La Machine has created many theatrical machines including the series of giants for Royal de Luxe. Over a period of 15 years, from 19912006, Delarozière and his engineers designed and created a host of huge performing creatures, which walked the streets of European cities, including Antwerp in 2003, London in 2006, Liverpool, European Capital of Culture in 2008 or Yokohama in 2009.

Royal de Luxe is a mechanical marionette street theatre company. They were founded in 1979 by Jean Luc Courcoult. Based in Nantes, the company has performed in France, Belgium, England, Germany, as part of the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Iceland, Chile and Australia.

©OTNM - G. Arnaud

PLACE FOR OPENING COCKTAILS

Fine Arts Museum

A list of good memories + the Isle of Nantes: a former shipyard turned into a leisure and cultural site, including the Machines of the Isle of Nantes permanent exhibition. + Passage Pommeraye, a 19th century shopping arcade + Place Royale; a historic square located in the heart of the city, recently renewed + Place Graslin, a historic place featuring the Theatre of Nantes and the famous brasserie La Cigale. + Rue Crébillon and rue Orléans lined with luxury boutiques linked by Place Royale + the new courthouse designed by Jean Nouvel + the LU Tower: a tower standing at the entrance of the former Lefèvre-Utile biscuit factory, where an atypical art centre, the Lieu Unique, saw the light of day

© JD Billaud

© OTNM-B.David

© OTNM-G.Arnaud

Passage Pommeraye

Place Royale

the Manny building in Ile de Nantes

ECONOMIC

NANTES SAINT-NAZAIRE, AN ATTRACTIVE ECO-METROPOLIS THE NANTES SAINT-NAZAIRE METROPOLIS IS CERTAINLY AN ATTRACTIVE LOCATION. BUSINESSES, EXECUTIVES, YOUNG EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS ARRIVE EVERY YEAR, THUS ENLARGING THE POPULATION OF AN OVERALL AREA WHICH IS SET TO HAVE MORE THAN 100,000 FURTHER RESIDENTS BY 2025.

The region’s attractiveness is largely explained by its exceptionally wide range of technical competences. Areas of expertise related to high-tech industries (aeronautics, naval, energy, etc.), combined with the significant tertiary activities of a metropolis which has become a benchmark in the sectors of IT and banking/insurance, are the bases of its economic strength.

An important centre of employment (330,000 jobs), a university city (55,000 students), and easy accessibility (2 hours from Paris by TGV): these assets recently persuaded FIDELIA Assistance (400 jobs created), Cotecna (Paris office transferred here) and Transgourmet Ouest (amalgamation of five logistics sites) to come to Nantes, and

also attracted Spirit Aerosystems (number one in the aeronautics sector) and SAMAP (maritime insurance) to Saint-Nazaire.

Building on this solid foundation, the Nantes Saint-Nazaire metropolis is using its capacity for innovation to take the lead in promising areas. Eco-construction, composite materials, image and network technologies, biotechnology and marine resources are all finding their place in dedicated clusters which are home to over 500 businesses, laboratories and training organisations.

The ability to combine its energies and carry forward joint projects has also enabled the region to develop projects of fundamental importance to its economy. The future Grand Ouest international airport and the

I N FO R M AT I O N

A few facts + 6th largest French metropolis + 330,000 jobs in total + 263,000 private sector jobs + 33% more jobs created in 10 years (national rate: +19%) + 59% of private jobs in services sector 23% in industry-construction 18% in trade + 44,000 companies and businesses + 550 companies with over 100 employees

Building on this solid foundation, the Nantes Saint-Nazaire metropolis is using its capacity for innovation to take the lead in promising areas introduction of the High Speed Railway Line from Brittany to the Pays de la Loire region between now and 2016 will help redefine the scale of the metropolis.

HEADQUARTERS 37

> NANTES

ACCOMMODATION AT ITS BEST WHEN I ARRIVE IN A CONGRESS CITY, ONE OF MY FIRST QUESTIONS IS ALWAYS: ‘HOW MANY 5-STAR HOTELS ARE LOCATED IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE CONGRESS CENTRE?’. IN NANTES, I ASKED WHICH HOTELS ARE NOW ‘IN’ FOR CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS.

The accommodation offered in Nantes is vast and varied. In terms of category and location, the city is now hard to beat

to give you an idea, over 5,500 rooms and flats are available. This capacity reaches over 8,000 rooms if you count the nearby hotels in Saint-Nazaire and La Baule among which there are 5-star hotels.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD

the future Radisson Blu

Hôtel Mercure

HEADQUARTERS 38

The good news is that what Nantes has to offer in terms of accommodation is rapidly changing. In 2009 alone, 714 new capacities saw the light of day. Near the centre, there is also the Mercure Gare Sud and Novotel Bords de Loire that deserve some pointing out. Last but not least, 8 new hotels will open their doors in Nantes by 2012.

Nantes International Convention Centre has developed a close relationship: the purpose

Hôtel Pommeraye

© lacité

Hôtel La Perouse

© hôtel La Perouse Nantes

The accommodation offered in Nantes is vast and varied. In terms of category and loca-

A FAST-CHANGING LANDSCAPE

Novotel

© M.Braux

You can also find hotels with a very special touch. For example, at breakfast the following statement could be read: ‘Nouveau petit déjeuner proposant produits locaux confitures des Côteaux nantais.’ That’s what I call charming. Talking about 5-star hotels, the former law courts are being transformed into a luxury hotel and will become a Radisson Blu with 136 rooms and suites. The city as a whole is looking forward to its opening in 2011!

tion, the city is now hard to beat, as there are many hotels of international standard in the city centre and in the suburbs. Just

© Mathias Braud

Today there’s a strong demand for 3- and 4-star hotels in the cities. Hooray, in Nantes I was in luck. They are often privately owned hotels with lots of charm. My room, for instance, was in a 2-star hotel in the centre ‘Le Pommeraye’ where many artists stay and leave their artwork, making the hotel nicely decorated.

has been to make them real partners when holding a congress in the city. It’s nice to note that there is a unified effort to make the city attractive in terms of association conferences.

There is a real investment of the hotels to participate in the city’s sustainable development strategy which includes an ‘eco-certification’: started in 2007 by La Pérouse hotel, with European Ecolabel, Nantes is the most advanced French city as far as eco-certified hotels are concerned. The city boasts 24% of its rooms with eco-certification (European Ecolabel, Green Key or ISO 14000). The aim is to reach 100% within 2 years. It’s like all the service providers in Nantes work hand in hand, putting their professionalism and their commitment forward, when it comes to support an association willing to organise their event in the city. For visitors, a common central reservation is available: www.resanantes.com

HEADQUARTERS 40

HQ

> WORLD FORUM

WORLD FORUM IN THE HAGUE EVENTS THAT SHAPE THE WORLD THE WORLD FORUM CONVENTION CENTER IN THE HAGUE SEES CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY POLICY AS A SPORT

CHAIN REACTION Be inspired and inspire others by receiving and giving green signals is crucial for an effective change.

AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. IN TOP-CLASS SPORT, YOU GO FOR GOLD ALONE.

The World Forum is ethically and sustainably active in various areas. For instance, the World Forum Ethical Program comprises various measures for checking choices for integrity and actually making a difference for a more sustainable society. As part of the Ethical Program the World Forum only uses green electricity and, among other things, it is a member of the Green Meeting Industry Council, MVO Nederland and the United Global Compact. The World Forum in The Hague has joined the United Nations Global Compact initiative already 3 years ago. In doing so, they pledged their dedication to protecting human rights, labour rights, the environment and fighting corruption.

On a much smaller and local level they have agreed to participate with their team in the National Day of Volunteers, a nationwide initiative with local execution. They also are supporting a school which enables children who live in the more challenging part of the City of The Hague with their weekend program.

Since the signing of the United Nations Global Compact they have let their partners and suppliers agree to sign their ‘Suppliers Code of Conduct’ which includes the same goals as stated by the UN Global Compact.

They effect also a chain reaction through their Green Event Checklist on the website, a document with plenty of suggestions and ideas for making an event as ‘green’ as possible.’ Clients are encouraged to check how green their upcoming event is with the Green Event Checklist. Once they have reduced the potential environmental impact of their event, they are offered to calculate their final impact on our website. They are then offered to compensate through the efforts of the Climate Neutral Group or locally through the Hague Climate Fund.

Since the World Forum started its ‘Ethical Program’ all staff is committed to change in their own area of responsibility. From big decisions to small ones. If the facility staff needs to install new lights, LED lighting is ordered, if the communication department needs to order new pens, they order, after a

long search, biodegradable pens. A ‘Green Update’ is handed out regularly to the staff and partners of the World Forum.

By no means we will ever think we ‘have arrived’ in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility but the journey to make serious progress is an exciting one They state: ‘By no means we will ever think we ‘have arrived’ in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility but the journey to make serious progress is an exciting one. We have noticed it is not only our top priority but also the focus of many associations, institutions and corporations we work with while planning and executing their events. Our slogan ‘Events that Shape the World’ greatly describes the way we like to operate.’

CONTACT World Forum Churchillplein 10 2517 JW The Hague The Netherlands www.worldforum.nl info@worldforum.nl +31 70 3066 228

HEADQUARTERS 41

HQ

> STRASBOURG

EuroPD IN STRASBOURG AN EVENT TO REMEMBER STRASBOURG BOASTS A VERY DYNAMIC MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY, WITH A LOT OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR STRASBOURG ÉVÉNEMENTS, THE MANAGING COMPANY OF THE CONVENTION CENTRE AND EXHIBITION PARK, TO BUILD A VAST NETWORK OF PARTNERS AND AMBASSADORS MAKES STRONG SENSE IN ORDER TO ATTRACT PRESTIGIOUS ASSOCIATION CONGRESS TO STRASBOURG. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED WHEN EuroPD, THE EUROPEAN PERITONEAL DIALYSIS MEETING, CHOSE THE ALSATIAN CAPITAL TO HOLD THEIR BI-ANNUAL MEETING IN OCTOBER 2009.

Since the first meeting in 1990 in Berlin, the number of delegates attending the EuroPD conference has grown from 300 to over 2,000 making it the definitive conference for PD specialists in Europe and beyond. The main theme of the event held in Strasbourg was ‘PD for All’. It sought to explore and offer guidance on how peritoneal dialysis can be optimised to give patients from different demographics and with varying comorbid diseases the opportunity to use PD and to get the best clinical outcomes.

UK-based PCO In-conference has organized EuroPD since 1996: they are totally responsible for identifying future meeting venues for the conference and this involves in researching exciting venues as well as identifying leading Professors of Nephrology in those cities who are willing to take on the form a Local Organising Committee. Margaret Sherry, Managing Director, explains: ‘We had organised previous congresses for other clients in Strasbourg and knew that the venue would match the requirements of the EuroPD congress. Also, there was a local Professor, Michel Fischbach, who plays

a very important role in the field of paediatric nephrology in France and he was delighted to take on the role of the President of the Local Organising Committee.’

Cathy Spielmann, Director of Sales of Strasbourg événements:

‘As we plan to expand the congress centre in the next 3 years, we are strengthening our position as a destination of choice for scientific conferences.’

Needless to say the event was a success, as delegates, exhibitors and sponsors feedback on the city was extremely positive. A meeting seems to work best when the conference venue is on the doorstep of all the attractions a city can offer. The conference days of EuroPD were quite long, and at the end of the day, delegates still had time to discover the wonders of Strasbourg thanks to the ideal location of the convention centre.

©StrasbourgEvenements-Ph.Stirnweiss

Professor Michel Fischbach praised the professionalism and the commitment of the Strasbourg événements team: ‘We had a fantastic team working with us from the venue and they completely understood the demands of such a meeting. There is also a large industry exhibition associated with the EuroPD meeting and everything went smoothly. I also arranged for a children’s choir and musicians to perform at the opening ceremony. As I am devoted to improving the lives of children and babies with kidney problems, this was all the more relevant.’

The holding of EuroPD in Strasbourg is the perfect example of the commitment of Strasbourg Convention Centre to be a leading venue. As Cathy Spielmann, Director of Sales, points out: ‘As we plan to expand the congress centre in the next 3 years - and with the help of the Convention Bureau - we are strengthening our position as a destination of choice for scientific and medical conferences. We’re working toward bringing European and national learned societies together. Our location in the heart of Europe facilitates this strategy.’

CONTACT Josy Coutret Marketing & Communication Manager Strasbourg événements info@strasbourg-events.com tel. : +33 3 88 372 144 www.strasbourg-events.com

HEADQUARTERS 43

OPEN HOUSE Come on in, we’ve got plenty of room for all of you

Feel free to bring your next convention to Copenhagen – the capital of sustainable meetings. Feel free to be inspired by Denmark’s wide open spaces – indoors and outdoors.

Denmark – where restrictions don’t apply.

For Copenhagen enquiries: +45 3325 7400 kongres@woco.dk meetincopenhagen.com

For the rest of Denmark: +45 3288 9937 conferencesales@visitdenmark.com visitdenmark.com

HQ > INDIA

HYDERABAD INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE STRONG COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENT Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) is committed to supporting and encouraging sustainable practices, including the hosting of environmentally friendly ‘green’ meetings in its premises. Over the past few years, HICC has taken many steps to encourage the green meetings. Because conservation of energy and natural resources is a top priority, HICC has developed several programs promoting minimal use of materials and natural resources that adversely impact the environment.

HICC has also achieved the prestigious Green Globe Certified status under the Green Globe Earthcheck Certification programme managed

by EC3 Global. The global programme recognises HICC commitment to operating at the world’s highest environmental standard.

Prior to achieving Certification, HICC successfully Benchmarked using the EarthcheckTM tool against key environmental indicators including energy and water consumption, total waste production and community commitment.

HICC chose to demonstrate their commitment to the environment by undertaking Certification the highest level of the Green Globe programme as managed by EC3 Global. The Certification process involves either an onsite audit or offsite assessment by an EC3 Global approved independent third party Green Globe Auditor. The successful completion of the Certification process demonstrates HICC’s strong commitment to the principles of environmental sustainability.

ABOUT HYDERABAD INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE (HICC) Hyderabad International Convention Centre managed by Accor Hospitality and jointly owned by Emaar Properties PJSC Dubai and Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd. HICC is the first purpose-built and state-of-the-art convention facility, the first of its kind in South Asia. It accommodates conventions for 5,000 delegates, seminars for 500 or meetings for just 50. Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre adjacent to HICC is a 5-star 288 room hotel.

Hyderabad International Convention Centre

For more info: www.hicc.com

CONTACT Rajani Nair Deb Director - International Sales rnairdeb@hicc.com (c) +91 9246800375 Hyderabad International Convention Centre Hyderabad, India

LAVASA BUILDING GREENER CITIES In an effort to support eco tourism and improve the quality of life of those working in the valley of Lavasa, the Lavasa Corporation Ltd have initiated various programs in the fields of environmental sustainability, health and safety, educational facilities, and more.

the Biomimicry Guild (USA), and hydro seeding, apart from celebrating and recognising international events like the World Environment Day, Wildlife Week, Tree Plantations and other contribute to the growing ecological responsibilities shouldered at Lavasa.

In its initial stage of development at village Dasve, facilities like primary health centres, periodic health check up camps providing free medicines, 24 hrs ambulance services have already begun. Construction of new schools for higher education and practices of enhancing the teaching methodologies are being implemented. Schemes like ‘Nisarg Shala’ (School for Natural Resource Management), the science of Biomimicry is used at Lavasa where learning from nature are integrated in the Lavasa development in association with

At Lavasa International Convention Centre (LICC) certain advantages such as carbon emission control through travel from meeting venue to place of stay have a positive effect.

Encouraging leisure activities such as Nature trail, visit to ‘Bamboosa’ (a bamboo souvenir shop) are exclusive to this destination and the delegates, says Mr. Rohit Ahuja, General Manager - LICC. Managed by Accor Hospitality, and owned by Dasve Convention Centre Ltd, the centre is

Lavasa International Convention Centre

an ideal venue to host meetings, conventions, congresses, launches, seminars, weddings and other events for 20 - 1,500 guests.

CONTACT Rohit Ahuja General Manager Lavasa International Convention Centre rohit.ahuja@lavasa.com (c) 096650 28374

HEADQUARTERS 45

11-09- 2010 44° 03’ 02.47 N 12° 34’ 01.06 E

New coordinates for success.

www.riminipalacongressi.it member company of:

11 SEPTEMBER 2010

HQ > IAPCO

IAPCO IN HIGH-GEAR I’M PARTIAL TO CONGRESSES OF PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS ASSOCIATIONS, BUT I HAD NEVER BEFORE ATTENDED AN IAPCO ANNUAL MEETING AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY. SHAME ON ME. MY RACING EAGERLY OVER THERE IN MID-FEBRUARY ALSO HAD TO DO WITH THE DESTINATION AND THE VENUE: ATHENS - ONE OF MY FAVOURITE EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS (OF WHICH I KNOW TOO LITTLE) - AND THE GRANDE BRETAGNE HOTEL, A BEAUTY! REPORT MARCEL A.M. VISSERS

80 of the world’s PCO leaders in Athens February 2010 marked the 41st IAPCO Annual Meeting and General Assembly.

The programme read: ‘Annual gathering to discuss issues and answers to this tough economic period and to show that face-toface meetings are still very important in such times’. For my part, the face-to-face contacts with IAPCO members were of great importance, because over the years I had received a fair amount of criticism about some of the members. Furthermore, during discussions between IAPCO members and convention bureaus and centres, I often noticed a large division. My question was always: ‘Why do these parties quarrel so much?’ And why did so many people think that PCOs always behave like uncrowned princes and princesses.

Wrong self-image? Too little capacity for empathy? Too much work? Frustrations?

footing with the client, and speaks positively about the occupation instead of always defending itself so tiresomely. A PCO is a friendly person with an abundance of service and advice to provide. Among the members themselves, I observed a great sense of team-spirit and a relentless striving for professionalism.

Less complaint about why the profession still hasn’t been officially recognised, more showing what a PCO can mean for a client in economically difficult times.

Since the meetings industry can be seen as an engine for economic growth, the programme also included a wide range of topical subjects covering all aspects of event planning and organisation: procurement, long-term forecasting in Vision 2020, the position of the pharmaceutical companies within today’s market, and the collaboration between PCOs and convention bureaus. The

The old clothes have been cast off almost everywhere, and a fresh type of PCO is emerging: one that listens, thinks along with, puts itself on equal footing with the client WHAT DID I LEARN?

I think it was a combination of many factors.

But at the top of my list of reasons was: a total lack of PR. Negative behaviour always creates a negative image of the function as well. In Athens, I was able to experience personally that IAPCO has come a long way in this area: it is really picking up speed. The old clothes have been cast off almost everywhere, and a fresh type of PCO is emerging: one that listens, thinks along with, puts itself on equal

THE MEETINGS T IN INDUSTRY IS AN ECONOMIC ENGINE

The programme put a lot of emphasis on sustainability in the meetings industry, and all of the delegates had received an announcement about this, with practical tips for making the congress as ecologically-friendly as possible. I turned these tips into 10 ‘To Dos’ for myself and added up my points. My score was 4.5 out of 10 ... poor, in other words.

Conclusion: there’s a lot of talk about new values, but little is converted into practice.

delegates were also updated on the evolution of clients and its impact on today’s business.

Delegates could also participate in working groups and think tanks focusing on specialised topics.

I hope that the new president puts me on the list again next year!

More info: www.iapco2010.gr

HEADQUARTERS 47

Hosting the world’s great events Visit us on stand B280 at IMEX, Frankfurt to hear more

www.meetings.canada.travel

HQ > CANADA

WINNIPEG

Celebrating art, culture… and meetings

IMAGINE A CITY WHERE ARTS AND CULTURE ARE CELEBRATED ON EVERY CORNER, A CITY WHOSE MULTICULTURALISM SHINES BRIGHT, A CITY WITH AWARD-WINNING CULINARY CREATIONS FROM SOME OF THE BEST CHEFS IN CANADA AND HOME TO SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S MOST CELEBRATED FASHION AND JEWELLERY DESIGNERS. THAT’S WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - AND IT’S ALSO A GREAT PLACE TO MEET.

As one of the 2010 Culture Capitals of Canada, Winnipeg is a city where people truly can experience a wide array of world-class arts and culture on every corner every night of the week, from ballet to theatre to symphony and opera. Meanwhile, several galleries and museum offer stunning and provocative local and international exhibits.

Winnipeg will also be home to the much anticipated Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Opening in 2012, and located at The Forks, the site where Aboriginal tribes have gathered for thousands of years, it will be a beacon for Canadians and for people around the world to explore human rights and to promote dialogue, understanding, and respect.

WHERE TO MEET As for meetings, Winnipeg Convention Centre,

is also an ideal location for more intimate social and business gatherings.

Winnipeg’s universities and colleges also offer the perfect setting for a variety of sized meetings and conferences. From western Canada’s oldest university, the University of

along with its many other amenities, is the place to be: it offers over 15,000 m2 of meeting space, for up to 7,200 people! This ‘Go Green’ certified facility combines state-of-theart meetings technology with a wide array of distinct meeting rooms to offer meeting planners unparalleled service and flexibility. Two conference hotels also deserve some pointing out: Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre for groups of up to 1,950 and Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre, which can accommodate up to 1,000 delegates.

Winnipeg’s festivals are a true reflection of the diversity, heritage and character of the community who have nurtured and encouraged the city’s creative environment

The city’s first class, state-of-the-art multipurpose sports and entertainment facility, MTS Centre is located in the heart of downtown and, as a three-concourse facility, it provides configurations for international conventions, trade shows and large-scale sports and entertainment spectacles but

Manitoba, to the hip and urban location of University of Winnipeg, to the park-like setting of the Canadian Mennonite University, you’re likely to find the perfect university venue that will suit your needs best.

HEADQUARTERS 49

> CANADA

Winnipeg Convention Centre

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Top reasons to choose Winnipeg as a meetings destination + Winnipeg is the diversity capital of Canada.

Its architecture, people, cuisine, languages spoken, festivals, special events, cultural offerings and facilities are some of the most unique and interesting in the country. + Winnipeg is one of the most affordable cities in Canada. Accommodation choices range from modern web-enabled high-tech marvels to cozy bed and breakfast homes to familiar modern regional and international brands. + Winnipeg is at the geographic centre of the continent. And once in Winnipeg, you are only 15 minutes from anywhere you want to be. + Unique venues such as Fort Gibraltar - a full sized wooden replica of a frontier fort, or a stunning historical jewel - the 1911 newly refurbished CIBC Bank building. Use a museum gallery as a reception facility or let one of our two ultra modern casinos host your group. + Winnipeg is a destination with four distinct seasons. This brings a variety of options to your group. + Winnipeg is home to a world-class arts community. Ballet, theatre, visual arts, opera, contemporary dance, jazz, pop, blues, symphonic music : you name them, they have them! + Unique culinary experiences: Winnipeg chefs blend influences from around the world, then add in local specialties. + A creative and approachable Team Winnipeg is standing by to assist your group with all the details and the perfect itinerary that will make certain that your group’s objectives are met in a relaxed and stimulating environment. + Winnipeg has an outstanding reputation as a location for national and international conventions. The city has played host to the Robert Burns World Federation Limited, the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers and theInvestors Group Apex Summit to name just a few.

HEADQUARTERS 50

And if you want something your delegates will remember for years to come, you can try the many off-site venues that Winnipeg boasts. From Fort Gibraltar, a replica of a historic trading fort, to the rooftop of the Winnipeg Art Gallery to the Royal Canadian Mint, some of the city’s facilities are as unique as your needs. Many of the venues are a testament to the history of the settlement of Winnipeg and all are a reflection of prairie hospitality.

As for accommodation, what Winnipeg has to offer is great, with over 6,200 hotel rooms citywide, 2,600 located downtown. Establishments throughout the city deliver superior meeting service, whether grand or intimate, one event or many. You’ll rest assured knowing that you’re receiving the best of Winnipeg’s hospitality when you tap into our strong sales and marketing partnerships, whether through Team Winnipeg or Winnipeg Options West.

WHEN FESTIVAL MEETS NATURE Winnipeg’s festivals are a true reflection of the diversity, heritage and character of the community who have nurtured and encouraged the city’s creative environment. With over 140 festival-days a year, every season is a reason to get out and celebrate. Among the many others of course let’s mention the internationally celebrated Doors Open, the highly regarded Jazz Winnipeg Festival and some of Canada’s oldest, most respected and longest-running festivals, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival and Folklorama.

Getting up close and personal with nature is also possible in Winnipeg and that’s just great for pre- or post-conference tours. Naturally beautiful and just outside Winnipeg, Oak

Hammock Marsh and FortWhyte Alive offer breathtaking scenic views of untouched Prairie landscape. For an experience of a lifetime and if you’re willing to fly out, you can visit Churchill for an unforgettable polar bear or beluga whale excursion. From thousands of fresh water lakes to sandy beaches to lush urban parks to over 30 golf courses located within city limits, the great outdoors simply abounds in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg is a city where people truly can experience a wide array of world-class arts and culture on every corner. The world-renowned Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Le Cercle Molière - the longest running theatre company in North America, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Manitoba Theatre Centre - Canada’s oldest regional theatre, and Prairie Theatre Exchange are some of the many arts organizations in the city.

CONTACT + In Canada: Susan Frei, Director Canadian Tourism Commission Tel +1 703 825 1134 Frei.Susan@ctc-cct.ca www.meetings.canada.travel + In Europe: Roger Bradley, Axis Travel Marketing Ltd Tel +44 (0) 208 686 2300 roger@axistravelmarketing.com More information www.destinationwinnipeg.ca

Only in Scotland will your conference be truly inspiring.

Scotland provides a stimulating environment to give new perspective to your own ideas and spur you on to greater heights. Some of the world’s oldest universities and modern research institutes nurture fresh talent to follow in the famous footsteps of alumni, who have changed the world as we know it.

Given Scotland’s reputation as a leading light in the fields of science, medicine, finance, energy and technology, it’s no surprise we have conference facilities to match. And it’s never been easier to get here.

So to find out more about hosting an event in Scotland, log onto conventionscotland.com Or perhaps that should be unconventional Scotland.

Only in Scotland

Hi-tech conference centres in stimulating surroundings.

You can’t help but be inventive.

Impressive service quality, state-of-the-art technologies, amazing compact facilities, remarkable eco-friendly solutions, reduced operational costs, all this gathered in one idyllic spot…

Why would anyone choose the Grimaldi Forum Monaco after all?

Challenging your imagination C

®

10 years

For more than ten years the most prestigious companies in the world have relied on our extraordinary resources: 3 auditoriums (1800, 800, 400 seats), 22 conference rooms, 10 000m² of exhibition space and 3 restaurants. Only a short walk from the hotels and less than 20mins from Nice international airport (with nearly 90 direct-flight connections), the Grimaldi Forum Monaco is the optimal solution tailored to your needs that will surprise you with its excellent value for money. Our commitment: to constantly reinvent ways to contribute to the success of your business events ! www.grimaldiforum.mc

HQ

> AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIA

ROARS AS LIONS HEAD DOWN UNDER

AUSTRALIA’S REPUTATION FOR HOSTING INNOVATIVE, WORLD-CLASS BUSINESS EVENTS HELPED SYDNEY TO WIN THE MASSIVE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL

still hot off the back of the Olympics. A lot of them had seen the footage of the Olympics and decided that this was a place that they wanted to visit so this was an excuse to come, particularly for the Americans.’

CONVENTION TO BE HELD THIS YEAR.

The five-day business meeting, which opens on June 28, will attract between 15,000 and 17,000 delegates, plus guests. The chair of the 2010 Host Lions Convention Committee, Barry Palmer, says Sydney won the event in 2003 - only the second time in 93 years the convention has been held in the southern hemisphere - after a long and complicated bidding process. Its status as an aspirational destination helped give it an edge over competing destinations.

‘We had an advantage in that many people have always wanted to go to Sydney and now is an opportunity to do it,’ Mr Palmer says. ‘We did this in 2003 and Sydney was

There has been a seven-year event lead-up with a team of 20 working with Mr Palmer to arrange details such as transfers, meeting spaces, airport coordination and security, assisted by 800 volunteers.

A further 10 or so work full-time in the Lions

and Business Events Sydney are expanding the delegate boosting program in order to maximise the number of domestic delegates attending the event.

Several months prior to the event, organisers already had received bookings from 11,000 delegates representing nearly 150 countries.

Mr Palmer expects up to 17,000 delegates will attend, injecting an estimated $50 million into Sydney’s economy.

Australians are setting the agenda for best practice across various fields of endeavour and that extends to our ability to offer world-class business events International convention office in Chicago.

There has been extensive support from industry partners, including Business Events Sydney and Tourism Australia. As part of a $1 million stimulus package to stimulate domestic business travel, Tourism Australia

‘Australian expertise and business leaders are world renowned and that attracts other thinkers and business leaders from around the world,’ says the Chief Operating Officer of Business Events Sydney, Ms Lyn LewisSmith. ‘And we have a reputation for deliver-

HEADQUARTERS 53

> AUSTRALIA An independent audit of Australia’s corporate social responsibility credentials also found the nation was deeply committed to sustainability and is leading the world in its efforts to achieve it.

ing world-class events; we’ve had every world-class event bar the FIFA World Cup, which we’re now bidding for.’

Australia is similarly well known for its world-class convention facilities, another draw card for the Lions. Delegates will stay in 36 Sydney hotels, which have been booked out for the week, most within a 10-minute walk of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sydney Entertainment Centre and the Darling Harbour precinct, which will become the Lions Club International Village.

‘Australians are setting the agenda for best practice across various fields of endeavour and that extends to our ability to offer worldclass business events,’ says Tourism Australia’s Head of Business Events Australia, Ms Joyce DiMascio. ‘We celebrate originality and thrive on innovation and uniqueness and our business events are no exception. We also offer a wealth of incredible locations, venues and facilities for business events.’

A recent investment of $8.1 billion in infrastructure, including new hotels and convention centres, adds to a wealth of resources.

Ms Lewis-Smith says many events are drawn to Sydney by its capacity to inspire fresh thinking: ‘It’s the personality of Australia.

We’re a dynamic can-do country. Geographic isolation makes us work harder - we don’t have the accessibility of Europe and with globalisation we are innovators in connecting the world because we’ve had to.

The world hasn’t always come to us.’

Organisations also find that Australia’s aspirational appeal leads to high attendance, with many delegates choosing to extend their stay to take advantage of the huge range of leisure offerings in pre or post-event tours. For example, 440 people from the French delegation attending the 2010 Lions Clubs International Convention have extended their stay to spend a week visiting Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and central Australia.

Over the next few years, tens of thousands of delegates will visit Australia to attend association meetings and conferences. As well as the Lions, service clubs including Rotaract and Rotary are planning their annual conferences in Australia. 700 delegates will attend the Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference in Sydney in December 2010, while a whopping 22,000 people will be in Sydney in mid 2014 for the 105th Rotary International Convention.

For more information: www.businessevents.australia.com

RECENT EVENTS International Forum of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, 300 delegates, Sydney, 1-5 November, 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions 2009 (PWR), 10,000 delegates, Melbourne, 8-14 December, 2009

COMING EVENTS Golden Oldies Rugby Festival, 6,000 delegates, Sydney, 26 September to 3 October, 2010 United Nations (UN) 63rd Annual Department of Public Information Non-Governmental Organisation Conference (DPI/NGO), 1,200 delegates, Melbourne, 20 August to 1 September 2010 Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference, 700 delegates, Sydney, 2-5 December, 2010.

Amway China incentive event, 17,000 delegates, Sydney, 2011.

105th Rotary International Convention, 22,000 delegates, Sydney, 27 May 2014 to 5 June 2014

HEADQUARTERS 54

CASE

STUDY

Lions Clubs International Convention Sydney 2010 Since 1917, Lions from across the globe have gathered annually at the international convention, an event that has become synonymous with the excitement of visiting new places and experiencing new cultures. Lions also learn about other club and district projects, participate in the parade and elections, attend seminars and make personal connections with international leaders.

The 2010 Lions Clubs International Convention is hosted by Sydney from 28 June to 2 July. Highlights will include a ‘welcome to country’ from Sydney’s traditional Indigenous owners, including an Aboriginal smoking ceremony. Macquarie Street, in the CBD, will be closed for a day to host the spectacular Lions Club International Parade of Nations during which all delegates march through the city accompanied by floats and bands.

There will be three plenary sessions - which will fill Sydney Entertainment Centre to its 12,500 capacity motivational guest speakers and workshops, and an entertainment spectacular showcasing Australian culture.

But it’s not just the convention. From 20 to 24 June, Sydney will host 130 delegates, their partners and several translators (Lions speak 11 official languages) for the meeting of the Lions Clubs International Board of Directors. Then from June 24 to 27, Sydney will host 1,500 Lions delegates at a ‘mini convention’, a training session for district governors from 750 Lions Clubs districts around the world.

One of Australia’s oldest, largest and most beautiful cities, Sydney is surrounded by one of the most spectacular harbours in the world and a coastline sprinkled with 70 golden sand beaches. Delegates will have a chance to visit the city’s landmarks including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, or enjoy the cosmopolitan lifestyle, from fine dining on the harbour’s edge, bush walks to secluded bays and breathtaking views, sailing on the harbour, weekend markets in the historic Rocks precinct, or taking in a show at the Opera House.

TAK E YOU R THI NKI NG TO A WHOLE NEW PLACE. 4HERE´S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT !USTRALIA THAT CHANGES THE WAY YOU THINK !T ½RST GLANCE YOU MIGHT THINK IT´S THE STUNNING NATURAL SETTINGS LIKE 3YDNEY (ARBOUR OR ITS UNIQUE MEETING LOCATIONS "UT ORGANISE AN EVENT HERE AND YOU´LL SOON DISCOVER IT´S SOMETHING FAR DEEPER ! RICH HISTORY OF CULTURAL FREEDOM AND INNOVATION HAS HELPED !USTRALIANS THINK DIFFERENTLY FOR OVER YEARS -ORE RECENTLY OUR FRESH AND IMAGINATIVE APPROACH HAS ENSURED THE SUCCESS OF WORLD CLASS CORPORATE AND ASSOCIATION MEETINGS REWARDING INCENTIVES AND UNRIVALLED GLOBAL EVENTS 3O IF YOU´RE AFTER AN EVENT THAT WILL INSPIRE NEW IDEAS DELIVER REAL BUSINESS RESULTS AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT LOOK NO FURTHER THAN !USTRALIA 4O GET YOUR CLIENTS THINKING DIFFERENTLY VISIT BUSINESSEVENTS AUSTRALIA COM

Holland, surrprrissingly refrresshing!

Holland is an exciting destination offering a broad range of arts and culture.

Visit us at: www.holland.com/meetings

Recycling?

A Frressh Dutch View on dessign Dutch designer Maarten Baas is an international success. He earned renown for ‘smoking’ some of the most valued pieces of furniture in history, such as this famous Red and Blue chair by Dutch design icon Gerrit Rietveld.

Studio Maarten Baas | Smoke | 2002 ~ www.maartenbaas.com