HQ39 by Meeting Media Company BVBA

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

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 June 2010 - P3A9029

SEOUL A WELL-DESIGNED INVITATION

ESAE & UIA DESIGNING YOUR EVENT IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY

TA KE YO UR THI NK ING TO A WHOLE NEW PLACE. There’s just something about Australia that changes the way you think. At ﬁrst glance you might think it’s the stunning natural settings like the Twelve Apostles or its unique meeting locations. But organise an event here and you’ll soon discover it’s something far deeper. A rich history of cultural freedom and innovation has helped Australians think differently for over 40,000 years. More recently, our fresh and imaginative approach has ensured the success of world-class corporate and association meetings, rewarding incentives and unrivalled global events. So if you’re after an event that will inspire new ideas, deliver real business results and return on investment, look no further than Australia. To get your clients thinking differently visit businessevents.australia.com

> M A R C E L’ S PA G E

A MEETING ROOM WITH BLUE GYM BALLS An original meeting concept is always nice to be dealt with. How many times have I noticed that congresses and events in general remain very traditional: ex cathedra presentations and lectures in dull conference rooms. No innovation, no initiative, no creativity - these are the most often heard comments after the event is done with. MARCEL A.M. VISSERS Editor in Chief

A congress centre should definitely stimulate organisers to experiment with new and efficient kinds of meetings. And vice versa, organisers should push congress centres to find new, creative uses for their meeting spaces. We’re talking about more than just changing some chairs and tables. Messages should be communicated efficiently and stick around longer in the minds of the attendees. Even better would be that the ultimate objective is accomplished: organising meetings that stimulate people to change their modus operandi - translating what they have learned into practice.

I often muse philosophically about these things with Luc Hendrickx of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). He’s an approachable man about this subject. I was very happy when he sent me a picture of blue gymnastic balls: a meeting experiment should definitely during the IDF congress in Montréal last year.

A congress centre stimulate organisers to experiment with new and efficient kinds of meetings. And vice versa, organisers should push congress centres to find new, creative uses for their meeting spaces

IDF congresses are often introduced with the following statement: ‘The best congress experience will be offered to participants through the creation of innovative and interactive sessions. The overall programme consists of debates, meet-theexpert sessions, open forum, speakers’ corner, symposia, teaching lectures, workshops, oral presentations, poster discussions and poster presentations.’ I even read something about the Socratic method. Ever heard of it? I have often said that meeting people should, from time to time, attend the congress of an association outside their usual circle. That can be truly inspiring. Luc Hendrickx wrote more about it in a text called ‘The End of Conventional Lectures’ that we have published on page 27.

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

> MEETINGS FOREST

Best-known for its remarkable migration upstream back to its river of birth, the Atlantic salmon is a vital link between aquatic and forest ecosystems

THE MEETINGS FOREST KEEPS GROWING Trees, birds, plants and missing species

THE RECENTLY PLANTED TREES IN THE MEETINGS FOREST IN SCOTLAND ARE ENJOYING THEIR FIRST RAYS OF SUN AND HAVE STARTED THEIR GROWTH. AS JANE BEATON, MARKETING MANAGER AT TREES FOR LIFE, SAID: ‘JUNIPER TREES, LIKE THE ONES WE PLANTED LAST MONTH, NEED AT LEAST TWENTY YEARS TO FULLY MATURE.’ A FOREST NEEDS TIME TO GROW. THAT’S ANOTHER ASPECT OF OUR RETURN TO NATURE: EVERYTHING NEEDS ITS TIME. HOWEVER, A FOREST WITHOUT INHABITANTS IS JUST A CLUMP OF TREES. LET’S FIND OUT WHO THOSE INHABITANTS ARE. TEXT MARCEL A.M. VISSERS

GIVE BACK WHAT MAN TOOK When we actually went to our Meetings Forest last March, we got an introduction to what forests are really about, what it takes to make one and their importance for the earth. Man has destroyed a lot of things by his exploitation of trees and the hunting of animals. Our Meetings Forest should in time become a real forest with all the aspects that it implies, meaning trees, birds, plants, insects, flowers and even missing species. Jane Beaton states: ‘Trees for Life is compiling species profiles for all the flora and fauna which together constitute the Caledonian Forest ecosystem. We include both species which currently live there and extinct species which naturally belong in the Caledonian Forest and whose reintroduction in due course we advocate.’

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The Caledonian Forest ecosystem, which the Meetings Forest is a part of, includes the following trees: + Alder (common or black) + Aspen + Birch (silver birch and downy birch) + Dwarf birch + Eared willow + Hazel + Holly + Juniper + Oak

MISSING SPECIES OF THE CALEDONIAN FOREST In the Caledonian forest, the following species have all been lost, due to human exploitation and habitat destruction. With 99% of the original forest having been destroyed, undoubtedly there are other less obvious

species (e.g. of plants, insects, fungi, etc.) that have also disappeared, but there are no records to confirm this. Jane Beaton continues: ‘Trees for Life advocates the reintroduction of all these missing species in due course, as they each play an essential role in the ecosystem, and there will never be a healthy self-sustaining forest in the Highlands until all the constituent species, especially the large mammals, are back again.’ This includes: + European beaver (Castor fiber) + Wild boar (Sus scrofa) + Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) + Elk or moose (Alces alces) + Brown bear (Ursus arctos) + Wolf (Canis lupus) + Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) + Aurochs or wild ox (Bos primigenius)

To make donations or to plant a tree or to participate in the programme ‘Species Meetings Forest Profiles’ visit www.treesforlife.org.uk/ groves/meeting_media_company.html Founding Partners: HeadQuarters • MIM • Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre • Trees for Life

> CONTENTS

CONTENTS

COLOPHON 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

Cover HQ39: Not only is Seoul imbued with an ever-growing meetings infrastructure, it is also an attractive, vibrant capital, futuristic in design and rich in flavor.

MARCEL’S PAGE

MEETINGS FOREST

CONTENTS

NEWS

ASSOCIATION PORTRAIT: EURORDIS

COVER FEATURE SEOUL

ESAE & UIA SECTION

Editor in Chief Marcel A.M.Vissers T: +32 (0)3 226 88 81 marcel@headquartersmagazine.com

ESAE: INTERACTIVE BY DESIGN

UIA: FROM DESIGNING MEETING PLACES TO

Managing Director Cécile Caiati-Koch T: +32 (0)2 761 70 52 cecile@headquartersmagazine.com

DESIGNING EXPERIENCES & EVENTS

Editorial Officer Rémi Dévé T: +32 (0)2 761 70 54 remi@headquartersmagazine.com

DESTINATIONS BRISBANE

Editor Igor Hendrickx

DUBLIN

Design UPSILON advertising, Gent T: +32 (0)9 267 39 40 info@upsilonadvertising.be

GENEVA

ONTARIO

Print Cartim - Destelbergen Supported by ESAE and UIA 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 Responsible Publisher Meeting Media Company Marcel A.M. Vissers Mechelseplein 23, bus 1 B - 2000 Antwerpen (Belgium)

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> HEADQUARTERS NEWS

Ayers Rock, Australia

AUSTRALIAN ASSAULT ON GLOBAL ASSOCIATIONS EVENT MARKET The Australian Government and key players in the business events sector have appointed Julie Sheather to head the new joint industrygovernment initiative to increase the number and size of international association conventions being held in Australia. Ms Sheather is to lead the delivery of the targeted associations strategy following its launch in April by Tourism Australia, The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux Inc (AACB) and major convention centres across the country. www.businessevents.australia.com

MATTHIAS SCHULTZE NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR OF GERMAN CONVENTION BUREAU Matthias Schultze started office as new Managing Director of the GCB German Convention Bureau last May. He previously Matthias Schultze served as Managing Director of the World Conference Center Bonn, consisting of the former plenary chamber of the German parliament and the waterworks. Matthias Schultze is also Vice President of the European Association of Event Centres. He has a degree in business management and has held various national and international tenures in hotel and congress management, among others for Hilton International. www.germany-meetings.com

In a significant development for Al Ain, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) announced the commencement of construction of the Al Ain Convention Centre district. ‘Al Ain Convention Centre district is a pioneering and highly strategic initiative for Al Ain city and its people. This landmark project aims to create a vibrant business and lifestyle destination in Al Ain which will further boost the allure of the city by drawing the spotlight onto Al Ain’s tremendous potential,’ said H.E. Ali Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Managing Director of ADNEC. www.adnec.ae

Manchester has made AIM an integral part of their conference marketing activity; in 2011 Visit Manchester’s conference guide and new business tourism website will solely feature venues that are AIM accredited, demonstrating that Manchester is firmly committed to place quality at the heart of its offer to event planners. www.visitmanchester.com

VIPARIS LAUNCHES THE CARBON FOOTPRINT CALCULATOR ©Agence Sofiacome

ADNEC COMMENCES CONSTRUCTION OF AL AIN CONVENTION CENTRE DISTRICT

Cnit Paris La Défense

CONGREX BELGIUM LAUNCHED TO FINALIZE REBRANDING INITIATIVE Association Global Services (AGS), an experienced and well established association management company, has announced their official rebranding to Congrex Belgium from their office in Brussels. Acquired by Congrex in 2007, this announcement marks the final step in a three year transition period which has involved integrating their association management services across the Congrex company. It also coincides with the launch of the updated Congrex branding which has given the company an updated visual identity. www.congrex.com

Viparis gathers ten prestigious venues, all in the Paris and Ile de France region. The brand-new calculation tool they just launched simultaneously takes into account the type of event, the characteristics of the Viparis venue and the processes implemented by organizers throughout the event production cycle. The tool thus enables organizers to precisely identify the factors with greatest impact on the environment. Didactic, simple to use and allowing fast data entry, the calculator produces a list of key indicators and a table of recommendations. In addition to an assessment at a given time, it enables organizers to create a long-term action plan for the development of eco-responsible events. www.viparis.com

VISIT MANCHESTER COMMITS TO AIM SCHEME 2010 MEETINGS INDUSTRY FAIRS WORLDWIDE: MAKE YOUR CHOICE!

Manchester

Visit Manchester has become the latest UK conference destination to join the Meetings Industry Association and bring a minimum of 65 of its leading venues into membership and through the AIM accreditation scheme. This now brings the number of venues accredited under the VisitBritain endorsed scheme to 459. In a further move, Visit

CIBTM - Beijing // 31 August - 2 September 2010 // www.cibtm.com Access 2010 - Hofburg Vienna // 4-5 October 2010 // www.access-austria.at 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

» VISIT WWW.HEADQUARTERSMAGAZINE.COM FOR MORE NEWS

HEADQUARTERS 7

> ASSOCIATION PORTRAIT

EURORDIS

A conversation with Sharon Ashton, Event Manager EURORDIS IS A NON-GOVERNMENTAL PATIENT-DRIVEN ALLIANCE OF PATIENT ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS ACTIVE IN THE FIELD OF RARE DISEASES, DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF ALL PEOPLE LIVING WITH RARE DISEASES IN EUROPE. SHARON ASHTON, EVENT MANAGER, EXPLAINS WHAT THE ASSOCIATION IS ABOUT, HOW EVENTS ARE ORGANIZED… AND HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.

HQ: Could you briefly present EURORDIS? Sharon Ashton: Created in 1997, EURORDIS is today a leading Health International Non Governmental Organisation (INGO) and recognised as the largest European Rare Disease Patient Organisation. In 2010, EURORDIS has 425 members in over 40 countries, 120 volunteers, 20 staff in Paris and Brussels and a budget of 3 million €. It receives steadily growing, well-balanced revenues both from the public sector (European Commission, national authorities) and the private sector (patient groups membership fees and grants, corporate sponsorship, foundation grants, event fees).

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Sharon Ashton

EURORDIS has, among other achievements, contributed to the adoption of the EU Regulation on Orphan Medicinal Products in 1999, the designation of more than 500 orphan drugs, in particular by participating in the Committee on Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP), the contribution to the adoption of the EU Regulation on Paediatric Drugs in 2006 and to the adoption of the EU Regulation on Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products in 2007. EURORDIS promotes rare diseases as: + an EU public health policy priority + an EU Research Framework Programme priority + a national priority

2007 EURORDIS Annual Membership Meeting, Paris

HQ: What kind of challenges has the association overcome in recent years? Sharon Ashton: With an exponential growth in terms of budget, membership, staff and number of projects, we have had to adapt to a fast changing environment. The organization of the European Conference on Rare Diseases (ECRD) started out as a small project and thus a small share of our overall activity. It is now one of our major projects which continue to grow in size and importance. HQ: What kind of events do you organize? Sharon Ashton: EURORDIS organizes the biennial European Conference on Rare

> ASSOCIATION PORTRAIT

2007 European Conference on Rare Diseases, Lisbon

Diseases (ECRD) - (Copenhagen 2001, Paris 2003, Luxembourg 2005, Lisbon 2007, and Krakow 2010). This three-day European policy conference gathers over 500 participants from over 40 countries representing all stakeholders from the rare disease community (patient groups, health care professionals, scientists, policy makers, industry, media). Every other year, the EURORDIS Membership Meeting takes place (Venice 2005, Berlin 2006, Paris 2007, Copenhagen 2008, Athens 2009). This three-day event gathers about 250 participants. Its main objective is to raise awareness and build capacities of its members, in priority areas.

HQ: The first European conference dates back from 2001. How has it evolved/ developed since the first edition? Sharon Ashton: We’ve come a long way since our first European Conference which gathered 220 participants in 2001 in Copenhagen. Each of the three last conferences: ECRD 2003 in Paris, ECRD 2005 in Luxembourg and ECRD 2007 in Lisbon, gathered 220, 541 and 300 participants respectively. The Lisbon conference attracted participants from 35 different countries. This year we are expecting a record-high attendance of 600 in Krakow, Poland. ECRD has become bigger and more complex over the years. In Krakow there will be 25 different sessions covering 8 themes, involving over 100 speakers and chairpersons. The number of languages available for interpretation has also increased. In Krakow, we are providing interpretation for selected sessions in up to 5 languages (English, Polish, German, Spanish and French). HQ: What is the association’s decision process concerning the organization of a conference? How do you decide where to go? Sharon Ashton: In the beginning, the locations corresponded to the country in which the Euro-

downtown conference facilities with hotels located within walking distance. It could also be a hotel with its own integrated conference centre. Wheelchair access is an important requirement. We have also held our conferences in universities and private foundations that offer more affordable alternatives.

HQ: Do you work with a PCO or a DMC? Why? What do you expect of them? Sharon Ashton: For our European Conference we work with a PCO on whom we count to provide us with expert local knowledge on dinner venues for the social events and that also handle our hotel selection and reservations and conference registrations. We manage everything in-house for our other events. HQ: How would you summarize new trends in the association congress world? Sharon Ashton: As people’s time is more and more in demand, it is important to choose the date carefully and optimise the time spent on-site. A good example is our European Conference (ECRD) where the first day is always dedicated to satellite meetings. The EURORDIS General Assembly takes place on this day, avoiding the need for us to

It is important to be more and more inventive and creative when searching for venues, we frequently venture off the beaten track and approach more unique places with reduced room rental fees and more flexibility

Smaller regular events include the annual EURORDIS Summer School, which is a one week event for 40-60 participants in Barcelona. A one day workshop of the EURORDIS Round Table of Companies is held every six months in Barcelona and Brussels, gathering between 60 and 90 participants.

pean Union presided. Once the conference had picked up enough momentum and was able to stand alone, it was decided that we would select the countries according to the conference theme, the current political arena and the developing member countries. Easy accessibility to all member countries is an important criteria in the decision-making process.

EURORDIS will launch a new, annual, highlevel public relations Gala Dinner event, to be inaugurated in Brussels in December 2011.

HQ: What kind of venues do you need and what criteria must they satisfy? Sharon Ashton: We select easily accessible,

organize 2 major events in the years when our European Conference takes place. We encourage our member patient organizations to organize their annual satellite meetings on the first day of our conference. It is also important to be more and more inventive and creative when searching for venues, we frequently venture off the beaten track and approach more unique places with reduced room rental fees and more flexibility.

www.eurordis.org

HEADQUARTERS 9

HQ > SEOUL

SEOUL DESIGNING THE FUTURE 2010 IS A TRULY A LANDMARK YEAR FOR SEOUL, A YEAR WHERE THE CITY IS BROUGHT TO THE WORLD, AND THE WORLD TO SEOUL, IN A PACKED CALENDAR FULL OF EVENTS DESTINED TO MAKE THE ANCIENT YET MODERN METROPOLIS SHINE LIKE A BEACON AS A TOP DESTINATION FOR THE MEETINGS INDUSTRY. IT IS ALSO A YEAR IN WHICH SEOUL WELCOMES THE WORLD AS THE INAUGURAL CITY OF THE ‘VISIT KOREA 2010-2012’ CAMPAIGN, UNDER THE THEMES OF ‘DESIGN, KOREAN CUISINE AND GREEN TOURISM.’

In a history that spans over two thousand years, the nation’s capital has produced architecture combining the best of its neighboring influences and locally-produced ingenuity. Its people have forged a culture adorned with vibrant color and unique invention. Now Seoul is celebrating its design achievements past and present as ‘World Design Capital’ 2010. Today, it is a modern, forward-thinking metropolis, and this celebration is very much focused upon those cutting-edge triumphs. With a series of events and activities set to commemorate this honor, it’s definitely a good time to join in and participate.

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Just as the city’s designs have evolved over the centuries, so too has its environment. Seoul is returning to its green roots in a series of urban developments that not only demonstrate the possibilities of environmental sustainability amidst an ever-growing population, but also regenerate the capital into a place both locals and international visitors will find desirable. Redevelopment successes already include the restoration and development of parklands along the Han River to the implementation of energysaving devices in the city’s top convention centres.

Verdant shades of green have always been a mainstay of Korean cuisine, which has a rich and varied texture, the product of an ancient culture’s long love affair with food. As the nation rises steadily above the global crowd to greater prominence and goes international, gourmands make the pilgrimage here specifically to delight their taste buds. All of which forms the rich and textured backdrop of the venue global industry professionals are increasingly looking upon as the destination for events. Not only is Seoul imbued with an ever-growing meetings infrastructure capable of hosting such prestigious gatherings as the 5th G-20 summit in November, it is also an attractive, vibrant capital, futuristic in design, green in intent, and rich in flavor. For an association conference, it may well be the place to be. Come and experience Seoul’s wealth and diversity: the time is now!

> SEOUL Mapo district offers rooms the same size as those found in central Seoul’s luxury Lotte Hotel, but at a third of the price.

Incheon International Airport

COEX

Located in Yeongdeung-po, the brand new Courtyard By Marriot Seoul is conveniently placed just 5 minutes by foot from both the financial district and subway, and is the closest hotel to the airport. The Courtyard by Marriot is equipped with the most modern furnishings, work desks, high-speed internet access and a gym, while nearby, visitors can enjoy a multitude of entertainment, shopping and dining facilities. The Shilla Hotel Seoul’s Grand Ballroom, the largest of its events halls, has been refurbished. Specializing in providing first-class events, the new incarnation of the Grand Ballroom is fully equipped with the latest technological advancement and can even be divided into three smaller rooms. The Shilla Seoul is also continuing its popular Business Meeting Package throughout 2010, with a discounted rate for Deluxe rooms, meeting rooms, catering, and audio-visual support.

SEOUL’S MEETINGS SERVICES SEOUL HAS RANKED 7TH OUT OF 10 TOP INTERNATIONAL MEETING CITIES WITH 125 CONFERENCES HELD IN 2008, ACCORDING TO THE UIA STATS. SEOUL IS ALSO THE NO. 2 INTERNATIONAL MEETING CITY IN ASIA, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST ICCA DATA RESEARCH. AS IT AIMS TO BECOME ONE OF THE ‘TOP 5 CONVENTION CITIES’ WORLDWIDE AND ALREADY HAS THE ‘WORLD’S BEST AIRPORT’, SEOUL BOASTS A HOST OF ASSETS FOR THE MOST DEMANDING ASSOCIATION PLANNERS.

modate almost a dozen different exhibitions at any time. With its 437, 221 m2, 51 conference rooms and 4 exhibition halls, 2 luxury hotels, a casino, and multiplex cinema and over 100 restaurants, it’s the ideal place for any large event. Seoul Trade Exhibition & Convention Center (SETEC) offers 34,600 square meters overall, with 15, 630 square meters of adjustable floor space for exhibitions and conventions, 4 meeting rooms and 3 exhibition halls. It is equipped with various subsidiary facilities which make it possible to diversify space utilization for different types of exhibitions, fairs, conferences and other types of events.

IN TERMS OF MEETINGS

IN TERMS OF ACCOMMODATION

The newly renamed COEX (COnvention EXhibition) Center is an expanding complex of exhibition halls for large conventions and trade shows. Located next to the Korea World Trade Center, the main hall can accom-

Prominent hotel chain Lotte opened Lotte Hotel City Mapo, making Lotte the first Korean 5-star chain to open a low-budget facility, promising premium service at business rates. The 8-story hotel in northwestern

IN TERMS OF TRANSPORT Subway travel in Seoul became a lot easier with the opening of Line 9, greatly reducing the need for transfers and connecting key locations across the city. Running east through Gimpo Airport, Line 9 runs along the South Bank of the Han River and includes key destinations, such as Yeouido, Olympic Park, and COEX, with 12 more destinations planned - among them, a transfer to the AREX line.

Seoul is the no 2 international meeting city in Asia, according to the latest ICCA data research The AREX line provides high-speed commuter trains between Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport, reducing travel times for anyone traveling on to further destinations across the peninsula. A further link, currently under development, extending to Seoul Station will provide the fastest means of transport between Incheon Airport and the city center.

HEADQUARTERS 11

> SEOUL

Samsung Art Museum Leeum

SEOUL 2010: A WELL-DESIGNED INVITATION THE SEOUL OF 2010 IS A STUDY IN HIGH ACHIEVEMENT. IT BOASTS REVOLUTIONARY DESIGNS IN ARCHITECTURE, FASHION AND HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES OF INTERNATIONAL REPUTE. ITS REGENERATION INTO A GREEN URBAN LANDSCAPE IS ATTRACTING UNIVERSAL ATTENTION. FINALLY, IT IS THE GATEWAY TO KOREAN CUISINE - THE HEALTH AND TASTE BENEFITS OF WHICH ARE THE TALK OF THE WORLD’S TOP CHEFS. IT IS FITTING THEN THAT THIS CITY CELEBRATES ITS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2010 BY OPENING ITS DOORS TO THE WORLD, SINCE IT IS THE WORLD THAT NOW RECOGNIZES IT AS A PRIME VENUE FOR MEETINGS AND GENERAL TOURISM.

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It was this recognition that saw the city appointed ‘World Design Capital’ 2010, while being given the task of hosting the 5th G-20 Summit. Abroad, the New York Times placed Seoul third on its list of “31 Places to go in 2010”. It outperforms in regional industry exhibitions, recently winning the Best New Exhibitor Award at AIME 2010, while drawing unprecedented attention at GIBTM 2010 and IT&CM 2010.

In addition, Seoul will host the inaugural T-20 Tourism Ministers Meeting - a convening of tourism ministers from the Group of 20 member nations, ahead of the November G-20 summit. The meeting was set up in order to develop tourism with the aim of boosting global economic development.

2010 is also the year Seoul spearheads the ‘Visit Korea’ campaign, with a wealth of ancient and modern triumphs to appeal to the general and business tourist.

The largest tourism campaign the nation has seen in over a decade, ‘Visit Korea 2010-2012’ kicks off in Seoul, which is promoting and introducing Korea’s culture and environment to the world under the theme of ‘design, green tourism and Korean cuisine’. A multitude of events will take place throughout the year to celebrate these themes, including the Seoul Design Fair and Seoul Gourmet 2010. Visitors can also enjoy the city’s regular events including the Lotus Lantern Festival, which celebrates Buddha’s birthday, and traditional Korean entertainment.

KEY MEETINGS Seoul will host the 5th G-20 summit in November - the largest international event the city has seen in its history, and one it is entirely confident it will be able to host successfully. The G-20 will bring together the world’s top heads of state and senior financial officials, who will hold talks on global financial security for both the developed and developing worlds. The nation’s capital was deemed best able to conduct the event, due to its abundant convention and accommodation facilities and world-class security and transport infrastructure.

VISIT KOREA CAMPAIGN - SEOUL 2010

A GREEN CITY The city of Seoul is currently undergoing a transformation into an environmentallysustainable metropolis, making it a pleasant

> SEOUL FOCUS

Key objectives of the G-20 Summit Global financial security will be the primary focus of the event. President Lee Myung-bak pledged that the key objective would be a reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and worldwide financial markets - building a global financial safety net to help developing economies deal with drastic fluctuations in the flow of international capital.

N Tower

place to live as well as an attractive destination for tourists. Seen as a fundamental goal in attracting tourism, the Han River Renaissance Project aims to restore the natural world to Seoul’s waterways. By providing an attractive, organic environment to riversides wherever they may be found

Project, successfully unveiled in 2005. The Cheonggyecheon, a 5.8km stream that bifurcates the city from the central business district all the way down to the Han River, was concreted over and turned into a shopping strip in the postwar economic boom of the 1960s. In a bid to restore the city’s ancient environmental roots, the stream was uncovered and restored

Korean officials are expecting the meeting to produce a series of policy recommendations toward fostering sustainable international economic growth. Lee said that the bringing together of developed countries with their developed counterparts is seen as a primary aim if the world is to effectively combat the global recession. He believes that Korea’s experience as an emerging developed nation gives it the knowledge and expertise vital to both improving the infrastructure of developing nations and helping them recover from the current financial crisis. It is also hoped that the summit will help to boost free trade in Korea, emphasizing the government’s anti-protectionist stance.

the G-20 will take place in November

Seoul will host the 5th G-20 summit in November - the largest international event the city has seen in its history, and one it is entirely confident it will be able to host successfully in Seoul, the city not only continues its green aims, but creates a pleasing urban landscape visitors will want to see. Examples include upgrading the existing pathways along the Han River, as well as cleaning up its many islands for public use, with Seonyudo a recent successful achievement. These endeavors follow in the footsteps of the Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration

to its former glory, returning the natural world to the urban landscape. The stream features attractive murals, flora, waterfalls and aquatic life, with visitors able to traverse its length via new stone paths on either side. The city’s ongoing efforts to go green have attracted the attention of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, which now views Seoul as a case study in sustainable urban redevelopment that other cities may do well to follow.

HEADQUARTERS 13

> SEOUL

Samsung Art Museum Leeum

T R A D E FA I R

KOREA MICE EXPO 2010 Following the G-20 summit in November, Seoul will host the 2010 Korea MICE Expo - the most prestigious exhibition for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions in the country. Normally held in a different city every year, Seoul has been selected to host the industry event for the next 3 years, following its successful proposal that the city’s international brand value will build a global image for the Expo. By hosting the event over this period, the aim is to turn the expo into a major brand product for Seoul and Korea, with the goal of fostering the creation of further MICE cities across the peninsula. The Expo also aims to develop cooperation between local government and meetings-related industries, as well as discussing ways to achieve the city’s ultimate goal of becoming Asia’s no. 1 meetings venue. The city of Seoul also proposed the creation of the Seoul Green MICE forum, discussing ways to bring government and industry together in the drive to make the capital an environmentally-friendly city. Approximately 2,000 people are expected to attend, including 100 international buyers, with some 200 booths installed to represent various sectors of the industry.

HEADQUARTERS 14

Rainbow Bridge

WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL 2010 Seoul was selected as this year’s ‘World Design Capital’ by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid), a non-government organization aimed at recognizing and fostering the development of industrial design in participating nations, with over 165 members in more than 48 countries. The award recognizes the city’s design-led approach across all sectors of industry, from architecture to high-tech appliances produced by globally-recognized brands, with the aim of providing citizens with iconic yet sustainable, efficient designs that enhance the lives of citizens. A number of events will be held in celebration of the award throughout 2010, including the Seoul International Design Competition, seeking new creations under the year’s ‘Design For All’ theme until June

1st; the Youth Design Creative Camp, providing college design students and other new designers with the opportunity to workshop their creative ideas with industry professionals, starting May 5; the 3rd annual Seoul Design Fair, including conferences, exhibitions, competitions and festivals, from September 17-October 7; and the World Design Market 2010 from October 8-31.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Seoul Convention Bureau / Seoul Tourism Organization Katie Kim katie@seoulwelcome.com T. 82 2 3788 0853 www.miceseoul.com

> SEOUL

Cheonggyecheon Stream

Miso

WORLD-CLASS INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES IN ITS RELENTLESS DRIVE TO PROVIDE

FIND TIME FOR ENJOYMENT

WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES TO LOCAL

After a hard day’s work, you might be longing for little play. In this area, three things are worth pointing out. Cheongwadae Sarangchae, the newly-opened Korean presidential exhibition center, gives visitors a first-hand, hands-on experience of a presidential office. Also on display are a multitude of photographs showcasing a century of Korean history.

AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TOURISTS, THE SEOUL MEETINGS INDUSTRY IS CONTINUALLY STRIVING TO IMPROVE ITS INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE BOARD. BUT OF COURSE MEETINGS IN SEOUL ARE PART OF A BIGGER EXPERIENCE, IN WHICH YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO TAKE PART.

Seoul has recently launched the 120 Dasan Call Center, a free hotline for foreigners. By dialing ‘120’ from any phone, foreigners will be able to receive information on diverse topics, ranging from ordering take-out to public transport timetables and local weather conditions. The service can also be used via SMS, with operators able to text replies within a few minutes of the original request.

Miso, a Korean musical, combines every form of traditional Korean music, forming the tapestry behind a love story set during the Joseon Dynasty. Legend Of Flower, a traditional Korean theater piece and a blockbuster at the same time, tells the story of two lovers, Ara and Mir, who must contend with the evil Mamawang’s conspiracies. It combines theatrical performance with traditional Korean dances and rituals, as well as more modern forms, such as a b-boy dance.

Mobile users can now use the iTourSeoul application. iTourSeoul allows iPhone users instant access to a wealth of information to help them get around the city and find what they are looking for with greater ease. It takes advantage of the iPhone’s geo-coded functionality to deliver not only useful information about the area where the user is located but also practical citywide data, from maps to points of interest and key facilities.

The very best of Korean cuisine is to be showcased to the world at Seoul Gourmet 2010, a highly-anticipated food festival. Held in 2009 under the title ‘The Amazing Korean Table’, the event attracted professional and celebrity chefs from across the globe. Also present were a multitude of tourists and gourmands eager to sample the food that is garnering recognition across the world for its taste, variety and health benefits.

TECHNOLOGY WISE

One last thing worth mentioning is the fact that Seoul can be called a wired city: there are wireless hotspots in every district, Internet access is 4 times faster and half the price of the average US Broadband subscription, and Internet cafés with highly affordable rates are literally on every street corner. For congress delegates, that may be a dream come true!

Seoul can be called a wired city: there are wireless hotspots in every district, Internet access is 4 times faster and half the price of the average US Broadband subscription IN AND OUT OF THE CITY The KTX-II, Korea’s newest express train, offers four additional daily trips from Seoul Station to Busan and from Seoul’s Yongsan Station to the southwestern city of Gwangju. Like the original KTX express train, it runs at 300km/hour, and provides increased comfort with wider, completely rotatable seating, as well as state-of-the-art safety technology. The new trains will be fully equipped with DMB receivers, wireless internet, and snack cars, but ticket prices will not increase in spite of the upgrade.

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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HQ ASIA-PACIFIC - HAP PROFILE Distribution + HAP is an Asian-Pacific magazine + Circulation: 2,500 copies + 14 Asian-Pacific countries

5% 21% 74%

Readership The readers of HAP consists of 3 important groups: + the Asian-Pacific associations organising congresses in the region: 74% + the internationanl associations organizing international congresses: 21% + the Asian-Pacifc meetings industry, international agencies (PCO’s, AMC’s, members of IAPCO): 5%

36%

Analysis of the association readership Professional agencies: the senior level of management of the PCO’s and DMC’s + Secretaries general: 22% + Presidents: 36% + Directors: 25% + Coordinators: 17%

2010 RATES Magazine Publicity Size 2/1 1/1 1/2

Advertisement 4,500€ 2,950€ 1,750€

Destination report Within the magazine Loose supplement

Advertorial 5,100€ 3,992€ 1,012€

4 pages 7,000€ /

Covers +15% surcharge of 1/1 page publicity

6 pages 8,500€ /

8 pages 10,000€* 12,000€

12 pages 13,000€* 14,000€

16 pages 16,000€* 18,000€

*with cover picture of the destination

Online Small banner Large banner Preferred partners Emailing Your logo in the HQ monthly newsletter

300€ /month 500€ /month 250€ /month 2,500€ 550€

Info: Contact us for tailor-made proposals at sales@headquartersmagazine.com For support in the organisation of workshops or special events: events@headquartersmagazine.com 5270

25%

22%

Note: Agency commission to be added. Prices do not include VAT.

HEADQUARTERS magazine, The Asia-Pacific Magazine for Association Executives

www.headquartersmagazine.com

17%

INTERACTIVE BY DESIGN ANYONE WHO HAS SPENT MUCH TIME IN BRUSSELS OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS HAS SEEN AN ASTONISHING TRANSFORMATION OF THE CITY: WHOLE SWATHES OF BUILDINGS HAVE EITHER BEEN REPLACED OR STRIPPED TO THEIR SKELETONS AND REBUILT. THIS REPRESENTS A FAILURE OF THE POST-WAR ERA OF DESIGN, WHEN A NARROW FOCUS ON FUNCTION CREATED A GENERATION OF BUILDINGS THAT DEMOTIVATED PEOPLE OR EVEN RENDERED THEM SICK. TEXT LUC MAENE, PRESIDENT OF ESAE AND DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL FERTILIZER ASSOCIATION (IFA)

Good design is not a luxury, but a necessity. Design is now understood to enhance (or hinder) human learning and social interactions, and technical changes have certainly been a factor in our greater appreciation of this role: + As content generation became digital, good graphic design has become much more accessible and affordable; + New building materials and techniques have made it possible to reintegrate aesthetics into buildings in cost-effective ways; + As the number of digital objects around us has multiplied, user interfaces have needed to evolve in order to guide people and create effective, intuitive and even enjoyable interactions.

architects are starting to reintegrate the concept of the forum - a place for informal gathering and interaction - into their work, we need to think about how to use meeting spaces to encourage spontaneous exchange.

The expanded purpose of design first included accessibility and usability and now is acknowledged to have a social vocation.

Inside the formal meeting rooms, there has been a trend in recent years for panel discussions to migrate from head tables to easy chairs. The change is not just cosmetic. The first set-up creates a dynamic of one-way communication from authorities on-high to a passive audience. In the second scenario, the speakers are brought down to the audienceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s level, and they now face each other in a semi-circle, a much more conducive setting for informal exchange. While I think this trend is good, it does pose challenges: many speakers still cling desperately to the security of prepared speeches and talking points.

The traditional trade show space illustrates the point. Intended to be blank canvases, cavernous exhibition halls are easily transformed into confusing mazes where it is easy to get lost and to feel hemmed in by a series of ironically disjointed and claustrophobic spaces. Just as city planners and

Design can also foster virtual communities. Based on a successful pilot (its yearly conference in Asia and the Pacific), IFA is in the process of creating a distinct visual identity for every series of conferences it organizes. We did something similar when our association adopted a new visual identity: each

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Inside the formal meeting rooms, there has been a trend in recent years for panel discussions to migrate from head tables to easy chairs. The change is not just cosmetic committee has its own colour variation of the corporate logo. These employ graphic design to help community members within the larger group to find each other and the content that interests them most. Now that the tools are widely available and accessible, it is up to us to use our imaginations to foster the greatest interaction and exchange through design. Indeed, the challenge is broader than just improving our conferences and publications. Associations themselves are social spaces. How does our association architecture encourage interactions, connectivity and interdependence? Or does it hinder them?

www.esae.org

LOOKS MATTER: BUILDING AN IMAGE THAT RESONATES WITH GROWING COMPETITION, A POWERFUL

AND POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONAL IMAGE IS VITAL. AN EFFECTIVE IMAGE CAMPAIGN WILL HELP ASSOCIATIONS RETAIN AND ATTRACT MEMBERS, BOOST VISIBILITY, AND STAND OUT IN THE CROWD. TEXT PATRICK MCCABE , GARRETT, YU HUSSEIN, MCCABE & REIS LLC

What makes up an image? And what’s the difference between ‘image’ and ‘reputation’? Almost everyone agrees that the two are intrinsically linked, but when we ask association leaders to discern the difference, many are hard-pressed to draw a distinct line. Some say image is an ingredient of an overall reputation. Others talk about groups that have a good image but still suffer from a bad reputation. Regardless, everyone claims to understand the difference, and all association executives say image is vital and something their organizations should strive to achieve, although few people like to define it.

Textbooks suggest that an organization’s image is the feeling conveyed by an organization based on all of its public statements, actions, products, and personnel. Thrown into this mix are more traditional public relations ‘image enhancers’ - advertising, logos, Web sites, and so forth. For association leaders, image captures the essence, or overall personality, of the association to its constituents, including members, media, legislators, regulators, customers, employees, and the general public. ‘Image is what speaks for the association,’ says Bill Novelli, Associate Executive Director of AARP. ‘Image will influence membership recruitment and retention, lobbying effective-

ness, and all other activities the association seeks to undertake.’ For associations with corporate memberships, the organization’s image is undeniably linked to that of their member companies. ‘An association’s image should really be a reflection of its members’ images,’ says Dan Eramian, Vice President of Communication at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). ‘We’re the public face of our members, so we aggressively project the truth about what our members do.’

WHY IS IMAGE IMPORTANT? From everything you say and do, to the way you conduct business internally and external-

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membership and see what they think, see if something needs to change.’ When we conducted an informal poll of association executives asking them to name aspects they respected about their most-admired associations, they mentioned associations that do the following: + Successfully show members why they should want to belong + Represent their members well before Congress and the media + Produce products - or take on issues that have a measurable impact + Successfully re-create themselves for changing times and audiences + Convey a recognizable and consistent ‘look’ in their materials, advertising, etc. ly, to whom you keep company with - all of these interactions and practices matter. How important is image to associations? One association CEO confides that he regularly tracks members’ impressions of the association’s strengths and weaknesses, so he knows when it’s time to change. According to Marshall Jorpeland, Director of Communications for the National Court Reporters Association, internally ‘image is important, because it makes members feel good about being part of your association.’ He believes image is so important that his association is conducting an image-building campaign on behalf of its members. Just as corporate America toys with image to sell its products, trade associations hone their image to appeal to members and enhance their clout with media, Congress, policy makers, and donors. ‘Image is a marketing tool for the association that helps garner interest from supporters and, in our case, funders,’ explains Patricia McCabe, Director of the American Association of University Women Legal Advocacy Fund. ‘A good image is of vital importance, because it will ultimately sell the association. It has impact at the federal, state, and local level.’

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Others say that image is important for office dynamics and for defining the personality of an association, an important distinction in Washington, DC, where thousands of associations compete with each other for limited attention from media and lawmakers. In an era of growing member ‘choice’ and competition in the association community, building and maintaining a strong image is a must. ‘A good image even helps retain and attract good staff,’ says Bill Thomas, CEO of the Vision Council of America. ‘Staff members are intimately aware of how the association is perceived among other associations and within the particular industry.’

TAKING THE MEMBERS’ PULSE To better understand an association’s image, internal research often is conducted to get a handle on what members and other key audiences think of the association. Is the organization cutting edge? Traditional? Proactive? Reliable? Stodgy? ‘A good researcher stands in the members’ shoes and determines what they want out of the association, what they want their image to be,’ states Terry Baugh, President of TBaugh and Company, a local strategic research firm that has worked with dozens of associations. ‘We test the waters with the

MANAGING YOUR ACCOUNT AT THE IMAGE BANK How can your association build and maintain a positive image? Recognizing that image affects all aspects of an association’s operations, organizations would be wise to be mindful of an ‘image bank’ and proactively make regular deposits for a long time. Words matter. What kind of language does the association use to describe itself? What are the words used in your speeches, public materials, e-mails, position statements, and

‘Image is the sum of beliefs, ideas and impressions...’ Strategic Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations other outreach tools? Do all departments - legislative, communications, meetings, and others - speak with a common vocabulary to define your work and goals? So do visuals. What visuals does the association rely on to help present itself? A logo? Specific colors or design themes? Are they consistent? Do all departments adhere

to the same visual tools to reinforce the ‘look’ among audiences?

paigns involving multiple tactics to reach varied audiences.

Actions speak louder than words. Which issues has the association tackled lately? What actions have you taken to reach out to your audiences?

However, everyone agrees that, large or small, a strategic framework with specific goals needs to be the basis of the image campaign. ‘The image campaign definitely needs to fit within the context of the association’s strategic plan,’ Baugh continues. ‘Research generally yields small surprises but also confirms what’s in your gut. The most powerful information is often learning the negative stuff - that’s the information that leads organizations to form a complete strategy.’

It’s all in the interpretation. Words, visuals, and actions contribute to a common understanding about the association and are pieces of the puzzle for perceptions or misperceptions by key stakeholders. Giving it meaning. What meaning or value does your organization give to these words, visuals, or actions? Taken as a whole, what do they say about your membership? About the association? n. Do your actions, Assess the situation. words, and visuals speak loudly, clearly, and ce your desired positively to reinforce image? Take it to the bank. All of the positive assessments build deposits into your positive image bank. Unfortunately, the reverse also is true. Any words, visuals, or actions that do not contribute to your desired image must hey be struck - before they force a withdrawal from your image bank.

THE IMAGE CAMPAIGN Most associations nt on a embark at some point targeted campaign to either enhance or underscore their image among key audiences. Numerous approaches can reinforce or reposition an association’s image, from relatively simple tasks (such as revising a logo) to launching full-blown image cam-

HOW DOES ONE BEGIN AN IMAGE CAMPAIGN? Start with the following: 1. Define your audience An organization can’t can t be everything to everyone, so the target audience must be strategically defined (For example, sociographics/demographics; psychographics; geographics; behavioral). BIO, for example, recently launched a targeted advertising cam-

relevant to members or if and how the member base is changing. Leaders should look at the marketplace, too. Who are your competitors? What is their positioning and image? Once research has revealed the need for an image campaign, still more research is often conducted to determine the most effective way to change opinion. While there are literally hundreds of ways to alter an image, none is a magic bullet. 3. Develop messages After the audience has been defined, develop a message platform of key thoughts to be communicated about the association and remembered by target audiences. How do you want to be perceived? What do you want your audience to think about you? 4. Communicate message(s) repeatedly and consistently Image strategies should appeal to and be reinforced by every person in the organiza-

For association leaders, image captures the essence, or overall personality, of the association to its constituents, including members, media, legislators, regulators, customers, employees, and the general public

paign aimed at ‘thought leaders’ - so it is airing the ads exclusively during political talk and news shows in Washington, DC and in Crawford, Texas.

tion and every activity conducted by the association. What is said is important, because substance counts. Message delivery is also important, because style matters.

2. Conduct research Do you really understand how your members perceive you, or do you just think you do? Wise associations will engage in research to take the pulse of their membership to ensure perception and reality are one in the same. Research will reveal whether an organization is still

5. Implement your activities As part of building an image, many associations undertake marketing activities to communicate the new image and messages. Components can include advertising, promotion, partnerships, media outreach, community relations, public relations, events, membership outreach, and direct

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©CERN

TRENDS: THE NEW WAVE IN CONFERENCE CENTRE DESIGN IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY BENEFICIAL FOR ORGANIZATIONS OF ALL KINDS TO INVEST IN THEIR OWN CONFERENCE AND TRAINING CENTRES. MOST CONFERENCE CENTRES RESPOND TO A FAIRLY TYPICAL SET OF REQUIREMENTS AND CONSTRAINTS: LOCATION WITHIN OR IN PROXIMITY TO THE CLIENT’S OFFICES, FLEXIBILITY AND

ADAPTABILITY TO VARYING FUNCTIONS, SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGIES, AND A VARIETY

Do you really understand how your members perceive you, or do you just think you do? Wise associations will engage in research to take the pulse of their membership to ensure perception and reality are one in the same

OF AMENITIES. TEXT ANIK JHAVERI, AIA AND YVES SPRINGUEL, AIA (AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS)

marketing. Every interaction with the target audience builds a positive halo and multiplying effect. 6. Monitor your effectiveness To determine the success of image building efforts, research can gauge message reception by the audience in terms of familiarity and favorability. In addition to measuring effectiveness of specific image building activities, research can help ensure that an association continues to be relevant to members. Effective image management is key to maintaining an edge in the marketplace. This proactive, strategic approach will allow an organization to control its image through almost any circumstance.

Source: Executive Update Feature. Email: pmccabe@gymr.com

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Globe

In the last two years, however, we have dealt with some new developments influencing decisions about and design solutions for conference centres. + Sustainability is now both a core value and economic necessity for nearly every organization, but energy efficiency is a particular challenge for conference centres. + Adaptive re-use is often an attractive option, especially given the availability of urban retail properties, with their higher overall ceiling heights and proximity to hotels and restaurants. + Technology and its uses are changing, as organizations adopt more timely, inclusive, and geographically unfettered ways to reach their constituencies and the public. + Branding and privacy are critical to enabling conference centre owners to make their facilities available to outside organisations. Each of these opportunities has significant implications for the location and design of conference centres, of course. Four recent Washington, D.C.-area projects offer interesting examples of the issues and successful ways to address them.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY The focus on sustainability in the design, construction, and operation of buildings and facilities is growing more intense. Energy efficiency is especially critical for conference centres with their typically large volumes of space and great variation in numbers of occupants. Engineers have generally had to design for the worst case. For the Council on Foreign Relations, maximizing energy efficiency in the new Washington, D.C. conference centre was prudent, and a demonstration of the organization’s commitment to sustainability. To meet these objectives, we adopted ‘demand controlled ventilation’, installing a system of CO2 monitors that determines the need for air changes on conference floors. Whereas, without the sensors, the system would be

conservative, demanding a higher level of ventilation at all times, this approach allows greater levels of ventilation when the space is fully occupied and code minimums when it is not. Monthly monitoring and analysis of the electrical load data and comparison of the actual operations with the design intent will reveal further opportunities for efficiency. Other significant contributors to the building’s energy savings and sustainability include a new, high-performance glass curtain wall; modifications to the existing exterior skin assembly for infiltration and vapor control; a continuous dimming system for all light fixtures within 15 ft. of the building

theater - for a new purpose. Capitalizing on the large volumes and sloping floors, we created a flexible, highly functional venue for a variety of meeting types. By removing a mezzanine level, thus expanding the ceiling heights to 15 to 35 ft., and designing accent walls of blue light, we created the effect of a terraced outdoor square. The striking rhythm of undulating ceiling panels highlights the impressive scale of the conference centre and draws visitors through the space.

TECHNOLOGY Though video conferencing still enjoys popularity, new technologies and media - Podcasts and YouTube, for instance - are

The focus on sustainability in the design, construction, and operation of buildings and facilities is growing more intense. Energy efficiency is especially critical for conference centres with their typically large volumes of space and great variation in numbers of occupants

perimeter; and green power offsets. These measures have earned the Council’s building the EPA designation ‘Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR’, placing it within the top 25% of energy efficient buildings.

disseminating conference proceedings far beyond the physical space and attendees. As a consequence, conference centre design now must take into account on-screen effects and different acoustic requirements.

ADAPTIVE REUSE

Because broadcast capabilities are critical for the Council on Foreign Relations, the design of the new 200-seat meeting room incorporates lighting, acoustics, backdrops, and furniture specifically suited to a broadcast-ready set. The lighting combines ambient fluorescent fixtures and halogen ‘stage lighting’ fixtures, linked in a system of individual motorized controls and preset ‘scenarios’ determined by the size and nature of the event. Appropriate acoustic performance was ensured by covering walls with absorptive fabric panels and backing the ceiling tiles with gypsum board. For our financial client and for Capital One,

One of the unsung heroes of sustainability is adaptive reuse - green on a grand scale. As compared with new construction, it is faster to market, has a lower cost, and revitalizes the urban fabric while preserving important aspects of local architectural character. Adaptive reuse also creates unique opportunities for creative design solutions. For a financial services client, conserving resources meant taking an existing urban building and using its framework to re-cast the retail space - a defunct movie

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ing the primary accent. The design marries influences from the hospitality sector with those from the corporate sector, making the space both professional and warmly inviting.

Though video conferencing still enjoys popularity, new technologies and media - Podcasts and YouTube, for instance - are disseminating conference proceedings far beyond the physical space and attendees for which we designed a major conference facility, we also took into account the location and function of the control room, audio/video recording rooms, and translation booths.

BRANDING AND PRIVACY Many organisations are adding to the functionality of their conference centres by making the facilities available to outside groups. To make that objective viable, the conference centres must meet two criteria: visual independence - a clear, compelling, distinct image; and physical independence ability to separate public and private space to ensure privacy and security.

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At the Capital One headquarters in McLean, Virginia, we gave the new conference centre building its own identity, clearly defined entrances, and separate access to and from the headquarters. Its form expresses the curvature of the 450-person amphitheatre on the outside, while the glass curtain wall at the conference centre entrance allows visitors to see into the atrium from the outside. The public zone of the building has a visual draw from the exterior, and the feature staircase cascading prominently across the front of the atrium highlights the activity and circulation. Inside, the palette of finishes is a collection of rich complex neutrals, with a natural wood veneer provid-

The conference centre for the law firm of Morrison & Foerster LLP, too, has an explicit brand. But here, privacy and security were critical, as the conference facilities are located adjacent to the offices of the firm. The solution spreads the conference centre over four floors, of which the upper two can be made available to the public, while the lower two are reserved for in-house working sessions. In the public conference space, the floors are connected by a sculptural feature staircase, enabling its simultaneous use by two groups. Public and private floors are isolated from each other with a secure door and less public stair, and the upper floor facilities are accessed from a dedicated reception area. Secure glass doors divide the conference centre from the attorneys’ work zones, creating a sense of openness and continuity as well as ensuring restricted access. Like the other three, Morrison & Foerster’s conference centre has a separate entrance from the secure garage, and touch down private offices in lieu of VIP rooms, giving speakers the privacy and amenity as desired. In difficult economic times, this new wave of conference centres has great potential for organizations and architects alike: our clients gain from the tangible and intangible benefits of energy efficiency, sustainability, and public access; and we have the opportunity to demonstrate the great value of thoughtful, innovative design.

About the authors Anik Jhaveri, AIA and Yves Springuel, AIA are Principals in Mancini•Duffy’s Washington, DC office, one of the premier architecture and design firms in the US. The full version of this article can be found at www.contractdesign.com/ contract/content_display/design/essay/e3i877cb25050675ce963f9d15775031637

COLOUR MY MEETING ROOM EVER CONSIDERED HOW THE COLOR OF YOUR MEETING ROOM WALLS CAN ACTUALLY AF-

Grey - Grey tends to emit negativity. The darker the tone, the stronger the negativity. Pitching a new concept to upper management? Best to stay away from this stormy shade.

FECT YOUR PRODUCTIVITY? WORKPLACE DESIGNERS NOW ACCEPT THAT THE SHADES OF YOUR ROOM HAVE MORE THAN JUST AN AESTHETIC EFFECT. TEXT COURTESY PROVIDED BY EFFECTIVEMEETINGS.COM

Red - Red can evoke aggression, untidiness and conflict. A study conducted by American physicians found that red tended to raise blood pressure in patients. To prevent hot-under-the-collar office flare-ups, avoid choosing red for your meeting space. Black - Black generates a feeling of power. Contrast black with red and this combo gives physical power. Looking for a more intellectual effect? Match black with yellow to enhance cerebral sensations.

Sunny shades make workers feel cheerful while dark colors can create a feeling of gloom. Offices decorated in one color using varying shades and tones, although aesthetically pleasing, can throw employees off balance if they spend many hours in the same environment.

employees, customers and office visitors. Is your workspace color-coded for success? Use this handy guide to find out: Yellow - Areas of a building used for activities requiring concentration and calmness should incorporate some yellow. However, too much yellow in a confined space can create a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;spaced-outâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; feeling. Use yellow for entrance halls because its resemblance to solar energy gives strength.

Color choice makes a statement about organizational values and culture. Think of your workplace. What kind of message do its colors convey?

Blue - Experiments have shown that people are more agreeable, relaxed and quiet in areas painted in blue tones.

Color choice makes a statement about organizational values and culture. Think of your workplace. Are the walls fresh-new vanilla or broken-down brown? Workplace color schemes leave lasting impressions with

Pink - Pink evokes a sense of tranquility. Psychologists have studied prisoners and have noted that when cells were painted pink, inmates felt calm. Caution! Going overboard on pink can give the impression of weakness.

Not only does interior color choice influence moods in the workplace, but it may actually impact your bottom line. According to psychologist Dr. David Lewis, who carried out a survey for Alliance & Leicester Building Society in England, properties with a blue door sold in one day; a green door sold in one week; a red door sold in one month. However, it took one year to sell a property with a brown door! The survey showed blue as the most popular choice - 38% of people considered blue to be cheerful and dignified. Green was seen as smart and traditional. Red was linked with outgoing, positive people. Brown was given the thumbs down by over two-thirds of the people interviewed.

EffectiveMeetings.com is an online resource centre designed to provide useful information about meetings in the form of articles, tips and quizzes. Email: pr@smarttech.com. The full version of this article can be found at www.effectivemeetings.com/design/workplace/colorme.asp

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AN EXCLUSIVE ONLINE NETWORK FOR ASSOCIATION PROFESSIONALS IN EUROPE Just imagine that you are challenged with a new project for your association, and that with only a few clicks you can find and contact a number of association professionals who are willing to share their experiences... This is the perspective offered by ProPares, the new social community dedicated to association professionals. Bert van Loon, community manager of ProPares, gives some insight in the background of this new community which is exclusively accessible for association professionals based in any of the European countries: ‘ProPares was created as the direct result of a number of discussions with association professionals, who all emphasised the increasing need for operational contacts with colleagues

at other associations to share ideas and experiences. Whether national or European, in the same industry or in complementary sectors, staff can benefit from the exchange of ideas with colleagues at other associations.’ A central theme in the discussions was the demand for a dedicated environment, soon coined ‘association professionals only’, a concept powerfully summarised in The Economist by Stanford Professor Paul Saffo, as ‘the value of a social network is defined not only by who’s on it, but by who’s excluded’. The outcome was the launch this Spring of www.ProPares.eu, a dedicated online community, exclusively accessible for association professionals in Europe, serving thousands of

associations in over 40 countries in Europe. If you are working at a (professional, trade, business) association, you can register for free and start networking immediately. ProPares will hold a consultation amongst its members in October 2010 to learn which other online services would be helpful to create a true collaborative network for association professionals.

www.ProPares.eu

THE END OF CONVENTIONAL LECTURE THEATRES CONVENTIONAL LECTURE THEATRES ARE OFTEN ENCLOSED SPACES ARRANGED IN STERILE ROW SEATING. DURING THE SESSIONS, THE ROOM IS PREFERABLY DARKENED TO ALLOW POWERPOINT PRESENTATION. WHEN IT ACTUALLY HAPPENS, INTERACTION BETWEEN THE SPEAKER Luc Hendrickx

AND THE AUDIENCE, AND AMONG THE AUDIENCE IS NOT OBVIOUS. SES-

SIONS MOST OFTEN TAKE PLACE IN LECTURE HALLS OUTSIDE OF THE EXHIBITION HALL. THERE IS OFTEN A DISCONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO. AT THE INTERNATIONAL DIABETES FEDERATION, WE HAVE RECENTLY TRIED TO DO SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT. TEXT LUC HENDRICKX, CONGRESS DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL DIABETES FEDERATION (IDF)

THE BLUE BALLS CONCEPT At the World Diabetes Congress in Montréal in October 2009, the International Diabetes Federation provided a new experience to delegates attending the event. We invited our more than 200 national member associations to a ‘Global Village’ shaped as a collection of small stands in the heart of the exhibition area. In the centre of the Global Village an open, circular-shaped theatre was created, with a stage, a lectern and a big screen. It was called it the ‘Diabetes Café’.

Instead of regular chairs, they inflated 150 blue gym balls, hinting at the ‘blue circle’, the global symbol for diabetes and dropped them inside the area for participants to sit on… and have fun with.

THE CREATION OF AN OPEN THEATRE Apart from the novelty aspect, the blue balls concept had some interesting effects: the open theatre in the heart of the associations village readily became the focal point

of the Living with Diabetes and Association Development programme streams. It created quite a buzz around the associations too. The balls themselves proved a big hit too; people simply loved sitting on them. It was so different from the ‘traditional’ conference seats. During the sessions participants could swivel around to interact with other delegates. Between sessions, they rolled the balls together to create improvised informal meetings. They even used them for the purpose gym balls are originally designed: to exercise. Who would have thought working out could happen during a conference?

ALSO GREAT FUN After the President had officially closed the congress, anyone left in the area engaged in a wild football match featuring 150 balls... It was great fun and nobody got hurt. They also proved attractive souvenirs. After the match, the gym balls mysterious disappeared, never to be seen again.

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UIA ı UNION OF INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Kursaal Congresss Centre, San Sebastian

FROM DESIGNING MEETING PLACES TO DESIGNING EXPERIENCES & EVENTS DESIGN PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE BUILDING AND, MORE RECENTLY, IN THE RENOVATION OF CONGRESS CENTRES: ARCHITECTURAL, INTERIOR, FURNITURE, GRAPHIC DESIGN… ARE ALL PART OF THE PROCESS. HOWEVER, THE ROLE OF DESIGN AND THE PARTICULAR IMPRINT OF THE DESIGNERS INVOLVED ARE LITTLE KNOWN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. DESPITE THE FAMILIARITY OF THE WORD ITSELF, THE WORK OF DESIGNERS REMAINS UNCLEAR TO THOSE OUTSIDE THE PROFESSION AND IS FREQUENTLY REDUCED TO A CONCERN WITH STYLING AND FORM. TEXT ANNE MARIE BOUTIN, PRESIDENT UIA, PRESIDENT APCI (FRENCH DESIGN PROMOTION AGENCY), AND LIZ DAVIS, ACADEMIC ADVISOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, ENSCI-LES ATELIERS, PARIS

By essence, the cross-disciplinary nature of the design project makes teamwork a necessity. Here the designer’s role is often that of mediator, safeguarding the coherence of the process as a whole whilst recognising the value of each individual’s expertise and input. If, however, the ultimate objective is to create

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ways of enhancing any given situation, today, designers are increasingly aware of the responsibility they carry in the humanisation of business and technology and the necessary engagement towards creating a sustainable society. How does this influence the meetings industry?

THE ROLE OF DESIGN IN ENHANCING LONG-TERM ECONOMIC VALUE The UK national audit office (NAO) asserts that ‘good’ use of design as a project methodology (design management) - which represents in general less than one percent of the budget of all building constructions - has huge impact: for example, gain of time, optimization of the project for all users (workers, maintainers of the building, visitors, neighbours) etc. Such reports offer important new management insights for businesses such as the meeting industries, at a time of economic tensions and everincreasing competition.

PROJECTS MANAGED WITH A DESIGN APPROACH ARE USER-CENTRED All congress centres today claim to offer optimal functionality and comfort and the integration of new digital media technologies has become the norm. Newly built centres have been designed to attract huge conferences, boasting vast auditoriums and a large choice of conference rooms. It is increasingly

difficult to choose between equivalent offers at more or less equal costs. Key issues such as accessibility are now becoming major selling points - the new Spanish centres in San Sebastian, or Malaga, for example, clearly promote their ‘Global accessibility certification’. But pure functionality is no longer enough to attract business. Congress venues will have to compete at a different level, in phase with evolutions

The San Sebastian (Spain) Kursaal Congress Centre, at the mouth of the river Urumea, is a particularly remarkable example. The architect Rafael Moneo has chosen not to violate the presence of the river in the city. The key features seem like two gigantic rocks stranded at the mouth of the river, forming part of the landscape. The Kursaal is the only congress centre which received the European union Mies Van der Rohe award (in 2001) for its aesthetic, technical and constructive innovation.

Major changes are certainly needed if the industry is to remain competitive, or, even survive. The designer’s job is to work with people, businesses and all kinds of experts in order to find innovative and appropriate answers to change in the meetings industry itself, in the very questioning of the concept, experience and organisation of the events they host. Looking at every project from the human (user) point of view is a way of ensuring that it is attractive and appropriable, which, in the long term, is a guarantee that people will come back!

IN SEARCH OF IDENTITY AND QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE Global (corporate) identity is a key factor of differentiation. Beyond merely promoting a coherent image, the task of the designer is also to reveal and reflect the very identity of the project itself. Along with the facilities and services it offers, the architecture of a congress centre, its interior design, its visual identity and communication are all elements of a global project. The context around the meeting place itself plays an important role in the choice of venue - the particular culture and quality of life offered by the city itself, ease of transport, connection to other attractions… all contribute to the very particular identity of a congress centre. Congress participants tire of finding the same airport/commercial centre architecture in a congress venue. People want to know where they are and who is receiving them. They are looking for a specific identity and a different experience.

People are also aware of, and sensitive to, details: the design of support materials, gifts and accessories, the care given to the choice and presentation of food and drink, the user-friendliness and accessibility of toilets, information, internet facilities, and above all, the efficiency and sincerity of staff. Every element contributes to the global quality of experience. Certain promoters are already experimenting with new models. The Campus is a new congress centre integrated into the Grand Hotel Hyatt Erawan complex in Bangkok. Based on a new concept it aims to reproduce the experience of a university campus, with a library, working rooms, workshop spaces, an Internet café… in the hope of encouraging people from different origins and with different objectives to mix and ‘invent’ new forms of experience. How many centres can be said to be offering such unique, global quality of identity and experience?

THE CHALLENGE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT The environmental issue is becoming a key preoccupation for the organisation and design of international events, congresses and festivals. But up to now the challenge is mainly seen from the point of view of buildings, even if a new and more sustainable service culture is emerging and being

promoted. The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), together with the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool and the Cape Town International Convention Centre, have joined forces to create a Global Green Alliance. The aim is to develop new eco-friendly venue design features and packaged services, giving organisers a clear choice of partner organisations that can support their CSR needs.

LOOKING FOR NEW MODELS AND EXPERIENCES In the near future, congress venues will be judged on the quality of all these dimensions: facilities/cost, user-experience and accessibility, sustainability and CSR. Above all, a new challenge is at the forefront, brought to light by the failure of the Copenhaguen summit and the amazing environmental impact of the presence of the NGOs! People are increasingly ill at ease about the impact of their travel and their ecological footprint. They are uncomfortable with throw-away food, throw away accessories, excessive use of air conditioning… but above all they are questioning the value of time and money spent elsewhere and looking for efficient ways of meeting without moving. Being informed or exchanging information is easier via Internet. Will international events disappear altogether? Certainly not. People will always need to meet physically and work together to enable lasting and appropriate working relationships to form: meeting, shaking hands, sharing experiences… are all foundations for lasting relationships which can be sustained and developed via Skype or video conferencing. However, major changes are certainly needed if the industry is to remain competitive, or, even survive. The designer’s job is to work with people, businesses and all kinds of experts in order to find innovative and appropriate answers to change. Yes, design is about shaping spaces and things… but design is also very much about shaping visions, concepts, experiences and futures.

www.uia.org

HEADQUARTERS 29

HQ > BRISBANE

Gallery of Modern Art

BRISBANE Australia’s new world city

POSITIVE, MODERN AND VIBRANT, BRISBANE IS AUSTRALIA’S NEW WORLD CITY. WHY NEW WORLD, YOU WOULD THINK? WELL, BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE IT ALL HAPPENS, WHERE GENERATIONS OF INNOVATORS SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY, WHERE INDUSTRY MAKERS SEE INTO THE FUTURE, WHERE FORWARD-THINKING TAKES PRIDE OF PLACE… AND WHERE ASSOCIATION DELEGATES SHOULD DEFINITELY GO. Famed across the country for its blue skies, winding river and laid-back lifestyle, Brisbane has fresh international appeal. Rich in natural treasures and youthful spirit, Brisbane is a city that’s driven by innovation, collaboration and opportunity. It’s a place of diverse creative excellence; where international art exhibitions - such as the upcoming Valentino exhibition - sit alongside world-changing achievements in science. Ideally located on the east coast of Australia in the heart of one of the country’s fastest growing regions, Brisbane deftly displays the ability to balance progress and sustainability. Backed by a robust economy and significant government investment, knowledge-based industries, research and development communities and creative outlets have prospered in a city known for its lifestyle benefits and exceptional climate. For the international association Brisbane delivers an ideal combination of global expertise, quality infrastructure and a range of exceptional venues and facilities including

HEADQUARTERS 30

the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre – ranked among the top three convention centres world-wide and soon to open a major expansion in 2011. Brisbane is also firmly establishing an influential foothold in a range of industries. Let’s find out who they are!

HEALTHCARE AND LIFE SCIENCES The city is well recognised as a centre of excellence in the healthcare and life sciences sector and Brisbane is home to an esteemed range of facilities including the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (the largest medical research institute in the Southern Hemisphere) and the Clive Berghofer Cancer Research Centre (one of the world’s foremost cancer research facilities).

research hospitals) and The University of Queensland’s Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence (Australia’s leading facility for pharmaceutical research, education and drug commercialisation).

Development is also underway on a new health, science and education precinct which will see a number of institutions co-located in a vibrant hub of research and development. Key players in this development include the Princess Alexandra Hospital (one of Australia’s leading teaching and

The Asia-Pacific Digestive Week 2011, the Scientific Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver 2014 or the International Conference on Diet and Activity Methods 2015 are just some examples of the prestigious medical/scientific conferences that will take place in Brisbane in the next five years.

South Bank

> BRISBANE

Brisbane’s Moreton Bay

Testimonial ‘Brisbane is emerging as an exciting destination for international events and conferences. Conveniently located in the heart of the Asia-Pacific, the city is a fascinating place to host Icograda Design Week and attract delegates from each continent. With well developed conference infrastructure it is a meeting place where the East connects with the West. It is also a fantastic travel destination showcasing the best of Australia: its design, environment and multicultural society.’ Michal Steckiw, Projects Manager, Icograda Design Weeks, International Council of Graphic Design, Associations Design Week 2010

MINING AND ENERGY Away from healthcare and life sciences, Brisbane is also renowned as an international centre of excellence in the field of mining technology and mining services. Companies such as Anglo Coal, Rio Tinto Aluminium, Peabody Pacific, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance and Xstrata are just some of the global players capitalising on the city’s strategic location and knowledge economy. No wonder, then, that some mining- and energyrelated conferences have chosen Brisbane as

their destination of choice: for the 19th World Congress of Soil Science 2010, the 25th International Mineral Processing Congress 2010 or the 34th International Geological Congress 2012, it simply makes sense to come and discover the wonders of Brisbane!

EVER-GREEN BRISBANE

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

At the local level, Brisbane City Council is tackling the issue of climate change with the Green Heart CitySmart program which sees Council partnering with federal and state governments, business, industry and community to improve energy and water efficiencies and make meaningful cuts in greenhouse emissions. The ultimate goal is to make Brisbane Australia’s most sustainable city and a carbon neutral destination by 2026. Then, why would the Asia-Pacific Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environmental Technologies 2011, the World Green

Brisbane’s diverse creative community includes BAFTA and Emmy award-winning multimedia firms, the exceptionally successful Gallery of Modern Art and a multimillion dollar precinct dedicated to the co-location, development and promotion of creative industries. Brisbane is also the unquestionable hub of games development in Australia. Low production costs, fresh creative talent and a high quality development environment have proven to be drawcards for publishing giants such as Sony, THQ, Sega and Microsoft.

Meeting planners are also taking note of the city’s environmental credentials. Amongst its many strengths as a conference destination, Brisbane is gaining growing prominence as a leader in environmental initiatives.

For the international association Brisbane delivers an ideal combination of global expertise and world-class thought leaders married with a warm community spirit that welcomes visitors from across the globe Increasingly, international conference organisers are aligning themselves with Brisbane’s new world city strengths. When it comes to the creative arts, Brisbane will proudly host the International Council of Graphic Design Associations Design Week 2010 and the 8th International Congress of Voice Teachers 2013.

ICT If the International Federation for Information Processing World Computer Congress 2010 and IEEE World Congress for Computational Intelligence 2012 have chosen Brisbane, it’s because the city boasts a deep pool of talent and particular expertise in the areas of e-Security, open source, mining technology, wireless technology, enterprise software development, simulation and multimedia applications. Software development multinationals such as Microsoft, Boeing, IBM and Mincom have all invested in Brisbane, while local universities have cooperated with international firms to develop research institutes such as the SAP Research CEC, Microsoft QUT e-Research Centre, Information Security Institute and the Smart Services Cooperative Research Centre.

Infrastructure Congress 2012 or the 29th International Horticultural Congress 2014 go anywhere else than Brisbane? And of course there’s Brisbane’s delegate appeal. Boasting 1,820 parks and reserves, 720 kilometres of waterways, more than 500 kilometres of bikeways and the greatest variety of native wildlife of any capital city in Australia, Brisbane is an urban destination with a green heart. Alongside the cosmopolitan offer of bars, restaurants, art galleries, nightlife and shopping, Brisbane lives and breathes outdoor experiences. From kayaking on the river in the morning, to abseiling the inner-city cliffs at sunset, to hand-feeding wild dolphins after dark, Brisbane is a place that puts a unique spin on the quintessential Australian experience.

CONTACT Brisbane Marketing T. +61 7 3006 6200 - F. +61 7 3006 6250 conventionbureau@brisbanemarketing.com.au www.meetinbrisbane.com

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HQ >IRELAND

Inside The CCD Aviva Stadium

Ireland Inspires!

POSTCARDS FROM IRELAND OVER THE YEARS IRELAND HAS BEEN VISITED BY HALF THE STAFF OF HQ MAGAZINE AND EACH ONE OF THEM HAD NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THIS FAIR COUNTRY. IRELAND NOT ONLY HAS HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CHARM, BUT ALSO TRENDY APPEAL AND MODERN ECOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS DIVERSITY MAKES THE COUNTRY AN EXCELLENT DESTINATION FOR ASSOCIATION CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS IN GENERAL. Part of Ireland’s appeal as a conference destination is what it can offer beyond the event itself. Ireland is a country that many people want to visit and your delegates will have the opportunity to explore this vibrant land, which boasts a rich and inspiring history, some incredible landscapes, authentic traditional culture and a uniquely warm welcome.

speaking nation, Ireland is easy to access with international links, several international airports and direct scheduled daily flights from North America, mainland Europe and Britain. And when you get here, it’s just as easy to get around by road, rail and air. Venues in Ireland range from inspiring, purpose-built, state-of-the-art centres to impressive and unique spots like historic halls, universities, castles, resorts and hotels. Facilities are modern and competitive, ranging from videoconferencing capabilities to multi-media services backed up by AV, while professionally you will be looked after by a highly skilled and experienced team that can cater for anything up to 6,500 delegates. Hotels are high quality and plentiful ranging from castles and contemporary urban retreats to traditional venues, which highlight the exceptional charm of cities like Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.

EASY AND IMPRESSIVE

TRULY NEW

Over 50,000 delegates travel to Ireland each year for conferences…and there’s a good reason why. As well as being an English-

Positioned in Spencer Dock on the banks of the River Liffey, a new world-class, purposebuilt international conference and event venue

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will open its doors in September 2010: The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD). It has 22 multi-purpose meeting rooms, a 2,000 seat auditorium, approximately 4,500 m2 exhibition space and room for up to 8,000 delegates. The centre is carbon neutral due to the use of low carbon cement and through offsetting all unavoidable carbon emissions by investing in carbon credits in accordance with the Voluntary Carbon Standards. As one of Dublin’s newest landmarks, The CCD has secured 65 events to date including a number of high profile international meetings, such as the International Bar Association with over 4,000 delegates, the International Statistics Institute with 3,000 delegates, the International Conference of Emergency Medicine with over 2,000 delegates, the European Society for Biomaterials Conference with over 1,200 delegates and European Union Geriatric Medicine Society Conference with 750 delegates among others. At the recently opened Aviva Stadium in the heart of Dublin, you can combine the unique experience of an Irish rugby match with business events in the stadium’s conference

> IRELAND

Case Study 6TH WORLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONGRESS 2008 Dublin

Royal College of Physicians

Convention Centre Dublin

Date: 29th June - 4th July 2008 Attendees: 1838 delegates from 79 countries | 28 exhibition stands | 210 posters Venue: University College Dublin, UCD WORLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONGRESS WAC

and event spaces. Within walking distance of many hotels and restaurants, it’s a new way to add that special Irish touch to your event. The environmental conscious construction of the stadium ensures that its future daily operation will be in accordance with BS8901. Aviva Stadium boasts 50 different spaces on 5 levels, including 36 boxes which are available for meetings, focus groups, media events, casting calls or private functions. What better place to hold, for instance, a board meeting than overlooking the inspirational hallowed turf of the Aviva Stadium? Spaces vary in size from 2 to 800 person capacity in a single area. Also available are the state of the art Media Auditorium with seating for 190 guests, key outdoor marquee areas and blank canvas event spaces.

DEEPLY CLASSY AND ENTERTAINING Complementary to these modern options, are Dublin’s historical venues. Versatile and flexible, the Royal Dublin Society has been Ireland’s premier venue for meetings, conferences, exhibitions, entertainment and sporting events. The Royal College of Physicians in Ireland is one of Dublin’s most prestigious addresses. Your event will benefit from the distinctive and stately interior of this beautiful historic building. And of course there’s Trinity College, the celebrated campus in the heart of the city. The college has

established a track record for specialising in academic, scientific and NGO conferences from 50 to 2000 delegates. Located 20 minutes from both the city centre and Dublin International Airport, Citywest Hotel, Convention & Events Centre, has a strong reputation for hosting large national and international events over the past 16 years. Comprised of a diverse selection of meeting, conference, exhibition and banqueting rooms it is the ultimate destination. All in all, it can accommodate up to 4,100 delegates! And if you’re looking for entertainment, Ireland produces amazing gala events ranging from medieval banquets to dinner and dancing. Accommodation is broad and of a very high quality, restaurants range from the deluxe Michelin-starred to relaxed gourmet cafes, while the pubs are quite literally some of the best places to socialise in the world!

CONTACT Tourism Ireland - Danielle Neyts dneyts@tourismireland.com tel. +32 (0)2/643.21.21 www.irelandinspires.be

The World Archaeological Congress (WAC) is the only fully international representative organisation of practicing archaeologists. One of WAC’s primary functions is to hold an international congress every four to five years to offer discussion of new archaeological research as well as archaeological policy, practice and politics. Following an extensive procurement process, Conference Partners were chosen as the PCO for the 6th World Archaeological Congress. Conference Partners and the local organising committee worked closely together to build a varied and engaging thematic programme complimented by a variety of social events. This afforded the participants an opportunity to savour the rich Irish culture, enjoy Dublin’s lively social life and perhaps most significantly sample Ireland’s remarkable archaeological heritage. University College Dublin was the chosen host venue. The college facilities are excellent and flexible in their nature and as such it enabled the plenary session and 18 parallel sessions to take place with ease and clarity throughout the week. The social programme included a welcome reception in UCD, a state reception in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham and a congress dinner in O’Reilly Hall UCD.

HEADQUARTERS 33

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> G E N E VA

Halles de l’île

THE 10TH ANNUAL SPRING MEETING ON CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING 2010 IN GENEVA THE ANNUAL SPRING MEETING OF THE THE COUNCIL ON CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING AND ALLIED PROFESSIONS (CCNAP) PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CARDIOVASCULAR NURSES AND ALLIED PROFESSIONALS TO LEARN ABOUT INNOVATIONS IN PRACTICE AND EDUCATION, RECENT Chelsea Thomas

FINDINGS FROM RESEARCH, AND THE CHALLENGES THAT CONFRONT

THEM IN CARDIOVASCULAR CARE. ITS 10TH EDITION TOOK PLACE IN EARLY MARCH AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE IN GENEVA (CICG). Situated between the Alps and the Jura Mountains, Geneva, renowned for its majestuous lake, presents refreshing surroundings of alpine scenery against a backdrop of green countryside. The city draws thousands of people each year to events such as conferences, conventions and meetings - most of them at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG). Chelsea Thomas, Project Manager of the 10th Annual Spring Meeting on Cardiovascular Nursing, explains the process which led to Geneva being chosen as the ideal meetings destination: ‘We have a list of 10 venue criteria which is applied to any city looking to host one of our congresses. For this particular client, Geneva was a perfect match in terms of its central location, its congress centre facilities, the Convention Bureau team and of course the transportation card!’

Some call Geneva the ‘world’s smallest metropolis’, others, the ‘peace capital’. Whatever image it brings to mind, Geneva has always been a popular destination. Better known throughout the world as the United Nations’ European headquarters, the city is indeed the smallest of the world’s major cities. Distinguished by its unique geographical position in the heart of Europe, stateof-the-art technology, high-quality services, prestige and ranking as a world-class city, coupled with the advantages of a small town, Geneva seems to be the ideal destination of any event of almost any kind. Chelsea Thomas analyzes: ‘In my opinion, Geneva has a wide variety of assets and something to offer every delegate. If you’re a congress organiser, one of its principal assets is of course the Convention Bureau. They are

a very dynamic and helpful team that make sure the city’s best traits are shown. If you’re on a budget, it’s reassuring to know that travel within the city is free and efficient. If you’re an aficionado of gourmet cuisine and wonderful wines, look no further as Geneva has it. If you negotiate world peace, Geneva opens its doors to more than 25,000 people per year. Lastly, if you’re looking for beautiful landscapes and architecture, Geneva has it with places like Bastions Park, the Place Neuve and the Old Town.’ She concludes : ‘I was was very pleased our client chose Geneva as a destination as it proved to be a congress with a real international audience and Geneva fulfilled this niche perfectly. We will be returning in April 2011 and feel very at home with the city and its residents.’ What else is there to say?

CONTACT Aline Christen, Project Coordinator Association Meetings Geneva Tourism & Convention Bureau Tel: +41 (0) 22 909 70 64 christen@geneve-tourisme.ch www.genevaconventionbureau.ch

HEADQUARTERS 35

Thunder Bay, Ontario

In Canada, our break out sessions work a little differently

www.meetings.canada.travel

HQ > ONTARIO

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE ONTARIO

Toronto Niagara Falls

CULTURALLY DIVERSE, ONTARIO IS CANADA’S MOST POPULATED PROVINCE, LARGEST ECONOMY AND HAS PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING, FROM SMALL TOWNS AND RESORTS ON THE EDGE OF WILDERNESS TO UPSCALE COSMOPOLITAN CENTRES. OVER 250,000 FRESHWATER LAKES GUARANTEE THAT ANY MEETING CAN AND PROBABLY WILL ENJOY A BLUE SETTING. ONTARIO’S SHIELD OF ARMS BOASTS THREE GOLDEN MAPLE LEAVES ON A GREEN BACKGROUND, JUST LIKE THE PROVINCE’S MEETING INDUSTRY BOASTS THREE GOLDEN MEETING DESTINATIONS: TORONTO, NIAGARA AND OTTAWA.

TORONTO, THE CITY THAT MEANS ‘MEETING PLACE’ Ever-evolving and ever-surprising, Toronto, which derives from the Huron First Nations word for ‘meeting place’, is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, a place where international ideas intersect, original thought is celebrated and magic happens as a result. Here you’ll find unparalleled service, easy access, an excellent convention infrastructure with first-class and conveniently located conference facilities, exemplary accommodations, stunning architecture and

meeting places, over 7,000 restaurants, arts and attractions unlike anywhere else in the world… And that’s just the beginning! Tourism Toronto’s award-winning meeting services continue to be #1 in Canada. No request is too big or too small. And with an established track record of hosting extraordinary meetings, conventions and events, Toronto will exceed your expectations in ways you may never have imagined. The city is easily accessible being the Canadian gateway for international travel with 76 airlines

offering international flights to and from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. The convention facilities there are expanding at a remarkable rate. To ensure the city maintains its place as a key destination for major

HEADQUARTERS 37

> ONTARIO Ottawa

Ottawa Parliament

Ontario’s shield of arms boasts three golden maple leaves on a green background, just like the province’s meeting industry boasts three golden meeting destinations: Toronto, Niagara and Ottawa congresses, four convention facilities in the Toronto area - the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto Congress Centre and International Centre have all completed significant renovations and growth. Most recently, the Direct Energy Centre unveiled a $47-million expansion, the Allstream Centre - a conference facility with 15,000 m2 of ballroom and meeting space. The trend toward high-end residence hotels is more evident than ever in the city, with players like Trump International, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and Shangri-La, all building five-star properties in Toronto, further enhancing what is already widely recognized to be one of North America’s best overall hotel scenes. Close to 1,000 lavish hotel rooms and suites are slated for completion between 2010 and 2013, adding to Toronto’s current 38,941 hotel room total.

NIAGARA - ONE WONDER AFTER ANOTHER! Beyond Toronto’s limits are breathtaking attractions. The new Niagara Falls is a true Canadian wonder for meetings, conferences and events for groups of 10 to 7,000 at every price point while highlighting the best views of the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Soon to open in April 2011 is the 26,000 m2 Niagara Convention and Civic Centre that includes a 7,500 m2 free-span exhibition hall;

HEADQUARTERS 38

a distinctive 1,600 m2 ballroom; 2,500 m2 of flexible meeting and breakout space; an intimate 1,000 seat theatre; field to table menu design. The convention centre is located just 500 meters from the Horseshoe Falls, and allows delegates to enjoy the local attractions after the business day is complete. Complimenting this progressive space are 5,000 upscale hotel rooms minutes from the convention centre. Internationally recognized brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton, Embassy Suites combined with the Fallsview Casino Resort as well as smaller boutique properties offer guests stunning views of the Falls. The Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview welcomes delegates to their newly constructed 500 two room suites, which 53 stories allows boasting rights as the tallest hotel in Canada and 10th highest in North America. The Niagara Region’s offering of offsite venues is extensive. Enjoy local cuisine under the stars or within a barrel cellar at an award winning winery; the thrill of the Niagara River rapids on the Whirlpool Jet Boats; friendly competition at any of our championship golf courses; games of chance or a show at an area casino; one of the many lush gardens along the Niagara Parkway. Local theatre includes a vast array from the works of Bernard Shaw at the Shaw Festival Theatre to the Las Vegas-style magician, Greg Frewin.

ONE-OF-A-KIND OTTAWA Nestled on the banks of several majestic rivers, Ottawa is one of the most beautiful G8 capitals in the world. Opening in April 2011, the all-new Ottawa Convention Centre will be in the heart of this city, boasting 18,000 m2. A sweeping windowed façade will afford panoramic views of Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Confederation Square, and the National Arts Centre. Delegates will step outside and be just moments away from recreational paths and the ByWard Market shopping and restaurant district - not to mention 6,000 downtown hotel rooms. And the facility will be directly linked to the 180-store Rideau Centre, the 495-room Westin Ottawa, and ample indoor parking. Ottawa’s many museums provide ample opportunity for special events. The National Gallery of Canada is an architectural masterpiece and home to the country’s national collection of art, as well as a spectacular Great Hall (450 pax) with a fabulous view of Parliament Hill. It also offers an Auditorium, seminar rooms, a lecture hall, and distinctive reception areas. The Canadian War Museum’s impressive LeBreton Gallery can host up to 600 people banquet style, plus the Museum’s Barney Danson Theatre offers a unique venue for presentations, dinners and receptions. Strathmere is a beautiful 200-acre estate with several outdoor meeting spaces, offering a creative, stimulating and relaxed environment for learning, while Mother Nature offers the chirping birds, blue skies, and warm summer breezes.

CONTACT + In Canada: Susan Frei, Director, International meetings and incentives 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

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