MIM111 - Meetings Special

Th e Eu ro p ea n m e et i n g s a n d i n ce n t i ve t rave l m a g a z i n e fo r co r p o ra te p l a n n e rs I n exc l u s i ve pa r t n e rs h i p w i t h E U M A , t h e Eu ro p ea n M a n a g e m e n t A ss i sta n ts A sso c i a t i o n

MIM magazine Afgiftekanto g toor or-Bureau de ddépôtt: 2800 Mechelen 1 PPublis blished hed 6 tim times e a year: Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, ug, g Oc Oct,t Decc Edition June 2010 – P4A9032

Interview

ACTIVE NETWORK

LAURENT GAUTHIER Special feature

MEETINGS Destination

FRANCE

SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS...

... IN AN IDEAL ENVIRONMENT WITH Take your meeting to a new dimension at Novotel. Our years of experience mean faultless organisation, hightech equipment and expert advice. We’ll listen to your personal requirements and tailor all facilities to ensure your meeting is a success.

The Meeting@Novotel promise guarantees: • Instant availability

• Dedicated support

• Connectivity

• Well-being

• Bespoke solutions

Retail & Publishing 2008. S. Kraus – Getty images : Stockbyte.

Novotel offer 400 hotels in 56 countries, of which 11 in Belgium & Luxembourg, and Meeting@Novotel guarantees consistency whatever the location. With state of the art facilities and professional advice we will be sure to meet your requirements.

www.novotel.com/meetings

© Andreas Von Einsiedel

general > editorial

EDITORIAL

MARCEL A.M. VISSERS Owner - Editor in chief

The end of conventional lectures?

My regular discussion partner Luc Hendrickx, congress director of IDF (International Diabetes Federation) sent me an intriguing text about a new concept for meetings. Perfect for this ‘Meetings Special’. Luc stands on the association side of the fence, while I’m on the corporate side.

To me, conferences suffer from an overload of ex cathedra statements.

There is a lack of courage, creativity and a responsible drive for innovation in the world conference. Luc Hendrickx’ position goes like this: ‘Conventional lecture theatres are often enclosed spaces arranged in sterile row seating. Interaction between the speaker and the audience, and among the audience is not obvious. I think our opinions are not that different. What can we use as a solution?

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WWW.MIMMAGAZINE.EU

Luc Hendrickx: ‘At the World Diabetes Congress in Montreal in October 2009, the International Diabetes Federation wanted to try something different. They invited its 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 they created an open, circular-shaped theatre with a stage, a lectern and a big screen. They 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. 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 programmes.

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.’

EVENT LOCATIONS Capitole Gent is a unique location for your events, meetings or conferences. Located close to the easily accessible Ghent South Station, a stone’s throw from the city centre, Capitole Gent offers you the ideal spaces for a successful event.

Capitole Gent is de famous former Art Deco cinema from the Thirtiers where the great starts of that time visited, such as Laurel and Hardy, Jacques Brel and Edith Piaf. Completely renovated in the original style, but with all the newest technological theatre tricks, this venue now plays host to the most famous national and international artists and the biggest productions and concerts.

In the large cinema-hall we welcome you and your clients to our VIP-loges – a new extra dimension for an exclusive and stylish evening. Apart from this large cinema, there are also VIP-bars, the restaurant, our remarkable loft space and our annex at your service for your events.

m2 Theatre

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VIP CORPORATE Capitole Gent also likes to welcome you, together with your clients, colleagues or relations, as a VIP to her shows. It is the ideal way to entertain and maintain your relations in luxurious setting with a relaxed atmosphere. A standard business seat can be expanded with several catering possibilities, including a reception with snacks, a walking dinner, a seated dinner, …

EVENT SERVICES In addition to our ideal location, we can also support your organisation with our in-house services. Our caterer GUSTO ensures a perfect culinary complement to your events. Our event bureau Two 2 Tango loves to help you with the total organisation of your events from A to Z.

ADVANTAGES Large parking lot close-by.

Perfect location in the centre of Ghent and close to access roads. Unique cultural and historic location.

C a p i t o l e G e n t G ra a f Va n V l a a n d e re n p l e i n 5 B-9000 G e n t T: + 3 2 ( 0 ) 9 2 3 3 2 9 99 i n f o @ c a p i t o l e g e n t . b e w w w. c a p i t o l e g e n t . b e

general > contents

COLOPHON MIM magazine IS THE EUROPEAN MAGAZINE FOR THE MEETINGS INDUSTRY. IT IS PUBLISHED 6 TIMES A YEAR BY MEETING MEDIA COMPANY BVBA/SARL, WITH A CIRCULATION OF 5000 COPIES.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: An annual subscription costs 75 EURO (excl. 6% tax) and comprises 6 magazines. In order to subscribe, go to www.MIMmagazine.eu or send an e-mail to subscribe@MIMmagazine.eu.

CONTENTS INTERVIEW Active Network, Laurent Gauthier

11

SPECIAL FEATURE Meetings

15

SPECIAL DESTINATION France

24

In exclusive partnership with

European Management Assistants Association.

Editor in Chief: Marcel A.M. Vissers T: +32 (0)3 226 88 81 marcel@mimmagazine.eu Managing Director: Cécile Caiati-Koch T: +32 (0)2 761 70 52 cecile@mimmagazine.eu

GENERAL Editorial Hospitality Sustainability EUMA

3 6 7 8

MIM Director: Sophie Molle T: +32 (0)2 761 70 53 sophie@mimmagazine.eu

Editorial Manager: Igor Hendrickx T: +32 (0) 761 70 54 igor@mimmagazine.eu Editor: Rémi Dévé Address: 59, rue René Declercq B - 1150 Brussels (Belgium) T: +32 (0)2 761 70 50 F: +32 (0)2 761 70 51 www.mimmagazine.eu

DESTINATIONS The Hague Ostend China Canada

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

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

STAY TUNED FOR MIM112 + Our annual Incentive Special + Trains & Cruises – Getting there in style + EUMA Report + Luxembourg – Hot city, cool country + Antwerp – A diamond of a city + La Réunion – European events in the Indian Ocean …and as usual we interviewed a European Corporate Event Planner

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

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

Keep up to date with the MIM magazine website: www.mimmagazine.eu

Cover MIM111: Laurent Gauthier is European Managing Director at Active Network, which provides technology and marketing event solutions worldwide.

general > hospitality

Radisson Blu Balmoral Spa your next meeting choice

Spa’s main attraction is of course the water, closely followed by the beautiful surrounding nature. Located in the green hills around the ‘original spa town’, close to the Circuit Spa-Francorchamps and the Royal Golf Club des Fagnes, Radisson Blu Balmoral is a meeting and incentive place par excellence.

Every effort is made to give visitors a true refreshing stay within an exceptional setting.

The woods of Spa, surrounding this appealing four-star hotel in Anglo-Norman style, are a perfect setting for all sorts of activities.

In the 106 renovated rooms, natural materials create the typical warm cosiness of this Radisson Blu establishment. The six meetings rooms provide space and equipment for seminars, meetings, cocktail parties and dinners for up to 250 people.

A professional Meetings & Events team guarantees a 100% smooth course of your meeting or event.

Conclude the day with a bbq in the middle of the forest or a themed buffet in the renowned restaurant ‘Entre Terre et Mer’ while watching and enjoying the great culinary discoveries of the open kitchen and the hotel’s remarkable wine cellar houses wines from all over the world.

Contact Guido Wijngaarden Meetings & Events Manager T +32 87 79 21 42 F +32 87 79 21 51 guido.wijngaarden@radissonblu.com www.radissonblu.com/balmoralhotel-spa

‘Make us an offer we cannot resist’ Radisson Blu Balmoral Meeting Experience: 1 offer – 10 reasons In today’s changing economical environment it is not always easy to set aside the necessary budgets for your outdoor meetings, incentive programs and or management gatherings. This is why we would like to help you and create with you and with your budget a solid solution for any meeting activity outside of your company.

1. Come and taste what you will be signing for (overnight stay and diner/ lunch as per preparation of your meeting) 2. Organizer stays for free during the meeting days 3. Commitment to upgrade (up to 50% of total rooms) as many rooms as possible to next available categories of rooms (Superior – Suites) 4. -20 % on Wellness for the group and 1 treatment for free for the organizer 5. Besides your regular points, a Bonus of 10.000 points on your Gold Points Plus Card for meeting planners 6. Welcome drink of the house 7. Late check-out* 8. The Balmoral promise for outdoor meeting 9. Local present upon arrival and Good bye 10. 100% guest satisfaction guarantee *upon availability and depending on group size

The hotel’s Super Breakfast Buffet is the ideal way to start your day of adventurous teambuilding activities, ranging from golf to parachute jumping and racing or enjoy the hotel’s private brand new ‘Balmoral Wellness Center’ with a relaxing pool, sauna, Turkish bath and Jacuzzi. Professionals will lavish you with treatments and massages.

For large groups, special arrangements with the beautiful and spacious Thermes of Spa are always possible.

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general > sustainability Beavers are a keystone species in supporting their ecosystem. They create wetlands which increase bio- and species-diversity

Meetings Forest Founding Partners:

The Meetings Forest keeps growing Trees, birds, plants and missing species Eurasian Lynx

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

and fauna which together constitute the Caledonian Forest ecosystem. We include species which currently live there and extinct species which naturally belong in the Caledonian Forest and whose reintroduction in due course we advocate.’

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

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 this 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

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 Profiles’

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HeadQuarters • MIM • Scottish

Exhibition + Conference

Centre • Trees for Life

EUMA Conference 2010 Connect with colleagues in Brussels

With the EUMA Conference 2010 getting closer and closer, it is perhaps interesting to know how it’s coming along. Have the speakers been selected? Has the programme been finalised yet? What else will there be to do? The answers to these questions will certainly motivate the undecided and even further motivate those who have already confirmed their attendance.

We interviewed Vanessa Smets and Greet Puttaert of EUMA Belgium and responsible for the organisation of the conference.

Can you briefly describe your professional path and connection with EUMA over the past years?

VS: It was my Manager who introduced me to EUMA in 2004. The first meeting I attended was the 2004 Christmas Dinner where Marianne Wagener was invited as a guest speaker. The conversations I had that night and the speech by Marianne really inspired me to become a member and to take part in the Management Assistant of the Year 2005 contest.

When I became an active member, it was the idea I would become the PRO for Belgium. But soon after I agreed taking up this function, EUMA Belgium decided to host the 2007 international conference and I became the team leader for sales and marketing. This was a great experience, which also helped me to evolve in my professional career. Even if I never was the PRO, I have never really left the Belgian committee. I even became chairman for a year after the conference…

GP: I initially became a member of the EUMA network because I wanted to look over the fence of my own company. As I did not have a degree in office management – I have a degree as a director’s assistant in film and theatre (RITS – Brussels) – and I wanted to benchmark my skills with colleagues. Soon after, I became the National Chairman of the Belgian group. This volunteer job taught me a lot in terms of how to build and manage a team; I improved my presentation skills and I set up workshops in Belgium, France, Cyprus, and the Netherlands on profession-related topics. I then went on to work

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Catherine Day

International quality network of management support professionals | w w w.e u m a .o rg

EUMA Conference 2010:

‘A brave new world’ focus on what matters for your future Friday 22nd October - Brussels, Belgium Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel Workshops + Developing a business partnership with your Manager + From Stress to Wellness – Marilyn Vanbesien, Business Trainer/Coach + Leave the office with more energy – Carolyn Moody, International Optimum Nutritionist & Transformational Coach + Norms & Values: how to make choices in your career – Dennis Pedersen, HR Director, Genzyme + Discover the Path to Mastery - Robert Van de Walle, Judoka, Gold Medal winner at the 1980 Olympic Games

on the European board as Public Relations Officer and as Media & Advertising Coordinator.

A few months ago, you accepted a new EUMA challenge and now you are planning the Conference 2010. Quite exciting, isn’t it?

VS: It certainly is very exciting. It also seems we’ve been working for more than three months now! The team has been working hard already, so I think we’re quite on schedule. It is true that the timeframe is strict, but I have the experience from last time and we are certainly not reinventing the wheel this time. If there is one thing which scares me a little bit, it would be the sponsoring. I know for a fact a lot of companies have cut their marketing

Conference Tours + Visit to the European Institutions + Mary Chocolatier & Delvaux + Guided walks in Brussels + Full day guided visit to Bruges euma@downtowneurope.be www.eumaconference.be

GP: I have helped to organize 3 international EUMA conferences now and I found

At the end of the morning session, we will have a debate between several management assistants about how they cope with the crisis: did they change jobs, are they doing things differently,... And finally attendees can choose to attend to seminars from five options.

Why should all Management Assistants save the date of 22 October 2010 in their agenda and come to Brussels to attend the Conference?

it amazing to see how management assistants turn out to be excellent sales persons, negotiators, communicators, conceptual thinkers when given half the chance. It makes you think of the unused wealth of skills and competences that lie hidden within all those management assistants and executive secretaries out there. I’m glad to stay more in the background as deputy conference manager and lend Vanessa my know-how and experience as it is time for a new generation.

Can you already unveil or tell us something more about the form/contents this Conference is going to take?

GP: This conference will be about how the crisis influences our professional lives

This conference will be about how the crisis influences our professional lives and how you stay successful during these difficult times budgets to the minimum, so we will really need excellent salespeople to raise the necessary funds. I have full trust in my marketing team, but any additional help is always welcome!

Wouter De Ploey of McKinsey & Co, a global management consulting firm that helps leading organizations improve their performance. He’ll explain how companies can and should respond to the crisis. This corporate aspect of the conference is further enhanced by a presentation about norms and values by Ignace Van Doorselaere. He’s the CEO of Van de Velde, a company that has managed to keep its double digit gross figures year after year, despite the crisis.

and how you stay successful during these difficult times. Our choice of speakers obviously reflects the subject. Our first speaker, as you know, will be Catherine Day. As Secretary General of the European Commission, she’s perfectly placed to highlight the ways in which governments respond to the crisis. The next speaker is

VS: Besides networking with peers and being able to visit a true European city as Brussels, I think it is interesting for anyone to work on their career and to prepare themselves for the continuous changes we are facing.

EUMA + EUropean Management Assistants, EUMA, is the only Europe-wide quality network of top management assistants who focus on their self-development and professional evolution, and reflect on the future of their profession. The association is a nonprofit association, has no political aims and does not engage in political or trade union activities. + EUMA provides a forum for management assistants, employers and educators to promote an understanding of the training, experience and career opportunities necessary for the development of its members. + EUMA promotes an image of the management assistant as an essential element of the management team. EUMA was founded in 1974, and is currently represented by over 1,300 members in 26 countries.

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Save the date!

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interview > Active Network

Active Network

Laurent Gauthier

A global event solution provider In the past we’ve always interviewed planners from international corporations that produce a product. For instance, AB InBev brews beer, Jaguar makes cars, Sap designs software and EcoVer produces cleaning products.

This time its something different.

MIM interviewed Laurent Gauthier, Managing DirectorEurope of The Active Network, Inc. Since 1998, they provide technology and marketing solutions for event planners and employ 2800 people worldwide.

INTERVIEW AND TEXT IGOR HENDRICKX

MIM 11

interview > Active Network

MIM: Could you tell us a bit more about Active Network?

Laurent Gauthier: Founded in 1998, The Active Network began as an online registration site for endurance races – one of the first registration sites online.

Event organisers quickly realized the benefits of paperless registration, and following a series of mergers and acquisitions, The Active Network was

Even though most of our business is about virtual technology, we still prefer to have our meetings face to face Facts & figures about The Active Network, Inc. + + + +

Founded: 1998 CEO: Dave Alberga Number of employees: 2800 worldwide 25 locations: - 19 offices in the USA - 2 offices in Canada - 2 offices in China - 1 office in Australia - 1 office in the UK High-profile clients: Meeting Professionals international, Hewlett-Packard, Audi, Microsoft, CISCO, Disney,... www.activeevents.com

processing more than one million transactions involving event and league registrations, web publishing and e-commerce by 2000.

Our slogan is ‘Power the world’s activities and connect people with the things they love, want and need to do!’ and that’s exactly what we do by delivering integrated technology solutions, marketing services and online media properties that encourage and enable participation in activities and events.

From just sport events, we’ve expanded our services to the association and corporate markets. For example, we helped organise ‘Microsoft 2.0’ in Berlin. Our services are very popular and thus we’re active in more than 20 countries all over the world. Our European HQ is in London.

MIM: Tell us a bit more about your personal and professional history.

LG: As the co-founder of the Active Europe since 2001, I’m responsible for business development, managing the sales forces and setting up the strategic partnerships in Europe, Middle East & Africa. At the same time, I’m also President of the fast growing start-up Star Events in Monaco. Star Events set up and promote sport events in order to generate local revenue with Tourism, this series of sport event will have around 10 events in Europe in 2010.

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Before this, I was the founder and Executive Director of Endurancevillage. com and the founder and Director of SARL 220 France, which publishes 220 Magazine. I’ve worked with TF1 (N°1 French TV channel), Canal Plus, Avenir Telecom Group and I’m a consultant and coordinator for the International Olympic Committee. I have an MBA in New technology & Media Business from Paris’ Dauphine University. I’m very active in sports myself – finished the Ironman Triathlon 9 times and was a member of the French Windsurfing team – and I run or ride daily through the streets of Paris.

I love my work with Active Network as it combines my three passions: Sports, Media and New Technology.

MIM: Our readers are probably interested in how you help organising corporate events.

LG: There are three pillars to our service: technology and marketing solutions and online communities.

We provide a powerful database management which tracks registrations, ticketing requests and prospects to help with attendee service management. Our online registration and web-based forms are very popular with quite a few Fortune 500 companies. We offer finance and resource management applications and make it easier to design content and to communicate with the attendees before, during and after an event.

Our marketing solutions closely fit this last part. We have plenty of experience with online publicity and are happy to consult event organisers about how to market their event. We have an eMarketing Resource Center with unlimited 24/7 access, which provides templates, guides, checklists and much more. And then there’s our Active Rewards, an easy, opt-in program that allows to participate in product sampling programs at no cost to you.

Finally, we have several online communities which connect people with the things they love, but those are still very much centred on athletes and sport events. Although some of them might be interesting for corporates too when they want to organise a sports event to help promote their corporate image.

interview > Active Network

I’m very active in sports myself

25 offices worldwide

MIM: Very simply put, you help other people organise their events, but does Active Network organise conferences, meetings and training sessions of its own?

LG: Of course, we’d hardly be able to function without meetings. This has a lot to do with the fact that we’re first and foremost a technology company. If we want to keep on top of the market, we have to stay up-to-date and in touch with our ever changing technology. That’s why not a month goes by without our engineers having to attend a training session – whether online or not. Obviously, limiting ourselves to online conferences isn’t all that practical, so from time to time we organise large training meetings and seminars for our engineers.

We also organise meetings and brainstorming sessions for our sales and marketing personnel. These are really necessary as they require a certain creative interaction and you won’t achieve that with a conference call or a skype session.

Most of our standard-sized meetings take place in-house, but for larger ones we prefer large hotel chains. For example, we organised a large meeting for 300 of our sales people in the San Diego Hilton; this hotel not only had the required capacity, its location close to the airport made it very easy for everyone to get there.

MIM: How important – would you say – are meetings and events for a corporate company and how do you measure this?

LG: As there’s no accurate way to

measure the ROI of meetings and conferences, it’s very difficult to state how important they are to a company in numbers. However, it’s even more difficult not to acknowledge the atmosphere of motivation and inspiration that is present after every meeting and conference. Through our very own event technology, we’ve noticed that this energy isn’t limited to just shortly after the conference. Even days later, attendees give positive feedback in our post-conference online questionnaires.

If we want to stay on top of the market, we have to stay up-to-date and that’s why we organise a lot of training sessions Furthermore, I’m of the opinion that virtual meetings will never fully replace face to face meetings. We need the emotional contact these provide; they build trust, lower barriers and allow for more creativity. As a global company, we need these, just as much as we need to make sure that every employee has the same vision of company. This is necessary if we want to stay on top of the market by offering the same quality service the world over.

MIM’S WORD ASSOCIATION TEST transportation: This is of paramount importance, as we saw with the recent volcano crisis. When people can’t get to an event, you don’t have an event. punctuality: This is especially important for Anglo-Saxon and Germanic people, less so for Latin cultures.

Food: Biologically speaking, very important, but less so for an event. The food doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be good and nutritious.

Drinks: This is another thing altogether. Drinks usually take place after a meeting or conference and are the perfect corporate occasion to connect with clients and personnel. This is very important further down the line.

Leisure time: Since our internal events start very early and end late in the afternoon, the only leisure time is usually centred around dinner and drinks. We do make time for exercise, as this is very important to clear the mind.

Hotels: Beside the big hotel chains, we like the personal atmosphere of small/medium-sized hotels. This will also benefit the atmosphere of the event.

Goodies: This is not crucial, especially not when you’ve got to operate on a budget. However, since there’s not much time to visit the destination, we try to include local souvenirs.

Seating comfort: Of course, if people are uncomfortable, they won’t be able to focus on the content.

Number of days: Conferences should never be too long.

If they’re too long, people won’t ingest the information anymore. Two days is a maximum.

Corporate Social Responsibility: Since we’re historically very invested in outdoor sports and thus we have a natural respect for the environment. We try to use the train more and reduce our paper usage. We see this as a social responsibility.

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YOUR EVENT BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH

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The coffee on your private terrace

Conference & Spa

For 69₏ per person, we provide you coffee on arrival, a fully equiped meeting room with Wi-fi, a 2-course lunch inclusive drinks and coffee, morning and afternoon coffee breaks, free parking (280 spaces) Château de Limelette is located at only 20 minutes from Brussels Château de Limelette |Conference & Spa Rue Charles Dubois 87 - 1342 Limelette Tel 010 421 999 - info@chateau-de-limelette.be www.chateau-de-limelette.be

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All meeting rooms have been recently renovated and have a private terrace with direct access to the garden.

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special feature > meetings

A simple adjustment, like a change of location, often suffices to create a memorable meeting: the Bubble room of Le Méridien Lingotto in Turin (Italy)

TitelA: titelB

special feature

Meetings making the most of it

+ The learning meetings . . . . 16 We don’t need to go into the strategic value of meetings as it has been discussed many times before. We can simply refer to MPI’s white paper ‘The Case for Meetings and Events’. Amongst other things, this paper calls for creative meeting design. After all, meetings, lectures and seminars are supposed to engage people. This has created a demand for interesting meetings… a demand which the meetings industry can supply. TEXT IGOR HENDRICKX As you know, there are several aspects to the organisation of meetings. Meeting planning focuses primarily on the logistics of the meeting – venues, travel arrangements, lodging, registration, entertainment, staging,... Meeting design is the purposeful shaping of the form and content of a meeting to achieve desired results. Meeting design incorporates methods and technologies that connect, inform, and engage a broad range of relevant stakeholders before, during, and after the meeting.

Meeting ‘creative’ provide ideas for staging and communicating about meetings, focusing primarily on ‘broadcast’ messages such as the design of PowerPoint presentations, the selection of a theme, speakers, entertainment, and the development of videos, set design,... And then there’s instructional design, incorporating educational theories.

A good meeting will incorporate all these aspects and in this feature we will try to showcase some of them with concrete examples and interesting ideas and

a few techniques to make meetings personally relevant, introduce interesting issues and networking-possibilities

+ Meet new skills . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 the importance and possibilities of training and coaching sessions. Plus, a case study of the Dutch approach to this

+ Midi Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 architectural & gastronomic meetings

+ Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 an overview of the ever-expanding Swiss conference possibilities

+ MIMorables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 a variety of meeting choices.

theories. Hopefully, the next external meeting on your agenda will have been preceded by a meeting of the minds, creating an unforgettable meeting experience and combining business with pleasure.

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special feature > meetings

The learning meetings 6 ways to inspiring meetings Today’s professionals are far too well-educated and busy people to accept the role of a sponge for hours on end. They want to be active and share knowledge and develop ideas and launch projects; so why should they suffer the passivity of a regular meeting or conference? They don’t; they stay away, and the meeting industry suffers as a result.

Luckily professor Ib Ravn has developed a few techniques to make people come and return to meetings.

A meeting is generally packed with PowerPoint presentations, with little time assigned for discussion, reflection or other audience participation. A common experience is that delegates listen patiently in the morning, but as the day wears on they seem increasingly bored, some sneak out prematurely and many leave the meeting frustrated with having been kept passive for hours on end. Delegates are going to a meeting looking for new and challenging input they can use in their work and they hope to connect with smart people with similar interests and share their concerns and thoughts with them.

A first step is simply to expect meetings to be founded on any modern kind of learning theory at all. The key of a modern and development-oriented view of knowledge and learning is inspiration,

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the enlightening experience that what you’ve just heard or realized or discussed with other people is new and exciting and will help you do what you want to do.

There are six process techniques which will inspire attendees.

1. Individual reflection After a presentation, delegates will want to examine the relevance of the talk to their current concerns and projects. Five minutes during which everyone puts a few points down that were the most important to them, offers a welcome opportunity to order one’s thoughts and externalize them verbally. Other tasks for reflection may be given by the conference host.

2. The buzz dyad Another opportunity for interpretation and digestion is a brief conversation with one’s neighbour after a presentation or

Design principles for the learning meeting 1. Expert input is fine, but it must be concise and provocative 2. Input must be made relevant to each delegate’s concerns and projects 3. Delegates must be active and talk about their projects 4. Delegates must meet and inspire each other

even mid-way during a long presentation. People will quickly find someone to talk to and a pleasant buzz will rise in the hall. This may stand on its own or it may follow five minutes of individual

special feature > meetings

reflection. In the latter case, people get to talk about the points they just put down on paper.

3. You have won two consultants, free of charge The purpose of this technique is to let delegates talk about and give feedback to each other’s professional projects, within the topic area covered by the meeting.

The audience is divided into groups of

this, each group should select a facilitator who will guide the conversation towards its goal. This facilitator should start the brainstorm, help develop the ideas and make decisions, summarise and write down the conclusions. Thus group members are likely to feel involved, share ideas and learn from each other, while contributing to the larger purpose implied by the group task.

5. The knowledge exchange

“Make meetings personally relevant, introduce issues that interest you and network with the other delegates”

three. In the first phase, A tells B and C about his challenge. B and C use the second phase to talk to each other about A’s challenge. They briefly acknowledge its importance and highlight aspects of it that they find exciting. Then they advise A on how to tackle his challenge, but they direct the advice to each other, completely ignoring A. A just listens and only jots down the few things he can use.

In the third period, A speaks up again and identifies the few pieces of relevant advice he heard and B and C make themselves available for any use to which A can put them. Typically, this activity produces gratitude in the A’s, while the B’s and C’s are pleased that they have been useful.

People tend to enjoy the fact that useless advice can be safely ignored; there’s no need for defensive routines. Everyone has met a few strangers and shared bits of their experience, and they have used their energies constructively, to help a peer tackle a difficult project better.

Professionals attending a conference want to meet people with concerns or projects similar to their own. The group gets divided in groups of thirty people in each room with a facilitator. Everyone gets one minute to introduce themselves and talk about two things they believe relevant to the audience. One is a professional challenge they are currently facing, which they hope someone else in the room can help them with. The other is a contact, a trick, a shortcut, something operational – that they hope other people in the room may find handy. Everyone jots names of four to six people whose challenge they can help them with or whose resource they can use. Afterwards they talk to a person on their list and exchange business cards with each other. This friendly networking activity lets everybody state one of their motivations for going to the conference and helps them find likeminded people. Meeting a stranger who can help with a project or who can be helped by offering five minutes of tips and contacts, may just be the practical inspiration looked for.

6. Lunch with gaffer tape

4. Facilitated group work

The conference lunch is conventionally a rich and static sit-down function where you get to talk to only two or three people.

A stand-up buffet with small plates and food that can be eaten with a fork only can also be a networking activity. Use gaffer tape to divide an area away from the buffet table into squares. Divide people randomly into the squares. Tell them to meet each of the seven other people in the square. Eating from small plates means conversations are short; after getting new food people will have to meet another person.

A general problem is that groups are too big, there is no discussion leader and the task is diffuse. Professionals are usually egalitarian-minded, so no one will assume the role of group leader, and the discussion tends to lose focus.To avoid

All told, these six techniques illustrate the four design principles for the learning conference. Individual reflection and the buzz dyad are methods that help filter and bring out the relevance of

Who is Ib Ravn?

Professor Ib Ravn is an international lecturer who teaches people how to organise meetings that increase participant involvement. At Learning Lab Denmark he researches and consults on new methods of learning and knowledge-sharing; between people face-toface as well as at meetings and in meetings, networks and organizations generally.

He’s also the author of the practical handbook, ‘Learning Meetings and Conferences in Practice’. Top names in the Danish Meetings Industry have taken part in this Learning Conferences Project, and Danish multinationals have already applied many of the positive results in their meetings and meetings. This article is based mostly on the findings of this handbook.

Ib Ravn gave a seminar at EMIF in March.

“Delegates want to be inspired, to talk and be listened to and to have fun with the other delegates”

presentations for each delegate (design principle 2). The buzz dyad, the two consultants and the knowledge exchange let delegates introduce into the conference the issues or projects they are currently excited about (design principle 3). The facilitated group work, the knowledge exchange and the gaffer tape lunch help delegates meet each other and network (design principle 4). (No techniques for concise presentations were introduced; how to do this is well known).

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special feature > meetings

Meet new skills: coaching & training meetings Why have a customised learning process?

Designing a training program for organisations has the following advantages: • Applying selected new knowledge and confrontations with the ‘outside world’.

• Focusing on the theme of the strategy and the business processes.

• Team-building and identity formation for management.

• Platform between senior and middle management for communication on policy and outlook.

• Creating joint learning processes to facilitate ‘change’ and ‘embedding’ at organisation level.

• Involving the organization’s own staff in the learning processes (speaker, coach, learning manager).

Last issue we said that these challenging times compel people to do more with less. This implies that personnel needs to become multifunctional and needs to acquire more and new skills. That’s why the market for training and continuing education has proven itself to be robust. What people are looking for are soft skills such as interpersonal relations and communication.

Economic stimulus plans and support measures like educational leave have meant that in several European countries the education sector has been one of the few areas to actually profit from the economic crisis last year. Only those who take the opportunity for training and continuing education now will achieve long-term competitive advantages on the market. Moreover, the demand for special training programmes such as for process managers, event or tourism managers is on the rise.

In management education, the focus lies on key subjects such as leadership, controlling, ethics and corporate social responsibility. Additionally, soft skills

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like communication and conflict management, team building and employee motivation are in demand. And that’s where professionals from the educational industry come in. Specialised training and coaching centres can design customised learning programs, integrating proven psychological and pedagogical techniques.

These tailor-made learning programs integrate the goals set by clients and their companies and are –budget-wise at least – very interesting. This method of learning appeals to the intellect and the imagination, the pragmatic and creative sides of human nature. Such learning is not isolated, but is always linked to a higher goal: the strategic development of the company.

Just as a company can be developed in a variety of ways, so there are a variety of programs and courses with a variety of goals and a variety of ways to reach them.

Leaders, business people and professionals can look for inspiration, motivation, knowledge or insight. They can take part in long courses or short ones, in group

‘Training centres are an elegant solution to coach people to do more with less’ or individually. These programmes can take place at home or abroad or any other place that the client requests. It can be done in a classroom-setting, in an informal setting or in any other kind of setting. In short, if you’re looking for ways to coach or train corporate personnel, you’ll be surprised by the sheer amount of possibilities by which people can learn to do more with less.

special feature > meetings

Case study

Span of Control The Netherlands have a long standing reputation for organising special training and coaching programmes. If you’re looking for an active, playful, energetic and above all original way to train your people, look no further than ‘Span of Control’.

Span of Control has become a proven management tool. Through the interaction with authentic horses and with the reins in the hands, managers become aware of whether they really control the reins. Can they stand the stress, are they flexible or solution-oriented? Do they assume their responsibility? Can they work in team and cooperate? Can they loosen the reins or do they always want to be in control? All this becomes clear through the interaction with these noble steeds.

Depending on the wishes of the client, Span of Control can be many things: an adventurous cross-country drive through forests and natural preserves, proficiency tests and sometimes even races. These programmes can be organised in various locations all over the Netherlands. At all these special conference locations, the lessons learned are evaluated during a good meal. Afterwards the management trainer further discusses the training and the management team can use this to communicate on a more intense level.

After more than a decade, this warm training programme has not lost anything of its originality. Indeed, the product has been taken even further. Horse-whispering and horse-coaching has been added to the possibilities. Only with an ‘artless’ horse do people learn how authentic they themselves are. Shepherding and bird of prey-training are have also been added to the training programmes.

Many large, medium and small enterprises, as well as government institutions and organisations have got know Span of Control. It’s an ideal way to get managers and employees ‘moving’. But it’s also a great way of really meeting each other and getting to know each other in the open air and cross-country.

Span of Control can be used for: + + + + + + + + + +

Solving management problems Management development Teambuilding Facilitating merger processes Solving communication problems Breaking old habits and clearing the air of old and hidden conflicts Increasing the self knowledge of the individual and the team Improving personal leadership qualities Ethical development Development of a shared vision and the start of a brainstorming sessions

Whoever said that meetings need to be held indoors and should be strictly business obviously has it wrong. Then again, there are also ways to keep meetings indoors and not be strictly business. It seems the Netherlands have a certain knack for organising these kinds of meetings. In our last issue we mentioned Regardz Meeting Centre in Rotterdam where breaks are augmented with Wii, a climate room or carnival costumes.

Another example of the unique Dutch

meeting, coaching and training spirit is De Baak Training & Coaching Institute, which offers a varied choice of standard and tailor-made programmes with offices all over the world. Indeed, if you want to meet some inspiring ideas to meet, coach or train, you’d better ask the Dutch Tourism and Congress Bureau (NBTC). www.spanofcontrol.nl www.regardz.nl www.debaak.nl www.holland.com

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special feature > meetings

Midi Station, architectural & gastronomic meetings In the heart of Europe, where international travellers arrive by high-speed train in Brussels, it is now possible to organise meetings in one of Europe’s largest architectural and gastronomic restaurants: the Midi Station, which spans over 2000m2 right next door to the Thalys and Eurostar.

Convinced by the potential which Brussels has on an international scale, Antoine Pinto felt that this city was missing a symbolic place, a flagship worthy of the European capital’s image – a nice place to eat, do business or simply chat around a drink, day or night seven days a week. It’s up to visitors to settle down or be on their way, but the services of Midi Station should be enough to deter them. Open spaces, 6m tall birches, Mediterranean fat plants, brewery, bar, cigar lounge, private lounges, centralised dance floor equipped with the latest DJ and VJ gear, ‘comfy’ chairs in which to relax, luminous tables on which you can sign contracts, scarps to read the paper or check your messages, scientific acoustics, pure sound, stupendous commodities, mezzanines, winter garden, conference rooms for business or private events.

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The design of these conference rooms is – like all the other spaces – warm, modern and relaxed. This architectural design – added to the obvious advantageous location – is yet another reason why meetings in Midi Station are special. The final factor that will convince corporate planners is the exquisite gastronomy.

Here, the emphasis is put on the diversity of flavours. One originality is the option to choose how your meal is cooked. Another is the seafood bar which has an oyster bar feel to it, because of the daily arrivals. The client can choose the crustaceans directly from the pool.

Contact T. +32 2 526 88 00 F. +32 2 526 88 01 info@midistation.eu www.midistation.eu

Who is Antoine Pinto?

Antoine Pinto, formerly an art academy student, is cited in 1980 in the German ‘Besser’s Gourmet’ guide as one of the 100 best chefs in Central Europe. Also an interior Designer (Pinto and Co), he continuously adds up and combines with ease different forms of art: painting, sculpture, decoration, design but also the ‘art of taste and flavour’.

A true shaper of space, he is a prominent figure and a reference in the field of institutions and public spaces conception.

His name is linked to the great restaurants of Belgium’s main cities, but also in the UK, Brazil, Portugal, Lebanon: hotels, breweries, restaurants, bars, hospitals, boutiques, shops, showrooms, entertainment and conference halls, private housing, swimming pools and landscapes...

His respect for volumes, combination of contemporary and timeless styles, the use of noble materials and an eye for detail are the main ingredients, which elevate his pieces.

special feature > meetings © Degelo Architekten

Switzerland, expanding meeting possibilities Switzerland – already a quality meeting destination – continues to innovate and expand its already extensive meeting possibilities. The best examples of this drive towards even more quality, are the Congress Center Davos and the Casino Kursaal Interlaken.

Congress Center Davos’ new congress hall with a floor space of 1300 square meters will accommodate up to 2000 people. Six seminar rooms, each seating more than 100 delegates, offices, a multifunctional level as well as various storage and preparation rooms round up the spacious and inviting new building structure. The newly designed outdoor facility includes 200

Casino Kursaal Interlaken AG

Congress Center Davos

parking spaces. The extension means that major congresses, like the World Economic Forum and the Swiss Osteoporosis Association Congress, will remain in Davos. www.davoscongress.ch The extension of the Casino Kursaal Interlaken AG, the only Swiss member of the ‘Historic Conference Centres of Europe’, provides space for 1200 people in a concert seating arrangement and 600 people in a seminar seating arrangement, a foyer and exhibition area covering 1000m2 and the most up-to-date infrastructure. The value of the congress centre is further increased thanks to the

breath-taking landscape of the Jungfrau massif, which offers a multitude of outings and leisure activities around Interlaken. www.interlaken-congress.ch Both are members of the Swiss Convention Centers, but they’re not the only convention centres in Switzerland busy expanding and renovating. Switzerland’s meeting industry runs like clockwork, regularly announcing yet another new or expanded feature.

Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau T: +41 44 288 12 71 scib@switzerland.com www.myswitzerland.com/meetings

A meeting place easy to get to and perfect for your budget Need somewhere to hold a meeting that’s close to the motorway?

That has both a restaurant and a hotel?

That’s professionally run and priced to suit every budget?

Then the Best Western Hotel Brussels East (Wavre) and Best Western Hotel Brussels (E40 / Groot-Bijgaarden) are for you.

Easy for everyone to get to and perfect for your budget.

And run by the same team as the Best Western Arlux and Best Western Arlon.

Want the best rates? The most attractive packages?

What can we do for you?

Contact our Sales Officer Jessica De Loor: jessica.deloor@autogrill.net, T +32 (0) 473 97 27 73.

Best Western Hotel Brussels East (Wavre)

Best Western Hotel Brussels (E40 / Groot-Bijgaarden)

12, Avenue Lavoisier 1300 Wavre (Waver) Tel. +32 (0)10 88 74 30 Easy booking: hotel.wavre@autogrill.net Fax +32 (0)10 22 57 01

E40 Brussels - Ostend B-1702 Groot-Bijgaarden Tel. +32 (0)2 466 68 80 Easy booking: hotel-gr-bijgaarden@autogrill.net Fax +32 (0)2 466 37 70

These hotels are operated by Autogrill

www.autogrill.be

ifi free w check out in/ heck king c k c i qu ar free p

special feature > meetings

mimorables A VARIETY OF MEETING CHOICES

MIMorable places and ideas can be many things: a new congress centre, an undiscovered special venue, a recently renovated classic, creative team building activities or a surprising combination of meeting and incentive. All these places and ideas have at least one thing in common: they are worth your time to visit or to make use of for your meetings and incentives.

In short, they are MIMorable... TEXT IGOR HENDRICKX

information before and after the event. Taking this into account, Pathable is an online community and social network for conferences and events. It helps making recommendations, aggregating twitter and blog feeds. It also integrates with major registration providers, each event’s own branded website and other social networking services. In 2009, it won EIBTM’s World Wide Technology Watch Award. www.pathable.com

BELGIUM

Crowne Plaza Brussels, Le Palace BELGIUM

There’s no doubt about it : the conference of tomorrow will have an online component, with attendees connecting and sharing

Domaine des Hautes Fagnes

At the highest point in Belgium, in the heart of the nature reserve of the High Fens, lies Domaine des Hautes Fagnes. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it’s an advantageous place for work, seminars, creativity and new ideas to develop.

The tranquillity of the place will surprise you. Its 9 professional meeting rooms from 4 to 130 people all enjoy natural daylight. Direct access from the seminar complex to the green prestigious surroundings, allows you to fully relax during breaks. The intimacy of this unique meeting place will strengthen the cohesion within your team and will complete your search for successful team-building sessions. Consider the hotel’s restaurant, spa and surrounding park as providers of all the necessary gastronomy, wellness and nature. www.dhf.be NETHERLANDS

Safari Meeting Centre, Arnhem In Arnhem’s Burgers’ Zoo lies a modern congress centre built in

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African style. All rooms and function halls have their own particular style. The entrance is in the covered tropical rain forest, Burgers’ Bush.

There’s also the tropical coral reef, Burgers’ Ocean, with its eight million litres of water and the rock desert, Burgers’ Desert, are within a walking distance of only a few minutes. The breath-taking view of the East-African Savannah, Burgers’ Safari, completes the experience. Your guests will not easily forget this impressive experience! The smallest room seats 35, while the biggest seats up to 550 people. As one of the biggest zoos in the Netherlands, you’ll always have something to see and do before and after the meeting. www.burgerszoo.eu/zakelijk/ safari-meeting-centre USA

Pathable

The Crowne Plaza Brussels - Le Palace at the Place Rogier has developed a totally new meeting concept: ‘Balanced Senses’, a

DENMARK

Tivoli Congress Center, Copenhagen Tivoli Congress Center is located in the heart of Copenhagen within walking distance of Tivoli Gardens, Town Hall Square, the pedestrian shopping streets and the waterfront. Designed by Kim Utzon, Tivoli Congress Center is Copenhagen’s most spectacular building to date within Danish design and conference facilities.

Measuring over 1500 m2, the Congress Hall is a vast expanse with capacity to accommodate 2500 people. With its dramatic architecture and excellent location, it will be the obvious choice in Copenhagen for conferences, meetings, training courses, AGMs, exhibitions and hospitality events. The centre’s own two hotels - Tivoli Hotel and WakeUp Copenhagen – have a total of 900 guest rooms will provide the very latest in modern conveniences and comfort. Tivoli Hotel, the congress hall and the many conference facilities are expected to open in the second half of 2010. www.tivolicongresscenter.com

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SWITZERLAND

Spotme If there was a Swiss Army Knife for meetings, it would be Spotme. This fun electronic gadget – in itself an icebreaker – provides networking, audience response, and participant manage-ment tools in a single hand-held device. For example, it functions as a people radar, a conference agenda, a map, an electronic business card,...

It helps meeting planners keep track of attendance, audience response and access control. Spotme is priced per person, per day, with most organisers offsetting some or all of costs through sponsorships. Sponsors can advertise a booth giveaway, party or hospitality suite, and there are branding opportunities on the agenda, maps and other pages. www.spotme.com

FRANCE

Hotel Palais Stephanie, Cannes Tucked between the Mediterranean Sea and the imposing Southern Alps, Palais Stephanie reopened after an extensive renovation. This stylish hotspot sits on the site of the Palais des Congres, where the first Cannes Film Festivals were held. The modern design pays tribute to legendary film stars, such as Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, and Liz Taylor, whose timeless glamour accentuate the Palais’ design. The hotel is located in the centre of the famous La Croisette just steps from the beach, with breathtaking views of the Bay of Cannes and the Lerins Islands. The 261-room and suite hotel features a rooftop swimming pool, two restaurants and a casino. Its 820-seat auditorium is suitable for any type of gathering. In addition, the hotel offers nearly 4000m2 of flexible space. The hotel is conveniently within walking distance of the old city, Palais des Festivals and the old port and approximately 30 minutes by car from the Nice International Airport. Guests are also less than a mile from the TGV train station. www.hotel-palais-stephanie-cannes.com

stimulation of the senses that makes you want to meet. The mind is cleared, the body balanced and the spirit awakened: complete energetic harmony and a perfect mood to meet. The environment employs several original ways to soothe and refresh mind, body and soul: scents to help you feel alert yet peaceful, natural sounds & visuals to ease your mind, tranquil

& natural colors to make you feel good and moments of fun to unwind. The hotel is located next to the botanical gardens and close to the Brussels Midi train station, terminal of the Eurostar train and Thalys train. With 18 totally new restyled meeting rooms and a total capacity of 800, this is arguably one of the best conference hotels in Brussels. www.crowneplazabrussels.be LUXEMBOURG

Légère Premium Hotel Luxembourg This design hotel offers luxurious rooms and suites near the A1 motorway, a 5-minute drive from Luxembourg Airport. There is free Wi-Fi. Légère Premium

is a 13-minute car drive away from Légère Premium Hotel Luxembourg.

You can reach the Munsbach railway station in a 2-minute drive.

The hotel has 5 light-flooded meeting rooms (375m2 of meeting facilities) with high tech multimedia equipment. Perfect for stylish and indulgent meetings. www.legerehotels.com Hotel Luxembourg offers trendy accommodations. Each of the 156 light-flooded rooms has a unique concept with an open bathroom retreat and a luxurious king-size bed. You can relax in the Well-Fit area with aromatised steam baths, massages, a Finnish sauna or a light sauna. CUBE is an elegant restaurant and a modern lounge bar. The city centre of Luxembourg

Are you MIMorable?

Contact press@mimmagazine.eu

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special destination > France © Mdlf-C.Helsly

To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin: ‘There are a few absolute certainties in life: death, taxes and France belonging to the top 10 meeting destinations in Europe’. The recently released ICCA statistics 2009 once again confirmed what we already knew for a long time. The only question remaining is ‘Why?’ Well, here are just a few good reasons to start planning a French meeting. © Mdlf-C.Helsly

France

...meetings all over

As one of the most important economies in the world, France is a natural and practical destination to hold corporate meetings and industry conferences. To put in figures: more than 200 international congresses with more than 1.5 million participants. Of course, this wouldn’t be possible if France didn’t have the necessary requirements to make a good destination. France counts 120 convention centres, all equipped with the latest technology. There’s a total of 5 million m_ of exhibition space and France’s rich cultural history provides plenty of special venues. Here are just a few examples of meeting locations from all parts of the country.

North-West

+ Simple & Fast . . . . . . . 27 A showcase of France’s most convenient transport possibility.

+ French Riviera . . . . . . 29 Provide your meetings with a maximum of sunlight and inspiration.

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• The VINCI International Congress Centre, located in the heart of Tours, allows attendees to enjoy the cultural richness of the many activities offered by the historic town and its surroundings.

• The first convention centre of the Grand West and among the largest in France, the International Convention Centre lies in the heart of Nantes, opposite the train station, and has everything to host the best conferences, professional meetings and cultural events.

• Brittany connects the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean and is a prime destination for active teambuilding activities, quality golf courses, ... and is the birthplace of thalassotherapy, which will add the much sought-after wellness aspect of any incentive trip.

special destination > France © Mdlf-C.Helsly

France in short 1. 6th largest world economy 2. Easy accessibility by plane and train: 250 high speed train stations and 11 international airports 3. Modern infrastructure 4. Accomodation: more than 4000 three and four star hotels with a total of 662.000 hotel rooms 5. A rich historical tradition: 31 UNESCO sites, 10.000 castles, abbeys, manors and churches, 4000 museums and more than 500 annual festivals.

6. Art de vivre: traditional, regional and modern cuisine, more than 450 quality wine labels and more than 5000 wine cellars open to the public 7. ... and more

North-East • Small in size, big in economic activity and boosted by the TGV, Alsace is becoming a strategic meeting point in the Rhine valley with many exceptional venues. For instance, ‘La Villa Mathis Breitenbach’, perched at 787m overlooking a beautiful mountain range.

Many companies enjoy small private seminars here.

• Two professional bureaus - Burgundy Seminars and Burgundy Events – demonstrate their know-how and options with nearly 150 seminar locations, 20 recreation providers and specialised receptive agencies.

South-West • Cosmopolitan and open to the world: that’s the new face of Bordeaux, which is hosting more and more conventions and trade fairs, especially since the opening of the ‘Palais des Congrès de Bordeaux Lac’.

• As a dynamic city of research and technology, Pau is the gateway to Spain, facing the panorama of the Pyrenees, and with a beautiful convention centre: ‘Le Palais Beaumont Centre de Congrès Historique’.

South-East • With its strong identity, emotional way of life and comprehensive service range, Corsica profiles itself as a different kind of meetings destination.

Choosing Corsica is adding an extra dimension to your incentive: eco-tourism in a protected environment.

• A garden on the sea, the inspiring beautiful villas of the Riviera, a kitchen with seasonal colours and innovative technologies ... The Royal Riviera offers you a complete seminar location at the heart of the preserved Cap-Ferrat.

• Lyon has become an inescapable conference destination. The town owes much of this success to the Congress Centre of Lyon, a real spearhead of the meetings industry, especially since its expansion in 2006.

And these are just a few possibilities from Metropolitan France – the part of France in Europe. But there’s more! France Outre-Mer – poetically known as the France of the 3 Oceans – offers plenty of exotic opportunities for meetings and incentives: French Guiana, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, La Réunion, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna. Not only do they sound fantastic, they also offer the quality services and accommodations which you can expect from a European destination.

Authenticity, safety and reliability are the hallmark of all French destinations. The great variety of land- and cityscapes as well as strong regional cultures plus a shared dedication to unique experiences strikes a

French Convention Bureau Atout France, the national tourist board of France, has a dedicated meetings industry department: The French Convention Bureau. The main objective of The French Convention Bureau is to market and promote France as a destination for meetings, conventions and incentives. It functions as a liaison between foreign meeting planners and the facilities and service providers of France.

The bureau offers the combined powers of an entity made up of more than 130 members, each a true specialist in his particular sector or activity.

Various

Congress bureaus, …

Congress & event venues

4* Hotels

DMC & PCO

Furthermore, local representatives of Atout France have the professionalism, know-how, and market knowledge to help find solutions to meet clients’ needs and expectations. The French Convention Bureau will advise you, assist you and provide you with the know-how to make your corporate event a success. France has never been closer to your next event.

balance between tradition and innovation.

In short, meetings and incentives will find what they’re looking for in France.

Contact Gudrun Ghesquière Atout France T. +32 2 505 38 04 F. +32 2 514 33 75 gudrun.ghesquiere@franceguide.com www.franceguidepro.com

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Haute-Bretagne Événements the reference to organize your professional events

in Haute-Bretagne Ille-et-Vilaine

Photos : B. Bouflet - J-P. Roze

© ATOUT FRANCE - Pascal Gréboval

Inform you and guide you to the MICE industry in the region of Haute-Bretagne Ille-et-Vilaine best suited to your needs, these are our goals. Haute-Bretagne Evénements is a completely free service designed to save you time in organizing your event.

With its salty air, invigorating and bracing weather, first-class architectural heritage and wonderful countryside, Haute-Bretagne Ille-et-Vilaine, 5 hours 30 from Brussels and 2 hours from Paris by TGV, is the perfect destination for you to host your business events.

Now it’s your turn! Organize your next event in Haute-Bretagne Ille-et-Vilaine.

Haute-Bretagne Événements 5 rue du Pré Botté - BP 60149 - 35101 Rennes cedex 3 Tel 33 2 99 78 50 35 - Fax 33 2 99 78 33 24 www.haute-bretagne-evenements.com contact@haute-bretagne-evenements.com

special destination > France

© ATOUT FRANCE - Pascal Gréboval

Simple & Fast: French High Speed Access We already mentioned three of the four key factors that are necessary for the creation of a world class event: modern infrastructure, access convenience, local talent and a suitable environment. While France certainly delivers quality on the others, the country’s accessibility scores exceedingly good.

The numbers are simply overwhelming: there are approximately 893.30 km of serviceable roadway in France, 14.932km of waterways, 478 airports and 10 major ports. In past issues, we always mentioned trains as the best and most comfortable sustainable way to get to a meeting and France provides plenty of opportunities for this. The railway network of France, which stretches 31.840 km is the most extensive in Western Europe.

Trains are more than just transport. Often planners need to make a decision between business or pleasure, but the various trains running through France’s beautiful countryside offer the opportunity to combine the two. Attendees can get to all the corners of France without the usual

hustle and bustle associated with air travel. High speed trains offer the highest level of comfort, which make them the best starting point for a successful out-house meeting or incentive.

Additional advantages 1. No traffic jams 2. Strict travel times (more than 95% of all high speed trains arrive on time) 3. Super fast check in 4. Getting somewhere was never so relaxing 5. Electricity and WiFi on board of the Thalys ensure that travel time is no longer wasted time 6. From one city centre straight to another city centre

Finally, travelling by train has one big advantage: short travel time for long distances. To illustrate this, we will give a few travel times from Brussels – not only the heart of Europe but also the High Speed Hub – to various destinations in France.

The Group&Incentive Department of Rail1 will make sure that any corporate planner will have all the advice and information he needs to get attendees to their meeting or incentive in the safest, fastest, most comfortable and most sustainable way possible.

• • • • • •

Contact Rail1 Groups&Incentives group@rail1.be T +32 70 79 79 81

Thalys – Brussels-Paris : 1h22 Eurostar – Brussels-Lille: 0h32 TGV – Brussels-Bordeaux: 5h40 TGV – Brussels-Lyon: 3h51 Thalys/TGV: Brussels-Avignon: 4h17 Thalys/TGV: Brussels-Marseille: 4h56

WWW.GGDESIGNERS.FR © 2009 09GGD0381 PHOTOS BEAU RIVAGE/C TOPTIMIZ, F. FOLLET, G. GARDETTE, M. JOLIBOIS

VOUS N’OUBLIEREZ PLUS JAMAIS

NICE YOU WILL NEVER FORGET NICE

O F F I C E D U TO U R I S M E E T D E S CON G R È S D E N I C E . N I C E CON V E N T I ON A N D V I S I TO R S BU R E AU 5 , P RO M E N A D E D E S A N G L A I S . 0 6 0 0 0 N I C E . F R A N C E . T E L : 3 3 ( 0 ) 4 9 2 1 4 4 6 2 7 . c o n v e n t i o n b u r e a u @ n i c e t o u r i s m . c o m

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special destination > France

French Riviera

300 days of sunny meetings

The French Riviera is asserting itself as a major hub in Europe for incentive and corporate events; the French Riviera Convention Bureau is playing a key role with wide-ranging dedicated resources for incentive programs and corporate events.

The French Riviera is strategically located between the Italian Riviera, the Alps, and Provence. Getting here from all major European capitals and the rest of the world is easy, thanks to its international airport, France’s first biggest airport after Paris.

The French Riviera offers proximity and accessibility for decision-makers, as well as hotels, event venues, gastronomic restaurants in a unique natural setting, between the Mediterranean Sea and Alpine summits, in a heavenly climate blessed with 300 days of sunshine per year.

It’s an ideal destination—an area burgeoning with innovation and creativity whose ‘savoir-faire’ is increasingly acclaimed. It is also a cosmopolitan place that every year welcomes major, world class events, such as Cannes International Film Festival, Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, Nice Carnival, Antibes International Jazz Festival etc. ‘The

French Riviera. The advantage for clients is in having a single contact who serves as a go-between with the region’s suppliers and institutions. They’re involved in all segments of the meeting industry, from incentives to conventions and professional events. Their obvious aim is to facilitate and optimize the organization of their

“Choosing the French Riviera is both a promise of professionalism, a commitment to excellence and a guarantee of security and success for clients” knowledge we gain from such experiences directly benefits everyone who chooses our region for their event.’

The French Riviera Convention Bureau has two key missions. One is to advice and support companies and agencies who are considering holding an event on the

clients’ events by offering new proposals and ideas for free.

Their other mission is to establish a regional marketing strategy at a European and International level to attract events, particularly during the winter season, which is an ideal period given our unique, temperate climate.

The French Riviera’s competitive advantage lies in the know-how, professionalism and creativity of its events industry local professionals.

Contact French Riviera Convention Bureau Anne HOBON a.hobon@cotedazur-tourisme.com www.frenchriviera-cb.com

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© Daisy Komen Photography

HEADQUARTERS

magazine Supported by ESAE, European Society of Association Executives and UIA, Union of International Associations

Subscribe to HEADQUARTERS magazine 6 magazines a year including special destination reports • 65 € in Belgium • 75 € in the EU • 95 € in the rest of the world For subscriptions or information, mail to info@headquartersmagazine.com

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The Pan-European Magazine for Association Executives To r e a d M a r c e l ’ s t h o u g h t s a b o u t t h e w o r l d a n d t h e m e e t i n g s i n d u s t r y, p l e a s e v i s i t MARCELSBLOG.HQMAGAZINE.EU

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destinations > The Hague

The Hague Where a conference makes the difference When does a conference destination make the difference? Is it in the international ambiance of peace & justice, the worldly sophistication of a city centre, the relaxing atmosphere of the beach or is it more in the cultural heritage? The Hague offers an exciting blend of versatility. It’s the city where the ‘Girl with the pearl earring’ meets 21st century architecture and daring innovations. A city of transparency as well as hidden treasure, of art and business.

But most of all...The Hague stands for royal class treatment and tailor made service.

The Hague has everything that could add colour and value to a business meeting or festive event occasion. The city breaths international peace & justice and hosts many international organisations, mostly of a judicial nature. At the same time the Hague is the residence of Queen Beatrix and the centre of the Dutch government.

Hals, the museums of The Hague offer an extensive collection of works by Van Gogh and his contemporaries. The Municipal Museum of the city boasts the largest Mondriaan collection in the world. The many art galleries and shops, as well as the antique shops and the antique market are ideal for art aficionados.

Green city by the sea

The Hague is home base to the Nederlands Dans Theater and the Residentie Orkest, both renowned around the world. The city’s many other theatres offer a wide selection of music, dance and plays.

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It’s an image The Hague more than lives up to. The beauty of the coastal area with its wide sandy beaches, enclosed by endless rolling dunes, comes to life in the seaside resorts of Scheveningen and Kijkduin. The many hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs make Scheveningen one of the best known trendy resorts on the North Sea. Kijkduin, on the other hand, is smaller and more suited to those who life at a slower pace.

Richly endowed with museums, theatres and landmark buildings, The Hague is ideal for those who love culture. In addition to paintings by Dutch masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen and Frans

Tailor made Whether you’re hosting a congress for 2000 persons or a board meeting for 20, The Hague is guaranteed to have the right location. From the largest venue in The Netherlands, World Forum, to teahouse, always the right proportions and the right atmosphere. And when the work is done, have an elegant dinner, enjoy a thrilling dance performance or a sporting event.

The Hague Convention Bureau is highly experienced in all matters concerning congresses and events. They take pride in making their expertise and marketing know-how available to you. Contact them for information on the endless possibili-

‘Tailor made free and objective advice’ ties of The Hague, or for a free copy of the city’s conference guide. They will be pleased to help you to make your conference in The Hague a memorable one.

Contact Marianne Hoogeveen The Hague Convention & Visitors Bureau Square Vergote 14 B-1200 Brussels T. +32 2 734 86 66 M. +32 478 572 173 www.thehaguecongress.com

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OSTEND, YOUR CONFERENCE

BY THE SEA

WHEN YOU WANT TO COMBINE BUSINESS AND PLEASURE… OSTEND IS THE PLACE TO BE! Is there a greater feeling after a day of meeting than to take in the salt sea air, stroll along the beach, and feel the fresh ocean breeze?

More and more companies think beyond the obvious locations and look for a destination that stimulates and inspires. Ostend provides such an ideal congenial setting!

The city’s up-to-date accommodation, the range of special venues and its healthy maritime environment are unique in Flanders .

Organizing takes time and knowledge. Not if you appeal to Ostend’s Convention Bureau. Its expert team will go out of their way to introduce you to all the meeting and incentive possibilities that Ostend has to offer.

BE OUR VIP! Win an invitation to a VIP-event in Ostend and get acquainted with our City by the Sea. Sign up at www.meet-in-oostende.be/VIP.

Toerisme Oostende vzw / Convention Bureau Monacoplein 2, 8400 Oostende / T. +32(0)59 25 53 17 mice@toerisme-oostende.be / www.meet-in-oostende.be

© James & co

© James & co

destinations > Ostend

Ostend The only City by the Sea Kursaal

Ostend has built a solid reputation in Belgium as a destination for corporate events and meetings: a vibrant city in a healthy environment offering everything you need within walking distance.

MIM interviewed Els Goethals, manager commercial activities of the Toerisme Oostende – Convention Bureau.

MIM: Could you tell us a bit more about the convention bureau?

EG: The conference department of Toerisme Oostende was founded 15 years ago. All these years we strove for innovation and we encouraged event agencies to deliver high quality. Today we are a true convention bureau with a strong team of 5 people. With our accumulated experience we can offer our customers a highly professional and – above all- a personal service.

MIM: You’re a true city by the sea, but that’s not all, I hear. There are lots of other reasons to go to Ostend.

EG: There is a unique treasure hunt through the city with the maritime museum ship ‘Mercator’ as the central anchor point. Or visit the historic Fort Napoleon ‘in an artistic way and wake up the creativity of your own people. Let them taste of poetry, music, painting and sculpture. For those interested in

MIM: What’s new for meetings and hotels?

EG: Ostend has the largest selection of hotels on the coast. The prestigious Thermae Palace now owned by the Dutch hotel chain Apollo Hotels & Resort. Their intention is to restore the property to its former grandeur. All hoteliers keep investing in their infrastructure. For instance, both the Andromeda Hotel and the Hotel Europe recently renovated their rooms.

One cannot visit Ostend without visiting the Kursaal. They offer all facilities under one roof: a technologically advanced auditorium, 9 meeting rooms, a meeting center, a trendy bar and 2 top restaurants: Ostend Queen and Agua del Mar. In addition, we have a number of special venues: the Wellington Golf, the Venetian Galleries, the Royal Galleries to name but a few.

A solid reputation for conferences art, we offer an exclusive nocturnal visit to the prestigious Ensor exhibition at the museum “Mu.Zee”. Each year Ostend is the backdrop for a series of top events. This summer we the famous Cirque du Soleil. Film lovers can enjoy the red carpet at Filmfestival Oostende in September. For those events, Ostend Convention Bureau offers several hospitality packages.

Mercator

Ostend in a nutshell 1. A perfect combination of business & pleasure 2. An encouraging and stimulating maritime destination 3. The largest selection of hotels on the Belgian Coast 4. Easy access by car, tram or plane 5. Stress and congestion-free 6. All within walking distance 7. Original locations for corporate events

Toerisme Oostende vzw – Convention Bureau 1. Professional, free services: custom quality offer of accommodation, meeting and dinner at the best rates 2. 1 contact 3. Online conference module 4. Design of social programs and activities 5. Logistical support to organising committees

Contact Toerisme Oostende vzw/ Convention Bureau T: +32(0)59 255 317 F: +32 (0)59 703 477 mice@toerisme-oostende.be www.meet-in-oostende.be

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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

m

17%

destinations > China

The IT&CM fair presents New incentive-roads to China Do all incentive-roads lead to China?

That’s perhaps going a bit far, but there are indications that China puts more and more meeting destinations on the map. Beijing got its big push with the Olympic Summer Games and Shanghai will make an even further leap forward after the World Expo 2010 Shanghai. Those who want to know more about the developments in this great meetings empire, should visit the IT&CM fair in Shanghai. TEXT MARCEL A.M. VISSERS

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Beijing – Gateway to China There was a time that Hong Kong was very trendy as a meetings destination. The opening of the spectacular HKCEC, the first waterfront congress centre, had a lot to do with that. After the 2008 Olympics, Hong Kong is no longer the gateway to China, that role is now played by Beijing.

What’s new in Beijing? Beijing owes its status as the newest meetings destination to the Olympics and to the construction of the CNCC. The heart of Beijing’s developing industry is the Olympic Green site,

where you face the spectacular buildings known only from TV-images. Apart from being architectural master pieces, these are also the new top venues in Beijing.

There’s the Bird Nest of the National Stadium, where all the press conferences of the Olympic Games were held. The National Indoor Stadium, nicknamed the ‘Folding Fan’, lies a stone’s throw away and is widely acclaimed as the biggest multifunctional indoor stadium in China.

The colourful Water Cube, the Olympic swimming pool, is also not far away and now hosts product launches. Another large capacity venue is the National Centre for the Performing Arts. This modern cultural establishment compromises an opera house, a concert hall, a theatre and an experimental theatre. Overwhelming! The cherry on the cake is the Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall, which features miniature model of the entire Beijing metropolitan area and which can host large scale events.

Shangai presents itself During IT&CM 2010 in Shanghai (ShanghaiMart Expo), Shanghai was – unsurprisingly – the lead destination of the fair. Shanghai Municipal Tourism

Administration published a colourful brochure, identifying all possible meetings and incentive programmes. This city is the commercial and financial heart of China and Shanghai literally means ‘City on the Sea’. Here too there’s a lot of developing being done. Often the success of a city starts with the opening of a new congress centre. On the World Expo site a congress centre was built that probably exceeds Beijing’s CNCC (2600-seat conference hall,

The next edition of IT&CM China will take place from April 13-15 2011 600-seat international conference hall, 5000-seat multi-functional hall and 3000seat banquet hall, medium and small scale meeting areas etc.). The city is also very popular for incentive trips as it has a solid and budget-friendly reputation. www.itcma.com.sg www.itcmchina.com

MIM 35

Thunder Bay, Ontario

In Canada, our break out sessions work a little differently

www.meetings.canada.travel

destinations > Canada

Ontario there’s no place like this Toronto Skyline

Ontario is Canada’s most populated province, largest economy and has everything from small towns and resorts on the edge of wilderness to upscale cosmopolitan centres. Over 250.000 freshwater lakes guarantee that any meeting or incentive 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: Ottawa, Toronto and Niagara. TEXT IGOR HENDRICKX Ottawa Nestled on the banks of several majestic rivers, Ottawa is one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. According to Forbes magazine, Ottawa is the 4th cleanest city in the world. The all-new Ottawa Convention Centre (opening April 2011) will be in the heart of this city and has a total of nearly 20,000 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 archi-

‘Delegates to the 36th G8 summit in June 2010, will enjoy the many meeting and incentive possibilities of Ontario’

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 200acre 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.

Rideau Canal, Ottawa

tectural masterpiece and home to the country’s national collection of art, as well as a spectacular Great Hall (450pax) with a fabulous view of Parliament Hill. It also offers an Auditorium, seminar rooms, a lecture hall, and distinctive reception

MIM 37

destinations > Canada

Horseshoe Falls, Niagara

OCAD, Toronto

Toronto In the language of the Huron First Nation, Toronto means ‘meeting place’ and a fitter name couldn’t have been found.

Here you’ll find unparalleled service, easy access, an excellent convention infrastructure with conveniently located meeting facilities, exemplary accommodations, stunning architecture, gastronomy, art and attractions… And that’s just the beginning! 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 in Canada’s largest city are expanding at a remarkable rate. To ensure the city maintains its place as a key destination for major 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 CDN expansion, the Allstream Centre – a conference facility with 160.000 square feet (14.8644m2) of ballroom and meeting space.

The unique nature of Toronto as a meeting destination extends far beyond the

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‘The unique nature of Toronto as a meeting destination extends far beyond the downtown core. Regions to the east, west and north offer their own special feel’ downtown core. Regions to the east, west and north offer their own special feel. To the east, small town charm and more intimate amenities complement the nearby lake, public parkland and downtown, while the west offers close proximity to Pearson Airport, a diverse cultural scene and simple commuting options to the city core.

Experience the wonder of Niagara Falls and the Niagara Wine region with over 120 wineries producing the international award-winning Ontario Icewines – all within a 90 minute drive.

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 the 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.

Niagara

As one of North America’s most popular destinations, Niagara Falls boasts over 5000 upscale hotel rooms: international brands and smaller boutique hotels for that extra incentive touch.

That brings us to the third but certainly not last destination of Ontario. The New Niagara Falls is a true Canadian wonder for meetings, conferences and events for groups of 10 to 7000 at every price point while highlighting the best views of the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

Soon to open in April 2011 is the 26.000m2 Niagara Convention and Civic Centre that includes a free-span exhibition hall; a distinctive ballroom; and many more flexible meeting and breakout spaces. The convention centre is located just 500 meters from the Horseshoe Falls, allow delegates to enjoy the local attractions after the business day is complete.

Contact In North America: Susan Frei, Director International Meetings and Incentives T. +1 703 825 1134 Frei.Susan@ctc-cct.ca www.meetings.canada.travel In Europe: Roger Bradley Axis Travel Marketing Ltd T. +44 208 686 2300 roger@axistravelmarketing.com

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