MIM120 by Meeting Media Company BVBA

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MIM Europe Magazine, the meetings and incentives magazine for European corporate planners, in exclusive partnership with EUMA, the European Association of Management Assistants, supported by ECM, European Cities Marketing.

europe magazine

Incentives Special Creative Taiwan

Gary Grimmer GainingEdge

Interview

Garry White

ECM’s new driving force

Afgiftekantoor-Bureau de dépôt: 2800 Mechelen 1 Published 4 times a year: March, May, August, November Edition August 2012

Save the date! Luxembourg in Brussels The Luxembourg National Tourist Office is happy to invite you to discover all of the country’s MICE opportunities on the occasion of a lunch-workshop in Brussels. When: Tuesday 9 October 2012, noon to 3PM Where: Embassy of Luxembourg, 75, avenue de Cortenbergh, 1000 Brussels Who: For meeting and incentives planners only Participants include: Luxembourg National Tourist Office, Luxembourg Convention Bureau, Goeres Group Luxembourg, Château d’Urspelt, Parc Hôtel & Domaine Thermal, Melia Luxembourg Hotel, Park Inn by Radisson Hotel, Légère Premium Hôtel Luxembourg, NH Hotel Luxembourg, New Spirit, Mediation SA. Register on www.mimmagazine.eu > events Acceptance of attendance will be notified. www.meetingpoint.lu www.visitluxembourg.lu

general > editorial

COLOPHON

editorial

MIM magazine is the European magazine for the Meetings Industry. It is published 4 times a year by Meeting Media Company BVBA/SARL, with a circulation of 5000 copies.

Marcel A.M. Vissers Owner - Editor in chief

In exclusive partnership with

European Management Assistants Association. In partnership with

European City Marketing. 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 Account Manager - International Sales Kelvin Lu T : +32 (0)2 761 70 59 kelvin@mimmagazine.eu Managing Editor Rémi Dévé remi@mimmagazine.eu T. +32 (0)2 761 70 58 Editor Rose Kelleher 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 Publisher Meeting Media Company Marcel A.M. Vissers Mechelseplein 23, bus 1 B - 2000 Antwerpen (Belgium) www.MIMmagazine.eu

Design WALLRUS grafische expedities, Kortrijk T: +32 (0)56 24 94 44 info@wallrus.be Printing Cartim - Destelbergen

Europe, a rich incentive garden It’s a point I made before. As far as I’m concerned, Europe boasts the most exciting cities in the world, and is also the continent with the most ‘niche’ cities. And I will say more. Suppose someone asks you how many cities there are in Europe, and how many of them are in the Top 20 of the biggest cities. Tough question with many possible answers. First and foremost: which Europe are we talking about? Within the European Commission, there’s a DG Regional Policy with an interesting department that each year publishes the State of the European Cities, and often refers to the European Atlas. A great source of information which primarily points to the difference between the geographical area and the EU. Europe as a geographical area comprises 50 countries with more than 300 cities. This includes the European Union with its 27 Member States (a 28th is coming in 2013: Croatia). That means there are 27 fascinating capitals to visit (EU), supplemented with over 250 niche and emerging cities (E). All these cities showcase an infinite sequence of personalities to discover. If we look at the Europe of the regions, we can easily count 350, all rich regions with a rich cultural past, great historical values and high living standards. In no other continent there’s such a overwhelming variety of sights to be found. Of course, those places are not all prime incentive destinations, but let’s say that roughly at least 40 countries in Europe can offer great incentive destinations, all connected by high-tech traffic routes and easily visitable without too much red tape. Many have not really been discovered yet. That’s why I compare Europe to a big garden where all the rich European incentive ingredients can be found. As an example, our seasoned reporter Rose Kelleher traveled through East Europe (and more!) to visit seven cities. A trip that was not even expensive.

More stories on www.mimmagazine.eu

Contents General

EUMA KLM Brussels Airlines BCD Travel AIBTM Gary Grimmer, GainingEdge

COVER INTERVIEW Garry White, ECM

Special feature MIM Europe Magazine sets great store by sustainable development and therefore chose responsible FSC® certified paper which comes from a controlled source. More info: www.fsc.org ® FSC, A.C. FSC-SECR-0045

Incentives

4 9 11 13 15 16 6 18

DESTINATIONS

Taiwan Meetropolis, Germany Oslo, Norway Sarawak Riga, Latvia Ljubljana, Slovenia Zagreb, Croatia Canada Efteling, the Netherlands Geneva, Switzerland Meetopolis, Brussels

24 26 27 29 31 33 35 36 28 40 42

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EUMA, partners with new platform for booking European venues in real time Too often when looking for meeting venues for a specific location the customer’s experience is an uphill struggle and a lot of time elapses between the search for the location, the request for a quote and finally the reservation. The brand-new www.lastminutemeetingroom. com makes it easy for planners to find and book what they need in a blink of an eye… or almost as such! Since the end of May, on lastminutemeetingroom.com, you can obtain online and real-time availability and prices for a wide range of meeting venues in Belgium. Users can contact

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suppliers to request additional information and reserve a location directly via the platform in just a couple of minutes. The aim of the website is quite easy: to increase the meeting sector’s accessibility by communicating to the meeting planner the online availability, for the next sixty days, of all meeting venues in the network. Prices, discounts, exclusive special offers as well as information concerning all the meetings venue’s relevant infrastructure (Wi-Fi, parking, hotel rooms, etc.) are included. Requests for quotes can be immediately sent to suppliers, which offer a wide range of locations, from meeting and conference centres and hotels, golf clubs, castles, farms to well-hidden ‘gems’ located throughout the country.

Various meeting venues belonging to large hotel chains such as Starwood Hotels, Radisson Blu, Dolce Hotels, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Thon Hotels, Best Western, NH, Prem and Ramada have already joined the network. It’s safe to say this service is unique in Europe, if not globally. The novelty also lies in the fact that reservations are made in real time, so not fear of unavailability or last-minute cancellation. And the website, with such a good start, won’t rest on its laurels: its managers are already focusing on growth in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France and England, looking to expand the number of locations in the near future.

International quality network of management support professionals > www.euma.org

Reykjavik

REMINDER EUMA in Iceland The EUMA Autumn Council and Conference will take place at the Hilton Reykjavik Nordical Hotel 25-29 September 2012.

+ Tuesday 25th-26th September Pre-conference tours + Thursday 27th September Council meetings for Council Members Pre-conference Tours Welcome Reception

The aim of the website is quite easy: to increase the meeting sector’s accessibility by communicating to the meeting planner the online availability, for the next sixty days, of all meeting venues in the network Thierry Vermeiren, Managing Director of E-Hospitality, says: ‘Up-to-date information on a performant platform means that it is easier than ever to reserve your ideal meeting venue. Our professional and experienced staff are at hand to provide support to suppliers and their customers by offering a range of training courses, so they can get the most out of the platform, and a call centre that helps customers in three languages (Dutch, French and English) on working days between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.’

Especially for EUMA By combining the two platforms, EUMA will be able to present as first on the market the online booking & request tool for meetings, on the website www.euma.org It will allow EUMA members to book and request meetings online at special conditions. The

rollout saw the light of day at the end of August 2012 and significantly helped all the EUMA members with precise view on availability of meeting rooms, prices, special discounts and take advantage of the special EUMA conditions. Only EUMA members and their respective companies can take advantage of the special discounts and need to be registered through the website of www.lastminutemeetingroom.com. More info info@lastminutemeetingroom.com www.lastminutemeetingroom.com

+ Friday 28th September EUMA Conference Conference Dinner AT THE LAVA Restaurant at THE Blue Lagoon + Saturday 29th September EUMA Annual General Meeting Post-conference Tours Registration at www.euma.org.

EUMA EUropean Management Assistants, EUMA, is the only Europe-wide quality network of top management assistants who focus on their selfdevelopment and professional evolution, and reflect on the future of their profession. The association is a non-profit 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 1300 members in 26 countries.

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Garry White

With the new partnership that MIM Europe has formed with European Cities Marketing, we could not but interview ECM’s CEO Garry White. Here Garry tells us what he has up his sleeves for his organization and how it can work hand in hand with the meetings industry. MIM Europe: What’s your background? Garry White: I have worked in destination marketing for 25 years and most of that time on international assignments for VisitBritain based in several European cities (London, Manchester, Frankfurt, Berlin, Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki!) and also held positions in New York and latterly in Singapore where I managed 10 countries in Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa. I have been a visiting professor to tourism for many years linked to Strathclyde University in Glasgow. My wife is Finnish and I was born in London. Our 9 year old son is not quite sure where he is from due to the international migration above but has settled on

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Garry White ECM’s new driving force being Finnish! We now live in Lyon, France…Now you are probably confused: Euro/International probably sums it up!

MIM Europe: Why have you accepted the position of CEO of ECM? Garry White: My previous position was Director for Visit Britain’s global network, strategy and global competitiveness based in Singapore. After a period of analyzing markets I had reached a pretty important conclusion that national approaches are not always the most effective way to reach todays buyers and consumers especially in BRICS markets. China for example sees Europe more as an ‘idea’ than a set of countries. And they are interested in cities not countries. European Cities Marketing is therefore the right proposition looking forward. I gave a keynote presentation for ECM in Bilbao in November 2011 on this theme and was instantly impressed by the association and how they worked together and cooperated. It was a bit of love at first sight and I could see masses of potential. It was a bit of a meeting of minds I suppose and I felt this was an excellent opportunity to work with

some of the most important players in European inbound tourism.

MIM Europe: You only have been appointed quite recently - do you have already established a business plan? Garry White: Yes, I developed a new strategy for ECM in the first three months and it is based on three underlying principles: a) we need to ensure that all of our members are clear about the value proposition from being a member b) that the basic principle that holds ECM together is ‘the city’ and that this is something totally unique to ECM c) we need to build in strategic competitiveness to ensure that our knowledge exchange is relevant and focused on top priorities. Additionally, the association has a key role to play in making the case for urban based tourism through channels like the politicians forum and providing excellent research, insight, forecasting and benchmarking tools. It also needs to deliver on issues that are relevant for the meetings industry which is a critical part of the association.

European Cities Marketing

MIM Europe: We have noticed that some countries are very well represented among your members, whereas others are less, like UK and Germany. Do you know why?

Biarritz, France

Garry White: I would say it is definitely not due to lack of interest! The challenge is to make more cities aware of what we do and what we offer. We need to communicate this a little better than perhaps we have done. The new strategy makes it very clear what the USP of ECM is and I strongly believe that we are going to attract new members - in fact I have some new applications already on my desk. We have a conference in Biarritz in November with the theme integrated city marketing and we will run a special debate on UK Cities which will bring interest from new partners over there. In the case of Germany, Italy, France and other markets we should also consider to communicate more in local languages rather than assuming that everything can be done all the time in English. Our new membership prospectus that I am currently developing will be multi-language for example.

includes the critical role of the meetings and conventions industry and the leisure industry.

MIM Europe: Convention bureaus had before their own association, EFCT. They merged with ECM and we no longer heard from them. Now Heike Mahmoud, as vice president of ECM, is putting in a lot of effort to give them the visibility they deserve, and the convention bureaus feel again more recognized…

recognize that the meetings industry also needs its own platform within ECM too, so we created a meetings industry steering group chaired by Heike and the meetings industry members have their own forum and best practice exchange. Our surveys show that the meetings industry partners are extremely satisfied with this new direction…

Garry White: Heike is an absolute star and we are blessed to have her as the ECM Vice president on the meetings and conventions side. EFCT was merged to create ECM and we have now successfully built a new platform based on trust and based on the principle that what makes a city successful is a the notion of ‘everyone in the city sells the city’ and this

We recognize that these different industries need different tools and resources but we equally recognize that the two industries need each other to make a city successful. There is a real benefit from being aligned in terms of strategies. Part of the way forward however has been to

China for example sees Europe more as an ‘idea’ than a set of countries. And they are interested in cities not countries

MIM Europe: The ECM summer school has garnered quite some reputation. Do you have any projects for further development of it? Garry White: I am very excited about the ECM summer school which is now heading for its 26th birthday in

Dubrovnik August 25-29th 2012. The faculty is excellent and totally dedicated and I will lend it my full support going forward. This is an excellent product and it contributes a lot to the success of the meetings industry generally producing 60 graduates every year many of whom have gone on to become future leaders and this is what it is all about - building future success for the meetings industry. We are currently considering an exciting expansion of the summer school programme and the details should be launched within a few months.

About ECM European Cities Marketing improves the competitiveness and performance if leading cities of Europe by providing a platform for convention, leisure and city marketing professionals to exchange knowledge, best practice and widen their network to build new business. European Cities Marketing is promoting and linking the interests of more than 120 members from more than 100 major cities in 32 countries. More info Flavie Baudot flavie@europeancitiesmarketing.com +33 380 56 02 00

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LE SALON A PRIVATE SPACE OFFERING A TOTALLY CONFIDENTIAL MEETING PLACE TRAVELLING AT 300KM/H The Salon offers a completely new kind of private space for high-speed working meetings. With four luxurious seats around a set around a full-size meeting table, designer coat racks, electrical sockets for every chair and free WiFi* make the Salon a full-fledged work space.

Thalys oﬀers you all the services available at Comfort 1: meals served at your seat, free WiFi, international newspapers and the taxi reservation service. Travelling from ‘A’ to Paris, Amsterdam or Cologne? Meetings on board with Thalys and Le Salon are no problem at all.

THE BENEFITS OF THE LE SALON PACKAGE: • Priority Checking and services, to optimize your time on-board • High reactive on-board staﬀ at your service • 4 leather armchairs for enhanced comfort • A meeting table allowing you to work in the very best conditions • The possibility of taking other trains on the day, free of charge**

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• Unlimited exchange before departure and up to one hour afterwards at the Thalys departure station (subject to presentation of all tickets) • 100% refundable before departure and up to one hour afterwards at the Thalys departure station and 50% refundable beyond this.

* Providing the technical service is available. Service supplied by 21Net and activated by Nokia Siemens Networks. ** No guarantee of a seat or services in Comfort 1.

EXPERIENCE ‘LE SALON’ THALYS.COM

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Office de Tourisme de Montpellier @ Ville de Montpellier, Anatome, CĂŠcil Mathieu - Avril 2012

Zen

Design Colorful

Montpellier THE place to go for business

www.ot-montpellier.fr

general > KLM

More comfort with KLM’s Economy Comfort KLM offers the Economy Comfort zone on intercontinental routes. When traveling in the Economy Comfort zone, you enjoy a seat located in the front of the Economy Class cabin offering up to 89 cm legroom and double recline.

Choose more comfort The Economy Comfort Zone offers up to 10 cm of extra legroom and up to double the reclining angle. What’s more, the zone is located in the front of the aircraft, so upon arrival you will be among the first passengers to exit the aircraft. The service in the Economy Comfort zone is the same as in Economy Class.

KLM Meet & Seat is a new KLM service, the first of its kind. With Meet & Seat you can find out who will be seated next to you Arrange your seat online, at the airport, or via your travel agent Reserve your seat in Economy Comfort as from 90 days and until 48 hours before departure at www.klm.be via the Manage my Booking tool. From 30 hours before departure you can reserve extra comfortable seats when checking in online and at the self-service machines at the airport. Since November, Travel agencies can also reserve Economy Comfort. The price for a seat in the Economy Comfort zone ranges between 60€ and 150€ per one way, depending on the duration of the flight. Flying Blue Platinum member or customers travelling on a fully flexible Economy ticket, get a seat in the Economy Comfort

zone free of charge. Flying Blue Gold members and SkyTeam Elite Plus members receive a 50% discount. Flying Blue Silver members pay 25% less.

KLM Meet & Seat KLM Meet & Seat is a new KLM service, the first of its kind. With Meet & Seat you can find out who will be seated next to you. KLM Meet & Seat lets you find about interesting people who will be on board your KLM flight such as other passengers attending the same event as you at your destination. How does it work? Simply share your Facebook or LinkedIn profile through “Manage my Booking” on the KLM site.

Next, check other passengers’ profile details and where they’ll be sitting. Meet & Seat is available until 48 hours before departure, for passengers on all intercontinental KLM flights to and from Amsterdam and for Business Class passengers on KLM flights within Europe. www.klm.be

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general > airline

Getting to know

Brussels Airlines and its offers Brussels Airlines, the Belgian flag carrier, offers a wide choice of flights to and from its base in Brussels Airport, connecting the capital of Europe to more than 60 major European, African and American airports. Experience and more Brussels Airlines has more than 80 years of international aviation experience. Furthermore, the airline has been partly-owned by Lufthansa since June 2009, and has been a member of Star Alliance, a leading global airline alliance, since December of the same year. In a world where cross-border meetings are commonplace and where travel has become easy but can be complicated all the same, Brussels Airlines Official Carrier programme is the perfect solution for when a meeting or convention will take place either in Brussels or in one of the airline’s African destinations. Participants can book their tickets via our website, call centre or a dedicated travel agency. Discount levels vary according to different factors: number of participants, class and period of travel, etc. Needless to say the organiser will be entitled to a few benefits!

Meetings with a plus When it comes to international business meetings, as a member of Star Alliance, Brussels Airlines offers several

advantages. Star Alliance Meetings Plus is designed to meet the needs of all companies, meeting planners and incentive agencies that need to organise gatherings with participants from different countries. Organisers will gain access to the entire Star Alliance network and discounted fares through just one point of contact for all their travel needs. In addition, all participants will be entitled to a 10%-20% discount on economy and business class fares, and will book their tickets via a dedicated travel agency. Meetings Plus can be used for meetings of 50 or more people, from at least 3 countries, with a minimum lead time of 60 days. A similar Star Alliance package exists for conventions. To qualify for a Star Alliance Conventions Plus agreement, the event must have at least 500 delegates, from at least 3 countries and 2 continents, with a minimum lead time of 6 months and maximum 3 years. Your contact Anju Bye HURREE Key Account Manager MICE +32 2 723 87 91 conventions@brusselsairlines.com www.brusselsairlines.com/conventions

Brussels Airlines in New York Brussels Airlines flies daily between Brussels and New York. On board the New York flights, as well as enjoying the airline’s Belgian hospitality and gastronomy, you’ll get to experience their new state of the art in-flight product. Business Class offers fullflat seats voted as one of the top in the world by Global Traveller, while all passengers will enjoy the latest individual entertainment technology with over 100 hours of entertainment and individual touchscreen monitors. All long-haul flights, including to Africa, will gradually boast this new premium experience.

general > BCD Travel

BCD Travel

When business travel and organizing meetings meet Companies keep on looking for ways to save money. ‘And that’s bringing the worlds of meetings and business travel closer together’, says Diederik Banken, VP Commercial in The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg for BCD Travel.

Diederik Banken

BCD Travel is active in more than just the business travel industry. ‘We organize thousands of meetings and incentives every year for our customers. When it comes to MICE, we’re one of the market leaders. In the Benelux alone more than 60 BCD-employees are organizing MICE.

A few of our strengths are our global network consisting of our own offices in over 90 countries combined with the assistance of the best management companies with which we have been working for years’, says Diederik Banken. As specialists, BCD Travel can see trend changes. ‘Over the past few years, we have noticed a shift in attention from companies. After companies have well arranged their travel management, they are now looking for ways to generate savings on meeting management. Our

research shows that huge savings can be achieved in this area. And that is what our clients ask us to do.’ Helpful in that area is the concept Low Cost Meetings, introduced by BCD Travel. It allows companies to organize in a fast, easy and affordable way meetings at external locations. ‘Thanks to our well-developed network we have preselected meeting rooms in a number of cities’, says Diederik Banken. ‘With this new program clients can book a meeting very fast and for a very low price.’

FRANCE

ANGERS LOIRE VALLEY CONVENTION BUREAU

General > Fairs

AIBTM 2012: A Review On the one hand For the second time, Baltimore hosted the AIBTM show in June this year. The first day of the event had a lot of success as usual: educational days are clearly in demand by the corporate and association planners. As for the matter, this explains why AIBTM had increased the number of partnerships with top industry associations such as PCMA, ICCA, ACTE, MPI. The sessions were attended in large numbers and got positive feedback from the participants. Baltimore also hosted a very nice welcome evening party.

On the other Like last year, the fair itself had a great deal of US exhibitors, but we noticed the brass top of them had preferred to send their representatives based in New York and did not attend the show themselves. Also, in comparison to last year, the European delegations were not as visible. This clearly benefited some exhibitors,

who welcomed the visitors with open arms as competition was not as tough.

Conclusion: Moving on to Chicago and Orlando Is this the reason why AIBTM has decided to leave Baltimore from 2013 on? Not according to Craig Moyes, Portfolio Director of the IBTM Global Events Portfolio for Reed Travel Exhibitions, who says: ‘Following the lead of many associations in the US that move their events to a different place each year, we will now have the flexibility to maximize the enormous potential delivered to AIBTM by both Chicago and Orlando.’

Chicago

Orlando is also one of the country’s leading meetings destinations, with the award-winning facility of Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). Some 116,000 hotel rooms are available in Orlando, home to countless entertainment attractions for visitors, and its international airport. www.aibtm.com

He expects that Chicago will attract huge numbers of business visitors – the city boasts more than 35,000 hotel rooms in the downtown central business district, as well as world-class cultural attractions, and is served by two international airports.

At this very moment meeting architecture is being combined with Viennese creativity. When will you design your meeting here?

Messe Wien

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general > interview

Gary Grimmer

Meetings with many views!

Gary Grimmer

MIM Europe: Can you let us know how you started your company and how it has evolved in recent years? Gary Grimmer: I ran convention bureaus for 23 years, first in the US and finally in Melbourne. Eight years ago I decided to start a consultancy, originally thinking that it would just be me and maybe a couple of associates. We’ve got 12 team members now and I’m in the process of forming partnerships in certain parts of the world. So, yes, it has changed some from the original idea. I also originally thought that it would be only consulting. However, as we learned more about what the industry needed, we have evolved a broader range of services. We do a lot of education and training now and also are moving into sales support, helping clients to bid for conventions.

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The meetings industry needs people like Gary Grimmer. At the head of GainingEdge, a specialist firm focused on the international events industry, he’s been helping setting up convention bureaus, offering consultant services on bids, organizing education sessions… and way more. In fact, no matter where you go, it’s hard not to see the extent of Gary’s contribution to the industry. Here he tells us more about his company, the way the world has changed and where to look for growth. MIM Europe: You work on all continents - can you describe what, according to you, their specificities, their weaknesses and their growth possibilities are? Gary Grimmer: Asia - should be the big growth story in the next two decades. China and India are the two biggest growth economies and the association world is seeking to engage in both places. Both are embryonic in terms of their meetings industries. Other parts of Asia are developing quickly. Malaysia has a new national convention bureau as an example which in my view is becoming a new model bureau for Asia. That’s important, because most of Asia’s bureaus are new, or have limited resources and sophistication. What Asia needs most are governments that understand the industry. Most of

their governments express support and then either do nothing or do the wrong things. However, when Asian governments grow to understand the importance of the industry the way Singapore does and become more focused and strategic, Asia will become a major player in the global market. South America - Enormous growth potential, but, they are new at the industry and need to develop stronger convention bureaus and more mature supplier communities. Brazil will be the obvious leader, provided that its governments get their minds around why they need the meetings industry to prosper there.

general > interview

Africa - A real draw card for associations with social agendas. If Africa becomes the world’s next big outsourcing centre its economy will grow and it will draw more corporate and association meetings. Like South America, Africa needs convention bureaus, modern convention centres and more experienced supplier communities. It also needs stronger association communities for both social and economic reasons. In my view, South Africa will lead the charge and the rest will follow. Australia - Australia has a strong economy, a strong resource base, lots of innovation and strong representation within the leadership of international associations. Those strengths have allowed it to do well despite its long haul disadvantage. Asia’s rise will give Australia a new challenge to overcome if it wants to remain a strong player. North America - Traditionally North America has been domestic market focused. However, as the world goes global so ultimately will North American associations. This outward focus alone wouldn’t likely have a big impact on the market, but, add that to the fact that associations headquartered in Europe are rotating to other parts of the world more frequently and what you will have is fewer international association meetings happening in the US. While corporate meetings are down, the global financial crisis and its aftermath can’t last forever, and one would expect a resurgence of corporate meetings in North America, despite the US government’s misguided negativity towards them. I would anticipate a lot of growth there overall, especially if the US leads the revival of Western economies. Europe - Traditionally the most mature and international meetings market. It’s clear that there have been a lot of meetings there recently about saving the Euro and the EU. I’m an optimist about the prospects of all that, and Europe will recover as well. Again, it starts off a high base and globalization means that it will have to compete for meetings that used to be captive audiences. As Europe expands, so do the meeting options, so,

destinations in the East will begin to give traditional Western European destinations a run for their money.

MIM Europe: We understand you just opened an office is Latin America. Besides the interest of international assocations do you also foresee a growth in the meetings and incentive market on this continent? Gary Grimmer: We recently hired our first team member in Brazil. We wanted to establish ourselves in Latin America because we see it as another big growth area for the meetings industry. Brazil is booming, but, all of Latin America should see a lot of economic growth in the future. With that will come more corporate and incentive meetings as well as conventions.

A growing global consciousness about sustainability will affect international events just as it will every other social and economic activity MIM Europe: Do you think that sustainability will have a big impact on the future for international events? Gary Grimmer: Yes, a growing global consciousness about sustainability will affect international events just as it will every other social and economic activity. I don’t think that sustainability factors will be a differentiator in terms of service providers and destinations, I think they will gradually become mandatories. In the current economic environment I think sustainability issues are more the boxes people tick after making their decisions. But, in the future I think they will begin wanting to tick the boxes before they shortlist destinations and suppliers.

MIM Europe: You mention in your corporate goal that you will spend $1 million per year in pro bono work for the industry and in the developing world. Can you give some examples? Gary Grimmer: That is part of our CSR program and we hope to be at that level within the next 4 years. We recently teamed up with IMEX to provide support to their ‘wild card’ exhibitors, destinations that are usually from the developing world and have limited resources. This year they were Sendai, Japan which is still recovering from the 2011 tsunami, and El Salvador. We also provide volunteer or deeply discounted advisory and educational support to bureaus in developing countries. We’re currently working on a plan to identify third world cities and countries where we can ‘adopt’ bureaus and help them to do things that they otherwise could never afford to do.

MIM Europe: We have published articles on ‘emerging destinations’. Serbia seems to lead the way in this area. Can you let us know how you worked them and what your advice has been? Gary Grimmer: We wrote the plan for establishing the Serbia Convention Bureau and then worked with them for three years to build it. This was all done with financial support from USAID. We helped them set up their systems, trained their staff and conducted education programs for their local industry. Serbia has come a long way and the key to their success has been their work in bringing the industry together and developing a more pro-active market approach. They’ve got some really bright young people there who are absolutely committed to the cause because they see it as socially and economically transformative for their nation.

www.gainingedge.com

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special feature Special Feature>>subject Incentives

The objectives of incentives A guide to setting goals

CONTENTS The objectives of incentives . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Choosing travel as a reward for an incentive campaign not only pleases participants by giving them what they desire and letting them know how much their boss appreciates them, it also creates the opportunity for the top brass to get to know the top achievers. A travel incentive reward that is implemented properly and professionally is remembered for a lifetime. Here’s a guide to setting goals for maximum effect of your incentive programme. Narrow it down First and foremost, an incentive travel programme is a means to an end, a strategy employed by a company to achieve business goals and a motivational tool. But motivation as a goal is

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not terribly specific. Sure, the goal is to motivate staff... but motivate them to do what, exactly? There are a number of essential elements that form the building blocks of a successful travel programme. Apart from solid communication, build up of anticipation and programme design, one of the most important features of a successful incentive travel programme is that the selection criteria for the reward is clearly tied to business objectives. So the most important consideration when sitting down to plan an incentive trip is what you want the incentive programme to accomplish. It might seem obvious, but unless goals are clearly defined, the programme is in danger of missing the point. The current market must also be analysed to identify how it’s going to affect the decisions taken at the planning stage. Consider the overall business environment, world events, economic factors, the company’s strengths and

Europe’s best incentive ideas… on a budget . . . . . 20 Game on, The ‘Gamification’ of Incentives . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Get gaming . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 All texts by Rose Kelleher

weaknesses, and those of the competition. Then get to work. Careful consideration is going to have to be given to the organisation’s specific needs and goals. If the corporate strategic goal is to increase employee morale, combining, for example, enhancing safety efforts, improving customer service, increasing market share or any other customerrelated or dealer incentive goals, it’s important to keep in mind that one incentive program is unlikely to address all these challenges. Instead, the list of objectives must be narrowed to your most urgent needs.

special feature > Incentives

Feature

INCENTIVES to meet them? What will happen if many participants can’t meet the goals? And last but not least, successful programmes need to be measurable - and the activities related to their achievement must be measurable, too. Nearly everything is, so the real question here is: Which measurements are too costly or time consuming to be worthwhile?

Prioritise this list and focus on the exact characteristics of the one or two most pressing needs. If, for instance, the problem is poor morale, examine why. Is it because of low salaries? Or poor communication between staff and management? By hashing out these details, a better targeted incentive programme will emerge.

The importance of being realistic It’s vital to keep your objectives simple and specific so that employees can easily direct their efforts. If several goals are necessary, make sure that they are directly related and that participants understand the relationship between them. It’s good to be ambitious goals, but unless those goals are achievable, they will only lead to disappointment. Bearing in mind current market conditions and your company culture, consider the difficult questions that will help strike a balance between easy and unattainable goals. Can they be met? How hard will participants have to work

Once your goals are focused, achievement-oriented, measurable, and well timed, do a final check to ensure that they are also in line with corporate goals and company policy. Gathering observations and feedback from colleagues might help protect you from goals that are made unattainable by the realities of the workplace. Determining how long an incentive travel program will run depends on the needs of your organization. For example, if sales are sluggish, maybe a quick, quarterly incentive might prove valuable. Or if a particular new product needs dealer buy-in, then a year-long program that includes education, product promotion, and contests might be the most strategic approach. Seasonal, short-term programs are common in the world of consumer promotions. Establishing the optimal time frame requires analysis of an incentive’s objectives, bearing in mind that external market conditions will also impact a program’s duration. Executives and key managers must act as hosts to reinforce the company’s commitment to the reward programme. Additionally, to maximise the benefit of an incentive travel programme, the event should include: recognition of earners networking opportunities for top performers so that they can build relationships with other top performers, as well as key management collaboration between top performers and management.

Next step Choosing a destination Does the destination you choose tie in nicely with the rewards strategic goals? Experience is everything, and there’s no standard solution or approach to choosing a destination. Best results are achieved when planners understand that there are ultimately two ultimate objectives: to make sure participants have a great time and that management is a seen in a good light by everyone involved. Here are some questions to ask at the destination choosing stage: 1. Who makes up the participants? It’s important to analyse the ages of the participants, and also to note whether they are couples or singles, as well as the average income of the group. You might also want to take into account their special interests and any other factors that might distinguish them. 2. What salary level are they? Entry level workers earning a modest income will probably not be motivated for an incentive trip to a 5-star golf resort and conversely, senior salespeople earning six figure incomes will probably find a 3-night budget cruise less than inspiring. 3. What do decision makers want? Your programme has to appeal to the people paying the bill, while taking into account the needs of the group. Sometimes the bosses are a totally different demographic from their participant base and might not be experts on what will work best for them. 4. Which destinations, venues and activities match the interests of the majority? Or the most important participants? Or a combination of the two? There is no perfect experience for everyone, so go for the biggest number of people and/or those who are most important to the decision makers. You can offer optional activities to meet the needs of the others. 5. Has there been a previous incentive travel programme that you should know about? Find out what works and what doesn’t for this group, in as much detail as possible. Talking to participants and attendees in anonymity can yield some very valuable information to help shape planners’ recommendations. 6. Is there a perfect solution? Perhaps not, and you have to remind the decision makers of that. If you love historical and cultural destinations, being at an isolated beach resort wouldn’t be your choice, regardless of how nice it is. If your dream incentive is playing golf, getting some outdoor sunshine and just relaxing, you’ll be less than satisfied with a 5-star resort in the centre of the city.

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special feature > Incentives

Europe’s best incentive ideas.... on a budget Budget incentive idea Zagreb: Picnic at the Plitvice Lakes in the National Park with its majestic waterfalls.

Prague, Czech Republic Prague is legendary on the budget travel scene, even though prices have crept up in the past few years. Consistently listed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Prague is unforgettably elegant, adding that special feel to your event. Though perhaps not the bargain it once was, it’s still good value for visitors. There’s infrastructure, accommodation and gastronomic facilities to cater to all kinds of motivational events, and an almost inexhaustible amount of interesting places for meetings and unforgettable dinners. Prague is a source of endless inspiration for those particularly intrigued by architecture and history.

Prague

Europe is not known as a budget destination. But even if you can’t go five star all the way, participants can be brought somewhere out-of-theordinary enough to be inspiring, motivating and memorable. In this slow-growing economic environment, creating extraordinary European motivational experience programmes requires imaginative planners. It’s no surprise that budgets for incentives are less generous than they were, but the appetite for trips that recognise and reward is as strong as ever. Some destinations in Europe are more attractive than others in terms of value for money, and some of the cheapest produce exciting and affordable experiences for incentives. European cities are made for weekend getaways, which work wonders for smaller budgets if a week in the Carribean is out of the question. Spain, Italy, England and France are the big four incentive destinations in Europe, and while these most famous MIM 20

destinations tend to be pricey, you can create a stellar motivational experience that includes more or less the same set of activities in cities like Zagreb and Warsaw and spend about 20% less. The important thing to remember is experience is everything. Clients want a ‘wow’ factor - and these cities will do the trick.

Zagreb, Croatia Croatia’s capital is a focal point of culture, science, commerce and industry - and blessed with enough up-to-date amenities to make it a natural choice for incentives. This one should appeal to quite a few, partly due to Croatia’s reasonable climate that lasts most of the year. Zagreb is another ‘formerEast’ capital that didn’t have much in the way of tourist infrastructure as of two decades ago, but things are moving fast, and today Zagreb is welldeveloped, with everything required for business events and incentive tours. The passenger port of Dubrovnik is one of the most modern in Europe, and is situated inside the city, making it ideal for shore excursions for cruise passengers.

Budget incentive idea Prague: Participants hop on a one hour boat ride and take in all the fascinating views of the city during the day or under the glittering allure of a Bohemian nighttime.

Warsaw, Poland Poland is another country that is rapidly updating and improving after decades of being cut off from most travelers. Warsaw is booming as a result. This city has plenty to see and do, with a big selection of historic oases that have been meticulously reconstructed, set to a backdrop of an ultra-modern urban landscape. A lively metropolis with a green city centre, Warsaw offers a vast array of restaurants, entertainment and cultural pickings, and is also home to the largest domestic and international companies and banks operating in Poland, and an ideal spot for team building events and incentives. Budget incentive idea Warsaw: Ask The Go Game to help you set up your own flashmob in the centre of Warsaw! Pure and simple (and low-cost) fun for everyone.

special feature > Incentives

Alexandr Nevski Cathedral, Sofia

Bucharest

Krakow

Budapest, Hungary

Krakow, Poland

Budapest is a diverse city with stunning architecture and over a thousand years of history lining the banks of the river Danube. It also has a number of stunning historic buildings, castles and palaces available for rent. Budapest seems to be picking up where Prague left off ten years ago in terms of value for money, and it might be wise to organise your incentives here before prices begin to reflect its real value. At the moment, the city remains very good value, and great deals can be found on everything from hotels, restaurants, museums and attractions, to unique local tours and thermal baths.

The second-largest city in Poland and its most beautiful, Poland’s best tourist city is even cheaper than Warsaw, so don’t wait too long to plan an incentive trip. The tourist district around the main square is filled with good and cheap hotels and restaurants, so competition is as high as quality Kracow is a treasure trove, and it can largely be explored by foot - there is no need to plunge yourself into a world of underground trains or buses, if your participants don’t want. There is a wide range of resources for meetings and incentives, with heaps of smaller hotels located in historical buildings with intimate spaces for groups.

Budget incentive idea Budapest: Spend an hour or three in one of Budapest’s amazing thermal spas, they’re cheap as chips!

Budget incentive idea Krakow: A pub crawl around Krakow’s legendary and inexpensive pub trail.

Bucharest, Romania

Sofia, Bulgaria

Bucharest is quite cheap because Romania is not the most advanced European country when it comes to developing infrastructure to suit the pampered tastes of Western visitors and expats. The city is big enough to feature a variety of options, but still not the favourite city of too many people (yet). Known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Époque buildings and a reputation for the high life, Bucharest is a bustling metropolis. Famous for its medieval towns, monasteries and the spa resorts of the Carpathian Mountains and Black Sea, Romania is taking its place as a major European meeting and incentives destination.

Bulgaria stands at the edge of the ‘former East’ and is becoming popular with tourists. It’s also the cheapest country on the list. Still building its tourist infrastructure, Sofia is a good gateway to other parts of Bulgaria, and a rapidly emerging destination for incentive and meeting planners who are just discovering this still little known European secret. Sofia is thought to be one of the oldest cities in Europe, founded thousands of years ago, and today it tells stories of ancient times whose remnants can still be seen today.

Budget incentive idea Bucharest: Organise a scavenger hunt or volleyball game on one of Romania’s fabulous Black Sea beaches.

Budget incentive idea Sofia: Follow the free, two-hour walking tour led by a local tourism volunteer NGO that sets off twice daily from in front of the Palace of Justice.

Warsaw

Cheapest 5-star hotels in Europe If you’re not ready for a hostel or B&B, the following have been listed as Europe’s cheapest cities for 5-star hotels (number of hotels in parenthesis - updated May 2012) ++ Budapest, Hungary (23) ++ Istanbul, Turkey (78) ++ Sofia, Bulgaria (9) ++ Krakow, Poland (10) ++ Athens, Greece (35) ++ Riga, Latvia (9) ++ Bucharest, Romania (13) ++ Barcelona, Spain (33) ++ Warsaw, Poland (12) ++ Berlin, Germany (29)

Some tips for cheaper trips ++ Set up a low-budget scavenger hunt, lucky participants can duck behind rocks, trees, and shrubbery, or sports games in nice spots; ++ Get involved in projects that benefit a community (and benefit CSR); ++ Ask hotels and venues what they can ‘throw in’ for no cost. You’d be surprised what they will come up with; ++ Candlelight with meals makes any event special, a special effect that doesn’t cost much;   ++ A signature drink at the bar creates an elegant feel for no extra cash; ++ Some wineries will donate wine for exposure and may lend their services to a wine tasting during the cocktail reception - a good icebreaker, too; ++ Get your participants to familiarise themselves with the city’s public transportation system, and make using it part of the experience. MIM 21

special feature > Incentives

Game on

The ‘Gamification’ of Incentives Looking at past incentive travel programmes, planners might ask themselves how successful they were. Did employees talk about it for the rest of the year? If the answer to this question is ‘no’, it might be time to re-evaluate, because incentive programmes that employees are not excited about are programmes that are not effective. One of the popular trends in rewards and incentives has been to make it a game. It’s known as ‘gamification’, and it’s turning out to be an effective way to turn a flagging programme into one that

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employees participate in eagerly and talk about all year long. The term gamification is used to describe the adoption of game-play elements from online social games like FarmVille or the online virtual world Second Life for business applications, and is expected to be the new big trend in the design of incentive travel and loyalty programmes. But gamification isn’t really anything new. It has been around for a long time in the form of leaderboards and frequent flyer points and the like, and all it means is taking elements of game-like experiences and applying them to a business setting. It’s now being applied to meetings and incentives, weaving the mechanics and science of computer games into employee engagement in

order to drive participation, attention, and social interaction. Games tend to have a fixed set of objectives, participants, timeframes, and outcomes, and it’s something that lies deep at the heart of the science of what drives behaviour. Adding gaming elements to an incentive programme incorporates more interest, fun, and reward, and can be a way to get people engaged and energised, to build processes that give people more motivation. It also encourages networking and encourages people to pay attention attention during educational sessions.

special feature > Incentives

Get gaming In real terms, ‘gamifying’ a meeting could mean including, for example, a smartphone-based scavenger hunt as an icebreaker or a trivia game as a learning tool. Concepts such as earning points and reaching certain levels, which are part of many programmes, can be expanded to guide employees’ relationships with their companies. Virtual ‘badges’ or other symbols allow them to share their achievements socially, and leader boards tap into their drive for competition. It’s important to ensure that the connection to the overall business strategy is maintained. As with all employee engagement efforts, a strategy using gamification must be well thought out and meaningful in order to succeed. Another key to success is to always make the programme specific to a company’s values and the activities that drive individual and company success. It should also relate to how employees interact with each other onand offline. Meetings technology watchdog Corbin Ball points to how gaming is increasingly going to come into play in the meetings and incentives environment. ‘People spend more than three billion hours a week globally playing online games,’ he says, adding how gaming can ‘make a better world by deeply engaging people and by encouraging collaboration and cooperation.’ To facilitate group interaction, Corbin recommends using a MUVE (multi-user virtual environment space) such as Second Life www.secondlife.com so that ‘attendees take the form of avatars can interact and learn from each other.’ Creating a programme that works and gets participants excited and working hard to win is a bonus for the company and the employees.

So, how do you gamify your rewards programme? New technologies like smartphones and tablets are making it easy, by providing a new channel of communication for participants to share and get involved in the programme. Learning how to use social gaming apps like FourSquare and SCVNGR to integrate simple gaming concepts into mobile app or website can enhance the overall experience. But there are specialists out there who can help you if technology isn’t your thing. Find a game developer, tell them what you want, and let them take care of the rest. Otherwise, have a look at these popular game based platforms that can be easily incorporated into your incentive strategy: ISW, a partner of IBM, has introduced Kudos Badges and specifically Kudos Thanks, a peer to peer and team recognition tool for IBM Connections, which includes leaderboards, badges, experience points and achievement levels. Kudos Badges enables organisations to implement rewards and recognition that are tied to their organisation’s and individual’s performance objectives. Kudos Thanks allows management to provide real time feedback and to publicly acknowledge great work quickly and easily. The recognition is visible on the person’s profile so that peers and colleagues can see and recognise the value that is placed on a persons work.

One of the popular trends in rewards and incentives has been to make it a game

is used to guide users through multiple activities to complete specific actions. With SessionM, users can unlock achievements tied to activities and engagement milestones. Users also can also unlock achievements by choosing to engage with immersive video and rich media ads, collecting points for their achievements. The ePrize Social Loyalty Platform on Facebook enables management to reward employees on Facebook for things they’re already doing, creating ongoing engagement and longer-term loyalty, while Gigya provides websites with end-to-end social infrastructure. On the front end, Gigya’s Social Plugins and Social Gamification products create a ‘Facebook-like’ social experience to drive engagement, while on the back end, Gigya’s Social Identity Management Platform allows businesses to access and manage social data. Users can accrue points and badges and earn rankings. As Adam Brown of IBM says of Kudos Badges: ‘The important thing about gamification to remember is that it isn’t about the game but rather the business outcome that you are aiming to achieve. These things are all powerful motivators but at the end of the day they are simply tools or mechanics that we use to help our users get to the outcome the business wants.’

Xerox are also using game mechanics in a variety of ways, including training. With their Stepping Up application, the user must apply learned skills in on-the-job activities called Quests, which can be conducted with other gamers, driving social interaction. Samsung Nation, powered by Badgeville, is a loyalty program offered on Samsung.com that includes gamification features such as leaderboards and missions, a gaming feature useful in business environments, and

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destination special destination > subject> Taiwan

Baroque Garden, Songshan Culture and Creative Park

Eating in the forest

Taiwan in the running for incentives

Some people say there are no new incentive destinations and that everything has already been discovered. Sure, there’s a little truth in it. But remember: the world is a big place, especially Asia Pacific. Taipei City, New Taipei City and Yilan County waited for years to showcase themselves as attractive incentive destinations. Now they are ready. Report Marcel A.M. Vissers

A few years ago, Taiwan developed a daring MICE advancement program, under the impulse of the Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT). A lot was accomplished in attracting association congresses but the numbers of incentives participants didn’t grow at the same pace. This has definitely changed. In April this year, for the first time, a creative indoor and outdoor teambuilding program was presented to the international press. Taipei City, New Taipei City and Yilan County were finally in the incentive spotlight!

Taipei’s creativity of incentive travel events You can learn a lot in Taipei in five days, especially when the programme is organised by MEET TAIWAN. What drew the most compliments from myself and my colleagues was the tour package jointly launched by Volando Urai Spring SPA Resort and Miling’an Musical Theater. Other MIM 24

interesting activities included a martial arts course designed by the XueXue Institute and a culinary workshop I sincerely recommend. Outside of Taipei, Yilan County got all our attention. Many intriguing events and experiences, such as tea picking and a visit to the National Centre for Traditional Arts, were introduced. And the Taiwanese cuisine is absolutely mouth-watering. Each and every dinner was superb! So, that was about it for the appetiser. But what else did MEET TAIWAN have up their sleeves?

Songshan Culture and Creative Park Those who visit Taipei for the first time can’t take their eyes off of the world’s second tallest building: Taipei 101. Wherever you go or stand, you can see the tower showing off like a slender bamboo stem.

But the best way to compare the old and the new Taipei is a visit to the Songshan Culture and Creative Park in the Xinyi District. It is an old tobacco factory dating from the time of the Japanese occupation, which has now been almost completely restored. Here, you can find Japanese secession office buildings, factories with bright and wide corridors, warehouses with platforms and conveyor belts and boiler rooms with tall chimneys. Besides all these historic monuments, you can also find pleasing, luxurious gardens creating a step-back-in-time atmosphere. A tall grand multi-showcase hall (formerly the basketball court) provides a site with a unique atmosphere suitable for proms, balls or exhibitions. The exotic baroque gardens are perfect for cocktail parties and press conferences.

special destination > Taiwan

Miling’an Musical Theater, Volando Urai Spring Spa Resort

Yilan’s rice field

City of Yilan Life outside Taipei is unusually surprising: lush green landscapes, winding rivers and colourful homes, it’s more than worth a visit. The town of Yilan is exceptional, with mountains on three sides. Yilan is nicknamed the green county

Volando Urai Spring Spa Resort A popular hit for Taipei is without a doubt the teambuilding programme in the woods of Wulai. The starting point is the idyllically located spahotel Volanda Urai. In the morning, guests can experience the traditional Atayal hunting ceremony and learn some bush survival skills. The group can also learn more about how the aboriginal people use plants of the mountain forests to create ‘living utensils’ and how different tribe members cooperate in gathering firewood, starting fires, and cooking meals. In the evening, the guests usually leave the mountains to enjoy a performance by Miling’an Musical Theater at the hotel. It’s a particularly beautiful show combining music, dance and singing in a remarkable venue.

Specialty Venues and 5-Star Hotels to Receive MICE Groups Incentive organizers always inquire about special venues in Taipei City and five-star hotels.

As for the five-star hotels, there are The Grand Formosa Regent, the W Hotel, The Grand Hotel and Palais de Chine Hotel, each with its own unique characteristics. Since Taipei is also renowned as a gourmet capital, culinary reviewer Hu Tien-lan can be invited to teach a class on Taiwanese spring rolls and dumplings to a group. A very special dinner can also be arranged at the popular ‘no menu’ restaurant Formosa Pearl. Incentive guests will be impressed by the culinary concepts of ‘from place of origin to the dining table’ and ‘dining on seasonal ingredients’.

of Taiwan. Being the birthplace of Taiwanese opera and all kinds of traditional arts, Yilan is considered the best off-site destination for a post-event tour. One of the main activities is a ‘Tea appreciation’ at a local tea farmer and visit to the Centre for Traditional Arts.

A venue capturing the attention of all visitors is also the Xue Xue Institute. It’s a 10-storey private building owned by a Taiwanese couple. There are 27 classrooms and cosy areas full of surprising architecture, art, fashion and cuisine (it also holds a fully equipped kitchen for cooking lessons). Contact MEET TAIWAN contact@meettaiwan.com www.meettaiwan.com

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destination > Meetropolis

KÖLNDÜSSELDORF

Five good reasons for The Meetropolis

The Meetropolis: We custoMICE your meeting

+ The central location with an outstanding infrastructure guarantees maximum accessibility and mobility for journey and stay. + Concentrated experience of conventions, know-how, a wide variety of venues plus quality of service establish the basis for stress-free success.

Two metropolises, one experience, The Meetropolis: Discover this unique destination for your successful convention. With their concept KÖLNDÜSSELDORF - The Meetropolis, the Rhine River metropolises have been awarded project support from the European Union and the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia designed to further strengthen MICE business. The two diverse metropolises on the Rhine have bundled their attractive offers and will market themselves even more strongly on the international market as a congress destination region: Come and visit us at the IMEX America in Las

+ Various synergies offering excellent scientific and research skills in the region provide an extra edge, interested parties and speakers for your topic.

Vegas on October 9-11, 2012. The Meetropolis offers the best conditions for your successful MICE activities! Cologne & Düsseldorf. The Meetropolis is waiting for you.

+ The proximity to German and international business ensures inspiration, insight, audiences and valuable multipliers.

Contact Verena Vaßen v.vassen@meetropolis.de www.meetropolis.de

+ The Rhineland embodies a piece of Germany's traditional and modern culture, and its people with their cordial mentality turn it into a unique experience.

CustoMICEd Conventions

KÖLNDÜSSELDORF – For custoMICEd conventions on the Rhine. Perfect access thanks to two international airports and an outstanding meeting infrastructure combined with a cheerful Rhineland welcome – that’s what makes KÖLNDÜSSELDORF such a special venue for your event. We’ll be happy to assist you with your wishes and ideas. Come and meet our Meetropolis team at the IMEX America at Booth 424-35.

www.meetropolis.de

We custoMICE your meeting.

destination > Oslo

The M&I Forum Europe Spring 2012 in Oslo The M&I Forum Europe Spring 2012 was recently organised in Oslo, Norway. A total of 450 delegates buyers and suppliers - met in the Norwegian capital during 5 intense days.

‘An event like this takes a lot of work’ says Ann Schumacher, from VisitOSLO, the bureau responsible for the event. ‘But when the result is good, we are all happy. And when also the organisers,

WorldWide Events were pleased, we cannot ask for more’ she concludes.   ‘This was a great branding opportunity for Oslo,’ says convention Director Anne Rødven. ‘Only around 5% of the participants had come to Oslo before.’ And she continues ‘And above all, this was a great team building exercise for the city’s meetings industry. All the involved partners did their upmost to make this the success it turned out to be.’   Will you do it again? ‘Yes, definitely - but maybe not just yet’ conclude convention bureau’s Ann and Anne, both of them with a smile.

OSLO

A city fOr ALL SeASOnS And ALL OccASiOnS

VisitOSLO Convention Bureau - congress@visitoslo.com - www.visitoslo.com/meetings

M&I Forum Europe Spring 2012

Nancy Bundt©Vigeland-museet/BONO-Christopher Hagelund, Skrik, Edvard Munch 1910 © Munch-museet/Munch-Ellingsen Gruppen/BONO 2011

The workshop itself took place in the Oslo Congress Centre, located right in middle of the city. Its prime location allowed the participants to walk to and from their hotels and they left ‘green footprints’ all over town. In addition to the workshop, the programme was filled with fun activities and gala dinners, including a ‘Come as your favourite Star’- party at the Norway Convention Centre.

special destination > Sarawak

Amazing Race - Kuih gone wild

The Survivor

Three incentive ideas in Sarawak The largest of 13 states in Malaysia, Sarawak covers stretches over 750km of the northeast Borneo. Definitley unique thanks to significant differences in culture, administration and lifestyle from those in Peninsular Malaysia, it’s also renowned for its abundance in natural resources and outstanding scenery. No wonder exceptional incentives have pride of place there. Here are three examples. Rhythms of the Rainforest

Amazing Race: Kuih gone wild!

The Survivor- Sarawak style

From humble beginnings over 10 years ago, the Rainforest World Music Festival has earned international acclaim and recognition for blending the best of world music with a gig in the jungles of Borneo. For two days and three nights, world-class musicians from four continents play to their hearts’ content to an international audience at the Sarawak Culturally Village (SCV). There you can sway to the rhythm in the midst of a floodlit rainforest setting during the concerts at night. Fancy a private concert? Arrangements can be made for the visiting musicians to perform for your group, or conduct a special workshop just for your guests. Groups can stay in any of three international beach resorts in the area.

Set in the rustic surroundings of the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) Sarawak’s living museum, delegates are divided into teams where each will be given a clue that will lead them to a set of tasks at hand. Just as the name suggests, teams will be required to visit 4-5 traditional houses within the Cultural Village to recreate the traditional biscuits and cakes, also known as kuih. The SCV staff will first show the teams how to make the kuih, and after that, will take over and proceed to try their hand at making these traditional delicacies to the staff’s approval. Once they’ve finished visiting the 4-5 traditional houses, the teams will assemble in the general event hall to decorate their tray of kuih. Winners will be judged on their creativity, the taste and presentation of their kuih and the time it took them to complete the race.

Come join the tribe in this Survivor themed dinner by the beach. Guests are welcomed with garlands by torch-bearers dressed in native costumes. To ensure guests are dressed according to theme, organisers will be provided with sarongs and native headgear suitable to survive the night. The evening kicks off with a procession to the bonfire where the tribal chief will conduct a welcoming ceremony before the BBQ feast begins. After dinner, let the games begin! Traditional games are played to foster camaraderie amongst guests while local entertainers provide an ambient atmosphere of traditional music and dance. You can even join in the performers in a traditional dance sequence. So, what are you waiting for? Contact Sarawak Convention Bureau +6 082 242 516 info@sarawakcb.com www.sarawakcb.com

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special destination > Latvia

Incentives in Riga and Latvia The perfect fit! We shouted it before: Riga, the Latvian capital, is the perfect fit for your next meeting. The city has indeed just the right size whether for a small, exclusive board meeting or a large corporate conference with thousands of participants. But Riga and its surrounding region have even more up their sleeves: when it comes to incentives, possibilities are just countless. Here are some interesting ones. © Live Riga/Meet Riga

There are many ways to discover and rediscover the Latvian capital. If you’re into culture, history or even ballet, Riga has plenty to offer.

Medieval feast

Take a Peek into Riga’s Past Taking a peek into the historical lifestyle of wealthy 17th century Rigans is much easier than you think. You just need to make a quick call to the Mencendorf House and you will be guided on a tour of this historical building. At the end, you will enjoy a feast of pancakes cooked with an original 17th century recipe.

Underground Medieval Feast in the Old City Experience a medieval celebration and enjoy the pleasures of a sumptuous feast. You can taste specialties from the kitchens of various medieval castles, such as the deer ragout prepared exclusively for Queen Blanche of Navarre, or the rabbit meat stew borrowed from the menu of her majesty Isabella of Bavaria.

Spy Games Up until only recently, the streets of Riga were filled with secret service and KGB agents. They searched the city for spies, whom they locked up in the basement of the notorious Corner House in central Riga. Become on of them and challenge your colleagues! But Riga is not the only place where you can organize fun incentives. Just outside of the city, there are also a few options worth considering.

Aerodium © Gunars Janaitis

A unique opportunity to see the opera’s beautiful stage decorations up close and watch the singers and ballet dancers rehearse on stage. End the tour with a champagne reception and private recital in the opera house’s White Hall.

Opera Backstage Tour

Riga Opera House

Fly Like a Bird at the Aerodium (in Sigulda) The Aerodium is a vertical wind tunnel where visitors are suspended on a gust of air blowing upwards at a speed of 180-200 km/h. You can fly like a bird, held up in midair by the wind blowing from below.

Amber Hunting (on the seashore) The coast is full of million-year-old treasures - amber stones that were once as valuable as gold. Enter a competition with your co-workers and see who can find the most amber; then turn your discoveries into a beautiful necklace. End your day of amber hunting with a fishermen’s picnic on the seashore, sampling freshly smoked fish and beer from local breweries.

Cut Off from the World (Ligatne)

totally offline! Take the unique opportunity to visit a well-preserved, secret nuclear war bunker nine meters belowground. You can also experience a Sovietstyle meal at an authentic cafeteria.

Prison Break (Liepaja) Test your nerves by visiting a real historical prison, where the first inmates served their sentences in the 19th century. You can challenge yourself even further by staying overnight at one of the prison chambers. But keep in mind: prisoner’s meals are not served regularly, and food is given only to those who behave. More info MEET RIGA meet@liveriga.lv + 371 2633 1190 www.MeetRiga.com

You will be surprised at how easily you can be cut off from the world and go

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destination > Ljubljana

Ljubljana Dragon Bridge

A concert in Postojna Cave

Ljubljana

Incentives Under the Dragon’s Wing*

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia With its 280,000 residents, Ljubljana ranks among the smaller European capitals; nonetheless, it surprises visitors for its wealth of history, tradition, style, arts and culture, and an atmosphere that is both Central European and Mediterranean. Those who know it better would add safe, green, multilingual and hospitable.

Rafting on the Soca River

Ljubljana Old Town

The city’s image features a harmonic blend of Baroque, Art Nouveau and newer styles, complemented by a medieval hilltop castle and a river crossing the Old Town. A rich agenda of cultural events, a lively café society and an active youth scene fuelled by 60,000 university students contribute to Ljubljana’s dynamic flair. An enticing food and wine experience based on fresh local ingredients, ranging from simple and genuine traditional cuisine to fine dining, round off the picture.

Elements contributing to the ‘feel good’ vibe of Ljubljana are its human scale and compact size, which makes it a great walking and cycling city, as well as vast traffic-free areas downtown. Several hotels, from modern, historic to small boutique and design ones, can be found over there. Ljubljana also represents an ideal departure point to reach many of Slovenia’s nearby attractions, among which are also attractive settings for creative incentive and outdoor programmes. The diversity of experiences close to the capital, even at only a half an hour’s drive, can definitely enhance and bring added value to a meeting, conference or incentive. Green Slovenia, proud of its wellpreserved nature, is a EU member and is in the Eurozone. Well accessible, with a maximum of two hours’ flight to the major European hubs, Ljubljana has two daily connections to Brussels and one daily to Amsterdam, operated by the national carrier - Adria Airways. The Ljubljana Convention Bureau has recently issued ‘Tips for Incentives’ in both printed and digital format. The publication is an informative

destination toolkit for incentive and meeting planners, with a territorial emphasis on Ljubljana and Central Slovenia. However, some attractive programmes in the Alps or along the Adriatic coast are also featured. Over eighty tips provide a selection of programmes subdivided by themes: from outdoor adventures and teambuilding to ethno heritage, crafts, history, nature and eno-gastronomy. All brief descriptions state the seasonality and minimum / maximum number of participants and duration. Contacts of the agencies operating them are provided, yet, to create a wellbalanced programme with multiple activities and experiences in different settings, it is highly recommended to refer to the stated DMC contacts. To learn more in no time you are welcome to download ‘Tips for Incentives’ from www.visitljubljana.com/meetings while, to receive a paper or digital copy or any further helpful information, please contact the Ljubljana CVB team via convention@visitjubljana.si. * The dragon is a symbol of Ljubljana and is depicted in its coats-of-arms; it is connected to legends, bridges and found in details around the city, sometimes even in a live version, as a mascotte!

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destination > Zagreb

Zagreb

A good choice for incentives

Zagreb Square, Trg Ban J. Jelacic

In this very edition, our seasoned writer Rose Kelleher wrote that Zagreb is a more than interesting destination for corporates looking for nature and culture. But the best way to discover a city is to be part of a conference and experience it for yourself. I spent 5 days in Zagreb during the ECM (European Cities Marketing) BRIC Conference last June, a conference where I learned that ‘European cities are up and looking east’. Report Marcel A.M. Vissers

A new member country In 2013 the EU will welcome its 28th member state: Croatia. It’s a country that suffered relatively little from the war in the early nineties, a country that preserved its own character, having somewhat of a 19th century atmosphere. It’s Central European in character, but has a more Mediterranean feeling because of its elegant and picturesque location on the Adriatic sea. Zagreb is Croatia’s capital, a city that, according to specialists, is going to be very popular with Europeans in the future, because it’s still fairly unknown. For a large part, Zagreb has to thank the influence of Vienna, Budapest and Venice, also known as the cultural triangle, for its MIM 34

cultural wealth. My first impression of Zagreb was one of amazement. It’s a stately, renovated, neat and very green city. One resident told me that it’s a blue city as well, as there are modern blue trams running everywhere. He also immediately added ‘and safe, very safe’. Anyone exploring the city on foot will soon notice that they have to be somewhat fit. Zagreb consists of two parts, an upper and a lower one. Those of you who love culture will have to climb, because it’s in the higher area you’ll find the most interesting museums and historical buildings.

New Culture for Europe As a future member of the EU,

Croatia is definitely on the map of a lot of European conference and incentive organizers. It can be a bit of a puzzle to put together the right programme, but the main ingredients are there. Tourists can be delighted to discover the history of the cravat and why Zagreb is the home of the first mechanical pen in the world. But usually an incentive traveler wants more. As we mentioned in the beginning of the text, Zagreb has a wealth of cultural amenities: 20 theatres, 3 concert halls and more than 60 museums and galleries. And don’t forget the city palaces. Outside Zagreb, nature is abundant and all sorts of sporting activities can be organized.

destination > Zagreb

Mimara Museum

Museum of Contemporary Art

Zagreb is Croatia’s capital, a city that, according to specialists, is going to be very popular with Europeans in the future, because it’s still fairly unknown In the town itself there are a few highlights to mention. You can enjoy the famous Zagreb saturday promenade concerts in the most beautiful Zrinjevac City Park. Another must-see is the change of the guard ceremony in front of the Croatian Parliament. During the ECM conference, we got a taste of how an incentive or conference group would be welcomed in Croatia. The cocktail reception took place at Dverce Palace, an elegant neo-renaissance city palace in the upper part of town. Impressive, trendy balls and social functions were organized in the stylish ballroom on the first floor, in Central European style. A seated welcome dinner was served at the Mimara Museum. The size of the building itself and its splendid interior make it a perfect choice for organizing large and small exclusive meetings, especially the beautiful space in front of the building. And there are a lot of other museums and city palaces where such unique social activities can be organized.

Conferences in a new European city Novelty attracts, but it can also be the beginning of new connections for companies and organizations, especially in the European context. Conferences are often the perfect occasion to discover new opportunities. Personally I think Zagreb is

strong in organizing hotel conferences. The ECM Conference took place in the 5-starWestin Hotel, perfectly located in the centre and adjacent to the Miramara Museum and the world-famous National Theatre and Opera House. The 4-star Palace Hotel, formerly known as Schlessinger Palace, is the most historic hotel in the city - it opened in 1907. Dubrovnik Hotel is a good option for incentive and conference guests as well, and is especially well located on the main Zagreb Square called Trg Ban J. Jelacic.

In the upper town

It would be a shame not to talk about the cultural riches of the city. The farewell dinner of the ECM conference was organized in the Okrugljak restaurant. It’s probably one of the most authentic of Zagreb’s restaurants and certainly one the most traditional establishments in the north of Croatia. Highly recommended for groups looking for a bit more than the standard stuff! Contact Zlatan Muftic  Convention Bureau Director  Zagreb Tourist Board & Convention Bureau  +385 1 4898 555  zmuftic@zagreb-convention.hr  www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr  www.zagreb-convention.hr

Kaptol Easter

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destination > Canada

Very Special Venues in Canada Take your pick!

Ice Hotel, Quebec City

When it comes to meeting and incentive destinations, they don’t get much more unique than Canada. And dotted across this diverse and magnificent country are some of the world’s most extraordinary and unique venues. Easily accessible via direct flights from Europe, you can find yourself on Canada’s Atlantic Coast in just five hours from London. Spread amongst Canada’s vibrant cities and white tipped mountain ranges you will find an array of phenomenal venues. Here is our selection. Halifax Citadel National Historic Site Hosting a meeting or convention in Halifax often means taking a break from the boardroom scene and being immersed in the city’s history. Unique venues such as the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site provide just such a setting. Constructed between 1828 and 1856, centrally located, it’s a starshaped fortress sitting atop a hill in the heart of downtown Halifax. A living museum, it provides a unique backdrop for a wide range of gatherings. Facility spaces with capacities ranging from 10 to 3,000 include the North Magazine, The Soldiers’ Library, The North Front Casemates, The Garrison Grounds, and The Parade Square.

Ice Hotel, Quebec City Located 10 minutes from downtown Quebec City, the Ice Hotel is pretty much self-explanatory. It accommodates up to 400 people for a cocktail reception and 90 people for an overnight stay in its 36 rooms, allowing guests to live a unique Nordic adventure in an ephemeral environment. For people looking for an exclusive experience, the ‘Hôtel de Glace’ will be the perfect place for a one-night stay, far away from the bustle of the outside world.

PHI-Centre, Montreal Opened last June, the PHI-Centre boasts discreet yet powerful

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technology and flexible spaces. Listed as one of the venues of Montreal’s very first C2-MTL (Commerce + Creativity Conference), the PHI-Centre is a LEED certified classic building right in the old town converted into a versatile space. It is the ideal fit for a cocktail or concert and can be considered an interactive experience in itself, with the word ‘technology’ written all over it.

Canadian Museum of Civilization, Ottawa For the public, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the most popular and most-visited museum in the country, is most renowned for its permanent galleries featuring Canada’s 20,000 years of human history and for its architecture and stunning riverside setting. The Museum also presents an ever-changing program of special exhibitions that expand on Canadian themes and explore other cultures. Its Grand Hall is quite rightly named. Housing the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles, the venue offers a stunning backdrop for events of all kinds for up to 800 people seated and 1,500 standing.

CN Tower, Toronto Completed in 1976, the CN Tower, a communications and observation tower situated in Downtown Toronto, proudly stands at 553m - at the time it was the world’s tallest free-standing structure

Jack Poole Plaza, Vancouver

and tallest tower. This Wonder of the Modern World offers spectacular views, a spell-binding Glass Floor, a motion theatre ride and fantastic shopping. New and thrilling is EdgeWalk, where, at an elevation of 356m, visitors tethered to an overhead rail system can walk on the roof of the main pod! EdgeWalk was presented with the Guinness World Record for the “Highest External Walk on a Building”. The CN Tower is also one of the city’s sought-after corporate venues. With meeting rooms featuring the latest in high-tech communications, a private in-house theatre and inspired hospitality services, it’s a good choice for any event from 2 to 2,000 people.

Calgary Stampede Park, Calgary Calgary Stampede, ‘the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’ and the world’s largest rodeo, celebrated 100 years in July and boasts a great variety of activities, including parades, stage shows, country music superstars, First Nations performances, rollercoaster rides, BBQs & pancake breakfasts and Canada’s longest zip line over Stampede Park. With over 500,000 square feet of space, Stampede Park has the ability to host any event imaginable, with elegant meeting rooms, flexible exhibition halls, a comfortable and intimate theatre, the Grandstand, Stampede Corral arena, numerous outdoor venues and even a rustic log cabin.

destination > Canada

Oak Bay Beach Hotel, Victoria

Celebrating history in Halifax

Olympic Plaza, Whistler

CN Tower, Toronto

Phi-Centre, Montreal

Ottawa, Compass Grand Hall

Oak Bay Beach Hotel, Victoria Having stood its place on a magnificent stretch of Pacific Ocean coastline for over 80 years, the Oak Bay Beach Hotel in Victoria is currently undergoing a transformation that will see it reopen in autumn/ winter 2012 as a five-star boutique resort and spa. Honouring its rich history with manor house inspired architecture and restored vestiges of the past, this renewed hotel will be comfortable and elegant all the same. As in the past, incentive guests will be welcome to make this hotel their own. The hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amenity program is extensive and will include a butler service, a seaside spa with mineral pools and a selection of outdoor activities ranging from whale watching to kayaking.

Jack Poole Plaza, Vancouver Located at the Vancouver Convention Centre, Jack Poole Plaza welcomes event planners with a sporty attitude - it is home to the 2010 Olympic Cauldron, an everlasting icon of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olympic involvement. While groups can book the plaza for post-meeting receptions, outdoor dinners or other events, the space is used daily by delegates and the public to simply relax during a break and enjoy the views. The setting provides a stunning backdrop of the waterfront on one side and city skyline on the other.

Whistler Olympic Plaza, Whistler Whistler Olympic Plaza is the site where global audiences gathered nightly to see

Stampede Park, Calgary

the best athletes in the world step up to the podium at Victory Ceremonies during the 2010 Winter Games. Designed as a lasting legacy, Whistler Olympic Plaza accommodates audiences of up to 8,000 and is now a permanent venue for recreation, events, arts and culture. Completed in summer 2011, the landscaped area includes outdoor performance spaces, terraced seating and public art. The Olympic Legacy Cauldron serves as an ongoing reminder for locals and visitors of the Games.

For further information and impartial destination advice contact Sarah Kemsat at the Canadian Tourism Commission on +44 (0) 208 686 2300 or sarah@axistravelmarketing.com, or visit uk-meetings.canada.travel.

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destination > Efteling

Efteling

Your World of Wonders is not far away!

Efteling Villa Bosrijk

Centrally located between Brussels and Amsterdam, Efteling is more than just a theme park. It is a World of Wonders where almost anything is possible, also in the business arena.

four frogs transform the ‘Vonderplas’ lake into a 12-minute musical spectacle. Featuring well-known Efteling melodies, fire and lighting effects, and more than 200 fountains, Aquanura brings fairytales and attractions to life before your eyes. This sensational water show can now be enjoyed 365 days a year, only at Efteling.

winter decor, twinkling lights, crackling bonfires and, above all, plenty of fun together.

Once upon a time... a Fairytale Forest expanded to become a gigantic World of Wonders. Efteling is celebrating its 60th anniversary and, throughout that time, it has certainly not stood still. In this special anniversary year, the park is at its best, with sensational new attractions.

Would you care to offer your guests an extra-special treat? Aquanura can be included as part of your business occasion or celebration. Combine this amazing spectacle with the VIP Terrace Loreley and your guests will feel like royalty.

Overnight stays at Efteling Village Bosrijk or Efteling Hotel

To celebrate this unique year, the spellbinding anniversary attraction, Aquanura, can be enjoyed daily. Aquanura is Europe’s largest water show and a tribute to Efteling’s very first water attraction, which was already present at its opening in 1952: The Frog Prince. During the Aquanura water show,

Efteling is open year round and has plenty to offer during winter. Besides marvelling at Aquanura after dark, you can also enjoy the unique atmosphere of Winter Efteling. The biggest winter event in the Benelux offers visitors a trusted formula for guaranteed enjoyment: attractions and entertainment in

60 years Efteling

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Winter magic at Efteling

A day at Winter Efteling leaves a lasting impression: listening to gospel music together around a camp fire or skating together on the Ice Palace rink. Bring on the snow this winter!

If your guests are travelling from far away or you would like to combine your gathering with an overnight stay, treat everyone to the sweetest dreams within walking distance of Efteling. Both Efteling Hotel and Efteling Village Bosrijk are easy to reach and have ample free parking. Both locations offer various meeting rooms and event locations. As well as short stays, you can also hold training courses, teambuilding events and meetings at Efteling Hotel and Efteling Village Bosrijk.

destination > Efteling

Testimonial the experience of Concentra Media Regie Aquanura

On 2 June, Concentra Media Regie organised an unforgettable family day out for its loyal customers, as it does each year. Regular advertisers in the Gazet van Antwerpen, Het Belang van Limburg, Acht and the Concentra websites were immersed and pampered in Efteling’s fairytale surroundings.

Efteling Hotel

Dream away at Efteling Hotel Efteling Hotel is situated right next door to the theme park. Your guests can stay here for one or more nights in fairytale surroundings. It boasts 122 rooms, which were recently refurbished to offer the very best in modern comfort.

Wonderful nights at Efteling Village Bosrijk At the end of 2009, the World of Efteling opened the new holiday park Efteling Village Bosrijk. This charismatic holiday park is surrounded by nature and offers an oasis of tranquillity, right next door to the theme park. The opening of Efteling Village Bosrijk enables Efteling to offer many more possibilities for overnight stays. This allows more visitors, including those from neighbouring countries, to stay overnight close to the theme park. Efteling Village Bosrijk offers numerous possibilities for staging (business) events lasting one or more days.

Inspirational locations, first-class facilities and professional organisation. That’s what you get from a business event at Efteling Enchanting business events Inspirational locations, first-class facilities and professional organisation. That’s what you get from a business event at Efteling. A place that takes you and your guests off the beaten track. Where people can be more creative and think more freely. These things make a difference. Not only to your guests but, more importantly, to the success of your event. With its 60-year history, you can count on Efteling’s vast experience in welcoming and attending to large groups. Anyone who chooses Efteling finds a reliable, professional and collaborative partner. For more information, visit www.efteling.com

‘Once a year, we like to thank our clients and their families for their loyal patronage and belief in our media titles,’ says Nathalie van Goethem, Communication & Events Manager at Concentra Media Regie. ‘Our slogan, ‘We make everyone’s heart beat faster’, not only applies to our target audiences; Concentra Media Regie also aims to touch the hearts of our clients and their families. And a thrilling family day out is a wonderful way of doing this.’ ‘A personal welcome provided by Efteling characters and a generous breakfast ensured the perfect start to an unforgettable day. Naturally, the lovely weather played an important role, but also the well-maintained park, the attractions, which offered something for everyone, and the unique atmosphere made this family day out an unqualified success.’ She continues: ‘And the finale could not have been more perfect. A delicious aperitif during the Aquanura water show led to many ‘wows, oohs’ and other exclamations of joy. This water show is unprecedented, providing a spectacle against the backdrop of the setting sun at which we could only marvel. Afterwards, Little Red Riding Hood, the big bad wolf and grandmother provided a fairytale in real time, allowing the adults to reminisce over the day’s events.’ ‘After such a day, we at Concentra Media Regie are in no doubt whatsoever that it must be repeated. And our clients? They have inundated us with messages of gratitude: ‘It was a wonderful day for everyone involved’, ‘Each and every one of us felt like royalty’, ‘We felt completely spoilt by you in this beautiful park with something for everyone. The day was perfect in every way and was a joy for the whole family.’ Nathalie concludes.

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destination > Geneva

Geneva

The Swiss capital of gastronomy There was a time when Geneva was known for its austerity in many fields. But it’s over now, especially when it comes to food. The city of Calvin and Rousseau will enthrall you with the creativity of its chefs, the quality of its meals, and the incredible variety of its restaurants. Definitely an added value when organizing a meeting there! Text Rémi Dévé

Experimenting with wine… and chocolate

Innovative cuisine Geneva. The name can be heard day by day on the news channels of the world. It is a synonym, both for internationalism and conferences as well as for quality of life. A bit less known is that the city is considered today to be the Swiss capital of gastronomy - it has, over time, benefited from the influence of nearby France and Italy. And even if the inhabitants of Geneva remain faithful to their classic fare, for instance ‘longeole’ (fresh pork sausage flavoured with fennel and cumin) and ‘cardons’ (a thistle-type-stalk vegetable, which tastes a bit like artichoke and likes to be enjoyed au gratin), the city is also driven by creativity when it comes to innovative cuisine.

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Geneva has indeed many surprises in store for perfection-seeking gourmets! Several talented chefs here produce a very high level of cooking, offering great value for money when compared with grand European restaurants. The variety of cuisines, catering to every taste, to be found is formidable: from high-end restaurants to chic brasseries, from typical cafés and bars to prestigious châteaux, the business visitor can only but be amazed. Worth noting is the unique concentration of Gault Millau and Michelin-starred restaurants (53!) in Geneva, as well as an immense variety of international cuisine (140), thanks to the large foreign community living in the city.

Not a lot of people would guess that the name Geneva also stands for a wine region - the third largest in Switzerland, the one which takes the most pleasure in experimenting, the one with the least compromise and the one with the largest wine-growing community, Satigny. The days when the vineyards above Lake Geneva produced only poor quality wines, and Chasselas was just ordinary plonk, are long gone! In fact, the Canton of Geneva produces authentic wines to award-winning acclaim, using impeccable grapes that, for some of them, are picked and sorted by hand.

destination > Geneva

The international flair of the city and its openness to new things also influences the vine city. Apart from the traditional varieties of wine, Chasselas and Gamay, other varieties are being cultivated more and more frequently: such as the White Chardonnay, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot blanc, Aligoté, Sauvignon blanc, Pinot gris, Gewürztraminer and Viognier; as in the reds, the Red Pinot noir, Gamaret, Merlot, Garanoir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet franc. Half of the Swiss organic wines also grow in the canton of Geneva. And don’t forget to try some of Geneva’s most famous wine bars, where you can taste delicious local, often sulphur-free natural wines! Geneva is also the European capital of chocolate, home of many ‘maîtres chocolatiers’ or chocolate experts. Master chocolate maker Philippe Pascoët has, for instance, managed to combine these two luxury products and come up with a Havana-cigarflavoured chocolate! Winner of the Prix de l’Artisanat de Genève 2006, Philippe Pascoët boldly

mixes different varieties of chocolate, fruit purees, and herbs to produce original creations such as passion fruit, black currant and saffron-flavoured chocolates. He also organizes workshops at the chocolate factory where you can learn everything there is to know about chocolate!

Activities The good news is all these highlylikeable features of Geneva can be incorporated into a whole meeting and incentive experience. It would be impossible to list them all here, so allow me to highlight a few. Because he had fond memories of childhood lake cruises in steamboats, it is with nostalgic pleasure that star chef Philippe Chevrier, of the exclusive Domaine de Chateauvieux, took on the task of organizing gourmet cruises on the steamboat Savoie in Geneva, commissioned in 1914 and completely renovated to its original state between 1994 and 2006. You can eat on both daytime or evening cruises, or rent the boat for a private function such as a business meeting.

If you’re more into wine and winemaking, there are a lot of ‘domaines’ that can be rented out for a conference or a seminar and that offer a tour of the vineyards or wine-tasting sessions in their cellars after a hard day’s work. The Domaine de la Clé de Sol is one of them: nested in Satigny, it welcomes groups who can enjoy the different wines produced on the premises and work at the same time! Last but not least is the ‘Maison du Terroir’ managed by the OPAGE (the organisation in charge of the promotion of agricultural products from the canton of Geneva). In the heart of the vineyard, the Maison boasts spaces and a big terrace accommodating ‘apéritifs’ and get-togethers alike. Also typical is the Swiss night at the Edelweiss restaurant, where guest can enjoy both Swiss cuisine and music! You could hardly ask for more…

Contact Geneva Convention Bureau info@genevaconventionbureau.ch +41 22 909 70 70 www.genevaconventionbureau.ch

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AS USUAL!

NOT LEARNING

Meetopolis

The main speaker and moderator of Meetopolis 2012 is Ib Ravn. This Danish man is specialized in new and untraditional ‘formats of events’ and in modern ‘Learning methods & Animation techniques’. As the Chairman of the Forum, he will be in charge of coaching the other speakers and moderators in addition to presenting one session. Other speakers/moderators for Meetopolis 2012 include 1. Gerrit Heijkoop, a Dutch speaker for ‘Social media & community management for meetings & events: implications, methods and processes’ 2. Maarten Vanneste, the renowned Belgian speaker for ‘Toolbox for meetings & events or how to better perfom on the field and generate more ROI’ 3. Ruud Janssens, a Dutch professional based in Switzerland for ‘E-learning, Hybrid & Webinars meetings & events: what, how, why and when?’ 4. Maarten Vanneste with Ruud Janssens for ‘E-learning, Hybrid & Webinars meetings & events: what, how, why and when?’ 5. Ib Ravn for ‘Maximizing networking & interactivity of participants at meetings & events: future formats & creating learning at conferences: implication & applicaiton’ 6. Danny Stevens, a reknown Belgian speaker for ‘Meeting & Event Intelligence’ 7. Kellen Europe, a very well known international company based in Brussels for ‘Maximizing Sponsorship and Exhibit Booth sales in a Tough Economy’ MORE INFO: www.meetopolis.eu/programme MIM 42

MEETING CENTRE

Peer-to-Peer Meeting & Event planners Education & Inspiration Forum

Meetopolis, the cross-industry training and inspiration platform for corporate meeting & event planners, will approach all the needs and issues that you meet in your day-to-day tasks… Organised according to an original and innovating approach, without any direct selling, Meetopolis has been designed to be the meeting, education and inspiration place where you will be able to exchange and share information, ideas, knowledge and experiences with your peers. Why?

Speakers and final programme announced

16 Octob e SQUARE- r 2012, BRUSSELS

Planners often work in isolation in their sector and rarely have the opportunity to share experiences with their peers (from other sectors). With Meetopolis, delegates will learn about the latest trends in conference management and how to leverage educational content; get engaged in high level strategic discussions; and participate in roundtable discussions on key topics answering to their needs, issues and questions.

The Meetopolis concepts engage participants actively and have a new creative approach to a far more flexible use of conference facilities

ing the tools and knowledge they need to strengthen their companies’ overall objectives and strategies. This is not a how-to session. Instead you will engage in an interactive discussion on the application of the topics/themes and what it means for your day-to-day work.

Who attends? Meetopolis is open exclusively to Senior as well as Junior meeting & event planners… and all the people involved in conferences, seminars, teambuildings, training sessions, events, business travels and meetings of every variety in Belgium and further afield. Discover now the NEW REDUCED REGISTRATION FEES, thanks to the registration of new partners and take advantage today of the ‘Summer specials’. Learn more on www.meetopolis.eu/registration

What about? The Meetopolis concepts engage participants actively and have a new creative approach to a far more flexible use of conference facilities. The concepts will help planners to transform the traditional one-way communication standards into a creative forum, in which the participants are actively involved in obtain-

PROGRAMME, REGISTRATION & INFO www.meetopolis.eu

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MALTA

MADE FOR MEETINGS

MALTA - made for meetings > more than 5 000 years of MEETING CULTURE > modern CONVENTION CENTRES for up to 10 000 delegates > variety of meeting VENUES > 3 500 HOTEL BEDS in the 5-star category > themed INCENTIVE programmes > Quality Assured innovative Destination Management Companies