NR 1 – january 2011
• ROI for sustainable events? • Sheik Harb Salem Al Z awaideh, a mystery of the desert • PERTH, a cit y to surprise you!
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Co v e rp h o t o Yolanda Logt Sea kayaking at Daintree National Park, Queensland, Australia
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27/01/11 12.30
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e d i t ori a l
By Yolanda & Kim
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share+
Meet our new SHARE+ members
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check it out
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s u s ta i n a b i l i t y D I Y
Can you measure ROI* for sustainable events?
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Once in a lifetime
Stilettoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in a street parade
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S t or y
Signature photography in
harsh mountain scenery
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Eye witness
The ultimate picnic at high altitude:
choose Patagonia
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g r o u p s s -x x l
XXL in every Madrilenian detail
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column
Check it in and out
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snap shot
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FY I
What does generation Y
want from conferences?
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close and personal
Sheik Harb Salem Al Zawaideh,
a mystery of the desert
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column
Cold passion
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zoo m i n
Perth, a city that keeps on surprising you!
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l e t m e e n t e r ta i n y o u
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f oo d f or t h o u g h t
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e ditorial
s ha re +
A new year,
A diary with blank pages,
A hotlist of travel wishes,
And a head full of new ideas But first a quick glance back in time; in December we visited Barcelona to meet a lot of friends at the EIBTM tradeshow. It felt good to receive many positive reactions on SHARE TODAY. Thanks guys we love your support! Furthermore we checked out the lovely Banys Orientals hotel and tasted tapas at several locales across the street. We say ‘Yes’ to the funky neighbourhood of El Borne. For 2011 we planned some new travel adventures; some for business and some for pleasure. But always with a professional eye on how we could translate our experiences to you. Kim is an India virgin; lucky her that she received an invitation for a wedding in Samode, one of the exiting places in Rajasthan. Off she is in March. Being an Africa addict does not mean Yolanda is visiting this continent every year. She sets her marks on the map of Norway this summer. But there is more to come; Austria, Spain, Switzerland, Marrakech and Frankfurt for the IMEX visit. Just another tradeshow... Isn’t our business aim to bring every client into an experience? Let’s start with our yearly tradeshows. The famous Bread & Butter fashion show is back in Berlin and with a reason. Being on the spot 4 share today | 01.2011
taught us that tradeshows can be inspiring and can certainly being held in amazing locations; the former airport ‘Tempelhof’ in Berlin. Wow what a venue and what a great atmosphere. Can we all vote to move our tradeshows to inspiring locations and bring in innovation to reach the next level in our industry? Go, go, go! Make your wish list and keep on searching for the Holy Grail in events. And of course always make sure you read the next edition of SHARE TODAY and follow us on twitter, facebook or linkedin. Yolanda Logt & Kim Alderden P.s. Did you notice we now also issue a column every two weeks, check out our website!
Meet our new SHARE+ members SHARE+ members are carefully chosen professionals and key players in the global events industry. These global faces have built a name in our field and can rely on a team of professional staff members at their international home bases. But there is more: these personalities are willing to take the extra step and move the extra mile for success. They are true and authentic event pro’s, solid characters with an eye for detail and they can 100% rely on their own local network of different kinds of experts.
Proudly we present the following new members: HICHAM TAHRI, Co founder and director of Activ Travel “Satisfying tomorrow’s travelers will become more and more difficult. It is not enough to provide good service and price; it is essential to create memories and unique travel experiences. In today’s MICE business we tend to manage groups of individuals. Being creative, getting into details and manning properly client’s budget is crucial and that is what will make the difference.” ROB KOK, VAT Specialist at BTW Nederland “I’m a fan of VAT (yes it exists). I’m sure that the future will certainly change in regards to VAT matters also in the events industry.”
For more information about the SHARE+ membership, please contact us at info@sharetoday.com
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c heck it o u t
Check-it-out
takes you around the globe to meet extraordinary places text Yolan d a logt p h otos Yolan d a logt, C hina S tar an d S witzerlan d T ourism
When asking our readers to share some restaurants suitable for corporate events, we received many enthusiastic and spontaneous suggestions. Thanks for sharing these with us! Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our global hotlist.
AUSTRALIA Sounds of Silence, Ayers Rock, Australia Imagine a lovely temperature, the sun sets over Uluru or more known as Ayers Rock, stars appear in the sky and you are in the middle of the desert, sipping on a glass of champagne with the sound of a didgeridoo. A perfect secluded setting for a BBQ in the outback. The finest wines and food are served on fine linen with candlelight. Even crocodile and kangaroo for the more adventurous amongst your group. www.ayersrockresort.com.au/sounds-of-silence
AFRICA YELLOW SUBMARINE, Marrakech, Morocco One of the latest restaurants in Marrackech with a name that makes you imagine the decor: seventies interior design and music, pictures of the Beatles etc. Good pasta food is served in all shapes and tastes. All in a great atmosphere with a live band starting after dinner. Not enough? Experience something different by starting with a mint tea in one of the cafes at the Jama El Fna Square! http://yellowsub-marrakech.com/ 6 share today | 01.2011
MOYO group, South Africa The Moyo group of restaurants can certainly be recommended for an authentic African experience. All their restaurants are situated in great locations and all have dedicated areas for corporate groups. www.moyo.co.za
ASIA GREEN TEA LIVING in Beijing, China Very unique and trendy place. The ultra modern atmosphere is not only visible in the design of the restaurant but also on your plate. Ever drank a cappuccino combined with a little fish in a bowl? Let it impress you! www.green-t-house.com ÂŽ
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c heck it o u t
EUROPE GOLD, Milan, Italy Find Dolce & Gabbana everywhere even at the toilets. Special item: on every door the James Bond movie Goldfinger is shown. Do you want your clients to meet Paris Hilton and Madonna? They are frequent guests here. www.dolcegabbana.com/gold CASA PALACIO ATOCHA, Madrid, Spain This beautiful restored Palacio full of great Modern Art houses 2 restaurants (and a roof terrace ‘in production’); ALBOROQUE and LA ARROCERIA DE ATOCHA. This casa offers Mediterranean cuisine with the possibility to attend a demonstration of molecular cuisine. www.casapalacioatocha34.es NOMA, Copenhagen, Denmark The best restaurant of the world conform 800 international critics and gastronomical experts. Customers fly into Copenhagen purely to dine at Noma - having made reservation months in advance, of course. The two Michelin-starred restaurant does their own salting, smoking, pickling, drying and grilling using local ingredients and those flown in from Iceland and Greenland. www.noma.dk Activ’Travel Partner
54, Bd Moulay Youssef Rés Moulay Youssef Bât J, Rdc. 20000 Casablanca Maroc Tel : + 212 522 27 04 04 Fax : + 212 522 27 42 42 Email : info@activ-travel.net www.activ-travel.com
Activ’Travel France
Safran RP 39 bis Avenue Paule Doumer 75116 Paris France Votre contact: Sabine & François Aucoin Tel : + 33 145 047 545 GSM : + 33 668 617 545 Email: safranrp@aol.com
Activ’Travel UK
Unit H The Annexe The Business Centre Wharf Lane, Bourne End Bucks, SL8 5RU, UK Your contact: Gillian Moulden Tel : + 44 (0) 1628 532020 GSM : + 44 (0) 1628 521116 Email: mouldenuk@aol.com
BLINDEKUH, Zürich or Basel, Switzerland Let your eyes take a break. Join the world of darkness and experience smells and tastes in these two dark restaurants. The blind and visually impaired service staff serve you sensual adventures. More info: www.blindekuh.ch
SKETCH, London, United Kingdom Funky decor and a great mix of Londoners and tourists, belonging to worlds best bars. But what about a private event in the food court at the upper level of Harvey Nichols outside opening hours? Absolutely fabulous! www.londonsketchclub.com www.harveynichols.com
AMERICA CROSBY STREET, New York, USA Opened last year and located in one of the greenest hotels of the state NY. Crosby Bar is part of the luxurious Firmdale chain. www.firmdale.com MORIMOTO, New York, USA One of a kind Japanese restaurant, expensive succulent food and drink - design atmosphere with different scenes. All in white. www.morimotonyc.com √ share today | 01.2011 9
S u stainabilit y D I Y *
Can you measure ROI for sustainable events? *
text & P h oto D r . E lling Hamso an d Rosa G a r r iga M o r a , E v ent R O I I nstit u te
A sustainable event contributes to the Triple Bottom Line by minimising damage to the environment, supporting local communities and providing value for money to stakeholders, sometimes referred to as People, Planet & Profit. It may surprise you that the ROI Methodology embraces all 3 aspects of sustainability, not only the financial viability. It is not just a tool for measuring results it is just as much a planning tool. This is simply because if you intend to measure results you have to start by setting objectives that are clear, measurable and logically connected. This is the most important prerequisite for planning a successful event.
Consider the ROI Pyramid as your planning as well as your measurement model. You plan by setting objectives top down and you measure bottom up. Meetings and events can only create value to stakeholders by changing the behaviour of participants. There’s no other value creation mechanism. This is Level 3 in the Pyramid. Behaviour leads to Impact and Return on Investment. For a business event the ROI is a monetary calculation, a statement of contribution to shareholder value. For a non-business organisation the impact on its mission determines the ROI. For example: for the International Cancer Society the mission is to combat cancer and the event needs to contribute to it. After setting objectives for Impact and Behaviour we ask ourselves what Learning experience ®
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(Level 2) will lead to change in Behaviour. How will Satisfaction & Learning Environment (Level 1) support the Learning? And finally what number and types of participants (the Target Audience, Level 0) provide the largest possible multiplier for the ensuing Chain of Impact measuring results step by step up the Pyramid towards Impact and ROI. People, Planet & Profit All events have several stakeholders. We need to set objectives and measure results as a separate exercise for each of them. When there is alignment of objectives there is no problem. However sometimes we have to reconcile conflicting objectives. By introducing the concept of sustainability we simply add the local community and the environment, People and Planet, as stakeholders and reconcile objectives. Alignment between Profit and People is not too difficult to achieve as events provide business to the local community and can do even more so by using local products and services. The Planet is trickier as events invariably leave a carbon footprint. Perhaps the ROI will be better by going virtual or hybrid (both virtual and real). In that case however there is less benefit to People and less business to the local community. In the final analysis it is always a matter of value to stakeholders. It would be a shame for a business event for example, to have a negative impact on the environment and also make a loss to the company. If we have a negative impact on the *ROI: Return on Investment
environment we should have made sure to maximise the impact on People and other stakeholders. The ROI Methodology enables us to analyse and reconcile objectives for each of People, Planet and Profit and to measure the results to verify that we achieve what was intended. √ To learn more about the ROI Methodology, go to www.eventroi.org where you will find dates for a number of webinars and training courses in Europe. Quotations from the text: ’The ROI Methodology embraces all three aspects of sustainability’ ’Meetings only create value by changing the behaviour of participants’
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O NC E I N A L I F E T I M E
Stiletto’s in a
street parade
Yes! That wonderful feeling when you’ve made the impossible possible; we all recognize it, don’t we? Or that moment when you arrive at a stunning location or enter a gorgeous setting and you know this is it: here & now. We call these experiences ‘Once in a Lifetime’. We are happy to share these great stories. text K im A l d e r d en p h oto S t. M aa r ten to u r ist boa r d
Take loud drum and calypso beats, glittering and feathered costumes, mouthwatering food, lots of drinks and thousands of happy people, blend them all together and enjoy the most cultural festivity on St. Martin / St. Maarten: the Caribbean Carnival. The island’s wildest celebration, held on both sides but on different dates. The French carnival fever takes hold during Lent where ‘jump-ups’ and huge parades color the streets of Marigot and Grand-Case. Zouk and reggae fills every corner with performances from popular local and international bands. A larger celebration is held in April on the Dutch side where the island comes to a standstill for over 17 days and nights. For months locals put their souls into sewing Carnival costumes and writing songs ready for the big celebrations. Some of the most beautiful creations of previous carnival seasons are at display inside the Jump Up Casino in Philipsburg. Go there to get a true taste of Sint Maarten Carnival, even if you missed the original celebration. 12 share today | 01.2011
Each Carnival inspires a fresh and marvelous batch of calypso, often satirical and politically charged. The Calypsonians will compete for the title of Calypso King or Queen, a contest that draws hundreds of musicians and dancers from all the neighboring islands. And more than a hundred booths are there to serve you food, from traditional ‘Johnny cakes’ and ‘fungi’ to Indian curry and ‘roti’, enough to make your taste buds go wild. A true Carnival expert is Brenda Kay Wathey, Owner of the local DMC Caribbean Concierge Services by Artemia and former Carnival troupe Rio Productions. SHARE TODAY tested her expertise; Have you ever been a Calypso Queen yourself? “No, but I have always been involved with my carnival troupe year after year. My mother started it back in the sixties and I took over up to last year. Now I organize events in which the carnival theme plays a part.” ® share today | 01.2011 13
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O NC E I N A L I F E T I M E
Do you think we can teach any tourist the right Calypso beat? “Of course, yes sir. It is all about feeling the music, the culture, and be surrounded by the local people.”
Our conference centre. Aletschglacier, Valais
MySwitzerland.com With its excellent infrastructure, ease of access and breathtaking scenery, Switzerland is the ideal location for your meetings. For assistance with the planning of your event please contact the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau: phone 020 620 58 61, scib.benelux@switzerland.com, or visit us on www.MySwitzerland.com/mice
Can you organize an entrance to the parade for a foreign troupe of visitors? “Absolutely. We have organized the carnival experience in St. Maarten for corporate groups, but as an audience. It was a great experience for them; taking pictures of the beautiful costumes, dancing and enjoying the festivities in their own private area but still be part of the crowd and able to interact with the people. This year we make it possible for corporations or group of friends to participate as real carnival revelers with their own section and costume. We know the Dutch market always goes to the ABC islands for carnival, but I believe they will get a totally different experience here, more intimate.” Do we pay double hotel prizes on the island during Carnival? “Price wise hotels are actually less expensive because it is in April and after Easter so the rates go down. You can get some attractive packages.”
We also spoke to May Ling Chun, the General Manager of CCS by Artemia and she convinced us that this Carnival experience is a real once in a lifetime event! And….if you think you’ve seen dirty dancing, wait till you experience the ‘bumping and grinding’ of the locals. The rhythm is so persuasive there’s no escaping the beat, you won’t want to. So come and seek the heart of St. Maarten’s Carnival extravaganza and leave with memories that will make you smile. √
For more info: www.vakantiestmaarten.nl, www.artemia-sxm.com, www.vacationstmaarten.com A real expert on St.Maarten is our SHARE+ member Lydia Haveman, check her out.
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sto ry
Signature photography in harsh mountain scenery
In this issue we start with the Swiss winter face from a passionate mountain man; Menno Boermans. Menno, Dutch from origin, studied photography in Amsterdam, was photojournalist for various newspapers and staff at a fire brigade for 12 years. Today we find him in Zermatt. At the Alpine Rescue Center to be precise where he works as an instructor.
Menno & mountains Switzerland is a country with a great variety of faces. Green in the Swiss summers and white in the Swiss winters. The variety of nature combined with service up to the highest standards make Switzerland an interesting country for events. But we need more for a real experience. The faces behind the places reveal the best stories. text K im al d e r d en p h oto menno boe r mans
In 1997 he found his passion in alpinism. His love for the mountains brought him to extreme locations such as the Andes in Chile or Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya) and this year Alaska is already scheduled. But it is not only mountain magic that drives him to travel to these remote places. Besides being a professional alpinist Menno is also known for his signature photography in mountain areas. In Switzerland he captured the life of monks in a monastery and recently that of a goat shepherd in the Alps. We assume Switzerland must be proud of this Dutch immigrant.
Menno & events But what can Menno add to, in particular, an event request? Well be surprised. Very recently he guided a small group through the world of mountain rescue. In a two-day program he explains in depth the work of a mountain rescue team and takes you on a ski trip on the mountains. Furthermore he brings you, figuratively speaking, close to one of his expeditions by showing his stunning pictures combined with his personal story. Last but not least you can personally experience an avalanche training session.
Rule of 3 Menno likes to share the well known ‘rule of 3’ with us. A human being can survive 3 minutes without oxygen, 3 hours without shelter/ protection, 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food. ‘My passion is to teach others how they practise and remember this rule in real life. In other words how to survive in the beautiful but adamant mountain nature.’
In 1968 the very first patient who was saved from the Zermatt Mountains with a helicopter was a child with a leg fracture. This was the un-official start of Air Zermatt. A few years later pilot Günther Amann rescued somebody from the Eiger with a winch and in 1973 the first doctors came on board. Today Air Zermatt employs 54 persons. Their fleet exists of 9 helicopters with the Alpine Rescue Center as homebase. www.alpinerescuecenter.ch / www.bergredding.nl
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E Y E W I T NES S
other pic ture
The ultimate picnic at high altitude:
choose Patagonia!
T E X T & p h oto S Yolan d a L ogt
I almost feel like a mountain goat as I struggle with the ice and search for the right place to stick my poles into the ground. I’m at the southernmost tip of Patagonia, one of the most sparsely populated areas in the world. Millions of years ago, it underwent major geological and glaciological transformations which created mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers. And there I was, struggling with these very elements. What I bravely considered the night before while sipping
sweating up the first hill. Nobody says a word. Later someone passes us on a small horse, smiling in an infuriating way. They are cheating in our opinion, but oh, how jealous I was; and I can’t even ride! Huffing and puffing with faces warm and red from jumping over small rivers, we reach our first stop. It’s important to drink and eat energy bars. Then, its time to leave again—this time through hilly forests where I’m doing jumping jacks over rivers thinking I had it all…then next challenge appeared. ®
my wine, seemed daunting as I went to bed that night; climbing the Torres del Paine, first of season. A huge thunderstorm that roared with full force did nothing to make getting my rest any easier. After tossing and turning for hours I finally fell asleep, only to be brutally awakened by the alarm clock at 6 a.m. Was I really doing this out of my own free will?
The more remote and mythical a place is, the more impact it has on you. by P e d ro I b á ñ ez , F oun d er an d C hairman of E x plora
Opening the curtains restored some of my selfconfidence. The sun was shining! But I was still skeptical - I noticed the weather could change here at any minute - so I bought myself a pair of rain pants for ‘just’ USD 175 at the only store in the hotel. You don’t want to walk for 10 hours wearing wet jeans! Packed and ready I leave together with 5 others and ‘only’ 3 guides. This because it’s the first climb of the season and not everything is necessarily accessible or safe. At the foot of the mountain we stop and look up: oof… are we going to climb that?! Soon we start removing all the layers of our clothes as we start
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Moraines to conquer: glacial deposits of clay, silt, sand, gravel and boulders which we could see at first, but were later covered with ice and snow. Using our hands and feet instead of the poles we reach the top. Finally…WOW! Amazing: The Torres del Paine, at the foot a small ice lake. Now and then we can hear snow and ice crashing down. Here we are, still speechless, but not from the climb but because of the overwhelming beauty. We have our picnic here, a well-deserved lunch of sandwiches and hot soup served on a blue and
white cloth. It couldn’t have been better! When we find out that one of the climbers had just turned 40, we spontaneously start to sing ”Happy Birthday” in 3 different languages. Although now we really feel like partying, we know we have to leave this special place and head back down before sunset. We discover its more difficult going down than going up because it’s so steep. We slide, slip and sometimes fall; our muscles say no, but we don’t care. At the bottom champagne awaits to celebrate our victory! √
Explora offer journeys, not just a place to stay. And that’s the truth! Enjoy the overall and in-depth experience of exploring the natural and cultural surroundings of the remote places in South America where Explora is located, combined with relaxing at the lodges with their excellent cuisine and staff.
info@meetingselect.com
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groups s - x x l
Nearly 1000 VIP guests visited Madrid where a carefully designed, minute-by-minute itinerary showcased the city at its best. The guests were invited to Madrid for one reason and one reason only; to be part of the match of the year—the Champions League Final. One of the main sponsors had started this tradition a few years ago and now wanted to try and surpass the high expectations its VIP global partners had come to expect during these two days.
SET STANDARDS Being a world-famous beer brand sets a certain standard. Starting by serving a cold one the moment you arrive at the airport to making sure the barmen at the hotels know how to tap the perfect draft beer. Well, they could because before the event they were all trained for an entire week by a team of experts who gave master classes at every location that was part of the two-day program.
XXL in every
Madrilenian
detail
text K im A l d e r d en p h oto d eli v e r e d b y client
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We all know that the size of a group doesn’t necessarily influence the success of your event. With smaller groups you’re usually better off simply because you have more choices when it comes to locations. That’s why in every issue we focus our spotlight on an event based on a certain amount of participants; from small to XXL. In this edition we take you to Madrid for an XXL event.
Every hotel was also fully stocked with the one and only Champions League Final beer glass: just one of the many small details that completed the branding of this event. In order to find the perfect venue for the Friday night welcome party and the Saturday afternoon pre-match event, the organising team had to visit Madrid more than 15 times! The long list of possibilities showed many options, but there were always S to XXL reasons why a venue did not match the level of expectation. However; a perfect location was finally found in the Finca los Jarales thanks to the local DMC, Key DM ‘Almudena Gonzales, manager Key DM Madrid office had the name of the owner of this private finca mentioned in her little black book. It took all of her blood, sweat and tears to persuade the Spanish family to open their doors for this event, because the only other happening they had ever hosted was a wedding for just 250 guests. Then another challenge occurred: the owner “strongly suggested” his private flamingo horse show as part of the event! Great idea, but… How about the timing? Again, it took 4 visits to the location to make sure this caballero would only perform for 20 minutes max. We could fill an entire issue of SHARE TODAY with great stories about this event because it really set the standard for the global event business. However, no matter how creative an event looks on the outside you will only survive with a solid plan, a detailed script and in a case like this, the planning and precision of a military operation. √ share today | 01.2011 23
COLU M N
CO LU M N
Check it in and out
touched down! Don’t tell anyone, but I crossed myself after that landing! Wow: adventure! Just me, two kids who had won a prize and their parents in a small plane… Mosquito sized. The cabin fever was nearly instant. So we all stuck Indian feathers behind our ears and sang songs all the way to Legoland in Denmark. Fun.
“Thank you for flying with us” were the words that awakened me hours later… I had missed all of it! What a waste! Completely superfluous to put me in Business Class… So when I finally had the opportunity to check-in First Class (Malaysia Airways--Kuala Lumpur back home to Schiphol Airport), I decided to absorb every inch of abundance. Best flight ever.
Flying. I love it. Dusting off my long-term-memory… My first flight was in an antique model, propeller and all. It took ages to reach our destination: Malta. I was on board and dressed to impress; a handsome two-piece suit, stockings and high heels, even a frolic
My longest flight was to French Polynesia. I was hung over, wrinkled and almost completely dehydrated when I finally bounced out of that plane. My shortest flight was in the same region: just 8 very scary minutes from Moorea to Tahiti.
hat. Sunglasses completed my movie star-look. This girl of then sixteen years of age thought that she was travelling in style. In style… Nowadays and many trips later I don’t travel in style, I travel in comfort.
I have gone round & round in circles in the Caribbean, hopping from island to island on a spectacular water plane, dressed only in a bathing suit and flip-flops (matching my perfectly polished toenails, of course). In a safari-outfit (a sort of bad look-a-like edition of Meryll Streep in Out of Africa) stuck behind piles of boxes full of medicines with that awesome (and good looking) Flying Doctors/ Amref pilot that I met at a bar in Dar es Salaam… There was a hospital I wanted to visit for a feature I was doing hidden far, far away in the bush, and he gave me a spontaneous airlift! We arrived late, because first they had to use machetes to cut a fresh landing strip! Oh my goodness! Over 250 Tanzanians applauded when we 24 share today | 01.2011
My first ‘luxury’ flight was from Miami all the way to Amsterdam. I remember it so well because I don’t remember it at all! I was completely shattered and exhausted after an intensive photo shoot when I heard my flight was overbooked. Lucky me: I got upgraded to Business-class. I could just imagine it: champagne, good food, space… The moment we took off my consciousness took off as well, and I dropped into a deep, deep sleep.
I’ve travelled in big planes, fast planes, small planes, private jets, but my favourite means of transportation remains the helicopter. Nothing can beat the thrill when the signal is: GO! Which reminds me suddenly-so far I never set foot in a hot-air balloon. Must be great, flying in a bucket…
Well, I guess even this spoiled traveller has something to dream about!
At the age of 10, she already won first prize in a writing competition for a Dutch newspaper and fell in love with writing. Ellen van Ree works as a freelance journalist/editor for a variety of magazines, mostly related to the travel industry. Her passion for writing, as well as for other cultures, traveling and life are apparent in her features. SHARE TODAY welcomes Ellen as one of its columnists. She will lead you through a world of experiences written with humor, creativity, inspiration and sometimes provocation. Just read and experience it for yourself! share today | 01.2011 25
snap s hot
Africa is not only about safari
Curious? Read about it in next issue
p h oto S u n I nte r national
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FYI
What does
generation Y want from
conferences? 28 share today | 01.2011
All businesses must adapt their products and services to meet the changing needs of their customers, and the conference travel industry is no exception. It must constantly evolve in order to ensure that it effectively meets the needs of each new generation of participants. text & p h oto Rob Dav i d son
This article examines the characteristics of the latest cohort to enter the global workforce Generation Y: people born between 1977 and 1995; and it investigates the ways in which conferences can be designed to appeal to this youngest, but fastest-growing demographic segment.
their educational courses to their experiences of the products they use. Conference planners targeting this age group should involve them, from the earliest stage, in the design of the program, the choice of activities, and even the selection of speakers, so that they feel a sense of ‘ownership’ of these events.
Technology This generation expect more – and better – use of technology in every aspect of conference planning. They expect all information about the event to be online – in an attractive, easy-to use format. They are highly unimpressed by dull, complex or poorly designed websites. Tip: let meetings planners get their own Generation Y employees to analyze their websites and adapt them to this age group.
- More attention given to Corporate Social Responsibility Generation Y demonstrate a great concern for CSR and the need to have some interaction with the local community at the conference destination. Much of the impetus towards ‘greener’ meetings is being driven by this youngest generation of participants, who are far less tolerant of waste and the negative impacts of such events on the natural environment. They also appear to care more about the human environment, and are uneasy about the apparent elitist aspect of many business events, particularly when these take place in destinations marked by poverty and disadvantage. Progressive conference planners can respond to these concerns by giving their participants opportunities to interact with the local community during the event and to ‘give something back’ – by, for example, raising funds for a local charity.
The full capabilities of technology must be exploited before, during, and after a meeting. Blogs, mobile phones, YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, podcasts, virtual meeting environments, RSS feeds, videos, widgets, mashups, wikis, moblogs, and social networking sites … Learners who use these technologies every day expect technology to be seamlessly interwoven into learning situations, i.e., meetings’.* Conference design - More involvement at the design stage Generation Y is a generation that’s used to being consulted for feedback on almost everything that affects them, from their level of satisfaction with
- More effective use of speakers It is often said that Generation Y’s short attention spans make them a difficult audience at any conference. But all of the psychological ®
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- advertisement -
FYI
research indicates that for delegates of any age, attention levels drop dramatically after the first 20 minutes. The drive towards shorter, more interactive sessions will intensify as Generation Y delegates account for an increasingly large proportion of participants in business events. Generation Y participants expect interaction, in real time, with each other and with speakers, through having the opportunity, for example, to text-message their questions to a big screen during sessions.
Fishman believes that they want**: * Substantive information that can help them advance in their current jobs or become better prepared when they move on. Purely motivational speakers don’t motivate them. * Information they cannot get off the Internet or from a book. They don’t like to waste their time. * To hear from speakers who are in a position of power. They want to know how the game is played. * PowerPoint to be used correctly.
This will also lead to packing more value into a shorter time. 3 day conferences will turn into 2 day events. This will make them more accessible – and more affordable to the time-starved audience.
Above all, speakers need to deliver their material in a way that combines education and information with entertainment – edutainment and infotainment - the delivery of information in an entertaining format.
Rob Davidson is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Greenwich, in London. He specializes in research
China Star Professional Programs (China Star) is the leading DMC and PCO based in Beijing and Shanghai with the services covering the whole China. Because of its outstanding service rendered, China Star has been highly praised and recognized by its clients and the municipal government. China Star is also very active in the associations of SITE, MPI and ICCA etc.
into business events, and also runs his own consultancy in this field. One of his principal clients is EIBTM. He prepares
Conclusion The continuing success of the conference industry depends upon us achieving a clear understanding of Generation Y’s needs from meetings and communicating with them on their own terms. If such events do not adapt to meet the needs of this generation, they will increasingly stay away from conferences that do not motivate them. √
an annual study called the EIBTM Industry Trends and Market Share Report, which he
Sources:
launches each year at the show in Barcelona.
* Ramsborg G and Tinnish S, How Adults Learn, Part 2, from Convene magazine (PCMA), February 2008. ** Fishman A, Where generations meet: how to adapt your meetings to younger generations, from http://vnutravel.typepad.com/migurus/ann_fishman
He may be contacted at: robdavidson@taragon.plus.com
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close & personal
Sheik Harb Salem Al Zawaideh, a mystery of the desert You’re invited to be the guest of a Sheik and his family in an authentic Bedouin homestead in Wadi Rum, Jordan. Who would turn down an invitation like that? Your host is Sheik Harb Salem Al Zawaideh, leader of one of the oldest Bedouin tribes in Wadi Rum Jordan; the Zawaidehs. He and his family will make sure that you feel welcome in his kingdom. Let’s meet this extraordinary man. text Yolan d a L ogt p h oto Z awai d eh I nsights
FROM SON TO LEADER As soon as Harb enters the room with his smile and mysterious, twinkling eyes, you are hit by his charisma, pride, royalty and confidence. As the youngest son of a family of 14 siblings, he was appointed to lead his tribe of 7000 members. Harb: “My father taught me the rules, responsibilities and above all his stories and experiences about surviving in the desert. However, I’m still learning every day. Not only from my mistakes, but also from the desert Wadi Rum - by its nature, silence, mysteries, divine environment, but above all by its greatness. It gives me ‘power’. I have to be an example to the people I lead. We live in a strong, connected community where everybody has his own tasks and responsibilities. If you fail, it has consequences for the entire tribe - just like in a company.” ®
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Zawaideh Insights The desert is bigger than you, just like the economic forces and those within your company are. No matter what your objective, you must find an answer or a solution. Whether it’s strengthening your team, thinking about the mission, vision and strategy of your company, or the personal development of your own high potentials. The forces of the desert and the wisdom of the Bedouin tribe will make the output staggering. You will see your assignments from a totally different perspective and that will give you the insight to make the right choices when you return home.
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close & personal
PASSION & DRIVE The eagerness to learn together, combined with the curiosity of meeting other cultures brings us to Zawaideh Insights set up two years ago by Margot Fabery de Jonge. Harb: “Margot inspired me to realize her dream to build a private desert camp for exclusive corporate groups with a mission. She is my connection to the other world. Her passion and enthusiasm made me believe - no more or less than that. Zawaideh Insights opens a window to the Western world that I can enter by talking and eating with them, as well as opening my home to them. I invite companies to be a guest in my tribe. They don’t know a lot about our culture and traditions. It’s interesting to see how they manage and behave according to the principles and natural behavior of the Bedouin people. That’s what I want; to be the bridge between my world and the Western world.” “What’s the best kept secret of the success of Zawaideh Insights? It’s a journey of discovery for leaders, manager and teams. For everybody who wants to improve, change, develop, learn and share his or her insights with us. The ultimate challenge is to discover the true meaning of management, business innovation and leadership in the silence of the desert. However; the real secret is that they challenge themselves! Authenticity is the key word.”
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One final remark… so typical of this man: “I want to be the stone that you throw into a stream. The circles in the water become bigger and bigger and the water will never flow the same way as before. That’s what Zawaideh Insights is all about.” Listening to Harb and thinking of the desert with its immensely fascinating natural environment and ‘ear-deafening’ silence, I can truly imagine that the guests feel free. Free to think clearly, free from their mobiles and laptops (they do not work in the desert!), free from other obstacles; enabling them to open their minds and share their insights. And all this next to a campfire with nice Bedouin music, food and drinks under the open sky with millions of stars… Pffff when do we leave?! √
Want to learn more? See this You Tube which says it all! *Zawaideh Insights is a full service product with tailor made programs, under the guidance of a coach/psychologist. Prior, during and after the trip the coach will monitor your goals and make sure your objectives are met. Contact: info@fab4-u.nl
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column
CO LU M N
MORE ABOUT TOINE
Cold passion It’s still dark outside. Early morning; it’s cold, very cold. There’s a sharp frost. A skater is sitting on the edge of the ice with cold fingers trying to lace up his skates. His stiff fingers make it even harder. His head torch shines, so he can see what he is doing. BANG!!! The starting shot rings out for his 200 kilometres—the marathon distance for skaters on natural ice. Every single year, thousands of skate lovers travel to Austria’s Weissensee, a mountain lake high up in the Alps, to participate in the Alternative Eleven Cities Race. There is no other global sports event in which so many Dutchmen participate. But what makes them travel to Austria to have a hard time on frozen water? The answer is quite simple. It’s in their blood. When it starts to freeze in the Netherlands, the heartbeat of skaters starts to race. It’s true passion. Skating on natural ice is a typical Dutch thing. When it starts freezing and the water turns to ice, most of the Dutchies start going wild. Millions of people want to skate on the canals, inland waters or ponds. Skating tours bring them alongside dikes, mills and beautiful houses. On days like this, Holland looks like a painting from the 17th century. The legendary tour of all tours is the ‘Elfstedentocht’. This Eleven Cities Tour connects 11 cities with each other 36 share today | 01.2011
through waterways. In a marvellous landscape, skaters ride from city to city to cover the 200 kilometres within the set time. The winner of the race gets eternal glory and all others who manage to finish get the famous Elfsteden-cross. The first official 200 km tour was organised in 1909 and ever since only 15 tours could take place; the last one on January 4th, 1997. The Dutch go crazy for such an event. Tens of thousands try to get the official starting ticket and participate while the others line up in the cold alongside the route to encourage the skaters. The rest of the country sits in front of the TV. True skating madness in the Netherlands.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t freeze every winter in the Netherlands. But hurray! It does in Austria. So every January this substitute takes place at the Weissensee (www.weissensee.nl). Sports connects people, conciliates them. When the Dutch skate, they are one big family. Despite the cold, it gives them a warm feeling. I say, let it freeze, let’s forget the daily routine and be as one. Let’s hope that there will be a real ‘Elfstedentocht’ sometime soon, because there’s nothing more beautiful than being part of a legend.
Toine Doreleijers lives in Austria and the Netherlands, is married and father of two sons. Toine enjoys life by travelling, being adventurous (ever heard of ‘suppen’ and telemarken?) and passionately bringing people into action. It’s no wonder that Toine works as an independent trainer, a coach and an events organizer. Energetic is the word that suits Toine best. His finest hour? A leadership journey with Native Americans in upper Michigan, USA. There’s no need to say that Toine has a lot to share.
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zoom in
slide show
Slide show City Life is always inspiring. That’s why SHARE TODAY would like to inspire you with a quick glance at a major city. I was recently in Perth...
PERTH, a city that keeps on surprising you!
When I tell people I’m going to Perth, they react either enthusiastically or amazed. What to do there?! Why not go to Sydney or Melbourne? Let me tell you why!
text & p h oto S Yolan d a L ogt
Looking for a splashier event? Rent boats or catamarans! This is possible at several marinas in Perth as well as in Fremantle, home of the America’s Cup. Fremantle is a stones throw away; a lovely old town with 19th century houses and a ‘Fishermans wharf’. I can already picture one of my former clients enjoying the boats and vessels sailing by as they eat their fish and chips at picnic tables.
First of all, it’s a much shorter flight! When entering the city you’ll first see Perth’s skyline with skyscrapers sprinkled between the characteristic old English buildings. Just another major city you might think. True, but if you explore Perth a little further, you’ll begin to notice the marine and relaxing atmosphere, characterized first and foremost by the Swan River. Perth also has a comprehensive network of bike paths. Cycle around the river at the doorstep of the city or explore the beautiful parks. It isn’t for nothing that Perth is described as a parkland oasis. Perfect for teambuilding, I would say.
At night consider a party at Little Creatures, (www.littlecreatures.com.au) a brewery that has been made into a great venue for just a snack, a drink or to dine. Rent the place out, and success is assured! Another perfect place for a sportier event or as partner program during conferences is Rottnest Island. (www.rottnestisland.com) Amazing! Jetties will bring you there from Barrack Square. Enjoy the small, beautiful beaches; go snorkelling and enjoy the under water life, and if you’re lucky enough, you might encounter the quokkas (little wallabies that only live here). And all by bike! A place to remember. ®
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zoom in
let me ente rtain yo u
slide show
siteswebsitesweb oksBooks www.visitdenmark.nl/uk/en-gb/menu/mice/miceforside.htm Visit Denmark is marketing Denmark as a destination abroad, with a view to attracting more (conference) delegates who can improve return on investment in the tourism industry. There is a special section for the Meetings & Events industry giving plenty ideas for meetings and incentive trips. Requests can be placed via the website. Explore yourself!
In for something completely different? Take a visit to the wineries of Swan Valley (www.swanvalley.com.au), only a 30-minute drive from downtown. Taste the lovely wines while having a picnic, or how about letting your clients design their own labels for their very own wine? Lots of laughs for sure. Sittella (www.sittella.com. au) and Oakover (www.oakoverwines.com.au). Back to the city. Perth offers an abundance of world-class restaurants and cafés, often located within 5-star hotels in stunning locations overlooking both the city and the river. On the other side of the river is fine location featuring public art, cafes, restaurants and lively
bars. When the long sunny days give way to the night, there are still hours of entertainment to be had. Nighttime venues ranging from combined art gallery/bars to underground dance clubs and themed pubs offer a range of choices for any night owl. This is just a glance of what’s possible in and around Perth. Convinced? Perth certainly surprised me on my visit. Like the Aussies would say, it’s AWESOME! √ Want to know more? Contact us (info@sharetoday.com) or go to www.perth.wa.gov.au
The Imagineering Workout by Peggy van Pelt As an event pro we are often asked to come with an out of the box idea. This book gives you practical and interactive exercises to shape your creative muscles, stimulate the imagination, inspire new ideas and contribute to stronger solutions.
www.tourism-review.com/travel-tourism-magazine.php Tourism Review brings global tourism industry news and online communication. Not always MICE orientated but certainly handy to get ideas for your next event where ever that will be. Done by the Disney Imagineers. A must have for those who like Imagineering!
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) (www.pcec.com.au) is situated in the heart of the city, within easy walking distance of the city’s major hotels, as well as the business, restaurant and retail districts. It can cater for up to 5.000 delegates.
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foo d for t h o u ght
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