A MONTHLY DIGEST TO INFORM, ENLIGHTEN AND HUMOUR MEETING PLANNERS VOL. 4 ISSUE 2
March 2006 Edition
Passengers flock to cruise lines Industry sees strongest revenue growth since 9/11 cruise lines, passengers and crew. The global cruise industry created 135,000 direct jobs paying US$4.8 billion in wages. As seagoing vacations continue to grow in popularity, cruise lines have introduced new ports of call around the world and next year will be no different. In 2006, travelers will find a portfolio of new cruises to the far reaches of the globe. The 19 cruise line members of the CLIA take travelers to 1,800 ports of call on more than 150 ships of varying styles, from yacht-like luxury ships carrying 150 passengers to mega vessels carrying more than 3,000 guests.
A cruise can be a unique destination BY LEO GERVAIS
Old man rhythm is in my shoes No use sittin’ and a singin’ the blues So be my guest, you got nothin’ to lose Won’t ya let me take you on a sea cruise? – Frankie Ford From the song “Sea Cruise” (1959)
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he open sea. Gorgeous sunsets. Luxurious suites and cabins. Exotic ports of call. Is there anything not to like about a voyage on a cruise ship? For many Canadians, apparently not. More than 443,000 Canadians took cruises in 2004, an increase of 7.5 percent from 2003, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The number of people from Ontario taking cruises was up seven per cent, with its total 178,700 total passengers representing 40 per cent of Canadian cruise passengers. B.C. had 126,725 people ship out last year, a rise of about one per cent. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia also had large increases in their cruise population. Americans are even more keen to travel the deep blue seas: 8.9 million passengers, an 11 percent increase from the year before, booked cruises in the United States. Americans make up about 77 per cent of global cruise passengers. The North American cruise industry generated US$30 billion for the U.S. economy in 2004, through direct and indirect spending by
Interestingly, many in the cruise industry see big resort-type destinations like Disneyworld and Las Vegas as the big competition to the cruise industry. More than 90 percent of cruise ship customers are families and couples. Few among us would ever consider a ship as a place to hold a meeting. But one step inside these luxurious cruise liners reveals a cornucopia of possibilities for holding events: ballrooms, entertainment shows, meeting rooms and first-rate food and service. Add to that the fact that bringing a family or a spouse would make the business/pleasure mix very palatable indeed.
What’s ahead in 2006 In 2006, travelers will find new and enhanced Caribbean itineraries – including more sailings to the deep Caribbean from New York City. CLIA-member lines are also positioning more ships then ever before on the other side of the pond in anticipation of a sizzling hot season in Europe. Some of the industry’s largest ships will cruise the continent, and itineraries will be available in all shapes and sizes, from seven days to 28 days and longer. Other cruise lines will take guests to remote, lesserknown ports as far north as the Arctic Circle and exclusive, intimate resorts in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean. ••• Ed. note: This is the first in a series of articles about the cruise ship industry. Watch for future articles in upcoming issues of The Planner.
ARTICLE INDEX CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 4
Airline Industry News Air France has a strong outlook for 2006 Airlines try to avoid giving compensation A rise in passenger traffic has helped Air France-KLM triple its net profit for its fiscal third quarter which ended December 31, the airline said recently. Despite a 27 per cent rise in fuel costs, the company is bullish on its potential operating income which they said could rise to approximately US$1.06 billion if current market conditions persist. For the previous fiscal year ended March 31, Air France -KLM posted an operating profit of US $581 million. The Franco-Dutch carrier said passenger traffic rose 11 per cent in the latest quarter.
In last month’s Planner, we mentioned a ruling by the European Court of Justice that requires airlines to provide compensation for air passengers whose flights were delayed or cancelled, or who were denied boarding. The judges dismissed claims by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) that the regulation, which came into force a year ago, imposed excessive costs and contravened the Montreal Convention. But thousands of European travellers are learning the hard way that airlines are playing hardball. Airlines have discovered a loophole which they claim allows them to deny compensation even when a cancellation was caused by a maintenance error by staff. Compensation does not have to be paid when an event has been caused by “extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.” The regulations state that such events include bad weather and “unexpected flight safety shortcomings.” The Air Transport Users Council said that the majority of passengers on cancelled flights would continue to receive no compensation.
Bad T-shirts lead to removal from flights Add objectionable T-shirts to the list of forbidden items on some American airlines. Lorrie Heasley was recently forced to leave Southwest Airlines flight 219, departing Reno, Nevada because she was wearing a T-shirt that featured pictures of George W. Bush, Vice-president Richard Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and an expletive phrase playing on the popular movie, “meet the Fockers.” Airlines say they must balance between protecting one passenger’s rights and making sure the comfort of other passengers is not compromised. Some, like United and Midwest Airlines, said they would not remove a passenger over language on a shirt. Others referred to their policies on passenger behaviour and attire stated in “contracts of carriage” that many post on their Web sites.
It’s never too late to be what you might have been. George Eliot
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Industry News
Erratum
Texting is taking a terrible toll on Brits
In the February edition of The Planner, the article “Conference Centres: What you need to know” contained one error and several points that require clarification. They are: 1. The Centre Mont-Royal is located in the former ICAO building, NOT the former IATA building. 2. The Centre Mont-Royal has hard surface, non-reflective laminated tables tables, but not all surfaces are laminated as the article implied. 3. With 50,000 sq. ft. of total area, the Centre Mont-Royal regularly welcomes conferences, special events and conventions for up to 2,500 participants.
Text messaging is so popular in Britain, millions are now suffering injury to their thumbs and fingers, according to a recent survey. Repetitive strain injury (RSI) has become something of an epidemic, thanks to the 93.5 million daily text messages being sent by the text message-infatuated Brits. Thirty-eight percent more people suffer from sore wrists and thumbs due to texting than five years ago, and 3.8 million people now complain of text-related injuries every year. The survey for Virgin Mobile found the texting phenomenon shows no sign of slowing. Over 12 per cent of the population admit to sending 20 texts per day and 10 per cent confess to sending up to 100 texts every day. Last March, Scottish factory worker Craig Crosbie was crowned the world's fastest texter after he took just 48 seconds to type out the 160-character message: “The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human.”
The Planner regrets any misunderstanding the article may have caused. For more information on Centre Mont-Royal, please visit their website: www.centremontroyal.com.
Check this out! In a recent survey by CanWest News Service, Vancouver (31%) and Victoria (25 %) were named Canada’s prettiest cities. Quebec City was a distant third at 8 %.
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The impressive auditorium at Centre Mont-Royal.
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ED. NOTE
Working for you!
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ach and every month we scour dozens of news sources, the Internet, television and attend conferences and meetings to try and unearth information that can help planners in their busy working lives. We would really love it if you, as a planner and consumer, would share with us and Planner readers any tips and great experiences you have had in this industry. My colleague Camille and I are always on the lookout for new ideas to pass on and interesting products to promote. We looked into the cruise business and we also have a brief write-up on cars following our survey a few months ago. We have also introduced a new section called “Odds & Sods” which is a grab bag of unrelated yet interesting items. Let us know if it strikes your fancy or you have items for it. So as you work through your busy day, take notice of materials and methods that you use effectively – there are probably others who could benefit from your best practices. Leo Gervais lgervais@theplanner.ca
In this issue 6
Chicagoan Stacey Hanke knows what it takes to be a team player. In this article, she expounds on what that really means.
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Poste-publication No. 40934013
Book Review Broken Windows Our editor liked the book Broken Windows, Broken Business and he exhorts planners to pick it up... for their suppliers.
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Stressed while flying? Ever flown and discovered you had white knuckles? Mark McGregor helps allay the fear of flying with his insight.
Car survey Our intrepid reporter G.Keith Motton took a few spins in cars rated highly by planners in our survey.
Published by:
The Planner is a monthly publication distributed to 14, 000 professional meeting planners across Canada and the U.S.
New Orleans is on the comeback trail Associate editor Jyl Ashton Cunningham attended the New Orleans luncheon in Charlotte. The Crescent City is back on its feet, she discovered.
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Editor: Leo Gervais Associate Editors: Camille Lay, Jyl Ashton Cunningham Proofreader: G. Keith Motton Administration: Patrick Galvin, Julie Boisvert, Patricia Lemus Sales: James Paulson Contributors: Mike Auctor, Janice Calnan, Jyl Ashton Cunningham, Anne Biarritz, Thomas Chalmers, Peter De Jager, Jérémie Gabourg, Stacey Hanke, Marc Levasseur, G. Keith Motton, Denise McDonald, Mark McGregor, Matt Riopel, Don Quarles, Stacey Robinson, Bob Urichuck
NMID in Canada Our friends at MPI came up with this great idea for a national meetings industry day. This year it takes place on April 6.
Camille Lay clay@theplanner.ca
2105 rue de la Montagne, suite 100 • Montreal, Quebec • H3G 1Z8 Telephone: (514) 849-6841 ext. 333 • Fax: (514) 284-2282 We welcome your comments: info@theplanner.ca
If you can’t beat them
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What is SOCAN? Thinking about playing some music at an event? Then you should probably know about SOCAN. Don Quarles writes about this not-so-well-known organization.
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Employee recognition Bob Urichuck doesn’t mince words when detailing what is effective and what is not when trying to retain those star employees.
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Stacey & Denise Our two energetic columnists have been keeping up on trends coming up in 2006 and fill us in on what to watch for.
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If you can’t beat them, join them Optimizing your team’s performance is crucial
away from you. Once you’re perceived as having an undesirable attitude, it’s difficult to change this perception. According to Dr. Albert Mehrabian, a professor of Communication at UCLA, three elements establish trust and believability:
BY STACEY HANKE Verbal Vocal Visual
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f you’ve ever played in a team sport you understand the importance of being a “team player.” Without every player contributing 110 per cent, the competition is never defeated. In basketball the scoring basket will never be made, in volleyball the opposing team’s serve will never be returned, in a track relay the race will never be won. Achieving optimal performance will never be accomplished if everyone is not doing their part just a little better, wiser and smarter. How do you define teamwork? Have you thought about this question lately? Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your role on the team. I believe belonging to a team is having a sense of being a part of something larger than yourself. Even though you work for a specific department, your daily actions and behaviors impact the overall organization objectives. As a team, everyone has the same goal, just a different journey to take every day to reach the big picture. It’s difficult to reach a goal if you don’t have a clear vision of where the organization is going. An effective team player is able to answer the following: What is the organization goal(s) and how do my role and responsibilities fit into it? How do I articulate the organization vision? Read these questions again, this time more carefully. Take a moment before reading further and ask your manager to help clarify these answers for you. Once you’ve articulated the goal and vision of your organization, you’ll clearly see why and how you belong to the organization. When we don’t fully understand what we’re a part of, we’re unable to give 110 per cent and we feel disconnect rather than feeling like a critical asset on a winning team.
The content of your message The sound of your voice What your listener sees
7% 38 % 55 %
When there are inconsistent messages, your listener will believe 55 per cent of what they see and 38 per cent by the sound of your voice. When there is disconnect between what you say and how you say it, your attitude will speak volumes! An effective team player also has a positive attitude toward change and is willing to accept and follow change as needed to achieve the desired results.
Communication Honest, open communication is the key to a team’s success. When at all possible, choose face-to-face communication over email as it will enhance your relationships. Never assume your peers or customers know what you’re thinking. State clear and specific objectives, ideas and action steps to avoid misinterpretation. When working on a team project, clearly state the project objectives and discuss individual roles and responsibilities. Address issues with your team that may have a negative impact on the organization and its customers. Dealing with conflict becomes a bigger challenge when conflict is not communicated. When you can set petty differences aside, you’ll be amazed at the results.
Commitment Establish priorities by making your role on the team your number one priority. You’ll gain trust from your team when you successfully manage your tasks and time, and consistently meet deadlines. If you’re unable to reach a deadline for a task or project, immediately communicate this to your team and negotiate a realistic time frame. If you commit to an assignment or task, you’re responsible for completing the task through the end. When you have downtime ask if you can assist your team member even if it’s a task outside of your job responsibilities or requires you to stay late. The task will be accomplished in a shorter period of time, and two heads are always better than one.
An attitude with the three Cs of commitment Take a deeper look at yourself and your day-to-day behaviors at work. Which of the following areas requires additional focus for greater performance?
Attitude
Collaboration
Leave your baggage at the door. When you’ve attended a party, I bet you’ve never walked into a crowded room to search for the individual who’s unhappy and simply miserable. Instead we gravitate to individuals who are smiling, laughing and simply happy to be there. Your customers and peers are the same way. Your negative attitude pushes people
Being a member of a team requires patience and cooperation. There will be situations when you do not agree with your peers or the decisions that are made.
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HANKE:What will the impact be when taking any decision? Collaboration requires every team member to approach discussions with an open mind and willingness to contribute 110% daily, weekly and monthly – whether solving a problem, setting goals or improving customer service. Before making a decision or taking action, ask yourself what will be the impact on you, your customers, the organization and your team. Are you making decisions for the best interest of yourself, your team and your organization? The answer needs to be YES for all three. Your actions need to contribute to the big picture: the organization goal. Your contribution to your organization should be evaluated on a daily basis. Take five minutes to identify three action steps you can take to improve your role as a team player. Begin taking steps today towards reaching your optimal team performance. You’ll be pleased by the positive relationships you immediately create and the results of your individual contribution to the big picture. What better way to make you feel important every day before, during and after work than by being a strong contributor to an amazing team. ••• Stacey Hanke is an Executive Consultant, Author, Coach and Speaker with 1st Impression Consulting, Inc. Contact her at: (773) 209-5970 or via e-mail at: staceyhanke@ameritech.net.
If your boss gives you one task too many, ask what you should drop instead. Anonymous MARCH ’06
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How to Sudoku Sudoku (which loosely means “single number” in Japanese) is a deceptively simple yet addictive game of logic that consists of a nine-by-nine square grid, broke into three-by-three square cells. The object: fill each square with a number from 1 to 9 so that every number appears only once in each row, column and cell.
The following are the results of a recent Planner survey of our readers on the importance of tipping in hotels. THE QUESTION: How much do you tip the chambermaid for making up the room?
Answers: $0 $.01 – $2 $2.01 – $3.99 $4
34 % 25 % 13 % 28 % Level:Easy
Erratum The logo of the Station Mont-Tremblant ad was missing an “l” last month. The Planner regrets the error.
Sudoku answer on page 25.
For more Sudoku, visit the following Web sites: www.sudoku.com or www.dailysudoku.co.uk
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MARCH ’06
MPI update - NMID in Canada A
pril 6, 2006 has been declared National Meetings Industry Day across Canada in recognition of the significant economic impact meetings and events bring to Canada. Developed by Meeting Professionals International (MPI) to help build awareness of the industry, National Meetings Industry Day, in partnership with the Convention Centres of Canada, attracts business professionals in a variety of industries. In a collective effort to highlight the significance of the Canadian meetings industry and communicate the value of meetings to the broader business community and community at large, members from all seven chapters of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) in British Columbia, Greater Calgary, Greater Edmonton, Manitoba, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa as well as the Atlantic Chapter-in-Formation, will celebrate with a variety of educational and networking activities, focusing on the value of meetings. MPI industry leaders, including president and CEO, Colin Rorrie, Jr., PhD, CAE and 2005-2006 International Chairwoman Christine Duffy, will visit the chapters to discuss the value of meetings and facilitate discussions on how to bring about a greater awareness of the meetings industry to Canada and Canadian business practices. A new component to this year’s celebration is a National Award Program designed to recognize people or organizations outside the direct industry which have supported the development of meetings and conventions or the development of policy and programs impacting the industry. Each chapter will recognize one person or organization in their community who has made a difference to the meetings industry but is not actively involved in it. The MPI Foundation Canada continues to make great strides with its fundraising campaign, Focus Canada 2006. National Meetings Industry Day will celebrate the closing of the campaign whose goal is to raise a minimum of $500,000 CDN by April 2006 which, combined with previous donations, will exceed the total fundraising goal of $1 million CDN. These funds will drive the essential educational, professional development and research projects to strengthen the Canadian meetings industry and help members attain positions of strategic influence within their organizations. FutureWatch 2006, a survey of over 1,200 meeting professionals published by MPI and American Express, points to a third consecutive year of sustained growth of international meetings and business travel. Canadian client-side planners will bring more of their meetings back to Canada in 2006. Canadian planners anticipate only 14 percent of all 2006 meetings will be held outside domestic borders, compared to 23 percent in 2005. The United States is expected to get only 7 percent of all Canadian meetings in 2006, down from 16 percent in 2005.
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In addition, a white paper of the proceedings from the 2006 National Meetings Industry Day events across the county will be developed as a legacy and a catalyst for future discussions. For more information on National Meetings Industry Day or Meeting Professionals International, visit www.mpiweb.org, or the Canadian Chapters’ individual Web sites: British Columbia: Greater Calgary: Greater Edmonton: Manitoba: Toronto: Montreal: Ottawa:
www.mpibcchapter.com www.mpi-gcc.org www.mpigec.ca www.mpiweb.mb.ca www.mpitoronto.org www.mpimontreal.com www.mpiottawa.ca
For more information on MPI, visit their website: www.mpiweb.org.
SUPPORT
OUR ATHLETES
Who wasn’t impressed watching the recent Torino Olympics with Canada’s fine showing in the overall medal count (third place with 24 medals, one behind the United States and five behind Germany’s 29). And what about our athletes like gold medallists Clara Hughes and Cindy Klassen who exemplify excellence and sportsmanship? Hughes recently donated $10,000 to Right To Play, a charity that helps underprivileged kids reach their sporting dreams. Why not consider one of our great Canadian athletes the next time you need a guest speaker? You’ll be doing our country proud. For a list of the athletes, visit www.cbc.ca. 9
New Orleans is on the comeback trail and losses faced by people barely able to support themselves prior to the disaster, Ratcliffe stressed that the core of the city remained largely intact and desperately needs tourism and the meeting business to return and provide the tax revenue which in turn will help rebuild those devastated suburbs. Ratcliffe cited 15 convention groups that have decided to hold their meetings between in the city May and December of 2006. She pointed to a sign in the tradeshow booth, advertising the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Meeting that will be in New Orleans in June, 2006. The sign had a picture of an ALA meeting planner standing with a giant megaphone calling everyone to the conference. The picture was a reminder of 2003 in Toronto, when SARS almost beat the tourism industry into bankruptcy, with major conferences and incentives canceling by the minute. In June of that year, only three months after the initial SARS outbreak crippled Toronto tourism, the American Library Association held their conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and set the tone for the Toronto’s economic recovery. If the ALA keeps this up, it may be the first organization ever up for sainthood. And Southwest Airlines is getting in on the act as well; by March they will operate 19 daily flights to the city. As is tradition with the succeeding PEC event city, New Orleans hosted a luncheon for over 2,000 MPI planners and suppliers with a fabulous menu, predictable but delightful décor complete with southern belles and outstanding entertainment. Many accolades were heard during the meal, including a pledge from Maritz President and CEO and MPI Chairwoman Christine Duffy, to hold the next Maritz conference in The Crescent City.
BY JYL ASHTON CUNNINGHAM, CMP
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f ever a city doubts its ability to recover from an ecological and economic disaster, they should look to New Orleans for some inspiration. Only then can they possibly match the incredible resilience, hope and optimism shown by New Orleanians – and the tourism industry in particular – in the face of one of the worst natural disasters to ever hit the United States. At the January MPI PEC (Professional Education Conference) in Charlotte, North Carolina, New Orleanians were out in force to prove that the city is alive, thriving and ready to party. Mardi Gras has NOT been cancelled, far from it – as we go to press, it has already started. Between February 18 and 28, St. Charles Street will come alive in a celebration like no other. What should have been a 150th anniversary bash became a joyous rebirth of a city that never really died, but just laid low for a while to recover and regroup. New Orleans is host to the MPI PEC in January, 2007, and Kitty Ratcliffe, Executive Vice President of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, couldn’t be more proud. “We are so thankful to MPI for the incredible support they have shown us, both financially and with their commitment to bringing the PEC to us next year,” she said. She went on to emphasize that many other hospitality group members had shown equally strong support and couldn’t express her gratitude enough. Ratcliffe reiterated the message her city is spreading through press releases and every media avenue possible: New Orleans is absolutely back on its feet and ready for business. While much of the publicity has been about the suburbs and the tragedies
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The Crescent City rebounds
NEW ORLEANS TALK
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 J. Stephen Perry, President and CEO of New Orleans CVB, gave a rousing and inspirational speech, citing the incredible resiliency and commitment in people to get New Orleans up and running again. “We have some of the brightest minds and most dedicated sales professionals in the business,” Perry said. “Within hours after the storm, we had set up operations centers around the country, and we were reaching out to our customers to maintain those key relationships that have helped establish New Orleans as one of the top convention and tourist cities in America.” After quoting losses to the tourism and convention industry of about US$15 million a day following Katrina, Perry reminded the audience of “The Second Line,” a funeral march playing sad dirges on the way to the cemetery, mourning death and returning with upbeat jazz to celebrate life. So a fitting introduction to the entertainment evolved, being none other than Irvine Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra – a real treat indeed. The band played for almost an hour with an incredible repertoire of traditional Zydeco and sentimental blues. The session became instantly personal when Mayfield dedicated a particular tune to his father who was drowned in the floods of Hurricane Katrina. Then, true to tradition, “The Second Line” brought people to their feet, waving their napkins and dancing in the aisles. To quote J. Stephen Perry as he closed his speech, he gave the audience the emphatic answers to the three most pertinent questions on New Orleans: Are you open? Yes! How are you doing? Great! Is the New Orleans experience intact? Yes!
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BIG EASY: Betty Guillaud, a gossip columnist for the Times Picayune, in the ‘70s, reportedly called New Orleans “The Big Easy” as a term of endearment and an answer to the then “I Love New York” hype. If NYC is the “Big Apple” then New Orleans is “The Big Easy,” where everything is slower, simpler and easy-going. Others claim it is a reference by musicians to the relative ease of finding work in the city
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GUMBO: The word “gumbo” comes from an African language and means okra. Gumbo is a traditional southern soup-like dish. It can be made with just about anything. But, all gumbos start with a rich roux and usually include either seafood or sausage.
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KREWE: Legend has it that the word “Krewe” came from the old English spelling for the word “crew.” A Krewe is an organization or club that parades at Mardi Gras.
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NEUTRAL GROUND: In most cities this is called the “median” – you know, that little strip of ground in the middle of a road. Legend has it that the neutral ground got its name from early New Orleans when the French and Spanish could do business between sections of the city standing on the “neutral ground.”
On the Web: www.cityofno.com Go and see for yourselves. New Orleans will thank you…
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BOOK REVIEW
Broken Windows, Broken Business by Michael Levine Even the worst marketing decision ever had nowhere near the impact of the deaths of 1,500 people in the Titanic disaster. Exaggerating is not necessary to make the point. In another chapter, he recommends firing employees who can’t do the job properly. In his words, they should not be “…warned, not shifted to another position, not admonished. Fired. Fast. Before another customer can be spoiled.” I think he oversimplifies this point, as unions and other factors often come into play. I am all for rewarding performance, but firing people out of hand is dangerous territory in this age of labour laws. Tread carefully if you want to follow Levine’s lead here.
BY LEO GERVAIS
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he roots of Michael Levine’s thought-provoking book are in an article by criminologists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling that appeared in a 1982 issue of Atlantic Monthly magazine. The article’s basic premise was the so-called “broken window” theory, which states “something as small and innocuous as a broken window does in fact send a signal to those who pass by every day. If it is left broken, the owner of the building isn’t paying attention or doesn’t care. That means more serious infractions – theft, defacement, and violent crime – might be condoned in the area as well. At best, it signals that no one is watching.” Wilson and Kelling theorized that it leads to a kind of lawlessness, a kind of anarchy by neglect. Levine goes on to cite how, using this theory, New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his police commissioner decided to clean up the Big Apple, with amazing results; by concentrating on the “broken windows” of graffiti on subway cars and petty crime, statistics in all other areas of crime went down dramatically. The “broken windows” theory is basically about perception – what do people think is going on? Levine, in adept fashion, links this theory to business, where a dirty bathroom in McDonald’s or an unpleasant receptionist can be “broken windows” that cause business to suffer, often in a large way. Levine offers plenty of other examples of the theory and how to avoid those dangerous broken windows, but his advice and comparisons are, at times, a little over the top. In chapter six he discusses the questionable decision by Coca-Cola to introduce New Coke in the 1980s, a broken window “…of epic proportions. It wasn’t a tiny thing gone wrong – it was an enormous, elephantine thing gone hideously wrong, a disaster that made the Titanic look like a rowboat with a leaky hull.”
This book will make you think But this book succeeds admirably where others merely hope to: it gets you thinking. For planners, I would heartily suggest giving a copy of this book to your main suppliers; it will open their eyes to what they can do better. And it will also shine some light on your own “broken windows,” things that have gone unchecked and unrepaired that may be having an effect on the perception of people working with your company. Levine’s good advice is that we all need to fix our broken windows and expect nothing but excellence from our employees and ourselves. We owe that to the most important people in our business lives – our customers. Book: Broken Windows, Broken Business Author: Michael Levine Publisher: Warner Books, 2005 Pages: 192 ISBN: 0446576786 Price: $20 on www.chapters.ca •••
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MARCH ’06
Industry News Take your job and… Is there anything more commonplace than complaining about the boss? Who hasn’t said “If I were in charge…” in the hope of changing some perceived management deficiency? According to a new study, even the most vocal critics aren’t enthusiastic about the prospect. In a survey conducted by Ajilon Professional Staffing in New Jersey, 54 per cent of 625 workers surveyed said, “You could never pay me enough to take my boss’s job.” Interestingly, women had a stronger aversion (68 per cent) to the idea than men (42 per cent). In addition, 21 per cent said they pitied their bosses while 8 per cent said they envied them.
Water, water everywhere... so why drink the bottled stuff? Bottled water is safer, better and cleaner than tap water, right? Wrong, according a recent study. The Earth Policy Institute study states that “…bottled water is not guaranteed to be any healthier than tap water. In fact, roughly 40 per cent of bottled water begins as tap water; often the only difference is added minerals that have no marked health benefit.” But industry representatives have a different take on the matter. “We do not promote bottled water as an alternative to tap water as suggested in this report, but as an alternative portable beverage (to) high-sugar, high-calorie beverages,” said Elizabeth Griswold, executive director of the Canadian Bottled Water Association. Globally, Italians drink the most bottled water, enough for each to down two glasses a day, and the Mexicans are close behind. Canadians are 21st, drinking the daily equivalent of one-third to a half a glass. The United States is the world’s largest overall consumer, but only sits 10th in the per-person ranking.
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“Canada needs to pay attention because they are situated next to a very thirsty country, and Canada provides more than half the bottled-water imports to the United States,” said Janet Larsen, the institute’s research director. As well, the study says that 2.7 million tons of plastic are used worldwide to bottle water each year. The international fuel bill to create this plastic is enormous. Saudi Arabia, for example, imports bottled water from as far away as Finland. The North American demand for “chic and exotic” water sees imports from as far away as Fiji, the report said. Non-recycled bottles take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. The study found 40 per cent of plastic bottles placed into recycling bins in the United States were exported to China, requiring additional fuel consumption. A lack of confidence in the local tap-water supply drives demand in developing countries. But soaring demand in developed countries can be traced to a misplaced belief bottled water is healthier than the tap, the survey said.
Passport requirement will deter American visitors to Canada New requirements for Americans to cross the border will deter U.S. visitors and affect profits in Canada’s tourism industry in 2007 and 2008, the Conference Board of Canada said recently. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which will be fully implemented in 2008, will require all travellers entering or returning to the U.S. to carry secure documentation, such as a passport. U.S. travellers currently account for 87 per cent of international visitors entering Canada and almost two thirds of foreign tourism spending. International and domestic tourists spent $56 billion in Canada in 2004. There are 593,000 Canadians directly employed by the tourism industry. The Conference Board describes itself as “specialists in economic trends, as well as organizational performance and public policy issues. Independent from, but affiliated with, The Conference Board, Inc. of New York, which serves some 2,500 companies in 60 nations and has offices in Brussels and Hong Kong.”
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FIVE-MINUTE LIFE COACH
Getting away to go nowhere
Where do you really want to go? Who do you really want to go with? Now look closer still . . . empty your pockets . . . and x-ray your being. Why do you want it? Why do you want to go there? Why do you need that special somebody? Listen to your captain speaking. Now come fly with me for a moment . . . imagine that you have it . . . whatever it is . . . a new job . . . a new car . . . someone to love . . . time for yourself . . .space for yourself . . .fitter . . . healthier . . . Find that destination in your heart. Find it in your thoughts. Find it in your feelings. Feel the exhilaration of achievement. Feel the exhilaration of making the impossible, possible. Feel the exhilaration of fulfillment. But don’t just want it. Know that it will happen and feel it happening. Expect it. Feel the aerodynamics of your future unfolding. Take in the view. Feel the air at 35,000 feet! That is your ticket, your propeller and the wind beneath your wings. When you have that lift, you will rise above the clouds with a new found optimistic confidence and not only will the flightpath become apparent, but so too, will the runway. Once you feel the possibility, you will see the pathway. Your instinctive, intuitive navigational instruments will guide you through so long as you keep your eye and your thoughts and your feelings, firmly fixed on the destination of your heart’s desire. And when you touch down at your predetermined destination on your own terms, your creative ability to make things happen will be realized. You will have landed at a place called Fulfillment and the world of possibility will forever be your oyster. Live for today and feel the reality of what you are capable of tomorrow and your next holiday will be more than just another temporary escape hatch. Look after yourself. Have a good holiday this year and don’t worry if you lose your luggage!
BY THOMAS CHALMERS
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f you have reached a point in your life where having a holiday to get away from it all is your only oasis, it is probably worth looking closer to home for a break in the clouds. A break from old thinking or old habits or old lifestyle can be more exhilarating than flying off to Barbados with the same old baggage. Because the trouble with old baggage is that it invariably sags – especially on the way home. So, how can you go nowhere and yet still get away from it all – permanently? The answer lies closer to home because home is where your heart lies and your heart’s desire is the boarding pass to the holiday of a lifetime or – rather – the time of your life. So Wakey! Wakey! This loudspeaker call is for you. It’s time to check in and scrutinize your passport and incidentally, if you look as good as your passport photo, then you’re probably too ill to travel. (Just joking!) Take a good look at yourself. Be a little self-ish for a moment. Do a little soul searching. What do you really want to do with your life? What do you really want to achieve?
THE 2006 MONTREAL VENUES GUIDE IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR $12.95. CALL (514) 849-6841 EXT. 331 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Website: www.idealifeinternational.com
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Websites
DATEBOOK
of interest
Upcoming Events
Travel insurance quotes www.insuremytrip.com
MARCH 23-26 International Association of Conference Centers Annual Conference, Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs, Colo. www.iacconline.org, (314) 993-8575.
Billed as the Travel Insurance Comparison Site ®, this is the perfect place to compare detailed choices of insurance quotes for trip insurance. Such policies can cover losses if your itinerary is ruined by events beyond your control, including illness or a death in the family. However, these policies can cost four to eight per cent of the total trip expense, and they’re full of exemptions. So be sure to read the fine print, check your current coverage and buy as soon as you can after booking.
MARCH 21, 22, 24 Bourses France Trade Show, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Montreal, Que. (March 21), Liberty Grand in Toronto, Ont. (March 22), The Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver, BC (March 24). (1) 888-88-FRANCE www.franceguide.com/ca/tradeshow.
Bypassing compulsory Web site registration www.bugmenot.com Have you ever had to register on a website before they would give you the access you want? Besides being an invasion of privacy, filling them out is a colossal waste of time and the result is usually a torrential amount of spam e-mail. The anonymous developers of www.bugmenot.com save you the hassle of registering online. Just go to their free site and enter the URL of the Web site you want to access. Bugmenot.com will generate a user name and password created and donated by someone else for you to use. So you are granted entry without having to reveal your identity or create a fictitious one.
MARCH 26-28 Meeting Professionals International Professional Education Conference–Europe, Congress Centre, Davos, Switzerland. www.mpiweb.org, (011) 352-268-761-41. APRIL 6 National Meetings Industry Day across Canada, various locations. Meeting Professionals International developed this to help build awareness in the industry. www.mpiweb.org or your local Canadian MPI chapter. For more information on meetings around the world, please visit www.meetings-conventions.com.
☛ April 16 is Easter Sunday.
••• Do you have a website you want to share with other planners? Email us at: info@theplanner.ca
FOR HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD, VISIT WWW.EARTHCALENDAR.NET
!
Jargon Buster Techno babble demystified sponsored by Avtec Professional A/V Services
What does .com mean?
Dot com: The .com in any Web site address does not stand for company or communications – it stands for commercial. This dates from 1984, when the Internet was still called ARPANET. Back then, John Postel and Joyce Reynolds spelled out seven top-level domains (.com, .net, .org, .edu, .gov, .mil and .arpa. Given their three letter nod to commercial enterprise, it seems clear that Postel and Reynolds knew that ARPANET wouldn’t remain the exclusive playground of academic and government types. But it’s unlikely they could have envisioned that the term dot com would become a hallowed entry in the lexicon. Source: www.pcworld.com
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Reduce your flying stress! BY MARK MCGREGOR
F
lying for business trips adds stress to any businessperson. One of the greatest fears for most people is flying. With the recent Air France crash at the Toronto Pearson Airport, some fliers’ stress may be at an all-time high. However, it is possible to practice stress management solutions while flying. Hamilton-based Mark McGregor, who is a stress management trainer and consultant, believes that we should use our HEADS (Humour, Exercise, Avoid, Delegate, Seek) to manage our flying stress. Mark comments, “Some air passengers unnecessarily worry and become overwhelmed when traveling for business on airplanes which results as increased personal stress. It’s not enjoyable for themselves, the people they travel with, and people they meet. Chances are, you will not be able to totally eliminate flying stress. However, with practical stress management solutions, you will be able to reduce your stress and enjoy your flying experience more.” The experienced air passenger and two-time stressinduced heart attack and arrhythmia survivor offers some airtravel stress-relief solutions for businesspeople: • Humour is the best medicine. Pack some comic strips, a book that can make you laugh or a funny photo in your travel case. Print unread jokes that other co-workers e-mailed you and bring them on your trip. When feeling overwhelmed, pull out your reading material and let the comical content take your mind off of flying. • Exercise is possible on an airplane. You do not require a sweaty 20-minute workout to gain the benefits of exercising for
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stress-relief. Be sure to pack a stress-relief ball that you can squeeze when the flight gets bumpy. Take a brief stroll in the aisle when the cabin seatbelt warning lights are off. Get your organization to book you in first-class seating so you have more room to stretch. • Avoid conversations with toxic people. You know the crash ’n’ burn type that believes everything about their flying experience is wrong. Tune them out by bringing your own music player and headphone set. Or simply plug in your headphone set into your laptop computer and play all your favorite hits or listen to a business audio program. You may want to avoid playing “Spirit in the Sky!” • Delegate tasks to ticket agents and in-flight staff. Ask nicely – you may be surprised what you get on longerhaul flights, ask for middle-row seating so you can stretch out on vacant seats on less populated flights. Order in-flight meals in advance to ensure you receive your favorite kind. Ask air stewards for a warm blanket or a soft pillow to rest with. • Seek the right frame of mind. Flying has always been one of the safest methods of travel. Sit back and relax as trained professionals add to the comfort of your flying experience. Know that your pilot has logged in numerous hours of flying time. Feel safe with the fact that airport security procedures have increased for your protection and safety. ••• Contact Mark McGregor for his Special Report on stress management which includes a section on how to travel with less stress at: (905) 297-0805 or from his Web site at www.keynotetrainer.com.
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The following are the results of a recent Planner survey of our readers on the importance of hotel bedding. THE QUESTION: How important is the quality of the duvets in hotels to you?
Answers: Very important
53 %
Important
40 %
Not important
Join the ranks of the pros: www.mpiweb.org
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7%
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Choosing your wheels wisely BY G. KEITH MOTTON
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ur recent reader’s survey asked the question, “What is the ideal vehicle for meeting planners?” The top priorities listed by planners included large cargo space, fuel economy and ease of handling. When it came to individual models, answers ranged from New Mini to Lincoln Navigator and a few models were specified numerous times. We took a test drive in the most frequently-listed vehicles, and looked at some of the accessories planners have said are essential. The Most Listed car: Dodge Caravan and Grand-Caravan. Chrysler invented the minivan concept in 1983 and continues to hold the lion’s share of the market. Fuel economy and driveability are good considering the size of vehicle. The five back seats of the $2,000-option “Stow ’n’ Go Seating” fold into the floor in a two-handed lift-and-push affair, which is far simpler than carrying the seats into the garage, with the same result – a great big empty box on wheels. A nice option to go with this is a cargo bin with cooler and folding table that fit under the floor – perfect for outdoor venues. Twin sisters Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe: One owner says the Vibe must be designed by artist M.C. Escher (he of the impossible structures): somehow, it is larger inside than outside. Split rear seats fold flat with one hand, and even the front seat flips down easily to allow transport of freight up to 8’ lengths – benches, posters, or anything else you need to squeeze in. The tie-downs e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e in the car allow you to secure your cargo for the safety of both merchandise and passengers. As a number of different Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) were named, we won’t look at any one model. In general, SUVs offer a high driver’s position for a good view of the road ahead, and interior space bigger than any mid-size station-wagon. Disadvantages include a higher cargo floor liftover than minivans. You are paying initial cost, maintenance, and fuel-consumption penalties for four-wheel-drive – something you need about ten days per year. Several makers offer front-wheeldrive mechanics under an SUV platform, and this may be a more economical and logical choice.
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The Toyota Matrix (like this 2005 edition) is a planner favourite.
Among desirable options, the Global Positioning System (GPS) helps you find locations easily. Web sites often list latitude and longitude coordinates, and the GPS will guide you to within a metre of this location. Most units give large-scale roadmaps, with fine-scale upgrades available. With the touch of a button, you can store a location for future reference. This allows the hand-helds to help you find your car in a parking lot! Handhelds cost from $200 to $1,200, while factory units usually come with an options package running from $2,200 to $3,000. Hybrid technology was also listed by some as a “musthave” for the environmentally-conscious planner. Using a battery pack and an electric motor/generator, hybrids shift your energy needs: slowing the car charges the battery, and this power is later used to accelerate. This saves gas and gives lower emissions. Some systems even allow you to drive short distances without starting the gas engine at all. An option that costs $6,000 to $15,000 up front, however, would have to save a lot more gas to be cost-effective. Given the economy figures listed by Transport Canada, even with gas at $1.25 a litre, you would have to drive the car 130,000 km or more to cover the initial cost. On the plus side, some insurance companies recognize hybrid drivers as a safer risk, and give them a 10 per cent reduction. For those willing to invest in a cleaner environment, this may be your choice. ••• For those wanting to save more, please see our article on page 20 of this issue.
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Gauging your pressure and almost guarantee you would not be found in the middle of the night with a jack in one hand and a spare in the other, I would have orders flying at me from all corners. But there is such a product: a tire gauge. Tire pressure is one of the most overlooked parts of vehicle maintenance, and yet one of the simplest to do. The Rubber Association of Canada estimates that 70 per cent of vehicles on the road have unequal tire inflation, and that 23 per cent have at least one tire that is dangerously low. Soft tires do not have the entire tread contacting the road, so they are more liable to skid. The edges of the tire wear quickly, reducing tire life. They also generate heat as they flex, which can cause the tire to break apart when the temperature gets high - as in when you're cruising down the highway. At 15 psi, or roughly half the recommended inflation pressure, the tire does not look soft but evasive maneuvers can literally rip the tire right off the rim, causing a crash. They have also been found to be a factor in causing Sport Utility Vehicles to roll over. Tire pressures should be checked once a month. The first step in tire pressure maintenance is getting a good quality gauge. Pencil type, dial type and digital all fit in the glove compartment or pocket, and give equally good results. The digital ones are a little easier to read. Also available are valve caps which automatically flag a soft tire. I tried these and woke up to four flats – the caps had bled air off my tires all night long so I do not recommend them. Next, find the correct tire pressures for your vehicle. This is usually listed on a placard on the driver’s door frame, on the glove compartment door, or on the fuel filler door. Failing that, check the owner’s manual. Always check the pressure when the tires are cold, having been driven less than 3 km. Beyond that, the flexing of the tire will heat and increase the readings, and it will be hard to balance the pressures. Take the valve cap off one valve stem, and press the tire gauge onto the valve. You should hear a psst... shhp as you press and release the gauge – there should be no hissing of air, which would give a false reading. The pressure should be as specified on the placard, but also no higher than the pressure listed on the tire sidewall. Correct the pressure by either pumping air in or bleeding it out. The tire chuck on the pump is similar to the one on your gauge – you should hear air rumbling into the tire, not hissing out from an improper seal. If you overfill, use the tab on the back of the pressure gauge to depress the metal stem in the centre of the tire valve. Move on to the other tire on the same axle and get its pressure to match the first, then move to the other end of the vehicle. What if one tire is consistently low? This could be caused by many things, most of which are relatively inexpensive to fix. The valve stem may be leaking, there may be a nail or a screw in the tire, or the rim may not have been properly cleaned when the tire was mounted. Any of these can be fixed by your local garage for about $25. It is as simple as that – it takes about ten minutes a month to save you fuel, tire life and give you a safer, more comfortable and more environmentally-friendly vehicle.
G. KEITH MOTTON
I
f I could offer you a product for $10 that would improve the safety and handling of your vehicle, save you $70 on your next set of tires, give you a nickel back on every litre of fuel,
N.B. Photo courtesy of www.emediawire.com.
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The Common Cold Ed. note: This excerpt is from The Pocket Encyclopedia of Aggravation by Laura Lee.
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t’s not a big deal, it’s just a cold. Not even worth calling in sick. You will just sit at your desk and hold your nose with a Kleenex while you fight the headaches, fever and chills. Different people have different reactions to colds. Most people, 95 percent, who are exposed to the rhino viruses that cause a cold do become infected, but only 75 percent get any symptoms. People who are lucky enough not to feel sick fight off the infection just as well as you do with your runny nose and endless sneezing. Lucky them. Your dog and cat are immune to colds as well. The cold is only common to humans, chimpanzees and higher primates. Feel better? Cold viruses can live for a short time on a surface, say someone’s hand. Shake hands with that person and you get the cold on your hand then you rub your nose and voilà, the process begins. As little as a single particle of the virus is all that is needed to mount an infection. You breathe in and the virus, which contains strands of genetic coding coated in
protein, is transported to the back of the nose by the nose itself. There it attaches itself to a receptor, which transports into a cell in the respiratory tract. Once it’s in the cell, the virus can reproduce. More and more virus particles are created until finally the host cell bursts and the dose of viruses infects new cells and the process starts anew. The whole thing takes about 8-12 hours. It takes about 10 hours for the body to start mounting its defense. The inflammatory mediators histamine, kinins, interleukins and prostglandins cause your blood vessels to dilate so they can transport water and other materials needed to create extra mucus. Mucus is your nose’s defense to just about any irritant. Unfortunately, the cold that is trying to flush out is hidden away safe within the walls of a nasal cell most of the time. However, the sneezing, coughing and nose blowing do have one effect – they help to spread colds to other people. There is some truth to the old wives’ tale about chicken soup. If you’re all stuffed up, it will loosen things up a bit; that is the conclusion of three clinicians who published the article “Effects of Drinking Hot Water, Cold Water and
BOOK EXCERPT Chicken Soup on Nasal Mucus Velocity and Nasal Airflow Resistance” in the medical journal Chest. Hot chicken soup increased mucous velocity from 6.9 to 9.2 mm per minute, a result that is “statistically significant” compared to cold water and hot water. The faster the mucus velocity i.e. how much mucus is expelled from the body, the faster the infected cells are expelled from the body (and spread to other people). The researchers concluded, “hot chicken soup, either through the aroma sensed at the posterior nares or through a mechanism related to taste, appears to possess an additional substance for increasing nasal mucous velocity.” Go tell your mom she was right. ••• Reprinted with permission from The Pocket Encyclopedia of Aggravation by Laura Lee, originally published by Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. Price on www.amazon.com: US$10.36.
Health Trends Take steps to a more satisfying life University of California psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky came up with eight steps to lifting your level of happiness based on research findings. Here are the top three: 1. Count your blessings. She suggests keeping a “gratitude journal” in which you write down three to five things for which you are currently thankful. 2. Practice acts of kindness. These should be both random and systematic. being kind to others brings a cascade of positive effects – it makes you feel generous and capable, wins you smiles, approval and more – all good happiness boosters. 3. Savour life’s joys. Pay close attention to momentary pleasures and wonders. Take mental photographs of pleasurable moments for later review. SOURCE: TIME
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The Motivation Contradiction life, they don’t want to work, and their bad attitude is invulnerable to all attempts of transformation. Even Gandhi’s peaceful nature would be sorely pressed if faced with some of these individuals and so on. Having met at least one such individual during my career, I have to allow some leeway. I must allow for the possibility that some bad attitude employees are beyond all redemption, but they’re rare and make up less than one per cent of our employees and not the full seven per cent that we give up on and terminate. Here are some of descriptions of folks with bad attitude and extremely terse descriptions of what we might do to resolve the source of the problem.
BY PETER DE JAGER
I
recently conducted a survey on “The Consequences of Bad Attitude” in preparation for a presentation. The results gleaned from the more than 100 respondents uncovered three interesting bits of information. 1) According to the respondents, a solid 10 per cent of our employees are deemed to possess this thing called “Bad Attitude.” 2) Of that 10 per cent we fire, terminate, let go and constructively dismiss more than 66 per cent of them for reasons ultimately stemming from their bad attitude. That’s close to seven per cent of all our employees terminated because of “Bad Attitude” otherwise known as BA. 3) The general consensus of the respondents, based on their commentary and the termination percentage listed above, is that managers have little, if any, control over an employee’s attitude… the turnover cost of that belief is significant. Many, if not most managers agree with the related statement, “You cannot motivate someone to change. Their motivation must come from within.” This resonates with the belief that the attitude of our employees is beyond management control. Yet, those same managers accept without question the existence of great leaders. What is a leader, if not someone with the proven ability to motivate people through difficult times and towards great achievements? The existence of leaders, and their ability to motivate, contradicts our belief that motivation (attitude) is internal to the individual. This contradiction means that somewhere we’re making an invalid assumption. Contradictions don’t exist. We know for certain that leaders exist; Churchill, Gandhi and King led people through war, to peaceful freedom and to equality. They succeeded where others failed and motivated their sometimes reluctant followers to great sacrifices, perseverance, heroic acts and ultimately, victory. If leaders make their mark on the world because they motivated people to action, then the notion that motivation is entirely an individual choice must be wrong. This observation or deduction, if accurate, immediately places all managers into a peculiar bind. Contrary to our practice of firing seven per cent of our employees for bad attitudes, we’re forced to accept that we have another, underutilized option. It is possible to lead (motivate) those employees to a better attitude. We might not know how to do this, but we know, based on the achievements of the leaders we look up to, that it’s possible. Now… almost every manager reading this is going to raise an objection. There are people who just have a sour outlook on
1) Those who just don’t like working for a living. These might be that 1 per cent beyond redemption. 2) Those unwilling to accept unavoidable change. Extremely rare, if the change is truly inevitable, most adapt. 3) Those with psychological problems of some type. Often solvable by counselling or transfer to less stressful position. 4) Those with stress/life challenges unrelated to the organization. Temporary and addressable via acceptable concessions.
We know for certain that leaders exist.
5) Those who don’t like their current job. Often solvable through internal transfers.
6) Those who disagree with a management practice. Two cases here: If the management is at fault (e.g. favouritism) then change the practice OR if it’s merely a lack of understanding of why the practices are the way they are, then communication is the solution. 7) Those incorrectly labelled as having a BA. Not all BA are really BA. Asking “why?” is not necessarily an act of insubordination, it’s often nothing more than a plea to understand. Bad attitude cannot be tolerated, mostly because it spreads like an infection; degrading productivity everywhere it’s found. In the end, if management is incapable of motivating an employee towards a more productive attitude, then management has no choice but to jettison both the employee and their attitude. Harsh actions perhaps, but as managers we’re responsible for departmental morale. Bad attitudes are infectious. The key phrase in the paragraph above, and the one which will cause the most controversy is, “if management is incapable of motivating an employee... then...”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
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Seven per cent of terminations are due to bad attitude CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 It suggests at least three things; 1) Managers differ in their ability to manage people problems. (obviously) 2) The need to terminate employees with bad attitude is a direct consequence of management’s inadequate people skills. (Also obvious, but more difficult to accept.) 3) We can reduce turnover significantly (Remember, seven per cent of terminations are due to bad attitude. Seven per cent is significant) by training managers to overcome and change bad attitudes. All of this hinges on our personal belief in the existence of leaders. If they exist, then they exist because we recognize their ability to motivate us. Since magic doesn’t exist, their ability isn’t magical. They are doing something other humans, that even includes managers, can emulate. Discovering how to become a leader, in other words, how to motivate others, is the goal of every manager. (For more attitude survey details, visit this Web site: http://www.technobility.com/docs/article081.htm). © 2006 Peter de Jager. Peter is passionate about change, how to implement it when it’s necessary and to how to avoid it when it isn’t. You can contact him and read more of his work at his Web site: www.technobility.com
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Working with Socan to play music As the meeting planner, you may be the one who is bringing in the music (either a band or DJ) to the venue. If a promoter does not arrange for the performing rights license, then the venue owner/operator could be held liable for this copyright infringement. Not a great way to start a relationship with a venue you are trying to impress! The fact that the band is paid for their services doesn’t mean the creators of the music they are playing are compensated. The SOCAN performing right license ensures that the creators (composers, songwriters, lyricists, music publishers) are fairly paid. Even if a band you just hired plays their OWN music, you still have to pay a performing rights license since you have only hired them for their performance services. The right to administer the public performance of the band’s songs would have been assigned to SOCAN (either directly to SOCAN or through its reciprocal agreements with foreign performing rights organizations).
BY DON QUARLES
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usic plays an important role in our lives every single day. We wake up to music, drive to music, read to music, cook to music, do our homework to music and as meeting planners and event producers, we use music all the time to enhance our clients’ experience. When we use music for the purpose of enhancing our event, it is important that the proper licenses and fees have been put in place and paid. When we buy a CD from the store, we have purchased the right to play it at home, in our car, etc. It is important to note that we need to obtain a special license to have the right to play that music in public (better known as the performing right), for our events and meetings. The organization that administers performing rights in Canada is SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada).
What about music in the public domain?
What is SOCAN?
No fee is due for songs/works performed if those works are considered in the “public domain.” In Canada, music is considered in the public domain if the last surviving composer/songwriter has been dead for more than 50 years.You should always check with SOCAN to see if the works to be performed are, in fact, in the public domain. Of course, it is difficult to perform music that is only in the public domain since all commercially exploited music is protected by copyright and requires a SOCAN blanket license before it can be publicly performed. This is the advantage of a SOCAN blanket license. Once you have secured your blanket license, you are free to perform virtually the world’s entire repertoire of copyright-protected music. It is important to check with the SOCAN office if you are uncertain about whether upcoming meetings/events require a performing rights license. You should create a line item in your budget template that reads “SOCAN fees.” That way, you won’t forget to ask the right questions before your event, rather than risk infringing the Canadian Copyright Act. To find out more on securing performing rights licenses or SOCAN in general, go to www.socan.ca or call 1-800-557-6226. Just as we meeting and event specialists like to get paid for all of our great ideas, so do the creators of the wonderful music that fills our daily lives. NEXT ISSUE: How to deal with artists.
SOCAN represents more than 80,000 composers, songwriters and music publishers in Canada and many more worldwide via a network of other performing rights organizations (like BMI, ASCAP, SESAC in the United States). SOCAN administers the performing rights of virtually the world’s entire repertoire of copyrightprotected music and ensures that composers, songwriters and music publishers get paid the royalties they deserve. SOCAN tracks performances across several media, including radio, TV, some live performances, cinema and pay audio. SOCAN is also the organization that grants the performing rights licenses we need for our meetings/special events. These licenses are required for those of us who use music for our business, whether we do special events or have a venue that clientele and the public can access. For every venue and event, there may be a different licensing arrangement. Under certain tariffs, such as Tariff 15A for background music, some venues pay an annual fee to SOCAN. Note that other types of performances may fall under a different tariff. If you happen to be putting on a large event in a hotel, for example, and you hire a band to play ’60s music for your themed event, a SOCAN performing rights license, under Tariff 8, must be obtained for this purpose. Usually the venue owner/operator is responsible for this license, but since they are renting the facility or space to you, it may be passed on to you and should be built into your cost estimate to your client. This license will allow your band to play all the music they decide to play or be asked to play, all while ensuring that the rights of the creators of those musical works are cleared.
SOCAN ensures composers, songwriters and music publishers get paid the royalties they deserve.
••• Don Quarles has been producing events for close to 20 years and is also an accomplished composer and songwriter. He is currently an event producer at the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. Don can be reached at: dquarles@istar.ca.
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Odds and sods IN CANADA: In an effort to cut down on the high turnover rate for staff, on April 1, 2007, Manitoba's minimum wage rate is set to increase to $8 per hour. For the hospitality industry, i.e. housekeeping, keeping trained staff longer is always a challenge no matter what the wage. Hotels, in particular, are looking now to on-line training programs, that can be used for a large number of employees. The Skills Manitoba Restaurant Service Competition will take place on April 9-10 in Winnipeg. It is an opportunity for young Manitobans to showcase their restaurant service talents in an Olympic-style, province-wide contest. The winner joins Team Manitoba to compete against other provinces at the Canadian Skills Competition in Halifax, Nova Scotia in May. • IN THE U.S.A.: Steven B. Johnson is the new Vice president of Public Affairs for the San Diego Convention Center Corporation. Mr . Johnson will be responsible for the overall development and implementation of government affairs activities and public policy for the corporation. On the Web: www.visitsandiego.com • The global meetings industry is expected to grow for a third consecutive year, signaling economic and corporate prosperity, as well as a financial boost for
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hotels, airlines and convention centers, according to FutureWatch 2006, an annual research report from Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and American Express... For more info, visit www.mpiweb.org. • LUGGAGE: Following our luggage article, we were sent the following tip from one of our readers: “My tip is to save up all the items of clothing – underwear, nightwear, outer garments and shoes – that are nearing the end of their useful life, and take them on your trips, shedding them after just one more wear. Result: No laundry or dry cleaning to do once home, more space in the case for any purchases, and bounty for chambermaids.” • THE FINAL FLIGHT: Sir Freddie Laker, who pioneered the concept of cheap fares for the masses with his transatlantic Skytrain service, has died. He was 83. Although Skytrain collapsed in 1982, he laid the foundations for such low-cost carriers as Jet Blue and easyJet that exist today. Laker reveled in the good life. At his peak he bought a Rolls Royce each year. Yet he had a reputation for frugality. Once, noticing the loose sole of an employee’s shoe, he extracted a vast bankroll from his pocket and handed the man the elastic band from it.
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ANSWER FROM PAGE 8
Employee recognition and praise: Does it improve loyalty? ing information with them, you are giving your employees an opportunity to share your perspective. With inclusion, you are indirectly empowering them to contribute to the success of your whole operation, because it gives them a chance to see and understand the bigger picture. This in turn leads to them taking initiative and improving things in their own area of responsibility, particularly if they are recognized for it. You may find it hard to believe, but recognition is the most powerful motivator of all. Research has shown that there is a stronger need in society today for recognition than there is for sex and money. Let’s think about it. We could give all employees a bonus in the form of money at the end of a period. Sure they’ll be happy and thankful. They may even perform better, but what are their expectations at the end of the next period? Right, more money.
BY BOB URICHUCK Ed. Note: This is the first in a two-part series on motivating employees.
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aintaining a motivated staff is not always the easiest of tasks, but it does pay off for you, your customers and the employee. This article focuses on closing off periods, or events, with employee recognition. If you want to avoid losing your best employees and encourage others to do better, recognizing them publicly may save yourself the time and money of having to find and re-train new staff. As you prepare to enter a new year, season, quarter or month, you must take the time to reflect on what made the last period, or event, successful and what could have made it better. Who better to answer those questions than the people who spell success or failure for your operation: your employees. If you haven’t already made it a practice, the end of a period or event is a great opportunity to have a period-end staff meeting, followed by an employees and maybe spouses dinner, staff recognition awards and a closing party. By bringing all employees together in a room for a meeting, you create a team environment. By including them and shar-
Money isn’t everything Money is an external motivator but it is never lasting. It’s an incentive that, once acquired, leads to expectations for more, bigger or better. But if you have a bad period will they care?
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Positive reinforcement is what builds our self-esteem
Recognition is one of the keys to motivating employees.
They’ll want a bonus at least equal to what they got last year, but preferably more, not less. A survey of thousands of workers across the country compared rankings by supervisors and employees on factors that motivate employees. The typical supervisory group ranked the factors in the following order: 1. High wages 2. Job security 3. Promotion in the organization 4. Good working conditions 5. Interesting work 6. Personal loyalty of supervisor 7. Tactful discipline 8. Full appreciation of work done 9. Help on personal problems 10. Feeling of being in on things However, when employees were given the same exercise and asked what affects their morale the most, their answers followed this pattern; 1. Full appreciation of work done 2. Feeling of being in on things 3. Help on personal problems 4. Job security 5. High wages 6. Interesting work 7. Promotion in the organization 8. Personal Loyalty of supervisor 9. Good working conditions 10. Tactful discipline Note that the top three factors marked by the employees are the last three felt to be important for them by their supervisors.
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Do you think it would be any different in your business? Perhaps you should find out. Next period, simply create a onesheet exercise with these points listed and ask each employee to rank, in order of importance to them, what they want from their jobs. Do the same exercise with your management or supervisory team, asking them what they think would motivate their staff the most. Everyone may be surprised when the answers are tabulated. But, think of the impact it would have if everyone learned something from this exercise and adjusted accordingly. So it is fair to say that money, over and above wages, is not a main motivating factor, but full appreciation of work done is. This is recognition: the number one factor in maintaining a motivated staff. Why is it so important? When someone gives you a compliment or recognizes you for doing something, how do you feel? Imagine, for a moment, being complimented by all your family, friends, staff and customers all day, every day. Without it going to your head, how do you think you would perform? Would you be outstanding or what? Recognition is positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement of actions gets those actions repeated. Recognition and praise reinforces our beliefs about ourselves and helps make us think we are better than we thought we were. Positive reinforcement is what builds our self-esteem. Our self-esteem is the way we see and feel about ourselves either internally, through our own beliefs, or externally through what we accept as the beliefs of others. If we feel good about ourselves and we believe others feel good about us, we perform better than we would when we see the opposite side of the coin. People perform in a manner that is consistent with how they see themselves conceptually. So, the key is to help people build their self-esteem. Unlike money which is an external motivator and never lasting, one’s self-esteem is internal, and internal motivation is everlasting. In order to build a healthy self-esteem one needs recognition and praise, both from one’s self and from others. You can help build someone’s self-esteem and self-motivation through recognition, but also through advancement and responsibility where that person can obtain a sense of achievement and personal growth. The problem is that in today’s society we are deprived of positive feedback. Compliments, recognition and praise are not part of our day-to-day culture. For some reason, many people find it difficult to give compliments, recognition and praise. My assumption is that it is hard to give something you don’t have to give. How can you give someone else a compliment if you can’t compliment yourself first? This goes back to our own selfesteem. We must first feel good about ourselves, and tell ourselves that, before we can feel good about somebody else, and tell them that. It’s a vicious circle, but it all starts within each of us. ••• Bob Urichuck is a renowned professional speaker, trainer and author of three best-selling books. Visit www.bobu.com and sign up for free weekly e-minutes. Bob can be reached via e-mail at: bob@bobu.com or toll free at 1-877-658-8224.
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Up and coming trends for corporate events in 2006 The trends in corporate events follow the trends in North American culture – but usually tend to run about one year behind. This means what’s hot now in the corporate world was hot last spring and summer — in the movies, on TV, and in club culture. These trends also reflect daily life in North America, such as ultra-casual attire for work and play, bold home-decorating colors, and the revival of the cocktail culture.
Event Decor The trend is now veering sharply towards a clean, lean look. Gone are the days of multiple draped linens, and some events are beginning to be completely linenfree! Seating is at square or rectangular tables made of stainless steel, glass and plexi-glass. High-top tables are interspersed with regular sized dining tables. This “club look” is often accented with sofas, coffee tables and ottomans, giving the event a funky, yet comfortable ambience. Lighting has also become a major factor in giving events their spark. Intelligent lighting with company logos, snowflakes or changing colours can be combined with laser lights or a simple par light washing the room with an ambient glow. And don’t forget your candles, now available in multi-coloured votives or square glass containers. Flowers are less “arranged” and lean toward bunches of similar-coloured cut flowers presented in low glass containers, or single stems in a simple glass. When linens are used, tablecloths and chair covers are used to transform a room and set a specific tone and are available in a wide array of colours and textures.
Let’s Eat! Food stations offering one or two items on tiny plates have replaced sizeable buffets with multiple items and arrays of dishes. As for food presentation, courses are presented on square plates, frosted glass, ice containers and unusual bowls.
Corporate Housekeeping Each attendee’s conference schedule/agenda can be printed on a 3 x 5 inch laminated card that comes attached to the name badge and lanyard. With no paper to consult, this is an innovative and handy resource. Consider delivering all mandatory handouts on a 1 gigabyte USB jump drive. At just 1 x 3 inches and a few grams, this is vast improvement over the awkward heavy manuals that are typically handed out at large conventions. Keeping up with trends can mean the difference between a mediocre event and a memorable one. Events are getting back to basics with clean presentation, big taste on small plates, clean décor lines and ambient lighting. And if you’re still searching for that perfect meeting destination, it just may be closer than you think.
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What to wear and some pithy quotes to get you thru the day What to wear Home office-based meeting professionals are in a fashion crisis BY JYL ASHTON CUNNINGHAM ED. Note. This allegedly took place at the recent MPI PEC-North America in Charlotte, North Carolina. Normally, when a group of meeting professionals gets together at a networking lunch, the conversation turns into either a series of sales pitches or an intellectual discussion on procurement, accessibility or 101 other planner-related topics. Not so with a group that I convened in Charlotte. Six total strangers having lunch at the same table began a conversation on working from home. Out of the six, five had a home-based office, which at a convention of over 2,000, is a pretty interesting statistic in itself. Talk turned to attire and how home office workers dress for success or just to get through the day. For reasons of privacy, last names have been excluded from this article. Nancy said that she always dresses as if she was going out to work. It’s a case of having a mindset of professionalism and she wouldn’t feel comfortable in anything other than full business dress. That was a good start. Amanda agreed with her, but said she doesn’t wear shoes until she leaves the house, and she always puts on her makeup before going into her home office. “It’s as if the telephone can see me,” she said. Hmmm.
Samantha stays in her nightie at every opportunity, as she is more creative half dressed. We won’t go there. Her main beef was that her husband would constantly interrupt her work on his days off and allow children to wander into her office unchecked. She solved that problem by taking the children to his office one day and letting them loose. I digress, but I liked Samantha’s style. Christine gets dressed, albeit in jeans, and was insistent that cleanliness was essential, so she always arrives at her desk smelling sweet and fresh. Daphne is happy and productive however she dresses, and as long as she can do the Sudoku puzzle in The Planner during her coffee break. So picture this the next time you are talking to a home-office based colleague – we have an army of home-based workers throughout North America, dressed in an interesting array of fluffy slippers, slinky negligees, business suits and down-home denims, made up to the nines and squeaky clean, juggling home, kids and work-life balance workers, but nobody gets to see them. Actually, that’s probably a good thing.
What do you wear in your home office? Send us your comments and pictures by mail (or email, but pics must be 300 dpi or better) and we’ll print the best ones with a prize for the most outrageous.
info@theplanner.ca
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Notable quotes I have kleptomania, but when it gets really bad, I take something for it. – Anonymous Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. – Albert Einstein Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake. – Chessmaster Savielly G. Tartakower Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever. – Napoleon Bonaparte I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use. – Galileo Galilei I’m living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart. – e e cummings Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems. – Rene Descartes Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right. – Henry Ford The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by those who don’t have it. – George Bernard Shaw Everybody pities the weak; jealousy you have to earn. – Arnold Schwarzenegger
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Why hire an external keynote speaker, trainer or facilitator? BY JANICE CALNAN
The top five reasons to hire someone for your event
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sing a specialist in change from outside the system helps managers and employees to expand their thinking about what is possible.
You’ve been tasked with finding the right speaker or trainer resource to make your event a success. There is pressure on you to first look internally, but you know that you need something different to shake things up. Here’s what you can do. First, make the case. There is one thing that internal resources cannot achieve – organizational objectivity. This is not because employees are not adept at facilitating or engaging groups; it is because they are too close to their culture. An external specialist minimizes the political influence that is at play in your organization. Next, the most important question you must answer is: “Why should I hire?” Here are our top five reasons.
group. This person can also more effectively challenge the audience to see the world differently. By bringing new thinking to the group, an external speaker acts as a catalyst for your organization, while being the buffer for criticism that might come forward from certain participants.
3. Support change Helping people understand the needs and rationale for change is every organization’s most difficult challenge. The use of an external speaker or facilitator is one of the best ways to reinforce and support change that is going on in your organization. Communication of the change also becomes more objective when it is validated by an external expert who has “been there, done that.”
4. Celebrate success What better way to demonstrate to your staff or management team that they have done a good job than to bring in an external speaker who will motivate, liven up or challenge the group? If you have had a great year and want to build on that success, an external speaker is a special reward for your team.
5. Visibility 1. Impart knowledge A carefully chosen external presenter brings a depth of knowledge and expertise to your event. This is especially effective if your event requires that the group learns a new model of doing business, understand a new business process, or be exposed to new concepts. External speakers are also most effective if your goal is to look at best practices in organizational effectiveness or behaviours.
2. Shake it up An external resource brings new thinking and ideas to the
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A speaker who is also a published author or who is recognized in the speaking community is an excellent resource to lend credibility to your event. This applies especially when you are planning an event for external stakeholders or clients. Just ensure that in addition to their status, they have a presentation that meets your event goals, and that they address one of the four other ‘reasons’ for hiring an external resource. ••• Janice Calnan, is the author of SHIFT: Secrets of Positive Change for Organizations and Their Leaders (published by Creative Bound Inc., www.creativebound.com).
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Hotel News from around the world NYC hotel prices at record high
With the announcement, the prince has boosted his presence substantially in Canada’s hotel industry. Analyst Michael Smith at National Bank Financial Inc. was quoted recently as describing the prince as a “value investor” who likes hotels where there are “high barriers to entry, or there is limited competition. “He owns (Four Season’s) George V hotel in Paris. That’s an icon asset. It’s also just about impossible to duplicate Banff Springs.” Canadian hotelier Isadore Sharp said he is not concerned that the prince is investing in Fairmont, a rival, because they are operating in different niches. Fairmont operates larger hotels, often caters to groups of travellers and has lower prices than Four Seasons, which has smaller hotels with 250 rooms or less and offers more personal service.
In the post-9/11 world, wallets are being busted in the Big Apple as the average daily price of a room in the city hit US$292 in November, according to hospitality industry analysis firm PKF Consulting. Although the December 2005 figures are not included, NYC is a lock to break its previous record yearlong average of US$237 per night, set in 2000. But the high prices for everything from tony Central Park area hotels to those near Kennedy Airport didn’t deter visitors: An estimated 22 million nights were sold at city hotels in 2005, according to city tourism officials, surpassing the 21.4 million last year and the 19.9 million in the year before the terrorist attacks. This is a remarkable turnaround, considering where the city has been in recent years. Tourism dipped significantly after the Sept. 11 attacks. Hotels dropped their prices to an average US$198 per night in 2002, and still the city drew millions fewer tourists than it had two years earlier. Yet, the crisis also gave rise to an outpouring of affection for the damaged city that apparently has spurred on a comeback of major proportions. The overall number of hotel rooms in Manhattan has dwindled by about 1,500 in the past two years, officials said. Some relief may be on the way as 5,000 new rooms are expected to open in the city in the coming years, mostly at medium-priced chain hotels being constructed slightly off the beaten path. On the Web: http://new.york.hotelguide.net
If you’re under the age of 12, don’t bother trying to check in at the Hotel Cortisen, an upmarket resort in Gmunden on the Wolfgangsee Lake, – you won’t be allowed in. Ananova.com reports that the hotel’s owner, Roland Ballner, said the children were always badly behaved and has barred them from the hotel. The good news? Their dogs are still allowed on the premises. Ballner said bookings had flooded in since he promised to bar youngsters from May, 2006. He said dogs would still be allowed because they were far better trained and did not vandalize his hotel as children did.
Fairmont gets a prince of a deal
Hilton Hotels post huge jump in 4Q
Toronto-based Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc. confirmed recently it has agreed to a proposed all-cash deal with Los Angeles investment firm Colony Capital LLC and Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s Kingdom Hotels International. Colony and Kingdom will pay US$45 a share and assume roughly US$500 million in debt. The company will then be taken private. The deal comes nearly three months after activist investor Carl Icahn first offered US$40 a share for controlling interest.
Hilton Hotel Corp.’s profit jumped 62 per cent for the fourth quarter, helped by a 9.7 per cent rise in its average daily room rates. The Beverly Hills, Calif., lodging chain operator earned US$105 million, up from US$65 million. Hilton said its revenue per available room, a key measure of profitability, grew by nearly 14 per cent while its average occupancy rate for the quarter was 74.2 per cent. The company also expects to add about 200 hotels and 28,000 rooms to its system in 2006.
Austrian hotel deplores youth
357 guestrooms and suites 18 meeting and function rooms that can accommodate up to 350 people Connected to the Montreal Convention Centre
Inquire about Meeting Options™ reward program... extras that you deserve. 360 St-Antoine Street West Montreal, Quebec H2Y 3X4 514-987-9900 www.montreal.intercontinental.com 32
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Hotel News from around the world Aloha, no vacancy in Hawaii A Hawaiian vacation is something just about everyone would like to go on. Well, that dream may be a little harder to attain because America’s favourite destination is getting crowded and its capacity is being stretched to the limit. In 2005, the islands welcomed 7.45 million visitors who spent a record US$11.5 billion, according to the latest state figures. The visitor count was up 6.7 per cent over 2004’s level, when 6.99 million people showed up for their fill of sun and sand. Tourism industry officials warn that Hawaii is at or very close to capacity and are being more selective in attracting those they consider the most desirable tourists e.g. people who can afford multiple rounds of golf, trips to the spa and the overpriced fare in the hotel mini-bars. Hawaii’s hotel occupancy rate last year was 81.2 per cent, second only in the United States to New York City, at 82.9 per cent. Los Angeles was third, at 74.6 per cent, according to Smith Travel Research. Hotels on Oahu, most of which are located in Waikiki, were 85.6 per cent occupied last year. The rate was lower on other islands, where the most lavish rooms fetch several thousand dollars a night. Hotel availability is not the only thing that dictates capacity. Everything from available seats on planes to protecting natural resources also are factors, industry officials said.
Hotel of the Month
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ver the past few years, Le Château Bonne Entente has invested millions to raise the standard of their property and the bar of excellence in the Quebec City area and beyond. This five-star hotel proudly describes itself as an urban resort, a place frequented by people for relaxation or recreation that is located in an urban, or city, environment. Le Château Bonne Entente is located in Quebec City on 11 acres of land with an amazing courtyard featuring a pool and two Jacuzzis that are open year round. Their awardwinning Napa Grill is a California-inspired restaurant where Marie-Chantal Lepage is assisted by a strong brigade of chefs. They also offer their guests the exclusive La Tempête, an international calibre golf course located a mere 12 minutes from the hotel. This is no ordinary golf course: with more than 7,000 yards and 40 sand traps, it features three different styles of holes – Links, Parkland and Stadium. The Chateâu provides transportation between the golf course and the hotel. Another important component of this urban resort is Amerispa. Its 22 treatment rooms provide guests with unique care programs and is an oasis of tranquility helping visitors reach an extraordinary sense of well being. They also offer a Fun Club, a special area designed with the happiness of children in mind where they can play and have fun with their parents or a sitter. In January, 2005, Le Château Bonne Entente became the first five-star hotel in the Quebec City area to obtain a very prestigious distinction in the business and became one of The Leading Hotels of the World (www.lhw.com), an exclusive group of 400 hotels around the globe.
Hotels, unions brace for strikes Industry experts believe that labour unrest is probable in 2006 in one or more of the six cities in which contracts expire in 202 hotels. First in line was Toronto, where contracts at 23 hotels were set to expire January 31. Honolulu and New York are next (June 30), followed by Chicago (August 31), Los Angeles (various dates April through November), and Boston (November 30). In San Francisco, workers have been without a contract since September, 2004. “If I were handicapping this, I would put my money on confrontation,” Peter J. Hurtgen of Morgan, Lewis, and Bocklus, a Washington, D.C. -based law firm which is representing the American Hotel & Lodging Association recently said.
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On the Web: www.chateaubonneentente.com – Mike Auctor
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BIARRITZ: The oceanside city for business is thriving The Municipal Casino In 1994, the city of Biarritz decided to convert its casino, built in 1929, into a convention centre. Blending in with other buildings of the city, this new meeting and event location features Art Deco architecture and offers a remarkable reception hall, adapted for prestigious receptions, dinners and exhibitions. An additional auditorium-style theatre with a capacity of 750 seats and eight meeting rooms is also available. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, a spectacular window-filled room allows guests to enjoy an overhanging view of the bay of Biarritz during events. A heated ocean water pool is also part of the centre, so guests can enjoy the pleasures of the sea even in the winter!
The Bellevue Casino
This article was kindly submitted by Jérémie Gabourg, Press Attaché for Maison de la France in Montreal (www.franceguide.com). Info from the Biarritz Conference Organizers’ Manual was included.
Renovated in 1999, this convention centre is also located in front of the ocean, on the elevated escarpment of the city. Of the three centres, it offers the most alternatives for events, combining esthetics and functionality: The Rotunda, with its Atlantic room extension, can accommodate 1,200 guests in 7,800 square feet. The Auditorium has a capacity of 470 people. The “Rhune” Room * is ideal for art exhibitions and meetings. The Wave Room (Salle des Vagues) has a 3,740 square foot surface area and can be reconfigured into five rooms to hold events against the background of the wave. A mere five-minute walk from each other, these venues are very close to many hotels, all equally charming.
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etween the ocean and the mountains, steps away from Spain and rich with authentic Basque traditions and culture, Biarritz has been a trendy destination since the 1850s and Napoleon III. But the economy, and tourism in particular, really made this jewel of a city a popular location in France after World War II. Recently, the city increased its efforts in developing business tourism and is now able to accommodate meetings and events such as seminars, conventions, team-building activities, and so on. The succeeding paragraphs will explain in detail what Biarritz has to offer to meeting and event planners from around the world. To meet the needs of the approximately 140,000 annual convention attendees, Biarritz is equipped with three convention centres located downtown. Participants can be accommodated in numerous nearby hotels. These three centres are pillars and express the rich architectural heritage of the city: two original casinos and an elderly train station that mix the present and the past.
Today, Biarritz is a first-choice location to hold events where original architectural charm has been preserved while adapting to the high technology requirements of today. The challenge of improving the region capabilities in terms of business tourism has also been accomplished and Biarritz has become an important city for convention goers. Judging by the cleanliness and harmony of the city structures, an environmental preservation policy is a priority as well. The region abounds with Basque traditions and locals and visitors enjoy a mild climate all year round. The most popular activities are, of course, beach related, but golf is also on the list with multiple courses in the area, and thalassotherapy, using the benefits of the ocean water, is also in demand.
The train station, “La Gare du Midi” Behind its Art Deco façade, the train station was transformed in 1991 into two auditoriums, and can accommodate up to 1,400 people. This location is particularly popular for product launches, conventions, shows and festivals.
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Biarritz is very accessible by plane and train Coming in the future In order to offer more exhibition capacity, the city will inaugurate in 2007 a 97,000 square foot Hall named “La Halle Iraty.” Managed by Biarritz Tourisme, this new location will offer the possibility to be reconfigured into several rooms.
Access You can easily get to Biarritz through the International Biarritz Airport which is 70 minutes away from Paris and by train (TGV, high speed train) which will take you from the capital to numerous local stations in less than five hours.
More information The official Web site of Biarritz offers contacts of local event agencies, technical information about the congress centres and all tourism information you will need to discover the region. On the Web: www.ville-biarritz.fr * N.B. The Rhune is a mountain in the Basque countryside.
Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves. Abraham Lincoln
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