September 2006

A MONTHLY DIGEST TO INFORM AND ENLIGHTEN MEETING AND EVENT PLANNERS VOL. 4 ISSUE 7

September 2006 Edition

Halifax offers a Maritime treat for meetings and events year round PHOTOS AND STORY

BY LEO GERVAIS “Ah, me son, we don’t be takin’ nothin’ from the sea.

We has to sneak up on what we wants and wiggle it away.”

Author Farley Mowat, from Grey Seas Under

H

alifax is arguably Canada’s most famous seaside Peggy’s Cove near Halifax, Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s most famous seaside destinations. city. Indeed, its long history is inexorably linked to the ocean – since 1749, Haligonians have embraced the beauty, danger and mystery of the sea. The local food, culture and music all celebrate their relationship with the Atlantic.

Most Canadians are well aware of Halifax’s links to la mer, but more planners need to have this quaint city of 380,000 residents on their radar for meetings and conventions. There are many reasons why this city is a worthwhile destination besides the seaside views, and here are two major ones to consider: •Online RFP (Request for Proposal). Destination Halifax has an online RFP program. Designed with the meeting planner in mind, parties interested in coming to Halifax input their requested dates and space requirements. Based on the electronically submitted information, Destination Halifax staff will contact industry partners citywide to determine availability and rates. On the Web: www.destinationhalifax.com.

•Halifax International Airport gets ready for pre-clearance.

The United States has agreed to extend the Canada-U.S. preclearance program to Halifax International Airport. Once the airport’s new pre-clearance facility is completed in Fall 2006, Halifax will become the eighth Canadian airport to offer this service. The airport operates 24/7, is only a two-hour flight from most major East Coast cities and is located only 21 miles from the downtown core.

On the Web: www.hiaa.ca.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

The Hydrostone District, an English-style garden suburb, offers interesting shops and restaurants.

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SEPTEMBER ’06

Americans are staying home A recent Statistics Canada report revealed that not since 1972 have so few Americans crossed into Canada by car for a same-day trip.

Concurrently, however, the national number cruncher also said that American spending in Canada – regardless of how they visited the country – went up for the first time since 2004.

In the first half of this year, Americans made only 6.6 million same-day car trips to Canada, the lowest number on record since the agency started tracking data on cross border visits 34 years ago.

According to a February Canadian Tourism Bureau report, the number one reason Americans don’t travel to Canada is bad weather.

But in the height of summer, more plausible reasons may include skyrocketing gas prices, a robust Canadian dollar and tighter security that makes crossborder excursions more timeconsuming.

It’s no small concern, considering that over half a million Canadians work in that country’s $62.7 billion tourism industry.

“I think a lot of Americans who were going to near-border destinations for a meal out that was heavily discounted are maybe staying on the U.S. side,” Gary Deyoung, director of tourism for Ontario’s Thousand Islands International Tourism Council, told the CanWest News Service.

Walt Judas, vice-president of communications for Tourism

SEPTEMBER ’06

Vancouver, told that news agency that the drop didn’t affect larger urban centres like Vancouver as much as it would the smaller border towns with tailored economies.

“In Windsor [Ontario], folks have long relied on Americans coming across the border for the day for gambling and shopping.

While same-day visits are certainly an economic generator here in Vancouver, it is by no means important to the same degree.”

However, StatCan also reported that Canadians have cut out similar visits to the U.S. Last June, only 1.9 million same-day car trips to the States were tabulated, down 3.8 per cent from May. However, they may be making up for the decline in American visits by bolstering their travel plans within their own country, as Canadians currently account for two-thirds of domestic tourism spending.

Though fewer Americans are coming, those that do seem to be spending more. All American visitors, regardless of the duration of their stay, spent approximately $2.2 billion in the second quarter of this year, up four per cent from the first quarter.

At an international level, StatCan says Canada’s international travel deficit – the difference between spending by Canadians abroad and foreigners in Canada – is on the decline.

It recently fell from $1.88 billion in the first quarter of this year to $1.83 billion in the second. Last year, Canada also slid from twelfth in the world for international arrivals, down from seventh in 2002.

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ED. NOTE

The customer is right I

n the push to provide improved customer service, it‘s rather ironic that most large companies conspicuously neglect to do the one thing that would make thousands of clients do cartwheels in the streets: Pick up the phone.

It’s obvious these services exist not for our convenience, but for someone else’s, whether it is to slash labour costs or just to not have to deal with the plebeians who – forbid! – buy their services and pay their bills.

This begs the question: What has happened to customer service? Technology is supposed to improve our lives and the efficiency with which we complete tasks. Automated ‘customer care’ lines, however, take us back to more savage times.

Perhaps technology is making us more complacent when it comes to receiving good service. Though there have been many advances that make our lives easier – such as online check-in for air travel – but this is not one of them. Maybe we’re settling for less because we can’t be bothered: We don’t have the time or patience to spend half an hour on the phone for what should be a five minute transaction, and just let it go.

If you’re tired of setting aside a half hour just to call your cable provider to ask about last month’s bill, you’re in good company.

Often you can press zero, or find out more complex codes companies install to prevent you from bypassing the system, many of which are available at sites like www.gethuman.com.

But that’s just a Band-Aid solution. The bottom line is that in the new economy, companies that are quick on their feet and adaptable to market demands are the ones that will succeed. With the current frustration with phone systems, those who put the humanity back into human relations are sure to be rewarded. We’re waiting.

– Leo Gervais

In this issue 10

Resorts Resorts are becoming more popular with planners, and there are many to choose from. Jyl Ashton Cunningham provides some insight on the subject.

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Use it or lose it!

Stacey Hanke has been getting requests about using visual aids. In this in-depth article, she explains the pros and cons of various visual aids.

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All about mustard You have spread it on sandwiches and maybe even on roast beef. But what do you really know about this condiment? Allison Martens takes you from seed to bottle.

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Developing a strategic marketing plan Barry Siskind is an expert in trade and consumer shows. He says having a strategic marketing plan is essential and offers things to consider when making one.

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Planner survey We polled planners on whether hotels should have ongoing programs for their renovations. The results were clear.

Published by:

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Are you still waiting to take the plunge on a digital camera? Editor Leo Gervais spells out why waiting is futile.

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 Editor and Publisher: Leo Gervais – lgervais@theplanner.ca Associate Editor: Camille Lay – clay@theplanner.ca Associate Editor: Jyl Ashton Cunningham – jashton@theplanner.ca Graphic artist: Matt Riopel Sales: James Paulson – jpaulson@theplanner.ca, Jayne Martin – jmartin@theplanner.ca Administration: Patrick Galvin, Julie Boisvert, Tania Joanis, Patricia Lemus Proofreader: Keith Motton Contributors: Mike Auctor, Anne Biarritz, Peter De Jager, Stacey Hanke, Allison Martens, Barry Siskind, Louise Villemaire, Harriet Wezena

The Planner is a monthly publication distributed to professional meeting and event planners across Canada and the U.S. The Planner uses 30% recycled post-consumer paper Poste-publication No. 40934013

Digital cameras

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Planning a holiday party With holiday parties just around the corner, now is the time to get in gear and make a successful plan. Jyl Ashton Cunningham provides some useful tips.

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Do you have ethics?

Lots of people talk the talk about ethics, but they don’t all walk the walk. Our regular columnist Peter De Jager explains the current social climate about ethics and he offers ways to test your own.

F.Y.I. Vancouver tries to deal with serious panhandler problem

irritability (hence upping your ability to withstand those 7 a.m. meetings). And for those who doubt the power of getting your ‘beauty sleep,’ just remember that all the Oil of Olay in the world won’t erase those dark circles, one of the first physical signs of sleep deprivation.

Leaders of Vancouver’s $10-billion tourism industry have stated that aggressive panhandlers and drug dealers are damaging the city’s international reputation as a safe tourist destination.

A recent article in The Vancouver Sun said that the situation has become so bad beggars have been propositioning tourists and dealing drugs inside the gilded bathrooms of the landmark Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association estimates Vancouver Hotels have lost contracts worth $500,000 as a result of the problem.

The situation is the same in Victoria, where the Fairmont Hotel chain said it lost at least $200,000 in business after a U.S. convention cancelled plans for an event at its Empress Hotel.

A recent edition of The Economist, the well read and internationally respected magazine that has praised the city in the past, wrote about the city’s troubled downtown core as B.C. prepares to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. People boarding cruise ships and exiting theatres have also been accosted by the panhandlers.

Solutions have included one hotel spending $60,000 to upgrade its security systems and another establishment hiring extra security attendants. Most of the homeless panhandlers have drug problems, so several people have suggested that addressing the addiction problem and lack of housing for these so-called “hard to house” will go a long way to correcting the situation.

Back to the Blue Lagoon Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is getting a makeover. Renowned for the rejuvenating properties of its mineral, silica and algaepacked waters – all effluent from a power plant 70 km upstream, according to Lonely Planet – the lagoon will not only be expanded by 50 per cent, but will receive redesigned wellness facilities and a new restaurant in the surrounding mossy lava cliffs by spring 2007. All spa treatments are given in the open air – guests are given blankets to keep warm, if necessary – and include salt scrubs, in-water massages and craniosacral therapies. Of course, those who just want a good soak in its ethereal blue waters are also welcome. The lagoon is near Keflavik airport, and buses also run to it regularly from Reykjavik. On the Web: www.bluelagoon.com.

A good plan is like a road map: It shows the final destination and usually the best way to get there.

Anonymous

Sleep on!

According to Maclean’s magazine, a majority of Canadians are getting just the right amount of shuteye. The magazine recently reported 65 per cent clock in seven to eight hours a night, while 21 per cent scrape by on six, less than the seven to nine hours recommended by most doctors and sleep experts.

Past studies have shown that regularly getting a good night’s rest can increase your stamina and boost your immune system, increase your intellectual capacity, and reduce stress and

SEPTEMBER ’06

7

F.Y.I. Eyes in the sky help leisure time

nological boom, and in particular its effects upon traditional media outlets, as more and more people demand to have their entertainment and information needs fulfilled at their fingertips. The Canadian Association of Broadcasters has suggested some CRTC rules should be relaxed or revamped so its members can more ably compete with the new technologies.

Those planning a road trip to Alberta and British Columbia now have a sleek new weapon at their disposal to help them get around: GyPSy, a portable global positioning tour guide system. Relying on satellite GPS technology, the PDA-sized device does more than help you navigate a selection of routes through popular destinations such as Banff, the Rocky Mountains and Vancouver. Once plugged into a cigarette lighter or DC power source and attached to your windshield, it provides commentary and entertainment about your surroundings through the vehicle’s stereo system. Outside the car, it becomes a handheld guide that lists local hotels, restaurants and provides information about nearby points of interests, towns, or entire regions to help you plan ahead. Rates vary from $49 per day to $225 a week. On the Web: www.gpstourscanada.com

Pleasure seekers on the increase According to the Conference Board of Canada, the number of Canadians embarking on pleasure trips has surged.

Vacationers from north of the 49th parallel made nearly five million visits to destinations abroad in 2005, up from 3.5 million in 2000, the last year before the number of air travellers plunged due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks the following year.

The report noted that Europe, to which 43 per cent of all overseas pleasure visits were made in 2005, continues to be the most popular among Canadian vacationers. The Caribbean and Mexico followed a close second with 39 per cent. Asia, which has seen the number of pleasure visits it receives from Canadians increase by 76 per cent since 2000, snagged nine per cent of total Canadian pleasure visits abroad in 2005.

Feeding the information generation And you thought meeting planners were wired! According to statistics gathered by the Solutions Research Group and published in a Canadian Radio-Television and Communications Commission (CRTC) monitoring report last summer, about 70 per cent of teens will own iPods or other digital music players by the end of this year, and 86 per cent will own cellphones by 2008. This news came as the Canadian government announced it will look examine the impact of the tech-

Join the ranks of the pros: www.mpiweb.org

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SEPTEMBER ’06

Halifax has a variety of accommodations, attractions CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Nelson Hotel, a real jewel located close to the Public Gardens and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. Close to the city’s business district and many popular restaurants, this four-star hotel has 11,500 sq. ft of flexible meeting space and their two grand Imperial and Regency Ballrooms are truly two of a kind – think 1930s chic. Concierge Barry Walsh, originally from Liverpool, personifies the hotel – classy and modern.

On the Web: www.lordnelsonhotel.com.

Worth checking out On a recent visit, I endeavoured to check out as many hotels, eateries and attractions as I could to be able to get a rounded picture of the city and have something to recommend to our faithful Planner readers. Here is my Top Ten (or so) list, not in any particular order, of things worth checking out as a meeting and event planner or visitor in Halifax: • Halifax Harbourwalk boardwalk and downtown. You’ll see a plethora of ships, many of which can take on passengers for a fee. On a sunny afternoon, try grabbing a $10 meal of scallops and fries from the Captain’s Catch and breathe in the wonderful sea breezes as the ships cruise the harbour. In the area is the Pier 21 National Historic Site, Canada’s Ellis Island, the front door to more than a million immigrants and others who sought the safety of Canada. This award-winning interactive interpretive centre is worth the visit.

On the Web: www.pier21.ca If you’re feeling thirsty, there are many excellent pubs.

I recommend the Lower Deck, located on the waterfront (869 Upper Water Street) which has a bustling crowd and great live music. Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery (1496 Lower Water Street) gives you a thorough look at a working brewhouse. Follow the boardwalk and you can try your hand at the Casino Nova Scotia ( 1983 Upper Water Street) which has an extensive gaming area and two terrific meeting spaces, the Schooner Room and the Compass Room.

Almost next door to the casino is the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront, which is notable for its 370-plus guest rooms and suites, and excellent restaurant 44 North which is frequented by Haligonians, especially for the impressive Sunday brunch. It was part of the Sheraton chain from 1985 until March of this year. Front Desk Manager Sharon Chase says the hotel is building a brand new fitness centre that will be ready mid-October and major room upgrades will begin in November. If you’d like to stay near the waterfront, the Marriott is an excellent bet.

On the Web: www.halifaxmarriott.com The word elegant comes to mind when discussing the Lord

SEPTEMBER ’06

Back in the saddle in Halifax • Hatfield Farm Cowboy Adventures. This traditional Maritime homestead boasts 12 km of trails through beautiful evergreen forests. They offer a variety of trail, wagon and sleigh rides, but for planners Fort Clayton will be especially interesting as it can accommodate from 15 to 200 people – a great mix for business and pleasure.There are lots of activities for downtime including a Rubber Rodeo featuring El Diablo (a mechanical bull). It’s only 20 minutes from the airport and downtown Halifax and several major companies have used it often for meetings in the past. Owner Brian Hatfield may be the friendliest person I met in Halifax, which is saying a lot – this place ranks as the best-kept-secret in the city.

On the Web: www.hatfieldfarm.com The Holiday Inn Express Halifax/Bedford has partnered with Hatfield Farm, and Sales Manager Meghan Lloyd is extremely innovative and really goes the extra mile for clients.

The property itself offers a very good combination of services and location. Its features include a 1,200 sq. ft meeting room for groups of 20-80, a way-above-par complimentary breakfast and lots of free parking. It is also right off the highway about 15 minutes from the airport. Bonus: There is a Tim Hortons right next door.

On the Web: www.hiehalifax.com Lynn Buckley, president of Agenda Managers in Halifax put her finger on a key selling point of Halifax: “Planners need to know that a lot of the hospitality infrastructure is within a four to five block core near the waterfront, but the offsite attractions like McNabs Island and Peggy’s Cove are still very close.”

So the next time you’re planning a meeting, consider Halifax, a city with flavour, friendly people and first-rate accommodations.

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Events in resorts

Using a resort for a conference

BY JYL ASHTON CUNNINGHAM

S

ummer is almost over, the wedding season has passed and family holidays are a pleasant memory.

Canadian resort properties are once again back on the radar for meeting planners. However, not all resorts are created equal, and a little advance knowledge goes a long way to ensuring the venue meets the needs of a conference or incentive.

There are hundreds of resort properties across Canada, many of which are owned by luxury hotel chains. Atlific Hotels and Resorts, for example, own and operate properties from Victoria to Halifax and are regularly adding to their impressive family. Deerhurst Resort (Muskoka, Ont.), the Lord Elgin Hotel (Ottawa) and Pemberton Valley Lodge (Pemberton, BC) are just three of their excellent properties that cater to every budget and meeting requirement.

Another good destination for corporate

retreats and group getaways is the Westwind Inn, near Lakefield, Ont. Visit them at www.westwindinn.net.

Resorts of Ontario represents 27 properties across that province, and provides an excellent ‘at-a-glance’ guide about what each member property excels in.

For more information, visit www.resortsofontario.com.

The Relais and Chateau group (www.relaischateau.com) represents over 450 hotels and restaurants worldwide, including more than a dozen exclusive Canadian properties, such as the fabulous Post Hotel in Lake Louise.

This venue has exquisite rooms, and an internationally acclaimed wine cellar.

The beautiful Auberge Saint-Antoine in the Old Port of Quebec City also comes highly recommended. With less than 100 rooms and suites, both facilities are perfect for smaller conferences or incentive programs.

When planning a meeting at a resort, consider the following:

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Goals and objectives Think about the goals and objectives of using a resort for a conference before doing anything else. Does the property meet all requirements? If not, how can any shortfalls be overcome?

Airport accessibility If you only have three days for a conference, it doesn’t make much sense to pick a resort two hours away from the airport.

Delegates may arrive tired and frustrated from a long flight, and an additional bus or sedan ride might cloud their outlook on the entire conference. One option is to book rooms in an airport hotel for guests to freshen up and rest for a couple of hours or overnight before continuing their journey.

Ideally however, the journey should be unbroken.

Helicopters or chartered planes are a viable, if somewhat more expensive, transfer method.

SEPTEMBER ’06

Enjoy the facilities

Where night skiing is available, use one of the social evenings to offer optional activities outdoors. Reserve exclusive areas for changing and storing evening wear, and have estheticians on-site to deal with ski-hat hair and sore shoulders.

In addition, you can change the format of work and recreation programs to maximize daylight hours outdoors and combine some plenary sessions in the evenings with dinner functions.

Book outdoor activities well in advance, especially for large groups. Dogsled rides and skidooing companies book up quickly and do not have the resources to add extra tours at the last minute.

Also understand the limitations of some resorts and be sure to inform your delegates of any challenges well in advance.

Wireless or highspeed Internet access is often not available in remote areas, and most cell phones have limited reception in mountainous areas.

Finally, be aware that many remote or country resorts rely on a local workforce, who may interact in more casual manner with delegates than they are accustomed to. A pre-conference meeting with hotel management should clearly outline the expectations on both sides, thus alleviating potential embarrassing situations.

Unsurpassed in its wild and natural beauty, with outdoor pursuits, adventure and excitement available across the country, Canada attracts meetings and incentives from around the world. As each season changes, new and fascinating sights and experiences unfold, making it the perfect year-round destination. With this information and the abundant resources available through tourism bureaus and the Internet, planners can easily make educated and informed decisions on whether to choose a resort for their next Canadian event.

If a long airport transfer is the only option, why not use the transfer time to revitalize and refresh your delegates?

Aromatherapy, mini facials, massages and gourmet treats are all feasible ways of awakening the senses and breaking the ice en route. Play gentle background music, an entertaining movie or a light introductory video about the objectives of the conference, while pointing out all the services or activities that are available. Provide the option of a ‘quiet’ transfer, for delegates who just need to relax for a while.

Simply looking at the view can be a wonderful experience, so make sure the vehicle windows are spotless. If possible, stop at a popular sightseeing spots along the route, to give everyone a chance to stretch their legs and breathe some fresh air.

Upon arrival, have a hospitality suite available so delegates can unwind with a drink, light snacks and catch up with colleagues.

Canada attracts meetings and incentives from around the world

Activities once on site A common mistake is to take a large meeting to a ski, golf or beach resort without allowing plenty of leisure time to enjoy the facilities. A recent international sales meeting in Lake Louise for a pharmaceutical group allocated only a half-day of recreation in the town during the ski season, much to the disappointment of the delegates, many of whom had travelled from Europe. With so many winter sports to enjoy there, at least two half-days off would have been greatly appreciated.

SEPTEMBER ’06

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Use it or lose it! Create visual impact Creating support materials that have an impact on your message

We’ve lost the true meaning behind visual aids and the value they bring to our message: • To support our message • Increase learner retention • Enhance listener memory Before your next presentation, meeting or sales call, ask yourself, “Why am I using this visual aid and what objective do I want to achieve for the benefit of the listener?” To assist you in deciding which visual aid will best support your message, consider: • The purpose of the visual aid • Its informational value • Educational value • Entertainment quotient • Its utility as a resource for later use • Creating interaction and a hands-on experience for listeners • Listener expectations and needs • Listener experience and knowledge level • Your level of experience with each visual aid medium • Size of the room • Time frame • Take-away key points, concepts and ideas

BY STACEY HANKE

A

fter writing numerous articles for The Planner, from enhancing your communication behavior to optimizing team performance, there has been one article in particular that has caught reader’s attention.

I continuously receive phone calls from readers requesting additional information on the June, 2005 article “Visual Aid Madness: How to Effectively Interact with a Visual and Stay on Track.”

This communicates to me that learning how to interact with visual aids continues to be a struggle for most individuals.

Or we fall into the category of doing what we’ve seen done by others, whether or not it’s effective. The selection and design of the visual aid is the key to increasing learner retention and influencing your listener to take action.

Therefore, I’ve decided to share with you best practices for selecting and creating a visual aid that creates a positive lasting impression on your listener.

If you’re thinking right now, “I don’t deliver presentations, nor do I use PowerPoint,” this article still applies to you. Ask yourself: • Have you facilitated a meeting in the past with the aid of notes?

• Have you participated in a sales call with the aid of a marketing piece such as a brochure or product demonstration?

• Have you prepared for a face-to-face conversation with a peer that requires a visual aid to explain a concept or idea?

Understanding the visual medium’s purpose, advantages and disadvantages that best support your message is a critical step to all communication situations.

PowerPoint Purpose • To increase learner retention • To add impact and emphasis to your message • To provide you and your listeners with transitions • To provide colors, graphs and pictures

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, it’s time to increase your awareness of how your visual aids may cause confusion for you and your listener. As a result, you’ll struggle while thinking on your feet, and your listener will neither hear nor understand your message.

I consistently observe individuals using visual aids without a purpose but rather as filler or as a substitute for their notes.

Advantages • PowerPoint is prepared in advance so that you do not need to worry about spelling or drawing a visual on the fly. (This only applies if you’ve completed a spell check prior to your presentation.)

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SEPTEMBER ’06

All tools have advantages and disadvantages • PowerPoint can be easily saved with the option of quick edits for future use

Disadvantages • Relying on PowerPoint as our notes, reading word for word • We put too much information on a PowerPoint slide written in a small font that’s difficult to read • The animation and build options are a distraction for the listener • Technology may not cooperate

Flipchart Purpose • To create listener interaction • To document listeners’ concerns or questions that you may need to respond to after your presentation • To document points of discussion to guarantee these topics are covered during your presentation • To post agenda items or ground rules generally for small groups • To create a visual on the fly, adding support to a listener’s comment or to your key point

Advantages • Flipcharts are easy to use and can take little time to prepare • You can post flipcharts throughout the room and easily refer to them • Since flipcharts don’t rely on technology, they won’t break down • You can easily add points, facts or ideas

Disadvantages • There’s no spell check or grammar editing • It’s not easily portable • If you don’t write legibly or large enough, listeners cannot read the information

Whiteboard Purpose • Brainstorming ideas • To document questions, agendas or topics of discussion

SEPTEMBER ’06

Advantages

Disadvantages

• Whiteboards are easy to use and can take little time to prepare • You can quickly erase information • You do not need to carry this equipment with you

Props (product demos, sharing photographs, etc.)

Purpose •To teach listeners how to use a particular product • To increase learner retention through a powerful visual (such as a picture or product)

Advantages • Provides an immediate application of learning when listeners can use, touch, feel or see a product, concept or idea

Disadvantages • Listeners are focused on handling the prop, therefore missing your message • May cause distractions if the prop is noisy or difficult to maneuver

Handout Purpose •To create take-aways and future references •To encourage listener interaction •To include individual and group exercises within your presentation •To illustrate detailed charts, graphs and diagrams

Advantages • Listeners have a resource to take with them and refer to • Listeners have the option to use your handouts for note taking •To provide clarification when explaining a step-by-step process

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• Temptation to read from our handouts and get tied to them • Participants read ahead • Risk increases for losing listener attention After you’ve carefully selected the visual medium that best supports your message and attracts your listener’s attention, you’re ready for the creation. There are nine strategies that you never want to miss that can be used for all media.

1. Less is more! Create visual aids with more pictures and fewer words.

Remember, a picture is worth how many words?

2. Design visual aids around key points or ideas you want your listeners to remember.

3. Three “B’s:” BIG, BOLD and BRILLIANT. Big for everyone to see, no matter what size the room may be. Bold words to increase visibility. Brilliant with generous use of colour. Create just enough colour to excite the eye, between two and four colors for text.

4. Use simple typefaces that are easy to read. Tahoma, Arial and Helvetica are always a safe choice because they’re easy to read.

5. Use bullet points to highlight key points and ideas. Limit your bullet points to four per visual, with four words per bullet.

6. When sharing data, facts and statistics, illustrate the take-away points in a pie chart, a bar graph or a line graph.

7. When illustrating your point with graphs, use only one graph per visual.

Avoid trapping your message in ‘information overload.’

8. Stay away from software overkill. If you’re clicking the mouse every few seconds, you’re working too hard.

9. Avoid using all capital letters, which are difficult to read. You don’t want to shout at your listener.

••• Stacey Hanke is an executive consultant, author, coach and speaker with 1st Impression Consulting, Inc. in Chicago, Ill. Contact her at: (773) 209-5970 or stacey.hanke@1stimpressionconsulting.com.

Mustard is a condiment to love BY

Before that, in the 12th century, John XXII, the Pope of Avignon, appointed his lazy nephew ‘Grand Mustard-Maker’ when no other post could be found. Subsequently, the term ‘pope’s mustard maker’ was used to refer to a vain, insolent person.

ALLISON MARTENS

“Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?”

Europeans love it

Many snicker when they hear this quote from the classic 90s movie, Wayne’s World. Though largely recognized as a middleof-the-road brand of mustard produced by American food giant Kraft, the white-wine infused sauce actually has a history that goes back more than 200 years.

For example, did you know that it is not named for its colour, but for a Mr. Grey who acquired a mustard shop in France’s Dijon region in the late 19th century? Or, that the white wine in the American version is made in upstate New York under the supervision of a rabbi to ensure it remains kosher?

Today, producers of Dijon mustard use only brown or black mustard seeds – don’t be deceived, mustard is made from the plant’s seeds, not its yellow flowers – and then mix them with unfermented grape juice or wine vinegar before fermenting everything in oak casks for eight days.

Though the origins of the word ‘mustard’ (or moutarde in French) are debated, the most plausible theory is that is comes from the word ‘must’, a reference to the vinegar often used to make it.

Today, mustard is used widely to enhance the flavouring of dishes from curries to dim sum and sushi. Most European delicatessens know they risk rioting if they don’t offer a small dab of mustard – or an entire selection of it – to accompany meat and sausage dishes.

You can spice up your own events with the addition of specialty mustards, whether it’s Cremona – an Italian concoction that is actually fruit preserved in mustardflavoured syrup – or a nippy seed mustard spiked with whisky or beer.

Another interesting product is St-Ambroise Beer Mustard from McAuslan Brewery in Montreal. It is only $4 for a 250 ml jar and can be ordered at www.mcauslan.com.

To arouse your passion for mustard, you can start with this easy recipe for Scandinavian mustard. Enjoy!

Scandinavian Mustard 3/4 cup mustard powder 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup cider vinegar 2 tbsp. Boiling water 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp. Salt

Mustard through the years Throughout history, the sassy yellow sauce has played several roles. Queen Victoria and Emperor Napoleon III were celebrity clients of England’s Keen mustard, enthusiastically joining their countrymen in slathering the spicy concoction on everything from roast beef to Welsh rarebit.

Blend ingredients in a food processor, and refrigerate a minimum of 24 hours before using.

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SEPTEMBER ’06

Trends This is something cut out for planners Wouldn’t it be neat if you could rub elbows with famous celebrities at a meeting? Heck, nobody would want to work...

Well, Hollywood Standups out of Toronto provides the next best thing – what owner Gord Cohen calls the “greatest selection of lifesize cardboard cut-outs of Hollywood celebrities.”

There are hundreds of famous people to choose from, including Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Rocky, Xena Warrior Princess, and even cartoon heroes like Betty Boop, Popeye and the Simpsons. They are the exclusive Canadian distributor of Simpsons and Family Guy cut outs.

On the Web: www.hollywoodstandups.com.

Average commuting time increases Some Canadians spend almost as much time getting to and from work as they do on holiday.

The average Canadian spends more than an hour a day – or a full 12 full days a year – commuting to and from work, according to a recent Statistics Canada report that said Canadians wasted 63 minutes a day getting from home to work and back in 2005. The round-trip commute has climbed from 54 minutes in 1992 and 59 minutes in 1998.

The survey also noted that a minority of Canadians – 12 per cent – rely on public transit.

SEPTEMBER ’06

Join Canadian planners: www.impaccanada.com

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A face-to-face strategic marketing plan will pay off if done properly BUDGET APPROVAL A well thought-out strategic plan needs financial resources to implement. Budget approval therefore becomes one of the first elements to your strategic plan.

BY BARRY SISKIND

I

n my world — the exhibition industry — strategic planning is often non-existent.

When I ask clients why they choose to exhibit in a particular show, I hear answers like “All my competitors are there, my absence would be noticed” or “We have always done that show.”

Whether you choose to market through trade shows, consumer shows, corporate events, road shows or any other face-toface medium, a strategic approach will put you ahead of the pack.

While this makes sense, many corporations turn away from marketing tools they find expensive, hard to manage and difficult to assess.

HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT There are two parts to this step. Development of your hardware includes choosing the right builder, creating the right theme and arranging for the right booth elements to ensure that your physical appearance does what it’s suppose to do.

The second part deals with management.

It’s so easy to pack up after a long show, send the booth back to your warehouse and ignore it until it’s time for the next show. Someone needs to assume responsibility for the management of the hardware to ensure that you minimize last minute expenses that result from broken or missing parts.

The following are some thing to consider when you are developing your face-to-face strategic marketing plan: OBJECTIVES This is the first step in any plan. Objectives give you meaning, focus and, most of all, a beginning point to measure your results.

TIE-IN TO EXISTING MARKETING INITIATIVES Here is where there needs to be some communication between those who are responsible for the exhibit program and those in the corporate marketing department. Without a clear tie-in to non-exhibit marketing initiatives, the exhibit program will not be living up to its real potential.

SHOW SELECTION Without forethought, it’s easy to end up at the wrong show or event. There are simply too many to choose from.

PROMOTION MANAGEMENT Building a program without pre-show and on-site show promotion is a mistake. Time must be allocated to this activity,

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Visitors remember the experience, not the details which will ensure that your target visitors will most likely stop by your booth.

IN-BOOTH ACTIVITIES Face-to-face marketing also needs to be experiential.

Maximize your time at the show by ensuring your booth offers the visitor an opportunity to experience your products or services. Psychologists tell us that visitors will remember the experience long after they have forgotten the details.

HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT Throughout the world one of the best methods of building rapport is hospitality. This needs to be carefully planned and executed to give maximum impact.

STAFF SELECTION, TRAINING AND MANAGEMENT Working at a show or event is tough. Your strategic plan should encompass three steps.

1. Selection ensures you have chosen the right representatives.

2. Training ensures that each of your booth staff understands the unique challenge of working at a show, and 3. Management, which includes on-site coaching to ensure your staff is doing what you have trained them to do.

lead gives you a tool to use to test the effectiveness of your exhibit program. You can choose a show-provided electronic lead retrieval system, a manual lead sheet or a combination of both.

MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION You need to measure results to ensure that you have earned a positive ROI and to evaluate your program to make alterations for future exhibits.

Exhibiting is simply too expensive to undertake unless you are prepared to develop a plan that gives you the best chance to see a return on your time, energy and finances.

••• Reprinted with kind permission from the author. Barry Siskind is North America’s foremost trade and consumer show expert, president of International Training and Management Company, and the author of several books. Visit his Web site: www.siskindtraining.com or E-mail him at: barry@siskindtraining.com.

When you’re prepared, you’re more confident. When you have a strategy, you’re more comfortable.

LEAD GENERATION You need leads regardless of your objectives. If you have a sales objective, then the lead is a mechanism for a post show follow-up. If you have a communication objective, then your

SEPTEMBER ’06

Fred Couples

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SEPTEMBER ’06

The new office vocabulary BLAMESTORMING Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.

SEAGULL MANAGER A manager who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves.

ASSMOSIS The process by which people seem to attain success and advancement by sucking up to the boss rather than working hard.

SALMON DAY The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream only to get screwed and die.

CUBE FARM An office filled with cubicles.

MOUSE POTATO The online, wired generation's answer to the couch potato.

SITCOMs Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What yuppies turn into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids or start a “home business.”

STRESS PUPPY A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whiny.

XEROX SUBSIDY Euphemism for swiping some free photocopies from one’s workplace.

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PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again.

OHNOSECOND That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you’ve just made a BIG mistake (e.g. you’ve hit “reply all”).

WOOFies Acronym for Well Off Older Folk.

TESTICULATING Waving your arms around and talking bollocks.

PRAIRIE DOGGING When someone yells or drops something loudly in a cube farm, and peoples heads pop up over the walls to see what’s going on. (This also applies to applause from a promotion or birthday because there may be cake.)

•••

What is the right age to get married?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.

– Camille, age 10 No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.

– Freddie, age 6

How can a stranger tell if two people are married?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.

– Derrick, age 8 19

A Planner Survey T

he latest Planner survey reveals that planners are concerned with renovations in hotels. Each hotel usually has a budget of between 3 to 5 per cent of its room rentals. However, the total amount spent fluctuates with the average room rate, so as revenues drop, so does the amount allocated to maintenance.

The budget for major renovations comes from head office.

Question: Do you think hotels should have ongoing maintenance programs or should they do major renovations every 5 years?

Do you think hotels should have ongoing maintenance programs or should they do major renovations every 5 years?

Total surveys sent via E-mail 7611 Responses 216 Response rate 2.84% Ongoing 182 Five years 34 Total

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216

84% 16% 100%

SEPTEMBER ’06

iPod: Learn a language and more Car manufacturers are jumping on the iPod bandwagon

I

n this month’s installment of alternative uses for iPods, we tell you how to make your iPod sing to your car radio, teach you a new language and to shoot laser beams.

Though some vehicle manufacturers are making their new models iPod compatible, it hasn’t been without glitches: In at least one design, the jack for the iPod is on the passenger side, forcing the driver to reach across every time they want to see what song is playing or change the music.

The solution? Kensington’s RDS FM Transmitter Car Charger (US$90). It employs the Radio Broadcast Data System (RDS) to transmit not just your tunes but the song and artist information to the car’s stereo display. Unlike other transmitters, it charges as you go so you never run out of juice.

SEPTEMBER ’06

Now the catch: It works only with the latest iPods, and you must have an RDS-capable radio that can support it.

For international conferences or scoping new venues abroad, it never hurts to know a few words of the local language. Panda’s iLingo is language software for iPod that gives you over 400 words and phrases in the language you need to communicate in.

A Euro Pack and laser pointer are available The Euro Pack (includes French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish) and the Asia Pack (Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean), retail for US $49.99 each at www.talkingpanda.com.

For those who wouldn’t dream of doing a presentation without a laser pointer, the Griffin iBeam package (US$19.99) comes with both a flashlight attachment – great for finding keys in the dark – and a laser pointer, both of which can attach to your keyring for maximum portability.

Oh, and the laser can be seen for a quarter of a mile. Need we say more?

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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, broken 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.

LEVEL: EASY

Solution, page 37.

LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE

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Solution, page 37.

SEPTEMBER ’06

Carry-on can’ts Charters confuse crowds

UPDATE

BY JYL ASHTON CUNNINGHAM

N

o sooner had The Planner printed an article on the increasing popularity of corporate jets to transfer meeting delegates throughout Canada and the United States than the United Kingdom was faced with the threat of a massive terrorist attack using liquid explosives. On August 10, several British airports were closed for the entire day, scores of scheduled flights were grounded and unprecedented security measures caused chaos and disruption across the airline industry worldwide.

While no one would question the swift actions of the British government to protect the public, business travellers still had to reach their destinations. And, many immediately turned to chartered executive jets to get them where they needed to go. Several charter companies reported significant surges in demand for their services, some citing increases in bookings of over 40 per cent in one week. In Canada, some charter companies reported a 25 per cent jump in phone calls and Web site hits as people seek to get around the increasingly inconvenient services offered by large airlines.

Less stringent security measures on corporate jets are a definite draw for the business traveller whose time is measured in multiple dollar signs. Combined with the soon to be launched very light jets (VLJs) that will be significantly less expensive to purchase – and subsequently, to charter out – it seems that corporate jet travel in Europe is set to really take off in every sense. Now that some 14-seater planes can fly non-stop from London to Los Angeles, significant changes in air travel are bound to ensue.

BY ALLISON MARTENS

T

he most stringent restrictions with regard to carry-on baggage apply to passengers flying to, from, or transferring within Britain, so if you adhere to that country’s standards, you should be able to travel pretty much anywhere with few problems.

Perhaps the most significant change by strict UK standards has been made to the size of carry-on bags. Passengers are limited to one bag that can not exceed 45 cm by 35 cm by 16 cm when packed, including all wheels, pockets and handles.

Liquids – except for items such as prescription medication and baby food – continue to be forbidden on all flights. Though the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has given the green light to items such as KY-Jelly (up to 4 oz.) and gel-filled bras on U.S. flights, if you have gel-filled insoles in your shoes, expect to be asked to pitch them. Especially for international travellers, the rule remains ‘if in doubt, leave it out’.

Though the required bag dimension is uniform, the maximum weight of carryon varies significantly: For example, British Airways has a 23kg limit, while Ryanair’s is less than half that at 10 kg.

In most cases, laptops and other electronic devices can again be brought onboard but are subject to screening. Those who want to travel without checking baggage might opt to ditch the space-sucking laptop for a keychain-sized memory stick that can be plugged into almost any other computer, and bring their BlackBerry or other PDA to check E-mail and check in online.

If you plan to bring an expensive item in checked luggage, be sure to check if it will be covered with your travel insurance provider. And duty-free shopping, even after passing security, could be out, especially if you are transferring: While one airline might allow you to board with that $200 bottle of scotch in your carry-on, another might not.

Most of the information given above should be enough to get you through most airports, yet individual airlines continue to have several of their own rules independent of those suggested by local transportation authorities.

For example, American Airlines has posted on its Web site that travellers from Belgium can not bring ‘unauthorized electronic articles’ such as iPods in their carry-on (laptops are still OK though), and those travelling out of Delhi, India can only bring a personal item, such as a purse or laptop bag, into the cabin.

Should you have any doubts, it is best to check with your airline, being sure to inquire about any specific security measures in place at your points of departure, arrival, and any transfer points in between.

•••

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Digital cameras are here to stay Do your homework when buying

BY LEO GERVAIS

M

any years ago as a 10-year-old, I worked at a wonderful place replete with the technology of the day. Those machines were amazing and millions of people used this technology, so it was hard to imagine a day when the establishment where I worked would no longer be necessary. The store?

The Typewriter Repair Shop.

I walked into a similar place the other day: A film processing lab. And the reason it is on the endangered list is because of digital cameras. Think about it: What percentage of people do you know that don’t have a digital camera? I’d guess it is pretty small. And the reason is simple: Convenience and ease of use. You can send digital pics instantly over the Net, burn them on CDs and, best of all, delete any bad shots you take and start over again. The death knell for old-style cameras was when the prices dropped enough to justify the new technology.

Now, it has – five years ago I paid $1,200 for a good 3.2 megapixel camera. I can now get a comparable 5.0 megapixel camera for less than half that price.

(Megapixels are the product of the cameras maximum resolution dimensions in millions). For any of you who are hesitat-

SEPTEMBER ’06

ing about buying a digital camera, don’t – they are definitely here to stay.

Digital still cameras are cameras whose primary purpose is to capture photography in a digital format. Initially, a digital camera was characterized by the use of flash memory and USB or FireWire for storage and transfer of still photographs (though some early cameras used a serial port connection), and this is still the common meaning of the unadorned term. Many modern digital photography cameras have a video function, and a growing number of cam-

There are literally hundreds of choices corders have a still photography function. However, even a low-end still camera can take far better still pictures than a mid-range video camera, and mid-range still cameras have much lower video quality than low-end video cameras. In addition, some newer camcorders record video directly to flash memory and transfer over USB and FireWire.

Among digital still cameras, most have a rear LCD for reviewing photographs. The actual transfers to a host computer are commonly carried out using the USB mass storage device class (so that the camera appears as a drive) or using the Picture Transfer Protocol and its derivatives.

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In addition, FireWire is becoming more popular and supported among more digital cameras, as it is a much faster way to transfer the pics and video.

The experience of what to buy is driven primarily by two factors: Taste and price. The guiding factors when buying a camera should be the following: • What will you be taking pictures of?

•Do you want to shoot video as well?

• Is it for amateur or professional use?

• What can you afford?

There are literally hundreds of choices out there, way too many for the scope of this article. If you are considering buying one, I strongly suggest you speak to people who use digital cameras as well as experts who sell them – this is one area where you definitely want to do your homework before dropping several hundred dollars.

Below are a few links to some great Web sites that offer news and compare models and prices.

On the Web: http://www.dpreview.com/ http://www.dcviews.com/ http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/digital-cameras/ Oh, and what happened to the Typewriter Shop? I think it became a Dollar Store…

!

Jargon Buster Techno babble demystified sponsored by Avtec Professional A/V Services

What is XPower?

XPower: Have you ever had your laptop battery die just when you needed to finish that report for the boss? Airports are the graveyards where laptops go to die – try finding a power outlet at one. But now travellers who need power for their laptops or cellphones have another option – The XPower PowerSource Mobile 100 from Xantrex Technology. It is available for US $129 from xantrex.com and Amazon.com, and is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, and more.

Along with two sockets for USB cords, it has a standard AC outlet, eliminating the need to buy special adapter plugs to connect it to a laptop, PDA, cell phone or any other battery-operated product that uses no more than 100 watts.

The PowerSource is small, weighing about a pound, and it can deliver up to 34 additional hours of operating time for a BlackBerry, 12 hours for a cellphone or up to 2 hours for a laptop. The company says that the PowerSource can be charged about 300 times before it reaches the end of its useful life.

– Leo Gervais

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Are you stressed?

Then SCREAM! According to research published last month by a British amusement park, letting out a loud scream (or for fans of Dead Poet’s Society, perhaps a loud ‘yawp’!) can cut stress by up to 25 per cent. Surrey’s Thorpe Park – the self-proclaimed “UK home of screaming” – enlisted the help of leading neuropsychologist David Lewis to conduct the study upon 1,000 people aboard its Stealth rollercoaster. According to another British study, in addition to contributing to heart disease, stroke and depression, stress also costs that country’s economy nearly four billion pounds and 12.8 million sick days each year.

Other research indicated stressed-out Brits blamed travel delays during their daily commute, being holed up in the office in August, and the heat wave that engulfed Europe for most of that month for the bulk of their stress.

Editor’s note: Edvard Munch’s painting The Scream (1893, at right) was recently recovered in Norway by police, along with another Munch masterpiece, Madonna. The paintings had been stolen in 2004 from the Munch Museum in Oslo.

SEPTEMBER ’06

Industry news WestJet looks to join Oneworld In a move that could propel it into the major leagues, Calgary-based WestJet Airlines Ltd. has entered preliminary negotiations to join global airline alliance Oneworld.

If successful, benefits conferred to Oneworld customers – such as business discounts, smoother connections and frequent flier programs – could soon be offered by the upstart Canadian airline, alongside the eight alliance members that include Qantas, Aer Lingus and British Airways.

WestJet currently offers commercial flights to 35 destinations in the Canada and United States, though it is adding a Toronto-Bahamas flight in November.

In the first seven months of 2006, WestJet filled an average of 78.9 per cent of its seats, compared with the leading Canadian carrier, Montreal-based Air Canada, which averaged 81.7 per cent.

Due to its membership in the 18-member Star Alliance, Air Canada is able to capitalize on customers transferring to and from other carriers in that organization such as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and United.

A new computer reservation system that would enable WestJet to take and process bookings from other Oneworld members is slated to be in place by the middle of next year.

According to Sean Durfy, executive vice-president of marketing, sales and airports at WestJet, the company is looking for an agreement that would permit it to maintain flexible schedules while accommodating new Oneworld travellers.

LAST C HANC

THE 2006 MONTREAL VENUES GUIDE IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR $12.95.

CALL (514) 849-6841 EXT. 331 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

No smoking please, we’re French The French government is considering placing a ban on smoking in restaurants and public places that would come into effect on Jan. 1, 2007. Unlike other cities in Europe or North America however, some establishments that sell tobacco would be exempt, such as nightclubs, bars and casinos. First proposed

by French health minister Xavier Bertrand in a recent interview with newspaper Le Figaro, the ban would bring France into line with other EU countries that have either banned smoking or plan to, including Sweden, Britain, Ireland, Italy and Spain.

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E!

Planning a holiday party?

Being organized is the key to a successful holiday event

BY JYL ASHTON CUNNINGHAM

T

he objective of a holiday party is to have fun with colleagues after a year of working hard together, without embarrassing incidents (usually caused by too much alcohol consumption). The season is also traditionally a time for giving to those less fortunate. Planners have their work cut out to stay on-budget, follow protocol, be socially responsible and find original themes each year. Here are a few tips to make the task a pleasure instead of a chore.

Constructive planning Involve employees in the decision-making process. An evaluation from the previous year highlights both key successes and early warning signals. Send an E-mail to employees as soon as possible after the event to get their feedback. Also check with the venue to see whether there were any issues that should be noted for the following year.

Combine the evening with another corporate function, such as an awards night, which will give it some structure and help to justify the costs incurred.

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Venue selection Pick a suitable venue, taking into consideration proximity to overnight accommodation, public transport and cost of rentals over and above the food and beverage budget. Many non-hotel venues charge for room rental, bar and wait staff, furniture, dinnerware, linens and centrepieces that can quickly add up.

Where possible, negotiate a discounted hotel rate and offer shuttle transfers throughout the evening. For small events, consider teaming up with other businesses in the area, or check with the local Chamber of Commerce, which usually plans a multiple company event during the holiday season.

Alcohol consumption and corporate/ planner liability regarding alcohol-related incidents are probably the most important issues to consider during the holiday season. Additional event insurance and clearly defined contracts are essential for holiday parties. Insurance companies, such as LMS Prolink, which specialize in providing coverage for planners, are the most informed on what is legally required.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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Websites of interest

DATEBOOK

Swap your travel points www.points.com This site allows you to swap points from different fidelity programs you have like Aeroplan, AMEX, The Bay, Delta, American Airlines and so on. You can also consolidate all the participating programs under one portfolio and access the information at a glance.

Upcoming Events SEPTEMBER 26-28 Incentive Travel & Meeting Executives, The Motivation Show, McCormick Place, Chicago, Ill. Contact: (630) 4347779, www.motivationshow.com.

Find a time zone www.timeanddate.com/worldclock It was Sandford Fleming, a Scottish-born Canadian, who conceived of and helped establish the concept of Universal Standard Time in the 1870s. The modern world could not exist without this practical idea that keeps the trains (and everything else) running on time. Here’s a handy Web site that shows you the time zones across the globe to keep you running on time.

SEPTEMBER 28-30 Canadian Society of Association Executives, 2006 National Conference and Showcase, Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, Alta. Contact: Cameal Prince, 416363-3555, ext. 241 www.csae.com.

OCTOBER 9 – Canadian Thanksgiving

International Dialing Codes www.kropla.com/dialcode This Web site provides Country Codes, IDD (International Direct Dialing) prefixes and NDD (National Direct Dialing) prefixes for virtually every country in the world.

This site is a must for all international travelers.

OCTOBER 27-29 The Greater Edmonton Chapter of MPI (host), Go WEST Summit Conference, Sutton Place Hotel, Edmonton, Alta.

Contact: http:/gowestonware.ca NOVEMBER 12-16 Financial & Insurance Conference Planners, Annual Conference, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. Contact: FICP, www.ficpnet.com.

Web-based word processor www.writely.com Writely is a Web-based word processor currently in beta and owned by Google. It can be used as a collaborative text editing suite, and features access controls. It should be available to the public in the early fall.

NOVEMBER 14-20 National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, Fall Conference, Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.

Contact: NCBMP, (202) 628-3952, www.ncbmp.com.

••• Do you have a Web site you want to share with other planners?

Email us at info@theplanner.ca.

Have an event? E-mail us at info@theplanner.ca

SEPTEMBER ’06

For more great Web sites, check out www.theplanner.ca

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There are several themes that can work well Themed events

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

While it always seems a good idea at the time, themed events often run the risk of failing miserably, perhaps because they involve guests dressing up, or the theme is just too complicated. The secret is to find a compromise that gives several options as to how guests spend their evening.

Pick a theme that is clearly defined in its décor and any stage presentation, and follow through with a themed gift, welcome drink and entertainment. This way, guests are entertained without having to participate in the activities, except as spectators and recipients.

Use venues where the theme is already in place. One of Toronto’s hidden gems, the Academy of Spherical Arts, has beautiful antique billiards tables which may be used by all guests, but still leave plenty of space for dancing, lounging and dining in each of its four rooms. Combined with professional exhibition shots by celebrity snooker players (Cliff Thorburn and Jim Wych are regularly hired at reasonable rates), the evening is entertaining, educational and above all, fun!

Casino nights are always a hit, and Texas hold ‘em, blackjack and roulette tables rented from a specialist company will keep guests entertained for hours. Event planners Ruoff & Company have designed an exclusive evening with a ‘gentlemen’s club’ theme, combining casino games, whisky tasting (complete with a single malt whisky expert dressed in full Scottish regalia) and elegant dining and lounge décor – a huge hit with their corporate clients and customized for mid to highend budgets.

If a themed party is traditional, try to keep it elegant and make it easy for guests to dress accordingly. Black and White parties are always popular, as are ‘Mask-arades’, or Tie and Tails (taken as literally as the imagination allows!). Provide trinkets at each place setting for guests to embellish their outfits and give common ground.

A few ways to limit alcohol consumption Plan an evening that defines how much alcohol is consumed, such as a wine tasting evening, where guests are given a small glass of wine with each course, and are educated by a qualified sommelier on wine pairing during the meal. By the end of dinner, guests should still be quite sober and more informed about wines!

Include interactive entertainment that requires guests to either participate on stage or be occupied by activities such as decorating a holiday bauble (which is then boxed for them to take home). All the required materials could be initially assembled as a colourful centrepiece. Please use acrylic baubles instead of glass though, to avoid accidents.

Have entertainment come to the tables, such as illusionists, photographers with instant cameras or ‘cigarette’ girls handing out elegant chocolates or trinkets. Interactive entertainment such as caricature and henna artists are always popular, but as handwriting analyst Elaine Charal put it recently, “People don’t go to a party to line up and wait”.

Charal has solved the line-up issue beautifully by offering an additional service whereby guests leave a sample of their handwriting, together with their contact details. She analyzes it and sends the report directly to them within a few days following the event.

Once the dancing starts, hire professionals to give lessons in salsa, disco, line or East Coast swing dancing. Entertaining also keeps guests away from the bar as they join in the fun.

Define the start and finish times in the invitation and stick to them. Finishing the evening by 11 p.m. keeps everything civilized, and less expensive. With the money saved on an early finish, offer taxi chits and do-it-yourself breathalysers as guests leave. Corporations could give designated drivers an extra half day or day’s vacation if they commit to driving at least one colleague home.

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Remember: Don’t drink and drive!

Donations to charity Holiday party planning is not all about glamour, glitz and gluttony though. December is traditionally a time of giving and party invitations inevitably include a request to bring a wrapped gift or non-perishable food item for distribution to shelters, hospitals or retirement homes. However, while the intention of giving is good, some real thought needs to go into the process to work out how to receive and distribute donations effectively.

• Instead of having bins for guests to drop their items in at large corporate functions, collect everything at the office over a period of days – or even weeks – before taking it to the local shelter. This makes more sense both logistically and productively, as employees are more likely to contribute over a longer period.

• Consider asking each department to fill a box with a pre-determined shopping list of groceries and household items, which can be distributed to families. This alleviates the ‘pasta and canned soup’ syndrome, instead providing balanced meals and a more interesting selection.

• Have friendly competitions within departments over a week, to raise the most funds to be donated to the charity of choice.

• Find out in advance from the selected charity exactly what is required. Not everyone wants children’s toys or clothing, and basic toiletries are often the most appreciated gift.

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• If the idea of researching places to donate to within the community is just too daunting, Rotary clubs throughout Canada will offer suggestions, saving time and effort and guaranteeing the donation goes where it is most needed locally.

The most important advice about the holiday season?

Don’t drink and drive!

Do you have a success story of a holiday event you have organized? Or perhaps you would like to share a funny experience or offer advice to other planners on the subject? Send it to jashton@theplanner.ca using 50 words or less, and we will print the most interesting between now and December.

••• Jyl Ashton Cunningham, CMP is President of JAAC Events, a meeting and incentive planning company in Oakville, Ontario. For more details contact JAAC at info@jaacevents.com.

Take the essential ethical exam

BY PETER DE JAGER

I

t’s difficult to think of a subject touchier than that of what actions are “right” and what are “wrong”, especially when we’re discussing a real life situation. Ethics places not only our actions and behaviour

under the microscope, but it also scrutinizes our integrity and worth as a person.

Since ethics is so personal, it is socially unacceptable to name names when discussing specific situations. Imagine how you would respond if I used an example in this article using your name, or the name of your manager?

Despite this reluctance to speak frankly about ethical issues, one need only read the headlines and newspaper editorials to know there is a great and growing need for more emphasis on ethical behaviour. Nothing can destroy a career faster, especially if you have any amount of fiduciary responsibility, than the exposure of unethical behaviour.

Based on today’s headlines, one would suspect that people don’t have a firm grasp on the difference between right and wrong. Yet I believe most of us know exactly when we are acting unethically, and that we act unethically with deliberate intent.

Ethics is so personal The legal system believes sane people have an innate ability to determine “right” from “wrong”, so much so that it includes the ability to tell right from wrong as one of the definitions of sanity. In a real sense, for someone to question your ethics is the same as questioning your sanity.

If you’re unsure whether or not an action is ethical, there’s a simple acid test for you. Ask yourself the question, “Would I have any objection to having my actions detailed on the front page of a national newspaper?” If you can honestly answer “no” then the chances are good that you’re acting ethically.

This even works when it is our intent to act unethically. The image of that glaring headline, and the obvious consequences of such visibility, should be enough to force us to reconsider our actions... not because they’re wrong, 34

but because of the potential negative consequences.

This acid test speaks to the heart of ethical behaviour; it recognizes that an action is deemed to be ethical or not according to public opinion. (That sentence is a loaded one, and worthy of at least one semester of heated philosophical debate, but for the purposes of this discussion, ‘It's good enough’). In some cultures there is nothing wrong with the concept of Bakeesh (a ‘tip’ to a public official): it is merely the accepted way of doing business.

This behaviour is not as acceptable in North America, but Bakeesh isn’t totally foreign to our culture. When I was working my way through university as a plumber’s apprentice, it was made abundantly clear to me that the plumbing inspector was ‘entitled’ to go to the head of the line when the coffee truck arrived.

They also received large quantities of booze as Christmas gifts, as did every other inspector necessary to the construction of a modern building.

The question arises, when does the phrase “rank hath its privileges” become a euphemism for “bribe”? For the answer, go back to that question, would government inspectors be comfortable having the details of all their gifts publicized?

To bring this closer to home, I think we’d all agree that when a manager responsible for dealing with vendors receives preferential treatment or gifts, it might affect their purchasing decisions.

Therefore, it might be better if they did not accept gifts or special treatment.

When it comes to vendor purchasing relationships, managers, like Caesar's wife, must be above reproach.

That last point is an important one.

Not only is it necessary to act ethically, it is also necessary to protect ourselves from any suspicion of impropriety.

An accusation of wrongdoing always trumps a denial. This is why the newspaper headline test is important. It guarantees in advance that when our actions do become public, and they will if there’s any sort of story worth reporting, then our actions will be judged as ethical. © Peter de Jager – Peter is a keynote speaker and consultant. He speaks on change and other issues related to management.

E-mail him at: pdejager@technobility.com.

SEPTEMBER ’06

BOOK REVIEW

The art of the business lunch Ed. note: Following our article on business lunches last month, we have followed up with this timely book review.

BY HARRIET WEZENA

I

t is time to fix an appointment for a business meeting. Don’t miss out on a potential miracle lunch any longer.

Robin Jay, in her book, The Art of The Business Lunch: Building Relationships between 12 and 2, teaches readers the right way to conduct business lunches to net quantifiable results in their billing, client satisfaction, and overall success. The underlying factor is knowing your clients and making them feel comfortable and important.

But why take a client to lunch? “Food is the common denominator among people and we all have to eat,” Jay explains.

“Sharing a meal with someone is the fastest way to find out what kind of a person he or she is,” she writes.

The author stresses the need to approach the business lunch with professionalism. She tackles the issue of proper appearance. If you know your work could take you out of the office, she advises dressing professionally at all times and avoiding participating in “casual Friday” which, she adds, is a recipe for disaster.

The way you dress presents a message to your clients, so go light on fragrance and err on the conservative.

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A successful business lunch has a lot to do with the choice of restaurant and how you and your client get there. Jay asserts that your choice of restaurant “…reflects not only your personality but also shows your client how much regard you have for them.” For the first time or whenever in doubt, it’s best to go for the restaurant that offers consistent quality, moderate prices and a quiet atmosphere.

Some factors to consider include topnotch service, a fabulous menu and a great location. Whenever possible, pick up your client and drive them back to work after lunch.

At the restaurant, the author suggests avoiding foods that may be considered “very challenging” to eat such as barbecued ribs, noodles and spaghetti balls, lobster and crab. Remember to turn off your cellphone: It could be considered very rude to answer it in the middle of presenting your proposal, unless it is an important call from your doctor which you would have already informed your client about. Never pay cash for a business lunch – always pay with a credit card and do this as discreetly as possible.

For all who have had business lunches, you know it’s not all about talking business. You do talk about lighter things. The author strongly suggests that you be prepared and informed so that you can participate in a casual, topical conversation intelligently.

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According to Jay, timing is everything, and how things are flowing is extremely important in deciding when to bring up certain subjects. Offer your client the choice to decide when they want to discuss business. If it’s before lunch, order your beverages and appetizers and then dive enthusiastically into your presentation. Otherwise, ask the right questions and listen carefully to answers so you’ll be better prepared when it’s time for your presentation. Ask questions because, as Jay writes, “questions pull, statements push.”

At a business lunch, know when to stop talking, eating and selling, the author says. If your client accepts your proposal it’s a cue to stop selling. Watch your client’s body language to know when to stop talking. Having earned the title “The Queen of the Business Lunch” the author writes that, at a business lunch, it’s “follow the leader,” the popular technique of “mirroring” your clients is the best rule. It’s all about them. So when you’re the only one still eating, news flash: time to stop eating!

An expert on building business relationships, Jay found that bringing a social situation (particularly lunch) into business relationships works can be a bonding experience for clients and salesperson.

••• Book: The Art of The Business Lunch Author: Robin Jay Publisher: Career Press Pages: 254 ISBN: 1-56414-851-3 Price: $19.95 on www.chapters.ca

Credit card debt

BOOK EXCERPT

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Ed. note: This excerpt is from The Pocket Encyclopedia of Aggravation by Laura Lee. It is also the first in a series of articles about the benefits and downfalls of using plastic money.

every dollar they spent in a year. By 1990, it had risen to 90 cents. Today, according to American Demographics, we are carrying almost 99 cents of debt for every dollar we spend.

The only costs we really understand are annual fees and introductory interest rates. Credit card issuers have responded by lowering both. Don’t worry, they more than make up for it. Late fees have gone up about 50 percent since 1990. Grace periods have shortened. Some cards penalize you for being one day late.

If you get in trouble, don’t expect your creditors to help you out. Once your card is close to its limit and the minimum payment is equal to your monthly paycheck, the issuing bank may raise your interest rates. They can do that if you pay late, exceed your credit limit, or have a deteriorating credit report.

A team of Ohio State University researchers came to the shocking conclusion that all this debt-stress is bad for our health. They conducted two telephone surveys of 1,036 Ohioans and discovered that those who reported higher levels of stress about their debt reported worse health than those with lower levels of debt.

•••

Y

ou pay the minimum balance on your MasterCard bill with a handy Discover Card check. You have just enough to make the minimum on your other MasterCard. You’re left with so little cash that you need to use your Visa to buy groceries. Forget it. You will never ever, ever get out of debt. By that I mean never, not ever. Pigs will fly first.

Make no mistake, the credit card issuers want you to be in debt. They make profits from revolving balances. Since the early 1990s, banks have upped credit limits on their customers’ credit cards by more than a third, filling mailboxes with 3 billion offers in 1997. We may complain about ATM fees, but few of us complain about the fees we pay for our plastic.

Study by economist Lawrence Ausubel of the University of Maryland show that consumers underestimate how much they borrow on their cards. On average, you’re carrying more than twice as much debt as you think.

If you carry a credit card balance of $1,750 on a card that charges 18 percent interest and you pay just the minimum and buy nothing more it will take you 22 years and $4,000 in interest to pay it off.

In the early 1980s, U.S. households had 70 cents of debt for

Reprinted with permission from The Pocket Encyclopedia of Aggravation by Laura Lee, originally published by Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. On the Web: www.bdlev.com/ Price on www.amazon.com: US$10.

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SEPTEMBER ’06

Sudoku gets it right by the numbers

BY ALLISON MARTENS

T

hey’ve been spotted on subways, buses, in waiting rooms and even classrooms. They sit hunched over, pencil – not pen – clenched between their fingers, contemplating their next move.

Chances are these days, its not crosswords or word finds they crave: It’s sudoku, also known as Number Place or Nanpure.

The Planner couldn’t resist it, and neither can the hundreds of readers we know fastidiously complete the puzzles we publish each issue.

Thanks to a little bit of marketing and a lot of buzz, the clever Japanese numbers game has exploded into the North American cultural mainstream. Used as entertainment – like crosswords, comics or horoscopes – the puzzle can attribute much of its success to the newspaper business, which assiduously promoted it to boost sales.

Perhaps the beauty of sudoku lies in its simplicity. The rules are easy to follow, and while you don’t require a Mensa membership to play, the path followed to solve the puzzle can be challenging and complex.

A predecessor of sudoku was probably a similar mind puzzle called Latin Squares, popularized by Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler in the 18th century. Sudoku as we actually know it now sprang from Indianapolis in 1979, but the current rage has its roots in a revival of the game that overtook Japan in the mid-80s.

Despite its popularity in the West,

you’d be hard pressed to find people in Monrovia (Africa) or Montevideo (South America) who know about it. And perhaps it won’t reach its boxy tentacles that far either. As a craze, sudoku is like a great work of fiction: It inevitably has to reach its denouement and ultimately, its conclusion.

That has left marketers and gamers alike looking for the next big thing scrambling to find the next great puzzle. On the Internet, the buzz is that the heir apparent is kakuro, or ‘cross sums’, a crossword-style puzzle that uses numbers.

Nikoli, the Japanese puzzle company responsible for both sudoku and kakuro, has more than a few tricks up its sleeve – in fact, they have more than 200 of them.

Since 1980, the company has dominated the market, even inking an exclusive publishing partnership with British publisher Puzzler Media, which sells 1.3 million copies of its 36 titles each month.

Among its “culture independent” offerings are Hashiwokakero (bridges), Nurikabe (cell structure) and the fantastically named Fillomino (‘allied occupation’), all logic puzzles involving numbers.

Though industry stalwarts, including British broadsheet The Guardian, have started to foretell the next wave by publishing kakuro within their pages, other gamers predict that the puzzling craze will no longer focus around one particular game, but will be extended to include a number of titles.

If the success of Nikoli in Japan is any indication, brace yourself.

Perhaps the beauty of sudoku lies in its simplicity

SEPTEMBER ’06

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HERE, “HANG TEN” IS A BUSINESS TERM. Where else but White Point Beach Resort can you play nine holes before breakfast, accomplish your agenda, try surfing, then linger over freshly-planked salmon and a glass of fine, local wine? Where else do meeting rooms have natural light and windows that open to greet fresh, sea air? White Point.

Only 90-minutes from Halifax, yet worlds away from a culture that relies on words like; traffic, hurry and elevator.

For more information call: Anne Stevens, Director of Sales

902.423.8887 anne@whitepoint.com

www.whitepoint.com

ANSWER EASY SUDOKU FROM PAGE 22

ANSWER INTERMEDIATE SUDOKU FROM PAGE 22

Industry Trends U.S. increases per-trip surcharges If you didn’t think you were already paying enough in airport fees and surcharges, the United States government has just announced a new bevy of them that will affect all air travellers and cargo shippers from Canada.

Effective Nov. 24, all travellers entering the U.S. by plane will have an additional US$5 fee tacked onto their tickets. In addition, airlines are expected to pass on a percentage of the new $70.25-per-plane inspection charge onto their clients.

In addition, commercial trucks will be hit up for $5.25 at border crossings to offset the cost of increasingly scrutinous inspections. Maritime vessels will be charged $488 each, and railways $7.50 per car.

The tightened security on the world’s longest undefended border is largely meant to protect against the entry of disease, pests or agents that could be used in bioterrorism, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The new fees are expected to raise $77 million each year, which will be used to increase the reach of the inspection regime. The number of land-based inspectors is expected to increase nearly 40 per cent to 175, while those at airports would climb to 65 – that’s 25 per cent more than in 2003, the Globe and Mail reported.

So far, organizations such as the Air Transport Association of Canada, which represents air carriers, have publicly stated that these measures will only further discourage Canadians from flying into the United States.

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Hotel News

CONNAUGHT GOES UNDER THE TROWEL Sometime early next year, London’s luxurious Connaught Hotel will spend tens of millions of pounds on an enlargement and facelift. The internationally renowned hotel in the city’s Mayfair district will receive a new extension, adding 34 rooms for a total of 126. Meanwhile, existing rooms will be refurbished and hardwired to accommodate the latest in technology while maintaining their classic look. “We want to enhance and preserve the beauty of what we already have but also take the hotel into the 22nd century,” Connaught general manager Anthony Lee told Caterer and Hotelkeeper magazine. Lee said the hotel is expected to close for a short period of time while some of the work is carried out.

you need to know

U.S. WORKERS GRANT STRIKE AUTHORITY Leaders of service union UNITE HERE in Hawaii, Chicago, and San Francisco and Monterey, Calif. now have the power to call strikes if contract disputes can not be resolved otherwise.

They were granted the authority by UNITE HERE members in those jurisdictions during a vote last month in which more than 90 per cent of workers were in favour of strike authorization. In San Francisco, negotiations continue where about 8,000 workers have not had a contract for two years. According to UNITE HERE president of hospitality divisions John Wilhelm, strikes would not necessarily happen, and added the vote was significant in showing that union members trust their leadership. Workers in Toronto recently passed similar measures.

NEW BAUER HOTEL IN BELLA VENEZIA Though the masses no longer flee to Venice to escape marauding barbarians as they once did, more than 10 million visitors enchanted by the lagoon city’s unsurpassable beauty still flock to it each year. Now, there’s one more reason to visit: The newly-minted five-star Bauer Hotel Palladio Hotel & Spa. Located in a formerly abandoned Renaissance building on Giudecca Island, the 50-room hideaway offers private gardens exquisite lagoon views and award-winning gourmet dining.

Though not yet open, the spa is slated for October completion.

Special opening rates start around 240 Euros (about $340 Cdn).

On the Web: www.bauerhotels.com

LXR SETTLES LAWSUIT LXR recently agreed to pay US$2.3 million to settle a fiveyear investigation by the state of Florida over hidden surcharges added to traveller’s bills at 16 Wyndham properties.

The company will pay $560,000 to clients who were wrongly charged the fees, as well as $1.8 million toward investigation and litigation costs. According to Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist, the goal of the suit was to expose shady pricing practices and encourage hoteliers to shun them. “This settlement provides hotel guests with the opportunity to make an informed choice before they reserve a room.” Web sites that sell rooms on Wyndham’s behalf, such as Orbitz and Travelocity, will also be required to show automatic charges at the time of purchase.

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SEPTEMBER ’06

Alcohol poses dangers

BY ALLISON MARTENS

I

n Ancient Rome, newlywed couples would down a glass of wine in order to conceive a child without birth defects.

Though this practice was probably tempered more by tradition than belief it actually worked, obviously we now know better.

Though the effects of even the most modest alcohol consumption upon an unborn child have not been proven, doctors say its best to err on the side of caution and abstain completely.

According to a recent study in the June issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, just one glass of wine (118 ml) or beer (355 ml) per day during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with a two-point drop in IQ by the time the child reaches 10 years of age, primarily affecting cognitive and spatial abilities.

Though this research most strongly supported the experience among African-Americans, previous studies have demonstrated a similar result in children born to Caucasian women.

Naturally, the children of women who stopped consuming alcohol after their first trimester were better off than those whose mothers continued to drink to term.

While the effects of moderate drinking are not well-known, the consequences of alcohol consumed on a regular basis upon an unborn fetus – such as reduced cognitive ability and facial abnormalities – have been known for decades.

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Worldwide, about one in 1,000 children are born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or (related) Effects (FAS/E). In Canada, about one to three children in 1,000 are born with FAS/E. According to Health Canada, the total lifetime cost of education, health care and social services for such an individual is US$1.4 million.

Once ingested, alcohol travels across the placenta – where nutrients and oxygen are provided from the mother to the fetus – and quickly enters the child’s bloodstream. The first trimester is considered by some the most important period of development, when the brain and vital organs start to develop, but research has shown that alcohol consumption can adversely affect a fetus at any stage of gestation.

Breastfeeding mothers should also note that any alcohol they drink enters their milk in small amounts. Though the amount passed to the child is much less than the mother originally ingested, it is enough to change the odour of the milk – possibly causing the infant to feed poorly if they do not like it – and has been shown to delay motor development.

As a general rule, expecting mothers, as well as those planning to conceive, should avoid alcohol. There are many tempting virgin beverages, beyond boring juice and soft drinks, that meeting and event planners should ensure are on offer to give future mothers – or anyone else who abstains from alcohol – better choice.

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Dallas WEC had record attendance PHOTOS AND STORY BY LEO GERVAIS

T

he 2006 World Education Congress in Dallas, Texas was the largest event in MPI’s history, with more than 3,600 attendees, beating the former record holder, the July 2001 World Education Congress in Las Vegas, which had 3,461 attendees. More than 40 per cent of the attendees were meeting planners at the July 9-11 event.

Twenty-eight countries were represented, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

Mark S. Andrew: MPI’s new Mark S. Andrew, CMP, chairman of the board CHA, took over as the 20062007 chairman of the board from Christine Duffy. Andrew helped lead MPI for a threemonth period after the association’s president and CEO, Colin Rorrie, Jr., PhD, CAE, resigned at the end of March 2006.

The modern Dallas skyline is one of the city’s highlights.

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SEPTEMBER ’06

Montreal will host WEC in 2007 A Vancouver resident, Andrew has several goals for the 34-year-old organization.

“I’d like to see a growth in ownership. MPI is doing a lot of things: The WEC in Vancouver in 2010 (coinciding with the Olympics), we’re enhancing the structure, and our workforce is changing, trying to adjust to a new way of doing things,” he said. “Our focus is on getting better. The challenge was being able to deal with new customers, and defining precisely who those customers are.”

Andrew is also excited about the WEC in Montreal that will take place from July 29-31, 2007.

“It’s a celebration of the “I” in International. Montreal truly is international, and it’s just five hours from Boston by car. The presentation the representatives from Montreal gave on July 11 touched on many of the wonderful sides of Montreal – the French culture, the arts (highlighted by a spectacular acrobatic number by a member of Cirque du Soleil), the food and the friendly people. It’s really going to be an eye opener. We may hit 4,000 in attendance in Montreal and I think it’s a great opportunity for American planners to see another part of the world,” he said.

In other important conference news, MPI released its fifth white paper from its Global Corporate Circle of Excellence.

Titled "360 Degrees of Teamwork: How Meeting and Travel Professionals Can Build Strategic Synergies to Drive Results," the paper explores the close relationship between what are, in many organizations, two closely intertwined departments. The paper offers a list of common synergies as well as a systematic approach to discovering and capitalizing on these synergies in any organization.

Editor’s note: I was saddened to hear of the recent departure of MPI’s Manager of Communications Audra London. She is one of the finest people I have worked with in the past 20 years. Everyone at The Planner wishes Audra the best in all of her future endeavours.

The Texas Book Depository, from where Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly shot JFK in 1963. It now houses the Sixth Floor Museum that is dedicated to the president’s memory.

The new slogan for Dallas is “Live Large. Think Big.” This richly diverse city offers an interesting culinary scene, leading arts district and wonderful museums, several professional sports teams, trendy entertainment districts and endless shopping opportunities.

In fact, I picked up my first pair of cowboy boots at Western Warehouse, which had literally thousands of pairs of great boots.

Of course, the infamous assassination of John F. Kennedy took place here in 1963. For conspiracy theorists, I highly recommend the Conspiracy Museum, which is dedicated to the events about JFK’s death and other assassinations. As well, the Sixth Floor Museum (located in the building from where Lee Harvey Oswald reputedly shot JFK) is dedicated to the life and death of JFK. The nearby JFK Memorial is also worth a look, but be prepared to dedicate a day to see all three of them properly.

Dallas is a very modern city with lots of great accommodations and a very large convention centre that bills itself as the “The World’s Largest Singular, Column-Free Exhibit Hall.” I can attest it is HUGE – the exhibit areas on both levels are 900 feet long, almost the length of three football fields.

And what about the famous Texan hospitality? I can report it is alive and well...

On the Web: www.dallascvb.com.

About Dallas Most of us think of it as the city of the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks and where John F. Kennedy was assassinated, but there is a lot more to see and do in Big D.

www.suitedreams.com Diamond Award Winner

Traveller’s Choice Awards Best Independent Hotel Toronto’s Tourist Magazine

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Located between the Rideau Canal and trendy Ottawa Elgin Street.

Canada SEPTEMBER ’06

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•250 Spacious 1 & 2 Bedroom Suites with Kitchens •V.I.P. Suites with Jacuzzi •Hi-speed Internet, In-room Movies & Playstation •Deluxe Banquet Rooms •Indoor Pool, Whirlpool, Sauna •Exercise Room, Games Room •Patio, Playground & Shuffleboard

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Downtown Ottawa 180 Cooper Street Phone: (613) 236-5000 Fax: (613) 238-3842 For Reservations 1-800-236-8399

New Orleans gets in gear for 2007

BY LEO GERVAIS

I

f you’re like many people in North America, you may have been watching Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN the other night. CNN has been doing a continuing series in life in New Orleans a year later, with plenty of footage of the grim events as they unfolded a year ago when Hurricane Katrina battered the southern Gulf Coast, including large parts of Mississippi and Louisiana.

Obviously the human toll was immense: More than 1,000 dead, tens of thousands more displaced. This was a disaster unparalleled, not in its scope but in the apparent mishandling of resources and inability to provide help when it was needed most. The lack of coordination of the various government agencies has been well documented.

As we look to the future, a large question looms: Where will people stay if they decide to visit the Big Easy? The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau has been working hard to show the city is ready to do business again, but there is still work to be done: According to Dr. Harsha Chacko of the University of New Orleans’ hospitality school (quoted in the September issue of National Geographic Traveler) 10,427 hotel rooms out of a total of 38,388 (27 per cent) were still out of commission this summer. A few of the hotels still closed include the Ritz Carlton on Canal Street (to re-open in December), the 1893-era Fairmont (closed until 2007), and the Hotel Monaco, rumoured to be reopening as a Hilton.

SEPTEMBER ’06

Let’s all hope that the rebuilding efforts continue to go well and that this once fine city will once again be a desired destination for meeting planners and visitors alike. And don’t forget, the MPI PEC-NA will be held there January 20-23, 2007.

If you would like to find out more about New Orleans, where to stay, and how to help in the efforts to rebuild the city, please visit the The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Web site at http://neworleanscvb.com/

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Industry News San Diego implements smoking ban In an effort to clear its air, the southern California city now requires smokers to butt out at all its beaches, public parks, municipal golf courses and other open spaces. First-time offenders risk a fine of US$250, but mayor Jerry Sanders is expected to announce designated smoking areas within those zones this November.

Smokers can still legally light up on some ocean boardwalks, other public rights of way and city land rented by private entities.

Fla. county taxes go up If you are planning an event or visit in Orange County, Fla. –or know someone who does – you should know that Orlando hotels that fall within its boundaries are now subject to one per cent age point increase in the hotel tax to the new rate of 6 per cent.

The new measure took effect on Sept. 1.

France still on top France has maintained its position as the world’s number one tourist destination. In 2005, it welcomed 76 million visitors, ahead of other front-running countries like the United States and Spain.

According to the French tourism agency, visits by guests from Asia alone went up 26 per cent. In particular, Chinese tourists accounted for about 50, 000 arrivals each month in French hotels.

The World Tourism Organization, however, said that tourism growth in France went up only 1.2 per cent in 2005, compared to 4 per cent in Europe as a whole and 5.6 per cent worldwide.

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