Happy birthday NATM & BATM Swiss Meeting Trophy IATA and IMEX in review Back to Africa ULTIMATE UTRECHT plus THE HOTTEST NEW HOTELS! THE LATEST TRADE NEWS MARSEILLE MON AMOUR BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MEETINGS INCENTIVES CONGRESSES EVENTS, AUTUMN EDITION 2022
CENTRALLY SITUATED ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENT VENUE In the center of Hollands own Hollywood, Hilversum, you’ll find a unique, characteristic venue for your next business event: Gooiland Events & Hotel. Build in 1936 in the style of ‘Het Nieuwe Bouwen’ and with sustainability in mind, the light and green elements in this building adds character to any event. Gooiland specializes in organizing business events and offers 16 multifunctional spaces, including a spacious theater and an exhibition floor. Hilversum Central Station and over 1.400 parking spots can be found at walking distance, which makes Gooiland the ideal location for your next (multi-day) event. Interested in a tour of the venue? An enthusiastic team would love to show you around and show you the possibilities for your next business event. 035-7440115 | events@gooiland.nl | Gooilandevents.nl
YOUR NEXT BUSINESS EVENT AT GOOILAND - Event venue in the middle of the Netherlands; - Modern, characteristic monument; - For business events from 100 up to 1.500 guests; - Ideal for (multi-day) conferences, trade fairs and business events; - 16 beautiful atmospheric spaces, including a characteristic theater and an exhibition floor; - Different subareas for meetings and break-out sessions; - Dutch Brand Hotel with 56 hotel rooms; - Everything under one roof: your event, vital catering and a hotel stay. Congresses | Conferences | Fairs | Business events | Product presentations | Seminars Gooilandevents.nl
UtrechtUnlock
BTMF, all about the trade event ManagementTravelBelgiumandNetherlands
Two serious Travel Management Associations celebrate. The Belgian BATM ticks off 20 years, the Dutch NATM goes for a golden 50 years. Lots going on in both countries, so all the more reason to ask two top specialists.
COLOPHONCONTENT14 20 60
KesteloodeCinjee,ArjenEditorstijn.kramer@travmedia.nlTijnEditor-in-chiefKramerBelgium&TheNetherlands:Lutgendorff,SharonEvers,DylanBartMatthijs,JanPeeters,TheoReus,RahannavanStapele,Mariska(columnist). Press relases and MICETRAVelMEDIAinfo@micebenelux.cominfo:Benelux.Arendstraat 33A, 1223 RE, T.J.TomPublishers:IrisDesign:www.micebenelux.comHilversum.BeenenvanApeldoornvanApeldoorn Sales & Marketing: Sales and information about advertising, (0031-35-6728852),dennis.ebbers@travmedia.nl(0031-35-6728855),danielle@travmedia.nletc. MICE BENELUX is a TRAVelMEDIA Year29SUBSCRIPTION::publication.europeryear17,issue3 - 5 -
A classic ‘do not miss’ it on the agenda: the Business Traveller and MICE Fair. Your one stop shop on 26 September in Hotel Gooiland in Hilversum, The Netherlands. Read all about the exhibitors, the key note speakers and the venue. Also see ww.btmf.nl. See you there!
A wonderful city and region in the heart of The Netherlands. We take you to the finest venues, with a focus on sustainability, healthy living, human connections and more. Tradition or brand new and trendy, cultural and delightful. Come and unlock the secrets.
C O N T A C T U S B r u n o . e v e n t s @ r o o m m a t e h o t e l s . c o m (+31) 10 892 95 80 A i t a n a . e v e n t s @ r o o m m a t e h o t e l s . c o m (+31) 20 891 48 00
M E E T O U R L A R G E S P A C E S I N A M S T E R D A M A N D R O T T E R D A M !
Found within the big cities of the Netherlands, Room Mate Bruno and Room Mate Aitana are the best places to go for your events and meetings! The special atmosphere of these locations draws people out of the daily grind. And it has a loose, casual feeling which suits every meeting and event. Room Mate Hotels is one of the most suitable places for your next gathering! See you soon?
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See you at BTMF: ‘gezellig’Darn
It is pleasantly busy again if I may believe all the stories from the market. Or pleasantly busy? It is very very busy. So I am very very happy. The corporate market has begun to catch up and once it has caught up with all the postponed events, we will see how the mice market really stands. The economic turbulence and enormous inflation are worrying, but on the other hand there is once again the realization that meeting live and ‘nurturing’ good staff is indispensable. And our beautiful industry offers those tools. We have to explain the ‘why’ less and less. Finally.
And that is why I also hope that you will all come to our inspiring day called BTMF, with an informative exhibition floor, very good speakers and a fun network drink. Because knowledge is power. The customer will not necessarily choose the cheapest program but the most original, the most durable, the most professional. And all those parties will be present on Monday, September 26. If you want to take mice seriously, don’t miss it. And it’s also – difficult to translate, so once in Dutch: darn ‘gezellig’.
Tijn Kramer
Tijn MICEEditor-in-ChiefKramer,Benelux
THE EDITOR
& Trade mice.walloniebelgietoerisme.be AS© FeroozV.-WBT© FeroozV.-WBT©SiquetCGT-A©
ALEXANDRE PERSEVAL APERSEVAL@GROUPEBARRIERE.COM WWW.HOTELSBARRIERE.COM
Your
Organising a successful conference, seminar, incentive, product launch or teambuilding requires a thorough preparation.
a
venues, business
abbeys,
Your incentive in Wallonia & the Ardennes during every season
Together with the rich nature, a large number of venues, business hotels, conference- and wellness centres, castles, abbeys, mansions, challenging golf courses, great hospitality and above all a Burgundy lifestyle and fascinating gastronomy, Wallonia has the perfect ingredients to host your event.
This, in beautiful surroundings, countryside, hills and forests, historic, lively, characteristic cities like Liège, Namur, Charleroi, Mons and Tournai. But also smaller cities like Dinant, Spa, Bouillon, Durbuy, Bastogne or Waterloo are attractive points of interest.
Belgium.
To assist you with this aspect, Visit Wallonia has all the qualifications to meet your standards according to all your preferences in terms of venues, facilities, staff, hospitality, gastronomy, nature and activities. Only a two hour drive from Utrecht, your clients will be having the complete ‘abroad-experience’ in the southern part of Belgium.
challenging golf courses, great hospitality and above all a
Meet in Green
lifestyle and fascinating gastronomy, Wallonia has the perfect ingredients to host your event.
Organising a successful conference, seminar, incentive, product launch or teambuilding requires a thorough preparation.
Wallonia offers you indoor & outdoor Teambuilding activities, e.g. space-experience, racing at the F1-racetrack Spa Francorchamps, coal mine galleries at Blegny, wild trails, survival tracks, rally’s, adrenaline events, cave visits, (pack)rafting, paddling, climbing, hiking, cycling, walking, but also relaxing workshops to reconnect with nature, yoga, wellbeing, etc.
Meet in Green incentive in Wallonia & the Ardennes during every season
and
To assist you with this aspect, Visit Wallonia has all the qualifications to meet your standards according to all your preferences in terms of venues, facilities, staff, hospitality, gastronomy, nature and activities. Only a two hour drive from Utrecht, your clients will be having the ‘abroad-experience’ the southern part of
complete
Together with the rich nature, large number of hotels, conference- wellness castles, mansions, Burgundy
centres,
For further details, information or advise: informatie@wbtoerisme.nl Sigrid Misana, Mice
in
surroundings, countryside, hills and forests, historic, lively, characteristic cities like Liège, Namur, Charleroi, Mons and Tournai. But also smaller cities like Dinant, Spa, Bouillon, Durbuy, Bastogne or Waterloo are attractive points of interest. Wallonia offers you indoor & outdoor Teambuilding activities, e.g. space-experience, racing at the F1-racetrack Spa Francorchamps, coal mine galleries at Blegny, wild trails, survival tracks, rally’s, adrenaline events, cave visits, (pack)rafting, paddling, climbing, hiking, cycling, walking, but also relaxing workshops to reconnect with nature, yoga, wellbeing, etc. Together with special attention for sustainability, local products and local enterprises, new fresh ideas for the future will be born in green Wallonia & the Ardennes For further details, information or advise: informatie@wbtoerisme.nl Sigrid Misana, Mice & Trade mice.walloniebelgietoerisme.be AS© FeroozV.-WBT© FeroozV.-WBT©SiquetCGT-A©
This, in beautiful
Together with special attention for sustainability, local products and local enterprises, new fresh ideas for the future will be born in green Wallonia & the Ardennes
RIU will open a hotel in central London next year. Hotel Riu Plaza London Victoria was supposed to open its doors at the end of 2020, but the opening has been moved to spring 2023. The hotel enjoys an excellent location in the heart of London, in the district of Westminster, a few meters from Victoria Station, 29 kilometers from London Heathrow Airport and 60 kilometers from London Gatwick Airport. The Hotel Riu Plaza London Victoria offers 435 modern rooms and suites with city views. “All accommodations are designed to ensure pleasant relaxation and are fully equipped with amenities of the highest standard. The hotel has a lobby bar and restaurant serving dinner à la carte. In addition, guests can take advantage of a 24-hour gym that is fully equipped with the latest generation of machines,” said the hotel chain.
The flights between Brussels and Ouagadougou and Brussels and Conakry will be operated with an Airbus A330. The early arrival in Brussels provides connectivity to the entire Brussels Airlines network in Europe and the US.
Brussels Airlines reopens African
After two years of absence from Guinea and Burkina Faso, Brussels Airlines returns to Conakry and Ouagadougou. Both destinations recently welcomed a first flight from Brussels. From now on, Brussels Airlines will connect Brussels to both capitals three times a week. ‘As an Africa expert, we are delighted to be able to once again expand our market position in our main continent. We have been able to re-hire many of our previously employed employees, providing us with the necessary experience to re-establish our direct connection to two key African capitals: Conakry and Ouagadougou. This is an important step that further confirms our role as a gateway between Europe and Africa’, said Philippe Saeys-Desmedt,
Head of Sales Sub Sahara Africa for Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa Group. Burkina Faso, “Land of Honest People” is located in West Africa, in the Sahel region, and has a total population of 20 million people. The capital Ouagadougou, often called “Ouaga”, has 3 million inhabitants. Burkina Faso is internationally and in Africa known for its cultural life.
- 9SHORT NEWS ROUNDUP
CorendonroutesHotels shakes hands with Marriott
Corendon Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement with Marriott International for five hotels in The Netherlands. The collaboration represents almost a thousand hotel rooms in and around Amsterdam. Corendon expects to improve the visibility of its hotels in all markets. The hotels will also be part of Marriott International’s industry-leading loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott operates more than 8,000 hotels in 139 countries around the world. Under the franchise collaboration, Corendon will continue to operate the five hotels under four distinctive Marriott International brands – Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Residence Inn by Marriott and Fairfield by Marriott. “We are delighted to partner with Marriott International, a
globally recognised brand in hospitality, and thus benefit from Marriott’s global brand awareness and guest loyalty program,” said Mariska Nunes, Managing Director of Corendon hotels. “Our goal is to provide the very best service to our guests and Marriott Bonvoy members and to show that Corendon’s unique hospitality will add value to the Marriott brands.”
RIU opens in London
and customers is the driving force behind travel, according to 90% of respondents. More than half (58%) of companies claim this is a more efficient way of doing business, supporting team morale and improving relationships with colleagues and customers. This allays fears that the new hybrid or work-from-home model would mean the end of regular business trips.
With Eurostar on 75% of its pre-pandemic schedule, business travel will be back at
70% of 2019 levels in the first half of 2022 and business accounts will increase by 40% between 2019 and 2022. Research commissioned by the high-speed rail company points to companies’ strong confidence in European business travel: 78% of business travelers expect to travel more or the same amount between the UK and Europe compared to 2019. Face-to-face contact between companies
backBusinessontrack
SHORT NEWS ROUNDUP
Eurostar reports a strong return of business travel in the first six months of 2022. In addition, the banking, luxury and consultancy sectors are driving the business travel market. Eurostar of course serves London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam directly.
www.tripbuilders.nl We love to build your incentive trip, team building, meeting or anniversary trip!
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+ 15 years of experience as incentive specialist
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Thalys have launched their previously announced partnership that will see KLM buying seats aboard the Thalys high-speed train for transfer passengers travelling between Schiphol and Brussels. This will allow KLM to operate one less flight between Amsterdam and Brussels every day. The aim of the venture is to increase the number of transfer
versa). Before the Covid-19 pandemic, 20 to 25% of these passengers (some 36,000 customers) chose this option. This trial is aimed at improving the customer experience. This trial is set to continue until 29 October 2022, after which an in-depth evaluation will take place, with the partners assessing options for further developing the air-rail product.
For some time now, KLM has offered transfer passengers the option of boarding a Thalys high-speed train instead of a flight on the BrusselsSchiphol leg of their journey (or vice
Offices in Barcelona and Amsterdam
PartnershipKLMandThalys
passengers travelling by rail between Brussels and Schiphol. Almost all passengers on this route transfer to and from KLM flights at Schiphol
Unforgettable trips to Morocco, Spain and Portugal
DMC for Morocco, Spain and Portugal wide range of local partners
Inflation, energy prices, supply chain challenges, labor shortages and regional developments add 18 months to the forecast for the sector’s recovery, according to the 2022 GBTA Business Travel Index.The global business travel industry continues to make progress toward a full recovery to 2019 prepandemic spending levels of $1.4 trillion, but the recovery has encountered some setbacks. These new developments are impacting the timing, trajectory and pace of business travel recovery, both globally and by region, shifting the full recovery forecast to 2026 instead of 2024 as previously forecast.This is one of the key findings from the latest 2022 GBTA
“To understand this setback, which is impacting an accelerated recovery in global business travel, all you need to do is look at the headlines this year. The factors affecting many industries around the world are also expected to influence the recovery of global business travel in 2025. The predicted outcome is that we will be close, but not reach pre-pandemic levels. of 2019 will not reach and exceed until 2026,” said Suzanne Neufang (CEO GBTA).
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will operate direct service between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Rovaniemi in northern Finland every Saturday from 3 December 2022 through 25 March 2023. KLM will deploy a Boeing 737800 on this route, which can carry up to 186 passengers. Rovaniemi is KLM’s second destination in Finland after Helsinki. By adding Rovaniemi to its network, KLM will meet the growing demand for adventurous winter trips to
- 12SHORT NEWS ROUNDUP
Business Travel Index Outlook – Annual Global Report and Forecast published by GBTA, The GBTA BTI is an annual comprehensive survey of business travel spending and growth in 73 countries.
GBTA: Labor shortage remains a challenge Hilton opens Curio in Krakow
table. Hilton’s Curio brand was launched in 2014 and passed the milestone of 100 properties worldwide last year. Recent additions include The Starling Atlanta Midtown and the Joinery Hotel Pittsburgh.
MoreLapland.ofa
beach person? After a successful first season in the winter of 2021/2022, KLM will resume its flights to Barbados from October 18, 2022. KLM will resume flights from Amsterdam to Barbados with three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Barbados will be the only English-speaking Caribbean island to have a direct flight from Amsterdam via KLM.
Hilton has welcomed its first Curio Collection property in Poland with the addition of Hotel Saski Krakow. Located on Ulica Sławkowska in the old town of the city, the 200-year-old property features 117 rooms decorated with portraits of musicians and composers taken by Krakow-born photographer Ryszard Horowitz, including Louis Armstrong, Aretha Franklin and Czeslaw Niemen. Facilities include a historic ballroom that has hosted performances by Francis Liszt, Johannes Brahms and Ignacy Paderewski, alongside modern amenities including a pool, spa and fitness center. F&B options include Regale Bar and Restaurant, which offers “local fare with a modern twist,” as well as signature cocktails served from a trolley at the
KLM BarbadosandLaplandsnowytosunny
• Midden in de Randstad • In het Groene Hart • Tot 400 personen plenair + 12 subzalen • Ruim 350 gratis parkeerplaatsen • Zalen met eigen terras • Gratis shuttle-service • Groente- en theetuin • Duurzame locatie • Videowall van 14 x 4,5 meter Samenkomen in rust en ruimte Oortjespad 3, Kamerik • (0348) 400 771 events@kameryck.nl • www.kameryck.nl A2 A2 Den Haag A12 A12 Utrecht Woerden Breukelen 10 min. 10 min. Amsterdam Kameryck NS-station NS-station Buitenplaats Kameryck Congres- en Evenementenlocatie
By Sharon Evers
UTRECHT
A success story: connecting, innovative and sustainable
A magnet for talent, a driver of sustainability. Utrecht is surprisingly versatile. Of course, the nine-century old city is known to everyone for its famous tower, the cultural offer, the tireless conviviality and yet also its very own character. But the city and region in the heart of the country of The Netherlands offers much more. A region that connects, nurtures knowledge and attracts talent, and strives for sustainability and health. It is a MICE destination in the here and now, with plenty of great ambitions for our future.
Unbelievable Utrecht
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Museum Hoge Woerd
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The Utrecht region has made a name for itself as a business destination in recent years. Many successes have been achieved both nationally and internationally. It is not strange. In addition to a very central location, Utrecht has an excellent range of professionals who are committed to making every business meeting – in whatever form – a success.
Tough, raw and urban
Locations with WOW
in addition to the visited location, to give as much inspiration as possible of what the region has to offer.
Prodent Factory
(c)AafkeHolwerdaMuseumFactoryHogeWoerdPhotography UTRECHT
It is useful to first define the boundaries. In this article we are talking about the well-known city with the landmark dome, but also about the surrounding region with many special highlights. Utrecht region is therefore a much broader place for any kind of event. From all the special possibilities on the KNVB (The Royal Dutch Football Association) Campus in beautiful Zeist to meetings in Bunnik.
The Utrecht region has a lot to offer when it comes to unique locations for MICE events. Examples are: urban, talent, museum, sustainable and culture & music. MICE-Benelux recently visited locations that match one of the above themes. In this article you will also find an alternative
Let’s go to the Prodent factory in Amersfoort. This industrial top location - with a parking garage within walking distance - fits very well into the urban theme. Tough, raw, but fully equipped. And if you look closely, you can see the influences of its former function in the
Consider an event at the Conference Hotel Woudschoten or Landgoed Zonheuvel in Doorn. From Soesterberg to Woerden, Amersfoort and of course Utrecht itself. The whole is a beautiful region that together forms the business Visit Utrecht Region, a collaboration of various destination marketing organizations from the region that position the city and region nationally and internationally as an innovative and connecting destination for companies, conferences and talent. The emphasis is on the Life Sciences & Health,
Prodent
Sustainability & Innovation and Digital (IT & Gaming) sectors. In a healthy, inclusive and sustainable way.
The Jaarbeurs is an accelerator of sustainable growth. For customers, visitors and employees. By offering more and more sustainable alternatives
Fun Parcours
and by motivating customers to make sustainable choices. ‘On the road to 2030, we also want to host the most important events and conferences in the field of sustainability. We want to demonstrably help boost and accelerate our sustainability ambitions.’ We find another important sustainable initiative in Woerden. The KAS MeetingEvent location has small and large spaces, informal as well as more business-like and above all has many sustainable initiatives. And they fit within the ambitions of the Utrecht region. KAS is the most sustainable meeting and event location in Woerden.
and achieve them. We go for it, together with you.’ The Jaarbeurs welcomes 2.3 million people every year. With their contribution to sustainability, they directly reach a large target group and can thus exert a positive influence. And then you need a ‘superpower’ like the Jaarbeurs to strengthen Utrecht’s CO2 ambitions. And that’s what happens. Through efficient visitor flows and logistics, through energy from their own solar panels, through green catering, by dealing with waste in a smart way, by maximizing the use of circular materials during exhibition construction: the sustainability ambition is reflected in everything they do. By 2025, the Jaarbeurs already wants to be 50% CO2 neutral. “Where we don’t make it, we will compensate,” it sounds.
Magnet for talent
Jaarbeurs
Sustainability and the ambition of 2030
Everyone knows the enormous Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. A classic for tradeshows, but fully with an eye for the future. The Jaarbeurs in the heart of Utrecht wants to become the most sustainable conference and event location in Europe by 2030, CO2-neutral and, if possible, CO2-positive. They themselves say the following about it: ‘We only make movement when we switch from thinking to doing. Set goals
Accelerators
therefore unique. Large and small, food, drink, business, sports or an event with a full entertainment program, everything is possible. Performing with your organization is also top sport. Just like in football, the strength of the team is central in business life and the success of an organization is determined by the mutual cooperation of the individual players. Together with your (management) team on the KNVB Campus, you will be challenged to deliver a top performance where game insight, creativity, innovation and out-of-the-box thinking are stimulated in a total football experience.
building. The Prodent factory opened its doors in Amersfoort on 27 May 1937. Toothpaste, shoe polish, shampoo and deodorant were produced. After about 80 years, the factory closed. The Prodent factory was taken over in May 2013 by investor and developer Schipper Bosch. The factory subsequently formed the starting point of the De Nieuwe Stad (New City) development project. An innovative micro-city where involved entrepreneurs reinforce each other and where smart ideas and collaborations could arise. Whether you are organizing a conference, workshop, presentation, meeting or party. Together with it’s partners, the Prodent factory organizes events that are tailormade and entirely according to your wishes. This includes catering and the audiovisual aspects, but also decoration and the deployment of hosts. Whatever the wishes, the industrial environment of the venue offers all the elements to make every event a success. And if you are looking for another special location with character and a cool look in the city of Utrecht, you have come to the right place at Werkspoorkathedraal!
Utrecht region is full of talent. The KNVB Campus, for example, is an inspiring event location, located in the woods near Zeist and overlooking the football fields of the ‘Orange’ Dutch national football teams. The ‘wow’ that the KNVB Campus can offer as an event location is
It’s only rock ‘n roll Culture, music and business meetings come together in the Utrecht region. One of the most famous locations is Tivoli Vredenburg. Does an event on the same stage as the Editors, De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig or the London Philharmonic Orchestra played the night before, does that sound like music to your ears? At TivoliVredenburg it is possible! The stage for a conference,
The cultural alternative in the region? Highly recommended is Podium Hoge Woerd (Castellum Hoge Woerd). A very special location! Castellum Hoge Woerd is a reconstruction of a Roman fortress, located
Of course, it doesn’t stop at the sporty experience. The Utrecht region is open to talent and is now a magnet for scientists, athletes, IT professionals and others who like to get the best out of themselves, both at home and abroad. The alternative in the talent category in the city of Utrecht? A good example of this is Utrecht Science Park, where business, industry and academia meet to design and develop healthier, safer and more sustainable cities. That’s mainly due to the aptly named Accelerator that serves as a catalyst for all this talent and knowledge they bring with them. It really makes Utrecht Science Park – popularly known as the Uithof – a place that fits within the ambitions of the Utrecht region.
All aboard A conference location does not have to consist of a room with four walls, a screen, tables and chairs. The region has plenty of options that combine culture with business. The Railway Museum in Utrecht city is one of these locations. It is one of those rare opportunities to use a very attractive-looking museum as a conference venue. The Railway Museum in Utrecht is a museum with a beautiful calling card: the entrance in the historic Maliebaan station. The classic 1874 train station has been restored to its former glory and exudes 19th-century grandeur, complete with marble floors, chandeliers and waiting rooms. On the other side of the track is an impressive modern museum hall in which the entire history of the track can be seen, smelled and felt.
The Railway Museum is not only the Locations visited 1) www.spoorwegmuseum.nl 2) www.tivolivredenburg.nl 3) https://prodentfabriek.nl/ 4) www.knvb.nl 5) www.jaarbeurs.nl UTRECHT Tivoli Vredenburg
Innovation for the next gen
on the exact location of the remains in the ground and has the same circumference and height of the ramparts as the original. A historical place full of archaeological treasures where culture, nature and history come together in a unique way, and therefore has numerous MICE options within the walls of the fortress.
company party, spectacular kick-off or product presentation. TivoliVredenburg has several suitable rooms and locations that are connected to each other. Divided over fifteen different spaces with various vistas, walking routes and an enormous amount of daylight, TivoliVredenburg forms an informal world where people can move freely. As a music temple, this wellknown location also offers great expertise in the audiovisual field: multiple screens, camera registration, together with crystalclear sound and flashing light support the presentation or kick-off. And with a location in the always pleasant city center, there are plenty of options for cultural and social fringe programs.
Museum: National Military Museum Soesterberg
nicest station in the country, it is also one of the more special locations. The combination of classic and modern industrial offers unprecedented
Culture and music: Podium Hoge Woerd (Castellum Hoge Woerd)
The possibilities for an event in the Werkspoorkathedraal are enormous. As a beautiful industrial location for a trade fair, conference or company party for 500 to 3,500 guests, The ‘Apparatenhal’ has almost 6,000 m2, the so-called ‘laundry room’ is ideal for an event for 50 to 250 guests. werkspoorkathedraal.nl
Talent: Accelerator Utrecht Science Park
The theatre hall and the Studio are available for various activities, from (company) presentations to lectures, workshops or inspiration sessions. The rooms are equipped with excellent technical facilities as standard. podiumhogewoerd.nl
At Utrecht Science Park, knowledge institutions, research institutes and companies work together to find new solutions for a longer and healthier life. The location
Sustainable: De Kas Woerden KAS Meeting Event Location is all about inspiration, innovation, collaboration and sustainability. There are no fewer than 14 different rooms for everything, from board meetings to large, corporate (hybrid) events. Eye catchers are the two greenhouses: the ZuidKas and KasXL, both at a height of 15 meters on the rooftop. kaswoerden.nl
Business meeting or team building sessions in an impressive location in the middle of the woods. From a presentation in the F-16 theatre to a festival in the outdoor area. Up to 5000 people. nmm.nl
Spoorwegmuseam
The Alternatives in region and city
‘Accelerator’ is a unique hub with an auditorium, various ‘meet & greet’ facilities, a meeting center and an extensive restaurant, the building offers every opportunity for business events. kadans.com/accelerator
Urban: UtrechtWerkspoorkathedraal
possibilities for a conference, drink, day out, party, presentation or meeting. All in all, many possibilities. For example, large plenary sessions for 1,000 people
with more than fifteen sub-rooms can be organised. Or 3,000 people for a staff day where all attractions are open. The fantastic National Military Museum Soesterberg is of course also a museum option in the region! A place full of adrenaline! Think of an event in the presence of impressive aircraft? The F16 theater already shows what it has to offer in its name and in addition to the locations in the museum, there are many opportunities for large events on the outdoor area of a total of 20,000 m2!
And to conclude, we go back to that cozy amazing city in the heart of the country. For centuries a student city with that beautiful historic city center where it is always a pleasure to spend time on or next to the famous canals, and beyond. That is also Utrecht. Its own atmosphere and its own character. And that applies to all towns and villages in the region. Each has something different to offer. But the special thing is, of course, that the Utrecht region cherishes the rich past but is fully focused on the here and now, with a healthy, sustainable and innovative view of the future. A MICE meeting in Utrecht amply meets the wishes of current and new generations.
OK, I am convinced! you the and where to
interesting speakers from the MICE and business travel industry will shed light on current affairs and trends. The day will be concluded with the wellknown networking drink.
please give me
details
Can
register? - 20Helene Visser AndréJorindeRaymonSchomakersHoningsSchouten BTMF Event Information Date: Monday, 26 September 2022 Time: 14:00 to 21:00 Location: Gooiland Hotel in Hilversum Address: Emmastraat 3, 1211 NG Hilversum More info on www.btmf.nl
Join us at BTMF 2022 PROGRAM Monday, 26 September 2022 | Hotel Gooiland Hilversum Well awesome, happy to see you soon! You can register at www.btmf.nl and this is our programme. 14:00 – 14:30 Welcome and start exhibition floor ‘Meet the World’ 14:00 – 18:00 Start breakout sessions 18:30 – 20:00 Drinks and walking dinner 20:00 – 21:00 Networking and drinks 21:00 End of BTMF Break-out sessions: 14:30 – 14:50 Visit Brussels with Helene Visser 15:00 – 15:20 CLC-VECTA with Raymon Honings & We Insure with André Schomakers 15:30 – 15:50 MasterMatch with Jorinde Schouten (and more surprises to come…) Why?... I am so very very busy… Well let us try and convince you! MICE professionals, the business travel industry and corporate visitors are informed and inspired by the range of destinations, convention agencies, airlines, airports, hotels, conference/ meeting locations, event agencies and so on. A unique mix of providers under one roof. And your peers, networkfriends, and many others that you may not have spoken since the start of pandemic. And who knows, the love of your life. But probably not, let’s not push it. Ok, tempting, what else? In addition to a trade fair floor,
TravelSpirit has years of experience in the travel industry and has proven itself many times as a reliable software partner. Their specific knowledge can be found in the software products and just as importantly, in the specific guidance. The
Nordic Travel
The cold is very hot. Nordic Travel is the specialist for great adventures.ScandinavianWhohas not dreamed about a trip to Lapland with their team? It is what magic is made off. Snow scooters, huskies, the warm fire place after a
Oh beautiful Switzerland. The Alpine country has been a giant in hosting mice-groups for many many years. That is not strange. Because every region has different unique selling points and the hospitality and friendliness
of the Swiss is legendary. The always active tourist office can keep you up to date with the latest innovations and is an ideal point of contact for every mice trip to this wonderful country.
Creating hype for weeks thanks to an invitation and travel app in one? Discover new kid on the block: Hintle. With hints they are innovating on bonding fun, while travelcollectingimmediatelyAVGcompliantdatasuchas
SWITZERLAND
TRAVELSPIRIT
day in the wonderland.winterThere is so much to discover. Nordic Travel has many years of experience and is your trusted parter for the adventure of a lifetime.
charm. And of course nature is everywhere for the best team activities. Wallonia offers its own and unique interpretation at a very short distance for every meeting or business outing. What a wonderful destination!
passport data and dietary needs. You can share the room layout, program, and check-in details in style with the individual traveler. You set the margin, which makes Hintle an new revenue model.
Meet Latvia
EXHIBITORS - 21 -
TravelSpirit systems go through a very thorough period of research,preparation,development and testing Sustainabilityphases.and striving for optimal values.satisfactioncustomerarethebasic
Visit Wallonia
Very close to home and yet completely different. The great enjoyment often starts with the southern neighbors and where better than Wallonia. Here we find nice cities with modern architecture but also historic districts full of
HINTLE
MEET OUR EXHIBITORS!
Latvia has been making a name for itself as a special mice location for years. A unique place, compact, easily accessible and with a very modern offer for all kinds of live and hybrid events. It is not surprising that the Dutch and Belgian mice-professional is increasingly able to find their way to this nice country with a great diversity of possibilities, at a short distance. Nature, culture, history, culinary, hip and trendy and everything is all very professional. Come on over and Meet Latvia
has 15 luxury hotels all over France, great for any kind of meeting, but also in New York, Marrakech and St Barth. Great hotels that make for very activities.mice-meetingsprofessionaland
Just a stone’s throw from both Utrecht and Amsterdam, yet in the characteristic Dutch
Hard to miss this issue. A six page cover story about the region of Utrecht. But of course it is best to meet them and some of their partners in person. As we do in our business. Utrecht is a region that connects, nurtures knowledge and attracts talent, and strives for sustainability and health. It is a MICE destination in the here and now, with plenty of great ambitions for the future. The Utrecht region has made a name for itself as a business destination in recent years. Many successes have been achieved both nationally and internationally. It is not strange. In addition to a very central location, Utrecht has an excellent range of professionals who are committed to making every business meeting –in whatever form – a success. Now go and meet them, you will not regret it!
Barrio Life
Barrio Life organizes tours with accommodationsauthentic to Morocco, southern Spain and Portugal. They can be called real specialists and have expertise in the three countries. In this way they can offer the most beautiful places and they advise as
Barriere Hotels
Utrecht
tailor-made specialists how best to map out your trip. Your clients will visit places where other travelers do not go. They have a wonderful number of programs for incentive or group travel.
countryside, Buitenplaats Kameryck is an ideal location to escape the delusions of everyday life. If you would BuitenplaatsdescribeKameryck in one word, it would be ‘space’. You will not only find the space outside but also inside the modern event rooms. Buitenplaats Kameryck is therefore the ideal location for all forms of mice.
Are you looking for a suitable location for a quick brainstorm, longer training sessions with a number of teams, inspirationconference,multi-dayaprivatedinnerordo you want to go big with an inspiring event with talks and music? Carlton President Hotel in Utrecht specializes in facilitating all shapes and sizes related to the exchange of knowledge or ideas. Whatever resultsfor,momentssnacksambiance,atmosphere,pricelevel,ormeetingyouarelookingtheyensurethatyourareachieved.
nature, active, inspiring, fashionable or culinary. It’s just a few keywords that come to mind. Get to know one of the most loved countries for a wonderful mice journey. On y va?
Atout France
Buitenplaats Kameryck
Atout France is a ‘regular’ at the BTMF. The French Tourism Office is of course an excellent gathering place to learn about a truly huge choice of mice options that the vast country has to offer. Urban,
Carlton President Hotel
EXHIBITORS
Staying at a Barrière hotel means experiencing a variety of pleasures and satisfying your every desire. Our hotels offer a new experience to enjoy, created with elegance, sensuality, indulgence and conviviality…Barriere Hotels
priority airport services that put you first and loyalty benefits, SkyTeam and its 18 members will get you to your destination with ease. They also have a very useful team for all business solutions.
Hungary
Room Mate Hotels
Travelmediate is a young, dynamic, driven DMC representation team. They are a specializedb2bwithrepresentationinternationalleadingcompany,6officesinthemaintravelmarketsandareinleisureand
incentive groups. Working with them means you can expect to be introduced to the most reliable, creative and transparent partners at your destination. With more than 15 years experience they currently cover 7 local markets.
Travelmediate
Welcome to Golden Rock Resort on St Eustatius, one of the last hidden secrets in the Caribbean. Combining comfort, fun and relaxation and modernsqsuitesTheymice-possibilities.offer32roomsandrangingfrom40-80metersincludingfinishesand
SkyTeam
Whether you are an organizer or a participant: Air France KLM Global Meetings & Events is your right hand and partner at every conferencecongress,orseminar. For the organization of events anywhere in the world,
Golden Rock Resort
Room Mate Hotels is something special. They make you feel like being at a friends’ house. Room Mate is thinking like their guests, also for mice. ‘We totally understand the importance of customizing every meeting and event. Each one is completely different, and we are so ready to start organizing! To make every event pop, we have developed the figure of the Events Manager, who will delightfully help you with the planning, and make sure your event goes flawless.’
in Europe, the diverse landscape, the rich culture, the high-end gastronomy and long-lasting wine traditions next to the folklore and couleur local really make it an attractive destination.
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The popularity of Hungary for business tourism, events and incentives grew during the years. There is also a growing interest however for the rest of the country, outside of the capital. The central location
KLM and Air France formed a passionate team: Global Meetings & Events. The team supports you with all your special event travel needs. Thanks to this team, event organizers benefit from many advantages.
Air France – KLM
unparalleled ocean views. Mice? Two state of the art convertible boardrooms of 60sqm each offer the ideal setting for small executive gatherings of 15 to 20 people.
Wherever your journey takes you, travel with peace of mind knowing that SkyTeam is working to deliver a experienceseamlessatevery step. With smootherinnovationindustry-leadingdrivingconnectivity,
Paloma Hotels
as much for leisure guests as it does for business travelers. It’s in the stunning tulip field region and close to a long, sandy beach. Transport-wise,
you’re an easy drive away from Leiden and Schiphol Airport. The hotel has 513 rooms. They also have a huge choice of meetings rooms, as well as an à la carte restaurant and a selection of bars.
Paloma has many wonderful hotels under the Turkish sun. Elevate the atmosphere, spend your precious time with efficiency. Choose one of their hotels for your next meeting, seminar and conference organizations.
Corinthia St George’s Bay Malta... a place where the pursuit of happiness is top priority. A monument to the slow delights of island life, where the welcome is as warm as the sun-baked terraces. Skilled in the art of hospitality, the employees are passionate
NH Leeuwenhorst
about delivering nothing short of excellence. Your meeting requirements, your event requests and your business needs are all taken care of by the diligent team. They have 14 meeting rooms and space for up to 550 people
EXHIBITORS
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Noordwijk offers ‘a sea’ of conference and meeting space. Coastal Noordwijk is compact and safe, charming and versatile. In the midst of untouched natural beauty. A local experience on an international level. The luxury of 4 and 5 star hotels within walking distance,
large and conferencesmallerfacilities and unique, atmospheric and historic meeting locations nearby. Relax after a busy day with an activity on the beach, a bike ride through the dunes or while enjoying a drink or dinner in one of the cozy beach clubs.
The NH LeeuwenhorstConferenceNoordwijkCentrehotel works
Corinthia St George’s Bay
Create the ideal event with help from the hotel’s top planning talent. Book your meeting or conference at Paloma Hotels and take advantage their special group rates.
Noordwijk
see the guarantee scheme of SGRZ. In addition, from 1 July 2018, SGRZ offers retail coverage to SGR retailers who purchase travel from a tour operator that has SGRZ Retail coverage. This concerns an internal insurance. Meet them at BTMF!
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SGRZ
Visit Brussels
The internation chain Thon Hotels has five hotels and three aparthotels in Brussels. Four of the hotels as well as the furnished apartments are located in Brussels city centre. You can find another hotel close to Brussels Airport. It is ideal for mice in Brussels with over 40 meeting rooms in total from 2 to 460 people!
has soared to greater heights as a leading global airline. Customers have been calling us the “Wings of the People” over the past half a century.’ Great seats, service and network and many options for Business Travel.
Accueil & Traditions, Brussels
As a meeting place, as a business destination, or as a backdrop for your incentive or team building activity… Brussels offers opportunities for every organizer, with numerous unique locations and skilled local suppliers. Visit. brussels is ready to accompany you in your activities. The new guidebook ‘Let’s Meet in Brussels 2022’ gives you an overview of what the capital has to offer in terms of BrusselsMICE.
Thon Hotels
Singapore Airlines
A well-known and wonderful airline that also flies from Amsterdam to Seoul and destinationsmanyand beyond. In 2019, Korean Air celebrated its 50th anniversary. ‘With the love of our customers and trust of our nation, Korean Air
Korean Air
SGRZ is a guarantee fund for the business market. SGRZ offers a guarantee against insolvency of providers of group and incentive travel (MICE), school trips and business travel. The clients of these trips are Forcompanies,companies,groups,etc.theexactconditions,
Amsterdam to Singapore and many destinations from there as well. The Singapore Girl is of course a global warm face and indicative of the high service levels you can expect on board. But as we all know, the award winning 5 star SkyTrax airline is a safe and very comfortable bet for any kind of business travel!
has all the assets to strengthen professional contacts and create longterm opportunities.business The city is fully committed to technological innovation and sustainability. In addition, Brussels is also the ideal place for cultural and culinary experiences. The multicultural character of its inhabitants and businesses, the wide network of InforthathashybridaintoBrusselsseason.destination,Brusselslivelyleisureassociations,internationalthemanyhotspotsandthecitydistrictsmaketheperfectwhateverthehasquicklygrownatruehybridhub,withrangeofpossibilitiesforevents.Thecitynowaboutfortylocationshavestudiofacilitieshigh-qualitystreaming.addition,thereareof
At the heart of every great event is a travel partner who understands your needs, and makes it all happen behind the scenes. From connectionsseamlessthrough their global hub to the awardwinning service in the air and on the ground, you can count on us to take your next event to greater heights. This is what Singapore Airlines can do for business meetings. Of course also flying from
course also a lot of reliable AV partners who can also facilitate streaming or video meetings in other places. All this makes for a dynamic platform for all kinds of initiatives. Come and meet them and their partners!
‘A & T’ has the pleasure to introduce you to their different institutions that are located on the Grand Place of Brussels (and its surroundings) and that are grouped under the name “Accueil et Traditions” Every day, on “the most beautiful place on earth”, we work to give you good moments in unforgettableourhouses. We make sure that your drinks, dinner, banquets and stays are a party with a view on the Grand Place of Brussels.
It is also a city were different cultures mix since centuries. From Wawel, the King’s castle overlooking the Vistula river, it’s
This all applies to the business tourism sector, as in Kraków the modern infrastructure of congress centres and hotels goes hand in hand with the beautiful, unique interiors of museums, palaces, venues for special events. Only in recent years it has hosted seminal events, such as UNESCO’s 41st session of the World Heritage Committee and 15th World Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities, as well as a wide range of medical congresses of diverse subject matter.
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The second you pass the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate, you’ll find yourself in a completely different world: the oldest part of Kraków, which somehow survived the turmoil of war. Every elegant, stylish building here has a story to tell. Kraków boasts some of the best and priceless collections in Poland. The National Museum in Wawel, the
ADVERTORIAL
Jagiellonian University Museum, the Jewish Museum, and Oscar Schindler’s factory and the Rynek Underground Museum are only some of the museums available to visit.
Kraków is one of the best recognizable cities in this part of Europe. It is a city of art and a city of museums, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Kraków is a city of kings; it has been Poland’s spiritual capital for centuries, and today it is the centre of the country’s cultural capital. Currently, Kraków is the artistic and intellectual centre of Poland, and one of the most popular tourist spots in Europe.
onSpotlightKraków
Modern infrastructure
just a short walk to the Kazimierz district, the Jewish epicentre of Krakow for over 500 years, which today cultivates its strong Jewish tradition.
DESTINATION POLAND
Creative Kraków enters into dialogue with traditional Kraków in many waysshowing that innovation, the avantgarde and alternative can happily coexist in a city usually associated with history.
MEETING GUIDE is an introduction to the conference and events potential of Poland. It contains information about the best and most highly recommended venues and service providers operating in Poland, as well as the top spots and ideas for incentive travel, and finally, studios for hybrid meetings & virtual events.
POLAND CONVENTION BUREAU is a governmental institution - a division of the Polish Tourism Organisation – and a partner when planning an event or a meeting in Poland ranging from association congresses, corporate meetings to incentive convention/newshttps://www.pot.gov.pl/en/poland-travels.
• The 19th European AIDS Conference (#EACS2023) will be organised from 18-21 October 2023 in Warsaw, a significant cultural, political, and economic hub of
Poland is getting on with business as usual
• In November 2022 Krakow will be the host of the 61st ICCA Congress. Hosting the International Congress and Convention Association is a huge success not only for the city of Kraków, but for the entire country.
• Łódź will be the host city of the largest European aviation forum, Routes Europe 2023. Next year, about 1,200 airline industry delegates, as well as cities, regions and tourist organizations from all over Europe, will come to Łódź.
A rich and diverse array of accommodation facilities awaits tourists coming to Kraków. Guests visiting Kraków have almost 190 hotels to their disposal. Among them there are hotels belonging to international hotel networks including Holiday Inn, Sheraton, Radisson, AC Marriot, Hilton MERCURE, Best Western, Puro, Novotel. There are also small boutique hotels with unique and stylish interiors providing world-class services and facilities.
• ICE Kraków Congress Center: Kraków’s flagship business and cultural venue, with over 1000 events organized already.
Congress venues
Despite the complicated situation in Europe, Poland foresees several major events in coming months
EXPO KRAKÓW: perfect for fairs and exhibitions.
Central and Eastern Europe.
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New congress centres and original interiors of historic buildings can provide services and add the appropriate prestige to each event. Kraków has a welldeveloped congress and conference infrastructure with 3 leading venues:
• TAURON Arena Kraków: the largest sports and entertainment complex in Poland and at the same time one of the most modern venues of its kind in the •world.
The VUCA reality is challenging. Maybe your risk management protocols prevent you from holding an event in a neighbouring country to Ukraine even if you wanted to. Nevertheless, it is important to underline there’s no war in Poland. The country is getting on with business as usual. In the recently announced 2022 ICCA Ranking, it moved up to 18th place globally. It is a positive fact that Poland has been maintaining a strong position in the ranking. What contributed to this result is the well-known congress
cities, or the so-called first choices (Warsaw - 49 meetings, Kraków - 45 meetings), as well as the second (Poznań - 15 meetings, Gdańsk - 13 meetings, Wrocław - 12 meetings, Łódź - 6, Katowice - 2).
Accommodation
In total, the number of hotel rooms in Kraków exceeds 12 308, 22 758 beds. Additionally, there are almost 1900 apartments and hostels in the city, offering 30 577 beds.
Big names in architecture have been part of the metamorphosis with the CMA CGM tower by Zaha Hadid; Arenc Quays by Jean Nouvel Yves Lion, Jean-Baptiste Pietri and Roland Carta; Mucem by Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta; the Regional Mediterranean Centre by Stefano Boeri and designed by Massimiliano Fuksas from Euromed Center. These designers increase Marseille’s international reach and give it a new skyline that stands out for bold and contemporary architecture.
Docks have been overhauled by the Euroméditerranée (major state planning and economic development project) to unveil new spaces such as Mucem and its large esplanade, Les Halles de la Major and more.
Revive your senses
The Orange Velodrome stadium and a new tram line to the city centre have transformed Marseille’s southern neighbourhoods.Thisarea’surban layout was designed by British architect
MARSEILLE
European Capital of Culture European Capital of Culture in 2013, Marseille has brought in the best architects to become a modern and dynamic city. The Old Port won an award at the London Royal Academy
A new city with a modern look Marseille has drawn on its past to look to the future and is surfing an unprecedented wave of construction.
A magical and spectacular natural site, 2600 years of fascinating history, the charm of picturesque areas, an idyllic climate and great ease of access. That, in a nutshell, is why Marseille is among the top 5 of conference cities in France.
Expect direct flights, a range of hotels, fun activities, history and culture, shopping, inventive gastronomy, natural gems true to the contrasts between past and present.
FosterNormanandFrenchlandscaperMichelDesvigne.The
transformation came from making part of the Old Port pedestrianised and founding the 6m high “L’Ombrière” which has become a serious 1000m² tourist Theattraction.city’s
By Bart Matthijs
In Marseille !
• city of the Sailing & Football the Olympic Paralympic
We meet Maxime Tissot , general manager AixMarseille Provence Convention Bureau, at the Aix Provence Summer Event at The Nine in Brussels.
of Urbanism’s prestigious City Awards. Visitors can stroll from the Old Port to Mucem (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations) and soak up Marseille’s metamorphosis. Just a few minutes away, Terrasses du Port shopping centre provides 2600m² of terraces and walkways along the Mediterranean. The Silo, a former grain silo, has been turned into a 2000-seater concert venue with a cocktail room. Amazing buildings designed by the best architects of our time now share the Marseillelandscape.is
The number of MICE venues have also increased enormously.
Society for
Congress on
Rugby World Cup
Congress of
Maxime Tissot (Aix-Marseille Provence Convention Bureau) & Daniela Jorge-Rouault (Atout France Belgium).
Water sports tourism
Aix-Marseille Provence Convention Bureau
2023
heaving with monuments: Notre Dame de la Garde, Palais de la Bourse… Picture-perfect places: Le Panier old town, L’Estaque port, Les Goudes… New museums: the Museum of Decorative Arts, Fashion and Ceramics in Château Borély, Regards de Provence Museum in the former quarantine centre
• the Neurobiology
“The total hotel capacity of the city of Marseille today is 9761 rooms, spread over 133 hotels. Fifteen years ago, we had about 4500 hotel rooms. Today, we have doubled that number.”
Orange Vélodrome
•
events of
Right in the center of Marseille, only a few minutes from the Mediterranean sea, the Orange Vélodrome offers a 365 days per year hospitality experience. Home to the French football club Olympique de Marseille, the stadium also hosts a wide range of corporate events, in the most unique setting possible, from workshops with 10 people to 5,000-guest summits.
This allowed the city to welcome many new hotel brands and concepts?
- ECCN
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Host
Annual Conference of
• European Clinical Neurophysiology
Biology – FESPB
“Absolutely. Thanks to the fact that Marseille was the European Capital of Culture in 2013, we were able to attract many international hotel brands. In 2013, we organized more than 400 major events. Among others, we welcomed Radisson Blu and InterContinental to our city. We have become more international while remaining authentic.”
2024
and and
Games
“After the covid crisis, we are looking for additional staff in all areas of the hospitality industry. The city and the region are organizing job dating events to convince people to work in our beautiful profession. In terms of MICE business, 2022 will be a top year in any case, better than 2019, which was also a record year.”
“That is correct. Marseille has an excellent range of MICE venues. Of course we have the big venues such as the Parc Chanot (Parc des Expositions de Marseille) or the Orange Vélodrome, but there are also many typical, more intimate places worth to be discovered. The offer has really diversified!”
• the Federation of European Societies of Plant
Any things that could be improved?
Marseille’s coastline spans 57km and is home to one of the world’s most beautiful harbours. The sea, coast and islands in Marseille burst with heritage and make the city a world capital for water sports tourism. There are bags of ideas to hit the water with sports such as diving, windsurfing, funboarding, kayaking, sailing and more.
of Language – SNL
built by Fernand Pouillon… Historical sites: Palais du Pharo, Le Corbusier and more.
What is Marseille’s existing hotel offer and how has it evolved in recent years?
Major events
IMEX
Speaking after the closing press conference, IMEX Group CEO, Carina Bauer said: ‘It’s clearly been a great week for our global industry. The show was imbued with a sense of camaraderie and celebration, and it felt good to be back together in the same room - that’s the feeling our industry thrives on and is
IMEX’s inhouse design studio succeeded in making a huge hall feel homely, comforting, accessible and ‘good for the soul.’ Attendees commented on the level of investment and care that had gone into crafting this special space, which included three branded education theatres, Forest, Ocean and Canyon; the hosted buyer lounge; food court, private ‘nook’ pods, Media Zone and more. For the first time, MPI and ICCA also offered education and a series of hot topic meetups in Hall 9.
IMEX and the new realitybusiness
‘The future looks bright’
Over in Hall 9, IMEX’s focus on an improved show experience was impossible to miss, leaving many attendees gasping ‘wow’ as they entered the hall. A feast for the eyes with its colorful rainbow road, grassy Central Park surrounded by cabin-style food trucks, trees and abundant live plants, Hall 9 expressed the IMEX team’s commitment to biophilia (our innate human affinity with the natural world). The design team at suppliers, Fair Services, together with
CEO
Throughout the IMEX education programme, many presentations focused on future trends, current behaviours and changes to ‘industry norms’. Shorter sales cycles; an emphasis on sustainability; niche, highly targeted events plus shorter meetings and events are all forecast, and desired by attendees. Wellness is now front and centre, with a change in the story: an end-to-end duty of care to attendees, including consideration for their mental health, rather than
a traditional focus on smoothies for breakfast or morning yoga, although both are expected too. IMEX saw an excellent attendance of around 9000 in the halls this week, including close to 3000 buyers, of which the majority were hosted. Exhibiting companies numbered 2300.
Show experience
The first IMEX in Frankfurt since 2019 proved to be a momentous occasion for the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry this week. It was marked by an outpouring of camaraderie, celebration and, most importantly, business. After our usual great train ride by comfortable high speed ICE to Frankfurt, the show was about to bring people back together. Finally!
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By Tijn Kramer
They were all there again. Well most of them. The Dutch, the Belgians, our hosted buyers and a world full of micepossibilities. It was high time to meet, everyone agreed. The business is getting back on it’s feet!
The demands on the industry to innovate to meet the changed needs of the business climate were addressed through some of the 150+ education sessions. Innovation can be facilitated through collaboration as Matthias Schultze, Managing Director of the GCB German Convention Bureau, explained in his session Innovating business events through open innovation and collaboration. A session by Scooter Taylor, co-founder of West Peek, dived into the world of the metaverse, exploring its power as a platform to drive community. “We all want to belong – but how do you engage people in an event if they’re unable to be there in person? This is where the metaverse comes in,” he explained. Scooter then guided the audience through a university gala he held in the metaverse. He emphasized the importance of offering an inclusive experience that’s creative and fresh: “Put a new spin on historical formats”, he advised.
Confidence
Innovation through collaboration
IMEX America, which returns to Las Vegas October 10 – 13, is set to address the new needs of the industry head on, bringing together the global business events community in a four-day event designed to deliver a tailored, targeted and enjoyable business experience. Just two months after registration opened, over 3,000 global buyers have so far confirmed their participation. Likewise, there has been strong demand from suppliers from an early stage, with international exhibitors returning to the show in force. This includes all the major hotel groups such as Associated Luxury Hotels International, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Hilton, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International.
Joining them are a host of major global destinations from across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East such as: Abu Dhabi, Australia, Bahamas, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Dubai, Greece, Hawaii, Ireland, Switzerland, Turkey and New Zealand.
Coming soon IMEX Las Vegas
as Daniel Reid, Assistant Vice President, Global Sales (Europe) at Shangri-La Group, explains: “So far, we’ve had six solid business enquiries for multiple large groups, including a 200-person event for Google in Tokyo in November, a Herbalife event for 250 people in 2023, and another event needing 300 rooms for ten days in April 2023. We’ve met with many high quality, serious buyers.”
The strong pipeline of events continues across the show floor
At my meeting with Ireland for example, we discussed the possibility of an incentive around Ryder Cup returning in 2027.”
motivated by. We’ve heard about some huge contracts being signed and masses of business deals being done. All the indicators suggest that 2023 and 2024 are going to be very good years for our industry. However, we can’t deny the challenges of a new business reality – labour shortages, travel disruptions, supply chain issues. However, planners are resourceful, adaptable and determined by nature. They’ve learned a lot and I sense a strong determination to rebuild, but on new foundations. Equally, suppliers are doing their level best to flex and respond. The future looks bright.’
For many of the buyers coming from around the world, the show represents a chance to discover how destinations and venues have evolved. Tess Di Iorio, a hosted buyer from Imagine Experience in the US, explains: “I’m interested in unique locations for incentive events and it’s been a joy to see how many places have blossomed. I’ve met with Dubai and Ireland among others, and hearing their stories means I now have tangible content with which to engage my clients.
SWITZERLAND
MeetingSwitzerlandTrophy
Experts who organise conferences and seminars are regularly invited to take part in study trips in Switzerland. But this original and professional type of promotion has never been applied in the field of conference and seminar tourism marketing anywhere in Europe. The Switzerland Meeting Trophy allows participants to get to know Switzerland in a fun way while offering partners (destinations and service providers) who work with Switzerland Tourism an opportunity to establish new contacts.
Be part of a national team and win the Switzerland Meeting Trophy Represent your country at the Switzerland Meeting Trophy! Compete against other meeting planners from all over the world in this race across Switzerland. This challenge is designed to
Chaplin’s
World (c) Mattias Nutt
Switzerland Meeting Trophy is for many event professionals the favourite trip of the year and certainly one of the best ways to experience what Switzerland can offer. It is safe to say that this great event is becoming a must do in summer. Switzerland Meeting Trophy, a fun and unconventional rally through Switzerland!
And speaking of another one who delivered - Switzerland did! The destination keeps showing up in its full glory, this time traveling from mountains through the countryside, to lake resorts and cities, all whilst the seven international teams were able to sample and appreciate the wealth of leisure opportunities, the quality of meeting facilities and breathtaking nature that Switzerland offers in one package.
be fun and informative – you will travel by car, bus, train, boat and on foot, while discovering the many venues Switzerland has to offer. The goal may be to win, but the reward for all participants is a greater understanding of Switzerland’s meeting destinations.
Programme of the 16th Switzerland Meeting Trophy.
Discover the tremendous potential that Switzerland offers!
of the UN and headquarter of the Red Cross is known as the capital of peace. Geneva has the facilities and expertise to ensure the success of any conference or incentive trip. A rich cultural life, superb cuisine and a beautiful location on Lake Geneva, all add to the city’s timeless charm.
Situated at 1300 m, on a sunny southfacing terrace high above the Rhone valley, the holiday resort of Villars-surOllon in the heart of the Vaud Alps enjoys breathtaking views of the Dents-duMidi and the Mont Blanc massif and as far as Lake Geneva. Villars offers an international ambience, with guests of all ages – there are several exclusive private schools located here.
From the lake to the mountains and vineyards, Montreux Riviera offers a postcard landscape. It’s an authentic little piece of paradise that has attracted many artists, writers, and travellers in search of beauty, tranquillity, and inspiration. Situated between Lake Geneva and the Alps, amidst vineyards and palm trees, the Montreux Riviera offers an extraordinary setting to stage unforgettable events only one hour from Geneva airport. Unique event locations and a large choice of activities make the
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Embedded between nearby Alpine peaks and the hilly terrain of the Jura, the French-speaking city of Geneva lies in the bay where the Rhone leaves Lake Geneva. With its humanitarian tradition and cosmopolitan flair, the European seat
More information Switzerland Convention & incentive Bureau: Belgium & Luxembourg: Myriam Winnepenninckx T +32 (0)2 345 83 57 E MySwitzerland.com/meetingsETLisetteThemyriam.winnepenninckx@switzerland.comNetherlands:VanDolderen,+31(0)206209229,lisette.vandolderen@switzerland.com
Chillon Castle Mattias Nutt
Meet up with international agencies, contact professional, efficient and reliable business partners in Switzerland, and take advantage of an outstanding opportunity to network and exchange know-how. A tightly organised programme will provide you with new incentive ideas and show you exciting new venues for your next meeting, kick-off event or product launch.
Villars
Geneva
Chalet RoyAlp Hotel Mattias Nutt
Montreux
Objective of the Switzerland Meeting Trophy
The Switzerland Meeting Trophy is a customer-oriented event with a clear focus: showcasing Switzerland as a year-round meeting & incentive destination with a proven commitment to sustainability.
The start was in Villars, the mountain village. The 2nd stop in Montreux, the capital of music. The 3rd stop in Lausanne, the Olympic capital. The 4th and last stop in Geneva, the capital of peace.
Montreux Riviera the ideal destination for seminars and incentive trips.
After scanning a QR-code, travellers will find your clues via push notifications or email in the Hintle app. The event is customer branded and private. Do not share the event or destination just yet, let’s keep the attendees guessing! We speak to Germain Miedema, the founding enthusiast of Hintle.
trip. Before any event, there is a great opportunity to lay the foundations of the success to be had. It all starts with the invitation, the excitement of what is to come. Welcome to Hintle, a journey full of surprises leading up to any event.
For whom is Hintle?
Dropping some hints, helps to start the journey start weeks sooner. Creating prefun and anticipation. That is what a new company called Hintle does very well. Once you have your event all set, think of Hintle to start the pre-excitement. Hintle arranges invitations in various ways. The first hint is sent physical via a box, card or digitally.
Excited?
Via Hintle you can create a buzz around the event for weeks leading up to it, even
They say half the fun is pre-fun, right?
Very popular is our secret invitation box. You receive it via physical mail, and once opened starts with lots of confetti and
Our audience is anyone who organizes an event, either a one-day company event or a trip that takes several days. Quite often once it is all arranged, that is just that until the actual event. That is where Hintle comes in. With our app and – if wanted personalized – website you create an foundation of hype for the event. Hintle upgrades the element of surprise, even if you dont want to keep it a secret until the end. As an organizer, you can be as creative as in what you want to share. Be it hints, be it company information, and even gathering the necessities such as GDPR proof passport information and dietary wishes. It is a one-stop website and app for the event that the organizing event planner can add as a very easy to use tool.
Make the most of your event with Hintle
longer lasting than the event itself. Any event is an investment, and Hintle helps you to spread out the excitement, making it a great way to already communicate beforehand without it getting boring. Through the fun we want to create deeper connections.
Can you tell me about the ways you do this?
Why Hintle?
Go to www.hintle.com or visit Hintle at BTMF.
the Hint reveal-app for invitees. Just use the QR code and you are on the page where the fun starts. Or use a so called ‘secret invitation card’, a classic double postcard with again our Hint reveal-app for invitees and various hints for a surprising experience. A full digital invitation is available too.
The art surpriseof
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The client has final control of it all. Yes, there are many possibilities. We do not organize events or incentives, the client or their organizer does - although we are happy to suggest, think along and so on. We offer the message, the way to better communicate and spread out the excitement and add to your return on investment. At Hintle you deserve the podium. Because whether you are surprising or surprised, one thing is certain: you are worth looking at, celebrating, and thanking. We do everything we can to give millions of people the same feeling and share your beautiful gesture.
INFOTORIAL
In moretherebusinessmice-theisalwaysthanjustthe
Transition
an optimistic and positive person but we all know that this year might be the year of the truth. Because not all companies will survive. Let’s face the truth! It also impacts me, I can’t say that my business is flourishing on its peak, far from that. And I know many can relate to my situation unfortunately. Ok, I have to admit, I haven’t worked full time the entire year like I used to do, but still.
Mariska Kesteloo
Onindustry.theother
With all the love of the world I would like to keep the talent that we have but perhaps it’s good that we rethink our personal and professional career and perhaps choose another path. And that we find fantastic people to refresh and boost our industry and take it to the next level and get the recognition we deserve!
I created different revenue streams, and decided to focus, next to my company, more on public speaking and supporting entrepreneurs who are faced with loss and grief. A new path that would never ever cross my mind, even just a year ago.
COLUMN
I’m very curious about the young leaders forum, what kind of students and young people will attend. What do they think about our industry? Are they determined to find a job in our industry?
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Up to Slovenia, exploring a new country. I will attend Conventa, the tradeshow for suppliers and planners focused on Central Europe.
Spending the summer at my fathers’ place, it’s time to move on. Time to hit the road again with my camper and cat after a short break of 6 weeks. Moving on at different levels of my life.
hand, we desperately need new talent to attract to our industry, to do things differently. But it’s not the most attractive industry during these times. Am I too critical? I don’t think
I’mso.
What I will do is to promote our industry with the passion and love that I have. And to give them the support they need. Moreover, it is possible to work and to live in a camper and to work from any place in the world.
I’m going to speak for the Future Leaders Forum to encourage the young generation. But let’s admit, our industry is in a challenging situation. I have spoken lately with many different people working in several countries and the situation is far from optimistic. If we speak about the lead time (much shorter), the lack of (qualified) staff, inflation rate, the hesitation to confirm projects on the long term, problems at airports and many many other elements that have a huge influence on our
Mariska columnistKesteloo,
I can honestly say, it’s time to move on, for all of us. I’m not there yet where I want to be, my energy, focus, memory and lots of other things are still impacted by my grieving process. Never thought that it would last so long (yes, I’m a bit naive).
Slovenia, here I come!
and
- the
cities 08.09 –
- the
This could be an interesting angle for your next MICE event! Paris, Lille, Lyon, Saint-Etienne, Nice, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Nantes are all surprisingly great MICE destinations. Beside the special cultural heritage and delicious gastronomy, they all have innovation and sustainable tourism high on their agenda, which means that the choice of original
The Olympic Games will be held mainly within the city of Paris itself, with lots of museums and monuments to be used as a location for the sports performances.
A special Internet site was created for MICE professionals, on which you can find MICE locations for events you would like to organise during the Olympic or Paralympic Games: bienvenue2024.paris.fr/en
Greenonlocationexp.com/olympics/parisPolicy
planted in the city.
ADVERTORIAL
Olympic Games
/ 28.08 –
Thanks to the country’s geographical diversity, you will be able to choose whatever pleases you for your next MICE trips: seaside/coastline, mountains, the charming ‘campagne’ and vibrant cities. Combined with a great infrastructure, several important cities will host large international sports events in the coming 19.02.2023 Rugby 9 French 28.10.2023 Olympic Paralympic 11.08.2024 08.09.2024
Atout France will organize this autumn and next spring a series of Learning Expeditions in some of these cities for the international MICE sector as part of their recovery campaigns.
The municipality of Paris has been pursuing an active green policy for years. You can already find 352 km of cycling paths in the city, and you can enjoy a 11.5km-walk on a former railroad. And before 2026, 170.000 more trees will be
Looking for inspiration and great MICE ideas for your next event in France? Please check showcase/france-cvbhttps://www.linkedin.com/ or meet us at the Business Traveller & MICE Fair.
The Seine will host the largest opening ceremony of the Olympic Games©Paris 2024
World Cup in
To discover the city in a more sustainable way, there are lots of options. Thematical and original walking tours for example, that will surprise your clients (Paris on the Way, Promenade des Sens, Paris pour un jour). Why not try a running tour (Run run tours). But also, on a (E)bike you can discover the secrets of Paris (Paris à vélo, Paris Bike Tour, Holland bikes, Paris Charms & Secrets). For those who are a little less sporty, don’t worry and jump on the electric hop on hop off Tootbus, try the e-2CV trips of 4 Roues sous 1 Parapluie or go on board on one of the electrical boats’ tours (Ducasse sur Seine, Green River Cruises, Marin d’eau douce).
Discover France in electric 2CV©J. Kramer
Games in Paris and other cities and regions 26.07 –
MICE locations has become larger during the last years.
-years:theAlpine World Ski Championships in Méribel/Courchevel 06.02 –
If you are looking for hospitality services on site, you can contact the official agency:
MICE in France: sportive and green
NEWS www .micebenelux.com
incentive insurance. As a full member of CLC-VECTA, the members of SITE Netherlands will benefit enormously from
General Members’ Meeting of CLC-VECTA at the end of May, the members of CLC-VECTA were informed about the plans and the board members of SITE Netherlands were able to get acquainted with the working method, the member network and the ambitions and plans of CLC-VECTA. Subsequently, the boards of both associations coordinated the further frameworks. Part of those agreements
SITE Netherlands stops and merges with CLC-VECTA
Every issue we welcome trade organizations to the stage to share interesting news. Offering people in the know a relevant platform, must-reeds for our readers. From MPI to ICCA, from SITE to NATM and GBTA, and many more. The stage is to the trade…
Remarkable and exciting news in the Dutch mice-trade. As of this summer, the CLC-VECTA network will expand further with the addition of the members of SITE Netherlands. The merger of the associations is a logical next step to the good cooperation between the associations in recent years. SITE The Netherlands chapter will cease to exist.
“A great moment for SITE members to look back, but certainly also to get acquainted with CLC-VECTA in an informal setting and to look ahead”, Roger concludes.
“In recent years, SITE and CLC-VECTA have sought cooperation on various topics relevant to the incentive industry. For example, we have jointly developed collective conditions, we share knowledge in the field of the Package Travel Directive and the travel agency scheme and we have joined forces in the lobby around these topics and during the corona crisis,” said Bart van der Heijden, chairman of CLC-VECTA. “We are pleased that SITE is now taking the step to fully join CLC-VECTA.”
Roger Schreurs, who has held the helm of SITE Nederland for the past 8 years: “CLC-VECTA is a strong association with a large network, a strong representation in The Hague, a great deal of knowledge of the broad corporate event industry, a fully-fledged legal counter and good collective schemes, for example for
INTERVIEWTRADE NEWS
UPDATES from the field
is the accession of Raymon Honings, owner of Travelmediate and currently board member at SITE Nederland, to the CLC-VECTA board. In addition to the agreement that members of SITE Netherlands will become full members of CLC-VECTA as of this summer. The kick-off will take place on 31 August in Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin during the traditional barbecue for SITE members.
Duringthis.”the
A TOP-NOTCH TEAM TO WORK WITH!
PLANNING AN EVENT OR MEETING? WANNA SEE FOR YOURSELF?
Found within the big cities of the Netherlands, Room Mate Bruno and Aitana are the best places to go for your events and meetings! The special atmosphere of these locations draws people out of the daily grind. And it has a loose, casual feeling which suits every meeting and event. Room Mate Hotels is one of the most suitable places for your next gathering! See you soon?
MEET ROOM MATE!
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AN INNOVATIVE AND UNFORGETTABLE PLACE!
If you are looking for a professional team to handle your event, Room Mate Hotels is the place to be! The team will ensure that your events run smoothly and as desired. The staff is helpful and flexible, so you can enjoy the event to the max!
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OU WANT TO WITH ME?
2021 compared to 2020, the business market last year was still far from the level of 2019 (-60 percent).
In April 2019, there were 4.8 million overnight hotel stays in the Netherlands, of which 1.94 million were for business reasons. In April of this year, only 1.41 million business overnight stays were made.
The DPI examines 8,000 international association meetings scheduled for 2021, based on six performance indicators (planned, unaffected, virtual, hybrid, digitalisation, and business continuation).
ABN AMRO: Business hotel guest returns cautiously
Less rapidly
ICCA reveals top performers
The total number of Dutch hotel stays, by both tourists and business guests, has fallen sharply during the corona crisis. The number of business overnight stays fell from 21 million in 2019 to 7.9 million in 2020, a decrease of 62 percent. Although the number of overnight stays by business guests showed a small plus of 6 percent in
The Public Abstract of the ICCA Annual Statistics report is now available for non-ICCA members after a one-year hiatus, to be found online at www.iccaworld.org.
Although more business trips are being made, the number of business hotel nights in April was only three quarters of the level of April 2019, according to a recently published report from Dutch bank ABN AMRO. Due to online meetings, increased environmental awareness and higher costs, some business travelers are staying at home.
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In delivering an abstract of ICCA’s Annual Statistics report to the public once again, we are recognising the tremendous effort that destinations and meeting suppliers have made to adapt and even thrive through pandemic challenges,” said Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA.
TRADE NEWS
“We believe it’s very important that the world has a clearer sense of how the global association meetings industry has transformed during the past two years.
When combined, the indicators represent the overall DPI, highlighting how destinations have performed with regard to winning the original bid, COVID policies, adaptability, and technological capabilities to convert on-site events into virtual/hybrid events.
ICCA has announced top performing destinations for international association meetings. The Netherlands is number 12, Amsterdam on 11 in the citylist. Belgium is number 13, Brussels number 10. Want to see the other countries and cities, the top 3 and more? The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) is publicly releasing new information to shed more light on how the pandemic impacted the association meetings industry in 2021.
Even now that the main concerns about the corona virus have disappeared this year, business hotel stays are recovering significantly less quickly than tourist overnight stays. In April 2022, business hotel nights were at 73 percent of April 2019, while tourist hotel nights were well above the level of before the outbreak of the pandemic at 112 percent.
Additionally, the Public Abstract presents the top destinations for association meetings in 2021, based on estimated total number of attendees for hybrid and virtual events. It also provides a three-year economic impact analysis, which is usually not available to non-ICCA members.
Due to the transformational events of 2020, ICCA refined its approach to the report by including meetings that were affected by the pandemic as well as those that remained unaffected. Now, non-ICCA members can also benefit from this new methodology, called the Destination Performance Index (DPI), which provides a more holistic view of how destinations have addressed recent challenges.
And Brussels is still Brussels? Fine dining, chocolates and good beer?
Cosmopolitan Brussels is ready for the future!
You see it in many ways. Sustainability, health and accessibility are becoming increasingly important. In 2018, the city became a Low Emission Area in order to avoid polluting traffic. In large parts of the city, the maximum speed has been reduced from 50 to 30 kilometers. In the center a new circulation plan has been developed. Several busy roads are closed and turned in to a large pedestrian area. Also a lot of new spaces has been created for bicycle paths: no less than 40 kilometers of bicycle paths have been
Info: www.visit.brussels.
Helene
Do you help organizers?
are responding to the requirements of the business world, which makes it mandatory for their meetings, incentives and other group activities. More ’green’ activities you can also find in the restaurant kitchens, offering vegetarian and vegan food, which was quite an issue in the past, but the city has really gone along with it. This also applies to the venues, which have received an (eco) sustainable and health label. And more than 40 locations are offering the possibility to host hybrid events.
What additional benefits do you see for mice?
INFOTORIAL
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Brussels has developed a health and safety label for hotels and venues, in order to insure a save journey. And more than 40 locations are offering the possibility to host hybrid events. For more information take a look at our site: professionals/meethttps://www.visit.brussels/nl/
Is Brussels going through a transformation process?
Definitely! Mayor steps have been taken to improve the field of sustainability, healthcare and accessibility. Brussels has invested in sustainability over the past two years. The city had already designed a health label for hotels, venues and restaurants. Brussels has now cleverly followed through on this. Of course there were already green key certificates, but that attention has been expanded. Many hotels are in the process of switching to a more sustainable operation. They
Of course, it will always be that way. The atmosphere in the city is vibrant, very energetic, there are so many nationalities walking around ( over 183 !). Do you realize how easy it is to come to Brussels from the Netherlands? It’s a stone throw away but offers a complete different atmosphere. Don’t hesitate any longer. Visit us and discover the power of Brussels!!
Most people don’t get further than the historic center, the European quarter or the Louise quarter where the chic fashion houses are located. Did you know that Brussels consists of 19 municipalities? They have all kept their own character and are definitely worth visiting. Visitors can discover them by bike or public transport and find out more about the surroundings of Brussels
trustedtrendySustainable,and knows how to renew itself with Visser of about the latest novelties.
Visit Brussels
Is Brussels better accessible now?
added and are connected to the Nodes System of Flanders and the Green Roads of Walloon. All over the city you can rent bicycles for a small fee and discover Brussels in more ways now.
We all know beautiful Brussels. Or maybe not? The bustling Brussels
Helene Visser
Yes, of course. Brussels is a leading destination for international meetings and events. Our Convention Bureau is specialized in larger meetings. They will help you find your special venue and contactpersons, offering assistance with bidbooks and make your event easier to handle. For International Associations we also offers an Ambassadors Programme. More information you can find on our recently renewed website: brussels/en/professionals/meetwww.visit.
again and again. We talk
By Rahanna van Stapele
will offer an exclusive Living.
Four-star hotel Corps de Garde has been around since 2010, but reopened last year with new owners and a brand new concept. The boutique hotel is located in a almost four hundred year old building, once a guardhouse for soldiers and city guards, in the center of Groningen’s capital city. However, it looks modern in terms of design, with nineteen newly renovated hotel rooms and an apartment. In the basement a multifunctional space is located, which can be used for meetings and the hotel guarantees a quiet working environment for its business guests. Cops de Garde has a partnership with the Groningen cocktail kings from Boilermaker, who help compose the menu, the wine, cocktailbar and the design of a surprising mini-bar.
Also in the heart of Amsterdam, eastward and adjacent to the Oostpark, a new
Pillows Maurits at the Park, Amsterdam
Not bookable until next year, but without a doubt one of the most noteworthy hotels on this list. The former Palace of Justice on the Prinsengracht has been bought by the Chinese hotel group Rosewood, which has been transforming the centuries-old building into a beacon of luxury with Amsterdam charm for 61.3 million euros, that is expected to come close to a six-star hotel. The aristocratic building in the heart of Amsterdam will house 135 rooms and suites, three restaurants, an indoor pool and an extensive wellness and fitness center. Supplemented by several rooms for business events and meetings, all with the latest gadgets. Rosewood already owns European hotels in England, France and Italy, with new expansion plans in Vienna, Venice (both this year) and Rome (2023), among others.
Boutique Hotel Cops de Garde, Groningen
Dutch hotel openings and novelties
Despite the drought surrounding travelers and business overnighters due to COVID, the Dutch hospitality world hasn’t exactly been standing still during 2021 and 2022. MICE Benelux takes a look at some of the most notable (or yet to be expected) newcomers.
Rosewood Hotel Amsterdam
- 41comeexpectedRosewood‘TheHotelistoclosetoasix-starhotel’
branch of the iconic Pillow Hotels Collection will open this year. In a historic building dating from 1908 that once served as a anatomical laboratory, it is only a matter of time before we can meet the 88 stylish rooms and suites under the flag of Pillows Maurits at the Park. Pillows comprises six hotels to date, four of which are located in the Netherlands and two can be found in Belgium. Pillows Maurits at the Park follows in the footsteps of Pillows Aan de IJssel in Deventer, which opened its doors in 2021. The new five-star hotel in Amsterdam aims to offer fine dining in an easy-going setting at Felix Restaurant led by chef Floris van Straalen. Contemporary dishes inspired by Italian and French cuisine can be enjoyed at Spring Café Brasserie (of which is said will feature the most extraordinary terrace in the Oosterpark) and cocktails can be enjoyed at Fitz’s Bar. In addition, the hotel
Pillows Maurits at the Park - Rooftop Bar
HOTEL NEWS
Travelsoftware for every step of the Customer Journey! Visual Tour Builder BackOCRM ce Media WebsiteToolTools www.travelspirit.nl *Custom style and English/Dutch possiblecom Let your journey live for weeks while quickly getting travel data Invitation + travel app full of hype in one! Want to stand out to your customer while immediately waving goodbye to a mountain of ad hoc emails? That’s the magic of our Hintle invitation and travel app in one. A combination of physical mail and online hints will keep your journey alive for weeks! In addition, Hintle saves both you and your customer 4 hours per travel group collecting and sharing travel data. From dietary requirements, passport dates to registering for activities. And once you travel, you can easily share the travel program or small updates. Well that’s win-win. And you determine the margin yourself. Surprise! A new revenue model. Ask a free demo +316germain@hintle.com13964391 Closer ties?
Inntel Hotels Marina Beach
terrace. The authentic renovated rooms are equipped with air conditioning, WiFi, Smart TV and a minibar.
Available since 2021, the very idyllic four-star boutique hotel Flora Batava is located on the banks of the Vecht River. The hotel is housed in a historic building and estate, with restaurant Bloei in a conservatory with high ceilings, serving some very high-quality dishes prepared with local, seasonal ingredients. However, you can also opt for a quiet meal on the
Since early summer 2022 it is possible to book a stay in southern Valkenburg at the Dormio Wine Hotel, a former family hotel that has recently undergone a transformation into a luxury themed hotel. With 44 hotel rooms and apartments, from comfort room to wellness villa, each carrying the signature of a unique wine producer, and 170 wines (15 daily changing open wines), the vinology lover can indulge here. The kitchen offers a ‘tasting menu’ of wine & tapas, shared dining dishes and gourmet menus that change seasonally.
Heavens Hotel Hoorn
Bookable since March 2021 is this new eye-catcher on the Scheveningen pier. The Hague Marina Beach is the new child of Inntel Hotels. The hotel breaths a super modern atmosphere, enriched with Bar & Brasserie (with on the menu Inntell Hotels Originals and local specialties), fitness center, bar and spa center with infinity pool. Naturally, one also books this four-star hotel for its impressive North Sea and skyline views and floor-toceiling windows in the 226 luxury rooms, spread over 13 floors. Marina Beach is definitely a prepared all-rounder when it comes to company outings or organizing events. Due to its spot directly next to the beach, it offers the perfect location for meetings in one of the modern rooms, combined with some team building in a fresh breeze. Concerning these incentives Marina Beach also offers a special Meetings & Events team to think along with you and your company. For a culinary interpretation, there is the Bar & Brasserie Willem I.
materials combined with 200withSaintelements.monumentalInTherestaurant,roomforuptopeople,youcan
HOTEL NEWS
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The Hague Marina Beach
You can relax on your private French balcony and overlook the river. The hotel is 22 km from Amsterdam, and 47 km from Rotterdam. There are two quietly located meeting rooms in the hotel, plus a tea house on the water that can be rented. For electric bikes and cars, the Flora Batava offers charging stations.
Hotel The Den
Dormio Wine Hotel, Valkenburg
Flora Batava, Nieuwersluis
This brand new Tribute Portfolio Hotel has opened its doors during spring this year and offers four-star amenities. Rooms are excellent with air conditioning, desk, safe, flat-screen TV and private bathroom with shower. The Den’s pride is all about Bossche hospitality and international allure, with a modern
enjoy a high-quality meal following French cuisine, but with a modern twist. Culinary luxury with a West Frisian touch, using fresh, seasonal products from local entrepreneurs. The Saint can also be booked for meetings or drinks, with all modern facilities.
The Den, Den Bosch
This year the a heavenly stay can be booking in boutique hotel Heavens Hotel, recently opened in the heart of Hoorn, in the slate roof of the national monument the Grote Kerk (the Large Church). You can choose from one of the 43 luxurious rooms, from the entry-level Cosy to Wellness Suite with King-size bed to Family Suite. The hotel and its rooms look warm, authentic and atmospheric, with many earthly tones and luxurious
‘At BatavaFlorayoucanoverlooktheriverfromyouprivateFrenchbalcony’
NEO KVL Hotel, Oisterwijk
Since January this year, you can stay in this brand new TASIGO four-star hotel on the KVL site, an old factory site in Oisterwijk that has been transformed into a characteristic, hip neighborhood. The atmosphere of the former leather factory (Oisterwijk was early 19th century the heart of the European leather industry) is still tangible in the 68 hotel rooms and spaces, complemented by luxury and refined design. You can pick from 4 different hotel rooms, ranging from 26 square meters to 47 square meters. High quality culinary breakfast or dinner can be enjoyed in the NEON Restaurant, SKY bar and Lobby Bar. With Eindhoven (airport) at 26 km and Breda at 29, the hotel is centrally located in the southern part of the country. The hotel has several meeting and event rooms available that can be adapted to different group sizes and occasions, whether it is for board meetings, press conferences or parties.
Maritim Hotel, Amsterdam
The arrival of this mega-hotel and flagship of the Maritim chain is still in the making; construction was temporarily halted, however the hotel is expected to open its doors at the end of 2023. The extremely spacious Maritim Hotel, part of the Y-Towers project, will have
terrace, bicycle storage and a meeting room for twelve people. The restaurant is located on the site of a former brewery and offers extensive dishes but also finger food to pair with drinks. Valkenburg Train Station is about a 15 minute walk away.
NEO KVL Hotel - beeld NEO KVL Hotel
Hotel Valkenburg by Mercure
The former Black Label Hotel Valkenburg has been renovated and has, since March of this year, continued under a new name: Hotel Valkenburg by Mercure. This new industrial hotel with its rugged appearance is located in the middle of the forest and close to castle ruins, marl caves and the Thermae 2000 wellness center, making it a fantastic base for cycling and other sports enthusiasts. The Valkenburg by Mercure, rated four stars, offers 65 rooms (all embracing the industrial theme but with
design that gives a nod to the city’s water system. Eat in style at all-day dining Restaurant & Bar The Den, which serves casual comfort food with American influences. Then there is the new rooftop terrace with Current Rooftop Bar for coffee, champagne and cocktails. The rooftop bar can also be rented out for company drinks, among other things. For the ultimate combination with work, The Den offers five atmospheric meeting rooms of various sizes. In addition to a fitness center, you’ll also find a business center for the corporate traveler.
Since May 2021, the 15th hotel of the international WestCord Hotels: The Market Hotel in Groningen, offering a luxury four-star stay in the heart of the northern city of Groningen, paying tribute to the location and history of the provincial capital, according to the hotel’s own words. The hotel, with 123 rooms on six floors, was designed by Berlin architect Thomas Múller. For corporate events, The Market Hotel offers three space halls (Herplein for 40 people, Grote Markt for 18 and Nieuwe Markt for 12 people), with a total of 164 square meters of meeting space, for any kind of meeting or event. On the roof a terrace with spectacular panoramic views of Groningen can be found, and in the basement a wellness and fitness area plus sauna. Restaurant/ Café Willen Albert serves Dutch dishes with a modern twist.
The Market Hotel, Groningen
‘The comeexpectedHotelRosewoodistoclosetoasix-starhotel’
restaurantappearance),luxuriousRUW,large
a sleek appearance with lots of glass, offering 579 rooms, spread out over 34 floors. As Holland’s largest (and also one of Europe’s largest) conference hotel, Maritim Amsterdam, located directly on the IJ River, will be a attractive new choice for all kinds of major events. The hotel’s large ballroom can hold up to 2142 people, and a second room up to 1035. Of course, it offers many more spaces, including new multifunctional ‘private business offices’. People can dine in six different restaurants and end their day with a cocktail in the impressive Sky Bar.
Hotel Arsenaal, Delft
This spectacular-looking Westcord hotel is still brand new: it opened last spring. Despite the renewed luxury, the red brick hotel is steeped in history. In use since the 17th century with multiple purposes such as warehouse, ammunition storage, and rigging house. Hotel Arsenaal, is ‘one of the multiple operators’ in the building, and a quick visit can be made to the famous meat restaurant Loetje and Expo Arsenaal Delft right next door. The four different types of rooms have retained the historic stone walls, and were completed with harmonious, luxurious styling. The hotel has two characteristic rooms that can be booked for different purposes, with comfortable kitchenette. For a high-quality lunch one can head for Gastrobar de Wapenkamer, where refined wine-food combinations are served, with a nod to the history.
there are six large suites with separate living rooms, which can be transformed into hybrid meeting rooms for four people, separate from the sleeping area. For bigger groups, two meeting rooms are available.
Maritim Hotel Amsterdam (c) TeamV Architecture, a visualisation by Zwertlicht
Voco The Hague
This latest premium hotel concept from InterContinental Hotels Group, the first in Northern Europe, can be visited since summer 2021. With 204 rooms over 7 floors, Voco The Hague is housed in the classic, former ABN Amro bank building, right next to the fancy area Noordeinde. In addition to the astrium and courtyard garden, the hotel offers a Play Work Area filled with flexible workstations. The same building also houses a garden kitchen restaurant, Botanica, with local and fresh dishes. There is also the steampunkinspired gastrobar Ultramarijn, for typical Hague coffees in the afternoon and exciting cocktails in the evening. As for meetings, Voco is a bit more intimate:
Relais & Chateaux Weeshuis Gouda Boutique hotel Relais & Chateaux Weeshuis Gouda, opened last year,
owes its name to its original function; the orphanage that was founded in 1599. With its courtyard garden and red shutters, the Gouda Orphanage is considered one of the most beautiful and special buildings in the city. The expressive use of color, floral tones and solid lines in the four-star hotel and its four types of rooms is inspired by Gouds Plateel, typical glazed pottery from the city. Refined and international dishes can be enjoyed at LIZZ restaurant or more casually at Coffee, Cocktail and Champagne bar COCO (yes, inspired by Coco Chanel, women have always played a big role in the orphanage), or an ‘opulent afternoon tea’ at the Regentenkamer (regent’s room). In terms of corporate events, Relais & Chateaux Weeshuis is also prepared: from the elegant Private Room ‘The Library’, to the larger ‘ballroom’ De Refter, to an arrangement with the more festive LF-Gouda. All rooms can also be transformed into a private dining location.
Maritim Hotel Amsterdam (c) TeamV Architecture, a visualisation by Zwertlicht
Voco The Hague
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te delen om de impact van vliegreizen op het milieu te verminderen. We zijn gepassioneerd om meer te doen om onze CO2-uitstoot te verminderen en de wereld die we verbinden te beschermen.
- Promotionele ondersteuning
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Van voorrang bij inchecken, instappen en bagageafhandeling tot voorrang bij ticketingkantoren, transferbalies, beveiliging en immigratie, het gaat allemaal vlekkeloos.
4. SkyTeam Lounges
De mogelijkheid om lid te worden van één van de frequent flyerprogramma’s van onze aangeslotenwordenvluchtenuwluchtvaartmaatschappijen.aangeslotenDanverdientreizigeropinaanmerkingkomendeMiles,dieingewisseldkunnenvoorgratisvluchtenbijde18luchtvaartmaatschappijen.
bundelt aanbiedingen van meerdere luchtvaartmaatschappijen in één overeenkomst. Een alliantiebrede waardepropositie voor internationale bedrijven.
- Support desk
Meer informatie over SkyTeam Global Meetings vind u op www.skyteam.com/en/business-solutions/global-meetings
- Reserveren via skyeam.com of een erkend reisbureau
SkyTeam is de alliantie die zich inzet om passagiers bij ieder onderdeel van hun reis een meer dan naadloze reiservaring te bieden. Achttien netwerksamenluchtvaartmaatschappijenaangeslotenwerkenineenuitgebreidwereldwijdomjaarlijks676miljoen
De perfecte plek om alles te doen. Of helemaal niets. SkyTeam opent zijn deuren voor Elite Plus-, First- en Business Class-klanten in meer dan 750 lounges wereldwijd. De SkyTeam Lounges zijn de perfecte plek om de chaos van de luchthaventerminal achter te laten en werk in te halen, een vergadering te houden, naar huis te bellen of gewoon te ontspannen en nieuwe energie op te doen. Gebruik onze Lounge Finder om de SkyTeam lounge voor een reis te ontdekken.
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5 van vliegen met SkyTeam zijn:
klanten te verwelkomen op meer dan 15.445 dagelijkse vluchten naar 1.036 bestemmingen in 170 landen.
1. Geniet van SkyPriority
Onze luchtvaartmaatschappijen werken zij aan zij om kennis en best practices
Skyteam Corporate Agreements
Voordelen voor de organisatoren:
Snel door luchthavens, ongeacht de luchtvaartmaatschappij of frequent flyer-programma. Met SkyPriority krijgt uw reiziger voorrang op de rode loper op meer dan 970 luchthavens over de hele wereld. De iconische rode SkyPriorityborden leiden u en uw deelnemers snel en gemakkelijk door luchthavens.
5. SkyTeam Global Meetings
- Reserveren via skyteam.com of een erkend reisbureau
Of u nu zakenreizen of internationale bijeenkomsten organiseert, SkyTeam heeft het antwoord voor u. Laat ons de reisarrangementen voor uw wereldwijde evenementen regelen, zodat u zich volledig kunt richten op de organisatie van het event zelf.
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By Tijn Kramer
IATA
Hope and challenges at the annual aviation summit IATA AGM
A nice networking party, a state of the union, lobbying opportunities and some out of sight meetings. The annual summit of aviation association IATA is always worth it.
Aviation industry resilient in demanding times
The annual general meeting is IATA’s top event. In addition to legal demonstratingpositionsformalizingobligations,industryandairline
- 48IATA
profitability is on the horizon for 2023. It is a time for optimism, even if there are still challenges in terms of costs, especially fuel, and some lingering constraints in a few key markets,” said the never-mindful Willie Walsh, director-general of IATA and former IAG chief executive (including British Airways). Income Revenues are set to rise as Covid-19 restrictions ease and people start to travel again. The challenge for 2022 is to keep costs under control. “The reduction in losses is the result of hard work to keep costs under control as the industry expands. As the industry returns to more normal levels of production and high fuel costs are likely to persist for a while, profitability will depend on continued cost containment. And that includes the value chain. Our suppliers, including airports and air navigation service providers, must be as focused on controlling costs as their customers are
Expenses
The total cost is expected to rise to $796 billion. That’s an 44% increase from 2021, reflecting both the cost of supporting larger operations and the cost of inflation in some key items. Fuel first: At $192 billion, fuel will be the industry’s largest cost item in 2022 (24% of total costs, up
‘The challengefor 2022 is to keep costs under control’
to support the industry’s recovery,” said Walsh. Industry revenue is expected to reach $782 billion (+54.5% from 2021), 93.3% of 2019 level. Flights operated in 2022 are expected to reach 33.8 million, which is 86, 9% is of 2019 level (38.9 million flights). Passenger revenue is expected to account for $498 billion in industry revenue, more than double the $239 billion generated in 2021. The number of scheduled passengers is expected to reach 3.8 billion. As the pentup demand is released with the easing of travel restrictions, yields are expected to rise 5.6%. This follows a yield evolution of -9.1% in 2020 and +3.8% in 2021.
unity, the AGM provides a focus for emerging industry issues and a forum for members to meet and network. Approximately 800 representatives of IATA’s member airlines, associated industry partners, international and regional associations, leading manufacturers and industrial suppliers usually attend this meeting annually, accompanied by a large media contingent. The overview of aviation is always interesting, a good benchmark to see how the industry is doing. The back rights after difficult years is paramount this year. “Airlines are resilient. People are flying in increasing numbers. And freight is performing well against a background of growing economic uncertainty. Losses are cut to $9.7 billion this year and
In addition to a global outlook, IATA also presented a regional vision. Financial performance in all regions is expected to improve in 2022 compared to 2021 (all regions improved in 2021 compared to 2020). North America is expected to remain the strongest performing region and the only region to return to profitability in 2022. Buoyed by the large US domestic market and the reopening of international markets, including the North Atlantic, net profit is expected to reach $8.8 billion by 2022.
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Indemand.countries
Another hot topic is of course inflation. Interest rates are rising as central banks fight inflation. Apart from those who bear debt, inflation is harmful and has the economic dampening effect of a tax by reducing purchasing power.
where the economic recovery from the pandemic has been rapid and unemployment is low, tight labor markets and skills shortages are likely to contribute to upward pressure on wages. Industry payrolls are expected to reach $173 billion by 2022, up 7.9% from 2021, and out of proportion to the 4.3% increase in total jobs. And finally the macroeconomic factors, crucial for the outlook for the sector. The forecast projects solid global GDP growth of 3.4% in 2022, down from last year’s strong recovery of 5.8%. Inflation has risen and is expected to remain high in 2022 and decline over the course of 2023. And while nominal interest rates are rising, real interest rates are expected to remain low or negative for an extended period of time.
from 19% in 2021). This is based on an expected average price for Brent crude of $101.2 per barrel and $125.5 for jet kerosene. Airlines are expected to use 321 billion liters of fuel in 2022, compared to the 359 billion liters consumed in 2019.
Inflation
And then the hot topic, which only really erupted after the AGM: the human factor, labour. Labor is the second highest operating cost for airlines. Direct employment in the sector is expected to reach 2.7 million, up 4.3% from 2021 as the sector recovers from the significant decline in activity in 2020. However, employment is still slightly below the 2.93 million jobs in 2019 and is expected to remain below this level for some time to come. The time it takes to recruit, train, perform security and background checks, and perform other necessary processes before staff is “ready for work” poses a challenge to the industry in 2022. In some cases, delays in employment limits an airline’s ability to meet passenger
COVID-19
There is downside risk to this outlook if inflation continues to rise and central banks continue to raise interest rates. In addition, the record strength of the US dollar, if sustained, will negatively impact as a strong US dollar dampens growth in general. It increases the local currency price of all USD-denominated debt and also increases the burden of paying for USD-denominated fuel imports.
And you would sometimes forget it, but of course the well-known virus. “The underlying demand for travel is strong. But government responses to Covid-19 ignored the World Health Organization’s advice that border closures are not an effective means of controlling the spread of a virus. The outlook assumes that strong and growing population immunity to Covid-19 means there will be no repeat of these policy mistakes. However, there is a downside risk if governments revert to reflex border closure responses to future outbreaks.
“Governments must have learned their lessons from the Covid-19 crisis. Border closures cause economic pain, but do little to control the spread of the virus. With high levels of herd immunity, advanced treatment methods and surveillance procedures, the risks of Covid-19 can be managed. At the moment there are no circumstances where the human and economic costs of further Covid-19 border closures can be justified,” Walsh said.
Per region
meetlatvia.com DISCOVER
RhineonTokyothe
By Tijn Kramer
We love Japan! And Tokyo is in our hearts But as the land of the rising sun is only still slowly opening up, there is a very special place that helps fix the hunger for all things Japanese. Welcome to Little Tokyo in Düsseldorf, Germany!
DÜSSELDORF
Düsseldorf is home to the largest Japanese community in Germany. More than 8,400 Japanese people live in the state capital and characterize the vibrant Little Tokyo. The neighborhood is a gathering of Japanese expats and locals with a love for Japanse food, drinks, furniture, art, traditions and some good old fun like manga, cute toys (kawaii) and karaoke. And mind you, where Tokyo is an enormous city, little Tokyo is a relatively small neighborhood with everything in walking distance.
First of all, there really is a great number of amazing restaurants and tasty izakayas serving authentic Japanese cuisine, from a ‘simple’ piece of sushi to the really complex flavors of the best Japanese
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Good to know - Register up to 2 months before the start of the event. The program is valid with a minimum of 10 attendees with a return flight, max. 8 passengers per booking. Larger groups? The group desk will be happy to assist you.
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Your attendees benefit too. They can enjoy up to 15% discount on many fares with Air France, KLM and our partners. Naturally, they earn Flying Blue Miles with these trips too.
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Now one of our favorite ways to end a stay in Little Tokyo to spend some time in the Japanese/Asian supermarkets and get some delicacies to take home! Japanese people and connoisseurs of Japanese cuisine buy their groceries here in the supermarkets for a reason. We recommend the grocery shops Shochiku, Hanaro and Dae Yang. Fresh and sushi are available at the counter. Tofu, miso paste and Japanese soft drinks and beers in the refrigerators. Our favorite? Real Japanese rice crackers called Senbei. Impossible to get elsewhere. But if you somehow can’t find what you want here, then just go a few steps further to the next Asian supermarket.
DÜSSELDORF¨
So there you have it. It is a wonderful way of getting that hint of Japan, not far from The Benelux. You are there in no time by train (ICE) or car. Want to add a cultural
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factor, then it is also interesting to visit the EKŌ-Haus opened in Düsseldorf’s Niederkassel district. As a religious and cultural centre, it has a Buddhist temple, Japanese gardens and a traditional Japanese-style house with a tea room. Here you can participate in a tea ceremony or be introduced into traditional Japanese arts such as ink painting, calligraphy or ikebana. And of course, Düsseldorf has so much more to offer, not Japanese themed, but you probably already knew that.
fusion kitchen. Master Hisato Mochizuki’s Sushi-Bar serves authentic sushi and sashimi specialties. Or go for that fun and delicious evening of teppanyaki. The word Teppanyaki describes dishes from the “iron plate grill” on which their teppan masters prepare the spectacular creations right in front of the guests’ eyes. And for that special private meeting? Benkay Private Tatami Rooms are available for groups from 6 people up to a maximum of 10 people.
chefs. Separately you will find a selection of
Sothem.make
your pick out of ramen, tasty treats at bakeries, a highball (Japanese whisky and soda) at a Japanese bars and stay in a Japanese hotel! Indeed, the name to go is from true Japanese origins! The Hotel Nikko Düsseldorf is located in the middle of Little Tokyo, the largest Japanese community in Germany. Within a few minutes you can reach the Königsallee and Kö-Bogen, the Old Town and Rhine promenade. Designed to meet the needs of business travelers, the design of the Hotel Nikko Düsseldorf is especially appreciated by the Japanese and international business community. Each of the 393 rooms offers great amenities with a hint of Japanese serenity. In the lively lobby of Hotel Nikko you discover Benkay sushi bar, a modern
African luxury and elegance on wheels An incentive to never forget
the social possibilities to get to know people, the tranquility for a book, the contemplative feeling that comes over you when the wheels determine the cadence of the journey. Nothing is necessary, everything is allowed. Ideal for groups. You have actual time to get to know each other, no one is going anywhere.
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African heritage. From the moment before departure to arrival four nights later, you notice that everything is taken care of with love, with great respect for its own continent. This is most noticeable on the really prestigious wine list, which – except for some luxury French champagnes –consists of South African classics. For the French exceptions you pay, the rest of the wine menu is included in the price, just like all beautiful meals. And why not drink South African? It is teeming with
By Tijn Kramer
Romance on wheels, slowly rippling through an ever-changing landscape. Trains offer it, no plane can compete with that. It is therefore not surprising that real train passengers are a category of their own. Members of the large group of enthusiasts have their own favourites and there is almost no continent that does not offer a special ‘once in a lifetime’ trip. It can be as spartan as you want or as luxurious as you want. The real train feeling remains. The unhurried, the counter-modern,
Pride of Africa Champagne? Or rather, sparkling wine? Rovos Rail is clearly proud of its (South)
It is one of the most special, exclusive and unforgettable mice trips you can imagine. A journey in one of the most luxurious trains in the world, covering 1400 kilometers from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe to Pretoria in South Africa. Private hire and events are all possible. Impressive, very impressive.
But first the background. Each train has accommodation cars, luxury dining cars (±42 seats), a cozy salon car (±26 seats), a (very) small smoking lounge and at the back of the train a very pleasant observation car with an open-air balcony, the ideal place for the ‘sundowner’ as locals call it an aperitif. but also for a predinner cocktail.
days. Over the mighty Victoria Falls – a bucket list destination in itself! – we wrote this before, but definitely take an extra day to admire this natural beauty. Now, however, it is time for the languid, luxurious enjoyment. We are welcomed by an African dance group and are escorted to our suite.
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It is important to know… it is an elegant affair! The dining tables are covered with engraved glasses, tightly covered linen and polished silverware. You sit in a two or four person, and the service is attentive, façon Michelin. But with a touch of charm and African hospitality. But definitely good. While lunch is still smart casual, dinner is formal. This rule is well observed by our travel group. The men in suits with at least a tie, but some even in black tie. The ladies traditionally – we men have it easy then – dress up to the nines even more. Bravo ladies. Dinner is a pretty picture.
Background
Appearance
quality houses with which the sommelier can make you happy. A glass of Kanonkop Pinotage, anyone? An aftertaste to dream of. But more on that later.
The name and fame of this train is known among connoisseurs. The look, the luxury, the refinement, the class. And then also in beautiful southern Africa. Rovos Rail has been around for 33 years and carries out several longer and short trips through
the immense continent. One of the most popular is between Victoria Falls and Pretoria, possible in either direction with 3 or 4 nights on board. We have four, luckily. The start of the journey for us is at the check-in desk (red carpet!), at the legendary Victoria Falls Hotel. The whole thing seems to have come straight out of an episode of The Crown, and it’s not surprising that the British Queen slept here. But that sophisticated almost royal ‘The Crown’ feeling will linger for a few
These Deluxe Suites, with 10m2 in the middle in terms of offer - there is both a category below (Pullman 7m2) and above (Royal 16m2, with bath!) - have their own sitting area and en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and two nice beds, trunk space and a fridge. The minibar is filled with water and half a bubbly. The suite is spacious for a train, the air conditioning works well and with three windows there is plenty to see! The train host introduces himself and will keep the suite fresh and tidy several times a day, refill the minibar with drinks of your choice, and everything else your heart desires. It makes sense that this really is a train for honeymooners and those with a celebration. During our trip at least one lady was proposed to, with success.
Suites
Elegant
‘It makes sense that this is a train forandhoneymoonerscelebrations’
buffalo, rhinoceroses and leopards. But that the goal should never be, a person is better off simply enjoying the beauty of mother nature, and patiently waiting to see what comes along. Giraffes, buffalo and elephants are often seen, also by us. But add antelopes, zebras and also an enormous diversity of bird species. Insane. And after this wonderful morning safari, a tasty breakfast in the park awaits us at the end! Coffee, sandwiches, delicious sausages and other delicacies are ready when we get there. Life is good.
Social
If something makes Rovos Rovos it is perhaps the social aspect. For those who have experienced it… think back to the time pre-internet, pre-mobiles and what not. The more we are now digitally connected, the less social we seem to become. At
‘If you are lucky, you can tick off the Big 5 here’
Kudu carpaccio
a dozen bottles in red and white, and three roses. Some of our most enjoyed glasses: Vergelegen Sauvignon Blanc, Raka Cabernet Franc, the UVA Mira Shiraz, Lismore Pinot Noir, and the fantastic salmon pink rosé Normandie Est Karen from Franschhoek.
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Fortunately, there are excursions to walk off all these extra tasty goodies. Our first stop, the next morning, is Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, which rivals few other safari spots. The start is already legendary luxury. You get off the train where the safari cars are already waiting for the guests! In the middle of nowhere, ready for departure. If you are lucky, you can tick off the Big 5 here: lions, elephants,
AFRICA
Field trips
Plenty of choice with
And leave it to the chef and his brigade to cook in style befitting this luxurious driving oasis. Some highlights: the kudu carpaccio, or the duck with new potatoes, red cabbage and an orange reduction. Or the delicious stuffed chicken breast with sun-dried tomato and feta on vegetable couscous. After the main course comes standard delicious (often local) cheese, where we were especially overwhelmed by the Kilimanjaro cheese. A sweet or fresh dessert finishes it all off, paired with Kenyan coffee. Host John spoils us with the most beautiful wines that can all be ordered per glass. A true exploration for the wine lover. Recognized global top wines but also – great fun! – smaller, but excellent wineries.
Bookcase
To be fair, it also increases the feeling to head back in time. Take time for others, but also for yourself. And for everyone in the
All yours
group. It is not surprising that luxury train journeys also form a beautiful backdrop for high-end incentives. Rovos provides a wide range and provides tailor-made services for groups that really want something special. Small and big. First of all there is the so-called ‘Events train’, suitable for private meetings, incentives, conferences and all other types of gatherings, and which can welcome up to 250 guests. It really doesn’t have to be a long journey. It can also be a three-hour drive around hub Pretoria, or a ‘one-way ticket’ from Pretoria in which you have no less than eight hours to impress your guests on the rails. These day trips are then driven with or without lunch or dinner.
But of course it is possible! What? Well, hire the whole train for your own company. It’s been done, many times before. With trains of 42 or 72 beds,
all kinds of journeys are possible, from 48 hours to no less than 15 days, in consultation with Rovos, on the most beautiful African routes. Very exclusive, of course, such a five-star experience.
(All info on www.rovos.com, in Dutch Rovos is sold at train
Highlyforgetatrip.additionsmallwithpartsAndaRovoswww.treinreiswinkel.nlspecialistsorwww.incento.nl).Railisarollingluxuryanachronism,delightfulrarityinanever-fasterworld.allthatinoneofthemostbeautifulofourglobe,inaneco-friendlywayanabundanceofluxury.Especiallyforincentivegroupsitcanbeasuperbtoabeautiful(South)AfricanOrawonderfulprivateextensiononbusinesstrip.Eitherway,youwillneverthisbeautifulluxurytrainjourney.recommended.
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Rovos we make a wonderful trip back in time! And that is encouraged. There is no TV in the cabin, no radio and above all no wifi! Indeed, no wifi. Train manager Hennie already requested at the first speech to preferably refrain from using laptops and telephones (other than photos) in public areas. No, we go back in time and that quickly turns out to work. In the beautiful historic lounge car, on the observation deck, during excursions… you quickly get to know each other. After two days you will know most of them and the whole will indeed have a high Agatha Christie level. Awesome. This is teambuilding old school. Take time for each other!
To give you an idea, just think back a decade when booking hotel rooms came
‘Meetings & Group Hotel Bookings. Meetingselect is really ambitious to change the hospitality industry by providing software to seamlessly book meeting rooms, event spaces and conference hotels all over the world. For us the foundation is the human connection combined with the best technology. We believe this is what makes collaborations successful. And not just that, it really accelerates growth. So we have been working on our global presence and nowadays we have a network of 500.000 hotels and venues.’
‘Thanks! Meetingselect is now fifteen and some months ‘old’ and we are very happy to continue growing and doing what we love best.’
The new trend of Instant MeetingFirstofall,HappyBirthday.
Anne Beekman
Meetingselect is the all-in-one meetings management platform that has grown to a global player with state of the art new software dedicated for meetings, workspaces and group hotel bookings. One of their new crown jewel tools is Instant Meeting Bookings. An interview with Anne Beekman, Director of Product Sales.
Worldwide?
‘Yes indeed. We are really a global company now. And Meetingselectwithinwe focus strongly on evolving our meeting software product. We want to provide our audience a really handy
INTERVIEW INFOTORIAL
‘Well, the Meetings & Event industry comes back from a challenging time, as we all know. Business is back, but staffing is not. One of the observations is that hotels and venues have happily reopened but not with the same amount of employees that they were used to. So now it is vital for the hotels and venues to increase efficiency, whichs lead to you being able to use your workforce where it is needed the most. Now the hotels and venues have access to a product that helps them with this facilitating demand with less people. A tech savvy solution in the Meetings market that helps hotels and venues to gain more revenue with less manual work. That helps to increase conversion. This is just one of our main benefits of the Instant Meeting Booking Solution.’
‘We have a variety of products within Meetingselect but indeed Instant Booking Solution is a great tool for this. You can now directly book Meeting & Event rooms and workspaces online.
Please elaborate.
In what way?
And that is?
software solution that is very easy to use for the hotels and meeting venues. So we partnered up with different providers, that way we can facilitate easy solutions and integrations. And that has worked out well.’
What is there to win?
An example: on average, 80 percent of the time hotel staff spends on answering to
‘Yes, exactly. And in the future I really see instant meeting bookings becoming even a more strategic model. Like you see with the OTA’s (online travel agents), so that hotel chains and independent venues will manage their meeting & group booking inventory more efficiently to gain more MICE revenue overall.’
‘In the end we all benefit from faster responses. So you save time for personal service, this remains key of course. However, best is to focus on delivering personal service where it is really needed and expected. Meeting planners now also expect to book real-time and not always like to wait for the proposals. They just want to see availability and book instantly. With a modern software solution, hotels and venues can combine both personal and online support whenever they feel like it.
online at the time when booking.com was rising. Now Meetingselect is doing that for meeting rooms. That is the software we are now also offering to the venues. They can be instantly bookable for groups and meeting spaces while taking all the complex yield rules into consideration with their own content to upsell!
With the instant meeting booking solution, hotels and venues can save time, resources and money?
With availability and pricing visible on the Meetingselect Platform, but more importantly, the software that we have developed for the hotels is available via easy API solution or via a white label. To say it simple, hotels and venues can use it as an easy widget on their own website, and brand it in their own style and at the same time serve their customers according to their own way of working.’
Mobilea.beekman@meetingselect.cominstantbookinghttps://web.meetingselect.com/orconnectwithAnnevia::+31(0)621821657 - 59 -
‘Use it where it’s most needed. Personal attention will never disappear, at the end of the day there will be many events with a need for high end service.
Morebookings.’information on Instant Meeting Bookings
Every meeting almost has it own requests, does the software deliver those options?
‘Really we are now represented all over the world. And so we have welcomed a lot of customers over the past years all over the world. Instant Booking is something used by the pharmaceutical industry, but also the food trade, technology and government. It is great to see that our clients and the hotel market itself as well are really adopting this new way of meetings, groups & workspace
Of course there are specific needs with every meeting. Each event is different. Even with booking a individual hotel room, there are already so many different parameters… but for meetings and events there are lots more. Lots more! We have created software that accommodates to all of those needs. We have over 15 years of experience implicated, including the requests from clients and more importantly, all the
different needs from hotels and event venues overall of these years. ‘
And the personal attention factor?
meetings request is unsuccessful, because the conversion is only around 15-20 percent for meetings. We want to increase that for the hotels and venues with the use of our solution. We see the growing needs with meeting planners and event managers to check availability and the pricing options, and to book the space directly. Often the venue that responds the fastest wins the business. With instant bookings the hotel or venue could have saved a lot of precious time that could have been used on personal support on VIP or other requests. At the same time, they have a direct confirmed booking without the risk of losing the business.’
Where are you operating and for who?
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Odete, agree?
Thank you. NATM has been around since 1972, and we are privileged to celebrate our 50th anniversary. Given the situation of the past few years, it is indeed a privilege that we are still allowed to exist. Seeking connection and sharing knowledge in a situation that no one has ever experienced has only strengthened the bond between members. In a crisis situation people reach out more often. It was a relief that our members were able to connect and share knowledge with their peers via our zoom meetings as per March 2020.
changed from before the pandemic. And that’s because of the current problems at play. I am certainly hopeful for the second half of the year. But I don’t have a crystal ball either, because the big question mark remains the pandemic. But let’s hope that doesn’t become a factor. And another concern is inflation, and the economy sending some alarm signals. This could have an impact on travel behavior. Pandemic and economy. They are decisive for the near future.
Pascal, the Belgian association of travel managers celebrates its 20th anniversary. How are things going with you?
meeting colleagues and clients in person was back again. You can hear that already in the market, so I am positive for the future. The agendas are filling up again.’
Odet: The large corporate companies have been holding back travel for a time, digital meetings would shrink the market by thirty percent they predicted. I find that hard to believe… that has also been said in other crises, and after a while
How is the Belgian market?
The new opportunities for Travel Managers
Odete, congratulations. How’s the NATM doing after some difficult years?
By Tijn Kramer
INTERVIEW
Has the role of the travel manager become increasingly important with this travel complexity?
Odete: “Absolutely. This was also
There are not one but two birthdays to celebrate. The NATM, the Dutch association for Travel Management has a cake with 50 candles, the Belgian BATM is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. A duo interview with NATM managing director Odete Pimenta da Silva and BATM president Pascal Struyve. BATM celebrate
NATM and
And now? Does the market still want to go on a business trip?
‘Good. We normally do five in person events per year, plus webinars. We have approximately two hundred members, of which 120 are corporate members. We got through the pandemic rather well. We are now in a phase of a certain rebuilding of the membership. Some of our members have been assigned a somewhat different role, or have disappeared from our industry. But it is coming back and the rebuild looks positive.’
Yes. And of course we all want to avoid that. There are plenty of challenges, just like the problems at the airports and lack of staff. And so once again there is a need for information and education from our associations.
Pascal: ‘In Belgium you will indeed notice that business travel has returned a little faster than previously planned. But it has
You do this separately, but a good example of collaboration is the annual The Benelux Corporate Travel Symposium. Also next year?
Thirteen little ones make 1 big one. Then you have a voice that is listened to.’ Odete: ‘Of course you can make a difference locally if you work with stakeholders. But at European level you can draw attention to other matters. We are very busy preparing interesting white papers and other education for publication.”
Back to the birthdays. Odete, what is NATM going to do?
Odete: ‘Yes, we are very proud of this collaboration between Breda University of applied sciences, Cortas and BATM and
Last question, a short congratulation to each other…
Pascal: ‘I think 50 years is a great milestone. We wish each other all the best, you can see that at the symposium in Breda. And so we hope for a nice collaboration in the coming years…
‘Thank you. And of course we congratulate BATM on their 20th anniversary and I also hope for a very nice continuation of our always amiable cooperation.
“We are organizing our anniversary meeting on the sixteenth of September. We asked Paul Tilstone and Louise Kilgannon to open the evening with a glimpse on fifty years of travel management, and a look ahead towards the future. And then we enjoy, as is often the case at the NATM, good food, drinks, catching up with (former) members, international guests and dancing ... it will be a real party, an evening to remember.
- 61 -
Odete
Pascal: ‘We arrived at a sort of reset of how you deal with travel, and therefore an opportunity for travel managers in organisations. Also when it comes to sustainability, an ongoing topic. That is simply a matter of great attention, and there too you can prove your added value as a travel manager in this complex matter. Being well informed follows the latest trends, and we as associations can help with that.
& FotografiePascal
more, especially at European level.
You are also part of the European Network for Business Travel Associations (BT4Europe), as two of its thirteen members, founded during the pandemic. A nice lobby platform?
Pimenta da SilvA (c) Goulmy Design
And Pascal. You also have your own celebration on the 16th of September… Pascal: ‘Indeed, for our twentieth anniversary of BATM. In the afternoon we have a social get together with a key note speaker from Brussels Airport who will talk about Sustainability. And also a social event, a family-like gathering, that’s how you could describe it.
the moment to connect with senior management to discuss the added value of the travel manager within corporate travel and company policies.’
Struyve
NATM. We are now going to work with the team on thea nice program shortly. So save the date: Thursday, June 8, 2023! This is an initiative that is very much appreciated. Also because of the many students who come there, are the future employees for our industry. A fantastic event.
Pascal: “Indeed. You can of course also enter into discussions at a national level, but with 13 members you can achieve
And there is no feeling without emotion.
The heart of your business
That’s where meetings, incentives, congresses, and events come in.
Companies must invest in events, incentives, and physical meetings. Mind you: I said “invest”. Because the price of these initiatives must, today more than ever, be considered as an investment in the future of the company. I know that this might sound weird, but MICE has shifted from “nice to have” to “need to have” in the post-pandemic, shattered world.
More than ever, we take our business serious. Whatever the industry you are in, these are challenging times. Just when we thought we saw light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, we were confronted with war in our backyard. Today, the energy prices go through the roof, and inflation is staggering. We look at our top- and bottom lines, set new targets, and discuss budgets.
It’s a question of belonging.
Creative events can do just that: make people proud of their company, and make people want to get to know and work with their colleagues. Do not hesitate to talk to professionals, because this is important stuff. Love is hard work; a relationship needs some heavy lifting every now and then. It’s not different for professional relationships. Work on the heart of your business. Have some great events.
And less emotion. And that’s a potential problem.
Jan columnistPeeters,
People need emotion like they need oxygen. A company that does not allow emotion, is not a company – it’s a production zone. And that is, besides ROI and EBITDA, one of the major challenges of these times: make sure that the employees become or stay emotionally connected to the company. If a company is nothing more than a provider of work and a salary, ultimately it will die.
More than ever, we must think of creative and motivating ways to bring people together. To meet, to exchange ideas, to get to know each other and to socialize. That is the foundation of every company culture. This culture can only be defined, communicated, and shared when people feel it.
Create the desire to belong through events
Very clever, very rational. Like it should be.
The now famous Airbnb slogan “belong anywhere” has some truth in it: today’s digital nomads do not feel like they are “abroad” anymore: the world is their home, and they come and go without problems. Mind you, there are still a lot of administrative obstacles to overcome – but that’s another story. However, if you want to (re)build a company culture, people need to feel like they belong to the company. Not because they have to, but because they want to.
- 62COLUMN
We have learnt the joys and the challenges of working remotely, and more and more companies see their teams of “digital nomads” grow. All this makes the company headquarters a different place compared to, say, three years ago: less people, less buzz, less meetings, less watercooler moments.
high-end gastronomy and long-lasting wine traditions next to the folklore and couleur local really make it an attractive destination. Are you ready for your next event or incentive in Hungary?
info:
· A great diversity in landscapes as the land of springs and water
The popularity of Hungary for business tourism, events and incentives grew during the years. Today we can say that a city like Budapest can easily compete with other MICE destinations
· Easily accessible in the center of Europe Prime IT-infrastructure and top 10 mobile internet connections worldwide
More Ivan Ljubinkovic, Benelux Kris
· Long-lasting traditions, folklore and history
Ivan.Ljubinkovic@visithungary.com or
Your next event or incentive in Hungary
· International renowned wine areas and outstanding cuisine
in Europe and the world. There is also a growing interest however for the rest of the country, outside of the capital. The central location in Europe, the diverse landscape, the rich culture, the
· Location for several international events, cultural and music festivals A lively capital with beautiful venues
Van den Broeck, kris@thx.agency - 63 -
· A creative spirt and hub for innovation and science
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representative
So why choose Hungary?
· A playground for outdoor activities with hiking, thermal water, hot air balloons, golf, biking, sailing, kayaking and so much more
ScandinaviëontdekkenmetjeteambegintbijNordicNORDIC.NLNORDIC.BE
