“ T H E O S C A R S O F T H E T R AV E L I N D U S T RY � WA L L S T R E E T J O U R N A L
Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony SOHO Square, Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh 16 September 2011
Book seats today for this must-attend networking event booking@worldtravelawards.com Event Partners
Partners
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Meridian Meridian Club at WTM WTM Meridian exclusive travel Mer idian Club is tthe he e xclusive business club ffor or tr ave el industry buyers with direct purchasing indus try buy ers wit h dir ect pur chasing rresponsibility. esponsibility. At At World Market, W orld TTravel ravel Mar ket, Meridian Meridian Club ffacilitates acilitates business opportunities between buyers exhibitors oppor tunities be tween buy ers and e xhibitors tto o meet, meet, network ne twork and conclude business deals.
WTM WTM Official Premier Premier Partner Partner
www.wtmlondon.com/mcxenios www.wtmlondon.com/mcxenios
If you you are are a buyer, buyerr, apply apply to to become a member of Meridian Meridian Club by by registering registering for for World World Travel Travel Market. Market.
WTM W TM Official Media Partner Partner
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The Global Meetings & Events Exhibition 29 November – 1 December 2011 Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain
Five star business opportunities for meetings and events professionals Join over 14,200 industry professionals at the leading international event for the meetings and events industry, taking place in the vibrant city of Barcelona. Senior level buyers and decision makers can also benefit from being fully hosted at the show.
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If you only go to one show a year this is an annual must-attend event without a doubt. Tim Procter – Air Charter Ltd.
Scan the QR code with your mobile to watch our show video and be inspired! No code reader? Search for QR reader in your app store; download one of the selection of apps available. Alternatively, visit our website to view the video www.eibtm.com
Find out more and register today at www.eibtm.com/xenios EIBTM is part of the Reed Travel Exhibitions Meetings and Events Portfolio organised by
Topics & Trends
WTM Launches Free WTM Mobile App
World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, has launched a free mobile App, available to download to all major smartphones. The App is perfect accessory for all World Travel Market participants before during and after the event, helping exhibitors to plan their time at WTM 2011. The App includes a number of features including; The ability to register real-time news twitter feeds videos, an array of photos from the exhibition floor exhibitor and seminar listing receive bespoke information from WTM based on your particular area of interest, and a bespoke personal event planner and route finder
The App, which was designed by GenieMobile, is available to download free of charge to all iPhones from the APP Store, from the Android Market and from the WTM website (www.wtmlondon.com/app) for Blackberry and Windows smartphones, or from this QR code; It can be updated prior to arriving at WTM to get the most upto-date information without incurring extra roaming charges. World Travel Market Exhibition Director Simon Press said: “The WTM App is a great initiative which will improve all our participants’ experience at WTM, by increasing the ability to plan before WTM 2011 and maximise everybody’s time while attending the event.” “The App enables our audience to know everything about WTM at the touch of a button. It will allow visitors and exhibitors to interact with WTM from their mobile phones and encourage increased connections between exhibitors and visitors adding to the overall exhibition experience.”
Speed Networking Overhauled for WTM 2011 Event held in one room before exhibition opens to give even more time for buyers and exhibitors to conclude deals World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, has overhauled its Speed Networking programme for WTM 2011 to allow exhibitors and buyers even more time to conclude deals. Speed Networking will now take place as one hour-long session before the exhibition opens on Monday 7 November at 9am – 10am in Platinum Suite 3 and 4. Previously, Speed Networking took place in five sessions – based around the regions of the exhibition – throughout the first day of World Travel Market. The change increases the amount of time at the event for exhibitors and Meridian Club members to carry on and conclude negotiations that start in the Speed Networking session. Crucially, it also allows exhibitors to remain on their stands throughout the first day of WTM – conducting even more business with Meridian Club buyers.
“Independent research revealed WTM 2010 generated a record £1,425 million in industry deals, with Speed Networking playing a crucial role.
WTM 2010 was the catalyst for a record £1,425 million in travel and tourism industry deals – a 25% increase on the £1,139 million generated by WTM 2009.
“With the changes to this year’s Speed Networking, which will give exhibitors and Meridian Club buyers even more time to conduct and conclude business deals and allow exhibitors even greater time on their stands, I would hope WTM 2011 will be the catalyst for a greater amount of travel industry deals than ever before.”
World Travel Market Exhibition Director Simon Press said: “Speed Networking has been a great success since World Travel Market introduced it in 2009.
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World Travel Market’s Social Media Revolution World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, is for the first time reaching out to the global online travel community with the launch of a new travel blog, a number of social media webinars and an extensive social media programme taking place during the exhibition. The all encompassing WTM Social Media Programme has been designed to connect with the thousand’s of people and companies that make up the online travel community, to encourage interaction year-round and especially during World Travel Market 2011. The World Travel Blogspot will go live in September, encouraging the travel communities around WTM to share, tweet and comment. The blog will look to cover travel related topics of interest to the international travel community drawing on WTM’s rich content and official programme of events. WTM have also identified a demand within the travel community for education on how to develop, launch, manage and measure effective social media campaigns. The paid for social media webinars that will be published during October, will feature an underlying theme of ‘Social Media Business Class – how to future proof your travel business’. During the four days of WTM (Monday 7 – Thursday 10 November) an extensive programme of social media activities have been planned to educate and engage participants. The highlight of the programme is the two day Social Travel Market (STM) taking place Wednesday 9 November (North Gallery Room 10) and Thursday 10 November (North Gallery Room 4/5). The STM will be made up of competitions, keynote speeches, panel debates and practical workshops covering a range of topics such as:
·The ROI of paid travel blogging ·Video – Your most important social media tool? ·The Perfect Travel Tweet ·How to supercharge your blog STM (@socialtrav) is free to attend for WTM visitors and is organised by travel writer Mark Frary (@markfrary) and The Sunday Times Online Travel Editor Steve Keenan (@stevenkeenan). “Social Travel Market is aimed at bloggers, digital marketing executives, PRs and anyone in the travel industry interested in tools such as Facebook, WordPress, Twitter and the next generation of networks such as Google+,” said Frary. “We have a cracking line-up of speakers confirmed already, including Fortune Cookie’s Justin Cooke, Granturismo’s Lara Dunston, VisitBritain’s Pleasance Coddington and Juantxo Llantada of the Valencia Regional Tourist Board with more big names to come.” On Monday 7 November, the International Federation for Information Technologies in Travel and Tourism (IFITT) Conference will be hosted at WTM with keynote speaker Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, e-tourism specialist from Bournemouth University.The workshop is set to discuss Technology and Social Media enabled Real-time Service Management in Hospitality and Tourism. Tuesday 8 November, Platinum Suite 1, 14.00 – 15.00 plays host to Genesys, The Travel Technology Consultancy and their session on Making the Most of Social Media. Paul Richer, Senior Partner of Genesys will discuss how to make social media work for your organisation. Also on Tuesday 8 November Travel Bloggers Unite will be presenting case studies to help demonstrate the best practice for working with travel bloggers and how they can provide impressive ROI for your organisation. This is taking place in North Gallery Room 8 from 15.30 – 16.30. World Travel Market Exhibition Director Simon Press said: “Social media continues to grow in its influence over all industries. Tourism being very consumer led needs to embrace, engage and utilise the tools that are available. WTM is looking to help educate the industry with the expanding Social Media programme and input from some of the leading companies that specialise in social media”. Delegates will be encouraged to tweet and submit questions during the panels and presentations. For the full WTM Event Programme including dates of sessions and timings please visit www.wtmlondon.com/eventprogramme
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FINAL CALL FOR EIBTM 2011 TECHNOLOGY WATCH AWARD ENTRIES WINNING ENTRY RECEIVES A STAND IN TECHNOLOGY VILLAGE @EIBTM There are just two weeks left for organisations to enter the EIBTM Technology Watch awards scheme. The closing date is 2nd September. EIBTM Technology Watch acts as a major opportunity for companies to demonstrate new and innovative technology solutions that make a real difference to the meeting and event planner’s business. It is free to enter and the most recognised company for technological innovation, voted by the judges, gets a stand within the Technology Village @ EIBTM 2011. The winner also gets to receive publicity through the EIBTM Show Daily, recognition in the communications and press releases about the awards distributed worldwide, the chance to do business with the Hosted Buyer and trade visitor community and to meet the global industry media that attend the show. They also get to present their winning technology at the end of a technology hour education session. Judging will take place on Wednesday 5th October 2011 and the company chosen will be informed shortly after this date. To enter the Technology Watch awards scheme and for further details, visit www.eibtm.com/techwatch.
EIBTM 2011 takes places 29th November – 1st December 2011, Barcelona. Join EIBTM on Linked in, Twitter and Facebook.
EIBTM 2011 VISITOR REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Take advantage of early accommodation and travel deals in Barcelona Trade Visitor registration for EIBTM 2011 (29th November – 1st December) is now open. Pre-registration at www.eibtm.com/register <http://www.eibtm.com/register> provides the flexibility of diary planning, saves money, offers various travel discounts on accommodation and flights plus fast track entry to 3 days of business, education and networking at the world’s leading industry event. Trade visitor status at EIBTM is an option offered to those who prefer to organise their own schedules and appointments during the three-day event taking place at the Fira Gran Via, Barcelona – it also secures free entry (onsite entry fee is €25). Online there are hotels for every budget and partner airline discounted travel for those who book early. Additional privileges include regular show news updates in the run up the event, a copy of the show preview and fast-track entry. This year EIBTM will also be providing an e-badging option for visitors who would prefer to receive their badge via email. Trade visitors will have the opportunity to connect with over 14,200 international industry professionals expected to attend EIBTM 2011, access to 3,000 leading global suppliers and free entrance to cutting edge education seminars and networking events. 6
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All pre-registered attendees can also take advantage of the Connect@EIBTM networking tool. Connect@EIBTM is an online community providing pre-registered attendees direct access to communicate with other participants attending the show and will be live in the final weeks leading up EIBTM. “We encourage visitors to pre-register as early as possible so that they can take advantage of every aspect of the event, including discounted flights and accommodation in Barcelona.” confirmed Graeme Barnett, EIBTM Event Director. Shortly after ICCA’s announcement that Barcelona has been ranked as the 2nd most popular city destination for hosting international association meetings EIBTM has announced it’s official partnership with Lufthansa airline and successfully secured competitive rates with 47 partner hotels starting from as little as €120 per night.
For more information about visiting EIBTM please visit www.eibtm.com/travel <http://www.eibtm.com/travel> To find out more about EIBTM and ways to attend, please visit www.eibtm.com <http://www.eibtm.com/>
EIBTM NETWORKING EVENTS www.eibtm.com NEW VENUES FOR Hosted Buyer Icebreaker
ACCOMMODATION AND FLIGHT DETAILS FOR EIBTM 2011
Welcome Reception Club Night
COMPETITIVE RATES FOR EXHIBITORS AND VISITORS
The award winning City of Barcelona and the Barcelona Turisme Convention Bureau, has joined forces with Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) and local event partners to create a number of new venues for the networking events at this year’s EIBTM (29th November to 1st December) celebrating its 23rd anniversary.
Shortly after ICCA’s announcement that Barcelona has been ranked as the 2nd most popular city destination for hosting international association meetings – EIBTM has successfully secured competitive rates with 47 partner hotels for this year’s exhibition and announced that once again its international airline partner this year will be Lufthansa.
The EIBTM Welcome Reception will, for the first time, take place outside of the Fira in the centre of the City and around the famous Barcelona Magical Fountains. Created in 1929 for the Great Universal Exhibition, the fountains today produce a colour and light display that will form part of the evening’s entertainment. Courtesy transfers will, as usual, be provided for the 15-minute journey from Fira De Barcelona to the City centre. This year’s first EIBTM networking event is the Hosted Buyer Icebreaker, on Monday 28th November which will take place at the 5 star ME Barcelona (Melia Hotels) situated in the centre of town, and designed by renowned French architect Dominique Perrault. The venue is considered a dramatic new contemporary addition to the Barcelona hotel scene and the evening will bring the Hosted Buyer community together to network with each other prior to the start of the exhibition. Barcelona’s top nightspot – Opium Mar – will be the new venue for EIBTM Club Night, which takes place on Wednesday evening 30th November. Recently voted one of the “Finest Clubs in the World,” and the venue in the city
for some of the globe’s top recording artists’ live performances, the evening will be similar in concept to previous years but in a brand new indoor and outdoor space for everyone who attends EIBTM. “We decided that 2011 would be a year for change and innovation for our networking events. As Barcelona continues to win industry awards, we have been working closely with our partners at the Barcelona Turisme Convention Centre to deliver a combination of venues and events that we believe really will help celebrate our 8th year in the City. The combination of venues really gives the city an opportunity to show the diversity of their event space plus it gives all of our exhibitors, Hosted Buyers and Trade Visitors the opportunity to enjoy the social aspects of EIBTM in environments that also allows for the option of business to continue”, commented Graeme Barnett, EIBTM Event Director.
This year there are 41 official (4* and 5*) partnering hotels in Barcelona located near to the Fira Gran Via, the venue for EIBTM 2011. There are also a further 6 non-official partnering (4* status) hotels. A free shuttle bus service will operate between all official hotels, the airport and the venue. Additional supporters to EIBTM – the German airline; Lufthansa will once again provide competitive fares to all pre-registered trade visitors and exhibiting personnel. Lufthansa offers a comprehensive global route network linking Barcelona, Spain with multiple major cities around the world.
Reed Travel Exhibitions indeTo find out more about EIBTM and ways to pendently audits attendance figattend, please visit www.eibtm.com ures for each of its 5 portfolio events around the world. ABC is Join EIBTM on Linked in, Twitter and a not for profit, independent Facebook. industry body that audits exhibitions and our primary function is to offer you, the exhibitor, peace of mind by providing independent verification of the attendance figures for the exhibition you are buying into. EIBTM 2011 takes places 29th November – 1st December 2011, Barcelona. To find out more about how to secure EIBTM 2011 early bird rates please contact Ultramar Travel Management Company (Email: eibtm2011accommodation@ultramarevents.com or Tel +34 93 482 7163 )
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ABPCO’s Conference Cloud free Wi-Fi campaign secures over 100 signatures their support via the petition.” ABPCO plans to host a round-table debate with venues towards the end of October, hosted by the first venue to sign up to the campaign, Twickenham Experience. The full agenda for the debate will be released in the coming weeks. The debate over free Wi-Fi has already gained momentum on social media, via ABPCO’s LinkedIn group and in particular via the Twitter hashtag #confcloud.
The Conference Cloud campaign launched recently by ABPCO, the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers, has secured more than 100 signatures on its petition and already gathered the support of fifteen venues.
ABPCO invites both individuals and venues to sign up to the campaign via the website at www.theconferencecloud.co.uk.
The campaign, which calls for free Wi-Fi for conference delegates at venues across the UK, gathered momentum within hours of launching last month. ABPCO Chair Michael Foreman said: “We are delighted with the response to the campaign and welcome on board all those who have signed up as venues or lent
Abba city walk in Stockholm Join Stockholm City Museum on a walking tour of Abba and the 70s in Stockholm. The tour starts at the City Hall where Benny Andersson performed for his very first time. The tour continues to the Sheraton Hotel and the Royal Opera where great Abba-events took place. The approximately two hour tour revels in disco-glitter Abba history but also includes a lot of 1970s history of Stockholm and Sweden. More info at: Scandinavian Discovery: http://www.scandinaviandiscovery.com/2011/09/abb a-city-walk-in-stockholm/
Top 5 movie-themed hotels The Lord of the Rings prequel movie – ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ – is due for release in 2012, but in the meantime fans of Tolkien’s little rascals can now relive their favourite miniature moments for a few magical days. The Hobbit House of Montana is a 2-bedroom, 1,000 square foot underground bungalow complete with all the hobbit-themed paraphernalia you could dream of including handcarved hobbit door knobs and a Gandalf figurine. Skyscanner reveals the world’s top moviethemed hotels. 1. Lord of the Rings, Montana, USA This magical tribute to the pocket-sized heroes of The Lord of the Rings may not look much from outside but inside, the tiny house boasts modern additions such as a king-size bedroom, designer kitchen and WiFi all builtin to the Montana hillside on a private estate. According to owner Steve Michaels, guests can even hang out naked if they want to, such is the secluded nature of the Hobbit estate – just don’t stand too close to the barbeque on the deck outside. Live like the King and Queen of The Shire in the ultimate tribute to Tolkien’s epic masterpiece for only $245 per night. Find flights to Missoula 2. Tron: Legacy, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden The Tron: Legacyinspired hotel suite at the 21st Ice Hotel in Sweden is a chilling tribute to the neon-swathed Disney movie and an impressive feat of engineering in its own right. The 220 square foot room was inspired by the nightclub scene from the futuristic 2010 movie and contains a double-bed alongside 160 metres of low-energy electroluminescent
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wire, all housed within the hotel’s 21,500 tons of snow and 900 tons of ice. Find flights to Kiruna 3. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Fiji Nicknamed ‘5,000 acres under the sea’ the Poseidon Undersea Resort in Fiji is the world’s first seafloor resort and an experience of unparalled depth for fans of underwater movies such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Poseidon. For a fee of $15,000 per person per week, guests can enjoy a luxury undersea suite, diving in tropical lagoons and an initiation in piloting a three-person mini submarine. Find flights to Fiji 4. James Bond, Paris, France At the Seven Hotel on rue Berthollet in Paris, fans of the world’s greatest secret agent can live like a spy in the lavish and secluded 007 suite. The luxurious suite offers the kind of luxury Bond himself would certainly approve of, such as a 160cm large television screen, endless mirrors, a lounge corner for entertaining guests and even a ‘Golden Gun’ lamp on the bedside table. Remember to put the ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door if you’d rather not be shaken or stirred. Find flights to Paris 5. Star Wars, Matmata, Tunisia The traditional Berber Hôtel Sidi Driss in Matmata, Tunisia is the iconic location of some of the most famous scenes from Star Wars including the moment Luke Skywalker is served blue milk prepared in Lars kitchen. The caved dwellings of the hotel offer basic accommodation for guests, but the jewel in the underground crown is the Star Wars pit which houses the hotel’s restaurant. Find flights to Tunis
Get the London Makeover at IMEX to make an appointment and experience an exclusive pampering treatment at the London & Partners ‘Spa Bar’, sponsored by the AWAY Spa at London’s new W Hotel in Leicester Square. In keeping with the quintessentially British theme of W London, the signature product lines at AWAY Spa are by British brand REN.The ‘Spa Bar’ will offer visitors a place to recharge, get glamorous and experience a touch of luxurious London. Free treatments on offer will include:
London & Partners, the official promotional agency and CVB for the UK’s capital, are inviting IMEX America vistors to experience London’s renewed, revitalised and oh-so glamourous offer for business and event planners through a brand new interactive ‘spa bar’. With less than one year to go to the 2012 Games, London’s official convention bureau and event solutions service (previously known as Visit London) are looking forward to adding a touch of style and glamour to the international trade show in Las Vegas which takes place from 11th – 13th October 2011. 2012 is set to be an exciting year in the capital, and as London gears up to host the greatest show on earth, event planners have a unique opportunity to capitalise on the ‘halo’ effect being felt by the Games. By planning their event in a revitalised London, they can take advantage of the raft of improvements being made from enhanced transportation links, brand new attractions and state-of-theart hotels, as well soak-up the ‘buzz’ that will be felt around London before, during and after the Games. Over the next twelve months London will also play host to some of the world’s most exciting events including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Charles Dickens’ 200th anniversary, Shakespeare’s Festival and the Cultural Olympiad. Chris FJ Lynn, Sales & Marketing Director, North American & Emerging Markets said: “The legacy of 2012 will also bring with it a number of exciting new openings across London which will benefit visitors and event organisers for years to come. Visitors to the London stand can find out more about Europe’s largest indoor shopping mall, Westfield Stratford London, the reopening of the historic Cutty Sark, the multi million dollar Kensington Palace refurbishment and the launch of the Shard, set to be London’s tallest landmark – as well as a host of new hotels and event venues.”
- The Royal Treatment – A Kensington Palace ‘facelift’ – you’ll feel like you had a million dollars spent on you too! - The Time Treatment – The home of time is ‘Greenwich’ – while away the minutes with this soothing Indian head massage - The 2012 Treatment - Get ready, get set and race to have your mini manicure - The Diamond Treatment – The Jewel in the Crown of spa treatments the Jubilee Celebration Hand massage – fit for a queen! - The Dickens Treatment – don’t get your shoulders into an ‘Oliver’ Twist – relax and enjoy a shoulder massage. Lynn added: ‘The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been a catalyst for massive investment into the city and London & Partners can help event organisers to make the most of the unique new opportunities available when planning their event in London. London really does offer so much in terms of unique experiences and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities which just can’t be found anywhere else.” London & Partners will be joined on their booth by over 12 top London venues and hotels. They include: Business Design Centre, Chelsea Football Club, ICC London ExCeL London, Grand Connaught Rooms, Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel, Guoman & Thistle Hotels, Late Night London, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Novotel London West, DMC – Spectra, The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and the Wyndham Grand Chelsea Harbour. London & Partners will be offering a number of activities and events on the their booth #1006 and will also be co-hosting a special Olympic’s focused breakfast with ICC London ExCeL on Wednesday October 12th 2011 (8am breakfast) at Grand Lux Café Palazzo (Venetian Hotel). The event will give insight the exciting infrastructure changes being made to London to host the London 2012 Olympic Games, and how they will benefit the events industry. To register for the event – contact: info@excel-london.co.uk
Convention City Berlin in top form Current statistics show significant rise in the number of room nights and participants. Berlin – More events, participants and room nights – that’s the outcome of the current visitBerlin congress statistics for the first half-year 2011. According to the most recent numbers, room nights alone increased to about 3 million – 15% more than during the comparable prior year period. From January to June 53,450 meetings and conventions were staged in Berlin (+1%). The number of participants rose by 2% to 4.3 million. As far as the duration of the events is concerned, Berlin is with an average of 2.2 days far ahead of the national average.* “Berlin has firmly established itself in the international leader group,” says visitBerlin CEO Burkhard Kieker. “Constantly new event spaces and cultural offerings show that the Berlin capital is in top form!” For medical conventions Berlin is already the world market leader. 11% of all events during the first half-year 2011 are accounted for by this sector. Furthermore, the German capital is in particularly high demand in the field of commerce (11%). The congress statistics are entered twice a year into the online tool congress-berlin.net. At present 328 Berlin hotels, convention centres and locations participate. The results are evaluated by the independent market research company GHH Consult GmbH and published by the Berlin Convention Office of visitBerlin.
In celebration of London’s continuing city ‘makeover’, IMEX America visitors will be able Xenios
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Topics & Trends
Healthy growth of international tourism in first half of 2011 International tourism grew by almost 5% in the first half of 2011 totalling a new record of 440 million arrivals. Results confirm that, in spite of multiple challenges, international tourism continues to consolidate the return to growth initiated in 2010. Advanced economies grow faster than expected International tourist arrivals are estimated to have grown by 4.5% in the first half of 2011, consolidating the 6.6% increase registered in 2010. Between January and June of this year, the total number of arrivals reached 440 million, 19 million more than in the same period of 2010. Growth in advanced economies (+4.3%) has maintained strength and is closing the gap with emerging economies (+4.8%), which have been driving international tourism growth in recent years. This trend reflects the decreases registered in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as a slight slowdown in the growth of some Asian destinations following a very strong 2010. “The sustained growth registered in tourism demand in such challenging times clearly makes the case for the sector and reinforces our call to consider tourism as a priority in national policies. Tourism can play a key role in terms of economic growth and development, particularly at a moment when many economies, for the most part in Europe and North America, struggle for recovery and job creation,” said UNWTO SecretaryGeneral, Taleb Rifai. All world (sub)regions showed positive trends with the exception of the Middle East and North Africa. Results were better than expected in Europe (+6%), boosted by the recovery of Northern Europe (+7%) and Central and Eastern Europe (+9%), and the temporary redistribution of travel to destinations in Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+7%) due to developments in North Africa (-13%) and the Middle East (-11%). Sub-Saharan Africa (+9%) continued to perform soundly.
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The Americas (+6%) was slightly above the world average, with remarkably strong results for South America (+15%). Asia and the Pacific grew at a comparatively slower pace of 5%, but this more than consolidates its 13% bumper growth of 2010. Results from recent months show that destinations such as Egypt, Tunisia or Japan are seeing declines in demand clearly reverting. “We are very encouraged to see demand picking up in such important tourism destinations and call for continued support to these countries which are today fully ready to receive travellers from all over the world,” added Mr. Rifai. Continued growth and increasing uncertainty So far, the growth of international tourism arrivals is very much in line with the initial forecast issued by UNWTO at the beginning of 2011, 4% to 5%, for the full year 2011, a rate slightly above the 4% long-term average. As international tourism receipts were more affected by the 2008-2009 crisis and recovered somewhat slower than arrivals in 2010, this year should also see their further improvement. Following an encouraging first half of 2011, growth in the remainder of the year is expected to soften somewhat as recent months have brought increased uncertainty, hampering business and consumer confidence. “We must remain cautious as the global economy is showing signs of increased volatility,” said Mr. Rifai. “Many advanced economies still face risks posed by weak growth, fiscal problems and persistently high unemployment. Simultaneously, signs of overheating have become apparent in some emerging economies. Restoring sustained and balanced economic growth remains a major task”.
Topics & Trends:
Tourism Ministers to discuss how to consolidate recovery at the World Travel Market The fifth and largest UNWTO Ministers’ Summit held in cooperation with World Travel Market will look at how the travel and tourism sector can prosper following the global downturn (London, UK, 8 November 2011). Tourism Ministers and industry leaders attending the November 8 Summit – How Tourism Can Prosper Following the Global Downturn – will discuss and agree actions and principles the sector should take moving forward to consolidate recovery. The 2011 UNWTO Ministers’ Summit at WTM is poised to be the biggest yet with almost 200 ministers and aides expected to attend. The debate will look at how the private and public sectors can work together to tackle current industry challenges. Ministers and business leaders will review and debate: -The impact of fiscal consolidation and increased taxation in Europe -The effects of the developments in the MENA region on tourism -Consumers’ greater control of the market -Technology and new booking patterns, and -The growing importance of emerging markets Senior industry executives will again debate with ministers how the private and public sectors can work better together.
Previous industry participants include TUI Chief Executive Peter Long, Thomas Cook Chief Executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa and Co-op Travel Managing Director, Mike Greenacre. World Travel Market Chairman, Fiona Jeffery said: “I am very much looking forward to this year’s Ministers’ Summit. The summit is now in its fifth year and has been a great success with each one attracting more and more ministers. The 2011 edition is poised to be the biggest yet with almost 200 ministers and aides in attendance discussing the key issues to help the industry consolidate following the global downturn”. “The UNWTO Ministers’ Summit at the World Travel Market is a key moment for us. It constitutes a unique platform for debate between the ministers of tourism and between the public and the private sector,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “We are extremely pleased at our long standing relationship with the World Travel Market which has been decisive in making this event a success,” he added. For more information on the World Travel Market’s Ministerial Programme 2011 please visit www.wtmlondon.com/ministers .
BEIJING MUNICIPAL COMMISSION OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT (BTD) AND REED TRAVEL EXHIBITIONS SIGN FURTHER 3 YEAR M.O.U IN BEIJING Reed Travel Exhibitions meetings portfolio of events and the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development (BTD) have signed an MOU to further strengthen the current strategic partnership which was originally formed in 2009. This new MOU will run through to 2013. At an official signing ceremony that took place at CIBTM 2011, Mr Lu Yong Director General of BTD and Richard Mortimore, Managing Director Reed Travel Exhibitions agreed through the memorandum to assist the BTD develop a sustainable Business Tourism and Meetings (MICE) Sector with participation at events organized by RTE on 5 continents (other than China) including AIBTM (www.aibtm.com) in Baltimore, US. EIBTM (www.eibtm.com) in Barcelona, Spain. AIME (www.aime.com.au) Melbourne, Australia and GIBTM in Abu Dhabi, Middle East (www.gibtm.com). The continuation of this partnership is part of BTD’s business tourism strategy to ensure they maintain their status as the hub of the MICE industry in Asia, and to raiseawareness of their increasing development of the infrastructure for the meetings 12
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sector in the city. BTD will, in turn, assist RTE with the strategic development of CIBTM in the region. This alliance will also help strengthen BTD’s relationship with the world’s leading industry associations – at CIBTM this year SITE and ICCA held their annual conferences and they will continue to return in the future. Mr Sun Weijia, Vice Chairman of BTD said; “The co-operation of RTE and BTD over the past few years has been excellent and surely will continue to grow so that both of us can benefit . We aim to help develop CIBTM to be the best in the region and in the future we are looking for it to be one of the mostinfluential in the world. ” “The BTD are already participating in our portfolio of events and we hope that this willcontinue and strengthen through this ongoing strategic partnership. By working together to build CIBTM in China and helping Beijing expand its profile internationally, we expect the industry to benefit significantly.” Said Richard Mortimore, Managing Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.
GETTING PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR A MEETING CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS SUCCEED. MEETINGS PLUS ADDS VALUE TO YOUR PLANNING, AND WE MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER BY MAKING YOUR MEETING OUR PRIORITY.
The important thing is for you to focus on your meeting, not on how to get people there. That’s where we can help. Quite simply, we have the advantage of a worldwide airline network which makes it easier for you to plan your international meeting across the globe. And we can do it through one point of contact, efficiently and at a great price. So the world opens up to you and everyone attending your meeting through the network of 28 member airlines. Your people gain a lot too. They’ll get cheaper fares, coordinated flights and access to over 990 airport lounges worldwide. They can also get frequent flyer benefits at every step of the way – from priority check-in and priority boarding, as well as all the advantages of priority baggage handling and additional allowances. And by simply downloading a widget you get the opportunity to check flight status anytime. Just visit www.staralliance.com/meetingsplus.
www.staralliance.com
Information correct as at 09/2010
Topics & Trends:
“Asian Top 3”: China outbound is growing faster than Japan and South Korea
Increases above all in travel to Europe – vacations an increasingly powerful motivation for travel, especially for the Chinese – Significant declines in foreign travel by Japanese expected Berlin, 30 August 2011 – The volume of foreign travel from Asia’s three main travel nations, China, Japan and South Korea, is growing again. Following a nine per cent decline due to the crises in 2009, in 2010 foreign travel from Asia increased by 17 per cent. This represents a total volume of 128 million individual journeys. Asia’s share of foreign travel now accounts for 18 per cent of the world total. With this increase Asia has consolidated its position as the second most important region on the foreign travel market. An evaluation by “IPK International – World Travel Monitor Company”, commissioned by ITB Berlin, reveals that Asia is exceeded only by Europe, with a 56 per cent share, as a source of foreign travel. China, Japan and South Korea have long been the top 3 countries in outgoing travel from Asia with over one-third (a total of 46.5 million) of all Asians who travel abroad coming from one of these three countries. And other Asian destinations are also very popular with travellers from these three countries. Three out of every four international trips by Asians start and end somewhere on that continent. However, the individual markets reveal substantial differences in terms of the destinations. Whereas some 39 per cent of Japanese choose destinations outside Asia, in China only 33 per cent of travellers go outside their own continent, while overseas trips are only undertaken by 20 per cent of Koreans. This trend is also apparent when we consider travel to Europe. Europe receives 3.6 million 14
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visitors from Japan and some 3.8 million from China, compared with only about 1.1 million Koreans. Five years ago the proportion of trips to destinations outside Asia was slightly higher. In 2005, for example, the Japanese accounted for 47 per cent of all international journeys from Asia, the Chinese for 37 per cent, and the Koreans for 26 per cent. Referring to the changes in travel behaviour, Dr. Martin Buck, Director of the Competence Centre Travel and Logistics at Messe Berlin, stated: “The decline in overseas travel from Asia is attributable firstly to the world economic crisis and secondly to the rapid development of destinations within Asia. As a result Asians are finding that journeys within their own continent are not only more favourably priced but are also attractive.” Over a period of five years China has seen the largest increase in foreign travel, followed by South Korea and Japan. However, initial data indicates that, in the aftermath of the earthquake and nuclear disaster in Japan, and the subsequent economic consequences, instead of an increase this year there will be a significant decline. With 15 per cent growth China also occupies first place in travel to Europe. There has also been a percentage increase in trips to Europe from Japan over the past five years. In contrast with other markets South Korea has not yet recovered to the same extent from the economic crisis. This is very evident in the long-haul travel sector, with trips to European destinations revealing a slight decline over the past five years. Approximately three-quarters of all foreign travel starting from China and Japan is in the form of a vacation or
other private trip. In South Korea this is the motivation for almost two-thirds of all international journeys. By way of comparison: only just under half of foreign trips from India are by people vacationing. In China in particular vacations now play a much more important role in motivating people to travel than was the case five years ago, the proportion of travel undertaken for vacationing purposes having risen from 56 to 77 per cent. In Japan the importance of vacation travel, at 67 per cent, was already at a relatively high level five years ago, while in South Korea the corresponding figure remains unchanged at 64 per cent. A number of significant trends are evident in the type of vacation too. Round trips are particularly popular with holidaymakers from all three countries. In this respect, while there has hardly been any change on the Japanese market over the past five years, round trips are definitely becoming the most popular form of vacation for the Chinese and South Koreans. In recent years city tours have been increasingly chosen by vacationing Japanese, who now prefer them to beachside destinations. Among the Chinese the situation is completely reversed, with city tours declining in importance over the past five years and now lagging some way behind beach vacations in popularity. In South Korea city tours and beach vacations are of roughly the same importance, but with a decline in city tours as a percentage compared with previous years.
Topics & Trends
IMEX America’s Education Line-Up Enhances Business Experiences
IMEX America provides the ideal setting for the US and global events, meetings, and incentive travel industry to get new business done, and the IMEX America education program is in lock step with this purpose.
cation is free of charge. Some trade association co-located events do require an additional fee for participation.
The week of IMEX America is packed with educational value, led by IMEX America’s strategic partner and premier education provider, Meeting Professionals International (MPI). The education program is focused on making participant’s businesses and careers stronger; starting full force on ‘Smart Monday’ October 10. This full day, dedicated solely to professional education and networking, will be followed by the three-day trade show.
The main pillar of IMEX America’s educational program will be strategic partner MPI’s contribution, which starts on ‘Smart Monday’ with the MeetDifferent Day of Education and Innovation. These sessions are free of charge, provide CEU credit and are open to all buyers and suppliers. This day includes education design elements such as the Learning Hallway and Idea XChange as well as MPI Knowledge Sessions. Content developers are promising that each session will deliver not only something to help attendees make the most of their time at the exhibition, but also take valuable content back to the office. Business-savvy subjects include “Take Positive Control and Lead For The Future,” “The buy/sell relationship”, “The Essentials of Negotiation”, two “Meeting Design” workshops and several sessions devoted to CSR. The day will also include a backstage tour of the Blue Man Group studio Theater.
During the show, other IMEX partners will present more than 80 speakers, workshops and seminars scheduled either outside of the show’s core hours or on the tradeshow floor to keep the focus on business appointments. In addition, 14 major co-located industry events will take place in Las Vegas both before and after the trade show at the Sands Expo Oct. 11 – 13 maximizing the return on participants’ time and travel. “We are really excited to be presenting such a comprehensive and extremely high-value educational program with something for everyone emphasizing IMEX America’s ‘business all the way’ focus,” said Ray Bloom, IMEX Group Chairman, “Our goal is to deliver a successful show for all of our exhibitors, our hosted buyers and our planner attendees, satisfying both their business and educational needs and allowing them to maximize their time away from the office.” The show’s education program designed primarily by MPI is relevant to all industry professionals in North America and internationally, and promises to deliver information that is beneficial during the show and when attendees return to the office. Key tracks and themes will include leadership, innovation, technology, environmental and CSR best practices, as well as marketing and social media. Among other topics covered by expert speakers will be risk management, buyer trends, management and operational trends as well as industry legislation. All MPI edu18
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Strategically important education from MPI
‘Smart Monday’ on Oct. 10 will also be when IMEX America Association Day & Evening (in partnership with ICCA and ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership), IAEE’s CEM Professional Designation Learning Program, ACTE’s Power Talk, ICCA’s Association Expert Seminar and Site Nite North America will take place. Two private client events by Carlson Marketing and Maritz Travel will also be held on the same day. MPI Keynote General Sessions every day In addition to an innovative ‘Smart Monday’ education program, MPI will offer Keynote General Sessions each morning before the trade show begins. Access to these great speakers is open to all attendees at no charge. The global speakers selected are all renowned for their international business acumen and insight and include: Robin Sieger, Scottish Businessman and international best-selling author of Natural Born Winners, who will
bring IMEX America delegates engaging experiences and concepts that go beyond change management and into change activation; Dr. Brené Brown, award-winning educator and research professor, will help attendees think about using laughter, creativity and authenticity to make their organizations more resilient. Finally, Peter Sheahan, the best-selling author of Fl!p and five other books, will debut a new program and challenge delegates to turn traditional business paradigms on their heads. During the trade show days of October 11 - 13, a number of IMEX partners will offer seminars in the morning before the show begins. They include ICCA, Site, DMAI and IAPCO. IAEE and PCMA will offer sessions during the afternoon. A large number of the educational activities provided at IMEX America will also provide the added benefit of qualifying participants for professional development, CMP points or re-certification points. LearningCurve Zone – An educational hub on the show floor The IMEX America LearningCurve Zone will be a large, dedicated booth at the heart of the show floor, sponsored by the Convention Industry Council and providing a hub for information and “drop-in” education. Drop-in sessions include: “The mobile revolution – Why should you care?” by David Snell, CEO of QuickMobile; “Meetings are risky business” by Tyra W. Hilliard, PhD, JD, CMP and Consultant Associate Professor at the University of Alabama; “Meeting design and the future of meetings” by John Nawn, Founder of The Perfect Meeting; “What is your corporate brand for gaining customers and hiring staff” by Mary Power, Executive Director of the HR Certification Institute and “Mastering Magical Persuasion” presented by Traci L. Brown, Persuasion Expert and Certified Master NLP Practitioner. In addition, the Sustainability Center (powered by GMIC, the Green Meeting Industry Council) will be devoted to education on green meetings, products and best practices. This Center will offer free “Green Power” sessions, expert advice, tool kits and case studies. All visitors will also have the opportunity to discuss their particular CSR programs, understand how to develop one from scratch or simply pick up tips on program improvements and trends from the experts on-hand.
Elsewhere on the show floor, a Techno-How Zone and Gadget Bar will feature six new exhibitors from the meetings technology sector who will have staff on hand for consultation as well as their latest products and devices available for test drives. They will be: The ViridiSTOR Greenbox TM Solution; EventMobi; EventPilot; MINT – Mobile Interactive Networking Tool; ootoWeb Attendee Management with Mobile and Video Tattoo Badges. Lightning Learning Labs – A chance for exhibitors to learn IMEX America will also introduce “Lightning Learning Labs” for exhibitors who want added value from their time at the show. At just 20 minutes long, these learning labs will allow booth staff to attend during their coffee or comfort breaks. These sessions will include research findings from SPIN (Senior Planners Industry Network) on how to deliver winning site inspections and fam trips plus trade show dos and don’ts. Bob Prewitt, President of Dana Communications, a leading hospitality and travel lifestyle marketing agency, will also lead sessions on “Marketing Meetings in the Interactive Age”. Technology @ Work- A way to personalize the IMEX America experience To help personalize the education experience at IMEX America and allow easy navigation of the different options available, the show’s website (www.imexamerica.com) now has advanced functionality in the form of a detailed ‘Events and Seminars’ page which is searchable by date, track, partner or exhibitor event plus a handy top-line overview called ‘Schedule At A Glance.’ The IMEX America App, developed with Strategic Partner MPI and QuickMobile (and sponsored by Freemans), enables attendees to view and adjust their personal IMEX America schedules and to check what’s coming up each hour on any smart phone. This ‘what’s on next’ feature was introduced for the first time at IMEX in Frankfurt in May and proved one of the most highly rated and used parts of the IMEX App.
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Topics & Trends
Organisers Promise Best IT&CMA and CTW In Its 10 Year Run In Thailand Event Outperforms On All Fronts Including Exhibitor Investment and Quality of Buyer Profiles Travel Managers) and media to catch up on business without having to miss the other goings-on at the event. Another first at IT&CMA and CTW is Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts’ Roving Polaroid Pictures to allow delegates to capture memories of the event, as they happen.
Bangkok, September 2011 – IT&CMA and CTW will have much to celebrate as this international business event commemorates its 10th year in Thailand. This 2011, Asia’s Only Doublebill Event In MICE and Corporate Travel will present an exceptionally strong exhibitor showcase, new and innovative sponsored activities to engage delegates and an enviable buyer profile that includes some of the industry’s mega buying houses. Exhibitors Choose To Invest At IT&CMA and CTW 2011 Up and coming MICE destinations Cambodia and Vietnam have chosen IT&CMA and CTW as their debut business platform to the MICE and Corporate Travel industry. With the objective of promoting and increasing awareness of their capabilities as a MICE Destination, Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia and Vietnam MICE Club are making a powerful inaugural statement with a 36sqm and 48sqm booth respectively. This achievement also represents the event’s first major break-through in the Indochina region. Returning exhibitors are making larger investments in IT&CMA and CTW as evidenced through the increase in booth sizes. Pattaya MICE City has more than tripled their exhibition space from 18sqm to a whopping 60sqm. Sri Lanka Convention City has also increased their space from 18sqm to 24sqm. National States such as Hyderabad CVB and Seoul & Sabah, have emerged from their country pavilions to participate as individual entities. This is due to the event’s growing reputation, consistent delivery of ROI and strong industry confidence. In total, IT&CMA and CTW will see a 10% leap to some 335 exhibiting companies this year, closely matching its previous high in 2009. Said Mr Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media – event organiser of IT&CMA and CTW, “Despite the good showing in terms of exhibitor numbers, the show is looking to re-emphasize its ability to deliver a quality exhibition showcase of international MICE and Corporate Travel suppliers. We want to position IT&CMA and CTW as a powerful international platform for suppliers around the world to achieve their diverse business objectives.” New and Innovative Activities To Engage MICE & Corporate Travel Delegates, Is A Hit With Sponsors Busan is sponsoring a 108sqm the event’s first-ever Hosted Delegate Lounge. Located on the exhibition floor, this lounge will be the perfect way for hosted buyers (MICE and Corporate 20
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This slew of new sponsorship ideas has created fresh and exciting opportunities for exhibitors to enhance their presence at IT&CMA and CTW, while value-adding to delegates’ experience at the event. Meanwhile, sponsorship of delegate bags, escalator wraps, tee-shirts, lanyards and badges has been snapped up by long time partner, Thailand Convention and Exhibitions Board (TCEB), while Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong will be engaging delegates with an informal sun-downer at the end of the business day. Improved Buyer Validation and Acquisition Process Results In Quality MICE & Corporate Travel Buyers With Spending Power Exhibitors looking for buyers with deep pockets will be satisfied to meet representatives from organisations with annual budgets for Asia ranging from USD 250,000 to USD 2,000,000. This includes Stella Travel Services – Australia, Web Applications Society @WAS-Austria, China International Travel Agency (CITS) – Shanghai, Centre Formation ESKA – France, Next Generation Ltd – Greece, Delta Travel Group – Hungary, International League Against Epilepsy – Ireland, PRM Events/ PRM Brokers Limited – United Kingdom, and many more. This 2011, the event will also welcome first-time MICE buyers from eight new countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Denmark, Latvia, Lebanon, Macedonia and Saudi Arabia; all with a keen interest in buying into Asia. The specially formed TTG Advisory Committee’s concentrated efforts to increase participation from Corporate Travel Managers this year continues to yield results. Along with a record 125 Corporate Travel Managers to date, the show will see representation from three new countries: Taiwan, Italy and United Kingdom. Quality of Corporate Travel Manager profiles continue to remain high with the largest contingent of travel managers belong to leading MNCs in the Engineering, Energy, Petroleum, Chemicals and Manufacturing industries. Meanwhile, Corporate Travel demand from China, Thailand and United States have surged with travel managers from these territories almost tripling this year. Some 120 international and local Thai media will be providing international coverage to IT&CMA and CTW 2011. Thanks to the support of its four TTG Official Media and 28 international Media Affiliates, the event has already received considerable global exposure in the run up to the event.
BOI-TCEB to host CEO Forum at BOI Fair 2011 World Expo 2020 Pavilion promotes Thailand as destination for investment and MICE events, and confirms Thailand’s potential to host World EXPO 2020 Bangkok: August 2011 – Thailand’s BOI Fair 2011 will showcase the latest technologies of the future, and also features a summit of over 300 business leaders from around the world, including international organizations such as UNCTAD and ASEAN. Participants attending the CEO FORUM will discuss the investment environment in Thailand and opportunities in the new global landscape. Also, at this year’s BOI Fair, the EXPO 2020 Pavilion will serve as a springboard to launch further developments in Thailand’s bid to host the World Expo 2020. The pavilion will help raise awareness and mobilize public participation in bringing this mega-event to Thailand. Announcing the BOI Fair 2011 “Going Green for the Future”, Dr. Atchaka Sribunrueang, Secretary-General of Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), revealed that the event – to be held on 10-25 November 2011 at Impact Muang Thong Thani – will be a joint effort between the BOI and the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). TCEB is the main state agency responsible for promoting Thailand’s international conference industry. The two agencies have joined hands to convene the CEO Forum on 10 November 2011, the opening day of the BOI Fair 2011. Keynote speakers at the CEO Forum will include leaders of international organizations and top executives from Thailand’s leading companies and multinational corporations, including Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary General of UNCTAD; executives from Minebea Group of Companies, Japan; Dow Chemical Co. (USA) as well as Mr. Karn Trakunhun, President of the Siam Cement Group; senior representatives of companies investing in Thailand, and many leading banks. In addition, BOI will organize an Honorary Investment Advisor (HIA) meeting for the first time, to be held on 9 November 2011. This will serve as a forum for Thailand’s government leaders to discuss BOI’s 5-year investment promotion strategy with renowned global experts. Mr. Akapol Sorasuchart, President of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), said, “TCEB is delighted to join the BOI in organizing this HIA meeting and CEO Forum as part of our mission to promote the hosting of international MICE events by our public sector. It is also one of the major objectives of TCEB’s “Believe in Thailand” campaign, which was launched last year. TCEB joined with BOI in creating a forum for the world’s top corporate executives and foreign investors to meet with government leaders, policymakers and leaders of Thailand’s private sector. In addition to promoting investment in Thailand, the event represents an important opportunity to build investor confidence. The world’s top executives will see for themselves Thailand’s potential and readiness as an ideal destination for international MICE events.” Thailand is an ideal MICE destination for four main reasons: – 1) Thailand’s long and successful track record and strong professional expertise in organizing world-class MICE business events; 2) Superb infrastructure, accommodation and facilities; 3) A diverse choice of event venues in major cities (including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya and Cha-am), and the exclusive attractions of Khao Yai, Hat Yai, Samui, and Kanchanaburi; and 4) a wide range of business opportunities creating additional added value and investment.
will also host a number of other major activities, such as luncheon and a reception dinner for 300 top executives and investors both from Thailand and from around the world. Also, TCEB’s marketing strategy will focus on participants at the event in order to build investor confidence and attract corporate MICE events from around the world to Thailand. It is also an opportunity to present Thailand to global CEOs through TCEB’s plans for promotional activities, such as roadshows and familiarization trips. Mr Akapol added, “The highlight of the 2011 BOI Fair is the launch of the EXPO 2020 Pavilion. The aim is to showcase Thailand’s candidacy to host the World Expo 2020 mega-event to the public. Under the theme ‘Redefine Globalisation – Balanced Life, Sustainable Living’, the 2,000m2 Pavilion will offer an overview of the World Expo event itself, as well as Thailand’s history with the World Expo 2020, and a launch of the concept masterplan. The event will feature a ‘nightshow’ with spectacular special effects every evening. We anticipate the Pavilion will attract over 107,000 visitors over the 16 days of the event. TCEB has also extended an invitation to Mr. Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, Secretary General of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), Paris. Mr. Loscertales will join the evening welcome banquet on 9 November, and will deliver a special keynote address on the topic “Innovation, Economic Impact and Investment Opportunities from the World Expo” to the audience of senior executives that will join the CEO Forum, including leaders of the Board of Trade, Federation of Thai Industries, members of the Thai Chambers of Commerce, and the Stock Exchange of Thailand. TCEB has also invited Mr. Loscertales to preside over the official opening of the EXPO 2020 Pavilion. As part of the itinerary for Mr. Loscertales’ visit to Thailand, TCEB has also organized a visit to Ayutthaya, the proposed host of the Expo 2020, in order to experience the Loy Krathong celebration and see the province’s potential and readiness to host the World EXPO 2020, on 10 November. Mr. Loscertales will also meet with representatives of the new government. “The EXPO 2020 Pavilion is the perfect springboard to announce Thailand’s readiness to host the World Expo 2020 to a global audience of very high caliber. It is also a chance to establish the World Expo 2020 as not only a part of the national agenda for our government, but also as a part of the hearts and minds of all Thai people. The Expo 2020 must be an Expo that belongs to the people. Right now, we feel that Thailand has a good chance of winning this bid to host the event, especially if we work together. In particular, we have very strong government backing, and, compared to the other countries who have declared their intention to bid, we have made excellent progress,” Mr. Akapol concluded. The BOI Fair 2011 will take place from 10-25 November 2011 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. The CEO Forum will be held on 10 November at the Diamond Ballroom, Hall 9, whilst the EXPO 2020 Pavilion will be situated next to the lake at No. P 71-74. The TCEB exhibition booth will be located in Challenger Hall 2, where TCEB’s activities and Thailand’s MICE Industry will be showcased in a 500m2 exhibition booth. The booth will feature TCEB’s key strategies and initiatives, including promotion of domestic MICE events (D-MICE), Creative MICE, and including the full range of support services that TCEB offers to the MICE industry in Thailand.
As co-organizer of the HIA Meeting and CEO Forum, TCEB has provided funding for the meeting, including speaker fees, and Xenios
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Topics & Trends
Caribbean travel brands lead economic revivial
The role of leading travel brands in navigating the Caribbean through the global downturn is to be acknowledged at World Travel Awards VIP ceremony in Montego Bay, Jamaica on 19 October 2011. The WTA awards programme, hailed as the ‘Oscars of the travel industry’ by the global media, highlights how Caribbean destinations such as Jamaica are experiencing a growth in tourism arrivals despite the on-going austerity challenges of key source markets in Europe and North America. The ceremony, which takes place at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island, is set to attract the top decision-makers and thought-leaders from across the Americas and Caribbean as they compete for the most influential accolades in travel. After months of intense voting featuring more than 2,000 organisations, the nominees have been whittled down to the elite few. Categories to watch include “Caribbean’s Leading Destination” with Aruba, Barbados, Bahamas, Jamaica, St Lucia and Turks & Caicos among those competing for top honours. Meanwhile “Caribbean’s Leading Hotel” sees stiff competition between such iconic properties as Half Moon (Jamaica), Jumby Bay (Antigua), Parrot Cay (Turks & Caicos) and Sandy Lane (Barbados). Graham E. Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards, underlined the strength and depth of the Caribbean’s travel and tourism offerings.
the easing of restrictions that currently limit intra-Caribbean travel,” he added. John Lynch, Chairman of Jamaica Tourist Board, feels that the Caribbean region has a strong brand. He said: “As a tourism region, the Caribbean has a lot to offer. Many of the world’s premium brands are available within the region and these are complimented by brands that developed in the Caribbean and have earned world-renowned status. Caribbean people are also naturally hospitable and throughout history, have had to conquer several challenges. Our resilience is well honed.” Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts, is pleased to once again support the Caribbean on the world stage by hosting this year’s World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony. He said: “At Sandals Resorts, we come from the region, we understand the communities, we understand the quality of the beaches and we understand the services and standards that the customer now demands.” “As we celebrate 30 years of providing luxury vacations that exceed expectations, I can say that we are delighted to showcase those services and amenities to the travel industry once again this year.”
He said: “The region has shown remarkable resilience to overcome the challenges of recent times, with an exceptional focus on excellent customer service and facilities that are second to none.”
World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony marks the fifth and final leg of its 2011 Grand Tour, and will follow heats in Dubai, UAE; Antalya, Turkey; Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt and Bangkok, Thailand. Regional winners from these events then progress to the Grand Final in Doha, Qatar on 29 November.
“Jamaica in particular has proven one of the tourism stars of the global downturn because of its boundless appetite for reinvention – a spirit exemplified by our event hosts, Jamaica Tourist Board and Sandals Resorts.”
The event partners are Sandals Resorts, BBC World News and WeClickMedia, while media partners include National Geographic Traveller, eTurboNews, Focus on Travel News, Breaking Travel News, JaxFax and Travel Daily News.
“The Caribbean is also capitalising on the tremendous opportunities afforded by BRIC nations, especially with traditional source markets stuttering. However to unlock this potential, accompanying governmental support remains vital, including
For more info about World Travel Awards 2011 Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony & bookings visit: www.worldtravelawards.com/americas2011
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Europe’s travel Oscars revealed
Berns Hotel : Sweden's Leading Boutique Hotel Turkey, Antalya, September 2011 The travel brands that have demonstrated greatest strength amid global economic uncertainty have emerged victorious at World Travel Awards 2011 Europe Ceremony, hosted at Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa in Antalya, Turkey on 2 September 2011. Hailed as “The Oscars of the Travel Industry”, World Travel Awards is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade, and celebrates those brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence. Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa proved the perfect host for the evening’s proceedings, exemplifying the spirit of World Travel Awards to push the boundaries of excellence in travel and tourism. Since opening in 2008, the resort has rapidly established itself as the ultimate place for golf and luxury, amid a beautiful Mediterranean setting. More than 500 organisations across Europe, spanning more than 125 categories, entered the competition for the most influential accolade in travel. Lufthansa was one of the big stars on the night, walking off with the blue riband category “Europe’s Leading Airline”, whilst Le Bristol Paris was voted “Europe’s Leading Hotel”, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts won “Europe’s Leading Hotel Brand”, Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa named “Europe’s Leading Luxury Resort” and Dubrovnik Palace Hotel, Conference Centre and Spa picked up “Europe’s Leading Resort”.
Radisson Royal Hotel,Moscow Russia's Leading Luxury Hotel, Europe's Leading Luxury Hotel come into their own, continuing to grow market share whilst competitors flounder. Turkey in particular has showed its credentials as a world-class tourism brand, demonstrated in the number of top honours won by the nation’s top hotels and travel organisations. “Antalya in particular represents brand Turkey at its finest. Its winning mix of heritage, sun-kissed beaches, state-of-the-art facilities and superb value has propelled it into the league of one of the world’s great destination cities.” The Europe Ceremony marks the second leg of World Travel Awards 2011 Grand Tour. Regional events will follow in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (16 Sept); Bangkok, Thailand (28 Sept) and Montego Bay, Jamaica (7 Oct). The winners of these regional events will progress to the Grand Final in Doha, Qatar on 29 November. For the full list of Europe winners visit: www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2011-8 The event partners were Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa, BBC World News and WeClickMedia. WTA’s global media partner network includes CNBC Arabiya, National Geographic Traveller, eTurboNews, ABTA magazine, Focus on Travel News, Breaking Travel News, Travel Daily News, Xenios World and ASTA Network magazine.
Turkey in particular enjoyed a large slice of the evening’s honours, reflecting its role as one of the few tourism success stories of the global downturn. Home-grown winners included Istanbul (“Europe’s Leading City Break Destination”); Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism (“Europe’s Leading Tourist Board”). Antalya hotels winning top awards included Cornelia Hotels Golf & Spa, Mardan Palace and Adam & Eve Hotels. The industry’s elite – including CEOs of leading travel companies, government ministers, tourist board chiefs – attended the glittering gala event, which was headlined by Turkish pop sensation Aydan Kaya and violin rock supremos, Fuse. The raft of media covering the event included Bloomberg TV, Hürriyet, CNBC and CNN Türk. Graham E. Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards said: “During times of economic uncertainty world-class brands
Westin Grand Berlin Germany's Leading Business Hotel
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Topics & Trends SPA Destinations by Julia Ushakova
HOW TO CHOOSE A SPA Make your spa experience extraordinary, regardless of your budget. CLUB SPA A facility whose primary purpose is fitness and which offers a variety of professionally administered spa services on a day-use basis. CRUISE SHIP SPA A spa aboard a cruise ship providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices. DAY SPA A spa offering a variety of professionally administered spa services to clients on a day-use basis. Day spas offer many of the same services and procedures as cosmetic spas.
Serenity Spa: Elysium Resort & Spa, Rhodes Who goes to a spa? Aren't they just for the wealthy to get pampered? While spas may have had a reputation as havens for the wealthy to be pampered, that misconception is rapidly being dispelled. ISPA research indicates there were more than 111 million spa visits made in the United States in 2006, and the spa lifestyle is appealing to virtually everyone. Women continue to represent the majority of spa-goers; however, men account for approximately 30% of spa-goers, and teenagers are quickly incorporating spa visits into their lives as well. With an increased emphasis on wellness, people are recognizing the health benefits of regular spa visits as a way to aid in treatment of health concerns and as a preventative measure as well. Proper pedicures can assist diabetics, massage treatments can reduce stress, facials can help those with acne and the simple act of going to the peaceful atmosphere of a spa can help everyone relax and unwind. Stress is at the center of many illnesses. For those who think spas are expensive, it's important to note that spa experiences range dramatically in price. You may wish to invest in a spa getaway to a destination spa, book a vacation at a resort spa, seek a physician's services at a medical spa or plan a lunchtime visit to your neighborhood day spa. Whatever you choose, explore the vast array of spa treatments available and select what best suits you and your budget. Be sure to inquire about the amenities your spa offers and take advantage of them. Extend your spa visit by relaxing in the steam room, sauna or mineral pool. Or simply lounge in the peaceful ambiance of the relaxation area, enjoying a cup of herbal tea and a magazine.
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DESTINATION SPA A destination spa is a facility with the primary purpose of guiding individual spa-goers to develop healthy habits. Historically a seven-day stay, this lifestyle transformation can be accomplished by providing a comprehensive program that includes spa services, physical fitness activities, wellness education, healthful cuisine and special interest programming. MEDICAL SPA A facility that operates under the full-time, on-site supervision of a licensed health care professional whose primary purpose is to provide comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment that integrates spa services, as well as traditional, complimentary and/or alternative therapies and treatments. The facility operates within the scope of practice of its staff, which can include both aesthetic/cosmetic and prevention/wellness procedures and services. MINERAL SPRINGS SPA A spa offering an on-site source of natural mineral, thermal or seawater used in hydrotherapy treatments. RESORT/HOTEL SPA A spa owned by and located within a resort or hotel providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices. In addition to the leisure guest, this is a great place for business travelers who wish to take advantage of the spa experience while away from home. In many cases resort/hotel spas also act as day spas for local clientele and may offer special rates for people that live in the community. If you have a resort/hotel spa in your area be sure to ask if they accept local clientele.
Destination Spa: Serenity Spa: Elysium Resort & Spa, Rhodes
Step into a world of true luxury where impeccable style and attention to detail is complemented by a blend of contemporary facilities, sophisticated services and culinary splendour creating an exquisite holiday environment for those seeking the very best out of a 5 star hotel in Rhodes. Set in a unique beachfront location, the Elysium Resort and Spa stands in a class entirely of its own. Modern and chic in nature with minimalist design, grandiose public areas and spacious rooms overlooking the beach, the luxurious Elysium hotel is the perfect example of a high standard luxury resort and the finest spa hotel in Rhodes. Unwind, rejuvenate and revitalize. Experience the ultimate spa holiday in Greece at the Elysium Resort and spa hotel! At the Serenity Spa, every detail is an important part of the experience and every sense is indulged, from the rituals that accompany each treatment to the exclusive premium aromatherapy products using the finest indigenous ingredients, from cactus to flowers. In recognition of the many different
ways each of us respond to the stresses of life, the entire spa philosophy pivots around three pillars: unwind, rejuvenate and revitalize. Guests can journey through the full Serenity Spa experience, commencing by unwinding mind and body to release nervous tension and improve sleep patterns. Once relaxed, the body, mind and skin are ready to be rejuvenated through purifying treatments to cleanse and rebalance. Finally, the revitalize collection of treatments focuses on raising energy levels, resulting in a sense of renewed vitality and well-being. Elysium resort and spa is one of the very few spa hotels in Greece that offer the ESPA brand and the most prestigious spa hotel in Rhodes www.elysium.gr
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Paris ranks highest in global image study NEW YORK, 2011 – In the aftermath of Japan’s earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear accident, the city of Tokyo has seen no significant erosion to its city image according to the 2011 Anholt-GfK Roper City Brands Index study. The City Brands Index (CBI) measures the world’s perception of 50 cities from both developed and developing countries. Among the top ten cities, Paris ranks as the top overall city “brand”, followed by London, Sydney, New York and Los Angeles. Tokyo ranks 10th among 50 cities measured. The 2011 Anholt-GfK Roper City Brands Index is based on a survey conducted in 10 major developed and developing countries around the globe. The index is developed by averaging city scores across six categories: Presence, Place, Pre-requisites, People, Pulse and Potential. Each category has two to three questions assessing a city’s performance such as contribution to the world, cleanliness, climate, buildings and parks, accommodations, public amenities, personal encounters, interesting events, lifestyles, job and educational opportunities, and business climate. “The stability of Tokyo’s brand image comes as no surprise, since the city consistently ranks impressively on welcoming people, amenities, cultural richness, education and business climate,” says Simon Anholt, CBI founder and an independent advisor to more than forty national governments around the world. “The reputations of countries and cities are never affected by acts of god, only by acts of men.” The top 10 cities from the 2011 global survey are: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Paris London Sydney New York Los Angeles Rome Washington D.C. Melbourne Vienna Tokyo
“A city’s reputation can have a major impact on the city’s ability to attract business and tourism,” says Anholt. ”While it is not a realistic goal for most cities in the world to rank in the top 10, it is vital that cities are able to provide a pleasant, prosperous, and sustainable life for their citizens, visitors, neighbors, and trading partners, and that this is widely recognized around the world.” While cities from the developed world generally perform very well overall and on almost all individual dimensions, cities from emerging markets have garnered relatively high rankings in some important areas. “Cities from emerging markets have some of the most dynamic economies in the world. Their global contribution and future momentum are starting to get recognition in the world of public opinion,” says Xiaoyan Zhao, Senior Vice President and Director of the CBI study at GfK. “But they still have long ways to go in building their overall offers, particularly in terms of clean environment, safe streets, and public amenities that keep pace with economic development.”
Following are the top three ranked cities in each of the six categories, as well as two additional cities with noteworthy positions on the list: Presence Brand Ranking 1. London 2. Paris 3. New York 9. Beijing 15. Dubai People Brand Ranking 1. Sydney 2. Melbourne 3. London 29. Singapore 46. Mexico City Place Brand Ranking 1. Sydney 2. Paris 3. Rome 38. Chicago 50. Mumbai Pulse Brand Ranking 1. Paris 2. New York 3. London 16. Rio de Janeiro 45. Warsaw Pre-requisites Brand Ranking 1. Sydney 2. Melbourne 3. Toronto 4 (tie). London/Washington D.C. 26. Prague Potential Brand Ranking 1. London 2. New York 3. Los Angeles 23. Hong Kong 32. Dublin Among the top 30 list, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Prague and Dubai are the only cities from outside of North America, Western Europe, and Australia. “In terms of Tokyo’s image, the one noticeable weak spot is Tokyo’s cleanliness,” says Xiaoyan Zhao, “Tokyo ranks in the bottom half of all measured nations on this question, yet Tokyo is still the only Asian city to make the overall top 10 list, because, among other things, it is viewed as one of the best contributors of culture, science and governance, and a city that retains world-class public amenities.” The strongest city brands – Paris, London, Sydney, New York, and Los Angeles – are highly regarded across regions, including in the developing world, although cultural and geographic proximities play a role as well. For example, Los Angeles (5th) garners higher rankings than New York from respondents in China and South Korea. And while Brussels (28th) only receives middling ratings in most countries, it is a top 11 city for German and French respondents. Xenios
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Topics & Trends
More than 18000 meetings in 2010 premiere report On 23 September 2011, during the TT Warsaw fair, the results of a study of the meetings and events industry for the year 2010 will be published. The ”Poland Meetings and Events Industry Report 2011” – first publication on the Polish market which attempts to define the size of the market for the organisation of meetings and events will be available in both online and printed versions. Co-operation with the regional and municipal Convention Bureaux in Poland, conference venues, and the Warsaw School of Economics, led to the publishing of a description of over 18000 meetings and events which took place in 2010 in Poland through the Poland Convention Bureau of the Polish Tourism Organisation. This is over 400% more than in the previous year.
The meetings industry, bringing significant profits to local enterprises and localities, is an increasingly-important element in the business, political and economic scene. The published report counts the number of meetings and events in particular cities and regions included in the area of activity of Convention Bureaux units and other objects which participated in it. It is a basis for an analysis of the Polish meetings industry and its joint promotion. For the detailed results visit the Poland Convention Bureau PTO conference, Room B, in the MT Polska Trade Fair and Congress Centre at 10am on 23 September 2011.
AIM Group International confirmed Core PCO of the European Federation of Sexology The European Federation of Sexology (EFS) has signed a contract with AIM Group International as its Core PCO. The prestigious scientific society represents more than fifty associations of Sexology of the various European countries and is the cross-disciplinary benchmark for the main experts from various disciplines that deal with sexual health in its many aspects.
organization of the upcoming events. In particular, the venue of the next Congress has recently been identified and the choice fell, perhaps not coincidentally, on Madrid: health and sexual well-being will be the focus of the sessions in a country that in many ways is at the forefront in the protection of sexual freedom and opposition to discrimination.
After the Congress held in Rome in 2008 and again in 2010 in Oporto, AIM Group International was re-confirmed for the
Cititravel announces production partnership with Quintessential Productions’ founder Scott Ashton MALAGA, SPAIN – In an effort to better serve the growing number of international corporate clients that require the highest level of technical and event production expertise in Spain and Portugal, Cititravel DMC has reached an agreement with creative event producer Scott Ashton, founder of Quintessential Productions, to deliver his company’s services locally by setting up a new Spanish-based company. Quintessential Productions ES will operate independently from Cititravel but will service clients via the DMC’s multiple offices in Spain and Portugal. When a client requires the services of both Cititravel and Q Productions ES, the companies will collaborate to deliver a comprehensive and high quality solution designed to fulfill and exceed expectations. Ashton brings nearly 25 years of international production and event experience to Cititravel. He founded Q Productions in 2000 while working with some of the world’s leading and most demanding brands in Europe, the U.S. and Asia. His expansion into Spain and Portugal, with the support of Cititravel DMC, will permit clients to source all production equipment, supplies and services directly. “I am delighted that we have managed to pull together what I am sure is going to be a very successful partnership between Quintessential Productions and Cititravel DMC. Quintessential 28
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UK has a track record of producing world class events for leading agencies and corporate clients including Grass Roots, Toyota, SONY, and Yahoo! Cititravel has been delivering logistical, venue and accommodation solutions throughout Spain and Portugal to the highest standard for over quarter of a century” stated Ashton. “Quintessential Productions ES with the support and backing of Cititravel DMC offers an unbeatable solution to delivering our clients even higher levels of service.” Ashton is known for his work on large-scale theme-intensive productions, including world concert tours, corporate conferences and festivals where he has travelled the world producing events throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, Middle East and elsewhere. Now based in Spain he is ideally placed to use this background to establish the new Spanish company in the quickest time possible.
750,000 FOOTBALL WATCHING VISITORS SPEND £595 MILLION WHILE IN BRITAIN As the first fixtures of the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League season kicked-off around the country, new figures released by VisitBritain reveal that over 750,000 inbound visitors who came to Britain last year experienced a football game, spending a substantial £595 million in the process, the equivalent to £776 per fan1. Visitors from Norway are most likely to come to watch Premier League football – one in thirteen of their tourists go to a match – and the most popular grounds are Old Trafford, Anfield and the Emirates Stadium. For the first time, research by the national tourism agency demonstrates that Premier League football has mass international appeal and helps drives visits to the UK. It was for this reason that VisitBritain joined forces with the Premier League in 2008 to help promote the home of football in key overseas tourism markets using links to Premier League players and clubs. Earlier this year VisitBritain launched a dedicated Premier League section on their website. This contains exclusive interviews with key international Premier League players on what they most like about living in Britain, as well as recommendations on what visitors should see and do while in the country2. With matches broadcast live in 212 territories around the world it is no surprise that clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are increasingly seeing their fan-base becoming truly global. Those taking in a match in Britain are not shy of spending their money either – figures show that the average spend per visit for football loving overseas visitors is £776, considerably higher than the average for all inbound visitors of £563. Patricia Yates, Director of Strategy & Communication at VisitBritain said: “Not only do some of the best players in the world want to play in Britain, but their international fans want to follow them here to savour the atmosphere of a match. “It is no surprise our international visitors come here to cheer on their sporting heroes and visit our world class stadia across Britain – from Old Trafford to the Emirates and Anfield to Wembley. “Our partnership with the Premier League has enabled us to use football to connect with fans all around the world. It has given us access to some of the stars of the British game who have promoted Britain to their fans back home- and encouraged them to come and visit.”
Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of the Premier League said: “We know that that the Premier League is the most watched football league in the world and we put a lot of effort into connecting with our international fans, whether that is reaching out to them with tournaments like the Barclays Asia Trophy or the Barclays Premier League Trophy Tour. But nothing quite beats the excitement of match day, being inside a full Premier League ground and seeing a competitive match in the flesh, so it’s very encouraging to hear that so many international visitors want to experience football in this country”. Around 40% of those going to a football match said that watching sport was the main reason for visiting the UK. The research also suggests that football works as a highly effective tool in enticing visitors to Britain at some of the quieter times of the year, with the greatest proportion of inbound visitors going to a football match between January and March. Holiday visitors from Norway have the highest propensity to include ‘going to a football match’ (one-in-thirteen), followed by visits from the UAE. Among visitors who come here to visit friends and family it is those from Japan, China and Australia that are most likely to include going to a football match, with Norwegian business visitors once again topping the charts.
British Airways Revolutionises Customer Service Using iPads British Airways cabin crew are using the latest iPad model to bring a new dimension to customer service in the air. The iPads enable cabin crew to have prior awareness of customer preferences and a greater understanding of each customer’s previous travel arrangements, allowing them to offer a truly bespoke, personalised service. The iPad lets crew quickly identify where each customer is seated, who they are travelling with, their Executive Club status and any special meal requests. It gives cabin crew a whole library of information at their fingertips including timetables, safety manuals and customer service updates. It also means any issues can be logged with ground-based colleagues around the network prior to departure so solutions can be delivered while the flight is airborne.
In terms of volume the market with the largest number of visits is Ireland, accounting for 164,000 of the total 767,000 visits that include football among the activities. Norway (77,000) is in second spot, followed by the USA (56,000), the Netherlands (41,000) and Germany (39,000).
When all the passengers have boarded and just before the doors are shut, cabin crew are currently handed a long scroll of paper, listing up to 337 customers. With the new iPads cabin crew will simply refresh their screen when the doors have closed through wireless 3G networks and they will have a complete list of passengers on board.
The most popular venues for watching football were in the North West of England and in London, with 15% of all inbound visitors who said they had gone to a football match having done so at the current Premier League Champions ground Old Trafford. The top six most visited grounds by overseas fans were: Old Trafford (114,000), Anfield (89,000), Emirates Stadium (88,000), Stamford Bridge (54,000) and White Hart Lane (38,000). Figures also show that 23,000 fans had visited Wembley Stadium.
Bill Francis, British Airways’ head of inflight customer experience, said: “The iPad is already allowing us to offer a more personalised onboard service, but the possibilities for future development are endless. We’re receiving great feedback from cabin crew and customers already. It allows the crew to offer the thoughtful service they want to deliver and customers are treated as valued guests.”
VisitBritain continues to build on the strong relationship it has with the Premier League. Following an initial two year partnership, an agreement with the Premier League was extended in 2010 for another three years to help position Britain as a welcoming destination for football fans from around the world.
The iPad is currently being trialled with 100 cabin crew with the aim to roll it out to all senior crew members across the airline in the coming months.
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Topics & Trends - Travel Trade Exhibitions
Motivating Your Exhibition Stand Team Exhibition Advice from ITTFA As many of us know, working at an exhibition is hard work. It usually involves several long days of intense face to face interaction, being constantly on your feet and remaining polite and cheerful throughout. Staying motivated therefore can often be a real challenge, especially at the end of the day or at slow times during the show.
MITT - MOSCOW
Having staff on the stand who are simply extra bodies, looking bored and not making the most of all opportunities is both a waste of time and money. Therefore, to maximize return on investment and capitalize on the time and effort put in on the stand, it is essential that stand personnel are fully prepared for their time at an exhibition. This means the management team placing sufficient importance on pre-show staff preparation. This preparation should cover personal motivation, creating a team spirit and communication skills as well as company and product knowledge. The key element to motivation of exhibition stand staff is that they want to be there. Often the location of the show is enough to create interest but frequently sales people do not like to be taken out of their normal routine and may see the time away as sales opportunities missed. This is in fact quite the opposite as new leads will be generated, new contacts made and new ideas gleaned from competitors so ensure they understand this. Stand personnel should be outgoing, good communicators and ambassadors for the company so choose individuals who you think will cope with the constant interaction, who will remain calm and create the right impression. Bring these individuals together in a series of pre show meetings and create a team with a mission. Set individual and team goals and provide incentives. Consider the strengths of each team member and how these will interact. Where you can, put staff together whose skills will best compliment each other.
Let the team know what is expected of them, what the rationale is behind being at the exhibition and what objectives have been set. Provide any necessary training to allow them to do their job effectively.
Ensure that staff have all the background information they need to deal with all kinds of enquiries and if they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the answers, make sure they know how to find them or how to deal successfully with the enquiry by taking details and following up. Product and corporate information as well as some competitor insight are essential. Social evenings, after a long day at the show, are good for unwinding and for moral. Local visits to places of interest also add diversity to the working day and pave the way for positive take home impressions. Financial incentives are also an option if sales and goals are achieved. On a more basic level, providing staff with a pleasant environment outside the exhibition hall, good quality accommodation if away from home, ample budgets for provision of meals, telephone calls and other essentials, also makes for happier employees. Familiarise staff with the market place. If overseas, then cover any idiosyncrasies of that particular market â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ways to do business or things not to do that might cause unnecessary upset. Positive support and involvement from top management, shown by attending the show, helping on the stand or taking part in training programmes and pre- and post-show activities, creates enthusiasm and underlines the importance of the project from a corporate perspective. The more managers know their individual staff members, the more they are able to recognize what motivates them. Studies show that people are more motivated by personal recognition than by money. By acknowledging the power of recognition and appreciation and creating the right foundations, managers can create a more positive, productive and enjoyable environment whilst working an exhibition stand.
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Akwaaba 2011 To Start 2 Days Earlier This year’s AKWAABA, African Travel Market will be starting two days earlier than planned because the Lagos State Local Government elections have now been fixed for the 22nd October, 2011. The event will now start on the 19th October 2011 and finish on the 21st October. The change of date is in anticipation of a possible restriction in movement and taking into account the large number of foreigners expected at this year’s event, the organisers felt it was practical for all involved to move to the date two days earlier. This comes as more countries and international firms register to participate. Zimbabwe, Chad and Namibia will be first timers at this year’s event along with the re-entry of representatives from USA. Leading Airlines and international hotel chains from all over Africa will be attending the only international fair in West Africa. Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA) is partnering with the organizers of Akwaaba to make the event a success. NANTA is the biggest travel association in Nigeria and the umbrella body of travel agencies will be bringing its members to the event as both sellers and buyers according to the National publicity secretary of NANTA Mrs. Tinuke Nwakohu, ‘NANTA will par-
ticipate in AKWAABA as the event provides a local opportunity for players in the Travel Trade to network and work together as Travel markets are the lifeblood of travel business globally and cannot be different in Nigeria’. Mr. Ikechi Uko representing the show organisers said “our event has partnership with global associations and now having a credible national group like NANTA completes the circle for us. We are excited to tap into their goodwill and expertise”. Akwaaba; African Travel Market is the only international expo in West Africa listed by UNWTO, a partner event of ATA in the region and the only member of ITTFA in West Africa. AfTM seeks to make travelling a pleasurably seamless experience in Africa.
ITTFA CALENDAR ASTANA LEISURE 21 - 24 September 2011 Astana UKRAINE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MARKET 04 - 06 October 2011 International Exhibition Centre, Kiev TTG INCONTRI 06 - 08 October 2011 Rimini - Fiera TRAVEL TRADE ITALIA 06 - 08 October 2011 Rimini - Fiera African Travel Market 21 - 23 October 2011 Lagos, Nigeria Philoxenia 18 - 20 November 2011 International Exhibition Centre, Thessalonika Vakantiebeurs 10 - 15 January 2012 Utrecht, The Netherlands Slovakia Tour 19 - 22 January 2012 Bratislava, Slovak Republic Alpe-Adria TIP 26 - 29 January 2012 Ljubljana, Slovenia Holiday World 09 - 12 February 2012 Prague, Czech Republic EMITT 09 - 12 February 2012 Istanbul SATTE 10 - 12 February 2012 New Delhi India MITT 21 - 24 March 2012 Moscow, Russia TUR 22 - 25 March 2012 Goteborg, Sweden KITF 25 - 27 April 2012 Almaty, Kazakhstan BTC 21-22 June 2012 Rimini
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Meetings & Events
Ticketing in social networks: amiando adopts Facebook as a new distribution channel for event organizers, following its integration with XING Munich – amiando (www.amiando.com), Europe’s leading online tool for event registration and social ticketing, will launch its Facebook ticket shop today. This makes amiando the world’s first event organization tool that offers ticket sales via XING and Facebook. Event organizers are now able to combine Facebook, the social media giant, and XING, one of Europe’s most important professional networks as distribution channels for their events. Once again, amiando has demonstrated its role as a leading provider of social media tools for event organizers. Events have always represented opportunities for social interaction and communication. amiando’s goal has therefore always been to utilize the potential of social networks for event organizers, given that this is exactly where the Internet becomes a place for social exchange. This February, amiando’s online tool was integrated into XING, one of Europe’s leading business networks. The integration has allowed more than 11 million people to benefit from the full scope of the business platform and to manage the ticket selling and registration process for their events through the network. With the release of the Facebook ticket shop as from today, event organizers will be able to use Facebook as an additional distribution channel. With a user base of around 700 million people, Facebook represents a huge potential platform for event promotion. Apart from successfully promoting your event, you will also be able to actually sell tickets via a user-friendly integration with the world’s largest social network.
amiando is now the only online event organization tool which allows hosts to sell their tickets and registrations through the world’s largest social network and through one of Europe’s leading business networks. “Accessing the potential of social media for event organizers is one of our main goals,” says Felix Haas, CEO of amiando. “Apart from our free social media studies, we are constantly working on new and innovative tools which harness the potential of these networks in a user-friendly way. amiando is delighted to be the world’s first and only company to offer ticket shops within two of the leading social networks. We are the first to fully cover a leisure as well as a business sphere. This represents a further step towards our company goal and highlights our leading role in the social ticketing market.” Geraldine Le Meur, producer & organizer of Le Web (Paris, Dec. 7-9, 2011, www.leweb.net), Europe’s biggest Internet event says, “LeWeb has always strived to use the most innovative tools, communication and distribution channels. amiando’s Facebook ticket shop shows us, that we have made the right choice in terms of event ticketing.” In addition to LeWeb 11, the All Facebook DevCon, the Popkomm and the Hub Forum have also started to use the new amiando ticket shop.
A FARMS HOLIDAYS, B&B AND RELAIS SELECTION TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE FLORENTINE OFFER Firenze Convention Bureau and In Your Tuscany together for the congressional promotion of the territory The partnership will be presented on September 16th at Palazzo Medici Riccardi with the participation of the Presidents Giacomo Billi (FCB) and Cristina Pagani (IYT) and the FCB Director Carlotta Ferrari. A great innovation for the Tuscan tourism and not only, a partnership which focuses to the promotion of selected b&b and local relais to a business target, in order to reinforce the offer of the Florentine destination. This is the result of the deal recently signed between Firenze Convention Bureau and In Your Tuscany, an association operating in the promotion of regional b&b. The benefits for the associated structures will be represented by: comunication services, web marketing and press promotion, with also the possibility to improve their visibility in the occasion of events and congresses, especially through an innovative on-line booking system called “Room Manager” offered by FCB. At the moment the b&b and relais which have already agreed to the initiative are 11, but this is a first step of selection on the basis of quality of service. “Today the venues request for meetings and events is not focused on hotels and traditional accomodations – said Carlotta Ferrari, Director of FCB –, this is why we have decided to involve b&b and relais giving them a great opportunity of visibility and promotional support. 32
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Together with In your Tuscany we are doing a selection of the most qualified activities that we believe suitable to welcome the participants of events or congress. The benefits for the structures – added Ferrari – are represented by the possibility to accede to both FCB and IYT services with a reduced price”. “In Your Tuscany has always worked – said Cristina Pagani, President of In Your Tuscany – in the research of innovative forms of aggregation, able to give effective responses to the rising request coming from a lot of structures of accommodation in Tuscany. For this aim we have signed this important partnership with Firenze Convention Bureau, in order to valorize the Florentine offer”. In Your Tuscany is an association of extra-hotel structures in Tuscany . Formed by managers and owners of structures of accomodation which have the same interests about their sector – Farms Holidays, Relais, Rent Rooms, B&B, CAV, Residences. For more information: www.inyourtuscany.com.
Barcelona Edges Competition to be Named Mobile World Capital for 2012-2018
After an 18-month search, the GSMA announced that Barcelona has been selected as the Mobile World Capital from 2012 to 2018. As the Mobile World Capital, Barcelona will be the home of the mobile industry’s must-attend event, the GSMA Mobile World Congress, and will also develop a range of other programmes and activities that will span the entire year and will benefit not only the citizens of Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain, but also the worldwide mobile industry. “We are thrilled to announce that Barcelona will be the Mobile World Capital for the next seven years,” said John Hoffman, CEO, GSMA Ltd. “All of the cities who competed for this title presented extremely innovative and compelling bids, but in the end, Barcelona truly demonstrated that it deserves the title of the Mobile World Capital, with its combination of outstanding exhibition and conference facilities, its transportation and hospitality infrastructure, its commitment to expanding the reach of mobility throughout Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain, and the strong support of the public and private sectors. This is an exciting time for Barcelona and for the mobile industry as a whole.” “Becoming the Mobile World Capital was a strategic bid for Barcelona, and consolidates our leadership as a benchmark city for new technologies,” said Xavier Trias, Mayor of Barcelona. “This will give a significant boost to the image of our city brand associated with a sector, that of mobile communications, which will experience strong growth in the next few years. Barcelona is reaping the rewards of the serious, professional work of different institutions with the involvement of many of the city’s companies and entities. Now, Barcelona will be the center of a new model of international event linked to economic growth, industrial development and the creation of new jobs vital to the future of our economy.” Bringing the Mobile World Capital Vision to Life The cornerstone of the Mobile World Capital is the Mobile World Congress, a four-day event which in 2011 attracted more than 60,000 attendees from 200 countries, including 3,000 CEOs, government delegations from 131 countries and more than 2,900 media representatives. Starting in 2013, the Mobile
World Congress will be held at the cutting-edge venue Fira de Barcelona Gran Via. The dates for the 2013 Mobile World Congress are 25-28 February 2013. Beyond the Mobile World Congress, the Mobile World Capital also features two additional elements: the Mobile World Centre and the Mobile World Festival. The Mobile World Centre will comprise permanent and temporary exhibitions which meld culture and technological innovation, facilities for the development and incubation of mobile solutions, and retail and hospitality venues. The Mobile World Festival, which is targeted to the general public, will incorporate a range of activities including sporting events, music and art festivals, film awards, applications and technology fairs and more. According to estimates from the Barcelona Candidacy, the Mobile World Capital would bring, in the first year alone, more than 300 million euro, along with thousands of part-time jobs. As some of the initiatives have a mid-term reach and will grow steadily during their implementation, the economic impact is expected to increase progressively and, based on Barcelona’s assessments, could reach 3.5 billion euro over the seven years of the Mobile World Capital. “I would like to commend and thank all of the finalist cities – Barcelona, Milan, Munich and Paris – for their excellent proposals and the huge amount of energy and creativity that was put into them,” concluded Hoffman. “We look forward to working in partnership with the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce, the Government of Catalonia, the City of Barcelona, Fira de Barcelona and the Barcelona Tourism Bureau in bringing the vision of the Mobile World Capital to life.” The selection of the Mobile World Capital was based on many criteria and took into consideration all aspects of what a city can offer. The GSMA undertook a thorough and complex evaluation process, starting with 30 cities, narrowing it down to six cities, reducing it to a short list of four finalists, and then finally, selecting Barcelona as the Mobile World Capital. Xenios
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Explosion of bikes in Copenhagen
Cycling enthusiasts from around the world are looking forward to the thrill of the Road Race World Championship in Copenhagen in September. And the citizens of Copenhagen are preparing to take advantage of three car free days in the center of the Danish capital, where a big street festival is organized by the crew behind the famous Roskilde Festival. In May, it was the pink jersey that was chased in the Giro d'Italia. In July, millions around the world followed the pursuit of the yellow jersey on the French roads. Right now, the best riders are competing for the red jersey of la Vuelta. The Spanish race is the last great classic stage race before the rainbow colored jersey is at stake at the World Championships in Copenhagen. In September 19th-25th Denmark will host the Road Race World Championships 2011 in the heart of Copenhagen. Here, the world's best cyclists will compete for the title of the world champion on the route through the old streets of Copenhagen and the scenic roads of Rudersdal, just north of Copenhagen. Car free Copenhagen City festival H.C. Andersens Boulevard is the busiest street in Copenhagen with more than 60,000 cars passing per day. This street and other important parts of central Copenhagen will be closed down for three days, from Monday till Wednesday, while the time trials are running in the World Road Race Championship. Of course, when the Road Race is over for the day, the bike loving Copenhageners will take advantage of the city closure to put on a big public party in the streets of their capital. For the citizens and the many expected tourists who come to Copenhagen to be part of the World Championship, there will be music, arts, food and parties in the streets, including several big free concerts in the city arranged by the team behind the famous Roskilde Festival. Around the city, as well as in Rudersdal where the road races are taking place Thursday till Sunday, bike related activities such as ‘Pimp your own bike’, bike theatre, water biking, Donate your bike to Africa, urban biking, BMX and the official Bike Parade etc. will be part of the street life.
Born to bike In Denmark the children learn to bike about the same time as they learn to walk, and Copenhagen kindergartens are planning to let the children ride Around The World on their bikes – in a relay race - inside a secure park in Copenhagen, of course. Copenhagen is commonly known to be a biking city where young girls in stilettos take their bike on the way to a party and businessmen in suits are going go to work by bike - no matter the weather and the time of the year. That made Copenhagen the natural choice when the International Cycling Union (UCI) nominated the Bike City for the first time ever: In Copenhagen 50% of all citizens commute by bike every day, and there are more bikes than inhabitants on almost 400 kilometres of biking lanes. The UCI Bike City Copenhagen The UCI Road World Championships 2011 event is part of the Bike City Copenhagen project (BCC), which HRH Crown Prince Frederik is protector for. Copenhagen is the only city in the world, which has been appointed Bike City by the UCI by now and between 2008 and 2011, Copenhagen is hosting 6 major international cycling events. Beyond the above event, the package includes among others the World BMX Championships 2011. Behind BCC (Bike City Copenhagen) stand as strong partners as the Danish Cycling Federation, Sport Event Denmark, The City of Copenhagen, the Municipality of Rudersdal, the Municipality of Ballerup, the Capital Region of Copenhagen and Wonderful Copenhagen. The UCI Road World Championships will take place 19 – 25 September 2011 in Copenhagen/Rudersdal More info about The World Road Race Championship Event website: www.copenhagen2011.dk Facebook: facebook.com/copenhagen2011
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London only European city to be recognised in top incentive destination poll! London & Partners, the official convention bureau for London, has been named a winner of Incentive magazine’s prestigious Platinum Partners Award for 2011. Voted for by the readers of the publication, the award recognises excellence within incentive industry suppliers through an online voting process. London was the only global city to have been honoured with a mention, beating out other top incentive destination cities like Beijing, Cape Town and Sydney, as well as the only city in Europe to have been awarded the accolade. The industry’s most qualified corporate decision-makers marked their selections for the best travel destinations and suppliers in their field—the people, places and services that helped them most in motivating their employees and customers over the past year. Winners were selected based on the following criteria: destination, property or travel service, quality and degree of professionalism, and degree of credibility and promotional support. The winners of the 2011 Platinum Partner Award will be honoured in the September issue of Incentive magazine. There are few cities in the world that capture the imagination of incentive organizers like London does. With 2,000 years of history, a dazzling array of accommodation options, a wealth of
unique experiences and iconic sights as well as world-class VIP and shopping, the city consistently attracts event organizers from around the globe. These assets combined with the capital’s fantastic accessibility and the services offered by London & Partners, continually rank London amongst the most popular incentive destinations in the world. Chris FJ Lynn, Sales & Marketing Director, North American & Emerging Markets said: ‘This award is a testament to the outstanding experience future clients can expect if choosing London as an incentive destination. The capital is filled with a fantastic range of inspirational experiences, from the world’s best VIP shopping, to Michelinstarred dining, iconic historical attractions and luxurious five star hotels and spa offerings. London & Partners are thrilled to accept this accolade, and look forward to continuing to support incentive buyers to get the most out of their London bookings.’ London & Partners will be exhibiting at Imex America in Las Vegas in October, showcasing the range of new opportunities available for incentive planners in a city renewed and ready for the Olympic Games in 2012.
Celebrity Business Woman Karren Brady to Take Centre Stage The first women of football Karren Brady, Britain’s most high profile, outspoken and glamorous businesswomen headlines World Travel Market’s key Business Day event at ExCeL London in November. Karren, star of the UK version of the highly successful business television programme ‘The Apprentice’ will be offering innovative advice to small and medium sized travel businesses at ‘Talk Business: Fight to Survive’, which takes place on Thursday November 10. As vice chairman of West Ham United Football Club in London, she has spent the past few months putting together the winning bid to take over the 2012 Olympic Stadium after the Games are over. After leaving school, Karren set about making her fortune, ignoring further education and jumping in at the deep end. She became Britain’s youngest managing director of a private limited company (plc) at the age of 23 when she took over Birmingham City Football Club, ensuring that it made a profit for the first time in the club’s history. Among her many other business interests, she is chairman of Kerrang! the world’s biggest selling weekly rock magazine; non executive director of Arcadia, Britain’s largest privately owned clothing retailer with more than 2,500 outlets; and chairman of the England 2018 World Cup bid advisory board. She has twice been voted one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World by the magazine Cosmopolitan, one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Britain by the Sunday Telegraph and one of London’s 1000 Most Influential People by the London Evening 36
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Standard. Her appearance at World Travel Market’s business day is set to cause one of the most captivating – and controversial – industry session’s in recent years. World Travel Market Chairman Fiona Jeffery said: “Karren Brady has more energy and determination than most people in business. “Despite being married with two children, she’s also a national columnist and currently writing her second book, a guide to empowering young women in business. “Karren’s go-getting ability and talent has turned an excellent business session into something quite exceptional. “Travel businesses desperately need help from someone outstanding and different like Karren. Definitely not to be missed!” Karren added she is delighted to be able to advise the SMEs of the travel industry. “Travel businesses desperately need help, advice and courage to be innovative, customer oriented and financially confident in these difficult economic times for the UK and Europe,” she said. “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to meet with the travel industry at what is the leading international business event for the travel and tourism industry. I look forward to helping small and medium sized businesses to be successful even in a challenging climate.” The session will offer top line advice and encourage the confidence to be innovative, customer oriented and financially confident particularly in these difficult economic times. ·World Travel Market’s Business Day is on Thursday 10 November at ExCeL London, Platinum Suite 4. www.wtmlondon.com
Visa predicts economy boost during 2012 Games Consumers will increase their spend by up to £750m during the seven-week period of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to a report by Visa Europe. During the three-week period between the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games, the economy will receive a £621m spending boost. This will be supplemented by a further £129m spending boost during the Paralympic Games. This would mark an uplift of 18.5% above what would be expected over the same period, had the Games not taken place. The report, entitled “Golden Opportunity – London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Expenditure and Economic Impact” was released to mark the 25th anniversary of Visa’s global sponsorship of the Olympic Games. The retail, leisure and travel sectors look set to be the biggest winners of the Games, benefiting from a combined spending injection of £508.4m in seven weeks. The hotel sector will benefit from a predicted £122.6m spending profit whilst the entertainment and food and drink industry will benefit from an extra £81.5m. The report further predicts that this record spend will result in an ongoing financial stimulus worth £5.1bn to the UK economy by 2015. The data analysed for the report includes international visitor
spending at previous Olympic Games and major sporting tournaments, domestic spending at previous Olympic Games and major sporting tournaments, typical spending of international visitors in London and spending patterns of UK consumers during big sporting events like the World Cup. Marc O’Brien, Managing Director, Visa UK said: “As the report shows, the UK will benefit from an immediate positive economic impact as a result of a large increase in consumer spending during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Much like the World Cup, British consumers are expected to boost supermarket sales by £80m as Britain lives up to its reputation as a nation of sport lovers, meaning for the first time domestic spend is forecast to grow during a Games, previously unheard of for a host market. What’s so encouraging for the wider economy is the ripple effect this will cause – economic output will increase and the benefits will be felt in people’s pockets as incomes increase. This immediate positive economic boost will translate into sustained economic stimulus and job creation, impacts which will be felt long after the Games have finished.” London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “I am determined that hosting the Games in 2012 will transform the wider job prospects and economic future for Londoners – this is already happening, and we can and must sustain that effect for years to come.”
New Business Centre at The Travel Club Centre with plenty of free meeting rooms and meeting areas. Of course most London hotels offer meeting facilities for business – but at a massive cost! Ever tried to conduct business in a noisy hotel lobby or coffee shop because you’ve no London office? If the answer is YES, you too will know the frustration and stress that comes with the problem. Not any longer. Savvy members of the new Travel Club pay a modest subscription that’s little more than the price of a coffee every day to enjoy the convenience of a London base. It also means they can use the club’s brilliant new Business
This way you have an ideal environment in which to conduct business as well as everything else you would expect from a business hub. You can even hire your own PA by the hour at discounted rates. The Travel Club works with buy:time, offering lifestyle management, PA and concierge services, making your business life just a little bit easier. There’s a friendly atmosphere, comfortable bars, first class restaurant at reasonable prices, fully equipped gym, swimming pool and much more.
NEW EVENT LAUNCHED TO ATTRACT TOP OVERSEAS TOURISM BUYERS The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) and UKinbound have joined forces with VisitBritain to deliver a unique business-to-business event in 2012. The VisitBritain Hosted Buyers Marketplace (HBM) is an exclusive opportunity for British tourism suppliers and destinations to meet and do business with 150 specially selected international buyers from some 20 countries being brought over and hosted by VisitBritain for the occasion. The Hosted Buyers Marketplace will be held at Wembley Stadium on 19 March, the day prior to ETOA and UKinbound’s well-established Britain & Ireland Marketplace (BIM) at the same venue. Together these two back-to-back workshops give tourism businesses even greater opportunity to reach key buyers through a programme of pre-scheduled and open appointments with additional networking at a gala dinner.
ETOA’s Executive Director, Tom Jenkins said: “I am really pleased to be working in partnership with VisitBritain and UKinbound on this new industry networking event. It affords ETOA members and the wider tourism industry in Britain an exclusive opportunity to reach 150 international buyers here on our doorstep in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner. Co-located with our successful annual Britain & Ireland Marketplace workshop, it gives everyone even more reason to put 19-20 March at Wembley Stadium in their diaries!” Participating markets include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE and the USA. For more information on or to register an interest in these events, please contact info@etoa.org or call 020 7499 4412. Online registration for both events will be live in mid-September. Xenios
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BTC – Investment and buying behaviour of Italian and European companies Findings from the survey on corporate investment and buying behaviour conducted by the Piepoli Institute for BTC are positive overall: budgets have been confirmed or increased in both Italy and Europe, albeit to different extents. The survey The 2011 events market – Investment and buying behaviour of Italian and European companies was presented at BTC, Italy’s events exhibition currently being held at the Fiera di Rimini Exhibition Centre. The survey was commissioned by BTC, conducted by the Piepoli Institute and endorsed by Federcongressi&eventi (with EventReport as media partner). The findings were revealed to a packed conference room by chairman of the Institute Nicola Piepoli, an expert in market research and opinion polls. Based on 308 interviews with managers of Italian and European companies, the survey explores demand for events in the corporate segment, which today represents the biggest buyer of events (75%) taking place in Italy. According to the budget analysis, 69% of Italian companies in 2011 show the same or a greater propensity to invest in events compared with 2010. Of these, 16% have increased their budgets, on average by 17%. The percentage of European companies with investment levels equal to or greater than last year’s levels is even higher at 83%. Of these, 29% have increased their budgets, on average by 21%. In terms of budget size for 2011, the survey shows that in Italy, investment is fairly limited, with 57% of those interviewed planning to spend less than EUR 250,000; those with a medium-sized spend, of between EUR 250,000 and EUR 1 million, total 34%, while the big spenders account for around 9%. As a percentage of the overall marketing and communication budget, events represent on average 37%. European companies spend more, with 52% of those interviewed declaring investments equal to or greater than EUR 500,000: of these, 14% have a spend of more than EUR 1 million. European companies dedicate 31% of their marketing and communication budgets to events. The analysis of types of event planned for 2011 shows that the behaviour of Italian and European companies is broadly the same: “small meetings” of an operational or educational/informative nature for company staff are the most common type, planned by 73% of Italian and 65% of European companies; these are followed by special events (company dinners, parties, open-air exhibitions, roadshows, awards ceremonies, promotions at sales points, etc), with 51% and 45%, and conven-
tions (50% and 44%). Within companies, the marketing department is the main events “buyer”: within Italian firms, however, the decisionmaking process is more diversified (senior management, sales, communication, human resources and procurement departments), while in Europe, decisions mainly lie with marketing and senior management. Operationally, the survey shows that most companies organise events internally (59% in Italy and 60% in Europe), for budgetary reasons and with a view to optimising resources, and that the services most purchased are catering, technology services, hostesses and transport. Hotels are the service most purchased by Europeans (46%), but not by Italians (22%). Agencies are mainly chosen if they are already known, tried and tested, particularly in Europe (79% versus 55% in Italy, which puts services provided by agencies out to tender (40%). Companies mainly choose agencies based on their “professionalism and competence” and “good service/cost ratio”. As regards the use of Italy as a destination by European companies, 46% have organised an event in Italy in the last three years. The main sources of satisfaction mentioned were ease in reaching the specific destination, the quality of the venue chosen for the event, the professionalism of their suppliers, the quality of the hotels, and the quality and propriety of the destination. The companies that have never organised events in Italy stated that the country is not an important market for them (39%), that they have not received proposals/offers for Italy (29%) and that the country does not have suitable venues or destinations for their events (21%). “BTC aims to be the main reference point for those organising events in Italy”, said Paolo Audino, CEO of Exmedia, the company that organises BTC. “This survey on corporate events is further confirmation of our commitment to providing tools to understand the sector, its players and current market trends, which enable operators to identify new growth opportunities. Our next step in this regard will be to conduct the new Italian conferenced market survey Osservatorio Congressuale Italiano on behalf of industry association Federcongressi&eventi”. The survey, which includes analyses on the planning for 2011 of companies in terms of quantity, duration and number of participants for each of the four types of events analysed, will be available (in Italian) to download from the BTC website (www.btc.it).
ACS transforms a 5,000 plenary room into a spectacular dining experience This year the IASLC held its 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer at the RAI, Amsterdam. The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) welcomed 7,000 cancer specialists from around the world, to the 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer, over the five day event (3rd – 7th July, 2011). In response to the association’s need for a large plenary area, ACS constructed a fully equipped, 5,000 capacity plenary room in one of the exhibition halls. 5 large screens, including a 12 meter main stage screen, ensured that all the speakers and presentations were highly visible to the delegates. ACS technicians maintained the smooth running of presentations and to further engage the audience there were several 38
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interactive voting sessions for industry symposia; where 900 voting keypads were used. In addition, ACS provided 32 registration laptops with printers, 40 PCs in the Internet Café and 72 PCs for ePoster stations in the Exhibit Halls. For the Gala dinner, ACS skilfully transformed the plenary room into a colourful and exciting Gala dining Hall for 1500 guests. ACS worked with the Conference Organizers (International Conference Services Ltd.) and RAI Catering to create a spectacular dining experience. ACS technicians created a seamless gala event with several set changes throughout the evening and guests were delighted with a star line up of performers headlined by Caro Emerald.
New technologies and interactive tools are now at the service of medical meetings AIM Group International reports on the latest advances in their recent event,“6th International Congress: “Modern trends and perspectives in total hip and knee arthroplasties” The universe of medical conference has embraced the great opportunities generated by new technologies during the recent conference, “Modern trends and perspectives in total hip and knee arthroplasties”. The delegates were able to experience a much more interactive and immediate communication by using their smartphone or iPad. The congress, organised by AIM Group International, gathered hundreds of the leading international orthopedics experts in the prestigious halls of Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome. Delegates were provided communication tools for use during the conference that were, as described by many participants, “very modern and advanced yet so easy to use.”
Each presentation was instantly downloadable and made available to anyone with an iPad or iPhone, thanks to a free application given to participants. Each delegate was able to immediately see the content on their smartphone or tablet, and then keep and store the presentations of all speakers at the conference. The programme of the sessions, the list of the speakers, individual relationships, the scientific and logistical information — everything was within easy reach at the touch of a button. The increased popularity of smartphones and tablets enables the ability to radically transform conferences and events: the flow of information, the immediately availability of scientific reports, the communications transmitted in real time to all the delegates – all of this especially helps to strengthen the cultural and professional exchange inherent in the purpose behind scientific congresses and medical meetings.
ARTION in the “World PCO Alliance” The international network of conference organisers, the World PCO Alliance, has selected and welcomed ARTION as a new member. This is an important distinction that places ARTION in a group comprising leading conference organisers from all over the world. The World PCO Alliance was created to help associations organise effective meetings throughout the globe. Representing the leading Professional Conference Organisers (PCO’s) worldwide, it aims to increase the efficiency of conference and event services within a single network, by sharing resources, knowledge,
technology, training and best practices among its members. All members of the alliance are leading companies and associations in the conference organising industry in their respective countries and regions, and have a record of contributing to the development of the local meetings and events industry.
Gdansk Convention Bureau promotes the destination based on 4 business tourism products! Gdansk Convention Bureau (GCB) continues the project based on the 4 business tourism products characteristic for Gdansk & Pomerania Region. Pomerania Region promotion as top business meetings destination is based on the 4 selected items: Amber, Sea, Solidarity and Castles. All the tourism offers were collect-
ed and divided into 4 mentioned groups. ‘I think it is one of a kind marketing plan for the destination. I don’t know other examples of the cities or regions promoting itself through selected products. This makes our project unique and I truly believe this is the key to promote Gdansk & Pomeranaia Region’ – says Anna Gorska, the CEO of Gdansk Convention Bureau. There were 4 workshops held where private and public sector representatives were invited. The aim was to strength cooperation between them. At the moment we are filming 4 promotional spots. The premiere date is set on October 2011. Within the project the catalogue of ‘Good practice rules’ will be published. The book includes suggested regulations on creating and devloping business tourism products. ‘I think it is very important initiative because till now we didn’t really have any guide explaining tourism product development and marketing activities’ – Anna Gorska, GCB. The project is realized by the INSPIROS Consulting Group. The list of business tourism products will be available on the www.gdanskconvention.pl and in the catalogue published by Gdansk Convention Bureau. All above activities are part of the project ‘Business tourism promotion as the trademark of Gdansk and Pomerania’ co-financed by the EU funds
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The largest Congress of Orthopaedics and Traumatology for the first time in Prague 25th International Congress of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology SICOT, which was co-organized by the company GUARANT International, took place in Prague on September 6-9. Experts from around the world, mostly doctors, were meeting in the Prague Congress Centre to discuss the future of their field and assess the latest findings and trends, especially in the field of pediatric orthopaedy and traumatology. Prague had the honor to host this world’s largest congress of orthopaedy and traumatology for the first time from the the fall of the Iron Curtain. The congress was attended by nearly 3,000 world orthopedic surgeons and traumatologists from all continents and 400 exhibitors. More than 239 speakers had been invited to the congress; there were more than 1200 lectures, 11 individual symposia and 16 instructional courses. The welcome party was held in the Prague Congress Centre. The scientific programme was, apart from social events, consist of sporting activities, such as the „SICOT Charity Run“, which took place in the area of Vyšehrad. The course was a combination of 5 km run and 3 km walk. The International Orthopaedics and Traumatology Congress focused especially on two 2 key topics; trauma as a result of traffic injuries and orthopaedy, particularly congenital orthopedic defects of children and orthopedic problems of old people. As stated by pediatric orthopedist Patricia Fucs from Sao Paulo, Brazil: „With longer life expectancy and better quality of life it is necessary to focus on orthopedic care for old people.“ It was a great honor for Prague to host this event. The last SICOT congress took place in Hong Kong 3 years ago. „Prague‘s successful candidacy for this event is the result of the efforts of all members of the Czech Orthopaedic Society, “ the head of Orthopedic Clinic of 2nd Medical Faculty of Charles University and University Hospital Motol said Doc. MD. Tomáš Trč, CSc. The indisputable benefit of the event is evident, both in the possibility to compare and monitor the development of orthopedics and traumatology in the world, and in the position of Prague as a congress destination, on whose land this prestigious event takes place. 40
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Within the incentive support to congress tourism approved by the Prague City Council with the cooperation of the Prague Convention Bureau and Prague Public Transport Company, the congress participants will receive free tickets for public transportation on registration. The candidacy to host the SICOT congress in Prague took place in 2005 and the supporting documents were prepared, among others, by the company GUARANT International.
AIME 2012 Hosted Buyer Early Bird Rates announced August 2011: Prospective buyers looking to join the AsiaPacific Incentives & Meetings Expo’s (AIME) popular Hosted Buyer Program in 2012 will benefit from significant savings, with the organisers announcing a 10% ‘Early Bird’ saving off the registration fee when submitting a Hosted Buyer application before 28 October 2011. The 20th anniversary AIME will be held on 21-22 February 2012 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) in Melbourne, Australia.
these first time exhibitors at AIME, presenting a greater diversity of companies, products and services for buyers to choose from. We ensure that our Hosted Buyers gain value from their attendance and meet with those exhibitors they are really interested in doing business with.” For more information about AIME 20112 visit www.aime.com.au
With approximately 850 international Exhibitors expected, AIME 2012 will present ample opportunity for buyers to make important business connections as well as receive a range of exclusive benefits available only in AIME’s VIP Hosted Buyer Program. Benefits include flights, accommodation, pre-touring itineraries in Victoria and access to AIME’s exclusive Hosted Buyer lounge and networking program. To maximise the two day event Hosted Buyers will also receive personalised Pre-Scheduled Appointments (PSAs), which allows them to meet with the Exhibitors they are interested in doing business with. Sally de Swart, AIME’s Event Director, says that AIME’s Hosted Buyer Program offers buyers a productive schedule to conduct business over an enjoyable two days. “Exhibitors and Hosted Buyers come to AIME to make business happen by meeting with existing contacts and making important new ones. Face-to-face meetings are extremely valuable in this industry and AIME presents a perfect forum to meet with a host of contacts in just two days,” Ms de Swart said. “This year’s event attracted almost 850 exhibitors, with 200 of
World Chinese Economic Forum Headed To Melbourne One of Asia’s most influential business events, the World Chinese Economic Forum (WCEF), will be held in Melbourne in November 2012. Announcing the win today, Sandra Chipchase, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), said the two-day event would draw 500 delegates from around the world, generate an economic impact for the state of more than AUD $1 million and also provide significant trade and investment benefits for Australia. “The Forum will attract entrepreneurs, investors, academic scholars and political leaders from China, Malaysia, the United States, Europe, Australia and beyond,” Ms Chipchase said. “Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu will open the 2012 Forum in Melbourne while the Governor of Victoria, Mr Alex Chernov AO QC, who has shown tremendous support of the event, will attend this year’s Forum in Kuala Lumpur in November.
role in the global economy, together with the integral part it continues to play in driving regional and global economic recovery,” Dato’ Yeoh said. Local host, William Lye, said the Forum would provide a unique perspective on the emergence of China as a global economic power. “The World Chinese Economic Forum’s point of difference is that it covers broader and macro issues, rather than having a purely entrepreneurial focus,” Mr Lye said. “It also brings together participants from governments, business and industry, who will be able to generate relationships and promote economic exchanges.
“This Forum has never been held outside of Kuala Lumpur and is certain to garner significant local and international press, presenting us with an excellent opportunity to showcase Melbourne and regional Victoria to the world.” Visiting Melbourne this week to officially announce the successful bid, Dato’ Dr Michael O.K. Yeoh, CEO/Director of the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, said the purpose of the Forum was to better understand the key forces driving China’s economic growth and the nexus with the Chinese Diaspora worldwide. “The Forum will also discuss China’s increasingly significant Xenios
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Two months in, 34 events secured for Sydney Business Event Sydney begins 2011/12 with a flying start Two months into the new financial year Sydney’s convention bureau, Business Events Sydney (BESydney), has secured 34 events estimated to be approximately worth $69 million to the New South Wales (NSW) economy. BESydney is positioned well to deliver 2011/12 results above and beyond the impressive $186.5 million estimated economic impact of business events the company secured in 2010/11. “Aligning our bid focus to the NSW Government’s priority growth sectors and increasing our efforts within the Asian market have seen Sydney enjoy a very strong start to the financial year. Our strategies are definitely paying off,” comments Lyn Lewis-Smith, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Business Events Sydney. “The events we secure, while delivering economic benefits to NSW, also create opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking, and trade and investment. Growing industries and businesses requires collaboration both domestically and internationally. Business events bring like-minded professionals, often at the pinnacle of their field, to our doorstep and help to raise awareness of Australia’s intellectual capital. “Beyond the tally of tourism receipts, business events deliver far-reaching legacies across sectors that will help to grow NSW’s future prosperity.” BESydney’s Head of Bidding, Virginia Loyola adds, “The team is working towards a record year. These early results are really inspiring. Hard work, coupled with a strong, clear vision, has resulted in good wins to date and there are more to come. Whether it’s securing international conferences, national con-
ventions and symposiums, or incentive travel from the Asian market, Sydney is competing strongly as a global city and a leading business events destination.” Some events secured by BESydney since July 2011 include: · Meeting of the International Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research (ISSTDR) combined with the General Assembly and Congress of the International Union Against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) · Health Informatics Society of Australia National Conference (HIC) · Joint COMADEM Congress and Exhibition and Conference on Asset and Maintenance Management By the end of 2011, a number of high profile events secured by BESydney in past years will also take place in the city: · The Pacific Rim Conference on Laser and Electro-Optics (CLEO/PACIFIC RIM) – Taking place over five days from 29 August 2011 with 1000 delegates. Economic impact estimated at $3.98 million. · vForum 2011 – Taking place over two days from 19 October with 4000 delegates. Economic impact estimated at $5.1 million. · Congress of the Asian Pacific Division of the International Society of Hematology – ISHAPD – Taking place over four days from 30 October with 1500 delegates. Economic impact estimated at $4.6 million. · 22nd International Symposium on ALS/Motor Neurone Disease – Taking place from 29 November over five days with 700 delegates. Economic impact estimated at $3.28 million.
Brighton wins ESGCT and BSGT international congress VisitBrighton has announced another international conference win with The European Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ESGCT) and British Society of Gene Therapy (BSGT) Collaborative Congress due to be held at the Brighton Centre from 27 – 31 October 2011. Set to attract over 500 international delegates, the congress has previously been hosted in Milan, Hanover, Bruges and Rotterdam. The event’s theme for 2011 is “Letting the science do the talking” and will focus on cutting edge science, the promotion of clinical research in gene therapy, cell therapy and genetic vaccines. Renee Watson, ESGCT and BSGT manager said: “We originally looked at four UK locations, London, Oxford, Birmingham and Brighton. We chose Brighton because the venue perfectly suit-
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ed our needs, whilst the accommodation and other facilities are all within a short distance and give our event a community feel. Also Brighton is a quintessentially English seaside resort and its other attractions and activities such as Brighton Pier and sea kayaking were ideal for including on our delegates’ social programme.” Darren Johnson, VisitBrighton Convention Bureau sales manager comments: “Once again Brighton has proved to be a standout international meetings destination. Our continued investment in infrastructure, venues and hotel stock along with close proximity and ease of access to transport hubs like Gatwick and London make Brighton popular on the international association’s circuit.”
Thailand readiness to host global business event
Announcing “Thailand 2013” for FIP World Philatelic Exhibitions Thailand has signed an MOU with the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (World Philately Federation) or FIP to serve as host of the World Philatelic Exhibition in Bangkok in 2013. A cooperation agreement with the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) was also signed in support of the event. With the full backing of the private sector, the event will provide a boost to Thailand’s MICE industry and attract tourists as well as stamp lovers and collectors from around the world. It is projected that the event will generate over 2 billion baht in revenues. TCEB President Mr. Akapol Sorasuchart said “As one of the cosponsors, TCEB has worked closely with Thai Post Co Ltd as the government agency responsible for promoting international exhibitions in Thailand. The event will also mark the accomplishment of some of our key targets under the ‘Believe in Thailand’ campaign and will also demonstrate Thailand’s potential as a global MICE destination. The World Philatelic Exhibition offers an important platform to highlight Thailand’s unique strengths, including its high quality professional services, worldclass infrastructure, international standard facilities, and a wide choice of venues. Thailand also offers unrivalled business opportunities that further add value for business visitors and investors. “The signing of this cooperation agreement between TCEB and Thai Post Co Ltd will contribute to the success of the 2013 World Philatelic Exhibition and bring benefits to Thailand. The cooperation will involve overseas market promotions, including public relations activities, a reception banquet and pavilions for overseas buyers.” Thailand will host the World Philatelic Exhibition THAILAND 2013 – World Stamp Exhibition from 2 – 14 August, 2013, on the 130th anniversary of the launch of Thailand’s postal service and the issue of the country’s very first postage stamp. Thailand has hosted the event three times in the past- once every 10 years – in 1983, 1993, 2003 – as well as hosting the World Youth Stamp Exhibition in 1999.
“TCEB believes that the World Philatelic Exhibition will provide an excellent opportunity to build international confidence in Thailand’s trade fair and exhibitions industry among participants and visitors from around the world. It will also contribute to the exchange of knowledge among members of the global philatelic community. We expect the event to attract up to 100,000 visitors, including 10,000 overseas participants, generating over 2 billion baht for the country. Hosting this event also confirms Thailand’s readiness to host major international events including the World Expo 2020.” Mr. Akapol concluded. This is the fifth time in Thailand has been granted the privilege of hosting the World Philatelic Exhibition. And as with all previous events, once again we are honoured that Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has graciously agreed, as Patron of the event, to preside over its inauguration and deliver the opening address. The event will also feature an exhibition of the personal collection of Her Royal Highness Aside from marking the 130-year anniversary of the Thai postal service, this event will also celebrate 10 years of operation of Thailand Post Co Ltd., formed by the privatization of the former Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT) in 2003. The World Philatelic Exhibition will take place from 2 – 14 August 2013 at the Royal Paragon Hall 1-3, 5th floor, Siam Paragon, Bangkok. The event will feature not only some unique postage stamp collections, but also displays of other rare and valuable collectibles from around the world. A stamp contest and competition of OTOP products will also be held as part of the event, with an international panel of judges from member countries and representatives of countries submitting collections for display. Collectors and non-collectors alike are most welcome to join the World Philatelic Exhibition 2013.
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SARAWAK SECURES WORLD LARGEST CONGRESS ON TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE IN 2012 international advancements made to date. By year-end (2011), traditional medicines in Malaysia, including TCM is expected to be legalised by the government. An agreement has also been reached between the Malaysian and Chinese government to jointly develop a research centre on TCM in Malaysia as well as shaping Malaysia as the regional hub of TCM – making this an opportune time for Malaysia to host the ninth congress.” “The destination, Kuching, offers an array of purpose-built and modern infrastructure for meetings including the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching and various hotels which meet our requirements. Kuching is easily accessible from neighbouring airports – Kuala Lumpur is merely 1.5 hours flight away and there is a flight nearly every hour. The tropical rainforest offers unique pre- and post-conference tours and field trips for delegates,” continued Mr Huang. For over a decade, TCM has played an important role in the Malaysian healthcare industry. An estimated 70 percent of the Malaysian population believes in and practices Chinese medication. Malaysia is home to approximately 7,000 TCM practitioners and 3 major federations of Chinese medicine comprising over 70 Chinese medicine associations. Four universities and eight public hospitals have established a dedicated department for TCM. According to Mr Zulkefli Hj Sharif, Chief Executive Officer, MyCEB, “The 9th WCCM is expected to contribute RM7.7 million (USD2.6 million, EUR1.8 million, AUD2.4 million) in economic impact to the nation based on international delegates expenditure. Local healthcare providers, herbalists, Chinese physicians will have the opportunity to engage with their international peers to exchange clinical experiences and broaden academic horizons.”
– MyCEB and SCB Facilitates Successful Congress Bid for Malaysia, Expected to Rake in RM7.7 Million in Economic Impact Kuala Lumpur, August 2011 – Over 1,000 specialists from the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) industry globally are expected to converge in Kuching, Sarawak for the 9th World Congress of Chinese Medicine (WCCM) from 10 – 11 November 2012. Kuching was chosen as the preferred destination by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine (WFCMS) following a competitive bid presentation by the Malaysian team in Kunming, China. The successful bid was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Health, Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB). It further reinforces Malaysia as the preferred business events destination for China-based associations and meeting planners and as the regional hub for TCM. Held annually, the WCCM is an international academic conference on TCM organised by WFCMS headquartered in Beijing, China to promote the development of TCM globally. According to Mr Huang Jian Yin, Vice Secretary General and Associate Research Professor, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, “Malaysia’s successful bid for the WCCM is a recognition of Malaysia’s well-developed TCM industry as well as 44
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“Hosting this prestigious event will help add to the credibility of Sarawak as a new hub for international conferences and exhibitions. I am confident that visiting delegates will have a memorable and productive meeting in our unique destination that offers rainforest side by side with a booming export economy,” said Ms Jill Henry, Chief Executive Officer, Sarawak Convention Bureau. Topics that will be covered over the four-day congress include the fundamental theory of TCM, acupuncture, moxibustation, tuina therapy as well as medical qigong. For more information about the 9th World Congress of Chinese Medicine, please visit http://www.wfcms.org
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Meetings & Events
World Health Care Congress Launches Latin American Conference, October 24-25, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – The 1st Annual World Health Care Congress Latin America will convene this October in Rio de Janeiro, gathering more than 300 regional and global health care leaders for senior-level networking and insights on improving access to quality care, financing and insurance models for health care, driving innovation in health IT, promoting evidencebased medicine and clinical best practices. Produced by global conference leader World Congress and its flagship brand the World Health Care Congress, the WHCC – Latin America will feature perspectives from health ministers, government officials, hospital/health system executives, insurance executives, health technology innovators and pharmaceutical, medical device, and supplier executives. Prominent speakers include: -Marcio Serôa de Araujo Coriolano, President, Bradesco Saúde S/A; President, FENASAUDE -Sérgio Côrtes, State Secretary of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -Hans Dohmann, MD, Municipal Secretary for Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Claudio Luiz Lottenberg, President, Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital - Jean-Luc Butes, EVP and President, International, Medtronic -Cecilia Gonzalo, Managing Director, Healthcare, Warburg Pincus (USA) -Solomon Chertorivski Woldenberg, National Commissioner of Social Protection in Health, Ministry of Health, Mexico Emerging issues include: - Multi-Disciplinary Approaches to Improve the Quality of Chronic Disease Care—Success from CARSOS and Dow Chemical Company
- Success with mHealth and Telehealth Technologies— Transforming Global Delivery of Care - Comparative Effectiveness and Health Technology Assessment—A Look at International Methodologies and Best -Practices to Compare Clinical Effectiveness and Drive Reimbursement Decisions -Private Sector Innovations that Drive Access to High quality, Affordable Medicines -Affordable Technology Innovations for Low Cost Diagnostics and Remote Care Delivery -Global Innovations in Health Care Delivery and New Partnership Models to Expand Access and Sustainable Care “We are thrilled to introduce our highly successful World Health Care Congress series to Latin America,” said Nicole Garratt, WHCC president. “Brazil, Mexico and other Latin American countries have a unique opportunity to learn from the failures and health care cost expenditures of other developed nations. Thus, we are eager to provide a forum for CEOs and government officials to focus on the many innovations and best practices that have emerged from Latin America while showcasing valuable international perspectives.” The event will also include the 2nd Annual WHCC Latin America Innovations Poster Exhibit and Awards Program, which will be on display throughout the conference. The poster exhibit is part of the WHCC Health Innovations Initiative, www.whcchealthinnovations.com, a year-round program that features health care innovations that improve health care while reducing costs. To submit an innovation for display at the conference and award consideration, visit www.worldcongress.com/latinamerica/posters.
Innovation, inspiration and local talent: Sydney to host the Robotic Science and Systems Conference 2012 The brightest minds in the robotics industry will descend on Sydney in 2012 for the international Robotics Science and Systems (RSS) Conference. During the five-day conference in June, Sydney will be a hotbed of discussion, ideas exchange and international collaboration for the booming robotics industry. The RSS Conference is expected to attract 400 delegates to Sydney to explore the latest developments in the robotics field, particularly the algorithmic or mathematical foundations of robotics, robotics applications, and the analysis of robotic systems. The event will generate an estimated $1.7 million for the New South Wales (NSW) economy. Business Events Sydney (BESydney), Australia’s leading convention bureau, worked with local bid leader Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte from late 2010 to secure the conference for the harbour city. Last year Professor Durrant-Whyte was named the NSW Scientist of the Year, and he is internationally recognised for his work in robotics and automation projects that span cargo handling, surface and underground mining, defence, unmanned flight vehicles and autonomous sub-sea vehicles. Combining Professor Durrant-Whyte’s industry connections and expertise with BESydney’s expertise in promoting Sydney’s as Australia’s business event capital, was key to securing the RSS Conference for Sydney. This will be the first time the event is to be held in the Asia-Pacific region and the conference is being organised by a committee from the Australian Centre for Field Robotics at the University of Sydney, comprising of Dr. Stefan Williams and Dr. Fabio Ramos.
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“The expertise of our Asian neighbours in information and communication technology sectors such as robotics is well profiled. Securing the RSS Conference for 2012 is a great acknowledgment of the wealth of our local talent and intellectual capital in Sydney. Our city not only has the beauty, but it also has the brains to deliver the ideal conference environment for high-profile events such as the RSS Conference,” says Lyn Lewis-Smith, Acting Chief Executive Officer, BESydney. “The business tourism revenue that will be generated by this event is noteworthy, but so is the legacy of events such as the RSS Conference. Business events such as this are vital to growing the potential of New South Wales and a knowledge-based economy” Professor Durrant-Whyte adds, “The event will offer local thought-leaders such as the researchers at the Australian Centre for Field Robotics, the opportunity to showcase their strengths and share knowledge. We hope the RSS Conference being held in Sydney will lead to international collaboration, greater funding for research projects and industry profiling both in Australia and overseas.” The bid highlights BESydney’s strategy to support the NSW Government’s Business Sector Growth Plan, through researching and bidding for industry events that encourage development, innovation and investment in priority sectors. Robotics is an area that falls within the targeted information and communication technologies sector and is the one of six* events to be secured by BESydney in this sector, between now and 2017.
Goldschmidt 2011 ‘Earth, Life and Fire’
FLORENCE WILL BE THE CAPITAL OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES More than 400 experts will be in Tuscany in 2013. FCB President Giacomo Billi: “Great prestige”
Prague, August 2011 – Prague hosted the major event in the field of geochemistry – the Goldschmidt Conference 2011. One of the most significant international events held in the Czech capital city this year, named ‘Earth, Life and Fire’, brought together scientists from around the world who discussed the issues in the field of evolution of the Earth, environmental chemistry and geochemistry of resources. From 14 to 19 August, the Prague Congress Centre was the venue of 20 parallel scientific sessions and plenaries. Moreover, this year a full day special session was devoted to the Fukushima nuclear accident and its implications, organized together with the Geochemical Society of Japan. This session provided an overview of the context of the accident, of its causes, and of the dispersal of nuclear pollutants in Japan, in the Oceans, and in the atmosphere, and of future mitigation of its aftermaths.
The Goldschmidt Conference is held annually alternating between North America and Europe. After previous conferences in Cologne, Germany (2007), Vancouver, Canada (2008), Davos, Switzerland (2009) and Knoxville, USA (2010), the Czech capital Prague has observed the largest ever Goldschmidt conference with more than 3000 registered delegates. Next conferences will be held in Montreal, Canada (2012) and Florence, Italy (2013). The European conferences are held under the auspices of the European Association of Geochemistry (http://www.eag.eu.com/). The chairmen of the conference are Bernard Bourdon (ENS Lyon, France), Bernard Marty (CNRS Nancy France), and Martin Novak (Czech Geological Survey, Czech Republic). The organizing company is Cambridge Publications under the responsibility of Paul Beattie.
International experts on agriculture, rural development and environmental protection choose Florence. The FCB is pleased to announce that the Tuscan destination wins the conference “European Society for Rural Society” 2013 (from August 19th to 23rd), that will bring at Palazzo degli Affari more than 400 international experts of the ESRS (European Society for Rural Sociology) association. ESRS was born in 1957 and represents the leader in Europe in the study of agriculture and fisheries, food production and consumption, rural development and change, nature and environmental protection. “We are very pleased – said the Councillor for Tourism of the Province of Florence and President of FCB Giacomo Billi – for the acquisition of this important event that will bring international prestige to our city. Over 400 people will come to Tuscany to discuss actual issues concerning sustainable rural development, making Florence the capital of the international environmental debate. “Thank to the statistics of the Province of Florence Congress Observatory we estimate that this kind of event can have an effect on the territory estimated at between 50,000 and 100,000 euros, numbers that we are proud to communicate showing also the importance of conference sector for the city”. ESRS objectives are to stimulate and promote the development of rural sociology, to create closer relations between rural sociologists, social scientists and other professionals with an interest in agricultural development, rural society and the environment and promote international cooperation and exchange of information and experience, as well as providing a forum in Europe for discussion of issues related to rural change to encourage the training of young social scientists in an international context.
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HOFBURG Vienna keeps going strong
A busy second half-year ahead After the World Policy Conference, highlights of the autumn calendar include a raft of medical and business conferences. Banquets, the HOFBURG Vienna’s second largest event segment, are more popular than ever and now contribute around 15 percent of total revenue. Competition for slots in the already packed Hofburg exhibition calendar is also hotting up thanks to the addition of marke[ding] and ReiseSalon fairs. Meanwhile, early forecasts indicate that the venue will generate around 470,000 overnight stays for the local hotel industry in 2011. “While the HOFBURG Vienna’s spring line-up was dominated by high-level political meetings and conferences such as the World Economic Forum, UNIDO Vienna Energy Forum and the CTBTO Science and Technology Conference, the second half of the year will focus on business and scientific conferences. The autumn schedule includes the Austrian Ear, Nose and Throat Congress (14-17.09.), the First Opening Meeting of the European Knee Association (25-26.10.) a month later, and finally the World Congress of Cryosurgery (30.10. – 2.11.) . Representatives of Austrian commerce will be out in force at the Trade Day (21.10.) and the Austrian IT & Consulting Day (01.12.), and at an event hosted by the Vienna Economic Chamber for its Trade and Commerce group (4-5.10.). HOFBURG Vienna Managing Director Renate Danler is particularly proud that the centre will be hosting the World Policy Conference (9-11.12), which will bring over 500 of the highestlevel delegates from all over the world to the Austrian capital. This forward-looking global governance conference will be hosted in partnership with the Federal Chancellery. Among the points on the agenda are the latest developments arising from the Arab spring, Europe’s pioneering role in global governance, democracy in Africa, and the future of the G8 and G20 summits. But it’s not just the conferences and meeting segment (which is expected to account for a 55 percent share of total revenue) that is going from strength to strength; banquets and gala evenings are also in increasingly high demand. “This area accounts for around 15 percent of annual turnover, making it our second strongest business line,” Ms Danler notes. 48
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In 2011, regular events such as Una Notte Sportiva (23.09.), Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 (13.10.), Austria’s Leading Companies (27.10.) and the Falstaff Red Wine Gala (06.12.) will be joined by the Tara awards ceremony (25.11.), which will be themed “Life goes on” this year. With around 20 fixed bookings taken already, Christmas parties at the venue are in high demand. The Hofburg fairs and exhibitions team will also have plenty to do in the second half thanks to a pair of new arrivals: the marke[ding] merchandising product fair (08.09.) and the ReiseSalon travel show (22-23.03.2012). Among the other highlights are ACCESS, the leading trade show for conferences, meetings and incentives (3-4.10.), the Wohndesign interior design exhibition (12-16.10.), the art and antiques fair (5-13.11.) and Luxury (18-20.11.). Renate Danler expects the HOFBURG Vienna to host a total of 330 events in 2011, and forecasts that the venue will generate up to 470,000 overnight stays in the city this year alone. Added value for Vienna is put at EUR 190 million in 2011. Over the past few months a total of EUR 0.5 million has been invested in fibre optic technology and high-end sound systems. In 2012 the HOFBURG Vienna is set to carry on where it left off, with 13 large-scale conferences already having placed firm orders for the year ahead – highlights include the MedicReS World Congress (Medical Research Support, 07-09.06.2012, 1,200 delegates), the 5th OPEC International Seminar (1314.06.2012, 600 delegates) and the TERMIS World Congress (06-08.09.2012, over 1,000 delegates). The Third International Symposium on Life Circle Civil Engineering Congress (2-6.10.2012) is among the other fixed booking.
Eighty presenters from 20 countries confirmed for 2nd Annual World Health Care Congress Middle East, 11-13 December, Abu Dhabi industry. Abu Dhabi, host of WHCC Middle East for the second consecutive year, is a global center for health care innovation. Key topics for WHCC Middle East 2011 include: -Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) Health Authority Dialogue – Health Care Strategies for the Future and EvidenceInformed Health Policies -Hospital/Health System CEO Debate on Global Health Care Models -How Provider Systems and Technology Companies are Responding to the Implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) Systems -Building Strategic Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) -The Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles Other Featured presenters include: More than 600 health care executives to share top perspectives on best practices for health care delivery; Conference to be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre Abu Dhabi – 8 July 2011 The 2 nd Annual World Health Care Congress Middle East, the premier event for global health care innovation, is pleased to announce the confirmation of 80 presenters from 20 countries and spanning the full health care industry. In addition to several health care leaders from the Middle East region, including the nations of the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC), the WHCC Middle East 2011 will feature executives and government officials from Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Australia. Countries to be represented include the United States, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Canada, United Kingdom, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, The Netherlands, Belgium, Japan, India, Spain, Australia and the United Arab Emirates. Key international presenters include: -Victor Dzau, MD, President and CEO, Duke University Health System, USA -Rt. Hon. Prof. the Lord Ara Darzi of Denham KBE, Chairman, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College, London, UK -Suhail Al Ansari, Executive Director, Mubadala Healthcare, UAE -Wright L. Lassiter III, Chief Executive Officer, Alameda County Medical Center and Highland Hospital, Oakland, California, USA -The Hon. Chin Soo Hee, Minister of Health and Welfare, South Korea The 2011 event will move to the recently-expanded world class facility, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). WHAT: The World Health Care Congress Middle East WHEN: December 11-13, 2011 WHERE: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates PROGRAM INFORMATION: www.worldcongress.com/me Organized Under the Patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates’ Armed Forces and in collaboration with sovereign partners the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the World Health Care Congress Middle East is the most prestigious health care event, convening global thought leaders and key decision makers from all sectors of health care to promote health care through global best practices. The 2011 program will feature new topics designed to address new innovations and challenges within the health care
-H.E. Prof. Mohamed Jawad Khalifeh, Minister of Health, Ministry of Health; President, Arab Health Ministers Council, Beirut, Lebanon -Hanan S. Al Kuwari, PhD, Managing Director, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar Dr. Manar Al Moneef, Director General, Health Care and Life Sciences, Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), Riyadh, KSA -Zaid Al Siksek, CEO, Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD), Abu Dhabi, UAE -Dr. Najeeb Al Shorbaji, Director, Knowledge Management, The World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland -Dr. Cristian Baeza, Director of Health, Nutrition and Population, The World Bank, Washington, DC, USA -Prof. Abdallah S. Daar, Professor, Public Health Sciences; Professor, Surgery, University of Toronto; Senior Scientist, McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Chair, Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases; Chair, Advisory Board, United Nations University International Institute for Global Health -Jeff Goldsmith, PhD, President, Health Futures, Inc., Charlottesville, Virginia, USA -Anne Milton, MP, Minister of State for Public Health, Department of Health, London, UK -Prof. Tan Ser Kiat, Group Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Health Services Pte. Ltd., Singapore -Prof. Didier Pittet, MD, MS, CBE, Hospital Epidemiologist, Director, Infection Control Program; WHO, Collaborating Centre on Patient Safety, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland The event will also include the 2nd Annual WHCC Middle East Health Innovations Poster Exhibit and Awards Program, which will be on display throughout the conference. The poster exhibit is part of the WHCC Health Innovations Initiative, www.whcchealthinnovations.com a year-round program that features health care innovations that improve health care while reducing costs. To submit an innovation for display and award consideration at the conference, visit www.worldcongress.com/middleeast/posters
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Amsterdam RAI chooses sustainable freight transport via boat been applied in detail, as the boats not only bring cargo to its destination, but also take away return goods such as waste in the same efficient, environmentally friendly way. Thanks to its location on the water, Amsterdam RAI is connected directly to Amsterdam’s dense network of waterways, allowing it to make the most of this new possibility.
First delivery of supplies to the RAI via Amsterdam canals Amsterdam RAI received goods by boat for the first time today. The electric-powered vessel of Mokum Mariteam arrived fully laden and also left with a full cargo. Amsterdam RAI is an early adopter of this sustainable initiative to find alternatives to road transport, reducing transport movements around the RAI and improving air quality and noise in the inner city of Amsterdam. Decades after having been left to tourists, the Amsterdam canals are now again being used for transporting freight by the company Mokum Mariteam, with boats running on quiet and clean electric engines. Moreover, the just-in-time principle has
Clean and quiet freight transport Electric water transport is an important segment in the CSR policies of Amsterdam RAI. The idea came about thanks to a fruitful cooperation with waste disposal company Icova, one of the founders of Mokum Mariteam, and it soon became clear that this type of clean and quiet freight transport method is ideal for supplying events. Taking into account the collection of return freight, the deployment of the Mokum Mariteam boat takes the place of between five and six city lorries. Sustainable ambition Sustainability has long been high on the agenda at Amsterdam RAI. The company’s goal is to become a leader in this field among conference and event organisers within five years. The societal interests of the city and region have always been explicitly taken into account at Amsterdam RAI, where a fundamental assumption is that sustainability adds value to the organisation by attracting more customers and committed employees. Accordingly, Amsterdam RAI is proud of its partnership with Mokum Mariteam – moving freight by canal provides a tangible contribution to a cleaner Amsterdam.
Edgbaston Stadium unveils its new meetings and events spaces with 24 confirmed events £32m redevelopment programme sees Birmingham’s cricket ground increasing its event offering Edgbaston Stadium has officially opened its meetings and events spaces after completion of an exciting 18 month redevelopment programme. The Midlands stadium is set to assert itself as one of the UK’s leading business and leisure destinations. A special showcase for corporate event managers and agencies was held to introduce the venue’s facilities, event offering and corporate hospitality for 2011-12. Held on 26th July, tours were available to showcase the new Edgbaston and highlight the versatility of room set-ups and the provision for audio visual equipment. The main banqueting suite was set to showcase its adaptability as a venue for corporate dinners, Christmas parties and personal milestone events including weddings. The day was rounded off with a sample of the venue’s new corporate hospitality offering at the Clydesdale Bank 40 over match between Warwickshire and Hampshire. The venue now offers an additional ten meeting spaces, each with a distinct personality, for events from 20 – 700 guests. Edgbaston features: a new conference and banqueting suite for 700 guests, 1050m² of exhibition space, 4 meeting rooms and 4 new executive boxes which can host up to 24 people. Rekha Lyons, sales office manager, said: “Our meeting spaces have been refurbished and offer sleek spaces designed with today’s high specifications in mind: Wifi capability up to 100 MB and plasma screens. We have confirmed 24 events to date with a clientele list now ranging from blue chip companies and professional services such as Pinsent Masons, Skin Clinics and 50
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Blackstar. We are also seeing big demands from the charity sector with events already confirmed from The Lord Taverners and Cure Leukaemia”. Jo Austin, head of sales Lime Venue Portfolio, said: “With £32 million spent, this is the largest venue investments in the Midlands this year and is testament to the demand for upscale banqueting, conference and event facilities in this area. The venue’s central location, coupled with an enhanced service and product offering means that our current clients will relish the changes and potential clients will be keen to try us out. We look forward to welcoming them all at Edgbaston”. Jamie Nevin, general manager, Edgbaston Experience Limited, said: “Edgbaston is rightly renowned as a world famous cricket venue. Now is the time for us to become known within the region and the UK as a major provider of premier conference and banqueting facilities”. Keith Prowse will provide world class hospitality to the new Jaguar Club, The 1882 Club, Superboxes and The Edgbaston Suite for the 3rd npower Test match between England and India (10th to 14th August). These will join the existing areas of the Aylesford Private Boxes, Marston’s Suite, Executive Club and Lower Wyatt Suite across the ground in the Raglan / Priory Stand and RES Wyatt.