MICEtalk

Cover StoryIndian Hotels Luring MICE Conferences and

Meetings in Paris

Cover StoryIndian Hotels Luring MICE Conferences and

Meetings in Paris

Focus Canada-IndiaStrengthening Relations

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Volume IV Issue 4 April 2013 68 pagesA DDP Publication

MICEtalk April 2013 7

Focus Canada – India 2013 held at Fairmont Jaipur

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Harshal Ashar

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Dear Reader,

The travel and tourism industry has understood the importance of stepping out to get business! It does not

come to you like it used to in the past. The best way to do this seems to be through participation in exhibitions and travel markets. The

hospitality industry has seen the potential very clearly and is investing hugely in infrastructure and services to attract every industry wanting to partake in MICE

events. We bring you excerpts from our conversations with senior hoteliers on their MICE plans and activities.

Exhibitions and Travel Markets are becoming bigger every year with larger participation from every country, especially from Asia and the Middle East. Read what the Exhibition specialists

have to say about this. Did you know that this is the one niche of the travel industry that continued to grow even in the thick of recession?

Even technology and mobile companies are outpacing each other in this field. Mobile smart phones can now be an asset in a conference and don’t need to be switched off…

our technology expert brings you information on a new meeting application.

Countries like England and cities like Paris are offering varied opportunities for business travellers and MICE groups. They are developing venues to be very appealing,

converting well-known locations like sports stadia, palaces, museums and even famous nightclubs into attractive MICE venues. Read about all this and more in

this issue of MICEtalk.

Take your team to a ‘cool’ place this summer!

Deepa Sethi Editor

Mr. Chiranjeevi Hon. Minister of State for Tourism (Independent charge), enjoys MICEtalk at ITB Berlin.

8 MICEtalk April 2013

contents14 Cover Story

Indian Hotels luring MICE

10 Facts

22 MICE CityParis

28 Corporate ChoiceMalaysia

30 Expert Talk3 Steps to Success

32 MICE CountryEngland

44 MICE HotelCrowne Plaza Kochi

48 Booked for MICEToshali Sands, Puri

51 TechnologyNice Meetings

52 Sample ThisMarriott Whitefield, Bangalore

54 Expert TalkImprove your Listening Skills

56 Yours OfficiallyLois HallExhibition Director of GIBTM

58 Event ReportFocus Canada - India 2013AIME - MelbourneITB Berlin 2013

64 Movements

66 Events

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Jordan offers Visa-on-Arrival to IndiansNow MICE groups and FIT groups from India don’t need a visa before they leave for Jordan as they can avail of Visa-on-Arrival when they land in Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport.

Indian travellers can avail this facility if they are in a group of five persons or more, with confirmed return flight tickets. Other facilities offered include:• Uniform visa fees for all nationalities • Group visas - Free of charge when arranged

through DMCs or TOs

Malaysia’s newest resort beckons corporate groupsBest Western International has announced the launch of a new resort in Malaysia. Located in the coastal town of Port Dickson, 40 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the Best Western Prima Inland Sea Resort offers an option for leisure travellers and corporate groups. Set within 23 acres, this 300-room resort is set upon Malaysia’s largest man-made beach - a palm-fringed venue with the size of five Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Kap Europa to host ‘greenmeetings and events conference’

The next ‘greenmeetings and events’ conference will take place in Messe Frankfurt’s new ‘Kap Europa’ congress centre from February 9 - 10, 2015. The announcement was made by the conference’s organisers, the German Convention Bureau (GCB) and the European Association of Event Centers (EVVC), at the closing ceremony of this year’s greenmeetings and events conference 2013 in Darmstadt, Germany.

Disneyland Paris to host near 10,000 Amway delegates Amway, a direct-selling consumer-goods company, offers their direct sellers and families a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Disneyland Paris this summer. A total of 9,500 participants from Europe, Russia, South Africa and Turkey will participate in the event.

The event will take place from June 28 - July 18, 2013. Four hotels (Disney’s New York Hotel, Disney’s Newport Bay Club, Disney’s Sequoïa Lodge and Disneyland Hotel) will be used exclusively during the event. Disneyland® Paris is just 35 minutes from Paris and all facilities are accessible by foot, which dramatically reduces the carbon footprint of an event.


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Sydney Town Hall partners with ‘Luxperience 2013’ Sydney Town Hall and Restaurant Associates have partnered with ‘Luxperience 2013’, an international business exchange for the luxury and experiential travel and meetings community that will take place in Sydney from September 2-4, 2013.

The iconic Sydney Town Hall will host the Luxperience 2013 Thought Leaders Program on September 1, 2013 when up to 500 travel industry professionals will assemble in the building’s Centennial Hall. Apart from Sydney Town Hall, Tourism Australia and Virgin Australia have also been confirmed as key supporters for the event.

Grand Hyatt Hong Kong introduces new group activities to enhance meeting agendaMeeting Planners are always looking for different ways to enhance the experience for their delegates. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong has introduced - the ‘Plateau Spa Rejuvenating Break’ and ‘Wine Tasting’ sessions tailor-made for groups. The Plateau Spa Rejuvenating Break helps your delegates stay alert throughout a long day. The Wine Tasting break helps build team spirit and set the stage for networking by including a wine tasting activity to your group itinerary.

Brisbane Hotel refurbishes meeting spaceBrisbane Marriott Hotel renovated its conference venue. This luxury hotel offers 720 sqm of modern meeting space that is elegantly designed and equipped with the latest technology. Its Makore Boardroom now features a timber-veneered conference table top with leather paneling and brass edging, ergonomic chairs and individual wired Internet connection points. In addition, nearly all of the event spaces were updated with newly painted walls and ceilings, fabric wall panels, wallpaper, furniture, and curtains.

To ensure events make a powerful first impression, this five-star hotel in Brisbane now features digital signage, where meeting planners can broadcast schedules and content, and a pre-function space with comfortable seating areas, stylish furniture, and more.

CSIR International Convention Centre joins 49M initiativeThe CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC), Pretoria, South Africa, has joined the 49M energy saving campaign. An Eskom initiative, the campaign is aimed at encouraging each South African to effectively contribute to reducing energy consumption. The convention centre already has in place various measures to reduce its energy consumption. Motion sensor control of lighting is installed in feasible areas, a computerised building management system controls heating, ventilation and air-conditioning and energy saving and energy efficient light fittings and bulbs are used throughout the building.

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Abu Dhabi launches its convention bureau The Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau was launched to drive the business events ambitions of the Emirate forward. It is a new dedicated, one-stop entity within Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) – which will support the growth of exhibitions and conferences within the Emirate by forging closer links with the industry and providing financial and non-financial support.

99th Kiwanis International Convention to be held in Japan The Chiba Convention Bureau and International Center successfully bid to bring the 99th Annual Kiwanis International Convention to Makuhari Messe in Chiba City, Japan, in 2014. Kiwanis International is the third largest volunteer social service organisation in the world. The annual conference for the Kiwanis Asian-Pacific Region will be held in conjunction with the Kiwanis International Convention in 2014. Chiba City was selected because of the international accessibility through Narita and Haneda airports, convenient domestic transportation system, and the way local stakeholders came together as one to provide support for the conference.

Changi Airport launches new ‘Weekend Escapades’ mobile app Changi Airport’s new ‘Weekend Escapade’ mobile app provides users with exciting destination-based content and maps, flight searches and the latest airline promotions. This travel guide app is free of charge.

Designed as a fast and convenient tool with information on 30 cities across 11 countries located within a five-hour flight radius of Singapore, the app caters to the travel needs of time-strapped holidaymakers. The app is a great resource for travellers wishing to uncover the less-trodden secondary cities of Southeast Asia perfect for relaxing weekend getaways.

New online course for meeting plannersThe Puerto Rico Convention Bureau has launched an exclusive online education programme tailored to meeting planners. The Puerto Rico Smooth Meeting University provides meeting planners with the latest and most comprehensive industry education available on hosting a meeting in Puerto Rico. After completing a series of courses on topics such as meeting hotels, history and culture, golf, shopping, dining and nightlife, planners earn a Puerto Rico Smooth Meeting Specialist designation, complete with a rewards component.


BIG way

Location of a hotel is one of the most important factors. Siddhartha Varma, Director Rooms, Claridges, states, “The three most important pointers that come into play while picking a hotel are the distance from the airport, the accessibility for pre- and post-tours for leisure, and how close they are placed to the corporate hubs of the city. Claridges with its central location, equidistant from Delhi and Faridabad and is placed near the high rise districts of Gurgaon and Faridabad where many multinational companies are located.”

MICE is an integral part of revenue creation for hotels. With tradeshows and exhibitions on the rise across the globe and more and more companies partaking in the same as well as investing in their employees, product launches/showcases, the contribution of hotels cannot be sidelined. MICEtalk steps out to understand what these hotels are doing to lure MICE traffic. Event organisers are now looking for cutting-edge venues. They want quality service and new food and beverage ideas to surprise their hosts and give them an edge over their competitors. There are numerous factors that help a MICE hotel survive competition. Let’s have a look of these factors and how important they are in attracting MICE business...

Strategic Location

Hotels in India

Luring MICE in aNeha Oberoi

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Providing Good MICE FacilitiesProviding entertainment at the hotel and arranging tours to nearby attractions are some activities that are practiced by many but apart from this, what are they doing that’s special to endear volume to their hotel?

Sanket Chugh, Director of Sales, Pullman Gurgaon, Central Park, states, “The Pullman also runs a programme if you have a particular need or requirement for your event called ‘Co-Meeting Team’ with an event manager at

your disposal to assist with planning and executing the event, identifying the ideal speaker or coach for your meeting, planning innovative team activities and also a customised menu for your breaks. The team also includes an IT solutions manager to assist with all your connectivity needs. Should you require any specialised equipment, he will be at hand throughout your event.”

While in conversation with Kadambini Mittal, Commercial Director, IHG, we talked about their signature feature, ‘Crowne Meetings Director’ the Crowne Plaza runs worldwide to help create a tailored event. It is a certified programme that involves training in handling and anticipating the guests and understanding the objective of what they want

to achieve out of their programme. The director, a specialised consultant rather than a hotel employee, is the one point contact from inception to execution of the event. He even keeps a track of the daily expenditure to help you manage your budget via a daily meeting.



Vella Ramasawmy, General Manager, Kempinski Ambience Delhi, informs, “Since, MICE is not a seasonal business, it has to be planned the entire year round. In this regard, accommodation becomes a very important criterion. MICE travellers usually prefer accommodation near their meeting/conference/exhibition venues. Further, these accommodation units have to be well-equipped to handle their business requirements. We, at Kempinski, offer a venue, Grand Sapphire ballroom that can cater up to 6000 persons along with 480 rooms. Also, we do not standardise our food and beverage offer. Our team works closely with our clients to come up with a customised menu or use any of the restaurants instead of the buffet, should they prefer.”

Accommodation


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When we talk about MICE facilities, we’re not just talking about listing the catering or the audio-visual equipment. It refers to providing excellent environment-friendly facilities at the hotel. For instance, if the venue has an abundance of natural light – use the fact it’s beneficial to fight fatigue for the guests. Atul Lall, General Manager, Fairmont, Jaipur, shares details about their venue in a similar fashion, “Fairmont Jaipur has a dedicated Convention centre. The Grand Ballroom is the largest in the city offering 5,500-sqm (60,000 sq-ft) of space, the largest in the area and ideal for gala dinners, weddings, premier product launches & mega events. Complementing the Grand Ballroom are the spacious outdoor lawns set in opulent surroundings, with water bodies, a fountain and a view of the majestic Aravalli hills in the background.”

Environment-friendly MICE facilities



Customer feedback gathered via the front desk and customer satisfaction surveys can offer invaluable insights into business requirements. Having a team of sharp employees at the front desk also helps, so train staff to ask useful questions – for example are guests staying at the hotel using

meeting facilities elsewhere?

Inderdeep Singh, Promoter, Bella Vista, Panchkula, comments on their relationships with guests as well as suppliers, “The entire hospitality business is based on relationships. Travel agents and conference organisers are integral especially for an independent property like us. A regular relationship-building with the tour agents helps keep these bonds personal and alive. Product & service suppliers too are integral at The Bella Vista, especially since we have insisted on top tier suppliers for all our needs. Many of them return to us as customers for MICE operations, including international companies such as Sterling-Wilson and Schindler. Additionally, these suppliers allow us to provide certain key value additions at conferences such as complimentary bottles of wine in the rooms.”

Understanding the MICE clientele


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Amit Rana, Director Rooms, Crowne Plaza, Kochi, opines on how alternatives are being considered for USA/Europe-based event organisers to persuade them to relocate or duplicate their conferences and trade shows in the city-state to cash in on the emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific region, “On the agenda of the Kerala tourism department is an India International Boat Show, a gold festival across the cities and travel marts/road shows in Germany, Singapore and China”.

Participation in trade shows as promotional activities to attract MICE is yet another form that is now being touted as the tailor-made forum to create MICE opportunities. Pavan Kakkar, Director Sales & Marketing, Radisson Blu, Hyderabad, elaborates, “Trade shows provide a significant platform for us to feature our products and services among the right target audience. However for us, it is more than just a promotional activity. I believe,

to maximise success, it is imperative to make promotional efforts above and beyond merely showing up at these shows. It is a cycle, beginning from pre-show promotional strategy to planning on-site promotional activities for the visibility of the product with a close follow-up leading to measurable results.”

Promotional Activities


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To conclude, experiencing the amenities and venues for MICE despite the year having a difficult start is an essential part of corporate culture. It is ‘big business’ and will continue to boom. However, what is important to keep in mind is everything comes to a standstill when service becomes secondary. The rise of social media means that a poor experience has a possibility to reach global audience. On the upside, this also means that glowing reviews can be viewed on a grand scale.

Lastly, in this period of economic uncertainty the focus for all buyers and exhibitors is on great events and greater value. Hoteliers need to offer added value to buyers in order to maximise sales. Greesh Bindra, General Manager, Suryaa, points out, “Clients are increasingly sensitive, they expect better deals but with the same high level of service. We, at the Suryaa, offer meeting packages, standardised, value-added packages ensuring our clients of the same quality and also maintaining the image of our brand.”

Guests want basics first – smiling faces, clean rooms, equipment that works and good food.

Offering Value addition


The capital and the largest city of France, Paris has an abundance of venues and activities that are on offer for different MICE Groups. Harshal Ashar reports from Paris…

Conferences and Meetings in ParisThe capital and the largest city of France, Paris has an abundance of venues and activities that are on offer for different MICE Groups. Harshal Ashar reports from Paris…

MICE city

The capital and the largest city of France, Paris has an abundance of venues and activities that are on offer for different MICE Groups. Harshal Ashar reports from Paris…


Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport and Paris Orly Airport, both are 40 min from the city centre.Paris Airport could facilitate large groups, with special announcements, etc. for big groups.

access


Paris is a mosaic of monuments, architecture, historic venues, parks and gardens. Known worldwide as a capital of fashion and

gastronomy, the city offers magical moments and endless opportunities for everyone!

Historic MICE Venues

The National Musical Opera HouseFounded in 1969, the Opera House produces ballets as well as opera spectacles, which include classical operas. Groups, which consist of ten or more are welcomed here and need an advance booking and reservation for these performances.

The Opera House has meeting and convention style places for 340 people in theatre style.

There can be grand gala dinners arranged for

groups, and there are rooms for private parties, evenings and lunch gatherings. Coffee and cocktails can be arranged for different sizes of groups usually up to 450 people.

The Le Pavilions De BercyThis fairground art museum offers one of the most unique and enjoyable settings and experiences for an incentive group. It hosts approximately 250 events or more in a year. Two Indian weddings have already been staged here, with all the pomp, grandeur and decorations. The LouvreOne of the most historic landmarks in the city is the Louvre Museum, which is one of the largest and most frequented museums in the world. Situated on the right bank of the Seine, it contains more than 3,80,000 objects and displays 35,000 works of art in eight curatorial departments, with more than 60,600 sqm dedicated to its permanent collection. The famous Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo Di Vinci is housed here, and attracts the curiosity of millions who throng to view this masterpiece with the emblematic smile.Note: Entry tickets for groups could be sought in advance which would facilitate ease of admission instead of long queues for entry.

• 15 main Congress and Exhibition Centres• Largest auditorium can seat around 4000 guests• Largest exhibition space: 226,000 sqm• More than 75,000 bedrooms in around 1500 hotels• 10,300 restaurants• 79 monuments & museums

Paris has

Cover storyMICE city


In Paris you would easily find good Indian food outlets. One of the good

Indian Restaurants is Nirvana.

The Eiffel TowerAscending tall on the Champ De mars, the iron Lattice Tower, is named after Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. It is one of the most recognised structures, having the distinction of being the most visited paid monument in the world!

This global cultural icon is a ‘must visit’ for a group who can marvel at the sight of the magical city from atop any of its three levels. The third level is accessible only by lift.

Both the first and second levels of the tower boast

Paris has many world-class hotels such as the Sheraton, Radisson Blu, Hilton, Sofitel, Scribe, etc., that also have excellent convention facilities.

accommodation

of restaurants where your group could enjoy lunch or dinner in unique settings while enjoying striking views of the city.


Post-event activities

Dinner Cruise on the River SeineA cruise on the River Seine will afford you a view of all the landmarks of Paris, which is a visual treat at night. While sailing by the most historic and iconic landmarks of this city like the Louvre, The Notre Dame and The Eiffel Tower, the group will enjoy the sights of Paris, which are all lit up by night.

can assist you for all your needs in France. From booking to transfers, guides and hotel rooms, and from ideas through to the completion of events such as seminars, conventions, congresses, product launches, incentive trips, sporting and themed activities, team building activities, gala dinners, etc., it can arrange anything.

Alcep travel & events

The Bureau works closely with event organisers, MICE organisers and wedding planners. It works as an advisory board, offering best recommendations, as they are in contact with local suppliers.

Paris Convention Bureau

Cover storyMICE city

The Lido showThis famous French Cabaret Show can be enjoyed by the group with champagne. It is a ‘not to be missed’ experience of an hour and a half, comprising of stunning costumes and special effects.

Ideal way of viewing the cityOne of the most enjoyable and unusual experiences for the group can be sightseeing of the city by day or night in the authentic and legendary convertible cars, the 2CV. A Parisian English speaking driver would treat you to an unforgettable ride across the city and will show you the myriad historic monuments and places of interest.

Shopping at Printemps Here your group can enjoy a monument which is indispensible to French history and culture, by shopping at the Printemps, which is a huge departmental store, offering the latest in men and women’s fashion, watches, cosmetics, perfumes, home interiors, luxury and beauty products, children wear, etc.

A striking feature of this store is that groups can hold small meetings and luncheons at this famous store, in one of its many varied restaurants.

The Galleries LafayetteGroups can enjoy shopping at the Galleries, which is one of the most up-market French Departmental Stores.

In Paris, fashion shows can also be arranged and organised for MICE groups.


Amid the sliding rupee and rising raw material cost, Siyarams had something different to try; the vision was to bring its team of retailers together so that they can rejuvenate themselves while being far off from the work load. So, instead of going the cost-cutting way, it went vice-versa and organised a meet in Malaysia to raise the morale of its retailers.

Malaysia for MICEArchana Sharma reports from Malaysia

Can you imagine a team of 400 people in a foreign land! Eating together, enjoying on over 40 rides in Genting Island, touring together for

sight-seeing and zooming on F1 track in flashy cars. Looks like a dream…but the dream was realised by Siyarams when it hosted hundreds of its retailers in Malaysia for three days.

According to Ramesh Poddar, Chairman and MD, Siyaram’s, the company wanted to showcase its new products to its retailers in a new way. “At the same time, the company also wanted to felicitate its retailers who have outperformed in their businesses. At this point, Gaurav Poddar, Executive Director, Siyarams, the brain behind this initiative, executed the idea of Malaysia Meet,” said Siyaram’s Chairman.

Recalling their last meeting in Dubai which was

equally fruitful, Poddar shares, “This kind of gathering organised across the border is always beneficial. The reason is simple; people from across the states gather and share their experiences. This cultivates team building and generates loyalty towards company.”

why Malaysia?Due to easy accessibility of Malaysia from any part of India with increased direct flights by both the mainstream airlines and low-cost carriers, the company zeroed in on Malaysia.

“When we were considering different destinations, we thought that the destination should not be very far from India, otherwise, our retailers will lose half of their time in travelling. Earlier, we had chosen Dubai and this time, we have chosen Malaysia as

Ramesh Poddar Chairman and MD

Siyaram

corporate choice

Gaurav Poddar Executive Director

Siyaram

travelling from India to this location is neither too tough nor time consuming,” Poddar continued while narrating the entire experience of executing the idea of this meet.

Special arrangements by Tourism MalaysiaPoddar had all praise for Tourism Malaysia which extended a helping hand in making this programme a success.

“The way Tourism Malaysia helped us to get things arranged can just not be narrated in words. They processed the visa request so quickly that we were left surprised. Further, we wanted to have some fun element for our retailers, which was sporty. Tourism Malaysia lent ears to our requests and opened F1 track for us. They also arranged a few expensive cars which were driven by experts on F1 track. The retailers were allowed to sit adjacent the driving seat and have all the adrenalin fun,” said Poddar.

“Tourism Malaysia helped us to get things arranged. They processed the visa request quickly… and also lent ears to our requests and opened F1 track for us. They also arranged a few expensive cars driven by experts on F1 track. The retailers were allowed to sit

adjacent the driving seat and have all the adrenalin fun.” Ramesh Poddar, Chairman and MD, Siyaram


3Steps to SuccessSuccess is something we all strive for – be it success in our careers, our business ventures or our relationships. Though there are no hard and fast rules for success, there are certain actions that have been proven time and time again to increase one’s chances. Tapas Dasmohapatra, Co-founder POSSIBLERS, an established name in corporate training, motivational speaking and counselling, shares with MICEtalk some tips on how to be successful in life.

Can you sleep happily if you have a toothache? No way! You feel disturbed, irritated; you just want to get rid of this unwanted pain. Now think! Can

you sleep happily when there is a famine in China or flood in Japan? The answer is ‘yes’. Think for a while from

expert talk

an ideological point of view: you cannot sleep happily because you have a toothache; but when there are thousands of people dying, hundreds of houses being washed away you can sleep happily. Is this inhuman? Is this cynical? Is it a sign of collapsing social values?


Being InterestedThe answer is simple: it is a matter of interest. Remember, nothing is interesting if you are not interested. It can be your work, your spouse, your boss, your future or anything around you. No person, no place, no profession is interesting or uninteresting; it is your interest that makes it so. All successful people have one thing in common, i.e., they are interested in what they do and who they are with. And the good news is nothing has to be interesting from the beginning, you have to take interest and make it interesting.

Being CommittedOnce you are interested the question arises: Are you committed? Average people are only interested whereas successful people are committed. The basic difference between the two is when somebody is interested he will do it only when it is convenient. Whereas, if somebody is committed he will achieve the result no matter what. It is the commitment that makes the difference. Success comes to those who are ready to pay the price for it. All successful people give up something good in order to get something better. So commitment is what helps your interest blossom.

Being ConsistentIf you are interested and committed in something, you have to be consistent. Consistency is what keeps the success with you for long.

Once a famous painter was approached by a young lady for an autograph. The painter took out his pen and sketched something in a jiffy and while handing it over said, ‘It will be worth three lakhs minimum.’ The lady with a surprised look asked, ‘Sir but you took only thirty seconds and it is worth three lakhs?’ With a humble smile the famous painter explained, ‘It took me forty years and thirty seconds to get here.’

Outstanding success comes to those who are interested, committed and consistent with an improvement mind-set.

Tapas Dasmohapatra

England for MICEEngland is a world-class event destination combining an unrivalled reputation for innovation and creativity with superb state-of-the-art facilities and a spectacular range of things to see and experience.

MICE country


England continues to invest heavily in infrastructure. Cities like Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle and London are home to modern arenas and convention centres complementing a magnificent selection of convention hotels. Liverpool has invested billions in creating a brand new city centre and waterfront. Birmingham continues to undergo significant development with its redeveloped railway station and stunning city library. Manchester is well known as the epicentre of world football but is also a major cultural centre with dazzling modern architecture and an ever expanding shopping offer.

infrastructure

Host to the enormously successful 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, England regularly hosts the world’s most famous sporting and cultural events, including British Open Golf, Wimbledon Tennis, Royal Ascot Races and Premier League Football as well as an astonishing array of music, theatre and culinary festivals. Over the next six years the country will host two rugby world cups, a cricket world cup and the World Athletics Championships.

hosting major events

England has 27 major airports with access from across the world and professional convention bureaux that offer free and

impartial advice and information as well as a range of services to assist organising an event.

England is geared up for hosting major association congresses. It has excellent facilities such as :• Convention centres and convention hotels,

convention quarters, self-contained areas for conventions, etc.

• The convention bureaus work in close association with the organisations to achieve their goals – content/networking• World-class Ambassador programmes operated by convention bureaux • Bespoke services provided by our convention bureaux and venue suppliers• Cost-effective services and facilities

MICE Facilities

MICE country

Birmingham

England hosts some of the world’s largest and most prestigious congresses and conventions. Here are some of the finest meeting destinations of England.

Birmingham is one of Europe’s busiest meeting points and home to a wide variety of conference and meetings venues.

Past Events The city has welcomed the 100th Rotary International Convention which saw 20,000 delegates from 156 countries visit the city. It has recently hosted Ipex, the largest English-speaking global technology event for print, publishing and media with around 75,000 attendees from over 150 countries and 45% of visitors from overseas.

accommodationBirmingham has more than 27,000 hotel beds in and around the city, and in excess of 5,000 hotel bedrooms within walking distance from The ICC. It has some international hotel brands and an alternative to hotel accommodation is to stay in serviced apartments.

ConnectivityBirmingham International Airport is 13km from the city centre and has over 50 airlines operating scheduled and charter services to more than 100 destinations.

MICE country

Birmingham canalside

BrightonLocated on the UK’s South Coast just 70km south of London, Brighton & Hove is the perfect place to hold a conference, business meeting, exhibition or corporate social function. The city’s largest venue, The Brighton Centre, holds up to 4,450 people and has exhibition space of over 1900 m2.

accommodationWith over 1,500 rooms within a 10 minute walk of all the main conference venues and a further 3,000 within 20 minutes, there is an ample amount of accommodation to suit conferences of all sizes.

ConnectivityBrighton is just 30 minutes from London Gatwick International Airport and 90 minutes from London Heathrow International Airport.

The city’s largest venue, The Brighton Centre, holds up to 4,450 people and has exhibition

space of over 1900 m2.

Royal Pavilion, Brighton


LiverpoolLiverpool is an incredibly successful leisure destination and it is this popularity which makes it an attractive proposition for event organisers. The ACC Liverpool offers one of the biggest capacities for events in the city. The venue is also newly accredited with ISO 14001 status, making it an eco-friendly and sustainable choice for events.

accommodationWith over 1,300 rooms only a 10-minute walk away in Liverpool city centre, the city boasts an eclectic mix of hotels, guesthouses and serviced apartments, from budget to boutique and a range of three and four star properties.

ConnectivityThe location of Liverpool John Lennon Airport makes it perfect for the city, which is less than seven miles from the centre. Delegates can also take advantage of a dedicated express rail service which runs between Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Liverpool South Parkway and takes 10 minutes.

MICE country

Arena and Convention Centre, Liverpool

Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool


ManchesterShowcasing a fabulously varied, innovative and impressive range of venues, Manchester provides the perfect setting for any event, from a small meeting to a conference or convention for up to 19,000 delegates. Manchester Central Convention Complex offers an award-winning combination of conference and exhibition facilities and boasts a wide spectrum of flexible halls and conference suites with space for exhibitions ranging from 1,830 sqm to just under 10,000 sqm.

accommodationThere are 2,500 guest rooms surrounding the Manchester Central Convention Complex available at hotels and around 6,000 rooms available within a 10-minute walk of Manchester Central. The Greater Manchester region has over 16,000 ensuite rooms on offer at some good hotels.

ConnectivityManchester Airport hosts 100 airlines flying from over 200 destinations worldwide and boasts the most comprehensive domestic route network of any UK airport.

MICE country

Manchester Central Convention Complex offers an award-winning combination of conference and exhibition facilities and boasts a wide spectrum of flexible halls and conference suites with space for exhibitions ranging from

1,830 sqm to just under 10,000 sqm.

Manchester United Football Club

NewcastleGateshead is a vibrant and exciting conference destination, situated in the heart of North East England. The Sage Gateshead is NewcastleGateshead’s major venue for international conferences. The impressive Hall One seats up to 1650 delegates with three supporting halls seating 350, 250 and 230 delegates theatre style.

accommodationNewcastle Gateshead City-centre hotels comprise of :• Five-star hotel rooms - 94 • Four-star hotel rooms - 1644 • Three-star hotel rooms – 1898

ConnectivityNewcastle International Airport was recently voted the best regional airport in the UK with over 80 destinations and direct routes to major international hubs, including Dubai, Paris, Amsterdam and London. The airport is located just 25 minutes from the heart of the city centre and has excellent road and Metro train links.

NewcastleGateshead

Bureau Help for MICE• Venue location and site visits

• Sourcing hotel accommodation and availability

• Supplying you with images, maps, promotional material and websites

• Create local entertainment/incentive itineraries for delegates

• City dressing and delegate welcome

• Source event services and transport providers

MICE country

NewcastleGateshead

BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, NewcastleGateshead

Evening event on the SS Brunel Bristol

Thermae Bath Spa, Bath

As South West England’s largest city, Bristol is an exciting and dynamic destination. It has fantastic connectability to the rest of the world through the fast growing Bristol Airport, so is a perfect home for conferences, exhibitions, meetings and events, especially when delegates need to travel.

A popular spa town amongst the affluent class, Bath is a popular film location to internationally renowned companies and directors. The city has five theatres and hosts the annual Bath Film Festival and Bath Fringe Festival.

As South West England’s largest city, Bristol is an exciting and dynamic destination. It has fantastic connectability to the rest of the world through the fast growing Bristol Airport, so is a perfect home for conferences, exhibitions, meetings and events, especially when delegates need to travel.


Organise your business event at one of the world’s most famous sporting venues such as Old Trafford, home to the legendary Manchester United, a spectacular castle or palace such as Warwick Castle in the Midlands or Blenheim Palace just outside Oxford, in historic boats like the SS Great Britain in Bristol, in museums like the Beatles Story in Liverpool or the beautiful Alnwick Garden outside of Newcastle.

Famous venues

Shakespeare Theatre Company

The Point at Lancashire County Cricket Club

For Incentive trips, England provides some unique exclusive experiences such as dinner in castles and famous historic buildings, exploring ancient lands, learning to play a quintessentially English sport, world famous events, sailing , travel by steam train or Orient Express, pub lunches or ale tasting.

England offers an incredible range of activities that delegates can experience across the length and breadth of the country. For example

• Learn a song in two or three part harmony with Voxbox before going to a live recording studio. • Join Harveys (famous for its Bristol Cream) for a sherry tutoring evening to know about about the interesting art of sherry making and the history behind the cellars.• Join up to the Mediaeval Knight Scool at Warwick Castle and learn how to be the ultimate warrior.

For Incentives and team building activities

Warwick Castle


Corporate Events England hosts some of the most prestigious corporate events such as product launches, team building and trainings, meetings and conferences, award dinners etc. Apart from this, England has hosted the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and over the next decade it will host some of the world’s greatest sporting events such as the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Royal Ascot


MICE country

Reem KhokharRegional Manager - Asia PacificT: +91 11 4140 7885E: [email protected]

Danzel WalterManager Sales - Business Visits & Events (Asia Pacific)T: +91 11 4140 7886E: [email protected]

For more information on organising your events in England please contact VisitEngland, the National Tourism Board of England.

Lee Valley White Water Centre is the most exciting, inspirational and action packed place for team building, corporate hospitality, off-site meetings and client entertainment. The centre is the only brand new London 2012 venue that was open to public before the Games.

new venue

International Balloon Fiesta, Bristol Grandstand Royal Ascot


Crowne Plaza Kochi

a Landmark for MICE in KeralaBeing a scenic and very popular destination with tourists worldwide, a brand like Crowne Plaza, Kochi is becoming sought after for successful meetings and authentic experiences. Focussing on the MICE segment in a big way, the hotel, with few months of operation, has been able to host some great corporate and government meetings, incentives and weddings.

MICE hotel


The hotel has preferred event management companies who do a great job of offering its guests a variety of options from meeting set-ups to gala dinners.

events professionals

Accommodation The hotel boasts 269 rooms (largest inventory in Kerala) including 14 suites. It offers a very dynamic pricing for groups based on their requirements.

Crowne Plaza Kochi is ideally located on the NH-47 Bypass with easy access to the airport (around 45 minutes), Fort Kochi, the scenic backwaters and beaches to the south.

location

MICE hotel

Offering spacious guest rooms with uninterrupted backwater

views, innovative Food & Beverage options, a variety of meeting spaces and extensive leisure facilities make Crowne Plaza Kochi a landmark in the city to discover and celebrate.


Mosaic – Multi-Cuisine Restaurant

Aroma - Lounge & Deli

Trilogi - Seafood Specialty Restaurant

authentic culinary outlets

For Outdoor eventsThe Crowne Plaza Lawn is an ideal venue to host gala dinners and team-building activities. The hotel, on special request, can also arrange for boat racing in the Kerala backwaters and sightseeing trips to Fort Kochi and beaches of Kerala.

Recreational ActivitiesSohum Spa, two outdoor swimming pools and a health club ensure plenty of options to relax and rejuvenate. Even a walk in the property is quite an experience with some great landscaping and backwater views.

The hotel, with a variety and flexibility of space spanning over 24000 sq ft, can cater up to 450-500 pax with some excellent breakaway venues and an outdoor space to host gala dinners for 1200 people. The main ballroom of the hotel can be further divided into three and 10 smaller venues ranging from 150 to 1500 sq ft.

conference facilities

MICE hotel

All the meeting rooms at Crowne Plaza Kochi have in-built projectors, drop down screens and Wi-Fi connectivity to ensure a smooth and hassle-free meeting experience.

technology support

With great chefs on board, the hotel offers interactive

cooking sessions for the spouses of delegates.

46 MICEtalk April 2013 46 MICEtalk April 2013

As one of India’s foremost players in promoting eco-tourism and an off-beat destination for the last three decades, Gurgaon-based hospitality and destination management company - Toshali Resorts International, has consolidated its presence in the rural hinterlands across India where the corporates have reached-out to local villagers, making them partners in the sustainable growth of the community.

Toshali Sands, PuriAn off-beat destination for MICE

booked for MICE


The flagship property of Toshali Resorts International, Toshali Sands is spread over 33 acres of lush green surroundings at the

Puri-Konark marine drive and is Odisha’s first 4-star property.

why Toshali Sands?• Better connectivity • Proximity to the Jagannath Temple, Konark Sun

Temple, Chilika Lake (world’s second largest lagoon) and the temple city of Bhubaneswar

• State-of-art infrastructure, quality service as well as value for money

• Away from the crowd and noise of big cities

an ideal destination for corporates

Suitable LocationStrategically located on the Konark Marine highway on the golden triangle of Orissa- Puri, Konark & Bhubaneswar, away from the crowd of Puri town. The resort gives a panoramic view of the Balukhanda Reserve Forest on the Konark Marine Drive (the most elegant location on Puri). It has its private Balighai Beach.

Spacious and Eco-themed Green ResortSpread over an area of 33 acres of lush green lawns and gardens, this beautiful retreat offers a unique combination of timeless charm and elegant modernity. The resort is aesthetically built to match the architecture of the temples of Orissa. It has more than 1600 coconut trees within the resort along with their own organic farm of more than 8 acres where the resort grows vegetables and fruits.

booked for MICE


Accommodation and facilitiesToshali Sands has tastefully decorated 109 air-conditioned rooms, 50 private free standing Deluxe Cottages, 9 Deluxe Villas and 4 Executive Villas, 3 conference halls, restaurant, shopping arcade, swimming pool, spa, well-equipped gym, childrens’ parks, tennis courts, etc. The resort also has special provision for indoor and outdoor events.

MICE/Conferences/ Open air Banquet & wedding facilities• Conference Hall: Indraprastha (2440 sq ft)• Conference Hall: Panchayat (1656 sq ft)• Conference Hall: Mantrana (1623 sq ft)• Green Lawn (16000 sq ft)• Tennis Courts (3956 sq ft)• Coconut Grove (9000 sq ft)• Madhuban Pool-side Lawn (2100 sq ft)• Gym Side Stage Area (9720 sq ft)• Phulpatna Lawn (3055 sq ft)

For more information visit www.toshaliresort.com

By Air: Toshali Sands is 70km from Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar and is well connected by road.

By Rail: Toshali Sands is 6km from the Puri railway station which is well connected to all major cities across India.

connectivity


They can ask questions from the presenter, take notes, chat with other attendees, exchange files and share contact details with the speaker and other participants.

• Event planners can manage the event’s time schedule, conduct live polls and receive instant feedback from attendees, provide subtitles and voice translation and can create new marketing channels for sponsors by placing their ads prominently in the service interface and upload all marketing materials.

• Operates in local Wi-Fi network and is accessible without downloads to personal devices.

NiceMeeting revolutionises the way mobile devices can be used during presentations at live events. You can stop telling your attendees to switch-off their devices and can now keep them engaged and informed without distraction.

For more information, visit www.nicemeeting.com or www.invisage.net

technology

Nice MeetingsDon’t switch off your mobile phones!One has to be extremely careful while riding this tech wave not to get caught up in the flood of technology. It is important not to deploy new technology just to innovate.

With so many new tech-products emerging daily, it is difficult for anyone to know what or where to implement these new

tools. In selecting what technology tools to deploy at your events, all new and existing products must be reviewed and assessed to comply with the following selection criteria: • Add benefit to our clients, their events and all event

stakeholders• Be profitable to the event • Easy to comprehend and use• Easy to promote• Easy to sell• Easy to deliver• Carry minimal risk• Require minimal technical support• Be innovative• Do not replace existing products and services unless

they add value and make ‘Life Easier’ for all

Fighting Mobile Device DistractionFor anyone who has managed a meeting or provided a presentation to a group, mobile tech distraction is an increasingly common challenge that needs to be managed during a live meeting: ringing, texting, email checking, ‘tweeting’, ‘angry-birding’…how to keep your attendees engaged and focussed with all these distractions?

Launched in late 2012, Nicemeeting is an application for event organisers and AV providers which allows you to instantly turn every attendee’s mobile device, such as iPad, iPhone, Android tablet or laptop, into a full-featured personal conference display and create an interactive space where everyone can show and view presentation slides, exchange files, network with each other, take notes, respond to polls, follow subtitles or voice translation and more - all in one place (the palm of their hand) all with a few swipes of their mobile device. Its features are:• Presents a unique combination of presentation

viewing functionality and a set of the most demanded interactive features in one simple and intuitive user interface.

• Speakers can use their own personal iPads or other mobile devices to manage the presentation, receive questions from the audience, share files and conduct live polling.

• Attendees can follow the speaker’s presentation simultaneously on a traditional projector screen or watch slides on their own device without downloads.

Darren Edwards is the founder of Invisage Creative Services in Australia. With more than 20 years’ experience and knowledge in the meetings and events industry,

Darren continues to drive creativity in events and the way they are run.Contact: [email protected]

about the author

NiceMeeting is a novel presentation tool, developed by an event software

company, to enhance event engagement and maximise the value of knowledge

exchange through live events.


The hotel shares an entrance with the Inorbit Mall. Guests from the hotel can directly walk into the mall from the first floor for shopping.

Set within close proximity to Fortune 500 companies in the IT hub of Bengaluru, and a 50 minute drive from Bengaluru International Airport, the Marriott Whitefield has found the most strategic location to complement the business segment. The hotel has been conceptualised to meet the varied tastes of travellers; business and leisure alike.

Marriott in Bengaluru

Business CentreThe business centre facilities include 4 meeting rooms with a seating capacity varying from 12 to 32 guests and two private offices. All meeting rooms are equipped with an overhead projector and clip boards, TV, VCR, Dictaphone, LCD panel, laser pointers and laptops. The hotel also provides secretarial services, colour photocopies, facsimile, internet connection, scanning, lamination, binding, translation, transcription, notary services, private secretary, courier services and video conferencing. Timing - 07:00 am to 12:00 midnight. However, any business centre requests during the night would be taken care of at the Front Desk.

Neha Oberoi

Marriott offers a total of 7 meeting rooms with over 10,000 sq ft of meeting space. The most efficient of the lot is the pillar-less Grand Ballroom with a ceiling height of 7.8m and seating for 800 guests, theatre style. There is an on-call professional event management team to take care of minute event requirements and meet guest expectations.

MICE space

Bedding delightThe rooms feature Marriott’s signature ‘Revive’ bedding and are equipped with high-speed internet access and a spacious work desk for business travellers.Cooper informs that his hotel is known for hospitality being reinvented, because he is working at delivering the exact service ‘He’ wants, i.e., fast internet, great food and smiling people.

Catering to CorporatesCooper adds that since food is one of the most important elements that make up the experience in a hotel, he had help in designing the menu for the meetings/conferences from MICE & convention centre operators.

sample this


“Bengaluru needed a hotel to cater to venue requirements for spectacular events; along with ample accommodation. With 324 rooms and over

10,000 sq ft of efficient meeting space, equipped with the latest technology and amenities, the hotel provides an ideal destination for business

travellers and smoothens the room and space ratio with its inventory.”Andrew Cooper, General Manager, Marriott

Alto Vino – exclusive Italian dinner outlet MCafé – CafeWhitefield Baking Company – BakeryM Bar – Cocktail Bar with sky atrium

Providing recreational activitiesFrom a MICE perspective, the hotel works on understanding the focus of what their business travellers want, for example, they aim at energising

“We realised the potential of MICE and have put in a fair bit of time developing pure MICE/Business hotels. The Marriott with its strategic location caters well to MICE and complements the

corporate business that is coming into the city.” Rajeev Menon, Area Vice- President – Indian Subcontinent, Maldives & Australia

Marriott offers the flexibility to say yes to anything.

and strategy or team building. There is an opportunity for all this and more from a recreational point of view. There is also a small football field connected to the hotel to add to the fun after work.

For leadership/planning strategy meetings, there is an option to be creative for the head honchos through a cooking exercise. The set up involves ten chef stations and everyone cooks up a storm. The Executive Chef picks the winner.

With facilities being used by different industries, the hotel provides an opportunity to have your morning tea (discounted) with others.

network breaks


sample this

Most CEOs rate aggressive listening skills as a leadership skill while they all complain that people in the workplace just don’t ‘listen’. Most of us hear but don’t listen and often spend time thinking what we are going to say next! Poor listening skills create misunderstandings, make us miss deadlines and focus our attention on the wrong issues in the workplace. Shital Kakkar Mehra, the experienced practitioners of corporate etiquette and international protocol in India, talks about some important points to improve listening skills.

Improve your Listening Skills

expert talk


As Mark McCormick in his bestseller What they don’t teach you at Harvard Business School said, “The ability to listen, really to hear what

someone is saying has far greater business implications than merely offering an insight into people. In selling, for instance, there is probably no greater asset”.

Simple steps to improve your listening skills:

1. awarenessRecognising it as an area of improvement sets you on the path to become a better listener.

2. Convey InterestSet aside whatever you’re doing and give the speaker your 100 per cent attention. This offers encouragement to the speaker and he/she doesn’t feel compelled to speak faster or abbreviate their message. Convey interest non-verbally by nodding, maintaining direct eye contact and leaning forward.

3. Speaker’s Non-Verbal CuesWatch out for the speaker’s gestures, facial expressions, tone/volume of voice as being alert to these cues increases your ability to comprehend the full message.

4. No ‘Overtaking’Overtaking’ on the verbal highway or finishing off the speaker’s sentences makes him/her feel rushed and under pressure. Wait till the speaker has finished, before interjecting with your comments. Also, apologise if you interrupt by mistake.Summarise: If you aren’t sure of the message, ask the speaker to repeat it. Then, you summarise it, evaluating your own understanding while doing so.

“I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.”

Ernest Hemingway

5. ask QuestionsThis shows genuine interest and offers encouragement to the speaker. Questions like “Do you mean to say…” or “Is this what you have in mind…?” paraphrase the speaker’s remarks.

6. Fight ImpatienceAs we think several times faster than we speak, we become impatient and loose concentration. Instead, use your mind to analyse the speaker’s message and extract the essence.

7. PausePause is an effective communication tool - it shows you are thinking before speaking and also creates a certain degree of suspense.

Phot

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t: Si

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expert talk

GIBTM Supporting the MICE Industry in asiaThe Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meeting Exhibition (GIBTM) is the leading event for the rapidly developing Middle East MICE and business travel industry. It brings together a combination of regional and international industry buyers and suppliers for three days of business opportunities, networking and professional education. Lois Hall, Exhibition Director of GIBTM, in an interview with MICEtalk shares her views on expectations from the Indian market, strengths of Abu Dhabi as a venue and challenges faced by the exhibition industry.

Neelam Singh

What is your vision for 2013 from the GIBTM perspective for the global and Indian exhibition industry? 2013 is going to be a strong year for the exhibition industry globally. With regard to the Indian exhibition industry, recent research conducted by Reed Travel Exhibitions confirmed that 40 per cent of regional hosted buyers attending GIBTM have a direct interest in placing outbound business into Asia. This confirms the substantial impact that GIBTM has in supporting the MICE industry in Asia/India.

Further to this, we have seen a substantial increase in European exhibitors this year – their presence on the show floor has quadrupled since last year with 19 European destinations and companies exhibiting. New European exhibitors at GIBTM 2013 include Serbia Convention Bureau, Visit Brussels, Athens Convention Bureau, Circuito Ascari, Marmara Collection, Adile Sultan Sarayi, Georgian National Tourism Agency, Madrid Convention Bureau, and Cnidus. This confirms the role that GIBTM plays in pushing global business and demonstrates that it is the platform in the Middle East connecting international destinations with lucrative Middle Eastern buyers.

As the venue for GIBTM, what are the strengths of Abu Dhabi for such a show? Abu Dhabi offers a combination of world class infrastructure, extensive conferencing facilities and high quality venues, a range of 4 and 5-star hotels, competitively priced travel packages, and excellent global flight connections.

Abu Dhabi and the wider Middle East, has benefited from investments by the meetings and events industry in recent years and now boasts world-class facilities and conference centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which are attracting outbound business from countries all over the world. ADNEC, where GIBTM is held, is the

world’s most modern and the Gulf ’s largest exhibition centre. In 2012, ADNEC hosted 360 events, up by 49 per cent from 232 in 2011. The facility welcomes up to 1.5 million visitors a year and incorporates 55,000 sqm of fully interconnected exhibition floor space spread over 12 halls, plus outdoor exhibition space.

What are the benefits and potential of exhibitions and conferences in the near future?There will always be benefits of exhibitions and conferences as they bring exhibitors and buyers from all over the world to the same place at the same time – there is no substitute for a face-to-face meeting and we can see that people are realising this through their continued support. The potential to generate business at a show, such as GIBTM, is priceless for exhibitors and buyers, which is why they continue to return and we are seeing new exhibitors every year.

What are the current challenges faced by the exhibition industry?One obvious challenge, faced by the industry for some time, is the global economic climate. However, having said this, there is no doubt that companies have changed their marketing behaviour in light of the economic crisis and many businesses have

yours officially

The potential to generate business at a show, such

as GIBTM, is priceless for exhibitors and buyers.


become much more aware of the value of what they do to gain exposure to their stakeholders, clients and new markets. The proof of this lies in their on-going flexibility and determination.

Do you think the Indian marketplace presents a unique opportunity for global players to discover fresh dimensions for exhibitions? Yes, we have recently launched IBTM India, which will take place in Mumbai from September 12 – 14, 2013. This show will provide an integrated platform for the MICE and Business Travel sectors to come together and transact business, share knowledge and network in the business and financial hub of Mumbai.

India holds enormous potential for the MICE industry with a projected GDP growth of over 8 per cent in the next 5 years. The world’s third largest economy is also showing an increase in outbound business, estimated in 2010 to be worth some US$600m for the sector, with projections of a 13 per cent increase in the coming years.

How has the meetings industry evolved over the years?It has evolved a great deal over the last few years and as a result, GIBTM is continually changing to meet the

developing demands of its stakeholders. Technology has been one of the most important factors in the evolution of the industry in recent years, and will continue to propel the industry forward.

Digital innovations such as webinars, online presentations, tweet chats, podcasts, QR codes and blogs were brand new not so long ago and now serve as primary support networks these days – delivering added depth and dimension to education content which is vital.

Virtual and Hybrid events have also become key as the mix of online resources and networks add to the face-to-face element of physical events, which simply cannot be replaced. I think that these trends will continue to shape the industry for future years also.

yours officially

“India holds enormous potential for the MICE industry with a projected GDP growth of over 8 per cent in the

next 5 years.”

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) hosted its annual business-to-business exchange in India at the Fairmont Jaipur from February 27 – March 2, 2013. The event provided a unique opportunity for networking and relationship building between Canadian travel industry partners and key travel agents from India.

Focus Canada Strengthening relations with India

Focus Canada event not only created the ideal ground for Indian outbound agents to meet their Canadian counterparts, but also provided

a professional platform for building relationships and sharing market trends. The event witnessed an interaction between representatives from 50 leading Canadian seller organisations with 60 qualified outbound travel and tour operators from India.

The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Canada’s Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, was present at the show along with Michele McKenzie, President and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission. Also present was Siobhan Chretien, Regional Managing Director, CTC.

Maxime Bernier, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, Canada

Long-standing Bilateral relationsTalking about the bilateral relations between India and Canada, the Minister emphasised that the long-standing bilateral relations are built upon shared values of democracy and pluralism, and strong people-to-people links. The Minister also mentioned that, “In 2012, a record number of Indian travellers visited Canada, and this milestone is a demonstration of the increasingly close relationship between the two countries.” He also highlighted the fact that in 2012, Canada issued more than 130,000 visas and permits as quickly as possible to facilitate travel for visitors and students and to benefit from its economic impact.

New tourism market“India is a relatively new tourism market for the CTC, but it’s already one of our strongest in terms of future growth and investment potential,” added Michele McKenzie. “We’re really excited about the quality of the buyers and sellers that have joined us at Focus Canada India this year. Both sides seem ready and eager to learn and make the deals that are going

event report

“Indian Travellers are among our top ten international travellers to visit Canada.

Our government is working with the industry to capitalise on this growth.”

Neelam Singh

to help Indian consumers chose Canada as their next travel destination,” she stated.

McKenzie further stated that a shared common language, positive trade relationship and improving visa services, as well as India’s economic prosperity, rising income levels and affluent middle class make India a key market for Canada.

CTC approachSiobhan Chretien, Regional Managing Director, CTC, explained that Canada is very much interested in building relationships with local travel wholesalers and retailers. “We’re spending nearly 80% of our budget this year on trade co-op advertising, business events, trade fams and travel agent education sessions like the ones CTC and partners just hosted in Delhi and Mumbai,” she informed.

Visa plans for 2013Stewart G. Beck, High Commissioner of Canada and Sidney Frank, Minister and Immigration Program Manager, Canadian High Commission, were also present at the event. It was revealed during the event that the Harper government of Canada has plans to open a new consulate in Bangalore in coming months. Also, significant improvements have been made to the visa application process to make it easier for Indians to visit Canada.

During Focus Canada-India 2013, CTC showcased its Signature Experience Collection. This new inventory could possibly be the world’s greatest collection of travel experiences. Through a dedicated booth and customised SEC brochure, CTC showcased a few of these extraordinary experiences at the event. This collection will be officially launched for Indian market in September 2013.

signature experiences collection (SEC)

event snapshots

Siobhan Chretien, Regional Managing Director,

Canadian Tourism Commission

Michele McKenzie, President and CEO Canadian Tourism Commission


focus canada 2013 at fairmont jaipur

DAY 1

DAY 3


DAY 2

focus canada 2013 at fairmont jaipur


The Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) was officially opened on February 25, 2013 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) in Australia.

More than 500 buyers from 30 countries were present during the event where they participated in a city showcase, business

sessions with Australian industry and networking dinner events. Three days of educational visits gave buyers and media an opportunity to experience the business events facilities, capabilities and attractions on offer in regional Victoria.

Speaking at the inaugural press conference, Reed Travel Exhibition’s Director for AIME, Sally de Swart said that AIME is a fitting place to debate the challenges and opportunities faced by the industry. Karen Bollinger, Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) emphasised

aIME expanding focus on Business travelKarishma Khanna reports from Melbourne

that AIME is a key to the growth of the business events industry in Australia.

During the event, seven exciting new initiatives were announced which were developed in response to attendee feedback and industry trends, intended to help visitors get maximum value out of time spent at the annual event. They were: the Future Events Experience, a dedicated technology space on the show floor; a new mobile app; a mobile concierge; an expanded education program - AIME Knowledge; a dedicated area for niche event suppliers from the A-LIST Guide to exhibit; Visitors Appointment Diaries; and a careers stand created with in Place Recruitment.

The AIME program incorporated business travel and featured exhibitors from this part of the industry as wells as a dedicated business travel seminar, developed in partnership with the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE).

AIME 2013 introduced new mobile app to access vital information about the show instantly and easily. It also provided access to social media conversations across Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, offering additional networking opportunities online.

Australia’s inaugural Business Events Week was officially launched on February 25, 2013 by the Federal Minister for Tourism and Minister for Resources and Energy, the Hon Martin Ferguson and the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, the Right Hon Robert Doyle. Business Events Week featured more than 50 events, the centrepiece of which was AIME.

featuring business travel

new mobile app for AIME

business events week

From L-R : Federal Minister for Tourism

and Minister for Resources and Energy,

the Hon Martin Ferguson; Karen Bollinger, Chief

Executive Officer of the Melbourne Convention

Bureau, and the Lord Mayor of

Melbourne, the Right Hon Robert Doyle

event report


event snapshots

India Tourism got the Best Stand Over 36m² Award, for creating a welcoming and eye-catching display (an intricate Taj Mahal replica) that captured the essence of the country and product.

incredible india


Ginger Hotels, Mumbai welcomes new MD & CEO

PK Mohankumar has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Roots Corporation Limited (RCL), a subsidiary of The Taj Group. In his new role, Mohankumar will lead the management team in consolidating current operations of Ginger Hotels across India and spearheading growth and development in the domestic market. He brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table after serving more than 39 years in the hotel industry.

Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel appoints Director of Finance Vijay Taksali has been taken on as the Director of Finance to provide directed and strategic consultancy that will complement the company’s existing business. Based in Mumbai, Taksali showcases a portfolio of working with esteemed companies and servicing them with key designation like Director of Finance of Pullman Gurgaon Central Park; Financial Controller of IBIS Hotels in India;

Assistant Financial Controller of Crowne Plaza, Gurgaon; Financial Controller AMAN Bagh; Manager Finance HRH Group of Hotels, Udaipur.

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa appoints new Director of CSRSean Panton has been appointed as the new Director for Corporate Social Responsibility at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa. He is responsible for the development of internal and external community and environmental programmes and initiatives, which are designed to complement the resort’s commitment to the Marriott International Sustainability plan of best global practices.

Pan Pacific Singapore appoints Director of Sales Pan Pacific Singapore has announced the appointment of Jessie Khoo as Director of Sales. In her new role, she will lead the hotel’s Sales, Catering and Event Services teams in achieving overall revenue targets. Khoo, in her previous role as MICE Director of Sales at the Singapore National Sales Organisation of Pan Pacific Hotels Group, was in charge of sales for the entire group’s Singapore properties. She has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years and has worked with premium hotel brands such as the Shangri-La Singapore, Fairmont Singapore, Swissotel the Stamford and Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore.

MCI Australia welcomes new members

Laura McDougall has joined MCI Australia’s Melbourne office as Corporate Relations Manager and was part of the company’s representation at AIME. In her new

role, she will focus on business and relationship development for corporate events. Prior to joining MCI Australia, McDougall held the position of Sales Manager – Events for one of Australia’s leading convention centres, MCEC and has a strong history in the corporate sector.

Lyn Fairbass has been appointed as the PCO and Association Relations Portfolio Head of MCI Australia. Fairbass has 25 years of MICE profile, much

of it fostering relationships within the many levels of academia, medical and association leadership relationship Australia, the Asia Pacific and Europe. Fairbrass will draw on her detailed knowledge of the Sydney market and will utilise her extensive national network in the extremely competitive field of association conferencing.

Louise Harrison will undertake both Association and Corporate Relations focussing on the Queensland market. Her conference, incentive travel

and event management background spans the UK, USA and Australia. In addition, she is well credentialed in developing business and nurturing key client accounts, managing project and account teams, developing and implementing processes, procedures and strategic initiatives.

Movements


ITB BERLIN 2013The German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, representatives of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), as well as more than 100 ministers of tourism and state secretaries, met in Berlin to help shape the future for growth in the tourism industry. K Chiranjeevi, Indian Minister of State for Tourism (Independent charge), inaugurated the India Pavillion at ITB Berlin 2013.

Vivek Sethi reports from Berlin

event snapshots


eventscalendarEVENT VENUE CITY/COUNTRY DATE

Arabian Travel Market Dubai Intl. Convention CenterDubai, United Arab Emirate

May 06 - 09, 2013

WTF Shanghai Exhibition CenterJing’An District, Shanghai, China

May 09 - 12, 2013

International Exposition Yeosu KoreaMay 12 - August 12, 2013

26th KOTFA 2013 CoEx Exhibition Center Seoul, South Korea May 30 - 02 June, 2013

Scuba Show 2013 (America's Consumer Dive Expo)

Long Beach Convention Center California June 08 - 09, 2013

AIBTM 2013 (America’s Incentive Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition)

McCormick Place Chicago, USA June 11-13, 2013

8th International Travel Expo Hong Kong (ITE MICE)

Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center

Hong Kong June 13 - 16, 2013

Business Travel Mart ExCel Exhibition Centre London June 19 - 20, 2013

BITE 2013 (10th Beijing International Tourism Expo)

China National Convention Centre Beijing, China June 21 - 23, 2013

Cebu International Travel Expo (CITE )

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino Lahug, Cebu July 25 - 27, 2013

International Tourism & Trade Expo (ITTE)

Skydome, SM North EdsaQuezon City, Philippines

July, 2013

China Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM 2013)

China National Convention Centre Beijing, China September 2-4, 2013

16th Busan International Travel Fair (BITF)

BEXCO Busan, South Korea September 6 - 9, 2013

International Travel Expo - Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC)

Saigon Exhibition & Convention CentreHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam

September 12 - 14, 2013

IFTM TOPRESA Travel Trade Fair (International French Travel Market)

Paris Expo Porte de Versailles Paris, FranceSeptember 24 - 27, 2013

events

Postal Registration No.:DL(ND)/6150/2011-12-13WPP No.:U(C)-305/2011-13

for Posting on 29th-30th of Advance Month at New Delhi P.S.O.Date of Publication: 22/3/2013, RNI No.:DELENG/2010/34144

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