Archive for November 2013

MOOVETEAM SET TO SHOWCASE GOOGLE GLASS™AT EIBTM

November 19, 2013

MOOVETEAM SET TO SHOWCASE GOOGLE GLASS™AT EIBTM

MooveTeam, exhibiting at this year’s EIBTM, in the new Innovation Zone (www.eibtm.com/izone) have recently confirmed that they will be integrating Google Glass with the latest version of their gaming platform, which will be showcased at EIBTM 2013 (www.eibtm.com).

The addition of Google Glass to the MooveTeam gaming software will allow attendees of the leading global event for the meetings and events industry, to experience the new technology for themselves, through a number of team building activities that they will run as part of the EIBTM programme.

Graeme Barnett, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Senior Exhibition Director EIBTM commented “We have been working with MooveTeam to bring Google Glass to the show as this is undoubtedly the next generation of technology and an innovation that we feel will transform the meeting industry and wider world, imminently.”

Javier Guardia, MooveTeam commented, “We have integrated Google Glass into a show experience and as a result, the combination of both technologies in the area of geolocation games places us right into the future. We see an incredible amount of potential for its application to marketing, branding, product launches and other fields like training & development. We are just at the beginning of a technology that represents a quantum leap in terms of access to information and team collaboration and after the show we plan to widen the range of functionalities and interaction of MooveTeam with Google Glass.”

To find out more, visit the MooveTeam showcase area (Stand O143) in the Innovation Zone at EIBTM.

EIBTM 2013 will take place from 19th – 21st November, a week earlier than in previous years. The EIBTM Forum will take place the day before the exhibition on 18th November. Trade Visitor registration is open and all meetings industry professionals are invited to register at http://www.eibtm.com/attend

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AEG OGDEN ANNOUNCES OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE GM

November 19, 2013

AEG OGDEN ANNOUNCES OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE GM

Internationally respected convention centre executive, Trevor McCartney has been appointed the inaugural General Manager at Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Mr. McCartney’s appointment was announced today by Geoff Donaghy, the Director of Convention Centres for AEG Ogden which manages the venue on behalf of Omran, the company established by the Government of Oman to deliver major projects and manage its assets and investments in the tourism sector.

Mr. McCartney was previously the Director of Business Development at the Qatar National Convention Centre, a role he has held since June 2011.

Before his appointment in Qatar, Mr. McCartney was Chief Executive at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Malaysia for three years and Director of International Sales and Operations at the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall, Thailand for a further three years. He has also been a key member of pre-opening teams at three major UK conference centres.

Mr Donaghy said there was considerable international interest in the position but the internal promotion of Mr. McCartney was an endorsement of the strength and talent within the AEG Ogden network.

“Trevor is an outstanding and experienced convention centre executive who is well respected throughout the industry globally.

“In the past decade, he has developed a strong understanding of the local cultures and managing congress venues in Asia and the Middle East and is suitably qualified to meet the challenges in the highly competitive business events industry,” Mr. Donaghy said.

Mr. McCartney is excited by his new role.

“The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre is the new kid on the global conventions block and has tremendous potential.

“We look forward to working closely with Omran, the Ministry of Tourism and the local community to deliver first-class events that showcase the traditional and unique Omani hospitality and in creating extensive local employment opportunities,” Mr. McCartney said.

The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre is due for completion in December 2016.

Mr. Donaghy said to date, AEG Ogden had been involved in the design and planning of the Centre and was now utilising its experience, extensive worldwide network and expertise in preparing the Centre for opening and competing for its share of the lucrative business events market.

“There are more than 200 convention and exhibition centres competing on the world stage for a slice of the business events pie but research already undertaken has identified international conventions with the potential to be held in Oman as far ahead as 2024,” he said.

Mr. McCartney will commence his new role in early 2014.

About the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
Due for completion in late 2016, the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre is located in its own fully integrated precinct only four kilometres from Muscat International Airport.

The design of the Centre will ensure a flow of the meetings space to suit the most discerning conference and exhibition organisers. It also incorporated expansive concourse areas to enable ease of large delegations with floor to ceiling windows overlooking landscaped gardens and water features.

The Centre will feature an elaborate tiered auditorium to seat 3,200 while the exhibition halls will feature 22,000 square metres of column-free exhibition space. Halls 1 and 2 will have a superior fit out, specialised acoustic treatment, advanced lighting and rigging requirements to act as a multi-purpose space for plenary sessions, concerts, performances, gala events on a larger scale of up to 10,000 seated, theatre-style.

The Centre will also include an additional 14 meeting rooms for 70-360 delegates, two well-appointed ballrooms to seat up to 2,360, VIP Pavilion, a spacious food-court and a multi-storey carpark with capacity for 4,000 vehicles.

The Precinct will provide the infrastructure necessary to host successful international, regional and local events and for the enjoyment of the community. These include a five star hotel linked to the convention centre, two four star, and a three star hotel and apartments with a combined total of 1,000 rooms. A business park, retail shopping mall surrounded by a nature reserve which will be a haven for Oman’s exotic birdlife, parklands and wadi (valley) park are also part of this picturesque precinct. http://www.omanconvention.com

About AEG Ogden
AEG Ogden is a joint venture between Australian venue management interests and AEG Facilities of the United States.
AEG Ogden manages venues throughout the Asia Pacific region, including convention centres in Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Kuala Lumpur, Oman (under construction), Sydney (construction commencing 2014) and the Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island (from February 2014); arenas including Sydney’s Allphones Arena, the Sydney Entertainment Centre (from December 2013), the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Perth Arena; Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane; and live theatres including Perth’s His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth Concert Hall, the WA State Theatre Centre, Albany Entertainment Centre, and Subiaco Arts Centre. http://www.aegogden.com

In addition, AEG Facilities was recently announced as operator of both the Los Angeles Convention Centre and Hawaii Convention Centre.

For more information contact:
Greg Adermann
Group Communications Manager, AEG Ogden

EIBTM ‘LIVE’ SET TO DELIVER VIRTUAL EDUCATION STREAM

November 19, 2013

EIBTM ‘LIVE’ SET TO DELIVER VIRTUAL EDUCATION STREAM

EIBTM (www.eibtm.com), the leading global event for the meetings and event industry, is set to launch EIBTM Live (www.eibtm.conm/live), a virtual education stream tailored to meetings industry professionals across the globe.

Key sessions of the EIBTM Knowledge Programme, will be streamed online in real time over the three days of the show and the platform will also feature Twitter interaction for key sessions using #EIBTMhybrid.

Graeme Barnett, Reed Travel Exhibitions Senior Exhibition Director, EIBTM comments, “The Live Knowledge Programme extends the reach of our valuable education sessions for the industry to access live during the show if they are unable to attend in person. We feel this adds value for our participants at the exhibition as well as those across the globe and we are excited to be partnering in this venture which is an expansion of the one day EIBTM hybrid event launched in 2012.”

To access the education stream, which will be delivered in partnership with Meetings Support Institute and Abbit, remote attendees are invited to visit www.eibtm.com/live where they will be able to access Knowledge sessions including the FRESH Conference Track and exclusive Hosted Buyer content from the Association, Corporate and Agency Knowledge Programmes.

Users of EIBTM Live can also watch the Daily Video Report from Meeting the World, keep up-to-date on the social media news and updates from the show, and gain access to each of the EIBTM Show Daily Magazines.

For a full list of the live-streamed EIBTM Knowledge sessions taking place this year, visit www.eibtm.com/live. Trade Visitor registration remains open and all meetings industry professionals are invited to register at http://www.eibtm.com/attend

EIBTM 2013 will take place from 19th – 21st November, a week earlier than in previous years. The EIBTM Forum will take place the day before the exhibition on 18th November.

Club Med verrät seine Top Ski-Resorts für den Winter

November 19, 2013

Club Med verrät seine Top Ski-Resorts für den Winter
Entspannter Premium All-Inclusive Skiurlaub in den Französischen Alpen

14. November 2013
Echte Schneehasen und Powder-Fans können es kaum noch erwarten – endlich geht es wieder auf die Piste. Bei einer Buchung mit Club Med sind Skipass und -kurs bereits im Preis inklusive. Ein sorgenfreier Winterurlaub mit absoluter Budgetsicherheit und ohne Organisationsstress ist garantiert. Aber wo finden Sportfreunde, Familien, Wellness-Fans oder Romantiker das abwechslungsreichste Angebot? Mit unzähligen, kilometerlangen und gut präparierten Skipisten bieten die Französischen Alpen die herausragendsten Skigebiete der Welt und liegen somit voll im Trend. Modernste Liftanlagen und Abfahrten in allen Schwierigkeitsgraden versprechen viel Spaß und Abwechslung. „Die Buchungen der Reisebüros belegen es, die Nachfrage nach Wintersport-Resorts in den Französischen Apen steigt“, so Valérie Bach, Vertreibsleiterin Club Med Deutschland. Viele Club Med Premium-Resorts können Gäste auch bei einem Kurztrip kennenlernen. Im Dezember 2014 eröffnet Club Med ein weiteres Resort in den französischen Alpen in Val Thorens.

Die Top 5 Ski-Resorts von Club Med
Club Med bietet in seinen 15 Resorts in den Französischen Alpen einen vielfältigen Premium All-Inklusive Urlaub. Ein Traumziel in Weiß ist das im Dezember 2011 eröffnete Luxus-Domizil Valmorel im Skigebiet Grand Domaine. Neben einem exklusiven Resort erleben die Gäste hier ganz besonders individuellen Service sowie Privatsphäre in den Chalet-Apartments. Auch die Skigebiete Grand Chamonix am Mont-Blanc und das Espace Killy (z. B. Club Med Val d’Isère und La Plagne 2100) stehen bei den Winterurlaubern hoch im Kurs. Als zweitgrößtes Skigebiet Europas zählt Vialattea ebenso zu den Top Skigebieten, die Club Med seinen Gästen ganz besonders empfiehlt. Erst im Dezember 2012 eröffnet, fügt sich das Chaletdorf Pragelato Vialattea im Herzen des Piemonts mit italienischen Spezialitäten-Restaurants architektonisch sowie kulinarisch in seine Umgebung ein.

Club Med im Trend
Entsprechend der gestiegenen Nachfrage eröffnet Club Med im Winter 2014/15 das brandneue 4-Tridents-Resort Val Thorens in den französischen Alpen. „Am deutschen Markt merken wir eine erhöhte Nachfrage nach französischen Alpinresorts für einen sportiven aber auch exklusiven Winterurlaub. Mit dem neuen 4-Tridents Resort in Val Thorens wird Club Med seine Position als Pionier im Premium All-Inclusive Ski- und Alpin-Segment weiter ausbauen“, sagt Eric Georges, Geschäftsführer Club Med Deutschland und Zentraleuropa und Projektleiter von Val Thorens. Jetzt kann schon ein Blick auf das neue Club Med Resort Val Thorens geworfen werden unter: http://youtu.be/G1j1YfwhYo4

Ein Kurztrip in Weiß
Jeder Tag im Schnee zählt! Ganz gemäß diesem Motto bietet Club auch Kurzaufenthalte in seine Premium Resorts an. So haben Club Med-Neulinge an einem verlängerten Wochenende wunderbar die Gelegenheit, Club Med kennenzulernen. Ob für den ersten Schnee im November und Dezember, einen Kurztrip über Silvester oder die Heiligen Drei Könige oder einfach eine entspannende Auszeit vom trüben Alltag im Januar, Februar oder April, Kurztrips können jetzt gebucht werden. Skikurse sowie der Skipass sind auch in diesem Angebot bereits inkludiert.

Mehr Informationen zum Hauptkatalog Winter 2013-14 sowie genaue Informationen zu den Vorteilen und Angeboten von Club Med und die Möglichkeit zur Buchung erhalten Interessierte im Reisebüro, per Email unter servicecenter01@clubmed.com sowie unter http://www.clubmed.de oder telefonisch unter 01803 633 633*.

PR-Kontakt:
Alexandra Ehm, Aviareps Tourism GmbH, Josephspitalstraße 15, 80331 München

ITB Berlin Kongress: Neue Trends im Brennpunkt

November 19, 2013

ITB Berlin stellt erste Themen und Speaker des führenden Think Tanks der Reiseindustrie vor – Schwerpunkt-Themen 2014 Luxustourismus und neue Technologien – Verlängertes Programm vom 5. bis einschließlich 8. März 2014 – Eintritt für ITB Berlin Besucher kostenlos

Berlin, 14. November 2013 – Zukunftsweisende Themen aus der internationalen Touristik: Auf dem ITB Berlin Kongress vom 5. bis 8. März 2014 erhalten Besucher auch im nächsten Jahr strategischen Input und aktuelle Informationen zu wichtigen Themen. Offizieller Kongress und Kulturpartner 2014 ist Malaysia. Eines der Schwerpunktthemen auf dem führenden Think Tank der internationalen Reiseindustrie wird Luxustourismus sein, mehrere Sessions werden sich diesem Thema widmen. Auch neuen Technologien in der Reisebranche wird ein breiter Rahmen auf dem ITB Berlin Kongress eingeräumt. Nach dem erfolgreichen Debüt der Samstags-Veranstaltung wird das Programm der eTravel World wieder bis 8. März 2014 verlängert. Der Eintritt zum ITB Berlin Kongress ist für Besucher der ITB Berlin kostenlos.

Zum Start des ITB Berlin Kongresses geht es auf dem ITB Future Day in einer Keynote von Lee McCabe, Head of Travel Facebook, um das Potential von Social Media bei der Gewinnung von neuen Kunden. Nils Müller, CEO TrendONE, spricht in einer zweiten Keynote über „Die Welt in 2025 – Eine Zukunftsreise“ und demonstriert multimediale Innovationen. Rolf Freitag, CEO IPK International, stellt im Rahmen des ITB Future Days den ITB World Travel Trends Report vor, in dem aktuelle Zahlen aus dem weltweiten und europäischen Tourismus präsentiert werden. Wie Low Cost Carrier die Reiseveranstalterbranche verändern, darüber diskutieren namhafte CEOs internationaler Fluggesellschaften auf dem Airline CEO Panel.

Auf den ITB Destination Days gibt Christine Duffy, President and CEO CLIA, dem Welt-Kreuzfahrtverband, in ihrer Keynote einen Ausblick. Aktuelle Herausforderungen im Tourismus werden sowohl im ITB Asia Panel als auch beim Lateinamerika-Forum behandelt. Auf dem Afrika-Forum wird das Potential des Luxustourismus diskutiert. Was Erholung im Urlaub verschafft erläutert der Progress in Tourism Research der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Tourismuswissenschaft DGT. Reisebuchautor Doug Lansky spricht auf dem ITB Berlin Kongress zu innovativen technologischen Lösungen für das Management überfüllter Destinationen, von denen es in Zukunft immer mehr geben wird. Auch das Schlüsselthema Gay & Lesbian Tourism wird 2014 wieder mit Vorträgen und Diskussionen beim ITB Berlin Kongress vertreten sein.

Praktische Tipps und aktuelle Studien-Ergebnisse rund um Marketing und Vertrieb erhalten Besucher beim ITB Marketing and Distribution Day. So stellt die GfK eine Studie mit 17.000 Befragten zum Thema Customer Journey vor. Keynote-Redner und TV-Journalist Percy von Lipinski erklärt, wie Pressereise erfolgreich werden. Auf dem ITB Mediengipfel dreht sich im nächsten Jahr alles um neue Geschäftsmodelle und Nischen in der Medienlandschaft. Innovationen in der Touristik werden in der Session „Open Innovations“ behandelt. Auch Nachhaltigkeit und Corporate Social Responsibility werden auf dem ITB Berlin Kongress wieder eine wichtige Rolle spielen. Beim ITB CSR Day diskutieren Experten und Verantwortliche unter anderem über Menschenrechte und das GreenLeaders Program des Reisebewertungs-Portals TripAdvisor. Das beliebte Studiosus-Gespräch widmet sich wieder einem aktuellen CSR-Thema.

Darüber hinaus sind auf dem ITB Berlin Kongress wieder Workshops geplant, darunter zu Lateinamerika oder der richtigen Beantragung von EU-Fördermitteln für touristische Projekte. Das DGT Speed Dating steht 2014 unter dem Motto „Science meets Tourism Industry“. Auch der touristische Nachwuchs erhält auf dem ITB Berlin Kongress wertvolle Impulse für die Karriere. Beim ITB Young Professional Day berichtet die DGT über aktuelle Entwicklungen in touristischen Studiengängen. Auf einer Podiumsdiskussion lotet die DGT mit dem Verband Internet Reisevertrieb VIR aus, welches Technologie-Know-How Tourismusstudierende erwerben müssen. Zusammen mit der Fachzeitschrift FVW stellt die DGT eine aktuelle Studie vor. Für herausragende Leistungen belohnt die DGT gemeinsam mit der ITB Berlin Studierende mit dem ITB-Wissenschaftspreis. Bei den ITB Business Travel Days dreht sich auch im nächsten Jahr alles um die neuesten Entwicklungen in Sachen Geschäftsreisen.

Qatar migrant workers ‘treated like animals’ – Amnesty

November 18, 2013

Qatar migrant workers ‘treated like animals‘ – Amnesty

Qatar’s construction sector is rife with abuse, Amnesty International (AI) has said in a report published as work begins on Fifa World Cup 2022 stadiums.

Amnesty says migrant workers are often subjected to non-payment of wages, dangerous working conditions and squalid accommodation.

The rights group said one manager had referred to workers as “animals”.

Qatari officials have said conditions will be suitable for those involved in construction of World Cup facilities.

It has not yet commented on the latest report.

Amnesty said it conducted interviews with 210 workers, employers and government officials for its report, The Dark Side of Migration: Spotlight on Qatar’s construction sector ahead of the World Cup.

The report includes testimony from Nepalese workers employed by a company delivering supplies to a construction project associated with the planned Fifa headquarters.

The workers said they were “treated like cattle”, working up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week, including during Qatar’s hot summer months.

Disabilities
Amnesty said some of the abuses amounted to “forced labour”.

Some migrant workers were threatened with penalty fines, deportation or loss of income if they did not show up to work even though they were not being paid, Amnesty said.

More than 1,000 people were admitted to the trauma unit at Doha’s main hospital in 2012 having fallen from height at work, Amnesty said, citing an unnamed hospital representative.

Some 10% were disabled as a result and the mortality rate was “significant”, AI said.

“It is simply inexcusable in one of the richest countries in the world, that so many migrant workers are being ruthlessly exploited, deprived of their pay and left struggling to survive,” said Salil Shetty, Amnesty’s secretary general.

“Our findings indicate an alarming level of exploitation.

“Fifa has a duty to send a strong public message that it will not tolerate human rights abuses on construction projects related to the World Cup.”

It follows a report by the UK’s Guardian newspaper in September, which likened workers’ conditions to “modern-day slavery“.

The Guardian investigation drew a strong response from the world professional footballers’ association Fifpro, which collaborates with the Uni Global Union, the voice of 20 million service sector workers.

Qatar must protect the rights of the workers who are to deliver the 2022 World Cup, it said.

FifPro board member Brendan Schwab said it was “inexcusable for workers’ lives to be sacrificed, especially given modern health and safety practices in the construction industry”.

Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24980013

IBTM AFRICA TEAM GO ON THE ROAD

November 4, 2013

IBTM AFRICA TEAM GO ON THE ROAD

EARLY SIGNS SHOW STRONG SUPPORT FOR FIRST IBTM AFRICA
www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica

Following on from a successful partnership with Kenya Tourism Board, SITE and ICCA that organised the first MICE Seminar to take place in Kenya this month, Reed Travel Exhibitions took the opportunity to update some 50 attendees from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania on the upcoming launch of IBTM Africa which is scheduled to take place in Cape Town from 28-30 April 2014 as part of Africa Travel Week, www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica

Shinu Pillai, Project Manager for IBTM Africa outlined the format of next year’s inaugural event, siting the success of the inaugural IBTM India, which took place in September and was the first 3 day table top event of its kind for the meetings industry in Asia. IBTM Africa will follow this successful format and proven business model that is also used across other Reed Travel Exhibitions’ events. Delivering up to 50 African and Indian Ocean suppliers of products and services to the MICE industry through pre-arranged meetings with international Hosted Buyers, this will be the first focused MICE event of its kind in Africa that will also include the IBTM Africa Conference.

Hosted Buyer registration will go live on the IBTM Africa website in December and advance interest has already been significant from international buyers. Through the pre-scheduled appointment system, this event will allow both exhibitors and buyers to mutually match their appointments. Details will soon be announced about the Post Event Tour programme available to selected Hosted Buyers attending IBTM Africa.

Steve McCormick, The Explorer Club, Southern and Eastern Africa was one of the exhibitors at IBTM India and confirmed that they will be part of IBTM Africa as well commented, “India was a first for us and the show was a huge success. The queries and information requested by some quality appointments demonstrated that India is an emerging incentive market interested in Africa. We are also hoping that IBTM Africa will attract global interest in group and incentive travel to The Victoria Falls and the surrounding region”.

IBTM Africa will also feature a half-day conference and seminar programme, with keynote and industry topics.

For further information, please see http://www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica.
www.africatravelweek.com.

Neue Halle für das Segment „Training & Employment in Tourism“

November 4, 2013

ITB Berlin | 5. bis 9. März 2014

Neue Halle für das Segment „Training & Employment in Tourism“
Abwechslungsreiches Programm für den Nachwuchs in der Touristik – ITB Jobbörse informiert über aktuelle Stellenausschreibungen – Vorträge von Personalverantwortlichen zeigen Einstiegs- und Bewerbungsmöglichkeiten auf

Berlin, 4. November 2013 – Neuen Anschub für die Karriere in der Touristik erhalten Interessierte auf der nächstjährigen ITB Berlin in Halle 11.1. Das Segment „Training & Employment in Tourism“ zieht von Halle 5.1. in die Halle 11.1. und wird dort über Aus- und Weiterbildungsmöglichkeiten im Tourismus informieren. Besucher erwartet auf der Bühne ein abwechslungsreiches Programm, das auf die Bedürfnisse des Nachwuchses in der Touristik zugeschnitten ist. So werden die internationalen Aussteller zum Beispiel Studienfächer sowie deren Inhalte vorstellen. Verantwortliche aus dem Personalbereich namhafter Touristikunternehmen informieren über Einstiegsmöglichkeiten und Bewerbungskriterien oder stellen konkrete Jobprofile vor. Für noch mehr Angebote können Besucher die „ITB Jobbörse powered by YOURCAREERGROUP“ nutzen, die auch 2014 wieder Teil von „Training & Employment in Tourism“ sein wird. An dem zentralen Karriere-Treffpunkt für Ein- und Aufsteiger in der Hotellerie, Gastronomie- oder Touristik-Branche können Besucher mit Personalverantwortlichen in Kontakt treten und sich über aktuelle Jobangebote informieren.
David Ruetz, Leiter ITB Berlin, ist überzeugt vom Erfolg der neuen Halle: „Aufgrund der zentralen Lage der Halle 11.1. zwischen Funkturm und Sommergarten erwarten wir dort noch mehr Laufpublikum als bisher. Der Nachwuchs- und Fachkräftemangel ist derzeit eines der drängendsten Themen in der Touristik. Die ITB Berlin leistet mit dem Segment ‘Training & Employment in Tourism‘ wertvolle Informationsarbeit und bringt renommierte Arbeitgeber und potentielle Arbeitnehmer zusammen.“

UK AND IRELAND ATTEND EIBTM

November 4, 2013

UK AND IRELAND ATTEND EIBTM
Destinations use Global Event for the Meetings and Events Industry as a Platform to Boost International Exposure

UK and Ireland have confirmed that they will once again be exhibiting at EIBTM (www.eibtm.com) this year. The decision for London & Partners, Visit Scotland and Meet in Ireland to attend the show, supports its strategic business objectives which are to extend its global presence and market the UK and Ireland as a key Meetings and Incentives destination to an international audience.

London and Partners (www.londonandpartners.com) – Stand B35
Barbara Jamison, London & Partners Head of Business Development Europe, commented, “Exhibiting at EIBTM generates about £25m worth of enquiries for London & Partners and our partners. The city has shown that it can deliver events on an unprecedented scale, and a raft of new venues, accommodation and attractions have been developed.

“By exhibiting at the show, we aim to promote London as a top business tourism destination, with a focus on corporate, incentive and association events. It provides a platform to promote the new marketing messages of London, namely, its diversity, innovation, value and the legacy of London. We are also able to introduce partners to market contacts they do not already have whilst gaining market intelligence and competitor information to formulate our overall market strategy.

“We want buyers and visitors to the show to see London as a destination where they don’t have to fly in, have their event and fly straight out again. There are a multitude of attractions to see and activities to do in the city and these can become great reasons to extend a business trip or form part of a social itinerary. London is where people can tap into key markets and network with business professionals that are experts in their field”.

VisitScotland (www.conventionscotland.com) – Stand B60
Amanda Henderson, Meetings and Incentives Marketing Manager, UK & Europe, VisitScotland comments, “Scotland is a destination on the move, offering a globally recognised culture that adds splendour, character and humour to any occasion, and that is supported by a 250-year heritage in hospitality that creates a welcome so deep rooted in the population’s character that its impossible to miss.

“Combine this with a truly breathtaking landscape, a playground of incentive choices – from outdoor pursuits, cultural explorations, geographical delights and world renowned sport – and with an equally enticing contemporary choice of destinations, attractions, hotels and venue’s; Scotland is a country ready-made for the ambitious and demanding event business.”

“2014 is a big year for Scotland, the combination of Homecoming 2014, the arrival of the Commonwealth Games and the return of the Ryder Cup will showcase to the world the many reasons why event organisers choose Scotland. Our world class hospitality, our warm welcome, our abundance of stunning venues, range of accommodation, the most beautiful landscapes in the world, and of course our passion for sport, especially golf, are just some of the many reasons to visit Scotland.”

Meet in Ireland (www.meetinireland.com) – Stand B30
Keith McCormack, Head of Business Tourism and Events, Fáilte Ireland commented,
“Meet in Ireland attends EIBTM each year as the show provides another opportunity to promote Ireland as a MICE destination to international buyers particularly those from our key source markets of US, UK, France and Germany. Our presence at the show gives our Irish trade partners a platform to showcase their business and we pass on as many contacts to our partners as we can.”

“Meeting new buyers who are considering Ireland as an option for their MICE business enables us, as a destination, to convince these buyers that Ireland is the right choice for their group and also gives us an opportunity to introduce new ideas and product to them. Meet in Ireland’s role is to educate buyers on what Ireland has to offer from a MICE perspective and to advise buyers on the best fit for their meeting, conference or incentive programme.”

“EIBTM is an essential event in our annual promotions calendar, it offers a real opportunity for our Irish trade to showcase their products and meet genuine international buyers, it is a win win event for our us as the Tourism Development Authority. The show also provides an opportunity for us to continue to build on our existing relationships with buyers, and also gain knowledge on who our competitors are and what other destinations are doing from a MICE perspective.”

Visit England (www.visitengland.com) – Stand B50

Simon Gidman, Head of Business Visits and Events at VisitEngland, commented:
“Following a hugely successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 and a host of major sporting events on the horizon, including the 2014 British Open, the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the 2017 World Athletics Championships, VisitEngland will be celebrating all things ‘sport’ and showcasing our great event destinations and venues at EIBTM in 2013.”

“As the national tourism organisation for England it is our job to encourage international visitors to our country and given that just over 25% of international spend is by business visitors this is a very important market for us. A recent report suggests that the UK meetings industry is worth an estimated £58 billion to the UK economy and employs over 530,000 people”.

“England is globally recognised as a world leader in meetings and events with a highly skilled and creative industry and after the hugely successful Olympic and Paralympic Games last year, England proved once again that it can host global events at the very highest level. Now we can look forward to hosting more major international events in the years to come whether business, cultural or sporting. England is proud host to the Rugby World in 2015 and getting ready to welcome the World Athletics Championships in 2017″.

“It is also our job to raise awareness of the incredible opportunities for holding business events across the entire length and breadth of our country. Many of our destinations have a proven record of boosting delegate numbers as well as offering excellent facilities and superb value for money. This year at EIBTM VisitEngland has an impressive range of stand partners. These include three of our leading exhibition and convention centres, a number of England’s most exclusive luxury hotels, two of our world class universities, two DMCs and a host of our most successful event destinations. EIBTM provides us with an excellent platform to showcase England as one of the world’s leading destinations for corporate, incentive and association events. Our key messages are around easy access, excellence in key economic sectors – particularly those in the advanced knowledge sectors such as engineering and life sciences – a diverse range of quality venues and our warm English welcome.

“With the arrival of a new heir to the English throne and new developments happening across the country, English tourism has an exciting future to look forward to. At EIBTM we want to give visitors a real taste of what we have to offer!”

EIBTM 2013 will take place from 19th – 21st November, a week earlier than in previous years. The EIBTM Forum will take place the day before the exhibition on 18th November. To find out more about ways to attend, visit www.eibtm.com/attend