Skiing in Africa – Ski Adventures in Morocco

SKIING IN AFRICA – Ski-Trips to Morocco
Skiing, Tanning, Having Fun in Marrakech
Skiing in Africa – Ski Adventures in Morocco

Oukaimeden
Oukaimeden is a ski resort in the desert. Thick snow covers the “Jabal Oukaimeden” mountain summit in winter (usually January and February), in just a 46-mile (74km) from Marrakech.
The resort town of Oukaimeden is suitable for those skiers that request restaurants, ski rental shops, and comfy hotels, set in flourishing greenery with Blue Mountains on the background.
Skiers can get on the mountain riding on a donkey or camel, but they may use common modern ski lifts.
Morocco’s best ski resort is nestled in a 1 hour and 30 minute drive from Marrakech and it takes its pride in about 12.5 miles of trails and lots of off-trail options. The resort’s scenery is overwhelming and Oukaimeden is an incredible place where one may experience
Marrakech skiing: Enjoy the contrast.

The resort has been trendy with rich Moroccans for many years and it has enhanced into one of the country’s best winter destinations. As it is rather close to Marrakech, it is easily accessible from the city and its astonishing off-trail options will bring joy to ski enthusiasts for days.
Oukaimeden offers a variety of 20 trails for diverse skills, but the ski resort’s most excellent lure is the access it caters to numerous chaste trails that zigzag through the High Atlas mountain range. Seven chairlifts operate on the slopes, as well as the continent’s highest at an altitude of 10,734 feet.
From the top of the ski lift of Oukaïmeden, at 3273 meters above sea level, it’s hard to believe that you are in subtropical Africa. Oukaimeden is a collectors resort, but the high altitude means that snow is pretty reliable from December until late March.
Overlooking the Oukaimeden Mountains, Le Courchevel is a cozy address nestling behind the heights of the Moroccan atlas.
The hotel has 37 rooms from 23 to 53m2; most of the rooms have a private terrace.
The resort of Oukaimeden is located at an altitude ranging between 2600 m and 3270 m. The ski resort, the highest of Africa, is also the best equipped of Morocco.

Day 1: At the Airport
Arrival and greetings at Menara international airport
Check-out procedures: passport control and customs formalities
Transfer by air-conditioned luxurious coach to the hotel.
During the transfer, the guide will give a glimpse idea about “Oukaimden” ski resort.
At the hotel
Welcome drink at arrival base mint Tea.
Check-in
The police forms will dully filled during the transfer from the airport.
Settling in the rooms
Around 20h00: Dinner at the hotel and overnight
Marrakech skiing: Enjoy the contrast
Welcome of the guests qualified English speaking guide.

Day 2: Alpine skiing full day
08h00: Breakfast at the hotel
….Full day Alpine Skiing with Mountain Monitor
Lunch in the top of the slope: Light lunch with sandwiches, omelettes, ….Beers can be broad by ourselves.
Dinner and overnight at “Courchevelles Hotel”

Day 3: Cross country skiing, Racket skiing, or Snow Boarding
08h00 Breakfast at the hotel
….Full day cross skiing, Racket Trekking or Snow Boarding
….All the needed equipment to be provided on site.
Lunch at “Chez Juju” at the terrace overlooking the Mountains
Dinner and overnight at “Courchevelles Hotel”.

Day 4: Rafting and Canyoning
08h00 Breakfast at the hotel
Ourika Valley Atlas Mountains
In the heart of the Ourika Berber valley at 15 km from Oukaimeden, in the middle of the High Atlas Mountains, possibility to enjoy and experience activity in the surrounding rivers jumping and hanging on the rocks all along and descending the water. The equipment and assistance monitors respect international security standard, for an original and completely fun sport enjoying a really exciting extreme experience in the rivers of the Atlas. Difficulties descents are adapted to the sport and experience levels of participants.
Option: When water level of rivers permits, possibility to organize rafting-tubing also to descend the river in a very fun way.
Lunch at Mountain small restaurant overlooking the valley and soft drinks.
Come back to the hotel
Dinner at the lounge bar of the hotel + beverage package ( ½ wine, ½ water, coffee or mint tea )

Day 5: Departure to the desert of Marrakech ( On the rocks )
08h00 Breakfast at the hotel
09h00 Departure by 4WD via off road – Self Driving Experience
13h30 Desert oasis surprise
15h00 Continues of the driving experience
18H00 Retun to the hotel
Dinner on site and overnight

Marrakech the Red City
Marrakech is a city of immense beauty, low, pink and tent-like before a
great shaft of mountains.
It’s an immediately exciting place, especially around the vast space of is central square, the Djemaa el Fna, the stage for a long-established ritual
in which shifting circles of onlookers gather around groups of acrobats,
drummers, pipe musicians, dancers, storytellers and comedians…
Marrakesh’s population is growing and it has a thriving industrial area;
the city remains the most important market and administrative center of
southern Morocco.
The Djemaa el Fna (referred to simply as «el Djemaa» or even «la Place»)
lies right at the heart of the Medina, and almost everything of interest is
concentrated in the web of alleyways around it. Just to the west of the
Djemaa, an unmistakable landmark is the minaret of the great Koutoubia
Mosque (enchanting under floodlights at night), in the shadow of which
begins Avenue Mohammed V, leading out of the Medina and up the
length of the new city, Gueliz. It’s a fairly long walk between Gueliz and
the Medina, but there are plenty of taxis.

Day 6: Medina Immersion
08h00 Breakfast at the hotel
09h00 Departure to Marrakech
12h00 Arrival , check in and relax time
13h00 Lunch at the hotel + beverage package ( ½ wine, ½ water, coffee or mint tea )
15h00 Medina immersion
The guests will be totally immerged in the life of the Medina, discovering popular and local sections of handcrafting seeing and exchanging with the artisans who make these extraordinary objects but also real quarters where the locals live with their specificities as the public Hammam traditional bath, but also the school, the public bakery and even visiting houses and riads to have an idea of the architecture but also and specially the organization of the everyday life in the souks.
The end of this authentic walking tour can be done on the “Jmaa L’Fna square”, entrancing place, where street performers cohabitate with small and several open sky mobile restaurants proposing traditional & delicious food to locals and tourists.
An exclusive stand can be reserved for small groups to let them the opportunity to be part of this great atmosphere.

….After dinner, go to trendy “Jad Mahal” for an after drink with belly dancers and fusion of music and entertainment.
…..Come back to the hotel and overnight.
Day 7: Ballooning flights over the Jbillate desert, Quad biking and Camel riding (optional tours and adventures)
Early wake-up call and departure by 4WD cars with driver to the Jbillates desert area of Marrakech for another surprise!
Ballooning over the Jbillates
• In the middle of nowhere, the participants will discover the balloon ready to fly over the desert and very small Berber villages surounding the city.
• An exceptional experience to discover the surroundings of Marrakech from the sky.
• After 45 minutes / 1 hour flying, landing in the desert and breakfast .

Over the steps of Lawrence of Arabia
“The liberty is not a gift, we take it”
(Thomas Edward Lawrence)
Oriental Breakfast starting with the arrival of Lawrence of Arabia in its camel, to deliver a personal welcome message surrounded by the mystical music of “Maurice Jarre”
The camp site will be taken place in the middle of “nowhere” not far from the landing place.
Transfer by 4WD to the heart of the palm grove and stop in the forest of palm trees for a combined activity of Quad biking and camel riding (exclusive activities) through the palm trees area.
Return back to the hotel by 4wd and rest of the afternoon at leisure or shopping in the new and old Marrakech.

Day 8: Marrakech
Discover Marrakech on your own.
… Brunch at the hotel
… Departure to Airport and assistance.

More details and Booking:
SMS Frankfurt | Events Incentives Adventures
Burgfriedenstrasse 17, D-60489 Frankfurt
Phone: +49-69-95 90 97 00
www.Incentives-Worldwide.com

Next Ski Trip to Morocco:
19 – 26 January 2013

Auf der ITB Berlin kommen Event Manager zu ihrem Recht

Auf der ITB Berlin kommen Event Manager zu ihrem Recht
MICE Day sensibilisiert für Spielregeln in der Veranstaltungsbranche

Berlin, November 2012 – Der ITB MICE DAY am 6. März 2013 wirft einen Blick hinter die Kulissen der Veranstaltungsplanung, gibt einen Überblick über die verschiedensten Spielregeln der Event-Branche und deren Feinheiten. Bei Events und Incentives gilt immer mehr der Grundsatz von „Law & Order“. Doch Forderungen nach Compliance, Veranstaltungssicherheit und Datenschutz verunsichern Veranstaltungsplaner. Manche wissen kaum noch, was in Zukunft an Inhalten und Formaten überhaupt erlaubt sein wird.

Compliance-Richtlinien definieren, wo Kundenpflege aufhört und wo Korruption anfängt. Die Versammlungsstättenverordnung gewährleistet, dass Besucher und Mitarbeiter an Veranstaltungen sicher teilnehmen können. Auch der richtige Umgang mit den personenbezogenen Daten obliegt der Verantwortung der Veranstaltungsorganisatoren. Mangelnde Kenntnis wichtiger Grundlagen kann für die Verantwortlichen ungeahnte Konsequenzen nach sich ziehen – schon wenn die GEMA-Anmeldung nicht ernst genommen wurde. Nicht nur vertragliche Tücken, sondern auch der Rechtsrahmen für die tägliche Praxis bergen für Organisatoren viele juristische Fallstricke.

Renommierte Experten zeigen auf der ITB Berlin 2013, wie man trotz der vielen Vorschriften erfolgreich Veranstaltungen durchführen kann. Einzelheiten zum Programm des ITB MICE Days sind ab Mitte Dezember unter http://www.itb-kongress.de/businesstravel zu finden.

Die Teilnahme an allen Vorträgen des MICE Day ist im ITB Berlin-Fachbesucherticket inklusive. Als Partner bürgt wieder die Vereinigung Deutscher Veranstaltungsorganisatoren für Qualität.

Wer mit Meinungsmachern, Top-Veranstaltungsplanern und Leistungsanbietern der Branche ins Gespräch kommen will, wer den Kontakt unter Kollegen ausbauen möchte, der findet nirgendwo ein größeres Angebot unter einem Dach.

IMEX Group issues findings from tenth Politicians Forum debate – Destinations urged to use report content to increase local political support

IMEX Group issues findings from tenth Politicians Forum debate – Destinations urged to use report content to increase local political support
The IMEX Group has today issued a public report on the findings of the IMEX Politicians Forum discussion held during IMEX in Frankfurt in May this year.

With meetings and business events integral to the development of knowledge-based economies and increasingly central to the prosperity and future growth of nations and cities around the world, the annual IMEX Politicians Forum in Frankfurt provides both a private and a public platform to review industry progress.

The latest report provides an overview of the days’ content, including the case studies and papers presented by Business Events Sydney, Bordeaux, the European Society of Cardiology, Excel – London, Germany, Mexico and San Diego.

Close to 130 participated in the Forum, including politicial representatives and industry leaders. This year’s special guest speaker was Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman of The Rocco Forte Hotels Group. The Forum’s keynote speaker was Nick de Bois, MP, Chair of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Events. 36 politicians and government officials from 16 countries also participated – the largest number to date. They represented: Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden and the UK.

One high point was the participation of Gloria Guevara Manzo, State Secretary of Tourism, Mexico, and member of President Calderon’s cabinet. She spoke about her country’s continued growth and ambition. Now one of the world’s top 15 economies, 190 million tourists visited Mexico in 2011, almost 23 million of which were international travellers. Manzo explained that Mexico’s goal is to become one of the world’s top five destinations by 2018 and recognises that meetings, incentive travel and events have a part to play in reaching that target.

Together with its three partner associations (AIPC, JMIC and European Cities Marketing), the IMEX Group hopes that destinations and convention and visitor bureaus in particular will use the report to encourage further political engagement in – and understanding of – the industry among their local political representatives. Its findings also demonstrate how far the industry has developed over the past 10 years and how much more assertive, cohesive and informed it has become.

The IMEX Group furthered its commitment to industry development through political influence at IMEX America this year when it held the first ever Political Advocacy Forum in conjunction with partners, the US Travel Association. This Forum was attended by special guest, Mayor of Las Vegas, Carolyn Goodman, together with CEO of US Travel, Roger Dow and close to 100 participants and media took part. IMEX will further advance its advocacy efforts in 2013 through PCMA’s new Industry Business Forum for local leaders.

IMEX has also made a 3-minute informational video available for free industry download. The video explains the importance of lobbying at a local level and is designed to be viewed by destinations and local government representatives alike.

A full copy of the IMEX in Frankfurt Politicians Forum Report plus a shorter summary is available online.

The IMEX Politicians Forum in Frankfurt is co-organised by ECM (European Cities Marketing) and AIPC (International Association of Congress Centres) and held under the auspices of JMIC (Joint Meetings Industry Council). It is supported by the German Convention Bureau (GCB), the Frankfurt Convention Bureau, Messe Frankfurt, International Meetings Review, Brähler and Sixt.

IMEX America in Las Vegas: Ein voller Erfolg in jeder Hinsicht

IMEX America in Las Vegas: Ein voller Erfolg in jeder Hinsicht
Drei spannende Tage geprägt von Internationalität und Wachstum, viele bereits auf der Messe getätigte Geschäftsabschlüsse, begeisterte Besucher und rundum zufriedene Aussteller – so lautet die Erfolgsbilanz der zweiten IMEX America, die vom 09. bis zum 11. Oktober 2012 in Las Vegas statt fand.

Die Zahlen sprechen für sich. So konnte das IMEX Team mit insgesamt 2400 Hosted Buyern aus Nordamerika und 43 weiteren internationalen Märkten über 20% Wachstum im diesjährigen Hosted Buyer-Programm verzeichnen. Und auch die Ausstellerseite befindet sich mit 2413 einzelnen Ausstellern auf Wachstumskurs. Zusätzlich dazu konnte die Messe 1700 Fachbesucher zählen, die das neue „Benefits & Facility-Package“ mit großem Interesse angenommen haben. Dieses „Paket“ beinhaltet u.a. die kostenlose Nutzung aller Shuttle-Tranfers sowie die freie Teilnahme an sämtlichen Aus- und Weiterbildungsangeboten.

Das neue „Online Appointment System“ war bereits im Vorfeld der Messe rege genutzt worden: So wurden bereits vor Messebeginn von den Hosted Buyern und Besuchern über 38.000 Termine mit Ausstellern vereinbart – eine Steigerung von 60% gegenüber der ersten IMEX America.

Ray Bloom, Chairman der IMEX Group dankte auf der Abschluss-Pressekonferenz zunächst den wichtigsten Partnern der Messe – Cathy Tull, VP of Marketing der „Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority“; Cindy D’Aoust COO und interim CEO von „Meeting Professionals International“ sowie Robert Rippee, SVP of Marketing vom „The Venetian® | The Palazzo®“.

Der Chairman weiter: „Wir freuen uns sehr, dass unsere zweite Ausgabe der IMEX America ein so großer Erfolg war und danken vor allem auch allen Ausstellern, Hosted Buyern und Besuchern, ohne die dies nicht möglich gewesen wäre.“

Bloom sprach außerdem vom großen Erfolg des „U.S Travel Political Advocacy Forum“, welches am Dienstag, den 09. Oktober stattfand und an dem die Bürgermeisterin von Las Vegas, Carolyn Goodman sowie Roger Dow, CEO der „U.S. Travel Association“ teilnahmen. Herr Bloom dankte der Bürgermeisterin für ihr außerordentliches Engagement und ihre Unterstützung beim Ausbau der IMEX America und damit der gesamten MICE-Industrie.

Highlights in Las Vegas: Messe-Events und Weiterbildungsmöglichkeiten
Die diesjährige IMEX America konnte mit vielen Highlights aufwarten, darunter die „Site Nite North America” und der “Association Focus and Evening”, die am Montag, den 08. Oktober stattfanden.

Ein weiteres Highlight war die “Euro Party” am 10. Oktober, bei der 22 Europäische Aussteller die Messehallen in eine große “Europäische Party” umwandelten – natürlich durften dabei auch Europäische Köstlichkeiten und die richtige Musik nicht fehlen. Ein voller Erfolg war auch der „MPI-Smart Monday“ – ein kostenfreier Aus- und Weiterbildungs-Tag, dicht gepackt mit spannenden und informativen Workshops und Seminaren, an dem über 1000 Personen teilnahmen. Die MPI`s Foundation „PURE Rendezvous Night“ war gut besucht von über 2000 Partygängern.

Ausblick für 2013 – IMEX America auf weiterem Wachstumskurs
Weiterhin gab Bloom in einem Ausblick für 2013 bekannt, dass das rasante Wachstum der Messe einen Umzug in eine größere Messehalle des Messezentrums mit sich bringt. Ebenso wird das Hosted Buyer Programm weiter ausgebaut.

Die Termine für die nächsten IMEX America Messen im Sands Expo® Center stehen bereits fest:
– 15 -17 Oktober 2013
– 14 -16 Oktober 2014
– 13 -15 Oktober 2015

PLAN YOUR COST EFFECTIVE TRIP TO BARCELONA

PLAN YOUR COST EFFECTIVE TRIP TO BARCELONA
EIBTM 2012, the Global Meetings & Events Exhibition (www.eibtm.com) has partnered with a number of local and international businesses to secure a range of special offers and discounts for all attendees of the show, which will take place in Fira Gran Via, Barcelona from 27-29 November.

EIBTM has once again partnered with Lufthansa who are offering discounted flights from global destinations to Barcelona. Delegates will also have the opportunity to win a variety of prizes through a number of competitions, which Lufthansa are running prior to EIBTM 2012. To find out more, visit http://www.eibtm.com/lufthansa.

The official DMC of EIBTM, Pacific World has collaborated with local Barcelona businesses to provide discounts for EIBTM attendees as part of this year’s 25th birthday celebrations. Attendees will be able to scan QR codes available in the EIBTM pocket books for coupons, which can be used in Desigual as well as a range of discounts in restaurants in Barcelona.

Participants of EIBTM will also be able to take advantage of discounted accommodation during their time in Barcelona. Attendees can secure reduced rates via http://www.eibtm.com, as well as benefit from a free shuttle bus service, which will be operating between the airport, Fira Gran Via and official hotels. To view a full list of official hotels visit EIBTM Official Hotels >>

EIBTM has also developed an IBTM multi event App which is free to download for iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android platforms. The APP allows participants to access a detailed floor plan of the show as well as providing a full schedule of education sessions and events, which will take place as part of the show programme. To find out more about the IBTM APP, visit http://www.ibtmevents.com/app

Trade Visitors who pre-register and attend EIBTM will also be entered into a prize draw for the opportunity to win a trip for two to Istanbul with Turkey Airline flights and a three night stay at the 5 star Wow Hotel & Convention Centre as well as 2 city tours courtesy of Dekon DMC and Tekser Tourism.

To find out more about the benefits of attending EIBTM 25 as a Trade Visitor and to register please visit http://www.eibtm.com/visit.

If you are a senior decision maker or make budgetary decisions for meetings, incentive travel, business travel, international conventions or events, you could be eligible to attend EIBTM as Hosted Buyer. To find out more, please visit http://www.eibtm.com/hosted

EIBTM 2012 takes place 27th – 29th November, Barcelona, with the EIBTM Forum on 26th November.

EIBTM CEO SUMMIT ATTRACTS RECORD NUMBER OF INDUSTRY LEADERS

Meeting to focus on Global Events
Celebrating its 25th anniversary next month, EIBTM 2012 will also mark the occasion of its 6th CEO Summit with a record number of 70 C-level executives from 20 countries coming together to focus on the theme – Global Events.

The day will include an up date analysis of the global economy by Professor Dominic Swords, an independent financial economist. His presentation will provide a particular reference both to the Eurozone and the region’s critical debt crisis plus an insight into the expanding opportunities within the BRIC economies. The Summit will also include a keynote by Anne Lise Kiger, a leading global futurist who will define the “future consumer”.

“We are delighted with the response to this year’s Summit, particularly as it takes place in its 25th anniversary year. With the world seeing constant economic change, we feel Professor Swords will have a particularly lively audience to address this year. Such a significant and powerful gathering further demonstrates why EIBTM is an authority on the global meetings and events sector and we hope the time spent will engender industry wide debate about the issues raised in the summit and at the evening’s networking event.” Commented Graeme Barnett, Reed Travel Exhibitions’ EIBTM Event Director.

The EIBTM CEO Summit is a by invitation only event.

EIBTM LAUNCHES HYBRID EVENT

EIBTM LAUNCHES HYBRID EVENT

Live sessions streamed across the globe
IBTM Knowledge Virtual Centre will provide education on demand following shows

EIBTM (http://www.eibtm.com), the leading global event for the meetings and event industry, is set to launch its first Hybrid Conference at the show this year. The virtual conference will stream five key education sessions on Wednesday the 28th November from 9am (CET) as they happen live at EIBTM, allowing virtual delegates to join over 150 physical attendees for a dedicated interactive experience.

In addition to the live-streamed education sessions, The Hybrid Conference will also feature a virtual exhibition hall, resource centre and networking lounge.
Participants joining the live streamed keynote and interactive panel discussions will be able to ask questions live to the conference hall via a virtual MC, network real time with other participants within the communications centre and earn CEU credits for each seminar they attend.

The virtual event centre will be available to access for 12 months following the show. Participants will be able to view sessions on-demand, network with other participants and gain access to various white papers, which have been produced through research in association with EIBTM. In addition, content from the other IBTM events – AIME, GIBTM, CIBTM, AIBTM and BTM will all be available in the centre after each show.

The Hybrid Event will commence with a session delivered by Doug Keeley, CEO & Chief Storyteller, The Mark of a Leader, (9:00am EST). Keeley will use live storytellers and powerful videos, referring to case studies including Cirque du Soleil, Dabbawala, Zappos and the Shackleton’s Endurance to inspire meetings industry professionals and demonstrate that new strategies and innovative plans are needed, in times of great uncertainty and change.

At 11:00am (EST), Sally Greenhill, Managing Director, The Right Solution and Rob Davidson, Senior Lecturer – Event Management, Greenwich University will combine forces in the The IBTM Research findings: A discussion. This dynamic session will take the existing global research findings one step further by providing a summary and interactive discussion platform of the industry-wide research.

The Hybrid Event will also include a session dedicated to Making Digital Events Happen at 1:45pm (EST). This session will commence with an outline of key building blocks essential for hybrid events, Presented by Paul Cook, Managing Director, Planet Planit. The session will then provide an interactive forum for both the physical and remote participants discussing what creates comfort at a hybrid event.

The last segment of this session will include an ‘on the couch’ question session facilitated by Paul Cook, Ruud Janssen, Founder, The New Objective Collective (TNOC) and Mike Clanton, Head of Global Corporate Event Solutions, My Meeting Professional (MMP) as they share some of their observations and experiences of what happens next with developing digital content, how to make the most of it and where your social media/communications strategy needs to go next.

To view the full programme or register for the EIBTM Hybrid Conference please visit http://engage.vevent.com/rt/re~ibtm or go to the EIBTM website http://www.eibtm.com. Participants can log in to the event from 8:30am (CET) on November 28, 2012.

AIME 2012 shortlisted for Excellence award

AIME 2012 shortlisted for Excellence award

The Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) has been named as a finalist in the Exhibition and Event Association of Australia’s (EEAA) 2012 Awards for Excellence, cementing its position as an industry leader.

AIME, the largest annual exhibition in Australia for meetings, incentives, business travel and events, is one of four finalists in the category for Best Trade Show over 10,000m2 and the only finalist from the MICE industry to make the final cut.

Winners will be announced at a special gala dinner on 4 December, 2012 at Melbourne’s stylish National Gallery of Victoria, which will be attended by the owner of AIME, the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau.

With an eight per cent increase in award entries, the EEAA Awards for Excellence judges stated that they found a strong field of entrants especially, in best show and marketing related categories.

For more information about AIME 2013 visit www.aime.com.au

AIBTM SIGNS UP NEW EXHIBITORS AND HOTEL PARTNERS FOR LAUNCH IN CHICAGO

AIBTM SIGNS UP NEW EXHIBITORS AND HOTEL PARTNERS FOR LAUNCH IN CHICAGO

Following AIBTM’s announcement that the show will relocate to Chicago in 2013, the Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (www.aibtm.com) has received unprecedented levels of interest, with a significant number of new and returning exhibitors signing up early to secure their place at the show.

New exhibitors to the show this year include: Experience Grand Rapids, Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission, Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Orient-Express, Visit Anchorage, United Airlines, Travizon, Dayton/Montgomery County CVB, Snowmass Tourism, Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau, Bloomington MN CVB and Sonesta Collection.

“AIBTM is an important show for Sonesta Hotels to reach national meeting planners as we continue to expand our presence in the U.S. market,” said Carol Bullock, Vice President of Sales for Sonesta. She continued, “the format of the show aligns with our desire to maximize our visibility and exposure and many planners have shared with us that this is a marketplace where business will get done.”

Michael Lyons, Reed Travel Exhibitions, AIBTM’s recently appointed Exhibition Director commented, “I am delighted to have joined the team at such an exciting time for the show. Chicago is one of the world’s top destinations for meetings, incentives, conventions, and events and we are pleased to be bringing together over 3,500 meetings industry professionals from across the globe for three days of intensive business, world class educational sessions and numerous opportunities for networking”.

AIBTM has also partnered with a number of hotels in the city including Hilton Palmer House, InterContinental Chicago, Renaissance Blackstone, W Chicago – Lakeshore, Hyatt Regency Chicago and Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile. These partnering hotels will provide 4/5 star accommodation for over 1,000 meetings industry professionals who are expected to attend as part of the 2013 Hosted Buyer Program.

AIBTM 2013 will take place at McCormick Place, Chicago from June 11th through June 13th, 2013 and will be hosted by Choose Chicago. Companies interested in exhibiting at AIBTM 2013 should contact Nancy Walker, Sales Director for AIBTM. Please email nwalker@reedexpo.com or call 203 840 5862.

ISES UK CHAPTER APPOINT MEMBERSHIP MANAGER

ISES UK CHAPTER APPOINT MEMBERSHIP MANAGER

November, UK: ISES UK Chapter has appointedNicole Hatch to the newly created role of Membership Manager. The role has been created to ensure members of the chapter gain maximum benefit from their membership, and existing corporate members continue to encourage staff to engage with ISES.

Hatch, already Director of Programmes for ISES UK Chapter, and co-owner of SLR (sound, light rental), will pick up the new role for the 2012-13 term. She will also lead on the development and delivery of a new Silver level Corporate Membership offering two corporate memberships and event packages for smaller businesses.

“This is an important move from the chapter and underlines our commitment to delivering the best value and experience to our members,” comments Philip Atkins, President, ISES UK Chapter. “Nicole has been a proactive member of ISES, a passionate advocate of the chapter, and is the perfect candidate to help members get the most out of their relationship with ISES.”

“The Corporate Silver Membership is an excellent innovation that lets smaller businesses get more of their staff involved in ISES and is a great place to start in my ambition to get more members and non-members involved with ISES,” comments Hatch. “I’m delighted to be leading on the role, it’s a great move for our membership.”