Meet in REYKJAVÍK

REYKJAVÍK WON TWO LARGE EUROPEAN CONFERENCES WITH THE HELP OF AMBASSADORS-EURAM 2018 AND ECSMGE 2019
Meet in Reykjavik has had an ambassador club in place since 2014. To date, some 150 ambassadors have registered to work with the convention bureau to attract meetings, conferences and events in their field. Dr Eyþór Ivar Jónsson and Haraldur Sigursteinsson have managed to secure two large European conferences in Reykjavik, Iceland, attracting over 1,000 delegates each.

HARPA
Two international conferences took place at Harpa, Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Center on 26-28 April in Iceland. Both hosted the Harvard professor Michael Porter as the main speaker. First was the Iceland Geothermal Conference (IGC 2016) that was held in Iceland for the third time, this time with over 77 speakers and over 700 attendees of over 45 nationalities. In parallel with the IGC 2016, the Social Progress Imperative Conference (SPI) took place at Harpa, with the Social Progress Index as its main agenda…
YOUR HOST MERGES WITH CP REYKJAVIK
Gestamóttakan – Your Host in Iceland has merged with the conference and events company CP Reykjavik. The name of the merged company will be CP Reykjavik. It will be the biggest company in its field in the Icelandic tourism industry. Its turnover will be close to ISK 1 billion. Both companies have years of experience organizing and running conferences, managing events and providing services to tourists. The merged company will continue providing its domestic and foreign customers with comprehensive services for conferences, meetings, events, incentive and customized trips…Read More

Iceland enjoys successful growth strategy in tourism

Press Release from the the Icelandic Ministry of Industries and Innovation 

Iceland enjoys successful growth strategy in tourism:
30% growth in Icelandic tourism and 84% of visitors would like to return 

Iceland’s growth strategy in the tourism industry has become a benchmark for the global tourism industry. It reflects, amongst other things, the results of Iceland utilizing the opportunity that presented itself through the unexpected volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 that “shut down” Europe and Iceland for days. The tourism sector in partnership with the Government used the volcanic eruptions as an opportunity to create a global campaign called “Inspired by Iceland” that boosted the inflow of tourists, now estimated to reach 1.7 million this year, up from 500 thousand in 2010. Tourism has grown to be one of the most important industries in Iceland, generating more foreign revenue than any other industry.

Ragnheidur Elín Árnadóttir, Iceland’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, will visit the IMEX exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, on April 19^th 2016. The Minister will chair the Politicians Forum as well as take part in an open debate on topics relating to the international meetings industry. IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany, is one of the largest tourism exhibitions and conferences in the global tourism industry.

“Iceland has over the past few years enjoyed growth far beyond any forecasts and the sector is expected to continue to grow. Last year 1.3 million tourists visited Iceland, a 30% increase from 2014. This year 1.7 million tourists are expected to visit the country, more than five times Iceland’s population”, said Ragnheidur Elín Árnadóttir Minister of Industry and Commerce as she opened the IMEX Politician Forum in Frankfurt. ”This increase represents a challenge for us, as tourism has historically been very seasonal but we have been able to change that picture and attract more visitors during the off-season period and can therefore be optimistic for the future of the industry.”

The increase in the number of tourists and the growth in revenue is partly due to the award-winning Inspired by Iceland marketing campaign, where the focus has been on promoting Iceland as a destination for all seasons. Also more frequent flights and increased general interest in what Iceland has to offer during the winter season, including the Northern Lights as well as music, art and design festivals which draw thousands of guests all year round to the country. Surveys show that 95% of those who visit Iceland are satisfied with their trip and 84% say they would like to return.

Iceland is primarily a nature destination, both summer and winter, but it also has a strong offering when it comes to the MICE market (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions). This market represented 7% of Iceland´s tourist market in 2015, an 11% increase from 2014. The growth of the MICE market supports the overall objectives for Icelandic tourism to decrease seasonality as well as to encourage higher spending levels overall. It also contributes to better utilization of resources and long term positive economic impact and growth for the destination.

Let’s meet in the middle
Iceland is well located, only 5 hours away from North America’s East Coast and 3 hours away from mainland Europe. Around 25 airlines operate from Keflavík International Airport during summer, serving over 80 destinations around the world. To put this in context, there are more weekly departures out of Iceland to North America than from the capitals of Norway, Sweden and Finland combined. This puts Iceland in a unique position when it comes to access to the country and for connecting people from all over the world in international meetings and conferences.

Tourism has played a major role in Iceland’s economic growth in recent years and generated thousands of new jobs. Today the tourism industry generates more foreign revenue than any other industry in Iceland. Iceland also ranks high on the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Index, being 18^th out of 141 countries in the category “tourist services”.

IMEX Politicians Forum brings government and leaders together

IMEX Politicians Forum brings government and leaders together

The increasingly valuable contribution that meetings can make towards national and regional economic development, employment and education and how this will progress over the next 15 years will be the central subject of discussions at the 14th annual IMEX Politicians Forum when it takes place at Hotel Villa Kennedy Frankfurt on Tuesday 19 April.
This unique high-level event will once again bring together up to 40 politicians, including national and regional government ministers, and political influencers with around 80 industry leaders. They will exchange knowledge and best practice on how governments, regions and cities can make the most of the wide-ranging benefits that investment in conferences and meetings can bring, from income and employment to inward investment, education and scientific advancement.
This year the keynote speaker will be Hon Minister Stuart Ayres, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events for New South Wales, Australia. In a speech entitled: ‘How Meetings and Events Can Fulfil Political Optimism’, he will focus on several key areas including the importance of matching business events with trade, investment and export policies.

Minister Ayres said: “I’m excited to address the Politician’s Forum at IMEX in Frankfurt on the major issues affecting our industry. Business events are key drivers for our State – stimulating the knowledge economy; supporting trade and investment; talent acquisition and retention; and fostering sustainable future growth.”
The event is a full day programme with an exclusive VIP guided tour of the IMEX trade show and visits to delegates’ own national or regional stands before and after attending the Opening Ceremony.

The afternoon Forum will open with a Global Exchange of Best Practice at national and regional levels. The Hon Minister Ragnheidur Elin Arnadottir, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Iceland will chair the national level meeting while John Greenway, former Member of Parliament in the UK will lead the regional discussions.
All the delegates will then join together for the main Forum, a Global Exchange of Future Practice, moderated by Michael Hirst OBE, in which all the politicians, government officials and industry leaders will discuss how destinations are preparing for the challenges over the next 15 years and sharing new ideas and thinking.
The IMEX Politicians Forum has over the years proved to be a major catalyst in advancing the understanding of the critical role that the meetings industry plays in many aspects of national and regional development.

As Hon Ragnheidur Elin Arnadottir, Minister of Industry and Commerce for Iceland commented after taking part in the IMEX Politicians Forum 2015. “There is tremendous economic value and intellectual capital gain associated with a strong meetings and conference industry. Therefore it is crucial for governments to respond with a focused strategy to make the most of these business opportunities to benefit their destination. The IMEX Politicians Forum provides a unique platform for governments wishing to improve their competitiveness.”
Carina Bauer, CEO of The IMEX Group said: “The many senior politicians and government officials from across the globe attending the Politicians Forum this year are testament to the increasing recognition of the important role that the meetings and incentive travel industry plays in driving economic development particularly in knowledge economies. We are pleased with the strong programme that is set to develop further understanding and relationships between the industry and governments around the world.”

http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/
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#IMEX #IMEXFrankfurt #IMEX16 #IMEX2016

ALLGAEU-ORIENT RALLY TRAILER

ALLGAEU-ORIENT RALLY TRAILER
The Allgaeu-Orient Rally 2012 from Oberstaufen to Baku

The Challenge:
2 Weeks – 13 Countries – 6,000 Kilometer and
No Highways – No Toll Roads – No Ferry Boats – No GPS!

The Allgaeu-Orient Rally is one of the largest Rally Events worldwide. Each year they have approx. 100 teams (each team goes with 3 vehicles). 2010 they had more than 250 cars/motorcycles with circa 500 participants.

Follow my worldwide travel adventures, sport events and incentives.
My adventures include the Allgaeu-Orient Rally (Germany to Azerbaijan), worldwide Marathon-Races, Adventure Trekking in Mongolia, China, Uzbekistan, Oman, Iceland, Thailand, Philippines, Russia and Eastern Europe.
My favorite tours are the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Beijing (called The Vodka Train) as well as travelling along the Silk Road… Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan.

Iam trying to keep this Travel Blog updated with all my upcoming trips and adventures.
http://1001adventuretrips.wordpress.com

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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.