Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort Earns Official MICE Accreditation

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort Earns Official MICE Accreditation
The Outrigger in Phuket joins an elite collection of MICE venues in Thailand with MICE Venue Standard accreditation from the Thai government

PHUKET, THAILAND – The Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort has passed all systems tests to earn official Thailand MICE Venue Standard (TMVS) accreditation. The inclusion, effective immediately, followed a detailed submission and on-site inspections by the Thai government’s MICE Capabilities Development Department.

The Outrigger’s Area Director for Sales and Marketing for Thailand, Mr Rory Campbell, received the accreditation on behalf of the resort at an award ceremony for recipients organised by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) in Bangkok on 27 April.

“With TMVS accreditation, our sophisticated Similan Ballroom MICE set up at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort has been officially recognised as among the best in Thailand,” said Campbell. “We will now proudly take that message to event organisers who are seeking to create meaningful and rewarding corporate events in Phuket.”

The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau created the TMVS system to give accredited venues a competitive edge and ensure sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive international MICE sector.

TMVS applies ISO quality standards in food safety, security systems, energy management and the administration of sustainable events. Physical, technological and service delivery standards have to be met before TMVS accreditation is awarded.

The Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort opened its Similan Ballroom and breakout spaces in 2014. It is now among the leading mid-scale event venues in Southeast Asia.

“Since opening, our commitment to our MICE clients has been underpinned by the support of a dedicated events team for each meeting,” said Tony Pedroni, the General Manager at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort. “Our Outrigger hosts in Phuket work with clients to deliver inspirational Thai service that matches our acclaimed MICE set up and the amazing beachside location.”

Pedroni said that the Outrigger in Phuket prides itself on delivering high-spec facilities at events designed with a unique Thai twist.

The Outrigger offers the Similan Ballroom (716sqm), the Tongfah (158sqm), and the Tawan and Talay breakout rooms at 77sqm each.

Event attendees benefit from a range of high-end in-house AV equipment and technical support. The four meeting spaces feature free Wi-Fi, natural daylight, dedicated technical support, an event and catering team, and state of the art audio visual and conference amenities.

The Similan Ballroom can comfortably host executive conferences of up to 350 delegates in theatre style and 290 guests banquet style. Extensive gardens and a peaceful beachfront create inspirational settings for team building activities and outdoor banquets.

The full technical spec of the Similan Ballroom and the three breakout rooms can be found here and an overview MICE video here. For meeting queries, please contact the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort MICE team at +66 (0)76 360 600. Or email reservation.phuketbeach@outrigger.co.th.

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#MICEnews #HotelNews #HotelIndustry #TheOutrigger #OutriggerHotels #MICE #TMVS

60th booking for Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp

60^th booking for Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp

A Room with a ZOO celebrates first birthday

Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp has now been operational for a full year and has just accepted its sixtieth confirmed convention booking. This is a particularly happy moment. FMCCA has proven to be a highly sought after venue for the organizers of international conventions and conferences. FMCCA has moreover received a number of acclaimed awards, including the industry’s highest honour, the ICCA’s Best Marketing Award for the Room with a ZOO campaign. Come and meet FMCCA at IMEX 2018 at stand E120 (Meet in Flanders).

Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp is part of the Queen Elisabeth Hall complex and is located in the celebrated Antwerp ZOO, just ten minutes walk from the historic city centre and next door to Central Station. The convention centre can receive up to 2,700 participants and offers over 25,000 m² of conference space, as well as a wonderful choice of highly desirable experiences. FMCCA itself hosts a number of prestige conventions such as IMEC 2017 & 2018, AWC 2018 and the AIPC Annual Conference 2019.

Prize Winner
FMCCA has been operational for just a year and has already won several prizes, including the ICCA’s Best Marketing Award for the “Room with a ZOO” campaign (the top award of the meeting industry), MIMA’s silver Award for the Best Print Advertising Campaign (MIMA = Meeting Industry Marketing Awards) and MIMA’s bronze award for the Best Brand Marketing Campaign, while our Chief Commercial Officer, Anja Stas, was nominated Marketing Manager of the Year by Trends, the Belgian business weekly.

Experiences
Convention Organizers are lavish with their praise of FMCCA:

Luc Niville, Executive Director of the Semico Group, “It promises to offer the wildest dreams of every PCO – a well situated high-end congress venue, in a class of its own; spacious well equipped rooms placed around a central atrium; a large number of breakout rooms and that so important extra element, the gardens of the ZOO.“

Liz Jackson, FASAE, President Jackson Consulting Inc: “I have been to many client events over my years in the MICE industry and yours was one of the best organized and most carefully designed to draw buyers into an appreciation of A Room with a ZOO. I will recommend it with enthusiasm.”

Instant CSR
The aces that convince organizers are highly diverse, and biodiverse! Not only does FMCCA offer state-of-the-art conference comfort in a wonderful historic setting in a unique location, but it also confers the cachet of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) because of its concern for nature conservation.

ZOO Foundation
Located in the heart of Antwerp ZOO, FMCCA is a part of the ZOO Foundation, a home for animal welfare, nature conservation and science. This gives FMCCA depth and widespread popular support. Anja Stas, FMCCA’s Chief Commercial Officer, explains, “Every eurocent spent in our convention centre is administered by the ZOO Foundation and directly supports our work on animal welfare, heritage, breeding programmes, research and nature conservation. All of this is done on behalf of the welfare and survival of our zoological friends”.

Events and conservation go hand in hand
“The protection of threatened species and research in fundamental aspects of nature conservation is for us, as cofounder of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) part of our DNA. Scientists are convinced of the role nature plays in making us feel happy. The natural world nourishes our sense of spirituality, inspires and unites us. This is what FMCCA brings you, a convention centre surrounded by nature, tropical animals and beautiful gardens. After an intensive meeting in FMCCA you can wander into the ZOO and revel in the sight of giraffes and lions. What could be more natural than a friendly chat under the watchful eyes of the flamingos? How refreshing to go for an early run among the trees and animals before a busy day in conference? Looking at the wonders of nature, animals, trees and plants gives you strength and connects you to others. A perfect venue to give your convention or meeting an unrivalled boost!”

The story of gorilla Matadi
Matadi the silverback gorilla with his impressive appearance has become the face of FMCCA. He is one of the darlings of the ZOO as well as the mascot of FMCCA. Handed out at conventions in FMCCA, our mascot travels the world. Matadi is ready to assume his role as a breeding male in Great Ape Valley in the Zoo. As gorillas in the wild are a seriously threatened species, we hope that he will soon be fathering little gorillas.

Photographs and video: http://www.fmcca.com/press

You’ll find FMCCA at IMEX 2018 at the Meet in Flanders stand number E120.

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#FMCCA #EAZA #FASAE #IMEX #IMEX18 #IMEX2018 #MICEnews #MICEchannel #MICEmedia

ITB Berlin Career Center mit Exklusivpartner Bundesagentur für Arbeit

Karriere-Sprungbrett: ITB Berlin Career Center mit Exklusivpartner Bundesagentur für Arbeit

ITB Berlin bringt Jobsuchende und Personaler von touristischen Unternehmen zusammen – Großes Bühnenprogramm – Kostenfrei: Bewerbungsfotos inkl. Styling und Karriereberatung mit Check der Bewerbungsmappe

Auf der weltgrößten Reisemesse den Traumjob finden: Das Career Center in Halle 11.1 informiert Berufseinsteiger und erfahrene Fachkräfte über Aus- und Weiterbildungsmöglichkeiten sowie Karrierechancen im Tourismus. Mehr als 50 Aussteller, darunter nationale und internationale Universitäten, Hochschulen, Berufsakademien und andere Dienstleister, beraten über Studiengänge und Weiterbildungsangebote. Jobsuchende können sich einen Überblick über die Reisebranche verschaffen sowie wertvolle Kontakte zu namhaften Hotelketten, Kreuzfahrtunternehmen oder Reiseveranstaltern knüpfen.

Im ITB Career Center mit der Bundesagentur für Arbeit finden Ein-, Auf- und Umsteiger zahlreiche Angebote in der Touristik. Allein 100 aktuelle Stellen stehen an der Jobwand zur Wahl –von Ausstellern sowie aus der Jobbörse der Bundesagentur für Arbeit. So können Interessierte direkt mit Personalverantwortlichen in Kontakt treten und sich vor Ort bewerben. Wer seine Bewerbungsmappe noch einem gründlichen Check unterziehen möchte, ist bei den Beratungsfachkräften der Bundesagentur für Arbeit richtig. Die Experten nehmen die Unterlagen unter die Lupe und geben wichtige Tipps. Kostenfrei sind auch Bewerbungsfotos inklusive eines professionellen Stylings und Beratung.

So viele Arbeitgeber wie nie zuvor
Branchengrößen wie DER Touristik, Marriott International und Sixt Autovermietung sind mit eigenen Ständen vertreten. Am Stand des Exklusivpartners Bundesagentur für Arbeit informieren Personalverantwortliche unter anderem von Accor Hotels, Adina Apartment Hotels, Cruise Net Hamburg, Eurowings und Viking River Cruises über aktuelle Arbeits- und Ausbildungsplätze. „So viele Arbeitgeber wie nie zuvor präsentieren ihre Angebote“, unterstreicht David Ruetz, Leiter ITB Berlin, die wachsende Bedeutung der Jobbörse auf der ITB Berlin. „Der Nachwuchs- und Fachkräftemangel ist derzeit eines der drängendsten Themen in der Touristik. Die ITB Berlin leistet mit dem Career Center wertvolle Informationsarbeit für Berufsanfänger und bringt renommierte Arbeitgeber mit potentiellen Arbeitnehmern zusammen.“

Wichtige Themen rund um Karriere und Ausbildung auf der Bühne und beim ITB Berlin Kongress
Ein großes Rahmenprogramm mit Podiumsdiskussionen und informativen Vorträgen erwartet die Besucher auf der Bühne des Career Centers. So erhält der Nachwuchs beispielsweise einen Überblick der touristischen Master- und Bachelorstudiengänge. Vorträge der Zentralen Auslands- und Fachvermittlung der Bundesagentur für Arbeit (ZAV) zeigen Wege auf, um im Ausland zu arbeiten oder zu studieren. Wissenswertes vermitteln tägliche Vorträge über „Leben und Arbeiten an Bord“ sowie Informationen über EURES, eine Arbeitsmarktinitiative der Europäischen Union für mehr Mobilität. Das detaillierte Bühnenprogramm ist ab Ende Februar unter www.itb-berlin.de/karriere abrufbar.

Der ITB Young Professional Day am Mittwoch, 8. März 2017 ist ein wichtiger Termin für Berufsanfänger und akademische Nachwuchskräfte in der globalen Reisebranche. Best Practice-Beispiele und konkrete Ratschläge von erfahrenen CEOs geben Denkanstöße und Informationen zur Gestaltung der weiteren Laufbahn. Auf dem Programm stehen aktuelle Themen, wie zum Beispiel welche Tourismus-Absolventen die Tourismuswirtschaft 2025 braucht, Selbstständigkeit in der Reisebranche, Karrierewege, Digitalisierung der Tourismusbranche sowie die Gepflogenheiten für den beruflichen Erfolg: von der Begrüßung über die geschäftliche Kommunikation bis zum Business Dinner. Der Kongresstag wird abgerundet durch die Vergabe des ITB Berlin-Wissenschaftspreises der DGT. Gemeinsam mit der ITB Berlin prämiert die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Tourismuswissenschaft e.V. die Besten in den Kategorien: Dissertation, Nachwuchsarbeit, Arbeit zu Nachhaltigkeit im Tourismus und zu eTourismus.

Über die ITB Berlin und den ITB Berlin Kongress
Die ITB Berlin 2017 findet von Mittwoch bis Sonntag, 8. bis 12. März, statt. Von Mittwoch bis Freitag ist die ITB Berlin für Fachbesucher geöffnet. Parallel zur Messe läuft der ITB Berlin Kongress von Mittwoch bis Samstag, 8. bis 11. März 2017. Er ist weltweit der größte Fachkongress der Branche. Der Eintritt zum ITB Berlin Kongress ist für Fachbesucher kostenlos.
Mehr Informationen sind zu finden unter www.itb-kongress.de. Slowenien ist der Convention & Culture Partner der ITB Berlin 2017. Die ITB Berlin ist die führende Messe der weltweiten Reiseindustrie. 2016 stellten mehr als 10.000 Aussteller aus 187 Ländern ihre Produkte und Dienstleistungen rund 180.000 Besuchern, darunter 120.000 Fachbesuchern, vor.

Akkreditieren Sie sich ab sofort online für die ITB Berlin unter www.itb-berlin.de/Presse/Akkreditierung.
#ITBBerlin #Tourismus #MICEnews

Hotel industry in Europe keeps a positive trend

Hotel industry in Europe keeps a positive trend for the first quarter of 2016 despite terrorism fear

The latest ECM-MKG European Destinations Observatory report* points out that for the first quarter of 2016, European hotels keep up the positive trend with a 0.6 point increase in Occupancy Rate and 1% growth in Average Daily Rate** allowing the RevPAR*** to improve by 2%.

Despite widespread growth, contrasts can be observed when it comes to individual country performance. Factors such as the migrant crisis – affecting tourism in certain destinations – and the security environment following the Brussels attacks in March impacted hotel performance in several key destinations across the continent.

While some capitals are affected by the terrorism fear…

As the city was directly hit by terrorism, Brussels’ RevPAR dropped by 7.4%, mostly due to a 5.5 points decrease in Occupancy Rate. Other European capitals, such as London and Berlin, were also affected by these events, raising doubts about European security in the eyes of foreign clientele.

At the same period France (except the capital) regained a growth track especially thanks to RevPAR improvement in the whole country: Reims (+13.1%), Lille (+8.2%) or Marseille (+7.4%), Paris is still recovering from the consequences of the November attacks on tourism with a RevPAR decrease by 9.2%.

… others seem to recover “market shares”

Prague has reached a strong RevPAR, with 18.3% growth for this indicator. The organisation of several international medical trade shows in Prague significantly stimulated hotel performance. Amsterdam was also among the frontrunners in the European landscape (+17.1% in RevPAR), as hotels benefitted from the organisation of the Fespa Digital Amsterdam and other international business events. Budapest also registered positive results, with a 10.7% increase in RevPAR due to gains in Occupancy Rate (+2.7 points) and Average Daily Rate (+5.1%). Polish hoteliers benefited from the European men’s handball championships at the beginning of the year. Warsaw and Poland report increases in the RevPAR by respectively 1.3% and 6.1% on the first quarter. Austria posted a RevPAR increase by 5.7%, it is better than the capital, Wien (+0.6%).

In Northern Europe, Edinburgh observed a RevPAR increase by 7.5%, a trend totally different from London or Liverpool which decreased by 4.5% and 1.8% respectively.

Finally, performance across Southern Europe continued to improve, boasting higher results than in the 2015 first quarter. RevPAR in Lisbon grew by 2.4%, it strongly increased in Spain with San Sebastian (+34%), Zaragoza (+25.9%), Malaga and Seville (+21.7%), Barcelona (+16%) and Madrid (+12.8%). Rome and Turin are on a positive trend, with RevPAR increase by 2.4% and 4.2%.

All ECM members have exclusive access to the complete ECM-MKG European Destinations Observatory report with all the graphs and analysis.
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#ECM #EuropeanCitiesMarketing #MICEnews #MICEmedia

ACCESS Destination Services to accept payment of deposits via Meeting Escrow

ACCESS Destination Services to accept payment of deposits via Meeting Escrow

Meeting Escrow (www.MeetingEscrow.com) is proud to announce that ACCESS Destination Services (www.accessdmc.com) has officially confirmed acceptance of payment via its industry-leading deposit escrow service.

Chris Lee, DMCP, CEO of ACCESS comments, “Meeting Escrow is a long-overdue financial and risk management solution to challenges the Meetings Industry has been facing for years – how to protect client funds and ensure timely payment to supplier-partners. It provides our clients with 100% transparency and confidence for the advance payments they make to vendors around the world. ACCESS is proud to show its leadership by confirming its acceptance of this new standard of accountability for the industry.”

Grant Snider, Meeting Escrow President & CEO adds, “This is another exciting development for our company. As we expand our range of financial and risk management solutions for the Meetings Industry worldwide, we are proud to see a prestigious Destination Management organization such as ACCESS add their support for a new way of doing business.”

Meeting Escrow was founded by Grant Snider in 2015 to bridge a gap in the marketplace between buyers and sellers of Meetings Industry services. Both parties sign an escrow contract with Meeting Escrow for the total amount to be protected. Funds are wire transferred by the buyer directly to a distinct, uniquely identified Meeting Escrow bank account to the benefit of the supplier-partner and then the individual deposit payments are wire transferred out per the deposit payment schedule in the contract. Client funds are secure and fully protected and supplier-partners are paid on time.  In addition, escrowed deposits can be held in US dollars, Euros, Canadian dollars and 17 other foreign currencies, thereby shielding clients from exchange rate fluctuations. Meeting Escrow Inc. holds $5 million in liability coverage, underwritten by Lloyds.

Founded in 1969, ACCESS Destination Services sets the standard for excellence in award-winning destination management services throughout North America and the world.  Through global alliances with Pacific World and Amstar, ACCESS serves over 100 destinations throughout 30 countries. With global coverage and local expertise, ACCESS meets client objectives and exceeds expectations for corporate, incentive and association groups.

http://www.meetingescrow.com
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#Meetings #Access #meetingescrow #MICE #DestinationServices

MICEmedia News on Instagram

MICEmedia News on Instagram
MICEmedia-online.biz now also on #Instagram – Follow us here: www.Instagram.com/micemedia_online

#Travelgram #Hotelgram #Businessgram #MICEmedia #MICEbusiness #MICEnews #TourismNews #Tourism #MIF

Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau Showcases the City’s Pulse at ACE of MICE

Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau Showcases the City’s Pulse at ACE of MICE

LONDON (24 February 2015) – Turkey’s only MICE industry fair and Istanbul Convention Bureau’s (ICVB) industry partner, the ACE of MICE Exhibition, will be held at the Istanbul Congress Centre on 26-28 February gathering sector professionals from Turkey and around the world.

At the fair expected to attract more than 13,000 visitors, ICVB will promote Istanbul’s congress, conference, fair and exhibition facilities and incentives via one-to-one meetings with international sector professionals over the three days.

Goal to make Istanbul first choice for MICE…
ICVB’s General Manager Ozgul Ozkan Yavuz says: “We at ICVB are striving to make Istanbul the first go-to destination in international congress tourism and continue to work towards the city increasing its market share of the international MICE scene. To that end as an industry partner of the ACE of MICE Exhibition, which promotes the whole of Turkey, we look forward to a successful fair for both visitors and exhibitors. This year we will be taking members of the international media on tours of the city as the most direct way to experience and learn about Istanbul. We are very proud to be a part of the ACE of MICE Exhibition – the fair where the heart of the congress industry beats.”

The ACE of MICE Exhibition, established to created awareness of the MICE sector, is being held for the second time this year with exhibitors from 25 countries and will include the ‘ACE of MICE Congress, Meeting and Event Awards’ on 27 February at the Halic Congress Centre.

Photo Contest – Russian Symbols

Photo Contest – Russian Symbols | All about Russia |
Russkie Prostori
What is your favorite symbol of Russia? Matreshka, Balalaika, Vodka or something unique and particular? It does not matter whether you were in Russia or not, whether you are a professional photographer or just an amateur with a cell phone camera. Whatever your associations are we invite you to take part in our photo contest!

All you need to take a photo is your imagination!

YOUR ASSIGNMENT
– Photos should be associated with Russia
– Photos can be taken in Russia or anywhere else
– You may use a professional camera or your cell phone
– Only 3 photos from 1 participant can be submitted
– Your friends should “like” the page to vote

THE PRIZE
3 winners with the highest number of “votes” will choose from:
#1: Cheburashka as a symbol of Russian Olympic Team.
#2: White Military Ushanka Hat
#3: Pavlovo Pasad Shawl

Register your photo via Facebook or vote for your favorite photo!