The DMC Network and Ovation’s 5th Annual Talent Search

The DMC Network and Ovation’s 5th Annual Talent Search ‘Raises the Roof’ at IMEX America
The DMC Network and Ovation Global DMC’s 5th Annual Talent Search kicked off on the Tuesday evening of IMEX America in Las Vegas last week. Taking place in the Marquee Night Club at The Cosmopolitan hotel, this year’s event drew its largest ever crowd ever, welcoming over 900 delegates from the show to celebrate Las Vegas as a destination.

‘’This year’s event was all about Las Vegas’’ shared Dan Tavrytzky, Managing Director of the DMC Network. ‘’The tragic events of the week prior were upsetting on so many levels. We as destination professionals know just how valuable tourism is for the Las Vegas economy, and how important it is to show support immediately after an event like this. We knew we wanted to acknowledge the victims and their families in a way that still supported the destination – cancelling our event would not have done that so we decided to change the format from our traditional talent search, where industry delegates from around the world compete for the title of best performance and travel prize, and use our already well established evening to showcase local Las Vegas talent -giving them the opportunity to shine and highlight that the city is open for business, while also partnering with the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada to raise much needed funds for the destination through a raffle for all attendees.’’

Guests were treated to an energetic show by three local Las Vegas bands, each showcasing their own unique take on popular music, with an esteemed panel of industry judges from Experient, Marriott International, Switzerland Convention and Incentive Bureau and Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Raffle tickets were sold to win a 5 night stay at the Westin Paris and air travel or a year’s membership with MPI, while the crowd was entertained with energetic covers into the morning hours. Local band ‘STATUS’ was ultimately crowned the winners at the end of the evening.

Speaking of the win, this year’s winning band said ‘’We are honored to receive the trophy at this year’s show. At a time when Las Vegas needs support more than ever before, it is wonderful to see companies continuing to come to the destination and host their events – it sends a real, tangible message to the world that we are here and we are open for business. Our city’s economy is built on tourism so there is nothing more valuable than this kind of support’’

Judge Darren Temple, Chief Operating Officer of MPI is quoted as saying: ‘’MPI has been involved in the Talent Search since its inception 5 years ago. The change in format this year was something we were very supportive of – MPI’s membership base is a global one, and we all travel as a part of our careers – any opportunity to showcase local destination support as a wider industry group is one that we are happy to support.’’

Following the event, the dates for the 6th Annual Talent Search were announced as Tuesday the 16th of October 2018, and as always, in conjunction with IMEX America.

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NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR OVATION’S 2015 HUGGABILITY AWARD

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR OVATION’S 2015 HUGGABILITY AWARD

Now in its seventh year, Ovation’s annual Huggability Award has seen the great and the good of the international MICE industry recognised not only for their achievements, but for their personality, their attitude and their downright loveliness!

Nominations are now open to find a worthy and huggable successor to the 2014 Huggability Award winner Chris Baker.

“Chris took home the huggability crown last year due to his ability to get the job done no matter where the credit goes. Like any good destination expert, he exudes an unwavering passion for his home city of Chicago and always acts as an avid ambassador for the city. It will be a tough task this year to find someone as passionate, welcoming and huggable as Chris,” commented Aoife Delaney, Director of Global Sales at Ovation Global DMC.

As always, Ovation Bear will be sharing the nominations received for the 2015 award as soon as they are received. Keep an eye on the nominations board to see who is in the running to be crowned Most Huggable Person 2015.

Among the early nominations received are;
Kevin Hinton (Site Global)
Miha Kovacic (Slovenia Convention Bureau)
Ray Bloom (IMEX Group)
John Callely (Teeling Whiskey)
Nominations can be made before October 5th 2015 here and the winner will be unveiled at 11 am on Wednesday October 14th at Ovation’s IMEX America stand 2227.

Ovation Global DMC
Ovation Global DMC (www.ovationdmc.com), the Destination Services division of MCI, is a leading network of Destination Management Companies offering best-in-class DMC services to associations, corporations and agencies at over 100 locations across five continents. With its network of strategic partners and its alliance with the DMC Network (www.dmcnetwork.com), Ovation offers services in all major meetings destinations globally.

For further information contact;
Ian Hemmingway
Marketing & PR Manager

Ovation Global DMC
Tel: +353 1 2802641
ian.hemmingway@ovationdmc.com
www.ovationdmc.com

Slovenian Convention Bureau appoints SoolNua

Slovenian Convention Bureau appoints SoolNua
to advise on Strategy and Marketing for MICE

The Slovenian Convention Bureau has retained Ireland-based Meetings & Events consultancy SoolNua to advise them over the next 12 months on strategy and marketing for the lucrative meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) sector.

Announcing the appointment, Miha Kovačič, Director of the Slovenian Convention Bureau, said “After a decade of promoting and positioning Slovenia as a MICE destination it is time to go into a higher gear. We want SoolNua to take us to the next level. SoolNua owners Patrick Delaney and Pádraic Gilligan have immense industry experience and can help us drive forward with an compelling, engaging story of Slovenia as a MICE destination”.

SoolNua Managing Partner, Patrick Delaney said “We started as a DMC in Ireland and, from the outset, realized our first challenge was to build destination awareness. Slovenia has made great strides as a MICE destination but remains a shy, hidden gem. It needs to amplify its voice and tell its wonderful story with confidence and conviction. We are truly privileged to play a part in bringing this about”.

Gilligan added “During our recent trips to Slovenia we’ve been impressed by the quality of the MICE product. Slovenia may be small country but it offers extraordinary variety from city to countryside and mountain to maritime. Most of all there’s a palpable energy about the place, an easy friendliness in its people, a sense of welcome, a can-do attitude. As MICE buyers look increasingly for experiential authenticity, Slovenia is destined to emerge strongly”.

About the Slovenian Convention Bureau
The Slovenian Convention Bureau was established by the industry in 2004 to develop, position and promote the Slovenian meetings industry in the international market place and to represent the voice of the industry to the National Government. The Slovenian Convention Bureau is also the organiser of of Conventa, a trade show and exhibition that showcases the “New Europe” to international meetings and events planners.

About SoolNua
Established in early 2014 by Patrick Delaney and Pádraic Gilligan, SoolNua works with destinations, hotels and venues on MICE related matters including strategy, marketing and training. Delaney and Gilligan are former directors of MCI and the founders of Ovation Global DMC.

Ovation Global DMC Unveils Shortlist for the 2012 Huggability Award

Ovation Global DMC Unveils Shortlist for the 2012 Huggability Award

After an intensely busy three week period of online nominations, voting has now closed and Ovation Global DMC has unveiled the official shortlist of nominees for its 2012 Huggability Award.
The winner will be revealed during the IMEX America tradeshow in Las Vegas where Ovation will exhibit on Stand 418. The awards ceremony will take place on the Ovation stand at 3.45pm on Tuesday 9th October.

The ten shortlisted nominees are as follows:
· Bobbi Landreth, Manager, Sales Planning, FedEx Corporation
· Eduardo Chaillo, Executive Director of Meetings, Mexico Tourism Board
· Faye Bennett, Sales Manager, IMEX Group
· Jeff Hurt, Executive Vice President,Velvet Chainsaw Consulting
· Kathy Roche, Manager, Meeting & Convention Planning, Western & Southern Life, USA
· Riccardo Pizzuti, Event Manager, ega professional conference organisers, Italy
· Rick Lambert, President, Destinations Inc, USA
· Sharon Chapman, CMP, CMM, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
· Sue Pelletier, Editor/ Blogger, Penton Media, USA
· Thayer Phillips, Director of Transportation, Capitol Services, Inc., a DMC Network Company
More detail on these and all huggable nominees and the reasons for their nominations is available at http://www.ovationdmc.com/Huggability_Award_2012/Default.1493.html

Ovation Global DMC
Ovation Global DMC is a leading network of Destination Management Companies offering best-in-class DMC services to associations, corporations and agencies at over 100 locations across four continents. With its network of strategic partners and its alliance with the DMC Network (www.dmcnetwork.com), Ovation offers services in all major meetings destinations globally and in North America.

For further information contact:
Doris Reynolds
Marketing & PR Manager
Ovation Global DMC
Tel: +353 1 2802641
www.ovationdmc.com