New education formats and topics set to drive value at IMEX 2013

New education formats and topics set to drive value at IMEX 2013

NEWS RELEASE – March 2013
New education formats and topics set to drive value at IMEX 2013

– Education programme news; hot topics and speakers

– New: Networking Hub

– New: Research Pod

– New: Exclusively Corporate @IMEX Programme

– New: German education partnership plus Compliance Clinic

– Education highlights – by day

Eight education tracks which include ‘industry trends’, ‘personal development’ and ‘sustainability’ define IMEX in Frankfurt’s free professional development and education programme for 2013. Over 100 one-hour seminars, interactive workshops and informal ‘campfires’ (small group learnings which happen ‘in the round’ on the show floor) are scheduled for the award-winning trade show, starting Tuesday 21st May at 8.45hrs.

Based on current hot topics, some of the most popular sessions are set to include: “How to keep the lawyers out – Contract Management” by IAPCO and PCMA; a Strategic Meetings Management co-creation workshop led by Peggy Hemphill of Your Corporate Source and Betsy Bondurant of Bondurant Consulting; “How Bar Camps and Hybrid Events can enrich Meetings” by Brita Moosmann of Yieldforprofit and Wolf-Thomas Karl, Partner, Karl & Karl; “How to create a social media strategy” by Christine Fuchs and Gerrit Heijkoop of Casehunters and “You’re Hired! Powerful Interview Techniques to Get the Job,” by Avinash Chandarana, Global Learning and Development Director, MCI.

Shorter education sessions and campfires at IMEX take place on the Inspiration Centre, Sustainability Hub, Tech Tap or the new Networking Hub (which includes wellbeing advice) on the show floor. Longer seminars all take place outside core business hours and occur in dedicated rooms in Halls 8 or 9 of Messe Frankfurt.

New German education partnerships
A new shape to the German language education programme, which is delivered by founding partners the German Convention Bureau (GCB), sees speaker bureau, Speakers Excellence, providing the majority of German presenters. The German education content will be based on a different theme each day, with ‘compliance’ the key topic for Tuesday, ‘social media’ on Wednesday and ‘personal development’ on Thursday. As a part of the new programme, a German keynote session will take place each morning at 9.00hrs on the topic of the day. In addition, with the issue of compliance currently dominating the German meetings and events industry, IMEX will also be running a new Compliance Clinic in co-operation with Veranstaltungsplaner.de.

Two important and targeted education and networking events also take place the day before IMEX opens. The show’s hallmark Association Day, which provides tailored education and networking for association executives, is on Monday 20th May and runs concurrently with the new Exclusively Corporate @IMEX, which is a two-track private event for corporate executives and corporate meeting planners.

Says Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group: “The quality and variety of our education programme has become more and more important to the wider business value provided by IMEX and, for that reason, each year we devote a lot of resources to getting the mix and the content right. With the help and contribution of many excellent industry partners and experts we are proud to present a well-structured, appealing and also comprehensive programme which covers those subject areas that matter most for business success in 2013 and beyond.”

New education initiatives
• This year IMEX devotes an area of its show floor Inspiration Centre to a new Research Pod where in-depth discussions about industry research will take place twice daily.

• 45 minute education ‘bites’ aimed specifically at exhibitors – called ‘Lightening Learning Labs’ – will include “Compliance and Security for the Hospitality Industry” and, due to its relevance and popularity, a session carried over from IMEX America: “A View from Meeting Planners: Winning Strategies” presented by Karyl Leigh Barnes, Senior VP/Partner and Daniella Middleton, Director at Development Counsellors International.

• Responding to desire from buyers for enhanced networking opportunities, a new Networking Hub will offer a selection of networking and wellbeing events, such as “Qi Gong Energizers” at 10.00hrs, a networking “Healthy Breakfast Blitz” at 10.45hrs, 30-minute daily “Grab and Go” networking sessions at 14.30hrs and, rounding off each day “The Power of Meditation” campfires at 16.00hrs.

New shape to German education programme
Among Tuesday’s German compliance sessions will be “Compliance as an opportunity – The vision of an agency versus the reality of an auditor,” which will be a staged dialogue between Walter Schlegel, TÜV Cert Compliance Auditor and Dominik Deubner, owner of DOMSET Live-Kommunikation. Wednesday’s social media sessions will include business expert, Tim Cole, presenting on “Medium-sized enterprises 2020 – How to react successfully to the challenges of digitalisation and networking”. Come Thursday’s Personal Development day, well-known nutrition and exercise motivator, Patric Heizmann is bound to pull in a large crowd with “Easier than you think – The fit and healthy event.”

Tuesday May 21st
Amongst the education sessions currently planned for day one of the show, are “Itsy Bitsy Spider”, a sustainability motivation session by Amy Spatrisano of MeetGreen®; “Evaluating Meeting Technologies” by Ken Clayton, Director of RefTech; “Events are the new rock ‘n roll – The Amazing Transformational Power of Music” by Andy Sharpe of Song Division; “25 Strategies for Leadership Success – Regardless of Sex” by Susan Sarfati, CEO, High Performance Strategies and Liz Jackson, President, Jackson Consulting Inc and “Engaging Agents with Improved Incentive Practices” by Tom Wilson, Vice President and Financial Services Sector Lead at Maritz Travel.

Wednesday May 22nd
Wednesday morning education kicks off at 8.45hrs with an ASAE session, “Trends, Issues, and New Competencies: Implications for Today’s Meetings Professionals” by Claire Smith, CMP, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Vancouver Convention Centre. Later in the day comes Lindsey Rosenthal, Chief Strategist at Events For Good’s “Curating and creating bite-size content”; “From Cost to Investment – Monetising Mobile Apps” by Thorben Grosser, European Business Development Manager for EventMobi; “Aviation in the MICE Business – Facts, Figures and Trends” by Paul Walker, Business Development Director at Air Partner plc, and, a Lightning Learning Lab – “Sell, Sell, Sell, Tips for Trade Show Success” with Jonathan Cohen, Director, Azimuth Marketing Communications.

Thursday May 23rd
Education continues until 14.30hrs on the final day of IMEX and includes “A Great Deal – Using Negotiation to get Results” by trainer, Maxine Rie; “How to market your event for maximum results” with Kerrin MacPhie, Director of Sales at ACC Liverpool and a Sustainable Events Summit case study by Charlie Banks, Business Development Manager at Positive Impact.

IMEX in Frankfurt is well-known for the scope and diversity of its education programme, which is one of three core activities that drive the show’s value every year; the other two being business appointments and networking opportunities. All IMEX education is provided free of charge as part of the organisers’ commitment to helping the international meetings, events and incentive travel industry develop and grow. Many of the industry’s leading trade associations also use IMEX to share latest insight with their members, as well as providing informed education for all visitors.

Using the IMEX App allows visitors to save and view their personal list of events and seminars while also being able to check what’s coming up in the next hour. A ‘notes’ facility also give app users the chance to take notes during seminars and then email them back to themselves or share them with absent colleagues.

For registration information, see www.imex-frankfurt.com/register.php

PCMA ANNOUNCES 2012 ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

PCMA ANNOUNCES 2012 ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

Chicago, IL, November, 2012: Each year, the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) honors outstanding members for their contributions to PCMA and the meetings industry. PCMA is proud to announce the winners of the 2012 Achievement Awards, who will be recognized at the 57th PCMA annual meeting: Convening Leaders, January 13-16, 2013, in Orlando, Florida.

“PCMA recognizes and celebrates the exceptional accomplishments of our 2012 Achievement Award winners” said PCMA President and CEO, Deborah Sexton.

2012 Distinguished Member of the Year Award
The recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Member of the Year Award is John Folks, President, Minding Your Business, Inc. John is a former Chairman of the PCMA Board, an exiting member of the Board of Trustees, has attended 23 PCMA annual meetings, numerous other headquarter and chapter meetings, and participated as a speaker in over 40 industry educational sessions, most of them with PCMA. His engagement has been fueled at both the chapter and national levels – as a committee member and in volunteer leadership roles. John actively assists other members with finding value intheir PCMA membership and is committed to his community and social issues.

2012 Distinguished Meeting Professional of the Year Award
The 2012 Distinguished Meeting Professional of the Year Award winner is Jody Egel, CMP, CAE, Meetings Manager, Million Dollar Round Table. Jody has played a critical role in PCMA’s development of global education; she was Chair of the 2011 International Summit and 2012 Chair of the Global Task Force. As a vocal advocate for the industry, Jody is often a contact to people seeking information on the hospitality industry. Sharing her passion, providing information on networking and job opportunities and responding to the questions of people interested in the hospitality industry confirms her dedication to the industry and for PCMA.

2012 Distinguished Service Professional of the Year Award
The 2012 Distinguished Service Professional of the Year Award winner is Scott Collinsworth, Director of Sales, SWANK Audio Visuals, Hyatt Regency at the Colorado Convention Center. Throughout his 22 year career, the Immediate Past President of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of PCMA, has consistently established himself as an outstanding individual leader within the Hospitality and Meetings Industry in Denver, Colorado and all over the country. Scott has been a true, dedicated professional mentoring both students and board members. Scott is a well know industry contributor and volunteer for numerous community groups.

2012 Emerging Leader Award
The winner of the 2012 Emerging Leader Award is Madeleine Bart. Madeleine is the 2012 Director of Communications for the Canada East Chapter, and Event Coordinator at CICA – The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. Madeleine also developed, with support from the PCMA Membership department, a strategic launch of the video with a chapter level “Member Get A Member” (MGAM) challenge that also aligns with headquarters’ MGAM program. The results of the challenge will be celebrated at the Canada East Chapter Reception at the PCMA Convening Leaders 2013.

2012 Outstanding Service to a Chapter Award
The winner of the 2012 Outstanding Service to a Chapter Award is Heidi Welker, Vice President Marketing, AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions. Heidi is currently President-Elect the Canada East Chapter. She has been Director of the PCMA Foundation for the Canada East Chapter in 2010, 2011 and 2012. As a result of her service and fundraising efforts nearly $6,000 has been raised since 2010. She is also the Director of the Canada East Chapter Advisory Council. Heidi encourages and mentors future leaders by empowering younger members to take leadership roles on committees of interest. Her personal commitments include involvement in fundraising activities in support of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society and the Alzheimer’s Society.

2012 Educator of the Year Award
The winner of the 2012 Educator of the Year Award is Tyra W. Hilliard, PhD, JD, CMP, Program Director, Associate Professor, Restaurant, Hotel and Meetings Management, Department of Human Nutrition & Hospitality Management, College of Human Environmental Sciences. She has developed bothundergraduate and graduate courses using industry best practices and focused the re-designing of her program’s curriculum on relevant marketplace competencies. Tyra is a mentor, teacher, researcher, scholar and advisor. Tyra is also a reviewer for the 6th edition for Professional Meeting Management® (PMM6).

2012 Innovation Award
The winner of the 2012 Innovation Award is Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. With growing concerns about Colony Collapse Disorder in North American honeybees, Fairmont saw an opportunity to help by placing hives in 20 hotels’ rooftop gardens. By harvesting the nearly 4,000 lbs. of honey per year chefs can offer delicious, local and sustainable honey for use in onsite bars and restaurants. Proving to be a success, the program has now extended beyond North America, with onsite hives thriving in Kenya and China as well.

2012 Spirit Award
The winner of the 2012 Spirit Award is the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC). VCC created a Public Tour Program to connect the local community and visitors to the Centre. This is an opportunity to tell the Vancouver Convention Centre story – the people, unique building design and sustainability features, and impact on the community and economy. Over 11,000 people have been hosted ontours to date. As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility program, VCC has partnered with several charities located in neighborhoods that are committed to supporting marginalized members of their community while also stimulating growth and revitalization.

2012 Environmental Leadership Award
The 2012 Environmental Leadership Award winner is Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. Recently, three Starwood representatives were invited by CTW to join them on a soap distribution in Guatemala. Jennifer Bauchner, Director of Rooms & Sustainability for North America, Kathryn Coiner-Collier, Director of Housekeeping from the Aloft Charlotte @ The EpiCentre and Victor Lopez, House Attendant from Sheraton San Diego (who was nominated by his peers for his commitment to the program) distributed 12,000 bars of soap in partnership with CTW to children and families while teaching them proper hand washing skills.

Additionally Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has sponsored student research teams such as one from The University of Cincinnati. This student team researched & analyzed how companies (within & outside of the hospitality industry) are tracking and communicating progress against consumption reduction goals they have set to be able to suggest a comprehensive program for doing so based on learning’s from research while ensuring transparency and accuracy in these efforts.

For further information, contact:
Alistair Turner at Davies Tanner
T. +44 (0)1892 617 904
M. +44 (0)7801 710 238

Vancouver Tourism

Vancouver Tourism | April 2012

WESTJET ANNOUNCES DIRECT FLIGHT BETWEEN VANCOUVER AND CHICAGO
Starting May 14, Canadian airline WestJet will offer daily, non-stop service between Vancouver and Chicago. With O’Hare International Airport serving as a major hub for both domestic and international flight connections, the new route is expected to facilitate business and leisure travel between Vancouver and key destinations not only in the U.S. but also worldwide. Passengers travelling on WestJet’s new route, as well as on the airline’s new service between Calgary and Chicago, will fly on the company’s own Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft (service to other Canadian destinations, including Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, are provided on partner American Airlines’ code-share flights). Introductory, one-way fares from Vancouver start at $169 (plus taxes and fees).

TOURISM VANCOUVER NAMED ONE OF CANADA’S BEST CVBS
Tourism Vancouver has been named one of Canada’s top three Convention and Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) in Meetings + Incentive Travel magazine’s 16th annual Market Report study.

Every year, Meetings + Incentive Travel conducts what is widely considered the most comprehensive survey of Canada’s meetings and incentive travel industry. During the survey process, the publication polls its primary readership – comprised of executives and managers, meeting planners, travel agents and others – and aggregates data into categories including corporate, third-party and not-for-profit/association.

The 2011 survey featured a new, open-ended question in the Reader’s Choice Section asking which Canadian CVB exceeded readers’ expectations and best catered to their group’s needs in the past 12 months. Tourism Vancouver was named among the top three Canadian CVBs to have exceeded planners’ expectations.

HOW TO “VANCOUVERIZE” YOUR NEXT MEETING
Looking for a way to WOW your delegates and infuse your meeting with authentic Vancouver flavour? Our expert Meeting and Convention sales and service team has unique ideas to share with meeting planners on how to do just that. This month, Nicole Havers, Sales and Marketing Coordinator, shares one of her ideas:

“There is no better way to get acquainted with an area than by flying over it. The Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre is located at the Vancouver Convention Centre, so it’s extremely convenient for convention delegates to step out of their sessions and onto a scenic flight seeing tour.”

Whistler Air specializes in scenic tours complete with commentary from the pilot telling passengers all about the history, geology and features of beautiful British Columbia. To make this pre or post activity even more irresistible, Whistler Air is currently offering convention delegates a 15% discount. Call toll free 1-888-806-2299, or visit www.whistlerair.ca for more details.

To find out more ways on how to “Vancouverize” your next meeting, email Nicole at nhavers@tourismvancouver.com.

BC EVENT MANAGEMENT WOWS IBEW DELEGATES
Tourism Vancouver has a wide array of talented member businesses that can contribute to your next successful meeting, including Canada’s record holder for national and global industry awards and nominations, BC Event Management. BCEM President David Clark believes it’s important for meeting planners to include an unforgettable reception in their programs because it adds great value to the overall convention experience and assures delegates will attend the next convention knowing they can expect top entertainment as well as business sessions.

Last September, BCEM managed the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Conference’s First District gala reception – and this event had it all: a foyer pre-show; a 150 foot custom programed MegaVideo screen; a suspended artist producing a theme painting; a 35 foot tall marionette lifting up cirque performers; a cast of hundreds of percussionists and dancers of the main show with pyro-confetti accompanying the show’s finalé; a world class fireworks show in the harbour; a fire jugglers/fire performers show on the Vancouver Convention Centre Terrace; and finally a top dance band to close out the night.

This production took home two awards at the 2012 Canadian Event Industry Awards on March 30, 2012, including top prize for “Most Outstanding Event” (in top budget category) and “Best Entertainment Production.” View the awe inspiring opening gala event video here, and start imagining what BCEM could do for your next event.

WORLDMUN CONFERENCE CONCLUDES AND COMMENDS TOURISM VANCOUVER
“It has been quite a 2-year ride for us, but the conference came to a great conclusion and was an amazing success! We’ve received a lot of very positive feedback, almost universal, particularly from returning attendees who have been calling us the “best ever” WorldMUN conference. ‎For instance, “WorldMUN 2012 was as great as expected, which is big, because nothing is ever as good as expected. It was phenomenal.” They loved the city, and they loved our event. The weather wasn’t too bad either, it was relatively mild and dry for a Vancouver March.

We’ve been resting for the past week or so since it ended, but I just wanted to say that we really appreciate all the help we’ve received from Tourism Vancouver throughout the entire process — all the emails, contacts, hotel lists, airfare assistance, visas, information, meetings, etc., and of course those maps and city handbooks! Thank you so much.

Here is a video of the finale of our Closing Ceremony from last Thursday at Jack Poole Plaza, with the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron and fireworks display.”

Kenneth Chan
Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Host Committee
World Model United Nations 2012

VANCOUVER NAMED WORLD’S BEST WEEKEND ESCAPE BY OUTSIDE MAGAZINE
In its annual Travel Awards, Outside magazine named Vancouver the world’s Best Weekend Escape. The awards honour the best destinations and experiences across all seven continents, as determined by the publication’s global network of correspondents. The list includes the world’s top new adventures, exotic retreats, on-time airlines, scenic islands and more. Vancouver won for its West Coast delicacies and range of outdoor activity offerings, including “some of the best skiing, mountain biking, fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, and climbing on the planet.