MADRID ACCEPTED AS THE NEXT OFFICIAL PARTNER OF LEADING GLOBAL ALLIANCE

MADRID ACCEPTED AS THE NEXT OFFICIAL PARTNER OF LEADING GLOBAL ALLIANCE
BestCities welcomes the leading convention bureau on board

Madrid Convention Bureau (MCB) was today (16 MAY) officially confirmed as the twelfth partner of BestCities Global Alliance. The new signing will bring a truly dynamic international congress city and convention bureau to the alliance that now holds 12 members.

With more than three decades of experience, Madrid has played host in the last years to some of the world’s leading events including the World Petroleum Congress, the World Air Traffic Management Congress and The Congress of the International Dental Federation. With more than 14,000 meetings and events per year serving to more than 1 million delegates, MCB is already paving the way for global standards in the sector.

Adding value to MCB’s offering and shaping its future growth, BestCities will work with MCB to support future innovations and refine its legacy development, such as creating impactful city events for its future association meetings.

As the first BestCities destination within the Mediterranean, MCB will help the alliance establish stronger ties and a more pronounced presence within the area.  Very much in line with BestCities practice, MCB is committed to constantly evolving and reviewing its standards and undergoes an annual audit associated with ‘Q de Calidad Turistica’ – a quality certification for tourism services in Spain. Since 2012 MCB has passed the audit with flying colours, cementing its dedication to continually improving standards in its workings.

Madrid has been committed to improving its sustainability with various programmes aimed to target this issue including City Hospitality Desks which help to control the wastage of unused city brochures through a dedicated delegates desk at conventions. This has grown massively with 11 meetings serving over 18,000 delegates supported this way in 2016. Ambassador programmes are also a key investment for the MCB with its own platform that identifies individuals within areas including non-for profit, NGO’s and universities that have helped secure meetings in Madrid.

The BestCities partnership will support the MCB in acquiring knowledge in legacy development and position Madrid as innovative leaders in this field, alongside the other BestCities’ partners: Berlin, Bogotá, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Edinburgh, Houston, Melbourne, Singapore, Tokyo and Vancouver.

The MCB is the first destination to go through BestCities’ revised quality management system (QMS). With admission into the Alliance a guarantee to clients that the vital commitments to excellence such as venue capacity, international accessibility and infrastructure framework are a given, the new QMS further extends BestCities offering beyond the key convention elements a city must possess to host world class events. With a focus on advancing the purpose of meetings through vital areas including sustainability, accessibility and legacy development, it adds a further dimension and unique strength to its partner cities’ offering.

BestCities Board Chair, Jonas Wilstrup from Wonderful Copenhagen commented on the new signing:

“Madrid is a world class destination for conferences and events and we’re ecstatic to be welcoming them onto the BestCities Global Alliance. Madrid’s successful submission truly cements BestCities dedication to setting industry standards which we hope to help build with them over the next few years.

“Our dedication is to providing customers with seamless, worry-free services across a global network of cities. As our twelfth member, Madrid will enable us to continue to build the long-term loyalty by adding value through contributing to the cause of meetings. We’re excited to be able to offer our expertise particularly within this area.”

David Noack, Director of Madrid Convention Bureau said:

“MCB trust that becoming a member of BestCities will enrich our knowledge as a convention bureau by embracing their ethos for commitment to excellence. In short, our aim is to guarantee that each congress held in Madrid will be a unique and successful experience made possible through the close working of our organisations.”

For more information on BestCities and its upcoming events including the BestCities Global Forum in Tokyo (4-7 December 2017) visit www.bestcities.net  @BestCitiesGA

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#BestCities #GlobalForum #MCB #MICEnews #MICEmedia

BESTCITIES GETS READY TO WELCOME MADRID TO GLOBAL ALLIANCE

BESTCITIES GETS READY TO WELCOME MADRID TO GLOBAL ALLIANCE

BestCities Global Alliance is cementing its reputation as the world’s leading convention tourism destination partnership, with the announcement that Madrid is set to become its twelfth member in 2017.

Revealed today (10 January) at PCMA’s Convening Leaders conference in Austin, Texas, the Spanish capital’s Madrid Convention Bureau (MCB) has been accepted as the newest member of the alliance, which also includes Berlin, Bogotá, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Edinburgh, Houston, Melbourne, Singapore, Tokyo and Vancouver.

MCB is expected to become a full partner in spring 2017, following a comprehensive internal review to ensure the city surpasses the highest quality commitments required of all BestCities partners.

BestCities Board Chair, Jonas Wilstrup, Convention Director of Wonderful Copenhagen Convention Bureau said: “Madrid is one of most established and vibrant international conference destinations in the world and we are proud to welcome them into our alliance. The combination of the exceptional work by MCB, supported by the city’s premiere meeting venues, modern infrastructure and rich cultural offering, make it the ideal candidate to join the BestCities family.

“Achieving and maintaining a standard of excellence that surpasses our clients’ expectations is at the heart of BestCities offering. Madrid’s preliminary membership not only further strengthens the alliance and its profile in Europe, but will help BestCities build on its ambitions and commitment to help clients create lasting legacies for their organisations and events.”

With Madrid ranked fifth in the world by the ICCA International Congress rankings and voted “2016 Best MICE Destination” at the 2016 IBTA Business Travel Awards, MCB is one of the world’s most experienced and successful convention bureaus.  During the last year, the city hosted 14,283 meetings, welcoming over 1 million delegates.

A popular destination for international association meetings, high profile events coming to Madrid in 2017 include the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology ESMO 2017, the European Congress of Medical Oncology EULAR 2017 and the 54th. European Renal Association and European Dialysis and Transplant Association congress.

David Noack Pérez, Director of Madrid Convention Bureau said: “Madrid is a lively and friendly city where everyone feels at home; at the same time, it offers a safe and comfortable setting where taking time out and doing business are equally enjoyable. Its rich artistic and natural heritage, cutting-edge transport network, quality accommodation, fine cuisine and the passion locals show when enjoying our city’s day and night life make Madrid one of the most attractive cities.

“MCB is confident on the fact that becoming a member of BestCities will not only enrich our knowledge as a CB but also that Madrid can for sure enrich the excellent offer for holding events that BestCities represents. Our aim, in short, is to guarantee that in Madrid, each congress held will be a unique and successful experience and this association will contribute on it.”

MCBs’ preliminary BestCities membership follows in the footsteps of Greater Bogotá Convention Bureau, who became a full BestCities partner in April last year, the first Latin American bureau to join the high profile alliance.

For more information on BestCities and its upcoming events visit www.bestcities.net  @BestCitiesGA

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Edinburgh wins bid to host ICCA Congress 2020

Edinburgh wins bid to host ICCA Congress 2020
High profile team helps to secure prestigious international conference for Edinburgh

Edinburgh, 13 May 2016 – Edinburgh has won its bid to host the biennial International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) Congress 2020 in what is estimated to be a £2 million boost to the local economy that will see over 1,200 delegates in attendance.

The team bid partnership comprising the Scottish Arbitration Centre, Convention Edinburgh, Conference Partners, Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) and VisitScotland, also gained national high profile support including the UK Prime Minister, Scotland’s First Minister and representatives of the national and international arbitration and legal communities.

The ICCA’s 2020 Congress, which is supported by VisitScotland’s Conference Bid Fund, is the world’s largest conference devoted to international arbitration. The ICCA is a worldwide non-governmental organisation devoted to promoting the use and improving the processes of arbitration and other forms of international commercial dispute resolution. Its activities include convening international arbitration congresses and conferences, sponsoring authoritative dispute resolution publications, and promoting the harmonisation of arbitration and conciliation rules, laws and practices.

In securing the bid win, Edinburgh bet off stiff competition from Copenhagen, Stockholm, Vienna, St Petersburg, Vancouver and Mexico City.

ICCA President, Donald Donovan, said: “We are delighted to be going to Edinburgh in 2020, and congratulate the bid committee on having prevailed in the face of stiff competition from a strong field of bidders. After recent ICCA Congresses held in Rio, Singapore and Miami, this year’s event in Mauritius, and a 2018 Congress scheduled for Sydney, ICCA looks forward to bringing the Congress to Europe in 2020. We’re confident that ICCA Edinburgh will provide a spectacular platform from which to pursue ICCA’s mission to address the toughest issues facing international commercial and investment arbitration.”

Andrew Mackenzie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Arbitration Centre welcomed the news that the ICCA’s 2020 Congress will be hosted in the Centre’s home town and said: “We look forward to showing the international arbitration community what Scotland has to offer and are confident that this conference will put Edinburgh firmly on the map as venue and a seat of international arbitration.”

Lesley Williams, Head of Business Tourism at Convention Edinburgh said: “The successful bid to bring ICCA 2020 to Edinburgh is a testament to the solid collaboration between all parties involved with the project. Not only will this high profile conference bring around 1,200 delegates and generate almost £2 million for the local economy, it will play a crucial role in raising Edinburgh and Scotland’s global reputation in international arbitration.”

Nicola McGrane, Managing Director at Conference Partners said: “We are delighted with that the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) has chosen Edinburgh to host their 2020 Congress. The partnership working with the bid partners throughout the bid process was crucial to the success of bringing ICCA 2020 to Edinburgh. We believe this team approach has been reflected in our success and highlights the warm welcome delegates will experience in Edinburgh in 2020.”

Marshall Dallas, the EICC’s Chief Executive, said: “We are thrilled that Edinburgh and the EICC have been chosen to host this prestigious international conference in the face of significant global competition. It is a testament to the hard work from the team and our supporters – overall it is great news for the city and the economy. It seems fitting that the ICCA Congress is being held in a city and nation renowned worldwide for its proud and progressive legal tradition.”

Rory Archibald, Business Development Manager at VisitScotland, said: “Winning the right to host the ICC World Congress is another coup for Edinburgh, and is testimony to the capital’s enormous appeal to conference organisers, as a city which boasts cutting-edge facilities as well as incredible history and heritage. Business events is an industry worth nearly £2 billion to the Scottish economy and we are delighted to be supporting this prestigious event through the VisitScotland Conference Bid Fund.”

For further information on Convention Edinburgh and its services at www.conventionedinburgh.com @conventions
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#EICC #conventionedinburgh #VisitScotland #ICCA #MICE #MICEnews #investEdingburgh

THE OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE TEAM KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR AT PCMA CONVENING LEADERS IN CANADA

PRESS RELEASE
THE OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE TEAM KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR AT PCMA CONVENING LEADERS IN CANADA

Muscat, January 12th 2016 – The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre’s (OCEC) international promotional campaign continued in 2016 by participating in the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Convening Leaders held in Vancouver, Canada. During this highly influential event, the OCEC Team connected with key decision-makers and meeting planners and shared the tremendous possibilities of Oman as an emerging destination and the OCEC as the region’s business events hub.

“The OCEC has a unique partnership with PCMA and the development of strong relationships with professional associations is one of the cornerstones of our business development plan,” said Trevor McCartney, the OCEC General Manager. “We were able to leverage existing links and create new connections with associations representing some of the key industries for Oman’s 2020 economic diversification strategy. It was also a great opportunity to update the PCMA Oman International Advisory Board on the final preparations for our fast approaching launch in September 2016.”

The OCEC General Manager went on to explain that there is a great deal of interest in the business events industry in Oman as a country and the OCEC as a venue. According to McCartney, various elements prompting that interest include the Centre’s phenomenal facilities, the Sultanate’s outstanding natural assets, as well as the incredible wealth of intellectual capital in a variety of sectors and the opportunities of knowledge exchange it offers.

Richard L. Baltimore III, Adviser to the Omran Board of Directors, the Sultanate’s master developer of the OCEC, commented that “Networking among this prime concentration of over 4,000 senior international business meeting industry leaders afforded a prime opportunity to introduce and promote the Sultanate of Oman as a serious contender within the growing global convention and business events industry. Although less well known than some other established destinations, I found both North American and other attendees to be very receptive to representations about the historical richness and uniqueness of Oman and its people. Indeed, the OCEC will herald a wide range of new opportunities and serve as an ideal vehicle to showcase the Sultanate’s immense intellectual capital, while acting as a catalyst to promote economic growth, research innovation and entrepreneurship.”

In addition to various meetings with industry representatives from around the world, the OCEC Team also met with Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International. The company recently acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, creating the world’s largest hotel combined company with 1.1 million rooms in more than 5,500 hotels in over 100 countries. The new five-star hotel, situated at the heart of the OCEC precinct will be operated under the JW Marriott brand.

With more than 6,500 members and 50,000 customers, PCMA is the world’s leading organisation and definitive authority for meetings and event professionals. In 2014, the OCEC signed a strategic partnership agreement with PCMA and a group of 13 influential, international buyers visited Oman to experience the destination first-hand and participate in the inaugural PCMA Oman Advisory Summit- the first Green Field destination outside of North America to stage such a summit. A second PCMA Oman Advisory Summit will take place at the OCEC in September 2016.

First EDGE Seminar resounding success

First EDGE Seminar resounding success

“It was with some trepidation that I agreed to host the first EDGE Seminar” commented Jan Tonkin, MD of The Conference Company, “as New Zealand is often perceived to be a faraway destination, possibly even on the edge of the world. With a new educational offering, I felt this might be a challenge. I was delighted therefore to well exceed our target numbers, with participants travelling from Zimbabwe and Australia to take part in this innovative environment. The support I received from Tourism New Zealand Business Events and the Auckland Convention Bureau was a major contributing factor to the success of this seminar“.

Michel Neijmann, Figur, Istanbul; Mathias Posch, ICS, Vancouver and Jan Tonkin comprised the international faculty, sharing their extensive experience. Listening to presentations, however, formed only a small part of the programme: interactive and conversational discussion, sharing experiences, deep dive sessions on topics such as Bidding and Serving the Clients of the Future played a key part allowing participants to engage with the themes and bring away insights and strategies that have an immediate impact on the way they work in today’s fast pace environment. Over 40 participants took part, representing an even split between PCOs, Convention Bureaux and venues, engaging in a programme that was intensely focused on the future of the meetings industry and the rapidly changing realities of life as a PCO. Participants took an in-depth look at a range of issues preoccupying the meetings world right now including delegate engagement and experiences, hybrid meetings and managing project finances.

While time to showcase Auckland was limited, the group dined on two occasions at offsite venues and enjoyed great views of the city’s harbour on one side and a park on the other from the daylit meeting room on the top floor of the Pullman Hotel.

“EDGE lived up to its name” commented Jan, “this truly was dynamic global education, and I am proud that New Zealand lived up to its reputation as a first-class destination and that IAPCO is continuing its remit of providing expert education for meetings industry professionals”.