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PUBLISHERS ANNOUNCEMENT
The Society of Event Organisers (SEO) which publishes this newsletter has moved to individual free membership, which can be taken up by organisers, convention bureaux, tourist boards, venues, suppliers and agencies in the event sector.
All will receive all the SEO’s free newsletters, which can be unsubscribed at any time, as well as a 20% reduction on all qualifications, tutorials and conferences presented by the SEO. Supplier members, venues and agencies receive a 20% reduction on advertising rates.
To sign up for free membership go to www.seoevent.co.uk
There's a fortune being made from stealing airline passengers' luggage, if the figure of 42 million pieces of "lost" luggage in 2007, up from 34 million in 2006, is correct.
And according to the Air Transport Users Council consumer watchdog many passengers struggle to get 10% of the value of the lost/stolen items from the airlines paid to look after them.
Accordingly the only potentially good news for the millions of victims is that the European Union is setting up a body to order airlines to pay appropriate compensation for the lost/stolen luggage.
Luton Airport is to become the first in the UK to charge passengers £1 for being dropped off at the terminal building.
The airport is operated by Spanish company Albertis which has already inflicted other invidious charges on its customers such as £1 to purchase the clear plastic bags needed to take liquids through security and a £1 charge to use luggage trolleys.
The world's largest hotel - 6745 bedrooms - is planned for Las Vegas by a development group based in Israel (Association Meetings International)
The move comes at a time of economic austerity in the US which has hit the gambling sector particularly hard.
Currently the First World Hotel in Malaysia with 6118 bedrooms is the world's largest.
Melbourne was the destination with the biggest growth in bookings last year, according to Opodo.
The top ten table, in which Australian destinations showed strongly, was:
Melbourne 400%
Singapore 219%
Delhi 165%
Brisbane 115%
Orlando 90%
Sydney 81%
Washington DC 68%
Johannesburg 56%
Hong Kong 43%
Kuala Lumpur 41%
The financial crisis in Iceland has delayed the opening of its new conference facility.
The Reykjavic Concert and Conference Centre, due to open in December this year will not now open until 2011 (C & IT)
When it does it will offer concert spaces for 200-1800, conference spaces for 60-750 and some exhibition space.
A new range of ten free workshops, Meetings Under the Microscope, is being added to the 60 other sessions offered to organisers visiting the IMEX international meetings industry exhibition held in Frankfurt, May 26-28.
Subjects covered include meetings content, whole audience engagement, managing emotional states, and the psychology of learning.
www.imex-frankfurt.com
The new Tivoli Congress Centre and Tivoli Hotel will open near Copenhagen's amusement park in late 2010.
The Centre will offer a congress hall for 2500 and seven other meetings areas, and the hotel will offer 400 bedrooms.
During the open season at Tivoli a courtesy bus will run the half mile to and from the hotel.
www.arp-hansen.com
The new Solaris conference centre opens in Tallin, Estonia later this year offering 13 meetings rooms for 50-1800 delegates.
www.solaris.ee
Organisers travelling to Sweden should know that the established independent restaurant guide, the White Guide is now published in English.
Featuring 250 of the Swedish version's 500 establishments the guide costs £6.25 .
www.whiteguide.se
The four-star Andels Hotel has opened near Alexanderplatz square, eastern Berlin, offering 559 bedrooms and conference facilities for up to 3000.
There is also a 550-metre wellness centre, and a 14th floor sky bar with panoramic views.
www.andelsberlin.com
Meanwhile Berliners are to see the first theatre production in Germany of the Mel Brooks comedy film The Producers, featuring tap-dancing stormtroopers and a comic Adolf Hitler.
A production ran with modest success in Vienna last year but opens next month in Berlin amid fears that the satirical pokes at the Nazis could be dangerously innappropriate at a time in Germany when the econonic problems are swelling support for the far right, as they did in the 1930s.
Although Berlin was the Nazi's Reich capital it produced a significantly lower number of votes for them than most other German cities.
A survey has revealed that German composers are the most popular amongst UK lovers of classical music.
Of 300 pieces voted as their favourites by readers of Classic FM 24% of them were written by German composers, with Beethoven, Bach and Brahms showing well.
British composers wrote 21% with most contributions from Vaughan Williams, John Williams and Elgar, while Russian favourites owed much of their 13% to Tchaikovsky, and Austrian selections (10%) to Mozart.
www.classicfm.com
A recent press trip to look at conference venues in Catalunya took in Barcelona, Girona, Sitges and Tarragona and the following is a round up of facilities seen.
BARCELONA has a modern conference complex which opened in 2004 and is located on the east side of the city, by the beach, around 30 minutes from the airport, 15 minutes from the centre and incorporating the regions largest shopping centre, the Diagonal Mar. The conference centre, the CCIB has a total capacity of 15,000, an auditorium for 3200, 45 meetings rooms for 25 to 2500 and 11,500 sq metres of exhibition space (www.ccib.es)
Hotels within easy walking distance of the CCIB include:-
Hilton Diagonal Mar, with 433 bedrooms, 20 suites, 10 meetings rooms for 20-900 (largest divisible into three) and a 15th floor Executive Lounge serving a free, and substantial, continental breakfast, and free drinks and canapes. Guestrooms have tea and coffee facilities (www.hilton.co.uk/diagonalmar)
AC Barcelona, one of 9 in the area, with 368 bedrooms (all with free mini bar - beer, water, soft drinks) and 17 meetings rooms for 12-550.(www.ac-hotels.com)
Diagonal Zero, just opened, with 262 bedrooms and suites, all with a 32" TV, stereo system, microwave and free internet access.There are 7 meetings rooms for 20-180.(www.hoteldiagonalzero.com)
Barcelona Princess with 364 bedrooms , 6 meetings rooms for 60-180, the highest swimming pool in the city and a Dali room for cultural contemplation.(www.princess-hotels.com)
On the west side of the city, about 15 minutes from the airport is the Palacio de Congressos de Catalunya, which opened in 2001 with 32 rooms fo up to 2000. Adjacent is the Hotel Rey Juan Carlos 1 with 375 bedrooms, 37 suites, 14 meetings rooms divisible into 19 areas and two large marquees in the hotels extensive gardens and pools area (www.hrjuancarlos.com)
In the city centre, behind the Fira de Barcelona exhibition halls is the Fira Palace Hotel with 276 bedrooms and suites, a Presidential Suite and 18 meetings rooms for 30-1200.(www.fira-palace.com)
In the Eixample district is the Hotel Alexandra which was completely renovated in January 2008 and has 109 bedrooms and 5 meetings rooms for 12-100. (www.hotel-alexandra.com)
And planned to open down on the waterfront in October this year is Barcelona's latest luxury property, the W hotel with 473 bedrooms and 10 meetings rooms for up to 1000.(www.starwoodhotels.com)
Those wanting to stage exhibitions have two large centres in the Montjuic Park area. The established Fira de Barcelona has seven large exnibition halls totalling 114,600 square metres and a conference centre with 2,800 square metres of spaces, and the modern and still developing Fira Gran Via with eight halls totalling 198,500 square metres, and a 13,000 square metre conference centre. (www.firabcn.es)
GIRONA, one hour north east of Barcelona also has a new conference centre, the Auditori Palau de Congressos, with a riverside location and offering a symphony hall for 1230, a chamber concert hall for 398 and 14 other spaces, and combinations of spaces. It is adjacent to the Girona Trade Fair Centre with 7815 square metres of exhibition space. (www.gironacongressos.org)
Hotels in the area include:-
Hotel Ciutat de Girona, centrally located in the historic part with 44 rooms offrering free internet access, free minibar and tea and coffee facilities, and three meetings rooms for 15/46/90. (www.hotel-ciutatdegirona.com)
Hotel AC Palau de Bellavista , located on a hill with views over the city, offering 74 bedrooms, 6 conference rooms for 46-600 and a 500 square metre outside terrace for al fresco entertaining. (www.ac-hotels.com)
Hotel Carlemany, in the downtown area and renovated in 2007, offering 89 bedrooms and 7 conference rooms for 15-400. (www.carlemany.es)
Hotel Melia Golf Vichy Catalan, located just outside Girona, near to the airport and offering 149 bedrooms, 11 meetings rooms and combinations of spaces for 16-285 and two 18 hole golf courses. (www.meliagolfvichycatalan.com)
SITGES, the major seaside resort of Catalunya and 30 minutes south west from Barcelona includes two large properties in its offering:-
The Dolce Sitges, located a few minutes down the coast from Sitges and enjoying views over the sea and the town, offering 263 bedrooms, some high quality catering and a major spa product. For events it has a ballroom for 425, divisible into two, 22 meetings rooms for 16-110 and 27 boardrooms for 14. (www.dolce-sitges-hotel.com)
The Melia Sitges, in town and overlooking the sea and marina, offering 307 bedrooms, including a very impressive Presidential Suite, an auditorium for 1380 and 19 rooms and combinations for 20-700. (www.melia-sitges.com)
TARRAGONA, 60 miles south west of Barcelona and boasting a very well preserved Roman amphitheatre, has the Palau Firal i Congressos de Tarragona, built on the site of a quarry and featuring the inimitable August Auditorium which holds 1145 and has its enormous stone arches coming out of the original rock walls. In addition there is another auditorium for 231, 10 meeting rooms for 60-180 and 2 multi purpose spaces of 2100 and 3000 square metres.(www.palaucongrestgna.com)
Two other venues for large numbers in the area are:-
La Boella Conventions Resort, a 12th century country house just outside Tarragona offering 6 meetings rooms for 30-700, a well regarded restaurant for 45, outside garden areas for dining, a vineyard and wine cellar for tasting events and a small 12 bedroom hotel. (www.laboella.com)
Hotel Termes Montbrio, near Reus, offering 214 bedrooms, 11 meetings rooms for 20-216, extensive garden areas and more than 1000 square metres of thermal spa facilities. (www.RocBlancHotels.com)
Note 1 International Event Organisers Update would like to thank the Catalunya Tourist Board, and the regional Spanish tourist boards for their help and hospitality in organising visits for the above. www.catalunyatourism.com
Note 2 The Spanish Tourist Office is presenting a workshop, A Taste of Spain Travel, featuring 80 organisations and taking place on June 2-3 at Vinopolis, London. www.atasteofspaintravel.com
The Society of Event Organisers (SEO) has moved to individual free membership, which can now be taken up by organisers, venues, convention bureaux, tourist boards, suppliers and agencies in the events sector.
Members will receive all the SEO’s free newsletters, which can be unsubscribed at any time, as well as a 20% reduction on all qualifications, tutorials and conferences presented by the SEO.
To sign up for free membership simply go to www.seoevent.co.uk
The list of events for 2009 includes:
o Certificate in Conference Venue Marketing, August
o Certificate in Conference Food and Beverage, June
o Certificate in Exhibiting, June
o Tutorial – How to write a press release, April and October
o Tutorial – How to be much more creative, April and October
o Certificate in Conference Organisation, March, August and November/December
o Diploma in Conference Organisation, August
o Conference – Delegate Agenda, April and October
o Conference – Training and Qualifications for Event Organisers, June
o Network Forums, February - November
Chateau des Vigiers is located near Bergerac in the Dordogne area of South West France and only 1 hour from Bordeaux. The Chateau is quite unique with wonderful architecture, a fabulous setting amongst 450 acres of gardens, vineyards and a spectacular 27 hole golf course. Our warm welcome, the luxurious comfort of our rooms, and the consistent high quality of our cuisine, make this the perfect environment for your Incentive trip. We have a total of 87 bedrooms and 7 meeting rooms. "The Relais", situated 200 metres from the Chateau, offers 40 bedrooms with its own Conference facilities, swimming pool, gymnasium, breakfast room and bar. This can be privatised for your exclusive use.
The area is perfect for sampling wonderful wines (not to mention our own wine estate) and tours and tastings can be organised. For something really different we can go hunting for truffles in the local truffle farms! With everything from rowing on the Dordogne River to private dinners at a traditional farmhouse, the area offers something very different and memorable.
CHATEAU DES VIGIERS
F-24240 MONESTIER
DORDOGNE
SOUTH WEST FRANCE
RESERVATIONS : +33 (0) 553 61 5000
Email us at bienvenue@vigiers.com
Visit our website at www.vigiers.com
VANCOUVER/CANADA – Where East meets West
An exciting destination, a clean city, operating with fabulous efficiency in spectacular surroundings.
9 HOURS FLYING TIME FROM LONDON – 15 HOURS FLYING TIME FROM SYDNEY
Interested in meeting in Vancouver? – If you require a venue for 50 or 1000 delegates we can help. Free information is available to qualifying organizers from Corporations, Association and Institutions, and a trip is planned for later in the year.
Contact:-
Greens Service Company
Established 1988
IATA/TIDS NO: 96046952
Enquiries to:-
TEL: 01934 612277
Or email: tim@gsc-events.com
CERTIFICATE IN CONFERENCE ORGANISATION (CCO)
This is a four day course with a 1½ hour, 150 question examination. Non-residential London course dates are hosted at 16 Park Crescent, London W1. Fee is £1,080 + VAT or £864 plus VAT if two or more delegates attend from the same organisation, or if delegate is an SEO member (Free sign-up at www.seoevent.co.uk).
o Putting Together a Conference Programme covering objectives, delegate needs, layouts, food and beverage, speakers and audio-visual Friday 6 March 2009 (London), Monday 24 August 2009 (London), Friday 20 November 2009 (London).
o Sourcing, Evaluating and Negotiating with Venues covering where to find the best venues, inspecting them and getting the best packages Friday 13 March 2009 (London), Tuesday 25 August 2009 (London), Friday 27 November 2009 (London).
o Conference Administration covering contracts, organisation, delegate and speaker care, trouble-shooting and evaluation Friday 20 March 2009 (London), Wednesday 26 August 2009 (London), Friday 4 December 2009 (London).
o Staging a Conference for Profit covering conception, budgeting, pricing, getting sponsorship and marketing. Examination. Friday 27 March 2009 (London), Thursday 27 August 2009 (London), Friday 11 December 2009 (London).
The CCO can also be delivered as an in-house presentation anywhere – call + 44 (0) 1767 316255 or e-mail to peter-cotterell@seoevent.co.uk
CERTIFICATE IN CONFERENCE VENUE MARKETING (CCVM)
This is a four day non-residential course for marketing and sales staff working in conference venues, and those promoting conference venues. There is a 1½ hour written examination. The CCVM is being hosted at 16 Park Crescent, London W1 and fees are £1,200 plus VAT per delegate with a reduction to £960 plus VAT per delegate if two or more delegates attend from the same organisation or if delegate is an SEO member (Free sign-up at www.seoevent.co.uk). The outline programme (full programme on request) is:-
Day One: Nature of the markets, branding, pricing, zero-cost marketing, advertising.
Day Two: Press relations, writing impressive press releases, finding the best stories, handling bad press,.
Day Three: Direct marketing, e-mail marketing, effective direct mailings, copywriting, telemarketing.
Day Four: Exhibitions, maximising the leads, special; events, show-rounds. Examination.
The CCVM takes place August 24-27 in 2009. It can also be presented on an in-house basis anywhere. call + 44 (0) 1767 316255 or e-mail to peter-cotterell@seoevent.co.uk
Two one-day tutorials How to Write a Press Release and How to be Much More Creative. Also new is a one-day organisers networking and discussion presentation Delegate Agenda. Call + 44 (0) 1767 316255 for details.
In addition to the above the SEO presents in-house workshops on such subjects as exhibiting successfully, manning an exhibition stand, running a small exhibition, negotiating with suppliers, conference catering, legal aspects of running events, presenting persuasively and many more. Call + 44 (0) 1767 316255 for more information.
o Event Organisers Update (EOU) for those running UK based conferences and seminars. www.eou.org.uk
o Incentive Travel Update (ITU) for those using travel as a motivator www.eou.org.uk
o Association News (AN) for those who associate. www.associationnews.org.uk
o Charity Matters. www.ezinematters.com
o Marketing Matters (from March 2009) www.ezinematters.com
A 100-word announcement costs from £95 in this section of International Event Organisers Update (IEOU) and reaches 12,000 organisers.
To download full details and a booking form visit www.eou.org.uk Alternatively call + 44 (0) 1767 316255 or fax to + 44 (0) 1767 316430.
Edited and distributed by:
Society of Event Organisers
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