Welcome to our June Edition of Best Meetings News
Explore our website to learn more about BestCities Global Alliance and its Partners – Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Edinburgh, Melbourne, San Juan, Singapore and Vancouver.
Meet in San Juan New Website
The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau has launched a new interactive website dedicated to meetings and conventions in San Juan. Tailored for meetings planners and convention delegates, MeetSanJuan.com offers in-depth information on accommodation, meeting venues and help for organisers to plan and host a conference, convention or exhibition in Puerto Rico's capital city of San Juan.
A centralised portal, MeetSanJuan.com joins other partner cities of BestCities Global Alliance in providing planners with details and facts on the city, points of interest, detailed maps, entertainment and dining guides. Planners can also obtain information about San Juan hotels, resorts and meeting facilities, the state-of-the-art Puerto Rico Convention Center, air lift and ground transportation, as well as send out an online Request for Proposal (RFP) for room blocks and other services.
The site also provides links to destination partners such as the Municipality of San Juan, the Puerto Rico Convention Center, Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association, and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. The city of San Juan, represented by the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, is a partner of BestCities Global Alliance, the world's first and only convention bureau alliance with eight partners on five continents, representing the highest standards of service in the meetings and convention industry.
For more information visit http://www.meetpuertorico.com, http://www.MeetSanJuan.com
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FEATURED STORY:
Edinburgh: Inspiring Conferences
Edinburgh was recently named a "Top Global City" in the inaugural IFEA (International Festivals and Events Association) World Festival & Event City awards presented during the 55th Annual IFEA Convention & Expo in St Louis, Missouri. Quite an accolade!
Edinburgh isn't just about festivals and events. Another recent survey, the European Cities Monitor ranked the city as the best in Britain – and among the top ten in Europe – for the quality of life experienced by people who live and work here. These definitely help to enhance the Scottish capital's international conventions allure and its reputation as a world-class conference destination.
Edinburgh hosts hundreds of conferences every year ranging from small events to large association meetings. The choice of venues in and around Edinburgh is endless with many exciting, unique properties for meeting planners to consider, as well as an ever expanding portfolio of conference services to choose from.
The capital's reputation among event planners from every quarter of the globe is set to be further driven forward in the next few months as the capital witnesses the completion of a number of significant redevelopment projects, including the Royal Museum Project and Portrait of the Nation as well as work on the expansion of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre complex.
The National Museum of Scotland will re-open on 29 July following USD$75.4 million transformation. Facilities for hosting special exhibitions, events, receptions, dinners and conferences will be better than ever. The prestigious Grand Gallery will accommodate up to 850 guests for dinner and a 200-seat auditorium with break-out rooms.
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, the world's first purpose-built national portrait gallery and one of Edinburgh's finest buildings, will re-open in November following a major redevelopment project. The USD$28.6 million refurbishment will not only feature new exhibitions and displays but also provide a new venue with a capacity of up to 300 for gala dinners and meetings.
The Edinburgh International Conference Centre is working on an USD138 million development that includes an underground 2,000sqm multipurpose hall featuring a moving floor system that can offer flat-floor exhibition and event space, or tiered banqueting configurations, a raked auditorium or an arena set-up. It will be completed in 2013.
Edinburgh Convention Bureau Ltd (ECB) is involved with a number of conference bids as far in advance as 2023 – these potential conferences have a variety of subject matter ranging from renewable energy to infectious diseases, reflecting Edinburgh's worldwide reputation as a centre of excellence in the fields of energy, medicine, life sciences, computing and electronics.
Sue Stuart, Chief Executive of ECB, said: "ECB has increased the 2011/12 economic benefit target achieved from conferences confirmed or assisted through the efforts of the Bureau by 4.1% to USD$142 million. We are optimistic that we can achieve this target based on the increase in the city's conference infrastructure provision, and the growing reputation of our many centres of excellence."
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Melbourne Shines as Conference Destination
"Melbourne is an excellent conference destination. Public transport worked well, and it was nice to have the accommodation, conference centre and the town centre all within walking distance."
Professor Andy Dent, Diamond Light Source (UK synchrotron)
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Geologists to Add USD$17.8 Million to Cape Town's Local Coffers
In another major coup for Cape Town and the Western Cape, the destination secured yet another big conference, which will draw between 6 000 and 10 000 delegates and contribute more than USD$17.8 million to the Western Cape economy. The 35th International Geological Congress (IGC) is set to take place in July/August 2016 and is the first confirmed booking for the expanded Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
"This is only the second time that this prestigious event will be hosted on African soil. Pretoria hosted the congress in 1929 – more than eighty years ago. It is truly our privilege to welcome these delegates from across the world and allow them to experience the hospitality South Africa is renowned for," said Calvyn Gilfellan, CEO of Cape Town Routes Unlimited.
"It was time that this conference came to Africa again and what better place than South Africa – widely considered the gateway to Africa. The continent is crammed with geological superlatives with many must-see sites for geologists. Cape Town was the first choice because it's a premier, value for money destination," added Dr. Craig Smith from the Geological Society of South Africa.
"It is events like these that underscore the importance of the envisaged convention precinct and justify the USD$91 million investment for infrastructure development needed to realise the vision of establishing Cape Town as one of the top long-haul convention destinations by 2020," commented Rashid Toefy, CEO of the CTICC.
The 34th International Geological Congress will take place next year in Brisbane, Australia.
For more information on the Cape Town and Western Cape business tourism experience, visit www.tourismcapetown.co.za or write to convention@tourismcapetown.co.za
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EDITORIAL:
Dubai Voted the Best Congress Destination in the Region
Dubai was voted the Best Meetings and Convention Destination at the World Travel Awards recently. The World Travel Awards are the most prestigious, comprehensive and sought after awards programme in the global travel and tourism industry aimed at honouring the best in the travel industry.
The award ceremonies, which take place around the world, reward excellence regionally and globally. Winners are voted by a cast of 167,000 travel agents and tourism professionals from 175 participating countries.
According to Hamad bin Mejren, Executive Director of Dubai Convention Bureau, "We are honoured to be awarded this prestigious title. We pride ourselves on offering unparalleled service, infrastructure and opportunities to meeting planners and it's a pleasure to see that Dubai's efforts are recognised. With more than 40,000 delegates expected in Dubai this year, we look forward to welcoming more in the future".
Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) is the largest convention centre in the region with a capacity of 1,000,000sq ft. This venue offers state-of-the art facilities for exhibitions, conferences, meeting and events, and is a 10-minute drive from Dubai International Airport and directly linked to the metro station. With over 70,000 hotel rooms with different price range and categories, Dubai provides an unforgettable experience.
DTCM's Dubai Convention Bureau is committed to further develop and increase Dubai's share of the International MICE market and special events, and has successfully partnered with ITT, ICCA, MPI, IAPCO, ASAE and DMAI, all international associations who foster a global community for the MICE industry.
Dubai will be hosting a 3-day fully hosted programme for association meeting planners from 16-19 Nov 2011. Together with its fellow BestCities partners, this BestCities Client Workshop event is open to a select group by invitation. Included in the programme will be a Client Forum where participants can discuss common issues and share information. At the Client Workshop the following day, the eight BestCities destinations will be present to introduce participants to their cities' convention facilities and what their bureau can do to support meeting planners who bring their future meetings to their cities. Registration for this event is now open. For more information, contact Karina Lance (klance@dubaitourism.ae) or Jane Cunningham (jane.cunningham@bestcities.net)
All of us at BestCities Global Alliance look forward to welcoming you, and your delegates, to our destinations.
Best Practices. Best Meetings. BestCities.
Yours sincerely,
Karina Lance
Dubai Convention Bureau
On behalf of BestCities Global Alliance.
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Vancouver is Canada's Greenest City
Today's meeting planners know the importance of reducing our industry's impact on the environment. Vancouver is leading the charge when it comes to being environmentally friendly, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. It was recently named Canada's Greenest City by Corporate Knights Magazine (for the second year in a row), and Top Canadian Climate Change Fighter by the World Wildlife Fund. With an on-going commitment to mixed-use development, abundant green space, efficient public transit and sustainable building standards, Vancouver consistently ranks among the world's most liveable cities.
Vancouver stood out in the Canada-wide competition for its across-the-board sustainability, and its goal to transform into the world's greenest city by 2020. Environmental highlights in Vancouver include a new curbside compost program, renewable energy projects, the greenest building code in North America, and demonstrated climate leadership through exceeding greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Vancouver is also on the forefront of developing green roofs, including the new roof on the Vancouver Convention Centre that is home to a bee hive and over 400,000 indigenous plants.
"The Vancouver Convention Centre played a vital role by providing an environmentally-responsible venue for the World Urban Forum 3, which earned Four Star MeetGreen Certification for excellence in green meeting practices."
- Meeting Strategies Worldwide
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Hotel Bella Sky Comwell for Bella Donnas
Hotel Bella Sky Comwell in Copenhagen is the first hotel in Europe to dedicate an entire floor to women. The planning of the "Bella Donna" women's floor, which caters to women's special needs and only accessible with keycards, was contributed by a select group of well-travelled women.
According to a study conducted by the hotel, over half of the women surveyed said they preferred to stay on a women's floor. The study also stated that bathroom facilities were top on the female traveler's priority list with a must for a bathtub, extra large shower head, powerful hand shower, an excellent hairdryer and a large make-up mirror.
Apart from that, it noted that while spirits and beer were not a priority, a mini bar should offer juice, premium chocolate, champagne, wine and mineral water. The women also preferred a lounge area offering café latte, green tea, freshly squeezed juice, Danish and international newspapers, and women's magazines, as well as items such as stockings or an emergency kit with lip gloss, eye shadow, mascara, etc for sale.
The women surveyed were also found to be more interested in knowing a good place to dine alone with suitable entertainment rather than planned entertainment. They were also open to suggestions on suitable routes for jogs and walks.
P.S. Copenhagen hosted a BestCities Client Workshop from 8-10 June 2011. Nine association executives who are involved in the decision making for their future meetings participated in this event together with the eight BestCities destinations.
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MCVB Pioneers Groundbreaking Braille Survey
The Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCVB) is the first Convention Bureau in the world to use Braille as a research tool.
MCVB piloted the initiative in Kuala Lumpur recently at the ‘Vision Rehabilitation – Towards Better Vision' Conference, which focused on new developments in research and rehabilitation for those with low vision.
The groundbreaking survey saw questionnaires distributed in ten versions of Braille, as well as in large print, to more than five hundred attendees, many of whom were vision impaired.
Sandra Chipchase, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the MCVB, said the initiative reflects the Bureau's commitment to cutting-edge research and development.
"This world-first survey illustrates how MCVB continues to lead the way in terms of data analysis and quality research on conventions and the travel patterns and factors influencing the destination decisions of association delegates," she added.
"By distributing the Braille questionnaire, we were able to glean valuable information on how to target these delegates and boost numbers at the event in Melbourne.
This type of information, which would otherwise have been unavailable to us, is indispensible to Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs), meeting planners and the MCVB itself," Chipchase added.
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Singapore Scores with Major Aviation Events
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently staged the IATA Vision 2050 in Singapore, a closed-door strategy conference, attended by 35 aviation leaders, airline and airport representatives, bankers and academics. This was followed by the IATA Fuel Forum.
In addition, IATA will be holding its Annual General Meeting, a widely acknowledged premier aviation event, next month. The prestige of this event is accentuated by the profile of attendees, which include 150 to 200 CEOs from leading airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers (Boeing and Airbus), international and regional associations as well as the media.
With many destinations vying to host this prestigious conference, IATA rotates the venue of the conference around Europe, America, Asia and Africa/ Middle East. Singapore last hosted the event in 1976 and for a second time, after 28 years, in 2004.
In light of the ongoing political unrest in the Middle East, IATA was compelled to look for an alternative venue for this year, after deciding to move out from Cairo, Egypt, and chose Singapore, just seven years on, which to say the least is "unusual and unprecedented".
The aviation group will also be holding its World Passenger Symposium and Treasury Conference, both in October and Schedules Conference in November.
According to IATA Vice President, Human Capital, Guido Gianasso, "2011 is a year rich in events for IATA in Singapore".
Other upcoming initiatives with IATA in Singapore include:
- The world's first annual Human Capital Aviation Summit. This will see the HR and training leadership of aviation companies around the world coming together, and has the potential to be anchored here; and
- IATA's Aviation Leadership Summit in conjunction with the Singapore Airshow next year.
IATA's events are projected to generate more than USD$8 million in tourism receipts for Singapore over the next five years.
IATA events, together with the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Association Asia Pacific Regional Meeting, International Air Safety Seminar by Flight Safety Foundation and APG World Connect Conference (network for airline distribution and financial services), will add to Singapore's Civil Aviation Authority's centennial celebrations of the first flight into Singapore this year, and boost its reputation as a world aviation hub.
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