Aulward Graphics

 

Announcing the 2011/2012 Boards

 
Charlene Roth Diddams, the current Chair of the ISES Canada Board of Directors in pleased to announce the new 2011/2012 Board.
 
Chair – Charlene Roth Diddams, Broad Solutions, Calgary, AB    
Immediate Past-Chair – Eileen Bistrisky, CSEP, Effective Event Management, Vancouver, BC    
Secretary/Treasurer - Karen Eluck, CSEP CMP,
KEP Events, Unionville, ON    
Membership - Carol Mair, Balloon Corporate Events, Toronto, ON   
Education  - Sharon Barwick, Simply Elegant Events & Catering, Calgary, AB   
Communications
- Stacy Wyatt, Canadianspecialevents.com, Winnipeg, MB
Programs – Diana Hambrook
, Donnelly Events, Vancouver, BC    
Chapter In Formation
- Peter Cornforth, Mediaco, Calgary, AB    
Sponsorship – Rachel Mangal, aNd Logistix, Toronto, ON     
 
 
 
President, Brenda Carter, CMP, KPMG
Past President, Kelly Shannon, Peller Estates Winery
President Elect, Yvonne Dewar, CMP, Elastic Communications and Events
Vice President Member Care, Theresa Cragg Gatto, CMP
Vice President, Finance & Administration, Lee Anne Leckie, CMP, International Centre
Vice President Education Geoff Mak, CMP, Direct Energy Centre/Allstream Centre/Exhibition Place
Vice President Communications, Lynne Gale, CMM, Carlson Wagonlit Travel Canada
Director Communications, Vinita Borrison, CMP, CN Tower
Director Education, Marcelo DeOliveira, Hard Rock Cafe
Director Member Care, Janice Fendley, CMP, Absolute Conferences & Events Inc
Director Awards, Lynda Hoff, CMP, CMM, LNH Strategic Event Management
Director Special Events, Carla Olivier, Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto
Director TEC, Jodi Spivak, CMP, Hotel Le Germain
Executive Director, Leslie Wright, Executive Director
 

 
President, Kate Cheney, CMP, ConventionALL Management
President Elect, Leanne Calderwood, CMP, HelmsBriscoe
Vice President of Finance, Cynthia Douwes, BA, CMP, Certified General Accountants Association of Alberta
Vice President Administration, Lori Jennison, Holiday Inn Calgary
Vice President Communications, Anh Nguyen, McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Vice President of Education, Caroline Forsyth, Calgary Stampede
Vice President of Membership, Kathryn Cowling, Meeting Solutions Inc.
Director of Special Events, Nicole Langton, Mount Royal University
Director of Membership, Greg Jungwirth, Delta Hotels and Resorts
Director of Education, Marnie Ballane, Speakers' Spotlight
Director of Communications, Peter Maher, PSAV Presentation Services
Chapter Administrator, Kyla Marie Arneson, dmg events
 
 
President, Julie Brunjes, Stardust Events
Immediate Past President, Rachel Mangal, Strategy Institute
President Elect, Alan Smithson, Star Productions Inc.
VP Education, James Nienhuis, The Butler Did It
VP Programs, Julie Danaylov, DeAndelis Entertainment
VP Membership, Ed McMurtry, Edwin Allen Productions
VP Finance, Larry Cuthbertson, Cuthbertson Entertainment
Director Affiliate Organizations, Vacant
Director Chapter Events, Danielle Consalves
Director Communications, Michael Coombs, Prodigy Entertainment
Director Member Services, Chimah Ekeanyanwu, CCR Solutions Inc.
Director Student Affairs, John MacBride, Seneca College
Director Sponsorship, Nina Leach, McMillan LLP
Executive Director, Carol Ford, Bottomline Management Services
 
 
President, Kathie Madden
President Elect, Brock Lumsden,
VP Marketing, Corinne Kessel,
VP Technology, Don Dewar
VP Programs, Heather Baker
VP Sponsorship, Karran Finlay
VP Membership, Kelly Dooley
Secretary Treasurer, Lucy Chan
Director, Mamoun Belghiti
Creative Director, Morteza Idjadi
VP Communications, Shelley Johnson
VP Allied Events, Tania Newman
 
 
President, Lynn Fletcher
Immediate   Past-President, Kenneth Kristoffersen, CSEP
President-Elect, Angela Braun
VP Membership, Lisa Marks
VP Education/Programs, Stephanie Leblond
VP Communications, Dustin Westling
VP Marketing, Jennifer James
Director at Large, Darren Kershaw
Director at Large, Molly Howlett-Sexsmith
Director at Large, Lisa Motuzas
Director at Large, Mary Swaffield
Director at Large, Roz Freeman
Director at Large, Vikram Bakshi
Director at Large, Holly Chudzy

BC Chapter

President,Melissa Moskal
Abeja Strategic Communications
President Elect,Allison Gavin
The Westin Bayshore Vancouver
Past President,Ryan Soderberg
Sheraton Vancouver Airport
VP Membership,Natalie Wilson
RBC Global Asset Management
VP Membership,Natasha Kurzatz
Advance Group
VP Finance,Heidi Hughes
h3 Events
VP Education,Jo-Anne Rockwood
Mitacs
Director of Sponsorship,Tom Stulberg
Fireworks Event Furniture
Director of Special Events,Naomi Deildal
Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition
Director of Publications,Elizabeth Murphy
Vancouver Island Conference Centre
Director of Student Affairs,David Tikkanen
British Columbia Institute of Technology
VP Communications,Susan McGregor
Congrex Canada
Director of Public Relations,Jenn Houtby-Ferguson
Tigh-Na-Mara
Director of Advertising & Marketing,Chris Gowe
Vancouver Convention Centre
Director of Member Care,Elaine Samson
Hilton Sales Worldwide
Director of Monthly Programs,Betty Chuck
Director of Recruitment,Kaitlin Beca
Sea to Sky Meetings
Director of Professional Development,Louise Fellstrom
Chapter Administrator,Kimberly Davidson
Proactive Assistance
 
 
President, Deborah Wallace, The Finer Details Event Planning Inc.
Director Marketing & Membership Recruitment, Nicole Burke, Emelle’s Catering
Director Membership & External Marketing, Kenn Burns, EmbroidMe Vancouver
Director Website & Membership Renewal, Heather Wright, Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering
Director Events & Sponsorship, Neely Dhanoa
Director Membership Renewal & Sponsorship, Ozzie Kipnes, Hot Wax Mobile Music
Director Social Media & Events, Anita Ng, Human Early Learning Partnership
Administrator, Deborah Wallace
Administrator, Jenna Bayuk


 

iPad -The Event Marketer’s Tool of the Year

 
Award–winning engagement marketing agency TBA Global as released a new “iPad for Event Marketers” whitepaper that uncovers how the iPad can create new engagement opportunities for marketers.
“The iPad has become the event marketer’s tool of the year,” said Andre Mika SVP, Digital Creative at TBA Global
 
“The very nature and availability of the iPad makes it perfect for event marketing purposes because of its ability to create and manipulate content quickly to amplify and measure engagement and sales.”
According to Gartner, the predicted number of iPad users could increase to 100 million by 2012.
With an average of 6,000 new iPad apps available each month, the hottest tablet on the planet is showing no signs of slowing down.
New whitepaper covers:
  • Why the iPad is the go-to device for event marketers
  • How iPad apps can extend engagement over time
  • Tips and best practices for leveraging iPads to better engage consumers, B2B audiences and employees
  • A review of the top 5 tablets
  • What event professionals need to do to get started
TBA Global provides clients with proven marketing leadership in strategy, content and live events as well as mobile, social, and app development across all technology platforms.
Its teams create engagement programs that attract new customers, drive conversation, and extend interaction both face-to-face and digitally.  TBA Global’s new “iPad for Event Marketers” whitepaper is available for download here.

 

Top 10 Meeting Trends 2011

Benchmark Hospitality International , a leading US-based hospitality management company, which operates 30 award-winning hotels, resorts, and conference centers coast to coast and off shore, announces its "Top Ten Meeting Trends for 2011" as observed by its properties.

Overall, Benchmark Hospitality's properties are cautiously optimistic at the start of 2011, projecting moderate growth with marginal increases in spending.

Looking a bit further afield, indications are that 2011 will have a strong finish, and 2012 may just be a great year.

Trend #1 Business Is On The Move Again!

Business travel (group and individual) is up in 2011 across Benchmark Hospitality's portfolio. Booking pace for most properties is outperforming the previous year's results. Customers remain highly rate conscious and value focused, though, and demand speed – as in fast Internet connectivity!

Trend #2 Planners Want Choice

The Complete Meeting Package, sacrosanct for decades, could now be called the Flexible Meeting Package. Planners still see the value of all-inclusive packages – they just want these customized to suit the needs and budget of their particular meeting. How hotels and conference centers develop and structure packaging components in the future will be influenced by this trend.

Trend #3 Heads In Beds

The plan for 2011 is growing occupancy while maintaining rate integrity, which is generally comparable to last year. To win business, properties are negotiating added-value options, such as complimentary Internet access, cancellation/attrition flexibility, forgiving resort fees, and more.

Trend #4 The Pace is Positive

Booking pace for meetings may finally be turning the corner. Although still short term, more companies are responding to improved economic conditions by projecting increased business needs in every business quarter, especially the latter part of the year – and even into 2012! Along the way, meetings are increasing in quantity, but not size.

Trend #5 Only Connect

Social Media usage is beginning to take hold within the meeting planning industry, but is not dominating communications like it is for the general public worldwide. The exceptions are LinkedIn and YouTube, with groups videotaping sessions and posting these online for the benefit of their colleagues back at the office, for reviewing key points going forward, and for encapsulating business concepts addressed in the meeting.

Trend #6 Cost Still Trumps Green

Being green remains important for many planners who look for properties to have these initiatives in place. In fact, today it's generally assumed they do. Government meetings demand it, as does, increasingly, the pharmaceutical industry. But, if asked to choose between being green or providing maximum cost savings, budgets still take precedence in 2011!

Trend #7 Taking Time For Teambuilding

Demand for teambuilding is back, though unevenly so throughout the country. Where there is demand, planners want unique programs delivered within tight budgets. These teambuilding programs may be culinary events, set up as Reality TV programs, or utilize other clever concepts. It's not likely, however, a ropes course will be involved.

Trend #8 Why So Serious?

Properties are at last seeing the return of recreation and entertainment as part of the meeting experience. To say there is a "comeback" would be stretching things. But inquires for entertainment options as diverse as theme parties, comedians, "meeting camps" and "think tanks," etc., are coming from groups interested – for the first time in a long time – in offering more than a strictly serious meeting experience.

Trend #9 They're Back!

Insurance, financial, consulting, high tech, healthcare and education … the tried and true industries that have supported the conference center hotel industry over the past decades. As companies within these industries step up hiring, training related meetings are becoming more prevalent. Although somewhat regionally driven, after a brief and deep retreat nationwide in 2009-10, these industries are coming back.

Trend #10 It's No Longer Anyone's Guess

Planners and meeting customers learn about locations, destinations and individual properties through surfing the Internet! Whether searching Websites, perusing online magazines, reading destination coverage, viewing hotel advertising, or receiving an e-blast, it's the Internet! Period. With iPads, smart phones and Apps becoming readily available to promote nearly every product and service today, communicating with customers online has never been more available, more complex, or more important.


 

Toronto Taste

June 12, 2011, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto
Lianne Gravitis, OnSite Reporter

Walking into The 21st Annual Toronto Taste June 12th, 2011, was like walking into a foodie’s most amazing dream. Organized by Second Harvest, with presenting sponsor The Daniels Corporation on board for its 16th year, Toronto Taste has grown to be the go-to culinary event of the year. With over 1500 guests walking through the gates this year (many of whom are repeat attendees), one can say that the evening was another great success. Money raised for this event is put towards Second Harvest’s food donation programs, where fresh, donated, surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, hotels and markets is distributed to 250 social service programs around the Greater Toronto area. Last year alone, Second Harvest rescued and provided 6 million pounds of food and has in its 21-year history, provided over 8 million meals. The target fundraising goal this year is $665,000, which is $35,000 up from last year.

Held at the Royal Ontario Museum, once again, the scene was electric as guests started to file into the venue. Under several large tents set up on the street outside of the ROM, incredible scents wafted through the air as 60 chefs, and 35 beverage purveyors started to create their delicacies for the evening. Striving to “keep the event current”, says Jordan Mlynek, (event and campaign manager of Toronto Taste since 2010), organizers ensured they stayed “on top of who’s hot in the restaurant industry…who’s creating buzz, and who’s doing something interesting. “ Scarpetta, Buca, Grace and Woodlot were some new faces this year, while many others such as famed chef Mark McEwan, Dufflet Pastries and Mark Tuet, who have been loyal to the cause since the first year, set up shop once again.

Small tables covered with crisp white linens and beautiful floral centerpieces were placed around the stage for people to sit and eat as they listened to the sounds of the Michael Theodore Band and Soul Stew. Bright green signage for the entrances, and the food and beverage signs, plus the florals were the only décor Second Harvest focused on. It allowed them to cut costs and focus more on the cause. Throughout the night, guests dined on such things as tuna sliders with wasabi peas from Rosewater, venison tarter from Bohmer’s, Beef Brisket Biscuits from Café Belong, and pickerel with bacon and potato from Michael Smith’s station. To wash down these exquisite samples, many beverage choices were at hand such as beer from Cameron’s Brewing Co., a chardonnay from Tawes Winery, a soothing herbal tea from The Tea Emporium or a special coffee from Arcaffe. To satisfy that craving for something sweet, desserts included such things as delicious red velvet cupcakes from Pauline’s Kitchen or Super Vanilla Verrines from Dufflet Pasteries.

Sponsored by Sun Life Financial, the music stage played host to a wonderful live auction later in the evening, called by auctioneer Stephen Ranger and co-hosted by Bob Blumer. Auction items included a trip to The Galapagos (courtesy of GAP Adventures), and a wine adventure to Portugal (courtesy of Transat Holidays and Marlin Travel), plus many other extravagant prizes. Inside the elegant, dimly lit museum, more stations were set up from places like Rosewater, Great Cooks at Eight and Creemore Springs Brewery, where the general admission guests could collect samples and check out the silent and wine auction items.

Starting to plan in November of 2010 with a passionate group of 25 committee members and over 400 volunteers of all ages helping out, this year’s goal was to ensure that Second Harvest was in the forefront of the guest’s minds throughout the evening. They really wanted to “connect the event with the cause”, said Mlynek, to remind guests why they are attending the event in the first place. Due to Toronto Taste becoming such a large event that includes the most prominent culinary names in the business, the reasoning behind the event generally gets forgotten. To execute this goal, organizers decided to place a message on the first thing the guests would see: the invitation. With a caption that read: “Be a Taster. 1 ticket to Toronto Taste provides 250 meals to those in need”, this not only allowed the guest to see the impact their donation made, but also made them feel like they are part of a “movement” participating as a “taster”. Additionally businesses were not allowed to bring their own signage to first eliminate a “trade show” look, and also to ensure that people know it’s a charity event not a trade show. Businesses could dress up their table any way they’d like, which helped out with décor as well.

To create exposure outside the event, a giant Twitter wall was created inside the main gallery. A contest cleverly named, “So You Think You Can Tweat”, was created for a chance to be a roving twitter reporter for the evening. Restaurants and guests were also asked to tweet using the hashtags #torontotaste and #imataster. Tweets could be seen in real time on the Twitter wall throughout the evening. Toronto Taste ended up being a trend in Canada and in Toronto on Twitter due to the contest.

Other marketing strategies included radio and print ads (National Post was a major sponsor), ads in Dine.TO, bus shelter ads, media sponsorship through The Food Network, and chef videos posted on You Tube and on the Toronto Taste and Second Harvest websites. Chefs also released the videos on their own Facebook and Twitter pages as well. Foresight Communications produced the videos and all who was involved donated their time. To build a database creatively, a photo booth provided by Booth (and sponsored by Daniels Corporation) was available for guests who wanted to take pictures with their friends, co-workers, and one of the chefs. Each guest had to provide their name and email before they could take a picture.

To find out more about Toronto Taste, please visit www.torontotaste.ca. For more information about Second Harvest, please go to www.secondharvest.ca.

Some Sponsors (full list is on www.torontotaste.ca under supporters):

Dine.TO – www.dine.to
National Post – www.nationalpost.com
Foresight Communications – www.foresightinc.com
The Daniels Corporation – www.danielshomes.ca/splash_html.
Sunlife Financial – www.sunlife.ca
Fiat – www.fiatcanada.com
The Food Network – www.foodnetwork.ca
Booth – www.getthebooth.com


 
   


 

Event Rental Group Acquires Micki’s Luxury Linen and Draping

 
Event Rental Group announced today that it has agreed to acquire Micki’s Luxury Linen and Draping.  The company intends to integrate Micki’s operations into the Exclusive Affair Rentals division of Event Rental Group.  Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
 
 “This represents the next phase in bringing the highest level of service and quality to both our respective clients,” says Greg Halton, President and CEO of Event Rental Group.  “Our group seeks to provide solutions for our clients that include enhanced product selections, and a more complete rental package.  We provide tent-top to table-top, and everything in between, and we can now add exciting linen and draping coordinates to that equation,” he says.
 
Halton, who has been President of Event Rental Group since 2004, will work closely with Micki and Alan Cramer, the founders of Micki’s, to ensure a smooth transition for both clients and employees.  Both Micki and Alan Cramer will remain with the company going forward.  “We believe Event Rental Group will provide a larger and more diverse client base for Micki’s fabrics, and we see excellent synergies between their company and ours”, says Alan Cramer.  “We will work to capitalize on the specific talents of each company,” adds Halton, “but service and quality will remain our highest priority.”
 
Event Rental Group’s capabilities will now include complete tenting solutions (including decorative draping elements), the largest selection of table-top rental items in Canada, a large and widely diverse specialty linen program, and the industry’s most extensive fabric selections for draping any event.  Event Rental Group remains the destination choice for professionally managed special events.
 
About Event Rental Group
Established in 2004, Event Rental Group operates 2 divisions, Exclusive Affair Rentals and Advanced Tent Rental.  Both companies are the leaders in their respective segments of the Canadian special event industry.  Event Rental Group is the largest event rental company in Canada, and the sixth largest in North America.
 
About Micki’s Luxury Linen and Draping
In business since 1998, Micki’s Luxury Linen and Draping is Toronto’s leading provider of specialty linen and draping.  The company is renowned for is its ability to execute challenging installations under difficult time constraints.
 
For more information please contact:

 

Greg Halton
Event Rental Group
T:  416.759.2611
F:  416.759.3342 
E:  greg@eventrentalgroup.com  
 
Alan Cramer
Micki’s Luxury Linen and Draping
T:  905.738.1161
F:  905.738.3665
E:  alan@mickis.ca
 

 


 

A Formula For Success: e=mc2 Launches in Vancouver

        
 
Calgary-based e=mc2 event management inc. launches its Vancouver office this month. e=mc2 , headquartered in Calgary, AB, is embracing the positive forecast and is excited to expand and introduce fresh concepts and seamless event experiences to the Vancouver market.
 
“As we are celebrating our 10 year anniversary this year we have many exciting initiatives ahead” says Jocelyn Flanagan, President and CEO of e=mc2. “We see a positive future and our expansion into the Vancouver market is a natural step in the company's continuing nation-wide growth”.
 
Leading the Vancouver office are e=mc2 Director, Conference Production, Joann Chatterton and former Vancouver-based MVKA Productions’ senior team members, Jean Pierre Cartier and Tony Talarico. e=mc2recently engaged Jean Pierre and Tony based on their experience, established local partnerships and thorough knowledge of the Vancouver market. “We are incredibly excited to extend the dynamic energy of e=mc2 to Vancouver and offer new perspectives on event services,” says Jean Pierre Cartier, Director, Business Development for e=mc2.  
 
Martin A.J. van Keken jr., CEO of MVKA, commented on the e=mc2 Vancouver launch, “I congratulate e=mc2, Jean Pierre and Tony for choosing to come together and work under the e=mc2 umbrella. I respect e=mc2‘s professionalism and admire the experience and knowledge that Tony and Jean Pierre will bring to e=mc2.”
 
“We see our new Vancouver family as an extension of our talented and passionate team” says Keri Miller, Partner & Creative Director of e=mc2. “We look forward to this opportunity and to the sharing of innovative ideas and insights.”  
 
 
e=mc2 event management inc.
Calgary Office:
Jocelyn Flanagan
Tel. (403) 770-1383/ jocelyn@emc2events.com
 
Vancouver Office:
Jean Pierre Cartier
Tel. (604) 828-1034 / jp@emc2events.com

 

Former Carlton Group President Ron Benegbi Opens New Company

Ron Benegbi, former president and principal of Carlton Group, Ltd., has announced the formation of Ron Benegbi Consulting.
 
With an impressive client list of such notables as Nissan, Campbell Soup, Bell Mobility and United Airlines, Benegbi has helped build businesses and improve performance in areas of sales, marketing, business development, client service, operations and finance. Many of his clients call him a consummate leader, motivator and team-builder and he is driven by the passion to establish and maintain solid business partnerships while creating high-performing teams.
 
 “Ron attacks problems with intent and extreme clarity. He helped my business understand the incentive space from the ground up and challenged us to think beyond our initial program goals and specifications. His hands-on involvement made us feel like we were a partner rather than just another client,” says Chris Meyers, Senior Analyst, Financial Planning at United Airlines.
Benegbi has worked in the incentive and recognition business in various areas of expertise including employee recognition programs, channel and trade incentive programs, E-learning solutions, consumer incentives, affinity programs and coalition and partnership marketing programs and loyalty programs.
 
For Campbell’s Soup in Canada, Benegbi helped structure an employee recognition program that has already received great feedback, according to John Grange, Senior Director Business Process, Technology and Corporate Services, at Campbell’s Soup. “We were in the process of working with another company when, based on our interaction with Ron, we switched. We loved his personal, hands-on approach. His ability to understand our environment was great. He made sure everything was a right fit for the organization. He listened, didn’t pontificate. It was all about him trying to deliver for a greater purpose,” Grange says.
 
Benegbi plans to use his expertise to work with service providers within the industry who are looking to grow their business, expand their client roster and enhance their technology platform. Through his creativity, innovation and overall executive leadership presence Benegbi's goals are to assist industry organizations achieve significant growth and profitability targets while leading the way through the advancement of technology.
 
“I am so excited about this new chapter in my life. I have the passion and energy to jump right into new opportunities that present themselves. It has been exciting and personally rewarding to play a leading role in the growth and overall success of so many businesses,” said Benegbi. “I look forward to helping many more companies in the future.”
For more information contact: Ron Benegbi, Ron Benegbi Consulting; 416-562-7662; www.ronbenegbi.com; Connect: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbenegbi
 
 




 

Yellow House Named one of Fastest Growing in Canada

Yellow House Events Ranks #41 in the PROFIT 200 Ranking of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies
 
Yellow House Events, a leading event marketing firm specializing in the creation and execution of corporate events, announced today it has ranked number 41 in the 23rd annual PROFIT 200 ranking of Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies by PROFIT Magazine. Ranking Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies by five-year revenue growth, the PROFIT 200 profiles the country’s most successful growth companies and is Canada’s largest annual celebration of entrepreneurial achievement.
 
“We are honoured to be named among the fastest growing companies in Canada,” said Grail Noble, Founder and President, Yellow House Events. “In an industry that is highly affected by the economic climate, we managed to make this list over the recession – an accomplishment credited to the dedication of our employees, the trust of our clients and the support of our vendors, who together allow us to deliver events on-budget, on-target, and on-objective.” 
 
Yellow House Events plans and executes over a hundred successful events every year for global brands locally and internationally, delivering ROI and measurable results through a proven process and key proprietary execution elements including StreetSense™, TechTalk™ and VenueFit™.
 
“The PROFIT 200 companies are the innovative, high-growth enterprises Canada needs to compete on the global stage,” says Ian Portsmouth, Editor-in-Chief of PROFIT Magazine. “PROFIT is proud to celebrate their achievements and ambitions, and we encourage all businesspeople to learn more about the many ways they’ve come so far, so fast.”
About Yellow House Events
Yellow House Events is an event marketing and planning firm that gets brands face-to-face with their target audience.  Offering full event strategy, production and marketing services, Yellow House works with clients such as BlackBerry, Revlon, TELUS, Corus and FootJoy from concept development to post-event analysis. Yellow House Events is located in the historic Distillery District in Toronto, Ontario. For more information visit www.yellowhouseevents.com.  Get the latest news and views on Yellow House Events and the events industry by following @YellowHouseTO on Twitter and the Yellow House Events Facebook page.
 
 
For more information, please contact:
Christina Weber
Splash Public Relations Ltd.
416-849-16333

 

Vancouver Named Top Meeting Destination

Vancouver has yet again been ranked North America’s top destination for international meetings by the International Congress and Convention Association.The Amsterdam-based organization releases an annual report ranking cities according to the number of international meetings hosted in the previous year.

 
In 2010, Vancouver hosted 58 international meetings – more than any other city in North America. The city placed 33rd overall, ahead of other renowned meetings destinations like Montreal, Washington and Chicago.ICCA's report is distributed to more than 6,000 meeting planners and suppliers worldwide, assisting them in identifying potential destinations for future events.
“The events and meetings that Vancouver and the Vancouver Convention Centre host contribute millions of dollars to B.C.’s economy,” said the Honourable Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.“Being ranked as the top meetings destination in North America will focus even more attention on the city, creating significant economic benefits for the province and, in turn, more jobs for British Columbians.”
 
“This distinction is yet another example of Vancouver’s strong presence in the meetings industry, not just in North America but around the world,” added Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.
 
“Vancouver’s combination of world-class livability, exceptional tourism and conference services makes a compelling case for organizations around the globe. ICCA's report not only acknowledges the range of facilities and resources Vancouver has to offer, but also shows the entire world that our city is a great place to host meetings and conventions.”
 
ICCA's ranking reflects the strong relationships between professional conference organizers, Tourism Vancouver, the Vancouver Convention Centre and the hotel community, as well as the tourism industry’s collective efforts to promote Vancouver as a global meetings destination.
 
Ken Cretney, general manager at the Vancouver Convention Centre, noted that the ranking further speaks to the impact of the Vancouver Convention Centre’s West building expansion.
“We’re now attracting more high-profile international conventions, many of which could not have been accommodated in our original facility,” he explained.
 
“Our world-class facility located on the city centre’s waterfront, coupled with exceptional service delivery, always leaves a positive and memorable impression on our delegates, and further contributes to our reputation as a leading global convention destination.”
 
The Vancouver Convention Centre is the only two-time winner of the International Association of Congress Centres’ APEX award for “World’s Best Convention Centre.” Since its inception in 1987, the facility has demonstrated a constant commitment to service, technical and culinary excellence, as well as environmental sustainability.
 
With its expansion complete, the Centre has tripled its size to cover 1.1 million square feet (or four city blocks), for a combined total of 466,500 square feet of pre-function, meeting, exhibition and ballroom space.

 

Rogers Bids Farewell to M&IT!

HUGE NEWS FROM ROGERS

Incentive Works & M&IT Sold to Business Information Group (BIG). 

Business Information Group (BIG) has acquired Meetings & Incentive Travel magazine (M&IT), and the IncentiveWorks trade show and conference, from Rogers Publishing Ltd. and is strongly committed to taking the well-regarded trade publication in new and exciting directions.

One of the largest sources of trade information in Canada, BIG boasts a highly entrepreneurial culture that has cultivated a stable of strong trade-publication brands. 

Business Information Group operates as part of Glacier Media Group

Visit Glacier Publishing for more info.


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