|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Centre Wins Record Five National MEA Awards |
|
|
|
| |
Published On: 2013-05-18 |
|
|
|
| |
 The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has won a record five categories at the prestigious National Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) Awards, announced in Darwin last night.
Reflecting its professionalism across a wide range of areas, the Centre was awarded the top accolades for In-House AV Services, Banquet and Catering and Education.
The Centre’s Senior Event Manager Emma Rutledge also won Events Manager of the Year and Events Manager Professional of the Year.
The venue now enters the MEA Hall of Fame in the Banquet and Catering and In-House AV categories, having won both categories for no less than three consecutive years.
Centre Chief Executive Ton van Amerongen said the awards were a wonderful recognition of the work of the Centre and its team.
“We have just celebrated our 25th anniversary, so these wins are really the icing on the cake for us in a landmark month,” Mr van Amerongen said.
Mr van Amerongen thanked the Centre’s staff for their dedication and innovation, which he said had resulted in the venue’s continued success and awards achievements.
“Our team is focussed on delivering world-class events and they take great pride in not only meeting clients’ expectations, but exceeding them.
“These awards are confirmation of their great work and we are simply thrilled to be taking them back to Sydney with us.”
Source:- Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
ACTE to hold International Convention and Expo Summit 2013 in Bangkok on May 25 |
|
|
|
| |
Published On: 2013-05-18 |
|
|
|
| |
International Convention and Expo Summit 2013, the leading conference in the MICE industry for the Asian region, will be held from May 25-28, 2013. Organised by Association of Corporate Travel Executives, the Expo aims to provide an opportunity for professionals in the MICE field to exchange ideas and share new experiences. Set in Bangkok, Thailand, attendees will have the opportunity to not only take part in the conference, but to experience the fresh and vibrant culture of Thailand.
The International Convention and Expo Summit 2013 will provide a research platform for researchers to share concepts, methodology, and research findings with peers, editors and practitioners to improve the quality of their research and to help them to submit successfully to refereed journals. Additionally, International Convention and Expo Summit 2013 aim to minimize the gap between academics and industry. It will be an excellent opportunity for researchers to extend their networks and collaborations with experts from around the globe.
Source: ACTE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Opening of Hosted Buyer diary to deliver tangible results for The Meetings Show UK exhibitors |
|
|
|
| |
Published On: 2013-05-15 |
|
|
|
| |
 The Hosted Buyer diary for The Meetings Show UK has gone live, allowing buyers to schedule their appointments with exhibitors of their choice.
The Hosted Buyer Programme, which is the cornerstone of the event, allows buyers to choose appointments with exhibitors that are of genuine interest and need to their business. The opening of the online diary marks a significant moment in the event’s progress as buyers and visitors start to network, plan time together and prepare for the inaugural show in July.
The Meetings Show UK, Event Director, Steve Knight commented: "The opening of the Hosted Buyer diary is a really exciting moment in the life-cycle of our event, and we are already seeing activity online. It provides buyers and exhibitors with their initial means of contact and really allows us to start building relationships in the run up to the show. Our focus is to create an environment where attendees can get the most out of their time, whether it be developing relationships with potential business partners or learning from the highest quality educators, the diary is an integral part of that process.”
Adding to the long list of benefits already announced, The Meetings Show UK has also released details of its Peer-to-Peer lounge. The lounge will provide exhibitors and visitors with the perfect opportunity to meet in a private, professional business environment.
The Peer-to-Peer Business Lounge will be available to all pre-registered buyers as well as The Meetings Show UK's growing list of exhibitors. Designed with intimate meetings in mind, each meeting space will include comfortable chairs, a table and Wi-Fi access (which will be available free of charge throughout the show).
Commenting on the lounge Steve said: "The concept for this lounge was developed by The Meetings Show UK's Advisory Board and firmly endorsed by our Education Panel, who clearly defined the need for a specific area within the show where individuals can hold private meetings, away from the main show floor, exchange ideas and formalise business partnerships. The Peer-to-Peer Networking Lounge is just one of many features that will ensure our event is not only a success but also the place for the meetings industry to gather in the UK in 2013."
The Meetings Show UK is expected to attract 5,000 meeting professionals including 1,500 hosted buyers from across the UK and Europe. The high profile exhibitor list includes a wide range of leading UK and international destinations, venues and suppliers demonstrating the wide spread of support for the inaugural show.
Qualified hosted buyers will benefit from a personalised and funded travel experience; bed and breakfast at a 4/5*hotel; transportation to Olympia from host hotels and networking venues; a choice of Hosted Buyer lounges, Wi-Fi; the freedom to choose meetings with the exhibitors who are right for their business as well as a range of high quality networking events and education sessions.
Source:- The Meeting Show UK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Bittel is Recharging Hotels' Mobile Services Offering with the Debut of UNO Media 4 at HITEC |
|
|
|
| |
Published On: 2013-05-15 |
|
|
|
| |
As the dependency on mobile devices grows, so too does travelers' expectations for charging those devices in hotel guestrooms. Hoteliers would be hard-pressed to find a guest without one or more devices -- from smartphones to tablets -- in tow. With charging demand growing exponentially, Bittel Americas is unveiling UNO Media 4 at HITEC.
Built with all the integrated functions of its popular UNO Media 3 product (which features a charging station, multi-source audio player, alarm/clock/radio, and guestroom phone), the new bedside or desktop unit now features a patent pending EasyCharge MFC (multi function cable) that has four connectors: Apple Lightning, Apple legacy (30 PIN), Micro USB, and 3.5mm Audio. It also has two high powered USB and audio ports.
"UNO Media 4 is exactly what today's travelers are expecting in the guestroom -- a place to charge their intelligent devices, albeit a smartphone, tablet or other device, so they can retrieve email, locate contacts, listen to their personal music, view photos and much more," said Joe Zhang, Bittel Americas CEO. "With the multi-function cable, it doesn't matter what type of device is being used. This adds considerable convenience and shows guests that regardless of their technology preferences, the hotel is there to meet their personal connectivity needs. The EasyCharge cable is a must-have amenity for guests who left their chargers at home."
According to the 2013 International Travel Trends Survey, "27 percent of travelers look for accessories such as chargers and speakers; at 35 percent, this too is more important to individuals ages 18 to 44 and 18 percent of individuals ages 45 and older."
Interactive Features, Functions
While connectivity to mobile devices is key, Bittel's UNO Media 4 adds a few new twists that also add convenience and comfort to a guests' stay. Using Bittel’s patent-pending SmartSense technology, UNO Media 4 provides new conveniences never before offered from an alarm/clock/radio/telephone," Zhang said. "UNO Media 4 senses the guests' presence in close distance, and activates the backlight for easy viewing. The backlight also illuminates on incoming calls when the receiver is off the hook or when multimedia functions are initiated. In addition, guests can activate the snooze function or turn on the clock’s backlight without having to touch any buttons; just a wave-of-the-hand close to the product will suffice.
"Bittel makes it easy and affordable for hotels to meet the rising demand to connect, charge, play and enjoy travelers mobile devices through a full line of integrated guestroom solutions," he added. "Combining a phone, alarm clock, audio player, USB ports and iPod™ docking station isn't new; adding a upgradeable multi-function cable that enables guests to connect the latest devices, including the Apple lightning for iPhone 5 and iPad, is new, and it will keep your hotel current. Not only will providing this type of converged technology dramatically improve the hotel's bottom line, but it will make a great first impression on guests, which leads to loyalty, repeat business and revenue."
Source:-Bittel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Australia's Premier Transport Event - the Brisbane Truck Show Returns to Bcec |
|
|
|
| |
Published On: 2013-05-14 |
|
|
|
| |
 Australian Transport Industry’s premier event, the Brisbane Truck Show - the 5th biggest transport equipment show in the world - returns to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on Thursday May 16th.
More than 35,000 visitors are expected to attend the four day event which is the largest single event to be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre in its 18 year history.
The dazzling showcase of the latest trucks, trailers and transport equipment and technology celebrates everything that is Australian trucking. Commercial Vehicle Industry Association of Queensland (CVIAQ) CEO, Brett Wright said the event has grown in prominence and professionalism, but retained its grass roots ethos. “There is something for everyone at the show from fleet managers to owners and drivers to families and children of all ages.”
The show which is the largest automotive show to take place in Australia this year is expected to provide a boost to Queensland’s economy of $58 million.
2013 is a special year for the Australian Trucking Industry and for the Truck Show with two of Australia’s premier truck brands celebrating significant milestones – Mack Trucks are celebrating 50 years of local production and Western Star Trucks Australia celebrating 30 years of doing business in Australia.
Rugby League legend and former Bronco, Shane Webcke, a one-time truckie himself, is once again the ambassador and face of the Brisbane Truck Show.
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre General Manager, Bob O’Keeffe said the Centre was building up for a fantastic event. “This is one of the biggest and most exciting events we host and the atmosphere during the event is electrifying. It also ably demonstrates the diversity and capability of the Centre. We are proud to host such a popular event that attracts visitors from all over Australia and overseas.”
The Brisbane Truck Show is on at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 16 – 19 May. From big rigs to brand new trailers and the latest world class equipment and safety and environmental technology – it’s all there at the Brisbane Truck Show.
Source:- ICCA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Berlin Is 3rd Most Popular Convention Destination in the World |
|
|
|
| |
Published On: 2013-05-14 |
|
|
|
| |
Berlin has moved into the top three international conference destinations, as shown by the latest statistics from the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA). Having hosted 172 events held by international associations in the past year, the German capital moved up one position to become the third most popular city for conferences and conventions in the world. The city is behind Vienna (195 events) and Paris (181) and ahead of Madrid (164 events) and Barcelona (154).
Klaus Wowereit, Governing Mayor of Berlin, says: "Berlin is moving to the top of the international congress business. With additional event capacities, such as the new CityCube Berlin, the city is also well-positioned for the convention business for the long term and is well able to handle the diversity of the requests. Berlin is also such an attractive city that large organisations and companies like to put on their events in the German capital. Every international congress that is held in Berlin is thus also a positive testimony on the city."
This has required a lot of hard work in the face of stiff competition, emphasises Burkhard Kieker, CEO of visitBerlin: "Being so high up in the league is both an honour and an incentive to do even more, especially since we face aggressive competition from financially strong competitors in Asia and the Arab Gulf states, all vying for conventions. The fact that Berlin has moved up a position shows that it is perceived as a top convention location by international convention planners."
Since 2008, the number of organisations holding conferences in Berlin has steadily increased. The German capital has been successfully asserting its status as a top conference location for the past eight years. The ICCA ranking is an important indicator in the international congress business. It helps organisers decide where to hold their events.
Source:- ICCA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Enjoy Traditional and Contemporary Cuisine This Ramadan |
|
|
|
| |
Published On: 2013-05-14 |
|
|
|
| |
 Convenience, comfort and cuisine that tantalises are the three pillars of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s (the Centre) buka puasa offering this coming Ramadan.
In addition to its location in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the Centre has a designated prayer room and an on-site ablution facility for Muslims to perform their Maghrib, Isya’ and Tarawih prayers led by Ustaz Haji Ahmad Shazili Abdullah and provides patrons with prayer mats and sandals.
“The convenience and comfort of our guests are important to us. With prayer and ablution facilities on-site, Muslim diners can perform their religious responsibilities before breaking fast and with all our five kitchens; Chinese, Western, Cold, Pastry and Malay certified halal by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) since 2011, Muslim guests can enjoy a Ramadan meal with peace of mind,” said Datuk Peter Brokenshire, General Manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
According to Executive Chef Richmond Lim, this year’s theme, ‘A Ramadan feast with traditional and contemporary cuisine’ will feature a fusion of food from various countries.
Elaborating, Chef Richmond said one of the signature dishes will be Harissa Lamb for diners yearning for something spicy. “Featuring the Tunisian hot sauce, Harissa, the lamb is infused with a mixture of herbs, spices and a dash of honey to balance out the heat.
“Other ‘stars’ include authentic Nasi Padang with an array of side dishes such as Dendeng Berlado (Chilli Beef) and Puyuh Goreng Bambu (Fried Quail), Sup Ekor Sapi Indonesia (Indonesian Oxtail Soup) and a wide selection of barbequed seafood infused with Thai flavours.”
Also on the buffet spread are Pita Kebab Arab Daging Cincang (Arabic-style minced meat kebab on pita bread), roasted fish Tikka, a range of Italian pasta made àla minute to each guest’s liking as well as local favourites of mee goreng mamak, Penang char kuey teow, Hainanese chicken rice, assam laksa, mee curry Nyonya, prawn mee and wantan mee, chicken and beef murtabak, roti bom, roti jala served with dhall curry and sardine sambal.
And no Ramadan buffet is complete without Chicken and Beef satay, wholesome signature bubur lambuk (rice porridge), and the staple of all Hari Raya gatherings…succulently-spiced rendang tok complete with nasi impit, ketupat and lemang.
To round the meal off, head to the ‘goreng-goreng’ stall to enjoy banana, jackfruit (cempedak) and bread fruit (sukun) fritters, keropok lekor (fish and prawn crackers) and other deep-fried treats while sweetening the occasion with a steaming cup of teh tarik, sumptuous serawa durian, local kuih, cakes, pastries, fresh fruits, Mariami dates and Malaysia’s favourite ice-dessert, ‘the ABC’.
The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s ‘A Ramadan feast with traditional and contemporary cuisine’ will be available daily from 16 – 30 July 2013, from 6.00pm to 10.00pm. Priced at RM127.20 nett per person for adults and RM63.60 nett per person for children between 4 and 12 years old, one dines for free for every group of 10. As reservations are recommended, please contact Abby at 03 – 2333 2866 for the Ramadan buffet.
For guests preferring to host their own private buka puasa gathering, the Centre has a selection of menus starting from RM146.28 nett per person for a minimum of 100 people.
Source:- KLCC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Some 25 Million Harmed by 'Barbarity', General Assembly President Says as Anti-Crime Chief Cites Multi-Billion Dollar Enterprise |
|
|
|
| |
Published On: 2013-05-14 |
|
|
|
| |
Human trafficking was a “vicious chain that binds victims to criminals”, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today during the General Assembly’s high-level meeting on the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons.
“We must break this chain with the force of human solidarity,” he urged. It was crucial, then, to listen to the voices of the victims because traffickers targeted the most defenceless and vulnerable. Earlier this month, he recalled, authorities in Yemen had freed about 500 Ethiopian migrants, mostly women and girls, who had been trapped by traffickers. Deeply disturbed to hear that many of them had been tortured and abused, he said it was even more alarming that millions more experienced similar ordeals at the hands of perpetrators every day.
He also pointed out that human trafficking devastated individuals and undermined national economies, while generating billions of dollars through exploitation and abuse. Those black market funds supported illegal drugs, corruption and other crimes. To challenge that, the United Nations was bringing partners together to protect victims, prosecute traffickers and end the trade in humans. Achieving justice would require a strong foundation in the rule of law, he said. “We will never succeed in preventing trafficking unless we end impunity.”
That demanded an end to the corruption that polluted so many transactions, strengthening judicial systems, and helping Governments earn the trust of their peoples. Living standards must be raised because human trafficking thrived in conditions of poverty, whereby people were lured from their homes by promises of wealth and security.
Vuk Jeremić ( Serbia), President of the General Assembly, said that as many as 25 million persons were victims of the “barbarity” perpetrated by the global criminal enterprise of human trafficking, which generated an estimated $32 billion annually. Virtually every nation across the globe had been exposed to “this atrocious practice — whether as a country of origin, transit, or destination”. Today’s high-level meeting offered an opportunity to examine what progress had been achieved in building up the four pillars of the Global Plan of Action — prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.
He appealed not only to Member States, but also to philanthropic organizations and the private sector to increase their support for the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, created by the Secretary-General to provide humanitarian, legal and financial aid to those affected by “this modern-day version of slavery”. It was also critical that law enforcement officials, border control personnel, labour inspectors, consular and embassy officials, judges and prosecutors, and peacekeepers all increase their vigilance and be more sensitive to the needs of victims.
Noting that 154 countries had signed up to the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Traffickers in Persons, especially Woman and Children — the first global, legally binding instrument on the critically important issue, he urged those that had not yet done so to ratify the instrument. “Let us stand as one on this issue and purge the globe of this horrendous affront to human dignity.”
Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said human trafficking was a modern form of slavery with millions of victims generating billions of dollars for criminals. “We are dealing with a crime of the twenty-first century: adaptive, cynical, sophisticated; existing in developed and developing countries alike,” he said.
He noted that there had been progress as the number of countries enacting proper anti-trafficking legislation had risen from 60 per cent in 2009 to 83 per cent at present, with the number of such countries in Africa and the Middle East having doubled in the last three years and 25 per cent of all countries having reported a marked increase in convictions. However, challenges persisted, he stressed. In order to reach universal implementation, 39 Member States were still needed to ratify the Protocol, and 16 per cent of countries had never recorded a conviction as rates around the world remained low.
Source:-UN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Economic and social council explores integartion of three sustainable development pillars Economic,social,Enviromental-to achieve 'Triple win'Solutions |
|
|
|
| |
Published On: 2013-05-14 |
|
|
|
| |
The international community could end hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition sustainably by 2025 through holistic and “win-win” sustainable agriculture approaches, the head of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said this morning.
“It is an ambitious goal, but we need to be bold. And countries around the world are showing that this is possible,” José Graziano da Silva, FAO Director-General, said via video link in a keynote address to the Economic and Social Council. Towards that goal, FAO was co-leading the Global Thematic Consultation on Hunger, Food Security and Nutrition, along with the Colombian and Spanish Governments and the World Food Programme (WFP), he said.
The Council’s day-long meeting brought together policymakers, key stakeholders and the United Nations system to examine how science, technology and innovation could help integrate the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development to achieve “triple win” solutions in energy and agriculture and the Millennium Development Goals.
Mr. Graziano da Silva said FAO’s strategy to eradicate hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty focused on more sustainable production and management of natural resources; improving the governance of food systems; and strengthening resilience. Agriculture, on which billions of people and 500 million small-holder farms depended directly for food and employment, was a key, as it could be used to drive inclusive growth and poverty reduction in economically depressed rural areas. For example, extra income from cash-for-work and cash-transfer programmes that supported small-scale production and social protection programmes could be used to buy locally produced food, thus keeping income within the community.
The world was already making the fundamental changes in food and agriculture governance to transition to a sustainable future, and many countries were committed to ending food insecurity, he said. Through the Committee on World Food Security, Governments, institutions, civil society and the private sector were working together to build consensus on responsible governance and other issues that impacted food security and nutrition. The Economic and Social Council also played an important role in bringing together diverse stakeholders and in sharpening the focus on hunger’s socioeconomic dimensions.
Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson agreed, adding that with its mandate to increase system-wide coherence and coordination, the Economic and Social Council had a key role to play in the follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, known as Rio+20, to promote the balanced integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development in the United Nations system.
“The world is counting on the United Nations to deliver, to be a catalytic force and to set the direction for the road ahead. This means that we have to work with the Millennium Development Goals not yet achieved and at the same time look beyond 2015 and the new sustainable development agenda,” Mr. Eliasson said.
The Economic and Social Council’s focus on the role of science, technology and innovation in energy and agriculture was timely, he said. The Sustainable Energy for All initiative — which provided a partnership platform for Governments, multilateral banks, business and civil society to promote universal access to electricity, while doubling renewable energy and rates of efficiency — was a high priority for the Secretary-General. More than 70 developing countries were already engaged; billions of dollars had been committed.
At Rio+20, world leaders had stressed the need to revitalize the agricultural sector and strengthen system-wide coherence and integrate the three dimensions of sustainable development throughout the United Nations system, he said. Agriculture featured dominantly in the Zero Hunger Challenge, launched by the Secretary-General in Rio, which aimed to end stunting of children over age two; promote sustainable food systems; double the productivity and income of small-holder farmers; and eliminate the loss and waste of food. We must work together to achieve these important goals.
Source:-UN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
SAACI 2013 Annual Congress & Exhibition aims to be relevant and informative |
|
|
|
| |
Published On: 2013-05-14 |
|
|
|
| |
Challenging the industry to find the best way forward, the SAACI (Southern African Association for the Conference Industry) 2013 Annual Congress & Exhibition will be held at the Boardwalk Convention Centre in Port Elizabeth from
July 28-30.
This year's progamme aims to be relevant and informative. Delegates can expect in-depth discussions about topics related to marketing, hybrid events, legal aspects and human resources, among others.
There is an interesting line-up of speakers. Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk will deliver the keynote address.
The presentation by Prof. Matthew Lester of the Rhodes Business School, entitled ‘South Africa’s inconvenient truth’, will look at the South African economy and the challenges in 2013 and beyond. It will cover the National
Development Plan, tax considerations, and interest and exchange rates.
Alec Gilbert, past CEO of the Durban ICC and current CEO of the Adelaide Convention Centre, will compare the South African and Australian business events industries. James Rees of the ExCel Convention Centre in London will take a behind-the-scenes look at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Steuart Pennington from South Africa - The Good News will deal with South Africa’s challenges such as unemployment, labour relations and health, and will identify the ‘red’ and ‘green’ flags to look out for over the next four years.
The question of ‘legally pursuing an issue versus walking away from it’ will be addressed by a legal expert and South African Airways will elaborate on what it is doing to help grow business events tourism in South Africa.
The congress also provides an opportunity for conference industry members and suppliers to the industry to expose their brands, products, services and venues to the southern African conference community.
Delegates to the congress will also enjoy a fully sponsored, full-day outing to the five-star Pumba Private Game Reserve on 27 July 2013. On 28 July they can choose between a Port Elizabeth city and township tour or a visit to the Addo Elephant National Park, both sponsored by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism and Budget Rent a Car.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prev10 Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next Next10
|
| |
|
|
|
|
