April 2009

In This Issue

Speak Up and Out for Our Industry
Hotel Spotlight: Jumeirah in Dubai and Shanghai
Insider Poll: Have you helped promote the value of meetings?
Around the Industry: International Travel Declines
Krisam & GEP News: Broadmoor’s Singular Guarantee

Speak Up and Out For Our Industry

Executives from the financial services industry continue to be battered for their compensation practices, often with little understanding as to how bonuses are used. The treatment they are receiving from the press and the government may or may not be justified but it certainly demonstrates that we in the meetings industry must present our case, loud and clear, before our many publics.

Our colleagues in the industry, led by the US Travel Association, have done a fabulous job of quickly spreading the word, backed by solid facts, that meetings are vital to the overall success of the economy. This grassroots campaign is designed to educate the public and most importantly, our Government officials.

However, we must all use our voices to assure that we are heard and understood far and wide. Here is what you can do.



 

Hotel Spotlight: Jumeirah in Dubai and Shanghai

Exceptional performance will always warrant exceptional rewards and so interest continues in truly special places that offer one-of-a-kind experiences. The Jumeirah Group of hotels most certainly offers such experiences. And in places that are both especially desirable and convenient for travel.

The Burj Al Arab, with its billowing sail design, is probably the most famous landmark in one of the most remarkable cities in the world -- Dubai, UAE. Within Dubai itself, the Jumeirah Group offers four more distinctive properties and is about to open one in Shanghai. Seashore or desert, in town or out a bit, each site offers a special experience.

“My first response to a guest request will never be a no.” This is one simple tenant Jumeirah instills in its staff in earning its reputation for exceptional service. Exceptional service. Exceptional luxury. Fantastical Architecture. Here’s why Jumeirah promises you’ll “Stay Different” in each of its luxurious lodgings.

Insider Poll: Have you joined the industry campaign to promote the value of meetings?

Meetings Mean Business is a grassroots campaign whose goal is to protect the millions of American jobs that depend on business meetings and events. By now you have probably heard from the many organizations in the industry who support the campaign, with GEP and Krisam being among them. Have you had the opportunity to use the Meetings Mean Business resources in your professional life? Have you acted on some of the campaign’s recommendations. If, not, see the Speak up and Out story in this newsletter giving ideas on how you can help and benefit from the effort. If yes, tell us what you have done. Take our poll.

Results of The Last Event Insider Poll
Event professionals would rather cut back on expenses for dinners and parties than reduce the number of attendees or staff members on site for an event, according to the most recent Event Insider Poll. Planners also put seeking less expensive hotels and cities higher on the list than reducing the number of guests. The complete results are below.

Please check the top three you are most likely to do to save money on events in 2009.

• Spend less on dinners/parties - 19%
• Select less expensive hotel/resort - 16%
• Select less expensive city - 15%
• Reduce length of events - 13%
• Hold electronic sessions - 13%
• Reduce number of attendees - 10%
• Send fewer staff members - 8%

Around the Industryy

UN Calls for Tourism Activism
In opening this year's ITB Travel Trade Show in Berlin, Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General ad interim, underscored that "tourism means trade, jobs, development, cultural sustainability, peace and the fulfilment of human aspirations. If ever there was a time to get this message out loud and clear, it is now, as we meet at a time of overriding global uncertainty, but also of immense possibilities", Mr. Rifai said. He urged the G-20 leaders to include tourism as a key component of their economic stimulus programs.

After a 5% increase in the first half of 2008, international tourist arrivals fell 1 % in the second half of the year, according to the UN World Tourist Organization (UNWTO). Growth was negative in the last six months in Europe (–3%) and Asia (-3%). The Americas (1%), Africa (4%) and the Middle East (5%) still posted positive results in the second half of the year although significantly down from the previous six months.

Do you know where your laptop is?
More than 12,000 laptops are lost in U.S. airports each week according to a 2008 study of 106 airports in 49 states. Approximately 7% are lost in restaurants, 9% in restrooms, 23% at departure gates and a whopping 40% are left at security checkpoints. Only 30% of the absent-minded owners reclaim them, the study reports. The research was conducted by the Ponemon Institute and sponsored by Dell.

Krisam & GEP News
Get updates on Krisam Member Hotels & Resorts and GEP Partners here. For more information on any of these Members or Partners below, contact your Krisam or GEP representative directly or email us today.

New Krisam Group Member Hotels & Resorts
* Atlanta, GA – Loews Atlanta - Due to open in Spring 2010 in midtown Atlanta.

* Boston, MA – InterContinental Boston - 424 sleeping rooms, 21,130 sq. ft. meeting space, largest meeting room is 10,344 sq. ft.

* Houston, TX – Hotel ZaZa - 315 sleeping rooms, 14,909 sq. ft. meeting space, largest meeting room is 6,627 sq. ft.

* Montgomery, TX – La Torretta Del Lago Resort & Spa - 457 sleeping rooms, 40,208 sq. ft. meeting space, largest meeting room is 9,672 sq. ft.

* Park CIty, UT – Stein Eriksen Lodge - 180 sleeping rooms including 67 various suites; 12,095 sq. ft. of meeting space, largest meeting room is 4,052 sq. ft.


Broadmoor Introduces Unique Meetings Guarantee
“We Perform. Or it’s Free,” The Broadmoor announces in an unprecedented new guarantee. The exclusive Colorado resort says they will stand behind their service, staff and facilities by providing a guarantee for new group business held in 2009 and 2010: “If your Broadmoor meeting doesn’t deliver superior values in service, facilities and quality, the master account will be waived.”

"We feel that in difficult times it is more important than ever to bring people together,” says Steve Bartolin, President and CEO. “At the same time, organizations want to be certain they are making a responsible decision in doing so. I can't think of a better way to assure that decision than by guaranteeing the outcome, or the entire meeting is free. To my knowledge, this has never been done before and it demonstrates the confidence we have in our staff."

Learn more about the new Broadmoor guarantee.


GEP Partners Win 7 out of 12 ADME Awards
When the honors were handed out at the ADME Achievement Awards Ceremony in San Antonio last month, GEP partner DMC’s swept the field receiving 7 out of the 12 awards presented. The winning DMCs were Atlanta Arrangements, BBC, Destination King, and Destination Nashville.

Here are the Achievement Awards that they won:

Best Innovative Event - $50,001 to $100,000
Destination King - Groundbreaking Ceremonies
Memphis, TN

Best Recreational Activity
Destination Nashville - Big Star Boot Camp
Nashville, TN

Best Team-Building Activity
Atlanta Arrangements, Inc. - Stone Mountain Amazing Race
Atlanta, GA

Best Tour Program
BBC Destination Management - ASID Experiential Tour Program - Continuing Education
New Orleans, LAA

Recognition Award Winners

Destination Management Professional of the Year (tie)
Rhonda L. Marko CMP, CMM, DMCP
Destination Nashvillee
Nashville, TN
(Tied with Ilene Reinhart of Access Destination Services)


Nicolas Nevares CMP
BBC Destination Managementt
New Orleans, LA

Joanne O'Connor President's Award
Carol Norfleet, DMCP, CMP
Destination Nashville
Nashville, TN

BBC Pleases Elite Anthony Robbins Platinum Partners
BBC Destination Management was the second GEP partner to have the of privilege working with the Anthony Robbins Platinum Partners, an elite membership-only group that is focused on self-improvement in all areas of life.

This select group of individuals travels around the globe with the partnership throughout the year, and this year chose New Orleans as their destination. The program, centered on Mardi Gras, included a Habitat for Humanity Build, an exclusive ride in one of the world famous Mardi Gras Krewe parades, and culminated in a private dinner at an exquisite plantation home along the Mississippi River on Mardi Gras Day.

After the conclusion of the event, feedback included that of the many international destinations, the New Orleans experience was one of the best that many had ever attended.


Event Lab Named Best Event Production and Décor Company
Event Lab was named Best Event Production and Décor Company last month at Minnesota Meetings + Events Magazine Best of 2008 Readers Choice Awards. Winners are chosen by the readers of Minnesota Meetings + Events. The seventh annual event was held at The Hotel Minneapolis. Jack Noble, president of Event Lab has recently joined Minnesota Meetings + Events Editorial Advisory Board.


Boca Raton Resort & Club Receives Florida Green Lodging Program Designation
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has welcomed the Boca Raton Resort & Club to the Florida Green Lodgingg Program with the presentation of the Resort’s first Palm Award. The voluntary state initiative encourages the hotel industry to adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must implement a variety of green practices. These practices include water conservation through low flow plumbing fixtures, a linen reuse program, and energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR® appliances and programmable thermostats. The waste reduction criteria includes recycling, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing recycled materials and recycling ink and toner cartridges. Properties must also use green cleaners and high efficiency air filters

Since beginning the program, the Resort has recycled 92,780 pounds of cardboard; 83,560 pounds of glass and saved over $8,500.


Krisam Group & Global Events Partners Issue Going Green Guidelines
The Average U.S. meeting attendee, over the course of a three-day event, uses more than 2,000 BTUs of electricity, consumes more than 800 gallons of water, and generates more than 80 pounds of waste. There are ways planners can help eliminate and reduce the effect of their meetings on the environment, and in many situations, reduce costs.

Krisam Group & Global Events Partners has created a set of guidelines to provide you with some ideas, suggestions and some highlights from across the industry. In these guidelines, you’ll find ways you can become more “green”, questions to consider, and suggestions on how to give back to the local community where you are holding an event.

Use water pitchers, not individual bottles. Post materials on line to save printing. Ask for china or glass, rather than disposables. Here are more specific practical suggestions and links to other resources (PDF format).


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