Powering Reputations

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Foundation along with the International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality (ICRETH) and the Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) will all be on hand to respond to queries and discuss the eagerly awaited UK Economic Impact Study (UKEIS) during IMEX Frankfurt 2013 at the Messe Frankfurt.

Activities will include the following:

1200-1245, Tuesday, 21 May, 2013 (Research Pod). ICRETH’s Jackie Mulligan and MPI’s Jessie States will present a session in the Research Pod during which attendees can discover the rich story that the UKEIS tells, why it’s important and what they should know about the final results launching later this year. The session will also provide an opportunity to understand more about the United Nation’s methodology, what “economic impact” really means and why the industry needs to use this information in the coming months.

1530-1630, Wednesday, 22 May 2013 (Stand E670). InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) will host a reception to highlight the UKEIS. Members of the UKEIS research team will be in attendance and on hand to answer questions about the study.

Throughout IMEX, (Stand D700). Members of the MPI team will be available on an informal basis to answer questions and provide further information about the UKEIS.

“The UKEIS will demonstrate the critical role the meeting industry plays in the UK economy. As the release of the full UKEIS data draws closer, there are many individuals who would like to discuss the methods behind the results, how it will be applied to the industry and what the study will really mean to us all. These sessions and our reception provides a variety of opportunities to learn more and prepare for the official launch of the results at The Meetings Show UK in July. ” explained Russell Green, IHG Director, Corporate Sales UK&I.

The full UKEIS is set for release on 10 July, 2013 at The Meetings Show UK in London.

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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.”

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Magenta Security prides itself on the wide range of high quality services it offers customers. And in order to meet growing client demands, it has extended its portfolio to include additional services such as luxury car hire and housekeeping.

Magenta Security already provides its clients with security officers, mobile services, graffiti removal, electronic security and remote monitoring. But after listening to feedback from its clients the company decides to expand its service offering. The move allows Magenta to provide clients with a complete package which is even more tailored to each their individual requirements, backed by a strong service-based ethos and intensive account management.

The chauffeur service, for example, is aimed at the luxury market, with Magenta able to provide up to 40 Mercedes Viano vehicles which seat 7 people, and can be used for to transport high profile businessmen and celebrities who require trained and licensed security personnel, who are close protection experts, throughout their stay in the UK.

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Virtua UK Ltd has merged with Custom Communications Group as the company seeks to take advantage of growth in the telecommunications industry.

Virtua UK Ltd, a leading Wiltshire based supplier of expertise to the telecoms industry, has finalised a merger with telecommunications installation and rigging specialist Custom Communications Group, based in Hertfordshire. The merger will create exciting new prospects for both organisations and their customers.

The telecoms industry is going through a major phase of growth as consumers adopt smart phones and tablets which require more speed and coverage. The launch of 4G, the expansion of Wi-Fi, the increasing move towards Intelligent Buildings and the ever more critical support of public safety networks are serving that growth. In order to meet demand, the industry needs partners who can provide a full range of design, build and test services and have the scale to deal with the speed and complexity of those new projects.

The addition of Custom Communications Group to the Virtua Group means that Virtua can provide more services, provide its customers with more support and maintain all of this with a stronger and larger work force.

Virtua, chief executive, Andy Watts: “For the fourth and probably not the last time in the history of mobile networks the UK is building new faster mobile phone and data networks – The fourth generation (4G) is what it says. It’ll transform the way we use our devices (our smart phones and tablets). This merger gives Virtua and Custom Communications Group the combined skills and scale to really help our customers to deliver that.”

He continues: “Of course it’s not just about 4G. The existing GSM networks, Wi-Fi, Intelligent buildings and public safety networks are all going through constant change and adaption and our combined strength will be equally valuable to our customers in those networks. While this bringing together of Virtua and Custom Communications Group will change a lot for our business and provide more for our customers there’s one thing that won’t change – our commitment to doing a brilliant job for our customers with some of the best people in the industry.”

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Certification International has called on organisations to prove their green credentials during Green Office Week by gaining certification to ISO 14001:2004 – the internationally recognised environment management standard.

Since 2008, the number of certificates issued by Certification International for ISO 14001:2004 has increased 67% as more organisations see the benefit of implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS).

ISO 14000 provides a systematic approach to setting environmental objectives and targets. Its benefits include reduced cost of waste management, savings in consumption of energy and material, lower distribution costs and improved corporate image among regulators, customers and the public. It’s compatibility with ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18000 also allows companies to integrate quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems throughout everything they do creating a better environment for customers and staff.

And with Green Office Week taking place this week, Certification International believes it is an ideal opportunity for organisations to look at initiatives they have in place and how they can further improve their approach to the environment and sustainability.

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Kabuki theatre opened to meet growing demand for cultural events.

One of Kyoto’s earliest kabuki theatres is opening its doors to meetings, incentive travel and event organisers.

Minamiza was one of seven kabuki playhouses permitted by the Governor-General of Kyoto In the early Edo period (1600-1868). Kabuki is one of Japan’s most internationally famous forms of theatre. Developed in Kyoto in the 17th century it became the favourite entertainment form of the merchant class. For many, the Minamiza symbolizes the birthplace of kabuki and it is of great historical value – in 1996 it was registered as a Japanese Tangible Cultural Property.

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As Green Office week approaches, Accord Office Supplies has launched the latest version of its Green Guide to help customers become more environmentally friendly when ordering office supplies.

The 10th Edition of the Green Guide contains a range of information showing customers how they can introduce environmentally friendly initiatives in their offices and highlighting the green products they can order from Accord to help them achieve this.

The launch of the guide coincides with Green Office Week (13-17 May) which highlights practical ideas to make any working environment greener. During Green Office Week, Accord is promoting the different steps customers can take to become more environmentally friendly, such as reducing energy consumption by turning off lights in areas that aren’t in use or monitors when you leave your desk.

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Continued from my last blog, learn here how to use hashtags.

Hashtags have the ability to trend nationwide and even worldwide if they are used and promoted correctly. In terms of industries, they can create a community between industry professionals creating a hub of information and communication. And in terms of trade shows and exhibitions – hashtags can promote from inside and out getting more awareness of specific events out to the world.

Listed below are my top hashtags from our clients industries which are easy to use in posts which can be sent using Twitter. Use them at the end of your post to add yourself to the meetings and events community. Remember, Twitter posts are only 140 characters long so use the space wisely!

#ff – This is used on Fridays to suggest Twitter users you find interesting for others to follow. For example: Really enjoying @SoaringWW’s tweets this week! #FF

#EIR – Engage, Inform, Retweet #EIR is used to share Twitter users who are great at engaging, informing, and retweeting. For example: @SoaringWW are always on Twitter! #EIR

#eventprofs – This is the most commonly used hashtag in the events and meetings industry. EventProfs is a successful community of event professionals, sharing ideas and discussing topics. It is a community which allows others to grow careers, businesses and the industry. For example: What has been your favourite event so far this year? #eventprofs

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Mobile event technology leader DoubleDutch teams up with The Meetings Show UK to engage attendees, source leads, and gather insight with event’s official mobile app

The Meetings Show UK, the major new event for the inbound and outbound UK meetings and conference industry has announced a partnership with event technology leader DoubleDutch.

DoubleDutch will create the official mobile application for the inaugural Meetings Show UK, taking place at Olympia, London from 9-11 July, 2013. DoubleDutch, the leading provider of mobile applications for events, conferences, and trade shows, was chosen for its reputation of building the most innovative and engaging applications on the market. The Meetings Show UK and DoubleDutch are designing the app to provide visitors to the show with an engaging tool to guide them around the event, help them view their online diary and interact with other visitors. The app is also being designed to perfectly complement the show’s mobile website.

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Claire Robbin has recently joined the Church House Conference Centre team as Business Development Executive.

Claire, who has a degree in Theatre Arts from Derby University and previously worked for Novus Leisure dealing with corporate sales for venues such as Jewel Piccadilly, Sway and Kanaloa, brings with her a wealth of industry experience, expertise and creativity.

Speaking about her appointment, Claire says: “For me the events industry is a bit of a magnet. I see it as colourful kaleidoscope of different people and scenarios with an ever changing back drop of imaginative ideas. This creativity coupled with well ironed processes makes working in the events industry a fulfilling career”.

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