NEW PARTNER

Agora Tourism is now Worldmeetings Turkey

This month, Worldmeetings welcomes another new partner agency. A cooperation agreement has been signed with Agora Tourism, who will now represent the Worldmeetings network in Turkey. The official contract was signed in Istanbul on 12 September 2007 by Worldmeetings CEO, Jan Brons, and General Manager of Agora Tourism, Oscan Bayazit Genc, and Managing Director, Tolga Özkarakas.

The DMC, Agora Tourism, was founded in 1996 and provides a wide range of tourism services including travel arrangements, incentive programmes tailored to individual requirements and the organization of accommodation for corporate meetings. The company has grown strongly since 1996 and is now a reliable and respected partner both locally and internationally. Agora Tourism's success lies in its attention to detail, its extensive knowledge of the meeting destination Turkey and the high standard of service provided which includes expert advice before the event, efficient organization and adherence to safety requirements where appropriate. Agora Tourism's overriding aim is to achieve full customer satisfaction.

Following consultation with clients and clarification of requirements, Agora Tourism can develop a complete programme, coordinate the logistics, and be available on-site throughout the event to deal with all eventualities. Agora Tourism's well-trained and dedicated multilingual team enjoys a challenge and would be happy to design an innovative and memorable programme for your group. The services offered range from selection of the ideal destination and accommodation to the booking of all transportation (all at the best rates) and organization of a special supporting programme such as a cruise along the Bosphorus or a dinner with traditional oriental entertainment. The company's extensive knowledge of the various venues available in Turkey aids quick selection of the perfect location for any event, whether it be a gala dinner or an international congress.

Agora Tourism will be introducing Worldmeetings international meeting procurement services to the Turkish market. Agora Tourism has business experience and contacts in more than 300 hotels and conference venues throughout Turkey and will therefore be able to find suitable venues for Worldmeetings event planners from other countries wishing to organize meetings in Turkey. RFPs can be processed promptly and efficiently. Similarly, Agora Tourism has built up business relations with a number of large to medium-size companies in Turkey as a result of the organization of international trade fairs over the last 10 years. The association with Worldmeetings will also facilitate the international meeting procurement activities of these companies by giving them easy access to a worldwide meeting procurement network.

Osman Genc commented: “We believe that our excellent business relationships in both the Turkish and international markets will make a positive contribution to the Worldmeetings network. We will be bringing our many tried-and-tested meeting venues to the Worldmeetings virtual marketplace as well as new Turkish corporate clients.”

www.agoratourism.com

Event planners interested in booking a meeting or event in Turkey are welcome to contact Osman Bayazit Genc or Tolga Özkarakas for assistance:

Tel.:+90-212-2519050 · osman.genc@agoratourism.com · tolga@agoratourism.com

Worldmeetings Turkey will be online towards the end of the year.

OSMAN BAYAZIT GENC

New partners bring expertise
on Turkish market to Worldmeetings

Osman Bayazit Genc, General Manager and owner of Agora Tourism, was born in Bursa, Turkey, in 1966. He was educated in both Germany and Turkey, graduating from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Department of International Relations, in Istanbul. He started work in the tourism sector as a professional tour guide in Turkey in 1987. He then spent several years working in Germany as General Manager of two Tour Operators with business to Turkey, Egypt, UAE and Spain. During this phase, he was able to build up firm relationships with many business partners in these countries which he has nurtured over the years.

In 1995, he returned to Turkey to establish the country's first German Auditing, Tax and Business Consultancy, in cooperation with German partners. In this position, he managed several mergers and acquisitions, turnkey and market research projects. As this was the first company of its type in Turkey, he was able to initiate a number of innovative projects for Turkish companies such as organizing trips to Chinese trade fairs and creating a portfolio of companies involved in international trade.

In 1996, he founded the Destination Management Company, Agora Tourism, and over the last few years, has concentrated on developing incoming business from the exclusive upmarket segment of mainly German-speaking European countries. He acts as a consultant for the Turkish business of several major German companies and is therefore always interested in hearing about innovative business projects with Turkey. He speaks fluent German and English and some Spanish. He is married and has a 7-year-old son.

TOLGA ÖZKARAKAS

New partners bring expertise on Turkish market to Worldmeetings

Tolga Özkarakas, Managing Director and associate partner of Agora Tourism, was born in Cologne, Germany, in 1974. He was educated in both Germany and Turkey, graduating from the Faculty of Marketing and Management in Istanbul, Turkey.

His first job in tourism was with Airtours Turkey and after that he worked for Öger Tours as a professional tour guide in Istanbul. Later he worked in the Head Office of Öger Tours in Istanbul in various departments such as Incentives, Incoming and Conferences. He subsequently spent several years working in Germany as Managing Director of a Turkish Tourism Company, “Shikar Safaris”, with business to Central Asia.

He has been a partner of the Destination Management Company, Agora Tourism, for a year now and is responsible for business development, marketing and incentives. He speaks both English and German.

DESTINATION

Istanbul– an exciting conference destination

Istanbul is one of the world's most exciting conference destinations and is an increasingly popular choice for the world's leading international associations.

Istanbul's outstanding infrastructure, including modern, luxurious accommodation, state-of-the-art conference and exhibition venues and experienced conference professionals, makes it a logical choice for organizers. And, when combined with the city's fabulous history and stunning natural beauty, not to mention cultural riches, exciting shopping, sophisticated nightlife and world-class dining, it's not hard to figure out why top associations choose Istanbul - and enjoy exceptionally high attendance when they do!

Istanbul also offers organizers a wide variety of pre- and post-tour options, from cruises and overland expeditions to cultural tours and just relaxing on some of the Mediterranean's finest beaches. Delegates can choose from the elegant and the exotic, the relaxing and the rugged, the ancient and the astonishing.

So, when you can offer your delegates luxury accommodation, organize your conference from the plenary session to the closing ceremonies in facilities equipped with the latest technology and able to accommodate over 3,500 for a banquet, plus give them Istanbul's 3,500 years of history to discover and the beauty of the Bosphorus, you can naturally expect to create an outstanding event.

For further information, see www.icvb.org

Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau
Tel: + 90 212 343 00 00 Fax: + 90 212 343 01 01
elifbalci@icvb.org

Planners interested in booking any of the following venues are welcome to contact Worldmeetings Turkey for assistance.

Tel.:+90 212 2519050 · osman.genc@agoratourism.com · tolga@agoratourism.com

CONGRESS

Istanbul – Convention and Exhibition Facilities

Istanbul's conference appeal is proven, and one factor behind it is that Istanbul has three separate conference and exhibition areas: The Conference Valley, The Airport & Exhibition District and The Business & Financial District. These cluster areas feature a combination of accommodations, meeting facilities, and exhibition space. They can be used individually or, thanks to Istanbul's transportation infrastructure and particularly the Istanbul metro, linked together for events with 10,000 or more participants.

The Conference Valley

This district combines leading international and Turkish three-, four- and five-star hotels within walking distance of the city's top venues such as the Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Centre (ICEC), the Istanbul Hilton Convention & Exhibition Centre, Military Museum Cultural Centre and the Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall, as well as exclusive shopping areas and vibrant Taksim. There are a total of 7 five-star hotels within walking distance of the Conference Valley as well as dozens of three and four-star hotels for a combined total of over 10,000 rooms.

The Airport & Exhibition District

This area consists of two massive exhibition centres with almost 150,000 sq. m. of exhibition space, plus meeting and event facilities as well as several hotels, including three international five-star hotels. The CNR International Expo Centre is inside the Istanbul World Trade Centre complex and has the advantage of being in close proximity to Ataturk Airport, major highways, and many five-star hotels. CNR Expo has 120 thousand square metres of indoor exhibition space in eight climate-controlled halls, and two additional halls are currently being added. There is also a modern venue in the district with excellent acoustics and seating for 4,500.

The Business & Financial District

This district offers five-star accommodation with extensive meeting space, in addition to major conference centres under construction. Its location near the headquarters of numerous companies, including multinationals, and proximity to the Istanbul Stock Exchange make it ideal for corporate meetings.

UNUSUAL VENUE

Adile Sultan Palace

Situated on the Asian side of the Bosphorus in Kandilli, Adile Sultan Palace, which was built upon the order of Sultan Abdülmecit in the name of his sister in 1876, has been restored thanks to the donation made by the deceased businessman, Sakip Sabanci after the great fire it suffered in 1986.

The facility, which came into service under the name of Adile Sultan Palace, opened with a magnificent ceremony on June 28, 2006 hosted by UKTAFI, the administrator of Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Adile Sultan Palace was donated to the Ministry of Education in 1899 by Adile Sultan, who wanted it to be converted into a girls' school, before her death. The building was Kandilli High School for Girls until the fire in 1986. Adile Sultan Palace has come to life again thanks to joint contributions from the Ministry of Education, the Governorship of Istanbul, the late Sakip Sabanci, Haci Ömer Sabanci Foundation (VAKSA) and the Education and Culture Foundation of Kandilli High School for Girls (KANKEV), and will serve under the name of “Sakip Sabanci Kandilli Education and Culture Centre Adile Sultan Palace.”

The Palace, which promises to be one of the most respectable venues in Istanbul, has halls with high, gold foiled ceilings and a view of the Bosphorus. There is a total usage area of 5,625 sq. m. including 2 meeting halls for 200 people, an Oval Hall for 500 people for banquet and meeting purposes, an area of 1,300 sq.m. for cocktails and exhibitions, 20 seminar rooms for 30-40 people, the “Palace Garden” for 2,000 people and various service units.

HOTEL

Sheraton Istanbul Maslak Hotel

Sheraton is back in Istanbul after 13 years. The Sheraton Istanbul Maslak Hotel was opened on 15 May 2007 as a new landmark. The Hotel has gone through a major renovation. The 30-storey luxury hotel has 305 guest rooms and 18 meeting and banquet rooms.

Surrounded by multinational corporate office buildings and leading bank headquarters, this luxury Istanbul hotel is only 5 minutes from the Levent underground station, 15 minutes from Istanbul's Kanyon and Metrocity shopping centres, and around 30km from Istanbul Ataturk International Airport.

The Sheraton Istanbul Maslak Hotel combines outstanding five-star hospitality and accommodation with impressive on-site amenities: Club Rooms and a Lounge; an Italian Restaurant from Milan, L'altra Risacca, which offers an exuberant celebration of the best Italian food prepared by Executive Chef Emiliano Luggo, wine and lifestyle; Sky Restaurant & Bar with the best of traditional Turkish cuisine and, according to a local magazine, some of the best calamare in the city by Executive Chef Umit Yuksel who is the Turkish National Culinary Team Captain; 2 bars; an extensive 3,000 sq. m. Health Club & Spa which offers a Turkish hammam; various meeting facilities and an exciting Link@Sheraton.

The Sheraton Istanbul Maslak welcomes guests with the slogan: "Share memories to last a lifetime at Sheraton Istanbul Maslak".

www.starwoodhotels.com

TRADE FAIR

EIBTM 2007: Europe in the spotlight

EIBTM 2007 is set to have a record number of European exhibitors at this year's event showcasing an extensive range of venues, products and services from this popular region of the world. New companies, increased stand space from returning exhibitors and a maintained presence by European destinations will see the most diverse representation for many years.

Eastern and Central Europe will have a significant presence at the event supporting its growing popularity as a meetings and incentives destination. Croatia has increased its stand space by 18%, Hungary is taking 90 sq. m. and Romania has increased by a massive 64%. Poland, Slovenia and Ukraine are returning to exhibit this year whilst Slovakia's stand will be over a third larger than in previous years. The city of Vilnius, Lithuania will also have its own stand almost 30% bigger than last year.

Vera Szucs-Balás, Manager for the Hungarian Convention Bureau stated: “We think EIBTM is a great opportunity to promote Hungary as a destination for congresses, conferences and other business events. This is the 7th time we have exhibited at EIBTM, and we are very much looking forward to it. It has always been a huge success for us and we try to be well-prepared in order to provide up-to-date information to Hosted Buyers and visitors. There are a number of novelties on the Hungarian meetings and incentives market including plenty of new hotels and conference venues as well as several ones still being built. We will launch them at EIBTM along with our new brochure, "The Meeting Planners' Guide to Hungary", which will be published in September this year.”

Northern Europe will also have a stronger presence at EIBTM this year with Sweden increasing its stand size by almost 30%, Norway by 8% and Iceland by 66%. Denmark, Lapland and Finland will not miss out on the business that EIBTM generates as they are all returning to the show again this year. Other European destinations set to have an even larger presence at EIBTM this year include Britain, Austria, Germany and France. Two major European cities, Munich and Birmingham, have decided to exhibit independently for the first time to focus on their own product offering and brand values which they feel are more than a match for their competitors.

Ian Taylor, Commercial Director at Marketing Birmingham, which operates Birmingham Convention Bureau, said “Research has revealed that the events industry in the West Midlands is worth a staggering £6bn to the regional economy and £2.3bn in Birmingham alone. It is therefore clearly essential that we continue to grow this area and attract more high profile events to the city. Our decision to exhibit in Barcelona reflects our confidence in Birmingham's credentials as a leading events destination, and in the city's ability to attract international acclaim.”

Spain will have a strong representation from hotels, venues and convention bureaus such as Turismo Andaluz who have increased their stand size by 70% and first time exhibitors Hoteles Santos, Palau Moxó, Port Aventura S.A, Casa Llotja de Mar, Unitursa and Vincci Hoteles sa.

Mandy Torrens, Exhibition Director commented: “With the exhibition floor larger than ever before, the range and diversity of products and services on offer for buyers and visitors to discover at EIBTM this year is set to be extensive.”

 

The Fira Gran Via venue in Barcelona, Spain will be home to EIBTM from 27-29 November 2007.

For further information on EIBTM please visit the website: www.eibtm.com

PROMOTE YOUR VENUE

Worldmeetings international guide 2008

The advertising deadline for the 2008 edition of the Worldmeetings international guide is 26 October. This book will be published in January and sent to over 30,000 international meeting planners selected from the extensive databases of all the Worldmeetings partners in January 2008. The book is also displayed at Worldmeetings stands at major international meeting fairs throughout the year and event planners visiting these fairs (such as IMEX, EIBTM, etc.) have the chance to take a free copy with them then. Any venues interested in advertising in the international guide to the Worldmeetings virtual marketplace, please write to Diana Carlino at dcarlino@worldmeetings.de See Media Information

Worldmeetings News

Any conference venues interested in advertising in this bimonthly electronic newsletter can receive further information by writing to Susan Bispham at sbispham@worldmeetings.de. The newsletter is now sent to around 77,000 international meeting professionals from the databases of the Worldmeetings partner agencies currently based in 11 different countries (Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Austria, France, Morocco, Greece, UK and Turkey) as well as KSM's worldwide database of corporate clients. See the Media Information

BOOK TIP

"The Unwritten Laws of Business"

"The Unwritten Laws of Business" by W.J. King and James G. Skakoon (Profile Books) is a revised and updated business book from 1944, filled with sage advice and written in a clear, engaging style.

It offers insights on working with others, reporting to a boss, running meetings, advancing your career, and much, much more: If you have no intention of using someone's opinion, don't ask for it; It's natural enough to ‘look out for Number One', but your associates won't look out for you; If you take care of your present job well, the future will take care of itself. And more – all of which has also stood the test of time. Refreshingly free of the latest business jargon, The Unwritten Laws of Business is wise, ethical and insightful, capturing and distilling the timeless truths and principles that underlie management and business the world over. Win one of three free copies of this book by sending the answer to the following question to sbispham@worldmeetings.de : “What is the name of Worldmeetings new Turkish partner?”

PRIZE DRAW WINNER

Winner of weekend break at Château du Lac!

There was an overwhelming response to our prize draw in the July issue of Worldmeetings News with replies not only from event planners in European countries such as Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany but also from as far afield as the USA. Many thanks to all those participating in the prize draw. Unfortunately only one person could win and the gift voucher has been sent to Carla van den Heuvel from Falck Nutec in The Netherlands.

The gap continues to widen
For the fourth year in a row the international meetings market is growing apace. 1,435 meeting, incentive, conference and event professionals (MICE) were polled for the FutureWatch 2007 survey: The biggest study of its kind predicts not only an increase in the number of meetings worldwide, but also more delegates and expanding budgets.

corp.americanexpress.com

Accor sells Red Roof Inn
Accor has announced the completion of the sale of Red Roof Inn (341 hotels) to a consortium comprised of Citi's Global Special Situations Group and Westbridge Hospitality Fund, L.P. for US 1.313 billion dollars. Following the divestment, Accor is refocusing on a single brand, Motel 6, the leading economy hotel chain in the United States.

www.accor.com

Hotel Adlon celebrates centennial
In 2007 Hotel Adlon Kempinski will celebrate its centennial. Opened on 24 October 1907 by carpenter Lorenz Adlon from Mainz, the hotel has 304 guest rooms and 15 meeting rooms.

www.hotel-adlon.de

Fairmont in Montreux

Since early June the traditional Le Montreux Palace has been a Fairmont hotel. The 235-room Palace has function space for 1,200 people, five restaurants, two bars, a Willow Stream Spa and gym. The conference area comprises Le Petit Palace with six rooms for five to 1,200 guests, while Le Palace has a further six rooms for up to 680 people. As a start-up offer Fairmont invites planners who are organising an event with 300 room nights between June 2007 and March 2008 to a stay during the Montreux Jazz Festival.

www.fairmont.com

Worldmeetings at Access & EIBTM

Worldmeetings will have a stand at the Access in Vienna (stand no. P 8) and the EIBTM in Barcelona (stand no. F810). Event planners can obtain free copies of the 2007 edition of Worldmeetings at these stands.
www.access-austria.at
www.eibtm.com