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LGBT Meeting Professionals Association announces more member benefits

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Today the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association (LGBT MPA) announces new member benefits including the first LGBT Supplier Diversity resource guide and a new member portal with educational content, mentoring, and professional development opportunities. The new benefits also include a Members Guide and Forum are designed to build community and advance inclusivity of the meeting planning industry.

The MPA Supplier Diversity Guide is the first comprehensive resource listing vendors that meet the LGBT
MPA’s Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) standards. The guide is available online at the organization’s website.

“We know some meeting planners don’t control where their meetings are held. This alone can make it difficult to meet diversity expectations,” said David Jefferys, Executive Director. “Our new Supplier Diversity Guide provides information so meeting planners can choose to support vendors that meet LGBT MPA D&I standards and allow them to plan meetings that comply with their organization’s inclusivity goals.”

The LGBT MPA’s new member portal is a business resource as well as an active professional development source. In addition to the LGBT MPA Supplier Diversity Guide, members can post RFPs and job listings.

“We are very proud of our new member professional benefits and we are equally proud of the addition of our business-focused benefits,” said Jim Clapes, LGBT MPA Board Chairman and Conference & Events Manager for the Drug Policy Alliance. “We believe that the LGBT MPA Supplier Diversity will allow members to allocate dollars to vendors who support inclusivity.

Because, in the end we are all business professionals and diversity is good for business.”

More about LGBT MPA

The LGBT Meeting Professionals Association (LGBT MPA) is the first and only association for this industry group. Statistically, there are an estimated 100,000 meeting professionals currently practicing in the United States. LGBT MPA predicts in the US that 8,000 to 12,000 of these professionals working in the field are members of the LGBT community. Globally the current estimate is 18,000 to 23,000.

The LGBT MPA was founded in August 2016 by Dave Jefferys, president and CEO of the Altus Agency, a Philadelphia-based marketing enterprise firm specializing in LGBT travel and the Executive Officers and the Board. Membership for LGBT professionals is free.

MEDIA CONTACT: David Jefferys, Executive Director LGBT Meeting Professionals Association [email protected]    

Seychelles Tourism Board strengthens its outreach in India with three-city roadshow

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The Seychelles Tourism Board successfully conducted a three-city roadshow in the cities of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, Ahmedabad in the State of Gujarat and the capital city of India; Delhi from Monday September 16 to Friday September 20, 2019.

The key industry players from Seychelles including hotel partners and Destination Management Companies (DMC) alongside the STB representatives. The team, consisting of Mrs. Elsie Sinon- Senior Marketing Executive from the STB Headquarters, Ms. Shakambri Soni and Mrs. Priya Ghag from the Seychelles Tourism Board’s India office, connected with approximately 225 prominent Indian travel and tour operating companies to strengthen their outreach in India.

On the hotel accommodation services side Berjaya Hotels and Resorts, Cerf Island Resort, Four Seasons Seychelles, Hilton Resort & Spa, MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa, Savoy Resort & Spa, Coral Strand Smart Choice Hotel, JA Enchanted Island Resort and soon to open Club Med Seychelles were present at the roadshow.

Creole Travel Services, Mason’s Travel, Vision Voyages represented on the DMC side, Variety Cruises as a cruise operator and Air Seychelles, the national carrier, stood alongside the delegation as part of the Seychelles services experience.

 The trade partners and travel agents were given the chance to network with the exhibitors to learn more about the destination including the diverse products and experiences the Seychelles offers during this interactive roadshow.

Present at the roadshow on the STB team Mrs. Sinon mentioned her satisfaction to have had a successful event in India.

She emphasised that such events create a platform to help service providers in Seychelles and Indian tour operators, to connect and understand mutual needs so as to better design and deliver the Seychelles to all clients, particularly new-age travellers from India while retaining the growth momentum of Indian arrivals into the Seychelles.

Commenting on the event, Ms. Sherin Francis, STB Chief Executive stated that the annual roadshow

in India is one of the marketing events that extremely substantial for the destination.

“It gave us immense pleasure to see our Indian partners always eager to keep updated about the Seychelles. This roadshow was well attended and received a remarkable response from all three cities. India represents a substantial and vast market for Seychelles and these planned events help us to understand the current market dynamics and connect with the existing as well as potential Indian tour operators in Chennai, Ahmedabad and Delhi,” said Mrs. Francis.

On her part Ms. Lubaina Sheerazi, STB representative in India further added, “We are extremely pleased to have received positive and encouraging feedback from stakeholders about the format and quality of meetings conducted at the roadshow. Delhi and Ahmedabad have been among the top three markets for Seychelles and we wanted to revisit these cities to ensure quality engagement with all trade partners there. With our marketing strategies and efforts, we continue this engagement and reach out to more potential markets in the coming years.”

As part of its marketing strategy, each year STB plans to target newer cities in India through roadshows, workshops and selective meetings. STB encourages their partners to participate in the 2020 edition of the roadshow as India is an immensely significant market for the Seychelles.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, [email protected]  www.seychelles.travel

Centara honored with Best Meetings & Conventions Hotel Award for 5th consecutive year

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Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld has received the award for “Best Meetings and Conventions Hotel in Asia” at the 2019 TTG Travel Awards. This is the fifth consecutive year and seventh time in total that the company’s flagship hotel and convention center has received this prestigious award, which was announced at the Asia-Pacific travel industry’s annual event organized by TTG Asia Media. Winners were chosen by an audited vote of TTG Asia readers representing travel consultants, tour operators and destination management companies across the region.

The upper upscale 505-room Centara Grand hotel enjoys a prime location in the heart of Bangkok’s central business and shopping district. Its integration with a lifestyle shopping complex and state-of-the-art conference center makes it a frequent choice for the region’s top MICE events. CentralWorld is the largest lifestyle shopping and entertainment complex in downtown Bangkok while Bangkok Convention Centre is the country’s most complete event venue of 5,250 sqm hosting conferences of up to 7,000 delegates, as well as corporate and social functions in a 1,000-seat ballroom, and smaller meetings in many flexible configurations. At the beginning of this month. The company is investing THB 650 million in the room improvement project which will see a complete floor-to-ceiling renovation of all guestrooms and suites. The designs for the new room interiors draw inspiration from Thai artisans, textures and patterns that is in keeping with the brand’s inimitable Thai roots. 

“Bangkok remains one of Asia’s favorite MICE destinations, and we work hard to be a pre-eminent MICE venue not only in the city but region-wide and globally as well,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, Centara Hotels & Resorts CEO. “We continue striving to develop new ideas and new ways of thinking to ensure our products and services remain at the forefront of the MICE industry. Our latest initiative, New Agenda: Meetings Redesigned, reflects that bold kind of thinking that can lead to more successful MICE events and more engaged meeting attendees.”

ABOUT CENTARA

Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 75 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands -Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara, Centara Residences & Suites and COSI Hotels – ranging from 5-star city hotels and luxurious island retreats to family resorts and affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. It also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Centara is strategically expanding its portfolio with additional properties in Thailand and new international markets, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

Find out more about Centara at CentaraHotelsResorts.com  

Facebook                    LinkedIn                      Instagram                    Twitter 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Pornchanok Thongrungrot (Pao)

Corporate Public Relations Manager – International Media, Centara Hotels & Resorts
Tel. +66 (0)2769 1234 Ext. 6733          

[email protected]

Puntira Cherdboonmuang (Gam)

Corporate Public Relations Manager – Thai media, Centara Hotels & Resorts
Tel. +66 (0)2769 1234 Ext. 6922

[email protected]             

The Seychelles captures the Israeli market at Trade and Media Events

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Successful marketing mission held by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) and its local trade partners has showcased the Seychelles Islands’ pristine beauty to the Israeli city of Tel- Aviv during a two-day event on September 11 and 12, 2019.

The event opened with a press meeting held in Tel Aviv Centre, where approximately 18 tourism journalists and leading bloggers were present.

During her presentations to the press Mrs. Sherin Francis, STB Chief Executive elaborated on the privilege of having Seychelles as one of the preferred destination to the Israeli market.

On his part the Air Seychelles CEO, Mr. Remco Althuis, talked about the upcoming flights between Seychelles and Tel Aviv while STB Director for Europe, Bernadette Willemin, provided detailed information about the diverse offers the Seychelles has for visitors through a destination presentation.

Mrs. Francis also took the opportunity to discuss the Seychelles’ close-to-heart ecological positions and green policies. Her interventions also updated the press about the Seychelles debt to nature swap as well as the Blue Bond project- a pioneering financial instrument designed to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects,- whilst sharing the initiatives taking place in the Seychelles in terms of environment conservation.

The press meeting was followed by trade presentations and workshop at The Setai Hotel located in the Old City of Jaffa.

This event, was attended by the Seychelles Honorary Consul of Israel, Mr. Arie Goldstein, as well as 120 participants representing 55 different companies made up of Tour Operators, Travel Agents from both Free Independent Travellers (FTI) and Meetings, events and Incentive Travel Market (MICE).

STB Chief Executive once again emphasised the honour of counting the Israelis amongst the regular visitors in Seychelles, whilst highlighting the fact that the Air Seychelles flights will provide regular connections to the Islands increasing the opportunities for more visitors to enjoy the beauty of our pristine destination.  

Commenting on the importance of the Tel-Aviv marketing mission, Mrs. Francis mentioned that whilst a handful of agents and tour operators in Tel- Aviv were already selling the Seychelles, most had not yet seen its potential and now were keen on promoting it.

“We have received a very warm welcome from our partners in Tel- Aviv, from the feedback received on grounds, we are confident that, this two-day event has been an additional support to our marketing efforts to promoting the destination. We have definitely highlighted the philosophy of Seychelles as a pristine and green- must visit destination for one to tick on their bucket list,” said Mrs. Francis 

Aside from presentations by the different local partners present, exhibiting their products and companies, there were also business-to-business workshops, which gave way to one on one meetings.

During the two-day event, a dinner cocktail was held by the STB, where partners were given a chance to network with invitees.

The STB delegation and partners seized the opportunity, whilst in Tel Aviv, to set up appointments with key market players; there were meetings with major tour operators as well as Ethiopian airlines and Turkish airlines.

Mrs. Francis further mentioned her satisfaction and gratitude to the participating companies who collaborated with the STB team to make the event a success.

The trade partners consisted of DMCS including Creole Travel Service, Mason’s Travel and 7-Degree South and hotels establishments namely Four Seasons Seychelles, Frégate Island Private, Avani Seychelles, The H Resort Beau Vallon Beach, Constance Hotels & Resorts and Raffles were present to market their services for the two days. The team were also accompanied by the national airline Air Seychelles with representative Christine Ozouf.

Aside from Mrs. Francis, the STB Team was represented by Ms. Bernadette Willemin – Regional Director for Europe and Ms. Monette Rose Director for Italy, Turkey, Greece and the Mediterranean.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, [email protected]  www.seychelles.travel

IMEX America… “the cornerstone of the work we do”

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Exhibitors and buyers alike on day 3 of IMEX America report business success, whether it involves closing deals or getting new ideas to provide inspiration and creativity to help them in their jobs.

Business power

Exhibitors – new and returning – felt IMEX America 2019 has been a success. According to Paul Sullivan, director of group sales at the Westin Boston Waterfront: “I close business at this show, including one yesterday for around $30,000.”

Heike Mahmoud, chief operating officer at CCH – Congress Center Hamburg, says: “I spoke to a planner from Silicon Valley about hosting events for around 5,000 people at our venue. The show has been a really valuable opportunity to showcase and gain feedback on the CCH before it reopens next year. I have some great insight to bring back to my team and some really strong leads.”

“We consider IMEX America as the cornerstone of the work we do,” said Robin Miller, director of sales at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. “It’s where we secure face-to-face time with large numbers of potential clients and existing clients. It’s critical that we’re here.”

The show is highly valued by buyers, too. “We’re expanding our international market so this show is essential for us. The appointment system means I can guarantee time with the right person from my suppliers,” said US-based Mary Somerville from HPN Global.

Diversity driven learning

IMEX America continues to deliver on a commitment to education with a range of compelling sessions on its final day, some of which explore diversity as part of Imagination, IMEX’s Talking Point for this year. Sessions include Creating environments of acceptance: gender expression in the workplace and beyond, presented by LGBT MPA, with Ron Renee Roley, senior event manager for global events at Nike, who will use personal stories and experiences to provide a safe discussion environment.

SITE and Prevue have joined forces to dive deeper into the gender-specific challenges female meeting planning professionals and suppliers have faced in their careers with Challenges women face in the meetings industry. Rhonda Brewer, vice president, sales for North America at BCD Meetings & Events and Amanda Armstrong, assistant vice president of the meetings and travel department at Enterprise Holdings, Inc., will dive into survey results about gender-specific challenges of female meeting planning professionals and suppliers. Attendees will engage in a lively discussion about issues women face in the meetings industry and will hear from experts in the field as they share their own stories and examples.

Powerful language tools for women in business with Kate Patay, CPCE, a motivational speaker, consultant and faculty lecturer at the International School of Hospitality, who offers a frank discussion about building a personal brand and boosting leadership skills. How do you measure visitor experience? led by Maksim Godovykh from the Center for Event Studies, will help attendees learn how to measure and influence customer experience at each stage of the event process.

Other sessions on Thursday cover business skills and legacy. Lasting legacies: designing better community service projects hosted by The Events Industry Council (EIC). Mariela Mcilwraith, president of Meeting Change and David Fiss, director of business development, partnerships & event strategy at Sustainable Brands, will provide a framework for developing a lasting, positive impact through meaningful projects and explore transformative approaches that benefit communities, event planners and their teams.

IMEX America concludes today, September 12, in Las Vegas.

#IMEX19

eTN is a media partner for IMEX America.

IMEX America… “the cornerstone of the work we do”
Education offerings sparks creativity and imagination

IMEX AMERICA 2019

IMEX America 2019 is currently taking place September 10 – 12 at the Sands Expo® Convention Center preceded by Smart Monday, powered by MPI on September 9.

Exhibitor news can be found here.

For further press information, please visit us at the on-site press center (Upper Lobby, Level 2, Sands Expo® Convention Center) or contact:

Emma Blake (UK): [email protected]  

Norman Birnbach (US): [email protected]    

IMEX AMERICA 2020

IMEX America takes place in September again next year: September 15 – 17, 2020.

#IMEXcited. Why? Because IMEX America is celebrating its 10th birthday in 2020. More details to follow soon.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Emma Blake (UK): [email protected] ; Norman Birnbach (US): [email protected]