![\"Marko](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Marko-Ili\u0107-Generalni-menad\u017eer.jpg\")
He joined the group\u2019s team in 2012 as an F&B manager. Since then, Marko has been walking his path patiently without hurry. In this interview, he talks about the latest in his career and in Falkensteiner.
\nLast June Falkensteiner started running the Queen of Montenegro in Becici. You started the redesign process in mid-October in order to start the next summer season under the Falkensteiner name. How do you plan to conquer the Montenegrin coast, considering that the competition is high?
\nFalkensteiner has extensive experience when it comes to beach holiday hotels. After Croatia and Italy \u2013 where our ten four and five-star hotels have been seeing success for years \u2013 it was time for Montenegro to come to the fore. The group recognized the market\u2019s great potential and saw the Queen of Montenegro itself as a worthy representative of our brand in the future. Our values will definitely find their place here, as well, and they \u2013 first and foremost \u2013 pertain to world-class personalized services and attitude towards employees, which is especially important to us as part of the traditional Falkensteiner concept. In this instance, the hotel will primarily be intended for adults. As of next season, the well-known state-of-the-art Acquapura Spa Center will be offering a number of novelties, which I would rather not reveal at this time. Let\u2019s leave it as a surprise.
\nCould you tell us more about plans related to the MICE segment and extra amenities?
\nThe hotel has excellent MICE facilities. Firstly, a large multi-functional banquet hall spreading over 300 sqm. that can be used for various purposes, ideally for conventions, seminars, and corporate celebrations. We also have two conference rooms with up to around hundred seats and one meeting room for up to 30 seats. Our plan is to build another two smaller rooms with 30 seats. The very position of the hotel, which is a bit off the promenade and crowds, makes it an excellent choice for both team building events and company meetings (e.g., meetcentives) in the preseason (April and May) and after-season (September
\nand October). The halls and rooms will be completely renovated and furbished to the highest standards. All of them have natural light, making them even more pleasant to work and spend time in.
![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/lobby-2.jpg\")
What potentials do you see in Montenegro regarding the opening and developing a new market for the hotel group?
\nThe WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council) ranks Montenegro first in the world in terms of short-term and long-term tourism growth potential. Montenegro is currently working on significant road infrastructure reconstructions, the latest being that of highway leading to the border with Serbia. When everything is taken into account, the group\u2019s decision to continue
\nits expansion in the Balkans from this spot is entirely logical and \u2013 if everything goes according to plan \u2013 I believe that we will not stop at only one hotel.
You were part of other Falkensteiner hotel teams, too. How would you describe working within the group?
\nI have been part of the Falkensteiner family for six years. I have continued my hospitality industry career development with great pleasure and have been greeted with full confidence by the management, which I am extremely grateful for. I helped open several of our hotels and managed some of them in season. As a regional hotel chain, Falkensteiner has an ideal
\ndegree of central support in terms of business standards and assistance from our central office, but it also provides sufficient freedom to adapt to the local market and become an authentic part of the local community. The group has more than 30 hotels, but the
\nFalkensteiner family \u2013 which conveys the best of what working in the hotel industry includes \u2013 is still active. That is why the very impression of actually being part of one big family contributes both to my enthusiasm and that of the entire team.
![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/swimming-pool-2.jpg\")
Finally, could you tell us what you are particularly proud of in your career or what would be your advice to your colleagues?
\nFirst of all, I am proud of the fact that my growth journey has been long and included dedicated work and gradual advancement. That is the only way to learn the essence of the hotel business, which is that you need to start from the basics and slowly make your way, which is precisely where you acquire priceless knowledge and skills in working with guests within a large and diverse team. This feeds into my advice for younger colleagues: Start from the very bottom, move up slowly, patiently, and thoroughly, and always grow and build your skills. This will inevitably lead to success.
\nThe post Montenegro: Falkensteiner\u2019s New Destination appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "This year Marko Ilic encountered his biggest challenge yet \u2013 he took over as General Manager of the Queen of Montenegro, a hotel in Becici that will officially launch on the Montenegrin market next season as part of the Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences.\nMarko Ilic, General Manager\nHe joined the group\u2019s team in 2012 as an F&B manager. Since then, Marko has been walking his path patiently without hurry. In this interview, he talks about the latest in his career and in Falkensteiner.\nLast June Falkensteiner started running the Queen of Montenegro in Becici. You started the redesign process in mid-October in order to start the next summer season under the Falkensteiner name. How do you plan to conquer the Montenegrin coast, considering that the competition is high?\nFalkensteiner has extensive experience when it comes to beach holiday hotels. After Croatia and Italy \u2013 where our ten four and five-star hotels have been seeing success for years \u2013 it was time for Montenegro to come to the fore. The group recognized the market\u2019s great potential and saw the Queen of Montenegro itself as a worthy representative of our brand in the future. Our values will definitely find their place here, as well, and they \u2013 first and foremost \u2013 pertain to world-class personalized services and attitude towards employees, which is especially important to us as part of the traditional Falkensteiner concept. In this instance, the hotel will primarily be intended for adults. As of next season, the well-known state-of-the-art Acquapura Spa Center will be offering a number of novelties, which I would rather not reveal at this time. Let\u2019s leave it as a surprise.\nCould you tell us more about plans related to the MICE segment and extra amenities?\nThe hotel has excellent MICE facilities. Firstly, a large multi-functional banquet hall spreading over 300 sqm. that can be used for various purposes, ideally for conventions, seminars, and corporate celebrations. We also have two conference rooms with up to around hundred seats and one meeting room for up to 30 seats. Our plan is to build another two smaller rooms with 30 seats. The very position of the hotel, which is a bit off the promenade and crowds, makes it an excellent choice for both team building events and company meetings (e.g., meetcentives) in the preseason (April and May) and after-season (September\nand October). The halls and rooms will be completely renovated and furbished to the highest standards. All of them have natural light, making them even more pleasant to work and spend time in.\n\nWhat potentials do you see in Montenegro regarding the opening and developing a new market for the hotel group?\nThe WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council) ranks Montenegro first in the world in terms of short-term and long-term tourism growth potential. Montenegro is currently working on significant road infrastructure reconstructions, the latest being that of highway leading to the border with Serbia. When everything is taken into account, the group\u2019s decision to continue\nits expansion in the Balkans from this spot is entirely logical and \u2013 if everything goes according to plan \u2013 I believe that we will not stop at only one hotel.\nYou were part of other Falkensteiner hotel teams, too. How would you describe working within the group?\nI have been part of the Falkensteiner family for six years. I have continued my hospitality industry career development with great pleasure and have been greeted with full confidence by the management, which I am extremely grateful for. I helped open several of our hotels and managed some of them in season. As a regional hotel chain, Falkensteiner has an ideal\ndegree of central support in terms of business standards and assistance from our central office, but it also provides sufficient freedom to adapt to the local market and become an authentic part of the local community. The group has more than 30 hotels, but the\nFalkensteiner family \u2013 which conveys the best of what working in the hotel industry includes \u2013 is still active. That is why the very impression of actually being part of one big family contributes both to my enthusiasm and that of the entire team.\n\nFinally, could you tell us what you are particularly proud of in your career or what would be your advice to your colleagues?\nFirst of all, I am proud of the fact that my growth journey has been long and included dedicated work and gradual advancement. That is the only way to learn the essence of the hotel business, which is that you need to start from the basics and slowly make your way, which is precisely where you acquire priceless knowledge and skills in working with guests within a large and diverse team. This feeds into my advice for younger colleagues: Start from the very bottom, move up slowly, patiently, and thoroughly, and always grow and build your skills. This will inevitably lead to success.\nThe post Montenegro: Falkensteiner\u2019s New Destination appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2018-10-29T11:24:30+01:00", "date_modified": "2018-10-29T11:25:19+01:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/hotel-entrance-might-view.jpg", "tags": [ "Falkensteiner", "montenegro", "Hotels and venues", "Interviews", "MUST READ", "New and improved", "NEWS" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/montenegro-destination-worth-talking-about-talas-montenegro-dmc/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/montenegro-destination-worth-talking-about-talas-montenegro-dmc/", "title": "Montenegro, Destination Worth Talking About \u2013 Talas Montenegro DMC", "content_html": "Client\u2019s expecta\u0004tions can\u2019t be failed. Especially if you are working in the event industry. How much is crea\u0004tivity really important in that ma\ber? What are specific needs of incen\u0004tive trips? Answers on these and other ques\u0004tions gave us Ivana Sofranac, Project Manager and Iva Vujovic, Senior Project Manager, who work in agency Talas Montenegro DMC.
\nEvent organiza\u0005tions is said to be crea\u0005tive job. How does this turn out to be true in practi\u0005ce?
\nOf course, can you imagine organizing events that always look like one another, what would be the purpose? Wider vision and escape from a comfort zone are defini\u0004tions of crea\u0004tivity in MICE industry. For example, when you see the beach, it\u2019s not the only thing that needs to be seen. Besides that you need to imagine tables, why not set up in the water or synchronized
\nswimmers? Your next step is passing this idea to the others. A\u0006fter a while they will be able to
\nshare your vision. Our creati\u0004vity and ability to find the solu\u0004on for \u201calmost impossible\u201d made us recognizable and succesfull on the MICE market.
How do you define a crea\u0005tive concept?
\nFlexibility is MUST in our business. Knowing that the client is one of the biggest manufacturers
\nfrom the cleaning industry in France we picked \u201ccleanness\u201d as a theme and cleanness of our
\ncountry perfectly fi\bed in. Our idea was to give different name to each day, so Boka bay tour became \u201ceau claire\u201d (our clean sea) and the next day \u201cair frais\u201d (fresh air). The visit of
\nKotor became discovering Kotor through five senses enriched by adding a small Kotor carnival, as a one of the first things that came up to our minds when we men\u0004on Kotor. This was the first \u0004me that we organized small carnival out of period of carnivals and it perfectly
\nfi\btted in this unusual way of discovering Kotor.![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_9236.jpg\")
What did this group liked most about the event?
\nIt was a chance for them to visit the country that they would maybe never visit on their own. They had a well-balanced program and they enjoyed the things that are definitely not part of their everyday life. The fact that every single moment during this trip was planned especially for them was also an important factor. During site inspec\u0004on the client said \u201cI want to see stars in their eyes\u201d and this sentence was leading us through all the prepara\u0004ons all the way to the successful event.
\nWhat does the incen\u0005ve trip mean for them?
\nThose are the trips to talk about during the whole year and this company organizes them once a year. The success of an event is measured by sati\u0004sfac\u0004tion of the par\u0004cipants and the fact that they had a chance to learn something new, that they felt privileged and built the stronger connec\u0004tions with their team. It\u2019s a pleasure for us to learn from the client about the percentage of the ROI a\u0006er the incenti\u0004ve trip. That\u2019s a moment when we realize that every link in the chain completed its mission and it gives big sati\u0004sfac\u0004tion to all of us.![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_0195-1.jpg\")
Are the expecta\u0005ons of clients from our region different in rela\u0005on to those coming
\nfrom other European countries?
As I already men\u0004tioned, it depends on the market. When we talk about the markets that we are familiar with, we know at the very beginning what the client wants, and how easy or difficult the request can be. Most of our clients come from Europe but we also open the door for more and more new, worldwide markets. They put us in the new missions and thanks
\nto that we run out of the usual way of thinking and ac\u0004ting. That\u2019s what makes our job so interes\u0004ng and dynamic. We put so much of our \u0004time in exploring and educati\u0004on. We listen because every culture has its own story.
Everything unknown and unseen is a challenge. A\u0006fter a successful event the questi\u0004ons like \u201cCan you organize for us\u2026\u201d gets its answer \u201cYes, done\u201d ![\"\u263a\"](\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/72x72/263a.png\")
. A\u0006fter all, out task is clear \u2013 to make Montenegro a desti\u0004nati\u0004on worth talking about!
The post Montenegro, Destination Worth Talking About – Talas Montenegro DMC appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Client\u2019s expecta\u0004tions can\u2019t be failed. Especially if you are working in the event industry. How much is crea\u0004tivity really important in that ma\ber? What are specific needs of incen\u0004tive trips? Answers on these and other ques\u0004tions gave us Ivana Sofranac, Project Manager and Iva Vujovic, Senior Project Manager, who work in agency Talas Montenegro DMC.\nEvent organiza\u0005tions is said to be crea\u0005tive job. How does this turn out to be true in practi\u0005ce?\nOf course, can you imagine organizing events that always look like one another, what would be the purpose? Wider vision and escape from a comfort zone are defini\u0004tions of crea\u0004tivity in MICE industry. For example, when you see the beach, it\u2019s not the only thing that needs to be seen. Besides that you need to imagine tables, why not set up in the water or synchronized\nswimmers? Your next step is passing this idea to the others. A\u0006fter a while they will be able to\nshare your vision. Our creati\u0004vity and ability to find the solu\u0004on for \u201calmost impossible\u201d made us recognizable and succesfull on the MICE market.\nHow do you define a crea\u0005tive concept?\nFlexibility is MUST in our business. Knowing that the client is one of the biggest manufacturers\nfrom the cleaning industry in France we picked \u201ccleanness\u201d as a theme and cleanness of our\ncountry perfectly fi\bed in. Our idea was to give different name to each day, so Boka bay tour became \u201ceau claire\u201d (our clean sea) and the next day \u201cair frais\u201d (fresh air). The visit of\nKotor became discovering Kotor through five senses enriched by adding a small Kotor carnival, as a one of the first things that came up to our minds when we men\u0004on Kotor. This was the first \u0004me that we organized small carnival out of period of carnivals and it perfectly\nfi\btted in this unusual way of discovering Kotor.\nWhat did this group liked most about the event?\nIt was a chance for them to visit the country that they would maybe never visit on their own. They had a well-balanced program and they enjoyed the things that are definitely not part of their everyday life. The fact that every single moment during this trip was planned especially for them was also an important factor. During site inspec\u0004on the client said \u201cI want to see stars in their eyes\u201d and this sentence was leading us through all the prepara\u0004ons all the way to the successful event.\nWhat does the incen\u0005ve trip mean for them?\nThose are the trips to talk about during the whole year and this company organizes them once a year. The success of an event is measured by sati\u0004sfac\u0004tion of the par\u0004cipants and the fact that they had a chance to learn something new, that they felt privileged and built the stronger connec\u0004tions with their team. It\u2019s a pleasure for us to learn from the client about the percentage of the ROI a\u0006er the incenti\u0004ve trip. That\u2019s a moment when we realize that every link in the chain completed its mission and it gives big sati\u0004sfac\u0004tion to all of us.\nAre the expecta\u0005ons of clients from our region different in rela\u0005on to those coming\nfrom other European countries?\nAs I already men\u0004tioned, it depends on the market. When we talk about the markets that we are familiar with, we know at the very beginning what the client wants, and how easy or difficult the request can be. Most of our clients come from Europe but we also open the door for more and more new, worldwide markets. They put us in the new missions and thanks\nto that we run out of the usual way of thinking and ac\u0004ting. That\u2019s what makes our job so interes\u0004ng and dynamic. We put so much of our \u0004time in exploring and educati\u0004on. We listen because every culture has its own story.\nEverything unknown and unseen is a challenge. A\u0006fter a successful event the questi\u0004ons like \u201cCan you organize for us\u2026\u201d gets its answer \u201cYes, done\u201d . A\u0006fter all, out task is clear \u2013 to make Montenegro a desti\u0004nati\u0004on worth talking about!\nThe post Montenegro, Destination Worth Talking About – Talas Montenegro DMC appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2018-07-26T11:51:57+02:00", "date_modified": "2018-07-26T11:51:57+02:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_9670-1.jpg", "tags": [ "agency", "events", "montenegro", "Talas M", "Events from practice" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/for-us-every-day-is-a-new-challenge/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/for-us-every-day-is-a-new-challenge/", "title": "Daniel Marusic \u2013 For Us, Every Day Is a New Challenge", "content_html": "![\"Daniel](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Daniel-Maru\u0161i\u0107-Generalni-menad\u017eer-DT-Croatia.jpg\")
As they say, at the beginning it was hard to compete with existing tour operators that had strong MICE sectors, but thanks to creativity they shortly became the agency that dictates standards. On this occasion we spoke with Daniel Marusic, General Manager of DT Croatia, regarding challenges and doing business in the past 20 years.
\nWhat were the biggest challenges for your business in the past 20 years?
\nDT Croatia has been established in 1998. After year 2000. DT started turning more and more towards MICE business and after a short period of time specializes in MICE and groups only business. We recognized the weak points of the local and regional competition, so it was clear how to make the system work better to make a more attractive service together with DT local service providers \u2013 hotels, restaurants, guides, transport and others. That was the biggest challenge. We grew along with all our partners and we succeeded to establish MICE standards in this industry. We are planning new projects that will demand from us a different approach in our everyday business. It is a new product that will ensure us the advantage in this industry.
\nHow many successful events have you organized?
\nI can freely say over 1,000 incentive groups and meetings \u2013 not including other groups that do not have MICE elements, and those were also over 1,000. The biggest groups were regarding car industry, for back to back programs, that had 12,500 people.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/foto-1-3.jpg\")
What are you particularly proud of all these years?
\nI am personally most proud of our teams that have done big things, respecting the DT standards \u2013 a light conservative approach in some business moments, and at the same time a powerful innovative creative and human approach in moments when it most wanted.
\nWe at DT do business like one runs a marathon \u2013 it is not important to be fast, explosive and strong, but to maintain the same high quality for a longer time.
What makes DT Croatia different from others in this industry? How do you cherish cooperation with clients?
\nNumerous awards, regional and international, prove all our work of all our people and right approach for MICE standards, to which we pay great attention. Cooperation with partners we maintain in a simple way \u2013 we know the work technology in this industry. This is the precise reason why leading MICE agencies from Europe work with us when they organize incentive
\ngroup travels for their clients in Croatia or Slovenia.
And this is how some of DT Croatia’s clients feel about their cooperation:
\n08-13.05.2016, CIRCLE8 EVENT
\nCircle8 Event team
\n\u00a0Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
\nthis is to certify that DT Croatia supported us and our client with the onsite planning for a 150-people-event in May 2016 (4-day-event). DT Croatia supported us in the organization of the bus shuttle services as well as decoration and dinner entertainment and did a marvelous job! We are very satisfied with the exceptionally friendly service and the always smiling crew of DT Croatia who made all last minute changes feasible. We have very much enjoyed working with you and the team and are looking forward to potential future projects together!\u00a0
\n18-22.05.2016, ONE TOUCH TRAVEL
\nLena Ekstedt, One Touch Travel AB
\n\u00a0In May 2016 we used the services of DT Croatia for a group who went sailing from Split.We were very satisfied with everything from start to finish. From the first offer and until it all took place. There were no surprises in terms of extra costs not presented from the beginning, everything summed up exactly as from the initial offer.
\n\u00a0All questions that we might have had initially were answered asap so there was no delay for us in our communication with our client. The group was very excited about the ship, the captain, the nature and of course also the weather\u2026 We will most definitely use the services of DT Croatia whenever we have a request for Croatia in the future.
\n02-05.06.2016, TEAM SEEFRIED
\nRenate Ochwat, Senior Project manager
\n\u00a0Dear Marina,
\nI am very sorry to have not sent our feedback to our group in June earlier. We would like to thank you again for the very good cooperation. We appreciate your quick and honest interaction \u2013 so in case we need an urgent information there always has been a quick reply by your side.
\n\u00a0We also are very grateful that there are always two project manager involved which is unfortunately not standard at DMCs but we think it is necessary as project managers are often on site inspections or events and the client is not willing to wait for his or her return. For us it therefore makes the cooperation much more easier and it gives the client and us the feeling that you take the event serious and handle it professionally.
\n\u00a0It was very nice working with you on site! Even in case of problems you interacted very professionally and looked for a good solution to solve them as quick as possible. As said before your honest way was very much appreciated as we should work together in a team and try to find solutions and ideas together and if there are problems it is best to talk about them and not to conceal them. We are all human and things happen! It is the way how to handle them that makes a DMC professional or not.
\n\u00a0All the participants enjoyed the trip to Dubrovnik very much. You offered wonderful locations and a diversified program \u2013 it was a real Incentive trip with a lot of highlights. Thank you! We also appreciated that there is always somebody of your office to check f.e. the departure of the busses in time\u00a0– this proofs the professionalism of DT Croatia as well! So thank you very much and I am looking forward to work with you again hopefully in near future!
\n06-10.07.2016, IMPACT INCENTIVES & EVENTS
\nJen van Litsenborgh, Team Leader
\nImpact Incentives & Events (Pty) Ltd is a South African based company and we are an industry leader at the forefront of incentive travel and event management.\u00a0 We tailor make incentive programmes for our corporate clients and only align ourselves with the best Destination Management Companies around the globe.\u00a0
\n\u00a0We have been working closely with DT Croatia (Dubrovnik Travel) in Dubrovnik for the past year as they are our DMC of choice in Croatia.\u00a0 We took a group of 20 guests to Dubrovnik in July 2016 and enjoyed a very successful incentive programme, which was well planned and executed flawlessly by the DT Croatia (Dubrovnik Travel) staff.\u00a0 In fact, it was such a success that we have confirmed another group of 130 guests to the same destination in April 2017.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n\u00a0DT Croatia (Dubrovnik Travel) is a professional and reliable company, with a wealth of knowledge regarding the incentive industry within Croatia.\u00a0 I would highly recommend their services to any clients looking for a one-stop management company in Croatia.\u00a0
\n14-16.09.2016, 6TH EUROPEAN COCOA FORUM
\nCatherine Entzminger, Secretary General
\n\u00a0Dear Marina, Dear Zrinka,\u00a0
\nThe European Cocoa Forum has come to an end and we are now back to our daily ECA business. On behalf of the Board and Secretariat of the European Cocoa Association we hereby wish to send you our most sincere and heartfelt thanks for all the hard work you put in those two days of the event, as well as the weeks before it. Part of the success is also thanks to you, your dedication, and your pleasant and positive attitude.\u00a0 We really appreciate our collaboration and look forward to working with you again in the future.\u00a0\u00a0
\n09-11.09.2016 & 23-25.09.2016 CIC CONGRESS INCENTIVES
\nMireia Rosell Senior Event Manager\u00a0
\nDear DT Croatia,\u00a0
\n\u00a0Thanks you very much for your collaboration with our two groups of 150 and 250 guests last September 2016 in Split. You managed to deliver a very good service during both events. DT Croatia have shown professionality and effectivity before and during the events.\u00a0
\n\u00a0DT Croatia is flexible when changes are needed and always manage to fix what we ask for even at the last minute.\u00a0 You are very service minded and know well all the suppliers what makes easier to get what you need at any time. We are demanding but there is seldom a no from you, more a yes we will try and most of times managed to get what we asked for.\u00a0
\n18-21.05.2017, BANKS SADLER UK
\nLaura,
\n“…I am pleased to advise that the programme was a great success and feedback has been outstanding. The VIP host for the event mentioned Elizabeta and team in his closing speech for the event and this is something they should be really proud of as he does not give out compliments unless truly deserved. Elizabeta was so very accommodating, this programme has typically been a very low-key incentive and this year changed for us as we saw the client moving towards more high level activities, gifts etc. So the support from Elizabeta was greatly appreciated. All delegate feedback has been outstanding and I really cannot express my thanks enough…”
\nThe post Daniel Marusic – For Us, Every Day Is a New Challenge appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Specialized agency for MICE groups, DT Croatia, was founded two decades ago and this year they celebrate jubilee.\nDaniel Marusic, General Manager of DT Croatia\nAs they say, at the beginning it was hard to compete with existing tour operators that had strong MICE sectors, but thanks to creativity they shortly became the agency that dictates standards. On this occasion we spoke with Daniel Marusic, General Manager of DT Croatia, regarding challenges and doing business in the past 20 years.\nWhat were the biggest challenges for your business in the past 20 years?\nDT Croatia has been established in 1998. After year 2000. DT started turning more and more towards MICE business and after a short period of time specializes in MICE and groups only business. We recognized the weak points of the local and regional competition, so it was clear how to make the system work better to make a more attractive service together with DT local service providers \u2013 hotels, restaurants, guides, transport and others. That was the biggest challenge. We grew along with all our partners and we succeeded to establish MICE standards in this industry. We are planning new projects that will demand from us a different approach in our everyday business. It is a new product that will ensure us the advantage in this industry.\nHow many successful events have you organized?\nI can freely say over 1,000 incentive groups and meetings \u2013 not including other groups that do not have MICE elements, and those were also over 1,000. The biggest groups were regarding car industry, for back to back programs, that had 12,500 people.\n\nWhat are you particularly proud of all these years?\nI am personally most proud of our teams that have done big things, respecting the DT standards \u2013 a light conservative approach in some business moments, and at the same time a powerful innovative creative and human approach in moments when it most wanted.\nWe at DT do business like one runs a marathon \u2013 it is not important to be fast, explosive and strong, but to maintain the same high quality for a longer time.\nWhat makes DT Croatia different from others in this industry? How do you cherish cooperation with clients?\nNumerous awards, regional and international, prove all our work of all our people and right approach for MICE standards, to which we pay great attention. Cooperation with partners we maintain in a simple way \u2013 we know the work technology in this industry. This is the precise reason why leading MICE agencies from Europe work with us when they organize incentive\ngroup travels for their clients in Croatia or Slovenia.\nAnd this is how some of DT Croatia’s clients feel about their cooperation:\n08-13.05.2016, CIRCLE8 EVENT \nCircle8 Event team \n\u00a0Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, \nthis is to certify that DT Croatia supported us and our client with the onsite planning for a 150-people-event in May 2016 (4-day-event). DT Croatia supported us in the organization of the bus shuttle services as well as decoration and dinner entertainment and did a marvelous job! We are very satisfied with the exceptionally friendly service and the always smiling crew of DT Croatia who made all last minute changes feasible. We have very much enjoyed working with you and the team and are looking forward to potential future projects together!\u00a0 \n18-22.05.2016, ONE TOUCH TRAVEL\nLena Ekstedt, One Touch Travel AB\n\u00a0In May 2016 we used the services of DT Croatia for a group who went sailing from Split.We were very satisfied with everything from start to finish. From the first offer and until it all took place. There were no surprises in terms of extra costs not presented from the beginning, everything summed up exactly as from the initial offer. \n\u00a0All questions that we might have had initially were answered asap so there was no delay for us in our communication with our client. The group was very excited about the ship, the captain, the nature and of course also the weather\u2026 We will most definitely use the services of DT Croatia whenever we have a request for Croatia in the future. \n02-05.06.2016, TEAM SEEFRIED \nRenate Ochwat, Senior Project manager\n\u00a0Dear Marina, \nI am very sorry to have not sent our feedback to our group in June earlier. We would like to thank you again for the very good cooperation. We appreciate your quick and honest interaction \u2013 so in case we need an urgent information there always has been a quick reply by your side. \n\u00a0We also are very grateful that there are always two project manager involved which is unfortunately not standard at DMCs but we think it is necessary as project managers are often on site inspections or events and the client is not willing to wait for his or her return. For us it therefore makes the cooperation much more easier and it gives the client and us the feeling that you take the event serious and handle it professionally. \n\u00a0It was very nice working with you on site! Even in case of problems you interacted very professionally and looked for a good solution to solve them as quick as possible. As said before your honest way was very much appreciated as we should work together in a team and try to find solutions and ideas together and if there are problems it is best to talk about them and not to conceal them. We are all human and things happen! It is the way how to handle them that makes a DMC professional or not. \n\u00a0All the participants enjoyed the trip to Dubrovnik very much. You offered wonderful locations and a diversified program \u2013 it was a real Incentive trip with a lot of highlights. Thank you! We also appreciated that there is always somebody of your office to check f.e. the departure of the busses in time\u00a0– this proofs the professionalism of DT Croatia as well! So thank you very much and I am looking forward to work with you again hopefully in near future!\n06-10.07.2016, IMPACT INCENTIVES & EVENTS \nJen van Litsenborgh, Team Leader\nImpact Incentives & Events (Pty) Ltd is a South African based company and we are an industry leader at the forefront of incentive travel and event management.\u00a0 We tailor make incentive programmes for our corporate clients and only align ourselves with the best Destination Management Companies around the globe.\u00a0 \n\u00a0We have been working closely with DT Croatia (Dubrovnik Travel) in Dubrovnik for the past year as they are our DMC of choice in Croatia.\u00a0 We took a group of 20 guests to Dubrovnik in July 2016 and enjoyed a very successful incentive programme, which was well planned and executed flawlessly by the DT Croatia (Dubrovnik Travel) staff.\u00a0 In fact, it was such a success that we have confirmed another group of 130 guests to the same destination in April 2017.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \n\u00a0DT Croatia (Dubrovnik Travel) is a professional and reliable company, with a wealth of knowledge regarding the incentive industry within Croatia.\u00a0 I would highly recommend their services to any clients looking for a one-stop management company in Croatia.\u00a0 \n14-16.09.2016, 6TH EUROPEAN COCOA FORUM\nCatherine Entzminger, Secretary General\n\u00a0Dear Marina, Dear Zrinka,\u00a0 \nThe European Cocoa Forum has come to an end and we are now back to our daily ECA business. On behalf of the Board and Secretariat of the European Cocoa Association we hereby wish to send you our most sincere and heartfelt thanks for all the hard work you put in those two days of the event, as well as the weeks before it. Part of the success is also thanks to you, your dedication, and your pleasant and positive attitude.\u00a0 We really appreciate our collaboration and look forward to working with you again in the future.\u00a0\u00a0\n09-11.09.2016 & 23-25.09.2016 CIC CONGRESS INCENTIVES\nMireia Rosell Senior Event Manager\u00a0 \nDear DT Croatia,\u00a0 \n\u00a0Thanks you very much for your collaboration with our two groups of 150 and 250 guests last September 2016 in Split. You managed to deliver a very good service during both events. DT Croatia have shown professionality and effectivity before and during the events.\u00a0 \n\u00a0DT Croatia is flexible when changes are needed and always manage to fix what we ask for even at the last minute.\u00a0 You are very service minded and know well all the suppliers what makes easier to get what you need at any time. We are demanding but there is seldom a no from you, more a yes we will try and most of times managed to get what we asked for.\u00a0 \n18-21.05.2017, BANKS SADLER UK\nLaura,\n“…I am pleased to advise that the programme was a great success and feedback has been outstanding. The VIP host for the event mentioned Elizabeta and team in his closing speech for the event and this is something they should be really proud of as he does not give out compliments unless truly deserved. Elizabeta was so very accommodating, this programme has typically been a very low-key incentive and this year changed for us as we saw the client moving towards more high level activities, gifts etc. So the support from Elizabeta was greatly appreciated. All delegate feedback has been outstanding and I really cannot express my thanks enough…”\nThe post Daniel Marusic – For Us, Every Day Is a New Challenge appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2018-05-04T10:07:11+02:00", "date_modified": "2018-05-04T10:19:17+02:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-43.jpg", "tags": [ "agency", "business", "challenges", "DT Croatia", "events", "MICE", "Interviews" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/pierre-vacances-signs-its-first-management-contract-in-croatia/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/pierre-vacances-signs-its-first-management-contract-in-croatia/", "title": "Pierre & Vacances Signs Its First Management Contract in Croatia", "content_html": "Located in the heart of a pinewood, this 4 stars\u2019 beach resort complex is a 67.000 m2 estate and benefits from a private bay. The residence has 166 accommodations units in total that all have a direct access to the beach. The property hosts as well in 166 accommodation units 20 exceptional villas at less than 10 meters from the sea. Thanks to its ideal location, domestic and international, business and leisure customers will enjoy a wide number of services, a various restauration offer with a la carte gourmet restaurant located in a very amazing see view location, meetings and conferences rooms and a wellness area.
\n![\"Pierre](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/HOTEL-SUITE-VIOLA-4.jpg\" "\\"Pierre")
The premium Crvena Luka Hotel & Resort**** is located in Biograd na Moru, tiny seaside resort of the Croatian Adriatic coast that was in the past a royal city. Surrounded by the National Parks of Kornati islands, Paklenica National Park and Krka waterfalls and by the neighbouring historic cities of Zadar, Sibenik and Split, Crvena Luka is an ideal starting point to explore Zadar and its region. In year 2006 was the year when Crvena Luka\u2019s current owners from Italy, bought the resort and completely renewed its capacities investing tens of millions of euros in raising the category level up to four stars and improving the quality of the service and of the offer, not only for the hotel and residential complex, but for the whole Biograd region.
\n![\"Pierre](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/A-LA-CARTE-RESTAURANT-IL-MORO-2.jpg\" "\\"Pierre")
\u201cRealizing the great strategic and conceptual importance of our investment, as well as the possibilities of further development, we have decided to join forces with Pierre & Vacances, one of Europe\u2019s biggest leaders in managing residential estates. This cooperation in form of full management contract, will ensure not only an increased number of French guests in this
\n region and in Croatia, but also standard operating processes that will lead to improving the quality of service and recognizably through Pierre & Vacances Premium brand. The management and the brand itself will definitely increase the value of our investment in Crvena Luka as well as bring numerous possibilities that will open up through this form of cooperation\u201d- said the CEO of Crvena Luka d.d., Mr. Pier Paolo Prodi.
The premium residence Crvena Luka Hotel & Resort**** is located on a private bay on the edge of one of the rare fine sandy beach, which is identified as \u201cWhite Flag International\u201d – an ecological symbol that aims to commend the preservation initiatives of oceans, lakes and rivers in partnership with Global Underwater Awareness Association. Its accommodations with a modern and contemporary level, its infinity-edge pool with a panoramic view on the lush bay, its spa and its indoor pool and its recreational facility such as nautical sports,
\nmulti-sports ground or even tennis courts will offer to the visitors a memorable stay on the Croatian Adriatic.
![\"Pierre](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/CONFERENCE-ROOM-COLLOQUIUM-1.jpg\" "\\"Pierre")
In addition, the premium residence Crvena Luka Hotel & Resort**** has a convention center with 5 modular rooms in order to answer to the Groups demand, seminars and
\nincentives segment. The \u201cColloquium 1\u201d which has a surface of 110 square meters can
\nwelcome all kind of events until 120 people in theater style set up; the \u201cColloquium 2\u201d has a capacity of 60 people in theater style set up with 88 square meters. There are moreover two multi-functional areas \u201cII Doge\u201d that can welcome until 250 guests. Plus, there is a sub-commission room, \u201cKana\u201d that can host meetings in theatre style set up with 40 people.
The post Pierre & Vacances Signs Its First Management Contract in Croatia appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Pierre & Vacances, the European leader on the holiday residences market, is announcing the opening of its first managed residence in Croatia. Pierre & Vacances will assure the full management of the premium residence Crvena Luka Hotel & Resort**** located in the region of Zadar, Croatia.\nLocated in the heart of a pinewood, this 4 stars\u2019 beach resort complex is a 67.000 m2 estate and benefits from a private bay. The residence has 166 accommodations units in total that all have a direct access to the beach. The property hosts as well in 166 accommodation units 20 exceptional villas at less than 10 meters from the sea. Thanks to its ideal location, domestic and international, business and leisure customers will enjoy a wide number of services, a various restauration offer with a la carte gourmet restaurant located in a very amazing see view location, meetings and conferences rooms and a wellness area.\nPierre & Vacances Crvena Luka Hotel & Resort **** – Room\nThe premium Crvena Luka Hotel & Resort**** is located in Biograd na Moru, tiny seaside resort of the Croatian Adriatic coast that was in the past a royal city. Surrounded by the National Parks of Kornati islands, Paklenica National Park and Krka waterfalls and by the neighbouring historic cities of Zadar, Sibenik and Split, Crvena Luka is an ideal starting point to explore Zadar and its region. In year 2006 was the year when Crvena Luka\u2019s current owners from Italy, bought the resort and completely renewed its capacities investing tens of millions of euros in raising the category level up to four stars and improving the quality of the service and of the offer, not only for the hotel and residential complex, but for the whole Biograd region.\nPierre & Vacances Crvena Luka Hotel & Resort **** – Restaurant\n\u201cRealizing the great strategic and conceptual importance of our investment, as well as the possibilities of further development, we have decided to join forces with Pierre & Vacances, one of Europe\u2019s biggest leaders in managing residential estates. This cooperation in form of full management contract, will ensure not only an increased number of French guests in this\n region and in Croatia, but also standard operating processes that will lead to improving the quality of service and recognizably through Pierre & Vacances Premium brand. The management and the brand itself will definitely increase the value of our investment in Crvena Luka as well as bring numerous possibilities that will open up through this form of cooperation\u201d- said the CEO of Crvena Luka d.d., Mr. Pier Paolo Prodi.\nThe premium residence Crvena Luka Hotel & Resort**** is located on a private bay on the edge of one of the rare fine sandy beach, which is identified as \u201cWhite Flag International\u201d – an ecological symbol that aims to commend the preservation initiatives of oceans, lakes and rivers in partnership with Global Underwater Awareness Association. Its accommodations with a modern and contemporary level, its infinity-edge pool with a panoramic view on the lush bay, its spa and its indoor pool and its recreational facility such as nautical sports,\nmulti-sports ground or even tennis courts will offer to the visitors a memorable stay on the Croatian Adriatic.\nPierre & Vacances Crvena Luka Hotel & Resort **** – Conference Hall\nIn addition, the premium residence Crvena Luka Hotel & Resort**** has a convention center with 5 modular rooms in order to answer to the Groups demand, seminars and\nincentives segment. The \u201cColloquium 1\u201d which has a surface of 110 square meters can\nwelcome all kind of events until 120 people in theater style set up; the \u201cColloquium 2\u201d has a capacity of 60 people in theater style set up with 88 square meters. There are moreover two multi-functional areas \u201cII Doge\u201d that can welcome until 250 guests. Plus, there is a sub-commission room, \u201cKana\u201d that can host meetings in theatre style set up with 40 people.\nThe post Pierre & Vacances Signs Its First Management Contract in Croatia appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2017-06-05T16:23:59+02:00", "date_modified": "2017-06-07T11:34:32+02:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/CRVENA-LUKA-FROM-AIR.jpg", "tags": [ "crvena luka", "Hotels and venues", "NEWS" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/rovaniemi-the-place-where-the-fairytale-becomes-true/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/rovaniemi-the-place-where-the-fairytale-becomes-true/", "title": "Rovaniemi \u2013 The Place Where the Fairytale Becomes True", "content_html": "\n\nWhen the winter comes, snow falls on the city streets, everything becomes fre\u00adezing, all you could wish is to disappear and wake up at some peaceful place, in wild nature, a white wonderland. This kind of world exists in fairytales but also insome distant parts of the world. Try to find it on map or in dreams, but visiting it is a must..
\n
All of things below could be found at few places in the world but some of them only at one place.
\nConsider organizing an incentive trip for your clients or employees on winter, as the unforgettable experience is guaranteed!
1. Have a special transport from airport. Would you be surprised if instead of car, snowmobile is waiting for you at airport? Start your event differently and orga\u00adnize these vehicles for whole group, from airport through snowy forests, over frozen lakes and rivers, to the final destinati\u00adon. Perhaps one of the most ex\u00adotic experiences is driving in the moonlight, under the starry sky, looking for Northern Lights. So, night flights are better option.
\n\n\nKindly notice: flying reindeer require expert driving skills that take centuries to master, so only Santa has that skills.\u00a0
\n
\n2. Sleep in igloo hotel. While out\u00adside temperatures may reach 30 degrees Celsius, you could remain inside \u201cin warm\u201d. These hotels and its\u2019 rooms are built entirely of snow and ice, with constant temperature of just below zero degrees Celsius.
\nBut sleeping bag, designed for extreme conditions, will keep your mind and body warm throughout this special expe\u00adrience. For some less brave, there are also holiday villages or maybe luxury tree-house hotel.
\n\nWhere Santa lives?
\nAs we are all aware, Santa Claus has always lived far, far away in his secret home at Korvatunturi (Ear Mountain). The road to that place is only known by Santa Claus himself, his elves and of course his trusted reindeer.
\n
Also, here is an idea how to make a game for the group \u2013 try to build an igloo. It looks easy, just draw a circle, make an ice bricks and start laying them around the circle all away to the\u00a0top, then clear your entrance way and give your igloo final touch by filing the gaps. \u00a0In order to be further streng\u00adthened, pour water over it. The important is to have and also to be in warm clothes.
\n![\"Poku\u0161ajte](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-igloo-building-in-the-high-mou-158791094.jpg\")
3. make friends with reindeers and huskies. The most traditio\u00adnal way to move through and discover the snow areas and its\u2019 nature is by pulled sleighs. Let the reindeers and excited husky dogs to pull you and show you around.
\n\n\nSince 1985, Santa Claus has received 15 million letters from 198 countries, coming to Santa Claus Main Post Office.
\n
Natives call them and other Artic animals amazing, so don\u2019t miss to visit the zoo and see elks, wolverine, lynx, wolves, brown bear and even a family of polar bears.
\n4. Experience Christmas letters euphoria. \u00a0 If you want to dis\u00adcover how hardworking Elves sort the letters from all over the world, go to the Main Post Office in the town. It has a wide range of Christmas products, stamps, postcards, gift items and many kinds of Christmas souvenirs. You can help Elves with letters, and you will also\u00a0have the opportunity to send postcards to your loved ones. These letters are stamped with a genuine and popular Arctic Circle postmark, which is some\u00adthing you can\u2019t get anywhere else.
\n![\"Copyright:](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/reindeer-ride-santa-claus-village-rovaniemi-lapland-finland-19.jpg\")
5. Help in packing the presents for children all around the globe.\u00a0One person can\u2019t do all the work, even a famous white-\u00adbeard old grandpa. His \u00a0busy schedule would fall apart without his little helpers, so dare and try to be an Elf for one day. They say their work never ends, but a cheerful outlook and positive attitude make it feel like playtime day after day. In order to learn the secrets of real elves, take a class in Elf School to earn your magical diploma.
\nP.S. All children (and the ones who feel that way) from all aro\u00adund the world can write their Christmas wishes to address below.
\nSanta Claus
\n Santa Claus\u2019 Main Post Office
\n Tahtikuja 1
\n 96930 Arctic Circle, FINLAND
6. Meet Santa Claus, the one and only. He is just three kilometers away from the airport and eight kilometers from city center, in this magical village.
\nEveryone is welcome to visit him during the whole year and enjoy a private chat with him in his warm and cozy home.
\nHe departs on his mission with his reindeers to hand out pre\u00adsents to children all around the globe on every December 23rd.
You are guessing right, all above mentioned you may experience in Finland, more precisely in Rovaniemi, Lapland, the Santa Claus hometown.
\n![\"Copyright:](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/central-plaza-santa-claus-village-rovaniemi-lapland-finland-2.jpg\")
Santa Claus Village \u2013 From start to today
\nAfter Rovaniemi was almost com\u00adpletely destroyed in World War II, in 1950 Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of US President Franklin D. Roose\u00advelt, came to visit it and witness the rebuilding process.
\nFor that occasion city officials rus\u00adhed to build a cabin eight kilome\u00adters north of the city.\u00a0That cabin marked the birth of Santa Claus Village and still stands today next to Santa Claus Main Po\u00adst Office. Today, at the Santa Claus Village, there is Santa\u2019s house with his personal office and reception.
\nAlso, a shopping centre with genu\u00adine gifts and other beautiful items, then coffee shops, restaurants and many different types of program\u00adme services.
\nSanta Claus Village is open every\u00adday of the year, and present best\u00ad known attraction in Finland.
The post Rovaniemi – The Place Where the Fairytale Becomes True appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "When the winter comes, snow falls on the city streets, everything becomes fre\u00adezing, all you could wish is to disappear and wake up at some peaceful place, in wild nature, a white wonderland. This kind of world exists in fairytales but also insome distant parts of the world. Try to find it on map or in dreams, but visiting it is a must..\n\nAll of things below could be found at few places in the world but some of them only at one place.\nConsider organizing an incentive trip for your clients or employees on winter, as the unforgettable experience is guaranteed!\n1. Have a special transport from airport. Would you be surprised if instead of car, snowmobile is waiting for you at airport? Start your event differently and orga\u00adnize these vehicles for whole group, from airport through snowy forests, over frozen lakes and rivers, to the final destinati\u00adon. Perhaps one of the most ex\u00adotic experiences is driving in the moonlight, under the starry sky, looking for Northern Lights. So, night flights are better option.\n\nKindly notice: flying reindeer require expert driving skills that take centuries to master, so only Santa has that skills.\u00a0\n\n\n2. Sleep in igloo hotel. While out\u00adside temperatures may reach 30 degrees Celsius, you could remain inside \u201cin warm\u201d. These hotels and its\u2019 rooms are built entirely of snow and ice, with constant temperature of just below zero degrees Celsius.\nBut sleeping bag, designed for extreme conditions, will keep your mind and body warm throughout this special expe\u00adrience. For some less brave, there are also holiday villages or maybe luxury tree-house hotel.\n\nWhere Santa lives?\nAs we are all aware, Santa Claus has always lived far, far away in his secret home at Korvatunturi (Ear Mountain). The road to that place is only known by Santa Claus himself, his elves and of course his trusted reindeer.\n\nAlso, here is an idea how to make a game for the group \u2013 try to build an igloo. It looks easy, just draw a circle, make an ice bricks and start laying them around the circle all away to the\u00a0top, then clear your entrance way and give your igloo final touch by filing the gaps. \u00a0In order to be further streng\u00adthened, pour water over it. The important is to have and also to be in warm clothes.\nPoku\u0161ajte da izgradite iglo\n3. make friends with reindeers and huskies. The most traditio\u00adnal way to move through and discover the snow areas and its\u2019 nature is by pulled sleighs. Let the reindeers and excited husky dogs to pull you and show you around.\n\nSince 1985, Santa Claus has received 15 million letters from 198 countries, coming to Santa Claus Main Post Office.\n\nNatives call them and other Artic animals amazing, so don\u2019t miss to visit the zoo and see elks, wolverine, lynx, wolves, brown bear and even a family of polar bears.\n4. Experience Christmas letters euphoria. \u00a0 If you want to dis\u00adcover how hardworking Elves sort the letters from all over the world, go to the Main Post Office in the town. It has a wide range of Christmas products, stamps, postcards, gift items and many kinds of Christmas souvenirs. You can help Elves with letters, and you will also\u00a0have the opportunity to send postcards to your loved ones. These letters are stamped with a genuine and popular Arctic Circle postmark, which is some\u00adthing you can\u2019t get anywhere else.\nCopyright: Visit Rovaniem i/ Rovaniemi Tourism & Marketing Ltd.\n5. Help in packing the presents for children all around the globe.\u00a0One person can\u2019t do all the work, even a famous white-\u00adbeard old grandpa. His \u00a0busy schedule would fall apart without his little helpers, so dare and try to be an Elf for one day. They say their work never ends, but a cheerful outlook and positive attitude make it feel like playtime day after day. In order to learn the secrets of real elves, take a class in Elf School to earn your magical diploma.\nP.S. All children (and the ones who feel that way) from all aro\u00adund the world can write their Christmas wishes to address below.\nSanta Claus\n Santa Claus\u2019 Main Post Office\n Tahtikuja 1\n 96930 Arctic Circle, FINLAND\n6. Meet Santa Claus, the one and only. He is just three kilometers away from the airport and eight kilometers from city center, in this magical village.\nEveryone is welcome to visit him during the whole year and enjoy a private chat with him in his warm and cozy home.\nHe departs on his mission with his reindeers to hand out pre\u00adsents to children all around the globe on every December 23rd.\nYou are guessing right, all above mentioned you may experience in Finland, more precisely in Rovaniemi, Lapland, the Santa Claus hometown.\nCopyright: Visit Rovaniemi / Rovaniemi Tourism & Marketing Ltd.\nSanta Claus Village \u2013 From start to today\nAfter Rovaniemi was almost com\u00adpletely destroyed in World War II, in 1950 Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of US President Franklin D. Roose\u00advelt, came to visit it and witness the rebuilding process.\nFor that occasion city officials rus\u00adhed to build a cabin eight kilome\u00adters north of the city.\u00a0That cabin marked the birth of Santa Claus Village and still stands today next to Santa Claus Main Po\u00adst Office. Today, at the Santa Claus Village, there is Santa\u2019s house with his personal office and reception.\nAlso, a shopping centre with genu\u00adine gifts and other beautiful items, then coffee shops, restaurants and many different types of program\u00adme services.\nSanta Claus Village is open every\u00adday of the year, and present best\u00ad known attraction in Finland.\nThe post Rovaniemi – The Place Where the Fairytale Becomes True appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2017-03-22T14:38:02+01:00", "date_modified": "2017-03-22T15:01:04+01:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/velika-2.jpg", "tags": [ "Finland", "Lapland", "Rovaniemi", "Santa Claus", "Destinations" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/davos-the-host-of-the-world-economic-forum-for-more-than-40-years/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/davos-the-host-of-the-world-economic-forum-for-more-than-40-years/", "title": "Davos \u2013 The Host of the World Economic Forum for More Than 40 Years", "content_html": "And not because of the skiing, since it is a popular ski resort, the largest one in Switzerland, but due to the fact that it gathered world top leaders and the most influential persons from all areas that have a global impact on world politics and economy. The word is that strategic plans for the future are being forged here – plans that have an impact on the entire world – but we\u2019ll focus on how this small town organizes one of the most important global events.
\nThe answer to the above question lies in the most important features, such as infrastructure and a tradition of good practice. Surely, lobbying and the appropriate geo-political position go without saying, together with the fact that WEF as a not-for-profit foundation is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
\nAlso, it is interesting to mention that the British royal family has been spending their winter holidays in Klosters, a ski resort not far from Davos, for decades.
\nThe World Economic Forum Annual Meeting for over four decades remains the foremost creative force for engaging the world\u2019s top leaders in collaborative activities to shape the global, regional and industry agendas at the beginning of each year. This years\u2019 meeting was held from 17th to 20th January, in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
\nDavos population number is around 11,000 people, but at the time of WEF this village host around 30,000 people.\u00a0\nMeeting venue for the WEF since the first one held in 1971, Davos Congress Centre, is one of the most modern congress centers in the Alps. It covers 12,000 m\u00b2, features three independent meeting areas, a plenary hall for 1,800 delegates and a further 34 meeting rooms. Up to 7,000 delegates can meet there and take advantage of a perfect infrastructure.
\nIn combination with large congress capacities, it is necessary to have enough accommodation unites. Davos Klosters offers more than 90 hotels, as well as holiday apartments, private rooms and even farm houses. Here we can see how important is the cooperation of all suppliers in the meeting industry.
\n![\"Davos](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/davoshelicopter-1.jpg\")
In addition to the modern congress center with a unified offers of accommodation, Davos is easily accessible by road or rail, its\u2019 around two hours away from Zurich international airport, the nearest main international airport. Of course, there is the possibility to land by helicopter directly to Davos, which generally is the practice during the World Economic Forum.
\nAs far as safety is concerned, Switzerland is engaged 4,500 soldiers and police for WEF. Security includes two surface-to-air missile systems. Also, around 100 participants got special security coverage and attendees will be hemmed in by 46km of fences, 10% more than at the last Forum.
\nIt is interesting that Monstein Brewery is located in Davos. It\u2019s one of the highest breweries in the world in terms as being established on a high altitude.\u00a0The brewery is open to the public, so one can learn all about production of the beer and the necessary ingredients, and to try the Monstein beers and other specialties.
\nDavos 2017 in numbers\u00a0
\nThe post Davos \u2013 The Host of the World Economic Forum for More Than 40 Years appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "At the beginning of each year, all eyes were focused on Davos, a charming town located high in the Swiss Alps.\nAnd not because of the skiing, since it is a popular ski resort, the largest one in Switzerland, but due to the fact that it gathered world top leaders and the most influential persons from all areas that have a global impact on world politics and economy. The word is that strategic plans for the future are being forged here – plans that have an impact on the entire world – but we\u2019ll focus on how this small town organizes one of the most important global events.\nThe answer to the above question lies in the most important features, such as infrastructure and a tradition of good practice. Surely, lobbying and the appropriate geo-political position go without saying, together with the fact that WEF as a not-for-profit foundation is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.\nAlso, it is interesting to mention that the British royal family has been spending their winter holidays in Klosters, a ski resort not far from Davos, for decades.\nThe World Economic Forum Annual Meeting for over four decades remains the foremost creative force for engaging the world\u2019s top leaders in collaborative activities to shape the global, regional and industry agendas at the beginning of each year. This years\u2019 meeting was held from 17th to 20th January, in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.\nDavos population number is around 11,000 people, but at the time of WEF this village host around 30,000 people.\u00a0\nMeeting venue for the WEF since the first one held in 1971, Davos Congress Centre, is one of the most modern congress centers in the Alps. It covers 12,000 m\u00b2, features three independent meeting areas, a plenary hall for 1,800 delegates and a further 34 meeting rooms. Up to 7,000 delegates can meet there and take advantage of a perfect infrastructure.\nIn combination with large congress capacities, it is necessary to have enough accommodation unites. Davos Klosters offers more than 90 hotels, as well as holiday apartments, private rooms and even farm houses. Here we can see how important is the cooperation of all suppliers in the meeting industry.\nDavos – Svetski ekonomski forum\nIn addition to the modern congress center with a unified offers of accommodation, Davos is easily accessible by road or rail, its\u2019 around two hours away from Zurich international airport, the nearest main international airport. Of course, there is the possibility to land by helicopter directly to Davos, which generally is the practice during the World Economic Forum.\nAs far as safety is concerned, Switzerland is engaged 4,500 soldiers and police for WEF. Security includes two surface-to-air missile systems. Also, around 100 participants got special security coverage and attendees will be hemmed in by 46km of fences, 10% more than at the last Forum.\nIt is interesting that Monstein Brewery is located in Davos. It\u2019s one of the highest breweries in the world in terms as being established on a high altitude.\u00a0The brewery is open to the public, so one can learn all about production of the beer and the necessary ingredients, and to try the Monstein beers and other specialties.\nDavos 2017 in numbers\u00a0\n\n3,000 participants\n1,200 chief executives or company chairs\n50 world leaders\n\nThe post Davos \u2013 The Host of the World Economic Forum for More Than 40 Years appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2017-02-21T13:47:03+01:00", "date_modified": "2017-12-13T16:21:54+01:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/6647248847_fd0b48bde9_o.jpg", "tags": [ "World Economic Forum", "Hot topics" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/hotel-aristos-business-hotel-events-zagreb/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/hotel-aristos-business-hotel-events-zagreb/", "title": "Hotel Aristos \u2013 Business Hotel for Events in Zagreb", "content_html": "Hotel Aristos has all the comforts of a standard luxury property. Hotel offers pleasant stay in 150 deluxe and comfort rooms\u00a0with free usage of gym, business center, complimentary outdoor parking and hotel garage.
\nGuests can experience gourmet dining, a Wellness & Spa centre, a cutting edge conference facility and top quality services.
The hotel\u2019s conference facilities include a congress reception, a ple\u00adnary hall for large events up to 350 seats as well as seven multifunction meeting rooms ideal for workshops and trainings. Summer terrace can be a great venue for cocktails, welcome drinks or other gatherings.
\nThe state of the art technology and the flexibility of the space gives a opportunity that space can be adapted in line with various requi\u00adrements and settings.
![\"Hotel](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/momento-rezan.jpg\")
Restaurant Tiara is a right choice for lunch or dinner with national and international dishes and hotel bar with summer terrace can be ideal place to take a break during \u00a0the day with wide selection of drinks, hot and cold beverages, fruit salads, snacks and sandwiches and excellent pastries.
\nRelaxing moments can be found in Aristos Wellness & Spa center where guests can experience spa zone with bio, infrared, steam, hydromassage or choose some of the integrated beauty programs, exclusive professional face and \u00a0body care treatments.
\nUnique massages and wellness rituals will provide a feeling of being genuinely relaxed, revitalized, and comfortable; and bring body and soul into balance.
\nThe post Hotel Aristos – Business Hotel for Events in Zagreb appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Four star Aristos Hotel is located in New Zagreb, only a few minu\u00adtes drive from Zagreb Airport, to City Center and with easy access to Highway.\nHotel Aristos has all the comforts of a standard luxury property. Hotel offers pleasant stay in 150 deluxe and comfort rooms\u00a0with free usage of gym, business center, complimentary outdoor parking and hotel garage.\nGuests can experience gourmet dining, a Wellness & Spa centre, a cutting edge conference facility and top quality services.\nThe hotel\u2019s conference facilities include a congress reception, a ple\u00adnary hall for large events up to 350 seats as well as seven multifunction meeting rooms ideal for workshops and trainings. Summer terrace can be a great venue for cocktails, welcome drinks or other gatherings.\nThe state of the art technology and the flexibility of the space gives a opportunity that space can be adapted in line with various requi\u00adrements and settings.\n\nRestaurant Tiara is a right choice for lunch or dinner with national and international dishes and hotel bar with summer terrace can be ideal place to take a break during \u00a0the day with wide selection of drinks, hot and cold beverages, fruit salads, snacks and sandwiches and excellent pastries.\nRelaxing moments can be found in Aristos Wellness & Spa center where guests can experience spa zone with bio, infrared, steam, hydromassage or choose some of the integrated beauty programs, exclusive professional face and \u00a0body care treatments.\nUnique massages and wellness rituals will provide a feeling of being genuinely relaxed, revitalized, and comfortable; and bring body and soul into balance.\nThe post Hotel Aristos – Business Hotel for Events in Zagreb appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2016-11-02T14:32:09+01:00", "date_modified": "2016-11-02T14:32:41+01:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Aristos-1.jpg", "tags": [ "conference rooms", "hotel aristos", "hotel in zagreb", "zagreb", "Hotels and venues" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/portoroz-everything-need-events/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/portoroz-everything-need-events/", "title": "Portoroz \u2013 Everything You Need for Your Events", "content_html": "Different accommodation\u00a0for a variety of experiences
\nPortoroz and its surroundings offer\u00a0a wide choice of accommodation to\u00a0guests, whether they are participants\u00a0at various events or individual\u00a0visitors. The first that come to\u00a0mind are hotels along the seaside promenade and offering world class\u00a0services. Foremost among them are\u00a0certainly the five-star Grand Hotel\u00a0Bernardin and other hotels belonging\u00a0to the Hoteli Bernandin group.
\nFor guests wanting to experience\u00a0the luxury of old times, Kempinski\u00a0Palace Portoroz might be the right\u00a0choice. The hotel was built in 1908\u00a0and has always been a tourist facility\u00a0of the highest category, in addition to being a cultural landmark.
\n![\"Monfort](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/monfort.jpeg\")
Those who would like to try something\u00a0different from hotels, can look\u00a0for accommodation in the many\u00a0nearby villages. They are spotted\u00a0by stone-built houses, perched on\u00a0hilltops, with a view of the Alps and\u00a0overlooking the sea, olive groves,\u00a0vineyards, and valleys. Some of the\u00a0better known villages are Strunjan,\u00a0Nova Vas, Padna, St. Peter…
\nFrom the most modern to\u00a0medieval event venues
\nPortoroz boasts several state-of-the-art convention centers, offering\u00a0a large number of meeting rooms. The largest of them seating 1,200\u00a0participants. Also, outside the standard\u00a0congress facilities, events can also\u00a0be organized in the more unconventional surroundings, no less than in\u00a0the warehouse of salt.
\n![\"did](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/did-you-know.png\")
\nThe Monfort Exhibition Space,\u00a0once a salt storehouse and now\u00a0an exhibition and museum facility,\u00a0provides countless possibilities for\u00a0event organizers. The building was\u00a0constructed on the city\u2019s beach\u00a0in Napoleon\u2019s time, from 1820 to\u00a01845. With its authentic appearance,\u00a0high ceilings, and rustic interior,\u00a0it is an excellent choice for gala\u00a0dinner parties and special events.
\nOther extraordinary places for\u00a0organizing events include the Franciscan\u00a0Monastery with its elegant\u00a0atrium, and theater Advitoriij\u00a0Portoroz.
\u201cSpice up\u201d\u00a0the team spirit
\nOrganizers of team building activities have a wide range of water and team sports to choose from, all supported by a large number of well-maintained sports facilities, or they can opt for bicycle or walking tours of the peninsula.
\nMany activities can be organized at other locations, but producing salt in the way it was made 700 years ago is an experience few other places can offer their visitors.
![\"Solinar\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/2_Solinar.jpg\")
Salt played an important part in history and was the main source of wealth through the ages. A small part of the Strunjan salt flats has been preserved. The salt-pans in Secovlje Salina Nature Park is one of the few places in the world where salt is still collected in the traditional way.
\nThe first image to leave a lasting impression on any participant is the fantastic landscape of the salt fields.
After a tour of these fields and the historic tale of the harmony between man and nature, teams could compete in the traditional method of producing salt.
\n![\"Hedonisam](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/hedonisam-on-a-plate.png\")
The post Portoroz \u2013 Everything You Need for Your Events appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "The most famous tourist center on the Slovenian coast, with only 3,000 inhabitants,\u00a0Portoroz is a city that will be a pleasant surprise for every visitor to its many\u00a0and varied attractions.\nDifferent accommodation\u00a0for a variety of experiences\nPortoroz and its surroundings offer\u00a0a wide choice of accommodation to\u00a0guests, whether they are participants\u00a0at various events or individual\u00a0visitors. The first that come to\u00a0mind are hotels along the seaside promenade and offering world class\u00a0services. Foremost among them are\u00a0certainly the five-star Grand Hotel\u00a0Bernardin and other hotels belonging\u00a0to the Hoteli Bernandin group.\nFor guests wanting to experience\u00a0the luxury of old times, Kempinski\u00a0Palace Portoroz might be the right\u00a0choice. The hotel was built in 1908\u00a0and has always been a tourist facility\u00a0of the highest category, in addition to being a cultural landmark.\nMonfort Exhibition Space\nThose who would like to try something\u00a0different from hotels, can look\u00a0for accommodation in the many\u00a0nearby villages. They are spotted\u00a0by stone-built houses, perched on\u00a0hilltops, with a view of the Alps and\u00a0overlooking the sea, olive groves,\u00a0vineyards, and valleys. Some of the\u00a0better known villages are Strunjan,\u00a0Nova Vas, Padna, St. Peter…\nFrom the most modern to\u00a0medieval event venues\nPortoroz boasts several state-of-the-art convention centers, offering\u00a0a large number of meeting rooms. The largest of them seating 1,200\u00a0participants. Also, outside the standard\u00a0congress facilities, events can also\u00a0be organized in the more unconventional surroundings, no less than in\u00a0the warehouse of salt.\n\nThe Monfort Exhibition Space,\u00a0once a salt storehouse and now\u00a0an exhibition and museum facility,\u00a0provides countless possibilities for\u00a0event organizers. The building was\u00a0constructed on the city\u2019s beach\u00a0in Napoleon\u2019s time, from 1820 to\u00a01845. With its authentic appearance,\u00a0high ceilings, and rustic interior,\u00a0it is an excellent choice for gala\u00a0dinner parties and special events.\nOther extraordinary places for\u00a0organizing events include the Franciscan\u00a0Monastery with its elegant\u00a0atrium, and theater Advitoriij\u00a0Portoroz.\n\u201cSpice up\u201d\u00a0the team spirit\nOrganizers of team building activities have a wide range of water and team sports to choose from, all supported by a large number of well-maintained sports facilities, or they can opt for bicycle or walking tours of the peninsula.\nMany activities can be organized at other locations, but producing salt in the way it was made 700 years ago is an experience few other places can offer their visitors.\nSolinar\nSalt played an important part in history and was the main source of wealth through the ages. A small part of the Strunjan salt flats has been preserved. The salt-pans in Secovlje Salina Nature Park is one of the few places in the world where salt is still collected in the traditional way.\nThe first image to leave a lasting impression on any participant is the fantastic landscape of the salt fields.\nAfter a tour of these fields and the historic tale of the harmony between man and nature, teams could compete in the traditional method of producing salt.\nHedonisam on a plate\nThe post Portoroz \u2013 Everything You Need for Your Events appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2016-07-07T15:47:56+02:00", "date_modified": "2016-07-07T15:47:56+02:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/25396.jpg", "tags": [ "bernardin", "convention centers", "portoro\u017e", "Secovlje Salina Nature Park", "slovenia", "team building", "Destinations" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/the-refugee-crisis-and-paris-attacks-effects-of-the-unfortunate-events-in-europe-on-the-mice-industry/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/the-refugee-crisis-and-paris-attacks-effects-of-the-unfortunate-events-in-europe-on-the-mice-industry/", "title": "The refugee crisis and Paris attacks \u2013 Effects of the Unfortunate Events in Europe on the MICE industry", "content_html": "History will surely remember 2015 as a year of record\u00a0breaking\u00a0migrations of people searching for security and fleeing wars.
\nWe asked convention bureaus how\u00a0much\u00a0impact has migration had on\u00a0organizing\u00a0and running events in European\u00a0cities.\u00a0Although the overall impression is\u00a0that they avoid talking about the topic,\u00a0some of them that did comment\u00a0are the London & Partners, Vienna\u00a0Convention\u00a0Bureau, Amsterdam\u00a0Marketing, Madrid Convention Bureau,\u00a0and Serbia Convention Bureau.
\nMost of these Convention bureaus\u00a0believe\u00a0that the refugee crisis has no\u00a0special impact on MICE tourism in\u00a0their countries and they have no statistical\u00a0data about events cancellations\u00a0due to the problem.
\nAlso, there is a tendency to turn these\u00a0events into opportunities, chances\u00a0to prove the safety of a destination\u00a0exceeding any negative effects.
\u201cIt\u2019s too soon to know if the last\u00a0Middle East migrations have affected\u00a0the meetings industry in Madrid;\u00a0it is reasonable to think that\u00a0these population movements won\u2019t\u00a0be a crisis factor for us: we belong\u00a0to a country traditionally chosen as\u00a0a destination by migrants coming\u00a0from the African North, and this\u00a0fact\u00a0has never been a parameter\u00a0for the evolution of this specialized\u00a0tourism\u00a0segment.\u00a0What we should do \u2013 due to the\u00a0political\u00a0and safety situation of the\u00a0Middle\u00a0Eastern and Northern African\u00a0countries \u2013 is use the advantage\u00a0to become first choice for companies\u00a0and associations looking for\u00a0safer Mediterranean and South European\u00a0destinations,\u201d says the Madrid\u00a0Convention Bureau.
\n![\"bigstock-Team-of-friends-showing-unity--37117480\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-Team-of-friends-showing-unity-37117480.jpg\")
\u201cWe notice how carefully customers\u00a0decide on European destinations,\u201d\u00a0notes the Serbia Convention\u00a0Bureau.
\n\u201cCertain events \u2013 even big\u00a0conferences\u00a0\u2013 are getting cancelled\u00a0or having their venues changed.\u00a0The tendency is less present in Serbia,\u00a0since these challenges are not\u00a0affecting\u00a0us as much as they are other\u00a0countries.
\nAlthough there are indications that\u00a0we could benefit from these developments,\u00a0due to the decision\u00a0of some organizers to move their\u00a0events to Serbia, the fact is that\u00a0long-term instability benefits no\u00a0one and the whole industry is wishing\u00a0for a soon and permanent\u00a0solution\u00a0to the ongoing troubles,\u201d\u00a0concludes the Serbia Convention\u00a0Bureau.
Meanwhile, security and safety concerns\u00a0have overtaken cost control\u00a0as the number one priority of corporate\u00a0executives when considering\u00a0business travel growth, according to\u00a0new research from American\u00a0Express\u00a0Global Business Travel (GBT).*
\n[quote_box_center]* The Barometer released during\u00a0the GBT\u2019s 25th annual EVP,\u00a0held in Paris. The Barometer\u00a0was prepared by Concomitance\u00a0from interviews with 580\u00a0persons in charge of corporate\u00a0travel budgets and possessing\u00a0an aggregated expenditure\u00a0of \u20ac1.3 bn.\u00a0The interviewees were spread\u00a0over companies based in 10\u00a0major\u00a0European countries.[/quote_box_center]
\nSadly, at the end of 2015 another event\u00a0took place and shook the globe,\u00a0at the same time touching on many\u00a0industries \u2013 event organizing in Europe\u00a0being among them.\u00a0The horrific November attack in Paris\u00a0caused justified fear and certain\u00a0discomfort in organizing larger gatherings.
\nAccording to the responses\u00a0of other Convention bureaus, their\u00a0cities\u00a0saw no cancellations of already\u00a0arranged events, while \u2013 for example\u00a0\u2013 a Michelin event for 550 people\u00a0was requested to be moved from\u00a0Paris to Amsterdam. Paris events\u00a0were\u00a0getting cancelled, but not in large\u00a0numbers.
![\"Paris\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/paris2.jpg\")
Music events certainly\u00a0were\u00a0getting cancelled, while U2\u2019s\u00a0performance\u00a0planned for November\u00a0was moved to December.
\nAs for the movie industry, Jane Got\u00a0a Gun featuring Natalie Portman and\u00a0Bridge of Spies, where Steven Spielberg,\u00a0Mark Rylance and Amy Ryan\u00a0were\u00a0scheduled to appear, saw the\u00a0cancelling\u00a0of their promotions.
\nThe Airbnb Open conference that\u00a0takes place in Paris where more than\u00a06,000 attendees reportedly visit\u00a0from over 100 countries across the\u00a0globe has been cancelled.
Currently, the company has over\u00a0600 employees in the city, as well\u00a0as 5,000 Airbnb hosts and \u201csuperhosts\u201d\u00a0in town who attended the conference.
\nNow, organizers are looking for \u201csafe\u00a0destinations\u201d for their conferences,\u00a0conventions, or meetings, somewhat\u00a0more carefully than under normal circumstances.\u00a0We can say that everyone is aware\u00a0of and following the situation in Europe,\u00a0and by this working on promoting\u00a0their destinations as safe for\u00a0event organizing. They are expecting\u00a0everything to get back to normal,\u00a0without any major effects on MICE\u00a0tourism.
\nThis is evident in some of the 2016\u00a0plans noted by Convention bureaus\u00a0from across Europe.
![\"bigstock-a-crowd-of-people-at-a-concert-80271962\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-a-crowd-of-people-at-a-concert-80271962.jpg\")
\u201c2015 has been a fantastic year for\u00a0London\u2019s MICE sector, we\u2019ve had some\u00a0great events coming, and returning,\u00a0to the city, such as the European\u00a0Society of Cardiology congress,\u00a0which broke all previous\u00a0records\u00a0of\u00a0attendance,\u00a0London Technology\u00a0Week,\u00a0and Advertising\u00a0Week\u00a0Europe.\u00a02016 is set to be equally\u00a0successful\u00a0with great new events\u00a0taking\u00a0place\u00a0in the capital including\u00a0New Scientist\u00a0Live, which will demonstrate\u00a0how\u00a0science and technology\u00a0can improve\u00a0lives and shape\u00a0society, and the AI\u00a0Summit, which will explore the possible\u00a0applications of Artificial Intelligence\u00a0for business purposes.\u201d-\u00a0Tracy\u00a0Halliwell,\u00a0Director\u00a0of Business\u00a0Tourism\u00a0& Major Events at London\u00a0& Partners.
\n\u201cIn the meetings industry market,\u00a0we are confident that there will be\u00a0a continuous\u00a0increase of the activity\u00a0in Madrid; overall in the incentives\u00a0and corporate sector, as the companies\u00a0are investing more budget than\u00a0in these last years of economic\u00a0crisis and it appears that Madrid is\u00a0awakening more and more\u00a0interest\u00a0between event organizers.\u201d\u00a0\u2013\u00a0David\u00a0Noack, Director of the Madrid\u00a0Convention Bureau.
\nThe post The refugee crisis and Paris attacks – Effects of the Unfortunate Events in Europe on the MICE industry appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Perhaps it is too soon to analyze the effects of the refugee crisis on the MICE tourism\u00a0in Europe and the region, but we should look back and revisit last year\u2019s\u00a0events\u00a0at the start of 2016.\nHistory will surely remember 2015 as a year of record\u00a0breaking\u00a0migrations of people searching for security and fleeing wars.\nWe asked convention bureaus how\u00a0much\u00a0impact has migration had on\u00a0organizing\u00a0and running events in European\u00a0cities.\u00a0Although the overall impression is\u00a0that they avoid talking about the topic,\u00a0some of them that did comment\u00a0are the London & Partners, Vienna\u00a0Convention\u00a0Bureau, Amsterdam\u00a0Marketing, Madrid Convention Bureau,\u00a0and Serbia Convention Bureau.\nMost of these Convention bureaus\u00a0believe\u00a0that the refugee crisis has no\u00a0special impact on MICE tourism in\u00a0their countries and they have no statistical\u00a0data about events cancellations\u00a0due to the problem.\nAlso, there is a tendency to turn these\u00a0events into opportunities, chances\u00a0to prove the safety of a destination\u00a0exceeding any negative effects.\n\u201cIt\u2019s too soon to know if the last\u00a0Middle East migrations have affected\u00a0the meetings industry in Madrid;\u00a0it is reasonable to think that\u00a0these population movements won\u2019t\u00a0be a crisis factor for us: we belong\u00a0to a country traditionally chosen as\u00a0a destination by migrants coming\u00a0from the African North, and this\u00a0fact\u00a0has never been a parameter\u00a0for the evolution of this specialized\u00a0tourism\u00a0segment.\u00a0What we should do \u2013 due to the\u00a0political\u00a0and safety situation of the\u00a0Middle\u00a0Eastern and Northern African\u00a0countries \u2013 is use the advantage\u00a0to become first choice for companies\u00a0and associations looking for\u00a0safer Mediterranean and South European\u00a0destinations,\u201d says the Madrid\u00a0Convention Bureau.\n\n\u201cWe notice how carefully customers\u00a0decide on European destinations,\u201d\u00a0notes the Serbia Convention\u00a0Bureau.\n\u201cCertain events \u2013 even big\u00a0conferences\u00a0\u2013 are getting cancelled\u00a0or having their venues changed.\u00a0The tendency is less present in Serbia,\u00a0since these challenges are not\u00a0affecting\u00a0us as much as they are other\u00a0countries.\nAlthough there are indications that\u00a0we could benefit from these developments,\u00a0due to the decision\u00a0of some organizers to move their\u00a0events to Serbia, the fact is that\u00a0long-term instability benefits no\u00a0one and the whole industry is wishing\u00a0for a soon and permanent\u00a0solution\u00a0to the ongoing troubles,\u201d\u00a0concludes the Serbia Convention\u00a0Bureau.\nMeanwhile, security and safety concerns\u00a0have overtaken cost control\u00a0as the number one priority of corporate\u00a0executives when considering\u00a0business travel growth, according to\u00a0new research from American\u00a0Express\u00a0Global Business Travel (GBT).*\n[quote_box_center]* The Barometer released during\u00a0the GBT\u2019s 25th annual EVP,\u00a0held in Paris. The Barometer\u00a0was prepared by Concomitance\u00a0from interviews with 580\u00a0persons in charge of corporate\u00a0travel budgets and possessing\u00a0an aggregated expenditure\u00a0of \u20ac1.3 bn.\u00a0The interviewees were spread\u00a0over companies based in 10\u00a0major\u00a0European countries.[/quote_box_center]\nSadly, at the end of 2015 another event\u00a0took place and shook the globe,\u00a0at the same time touching on many\u00a0industries \u2013 event organizing in Europe\u00a0being among them.\u00a0The horrific November attack in Paris\u00a0caused justified fear and certain\u00a0discomfort in organizing larger gatherings.\nAccording to the responses\u00a0of other Convention bureaus, their\u00a0cities\u00a0saw no cancellations of already\u00a0arranged events, while \u2013 for example\u00a0\u2013 a Michelin event for 550 people\u00a0was requested to be moved from\u00a0Paris to Amsterdam. Paris events\u00a0were\u00a0getting cancelled, but not in large\u00a0numbers.\nParis\nMusic events certainly\u00a0were\u00a0getting cancelled, while U2\u2019s\u00a0performance\u00a0planned for November\u00a0was moved to December.\nAs for the movie industry, Jane Got\u00a0a Gun featuring Natalie Portman and\u00a0Bridge of Spies, where Steven Spielberg,\u00a0Mark Rylance and Amy Ryan\u00a0were\u00a0scheduled to appear, saw the\u00a0cancelling\u00a0of their promotions.\nThe Airbnb Open conference that\u00a0takes place in Paris where more than\u00a06,000 attendees reportedly visit\u00a0from over 100 countries across the\u00a0globe has been cancelled.\nCurrently, the company has over\u00a0600 employees in the city, as well\u00a0as 5,000 Airbnb hosts and \u201csuperhosts\u201d\u00a0in town who attended the conference.\nNow, organizers are looking for \u201csafe\u00a0destinations\u201d for their conferences,\u00a0conventions, or meetings, somewhat\u00a0more carefully than under normal circumstances.\u00a0We can say that everyone is aware\u00a0of and following the situation in Europe,\u00a0and by this working on promoting\u00a0their destinations as safe for\u00a0event organizing. They are expecting\u00a0everything to get back to normal,\u00a0without any major effects on MICE\u00a0tourism.\nThis is evident in some of the 2016\u00a0plans noted by Convention bureaus\u00a0from across Europe.\n\n\u201c2015 has been a fantastic year for\u00a0London\u2019s MICE sector, we\u2019ve had some\u00a0great events coming, and returning,\u00a0to the city, such as the European\u00a0Society of Cardiology congress,\u00a0which broke all previous\u00a0records\u00a0of\u00a0attendance,\u00a0London Technology\u00a0Week,\u00a0and Advertising\u00a0Week\u00a0Europe.\u00a02016 is set to be equally\u00a0successful\u00a0with great new events\u00a0taking\u00a0place\u00a0in the capital including\u00a0New Scientist\u00a0Live, which will demonstrate\u00a0how\u00a0science and technology\u00a0can improve\u00a0lives and shape\u00a0society, and the AI\u00a0Summit, which will explore the possible\u00a0applications of Artificial Intelligence\u00a0for business purposes.\u201d-\u00a0Tracy\u00a0Halliwell,\u00a0Director\u00a0of Business\u00a0Tourism\u00a0& Major Events at London\u00a0& Partners.\n\u201cIn the meetings industry market,\u00a0we are confident that there will be\u00a0a continuous\u00a0increase of the activity\u00a0in Madrid; overall in the incentives\u00a0and corporate sector, as the companies\u00a0are investing more budget than\u00a0in these last years of economic\u00a0crisis and it appears that Madrid is\u00a0awakening more and more\u00a0interest\u00a0between event organizers.\u201d\u00a0\u2013\u00a0David\u00a0Noack, Director of the Madrid\u00a0Convention Bureau.\nThe post The refugee crisis and Paris attacks – Effects of the Unfortunate Events in Europe on the MICE industry appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2016-03-29T14:56:41+02:00", "date_modified": "2017-12-18T11:51:46+01:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Pocetna1a.jpg", "tags": [ "convention buerau", "Madrid Convention Bureau", "mice industry", "Paris", "serbia convention buerau", "Hot topics" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/the-unicef-snowflake-ball-the-greatest-ball-in-the-world-aimed-for-children-needs/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/the-unicef-snowflake-ball-the-greatest-ball-in-the-world-aimed-for-children-needs/", "title": "The UNICEF Snowflake Ball \u2013 The greatest ball in the world aimed for children needs", "content_html": "The 11th annual UNICEF Snowflake\u00a0Ball took place on 1st December 2015\u00a0in New York City, with a cocktail reception\u00a0at the Museum of American\u00a0Finance followed by a dinner and an\u00a0after party at Cipriani Wall Street.
\nThe black-tie event brought together\u00a0over 800 guests, including celebrities,\u00a0philanthropists, and business\u00a0and community leaders.
\n[quote_box_right]The 11th annual UNICEF Snowflake\u00a0Ball raised over $3.5 million,\u00a0contributing to a total of\u00a0$27 million raised since its inception\u00a0in 2004.[/quote_box_right]
\nCelebrities in attendance included\u00a0Liam\u00a0Neeson, Debi Mazar, Brooke\u00a0Burke-Charvet, John Molner, Katie\u00a0Couric, Padma Lakshmi, Kuoth Wiel,\u00a0Riley Keough, Mia Moretti and Michelle\u00a0Monaghan, among others.
\nThe event featured a performance\u00a0by Grammy-Award winning recording\u00a0artist\u00a0and UNICEF Ambassador\u00a0P!nk.
\nActor and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador\u00a0Orlando Bloom was presented\u00a0with the prestigious Audrey Hepburn\u00a0Humanitarian Award.
About UNICEF\u00a0Snowflake Ball we\u00a0had the honor\u00a0to speak with Jennifer\u00a0Lopez, Assistant Director, Special\u00a0Events for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
\n![\"UNICEF](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Orlando-Blum.jpg\" "\\"UNICEF")
1. The first UNICEF Snowflake Gala\u00a0was in 2004.\u00a0How did everything start?
\nThe UNICEF Snowflake Gala was launched\u00a0in 2004 to raise awareness\u00a0and funds to support UNICEF\u2019s work\u00a0to save and improve the lives of the\u00a0world\u2019s most vulnerable children.
\nThe UNICEF Snowflake, a 3,000 pound\u00a0ornament designed by Ingo\u00a0Maurer\u00a0and adorned with 16,000\u00a0Baccara\u00a0crystals, is lit on the night\u00a0of the gala and illuminates the intersection\u00a0of 57th Street and 5th Avenue\u00a0in New York City, serving as a beacon\u00a0of hope, peace and compassion\u00a0for vulnerable children around the\u00a0world.
\n[quote_box_left]Dress code
\nA black-tie affair
\nLadies shine in gold and silver[/quote_box_left]
2. How many people are involved in\u00a0the event organization?
\nThe Snowflake Gala Committee includes\u00a029 members with leadership\u00a0from our co-chairs Moll Anderson\u00a0and Gillian Miniter, and Project\u00a0Chair, Pamela Fiori. In addition, we\u00a0have a production team and several\u00a0vendors that help execute the\u00a0gala.
\n![\"Iris](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/UNICEF-3.jpg\" "\\"Iris")
3. Could you tell us about the d\u00e9cor\u00a0for gala?
\nUNICEF Ambassador Vern Yip has helped\u00a0create the d\u00e9cor concepts for\u00a0the last 7 years.
\nVern is an incredibly\u00a0mission-focused\u00a0designer and always\u00a0looks for creative\u00a0ways to transform\u00a0the venue to\u00a0highlight\u00a0UNICEF\u2019s work.
This year, with the help\u00a0of Rafanelli\u00a0Events and Scott Mauro Entertainment,\u00a0the d\u00e9cor focused\u00a0on the celebration\u00a0of the UNICEF Snowflake\u00a0ornament.
\nThe event included abstract snowflake\u00a0centerpieces, twinkling ceiling\u00a0installations, and beautiful chair covers\u00a0featuring black and white photos\u00a0of the faces of the children who benefit\u00a0from UNICEF\u2019s lifesaving work.
\nThe post The UNICEF Snowflake Ball – The greatest ball in the world aimed for children needs appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "The UNICEF Snowflake Ball is one of the most notable events of the year in New\u00a0York. But it has a more important role: to celebrate and raise funds and awareness\u00a0for UNICEF\u2019s lifesaving work for children around the world.\nThe 11th annual UNICEF Snowflake\u00a0Ball took place on 1st December 2015\u00a0in New York City, with a cocktail reception\u00a0at the Museum of American\u00a0Finance followed by a dinner and an\u00a0after party at Cipriani Wall Street.\nThe black-tie event brought together\u00a0over 800 guests, including celebrities,\u00a0philanthropists, and business\u00a0and community leaders.\n[quote_box_right]The 11th annual UNICEF Snowflake\u00a0Ball raised over $3.5 million,\u00a0contributing to a total of\u00a0$27 million raised since its inception\u00a0in 2004.[/quote_box_right]\nCelebrities in attendance included\u00a0Liam\u00a0Neeson, Debi Mazar, Brooke\u00a0Burke-Charvet, John Molner, Katie\u00a0Couric, Padma Lakshmi, Kuoth Wiel,\u00a0Riley Keough, Mia Moretti and Michelle\u00a0Monaghan, among others.\nThe event featured a performance\u00a0by Grammy-Award winning recording\u00a0artist\u00a0and UNICEF Ambassador\u00a0P!nk.\nActor and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador\u00a0Orlando Bloom was presented\u00a0with the prestigious Audrey Hepburn\u00a0Humanitarian Award.\nAbout UNICEF\u00a0Snowflake Ball we\u00a0had the honor\u00a0to speak with Jennifer\u00a0Lopez, Assistant Director, Special\u00a0Events for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.\nUNICEF Goodwill Ambassador & Honoree: Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award Orlando Bloom (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for UNICEF)\n1. The first UNICEF Snowflake Gala\u00a0was in 2004.\u00a0How did everything start?\nThe UNICEF Snowflake Gala was launched\u00a0in 2004 to raise awareness\u00a0and funds to support UNICEF\u2019s work\u00a0to save and improve the lives of the\u00a0world\u2019s most vulnerable children.\nThe UNICEF Snowflake, a 3,000 pound\u00a0ornament designed by Ingo\u00a0Maurer\u00a0and adorned with 16,000\u00a0Baccara\u00a0crystals, is lit on the night\u00a0of the gala and illuminates the intersection\u00a0of 57th Street and 5th Avenue\u00a0in New York City, serving as a beacon\u00a0of hope, peace and compassion\u00a0for vulnerable children around the\u00a0world.\n[quote_box_left]Dress code\nA black-tie affair\nLadies shine in gold and silver[/quote_box_left]\n2. How many people are involved in\u00a0the event organization?\nThe Snowflake Gala Committee includes\u00a029 members with leadership\u00a0from our co-chairs Moll Anderson\u00a0and Gillian Miniter, and Project\u00a0Chair, Pamela Fiori. In addition, we\u00a0have a production team and several\u00a0vendors that help execute the\u00a0gala.\nIris Apfel (2nd L) and Honoree: Spirit of Compassion Award Mindy Grossman (2nd R) and guests (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for UNICEF)\n3. Could you tell us about the d\u00e9cor\u00a0for gala?\nUNICEF Ambassador Vern Yip has helped\u00a0create the d\u00e9cor concepts for\u00a0the last 7 years.\nVern is an incredibly\u00a0mission-focused\u00a0designer and always\u00a0looks for creative\u00a0ways to transform\u00a0the venue to\u00a0highlight\u00a0UNICEF\u2019s work.\nThis year, with the help\u00a0of Rafanelli\u00a0Events and Scott Mauro Entertainment,\u00a0the d\u00e9cor focused\u00a0on the celebration\u00a0of the UNICEF Snowflake\u00a0ornament.\nThe event included abstract snowflake\u00a0centerpieces, twinkling ceiling\u00a0installations, and beautiful chair covers\u00a0featuring black and white photos\u00a0of the faces of the children who benefit\u00a0from UNICEF\u2019s lifesaving work.\nThe post The UNICEF Snowflake Ball – The greatest ball in the world aimed for children needs appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2016-03-01T15:24:49+01:00", "date_modified": "2016-07-01T16:28:43+02:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/NASLOVNA-1.jpg", "tags": [ "UNICEF Snowflake Ball", "Hot topics" ] } ] }![\"\ud83d\ude42\"](\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/72x72/1f642.png\")