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2004 Beyond Borders Resource Guide

May 1, 2004  | MEETINGSNET

Travel Services/Destination Information

  • U.S. Passport Services — where to apply for a passport; how to get passports the easy way; downloadable, printable passport applications; answers to frequently asked questions; www.travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

  • American Passport Express — U.S. passports expedited in 24 hours; (800) 841-6778; service@americanpassport.com; www.americanpassport.com

  • U.S. Customs Know Before You Go — specific info for U.S. residents returning home, including duty regulations and customs exemptions; www.customs.gov/travel/travel.htm

  • Background Notes — This valuable source for specific destinations around the world can be found on the Web under “Countries and Regions” at www.state.gov, or call the State Department at (202) 647-6575.

  • U.S. Embassies — embassies abroad offer a range of information. See “Websites of U.S. Embassies and Other Diplomatic Missions” online under http://usembassy.state.gov/. Americans who register in the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in foreign countries can obtain up-to-date information on travel and security in that country.

  • CNN — for breaking news; www.cnn.com

  • The International Trade Administration — government data on various countries; www.trade.gov/td/tic

  • Routes International — flight tracker; travel and booking info; numerous travel Web links; travel for the disabled; http://routesinternational.com

  • Nonprofit Risk Management Center — helps non-profits with risk-management. Contact: Melanie Herman, director, (202) 785-3891; www.nonprofitrisk.org

  • Travelocity — detailed site and travel information in a huge destination database; www.travelocity.com

  • Event Planner — country-by-country information, including many meeting-specific and event-specific services; www.eventplanner.com

  • Expedia.com — info on numerous destinations, including each country's culture, lodging, maps, transportation, weather, and yellow pages, plus travel tools such as currency converter, airport survival guide; www.expedia.com

  • Business Travel Net — information about business travel products and services worldwide, including airlines, hotels, car rental companies; www.business-travel-net.com

  • Global Edge — created by the Center for International Business Education and Research at Michigan State University (MSU-CIBER), a Web-portal that connects international business professionals worldwide to a wealth of information, insights, and learning resources on global business activities; http://globaledge.msu.edu/ibrd/ibrd.asp



Nuts-and-Bolts/Tips, Clocks, and Codes



Destination Management Companies

  • British Association of Conference Destinations — represents 80 conference destinations and more than 3,000 venues throughout the British Isles; venue location service; news; conference support; education and training; in Birmingham, England, (44) 0 121 212 1400; fax (44) 0 121 212 3131; info@bacd.org.uk; www.bacd.org.uk

  • Euromic — consortium of two dozen European DMCs; Chicago office: (800) 621-8045, (312) 845-9734; fax (312) 845-9739; marketing_usa@euromic.com; www.euromic.com

  • Networld — connects corporations, special groups, and incentive travel planners with its overseas network of travel suppliers, The Networld Network; www.networldinc.com

  • Travel Trade Marketing USA — undertakes sales, marketing, and reservations throughout North and South America for the international travel industry; www.ttmusa.com

  • World of Incentives — network of 25 DMCs from 20 countries; info@woinetwork.com; www.woinetwork.com

  • Global Events Partners — alliance of full-service DMCs from around the world, based in Washington, D.C.; Web site offers contact information, creative themes, online RFPs; (800) 206-9055, (202) 775-5800; fax (202) 775-8150; www.globaleventspartners.com



Expositions/Exhibiting

  • The Department of Commerce's Trade Information Center — information on countries, tariffs, taxes, trade events; (800) USA-TRADE (872-8723); fax (202) 482-4473; tic@ita.doc.gov; www.trade.gov/td/tic

  • Department of Commerce — produces catalog exhibitions that display product catalogs to potential agents, distributors, or buyers in selected world markets. Contact Export Promotion Services: (202) 482-6220; fax (202) 482-2526; www.export.gov/comm_svc/eps_events.html.

  • Canada Revenue Agency — info on customs; publishes guide on bringing meetings to Canada; www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca

  • The National Trade Data Bank — compilation of export promotion and international trade data from 17 U.S. government agencies. The International Trade Library is a comprehensive collection of over 40,000 documents related to international trade; (800) STAT-USA, (202) 482-1986; fax (202) 482-2164; statmail@esa.doc.gov; www.stat-usa.gov

  • The International Association of Professional Congress Organizers — can put you in touch with member PCOs in specific countries; IAPCO Secretariat, in London: (44) 20 87496171; fax (44) 20 87400241; info@iapco.org; www.iapco.org

  • The International Association for Exposition Management — worldwide daily news and info about the exhibition industry, a show search database, industry reports, career center, industry links; based in Dallas, (972) 458-8002; fax (972) 458-8119; www.iaem.org

  • The Center for Exhibition Industry Research — nonprofit organization that represents the exhibition industry; provides marketing and research reports; statistics and hard data about the industry. In Chicago: eceir@mpea.com; www.ceir.org

  • Trade Show Exhibitors Association — produces TS2, the Trade Show About Trade Shows, and provides sample RFPs and helpful exhibiting information. In Chicago: (312) 842-TSEA (8732); fax (312) 842-8744; tsea@tsea.org, www.tsea.org

  • TSNN.com — online resource for exhibition industry; database contains info on more than 15,000 trade shows and conferences, and through a strategic partnership, more than 30,000 seminars; www.tscentral.com

  • E.J. Krause & Associates Inc. — long-established marketing and marketing research company for international business and trade shows; (301) 493-5500; fax (301) 493-5705; info@ejkrause.com; www.ejkrause.com



U.S. Representatives of International Shows



Shipping/Customs Freight Forwarders

  • Schenker International Inc. — www.schenkerusa.com

  • TWI Global Exhibition Logistics — online downloadable international shipping guides to air freight, hand carry/courier shipping, ocean freight, insurance, online shipping cost estimate form, etc.; (702) 691-9000; fax (702) 691-9045; www.twiglobal.com

  • LogLink Logistics Links — Web links for everything from customs brokers to worldwide freight carriers to business contacts to routing software; www.loglink.com

  • Panalpina Inc. — Based in Miami, Fla., handles freight forwarding on six continents; (305) 499-9800; fax (305) 716-3636; info@panalpina.com; www.panalpina.com

  • ATA Carnet — for a list of ATA Carnet member countries and copies of ATA Carnet forms; (847) 381-1558; (800) ATA-2900; fax (847) 381-3857; carnets@atacarnet.com; www.atacarnet.com

  • World Customs Organization — all sorts of international customs and trade info, including customs Web sites, customs topics, breaking customs and trade news; 159 members worldwide; based in Belgium, (32) 2 209 92 11; fax (32) 2 209 92 92; www.wcoomd.org



Insurance

  • MPI's Convention Cancellation & Interruption Insurance Plan — call the firm of Seabury & Smith: (800) 503-9230; fax (847) 803-1653; custsvc2@seaburychicago.com; www.seaburychicago.com

  • Showstoppers Event Cancellation Insurance — ASAE-sponsored and offered through the Travelers; cancellation, terrorism coverage, labor disputes, non-appearance, loss of personal property; request quote online; (800)424-8830; (202) 862-5333; www.asae-aon.com/aec3.php

  • TWI Global Exhibition Logistics — freight insurance: (702) 691-9000; fax (702) 691-9045; www.twiglobal.com

  • ExpoplusCCI — Seabury & Smith; Contact: Paulette Norman, (800) 323-2106, ext. 34271; www.expoplus.net

  • Event Savers — Rust Insurance Agency Inc.; (202) 776-5000; fax: (202) 776-5035; www.rustinsurance.com

  • Trip Insurance USA — Web site compares every major travel insurance product. Can also research insurance carriers and make purchases. www.quotetravelinsurance.com

  • Travel Guard — travel insurance provider in a variety of categories; (800) 826-4919; (715) 345-0505; www.travel-guard.com

  • Worldwide Emergency Services — a value-added reseller of MEDEX service; (340) 776-5793; (888) 999-9553; information@tosafety.com; www.tosafety.com



Safety and Security

  • 21st Century Security Inc. — professional security services; based in Brooklyn, N.Y., (800) 649-4827; (718) 891-7550; fax: (718) 891-8191; info@21stcenturysecurity.com; www.21stcenturysecurity.com

  • Global Hotspot Information — available free on the Web site of Sheldon Little, a U.K.-based firm specializing in security and crisis management. Country-by-country information includes details on severe weather, flash medical reports, transport-related strikes likely to cause delays, and demonstrations and security incidents of concern to travelers; www.sheldonlittle.com

  • Air Security International, L.P. — offers a spectrum of security options, from on-site safety to secure travel; based in Houston, Texas, (713) 430-7300; fax (713) 430-7018; www.airsecurity.com

  • The Overseas Citizen Services — 24-hour emergency hotline for overseas travelers to leave with people who may need to contact them in an emergency; (202) 647-5225

  • The U.S. Department of State Citizens' Emergency Center — issues travel warnings, health precautions, and other safety information for those traveling abroad. On the Web: a long list of publications on various aspects of foreign travel, from “A Safe Trip Abroad” to “Foreign Entry Requirements”; travel.state.gov/travel_pubs.html

  • U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings and Bureau of Consular Affairs Information Sheets — the latest headline warnings for every country of the world, including the location of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, unusual currency and entry regulations, and crime and security facts. Plus: info on conversion to the euro, passports and visas, lists of attorneys, doctors, and hospitals abroad; www.travel.state.gov

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency — Web site includes an extensive disaster preparedness list; www.fema.org/library



Medical Services/Information

  • International SOS Assistance Inc. — provides medical clinics worldwide, emergency assistance, insurance plans. A plan called Global Premier provides individual and group medical coverage, death and disability insurance, emergency evacuation, 24-hour access to multilingual operators, and monitoring of medical problems abroad by SOS specialists; based in Philadelphia. Alarm Phone: (215) 245-4707, (215) 244-1500 or (800) 523-8930; fax (215) 244-2227; corpcomm@internationalsos.com; www.internationalsos.com

  • MEDEX Assistance Corp. — Medical assistance; insurance including evacuation, repatriation coverage, trip cancellation with direct payment to foreign providers; 24-hour professional multilingual assistance with medical, travel, and personal emergencies, including medical transportation; Services range from doctor referrals to the coordination of complex medical evacuation assistance; based in Towson, Md., (800) 527-0218, (410) 453-6300; fax (410) 453-6301; info@medexassist.com; www.medexassist.com

  • International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers — nonprofit organization that advises travelers about health risks, geographical distribution of diseases, and immunization requirements for all countries; makes available to travelers around the world competent medical care by Western-trained doctors who speak English; publishes directory of 850 English-speaking doctors in 130 countries. (716) 754-4883; info@iamet.org; www.iamat.org

  • Worldwide Assistance Services Inc. — North American subsidiary of Europe Assistance Holding S.A., headquartered in Paris; provides medical assistance around the globe; corporate memberships or event-specific coverage available; based in Washington, D.C., (800) 777-8710; fax (202) 331-1528; www.worldwideassistance.com

  • InHouse Physicians — offers on-site medical care, support and risk management consulting for meetings and events worldwide. Naperville, Ill., (800) 356-3627; fax (630) 369-7657; www.inhousephysicians.com

  • GlobalCare and Global Emergency Medical Services Inc. — offers the MedPass program. On the Web: overview of medical services and support, including a help desk staffed by registered nurses 24 hours a day, who can provide telephone assistance in medical situations and make referrals to English-speaking providers or arrange medical evacuations; includes online enrollment form. Alpharetta, Ga., (800) 860-1111; fax (678) 341-1800; customer.service@globalcare.net; www.globalcare.net

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's International Travelers Health Site — health info on countries worldwide, including vaccinations, health risks, infectious diseases, health requirements, emergency preparedness, safe food and water instructions; www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm



VAT/Tax Reclaim



Currency Information and Services

  • The Universal Currency Converter — interactive chart that converts U.S. dollars into a selected currency, and vice versa; www.xe.com/ucc

  • Foreign Exchange Currency Converter — view currency exchange rates for any of 164 currencies for any date; interbank rates, currency codes, currency trading game; www.oanda.com/convert/classic

  • Ruesch International — international payment solutions for cross-border transactions worldwide. www.ruesch.com

  • Travelex Financial Services — comprehensive range of corporate and commercial payment services for companies doing business internationally; www.travelexusa.com

  • CNN's Financial Network Currencies Market — charts of currency values compared to the U.S. dollar, showing the latest trade dates; money.cnn.com/markets/currencies

  • Visa Expo — click on the ATM Locator on Visa's Expo site to pinpoint the exact location of ATM and bank machines in cities and airports around the world. Site includes safety tips for using ATMs and credit cards worldwide; international.visa.com/main.jsp



Publications on Cultural Protocol

  • Do's and Taboos Around the World; Do's and Taboos of Hosting International Visitors; Do's and Taboos of Using English Around the World; and Gestures: Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World — by Roger E. Axtell, John Wiley & Sons Inc.

  • Do's And Taboos Around the World for Women in Business — by Roger E. Axtell, Tami Briggs, Margaret Corcoran, Mary Beth Lamb, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1997

  • Do's and Taboos of Preparing for Your Trip Abroad — by Roger E. Axtell, John P. Healy, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1994

  • Dun & Bradstreet's Guide to Doing Business Around the World — by Terri Morrison et al., Prentice Hall Press, 2000

  • Russian Etiquette & Ethics in Business — by Drew Wilson, Lloyd Donaldson, McGraw-Hill, 1996

  • Chinese Business Etiquette: A Guide to Protocol, Manners, and Culture in the People's Republic of China — by Scott D. Seligman, Edward J. Trenn; Warner Books; 1999

  • Japanese Etiquette & Ethics in Business — 6th ed., by Boye Lafayette De Mente, McGraw-Hill, 1994

  • The Global Road Warrior — by Jeffrey Curry, Sibylla Putzi, World Trade Press, 3rd ed., 2001

  • The Global Etiquette Guide to Asia and The Global Etiquette Guide to Europe: Everything You Need to Know for Business and Travel Success — by Dean Foster, John Wiley & Sons, 1st ed.

  • Going to Japan on Business: Protocol, Strategies, and Language for the Corporate Traveler — by Christalyn Brannen, Stone Bridge Press; 3rd ed., 2002

  • International Business Etiquette Europe: What You Need to Know to Conduct Business Abroad With Charm and Savvy and International Business Etiquette Latin America: What You Need to Know to Conduct Business Abroad With Charm and Savvy — by Ann Marie Sabath, Career Press, 1999

  • Korean Etiquette & Ethics in Business — 2nd ed., by Boye Lafayette De Mente, McGraw-Hill, 1994

  • Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands: How to Do Business in 60 Countries — www.getcustoms.com, by Terri Morrison et al., Adams Media, 1995

  • Multicultural Manners: New Rules of Etiquette for a Changing Society — by Norine Dresser, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1996

  • Professional Meeting Management: A European Handbook — 35 authors, available through Meeting Professionals International; www.mpiweb.org/resources/bookstore

    Put Your Best Foot Forward: Asia; Put Your Best Foot Forward: South America; Put Your Best Foot Forward: Europe; Put Your Best Foot Forward: Mexico/Canada; and Put Your Best Foot Forward: Russia — Mary Murray Bosrock, International Education Systems

  • Riding The Waves of Culture: Understanding Diversity in Global Business — by Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner, McGraw-Hill Trade, 1997

  • Speaking Globally: Effective Presentations Across International and Cultural Boundaries — by Elizabeth Urech, National Book Network, 2nd ed., 2002

  • The Intercultural Press — offers many cross-cultural communication guides. For more information: (207) 846-5168, (866) 372-2665; fax (207) 846-5181; books@intercultural press.com; www.interculturalpress.com

  • Brigham Young University and the Millennial Star Network — (MSTAR.NET) publishes four-page CulturGram briefings that cover greetings, dining customs, courtesies, gestures, lifestyles, and attitudes of a nation's people. CulturGrams, available for 175 countries, are updated annually. (800) 528-6279; fax: (801) 847-0127; www.culturegrams.com

  • Europublic — intercultural consultations toward understanding Europe: books; training courses; speakers; www.europublic.com

  • ExecutivePlanet.com — provides online, up-to-date information on international business culture, customs, and protocol, gift-giving, negotiating tactics, business entertainment, cross-cultural communication, more; www.executiveplanet.com



Travel Clothing, Products, Phones

  • Magellan's — travel supplies, clothing, comfort items, luggage, security items, health and hygiene, info center; www.magellans.com

  • Travelanimal.com — travel supplies, security items; www.travelanimal.com

  • Travel Gizmos — all sorts of travel gizmos, gewgaws, and stuff to make traveling easier, including luggage and travel accessories; www.travelgizmos.com

  • Travel Smith — travel clothing, luggage, security items, “shop by destination,” free travel guides, packing lists; www.travelsmith.com

  • Travel Tools — items designed and sold for the business traveler; includes traveling golfer; store.yahoo.com/traveltools1/index.html

  • Travel Products.com — travel supplies, security items, browse by category; (800) 917-4616; (310) 917-1250; www.travelproducts.com

  • International Cellular Services — cell phone rental throughout the world; (800) 897-5788; (212) 736-7368; www.internationalcellular.com



More Organizations and Associations

  • Convention Industry Council — represents more than 30 national and international organizations involved in the meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and travel and tourism industries; Certified Meeting Professional offered in Europe and Asia; McLean, Va.; (703) 610-9030; fax (703) 610-9005; www.conventionindustry.org

  • Meeting Professionals International — offers a global network of colleagues, continuing education, and a resource center that sells literature; maintains a European and a Canadian office; Dallas, (972) 702-3000; fax (972) 702-3070; www.mpiweb.org

  • The Society of Incentive & Travel Executives — educational conferences and workshops on international business challenges; constituents in key international destinations can be consulted or linked into a developing incentive program. Chicago, (312) 321-5148; hq@site-intl.org; www.site-intl.org

  • The Professional Convention Management Association — continuing education on international meeting planning; Chicago, (877) 827-7262, (312) 423-7262; fax (312) 423-7222; communications@pcma.org; www.pcma.org

  • The American Society of Association Executives — has an international department to support association executives and their suppliers who are operating globally; maintains relations with 13 other societies of association executives worldwide; Washington, D.C., (202) 371-0940; fax (202) 371-8315; service@asaenet.org; www.asaenet.org

  • The International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus — publishes directory listing 1,000 cities and member bureaus around the world; (202) 296-7888; fax (202) 296-7889; info@iacvb.org; www.iacvb.org; CVB Help Line/Directory Web: (800) 208-8661; OTG@usdm.net; www.officialtravelguide.com

  • The Asian Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus — provides information and contacts in Asia; contact the association c/o Macau Government Tourist Office, Gomes, Macau, (853) 798-4156/57; fax (853) 703 213; secretariat@aacvb.org; www.aacvb.org.

  • L'Association Internationale des Palais de Congrès — publishes AIPC and ICCA “General Conditions for Contracts with Congress Centres,” which have been adopted by nearly 200 congress centers worldwide; defines keywords and offers quality standards for congress, conference, and convention centers worldwide; Brussels, Belgium, (32) 2 534 59 53; secretariat@aipc.org; www.aipc.org

  • Meetings Industry Association of Australia — 1,600 members in Australia and the Asia/Pacific region; P.O. Box 1477, Neutral Bay NSW 2089, Australia; (61) 2 9904 9922; fax (61) 2 9904 9933; miaa@miaanet.com.au; www.miaanet.com.au

  • The European Federation of Conference Towns — many services to U.S. meetings planners; directory of more than 100 European convention destinations in 34 countries that can handle 300 or more delegates; based in Brussels, Belgium, (32) 2 732 69 54; fax (32) 2 735 48 40; secretariat@efct.com; www.efct.com

  • ICCA — about 600 members in 80 countries representing specialists in handling, transporting, and accommodating international events; extensive database on more than 7,300 international meetings. Amsterdam, Netherlands, (31) 20 398 1919; fax (31) 20 699 0781; www.iccaworld.com



Editors' Picks 2004

Here are some favorite Web sites from the editors of Corporate Meetings & Incentives, Medical Meetings, Association Meetings, Insurance Conference Planner, and Religious Conference Manager.

EcoRepublic — an online catalogue (also available in print) of lodgings in Central and South America geared to soft adventure and ecotourism, providing a range of incentive program ideas. Options are arranged by 15 special interests ranging from bird-watching and mountain biking, to jungle hiking, archeology, and diving; by destination; and by lodging. Here you'll find a listing for Francis Ford Coppola's Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn in Belize and for the the Del Glaciar Hotel in the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia, in Argentina. www.ecorepublic.com

OANDA — this currency site offers information on foreign exchange and currency trading. Includes real-time currency rates and a currency conversion tool; www.oanda.com

ConvertIt.com — the site has just about everything by way of conversion tools, from currency to measurements to time zones. www.convertit.com

Embassy World — a directory and search engine for the world's embassies and consulates; http://embassyworld.com/

Frommer's — Type in your destination and link to useful info about dining, attractions, cultural life, walking tours, shopping links, and much more. www.frommers.com/destinations

Flyer Talk — an interesting Web site designed for frequent fliers; www.flyertalk.com

Free Translation — a super-cool site that translates English into a variety of languages. Just type in what you wish to say, and the site does the translating. www.freetranslation.com

UNICTTF — the United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force; www.unicttaskforce.org

CDC-Travel — health information on specific destinations and much more; www.cdc.gov/travel

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