Corporate Meetings & Incentives News

Air France to Open Expedited Security Lane at JFK

Jan 11, 2007

Following in the footsteps of British Airways, Air France has reached an agreement with Verified Identity Pass to sponsor a Registered Traveler program at JFK International Airport’s Terminal 1, which is expected to start screening passengers as early as next month....

An Exclusive Tool and Zero Waste--News from PCMA in Toronto

Jan 9, 2007

At the Professional Convention Management Association’s annual meeting this week in Toronto, a new online tool to measure meeting performance was introduced, with PCMA members getting exclusive access through September 2007....

MeCo Turns One With New Seminar Series

Jan 8, 2007

Marking its one-year anniversary, the meetings industry listserv called MeCo, short for the Meetings Community, is launching a new feature called Chat Lessons 1.0 for its growing online community...

Hawaii CVB, Center Launch Joint Web Site

Jan 8, 2007

The Hawai`i Visitors and Convention Bureau and SMG Hawai`i, which manages the Hawai`i Convention Center, have joined forces to launch BusinessAloha.com, a new destination Web site dedicated to meeting planners’ needs in the Hawaiian islands....

Oahu: Who Knew?

Jan 5, 2007

They came to town bearing chocolate-covered macadamia nuts and news of the island. ...

Tollett Resigns Houston Bureau Post

Jan 3, 2007

Last week Gerard J. “Jordy” Tollett announced that he is resigning his post as president and CEO of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau to “pursue other ventures.” ...

Top Trends for 2007

Dec 29, 2006

YPB&R forecasts that leisure will outpace business when it comes to travel services as businesses continue to try to replace travel with technology, and that the costs for both air and hotels will continue to climb...

Six CVBs Earn DMAI Certification

Dec 28, 2006

Six destination marketing organizations—also called convention and visitors bureaus—have been accredited by the Destination Marketing Association International for meeting universal operating standards...

All Talk Goes to All Pod

Dec 22, 2006

MeetingsRadio, a weekly call-in radio show for the meetings industry that began broadcasting via the Internet in April 2005, is moving to a podcast format in 2007, according to founder Bill Wulff, CMP, president of Above the Rim Events, Fort Lee, N.J....

APEX Webinar: Save the Date

Dec 22, 2006

If you've ever wondered what the Convention Industry Council's APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) initiative is all about, join CIC's APEX leaders for a free webinar February 7 from 2 to 3 p.m. EST. ...

Promotional Gifts Hit the IRS Radar: Are Incentive Gifts Next?

Dec 21, 2006

Beware of giving lavish promotional gifts that have no direct connection to your business. That's the message from a recent clampdown by the Internal Revenue Service....

Duffy, Hacker Among Five Named to CIC’s Hall of Leaders

Dec 20, 2006

The chief executive officer of a leading meeting and incentive travel company and the president of a major industry association are among five leaders who will be inducted into the Convention Industry Council’s prestigious Hall of Leaders, which since 1985 has been honoring individuals who have made a significant contribution to the meeting and convention industry....

Marriott Responds to Questions on Commissions

Dec 19, 2006

Marriott International last week issued an FAQ document for group intermediary partners in response to questions regarding its controversial new policies on paying third parties’ hotel room commissions on meetings business....

Redefining the High End: Ritz-Carlton's Luxury Meetings Forum

Dec 18, 2006

The word “luxury” just could be one of the most abused words in the hospitality lexicon. That was one of the conclusions made by panelists at the third annual Ritz-Carlton Luxury Meetings Forum, held November 8 to 11 at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando. ...

Comment Period Extended for Controversial Passenger Screening System

Dec 13, 2006

After receiving criticism from travel, trade, and privacy groups, the Department of Homeland Security has extended the comment period for its Automated Targeting System...

New Web Site Helps Travelers Get Passports

Dec 12, 2006

In advance of new regulations requiring all travelers entering the U.S. to have a passport, the Travel Industry Association has launched a new Web site to ease the process of getting one....

Marriott to Require Accreditation for Independents

Dec 11, 2006

Marriott International is changing the rules about how commissions are paid to independent meeting planners and other group intermediaries...

SITE’s Proposed Bylaw Changes Draw Some Resistance

Dec 8, 2006, By Barbara Scofidio

Call it aversion to change, or just part of the democratic process of an association....

Vitagliano to Head New Incentive Research Foundation

Dec 8, 2006, By Barbara Scofidio

The Society of Incentive and Travel Executives has tapped its former CEO and well-known industry leader Bob G. Vitagliano, CITE, to become executive director of the International SITE Foundation, its new research arm. ...

MPI Heads to New Orleans

Dec 7, 2006

It will be the first opportunity for many industry professionals to see New Orleans post-Katrina as 2,500 are expected to attend Meeting Professionals International’s 2007 Professional Education Conference-North America, January 20 to 23 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. ...