Latin America may not have a high profile as a meeting and incentive destination, but it delivers. That's the theme of the first Meetings and Incentive Travel Market (MITM) Latin America, to take place in Guadalajara, Mexico January 14 to 17, 2000.
Instead of a conventional trade show, the travel market will bring together suppliers and attendees for 15-minute, individual appointments. There will also be a full day of seminars as well as optional post tours to Mexican destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, and Oaxaca. The show's "qualified buyer" program offers discounted rates to meeting planners: A $350 fee includes transportation on American Airlines as well as hotel accommodations and meals.
Sponsors include GSAR Marketing, American Airlines, World Incentive Nexus, Meeting Professionals International, and Adams Business Media, publisher of TM. For information contact Jim Skiba, CMP, World Incentive Nexus, (415) 626-1784, fax (415) 626-1445, e-mail jim@worldincentivenexus.com; or Carol Krugman, CMP, CMM, (954) 796-0606, fax (954) 796-4111, e-mail krugman@krugman.com. Program details are also available at www.worldincentivenexus.com.
fast facts * Customer satisfaction is the name of the game. Here's how those in the hotel and airline industries rank, according to J.D. Power and Associates.
Upscale Hotel Chains * 1. Hyatt
* 2. Marriott
* 3. Hilton and Wyndham (tied)
* 4. Crowne Plaza
Long-Haul Flights (more than 500 miles) * 1. Continental
* 2. TWA
Short-Haul Flights * 1. TWA
* 2. Southwest
Source: J.D. Power and Associates 1999 Domestic Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study, which covered more than 100 hotel chains in five market segments and polled 16,109 frequent hotel guests. The airline customer satisfaction survey polled 6,520 frequent flyers on factors such as on-time performance, check-in, and food.