Venue highlights from the IMEX 2017 show floor
Last month,
IMEX took place in Frankfurt, Germany and venues were out in force to update global event planners on their offers. Here’s six of the headlines.
Manchester Central sees increase in corporate bookings and returning associations
Manchester Central has recorded a 45% increase in corporate revenue for 2016. The conference and events venue saw nearly a third more corporate business, compared with 2015.
Manchester Central welcomed in excess of 20,000 delegates to more than 50 corporate events throughout 2016.
The venue’s adaptable spaces, which can host from 40 to 10,000 delegates, made it the perfect choice for a number of big name clients including Co-op and Santander.
Manchester Central has also secured multi-year deals with four major national associations.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has confirmed it will return to the venue for the next three years. The Pension and Lifetime Savings Association and the Royal Microscopical Society have also committed to bring their events to Manchester Central bi-annually until 2023 and 2021 respectively. Plus, The British Cardiovascular Society – which has made use of the venue’s state-of-the-art facilities since 2014 – has also chosen Manchester Central to host its annual conference and exhibition until 2023.
Worldhotels acquired by Associated Luxury Hotels
Associated Luxury Hotels has bought
Worldhotels in a deal that sees it expand its portfolio of member hotels and resorts, along with its worldwide sales, marketing, distribution and hospitality services.
Associated Luxury Hotels’ Chief Commercial Officer Tom Santora has assumed the additional role of executive chairman of Worldhotels, where he will oversee the company’s strategic direction.
Worldhotels Chief Executive Geoff Andrew, who is continuing as CEO, will lead Worldhotels and its organisation of 140 sales professionals and expert staff globally, from its headquarters in Frankfurt.
Worldhotels is 40 years old and consists of 350 independent upscale and luxury-level hotels and resorts. This includes 175 hotels and resorts in Europe, 93 in Asia Pacific, 19 in South America, 11 in the Middle East, five in Africa, and 38 in North America.
Andrew said: “We are very enthusiastic about this new partnership with Associated Luxury Hotels. Our mission is to empower true independence and we see tremendous opportunities to deliver against that goal and drive more business to our members. Together we will undoubtedly be the premier provider of hospitality services to independent hotels around the world.”
Kempinski marks 120 years with music and light
Kempinski Hotels is celebrating its 120 year anniversary with the launch of ‘Stage for Young Artists’.
The initiative supports the next generation of musicians, by turning Kempinski hotel lobbies into a stage for talented musicians from local communities.
To mark this milestone anniversary, Kempinski is offering daily opportunities for music students to perform in the lobbies of its hotels, starting in Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Venice and St. Moritz, before other participating Kempinski hotels around the world.
Markus Semer, Chairman and CEO of Kempinski Hotels, said: “Kempinski is proud to support young artists from local communities, who will no doubt enchant our guests with their own unique performances. In doing so, they will also be helping to create memorable experiences in keeping with our special brand of luxury, that blends traditional elegant European service, with local customs and flavour.”
Kempinski’s 120th anniversary celebrations will also include ‘Ignite the Night’, a series of festivities held at each of the brand’s 75 hotels. Each property will be lit up in their own unique way, inside and out, with fireworks, special lighting, or projected images of the 120th anniversary logo in a symbolic nod to the Kempinski Hotels ‘constellation of stars’.
ACC Liverpool in rude health as five new medical conferences confirm for 2017
ACC Liverpool has confirmed five new medical conferences in 2017 as well as welcoming back a series of association health events.
The International Clinical Trials Methodology Conference, UK Kidney Week, Royal College of Radiologists, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care Society are all taking place at the waterfront venue for the first time this year.
Meanwhile, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), the Royal College of General Practitioners and UK Stroke Forum are among 16 medical events returning to ACC Liverpool. Around 28,000 delegates are set to attend medical events at the venue, home to BT Convention Centre, Echo Arena and Exhibition Centre Liverpool, this year.
Sandra Eyre, Senior Association Sales Manager at ACC Liverpool, said: “The medical and healthcare sector remains very strong for us and accounts for 61 per cent of association events in 2017-18. This is largely thanks to our experience in hosting such events, the city’s expertise in helping to bring them to Liverpool and its continuous growing appeal as a meetings destination.”
Plaza Athénée opens redesigned courtyard
Hotel Plaza Athénée in Paris, part of the Dorchester Collection, has given its 100-year-old courtyard a new look.
Discreetly located in the heart of the hotel, the Plaza Athénée’s Cour Jardin has been redesigned by Bruno Moinard. It is ideal for al fresco dining and events and is far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. The Plaza Athénée’s Cour Jardin is open from 10 May until September.
Scottish Event Campus Ltd (Previously SECC) debuts new brand at IMEX
The newly rebranded
Scottish Event Campus (SEC) made its debut in front of an international trade audience at IMEX. The venue has recently moved away from its previous identity, the Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre, and has been showcasing a fresh brand with ambitions to attract more campus wide events.
The SEC brand encompasses the three internationally recognised venues on site in Glasgow, as well as the growing media, cultural and entertainment district building up around them.
The rebrand has occurred four years after the launch of the SSE Hydro in 2013, which joined the existing SEC Exhibition Halls and the Armadillo (Clyde Auditorium) conference venues.
Kathleen Warden, Director of Conference Sales, said: “This is an events destination that can host the biggest and strongest brands in the world, and the very best-in-class conference and large meetings. We now have an area that combines state-of-the-art venues and indoor facilities, with an exterior and outdoor space that offers the backdrop of three iconic venues and a global city.”
Article written by
Mike Fletcher