Meeting News - April 21, 2008 - (Page 38)

MN Webcast Report International Intrigue: Visas, entry procedures, & other hurdles uring the recent MeetingNews webcast entitled “International Intrigue,” panelists discussed how to make an international visit as seamless as possible for attendees. MN editor-inchief Elizabeth West noted that while the U.S. does have a visa waiver program that exempts travelers between certain countries from needing a visa, there are other elements to consider. She cautioned that some attendees who live in the U.S. but travel on foreign passports may require special documentation in order to travel, including confirmation of the event or hotel reservations. Regardless of the destination, West encouraged planners to “make your delegates aware of what to expect from the immigration procedures of your host country so they are not surprised or offended.” Planners’ expectations for how changing entry requirements will impact their groups seem to be evolving. A poll taken during the webcast asked, “How do you think extended waiting times for trav- D el documentation will affect lead times for international meetings?” Fifty-four percent of respondents said that it will have a dramatic impact. That result is in stark contrast to the MN and Successful Meetings 2007 International Meeting and Incentive Planner Survey, in which 85.1 percent of corporate and 80 percent of association planners said they do not expect increased immigration measures to affect their international programs. West attributed the difference to the reality of new procedures setting in and planners realizing that entry requirements are a bigger issue than initially excepted. Ginny Davito,VP of group and incentive sales for Palace Resorts, recommended that planners check several sources when determining entry requirements and that they not rely primarily on information gleaned from Internet searches. She also advised that planners clearly note on their websites that individual attendees are ultimately responsible for determining their entry requirements. According to Rick Webster, VP of public policy for the Travel Industry Association, attendees should understand that for international attendees going to an event in the U.S., each visa applicant is judged on individual merit, adding that many people erroneously believe that acceptance is a matter of getting a nice officer. It’s really about the material that the officer has on the applicant. Also, planners should not assume that an invitation letter will help a potential attendee to obtain a visa; so many letters have been fraudulently copied that they in no way ensure acceptance. Webster explained that applicants are in the position of proving that their stays in the U.S. will be temporary. Young persons with no property, no family ties, and a limited business background may trigger a denial, but those with extensive ties to their home countries and who have traveled for numerous conferences may be more likely accepted. H —Kinley Levack Join us on WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 at 2 PM EST / 11 AM PST for a FREE Succcessful Meeting and MeetingNews The Bam Factor: Uncover New F&B Options That Will “Wow” Attendees And Add Value To Your Event Sponsored by There is no getting around it. No matter what type of event you have, people always remember the food—good or bad. The meeting agenda, setting and décor, and extra curricular activities all play important roles in any meeting or event, however getting the food & beverage right is critical. The quality of an event’s F&B can either help make it a success or contribute to its failure, in a big way. This not only includes how the F&B is prepared, but also how it is presented, served and the way it fits into the overall theme of the event and the agenda. There are many ways to do this including tying F&B into the entertainment, activities and having it be part of the complete ambience of the affair. All of this takes special planning and consideration, but it is well worth the effort. Join Successful Meetings and MeetingNews magazines for this live, interactive Web Seminar, sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, and hear from industry experts how better incorporate the F&B component into your event. Attend this online-only event and learn how to creatively make F&B a memorable part of the success of your next meeting. Presented by www.VirtualMeetingWorld.com TO REGISTER: www.successfulmeetings.com/webcast Register now for this free webcast, and become a member of Virtual Meeting World 38 MeetingNews April 21, 2008 www.meetingnews.com http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/webcasts.jsp http://www.meetingnews.com http://www.successfulmeetings.com/webcast http://www.VirtualMeetingWorld.com http://www.successfulmeetings.com/webcast http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - April 21, 2008

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