Successful Meetings - October 2008 - (Page 15)

> Planner News News & Analysis NBTA Plans SMMP Certification The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) is developing the corporate travel industry's first certification in strategic meetings management programs (SMMPs). Details of the certification, which will set professional SMMP standards for the corporate meetings industry, are currently being developed under the direction of a special task force made up of thought leaders within the SMMP field. Strategic meetings management— the focus of which is planning meetings with an eye toward measuring costs and improving ROI—has been a key focus area for NBTA since 2004, when its Groups & Meetings Committee began publishing whitepapers on the topic as part of its Framework for Success: Strategic Meetings Management Programs series. The most recent was published in June and contains three case studies of successful SMMPs. NBTA culled the idea of an SMMP certification from its membership, which expressed the need for SMMP education and professional development. In response, the association created its 25-member task force, which met at the 2008 NBTA International Convention & Exposition in Los Angeles this July. It's planning to debut the program by the end of 2009. —Matt Alderton BIG I DE A S A N D BIG S AV I NG S C OM E NATUR A LLY IN MEXICO. HelmsBriscoe Launches First Japanese Office HelmsBriscoe, the independent site selection and RFP services company based in Scottsdale, AZ, announced the opening of its first Japanese office in Tokyo’s downtown Roppongi district. “There is a tremendous need not only in Japan, but throughout all of Asia, for the services that HelmsBriscoe provides,” says Bob Gilbert, senior vice president of HelmsBriscoe’s international division. The announcement comes on the heels of the company’s annual business conference held in Orlando last month, where the organization reported record breaking meetings volume, booking $620 million in room revenue in 2007, which represents a total meetings spend in excess of $1 billion. For the first half of 2008, the company’s strong upward momentum has continued, with a 20 percent increase over the first half of 2007 despite a challenging business environment. According to Gilbert, the establishment SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS OCTOBER 2008 of HelmsBriscoe’s first Japanese foothold is an indication of the growing global requirement for specialized venue selection services. “This market is ready to take advantage of the site selection services a firm like HelmsBriscoe offers. We believe that Japanese business will readily accept the significant advantages that this organization brings to sourcing meetings, congresses, and conferences,” says Kayoko Inoue, HelmsBriscoe’s new regional manager in Japan. “Kayoko and her team bring exceptional skills and experience to the marketplace. Japan is a traditional market where planners prefer suppliers that are trusted, efficient, and easy to do business with. We will continue to aggressively pursue our international distribution plan by selecting the right people in the right locations,” says Gilbert. HelmsBriscoe now has a presence in 38 countries with the new Tokyo office. —Vincent Alonzo successfulmeetings.com When you host a meeting with us, you can expect more. Like 10% - 15% tax-free (VAT) savings, a $100 U.S. Air credit for each guest in our resorts and a more inspiring meeting. Because, with our uniquely beautiful locations and authentic local experiences, big ideas come naturally. Locations include: Los Cabos,* Ixtapa,* Cancun,* Cozumel,* Puerto Vallarta,* Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Merida, Puebla Do you live an InterContinental life? Do you live an InterContinental life? Call +1 800 344 0548 or visit www.intercontinentalmexico.com ©2008 InterContinental Hotels Group. All rights reserved. Most hotels are independently owned and/or operated. *Air credit is available at resorts only, and is valid for800 344prior to November Call +1 bookings 0548 or 15, 2008 for groups traveling January visit www.intercontinental.com through March 2009. Minimum of four ©2008 InterContinental Hotels Group. All rights reserved. nights and 20-room reservation is required. Most hotels are independentlyare alland/or operated. Los Cabos and Ixtapa owned inclusive. *Air credit is available at beach resorts only. http://www.intercontinentalmexico.com http://www.intercontinentalmexico.com http://www.successfulmeetings.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - October 2008

Successful Meetings - October 2008
Contents
Editor's Note
Supplier News
On the Record
Calendar
Planner News
Planner Spotlight
Personal Success
Technology Talk
Food &�Beverage
Pre-Event
Tools of the Trade
On Site
Technology for Modern Meetings
A Tale of Two Cities
A Cast of Thousands
Places & Spaces
Mexican Destination Resorts
Spain
Austin
New Orleans
Lake Tahoe / Reno

Successful Meetings - October 2008