The I&MI On-Line Seminars are a new feature designed to help planners get a more in-depth overview of featured destinations and suppliers in an interactive format. Click the logo of the destination you wish to view and enjoy the trip!
I&MI Media is introducing a new service to showcase select international destinations to qualified buyers of MICE programs. http://www.i-mi.com
It is I&MI Media's pleasure to bring this collection of hotels and DMC's that have recently been added to our website and will be a part of our annual directory,
The Workbook, in the 2008 edition.
FRANCE: Nantes International Convention Centre
ITALY: Kempinski Pragelato Village
MALTA: MFCC – Malta’s Largest Event Venue
Kempinski Grows Quickly in the Middle East and Africa
UAE: GIBTM Takes Place From 8-10 April 2008 in Abu Dhabi
The Nantes International Convention Centre unveiled a new website. The interactive site provides 360-degree views of event space, video clips and a large photo gallery to aid organizers in visualizing how their programs will work at the center. Nantes' modular plan accommodates from 300 to 3,000 delegates in customized layouts.
In addition to the convention center, there are interesting special event venues in the area. On the Ile de Nantes, attendees can be amazed at Machines of the Ile de Nantes. Located in a former shipyard, Machines of the Ile de Nantes is a living museum of sorts where Artists-machinists bring huge 'dream machines' to life. One of the creations is the Giant Elephant, which weighs 40 tons, measure 12 meters high. The elephant moves and can carry 30 passengers for trips along the river or in the town. This truly unique venue accommodates 700 attendees. Also close by is the Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne, a massive 15th century fortress built by the Dukes of Brittany. The fortress accommodates 500 for a gala dinner. And for a nightclub, the LC Club can host a disco-style evening for 3,000 or a lounge bar-style evening for 1,000.
Nantes is a one-hour flight from main European capital cities such as London, Geneva, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan and Dublin via Nantes Atlantique. On 31 March, Air France will launch daily service between Nantes and Amsterdam and Air France is also increasing service from Nantes to Metz-Nancy, Lille and Lyon
Website: http://www.congres-nantes.fr
On 1st December, the Pragelato Village Resort was renamed the Kempinski Pragelato Village Piedmont. Kempinski Hotels and Resorts now manages this 5 star luxury mountain property located in the Piedmont region of the Italian Alps. The resort, situated close to the Milky Way ski slopes, is styled as a ski village. Accommodations are set in traditional chalets with two to five deluxe chalet suites in each making a total of 204 units. For meetings and incentives, winter is not the only time to visit Pragelato. During the low seasons (spring and summer) there is hiking and trekking, paragliding, rafting and canoeing. Event space consists of five meeting rooms accommodating up to 240 attendees. Additional event space will be built and will be ready for use by the end of 2011. Dining at Pragelato Village is a treat with 6 food and beverage venues ranging from fine dining at Pan Beni to the outdoor mountain bar Il Piccolo that is located by the cable car. Meals at Pragelatoo are prepared with fresh local produce and a large selection of wines from the Barolo and Piedmont regions are available. The Wellness & Spa center includes heated indoor and outdoor pool, saunas, Turkish bath gymnasium, and four treatment rooms.
Website: http://www.pragelatoresort.com
In July, Ritz Carlton added the Abama Resort located in Guia de Isora, Tenerife to its portfolio. Abama sits in a fortress (The Citadel) on top of a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The resort has 300 guest rooms and suites in The Citadel and another 120 rooms and suites in 50 villas situated in tropical gardens closer to the beach. The Meeting Center, also located in The Citadel, has ten conference rooms all equipped with WiFi and the latest AV equipment. The center has group check-in facilities, its own lobby, a private terrace and a Business Center. In total, there is 16,200 sqf t/1,500 sqm of indoor and outdoor event space.
Dining at Abama's ten restaurants is overseen by Michelin Three Star chef Martin Berasategui. There is a championship golf course designed by Dave Thomas, ten swimming pools and seven tennis courts. The amazing wellness and spa center has three floors of extensive spa facilities and eight treatment rooms, some with balconies. This resort screams incentive property!!
The Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, which opened at the beginning of the year, is the largest event venue in Malta. Situated adjacent to the National Stadium, the MFCC accommodates up to 22,000 delegates. The MFCC has 7000 sq.m. ( sq. ft.) of flexible space with a height of 17.5 meters and also has outdoor space. The Centre was designed with flexible space and can be configured to host several events at the same time. For example a conference can be set up in one half of the venue and a concert and gala dinner set up in the other half of the venue. There are also three specially designed movable arches spanning the width of the venue. The arches are used for rigging production equipment and hold up to 35 tons each.
On-site MFCC services include set designers and builders, food and beverage catering, security, and carpeting and exhibition stand rental.
E-mail: info@mfcc.com.mt
Website: http://www.mfcc.com.mt
Highly renowned Kempinski Hotels & Resorts will manage several new properties in the Middle East and Africa. The 110-year old hotel group will be opening more properties in ME & A.
In Egypt, Kempinski will manage the Kempinski Hotel Sharm el Sheikh, a newly build beachfront property that opens in 2011. The hotel will have 200 guest rooms.
In Damascus/Syria, Kempinski will manage three properties. The Kempinski Hotel Al Hayat opens in late 2008 following renovations to the hotel that originally occupied the space. In 2009, the Kempinski Hotel Khan Sulaiman Pasha, a historic building within the walled old town of Damascus, will open. This boutique property is being restored under the supervision of UNESCO World Heritage. Lastly the Kempinski Hotel Damascus will open in 2010 with 200 rooms and suites.
In Morocco, the Kempinski Hotel Marrakech will open in 2010. The hotel will have 206 guest rooms, seven duplex suites and a Royal suite. The property will be situated on 26,000 sqm/279,862 sqft of landscaped gardens.
Website: http://www.kempinski.com
GIBTM, the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition will take place from 8-10 April 2008 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company Centre (ADNEC).
This is the second year for the show and there are some new developments. A Technology and Event Services Village and a European Pavilion that incorporates convention bureaus, NTOs, conference venues and convention hotels. For more information about the GIBTM and hosted buyer information, go to the website: http://www.gibtm.travel