Meeting News - June 16, 2008 - (Page 6)

What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com Web Top 5: May 29 – June 5, 2008 #2 Green Lights since the LEED Green Building Rating System was first released in 1998. Since its incepA lot has changed tion, LEED has grown to encompass more than 14,000 projects in all 50 states and 30 countries covering 1,062 billion square feet of development area. Find two close-up looks at interesting new meeting venues, one in Long Beach, CA, the second in Liverpool, England, that you should consider. #1EXPERIENTSMMP RELEASES BEST PRACTICES FOR Twinsburg, OH-based Experient has released the results of a study it sponsored on strategic meetings management processes (SMMP) in the corporate world. Study results revealed that adequate spending on large-scale corporate meetings and events has not been part of a centralized strategic management budget in most corporations. The Web Top 5 and other breaking stories, feature articles, and blogs are available 24/7 at MeetingNews.com. Evaluate, Pick, And Measure ’Em #3 Trade Shows:which have scratched their heads about how to measure success and determine what to Show exhibitors, do better next time, have a free, web-based tool to help them do these tasks. Dubbed “ROI Tool Kit,” the technology was developed by expo consultant Exhibit Surveys Inc. and funded and supported by the Professional Convention Management Association, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, and the ROI Task Force of the International Association for Exhibitions and Events. and Incentive Active Endeavors #4 Meeting spas are popping upGroups Seeking Out leisure and group travelers who need a little more Adventure throughout the States for action to cut the traditional take-it-easy approach. Some of these adventure spas have singular focus, while other and more indulgence-oriented-facilities are incorporating some pretty strenuous activities into their menus. #5 Wal-Mart Exposed buckle the knees of even the most steel-nerved planner: Nearly 30 years of WalIt’s a situation that would Mart’s internal sessions, including annual sales and executive meetings, has been put up for sale by an outside vendor hired to videotape the proceedings. Worse, the Bentonville, AR-based retail giant does not appear to have any signed documents proving it owns its meetings footage rather than the firm that recorded it, Flagler Productions of Lenexa, KS. Soapbox Hello, Kitty Posted by William Ng On May 19, Japan did the unthinkable of naming Hello Kitty a tourism ambassador. It marked the first time the country picked a fictional character to go around promoting Japanese tourism. Luckily for America, Hello Kitty’s exploits will be limited to cute-crazed China and Hong Kong for now. According to Japan, China and Hong Kong nationals accounted for 16.5 percent of foreign visitors last year. Japan is confident that young Chinese women and kids will get lightheaded at the sight of a life-sized Hello Kitty decked out in a kimono, and that will translate to even more tourist arrivals from China and Hong Kong—I presume by way of youngsters pleading incessantly to their parents to take them to the promised land of Sanrio. Hello Kitty first appeared on a plastic coin purse in 1974, and the rest is history. Today, the feline is a brand icon, reaching some 60 countries (and serving as inspiration for countless unlicensed and knockoff Chinese products). But that won’t stop her from making the rounds in China this year. Another incarnation, Hello Kitty's Dream Light Fantasy, a multimillion-dollar musical, will also tour China, before moving on to Malaysia, Singapore, and the U.S. If Japan ever decides to make Hello Kitty a U.S. ambassador, in the interest of cultural exchange, I came up with a short list of American icons we can send over to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda to promote tourism on these shores: Powerpuff Girls, Pamela Anderson, and Bob & Patty—Your Friendly Airport TSA Agents. . . For the full blog, go to http://http://www.misoapbox.com/2008/05/on-mondayjapan.html. 6 MeetingNews June 16, 2008 Hot Deals meetingnews.com/hotdeals * MEETING PACKAGE: Renaissance Rewards In celebration of its just-completed, $10-million renovation, the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village is offering groups worth $30,000 or more in contracted room and F&B revenue the choice of a full set of golf clubs or a four-hour spa incentive at the PGA Tour Spa Laterra, located inside the village. Contact Scott Selvaggi at (904) 940-8631. * MEETING PACKAGE: Trumping Others The Trump International Beach Resort in Miami has rolled out an offer that gives oversized rooms, two upgraded coffee breaks, complimentary meeting space, one suite upgrade for every 25 rooms, 10 percent off AV, water sports activities, and spa services. Call (305) 692-5600. * MEETING PACKAGE: Four Score and. . . Chicago’s two Four Seasons Hotels, Four Seasons Hotel Chicago and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Chicago (a Four Seasons property), are offering additional value for meeting planners this season with their “Escape The Ordinary” and “Suite Meeting” Packages. Call the Four Seasons Chicago at (800) 332-3442, and the Ritz-Carlton Chicago at (800) 621-6906. *Please call to confirm all prices and terms. www.meetingnews.com http://MeetingNews.com http://MeetingNews.com http://meetingnews.com/hotdeals http://www.misoapbox.com/ http://www.misoapbox.com/2008/05/on-monday-japan.html http://www.misoapbox.com/2008/05/on-monday-japan.html http://www.meetingnews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - June 16, 2008

Meeting News - June 16, 2008
Contents
What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com
Inside the Meetings Industry
Social Scene
People Making News
Technology
MN Webcast Report
Advertisers Index
Live from the Forum

Meeting News - June 16, 2008