Our Chapter's mid-year meeting will be held just before IMEX 2008 opens its doors, on Monday 21 April 2008 at the Frankfurt Messe Forum, Level 0, Room Analog 1 & 2 between 17:00 and 18:00. All members who will be exhibiting or attending IMEX 2008 are requested to attend. You can download the agenda here.

The ICCA Mediterranean Chapter Summit will take place in Istanbul, Turkey 27-29 June 2008 at the Dedeman Istanbul Hotel. Details and the registration form are available on the upcoming events page on the chapter website and will also be sent directly to all chapter members.

Out of the Blue is the new high-end property of Capsis Hotels and Resorts in Crete. The exclusive and VIP Resort complex, which is the totally renovated and reconstructed Capsis Resort Crete in Aghia Pelaghia, is located 20 minutes from Heraklion City and International Airport. It opened its doors in May 2007 and is already setting new standards in the region. This major change in the hotel concept and the reconstruction of the property took place in an effort by Capsis Hotels & Resorts management to introduce a new type of upscale & VIP destination in Greece, different from anything else the country has to offer, with a great emphasis on luxury incentive trips and upscale meetings, conferences and receptions The reconstruction project was completed in a record-period of six months, costing a total of 25 million euro.

Awarded with the 2008 Star Diamond Award for its commitment to excellence in luxury, service and hospitality on a worldwide basis, the resort complex lies on a private peninsula of 167.000sqm offering a total of three beaches, eight restaurants, seven bars, seven main swimming pools, a one-of-a-kind Minoan Amusement Park of 4.000sqm. for children, a scuba-diving centre, a water-sports centre, two chapels, a spa, 20 meeting rooms of various sizes, heliport, marina, parking, business centre and shops. The hotel has also been awarded in Paris with the Worldwide Hospitality Award 2002 for "Best Innovation in Terms of Environmental Protection" and has an environmental protection plan, a private zoological, a Botanical Garden with extensive gardens, green pathways, ponds, lakes, cascades, a small river, and biological cultivations.

More information at www.capsis.gr   and http://www.capsis.gr/html/holidays-resort-crete-hotel.htm

The foundation stone of the new €110m Rimini Palacongressi was layed on 27 September 2007 at a ceremony were the management of Rimini Fiera, Convention Bureau della Riviera di Rimini and other prominent politicians and businessmen attended.

His Excellency Monsignor Francesco Lambiasi, Bishop of the Diocese of Rimini, blessed the foundation stone - made by Riminese sculptor Giò Urbinati and for the Rimini Trade Fair in 1968 - and the building site, which will employ hundreds of workers over the estimated 22 month total construction period.

The new Rimini Palacongressi, designed by the German architect Volkwin Marg who also designed the new Rimini Expo Centre and is one of the 15 top names in contemporary world architecture, will stand on an area of 38,000 sqm and cover a usable surface area of approximately 29,000 sqm. It will feature two main bodies linked by an impressive system of foyers and associated service areas and three entrances. The building will house up to 42 halls and 9,300 seats. The main hall will have 4,700 guests capacity. Spacious car parks will be provided underground. The complex will also house the new offices of Convention Bureau della Riviera di Rimini.

More information http://www.riminipalacongressi.it/rimini_palacongressi/en/home.php and http://www.riminiconvention.it/site2/index_eng.html

The Porto Elounda Golf Club and the Porto Elounda De Luxe Resort succesfully completed the 3rd Porto Elounda Autumn Cup & Pro-am at the Porto Elounda Golf Club and the crete Golf Club. The event started on September 28th with the participation of 46 players and was completed on Sunday, September 30th 2007 with the awards ceremony. The special event competition on Sunday 30th was a shoot-out of 7 holes for 6 closest to the pin tries and one hole-in-one chance for a Saab 9-3 cabrio automobile on hole No 5.

The Porto Elounda golf club is a 9 hole par-3 course with 18 tees and total length 2062 m. and it is considered one of the best of its kind by golfers who love this game. In addition to everything else the course has the unique view of the mirabello bay and cretan sea. The Handicap equalizing factor is 0.4.

The crete golf club is a 18 hole golf course with a total length of 6015 m. and the full handicap was used by the players as certified by their clubs and associations.

The event's organization was excellent, the players as well as the spectators enjoyed beyond the game of golf, the great facilities of the porto elounda de luxe resort and cretan hospitality and renewed their appointment for the next porto elounda autumn cup & pro-am of 2008.

The 3rd Porto Elounda Autumn Cup & Pro-Am was supported by the following sponsors: Saab Bakar Abee, Wind, Puma, Auto Hellas Hertz, Semeli Wines, Nova Tv, Vourakis, Boschetto Restaurant, The Coca Cola Company - 3 Epsilon & Heineken.

More information http://www.elounda-sa.com/

During the BTC International exhibition, held for the first time in Rome on 8-9 November 2007, the Florence Convention Bureau together with the other 6 Bureaus of Tuscany (Italy), made an experiment already implemented in other parts of the world. The bureau is at the visitors' disposal at the Tuscany Region stand in conjunction with the local Tourist Office, thus providing a sort of a regional Convention & Visitors' Bureau, which is an absolute new-release in Italy.

Diana Cora Tenderini, sales and marketing manager of Florence Convention Bureau, hopes that this will enhance the supply of such a service from all current and future Convention Bureaus in Italy.

More information http://www.conventionbureau.it/

Ibis El Greco became member of the Thessaloniki Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.tcvb.gr) before the end of 2007.

Ibis El Greco's latest business includes 30th Greek Psychological Conference in Thessaloniki (www.clhpsyelpse2007.org), 9-11 November 2007, whereas in 2008 it will organize the 35th European Physical Society Conference on Plasma Physics, 9-23 June 2008 in Hersonissos, Crete and the 2nd International Congress "Acceptance, Rejection and Resilience within family, school and social-emotional contexts", 3-6 July 2008, in Retymno, Crete.

More information www.ibiselgreco.com

The ICC Jerusalem International Convention Center is expected to host and entertain hundreds of special events, which will be held during 2008, as part of the nation's celebration of the State of Israel's 60th anniversary. Presidents, Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers and Ambassadors, international business people and many VIPs are expected to visit ICC Jerusalem during this year.

The ICC Jerusalem, located at the western gateway to Jerusalem, is the largest and most important convention center in Israel and among the largest in the Middle East. It currently comprises 27 meeting halls and over 12,000 sqm exhibition space. In addition, giant tents can be put up in the open ground surrounded by a garden outside the ICC building, for fairs and other multi-function events.

In light of the prospected rise of the activity in 2008, the ICC Jerusalem has recruited additional personnel and expanded its facilities. A multi-disciplinary stirring team was established, including architects, financial advisors and strategic counselors, and it retained the services of highly acclaimed international company specializing in operation of congress centers and airports.

The Center can presently accommodate a variety of events, ranging from 20 to 10,000 participants. It hosts professional conferences and conventions, seminars, social events, affinity groups, fashion shows, product launches and more. Exhibitions and trade fairs held regularly at ICC Jerusalem over the past 50 years include the international Book Fair, Judaica Exhibition, Housing Fair and others. In addition, ICC Jerusalem hosts numerous cultural events, including operas, symphonies, recitals, conventional and experimental theater, classic and modern dance, ethnic music, jazz, pop and rock. The major national cultural events in Israel are held in the ICC, including the Eurovision Song Contest (in the two times it was held in Israel) and major Israel Festival performances each year. ICC Jerusalem is the Jerusalem home of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Symphony (IBA) Orchestra.

More information http://www.iccjer.co.il/en_index.asp

The city on two continents will soon be the city with two conference districts, as Istanbul continues to expand its offerings for conference and meeting planners.

The Istanbul Ataturk International Airport and its environs are fast growing into one of Europe's newest and most exciting conference districts. With the Istanbul Expo Center as its centerpiece, the Airport Conference District already features a broad selection of excellent accommodation and venues, with a total of six new four- and five-star hotels planned or opening soon, including the WOW Hotels & Convention Center with 630 rooms and conference capacity for 3,000 participants, the Holiday Inn Istanbul Airport North with 660 rooms, and Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Istanbul International Airport with 395 rooms.

This comes at the same time that the Congress Valley, in the city center near Taksim Square, is expanding in preparation for the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Meeting in October 2009. New construction, which will be completed in March 2009, includes 1,000 fully-equipped offices and 83,700 square meters of new conference space above and below ground. Along with this, additions will be made to existing facilities, including the Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Center (ICEC), built to host the United Nations Conference on Population (HABITAT II), which was host to the World Radio Communications Conference (WRC).

Just in case that weren't enough options for even the most demanding meeting planner, Istanbul also offers other excellent meeting clusters. The Maslak Business District provides excellent accommodation such as the Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul and the Sheraton Istanbul Maslak and venues within walking distance of the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE), universities, and technology incubators. The Asian Shore of Istanbul features a growing offering of conference hotels and venues. The Historic Peninsula, with its historic treasures like Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, is also becoming an increasingly popular site for congresses and meetings, with several major projects in the planning stages.

All this excitement is not surprising, given that Istanbul is attracting more visitors and conferences than ever before, with over 4 million coming to the city in the first half of 2007 alone and major international conferences, like the European Society of the Clinical & Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ECCEO), with 5,000 participants; the 28th International Congress of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), with 4,000 participants; and the 12th International Congress of Bacteriology, Applied Microbiology and Mycology, with 8,000 participants, scheduled to take place in Istanbul in 2008.

Of course, the city also has the distinction of having been proclaimed a European Capital of Culture for 2010. Many visitors may feel that the recognition is long overdue, for, ever since Constantine the Great made it his capital in AD 323, Istanbul has been a vibrant cultural centre and one of the world's great meeting places. The imperial patronage of Byzantines and Ottomans, its superb location beside the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus, guaranteed this.

More information www.icvb.org

After a very successful season highlighted by two major importance conferences, the  "XIth International Myeloma Workshop & IVth International workshop on Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia" that took place in June 2007 as well as the "L'Oreal International Business Forum" that took place in October 2007, Kipriotis Village Resort and Kos International Convention Centre closed its gates for a major renovation project. After having renovated all our guestrooms, we are now renovating all our hotel's lobbies, F&B and communal areas so as to be able to provide you with even better service and state of the art facilities. We wish you a nice winter and welcome you to our fantastic renovated property in May 2008!

More information http://www.kipriotis.gr/

One of the biggest and most promising events that P.C. Podimatas Audiovisual S.A. supported before the end of 2007 was the Philoxenia Awards organized within the popular 23rd Philoxenia Exhibition, 1-4 November 2007 in Thessaloniki. Many Hotels and Greek winter and summer destinations were rewarded.

The Philoxenia Tourism Awards were a success thanks to the cooperation of P.C. Podimatas Audiovisual S.A. which produced the event and PPDA Archdesigngroup which designed the staging.

Also, PPDA Archdesign Group (a member of P.C. Podimatas Audiovisual Group of Companies) received the first award among the 803 booths that participated at Philoxenia 2007 for the design of the Booth for the Duty Free Shops. The booth, which was made of red suitcases, won the best award because of its originality and uniqueness.

More information http://www.podimatas.gr/

The 15th EAP Congress (European Association of Psychotherapy), held in Florence from 14-17 June 2007 secured the ICCA Best Marketing Award for Promo Leader Service Congressi (member of PLS Group) who realized the congress.

Wining the Best Marketing Award for 2007 was even more significant due to the number and level of the finalists, which for the first time were four instead of the usual three, and by their heterogeneity: the project submitted by the Florentine agency was the only one consisting in an event.

To complete this outlook, it should be noted that Promo Leader Service Congressi was the first Italian agency to ever enter the short list. The prize was presented to Luigi Cammi, PLS Group President, during ICCA Congress 2007 closing ceremony in Pattaya, Thailand last October.

The EAP congress benefited from a big involvement of both institutions and citizens. With a reference to the scientific theme of the meeting, the agency staff got to wear the characteristic sign of clowns' attire - the "potato-shaped" nose, in a violet version, since it is the Florence city color and run an awareness and fundraising campaign with the violet nose. The astonishing result was that more than 21,000 violet noses were delivered at the Artemio Franchi stadium, on 27 May 2007, during the last 2006-2007 national football league match which generated a signifigant amount for the cause of the congress. During the congress days a photographic exhibition was set up, with portraits of the football team and of many local authorities wearing their violet noses.

Such a general participation is unrivalled in the Italian history of medical scientific events.

PLS group ensured that all ICCA congress participants at the closing session also received a violet nose and all colleagues joined Luigi Cammi by wearing it to congratulate him.

More information www.promoleader.com

The upcoming ICCA Research, Sales and Marketing Programme 2008 is being hosted in Paphos, Cyprus next June 19-21 after the successful cooperation of SCS with the ICCA headquarters. Featuring a power-packed educational programme and fantastic after-hours on the jewel of the Mediterranean, registration is now open and all ICCA members have been invited. Check out the IRSMP 2008 programme here.

On another note, enriching its portfolio of integrated promotional strategies offered, SCS has launched a new subsidiary specializing in electonic publishing.

ePublications is the interactive online publishing platform that allows the transformation of traditional paper publications into captivating online presentations at very low cost and practically no effort. The insight companies gain from how any of their publications are used, who views what pages and when, which links are clicked on and which content and offers attract most readers/customers enable companies adjust their planning and offering best suited for their readers/customer's needs and preferences. This in turn helps them maximize the impact of their content and offers, while providing target-specific content and offers to specific customers and at the same time embracing a true CSR action by spreading their reach at low cost. See a live sample here.

ePublications complements the integrated promotional strategies already offered by SCS strategic marketing, such as marketing strategy design, optimization and assessment, campaign execution, email marketing, surveys and industry analysis.

SCS's portfolio of services include association management, congresses, meetings, exhibitions and events management, strategic marketing, consulting, training and research, with special focus in the meetings industry.

More information: www.epublicationsworld.com  and  www.scs.com.cy

Serenas Group has had a very busy 2007. In September and October 2007 alone, Serenas had organized six big congresses including the 9th National Congress of Internal Medicine and 23rd National Congress of Cardiology in addition to many smaller meetings serving to over 8500 people in total.

9th National Congress of Internal Medicine was held in Antalya at the Kervansaray Lara Resort Hotel between September 5 - 9 with a participation of 3000 people. There were 77 sessions took place in 5 parallel halls where 102 speakers presented. The congress ended with a gala dinner where the organizers celebrated their big success.

As one of the most important congress in Turkey,  National Congress of Cardiology was held in Antalya at the Su Sesi Deluxe Resort between October 19 - 23 this year where 3500 cardiologists, internal medicine specialists and practioners attended. The congress hosted 222 well known cardiologists from Turkey and around the world as speakers and presenters. The program continued in 11 parallel halls where 121 sessions took place during the three-day scientific program with one day of CPR course. The congress included an entertaining social program where participants relaxed at the end of each busy day.

Meanwhile, Serenas has just taken over the management of the new Mercure Resort & Casino in Girne, Cyprus. The official re-opening was celebrated on 4 April 2008 with VIP guests, a rich entertainment programme and fireworks.

More information: www.serenas.com

Setur in a consortium with Visitur will organize the 15th World Congress of the International Economic Association at the Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center from the 25 to the 29 of June 2008. An estimated 1000-1500 delegates are anticipated to attend.

During 2007, Setur organized the 1st Black Sea & 4th Silk Road Conference in Istanbul, 14-16 May 2007, the 14th Biennial Test Engineers' Conference In Turkey in Ankara, 03-07 September 2007 and the International Tomato Disease Conference in Izmir, 08-12 October 2007.

Setur's Outgoing Department was Presented with the "Best Travel Agency in Outgoing Business in Turkey" Skalite Award In 2006 and 2007 and obtained the ISO 9001:2000 certification in 2007.

More information http://www.setur.com.tr/default1.asp

The fifth of World Water Forum organized by World Water Council every three years and also called as "Water Olympics" will be organized between the dates March 16-22, 2009 by Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality State Water Works and Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration. This big organization to take place with the participation of 20.000 people will be carried out by "Pearl PCO", a joint venture of VIP Tourism and Figür Tourism.

In addition to create an awareness about water and emphasize the importance of water it is planned to organize a "Conference of Ministers", "Summit of Heads of State and Government" and also "Conference for Local Administrations" within the context of 5th  World Water Forum which gets political decision makers together under the same roof. It is expected that 15 Presidents, 200 ministers and mayors of mega cities will participate in these conferences. As a result of these conferences it is aimed to reach "Istanbul Consensus" which is a joint declaration covering water and environmental issues.

Almost 20 thousand experts, members of non governmental organizations and international institutions, representatives of government, producers and consumers, ministers of environment and energy from 160 countries come together in Istanbul the city of "Water Civilization"

The subject for the 5th of World Water Forum which will be held in Istanbul in 2009 where the differences and civilizations meet has been determined as: "Consolidating the Differences for Water". First of all Istanbul's being a water civilization city having solved water problem in its history with cisterns, aqueducts, free drinking water, fountains, bridges, baths and neighborhood founts makes its acting as host more meaningful. 

Previously organized in 1997 in Marrakech, in 2000 in The Hague, in 2003 in Kyoto and in 2006 in Mexico with over 20.000 participants, a high number of participants is expected for World Water Forum from 160 countries to be organized in Istanbul at Sütlüce Congress and Culture Center. The contractor of this big organization has been determined as "Pearl PCO", a joint venture of VIP Tourism and Figür Tourism.

More information http://www.vip.com.tr/

Our region is proud to be hosting the ICCA Research, Sales & Marketing Programme 2008 will take place in Paphos, Cyprus, at the Intercontinental Aphrodite Hills Resort from 19-21 June 2008. Details are available and registration is is already open on the ICCA website. The event is hosted with the assistance of SCS Limited and supported by local ICCA members, local authorities, IMEX and EIBTM.

Matching the level of attendance of the 2006 Congress in Rhodes, Greece, the 46th ICCA Congress in Pattaya was the largest ever outside Europe. Bringing together the elite of the meetings industry for five days, ICCA has managed to set the standard for a must-attend event of the industry, packed with top education sessions, new trends, extensive networking and fun in an interesting and exotic destination.

It is estimated that Thailand has benefited by US$2 million in MICE earnings from hosting the 46th International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress 2007 - a projection made by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). The congress took place from October 27-31 at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort & PEACH Congress complex in Pattaya which was literally converted into an ICCA City.

Needless to mention that the legendary team of our Chapter ranked 2nd at the CAT Night games just by failing to soak Leigh Harry!

The next, 47th ICCA Congress will take place in Victoria, Canada 1-5 November 2008.

Listing of all ICCA-related events in 2008