Discover Switzerland’s Centres

As a destination known for its 3 main geographic regions; Swiss Alps, the Central Plateau and the Jura, Switzerland is dedicated to creating memorable experiences driven by picturesque landscapes, unique venue options, and easy access.

Switzerland thrives on its convenience and innovative tech scene all of which make for a fascinating destination for your next program!

The Swiss Convention Centres is the organization that consists of the 10 largest and well-equipped congress centres in Switzerland. Each centre has its own distinct characteristics that extends beyond its surrounding landscape. Below is a list of all 10 congress centres:

  • Centre International de Conférences Genève, Congress Center Basel, Davos Congress, SwissTech Convention Center Lausanne, Kongresshaus Zurich, KKL Luzern, Congress Centre Kursaal Interlaken, Montreux Music & Convention Centre, Palazzo dei Congressi Lugano, Congress Centre Kursaal Bern.

The 10 congress centres that make up the Swiss Convention Centres have similar venue dimensions, principles and sustainability standards. The centres can offer space for programs that range from grand to global scale of up to 5,000 attendees. To learn more about Switzerland and each convention centre click here.

Back to Back Wins for Vienna!

Vienna continues its winning streak! With a total of 172 events in 2018, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) placed the city of Vienna in 2nd place for a consecutive year. (Source: ICCA)

Here are some reasons to choose Vienna:

  • An established outstanding reputation as a meeting destination.
  • Walkable city: easy to access the convention centers and all major hotels and sites.
  • Green Meetings: Vienna is recognized as a Green city! With venues like the Messe Wien, one of 5 meeting spaces in the world to receive the Healthy Venue certification, the destination is not only a city of green living but aims to provide your next event with healthy options.
  • International Hub: Home to more than 300 global organizations

But, don’t take our word for it! To learn more about what Vienna can offer your next international meeting, click here.

Photo description: MCIntl assisted with the 2018 General Assembly of International Astronomical Union (IAU) held in Vienna with over 2,500 attendees!

Meet Korea Campaign

We recently wrapped up a productive Meet Korea Campaign for South Korea which included two events in Dallas and Atlanta.

The main objective of the campaign was to showcase Korea as a destination for business events. As one of the top international conference destinations in the world, affordability, luxury, and variety in event venues are some of the advantages South Korea has to offer! (Source: Cvent) The events were held at five star properties, where meeting planners had the opportunity to network with top level executives at the Korea Tourism Organization, the official Convention Bureau for South Korea. Additionally, they spoke with leading Korean suppliers directly. In attendance were representatives from Korean Air, Lotte Hotels, Gyeonggi Tourism, and DMCs: Jane Tour & DMC, Holidaylink DMC, Exodus  DMC, Rye Tour Co., Ltd. and US Travel CO., LTD.

The events started with a reception offering B2B networking while delicious Korean hors d’oeuvres were passed around. Mr Steve Yong, Executive Director, welcomed the planners and Ms. Eunyce Kim, Global Meetings & Events Manager, provided insightful information on Korea as a meeting destination.  Afterwards, a Korean-style dinner was served.

At the end of the evening, the attendees participated in a raffle drawing! The grand-prize was especially exciting; a free round-trip business class ticket to Seoul with complimentary hotel accommodation at the Lotte Hotel!

A big Congratulations to both Ms. Janet C. Hoppenstein and Ms. Susan Carter for winning the Grand Prize!

The KTO management was very appreciative of all whom attended both events! Next promotion will take place in June as KTO team members will be visiting the Midwest.

Event planners in the Midwest interested in learning more about South Korea as a meeting destination can send us an email to arrange a meeting with the Korea Tourism Organization.

Corporate Meetings Made Easy in Vienna

Looking for flexible and cost effective options for your next corporate meeting? The Austria Center Vienna (ACV) has a meeting package suitable for seminars and workshops for up to 250 attendees.

For an estimated US $83/person for at least 10 hours, you will have access to a naturally-lit conference room, 2 catered coffee breaks, and a lunch buffet by MOTTO.

As one of the major convention centers in Vienna, ACV also features outdoor meeting options with scenic views of Vienna and it is a certified green meeting space!

 

For more information on all ACV special corporate offers, click here.
Photo credit: Austria Center Vienna

Global Events Visionary: Jacqueline Narvaez

In between her client visits in New York City, Jacqueline stopped by at the MCIntl office on a brisk Friday early afternoon in February. She shared with the team some of her international meeting experiences and her role at International Pediatric Endosurgery Group (IPEG). Jacqueline serves as the Executive Director of IPEG, “an inclusive international organization that fosters new ideas, innovation, and education in pediatric minimally invasive surgery.”

She also serves as the Administrative Director for SAGES’ Global Affairs Committee.  A committee that takes SAGES’ know how in structured education to areas around the globe with limited resources. In this role, she has helped to foster relationships with sister societies, government entities, and local leaders to be able to provide the best avenue for sustainability and success.   Jacqueline’s instrumental role in developing meeting structure, educative seminars at IPEG and working with SAGES Global Affairs Leadership and Committee has contributed to the global impact of both these organizations. Her long and successful career in the meetings and events industry has placed her in an elite class of Global Events Visionaries shaping the world one event, one country at a time.

JN: In your successful career, what are some of strategies you’ve implemented in global meeting planning?

JQ: As much as opportunity allows, I like to think that I add a level of personalization for all attendees at each conference, course, or event planned. Especially when we are in areas with limited resources, I like to connect with the local team, and as we finish off our work week, ensure then that they are part of the given working team, community.

Be always open to new ideas. Challenges are learning experiences.

JN: From your experience as a Managing Director of Global Events, what insights can you provide to international destinations in positioning their product in the competitive marketplace?

JQ: Providing detail in a full deck and walk though of the partnership with the city i.e. housing sourcing, city incentives, support with site visits, city highlights tailored to the client, support opportunities given the focus of the client. A few destinations that I feel have done a fantastic job at this have been Edinburgh, Vienna, and Macau.

JN: What are some of the benefits of planning an international meeting?

JQ: An international meeting allows for the client, be it association or corporate, to reach new audiences or members.  It also provides global visibility.  If you are an international organization or company that as a goal would like to reach and impact new individuals or continue to have a global footprint, international meetings and events are a must.

JN: What global legacies or impact are IPEG creating? 

JQ: As an example, IPEG is an international Association with over 60 countries represented at each congress.   Although based in Los Angeles, California, USA, IPEG continues to strengthen its reach internationally and has two current active chapters one in the Middle East and the other in Latin America. In 2020, there will be a meeting “Among Friends,” IPEG (in conjunction with) ESPES & EUPSA will meet at the Austrian Center Vienna, June 10-13, 2020.  One of the largest gathering of Pediatric Surgeons.  As the Executive Director of IPEG, we bring together colleagues, innovation, and education in Pediatric MIS across the globe.

In 2018, Global Affairs launched a new program called iLAP (international Laparoscopic Advancement Program).  The mission of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) is to improve quality patient care through education, research, innovation and leadership, principally in gastrointestinal and endoscopic surgery.  This new program was launched in Mexico with great success and commitment from the Asociacion Mexicana de Cirugia General (AMCG) and the various authorities for each state we were in from the Hospital Directors, Military Leadership, and Ministry of Health.  This program will continue to expand and in its first year has received interest from various countries and regions as well as Industry partners.  The ability to collaborate and know that you’re working towards improving patient care, sustainable programs, and education pathways for the future in that international region is the global impact.

Introducing The Dubai Arena

With all the breathtaking meeting venues Dubai already has to offer, the city kicked off the month of April with the launch of the largest indoor venue in the Middle East, The Dubai Arena. As a multi-purpose venue, fit to accommodate 17,000 people, the Dubai Arena is prepared to host large global events and performances.

Also known as the Coca-Cola Arena, the arena is fully equipped with state-of the-art-technology accommodating large scale events more than ever before!

As best said by Abdulla Al Habbai, chairman of Dubai Holding and group chairman of Meraas – The mastermind behind the City Walk development, “We believe that Dubai Arena perfectly complements City Walk’s unique community and lifestyle experiences and is a game changer in Dubai’s efforts to consolidate its status as a premier tourist destination.”

This grand achievement will bring in new avenues of economic growth especially with the 2020 World Expo around the corner expecting 25 million attendees.

To learn more about Dubai’s triumph, please click here.

Fresh news from Kuala Lumpur!

On the fourth annual Global Meetings Industry Day, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) unveiled the new Exhibition Service Centre (ESC) portal. The portal provides a 24/7 seamless access to a variety of add-on services for their events. Here are some of the advantages of the ESC:

  • Tailor-made links for participants to easily access the event
  • Secure payment and data collection for event organizers
  • Addition of audio and visual needs including IT equipment
  • A lineup of food and beverage services

Future expansion is already in the works! Mr. John Burke, the Centre’s Deputy General Manager added “a communication and collaboration interface. For example, floorplans, orders, contracts, etc., will all be accessible in one place” is every meeting planner’s dream!

Since its opening in 2005, the Centre has hosted over 15,000 events with over 24.5 million attendees bringing in more than RM8 billion in economic impact for Malaysia. By highlighting the immense economic contribution and value of business meetings and events, GMID is a proven success in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

To learn more about this initiative, click here.

Vienna, Another Synonym for Quality!

We could not be more proud to market Vienna, one of the world’s leading destination. Mercer has, again, ranked Vienna as the “world’s highest quality of living” for the 10th year in a row!

Out of 450 worldwide cities which were surveyed, Vienna came out on top.

Cities were analyzed on 39 factors organized into 10 categories:

  • Political and social environment
  • Economic environment
  • Socio-cultural environment
  • Medical and health considerations
  • Schools and education
  • Public services and transportation
  • Recreation
  • Consumer goods
  • Housing
  • Natural environment

 

With a safety index of 85 (UL Safety Index), Vienna is at the top of safe cities, globally. When I travelled to Vienna, I went alone, and never felt unsafe. Furthermore, when companies look at prospective cities to grow their business in, please rest assure, safety is definitely a deciding factor.

Vienna, is always good news for meeting organizers! If all the above wasn’t enough, the clean crisp air will validate otherwise. – Siemens

Lastly, with a name like Vienna, Austria, how could it not be the best? To read more about Mercer’s recent survey, click here.

6 More Reasons To Visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

The breathtaking views and year round warm weather in Kuala Lumpur are reasons why it’s ranked as a top visited city by Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index.

Rich in culture, Kuala Lumpur is a mixture of Malay, Chinese, Indian and many more ethnic groups. With a wide diversity you can imagine that cuisine in Kuala Lumpur is irresistible for a foodie like myself. Aside from delectable dishes, Kuala Lumpur has so much more to offer! Here is a list of spectacular attractions in Kuala Lumpur:

  • Petronas Tower are the tallest twin towers in the world, at 88 floors. The towers are especially beautiful when it’s illuminated at night! Tickets to visit the skybridge and the observation deck to get a view of the city are available online! As a bonus, the Suria KLCC shopping mall is right below the towers and offers over 300 stores.
  • Batu Caves contain a Hindu temple that is embedded in an ancient natural cave formation believed to be over 400 million years old. The cave is located on a mountain, so in order to get there, you must climb up 272 steps first to get to the spiritual center of the cave. The sight is well worth the sweat, you will feel how small you are in comparison to nature’s wonders and the Murugan statue.
  • Chinatown KL is one of the oldest parts of city. The lively, colorful neighborhood is known for its fashion shops where you can bargain, hawker stalls, and hipster cafés.
  • Sunway Lagoon Theme Park is perfect for those thrill seekers. With over 90 attractions the park provides the ultimate theme park experience, you can enjoy a water park, amusement park, wildlife park, and a few themed parks.
  • Jalan Alor is the ideal place to be for a food enthusiastic and located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, it offers a wide variety of restaurants to choose from.
  • Perdana Botanical Gardens is the ideal place to enjoy tranquility while in the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur. The garden is located 15 minutes away from the city center. At the Garden you will find a bamboo house, bonsai trees, waterfalls, conservatory and more. The serene space is ideal for a jog, stroll, or to capture stunning photos.

Read about other must-see top attractions while in Kuala Lumpur by reading the original article, click here.