With 104,000 events held in Berlin in 2008 and 8.15 million participants, Berlin is definitely a contender for hosting conventions and other business events. Interestingly, Berlin was listed as number 4 on the New York Times' list of 44 places to go in 2009.
The Berlin Convention Office hosts Meeting Place Berlin once every two years, and about 150 international meeting planners are expected in Berlin, July 2-5.
Top sectors for hosting meetings and events in Berlin include "trade, banking, Insurance", then "chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics", followed by "publishing houses, media, culture, leisure, sport.
Learn more about Meeting Place Berlin.
High speed rail in Europe is seen as a flexible transportation option for business events and travel. What should the U.S. market consider high speed rail -- particularly Spain's Renfe as a model -- and what does this mean to event planning? For starters, air travel for business and social events continues to be faced with challenges: increased costs, ongoing security concerns and declining airline satisfaction (at least in the U.S.). And it has already been noted that the U.S. Department of Transportation is taking a look at how various other countries have adopted high speed rail.
High-speed rail takes years to implement, so it will be many years until these options are available for corporate and social event planners in the U.S. But this is certainly something that business travelers and business event planners should elevate in discussion. Learn more about high speed rail.
Perhaps one of the more popular incentive or meeting destination options with attendees is a program held in wine country. Whether you're looking to Napa Valley or other wine regions around the world, many choices exist for wine tasting events. Marie-Therése Pachmann, public relations and quality manager at Marques de Riscal Hotel in Rioja, Spain, has packaged more than 15 different wine tasting activities and events that groups may wish to consider when organizing a conference or meeting in wine country. Learn more:
Did you know that a red wine stain may be prevented if you pour white wine on the stain right away?
Photo courtesy of Marques de Riscal
Continuing with my series for those interested in pursuing a career in wedding planning, this week I thought that I'd highlight the skills that it takes to become a wedding planner. In my conversation with Marsha Ballard, owner of Stardust Celebrations Corporation in Dallas, I learned that the typical full service wedding planners manages about 12-20 weddings each year, and a wedding day coordinator handles about 50. That's a lot of brides, and it takes significant organization skills. Last month my exchange with Ballard highlighted what it takes to start a wedding planning business.
Learn more about the organizational skills required to become a wedding planner.
