 |
 |
Top Ten Conference Destinations
If you’re considering arranging a conference overseas Jo Wardle’s guide to the top ten conference destinations worldwide gives you a great taste of what each destination has to offer.
Barcelona
This city has an all round allure that its rivals can’t quite seem to match. Its meetings infrastructure from purpose built plenary halls to designer hotels continues to burgeon. The seafront Centre Conventions International Barcelona (CCIB) has now been open for two years, adding force to the industry with its auditorium for 3,200, exhibition hall and 29 breakout rooms. With its mix of culture, sunshine, food, architecture, beaches, football and nightlife Barcelona seems to have it all.
South Africa
Keen to build on the success of their leisure tourism the popularity of Cape Town with its choice of excellent hotels and restaurants, an amazing waterfront and breathtaking Table Mountain has put South Africa firmly on the conference wish list. South Africa is also able to go beyond the normal bounds of a meeting/conference room when clients can charter The Blue Train. The conference car is a truly unique venue - the ideal setting for meetings, seminars, think-tanks or get-togethers with a difference. Working in such luxurious surroundings is so inspiring that it becomes a pleasure.
Dubai
As Dubai increases its profile in the world of international events, a rising number of global groups are considering it as a potential host destination, particularly because of its advanced infrastructure, world-class hotels, public safety record and wide range of attractions. With 4,340 square metres of conference and banquet space spread over two ballrooms, 11 versatile venues, and two full-sized boardrooms, the conference and banquet facilities at the Grand Hyatt Dubai Hotel is just one example of the excellent facilities Dubai can offer.
Paris
A strong portfolio of deluxe hotels including some of the world’s most famous properties Paris continues to attract clients again and again. With the Eurostar, which can be branded with your company logo, departing Waterloo over 10 times a day and with a journey time on average of 2hrs 45mins, travel to the French capital has never been easier. Note: on November 14 2007 the Eurostar moves to St Pancras International which will reduce journey time by 30 minutes.
Rome
Rome – The ‘Eternal City’ is a city of unrivalled beauty and continues to be popular for business or pleasure with people from all over the world. Rome’s reputation is founded as much on its conference infrastructure as on its mouth watering gastronomy or luxury hotel appeal. With designer boutique and large chain hotels offering state of the art audio and visual equipment, all nestled amongst such great sites as the Spanish Steps and the Coliseum.
Rest of Italy
With its historic cities and stunning countryside, Italy has a venue for every meeting. In addition to the traditional convention centres and big hotels with congress facilities, clients can choose from a wide range of old palaces, castles, historic residences, resorts, magnificent villas and country seats, often set in parks in the Italian style with fountains, lakes and well manicured gardens.
New York
After 9/11 New York was off the conference radar, today it has regained its popularity and is back with a vengeance. The city has three main airports (JFK, Newark and La Guardia) a host of hotels to suit every budget plus the introduction of business class only airlines such as Silverjet, Eos and MAXjet, it is easy to see logistically why New York is a favourite with conference organisers. Manhattan’s soaring architecture continues to take your breath away along with movie backdrops such as Times Square and Central Park. On tap entertainment on Broadway or at Carnegie Hall all make for an exciting conference destination in ‘the city that never sleeps’.
Rest of USA
With over 50 major destinations, a wide choice of airlines flying direct from the UK, there is something for everybody from sunshine states to windy cities from the Deep South to the Wild West. A high standard of accommodation with excellent meeting and conference facilities through out America ensures your business needs are well catered for. For example the Nevada hotspot that is Las Vegas has around 113,000 hotel rooms with a further 41,000 planned by 2010.
Berlin
At the geographical centre of a growing Europe, Berlin is the gateway between East and West. Those unfamiliar with the charms of Berlin may be surprised by the variety of conference venues this modern city has to offer. The Internationales Congress Centrum Berlin (ICC Berlin) ranks among the biggest, most advanced and most successful congress venues in the world. It is one of the most outstanding
landmarks of post war German architecture and the model for many new congress centres all over the world.
Dublin
With a flight time from London of just 80 minutes Dublin is the perfect choice for a quick meeting get away. The bustling city of Dublin is perfect for conferences and corporate meetings, product launches, training seminars and has something for everyone. From the National Art Gallery, Natural History Museum, superb shopping facilities, excellent restaurants, pubs, nightclubs and the possibility of a round of golf at one of Ireland’s famous courses all make Dublin a perfect conference destination.
Jo Wardle, ATP Events and Experiences
For more information contact the ATP Events and Experiences team on 0870 990 6023
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
