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Year 8 Vol. 1, Issue 101 Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach
Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS jmgarcia@ividmc.travel
President
Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS manolo@ividmc.travel
General Comptroller
Trinidad SANCHEZ tsanchez@ividmc.travel
Corporate Marketing and Business Director
Francisco BAEZA fbaeza@ividmc.travel
Corporate Quality Director
Julia ORTIZ jortiz@ividmc.travel
Electronic Publishing
Alejandro PECH apech@ividmc.travel
Content and Editing
Omar GALLEGOS ivicorp@ividmc.travel
Managing Director —MyDay Travel
Jorge OROZCO, DMCP jorozco@myday.travel
Corporate Headquarters:
Contents:
Page
Gift Ideas That Are Sure to Impress!
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Cover Subject:
Meeting Facilities That Are Engaged For Success IVI DMC2 enjoys strong partnerships that provide the most superb options throughout our destinations! Here are some examples:
Cancun & Riviera Maya Costa Rica Panama
Quick Hits:
Av. Acanceh 1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Q. Roo, 77500 Mex. Ph. +52 (998) 287-1700 www.ividmc.travel
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Friends of the Maya Foundation’s Community Development Initiatives Melia Cuba Golf Cup
MyDay Travel: The 7 Most Romantic Getaways Dr. Travel’s: The Fare Wars
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Destination Offices: Mexico
Caribbean
Central America
South America
IVI DMC² Cancun & Riviera Maya Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS President manolo@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Dominican Republic Genaro ALMONTE, CIS Regional Managing Director galmonte@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, & Honduras
IVI DMC² Mexico City, Central Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, & Riviera Nayarit Jaime NELO Destination Managing Director jnelo@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Cuba Alejandro DEBASA Regional Managing Director adebasa@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Costa Rica Sonia VARGAS Destination Manager svargas@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Brazil Andrea MAJELA Regional Managing Director amajela@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Panama Ligia VARGAS Regional Managing Director lvargas@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Argentina & Chile Leila GOROSITO Regional Managing Director lgorosito@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit
Alexandra GONZALEZ Destination Manager agonzalez@ividmc.travel IVI DMC² Los Cabos Mario FOSTER Destination Managing Director mfoster@ividmc.travel
Jorge LAZO Regional Managing Director jlazo@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Colombia Carolina CALDERON Regional Managing Director ccalderon@ividmc.travel
Follow us on... © Copyright 2015. All Rights Reserved. 2
July 2015
Gift Ideas That Are Sure to Impress Are you planning a spectacular event, an incentive program, a product launching? Then let us suggest spectacular gift ideas to pamper or congratulate your attendees. What kind of gifts can we put together to make you look GREAT? Consider enhancing your guests’ experience by adding one or more of the following gift ideas: At the airport: Allow us to welcome you with refreshing cold scented towels, a flower for the ladies, cold purified water, and ice cold beers for you to enjoy aboard your hotel transfer. During the event: We can offer the ladies a nice traditional shawl. For all, how about a customizable beach bag that can include suntan lotion, lip balm, embroidered beach towels, or Maui Jim sunglasses? Sky’s the limit to your imagination! Also, you may opt for Mexican handcrafts such as hats, sarapes, magnets, tequila, etc. Upon your request, these gifts can be secretly delivered to the rooms; accompanied by a hotel personnel we can discreetly leave the gift at each room’s door or on the bed. Your attendees will be gladly surprised!
expectations by going the extra mile so to speak in regard to superlative service. A satisfied client is our ultimate goal. With these lofty standards in mind, we strive to choose and only work with suppliers that meet our criteria in order to render an out-of-the-ordinary service.
Message From Headquarters As President of IVI DMC2, I deem it an honor to run this prestigious company and continue its positioning as one of the best in the market. The canons assertively say that the customer is first, and I concur. I also agree that our associates are the strong backbone of our company, and I consider them as my extended family. Without them we would not be where we are today.
After 29 eventful years in the business, IVI DMC2 is proud of the relationships we have forged with thousands of satisfied customers. We invite you to enjoy the pleasure of doing business with us and see for yourself that an unforgettable and successful event is feasible. You have my unfailing commitment to make you and your group look great!
Our company is recognized in the M&I industry as being down to earth and having an outstanding service-minded attitude. Our unchangeable commitment is to exceed our customers’
Sincerely, Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS President
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Cover Topic:
Meeting Facilities That Are Engaged For Success IVI DMC2 enjoys strong partnerships that provide the most superb options throughout our destinations!
Cancun & Riviera Maya Cancun & the Riviera Maya have an array of luxury hotel brands that combine top notch service with state-of-the-art meeting facilities. As a fine example we have the Cancun Convention Center and Calopark Center. They are both recognized as ideal venues for groups and conventions.
Fine Hotels with Superb Meeting Facilities:
Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach
The Ritz-Carlton
Marriott Hotels
Sandos
Hyatt Playa del Carmen
Palace Resorts
Hard Rock Hotels
Paradisus Hotels
Grand Velas
Mexico 4
Central America
July 2015
Costa Rica What could be better than knowing that right after your meeting you will be enjoying some adventure time? Costa Rica is a great place to combine business and pleasure. Imagine holding your event on an ocean front venue where you literally are a stone’s throw from the sandy beaches and the best surfing!
All the first-class hotels that receive incentive travelers are furnished with fully equipped meeting facilities featuring everything needed to ensure the success of your event: the best A/V, great banquet services, lighting, high speed internet, and more!
Once the venue has been decided, our team of event experts will assist you with any special need that may arise before your meeting takes place or even when it is in full swing. Please let us know what your requirements and event specs are, this way we will certainly guide you to the best choice for your program and make YOU shine!
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Panama Panama currently has different scenarios for all kinds of meetings, events and conventions. All our venues feature modern facilities. The ease of mobility in the city of Panama allows participants to have the freedom to choose the hotel that best suits their needs and tastes, as the distances between the venues and the various hotels are relatively close. Noteworthy too is the wide range of options in capacity and budget available throughout the different hotel chains and convention centers.
Options Available for Your Conferences The multiple hotels in Panama City offer a wide range of options for conventions, events, and/or meetings. All feature excellent facilities and the capacity to accommodate very large groups if necessary. In Panama City, you can find various companies providing audiovisual services and supplying a variety of services with state of the art technology, such as:
Translation booths
LED displays
Wireless microphones
HD projectors
Lighting Panama has a vast number of convention centers boasting impressive architecture and functionality. All kinds of different exhibitions, concerts, conventions, and launching of new products and projects take place successfully.
Central America 6
July 2015
Destinations • Mexico • Cuba • Dominican Republic • Belize • Guatemala • El Salvador • Honduras • Costa Rica • Panama • Colombia • Brazil • Argentina • Chile This portal was created to assist Meeting Planners in easily locating ideal destinations, hotels, services, and activities within the group market in Latin America. On this site you will find a large collection of photographs and videos of selected hotels, tours, and activities that fit the needs of the M&I industry, as well as a RFP engine that will directly connect you with the hotel of your interest.
Easy to use
Go to the menu on top of the home page and click on the destination(s) of your interest. For instance, if you want to know more about Dominican Republic for a possible group follow these steps:
From “Destinations” select Dominican Republic. Immediately you will be on the Dominican Republic home page. As with each destination, you can see 10 reasons that make each destination stand out above the rest. You can click on each photo to see even more images.
To the right side there is a submenu showing airlines, hotels, restaurants, what to see, and what to do, etc. The content of each submenu includes: property description, amenities, location (Google map), photos, videos, pdf downloads. Some properties have 3600 photos.
You can use this site for your own presentations; feel free to use the photos and videos. From the home page menu you can easily access videos, sample programs, change the language, get connected through our social media, & contact us.
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Friends of the Maya Foundation’s Community Development Initiatives
Stationary & school supplies for the Vida y Esperanza school donated by the Hotel El Dorado Royale
About Us... Our Vision: To run a world-class company that sets fresh trends and establishes new standards for best practices in the M&I industry by exceeding customer expectations. Mission Statement: To earn and maintain our clients’ trust at each one of our destinations by convincing them that their goals are our goals, and by delivering services that exceed industry standards and customer expectations. We also will meet client needs by providing exceptional product knowledge, creative solutions, cost-value and effectiveness in every measurable way. We pride ourselves on our efficient business organization that relies on strong management systems, ISO quality standards, and belief in the remarkable abilities of our people. Our mission also features an infinite commitment: "To make you look great!" Our People: IVI DMC2 has more than 150 year-round full-time associates within the entire Latin American network with great personalities, knowledge, a caring attitude, and vast M&I business experience! “Yes, since 1986, we are those neatly attired people in the turquoise blue and white uniforms. Many people call us "the Smurfs". We are knowledgeable, witty, fun to have around, and beautiful or handsome (not necessarily in that order).”
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July 2015
MELIA CUBA GOLF CUP
IVI DMC² World Headquarters: Ave. Acanceh #1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mx
VII GOLF CUP MELIÁ CUBA October 21 – 24, 2015
Phone: +52 (998) 287-1700
Serving the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions Industry since 1986. Find us in over 40 destinations throughout:
Price per Person for the Entire Event: Adults only (Legal age: 18) 4 nights/5 days Melia Las Americas Hotel - Standard single room: $616 USD / per person - Standard double room: $445 USD / per person - Standard triple room: $425 USD / per person Registration Fee: $150.00 USD per person Includes: Welcome kit, hospitality desk services, all green fees, a bucket of practice golf balls, shared golf cart for the days of the competition, refreshments during the two rounds of competition (not included for the day of practice), trophies, gala dinner, and awards ceremony. Categories: Men: Handicap 0-14 / Handicap 15-26 Women: Handicap 0-14 / Handicap 15-36 Program Day 1: 19:00 hrs. Welcome cocktail, rules, and etiquette Day 2: 06:30-07:00 hrs. Practice on the driving range 08:00 hrs. Practice round 15:00 hrs. Long drive competition Day 3: 06:30-07:00 hrs. Practice on the driving range 07:00 hrs. 1st round of stroke play competition DAY 4: 06:30-07:00 hrs. Practice on the driving range 07:00 hrs. 2nd round of stroke play 19:30 hrs. Awards dinner
Mexico Cuba Dominican Republic Belize Guatemala El Salvador Honduras Costa Rica Panama Colombia Brazil Argentina Chile Coming soon...Peru!
For further information on the fine hotels, deals, activities, and group packages mentioned in this magazine please contact Francisco BAEZA: fbaeza@ividmc.travel
Awards: The best net and gross scores in each category will receive a free week-long stay along with a companion at one of the all-inclusive Melia hotels in Cuba. The second places in each category will win trophies and golf articles. Other category awards are in store!
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The 7 Most Romantic Getaways The most romantic getaways usually include candlelight dinners, walks along the beach, and lodging in quaint hotels. Some destinations offer something special that you just cannot pinpoint what it is exactly but you can feel it in the air. That is the case of places like Bali, the Greek Islands, and the sensuality of the tango in Buenos Aires. Next, we will show you a selection of the most sought-after places for a romantic getaway.
Bali, Indonesia Bali is more than just a pretty face. It is true that its colorful scenarios bring visitors from around the world, however, its exclusive culture and traditions make them return for more. Behold great sunsets on the clear waters of Sanur, a very popular beach destination. Tanah Lot is a temple from the XV century appearing in the middle of the ocean in a small rock formation; truly, an iconic touristic attraction. Don’t miss the 5 waterfalls located between Bedugul and Singarja; Gitgit is the furthest one inside the mountain. Here, visitors can climb 150 steps and fully admire the waterfalls.
Bruges, Belgium Bruges seems to have been taken out of a fairy tale because it continuously enchants its visitors. The outdoor squares, the colorful houses, and the historical streets create a romantic atmosphere. Couples can navigate through its peaceful channels, climb the 366 steps in Belfort to have a panoramic view of the city, and go for a ride in carriages that will take you to Beguinage, an extraordinary monastery with bridges and ponds full with swans.
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July 2015
Buenos Aires, Argentina It is all too easy to be captivated by the great night life and the cultural diversity of Buenos Aires. Visit the majestic Colon Theater and enjoy the opera or the ballet. Palermo has the best restaurants and boutiques in the city, and offers hectares of perfect parks for picnics and long walks. Dance all night in the Rojo Tango club, with a five star dinner, cabaret performances, and a very glamorous velvet decoration.
Charleston, South Carolina The great gardens, ancient environment, and the relaxed southern enchant from Charleston make it an ideal romantic getaway. Stroll by the streets full of magnolias in the South of Broad neighborhood, which has green gardens and lovely mansions. The Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park offers the perfect landscape, full of waterfalls, and views to the Charleston deck. Drive to the gardens of Boone Hall and explore the beautiful Rose Garden and the butterfly pavilion.
Cinque Terre in the Italian Riviera The Italian Riviera’s rocky shores are part of a romantic novel. Visitors may explore colorful villas near the port, hike through beautiful paths, and walk along the beach. Climb the Cinque Terre paths to explore the vineyards and villas and to have a view of the ocean. The worldwide famous Giardini Botanici Hanbury presents one of the biggest gardens in Italy offering panoramic views of the ocean. (Continued on the next page‌)
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(The 7 Most Romantic Getaways continued‌)
Fez, Morocco Inside the city gates you will find Fez. As you go through the threshold you will feel like you are going on a journey into the past. The medieval streets, the under the roof fairs, and the historic sites will heighten your senses and take you to another era. Visit Heru el Souani to look over the barns designed by and ancient king. Go to Medina Square close to Meknes to watch the Bab Mansour, an elaborated portal made with ivory and engraved tile panels. Venus House in Volubilis has the fanciest mosaics in the city and provides easy access to the Saturn Temple.
Greek Islands There’s nothing better than the Greek Islands for an unforgettable getaway! The astonishing turquoise waters and the picturesque mountains are an attraction in themselves. The shinning sun and the exquisite food will fascinate honeymooners as well as seasonal travelers. The most famous island, Santorini, allows you to experience sunsets and extreme white stone cliffs that will take your breath away. Naxos, the bigger island, has wide beaches with valleys and green cliffs. Hike to the Panayia Pulati monastery which features a white dome shaped structure and a bell tower that stands out in the astonishing bay.
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Dr. Travel’s:The Fare Wars
July 2015
Perhaps the lowest fares you can get (not counting using your frequent flier miles for a free trip) is when the airlines have a fare war or airfare sale. To get these: - Check your newspaper daily for bargain fares. - Check the Internet. Airlines now use this distribution channel to provide low fares without advising travel agents. - Immediately call either the airline or your travel agent (seats are limited and go quickly). Look before you book, though. Sometimes the competition will come up with a sweeter deal. - Keep trying if you can’t get through right away. - When you do reach the reservation agent, be as flexible as possible about your date and time of departure. - Often the competition will match another airline’s fares even if they haven’t had time to advertise it. Call to find out. - Don’t assume the fare war is over on the date advertised; sometimes there are unadvertised extensions. - Read the small print. The Fares listed are usually one-way (even though you have to buy a round trip), and they come with restrictions (such as, you must stay over a Saturday night or travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday). Although the ticket may be nonrefundable, you can usually change flights for a small additional fee. The catch is if no more discounted fares exist, you may have to pay this fee plus the difference between your original fare and your re-booked fare. (Taken from page 71) James Feldman, (a.k.a. Doctor Travel) is a Certified Facilitator and internationally recognized professional motivator, author, television host, and radio personality. His company Incentive Travelers Cheque Int’l provides individual and group incentive travel awards for many Fortune 500 companies. His book “Doctor’s Travel Cure For The Common Trip” is an entertaining and invaluable travel guide whose purpose is not to tell you where to go, but rather to help you get ready for the adventure. CommuniQuest is pleased to share some of Mr. Feldman’s travel wisdom with our readers, who from time to time must deal with lines, cancellations, lost luggage, and a person in the adjacent seat making extensive use of the air sickness bag. Reprinted by permission from the Author: jfeldman@itcheque.com
THANK YOU FOR READING Like life in general, the M&I Industry seems to move at the speed of light. As a committed B2B partner, we aim to help you keep up with the latest industry news and opportunities. CommuniQuest magazine is a valuable tool that brings you the timely information and analysis that you need, with a lair for what's hot, relevant, and interesting. I wish you the best of success in your quest, whatever it may be.
Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach IVI DMC²
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The Customer is Always Right
Excellent staff performance during the tours and at the hospitality desk. Dr. Maria de los Angeles Hernandez IPN
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