NR 3 – s e p t e m b e r 2012
• Industry insights • the most dust y event ever • The power of sharing
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contents
Cover photo Kim Alderden Olympic Games 2012
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editorial
By Yolanda & Kim
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share +
An event expert on holiday
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Story
Front row & backstage at
world’s largest event
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l e t m e e n t e r ta i n y o u
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s u s ta i n a b i l i t y D I Y
Cruising the smart way...by Hybrid!
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zoom in
Industry Insights
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check it out
Rent a village!
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onCe in a lifetime
The most dusty event ever!
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close & personal
Mmmmm with Moshik
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snap shot
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column
Engaging Events
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FY I
The Power of Sharing
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column
Accessible Authenticity
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g r o u p s s -x x l
The Emerald Coast versus true
and authentic Sardinia
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food for thought
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m o r f s g n i t e e r G ! N I L B U D
Greetings from LONDON! 4 share today | 03.2012
e d ito r ial
To make it more personal Again a fresh new magazine to share with our global event friends. With a focus on Special Events. We can discuss for hours about what element makes an event special. Is it the world’s largest? Or is it an one-off event, which will never occur again? Or is it the venue that makes it so special? To be honest we cannot give a definition. But in this issue we at least share our personal choice of special events and hope you consider them as special as we do! And about personal choices…..Looking at 2013 we are busy refining and redefining SHARE TODAY. Why? Well you know the expression; learning is like rowing upstream, not to advance is to drop back. That’s what we don’t want.
We’ve consulted readers, blog guru’s, social media minds and experts in the field of communication on how to create more engagement, more interaction.. And we have made a decision. Every quarter this year had a subject; Out of the Box, Meetings and Special Events. Coming period Resolutions will be the subject. What ours will be? Stay tuned we will let you know soon via a special newsletter! Please enjoy our SHARE TODAY e-magazine. We created it with great passion and pride. Kim & Yolanda
We want SHARE TODAY to get a more personal tone of voice. Not only from us but also from our readers and followers. Actually that means from you – the Event Professional!
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An event expe With summer almost behind us and again in full business defining new concepts and ideas, we asked ourselves where do we - as ‘spoilt’ event expert - spend our holidays. Is it that tranquil place to free the mind near the beach, a back to basic experience with no Wi-Fi connection, a full swing hotspot or an active, exciting time in the mountains? We catched up with our SHARE+ members.
Hi, I went to Colombia, Bogota. Make sure you visit the gold museum, It is magnificent. Certainly interesting is strolling through the historic neighborhood La Candelaria, as well as visiting the colonial area Cartagena, the most beautiful of South America. Another plus point is the people in Colombia. They are very nice and kind. For sure Colombia will be the next new destination. And…. I can tell you already we have more news in a few month….
Marc Glatigny Argentina en Colores
Till than, Marc
Hi there, did The holidays advance planning not work for us this year, so we decided one morning to jump into the car and went down to Croatia. I have been to all oceans, but have never been to Adriatic see… – t what a shame. We spent a grea week in Krk island, beautiful and clean sea, very nice people and good food and wine! I am happy of we decided to discover this part Europe this time. Take care, Linda
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Linda Benmammar Vanadoo and DestinationPro
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ert on holiday Greetings Comrades! Leysin in the Vaudoise Alp ‘s is a great opportunity for the entire family in all ages to experie nce nature activities year aro und. Mountain walks, Mountain biking, paragliding from 2.400m. Mountain climbing on “Via Fer rata” routes (2 available) is a hig hlight with beautiful scenery of the Lake Geneve and the Vaud Mo untain region as well the Advent ure Park. Tips: Leysin official website / Via Ferrat Leysin / Adventure Park Aigle
Ola Karstensson Russkie Prostori
Ola
We know that Karina Fürst of Authenticore enjoyed the little island Sylt (Germany) but also went to the pyramids of Egypt. Quit a contrast! Hicham Tahri of Activ Travel visited the city of light (Paris) and Lisette van Dolderen of Switzerland Tourism the French countryside. For those who stayed home to watch the fortress enjoy your holidays soon! We love to hear about it as it will for sure give us new inspiration for next coming events. share today | 03.2012 7
te x t & P h otos kim al d e r d en
Front row & backstage at world’s largest event 8 share today | 03.2012
sto r y
SHARE TODAY spent 3 weeks in London this summer and had the opportunity to experience the world’s largest event at the fullest. During a little blogging marathon we have already tried to share a glimpse of the Olympic vibe in the city. Now we like to share with you our personal feedback on this magnificent event. During my stay I wondered several times about how the project leader of this enormous event copes with stress, issues, security, VIPs, roadblocks, sponsors, royalty, empty seats in stadiums, press, ‘OG leaks’ and so on, and so on... It is my guess that a lot of event professionals would love to peek from behind the curtains into the war room of the organizing team of the Olympics.
backstage. Twitter was used continuously and I loved to follow the various streams from all sorts of persons. Bloody brilliant, cool as a cucumber, a moment of utter genius … how I love the English language, it can be so funny. The best laughs I had when I started following the account of Prince Charles himself (@Charles_HRH). There must be a great comedian behind this.
Twitter The Opening Ceremony was one-of-a-kind! I would love to share backstage details but we were seated front row… Not bad at all of course! However with all the social media possibilities nowadays there is another way to have a peek
Volunteers My largest insight by far was the fact that this event cannot survive without the help of volunteers. Smiling faces all around town; at venues, at tube stations, in busses no matter what the weather was like, friendliness was ®
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sto r y
the magic word. If only we were able to find this awesome attitude also in all the guides, bus drivers, waiters, custom officers we work with and who receive a nice salary… Without wanting to be rude or disrespectful, I think there is some learning to do. The fact that these thousands of volunteers took so much pride in serving their country during this major event is the best example to follow. Compliance Another insight, that came to me, was ‘how is compliance seen in the international world of events?’ Compliance according to Wikipedia; describes the goal that corporations or public agencies aspire to in their efforts to ensure that personnel are aware of and take steps to comply with relevant laws and regulations. I have learned that compliance is a hot topic in the Netherlands. Corporates tend to refuse invitations for all sorts of events and that is definitely not a good signal. Hospitality in conjunction with corporate sponsorship is a very respected tool in the world of events. If compliance becomes a global trend we surely have a challenge in the world of events. SHARE TODAY will follow this trend closely and promises to keep you posted. Last But Not Least Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of LOCOG, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, stated his feeling after the Games in a short but intense sentence; ‘we did it right’. We agree fully and salute the complete organising team. √
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let me ente r tain y o u
webs & Apps Which tool fits you? So many tastes, so many choices… even when searching for event management software. But which program fits your needs? On this website you will find an overview of all available tools to help to find the right match by comparing and filtering possibilities
oksBooks
Looking for an app creator? Mobile roadie could be your answer. This mobile app creator for iPhone, Android, iPad and Mobile Web builds, hosts and creates apps in minutes. Something for your next event? More info: http://mobileroadie.com
Awesome South Africa This book by Derryn Campbell will intrigue you, make you laugh, astonish and astound you. The vibrant edition gives you a feel for the excitement and variety there is in South Africa besides a comprehensive overview of this unique and crazy country.
Vocre is an app that uses your voice to communicate with others – no matter what language they speak – making multi-language conversations possible, in real-time. Never using your hands & feet again to speak to your Japanese or Chinese colleague!
What color is your event? The Art Of Bringing People Together This book of Dianne Budion Devitt approaches the communication value of live experiences through events and meetings. The book gives a distinct perspective on the creative elements used to make messages come alive, like an effective print ad or public relations campaign, through color, food, music, entertainment and other components.
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Cruising the smart way‌ by Hybrid! te x t Yolan d a L ogt p h otos d ive r s
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s u stainabilit y D I Y
Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, environmental awareness …The hot item at the moment is to be green! Whether you are running a hotel, a restaurant or a multinational corporation, GREEN is your colour! Green is hot! Time to look around at how the incentive world answers the rising green demands. We are stranded in Florida, which is the perfect place to combine sun, sea and fun elements in an incentive trip for the corporate industry. Who wouldn’t like to join in? The organizer however has another challenge: not only coming up with an exiting and awarding program, but also making it all happen in a sustainable way. The check list: • find ‘green’ transportation check • provide sustainable material (gifts, guides) check • find ‘green’ venues (hotel and restaurants) check • propose ‘green’ menus (not talking beans here!) check • etc. Green rally cars Here is an example of when all the checking and thinking has been done, a real GREEN incentive… even with cars! An actual rally with hybrid cars to explore the Florida Keys. What an adventure! Starting with the preparations, your group receives some handouts including a ‘recycled’ roadmap, which lays out a route to explore
the Florida Keys. The roadmaps are printed on recycled paper and are included with each car. Recycled water bottles offer your ‘cruisers’ a way to stay hydrated in the Florida heat. When everyone is set, the participants are ready to cruise the sunshine state in their own rental hybrid vehicle. The choice because of their environmental friendliness, hybrid cars are a clear winner over regular cars for this event. Green activities All the delegates head south of Miami beach and experience the tropical islands of the Florida Keys. Who will win the rally depends on their driving and map reading skills as well as their performance in fulfilling tasks and answering questions. On their way (to and from) they will make pit stops to enjoy a beach side lunch, a group picture, a beach volleyball ‘competition,’ a coconut race and of course a quick snorkel in the crystal blue water! They also enter the edge of the ocean realm for an unparalleled snorkel adventure at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. This state park is very eco-friendly, creating its reef from other reefs around the world that are in trouble. ® share today | 03.2012 13
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China Star Professional Programs (China Star) is the leading DMC and PCO based in Beijing and Shanghai with the services covering the whole China. Because of its outstanding service rendered, China Star has been highly praised and recognized by its clients and the municipal government. China Star is also very active in the associations of SITE, MPI and ICCA etc.
s u stainabilit y D I Y
It’s protected by The Florida Keys Reef Tract that works very hard to protect this fragile marine environment. Green food After finding all the hot spots with their roadmap instructions, solving the questionnaire and doing the tasks, it’s time to lay back and enjoy oceanfront dining and fresh Keys-style dishes. The Keys restaurants across the island chain are implementing programs to become greener. Think of recycling, switching to biodegradable take-out containers, reducing energy consumption, switching to eco-friendly cleaning products and installing low-flow bathroom fixtures. Fresh catches that grace a restaurant table at night were probably unloaded at the docks that morning.
Green gifts And then…the winner is…. Of course a rally should end with a winner. Who performed the best? Not necessarily the fastest driver. And with a winner belongs a trophy. Besides the bubbles you could think of a nice briefcase made of truck tires. Or what about a solar and wind-up radio powered by sun energy? Or monogrammed banana paper stationary, thoughtful and sustainable. All perfect gifts for a green event. Of course this kind of incentive trip can be carried out in many countries in a region-specific way. We have chosen Florida this time. Who knows what will be next! √ Note Special thanks to Lorissa Fendrich of First Incentive Travel share today | 03.2012 15
Meet Annecarien Dijkhuis, Event Lead at Nike EHQ in Hilversum (Netherlands) since 2004. We love to share insights from an industry expert so now and then. We are very happy that Annecarien could find some time in between an event in London and Rome to answer some questions.
Industry Insights te x t kim al d e r d en p h oto A nneca r ien
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Z oom in
sports activities and ended with a surprised trip through the desert in jeeps to enjoy a closing party and an overnight in a private tented camp. These kinds of events require a lot of preparation for us, including setting up 400 tents during a hot day of 45 degrees together with the local agent. Communication wise this has been one of the toughest events as in this part of the world people look different towards women that work.’
Q. You have been working for NIKE for 8 years now. In your opinion, why is Nike (except for the in house Starbucks coffee corner of which I am secretly jealous) such an inspiring employer? ‘People recognize the Nike ‘swoosh’ everywhere in the world. It is a strong and appealing brand. I find it very special that I have been working there since 2004. The Nike culture is open, well organized and professional. A real pleasure to work in. I am drawn by the international character combined with the young enthusiastic employees. At the European Headquarters in Hilversum we have 48 nationalities and English is the official language. Sports and athletes are an inspiration to all Nike employees passively or actively. Everyone follows the Nike sponsored teams and all the big sport events. When you look at Travel & Events, Nike is a frontrunner. Four years ago we implemented the Strategic Meeting Management Program and a Nike meeting policy so buy-in is consolidated and costs decreased.’
Q. Incentive colleagues often refer to meetings as being boring, predictable and not very creative. Can you convince us of the opposite? ‘At Nike we organize a large variety of meetings; from Nike Golf to Converse All Star and from Sales meetings to Athlete tours and from tradeshows to Executive Board meetings. These are all very different, interactive, innovative and surprising. For us, Event Leads, it is that diversity that makes this totally the opposite of being boring. In my 8 years with Nike I have never experienced a boring meeting.’
Q. How many international meetings per year does your events department at Nike EHQ organize and would you like to share a special case with us? ‘Our events department exists 9 experienced Event Leads. Per year we organize about 100 meetings and events onsite and abroad. On campus we have a private meeting centre for trainings and meetings. Nike Sales & Brand Event in Dubai in 2009 was the most extensive one yet. A group of 750 Nike employees participated in a 2-day meeting including product presentations,
Q. Where do you find the inspiration for all the meetings? ‘Inspiration is everywhere. I find it in the Nike advertising campaigns and the digital media where Nike is very active. Also the Nike products are always very innovative. I follow the latest news about events and trade shows, read newsletters, monitor digital media and networking of course. The people I work with inspire me too. I am in regular contact with my colleagues around the globe for tips and involve local partners that know the hidden treasures. ® share today | 03.2012 17
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Our meeting room. Alp Aelggi, Central Switzerland
MySwitzerland.com/meetings With its excellent infrastructure, ease of access and breathtaking scenery, Switzerland is the ideal location for your meetings. For assistance with the planning of your event please contact the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau: phone 020 620 92 29, scib.nl@switzerland.com, or visit us on www.MySwitzerland.com/meetings
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Especially working with the locals offers a nice challenge with regards to culture and language.’ Q. You must have a list with personal favourite event locations. Do you want to share some with us? ‘I have a long list. I stayed in so many different hotels and each hotel, city and country has its own characteristics and charm. I find them all unique. You cannot use one favourite location for each event. It must be surprising and new every time. And each event has its own objective that requires a different choice of program and location. In general I like modern boutique hotels with much space and light, near the beach. Barcelona, Istanbul, London and Rome are amazing cities. For example the W in Barcelona, the Cavalieri in Rome, the Four Seasons in Istanbul. It is impossible for me to choose my favourites however I like to mention the Kempinski Hotel on the Chinese Wall in Beijing where I stayed during a press tour with 25 journalists. It was phenomenal. Choosing a location for an event plays a key part in the final execution of your meeting or event as like every detail, it must support the objectives of the event.’ Q. Can you share a short glimpse of your role during the Olympic Games? ‘First of all Nike is not an official sponsor so we are not allowed to organise commercial activities in the city. Therefor we create a smart
solution to host 3500 athletes in our Nike Athlete Hospitality Lounge where we daily receive 500 Nike sponsored athletes, federations, unions, VIPs and coaches. Furthermore the Nike athletes have broken a record with the number of medals they won and you could not miss the yellow neon Nike shoes on the track.’ Q. Do you like to share a final tip with our readers? ‘In my first week with Nike, my manager gave the best tip: never assume. Check and double check, learn to anticipate and be prepared for the unexpected and program changes. A private jet broking down? Solve it. Furniture for the hospitality lounge detained at customs? Use all your skills to release it. In the end the relationship you build with all partners involved is what makes the event. Together you must make the event a success. Do not look back at the tough negotiations or the tensions during preparation.’ √
At Nike we have always believed that excellence comes first. Our philosophy is to consistently excel in everything we do. Then to go on and surpass our customers’ and our own expectations. It is the attitude of a winner. And it is the attitude that has made us the leading global brand we are today. share today | 03.2012 19
Rent a village!
Check-it-out takes you around the globe to meet extra-ordinary places.
te x t Yolan d a L ogt p h otos M O N A Hoba r t, B o r go san F elice , K im A l d e r d en , B eit Z aman & S elin d a E x plo r e r s C amp
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Meet the most extravagant places to produce your event. Your concept is key and your event should be built around it. Usually the place is of minor importance, but our suggestions might strengthen the well-thought out concept of your event. It’s not easy to find such unique places, right? Let’s give you a hand with these suggestions for venues that can be rented out exclusively for your group for the ultimate experience.
Hardingasete, Norway This ‘village’ was created by a doctor with a hobby. He searched Norway for historic houses from the 17th and 19th centuries, broke them down and rebuilt them on the shores of the Hardingerfjord. Hardingasete is the ideal venue for a perfect incentive full of water activities. Relaxing in wooden bathtubs, glacier climbing and meetings are also possibilities. The village can host 39 people in single rooms and is reachable by boat from the airport of Bergen. Finish off with a BBQ at the pier and long stories around a fireplace. Interested? Click here or contact Karina Furst.
Borgo San Felice, Tuscany, Italy More into a warmer place? What about Italy? The town of Borgo San Felice, Tuscany is a magical place with the towers of Siena on the horizon - an ideal venue to experience real Tuscany. Groups can enjoy wine contests, bike rides through the hills, Italian cooking classes or rallies with vintage cars or Ferraris. You just name it. The venue can
be hired exclusively for up to 110 persons. More info click here or contact historiaevents.
Renting out a complete village in Calabria or Sicily, Italy Or what would you think of renting out a complete village in, for example, Calabria or Sicily, Italy, the perfect format for a corporate event. The entire village and its inhabitants (common people but also restaurants, hotels, shops) are yours for one or more days. Think of it! A small traditional town becomes the ideal setting for your next event. To give you an idea of how it works: participants are greeted by a sort of village festival in their honor during which the inhabitants tell the visitors about traditional habits and typical products, teaching them old crafts and telling stories. Local restaurants prepare tasting menus with local products. Cultural associations will organize musical events, and artists will produce works especially for your client’s company. Discover authentic Italian life in a untapped region. It will definitely strengthen bonds! Interested? Contact Patrizia Rapisarda. ® share today | 03.2012 21
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Taybet Zaman, Jordan Different culture brings us Taybet Zaman, Jordan just around the corner from one of World’s Wonders: Petra. Once upon a time, an ancient village called Taybeh found itself on the brink of extinction, unable to find its place in the modern world. The local mayor, Abu Firas, transformed the village into a world-class resort without losing its rich heritage, securing the livelihoods of the families. Imagine. Constructed of thick stone walls that magically keep cool through the harsh summers and warm during the winters, the 22 share today | 03.2012
houses’ windows and doors are adorned with rustic shutters of weathered arrowroot wood. Inside, supporting arches are still blackened by fires of long ago. Furnishings are comfortable, yet remain true to 19th century style with an exotic dash of Arab indulgence. We invite you to experience the old with the new…the past with the present. So much more than a resort, Taybet Zaman is a moment-in-time. Nearly lost. Now found. Quite simply, Taybet Zaman is the best of yesterday amid the best of today.
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Selinda Explorers Camp, Botswana For a completely different story and a venue that just opened its doors, safari at an exclusive-use camp. We introduce Selinda Explorers Camp, Botswana with just four tents accommodating up to eight people. Perfect for that small group wanting total exclusivity as you only can access the venue via light aircraft. A separate guide’s tent is available for guests bringing a private guide. Safaris, guided walks and canoeing are part of the activities.
this from you. MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art) in Hobart, Tasmania brings together a major exhibition of the biggest artists of the 20th century.
MONA, Hobart, Tasmania
MONA itself is no ordinary art gallery and worth a visit, if only for the architecture. But the gallery offers an overnight stay. The multifunctional space also houses bars, one of the best restaurants in Tasmania, a winery and a microbrewery where visitors can learn to make wine and beer. This Theatre of the World is a once in a lifetime experience, we would say.
Are you facing a group of art exhibitionists? This is definitely the place to be! It cannot be rented out exclusively, but we did not want to keep
Ideas enough? Lets go for it and create some beautiful events! √
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The most dusty event ever! te x t Yolan d a L ogt p h otos A S O
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O nce in a L ifetime
20,000 square metres of venue structures set up every year 270,000 authorised personnel 500 suppliers and 4,000 orders per year 45,000 stopovers per year 200 kilometres of banners You probably wonder what kind of event demands such requirements. No it’s not the Olympics, but an off road endurance race crossing dunes, mud, rocks and camel grass among others. Distances vary from short to up to 800-900 kilometers per day. Yes… we are talking about The Dakar Rally, an annual rally raid type of off road race. This year the rally took place from Mar del Plata via Copiapo to Lima in February. In 2013 it will be in January. Time enough to organize you might think. But imagine there are three major competitive groups in the Dakar: the motorcycle (moto) class (including quadbikes as one of the sub-classes), the car class (which ranges from buggies to small SUVs) and the truck class. Quite some organizing! Let’s ask details from Marc Glatigny of Argentina en Colores who takes care of the teams’ logistics and VIP programs. First of all how did you get involved in the Dakar Rally? After the cancelation of the 2008 edition, the organizer, ASO (Amoury Sport Organisation), decided to move the Rally Dakar to South America. After the announcement, I contacted them to propose my services. They came for a
first site inspection, met several DMC staff and finally decided to work with us for the 2009 Edition and later in 2011 with Chile en Colores. In 2013 we will have our 5th anniversary! For ASO we book rooms for the teams in all the stages in Argentina and Chile and compose VIP group programs that ASO sells. You could say we are a very small provider of the big organization but still have lots to do…® Most events since the inception in 1978 were from Paris to Dakar (Senegal) but due to security threats in Mauritania, which led to the cancellation of the 2008 rally, the 2009 Dakar Rally was run in South America (Argentina, Chile and Peru). The race is open to amateur and professional entries. Amateurs typically make up about eighty percent of the participants. It is not a conventional rally, the terrain the competitors traverse is much tougher and the vehicles used are true off-road vehicles rather than the modified on-road vehicles used in most rallies. www.dakar.com/index_DAKus.html share today | 03.2012 25
O nce in a L ifetime
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O nce in a L ifetime
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O nce in a L ifetime
Slide show
As an event organizer what makes this event special? Well, it’s not an incentive, not a convention, not an event. It’s a Rally and a very special one with completely different codes and rules. That’s what makes it very tempting and challenging to take care of. For example, the most amazing opportunity is to try to organize a breakfast or a lunch in the middle of no-where in the desert for a group to see the Rally pass right in front of them. The organization only gives us a GPS point for that and we have to organize the rest, everything from transportation to catering … Aha, never used a clients GPS details as lead for a ‘venue,’ only GPS games in an incentive (smiles). So this must ask other talents from your staff but also in your planning. What is key in general? 28 share today | 03.2012
3 major things are important. Of course, CONFIDENTIALITY: we have information about the route, stage before they even are official. EXCLUSIVITY: we work only for ASO. If we receive a direct request for the Dakar, we send them to ASO and to no one else. ORGANIZATION: The Rally takes place every January. Meaning we start to work on the rally 10 months before. Are there any specific items that you do not encounter with other type of events you organize? It’s a completely different organization, that MICE Event. For us it’s a challenge every time and… gets us out of our ‘MICE routine.’ You could say everything is different except the talent to organize.
O nce in a L ifetime
Is sponsoring important in these kinds of events? In what way are you also related to that or aren’t you? Sponsoring is the most important thing for the teams otherwise they could not ride. Regarding our part, they are the clients for the VIP group program. They invite employees, clients … like an incentive trip. It’s more a marketing tool than sponsoring in general. If you don’t call the paid trip (invitations) a kind of sponsoring. http://www.aso.fr/us/hospitality-our-offersmotorsports.html And last but not least ... A private question, ever dare to ride yourself? Haha ride my self?! That’s impossible. They are professional drivers, even the amateurs. However my dream would be to sit inside an assistance car/truck and travel all the route of the rally and enjoy all the landscapes.
Well, we hope Marc’s dream comes true one time. For me the organizing would already be amazing as it’s so different from everything else I have done. √
Note Ready for an impression and to see the final results? Click here
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Mmmmm with Moshik
te x t kim al d e r d en p h oto & S am h o u d|P laces
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close & pe r sonal
En route to a possible third Michelin star the culinary guru Moshik Roth takes a detour to a new adventure. At the moment we meet for our interview his suitcase is packed for an inspirational trip to Papua New Guinea. Moshik likes a bit of adventure. It colours his life and not at least his recipes. At 29 Moshik started his career as a chef. The famous Dutch chef Jonnie Boer convinced him to start using his talents. In 10 years time he created and built a stunning two Michelin star restaurant. Then he met Salem Samhoud, an inspiring entrepreneur who was an incidental guest at his restaurant. Together they started dreaming about a new culinary adventure, embracing a manifest called ‘Together we build a brighter future’. A manifest about Connection and it doesn’t surprise us as Moshik sees food as an ideal matchmaker. The result: &Samhoud|Places. More inspiration follows. His brand new masterpiece: the Tomeato. A very healthy hamburger based on Tomatoes, herbs and of course some secret ingredients. Moshik is a person with a great dose of engagement. Healthy food for kids was the leading factor during his crusade to create the ultimate healthy hamburger with the famous McDonald’s taste. ‘It’s my personal ambition to make children happy with healthy food which is in the consumption based world of today very important. And there is more than enough creativity to create healthy food. Mark my words: the Tomeato becomes hot!’ Just before his new restaurant will open in Amsterdam Moshik signed up for another
challenge. During the Olympic Games in London he was the master chef at the Olympic Club at the Holland Heineken House. This house is the Dutch fan base during any Olympics. To celebrate its 20th anniversary Heineken created the next level of entertainment for sponsors and partners of the Dutch Olympic Committee: an in-house restaurant with a double Michelin star-chef in the kitchen. While in London I met him several times in person and also had the chance to taste some of his unique creations. It must have been an enormous challenge to create fine dining in a house dominated by sports and Heineken and where a medal race in one of the Olympic stadiums is far more important than a waiting dinner table and a kitchen full of well-trained chefs. So he got his challenge and we all need to have our challenges now and then to stay on top of our talents, right? √
When you visit Amsterdam and want to experience Moshik we suggest you book a table at &Samhoud|Places. A balanced philosophy of connecting people, warm hospitality and culinary delights. The true manifestation of Moshik Roth’s manifest.
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snap s h ot
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MORE ABOUT john
Engaging Will the event industry benefit from the London 2012 Olympics after the organisers created such a spectacular? This is a question that I am sure many people in our industry have in mind and that may be answered in the coming months and years. An expectation of legacy can be fulfilled if we can learn from the London 2012 Olympics. The athletes certainly played their part and for my own country, Team GB, it was an especially fruitful year for medals showing how good funding, skill, planning and focus can achieve results. As I write this, the 2012 Paralympics Games is about to begin and whilst we witnessed tremendous courage and determination from our able-bodied teams, the Paralympians may show us even more what it takes to achieve great things. For the events industry perhaps the legacy can be that all of the qualities displayed during London 2012 be harnessed for much smaller scale events and that organisers and attendees can achieve great things. The lessons about creating momentum, developing talent and arranging a spectacular outcome can be applied to even the smallest event. The quality of everyone’s attitude may be the key. Think about the responses when athletes were interviewed after their competition. The athletes’ positive take on the outcome whether or not a medal was won was an example to everyone. The pride in taking part and giving everything is simply the most important thing to Olympians. Think too about the volunteers who willing gave their own time and skills to make this ’Greatest Show on Earth’ happen. The warmth 34 share today | 03.2012
COLUMN
Events of welcome; sense of fun and pride that they displayed was tremendous. Engagement it seems to me to be the key word. Engagement with the participants; with suppliers; the audience; the media; sponsors; the community; politicians and charity organisations. Applying the Olympic principals to everyday events could turn even the dullest topic into a success. I do not suggest sycophancy or false cheer just to make an event appear to be successful, but more that the planning and execution of the event takes account of ALL those who count and that engagement is the priority. Motivation comes from many quarters and by appealing to the needs of everyone involved through careful, thoughtful planning this will surely be more likely to create good memories; emotional attachment and positive action to follow. Events that fill this criterion could be more cost effective, reap bigger rewards and improve the image of the meetings, conference and events business. With so many online tools at our disposal to communicate, the process of engagement is multi-faceted and can reach the various participants really easily.
It was good to see the news channels bringing so many good news items through the London 2012 Olympics and I only hope that when the excitement dies down after the Paralympics, we do not revert to the mundane but grasp the excitement and verve of winning with our own Olympic spirit. Events are an important part of business engagement and with lives so full and so fast, time spent at events must be seen to be worthwhile, be adding value for all parties and creating a driving force for the economy. The world needs growth to put the past financial problems back onto an even keel and the events business can lead the way. Stealing the Olympic slogan, hopefully London 2012 has ‘inspired a generation of event planners’.
John Gallery established Great Potential, following a successful 25-year career in hotel & conference venue management. John is cofounder of LateMeetings.com, sold in 2009. His new business ‘Hands Free Management’ provides management contracts for independent hotels and tourism businesses. share today | 03.2012 35
The Power of Sharing
te x t y olan d a logt p h otos M a u r ice M ikke r s , T E D x A mste r d am
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As our name shows, we like the idea of sharing knowledge and benefitting from each other’s expertise. It inspires and opens the world. That’s also exactly what TED is about. TED a non-profit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, started in 1984 as a conference, bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become even broader. Today, TED is best thought of as a global community. It’s a community welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. They strongly believe in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives, and ultimately, the world. Actually TED builds a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from world’s most inspired thinkers, as well as a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other. Probably you have heard of a TEDx event in your neighbourhood as nearly 3500 TEDx events took place in last three years, in 1000 cities and in over 125 countries. The strength of TED is that they give the TED label and content free to the world. Of course that gift comes with certain restrictions, but still, it gives communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at local level. TEDx events are planned and coordinated independently. TED events are not common The fact that TED is non-commercial, less sales
driven and acting from radical openness of mind makes every TED related event different from the corporate events we as event professionals deal with. People involved believe in possibilities rather than impossibilities. Optimism and hope are key. Speakers are invited and have only 18 minutes to share their beliefs, ideas or knowledge. 18 minutes is not much time to inspire not only the public but also the world, as all information is spread via the digital runway. Therefore speakers need to think seriously about content. The speech is not a once-in-an-event talk. It must have impact for a longer period, as it will definitely get a ‘second life’ via the Internet. Social media are only part of Internet, the digital world. That’s why they only take a small share in the talks, while in case of the ‘common’ ® share today | 03.2012 37
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AU T HE N T IC ORE cr e ate s e x per ie nc e s w i t h c on te n t ba sed on loc a l ins pir ed peopl e (f ir e soul s ) w ho l i v e t heir dr e a m a nd bur n f or some t hing . W e bel ie v e t hat our t r a de ins pir e s to be cur ious a bou t o t her cult ur e s , t r a di t ions a nd w ay s of l ife . Disc ov er w i t h us
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event, social media are often built around the presentation and play a major key. Any challenges? You might think this is a winning formula. Right you are, however, each organisation faces its own challenge. TEDx spin offs are often run by large groups of passionate and talented volunteers. Local people that are inspired by the TED mission put in massive amounts of effort and energy to pull off a TEDx conference. The challenge that many TEDx organisers will face in the future is how to continue the legacy they have carefully crafted and shaped in their own local communities and cities. How does one pass on the fire to those willing to join the adventure? A ‘goose pumps’ moment But let’s think there always will be enthusiastic minds that want to be part of such an incredible event. Isn’t it at least great to be part of a global movement? It’s like you can suddenly play in the world championship instead of just the local competition! With the massive amount of TED events taking place in the most inspiring parts of the world,
innovation and new ways to tackle the way we approach and execute events is apparent. TED and TEDx events have been able to draw from an amazing pool of professionals to bring the entire organization to a new level. In many ways the TED model broadens the scope and knowledge of communication and event professionals in profound ways. People literally catch the TED vibe… Conclusion The success of TED and TEDx is sharing. And sharing is multiplying. Welcome to modern times because sharing is power. And now…? We dream, SHARE TODAY. We don’t dare to say we follow directly in TED’s footsteps, but we want to be the place where Pros in our market actually share their ideas and knowledge, inspiring others to engage. All for free. We hope it does not stay just a dream! √
Note Inspired and want to know more about TED? Their website is the place to be. share today | 03.2012 39
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MORE ABOUT rui
Accessible In recent times competition between destinations has grown exponentially. As a result price has became one of the most important decision factors in choosing a destination to host a meeting or an event. Located in Europe’s periphery, Portugal is no exception to this trend and successful Portuguese DMC’s have to ‘compensate’ for the additional flying costs with competitive land services packages and constant innovation. To maintain and strengthen market position DMC’s must meet two key challenges: 1. What can make us different and make anyone choose my destination for meetings and events? 2. How can stay ahead of the competition and continue to be selected to handle international events? A DMC that believes in the authenticity of the destination it handles, offering genuine products (albeit quite simple sometimes), innovative concepts and programs that could only be executed in their country (or hardly somewhere else) is poised to be a winner. Provided that it effectively communicates these realities to the market and strives to be always close to its costumers, offering them easy and straightforward access to its products and services. 40 share today | 03.2012
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Authenticity Increasingly response time becomes a critical success factor. The ability to quickly suggest a program, products and ideas to its costumers is a key factor for any successful DMC, as decisions are made increasingly closer and closer to the date of an event. The winning formula to achieve these challenging goals is to combine investment on product development with innovative technology, making products and services readily accessible and easy to consult. In May this year, Buzz Portugal launched its own free iPhone APP (available through Apple store as Buzz Portugal) -perhaps a world first- to allow its customers to have its destinations, its products, its hotels and its experiences at their fingertips. Through a well-conceived easy to use APP, DMC’s can offer not only their selection of hotels, but also the finest venues and experiences available in their market.
The next step is to combine the APP with a professional website which, in addition to the info available in the iPhone APP, will provide customers with the ability to download detailed descriptions, hotel fact sheets and high res pictures to prepare their own offers to their clients, in a convergence strategy designed to make the destination even easier to sell. This strategy not only will reinforce any DMC’s positioning as a market leader but also will position it at the forefront of innovation, through the introduction of business enabling technology that will turn it into the incentive/events professional partner of choice in its market. So I’m curious? What is your answer to the changing market?
Rui Calapez is General Manager and partner at Buzz Portugal DMC. We know Rui as a passionate man who wants to see results but knows he cannot have that without his team. He has an impressive career, starting in 1997 and at the age of 24 years he already opened his first DMC. In 2008 Buzz Portugal was born, a true love baby in rocky times. We seduced him to tell us his secrets and we must say he also can write! share today | 03.2012 41
The Emerald Coast versus true and authentic Sardinia
T e x t K im A l d e r d en P h otos P R I ncentives
A European Conference Experience organized by Patrizia Rapisarda
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An exclusive stay in the Cala di Volpe Hotel? Not much to say‌ just perfect! But we wanted to give more‌ A superb Gallura region hosted us for an unforgettable day. The steam train took half of the guests through joyful and tortuous landscapes; though woods of cork trees, crossing lakes and creeks among the smell of myrtle. Meanwhile, the other half of the guests, aboard jeeps, stopped to discover nuraghi* and the secrets of a remote land, and meanwhile making pictures for the treasure hunt. We reached a terrific farm, where the pasturing cows were wondering about the crowd of people invading their country.
fruit carts, the shepherd was shearing the sheep, his brother was making ricotta and his sister cheese, the malloreddus** were about to be ready, the porcetti*** were being cooked on a spit under the ground. The children were repeatedly rehearsing their acrobatic exercises on small black horses from Giara region, and the rosettes tasseled by skilful hands of Oristano people were colouring a quiet corner. Return to the past? Maybe. A lot of Sardinian pride, for sure. 100 people coming from all over Sardinia made their best: tradition, quality, love and a great hospitality. We must motivate at different levels. √
250 persons were warmly welcomed in a Sardinian village where the day went by as usual. An old lady was weaving a white carpet on the loom, the potter was shaping his vase on the wheel, the blacksmith was pounding hot iron, the stonecutter was producing delicate sounds working his stone, the tenors were tuning their songs, while the couples of dancers were pea cocking in their magnificent costumes. The local craftsmen at the colorful stalls were bargaining and the lady farmers were making bread, oxen were dragging
*stone dwellings centred on a main tower or fortress **type of home made pasta ***baby pork dish share today | 03.2012 43
foo d fo r t h o u g h t
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