DESTINATION NEWS FROM OUR DMCs -
                         NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA                                     

 

NORTH AMERICA

 
 
Boston - NXTEVENT

NXTevent, is Boston and New England’s premier provider of full service Destination + Event Management Solutions. With a hands-on approach their small size allows them to be agile with turn-key solutions. Their team is focused on your results, your organisation and your guests' experience.

Please see below some great highlights of Boston and New England!

 Boston: A City of Champions

  • Boston Marathon

  • 2008 Basketball Champions, Boston Celtics

  • 2007 + 2004 World Series Champions, Boston Red Sox

  • Charles River Annual Rowing Regatta

  • 2005, 2006, 2007 Superbowl Champions, Patriots

 Within 3 Hours…Get Lost Anywhere…

  • In just 3 hours you can be taking a Helicopter ride over to Martha’s Vineyard

  • Travel like a Rockstar to New York via a Rockstar Coach or Limoliner

  • Go off-roading in the Vermont’s Backyard with Range Rover Vehicles

  • Hit the High Seas with Schooner Sailing Group activities in Boston’s Harbour

  • For the Brave and Daring – travel the long scenic roadways of Cape Cod on Harley Motorcycles!

For more information or a customised proposal from NXTevent please click here.

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Canada - CANTRAV SERVICES INC.

2010 Winter Olympics

Vancouver and Whistler are less than one year away from welcoming the world to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games (February 12 – 28, 2010) and Paralympics (March 12-21, 2009). Venues have been completed and from January to March this year athletes from around the world have been competing at World Cup and World Championship events throughout the destination. Whether its soaring well over 100 meters in Ski Jumping, rocketing down an icy twisting turning course at 150 kph in a Bobsled, testing human endurance and accuracy in the ski Biathlon, testing top speeds on the Alpine downhill course, or feeling the burn as Speed Skaters push their limits at the Speed Skating Oval, all this has started to focus attention on Vancouver and Whistler.

The largest event ever to be held in Canada, the opportunities awaiting meetings, incentives and conventions are enormous. New venues to be used pre and post games and media coverage to give ‘legs’ to any group destined for Vancouver or Whistler. What better way to promote your program than to piggyback on the publicity leading up to and including the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games!

Whistler Blackcomb. Infinite possibilities.

The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola opened in December 2008 and in doing so expanded the dimension of possibilities in Whistler for guest experience and memories. The new CAD $60M gondola project spans a distance of 4.4 km between the alpine areas of Whistler and Blackcomb in a spectacular eleven-minute ride. This has created a journey to infinite possibilities. To new runs, new vistas, new ways of making the most of each day year-round.

The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola links Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain alpine areas yielding 8,171 acres of terrain playground. The mountains now have one continuous lift system allowing skiers and riders to maximize their day by moving quickly and effortlessly across the valley to the best snow and weather in each alpine area. For summer visitors it offers the ride of a lifetime and one that is not to be found anywhere else in the world!

Cantrav Inc is Responding…

The best time to travel to Western Canada is May through to September for summer programs and December to the beginning of April for winter programs (in Rockies and Whistler). March and April is where Cantrav can offer great split programs with springtime Vancouver and Victoria together with winter programs in Whistler or the Rockies.

The hotels in Vancouver, Whistler, the Rockies and Victoria are responding to the current global economic crisis by opening some great deals particularly for 2009.

To contact Cantrav Services Inc. for more information or a customised proposal, please click here.
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Las Vegas - USA HOSTS

Las Vegas is still one of the most cost effective destinations for meeting and incentive programs in the USA, with a host of constantly evolving hotels, venues and developments. Here are just a few new exciting venues:

SINATRAS RESTAURANT-ENCORE

One of the new restaurants at Steve Wynn's Encore hotel will pay homage to Frank Sinatra. In a recent interview, Wynn revealed the Sinatra family has loaned him their father's lone Academy Award, for best actor in a supporting role in 1953's "From Here to Eternity," and his Grammy awards.

The priceless memorabilia will be prominently featured in the Italian restaurant which will be named Sinatra. It will be the most stunning restaurant in the country," promised Wynn.

XS Nightclub

This nightclub hosted its grand opening on New Year’s Eve 2008.  Located in the hallway that connects Wynn Tower to the new Encore Tower, XS Nightclub is quite likely the most expensive club ever built in Las Vegas. As you walk down the long corridor to get to XS, you will notice a beautiful entryway with revolving glass doors, and a stairway surrounded by silhouettes of women’s bodies pushing through a golden sheet. A huge shimmering chandelier dangles high above the dance floor with the Encore’s new European Pool as a beautiful backdrop. You are able to see the entire layout of the club at the top of the stairs before immersing yourself in decadent nightlife that only the Wynn team could provide. 

For further information on these venues or a customised proposal from USA Hosts Las Vegas please click here.

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Los Angeles - USA HOSTS/ THE EVENT TEAM

Los Angeles offers a myriad of destinations within the city for incentive groups, but a recent familiarisation of seven meeting and incentive plannes to Santa Monica proved to the group what an excellent option and refreshing alternative Santa Monica is.

Santa Monica Convention Bureau, United Airlines and The Event Team Famil

Organised by the Santa Monica Convention Bureau, United Airlines and Californian DMC, The Event Team - the group were fortunate to experience some of the experiences available for incentive clients in this "hip" and "trendy" seaside location which features sunshine over 300 days every year! 

Highlights included a harbour boat cruise at Marina del Ray, a Trapeze-school lesson on the Santa Monica Pier and a segway tour of Santa Monica, as well as several sumptuous culinary experiences at some of Santa Monica's best outdoor restaurants. 

"Refreshingly relaxed' and "very cool" were just some of the words used to describe the Santa Monica experience, and all the participants felt the destination would really suit the Australian incentive groups - with its stunning sea-side hotels and outdoor venues, the never-ending activity on the famous Santa Monica Pier, excellent "celebrity-spotting" opportunities, shopping malls (like the Downtown Third Street Mall) and the "village like" ambience of the destination!  Just 15 minutes from LAX, Santa Monica is an excellent option for a group who want the excitement of LA but the sophistication and the relaxation of a trendy seaside village.
 
For additional information or a customised program to Santa Monica or Los Angeles from The Event Team please click here.

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New Orleans - USA HOSTS

New Orleans has been named the best city to dine in the United States, taking top honors for the “Destination Restaurant” category and best in overall “Food/Dining” in Headline News and Travel + Leisure Magazine’s annual “America’s Favorite Cities” survey. New Orleans was also honored as the best place in the country for live music, and ranked second nationally for nightlife.

Basin St. Station is New Orleans’ newest and most unique function venue for events of up to 200 persons. The beautifully restored 1904 Southern Railway Building on Basin St. at the back edge of the French Quarter serves as the New Orleans Visitor Information & Cultural Center by day – and an elegant event and function venue by night. 

Educational Tour Suggestions

“Making It Right in the Lower 9”

This tour will bring guests to the area, 15 minutes from downtown New Orleans, that was completely devastated during hurricane Katrina. The “Lower 9th Ward” as it is called, was ravaged in destruction when a levee system was completely destroyed by a storm surge. Today, this area has become the focus of three different building initiatives that are all focused on building GREEN in design and to learn up close about these efforts to be a catalyst for redevelopment of the Lower 9th Ward.

Let the team at USA Hosts create a memorable program for you and your clients, ensuring you will get the best out of the destination.

For more information or a customised proposal please contact USA Hosts New Orleans by clicking here.

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New York - SHACKMAN ASSOCIATES NEW YORK

2009 has proven to be interesting thus far!  During these changing times, Shackman is offering activities to give companies the chance to give back to the communities they visit. Nothing feels better than community service!

Our most recent partnerships:

FLOWER POWER

After an event, do you wish you could take home the beautiful centerpiece back to Oz with you?  Unfortunately security won’t allow it, but why not give someone else the chance to wake up and smell the flowers! At the end of your event, your flower centerpieces will be donated to one of New York’s Nursing Homes. If you provide your address, they’ll send thank you notes, and may even become your pen pal.

SHACKMAN NEW YORK RESPONDS…

Have you ruled out New York because hotel rates were too high? Or maybe New York was at the top of your list for your next meeting – until you received a hotel quote?

If New York has only been a possibility in the past, now is the time to make it a REALITY!

New York hotels are responding to the economic climate by offering reduced rates and group packages. While pricing is dependent on the time of year, many rates are at least 20-30% lower than in recent years.   

Shackman is working with many of the local hotels to create attractive rates and custom packages that work well with the Australian Dollar.

We realise that the exchange rate is not at its best right now and in response SANY also commits to offering programs that include value-added elements as well as rates that are customised for your specific program’s needs. NEW YORK IS NOW!

For more information on what Shackman Associates New York can do for you or a customised proposal, please click here.

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Orlando - USA Hosts Florida

Orlando is the destination for the next annual National Automotive Dealer Association (NADA) convention.  This event which rotates each year to a different US destination, is always popular with Australian automotive clients. Dates are 13-16 February 2010. 

Even though the automotive industry has been hit hard by the global economic situation a program combined with this show will ensure that the program does have a viable business component and where perception is sometimes more important than the actual dollars spent – this may be a good option for a start up program in 2010.

For further information on what USA Hosts Florida can do for you or a customised proposal, please click here.

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San Francisco - USA HOSTS/ KEY EVENTS

San Francisco has long been a favourite with Australian and New Zealand groups, either as a stand alone destination or as a stop over to East Coast USA. Recently hosting a group of Australian meeting and incentive planners on an incentive familiarisation, leading DMC USA Hosts/Key Events in conjunction with the San Francisco Convention Bureau, showcased some of San Francisco's highlights including a day trip to the Napa Valley/Sanoma area, a visit to Alcatraz and some of the amazing venues and dining experiences San Francisco has to offer.
 
Always with their finger on the pulse, here are a few of San Francisco's newest options for incentive groups:
 
Soar Over the Golden Gate in Style

The newly built Zeppelin NT, a 246-foot blimp-like airship, offers aerial tours of the San Francisco Bay area.  Get ready to be taken away in this 12 passenger blimp, one of only three in the world! At 246 feet in length, the airship is 15 feet longer than a Boeing 747, and 50 feet longer than the largest blimp currently operating. The Zeppelin has a top speed of 77 mph, an average cruising speed of 35 mph, and a maximum flight range of 500 nautical miles. The Zeppelin NT’s flight capabilities are impressive, as is its ability to land, exchange passengers and take off again in under five minutes. Great for VIP groups looking for an exclusive and unique way to see San Francisco.

Venues:

Foggy Bridge Winery - Opening 2009

The first urban winery located in a U.S. national park will be a landmark destination in the historic Presidio of San Francisco. Housed just steps from the Golden Gate Bridge and overlooking San Francisco Bay, it will offer an authentic urban winery experience and serve as a gateway to Northern California wine country. Foggy Bridge will be ideal for groups of all sizes, offering a variety of tasting opportunities (special events will be fabulous as well). While the tasting room is being completed, the winery has begun to sell its wine to the public.

The newly built Zeppelin NT, a 246-foot blimp-like airship, offers aerial tours of the San Francisco Bay area.  Get ready to be taken away in this 12 passenger blimp, one of only three in the world! At 246 feet in length, the airship is 15 feet longer than a Boeing 747, and 50 feet longer than the largest blimp currently operating. The Zeppelin has a top speed of 77 mph, an average cruising speed of 35 mph, and maximum flight range of 500 nautical miles. The Zeppelin NT’s flight capabilities are impressive, as is its ability to land, exchange passengers and take off again in under five minutes. Great for VIP groups looking for an exclusive and unique way to see San Francisco.

For more information on what your group can do in San Francisco or a customised proposal, please contact   USA Hosts San Francisco by clicking here.

 

SOUTH AMERICA

  


Argentina - CITY SERVICE TRAVEL AGENCY S.A

Argentina is well known as a destination for all seasons, with great weather year round and several different climate zones from North to South across its vast country. The climate in Buenos Aires is very similar to Sydney and with direct flights now from Australia and New Zealand, Buenos Aires is a natural gateway to South America. Argentina's leading DMC, City Service are always able to recommend the best areas of Argentina according to the season, budget and the expectation of the group.  Most groups combine a program in Buenos Aires with another destination, and one of the most popular is Iguazu Falls:

Go green at Iguazú Falls:

Contribute to protecting the Giants of the Jungle. The Aripuca is a large scale model built with trunks of enormous native trees imitating a traditional trap used by the Guaraní natives to catch birds; it is located 15 km from the imposing Iguazú Falls. This trap is a metaphor on how humans are under a “trap” if we continue destroying our environment. The Iguazú Falls will not only amaze you with the natural beauty of an enormous amount of water running like a big tap but the 270 falls on the Argentine side will give you the opportunity to get closer to the environment and contribute to a very important cause.

 Argentina Responds...

With the recent global economic turmoil, the travel industry in Argentina has responded to the challenge and so to encourage more business to their part of the world everybody including CityService have reduced mark ups and also offer very attractive rates. On top of that, the local currency has dropped against the US dollar which makes Argentina a very attractive destination for Australians and New Zealanders.  

For more information on what City Service Travel Agency S.A can do for you or a customised proposal, please click here.


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Brazil - WALPAX BRAZIL TRAVEL PARTNERS


The motto for leading DMC Walpax is "your office in Brazil". Always looking for ways to make your group's experience something special, here is just one great option for an incentive group to Rio..

Jeep Tour to Corcovado and Tijuca Forest and Christ Statue

Experience Corcovado and Tijuca Forest on board a convertible jeep for an authentic Rio tour! See new sights, view birds on the road up to Corcovado, sloths nibbling the silver Embaúba leaves, and imposing trees and flowers.

A visit to the statue of Christ the Redeemer - one of the New 7 Wonders of the World is fantastic - there is no limit to as far as you can see. The Christ Statue is a work of art, sitting atop the majestic Corcovado Mountain and overlooking the city below. After the visit, enjoy a ride through a narrow forest road, entering the Tijuca National Park - the largest urban forest in the world. Driving through the forest in the middle of such a cosmopolitan city as Rio is exhilarating. A jungle trek on level ground where you can hear the birds calling closes a perfect tour and the question that remains is: Aren't Cariocas (the locals of Rio) lucky to have such a treasure in their backyard?

For more information or a customised proposal from Walpax Brazil Travel Partners, please click here.

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Costa Rica - IBEROSERVICE INCOMING SERVICES

Costa Rica has long been a favoured destination for the North American incentive market.  If you have a group looking for somewhere “new”, why not consider…

The largest tropical park in North America…

For groups that like to incorporate a ‘nature’ element to their programs, Costa Rica is an excellent choice – and include a visit to Turu Ba-Ri, the biggest tropical park in America. Located just 90 mins drive from San Jose on the way to Puntarenas, Turu Ba-Ri is a fresh destination with an unspoiled natural environment and a thoughtful commitment to sustainable tourism. With 595 acres of pure nature, you will discover the best of butterflies, exclusive botanical collections, amazing forest trails, the most exciting adventure tours, Costa Rica's cultural history, and much more…

New JW Marriott – sheer luxury

Visit the brand-new JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, offering the ultimate sumptuous Costa Rica experience and a lifetime of memories. With 310 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, including 20 Junior Suites, this Costa Rica Resort already has been labelled as one of the most exclusive and luxurious resorts in Latin America. This beautiful resort is situated on a secluded beach in a prime location along the North West coast of Costa Rica, just 29 kms from Liberia airport.

For a customised proposal or more information please contact IBEROservice Incoming Services by clicking here.

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Mexico - Tropical Incentives DMC

With offices in Los Cabos, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta – Tropical Incentives is the leading DMC for incentive and meeting groups into Mexico.  Whether its culture, adventure, pure relaxation and reward or incorporating an element of corporate social responsibility into your program – Tropical Incentives are your perfect partner in Mexico.

CANCUN

Tulum At Night

The Tulum archaeological site shines at night when the monuments are illuminated; there is no better way to experience it than on an audio guided walking tour. The INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History) has made a great effort and it shows. The 45 minute walking tour brings you all kind of emotions and takes you back in time to when the Mayan tribes lived here. The mystical splendor of the Tulum Ruins provides a perfectly paced sound and lighting show for an unforgettable experience.

Community Event – School Restoration

An exciting “Back to School Dream” building event, that gives back to kids in a meaningful and real way. With the purpose of continuing our charity programs with the Cancun Community school students, Tropical Incentives have developed several team building activities as well as “Support Programs” for students of all ages.

PUERTO VALLARTA

Cruz De Huanacaxtle Marina Pier

La Cruz Marina or Riviera Nayarit Marina is the most up to date in the bay. La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is a tranquil town north of Puerto Vallarta settled in the 1930s by the Chavez family who built a working ranch north of Banderas Bay. This is where the beautiful and peaceful La Manzanilla beach is located. Here swimmers can safely play in the shallow surf that reaches 100 feet into the sea. 

To contact Tropical Incentives DMC for more information or a customised proposal, please click here.

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Peru - COLTUR PERU

Peru is one of the most spectacular destinations in South America, and whether travelling there as the primary destination for your group, or as an extension after a program to another destination – COLTUR are the best DMC to work with for your group’s program. A boutique DMC, established for over 50 years, they are always looking at ways to enhance your group’s experience.  Here’s one example..

Pampallacta

Pampallacta is a tiny village high in the Andean mountains, where its inhabitants live, in many ways, as they have been doing for centuries.

A great alternative to the usual tour when touring Urubamba, the sacred valley of the Incas, is to stop here and provide some community service to this small town. Although donations are always welcome, the group can get involved and work in order to help the villagers.

Communities as poor and remote as Pampallacta are in dire need of things as basic as medicine and school supplies. Passengers can also get a bit more hands-on and help out by painting the classrooms, initiating the building of other communal facilities, or, if in harvest season, help out the local farmers with their crops.

To deepen the experience and provide visitors with a more profound understanding of the ancient Andean culture, the visit can end with a “pachamanca” lunch, an millenary gastronomic tradition that has deep religious roots, for both the group and the villagers, while a local Andean priest performs the “Tribute to the Mother Earth” religious ritual.

To contact COLTUR Peru for more information or a customised proposal, please click here.

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