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May, 2005
- YIASOU (HELLO)! I have just returned
from a planning meeting in Greece and am very excited about sharing some
exciting plans with you for our "Unconference".
At the ancient site of Delphi, where the Greeks once consulted the Oracle
about the future, there's a small round sculpture. It's known as the
omphalos -- the cosmic belly button. The Greeks believed that Delphi was the
very center of the world -- the place where everything came into being.
Indeed, many aspects of Western culture came into being in Greece -- drama,
art, philosophy and science.
Well - there are a few things we would like to change in the meetings and
travel world, a couple of projects we would like to start - and Greece seems
to be the right venue for putting these into being.
What do meeting and travel planners want? Below, I have excerpted ideas/
comments/suggestions from members and colleagues. I am also including a link
to Insights on Successful Event Planning from 65 meeting planners.
BUT FIRST, ABOUT THE DESTINATION:
ATHENS - It's a heady feeling to walk on stones that may have
been trod upon by Plato, Homer or Agamemnon. Centuries of art and history to
invigorate your mind. Beauty to soothe your soul. For most visitors the
highlight of a visit to Athens is the stunning vestiges of the ancient,
classical Greek city, most famously represented by the Acropolis and its
surrounding archeological sites.
The Greeks are lively, warm, welcoming people. Eating out is a national
pastime and whether your choice is a local taverna or elegant restaurant,
meals are enjoyed as a pleasurable pursuit. I dined in an authentic olive
garden overlooking the Parthenon; watched the Temple of Zeus all aglow on a
moonlit night from a gourmet restaurant atop the Park Hotel; at the Plaka
amidst an intriguing array of little museums and T-shirt shops; on a beach
at the Rithymna Resort while the glittering Mediterranean sea shone like
diamonds, under an olive tree beside a private pool at the Elounda
Peninsula, in the Agreco farm where everything served were grown right
around where I sat. Every meal was a spiritual experience. Sure - there are
Greek restaurants everywhere. But trust me, they are not the same.
THE NEW OLYMPIC STADIUM is very
impressive. The structure and colors that compose the so-called "Look of the
Games", create an electric atmosphere. It leaves no doubt in the mind of
visitors that this is a place befitting Champions.
If you are an awardee, picture yourself in this magnificent venue for a once
in a lifetime experience. This is where we will present awards to recipients
of the Asian Academy Hall of Fame, CPPM, CGMP and CIMP, CIMPA Honors and
Athena Awards. For information: www.cimpa.org/awards2005.htm and
www.asianleaders.org/awards.htm
CRUISE - I arranged a cruise of the Greek islands because it is
the quickest way to sample the beauty and diversity of this stunning
country. Modern Greece is extraordinarily diverse. Romans, Arabs, Latin
Crusaders, Venetians, Slavs, Albanians, Turks, Italians, the Byzantine
Empire have all left their mark. You will see these influences as you visit
Mykonos, Santorini, Patmos and of course, Crete.
Athens was lively, vibrant and fast-paced. After a hectic 3-day round of
meetings and site inspection, I was exhausted. Landing on the island of
Crete was like a breath of fresh air.
CRETE
The drive from the airport to the Grecotel Rithymna Beach Resort was
breathtaking. With the magnificent White Mountains on one side and the
sparkling Mediterranean sea on the other; it looked like a greener, less
crowded Monaco. Olive trees and wildflowers were everywhere. Later, I would
find intriguing caves, resonant gorges and small villages. Per square mile,
Crete must be one of the most "loaded" places in the world -- loaded, that
is, in the diversity of history, archaeological sites, natural attractions,
tourist amenities, and more. In a world where increasing numbers of
travelers have "been there, done that," Crete remains an endlessly
fascinating destination.
Brilliant sun and gentle breeze - even in November. Pictures do not do it
justice. You just have to be there to experience this stunning island, its
warm, passionate people and the incredible cuisine. You do not want to miss
this conference.
HERAKLION - is the main city on the
island and this is where your cruise ship will dock in the morning of
November 10. This is also where one of the 2 airports is located. If you are
flying in or coming in by ferry (fast and comfortable), I suggest that you
arrive by 10:00 AM on November 10 so that you can join the tour of Heraklion
including Knossos and the Minoan museum.
Heraklion is busy, bustling and full of hotels, fast food outlets, shops and
traffic. The city's pride and joy is its archaeological museum, which
contains the world's most comprehensive collection of artefacts from the
lost Minoan civilization. Not to be missed is the Minoan palace at Knossos.
THE CONFERENCE VENUE
Rethymnon, about 60 kms from Heraklion, is the city where the Rithymna Beach
Resort is located. The Venetians fortified a hill known as plaeokasteli (old
castle) with the idea that the entire town could hide in the castle if need
be. This is where the welcome reception for the conference will take place.
After a meeting with the Governor, I went shopping at the Old Town. There
are rows upon rows of little shops with wonderful goodies at very reasonable
prices and they are open until the wee hours of the morning - just like the
night markets in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
The Rithymna Beach Resort, flagship of Grecotel, a Greek hotel chain, is a
beautiful Cretan village - style resort hotel.
A miniature village on the longest beach of Crete.... Enveloped in vast
gardens, alive with color and dotted with olive trees. (For those seeking
the Fountain of Youth, this is also where you can get hard to find "Keep me
Young skin products" made from olive and avocado oil)
The Rithymna Beach has all the hallmarks of a beautiful Cretan village -
from the chapel of St. John to a real olive oil press. There is no doubt
this is the perfect venue for what we want to do.
WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO? We asked members and colleagues. (Thanks to all those
who took the time to respond. Your help is much appreciated).
"I would want the meeting to be highly productive and targeted, yet also
include time for "fun" and networking".
"I want to have more time with people in whose business I am interested".
"I am tired of trying to catch people I want to talk to on the fly. Is there
a way to have either small group or one on one appointments with people of
the same interest?"
"I have attended hundreds of industry meetings. Most of them are boring. I
don't know how those speakers get selected. But many of them do not talk
about topics relevant to me".
"Down with powerpoint presentations. Sometimes I feel they are used as a
crutch by people who do not know what they are talking about."
"I'd want to hear from people in the trenches who know how to get things
done and develop long-term contacts for when and if I would be traveling to
their country".
"You are right, Andrea. I have never been able to ask a question in the
hundreds of meetings I have attended. I always wanted to - but either there
was no time or the big group made me nervous. I always thought the better
part of valor is to shut up.. It would be great to have what you call
conversations".
"I would attend a conference focusing on international meetings with
sessions for various regions of the world, sub-dividing tracks for profits
vs. non-profits, and then have talks within the tracks on specific
subjects".
"Why would I attend? As the Director of Meetings, I'd like to be prepared
with at least some working knowledge of how to conduct a meeting outside US
borders".
"I would like to see more international collaborations"
"To familiarize myself with - international meeting venues and
opportunities. How to plan a convention in other countries; what are local
resources, government assistance and/or interference potential, how is
business "done"? What is accepted practice?
"I would like to hear about experiences of other US attendees that have held
meetings in various countries".
"Let's be honest. We attend international meetings to see and enjoy the
country. What's wrong with that? Of course, we want to do business as well.
Making new friends is a good start - isn't it?"
"Why do we separate meetings from tourism? Meetings involve tourism and
tourism is not right unless you meet with people - wouldn't you say? You
don't travel without meeting with people formally or informally".
"Hey - I can get any information I want on the internet. But can I sit on
the beach on the internet? Can I sit on the beach with a potential client
asking for his/her business? That's almost too good to be true".
"I think informal meetings are better than formal meetings. But in most
cases, we don't know the people enough to arrange informal meetings. You are
on the right track, Andrea."
"Most meetings are over-scheduled. I want more free time to enjoy the
destination. Preferably with a potential client/partner".
"Let's face it - most of us do not know most countries or anyone from any
other country other than the good old USA. If you can arrange for me to talk
with someone from Maldives, Malaysia, Italy or Ireland in Greece - I'll be
there."
"Networking. I want to connect with people with whom I can do business".
"Frankly, I would rather attend a conference overseas than in my country.
Meeting new people, seeing new places make me feel like a different person.
Away from my day to day job, I gain new perspectives and I return refreshed
- imbued with new ideas".
"I love those motivational speakers you have on your program. Don't take
them out. The industry speakers? Hide the powerpoint :-) I am sure they will
be best in either one on one or small group sessions. Their knowledge and
experience are valuable."
WE ARE LISTENING. Please continue to
send us your thoughts and ideas.
Meanwhile, here's how we envision the conference:
We will have interesting educational and motivational topics delivered by
experts - but only during the breakfast, luncheon and dinner seminars. The
rest of the time, we will have "conversations" about things that keep us
awake at night with peers, mentors, suppliers or experts who are interested
in similar issues. Collaborate and strategize. Or just talk it out and
clarify your thinking. The conference venue is organized like a mini -
village. You might do it in one of the verandas, the pool, the beach, the
church, the farm.
The sound of the surf in the background and a gentle breeze blowing in your
hair should melt stress away, free you from the constraints of "accepted
best practices" and allow creative energy to flow for more productive
strategizing and collaborating.
OK - there may be conversations on "blogging", "podcasting" , "audio on the
internet", "online marketing" where you will need to use a computer. No - we
can't provide one on the beach or the pool - only at the computer room.
I, myself, have a couple of projects in the works and would want to have a
conversation with some people.
Forget "accepted best practices". What is best is what works for you.
Standardization? The reason why this industry is so exciting is because it
is NOT standardized. Every experience is different. Whatever method can
produce that experience is what we should do. But yes - let us share ideas
and experiences.
As soon as you register, we will pair you up with people who have similar
interests or people who are interested in what you do. If you have a
specific person in mind, let us know and we will invite this person.
Together, you will exchange information, ideas, resources and discuss
possible solutions to issues that keep you awake at night. You might even
make a lifelong friend in the process. See http://www.cimpa.org/conversations.htm
For your companions, we are scheduling cooking classes, familiarizing them
with the yummmmy, healthy Mediterranean diet as well as shopping and
sightseeing tours. Of course there is a lot to do in this little village and
nearby Old Town.
Best of all- no need for ties or high heels - unless you're attending the
Awards Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Athens. This is all casual. No
need to impress anyone.
You have gone this far - so, if you're not going on to WTM in London, why
not stay for the post conference tours? There's a tour of Athens, Classical
Tour, Rome, Cairo, Nile Cruise or Cyprus. Info at www.cimpa.org/tours.htm .
Remember - Early Bird Registration ends June 15.-
- To register:
http://www.cimpa.org/register_print.htm
For updated information, please visit us often at
http://www.cimpa.org/itmic2005.htm
To share your ideas, please go to
http://www.cimpa.org/design.htm
We invite you to submit your application for Asian Academy Hall of Fame,
CIMPA HONORS and Athena Awards. Please go to http://www.cimpa.org/awards2005.htm
or
www.asianleaders.org/awards.htm
If you start your certification process now, you will complete it in time
for the Awards Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Athens on November 6. Info
at www.cimpa.org/certify.htm
Sign up for gold membership and get discounted conference registration.
www.cimpa.org/gold.htm
If you want to join the Planning Group for the Helping Hands Mission to Asia
on July 30-August 14, please email me.
With every issue of the newsletter, we are including either a White Paper,
Tips & Strategies or links to useful articles. We have seen hundreds of
downloads from previous newsletters - so we will continue doing this.
Here is the link to "Borrowed Wisdom - 65 Insights on Successful Event
Planning from Successful Event Planners" compiled by Shawn Ellis, President
of the Speakers Group. http://www.thespeakersgroup.com/pdf/borrowedwisdom-v1.pdf
See you in Greece.
All the best,
Andrea Sigler, PhD
and the CIMPA / ALA Team
_______________________
Please visit us at our talking websites:
http://www.cimpa.org
http://www.asianleaders.org
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