Predicting what will be on the radar of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) planners is a far from exact science. However, some destinations seem to be defying the economic turmoil and anticipating a boom in business. William Maxwell looks at the ones to watch in 2012 and beyond
KEY OPENINGS
NATIONAL FOOTBALL MUSEUM, MANCHESTER The National Football Museum is re-opening in Manchester early this year, exhibiting a large collection of football memorabilia. The museum is expected to attract over 350,000 visitors per year – boosted as the venue takes advantage of the Olympic boom – and, with a strong commercial focus, it also aims to engage the business sector by hosting corporate events. www.nationalfootballmuseum.com
DOHA CONVENTION CENTER TOWER, QATAR The Doha Convention Center Tower, in the city centre, is scheduled to open this year. The venue, set in Doha’s Prime Business District, will provide 45,000sq m of space. Designed by architects Murphy/Jahn, famous for the Deutsche Post building in Bonn and the Sony Center in Berlin, it will be one of the largest exhibition spaces in the world. Its facilities will include 21 conference and meeting rooms, ranging in area from 30-96sq m. www.qatartourism.gov.qa
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BALTIMORE, US Located in a historic waterside setting, Harbor East, the Four Seasons Baltimore opened in December 2011 in anticipation of a boost in demand for the US city. The 256-room hotel features a wide lobby and grand staircase, lit by hand-blown Murano glass fixtures. A restaurant – Wit & Wisdom, a Tavern by Michael Mina – is set to attract attention, and there is some 1,700sq m of event space, including a 483sq m grand ballroom feature, alongside 10 smaller meeting rooms and an executive boardroom. www.fourseasons.com
VIRTUAL MEETINGS 104
AS WELL AS EMERGING DESTINATIONS, MICE planners are increasingly looking at virtual meetings that, due to a worsening economic outlook and increased environmental scrutiny, many in the industry predict will enjoy a boom. Greg Webb, president of Sabre Travel
Network, says technology is now at a point where virtual meetings can be seamless. “Advancements in technology
have changed the way we run our businesses and the manner in which employees communicate and collaborate with each other and their customers,”
he says. “Making telepresence scheduling as simple as booking airline travel means companies can form closer relationships with customers, enhance internal collaboration and increase productivity.” Meanwhile, HP (Hewlett- Packard) is also predicting
that hybrid events will become standard in 2012. Its events manager for western Europe, Jane Culcheth-Beard, says: “While virtual events are popular and suitable for certain market sectors, people now expect hybrid elements.”