BI WORLDWIDE - Engage your World. Improve your Business

BI WORLDWIDE Accredited to ISO27001: Safe and Secure

Mon 20 May 2013 16:27 GMT

The amount of stored information in the world today is enormous, and rates of growth are predicted to accelerate. One estimate is a doubling every two years, and there is now so much data in existence that the term ‘big data’ is commonplace.

Learning at Work Week

Fri 17 May 2013 14:46 GMT

The UK holds a national Learning at Work Day each May and every year BI WORLDWIDE takes part by dedicating a week to increasing associates’ knowledge and allowing them to learn more about the areas of the business, their colleagues and themselves.

Tales of the Unexpected

Tue 14 May 2013 09:24 GMT

The term ‘expect the unexpected’ has been around since the days of the Greek philosophers. But for the professional event organiser the ideal is to remove any probability for anything unexpected and ensure the event is the best ever. But events involve the real world, people, places and possibilities. So what happens when the real world becomes unreal? Here we find out about one very improbable set of circumstances.

COMPETITION: Four Seasons Hampshire

Thu 9 May 2013 16:25 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE is delighted to be a Four Seasons Strategic Group Partner. To celebrate this we have a cracking competition. Last month we featured the gorgeous east coast of Scotland and this month we head south to the tranquility and splendour that is the glorious Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire.

Lapland without Santa?

Thu 9 May 2013 11:09 GMT

Sometimes things are not as they seem. How about Lapland once Santa has packed up and gone? Rachel from our Design Team had the chance to assess first-hand what northern Finland can offer incentive travel groups and what effect any stereotype - Santa, sleighs (even motorised ones), reindeer and snow – has on its attraction?

Shifting Air Patterns Drive Change in Incentive Travel Climate

Thu 9 May 2013 09:36 GMT

The winds of change in the aviation market have been blowing for a long time and have gradually changed the climate for incentive travel. The recent announcement that Dubai International is now the world’s second busiest international airport, and will overtake Heathrow by 2015, is a significant shift away from the old order and will have equally significant implications for the longer-term evolution of the incentive travel market.

CLOSED Competition: Fairmont St Andrews

Fri 5 Apr 2013 09:46 GMT

Does St Andrews, the Home of Golf need any introduction? We were delighted when the team at St Andrews agreed to provide a fabulous two-night stay as a competition prize.

Never Knowingly Under...

Thu 4 Apr 2013 15:27 GMT

Our annual Partners in Success event was held recently and it is a time when we recognise excellence in performance and relationship from our global network of event partners, but also internally to remind ourselves why working with partners is critical to delivering fantastic client events.

Partners in Success 2013

Thu 4 Apr 2013 12:54 GMT

Over a hundred people gathered at the Bvlgari Hotel in London for our annual Partners in Success event. This unique event is where we recognise excellence among our community of event partners. As a marketer, this was my first experience of Partners in Success, and I attended under the guise of ‘social media manager’ for the night, in charge of tweeting the happenings of the evening, live from the event.

Incentive Travel - Big In Alberta

Thu 4 Apr 2013 12:48 GMT

One thing we love about Canada is it’s big! Big on contrasts, surprises, scenery and hospitality. And lesser known Alberta is potentially the biggest of the lot when it comes to delivering a big, ‘wow’ laden experience for incentive travel groups!

More Than Giving Something Back

Thu 28 Feb 2013 13:52 GMT

Corporate social responsibility and incentive travel can be viewed as mutually exclusive so can it be the case that it is possible to deliver knockout delegate experiences and do more than pay just lip service to CSR?

My Look 'Inside Claridge's'

Thu 28 Feb 2013 11:54 GMT

For three weeks in November 2012, BBC2 at 9pm had my full and undivided attention. Inside Claridge’s was a fascinating programme showcasing the inner workings of this very British institution, and it became my guilty pleasure to settle down with a cup of tea and watch Thomas Koch and his team.

CLOSED: Competition: Celebrating our Partners...

Thu 28 Feb 2013 11:49 GMT

Our suppliers and partners mean a lot to us, so much so that we host an annual event purely to celebrate their success! On top of this, we like to feature one or more of them in our blog or newsletter each month to provide an insight into the properties and what they have to offer.

Space Hopping for Grown Ups

Fri 1 Feb 2013 10:28 GMT

At the turn of the year our Events Design team were asked for some quick fire suggestions for destinations we’d love to pitch in 2013, and ones that could be a reality should a client have the will and resources to make it happen. My suggestion was out of this world, literally. A trip to the edge of space.

CLOSED: Competition: For Your Eyes Only...

Thu 31 Jan 2013 14:05 GMT

Winner of the BI WORLDWIDE hotel lobby Christmas competition, St. Ermin’s Hotel is the epitome of a hidden gem. Tucked away in the hidden heart of London its location, history (not to mention central role in historic events), style and bees(!) combine to give the hotel a uniquely genuine, discrete and intriguing character. No wonder it is described as “distinctively individual”.

Christmas Tree Competition Winner

Thu 31 Jan 2013 13:48 GMT

In the run up to Christmas we ran an informal competition for our hotel partners the world over to submit a picture of their lobbies and their festive tree. Entries came from the Far East, Europe, the Americas, India and the UK. The hotel that entered into the spirit and was voted the winner is...

BI WORLDWIDE Predicts 13 per cent Growth for 2013 After Positive 2012

Thu 31 Jan 2013 09:27 GMT

We're delighted to be able to confirm that for a second consecutive year, our filed accounts confirm a year of positive results. Improvements were made across all areas of the business – employee engagement programmes, sales incentives, and events, which have all played their part in achieving this excellent result!

Hidden Gems

Wed 30 Jan 2013 10:14 GMT

Designing an event for clients who want something more exquisite, less traditional and highly personal is one of the most challenging areas of event design. This is mainly due to the incredibly wide choice of options that open up to you, especially when budgets are not the primary consideration for the event.

1,000 Years in the Making

Tue 29 Jan 2013 11:52 GMT

A flight from Gatwick to Italy on a grey Saturday winter’s morning was not something to look forward to when the alarm clock was set for 5.00 am, the previous working week had been long, and the 12.5 tog duvet seemed particularly heavy, but I was off to take a whirlwind look at the Castello di Casole.

Hotels' Lobby Trees for Christmas

Thu 13 Dec 2012 15:39 GMT

We were in a meeting the other day, and one of the team just happened to mention she was "stunned" by a Christmas tree in the lobby of a hotel she had visited. And that got us thinking …

Detroit As An Incentive Destination?

Thu 13 Dec 2012 09:29 GMT

Decay, economic tumbleweed, living on past glories and bleak are adjectives often used when talking about Detroit, Michigan. So where better to include on a business incentive travel trip!

Looking Ahead - What's Here Next Year?

Wed 12 Dec 2012 14:47 GMT

2012 is coming to a close and we thought it was worth looking onward to 2013 now we’re sure the world isn’t ending this year, which we’re all very grateful of I’m sure! So here goes, our look at what’s going on here at BI WORLDWIDE and view of destinations, aviation, and the whole industry in general.

Dancing to a New Incentive Travel Tune?

Wed 12 Dec 2012 10:17 GMT

The perpetual challenge for the incentive travel designer is resolving the conflicting demands of new and accessible, and managing to deliver great experiences within the budgets allowed. This is amplified when a client is extremely well travelled, is Five Star Plus and has traversed the globe many times. Time to think different…

Sri Lanka's On the Radar

Thu 15 Nov 2012 11:30 GMT

With the first direct flights from Gatwick to Colombo already on sale, I reflect on Sri Lanka as a corporate and luxury travel destination.

Why is the Wow Factor So Important?

Wed 31 Oct 2012 10:59 GMT

Incentive travel is all about the ‘wow factor’. The world is getting smaller and people are becoming more well-travelled, especially those who work in global businesses, so this means that incentive event boundaries need to be pushed to provide a money-can’t-buy adventure which will motivate people to strive to earn a place. In addition, the experience must also create a lasting memory for those delegates involved and create a legend in company culture to motivate for the year after the event has taken place.

What Gets You Going?

Wed 31 Oct 2012 10:30 GMT

It’s always difficult to please everyone, especially when it comes to incentive travel and events. The audience might have a range of different ages and preferences, and what might seem like a once in a life time experience for one delegate, could be a nightmare for another. When I did an American 'road trip' earlier this month to gain more insight on long haul destinations I really appreciated the variety three cities in particular offered.

BI WORLDWIDE Extends Global Service Capability

Fri 26 Oct 2012 11:54 GMT

We are very excited to annouce that our ability to service the global events, employee engagement and incentive market is strengthened with the addition of BI WORLDWIDE Latin America to our network of regional headquarters.

Trends from Friends at Fairmont

Fri 19 Oct 2012 14:51 GMT

This week I attended the Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel) Customer Advisory Board meeting at the Mayakoba Resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico. It was a really productive meeting, and I wanted to share some thoughts and ideas that came out of it.

Boules La La

Tue 9 Oct 2012 12:19 GMT

Last weekend four members of the BI WORLDWIDE events team were transformed into boules players for the grand finale of a boules competition in Monte Carlo where events companies battled their boules off to win the big prize!

BI WORLDWIDE Delivers Record Profits

Fri 5 Oct 2012 16:05 GMT

We’re pleased to announce that for a second year running, we have closed our financial year with pre-audited results showing business improvement. Key performance indicators showed improvement in all major operating areas – events, sales incentives and employee engagement programmes.

BI WORLDWIDE Increases Resource in Events

Fri 5 Oct 2012 15:40 GMT

We like to keep you in the loop when important or exciting things happen within the UK offices at BI WORLDWIDE, and this month we are focussing on the Events Department. In recent months they’ve increased their head count by five, to meet the needs of the ever growing list of projects we are managing.

BI WORLDWIDE Hires a New Managing Director in Australia

Fri 5 Oct 2012 15:33 GMT

As part of the investment into our global reach and cababilites, BI WORLDWIDE announced Andrew McMeekin as the Managing Director of its Australia offices. McMeekin comes to BI WORLDWIDE with over 25 years in marketing and communications expertise from both advertising agencies and corporate businesses.

Recognised for Recognition

Thu 4 Oct 2012 15:27 GMT

Sometimes it's ok to blow your own trumpet, especially when the accolade comes from your customers and clients. So, we're delighted that BI WORLDWIDE has been named as Top Recognition Provider in the US by HRO Today in their Baker's Dozen Customer Satisfaction survey.

BI WORLDWIDE Introduces Breakfast For Associates

Wed 3 Oct 2012 10:49 GMT

It’s often called the most important meal of the day, but often breakfast time can be the most frantic of times in many homes. That rush around each morning to get out of the house on time, sort the kids out, get to work, find the car keys, purse/wallet, phones, etc. can mean we don’t always give breakfast the priority it deserves.

Breakfast at Tiffany's?

Fri 21 Sep 2012 12:42 GMT

Welcoming some US associates into the office this week we got onto the subject of breakfast. The world can feel quite small to a company operating in Australia, Canada, China, Germany, India, the UK, and the US: we share a corporate culture after all. But what does the difference in our early-morning food cultures really represent? Here’s where the humble poached egg, or waffles, took us!

The Irrationality of Rational Thinking

Thu 20 Sep 2012 16:00 GMT

Don’t we just love a conundrum? Even though the world of work is a place where rational thinking, solutions and objectivity rules, it is also a place of riddles, paradoxes and immense subjectivity.

All up in the Luft

Thu 13 Sep 2012 17:05 GMT

On a recent incentive travel event we organised in Japan, the best flight solution involved routing all attendees through Germany with Lufthansa. The Lufthansa Meet and Greet service proved invaluable in the smooth transfer of attendees between flights, and needless to say, the logistics were flawless.

Spitbank Fort

Thu 13 Sep 2012 11:02 GMT

Spitbank Fort – not the most appealing of names, but one incredible piece of British history, and one that has entered our list of ‘must visit’ hotels. David, our Director of Events, recently went and has provided us with an insight into this fascinating place.

Utrecht City – the real Diagon Alley?

Thu 6 Sep 2012 11:55 GMT

We like to offer something a bit different here at BI WORLDWIDE, and on our list this month is Utrecht, in the Netherlands. When we ran an event there for one of our clients earlier this year, we were struck by the stark contrast between the city's approaches and the heart of it...

Hotel Marmite?

Mon 3 Sep 2012 15:50 GMT

The arrival of the Bvlgari in the heart of London’s fashionable Knightsbridge has certainly made an impact, courting new markets and controversy within weeks of its opening. Maybe it’s about positioning, maybe it’s simply about making a statement? Since visiting I’m clear about one thing – everyone will have an opinion, and a polarised one at that. Like Marmite, you either love it or hate it.

Getting All Emotional

Fri 31 Aug 2012 11:51 GMT

Do we consider the delegate as much as we should?

Having enjoyed the roller coaster of emotions the Olympic opening ceremony served up, I recalled a pitch delivery some years ago when, for the first time, I was presented with the ‘emotional journey’ of a conference. How the three day conference, culminating in a product launch, would unfurl, and the many emotions attendees would experience along the way.

Japan in Full Bloom

Thu 5 Jul 2012 14:34 GMT

Japan has all the elements for stunning incentive and group travel experiences, yet rarely features at the top of the ‘must visit’ list. Whilst distance is a factor, access is superb, and whilst the culture is unique, is it too different, too eclectic, and too challenging?

Incentive Fact One

Thu 5 Jul 2012 14:18 GMT

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Cliveden House

Wed 4 Jul 2012 15:15 GMT

We hope our features are getting you excited about the endless possibilities of incentive travel, but how about an incentive to get you excited about what the English countryside has to offer?

Non-Identical Twins

Tue 3 Jul 2012 12:12 GMT

Twin centre destinations? They have been a feature of the incentive travel market for ever it seems, but often can be overlooked in the pursuit of the elusive singular ‘wow’ factor. However, twin centre events have unique merits and can be a heady mix of experiences, imprinting lasting memories on those attending. They are the ‘holistic’ option of the incentive travel market.

Greece - An Odyssey in the Making?

Tue 12 Jun 2012 10:30 GMT

Greece continues to be the focus of economic concern, and arguably not without good reason. However, with economic uncertainty increasingly creeping through the Eurozone, how has the situation in Greece changed in the last few months and what can corporate event organisers learn as the pressure comes to bear on other struggling Euro economies?

Libby Achieves Celebrity Status with C&IT Magazine

Fri 8 Jun 2012 16:50 GMT

After 11 years working on the delivery and project management side of things Libby joined BI WORLDWIDE 18 months ago to work as a Design Manager. She has worked on various projects, including incentive travel, conferences and press launches.

Putting Your Finger on Employee Engagement

Fri 18 May 2012 16:45 GMT

The benefits a more highly engaged employee workforce delivers for an organisation is common knowledge these days and part of the general language of business. More and more companies proudly publish their increased engagement survey results and the good work they are doing around getting their employees more engaged. But here’s an interesting anomaly – 90% of business leaders acknowledge the importance of engagement and its impact on business success, yet 75% have no plan or strategy to do anything about it...

Employee Engagement - On the Right Track?

Fri 4 May 2012 13:06 GMT

A Tweet appeared the other day from a rail company proudly proclaiming a steady rise in their employee engagement score, but no mention of any consequence of this. Are customers getting a better experience, has their satisfaction risen, are trains more full, more often and with more delighted customers, are trains more reliable?

A Real Oasis?

Tue 24 Apr 2012 12:59 GMT

Having not been to Dubai for twelve years, the opportunity to revisit and head to Abu Dhabi for a direct comparison was too good for Rhian in the BI WORLDWIDE Events design team to miss. Here's her report...

Hong Kong - I'm Back, Is It?

Fri 20 Apr 2012 11:42 GMT

Libby’s returned from her catch up with Hong Kong and first visit to Macau. Here's what she found ...

21st Century Hong Kong

Tue 3 Apr 2012 14:57 GMT

During our time revisiting Hong Kong we came across a lot of information regarding development in the first decade and a bit since the Chinese took over the territory and how it compares to the explosive growth experienced in mainland China.

Part of History in the Making

Fri 23 Mar 2012 12:00 GMT

Having departed Mandalay in the early morning we were amazed to see that we had a convoy travelling with us to the airport. This was the morning of ‘The Lady’s’ arrival at the airport and we were part of the welcoming party, without realising it!

The Facts of Business Life

Fri 23 Mar 2012 10:04 GMT

What makes business better? At BI WORLDWIDE we're obsessed with this topic - why do some people strive to achieve more than others? Why do businesses spend billions on incentives, yet not get the returns they could? ...

A Despatch from Burma

Mon 12 Mar 2012 15:26 GMT

Having arrived in Burma, it took a while for Georgie to get an internet connection. Here's the first, and likely to be the last, update given the apparent speed and difficulty...

Partners in Success 2012 - Where We Recognise Excellence

Fri 9 Mar 2012 11:15 GMT

Over a hundred people gathered at the Glaziers Hall in London for our annual Partners in Success event. This unique event is where we recognise excellence among our community of event partners...

A Greek Tragedy?

Thu 1 Mar 2012 16:44 GMT

Do we have the makings of a Greek tragedy? Here we have a popular and unique destination that runs through all the considerations that we face as corporate event planners…

Lessons from Fukushima?

Tue 28 Feb 2012 11:25 GMT

There are rare moments when real world events illustrate perfectly the elements that underpin how we perform as people and how we apply that in business. This morning was one of those moments, a single radio report..

Events Business Shows Strong Growth

Mon 27 Feb 2012 12:00 GMT

We’ve seen a great start to this financial year in terms of our events business and, now we’re over half way through, we thought it was time to have a look back over the first two quarters and report on its success.

Hong Kong Revisited, Macau Visited

Mon 27 Feb 2012 11:06 GMT

I absolutely love Hong Kong, so when the opportunity to revisit Hong Kong came along I jumped at the chance. I have not operated there for more than five years, so a catch up is long overdue...

A View of Burma inside Myanmar

Thu 23 Feb 2012 10:53 GMT

Georgie is setting off on her travels again and this time she is heading to one of her favourite parts of the world - the East. Her destination is Burma (or Myanmar), a country currently undergoing transition and change.

WIN a Visit to Vibrant Vancouver

Thu 26 Jan 2012 13:18 GMT

Win a fantastic, three night stay in fabulous Vancouver...

Canada – Seven Reasons Why Vancouver is a “must go”

Thu 19 Jan 2012 11:31 GMT

The country is beginning to get Olympic fever and for the events world, ‘legacy’ will be the watchword in the coming months and years. But, what of other venues that have benefited from the Olympic effect? Vancouver is one of our favourite destinations and here’s an update following a recent event there...

Don't 'Dis' the Disengaged

Thu 12 Jan 2012 13:21 GMT

How often are engagement and incentive programmes run that primarily address the top and mid performers?

How many times is the basis of a corporate engagement strategy “one size fits all”?

A lot of time and money spent improving sales and customer service is focused on employees who are deemed “engaged”. Those sitting outside this definition will no doubt attract the label of ‘poor performers’, ‘laggards’, ‘disinterested’ and be viewed as a “cost”.

Ever Been Poken Down Under?

Tue 20 Dec 2011 15:58 GMT

On a recent fam trip something rather unexpected and innovative happened. At Dreamtime 2011 in Australia, we were all given a Poken to share our information with the suppliers we were meeting. With an accepting grace I went with the flow, not being too clear what I had in my hand. I now Poken, do you? ...

Festive Feelings Matter

Mon 19 Dec 2011 11:08 GMT

The atmosphere in our office is building as we approach our Christmas party. It is quite amazing the effect it seems to have had on everyone which is why it is surprising for us to hear how so many companies have been scrapping their Christmas parties this year; we know that times are tough and 2012 looks set to be another challenging year but Christmas provides the perfect opportunity to reward, recognise and motivate...

Must Do, Must See - My Bucket List

Fri 9 Dec 2011 14:05 GMT

The subject of bucket lists came up in conversation in the office the other day. This was a term I was not altogether acquainted with but I now know to be the list of things you would like to achieve before you, well, kick the bucket.This is not meant to be morbid, but it did get us thinking!...

Best Results in a Decade

Thu 8 Dec 2011 09:18 GMT

At times it's nice to bathe in the warm glow of good news and be a little self-indulgent. So, we're delighted that the dedication of our associates, the trust of our clients and our pursuit of delivering measureable business results for them, has resulted in our best set of results for a decade...

C&IT Awards

Fri 18 Nov 2011 14:41 GMT

C&IT hosted their first ever Excellence Awards at the beginning of November and although we didn't submit any events for awards, we still played a key role in the proceedings.

More Nice in Nice! Plus Agadir A-Go-Go?

Thu 21 Jul 2011 15:46 GMT

New BMI flights to Nice provide for more flexible group opportunities—and will a new route to Agadir put the south Moroccan coast on the group agenda? ...

WIN a Weekend Break at the Luxurious Syon Park

Tue 3 May 2011 16:40 GMT

There are lots of reasons to visit London - look how many people turned out for the Royal Wedding. Well, this month we’re giving you one more.

The recently opened London Syon Park, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, brings a contemporary addition to a very traditional site.

Nestled within the two hundred acre Syon House estate, the country home of the Duke of Northumberland for over 400 years, the hotel brings contemporary luxury to its guests...

We All Love to Be Loved

Tue 3 May 2011 12:03 GMT

Employee recognition programmes are key to engagement and motivation. In fact, a well developed programme, with the correct communications to support it, will help employees feel valued by the business, improving productivity and reducing attrition – implementing one is a no brainer surely?

But what constitutes a good employee reward programme? How do you engage employees and, more importantly, keep them engaged with the scheme…

Get Ready to Rio!

Wed 20 Apr 2011 16:32 GMT

With confidence returning to the incentive events market, it’s pleasing to see airlines increasing their capacity on long-haul options.

So often, lack, or complexity, of accessibility make long-haul options a logistical challenge with indirect, infrequent flights resulting in more time spent travelling than enjoying the destination itself. So when we heard that BA was increasing, nay doubling, its weekly flights to Rio de Janeiro, we sat up and took notice. There will now be six flights from Heathrow instead of the original three...

We Believe in Performance Improvement

Tue 12 Apr 2011 13:30 GMT

As a business that preaches performance improvement, BI WORLDWIDE also practices it. We are proud to be working with clients to help improve their businesses, but we know that we're only as good as the last project - whether a full performance improvement programme, reward and recognition scheme, or a product launch, conference or incentive travel event. To keep us on our toes we ask all we pitch to and work with what they think...

Aviation Expert in the C&IT A List

Thu 31 Mar 2011 15:12 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE's resident aviation expert, Chris Townsend, attended C&IT's A List event yesterday at Kensington Roof Gardens. The A Listers, described by C&IT as the events industry's leaders in waiting' is a group of events industry professional under the age of 35 who have already made a significant impact.

Chris was selected from a number of candidates within BI WORLDWIDE's events team as this year's A Lister. "Chris was chosen for his constant dedication. He continuously keeps his eye on the ball for complex events, has an awareness of costs and leverage best fares for our clients," explains BI WORLDWIDE's special events director, Mark Taylor .......

WIN a Two Night Stay at the Stunning Banyan Tree Al Wadi

Mon 21 Mar 2011 15:12 GMT

This month's prize is extra special, and one we think you will love. It might be a little further from home, but we guarantee it will be worth the trip. We're really excited about the Banyan Tree Al Wadi resort, and its one that should most certainly be on your list if you're looking at destinations in the Dubai region.

Read the full story to enter!

Measuring Up for Event Success

Wed 16 Mar 2011 12:19 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE's mission is to produce measurable business results. A pharma client's conference demanded a great event solution and needed to demonstrate true ROI. But what of the event from a measurement perspective and what were the key research elements that ensured the event was a positive success for the delegates and the client business......?

Shanghai Stories - Made in China

Wed 9 Mar 2011 17:20 GMT

Made in China - now resonates the world over and since opening its doors to the world, China and its economic revolution has been truly startling.

Whilst the 'Made' bit is very familiar, what of the 'in China' part, and what exactly does China offer the meetings and incentive marketplace? As a destination China has been relatively ignored (Hong Kong and perhaps Beijing aside) and group traffic from the UK remains low.

BI WORLDWIDE On Track For Profit Growth

Mon 7 Mar 2011 11:42 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE's half year figures (1 July – 31 December 2010) show profits have risen through client growth and that it's on track to achieve its target PBT of £400k this year.

BI WORLDWIDE Strengthens Global Supplier Relations

Fri 4 Mar 2011 10:55 GMT

In February this year we hosted our annual, and much anticipated, 'Partners in Success' event at the fabulous Primo Bar at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London.

The evening reception is held to recognise and thank BI WORLDWIDE's network of events partners who have worked with us over the past year and helped us deliver exceptional events for our clients - it's a fabulous opportunity for us to show our appreciation to our suppliers.

Cancun Can - & More So

Thu 3 Feb 2011 16:53 GMT

Sometimes it's easy to overlook some incentive travel destinations and perhaps Mexico is one of those at the moment. However, there are now some very good reasons why it, and the Mayan Riviera specifically, could, maybe should, appear on your radar ...

Marrakech - When it Rains it Pours

Mon 31 Jan 2011 16:25 GMT

Marrakech, a destination ever popular with event planners and delegates for obvious reasons, has never fully realised its potential for reasons of poor access. However, 2011 may see a marked rise in its ability to attract conference and incentive business thanks to two carriers announcing direct UK flights.

Mark Taylor Assumes Responsibility for BI WORLDWIDE's Olympic Activity

Wed 22 Dec 2010 10:39 GMT

Following BI WORLDWIDE's recent success in securing its first Olympic sponsor for London 2012, it is delighted to announce that Mark Taylor, Head of Events at BI WORLDWIDE since October 2008, will take on the new role of Special Events Director – Olympics 2012.

An App for all Reasons?

Tue 21 Dec 2010 14:14 GMT

Is Apple on the verge of doing an iTunes on the travel market? If you believe the submissions lodged with the US Patent and Trademark Office surrounding its rumoured iTravel service then it may be the case, and if so what's in store for the incentive travel and conference market?

Win T42 at The Stunning New Savoy Hotel

Tue 7 Dec 2010 13:43 GMT

The Savoy Hotel - it's here. In fact it's been here since 1889, but its recent £220 million facelift has been money well spent - it would even impress Gok!

Earlier this month we ran a compeition to win Tea for Two at the Savoy, and the winner was...

Kat's Favourite Winter Destinations

Tue 30 Nov 2010 15:58 GMT

Despite the winter weather taking hold a little early this year in the UK, I've been looking abroad to my favourite winter destinations for incentives that work whatever the weather!

Whether you're looking for a short-haul option or something further afield, there are some great destinations that will suit any budget and any group. And just because you're visiting the snowy alps, it doesn't mean you have to ski. There's plenty of activity that won't even involve the ski lift – great for partner programmes where not everyone wants to hit the slopes.

A word of warning though, you'll need to book early to avoid disappointment. Cliché it may be, but ski resorts quickly reach capacity and rates will soar. Larger groups will find it increasingly difficult as the season progresses and you may find you have to split guests across a number of hotels making logistics a lot more complex.

Here are my top three...

BI WORLDWIDE's First Olympic Win

Thu 18 Nov 2010 11:46 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE has recently secured a new business win, and a new client, with a global organisation sponsoring London 2012.

Following a multi-agency pitch BI WORLDWIDE has been appointed to provide a comprehensive hospitality and logistics solution for approximately 3,000 international guests attending the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Tee off at Turnberry

Wed 10 Nov 2010 13:06 GMT

Scotland may have a wet and windy reputation but its golf courses are also something it can shout about. Picturesque landscapes and stunning coastlines lend themselves to this much-loved sport.

Whether you're looking to deliver a golfing event with a meeting, or a meeting with some leisure golfing, the hotels and courses available give event planners the options to create a programme which completely suits their needs, and those of the audience. Scotland, after all, is the home of golf.

However, golf is not the only activity on offer. For the ultimate Scottish experience, outdoor country pursuits such as 4x4 driving experiences, falconry and fishing, and whisky tours deliver the true Scottish culture.

A highly accessible destination, Scotland lends itself to a long weekend incentive or conference event. It still provides the wow factor for those prepared to invest the budget to support it.

Read on for three examples which I think fit the bill:

The Effect of Public Sector Cuts?

Mon 8 Nov 2010 15:35 GMT

First poll up on the BI WORLDWIDE website asked:

Will the public sector cuts affect your business?

and the results were:

BI WORLDWIDE Strengthens Global Offering

Mon 8 Nov 2010 10:34 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE announces the formal creation of three regional headquarters and the adoption of new global technology solutions to provide a more consistent, responsive and better value service to global clients.

BI WORLDWIDE Business Boosted by £3 Million

Wed 3 Nov 2010 09:22 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE has secured £3 million of new business in the first four months of its new financial year, which commenced in July. Recent event wins include a press launch for Lexus, a dealer launch for Chevrolet, an experiential roadshow for a telecoms client and a 500 delegate conference for an automotive client next year.

BI WORLDWIDE Wins Chevrolet Dealer Launch

Fri 29 Oct 2010 13:40 GMT

Chevrolet has selected BI WORLDWIDE as the agency to deliver its dealer launch of the Orlando model in early December 2010. The win came after a two-way agency pitch to the client earlier this month. The two-week dealer launch encompasses six regions across the UK, Edinburgh, Harrogate, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Bristol and Manchester, and more than 350 guests.

Lexus Chooses BI WORLDWIDE for Launch Event

Thu 28 Oct 2010 11:46 GMT

Earlier this month BI WORLDWIDE partnered with a new client Lexus to deliver the press launch of the ct200h model at the recent Paris Motor Show. The three week press event hosted 150 journalists from 25 countries and involved 15 cars.

Getting Your Message Across

Thu 14 Oct 2010 13:57 GMT

Within any incentive programme communication and motivation work intrinsically together and therefore communications are fundamental to positively influencing the behaviour of the audience. However, the nature of those communications and the media by which they are delivered is key to ensuring the message get put across effectively and understood.

An Alternative Angle on Long Haul

Thu 14 Oct 2010 10:37 GMT

The recession has made everyone take stock, but how will that shape our views and desires for the future? Will we come out of this with in new-found intuitive awareness about what we take out of our own and others' pockets, or will we get back into our die hard habits of consuming and waste?

How will all this affect long haul travel?

India is already building a portfolio of alternative experiences – experiences that give more but take less.

Choosing Long Service Rewards

Thu 14 Oct 2010 09:39 GMT

Staff retention is a big issue at the moment, regardless of the current pressures like job uncertainty and redundancy, how do you ensure you reward long service in a way that makes employees feel really valued, and what's the right reward?

Positively Influence Your Sales Channel

Thu 14 Oct 2010 09:15 GMT

How motivation programmes are critical to the business strategy for automotives.

The current climate has brought a difficult trading environment for car manufacturers and with it an even greater focus on sales activity. The ability to motivate a sales force to hit sales goals becomes extremely important. In these demanding circumstances, a proven incentive mechanic that is entirely measurable and delivers exceptional results becomes essential. Nothing achieves this more effectively than BI WORLDWIDE’s GoalQuest, a performance improvement solution designed specifically to improve the performance of sales people.

Incentive Travel Gets Back on Track

Thu 14 Oct 2010 08:46 GMT

The recession has knocked incentive travel off its rails in the last couple of years. Many companies have either not run motivation programmes (a mistake in our opinion), or looked for alternatives, for example, offering merchandise or still travelling but only within the UK.

Of course, budgetary constraints and negative PR were rightly considered, but now, as the economy picks up, the industry is looking increasingly back on track – and understandably so.

Report Cites Employee Engagement Issues?

Wed 13 Oct 2010 14:54 GMT

A recent Gallup survey showed that only 24% of employees are engaged with their organisation and in May a CBI report highlighted how critical employee engagement is in weathering the recession. The Training Foundation's white paper, authored by David Macleod, of the Macleod Report to Government on Employee Engagement (May 2009), highlights a different approach for managers.

Employee engagement is just one element that contributes to business improvement and has to be assessed in conjunction with employee motivation and performance improvement strategies to really deliver business improvement.

Choosing a Motivation Solution

Wed 13 Oct 2010 13:32 GMT

Rewards or incentives can prove a highly effective means of motivating staff or channel partners to achieve certain objectives or behave in a certain way. But what automated solutions exist to enable this, and how can you find the right one for your requirements?

There are many existing automated solutions offering rewards and incentives which serve as an attempt to encourage employees to work harder. When considering which automated incentive system would be most effective in rewarding employees and channel partners, companies should be aware that this sort of incentive solution does not necessarily motivate employees to change their behaviour.

Motivation is about improving performance through positively influencing people’s behaviour; simply offering rewards alone may not be enough to achieve this. Therefore, a reward solution should simply be a single component of a structured motivation programme.

The Wisdom of Convention

Wed 13 Oct 2010 11:48 GMT

During a period of job and budget cuts, one thing that shouldn't be cut is the line of communication with your stakeholders.

Understandably, financial caution and negative press have led corporates to question the appropriateness of running events. But face-to-face communication remains vital. Not just despite the current climate, but because of it.

Now is the time to provide clarity; to set minds at rest and to stem nervous speculation; to instil confidence and give a clear direction; to gauge reactions and react accordingly; to bring your people - and ideas - together.

No other medium achieves these objectives like a conference: they're transparent, emotive, dynamic and flexible. Of course, financial considerations still need to be made, but there are many cost-effective options to be found with a bit of research and imagination - read our article on universities.

Read more with our top tips on why face-to-face communication events are king.

A Different School of Thought

Wed 13 Oct 2010 11:46 GMT

"Here's your starter for ten. You want to host a conference and require a venue that has impact, but not on your budget.

What's the answer? I must hurry you! No?"

In reality, this is a tough question, but the answer could actually prove rather academic.

For events buyers, universities could prove the solution to your challenge. If budgetary constraints bypass conventional wisdom, it's important to try a different school of thought. Universities have all the right qualifications to be the smart choice.

More to Events than meets the ROI

Wed 13 Oct 2010 11:28 GMT

ROI – a universal three letter acronym that it is often poorly understood, incorrectly used and often ignored by events buyers, at their peril.

Find out BI WORLDWIDE’s views on the what, how and when of Event ROI from our in-house Research and Analytics expert.

Read our seven top time-saving tips about how to approach ROI from an events perspective and ensure your ROI delivers real value to your business.

You Either Love It or Hate It

Wed 13 Oct 2010 11:19 GMT

"I always love going back to Istanbul. It might stand on a rock-bed of history, but don’t be fooled - it’s hip, stylish and fast-paced.

Getting there is easy, as it’ serviced by two international airports. From the moment you arrive, the city demands your attention and you’ll never be ambivalent about it – you either love it or hate it. I happen to love it."

In-House Isn't Always Home Sweet Home

Wed 13 Oct 2010 11:08 GMT

The downturn in the housing market has seen homeowners turn their hand to DIY to improve what they currently have. Similarly, the current financial predicament has seen companies 'do it themselves' and take their events in-house. But in-house doesn't always mean home sweet home. Although it's feasible an in-house team will run a successful event:

Can they source materials as cost effectively as a professional agency? Unlikely

Will it take them longer than a professional agency? Likely

Will the finished article be as good? Possibly not

Because an agency uses qualified professionals with years of event management training they can offer the D.I. why, who, where, when and how on budget control, food and beverage management, risk assessing, negotiation and contracting, timeline management and project management.

By having these solid foundations can you build an event that brings the house down. Here's seven reasons why we think using an agency makes sense.

What's Your Exit Strategy?

Wed 13 Oct 2010 10:52 GMT

What are the chances of an incident taking place during your event?

The world is increasingly volatile and nowadays it only seems to be a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If you're faced with a crisis, a terrorist attack for example, would you have had the right plans, people and support to mobilize your exit strategy?

What would your immediate action be? Who would you contact? Do you have your crisis plan and essential contacts ready?

How would you handle the media?

What about next of kin; the trauma you are faced with; the distress of others?

Does this leave you with more questions than answers? Read our Top Ten Tips on Crisis Management.

Mike's Recession Beating Tips

Tue 28 Sep 2010 10:32 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE MD Mike Davies addresses the Incentives Show.

Learn more about 'How to motivate staff out of a recession'

Wait One Moment Please Caller

Thu 23 Sep 2010 12:24 GMT

Call centres are typically characterised by the highly repetitive work undertaken by the operators, be it sales or customer service focused, the job is the same day-to-day. Heavily operational and process driven, staff are there to deliver results.

The initial challenge when delivering a motivation programme to an audience of this nature is to consider their level of engagement, in most cases engagement is very low due to high attrition rates and seasonal workers, more often than not call centre staff are there because they need the income, not because they love their job. In many cases, a period of time spent working in a call centre can be just an interim phase where employees want to get in, do the work, and get out as quickly as possible. The job can therefore become too systematic at the expense of customer service.

What's Your Motivation ROI?

Thu 23 Sep 2010 11:42 GMT

It's a well known fact that motivation solutions are an important element of business strategy. However, there's a risk that companies fail to fully understand their definitive role in achieving business objectives. All too often, they fail to fully evaluate the efficiency of their investment in motivation. In other words, do they really measure the return on investment.

Only the proper analysis of Return on Investment (ROI) will serve as a valuable element to business improvement. Measuring the investment made in any motivation programme is critical to determine whether budget has been well spent in effecting the desired behavioural change. If you can’t measure it - you can’t manage it!

BI WORLDWIDE is recognised as 'outstanding'

Thu 23 Sep 2010 11:40 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE is recognised as an 'outstanding' organisation and awarded prestigious two-star status in 2009's Best Companies accreditation.