XO Africa is a well established inbound Tour Operator based in South Africa since 1989.
We specialize in FIT, Groups and Incentive but our uniqueness is based on originality according to client’s interest and special needs.
We provide exclusive tours for the more demanding in exclusive places in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania and the Falls (Zimbabwe or Zambia side).

More information: www.xoafrica.com

International Confex will take place from 23-25 February 2010.

As the UK’s leading event for event organisers; Confex brings together people who organise any kind of event with a colorful array of venues, destinations and event support services both in the UK and across the world.

our months out from the opening of the eighth IMEX in Frankfurt organisers, the IMEX Group, have announced that they are on course to deliver more business opportunities than ever when the doors open on 25 May.

The trade show’s performance to date confirms the results of the latest IMEX Global Insights Report (last quarter 2009). The Report asked a standing panel of 45 senior international meetings industry and corporate professionals for their views about the coming year. 57% expected the number of meetings, events and incentives they organised to remain the same. A further 33% confidently expected the number of events they held to be even higher in 2010.

Says Ray Bloom, Chairman of the IMEX Group, “Our experience of both exhibitor and hosted buyer numbers upholds these findings. It suggests that the underlining fundamentals in our industry are robust, despite a changing global economic outlook. This bears out the fact that virtually every sector of our industry is consistently prepared to commit to IMEX knowing they have the opportunity of meeting the right people, doing good business and being assured of getting all the support they need.”

Strong hotel representation
Hotel groups will continue to be represented strongly at IMEX with many of the larger global groups bringing in additional hosted buyers for 2010. Ritz Carlton, Moevenpick Hotels, Fairmont/Swissotel Raffles and Starwood Hotels & Resorts have all increased their stand space. Scandic Hotels and Albert Management of Latvia will exhibit for the first time and Warwick International makes a welcome return.

Other new exhibitors so far confirmed for 2010 include Columbia, Meeting Point International and Showcare. The IMEX Wild Card Winners for 2010 are also all first-time exhibitors in the international meetings and events industry. The Wild Card Pavilion will host one of the fastest emerging destinations in Africa – Uganda - together with the mountain town of Morzine in France and the new Hof Conference and Cultural Center, Iceland.
Demand for exhibition space has been particularly strong from Asian meetings and events industry suppliers with Macau, Sri Lanka and Indian Holiday all expanding their presence. US exhibitors have also confirmed their enthusiasm and commitment with Anchorage, Arizona, Chicago, Texas and New York City already contracted and all those who attended in 2009 expected to exhibit on the IMEX US Pavilion again in 2010.

The Spanish Tourist Office is now firmly established as the second largest exhibitor at IMEX with just over 800 square metres of floor space. Both Madrid and Valencia will be taking their own exhibition stands.
Other exhibitors who have also increased their exhibition sizes at the Frankfurt show so far include the Czech Tourism Authority; Luxembourg; Carat Tours; Liberty International and Discovery Jordan.
Visitor and hosted buyer registration is now open. For more information visit www.imex-frankfurt.com.
- ENDS

Editors Notes:
- The next IMEX takes place 25th – 27th May 2010 at Messe Frankfurt.
- All IMEX press releases can be downloaded from http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/press.php
- High-resolution photos are available at http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/imexphotos.html
- Visitor and buyer statistics can be viewed at http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/stats.html
- IMEX is delighted to be shortlisted for the AEO Sustainable Initiative of the Year Award 2009 and is a previous winner of the AEO Trade Show of the Year Award and AEO Best Visitor Experience – Trade Show Award.
- IMEX was shortlisted for the UFI (the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) Best Innovative Web-based Application for Exhibitors Award 2009
- The IMEX Group has launched IMEX America - America’s worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events. It will take place at the Sands Expo and Convention Center at the Venetian/ Palazzo from 11 – 13 October 2011. www.imexamerica.com

planitswiss SA is a manifold full-service hospitality solutions provider, that specializes in the planning and execution of the complete range of corporate events, as well as street marketing promotions. planitswiss SA is the sister of imavox SA, which on its part incorporates wide competencies in the area of multimedia such as video project management, life streamings, 3D animations, as well as website and e-learning programming.

More information: www.planitswiss.com

The science of winning….by innovation & proposing a brand new seminar.

In collaboration with Mr John Hooker, Managing Partner of AddingValue Consulting and with over 20 years experience in the HET industry, the DMC directory will organise a 3 days seminar, not only for all members interested to attend but also with some UK hosted buyers.

AddingValue Consulting was created to meet the growing demand for guidance from all corners of the industry.
Clients and agencies alike are grappling with the complexities of a host of converging business issues in areas as diverse as the wider corporate social responsibility, procurement agendas, pressure for greater efficiencies and regulatory complexities.
These often conflicting agendas are conspiring to slow decision-making and more importantly, to have an adverse affect on productivity and sales. All on a backdrop of a growing skills vacuum.

Adding value wealth of international experience coupled with their unique ability to get to the burning issues, makes them ideally placed to help our business.

The main ”innovative” idea is to mix both sides of our MICE industry  - buyers & DMCs to brainstorm and work together on a range of professional matter.

• Better identify and analyse problems
• Developing and implementing actionable and measurable plans
• Managing and embracing change
• Creating better ways of working together
• Progressing team and skill sets development

Time & place TBC

Every business is facing challenges in the way they do their business in the future, and the meetings and events industry is no different.  The world has changed and the way we do business needs to respond to those changes.

“Just as energy is the basis of life itself, and ideas the source of innovation, so is innovation the vital spark of all human change, improvement and progress”

http://www.thedmcdirectory.com/the-mice-mixer2010seminar/

Essence of Madagascar DMC, is a high qualified professional with a wide range of tourism experience in Madagascar, specialized in : Meetings , Incentives, Conferences, Events ( MICE) . Essence of Madagascar DMC is the best choice for clients who demand outstanding service, excellent value-for-money and quality with unique creativity ( with out of the box solution programs) to suit all tastes and budgets. Our extensive knowledge of Madagascar allows us to offer journeys that combine the most beautiful landscapes, fascinating cultural experiences and exciting sport adventures. Essence of Madagascar Dmc is a thoroughly modern company representing the future of travel in Madagascar. Once you have experienced our combination of Western business know-how and the Malgasche understanding of the land and its people, we are confident you will agree that we are the best choice Dmc for Madagascar ! We carefully handle: incentives , meetings , conferences, cultural groups , special interest tours and individuals FIT.

More information: www.essenceofmadagascar.com

Essence of Sri Lanka & Maldives DMC, is a high qualified professional with a wide range of tourism experience in Sri lanka and in the Maldives, specialized in : Meetings , Incentives, Conferences, Events ( MICE) . Essence of Sri lanka & Maldives DMC is the best choice for clients who demand outstanding service, excellent value-for-money and quality with unique creativity ( out of the box solution programmes) to suit all tastes and budgets. Our extensive knowledge of Sri Lanka and Maldives allows us to offer journeys that combine the most beautiful landscapes, fascinating cultural experiences and exciting sport adventures. Essence of Sri Lanka & Maldives Dmc is a thoroughly modern company representing the future of travel in those countries. Once you have experienced our combination of Western business know-how and Sri lanka & Maldivian understanding of the land and its people, we are confident you will agree that we are the best choice Dmc for Sri Lanka & Maldives ! We carefully handle: incentives , meetings , conferences, cultural groups , special interest tours.

More information: www.essenceofsrilanka.com

http://www.conworld.net/index.php/Europe/dubrovnik-travel-begins-2010-with-an-official-certification-in-quality-management.html

Premier Team will be attending Confex Exhibiton 23-25 February 2010, Earls Cour, London. Premier Stand No: P537

Haitian people need your help & urgently From: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/haiti_52435.html