Trails of Indochina has named Wally Sumner vice-president for USA/Canada.

In his new role, Sumner will be responsible for supporting existing U.S. sales and marketing representatives and overall profitability throughout the region.

Sumner has extensive experience within the travel industry. He is currently co-chairman of LAAMA (Los Angeles Airline Sales Manager Association) and has spoken at international tourism conferences throughout the U.S.

He has also worked with domestic and international incentive group travel programs.

Travel partners in the U.S. and Canada can contact Sumner at wally@trailsofindochina.com.

Trails of Indochina’s North American offices are located in Newport Beach, Calif.

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The Westin's revamped atrium space.

February 17, 2012

The Westin New York at Times Square has completed a $1.6-million renovation of its ninth-floor meeting and event space.

Included in the renovation are seven meeting rooms and the New York Atrium, totalling 8,760 sq. ft. The reno added a backlit wall and bi-level serpentine bar to the atrium.

The New York Atrium and other ninth-floor rooms range from 600 sq. ft., hosting groups as small as 16, to the 2,000 sq.-ft. atrium that holds 25.

Upcoming renovations will include the remainder of the meeting space, with the exception of the recently updated Majestic Ballroom and guestrooms.

In all, the property offers over 34,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, featuring 32 meeting and breakout rooms, the atrium and three ballrooms, ranging from 220 sq. ft. to 3,500 sq. ft.

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Runway enhancements are planned for Vancouver's airport.

Vancouver Airport Authority has announced a 10-year strategy outlining $1.8-billion in improvements to Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

YVR has set its sights on being the gateway of choice for travellers and airlines, particularly for the fast-growing Asian market.

To meet this objective, YVR will decrease connection times between international and domestic flights, enhance baggage systems and invest in terminal upgrades.

The planned improvements include more than 700 metres of secure corridors and moving walkways to reduce connection times for passengers; new high-speed baggage systems; upgrades to the original areas of the 1968 Domestic Terminal Building; and runway safety enhancements.

To help fund these improvements, the Airport Authority is increasing the Airport Improvement Fee to $20 from $15, beginning May 1, for passengers travelling to destinations outside B.C.

Passengers travelling within B.C. and to the Yukon will continue to pay $5.

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Artist rendering of Element by Westin Vaughan.

Atlific Hotels will manage Element by Westin Vaughan, Canada’s first Element property, scheduled to begin construction this winter.

Expected to open in spring, 2013, the eco-friendly Element by Westin Vaughan will feature 152 guestrooms and suites.

Other amenities include a fitness centre, complimentary wellness programs and healthy food options.

Guestrooms will offer custom-designed closet systems, custom-designed workspaces, smart entertainment centres, Westin Heavenly bathrooms and relaxing signature Westin Heavenly Beds.

On the meetings side, there will be about 3,000 sq. ft. of flexible, energy-efficient meeting space, featuring modular furniture, 50-inch flat-screen TVs, easy-access power outlets and free Wi-Fi.

Eco-friendly features include in-room recycling bins, water-efficient faucets and fixtures and eco-friendly paints, carpets and furniture.

Atlific Hotels will also manage the Element by Westin Vancouver Metrotown, scheduled to open in 2014.

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Lisa Serada.

Lisa Serada has been named senior sales manager, national and international associations, at the Scotiabank Convention Centre (SCCN), in Niagara Falls, Ont.

For over 20 years, Serada has worked in roles throughout Niagara and Western New York.

Prior to her arrival at SCCN, she worked for the Niagara Parks Commission (NPC), as director of meeting and convention sales, a position she held for over 10 years.

As a previous board representative for the Niagara Parks Commission, Serada played an instrumental role in the development and growth of SCCN.

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On Feb. 9, exposition industry professionals gathered at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the Canadian Association of Exposition Management’s (CAEM) annual awards gala, ‘Celebrating the Stars of the Show.’

CAEM recognized individuals that have made a significant contribution to the exposition management industry and to the association.

The 2012 Hall of Fame Winner in the Industry Builder Category: was Michael Lecour, executive vice-president, Canada, GES.

Winning the 2012 Member of the Year, in the Exposition Management Category, was Catherine MacNutt, marketing and operations manager, Master Promotions Ltd.

CAEM also recognized the new graduates of the Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) Program: Cindy Di Carlo, CEM; Jim Lee, CEM; David Lyew, CEM; Kelly Marshall, CEM; Steven Nushis, CEM; Sasha Stone, CEM; Jennifer von Rucziki-McGill, CEM.

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EcoLog Events, Business Information Group’s environment division, is presenting a seminar on Ontario’s new accessiblitiy standards, on March 6, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in downtown Toronto.

As of Jan. 1, the Government of Ontario has developed mandatory accessibility standards that identify, remove and prevent barriers for persons with disabilities in everyday living.

The seminar will cover the practical information and tools needed to comply with the new requirements, including:

• How to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) Customer Service Standard.

• How to avoid costly penalties and fines for non-compliance.

• How to develop an accessibility plan that identifies how your organization will provide service to customers with disabilities.

• How to provide emergency response information to workers with disabilities (as per the Integrated Accessibility Standards that took effect Jan. 1).

The seminar runs form 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

For more information visit their site or e-mail llubka@ecolog.com

To register, click here or call (416) 510-6867

We live in a world where sponsorship has to be a perfect match for the event/conference and the sponsor. A couple of years ago, I attended the annual PCMA conference.

One of the sessions presented a panel of high-end sponsors. A question from the audience: “How can I get my sponsors to give me more – my association is struggling in these poor economic times.” The response from one of the sponsoring companies has stayed with me ever since: “Our cupboards are bare, too.”

Keeping that in mind, we truly must ensure what we offer sponsors is of high perceived value. Yes, the logo on the screen is lovely; yes, the ability to drop something into the conference bag is enticing.

But the bottom line is this: how will giving your group money and being on your conference screen bring the sponsor more business?

Sponsors want to get to your market so they can get more business. The fit has to be perfect.

If you are responsible for securing sponsorships, here’s a fast checklist. If only it was this easy!

1. Find the soul of your event/conference.

2. Understand your guests, delegates and the products/services they require.

3. Find the sponsors who will benefit from interacting with your delegates and understand the soul of your event/conference.

4. Customize each sponsor’s contribution, being very careful not to give a lesser contribution more bang-for-buck than a major contribution.

5. Offer each sponsor touch points to your guests/delegates.

6. Ensure you deliver what you promise and that value was received by the sponsor. Did they get to their current, potential clients? Did they get new business that can translate into dollars?

7. Report back to each sponsor post-event/conference

8. Do the ask for the next year or multi-years.

Easy? HAH! Remember, their cupboards are bare.

If you are the seeker of sponsors, I highly recommend the book The Sponsorship Seeker’s Toolkit, Ki Skildum-Reid & Anne-Marie Grey. Available on Amazon.ca

I use this book to teach a 14-week course on Sponsorship in the Festivals, Events & Conference Management post-grad program at Centennial College.

Disclaimer: While I know Kim and use this book, I do not receive any remuneration for suggesting it.

Want to do some research? Check out the following websites:

www.powersponsorship.com

www.sponsorship.com

Homewood Suites by Hilton continues its Canadian expansion, with three new signed hotel agreements, including Homewood’s first Alberta hotels.

Slated to open in first quarter 2013, Homewood Suites/Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton, Calgary Airport is a dual-branded property featuring 120 rooms for Homewood Suites and 136 rooms for Hampton.

Homewood Suites/Hilton Garden Inn, Downtown Calgary, is a dual-branded hotel featuring 117 rooms for Homewood Suites and 198 rooms for Hilton Garden Inn. It’s slated to open in second quarter 2014.

Additionally, the brand will, in second quarter 2014, open the Homewood Suites Montreal Airport property, featuring 142 rooms.

Over the last decade, Homewood Suites has steadily built its presence in Canada, which now exceeds 1,000 suites across 10 hotels.

The balance of the brand’s current Canadian portfolio is located in Ontario and Quebec.

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Kristi Contini.

Kristi Contini has joined Guelph, Ont.-based Strategic Site Selection as sales and marketing coordinator.

Contini brings with her 10 years of event and marketing experience from Shnier, Gesco LP, where her key responsibility included the coordination of Shnier’s national annual convention, the Shnier Summit, winner of M+IT’s 2009 Best Medium Sized Meeting in Canada Award.

Her main responsibilities will include assisting the Strategic Site Selection team with ongoing growth through sales coordination and building the Strategic Site Selection brand through marketing and public relations opportunities.

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