Meetings Industry 09
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ISSN No. 2711-4317 09. MEETINGS INDUSTRY 09. MEETINGS INDUSTRY Infrastructure, creativity, and hospitality at your service for future events future service for and hospitality at your creativity, Infrastructure, Colombia: a must-see destination a must-see Colombia: 09 09 TABLE OF CONTENTS — Page 04 — Behind the Scenes at a Large Convention MARY KAY SEMINAR 2020 — Page 10 — Infrastructure for Congresses and Conventions ISSUE 09 IDEAL VENUES FOR LARGE EVENTS — Page 16 — Meetings Tourism Weddings FOUR PHOTOGRAPHERS REVEAL COLOMBIA’S MOST ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS Colombia’s beaches, mountains, and rivers attract ara—are other event segments the country is strong travelers year-round, but that’s not its only draw. in. — Page 22 — Colombia can certainly fill the criteria for hosting Our commitment and standing as an exem- Excellence in large events as well, whether the objective be to con- plary meetings destination can be seen in Colom- duct work meetings, exchange knowledge, do busi- bia’s major cities, where proper infrastructure has Incentive Travel ness, or boost company productivity. been developed, state-of-the-art technology has Travel Solutions: Crystal Award According to data from the 2018 country-wide been adopted, and regionally competitive prices study on the Economic Contribution of Meetings have been set. In smaller municipalities, expertise Tourism, Colombia was the chosen destination for in customer service has transformed Colombia’s — Page 28 — nearly 68,000 congresses, conventions, and incen- history into unparalleled selling points for hosting Incentive Trips tive trips with a total of 5.2 million attendees. These unique events. As for our people, Colombia is proud UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES WITH YOUR TEAM events were held in hotels, convention centers, of its hard-working people willing to give their best and other venues, and brought with them nearly to ensure Colombia’s success. — Page 34 — US $4 billion in revenue. In addition to the joy, rhythm, and flavor that Sports Venues However, these are not the only large events characterizes our country, Colombia is known for that find in Colombia an ideal destination. Sport- its professionalism, kindness, and creativity when ing events, such as the XXIII Central American and undertaking projects. We work to make our dreams Caribbean Games held in Barranquilla in 2018, and come true and make Colombia the ideal destination destination weddings—which are usually held in for fulfilling others’ dreams as well. Visitors and Cartagena and other municipalities with rich archi- event organizers alike find in us willing partners to tectural heritage, such as Villa de Leyva and Barich- make their ideas a reality. Source of figures: Study on the Economic Contribution of Meetings Tourism in Colombia by STA Consultores, for ProColombia and Fontur. INTRODUCTION – 03 Behindat a Large the Scenes Convention Mary Kay Seminar 2020 Many hands make light work. It takes a team to ensure that each large congress and convention in Colombia complies with the highest quality 09 standards. We went behind the scenes during pre-production and set-up of this beauty and self-care event to highlight the vital role of human capital. MEETINGS By Jorge Francisco Mestre INDUSTRY nuquí – 05 Alejandra Mar Alejandra Photo source: Bogota has hosted a wide variety of congresses to the opportunity that Mary Kay has provided,” South Africa. Colombia earned its spot thanks kitchens per floor that allow for food preparation and conventions. The city boasts multiple well- states Silvia Gómez. She continues, “We want our to over 500 venues, including 27 convention cen- and distribution to immense numbers of attend- equipped, large-capacity venues. Every day, thou- guests to go home treasuring the experience of ters, 455 hotels with event halls, and 117 non-tra- ees, among other facilities. sands of people converge within these structures, feeling recognized, successful, and celebrated.” In ditional locations in various cities. Furthermore, In addition, Ágora Bogota connects directly gathered around a shared activity or dream. total, 2,002 beauty consultants are coming from Colombia also boasts expert operators who work with the Corferias campus, the venue for Expoar- Around them, hundreds of others work to make it different areas of the country, as well as 60 special tirelessly—ensuring impeccable event organiza- tesanías and the International Book Fair, two of possible. On a sunny February morning, as the city guests and executive directors from Colombia and tion and attention to every detail—so that guests the largest fairs that invigorate Bogota every year. clips along at its intense pace, the Ágora Conven- elsewhere that have supported the brand’s growth. may simply enjoy the event programming without The city and its neighboring municipalities also tion Center prepares for the start of the Mary Kay The process required 360 days of planning as worrying about anything. offer additional spaces, including the Tequendama Seminar 2020. well as the involvement of over 70 people in logis- Ágora is an example of this industry in Colom- Convention Center, the Compensar Avenida 68 With just 24 hours to go, Silvia Gomez, Mary tics and a staff of 250 suppliers. Location is among bia. The venue is the result of a contest in which Convention Center, the Sheraton Convention Kay’s Special Events and Awards Manager, cir- the most important aspects of an event like this; more than 110 national and international firms Center, the Castillo Marroquín, the José Celes- culates among the team members taking care the city must have modern and safe spaces that are competed. The winning project was presented by tino Mutis Botanical Garden, and the Zipaquirá of every detail. On the first floor, approximately equipped with technological tools relevant to the the Spanish studio Estudio Herreros and Colom- Salt Cathedral, among others. As a result of its twenty people work on a group of printed panels audience and theme. bian architect Daniel Bermúdez. The building numerous venues, Bogota landed 46 of Colombia’s in the characteristic colors of the make-up and Colombia is increasingly better prepared in boasts an ambitious floor plan; its interior is 147 ICCA-category congresses in 2018. In fact, beauty brand. A few meters away is the sign for this regard. In the International Congress and made up of 12,000 useful square meters distrib- the city ranked sixth in Latin America—following the registration desk, empty for now, but ready Convention Association (ICCA) 2018 Statistics uted between large circulation areas and meeting Buenos Aires, Lima, São Paulo, Santiago de Chile, to receive the two thousand women attending the Report: Country & City Rankings—a report that areas, 18 halls ranging from 20-person capacity in and Panama City—for this event category. event the following day. calculates how many international conferences smaller halls to 4,000 in the auditorium, located Congresses and conventions held in Colom- “The concept of this event is to celebrate not were held in 165 countries and is used to calcu- on the fifth floor. It includes public and freight ele- bia are possible thanks to the collaborative syn- only the history of the brand in Colombia, but also late the competitive advantages of nations in the vators, with a 6-ton capacity, as well as both elec- ergy that exists between various stakeholders, to applaud the transformation and empowerment sector—Colombia was ranked 29th, surpassing tric and conventional stairs; a main kitchen in the including meeting planners, hotels, and profes- of thousands of women in our country, thanks countries such as Chile, Russia, New Zealand, and building’s first basement level and two satellite sional congress organizers based in the country. 06 – MEETINGS INDUSTRY BEHIND THE SCENES AT A LARGE CONVENTION – 07 Alejandra Mar Alejandra Alejandra Mar Alejandra Photo source: Photo source: This coordination emerges from a simple prem- the entire façade. It is here that the versatility of making mistakes. The food is cooked downstairs, and that the event production is in good hands. ise: it is not the strongest vendor who survives in the auditorium becomes evident—a huge room brought up by food service elevators, and assem- That happens during the negotiation stage, which the Colombian event industry, but rather the one offering multiple options for all kinds of light- bled in the satellite kitchens on each floor before is the step prior to what you see now.” who best complements the others. And, to ensure ing, sound booths, screens, and decorations to serving. The goal, and challenge, is to never delay As we walk around one of the dining rooms a memorable experience, there is no such thing as be placed on the floor and suspended from ceil- the programme. This is where experience and the where a dozen waiters arrange vast amounts of cut- a minor detail. In the case of the Mary Kay Sem- ing rails. With access to a versatile space, mobile confidence that comes with it play a very import- lery, I ask her if she finds it difficult to establish a inar 2020, Elvira Rocha—the businesswoman stage, and creative team, there are no constraints ant role.” warm rapport when reaching a deal with a stranger. behind Hana, the flower business in charge of the on the producer’s imagination. With just 24 hours Over the years Colombia has become an exam- “Believe it or not, being well-prepared and sharing event—shares her story. “Here we have to assemble until the start of the Mary Kay event, two thousand ple of excellent service for all kinds of audiences. It that you have faced challenging obstacles in the approximately 400 arrangements of all different chairs, a wide stage with various lighted stairs has hosted large-scale events such as the Hay Festi- past is what makes the client feel that now there kinds: centerpieces, walls, vases for the rooms— offering front and rear entrances, and three back- val, the International Music Festival, and the Inter- is nothing you cannot foresee, which makes them very unique things.