ZD marketing prize winner at Markex 2014 announced
The prize-draw at the prominent MICE stand designed by Scan Display during Markex for the Academy’s strategic partner ZD Marketing was by a senior marketing department member from Zurich Insurance Company. The prize was a R1000 Sandton City gift voucher. Nice one !
International recogntion discussions underway for The MICE Academy
Various indepth meetings have taken place and interest expressed in the thoroughness of the innovative on-line CPD MICE Programme. The Academy are being considered on a global platform which in turn will provide credibility for MICE Academy subscribers that accumulate the required amount of credits over a specific period of time.
Subdued MICE spend predicted for second half of 2014
Spring is around the corner! For the MICE industry it’s the time to get out and converse. Without bursting the supplier’s/services bubble – there may be a rocky ride ahead with corporate and association end-users looking seriously at MICE Spend. Especially in the large cash-flush corporate environment – Finance Directors are hesitating as the economic climate is less than good. The Academy’s recommendation is brace yourself and be prudent with operating costs as well as nurturing good relationships with vendors and in particular end-users.
PCO’s take strain
Profit margins are being reduced with both end-user clients and venues astutely requiring a ‘day’s work for a day’s pay’. End-user clients require greater productivity with deliverables while commissionable venues are questioning the percentage paid against bottom-line amounts as a ‘marketing service fee’. Actual payments for organising service providers are noticeably more delayed until final payment is made.
Meaning of the word ‘Fam’ – correction
MICE snippets of 20August highlighted Fam. Trip payments should be the norm and not the exception. Gremlins at SA Conference thought this meant family. Fam Trip is an internationally accepted term for familiarization trip.
