Confex 96 lines up global names

Confex ’96, the annual conference and exhibitions show, opens its doors at Earl’s Court 2, London, from February 27 to 29. More than 1,000 companies from 70 countries worldwide are exhibiting.

Minister for Tourism Lord Inglewood will be opening the event, which is now in its 14th year.

This year’s show will have colour-coded areas dedicated to different but complementary sectors of the market, which should make it easier for visitors to find their way around. The event is divided into four sections – overseas meetings, events and incentive travel; UK meetings, events and incentive travel; corporate entertainment and events; and event support services.

Key trade associations have helped organiser Blenheim Exhibitions devise a programme of specialist sessions.

There will be seven conference sessions, on subjects ranging from how to plan meetings and exhibitions, to motivating venues to meet your expectations and how to use technology to improve meetings and corporate communications.

The programme of 13 workshops includes advice on sourcing corporate hospitality, marketing, meeting customers’ needs, health and safety, certification and qualifications in the industry and the impact of the European Union.

London Executive Rentals will be running an operational business centre at the show to exhibit its range of services. Exhibitors and users will be able to use the company’s equipment including photocopiers, faxes, multimedia and personal computers, printers and VCRs.

The English Tourist Board is unveiling its new branding “Meet England… The Business” at the show, and highlighting the range of options available to meetings and event buyers. Its City Conference Venues guide, complementing the existing Country Conference Venues directory, will also be launched.

Insurance specialist Insurex Expo-Sure will be launching its Hotel Protect policy, which covers conference hoteliers against delegates who do not turn up for any reason out of their control, such as transport strikes, illness or vehicle breakdown.

De Vere Hotels’ The Belfry will be pushing its new dedicated meeting and training complex, which comprises a conference room, accommodation wing and restaurant. The Woodlands Conference Centre has a capacity of 450 seats theatre style and the accommodation wing has 48 rooms. The Belfry’s total meeting capacity to 1,100 people.

Inter-Continental Hotels & Resorts will be showing off its new conference and meeting suites. The Forum Hotel London has opened a meeting room for 100 delegates and renovated its London Suite. The five-star deluxe May Fair Inter-Continental London has opened a banq- ueting suite with a capacity of 175 and the Hotel Inter-Continental London has refitted its dedicated banqueting kitchens.

On the multimedia side, Corporate Adrenalin International, creator of the Starbased Labyrinth, will be launching two interactive business games for corporate events.

Outdoor entertainment company 1st Leisure Supplies will be exhibiting its range of corporate fun day events at Confex for the first time. The company offers gladiator jousting, sumo wrestling, bungee running and surf simulators as well as less frenetic pursuits, such as clay pigeon shooting.