March 2009

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In this Issue:
Staying Fit and Focused	GTAA Raises Airport Improvement Fee
UNIGLOBE Worldwide Hotel Program	UNIGLOBE Feature

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Staying Fit and Focused
Tips on how planners can maintain their energy levels and stay healthy while on the road managing on-site events, trade shows and conferences. By Sandra Eagle

Staying fit and focused during an on-site programme can be a tricky balancing act for a planner who needs to stay cool, calm and collected through any emergency (real or imagined). Just keeping energy levels up to deal with the day-to-day execution of a conference, trade show or annual meeting can be a tough slog. At the start of the busy fall season, we asked a few meeting planners to share their secrets for staying fit and healthy while they’re on the road.

EATING AND DRINKING
Leila Weller, Toronto-based associate director of national events for Bell Canada, says her company recently hired a dietitian to talk with event planners on how to balance their hectic lifestyle with healthy eating.

On the road, Weller travels with a container of almonds, rye crackers and meal-replacement bars. One month before an event, she makes a concerted effort to drink three litres of water every day. On-site, she schedules meetings with banquet managers around breakfast or lunch time so that she is guaranteed to eat something.Read more >>

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UNIGLOBE Worldwide Hotel Program

 

There are more than 10,000 hotels participating in the UNIGLOBE Worldwide Hotel Program that offer a wide range of choices in accommodations, ranging from budget properties to deluxe hotels - all at substantial rate discounts guaranteed to be the lowest offered to any travel management company, preferred availability, and special traveller amenities.

 

• Preferred Rate Program - contracted rates guaranteed to be equal to or less than the lowest rate offered to any other travel management company or group.
• Best Available Rate of the day - offered by all Marriott brands, Hilton, Carlson, Choice, Starwood, Kimpton, InterContinental, Hyatt, WorldHotels, Accor and Millenium hotels.
• Block Space Program for the exclusive use of UNIGLOBE clients.
• Value Program - thousands of hotels offering promotional rates, weekend rates, distressed inventory rates etc.
• Hotel Incentive Coupon Program - offering value added service to corporate travellers by offering room upgrades, discounts, and other special offers such as gifts and food and beverage offers
  Ask your UNIGLOBE Travel Counsellor for more information.

 

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GTAA Raises Airport Improvement Fee

The not-for-profit Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) raised its airport improvement fee by $5 to $25 per departing passenger effective June 1, 2009. The airport operator cited the struggling economy for the move. Facing similar economic challenges however, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver airports seem to be coping quite well without any price hikes coming down the pike.  

Canada's largest airports have in the past, jacked up various fees to help pay for expansion projects and infrastructure upgrades, but the changing economic climate has Pearson raising them for different reasons.

The GTAA said the hikes were, “In light of the current economic climate, which has resulted in projections for a downturn in passenger traffic.

“Transport Canada's passenger volume forecasts are now anticipating a 5.8% reduction, which translates to roughly 1.8 million fewer trips through Toronto Pearson this year.''

Meanwhile in Montreal...Read more >>

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Call your UNIGLOBE Travel Counsellor to book your Trafalgar tour.