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03
Feb
12

HBAA Village at office* - 12th and 13th Septebmer 2012

Join the HBAA on our dedicated HBAA Village at office*, on Wednesday 12th & Thursday 13th September 2012, at Olympia, London! Now in its third year office* 2012 is set to bring together 4,500+ PA....

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19
Jan
12

HBAA presents fifth Tim Gasson Memorial Award

Jacqui Bentley-McKenna, owner and director of consultancy business Regoran Ltd, was presented with the Tim Gasson Memorial Award at the recent Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) Annual Dinner whi....

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16
Jan
12

HBAA Annual Dinner rings in new chair and objectives for 2012

New chair of the HBAA, Chris Peacock, welcomed his year at the helm of the Association with launch of new objectives and a charity auction that raised over £24K. Peacock outlined his key object....

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11
Jan
12

HBAA confirms executive committee for 2012

Chris Peacock, co-founder and director of Conference Care, will lead the HBAA as Chairman over the next 12 months. Chris brings with him a wealth of experience in the industry, having previously assu....

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09
Dec
11

British venues predict fierce competition in 2012

In the build up to the UK Venue Show, 1st – 2nd February 2012, the show’s organisers have conducted interviews with senior operators at key London exhibiting venues about the outlook for t....

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08
Dec
11

Dolce Hotels and Resorts signs up to the HBAA International Charter

Dolce Hotels and Resorts, a collection of 27 upscale hotels, resorts and conference hotels in North America and Europe is one of the first global hotel chains to sign up to the HBAA International Char....

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05
Dec
11

HBAA launches White Paper on the ramifications of credit cards in meetings sector

Meetings plastic: Drastic or fantastic? The HBAA is to launch its latest study in a series of White Papers for the conference and meetings sector. Titled ‘Meetings plastic: Drastic or fantast....

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15
Nov
11

The HBAA is to expand its reach into the EU with the launch of an International Charter

The International Charter aims to outline how international hotels and venues can benefit from the buying power of the UK’s most influential agencies involved in the procurement of meetings, eve....

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17
Oct
11

Zibrant appoints business development manager

Zibrant has appointed Richard Money as business development manager, based in their Global Operations office. Money formerly worked as business development maanger for Bonvo Travel in Singapore and h....

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12
Oct
11

Best of British venues set their sights on the new UK Venue Show

The countdown to the inaugural UK Venue Show, 1-2 February 2012, is on as exhibitor stands are snapped up and keynote speakers confirmed. Opening the trade show season for the event sector, the UK Ve....

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12
Oct
11

Triple gold for Warwick Conferences

Warwick Conferences is celebrating after achieving triple gold in BDRC Continental’s VenueVerdict assessment. The achievement for its Radcliffe, Scarman and Arden Training and Conference Centre....

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12
Oct
11

Lime Venue Portfolio appoints head of marketing

Richard Kadri-Langford has been confirmed as head of marketing for Lime Venue Portfolio. Kadri-Langford will oversee all above and below the line marketing activity for Lime Venue Portfolio’s c....

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04
Oct
11

Royal College of Nursing appoints NYS Corporate for travel and conferencing

NYS Corporate’s busy year continues, with a new full-service travel and conferencing contract for the Royal College of Nursing. The three-year contract covers all aspects of business travel mana....

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28
Sep
11

Trinity Conferences walk 20k to celebrate 20 years of care

To celebrate the 20th Birthday of Sue Ryder - Thorpe Hall Hospice, staff at Trinity Conferences in Stamford decided to organise a sponsored 20k walk. The aching feet were worth it, as the gruelling c....

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26
Sep
11

Hotel rates could rise by 50 per cent during Olympics, reveals study

Hotel insiders fear hotel rates could rise in London by as much as 50 per cent in 2012 due to the Olympics, following a study which showed how sporting events ramp up local hotel rates. The latest Ho....

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20
Sep
11

Zibrant buys Goldserve for £5.25m

Zibrant, part of Motivcom, has aquired conference and event lead generation business, Goldserve for £5.25m. Goldserve operates more than 2,000 lead and enquiry websites globally, generating in ....

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09
Sep
11

HBAA Annual Forum recognises the best in the sector

The HBAA Awards presented at HBAA Annual Forum dinner The HBAA recognised best practice in the hotel booking sector last night at the Ramada Manchester Piccadilly Hotel. The coveted awards were pres....

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09
Sep
11

£2.3bn meetings & events buying power descends on Manchester

HBAA hosts Annual Forum in city The HBAA, representing a buying power of £2.3bn on meetings and events, has drawn over 300 of the UK’s key agents, venues and hotels together at the Ramada....

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08
Sep
11

HBAA keynote implores Government to help the industry

The HBAA Annual Forum kicked off at the Ramada Manchester Piccadilly Hotel today, Thursday 8th September, drawing together over 300 of the UK’s agents, venues and hotels together. HBAA Chair, J....

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07
Sep
11

The stage is set for the 13th HBAA Annual Forum, Future Vision

The HBAA Annual Forum is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the accommodation and MICE year and has become a talking point for industry commentators because of its frank discussion and open tab....

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06
Sep
11

HBAA and Eventia unify education

Lead associations announce collaboration for education HBAA and Eventia have announced collaboration in the field of education, recognising the individual strengths & benefits provided by e....

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30
Aug
11

HBAA partners with ISMM’s Successful Selling Conference

The HBAA has teamed up with respected association Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM) to offer reduced rates at ISMM’s Successful Selling Conference at Ricoh Arena on 20th October....

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23
Aug
11

13th HBAA Annual Forum programme announced

The ‘Future Vision’ event will focus on: commerce, technology and personal development Hotel booking agents, hotels and venues are set to debate the latest industry topics and trends at t....

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15
Aug
11

HBAA Annual Forum - Yes it is that time again for our flagship event of the year!

The 2011 HBAA Annual Forum, taking place on 8th and 9th September at The Ramada Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester, is once again set to exceed expectations with a line-up of hot topics and high-profile i....

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05
Aug
11

BookOtel retains ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 registrations from The British Assessment Bureau

Worcester based hotel booking agency BookOTel has retained the internationally recognised ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 awards for the third year running, maintaining their position as one of the leaders in ....

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04
Aug
11

HBAA Awards 2011: deadline written applications extended to Friday 12th August

The HBAA Awards entry deadline has been extended by five days to next Friday 12th August 2011, to help members finalise their submissions. The awards underpin the association's key objectives and....

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03
Aug
11

HBAA Awards 2011 judges announced

Judges for the 2011 HBAA Awards have been unveiled as the association seeks entries to recognise best practice in the industry. The panel will review and select a shortlist of three finalists in each....

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03
Aug
11

Zibrant inspire clients with Olympic experience

Last month Zibrant’s Global Events team hosted an Olympic Fam experience to inspire their clients with ideas and options built around the 2012 Games for their meetings, events and incentives pre....

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03
Aug
11

Edgbaston Stadium unveils its new meetings and events spaces with 24 confirmed events

£32m redevelopment programme sees Birmingham’s cricket ground increasing its event offering. Edgbaston Stadium has officially opened its meetings and events spaces after completion of an ....

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01
Aug
11

Only 5 days left to submit your HBAA Awards written application!

The deadline to submit the written applications for the 2011 HBAA Awards is quickly approaching. Applications for the ‘Training & Development’, ‘Promoting Excellence within the I....

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29
Jul
11

Final Call for HBAA Awards written entries

Written entries in the 4th Annual HBAA Awards close in only one week 5th August 2011 at 17.00 hrs. The judging panel is lined up and includes Heather Gibson, editor of En Passant and Mark Lewis grou....

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27
Jul
11

A warm welcome to our newest venue member Kings Place Events

Kings Place is a hub for music, art, dialogue and food, housed in an award-winning building in Kings Cross, which also provides world class conferencing, events and office space. Since opening to the ....

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26
Jul
11

HBAA Awards judges announced

The Brewery, Lime Venue Portfolio and ACC Liverpool are all contenders for this year’s HBAA Awards. The judging panel is lined up and includes Heather Gibson, editor of En Passant and Mark Lewi....

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22
Jul
11

The deadline is approaching fast for the HBAA Awards

- Deadline to submit applications Friday 5th August 2011 - Deadline for online voting (Agent of the Year and Venue of the Year categories) Wednesday 24th August HBAA members have two weeks to subm....

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21
Jul
11

Zibrant wins C&IT Agency Challenge Live 2011

Zibrant has won the C&IT Agency Challenge 2011 in partnership with Visit Denmark. Imagination, Incredibull, W&O Events and Zibrant battled it out to be named winner of C&IT Agency Challen....

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20
Jul
11

Agencies and corporates ‘Race to Lime’

Lime Venue Portfolio spreads its presence across the UK meetings and event sector ‘Race to Lime’, the initiative by Lime Venue Portfolio has paid dividends during the first installment of....

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18
Jul
11

HBAA Awards - One Year On

Principal Hayley won the HBAA Award for Training and Development in 2010. The award was judged by Rochelle Long, editor of Meetings and Incentive Travel magazine and recognises agents’, hotels&....

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18
Jul
11

Zibrant expand their board and announce seven key promotions

Zibrant have announced that they have promoted Emma Bason, formerly Zibrant’s Head of International Operations, to the Board as well as making seven other key promotions within the business. Em....

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14
Jul
11

The Brewery opens its doors to incentive groups

New hotel boosts historic offering One of London’s best known venues is opening its doors to inbound incentives and groups. The Brewery, which has been at the forefront of the London venue and....

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14
Jul
11

HBAA Awards criteria: Training & Development Award

Last year's winner, Principal Hayley scooped the gong for its highly structured development programme for all staff, from induction to regular training. Applicants must demonstrate their organisa....

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13
Jul
11

Ellis Salsby Ltd appoints new business development manager

Worcestershire-based event management and venue finding company - Ellis Salsby Ltd has strengthened its management team by recruiting Stephanie Hunt as its new business development manager. Stephanie....

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12
Jul
11

Save the date! 8th - 9th September for the HBAA Annual Forum

The HBAA Annual Forum will take place on the 8th and 9th of September at The Ramada Manchester Piccadilly Hotel. Widely recognised as a keynote event in the HBAA calendar of events, the HBAA Forum dr....

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11
Jul
11

HBAA Awards criteria: Promoting Excellence within the Industry

Last year's winner, De Vere Hotels, Resorts & Venues scooped the gong for its Quiz Night. The HBAA are seeking entries from companies who have delivered excellence to their clients by me....

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11
Jul
11

Hospitality execs plan investment as optimism increases

Senior executives in the hospitality sector worldwide are more optimistic than their peers in other industries about the prospects of the economy, with many of them gearing up for growth in their busi....

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08
Jul
11

Ricoh Arena appoint new business development manager

Summer 2011 sees the Ricoh Arena appoint a new business development manager to its sales force. Craig Cotterill has joined the Midlands venue from InterContinental Hotels Group where he held the posi....

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08
Jul
11

£20m eco-friendly hotel for University of Nottingham

Construction is due to start on a new 200-bed upmarket hotel at The University of Nottingham. With planning permission already in place, the University’s Council have now given approval for the....

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07
Jul
11

IMEX survey reveals buyers opinions on social media

The use of social media for professional reasons has increased significantly, according to a survey of hosted buyers who attended IMEX this year. The Frankfurt Hosted Buyer Social Media Survey reve....

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07
Jul
11

The HBAA is on Facebook!

Become a fan of the association’s Facebook page and keep up to date with news and our social events – www.facebook.com/pages/HBAA/116520671772003#!/pages/HBAA/116520671772003....

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06
Jul
11

Trinity Conferences expands venue finding team

Trinity Conferences has increased its team by recruiting four new members of staff over the last three months, bringing the total number of employees to 23. Jenny Harding, Director of Operations said....

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30
Jun
11

Trinity Conferences achieves IIP Gold

Trinity Event Conferences has been awardedInvestors in People Gold award, the highest IIP standard which independently assesses good management practice and positive development of staff to achieve th....

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28
Jun
11

Industry players in full swing at the HBAA Golf Day

General managers from some of the UK leading hotels and venues, as well as major hotel booking agents and representatives of the corporate world, turned out last Friday (24th June) in force at De Vere....

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24
Jun
11

Ian Sparks replaces Ian Burnley as CEO of Expotel

Hotel Booking and event management agency Expotel has appointed Ian Sparks as its new Group Chief Executive, effective 4 July 2011. Sparks was most recently MD of FirstAssist Services, the health ....

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23
Jun
11

Statistical analysis on corporate accommodation buying patterns from Hotelzon

The first statistical analysis of corporate accommodation buying patterns has become available from Hotelzon Online, the pioneering hotel booking technology from hotel sector IT specialist Hotelzon. ....

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22
Jun
11

HBAA Awards 2011 categories revealed

Call for applications Now in their fourth year, the HBAA Awards are regarded as a benchmark of best practice within the association, whose buying power in meetings, events and accommodation exceeds &....

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21
Jun
11

Hospitality Business celebrates 5 year success

The North’s leading conference and event venue sourcing company, Hospitality Guaranteed, is celebrating 5 successful years in business this month. Helping companies across the UK save money and....

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21
Jun
11

BookOTel name Justin Dilks as business development manager

BookOTel is proud to announce and welcome Justin Dilks as their new Business Development Manager. Justin will join our existing sales department focusing on the acquisition of new business. He joins ....

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16
Jun
11

Lime Venue Portfolio appoints head of sales

Jo Austin has been appointed as head of sales for Lime Venue Portfolio, Compass Group UK & Ireland. Lime Venue Portfolio is a division of Compass Group and offers a collection of over 100 unique, ....

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06
Jun
11

Buyers looking for rooms in London next summer are facing problems already

Senior overseas and corporate hotel buyers debated the issue during the WTM Meridian Club Think Tank last week. They said it was proving difficult to secure hotel rooms at a commercial rate during th....

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03
Jun
11

Etihad CEO James Hogan Announced as Keynote Speaker for Business Travel Market 2011

Business Travel Market (BTM) has this week announced that the CEO of Etihad, James Hogan, is to open the event as keynote speaker, bringing more than 30 years of travel industry expertise to the event....

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01
Jun
11

Expotel Group announces management changes

Expotel Group CEO Ian Burnley is to step down from the travel management company’s (TMC) board with immediate effect. Burnley has spent five years as CEO of the Expotel Group, during which t....

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31
May
11

Zibrant posts £22m turnover following 'dramatic recovery'

Events agency Zibrant said sales hit the £22m mark last year after a strong performance in its event management and venue sourcing business. The Derby-based company posted a gross profit of &po....

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27
May
11

Ninth IMEX attracts nearly 9,000 to Frankfurt

The ninth IMEX events trade show in Frankfurt attracted almost 9,000 visitors to Messe Frankfurt this week, with nearly 3,900 hosted buyers making a record number of individual appointments. IMEX Cha....

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26
May
11

Conference Care celebrates third carbon neutral year

Conference Care is celebrating its third year of being carbon neutral, and has chosen Geothermal Power in Java, Indonesia, as its carbon offset project for 2011. The Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) p....

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26
May
11

Conference Care celebrates third carbon neutral year

Conference Care is celebrating its third year of being carbon neutral, and has chosen Geothermal Power in Java, Indonesia, as its carbon offset project for 2011. The Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) p....

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26
May
11

Conference Care celebrates third carbon neutral year

Conference Care is celebrating its third year of being carbon neutral, and has chosen Geothermal Power in Java, Indonesia, as its carbon offset project for 2011. The Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) p....

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24
May
11

HBAA spreads its net with technology seminar

The HBAA is to run a technology supplier showcase day combined with workshops to help booking agents and hoteliers maximise their knowledge on the rapidly changing face of booking technology for the s....

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24
May
11

Resurgent US market ready to think international

The American meetings market is growing and open for business – that was the message being pushed on the first day of IMEX, the international industry fair in Frankfurt. Leaders of several US m....

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24
May
11

Meeting and Event Barometer 2011 shows 9.4% increase in events in Germany

Numbers of events held in Germany have increased from 2.46m in 2009 to 2.69m last year. However, the increase recorded in the Meeting and Event Barometer 2011 follows a drop of 10.9% in 2009. In 201....

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13
May
11

Banks Sadler bolsters European teams

Banks Sadler is aiming to drum up business in its offices in Germany and France after bolstering its European teams. Maren Koncet has been appointed as sales manager for Germany having previously wor....

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12
May
11

Two Mint Hotels named as top-ranked hotels on Expedia

Online travel company Expedia has named Mint Hotel Westminster and Mint Hotel Glasgow among the top-ranked hotels on this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select list. The Insiders’ Sel....

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11
May
11

Event planners predict buoyancy in C&IT State of the Industry 2011 report

An optimistic mood backed by positive financial figures has led the events industry to predict a return to buoyancy in the coming year, according to C&IT's State of the Industry report. A tot....

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11
May
11

Intercontinental shares rise 4% on first quarter profit surge

Intercontinental Hotel Group has reported first quarter operating profits up 23 per cent and revenue growth up eight per cent from US$362m to $396m on the same period last year. The announcement from....

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10
May
11

Crispin Scott launches new booking agency

Former Ritz and Menzies Hotels Sales and Marketing Director Crispin Scott has launched a new hotel booking agency, Hotels and Venues. Based in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, the company will provide thre....

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04
May
11

Recent strong hotel performance unlikely to last

The UK hotel industry is continuing to turn around a steady performance despite continuing market pressures, although experts predict the rest of the year will be “less settled” as a resul....

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27
Apr
11

Olympic package price hikes anger hoteliers

Premier Inn Hotels is threatening to withdraw its hotel rooms from LOCOG’s 2012 Olympics allocations amidst concerns that vast price hikes through third party packages could “exploit&rdquo....

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26
Apr
11

London hotels are weathering the economic storm

London hotels continued to out-perform their counterparts in the regions after results for March showed profit levels were 2.5 times higher in the capital than elsewhere in the UK. At £65.31, G....

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21
Apr
11

Von Essen Hotels in administration

Ernst & Young has been appointed administrator of Von Essen Hotels. The company collapsed 20 April with debts of more than £250m. The group’s crown jewels include country house proper....

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15
Apr
11

Conference Care expands team

Conference Care has announced several new additions to both their Account Management and Operations teams. Tom Goodfellow joins from Fairmont St Andrews as Account Manager, Scotland. He will be worki....

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15
Apr
11

BSI to produce Bribery Act report

BSI has commissioned Travel Intelligence Network (TIN) to examine the Bribery Act's impact on the event industry. The agency's Industry Eye report, Risky Business, will explore how the Briber....

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13
Apr
11

Invitation to HBAA Technology Showcase Day

The TIE committee wish to invite you to the HBAA Technology Showcase Day ‘Hunting in the Technology Jungle’ On Friday 10th June 2011 At Holiday Inn Regents Park Carburton Street London ....

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05
Apr
11

Banks Sadler's operating profits grow by 50%

Despite ongoing challenging trading conditions, Banks Sadler Group continued to see turnover and profits grow in 2010. Turnover was £26.8 million, 16% higher than in 2009, however more significa....

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04
Apr
11

Cost confusion

Cautious optimism across the industry suggests the economic recovery is progressing slowly. But, says Bob Papworth, lingering uncertainty means buying hotel rooms remains a challenge... The phrase &q....

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01
Apr
11

Grass Roots report forecasts positive outlook for meetings and events

The outlook for 2011 is positive with increased event budgets in sectors including financial services, professional services and automotive, according to the fifth annual Grass Roots Meetings Indust....

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29
Mar
11

UK Bribery Act update - Ministry of Justice Announcement

Today I have announced that the Bribery Act will enter into force on July 1st, replacing and bringing together the current bribery laws which date back to 1889. I am also publishing guidance to busin....

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25
Mar
11

HBAA’s reactions to the budget 2011

Members of the HBAA turned to the Chancellor’s budget yesterday to see the effects on the accommodation and meetings and events booking sector. The Chancellor, who is looking to “put fuel....

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21
Mar
11

ACC Liverpool to build new exhibition and events complex

Liverpool’s landmark Arena and Convention Centre is to benefit from the addition of a new 8,100m² exhibition and events complex open for business in September 2014. Costing £40m, the....

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14
Mar
11

Conference Care sign with ABC Connection

Conference Care one of the UK’s leading Hotel Booking Agents has appointed ABC Connection to provide their online meetings, conferences and events solutions to manage their clients’ venue ....

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09
Mar
11

Why your event might be cancelled in 2012

Brands and agencies trying to organise events in 2012 could miss out unless they inform London authorities in the next three weeks, the Mayor’s office has warned. Flashmob events, business meet....

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08
Mar
11

Industry female figureheads gathered to seek ways to strengthen women's leadership in the hospitality and event industry

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, today (Tuesday 8th March) female leaders in the hospitality, event and travel industry gathered at Gordon Ramsay's D'Oyly C....

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04
Mar
11

Zibrant's Fay Sharpe takes top spot in C&IT's Power 50

Zibrant's managing director for sales and marketing Fay Sharpe topped the annual Power 50 index after a successful year, which saw the agency win new business from clients including Shell and BMW.....

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04
Mar
11

Hotel Booking Agents Association warns of licensing system for large events in 2012

Concerns over traffic congestion, crowd control and security in 2012 has prompted the Mayor of London’s office to launch a licensing system for every event or meeting taking place in London that....

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11
Feb
11

The HBAA’s YouTube Channel is now live

The marketing committee has commissioned a series of videos about how the Association operates, its objectives, priorities, Code of Conduct and developments. The first of these videos is now available....

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08
Feb
11

Trinity Conferences appoints Stephen Usher to manage their event management division

Trinity Conferences are delighted to announce the appointment of Stephen Usher to the Trinity brand as managing director of Trinity Event Management – the full event management arm of Trinity Co....

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07
Feb
11

Confex aims to increase hosted buyers by 40% in move to Excel London

International Confex will move from Earls Court to Excel in 2012 after 16 years at the west London venue. A drive to increase international exhibitors and visitors was a key factor in the decision to....

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01
Feb
11

Best Western Ullesthorpe Court Hotel & Golf Club, is best in the land!

Local Ullesthorpe hotel, Best Western Ullesthorpe Court Hotel & Golf Club, triumphed over fellow independent hotels from across the UK to claim the title Large Hotel of the Year 2010 at the Best W....

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31
Jan
11

Grass Roots employee wins two-month opportunity to work with Victim Support

Pharmaceutical team Project Manager, Victoria May, has won one of 500 places on the Vodafone World of Difference programme. The programme gives people the chance to work for a UK-based charity of the....

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28
Jan
11

Hotelzon relocates its management team to London

The hotel industry’s most prolific hotel booking agent and provider of technology software, Hotelzon, has embarked on an exciting venture this month by moving its management headquarters from Fi....

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24
Jan
11

HBAA Chairman cheques out the year with donation to Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance

Stephen Usher, Managing Director House of Usher and past Chair of the HBAA, handed over a cheque today for £2,425 to Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA). Stephen nominated ....

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20
Jan
11

HBAA present Tim Gasson Memorial Award

Susanna Christie of Infotel Solutions has been awarded the HBAA’s Tim Gasson Memorial Award for her outstanding contribution to the association throughout 2010. Susanna collected her award at t....

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17
Jan
11

HBAA annual dinner sees inauguration of new chairman Juliet Price, launches new charter and raises £15,230 for charity

The HBAA staged its annual headline social event on Friday 14th January. Bringing together over 400 booking agents, hoteliers and venues, the dinner saw incoming chairman for the association Juliet P....

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13
Dec
10

HBAA announces executive committee line up for 2011

Juliet Price will lead the HBAA into the next decade as the chair of the association. Juliet takes the reigns as chair from Stephen Usher and will oversee a new executive committee line up throughout ....

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07
Dec
10

Hotel rates remain below 2004 levels

The average price of a hotel room around the world rose just 1% in the third quarter of 2010 compared to Q309, according to the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index. Rates stabilised in Q210 and Q310 but....

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08
Nov
10

Trinity Conferences launches training website

Trinity Conferences has launched a free resource to help conference and meeting organisers plan and manage their events. The Event Organisers’ Guide, www.eventorganisersguide.co.uk, is aimed at....

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25
Oct
10

Would you like to be an award winning hotel?

The HRS Hotel Excellence Awards are a superb opportunity for you to gain recognition for the hard work you have invested in your hotel. Whether your hotel is large or small we want to hear about your ....

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12
Oct
10

The Hotel Booking Agents Association's 8th Annual Golf Classic tees off in style

Leading players in the hospitality industry congregated at the newly opened Crowne Plaza Oxford, part of the Heythrop Park Resort, on Monday (October 11th) to take part in the 8th Annual Hotel Booking....

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22
Sep
10

Lime Venue Portfolio praised for innovative training at HBAA Awards

Lime Venue Portfolio was highlighted for its use of the information superhighway at last week's Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) Awards. Lime Venue Portfolio has pioneered the use of webca....

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17
Sep
10

Meetings & Events Manifesto Continues to Receive Government Support

Vince Cable latest Minister to endorse campaign The recently launched Meetings & Events Manifesto for Britain, created by the Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP), has received further....

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14
Sep
10

Hotel rates rise for first time since 2007

The average price of a UK hotel room finally stopped falling in the second quarter of this year, according to the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index. Rates per night averaged £83, up 3% from Q209,....

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09
Sep
10

HBAA Annual Forum rewards excellence within the Industry

The HBAA Awards took place at the HBAA Annual Forum last night, 8th September. Presented at host venue, the Holiday Inn Stratford on Avon, the awards are now in their third year and recognise exce....

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08
Sep
10

Record number of delegates for the first day of the HBAA Annual Forum 2010

The HBAA welcomes its highest ever turnout of delegates at its powwow being held at the Holiday Inn Stratford-Upon-Avon. Over 325 delegates made up of hoteliers, senior venue and agent managers ....

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06
Sep
10

The countdown to the HBAA Annual Forum has started

The HBAA Annual Forum is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the accommodation and MICE year and has become a talking point for industry commentators because of its frank discussion and open t....

...More

24
Aug
10

Accor launches e-learning tool

Accor Hotels, Europe’s largest Hotel Group with over 4000 hotels in nearly 100 countries worldwide, has recently launched its latest on-line e-learning tool. The application has been designed t....

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20
Aug
10

2010’s HBAA Forum focuses on The Power of Togetherness

Now that the dust is starting to settle, over 250 hotel booking agents and senior managers from the hospitality and event industry will convene at the Holiday Inn Stratford upon Avon. The delegation ....

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16
Aug
10

HBAA Agent of the Year Award

There has been an unprecedented response to the inaugural HBAA Agent of the Year Award. In light of the huge amount of votes already cast, it has been decided to split the category between ‘sm....

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12
Aug
10

What is the knowledge economy?

The hotel booking sector is well known for its use of three letter acronyms; HBA, HBAA, BHA, ITM, MIA all take some getting used to. After a time, three little letters make complete sense and fit eas....

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03
Aug
10

HBAA Annual Forum - Registration is now open

Tomorrow, the new Today? Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th September, Holiday Inn Stratford upon Avon Inspirational seminars! Motivating workshops! Attention-grabbing speakers! All main contacts w....

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03
Aug
10

Hotel performance forecast too optimistic says PwC

Businesses dependent on public spending face serious challenges over the next five years, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers, which has revised its UK hotels forecast following the Emergency Budget. ....

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26
Jul
10

Memberships Committee Chair appointment

Chris Parnham, Zibrant’s Managing Director (Operations), has been elected Chair of the newly formed Memberships Committee. This new role has been created by the merger of the Membership (agents....

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22
Jul
10

Undercover Boss - CEO of Best Western, David Clarke

The new programme on Channel 4, Undercover Boss, sees high-flying executives take extraordinary measures to ensure that their companies are fighting fit by infiltrating their own businesses. Last wee....

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15
Jul
10

HBAA seeks Agent of the Year in new annual award category

The HBAA is asking corporate bookers and buyers of meeting and accommodation to vote for their hotel booking agent of the year. The HBAA, recognised as the UK’s lead association for hotel boo....

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07
Jul
10

Enterprise Hotel is HBAA’s latest partner

The Enterprise Hotel is the latest venue to become a Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) partner. The Enterprise joins an impressive line up of over 190 partners of the trade association. These c....

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01
Jul
10

The Hotel Booking Agents Association calls for entries

The HBAA Awards 2010 Now in their third year, the HBAA Awards recognise excellence and the promotion of best practice in the hotel booking agency sector with past winners including Grassroots HBI, Co....

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25
Jun
10

2010's Emergency Budget

Plans to raise VAT to 20% received a mixed reaction from the agency, hotel and venue sector. The increase will be brought in from 4th January 2011, as part of the tough measures designed to reduce t....

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17
Jun
10

Zibrant smashes first half targets

Zibrant has achieved more than £50m of confirmed business in the first five months of 2010 Zibrant has achieved more than £50m of confirmed business in the first five months of 2010. The ....

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15
Jun
10

HBAA 2010’s chairman takes charity to new heights

The HBAA is widening the scope of its charitable giving with the introduction of the Chairman’s Charity. The HBAA has supported Lynn’s Bowel Cancer Campaign since 2003 and has collective....

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04
Jun
10

HBAA CEO Dinner 2010

30 CEO’s from the UK’s leading agencies, hoteliers and venues gathered at Trinity House in Tower Hill, London last night to discuss the future of the industry. This annual event is an opp....

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06
May
10

HBAA gets inline with online

Association researches the impact of technology A recent survey conducted by the HBAA with its member agencies highlights a growing appetite by agencies for technology and online solutions to help be....

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21
Apr
10

HBAA seeks to help kick start empty inventories

It's not just distressed travellers across the globe who are feeling the effects of Iceland’s volcanic fallout. Hotels and venues have been seeing the impact with events scaled back, postpo....

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29
Mar
10

HBAA clarifies TOMS working practices

Association addresses new VAT legislation The UK’s leading association for intermediaries dealing with meetings, events and accommodation bookings, the HBAA, has helped deliver a solution to w....

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19
Feb
10

Request for Meetings reports 234% surge in activity

Enquiries to hotels and venues set to quadruple Increased activity for the first six weeks of 2010 has seen the volume of Request for Meetings enquiries to hotels and venues surge by 234%. “Th....

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16
Feb
10

HBAA backs Business Travel Market

The Hotel Booking Agents Association is confirmed as an official association partner for the second annual Business Travel Market taking place on 16th -17th June at Excel London. Testament of the HBA....

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02
Feb
10

HBAA and ABC Connection announce strategic partnership

Deal will strengthen existing ties The Hotel Booking Agents Association and online publisher ABC Connection today embarked on a new chapter in their existing relationship by announcing a three-year s....

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28
Jan
10

HBAA reveals new executive committee

Association shapes up for the new decade The Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) has appointed five new executive committee members and expanded its partnership committee as the association sets ....

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19
Jan
10

HBAA annual dinner introduces new chairman Stephen Usher

HBAA helps raise £18,220 for Lynn’s Bowel Cancer Campaign. The Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) held its 11th Annual Dinner reception at Principal Hayley’s latest acquisition....

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04
Nov
09

Grass Roots EventCom reports £1.6m profits

The Meetings, Events and Communications division of Grass Roots has announced its results for the 2008-2009 financial year with profits before tax in excess of £1.6 million. The business rebran....

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04
Nov
09

C&I industry leaders to lobby government over TOMS tax reform

C&I industry leaders are meeting government officials this week to press for a change to the potentially damaging Tour Operators' Margin Scheme (TOMS) that is due to be enforced in the UK from....

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21
Oct
09

Golfers on-par at the Hotel Booking Agents Association 7th Annual Golf Classic

On 13th October, leading players in the hospitality industry congregated at the Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club for the 7th Annual HBAA Golf Day. Host to a succession of international....

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14
Oct
09

BT Convention Centre commits to HBAA

BT Convention Centre, part of ACC Liverpool, has joined the HBAA. BT Convention Centre Liverpool plays host to a variety of events: from medical symposiums and international association congresses t....

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14
Sep
09

The fisrt day of the HBAA Annual Forum announces a brighter future for the hotel industry

The Hotel Booking Agent Association’s Annual Forum attracted a record number of 300 booking agents and hoteliers to the Barceló Hinckley Island Hotel, Leicestershire. 2009’s Forum ....

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03
Sep
09

Keynote speaker announced for HBAA Forum

Jamie Chappell, managing director of STR Global, the world’s foremost source of hotel performance trends, will be providing the keynote for this year’s HBAA Forum on 10th - 11th September.....

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19
Aug
09

UK hotel managers increasingly optimistic according to The Hotel Confidence Monitor by TRI Hospitality Consulting – Q3 2009

UK hotel general managers continue to be increasingly positive about their hotel’s trading performance, with growth in optimism for a second successive quarter. According to the latest Hotel Co....

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18
Aug
09

UK day delegate rates have fallen by 17 per cent in the last year, says BDRC research

Day delegate rates as quoted by hotels and conference centres have fallen by 17 per cent across the UK in the last year, according to BDRC’s Meetings Benchmark Tracker programme. The results, w....

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17
Aug
09

Ruled Brittania but HBAA to pave the way

The HBAA are set to pave the way with new Terms of Business that will ensure hotels, venues and agents are fully aware of their responsibilities and obligations during the confirmation process of meet....

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23
Jun
09

HBAA furthers educational links during National Meetings Week

The HBAA is ;helping to promote careers as well as learning and development in the booking agency sector during National Meetings Week 21st - 28th September 2009. Held annually, National Meetings We....

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22
Jun
09

HBAA Awards Nominations Open

Call for entries Thursday 10th September will see the much-anticipated presentation of the HBAA Awards. Now in their second year, the awards are seen as a benchmark of best practice within t....

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17
Jun
09

HBAA Forum dates launched

Technological and personal networking headlines two-day event Hotel booking agents, hotels and venues are set to debate the latest industry topics at the Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) Annua....

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11
Jun
09

ExCel London commits to the Hotel Booking Agents Association

ExCel London, the international exhibition and conference centre, has joined the HBAA. Part of the ADNEC group of companies, ExCel London plays host to a variety of events: from award-winning exhibi....

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05
Jun
09

HelmsBriscoe bolsters HBAA’s global presence

HelmsBriscoe is the latest high profile organisation to join the HBAA. Intensified demand by corporate travel managers to use hotel booking agents and meeting procurement specialists, coupled with ....

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18
May
09

Inntel appoints new commercial manager

Kathie McGuire has been appointed as Commercial Manager at Inntel, one of the UK's leading providers of specialist venue and travel solutions to the corporate market. Kathie will be responsible fo....

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12
May
09

Industry leaders congregated at the HBAA CEO Dinner to discuss the sector’s future

CEOs and senior executives from some of the UK’s pre-eminent hotels and venues and booking agents congregated at the Hotel Booking Agent Association’s (HBAA) CEO Dinner, held at Home House....

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01
May
09

HBAA sides up to changing face of meetings market

Twitter, social networking and online immediacy are leading corporates to look at new ways of managing their marketing budgets. Despite traditional print advertising being on the wane, corporates are....

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30
Apr
09

National Meetings Week, 14-21 Septebmer 2009

The HBAA have been partners with National Meetings Week for some years. 2009 will be the most comprehensive push to date as we help raise the profile of the importance of the meeting and events s....

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20
Apr
09

Leaner agents for change?

The business climate is not good for venue-booking and event management agencies, with events being cancelled and redundancies hitting hard. With Banks Sadler, Inntel and BSI making staff redundant i....

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06
Apr
09

Financial Times outlines glum outlook

Deloitte predicted declining occupancy and revenues during 2009 would hit London hotels worse than the rest of the UK. Revenue per available room will fall by 12.7% in the capital compared with an e....

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24
Mar
09

HBAA Launches Billback Best Practice Code

The HBAA has launched a Best Practice Code for Billback transactions. The Code is an addendum to the HBAA’s widely recognised Code of Conduct with which all association members and partners must....

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18
Mar
09

HBAA condemns lack of transparency on Day Delegate Rates

Members of the HBAA expressed their disapproval of hotels including non-VAT elements in their day delegate rates (DDR), at the association’s quarterly meeting held on 12th March in Asco....

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05
Mar
09

Barack Obama urged to scap laws

UK industry leaders have urged President Barack Obama to scrap new laws that will require US companies that were assisted in the recent $700b (£496b) bail-out to cut spending on business travel.....

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26
Feb
09

Revpar Latest

Revenue per available room (revpar) slumped by 13.5% in London hotels and by 20.3% in the regions in the week ending 7 February 2009, according to STR Global. London revpar fell to £79.24, down....

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17
Feb
09

Concerns about US Government anti-events movement

Visit London commercial director David Hornby is calling on the UK C&I industry to sign a petition to save the US events market. Hornby has raised concerns about US congress developing policie....

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16
Feb
09

HBAA to address International Confex, 24th February 2009

On Tuesday 24th February, Peter Ducker and Mark Harris will address International Confex with the HBAA’s latest White Paper. Commencing at 14.00 in Seminar Theatre 4 the talk will look at &ls....

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11
Feb
09

Revpar Latest

Revenue per available room (revpar) plunged by 20.8% at London hotels in the week ending 24 January 09,according to figures from hospitality research company STR Global. Revpar dropped to £79.0....

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10
Feb
09

HBAA releases White Paper ‘Money For Nothing’

The HBAA is to publish the next White Paper in a comprehensive series of reference documents to promote best practice and protocols for the hotel and venue booking agency community. Entitled ‘....

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05
Feb
09

Revpar latest

Revpar fell by 11.4% at London hotels in the week ending 17 January, according to figures from hospitality research company STR Global. Revpar dropped to £78.28, down from £88.31 in the e....

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04
Feb
09

White Paper Launch - Tuesday 10th February

Mark Harris, Travel Intelligence Network, will be presenting the HBAA’s latest White Paper at the Business Travel Show, 10-12 February at Earls Court.2 The paper on ‘Transparency’ w....

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23
Jan
09

HBAA commence 2009 on a high note

Italian flair helps raise £23,000 for Lynn’s Bowel Cancer Campaign Members and partners of the HBAA dug deeper into their pockets than ever before at the recent HBAA Annual Dinner, the....

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19
Jan
09

Revpar Latest

London hotels saw revenue per available room (revpar) drop by 2% in the week ending 27 December 2008, according to figures from hospitality research company STR Globaal Revpar fell to £45.93, d....

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12
Dec
08

Expotel joins HBAA

Expotel is the latest in a series of high-profile hotel booking agents to join the HBAA. Expotel joins the HBAA as the association asserts its presence as the leading voice for the hotel and confere....

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18
Nov
08

Hotelscene joins HBAA - Association’s buying power exceeds £1.1bn

Hotelscene, one of the UK’s largest hotel booking agencies, has joined leading association the HBAA. Bristol based Hotelscene will join other leading UK agents in their drive for professionali....

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17
Nov
08

HBAA Gets Interactive

The HBAA has launched a new website to reflect its recent re-brand and its increasing influence within the accommodation and meetings sector. Launched on 17th November 2008, the website will al....

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12
Sep
08

The HBAA’s closes annual forum with awards for excellence

The Hotel Booking Agent Association announced the winners of the first ever HBAA Awards at the association’s annual forum, held at the Park Inn, Heathrow on Friday 12th September. The inaugura....

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11
Sep
08

HBAA to launch careers microsite

The HBAA is launching a microsite to help promote careers as well as learning and development in the booking agency sector. The association’s buying power contributes ....

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11
Sep
08

HBAA unveils a new brand identity

Sue Burgess, The Hotel Booking Agent Association (HBAA) Chairman unveiled a new brand identity at the Association’s annual forum, held at the Park Inn, Heathrow. She says “The HBAA is w....

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30
Jul
08

Business Travel industry to gather at the HBAA Forum

Hotel booking agents, hotels and venues are set to debate the latest industry topics at the Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) Annual Forum 2008, 11th -12th September at the Park Inn Heathrow. T....

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03
Jun
08

The Hotel Booking Agent Association demonstrates its reach

Leading business travel association, The Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA), has confirmed its position in the industry after bringing together the UK’s top level hospitality executives at its re....

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20
May
08

HBAA kicks off International Meetings Agenda

The Hotel Booking Agents Association, HBAA, is kicking off with its first international meeting. The event will take place in the Republic of Ireland, May 29th and 30th. As the association asserts i....

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15
Apr
08

HBAA sets out Familiarisation Trip Etiquette

The Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) has produced the first in a series of white papers that will continue to drive professionalism in the hotel booking sector. Written in collaboration with th....

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