Spain for events 2009

Spain for Events - 2009 �

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EDITORIAL

Director: Lynn Wong

Chief editor: Eric Mottard

Editorial Committee: Ana María León, Illa Liendo, Luciana Salvador, Natalia Fusté

Advertising: Christian Bergmann, David Benítez, Isabel Abad, Isabella Costa, Jeremy Sawas, Jordi Lluch, Mariví Bermejo, Regina Abad

International: José García Aguarod

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Design: Rodrigo Gelain

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Editorial...............................................................................04

Agencies create new products .........................................07

Destinations:

Madrid ..........................................................................................08

Barcelona ...................................................................................16

Valencia .......................................................................................26

Mallorca (Balearic Islands) ....................................................32

Canary Islands ...........................................................................36

Granada .......................................................................................42

Costal del Sol .............................................................................46

Seville ...........................................................................................52

Galicia (A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela) ...................58

Asturias ........................................................................................64

Bilbao ...........................................................................................70

San Sebastián ...........................................................................76

Wine destination with all the senses .............................80

Golfers´paradise .......................................................................82

Thematic routes .....................................................................84

Contacts ......................................................................................86

Index

4 Spain for Events - 2009

Spain: the country of fiesta, paella, bullfighting and siesta? Give me a break... no more clichés please! But as much as we like to deride clichés, these happen to be true! Not literally, however, though these characteristics of Spain are part of what make it a place we love and why you and your guests will too. ¿Fiesta? Spanish people love it; they love to celebrate and have a good time and, in the end, isn’t that what events are often about? But these “events” go far beyond a beach party. The fact is, this passion for events has become extremely serious in the last 20 years: Spain has turned into a machine geared for getting large events and organising them very professionally, from the Olympics to the Universal Exhibition, from the Forum of Cultures to the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the America’s Cup. Spain has events in its DNA and it should be no suprise that it is consistently in the global top five for international meetings, according to entities like the ICCA and UIA. ¿Paella? Go to Valencia and you will experience the best paella in the world. But gastronomy goes far beyond this typical rice dish and Spain is simply world champion in this field. To start, there’s Ferran Adrià, but it goes beyond him: According to the latest ranking by Restaurant Magazine, four of the top ten chefs worldwide are Spanish. Most regions have known how to combine their ancient traditions with fresh innovation and your events are sure to taste good here. ¿Bullfighting? This controversial (even in Spain) activity is an indicator of the Spanish love for tradition and the unique activities you can see and live here. Yes, Spanish people are unique: they really do organise the running of the bulls in the streets of Pamplona, burn huge paper statues in Valencia and have religious processions in Seville. Barcelona has street parades with pyrotechnic throwing dragons while human towers are a tradition in Catalonia… And, most colourful of all, they even throw tonnes of tomatoes at each other in the Tomatina celebration in Buñol. All this gives you endless possibilities of thematic activities to make your event truly unique. ¿And siesta? Well... you don’t build the world’s tenth economy sleeping all afternoon, but siesta has epitomised the Spanish people’s love of the good life for a long time. And happy hosts who simply love life could be the best thing for your event. Don’t worry, the bus will be there at 4PM to pick up your hosts and your DMC is sure to be waiting in the lobby at 7:45 despite last night’s party. We could remind you the historic richness of the country, its variety of natural settings, its amazing offer of congress centres and hotels and its logistics networks. We could tell you how cities like Valencia and Bilbao have reinvented themselves and become fantastic places to visit. We could tell you about the close to 50 convention bureaus which show the meetings mindset of this country. But more important than all this, Spain has in its culture, in its blood, the notion of passionate events. Shouldn’t your next event be passionate?

Eric MottardChief Editor of Grupo eventoplus

Spain has a great track record of very large (successful) events:

formula 1, America’s Cup, Olympics, Universal Exhibitions,

Forum of Cultures...

Editorial

Spain for Events - 2009 5

Spain is one of the top leaders in the world within the MICE segment, but we all should keep working hard in order, not only to maintain our privileged position, but to place Spain as the number one country in number of congresses and delegates worldwide. As President of the Spain Convention Bureau, representing 47 cities, I firmly believe that the key factors that made our country a top leader in the travel industry are the high quality in our services with an unbeatable value for money, the great accessibility with major airports and the best high speed train network in Europe, and the excellent congress infrastructure: more than 50 congress centres, hotels, spectacular & historical venues… The factors above, together with the incredible complementary offer (gastronomy, cultural heritage, nature, leisure, sea…) enables Spain to defend its advantage against other destinations and maintain it in the long term. Spain also has something that few destinations can offer: Your experience, because in the “experience economy”, we know MICE visitors do not come anymore to merely visit cathedrals: they look for unique experiences, they want to live the destination fully, and our country is more than prepared to give them unforgettable moments. Your guests will live Spain fully and always remember their experience here. They will build human towers and ride Spanish horses in a beautiful countryside. They will cook their own traditional meal with the group and have unique role plays to discover the culture heritage in a fun way. They will eat fresh fish directly from the market stand and talk to the fishermen as they come back to shore. They will live Spain, not merely see it. This magazine will show you some of the things you can do, see, eat, experience in Spain. Enjoy it and… come see for yourself!

Francisco de la Torre, President of the Spain Convention Bureau

Spain has become in the last decade one of the leading international destinations for MICE and offers an outstanding infrastructure which is continuously being modernised and enlarged: excellent flight connections from all over the world to 47 Spanish airports; an expanding high speed-train network connecting the capital Madrid to cities such as Barcelona, Zaragoza, Malaga, Seville and Valladolid; over 500.000 rooms in 4 and 5–star hotels all over Spain and more than 800 meeting venues and 60 Congress Centers joining design and modern technology. With �9 UNESCO World Heritage declared sites, trendy cities combining historical and avant-garde architecture as for example Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia and a large number of famous museums as the Prado and the Thyssen Bornemisza in Madrid, the Guggenheim in Bilbao and the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain is also one of the richest countries in cultural matters. Fascinating natural landscapes of all types, thousands of kilometers of coastline with all kind of beaches and a moderate climate, Spain offers ideal conditions for outdoor events the whole year through. Spanish gastronomy also offers a big variety of excellent wines in all Spanish regions and around 100 restaurants awarded with Michelin Stars - among them the Bulli from the world best Chef Ferran Adrià, famous for his avant-garde cuisine. For all these reasons, Spain is the perfect choice for any event..

Horacio Díaz del Barco Director of the Spanish tourist office in Frankfurt/Main - Germany

Spain: passion for MICE

The perfect choice for any event



Technology to facilitate proposal managementIs this the end of the 27-page, hard-to-digest proposal? Faster, more flexible, clearer, and greener were the goals of the latest initiative by the DMC EATB to create a new system for its programme proposals. How does it work? EATB sends a light (four-page maximum) proposal, a one-page Word document for the hotel reservations and a costing spreadsheet. All complementary content is posted online with easy links from the proposal: hotel, restaurant and activity descriptions are always in the same format with 8-12 photos, Google maps links, official websites, contact details and other functions like PDF generation. This can be used by the agency in the country of origin as a white-labelled product which facilitates the preparation of their client proposal. An interesting way to facilitate the work of the agency, despite the distance. Not to mention saving a few trees in the process.

Colours to give meaning to meetingsBased on the psychology of colours and behaviour theories, the latest innovation by DMC Ultramar Event Management aims to make sure the event design, as a whole, helps meet the client’s objectives. How does it work? First the agency helps the client define the objectives of the meeting through a (soon online) questionnaire. Depending on the answers, the meeting is linked to a specific colour (red tends to be for motivational events, for instance). And Ultramar has defined a specific communications style as well as distinct venues, room set-ups, and activities. All this innovation is geared to improve ROI.

Packaging meetings to save costs and simplify event organisation Ultramar Event Management was also behind the innovative “Express Convention”. The agency selected specific cities which can be reached by high-speed train. Then it negotiated with hotels and providers to obtain special conditions and designed packages of conventions which including transport, hotel, meeting rooms and F&B. Extras, of course, can be contracted separately. The company thus gets a lower-price convention and an easier organisation process. The convention can even be organised online, including programme planning, full costing, and availability check. The finalisation of the contract is online too. Another innovative solution was launched by the Madrid Faunia in collaboration with Global Events. Again, the goal is to offer simpler and cheaper events. For 99 euros / pax, the “Event Pack” includes the venue, backdrop, AV, coffee break and lunch or dinner. Optional services can be sourced too.

Being green MCI and its DMC activity Ovation have decidedly gone green over the last few years. Guy Bigwood, the group’s sustainability director and member of the board of the Green Meeting Industry Council, is based in Spain. Besides organising several

Agencies create new products to differentiate themselves

Survival of the fittest… In this hyper-competitive industry, some Spanish agencies have resorted to product innovation and new working styles as a way to differentiate themselves from hundreds of other agencies. If tailor-made services were traditionally the motto of most agencies, several have started creating specific products or implementing technological solutions which simplify organisation and enable them to grab the client’s attention. Special packages and improved use of technology are two common techniques. Another is low-cost operations in which quality is maintained while offer is simplified in order to limit costs.

international summits on climate change, they offer their clients the option of “greening” their events. “We have created three packs for green meetings” says Guy Bigwood, who sees CSR as a growing demand for many clients, and therefore as a differentiating factor for MCI.

Creating products for the destination“Made to measure” has been the motto of most agencies and DMC’s. But to grab attention and set themselves apart, some have created packaged products for specific destinations. For instance, ITB has created a set of innovative tours in Barcelona: one based on the markets of the city, another one on new architecture, and finally a gastronomy tour in small unknown local restaurants. This is a great way to generate awareness and interest and, as an added bonus, it is easy to promote through mailings. Another example is Es.Cultura in Seville, which created a series of packaged and themed attractions. Example? Their “Ruta de Carmen” is a themed programme with actors representing characters from the famous opera as well as everyday situations from the period. All this is set against the backdrop of traditional venues. And their “historic gymkhanas and theatre-based visits” are a way to discovery the destination through role playing activities which include participation of the locals. Of course, custom adaptations for individual clients are available. Many of these innovations are the result of the extreme competitiveness in our industry, the difficulty to set oneself apart and, of course, the delicate economic situation. Interesting times indeed.


Madrid


Famous for…• Its nightlife, and especially the Madrid movida of

the 80’s (a crazy cultural explosion which brought unbridled creativity to Madrid’s life, especially in terms of the artistic and clubbing scenes).

• Its traditional dishes like the calamar sandwich, the famous chocolate con churros (inevitable after a night-long party!) and the cocido madrileño, a solid stew based on chickpeas.

• The Madrid of the Habsburg dynasty, with its monuments and famous buildings built during the reign of the Austrias.

• Hosting some of the greatest museums in the world like the Reina Sofía, the Prado or the Thyssen-Bornemisza.

• The charm of its surroundings, many of which are World Heritage Cities (Alcalá de Henares, Avila, Segovia, Toledo).

The economic powerhouse of Spain is also the third city in Europe in terms of multinationals, giving it a huge local market for corporate events. But this grand, prestigious city where you feel history and culture around every corner logically offers a lot for international events as well. And there is no way you can miss the legendary intensity of Madrid’s fiesta culture, lively bars, designer lounges, and non-stop street life… Another of Madrid’s assets is outside: just one hour from the city, the variety of available day trips is stunning: from charming villages to medieval monuments and World Heritage Cities, Madrid has it all. Three cities stand out right next to Madrid: the historical city of Alcalá de Henares, the legendary San Lorenzo de El Escorial, and Aranjuez, with its artistic culture.

Madrid bids for tennis (and other events) with the Caja Mágica The Caja Mágica sports complex hopes to reinforce Madrid’s position as one of the world capitals of tennis. This new venue, designed by architect Dominique Perrault, combines cutting edge design and versatility. Its facilities are made of steel, wood and glass and include two covered 103.365sqm spaces: the Caja Mágica and the Tennis Indoor. One of its innova-tions is the mobile covers of the sta-ges: this mobile roof allows for three simultaneous games. Though it was primarily designed for tennis, it may also host other large events.


Surprising nooks In Madrid• Puerta de Alcalá: situated in la Plaza de la Independencia,

in the centre of Madrid, it is one of the most emblematic monuments in the city, built in 1778 by King Carlos III.

• Fuente de la Cibeles: this fountain is the place where Real Madrid fans go celebrate when their football team wins. This Madrid iconic is located between the Paseo de Recoletos and Paseo del Prado.

• Monte de El Pardo: This Mediterranean forest, the best preserved of Madrid, is a true ecological paradise just 8km from the capital.

• Retiro Park: with more than 100 hectares, this central park dates back to the 17th century and is decorated with ponds and gardens and includes venues for events.

• Monastrio y Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial: another World Heritage Site, it is one of the main Renaissance monuments in Spain.

• Mercado de San Miguel: it has recently been reopened after being closed for 65 years.

• Planetario de Madrid: In the Tierno Galván Park, this planetarium has 150 projectors and various special effects that simulate the solar system, stellar explosions, pulsars, black holes, etc.

• Café de los Signos: a theatre hall which also offers magic theatre hall which also offers magic shows. All waiters are deaf and communicate in sign language. A unique silent place.

• Palacio Real de Madrid: The royal palace is home to great works by Spanish artists such as El Greco, Rubens, Caravaggio, Velázquez and Goya.

• Casa de Campo: 40.000sqm of open-air and ��.000sqm of spacious halls. It includes the former trade show area.

Outside Madrid• Paisaje Cultural Patrimonio de la Humanidad de Aranjuez:

the World Heritage City includes the Palacio Real, the Real Casa del Labrador and the Jardines del Príncipe as well as its old quarter.

• Monastrio y Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial: another World Heritage Site, it is one of the main Renaissance monuments in Spain.

Shoot your own western movie: the guests will write the script, handle the casting, and decorate the set at Club las Encinas de Boadilla

Fun facts•Madrid natives are called “cats” due to their ability to climb walls and cliffs with their bare hands during the Middle Age.

•The resistance of Madrid during the Spanish Civil War was converted by Republican propagandists into a reference with the famous slogan “¡No pasarán!” (They will not pass!).

•The origin of the Spanish tortilla de patatas can be traced back to the aristocratic Madrid of the 16th century.

•The running of the bulls (an amazing, colourful tradition, which consists of a street race where bulls charge full steam ahead while people run with them and, hopefully, avoid them) doesn’t just happen in Navarra. The running of San Sebastián de los Reyes is considered the second most-im-portant in Spain after the San Fermines in Pamplona.

Madrid



• Real Teatro Carlos III: colloquially called La Bombonera (the candy house), an 18th century building located in San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

• Jardines de Aranjuez: gardens with fountains and statues that have inspired poets and musicians (remember the concert by Joaquín Rodrigo in Aranjuez).

Highlighted venues In Madrid• Centro Internacional de Convenciones de Madrid (CICCM):

Madrid starts to build its new convention centre. The aim of this third congress centre of the Spanish capital is to attract to Madrid more international congresses. The building will feature three auditoriums, one with capacity for 6.�00pax and two for 1.500pax. It will also offer great views of the city.The building are located near the four new skyscrapers of the Castellana Avenue and will have a cylindrical form.

• Auditorium Juan Carlos I: with a capacity of 9,500pax seated and 1�,000 standing.

• Palacio de los Deportes: a sports arena in the city centre with retractable seats and the capacity to host events of up to 16.000pax.

• Las Ventas: the largest bullfighting ring in Spain follows a Neo-Mudéjar style (that is, a 19th century takes on Moorish architecture) and can host almost 25,000pax.

• El Corral de la Morería: a famous tablao (flamenco bar) which appears in the book “1.000 places to see before you die”. A very lively place with 18th century furniture.

• Palacio de Linares: famous for a legend that says it’s haunted, this palace follows French 17th century style and offers rooms with a variety of decors.

• The Debod Temple: An ancient Egyptian temple more than 2,200 years old, it is one of the best places to enjoy the sunset.

Madrid made a great Goooal!Organised by Abacus Marketing (UK) and Welldone Events (DMC in SPAIN)What could be more relaxing for 110 delegates of an Internatio-nal Financial Institution than shooting some penalty shots at the Real Madrid stadium? Besides a meeting at the Westin Palace, the event included a welcome dinner at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Foundation with Spanish guitars and a tour through Toledo. But the best moment took place in Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium. Attendees enjoyed a private guided tour around the stadium before ending up in the visiting team’s locker room where they found complete football uniforms personalised with their names. Suddenly, Real Madrid’s “coach” appeared (actually a hilario-us actor who spoke very little English) and got the group to dress up in their kit and take to the field where they trained before shooting penalties against real goalkeepers. The participants en-joyed the activity so much, they asked for a quick detour to con-tinue playing football before going back to the hotel. And some Real Madrid T-shirts were still seen late into the night…

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Madrid

Spain for Events - 2009 1�

Internacional Agency of Communication

With more than 20 years of experience in the organization of events, we develop communication strategies, creating projects of maximum e�ciency, adapted to every client and situation.

Strict control = Maximum effic

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Avenida Diagonal 578 At icoE-08021 Barcelona - Spain -www.test-drive -europe.cominfo@test-drive -europe.com

We create integral concepts| design | development | logistic coordination | execution | closing | results |

The Nobel Biocare World Tour had a Madrid flavourOrganised by TalismanThe Nobel Biocare World Tour 2008 stopped in Madrid and Talisman organised the two-day meeting which started with a relaxing Madrid-style dinner at the Palacio de Negralejo just outside the city. The different rooms of the palace were decorated in different styles so each guest had the possibility to choose the one they preferred. The decoration, lights and music made each area unique. Dinner was livened up by actors posing as classic cha-racters like Don Quixote and a very original Dulcinea del To-boso, who offered an intimate show in accordance with the dinner’s chosen framework. The final show included a per-formance by the Orchestra Traffic.

• Docamar: a typical Castilian tapas bar which claims to have the best patatas bravas (deep fried potatoes).

• Thyssen Museum: with an impressive collection, it offers a unique view of the history of European painting since the 1�th century. It completes Madrid’s museum trinity with its two great counterparts: the Prado (old paintings) and the Reina Sofía (20th century).

• Off Limits: a former bakery with an avant-garde look and minimalist decoration. Includes a 210sqm room.

• Real Fábrica de Tapices: a 18th century tapestry factory with two rooms for events. One of Madrid’s most classic venues.

• Círculo de Bellas Artes: a reference in Madrid offering 15,000sqm with two exhibition rooms, historical meeting rooms, a library, a billiard room, a theatre, a movie theatre, etc.

• Sol&Sombra: bullfighting-inspired venue with a very modern touch including LED-based lighting and decoration.

• ME Madrid: this new, extremely trendy hotel includes a business centre, meeting rooms and two terraces with a �60º view of the city. Another trendy option is the stylish Urban Hotel.

• Hotel Puerta América: with a facade designed by Jean Nouvel, each floor is decorated by a prestigious architect like Norman Foster or Ron Arad. Here, 18 different floors compete to impress you.

• Hotel Auditorium: a massive hotel with more than 800 rooms and a full conference centre… all close to the airport.

• Madrid Casino: a prestigious venue with a classical style and more than 170 years of history. Ferran Adrià is the gastronomic adviser.

• Palacio de Gaviria: 1,�00sqm of history in the centre of Madrid, with ceilings inspired by the Italian Renaissance. Offers a cabaret or a DJ for more modern events.

• Castillo de Viñuelas: fortified castle from the 17th century with a view of the Jarama River and various meeting rooms.


Back to the past to communicate tomorrow’s softwareOrganised by Imagen Límite Comunicación

The 200 guests of this conference on Information Technolo-gy and Workflow combined working sessions with a cultural event in a historic setting: the Madrid National Library. The Book of the Hours of Charles VIII, a “literary jewel”, inspired the communication materials which included a literary menu printed on imitation parchment and sealed with a red satin ri-bbon and the meeting agenda, bound in leather with a cover inlayed with embossed gold. The cultural event included a discussion moderated by writer Marta Robles and graphic artist Forges. The literary ga-thering included the projection of live illustrations by Forges. And later, the delegates visited the library collection itself ac-companied by specialists who explained the sights and sto-ries of these exceptional books.

• Teatro Real: Madrid’s official opera house is one of the most important in Spain. This true symbol of the cultural life of the city is the perfect place if you want a meeting in a classic, 200 year-old venue.

• Bangaloo: multi-room venue including restaurant, meeting rooms and a discotheque, right in the Castellana area. 1,500sqm in three floors in the luxurious style of Tomás Alía.

• La Capilla de La Bolsa: a mystical, renovated old church with a very unique style.

Outside Madrid• La Moraleja Business Resort: set on top of an old convent, the

renovated, modern style hotel sits between �5,000sqm of gardens. • La Quinta del Jarama: 15,000sqm for events in San Sebastián

de los Reyes. Offers space for 1,200 pax (seated), and 2,000 pax (standing).

• Madrid SnowZone: an indoor ski slope in Xanadú, the shopping and leisure centre next to Madrid.

• Kinépolis: in Pozuelo de Alarcón, a large movie complex for events in the purest Hollywood style. Interesting for its HD projection capacity.

• Fuente Pizarro: a 7,000sqm complex with multi-purpose rooms and halls for events. They also organise outdoor events in Collado Villalba.

• Club las Encinas de Boadilla: more than 450,000sqm of space and is the setting of several movies and advertisements. It includes an authentic fort from the Far West.

• Hacienda Jacaranda: this old horse riding school has been remodelled for events, in Miraflores de la Sierra.

• The old Convent of Boadilla del Monte: renovated to be used as a hotel, it offers various meeting rooms for 750pax sitting banquet-style.

• Palacio de Negralejo: a hotel complex built in an 18th century palace in San Fernando de Henares.

• Bodega del Real Cortijo, in Aranjuez: a national monument which offers themed dinners and music shows.

Activities In Madrid• Enjoy tasca or tapas hopping with Kuoni Destination

Management. The activity begins at the Plaza Mayor, a square with caves which were once used as jails where criminals waited before being hung in the square. Today these caves are tascas bars where people can enjoy music, eat tapas and drink wine and sangria. Each tasca has its speciality so those interested in sampling a wide range might need to go bar hopping…

• Live the Madrid experience with the agency Sankara and its cultural gymkhana in which participants have to find an object hidden by the Madrid Architects Association. Contestants solve problems and quizzes with the help of the some of Madrid’s most influential characters, including Velázquez (the group will have to paint his works) or the Madrid football fan (they will play ball and take football quizzes).

• See the show at the restaurant Ølsen, in which a bottle of Belvedere vodka is stuck inside a block of ice and the guest has to “break the ice” with a special hammer.

• Play the Philip II’s Talisman game by Kuoni Destination Management, a game that combines the discovery of Madrid with teamwork and entertainment. It is a type of gymkhana on foot which is set in Madrid de los Austrias (Habsburg Madrid). The teams have to solve various tests with historical characters from Spain’s ‘Golden Century’.

With a new congress centre and the Caja Mágica tennis ground, Madrid’s infrastructure for large events is clearly on the rise

• Make Movies: teams must prepare a promotional video for Madrid. The video must include not only images of the most emblematic sites of the city, but also curiosities and interviews with the city’s inhabitants. This activity is also by Kuoni Destination Management.

• Discover Madrid through visits enhanced with theatrical acts related to themes such as Don Quixote or Alatriste.

• Learn Spanish culinary traditions at a typical Spanish restaurant. The group will learn how to cut Iberian cured pata negra ham as well as Manchego cheese. They’ll also make Sangria and taste Spanish wines after an explanation by a sommelier.

Outside Madrid• Shoot your own western movie at the Club las Encinas de

Boadilla. The guests will write the script, handle the casting, and decorate the set… A gala Oscar night is even included!

• Discover the Aranjuez and its gardens and monuments through a canoe route on the Tagus River. In this “Pawnee gymkhana”, participants are members of an Indian tribe which competes with other tribes. Activities include making weapons and traps as well as Indian war cries. Organised by Sankara.

• A Driving Rallye by the Lozoya Valley where, due to its special climate, you find fauna from the centre of Spain as well as from the North in one special place. The activity consists of a 4x4 ride with small tests. You can even have a famous rally driver with you, such as Óscar Gallardo, who, with his motorbike, won several Paris-Dakar races. Organised by Kuoni Destination Management.

• Experience Geoplaying in Aranjuez (with Sankara). This activity involves GPS navigation through the gardens and historical parts of Aranjuez as well as a route on foot and in 4x4. Participants have to discover all the hidden treasures in the town with the help of local characters like the farmer or the hunter.

Madrid


Barcelona


Barcelona used large events to build infrastructures for meetings: The ’92 Olympics and the ’04 Forum of Cultures gave birth to leading congress centres and hotels

NicknamesLa ciutat comtal, the city of Counts. It is also commonly called by its short form of “Barna” as well as its airport code BCN.

Famous for…• Gaudí, the architect who left an unmatched

mark on Barcelona, designed the best-known buildings (and park!) in the city.

• Gastronomy, with Ferran Adrià taking the lead as a creator and researcher. He has his workshop in the city where he experiments and creates new flavours and textures.

• Shopping. Barcelona created the Barcelona Shopping Line, a dedicated bus route linking a wide variety of stores. Shopping is quoted as the preferred activity by tourists when asked about their favourite activities in Barcelona.

• Les Rambles, one of the most famous single streets in the world, charms visitors with its small flower and animal stalls, human statues and vibrant street life.

• Its more than 4km of beaches which, since the 1992 renovation, are integrated into the city. What better place to have a paella in the sun or a team building activity?

Surprising nooks• The Mercat de la Boqueria: for many, the

emblematic market is the city’s best. It is surely the most popular, thanks to its rich colours, smells, and human spectacle.

• Casa Milà: the terrace of Gaudí’s masterpiece, also known as La Pedrera (the Quarry) impresses visitors for its uniqueness and magnificent views. In summer, enjoy a drink up top (included with the price of admission) while listening to live music.

• Plaça Catalunya and the surrounding area: this is the true heart of the city. Banks, designer fashion, department stores, old cafes and avant-garde shops are found here. Stores featuring leading luxury brands line Passeig de Gràcia.

• El Liceu: this beautiful opera house, renovated after a fire, offers several rooms for private events.

• Casa Almirall: “The Admiral’s place” is a modernist bar in the middle of the Raval neighbourhood. Unique in the city, it has kept its original furniture and sculptures since 1860, when it was frequented by artists seeking inspiration.

This events and meetings industry blockbuster just keeps reinventing itself. Barcelona has been enormously popular in recent years, consistently ranking in the top five cities for international meetings, according to ICCA figures. It hosts large trade shows and congresses such as the Mobile World Congress, leading corporate events for the likes of Microsoft and HP and, last but not least, the EIBTM event. The city combines an impressive event-friendly infrastructure with a buzzing street life and excellent climate. And the city’s connections are only getting better thanks to a new airport terminal and the fast-train connection to France, scheduled for completion in two years. But most of all, Barcelona is an inspiring city, combining unique Gaudí architecture, a creative and design-oriented culture, a cosmopolitan life, a strong gastronomy and the sea. The city has come a long way since its revamp for the 1992 Olympics!

• Traditional cafes: Barcelona is full of them. El Cafè de l’Òpera, Els quatre Gats and the Escribà cake store are emblematic places with a historical and bohemian feel. All form part of a strong cafe tradition.

• Flash Flash: Opened in 1970, this local bar is simply a classic. Decorated in black and white and stylishly kitsch, Flash Flash is a place to see and be seen.

Platja ala Vila Olímpica ©Turisme de Barcelona / J. Trullàs


Fun facts•The Football Club Barcelona Museum is the second most-visited museum in Catalonia.

•Barcelona is in the top 20 National Geographic re-commended cities, the most visited city in Spain, and the second gay destination in the world.

•Is Gaudí the most famous architect in the world? According to architectureweek.com, he is the most searched for architect online.

•Will the Sagrada Família ever be completed? Builders broke ground in 1882 and expect to finish around 2020. Solely financed by private donations due to separation of Church and state, progress has been irregular.

•The current chief architect of the Sagrada Família is so in love with the building that he left his native Japan for Spain and converted to Catholicism. That’s passion!

Highlighted venues in Barcelona• Torre de Collserola: designed by Norman Foster, this

telecom tower overlooking the city offers a 200sqm vista point you won’t want to miss. Ideal for cocktails and dinners.

• Large restaurants that cater for groups include El Xalet, Can Travi and La Font del Lleó, to name a few.

• The new beaches of the Olympic Port include trendy bars and clubs like Pachá, Catwalk, Carpe Diem and Shoko.

• CCIB: the convention centre, created for the 2004 Culture Forum, offers 100,000sqm of exhibition and meeting space and a �,000 pax auditorium.

• Palau de Congressos de Catalunya and Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I: 25,000sqm of meeting space, a 2000-pax auditorium, beautiful gardens for events, all in a 5-star GL hotel.

• Palau de la Música Catalana: a true jewel of Catalan modernism which can be rented for events.

• Historical venues: the Llotja de Mar (old stock exchange), the Drassanes (old shipyards and current maritime museum), Guadí’s famous Casa Batlló (fairy-tale façade included!), the impressive Castell de Montjuïc on the hill of the same name and several museums like the contemporary art venue MACBA or the Sala Oval of the MNAC at Montjuïc… Almost any historical venue can be rented for events in Barcelona.

• Hesperia Tower Hotel: this 5-star hotel includes a large convention and exhibition centre and is conveniently located between the airport and the city.

• Poble Espanyol: a re-creation of typical Spanish village, which includes many bars and restaurants in a closed fortress-like monument. Widely used for cocktails, dinners, concerts…

• Fira de Barcelona: the trade show grounds are divided into two areas: one next to Plaça Espanya and the other closer to the airport. Together, they boast �65.000sqm of exhibition space and a convention centre.

Barcelona

From artists to fashion designers, the Catalan city has a unique flair for design and creativity, which adds value to its events

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VIPs discover the volcanic surroundings of BarcelonaOrganised by AmfiviaAmfivia organised this three-day incentive trip in and around Barcelona for se-ven Dutch people from Heliflight, in November 2008. From the airport, they were transferred by luxury car to Parc Güell, Gaudí’s famous garden. After the visit, they were taken by helicopter to the (active) volcanic area of La Garrotxa, in the north of Catalonia. After lunch in the traditional restaurant Cal Sastre in Santa Pau, an historic medieval site, they enjoyed an “exclusive” donkey route. Once they arrived at the crater, they enjoyed spectacular natural su-rroundings. Later, they had dinner and relaxed in Hotel Cal Sastre. The second day a sunrise breakfast was followed with a Qi Gong session including Chinese meditation to relax the mind and body. They then took a bike tour in the heart of the Garrotxa Volcanic Area Natural Park. A VIP mini-van then took them to Barcelona for a gala dinner at Xalet de Montjuïc, a res-tored building surrounded by natural open spaces on Montjuïc Mountain.

• Montjuïc: home of the 1992 Olympics, the small mountain offers a wide range of venues such as the sports arena Palau Sant Jordi or the Olympic stadium, some of them with views or green areas. All overlook the city.

• Agbar Tower by Jean Nouvel: it is the city's most striking new building, thanks in part to ever changing coloured panels.

• Contemporary architecture venues include the Pavelló Mies van der Rohe and the Joan Miró Foundation, both in Montjuïc.

• The Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, due to open in 2009, will be a luxury hotel on the famous Passeig de Gràcia. The building is an elegant mid 20th century structure, improved with a stylish contemporary interior.

• The last few years saw the launch of several trendy designer hotels including W Barcelona, ME Barcelona, Hotel Prestige on Passeig de Gràcia or Hotel Omm.

• Hotel Porta Fira Barcelona: due to open in 2009 near the new trade show area, it has several meeting rooms with a 1,000sqm plenary hall.

Highlighted venues outside Barcelona• The outskirts of Barcelona offer countless beautiful

country homes equipped for events. Mas de Sant Llei (which includes outdoor activities and even a heliport), Mas Solers (a beautiful fourteenth century palace), Mont Sant Benet (see activities section), Sant Miquel del Fai (an old monastery), Masia d’en Cabanyes (country house built in 1798 with a large garden), Bell Reco, Masia Museu Serra, Mas Canovas all boast country charm and modern amenities.

Barcelona

Port Vell. ©Turisme de Barcelona / G. Foto


The AXA Convention Centre is part of the Illa Diagonal, an enormous complex located on the main artery of Barcelona that integrates a shopping centre, two Hotels and a large car park. City communications are excellent and access from Barcelona’s Airport and main train station “Sants” is very quick and easy.

The avant-garde design and construction quality emerge from each and every detail of the building, turning the AXA Convention Centre into the perfect setting to develop various activities such as conventions, congresses, assemblies, presentations, debates and concerts. The total capacity is for 621 people with optimum view of the stage from all angles. The high quality of

its amenities, PA system, projectors and acoustics turns the AXA Auditorium into one of the most unique venues of its kind in the city.

The large lobby is very useful for accommodating exhibitions and for offering catering services during pauses or closing ceremonies. There is also a restaurant area on the ground floor that can perfectly accommodate commercial exhibitions or restaurant services up to 270 guests.

As a whole, it is more than an auditorium: it is an infrastructure designed to offer quality, flexibility and integral attention throughout its wide range of services.

Auditori AXADiagonal, [email protected]

Planta Deu i MataDeu i Mata, 111 (puerta giratoria)[email protected]

T. 93 290 11 02Fax 93 290 96 88vwww.axa.es

Technical Index

- Entire Capacity: 621 seats. (Stalls – 326, Amphitheatre – 295)- Projection Equipment: BARCO DLP R-12 (12.000 Ansi Lum) and BARCO iQg-500

(5.000 Ansi Lum). Simultaneous projection possibility. - Projection Screen: 60 sqm.- D&B Audiotechnik loudspeakers- Five fixed microphones on presidential table and six wireless microphones

(handheld, lapel, headmic) - 4 fixed booths for simultaneous interpreting- Infrared translation system 11 channels- 2 motorized bars with 36 practicable shukos - DMX512 signal in the bars, the stage and the control room

The AXA Convention Centre


Barcelona

• Wineries: Bodegas Torres, the large wine producer, offers a fully-equipped convention centre and visits and activities related to wine culture. Vallformosa also offers its winery convention centre.

• Badalona: next to Barcelona, the city has the BCIN convention centre with 1,600sqm for meetings.

• Dolce Sitges: modern hotel and conference centre with 26� rooms and 2,175sqm for meetings.

• La Mola: a new conference venue (opened in August 2008) near Barcelona in the middle of a 14,000 hectare Natural Park and next to one of Europe’s best golf courses also has 4,000sqm of meeting space.

• 60km from Barcelona, the recently-opened Olympic Congress Centre in Lloret de Mar offers a 500-seat auditorium as well as various meeting rooms seating up to �60 guests banquet-style in beach resort comfort.

Activities in Barcelona• View Barcelona at dusk from a catamaran while sipping cava

from the region. A classic! You can also organise your own regatta. Companies such as BCNautic offer this service.

• Shop at the world's most famous food market - La Boqueria – then cook a suquet de peix (fish soup) under the guidance of a star awarded chef. Then, of course, eat!

• Tour Barcelona by bicycle: companies like Un Cotxe Menysor Classic Bikes offer guided bike tours. Stop at the beach or in the Gothic quarter for tapas. Pleasant, fun and green!

Barcelona

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• Tapas with technology! Activa offers a tour in the old quarter where participants have to find their way to the next tapas bar using GPS technology and solving quizzes. No such thing as a free lunch!

• Barcelona from above: helicopter tours can be coordinated.

• Catalan traditions, as offered by Kuoni DMC: participative tours where participants have a typical Barcelona breakfast, dance sardanes (a traditional Catalan dance where participants form a circle and dance holding hands) and become integrated into the everyday city life.

• Meeting Expectations coordinate cultural visits where guests travel by Segway with a guide who explains the city.

Activities outside Barcelona• Build your own human tower! Team Towers offers this

very traditional Catalan activity for groups up to 500.• Món Sant Benet, a medieval hotel and convention

centre 45 minutes from Barcelona, hosts the Alicia Foundation of gastronomic investigation led by Ferran Adrià. You can have a workshop on haute cuisine, traditional Catalan cooking or dinner table protocol.

• Surrealist dinner with Dalí: Troupe Futura offers a Dalí impersonator who guides the group and teaches them “how to be a typical Catalan”: discover the deepest Catalan traditions, dance a surrealist sardana (traditional Catalan dance), or make a traditional Catalan brindis toast.

Torre Agbar. ©Grupo Agbar


An incentive to live the cityOrganised by ITB dmc

ITB dmc was asked to prepare a program for a company that manufactures air-craft components. Competing with other destinations, they had to come back with a proposal that would include a different approach to the city as well as a teaser for the client. They came up with a presentation in which they used inven-ted airline flight numbers to refer to the daily agenda. IB1330 was an Incredible Buffet happening at 13h30; BA2030 was a Beyond Animation dinner scheduled for 20h30; KL0900 stood for Kilometre Long walking tour starting at 09h00 and AF1615 was the Amazing Fun teambuilding they prepared for 16h15. One of the most successful points of the programme was the AA0945, the Above Average city tour taking guests to four different high points in the city in order to provide four different views and activities. They used the Funicular over the harbour, the roof of the Cathedral, the towers at the Sagrada Família, and the Tibidabo Mountain. A surprising and truly motivational Barcelona experience.

From the Convention Bureau My city offers outstanding attractions for events, but if I had to highlight one, really unique factor… The main unique selling point is the architecture of Gaudí. I would also highlight the Me-diterranean climate, which is mild all year round. Barcelo-na is a mix of sensations, experiences, culture and the Mediterranean lifestyle…a city that offers a top selec-tion of venues, accommodations, meeting facilities and amazing experiences where the event organisers’ creativity can be developed.

Future plans for Barcelona in the meetings and events market...New hotels will be inaugurated later this year. Also Barcelona’s El Prat airport will open the T-1, a new ter-minal for international and national flights this sum-mer. It is designed to be an international hub and ser-vice centre. So the city still innovates!

Airy Garrigosa, Director of the Barcelona Convention Bureau

• See the industrial side of Catalonia at Colònia Güell, where the industrialist set up his own company town complete with a church, factory and school, in the 19th century. Gaudí was the main architect.

• Discover local wine and cava culture with activities and visits organised by large wineries such as Codorniu, Bodegas Torres or Vallformosa (these places also usually include a convention centre).

• Go green! The Sitges Convention Bureau proposes a reforestation activity in the Garraf Park, which burned in a 2006 forest fire. This open-air activity combines teamwork with recreational and environmental elements.

• Enjoy charming Sitges and its microclimate of �00 sunny days a year. Why not try an elegant theatre-themed visit to the Palau Maricel, a pleasant Òpera a la fresca (an opera session in a lovely garden) or a visit to the Museu Romàntic?

• Relax, meditate and connect with yourself in a Buddhist monastery in Garraf.

• Live the traditions of Penedès (a wine region north of Barcelona): Amfivia offers activities such as trencadís (Gaudí style ceramic mosaics), sardana dances, el porró (where participants have to direct the flow of wine from this traditional thin bottle to their mouth, without losing a drop!), or a castellers (human towers) workshop.

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500 Chinese managers combine culture with shopping Organised by Ultramar express event management

This may be Barcelona’s largest incentive trip from a Chinese client to date. In March 2009, Ultramar Express Event Management received more than 500 managers from Michelin China for a trip mixing local culture and a strong dose of shopping. After a city tour including the Sagrada Família and Parc Güell, they enjoyed shopping for leading fashion brands on luxurious Passeig de Gràcia. The second day included a trip to Bodegas Torres (one of the most important wineries around Barcelona) before going to enjoy Sit-ges, a small village on the coast. The day ended with an FC Barcelona game in the famous Camp Nou (yes, football is also part of culture!). They also visited the club’s store and museum. Ando-rra, a country near Barcelo-na famous for its ski resor-ts and shopping, was the destination on day three. The following day the trip wrapped up with a stop at La Roca Village, an outlet shopping village near Barcelona.

IT BECOMES YOU.™

DIAGONAL/PERE IV, 272-286. 08005 BARCELONA, SPAIN T. (34) 933.67.20.50 F. (34) 933.67.20.51

902.22.44.44 ME-BARCELONA.COM

THE EASE. THE EDGE. THE SCORE.

CONTEMPORARY RESORTS AND URBAN HOTELSBARCELONA CABO CANCUN MADRID

MB-224_031309_B.indd 1 3/13/09 6:20:20 PM

Parc Güell - banc ondulat. ©Turisme de Barcelona / J. Trullàs

Parc Güell - Drac. ©Turisme de Barcelona / Espai d’Imatge


ValenciaAs the rising star of the last few years, Valencia has managed to capitalise on hosting some large events, positioning itself as a key destination for meetings, corporate events and even some high profile international events such as the America’s cup, several very large car presentations (like the 2006-2007 Mc Laren), a F1 Grand Prix this season, the MTV awards, among others. Valencia is a born-again city: highlighted by its modern buildings conceived by leading architects and futuristic venues perfectly blended with its historic old quarter. In fact, this Spanish city is among the top 10 destinations in the UK market for event planning and incentives, according to a study by the magazine M & T. Its events calendar is rich in major international events.

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Famous for…• Its “Make it big” attitude and high energy over the last few years.• Paella: it is the home town of the most famous Spanish dish

and other local productions such as oranges and the “orchata” drink, made from almonds, rice, barley or chufas (tigernuts).

• The fallas, a traditional and highly colourful street celebration where the locals build enormous paper statues, put them on a street procession and then burn them in a big celebration.

• The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, an impressive futuristic venue which epitomised the renewal of the city and its opening to the sea.

Surprising nooks• Parque Natural de la Albufera: the nature park in the South,

it is one of the most beautiful areas of Valencia. The lake includes dune-like formations called mallades. Three channels link the lake to the sea and each of them has created its own wildlife, making it extremely interesting.

• Laguna de Anna: a small and interesting natural lagoon located next the small city of Anna near the medieval city of Xàtiva (another must-see, a beautiful medieval city on top of a mountain).

• At the crossroads of Cardo and Decumano is the oldest part of the city. Under the square of Almoina, you can see, imagine and enjoy the old roman city of Valencia.

• Portal de la Valldigna: located right in the Barrio del Carmen area, it is a hideaway where the old history of Valencia combines a more creative and fun style.

• Triangulo de oro: the golden triangle is made up of the central market, the Lonja de Mercaderes and the church of Santos Juanes, and is one of the most beautiful areas of the city.

Highlighted venues• Veles e Vents: created for the America’s Cup, it is a new

icon of the city. Located next to the new marina, it offers 10,000m2 in four different levels, giving the impression that the floors are hanging. Its green area connects the port to the beaches and holds restaurants and leisure areas.

• Bioparc: a zoological park with more than 4,000 animals located next to the Turia River.

• Palacio de Congresos: designed by Norman Foster and can host 4,000 pax, and 1,480 in the hall.

• Feria Valencia: the trade show venue has expanded drastically in the last years, and now offers 2�1,000 m2 of space, making it the largest single trade show area in Spain. It has also added a convention centre for up to 5,000 pax in 2007.

• Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias: designed by the famous Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, it is the flagship of the renovation of the city. Includes auditoriums, the Oceanogràfic and the arts-oriented Palau de les Arts.

• The city also offers historic places, including churches like the Cartuja del Ara Christi and museums like the Museo de Bellas Artes.

• In the new disco Wandú Palace it is possible to organize events. • Surrounding Valencia city: don’t miss the country houses and

castles. Among them, Campo Aníbal (named alter Hannibal, who stayed in this beautiful mansion on his way from Africa), the Huerto de Santa María or the Masía de Xamandreu. Markets such as the Mercado Central or the Mercado de Colón also can be rented for events.

Future openings• The Ágora, by famous architect Calatrava: it will complete the Ciudad

de las Artes y las Ciencias and will offer 1.811sqm for over 5.000 pax. It will host the Tennis Tournament Open 500 in November 2009.

• Molino Real, a new venue between Feria Valencia and the airport, will open on May 2009 and will offer four independent buildings with halls and meeting rooms with a capacity up to 1.100pax.

Activities• Show cooking. Learn to cook paella in the natural park of la Albufera,

surrounded by rice fields, and take a ride in the park in a traditional fishing boat. You can even have lunch on the boat.

Valencia is among the top 10 destinations in the UK market for event planning and incentives, according to a study

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Fun facts•The gardens, Jardín del Turia, are still commonly called “the river” by Valencians. In 1957, the city was flooded by the river. The river course was then changed and substituted by these gardens, a great green area going through the entire city.

•The saying “estar en la luna de Valencia” (to be under the moon of Valencia) applies to someone who, becau-se of his distraction, doesn’t get to do what he wants. It originated when Valencia was a fortress-city whose do-ors closed every night. Whoever didn’t make it on time had to stay out of the city during the night.

•A chalice, considered as the Holy Grail is kept in the Ca-thedral of Valencia.

•The name, Paella, is derived from the latin Word pate-lla, the metal recipient where the rice is cooked for a paella and which Valencians use to mean “frying pan”.

The Optima convention in ValenciaOrganised by EventisimoOver 200 people attended, from 7th to 9th of January, the “Op-tima Pick Off,” a convention that the agency Eventisimo organi-sed at the Hotel Hilton in Valencia, for the Belgian financial consul-ting Optima. The agency orga-nised three days of convention with different activities inclu-ding a teambuilding session ca-lled “the treasure house” desig-ned to discover the city.

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• Bike ride through the city in the Jardín del Turia, which offer more than 7km of quiet and green environment, all the way from the Bioparc to the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

• Traditional boat ride departing from the America’s cup port. The guests will learn everything about this port and the tournament. After sailing along the coasts (guests who like sailing can help in the navigation), the boat stops by the beach to allow the guests to go for a swim and snorkelling. The boat ride includes lunch, a glass of champagne, open bar, and a singer and guitarist playing soft Spanish music. Offered by Ultramar Express.

• Fireworks workshop, where participants learn how to make and handle fireworks. Fireworks are a very typical activity in Valencia (often used in popular celebrations, weddings, burials, etc.). Organised by Viajes ITB.

• The “reduced” Carmen Opera. Viajes ITB is preparing an event in the Valencia Bullfight arena, with a shorter version of the Opera “Carmen” with an additional band performance and fireworks, a private falla (the agency works with a few local associations to build the statues for burning).

• Savour basic and traditional Valencian products, suggested by Barceló Incoming: Guests sit around a spectacular table in the chapel of the Espacio Carmen. All the products are placed on the table: tomatoes, olive oils, salts, breads, cured meat, cheese and excellent wines. An expert explains the flavours while music flows.

• Enjoy a pure Valencian night with Ultramar Express: after a sumptuous dinner in a traditional restaurant in the old quarter, the group can enjoy the bustling Valencia night street atmosphere on the lively terraces of bars and cafes. The walk ends with the famous “Agua de Valencia”, a refreshing alcoholic drink made with fresh orange juice, Cointreau and Cava.

• Fresh and traditional food in the old market… a unique dinner experience for the group.

Valencia invaded by product launch Organised by EventisimoIn order to present the new line of ecologically efficient Bauknecht/ Whirlpool washers and dryers to 375 buyers and distributors, the streets of Valencia were dressed in the corporate colours of the company. Posters, actors and balloons enhanced the look while the final touch was made by the thousands of rubber ducks with the blue company logo floating in the city’s fountains. To highlight the efficiency of the product line, the event had a theme based on water, wind and heat. Using these elements as a jumping off point, partici-pants visited a sail factory where they learned about wind and its importance in navigation. Then they applied their theoretical knowledge to the real world when they tried kite-surfing at Malvarrosa Beach. Participants then dove into an aquatic wonderland during a private visit to Oceanografic, a venue in the Ciu-dad de las Artes y las Ciencias. The site was decorated with blue and white fabrics which hid the new washers and dryers, the later being placed in front of a giant aqua-rium. The products where unveiled by a group of dancers who removed the cloth covering the products. A gala din-ner at the Hemisfèric closed the event.

From the Convention Bureau My city offers outstanding attrac-tions for events, but if I had to hig-hlight a really unique factor… The element that distinguishes Valencia is certainly the diversity. Valencia is an amazing city. Conjugates masterpieces of architecture of all times with natural

areas and beaches, offers an enviable lifestyle, climate and gastronomy. But Valencia also mixture truly extraordinary places for events with a range of leisure and cultural life that few other cities can offer.

Future plans in the meetings and events market…The successful organization of the 32nd America’s Cup in Valencia has po-sitioned itself as the undisputed headquarter of major events, especially sports. This was confirmed by the organizers of the MTV Winter, the Global Champions Tour, the GP or Formula One Tennis Open events will be repea-ted in the city in coming years. In Tennis Open will open the Agora, a stun-ning new architecture that adds to the variety of events celebrating the city. The arrival of the AVE in 2010 or the expansion of the airport will be some improvements in infrastructure to further consolidate the city as the venue for events. Valencia Tourism continues to work to continue to host large events such as the 33rd America’s Cup or the Olympic sub-games of 2016.

José SalinasDirector of the Valencia Convention Bureau

The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, an impressive futuristic venue which epitomised the renewal of the city and its opening to the sea

Valencia

Spain for Events - 2009 �1www.spain.infowww.spain.info

It is not the meeting that is important; it iseverything you can do once it has finished.

SPAIN FOR EVENTS-230x320-TORRE:Document 1 10/05/09 18:32 Page1


Mallorca(Balearic Islands)

Mallorca is a tourism blockbuster that welcomes millions of tourists (especially from Germany) every year. But don’t get the impression that the island has been spoiled by the masses: the inland areas are quiet, beautiful and perfect for a bike visit through small villages; the natural landscapes are beautiful; and most of the coast is still intact, offering stunning cliffs and great creeks. It is definitely worth your time to escape from the more crowded patches of the Island and see why it has been so successful in impressing visitors.

Spain for Events - 2009 ��

Mallorca by earth, air and seaOrganised by G&B Mallorca events

G&B Mallorca Events organised an incentive trip for the Platin Club’s best salespeople (90 pax). For this type of employees, the agency conceived a series of competitive games that covered the entire island and included activi-ties by earth, sea, and air. On the first day, 25 Jeeps were waiting at the hotel to cross the island to Son Parot in Manacor. There, guests embarked on a balloon trip which ended with breakfast. They then went to a country house in Alaró (Sierra Tra-montana) for a speech by the president and continued on to Club de Mar de Palma, where they boarded 10 mo-tor boats which took them to a small beach for a more relaxing time. There, they enjoyed a traditional Spanish paella and a party with a DJ.

NicknamesThe island of calmness

Famous for…• The Catedral de Palma, the Llotja and the Castell

de Bellver are all great pieces of gothic art.• Its local products which include footwear, hand-

blown glass, Manacor pearls and herbal liquors prepared in the island’s monasteries since the Middle Age.

• Its typical pastry or ensaïmada and its famous raw cured sausage called sobrasada.

• Being the birthplace of the artist Miquel Barceló, whose work is internationally acclaimed.

Highlighted venues• Pueblo Español Congress Palace Palma: the

largest hall on the island, for up to 1,500 pax.• The Palma Auditorium, with a capacity of

1.600 pax, located on the city’s famous Passeig Marítim.

• Can Domenge–Centre Tecnològic: the convention centre, with a capacity for �00 pax, has a strong focus on technologically advanced services.

• Auditori de la Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró: originally the workshop where the Catalan artist developed his creative work, the site is presently a meeting point for writers, artists and musicians. It can host 100 pax.

• Hotel Gran Melià Victoria’s convention centre: with 11 meeting rooms designed in traditional Balearic style all annexed to the hotel. Its Magna room has space for 500 pax.

• The Real Cartuja de Valldemossa: a monumental complex dating back to King James II, who chose this 400-metre high location in the Sierra Tramuntana to build a palace for his son. It is currently a cultural centre.

• The five-star Biomar Gran Hotel & Spa, with meeting rooms for up to �50 pax.

• Riskal, the large entertainment centre with gardens, walkways, restaurants, cafes, music clubs, a discotheque, venues for events and open air multi-purpose areas.

• The Palacio de Congresos de Palma will open in 2011 and will be located on the edge of the Palma bay. It will have an auditorium for more than 2,000 pax, a 1,120sqm hall and a 650sqm room.

Surprising nooks• Chapel of the Santísimo de la Catedral de

Palma: opened in 2007, its ceramic altarpiece by Miquel Barceló recreates the miracle of bread and fishes.

• The Reserva Puig de Galatos natural park: Here you can participate in 4x4 gymkhanas, cross Tibetan and Amazonian hanging bridges, rock climb or rappel against a backdrop of rich wildlife.

• Palma’s Arabic baths: The baths back to the era of Muslim domination in the Balearic Islands.

• The Coves del Drac in Manacor: Some of the most extensive caves on the islands, the site includes ponds such as the Martel lake.

Mallorca(Balearic Islands)

Fun facts•Maiorica refers to the “large island”, while “Ba-leares” comes from the plural ba’ lé yaroh (litera-lly “stone-throwers”) in reference to the honde-ros, the first inhabitants of the islands who threw stones at the army of settlers.

•Frederic Chopin and George Sand stayed in the Cartuja de Valldemossa. Chopin composed va-rious pieces there while Sand wrote her famous novel Un hiver à Majorque (A winter in Mallor-ca). She wrote of Mallorca: “All that a painter or a poet can dream of, nature had created in this place”.

•The Palau de Miravent in Palma is the summer residence of the Spanish royal family.

•Claudia Schiffer and Michael Douglas were am-bassadors of the Balearic Islands in the World Tourism Market in London.


From the Convention BureauMy city offers outstanding attractions for events, but if I had to highlight a really unique factor…

Mallorca is a great Spanish tourist destination and has ex-ported its know-how to the rest of the world. The biggest Spa-nish tourism multinationals are from Mallorca. This experience in the tourism sector, its geographical location and the extensive possibilities offe-red to the visitor turn the island into the jewel of the Western Mediterranean. Mallorca is a place where event organisers will find everything they need, plus added va-lue that make for an unforgettable event.

Future plans in the meetings and events market… Mallorca is working to keep its leadership in the mee-tings market. For this, promotion by the Mallorca Con-vention Bureau is crucial, especially with the current economic situation. Regarding infrastructure, the future Congress Palma Palace will add value to the existing services offered by the island so Mallorca will be able to expand its possibilities for big events.

Marga Méndez

Director of Mallorca Convention Bureau

Activities• Mallorca has almost 700km of bicycle tracks. Sportier

guests can ascend the winding track that brings them to the Sant Salvador Monastery in Felanitx. The regional Arenal trail, parallel to the coast, is a less strenuous option.

• Paragliding: jump from the Sierra Tramuntana towards the interior of the island or take a motorboat out to sea in places like Cala Millor, Cala Ratjada, Cala Mesquida and Cala Guya.

• Sailing is a well established sport in Mallorca, but there is also windsurfing, kite surfing or wakeboarding, not to mention sea excursions in pedal boats. Diving, canoeing and water skiing are other sea-related options. The island also has aquatic parks, a dolphin zoo and sailing schools.

• Bellver Events organises simulated shipwrecks in an enclosed forest where participants put their survival skills to the test while taking a break and making a fire far from civilisation. The group is divided into teams who have to work together to survive.

• Ivents suggests a themed dinner in Cap Rocat, an old restored fortress perfect for medieval themed events, gala dinners, horse shows, falconry and sword fights.

• See craftsmen work in the Passeig de l’Artesanía de Palma in Sa Gerreria, one of Mallorca’s oldest neighbourhoods. The traditional handicrafts were recovered from the Middle Ages and are now showcased in 15 workshops. You can buy traditional handicrafts like ceramics, glass, jewellery, pearls, leather, etc.

• A visit to the medieval patios of the capital, such as Can Caldés, Can Lladó, Can Dubai and Salas. Palma has 60 patios in noble houses, small architectural treasures that belong to well-known families in the city and which offer a different view of Palma.

Other Balearic Islands: Ibiza, Menorca, FormenteraMallorca definitely is the leading Balearic island, but its neigh-bouring islands aren’t giving up on the meetings and incentives market. Ibiza, Menorca and, at a minor level, Formentera, are stand-alone options you should consider. Plus they are perfect for short excursions from Mallorca. Menorca created its own convention bureau and offers some interesting ve-nues for events, such as the 19th century Fortaleza de Isabel II and La Mola, both suitable for large events. Other options include Ses Pedreres de s’Hostal and Lítica, two old quarries converted into natural cultural spaces that inclu-de impressive stone landscapes, labyrinths and gardens. And don’t forget the Cova d’en Xoroi (a discotheque-cave in Cala’n that literally hangs from a cliff). In Menorca, you can practise all sorts of sports in the open air: from sailing, diving, kayaking and windsurfing to horseback riding and bike routes. Ibiza, famous for being an international party capital, is a blessed little island. Venues include the luxurious, recently-inaugurated Ibiza Gran Hotel. A very nice place to visit is the Es Canar market (in Santa Eulària des Riu, Ibi-za). With over thirty years of existence, this market, which takes place every Wednesday, continues to be the essence of the Ibiza hippy lifestyle. Ibiza has plenty of nice beaches to do aquatic sports but one of the most amazing ac-tivities on the island is visiting Sa Cova des Cuieram in Sant Joan de Labritja. It is a Punic sanctuary located in a natural cave which is only open to the public from early February until the end of the year. Riding a horse along Ibiza’s lo-vely beaches is another possibility offered by the Hipòdrom d’Eivissa in Sant Rafel S’Hort Nou. Finally Formentera, the smallest and quietest of the four, is perfect for a day excursion including a cycling tour around the island.

A green event Organised by Pidelaluna

Pidelaluna organised an interactive, green presentation in Mallorca. The com-pany Marinas y Pantalanes, situated in Palma de Mallorca’s port, received a “Zero CO2 company 2008” diploma. During the event, a green mime used a model made from recycled mate-rials (wood, light bulbs, fans, a boat, an airplane and a toy car) to ex-plain how CO2 is produced and off-set. The mime also explained how plants can be used to the same end. After this original, hands on explanation, Pidelaluna calculated the CO2 emissions of the event and asked everyone to contribu-te to help compensate (5.90€ per person). The agency also provi-ded green catering.

Mallorca

Spain for Events - 2009 �5


Canary Is landsThese seven volcanic Islands off the western coast of Africa offer event organisers a year round warm climate, a spectacular and diverse natural setting, rich vegetation and, of course, the sea. Yet despite being primarily known as a leisure and sport paradise, the islands also have an interesting cultural dimension: the Guanche civilisation, present since before the Spanish conquest, has given rise to all types of games and traditional sports, arts and crafts and gastronomy. And visiting the islands during February’s carnival season provides quite an experience, with parades up to Brazilian standards and a non-stop party atmosphere. It turns out one can also catch the tropical fever in Spain.

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Spain for Events - 2009 �7

Canary Is lands

Fun facts• In the first document with a direct reference to the Islands, the term “Canary” appeared, derived from the Latin canis (dog).

• The Guanches were the islands’ inhabitants before the Spa-nish conquest in 1496. After the conquest, many of the survi-ving Guanches were destined to become slaves and many were taken to the Iberian Peninsula.

• The Teide, measuring 3,718 metres, is the highest peak in all of Spain.

• Even if the islands are fully part of Spain, you must clear cus-toms when travelling between the Spanish mainland and the Canary Islands. Be careful if you have to ship equipment: there could be some clearance time.

Famous for…• The carnival, one of the most colourful and best-known in

the world.• The mix of indigenous heritage and colonial architectural

style.• The variety of landscapes: volcanic, white dunes, wild forests,

black sand coves, lunar landscapes, coffee plantations...• Whale-watching all year round in Tenerife.• The salsa de mojo, a dipping sauce made with black pepper,

sweet peppers, garlic, cumin and coriander, amongst other ingredients.

Surprising nooks Tenerife • La Noria Street in Santa Cruz de Tenerife offers an intense

nightlife in traditional houses that have been converted into bars.

• The Villa de Adeje was the residence of the Great Tinerfe, the last of the Guanche kings of Tenerife, until the Spanish conquest.

• La Orotava and La Laguna: historic and artistic sites, famous for their unique balconies and interior patios.

• Acantilados de los Gigantes (the Cliffs of the Giants), an impressive landscape in the South of the island. Some of its vertical walls reach 600 metres.

• The Teide National Park is similar to a lunar landscape due to its peculiar solidified lava formations. It is classified as a Cultural Heritage site.

Gran Canaria• Pérez Galdós House-Museum: birthplace of writer Benito

Pérez Galdós, it is one of the most emblematic of the eighteenth century Gran Canaria architecture.

• Columbus’ House: the house visited by Christopher Columbus during his journey to America in 1492. Its rooms have content on the role of the Canary Islands in the Discovery.

• Painted Cave of Gáldar: aboriginal art site with geometrical designs, based on squares, triangles and circles in red, ochre and white colours that, to this day, leave a large mark on contemporary art from Gran Canaria.

• La Casa del Vino, or wine house, is a reformed historical building in Santa Brígida where you can sample and learn about a variety of wines from the Canary Islands.

Highlighted venues Tenerife • Auditorio de Tenerife: auditorium in the Heart of Santa

Cruz, an avant-garde building designed by Santiago Calatrava, with a seating capacity for 1,600 pax.

• Puerto de la Cruz Congress Centre: located in the middle of 110,000sqm of subtropical gardens with splendid views of the sea and a capacity for 1,000 pax.

The islands combine a great variety of landscapes: volcanic, white dunes, wild forests, black sand coves, lunar landscapes, coffee plantations...

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• Magma Arte & Congresos: architecturally striking, the main auditorium has seating capacity for 2,500 pax and a �00sqm stage.

• Parque Etnográfico Pirámides de Güímar: historical monument of great ethnographic value which illustrates the origin of the great indigenous civilisations. Includes an auditorium for 164 pax.

• Siam Park: huge water park in Costa Adeje featuring the largest artificial wave in Europe. It includes private islands, VIP cabins and a white sand beach, not to mention capacity for �,000 pax.

• Ábaco: in Puerto de la Cruz, Canary Island-styled eighteenth century mansion surrounded by gardens and adapted for events. Catalogued as a building of cultural interest (BIC).

Gran Canaria• Auditorio Alfredo Kraus: located in front of the capital city’s

Las Canteras beach, the auditorium’s striking architecture was developed by Oscar Tusquets and the sculptor Juan Bordes.

• Gran Canaria Congress Centre: located in Las Palmas, the centre offers garden spaces and a diverse range of halls for events, totalling more than 7,500sqm.

• Maspalomas Congress Centre: in the South of the Island, it offers 24 conference rooms with adaptable electronic screens and mobile stages.

• Hotel de Montaña Las Tirajanas: at 1,000 metres above sea level in the heart of the Island, it has views of the inner valleys and a conference room for small meetings.

A route around the island to test a HyundaiOrganised by Live Events (Charlie Head Group)

This group of distributors and journalists spent one week in Tenerife test-driving the new Hyundai Sonata while enjoying the island. They took a tour through the capital, stopped at the Auditorio de Tenerife and reached the summit of the Teide mountain. They also enjoyed gala dinners in hotel venues, pla-yed golf and took a whale watching cruise.

DISA employees compete during Olympic Games in Tenerife Organised by Teamfactory

The annual DISA employee celebration day turned into a sporting event in which 32 teams went through 16 activities of speed, intelligence and skills. The meeting, organised by Teamfactory, took place in Adeje (Tenerife), with 530 people ready to “take off the mask” and live a new experience. The day began when one of the groups carried the tor-ch and lit the Olympic flame. After the inauguration, the 32 teams started the competition which included activities such as a relay race in which contestants competed using flippers and diving goggles. After four hours of action, DISA emplo-yees had lunch under tents. The awards ceremony was held at the end of the day, with winning teams being awarded ho-tel stays and free ticket travels.

Offer your guests a unique Carnival experience, with musical groups, comical characters, Go-go dancers and carnival queens, to the rhythm of batucadas

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Canary Islands

Magma Arte & Congresos, Costa Adeje, Tenerife , SpainTel.: 0034 922 793 987 · [email protected]

www.magmacongress.com

Best Conference Center Southern Europe 2009Perfectly designed so as to satisfy the most varied demands of any kind of event from 30 up to 2.500 persons.

A place who speaks through structures and spaces.Magma is the meeting point of the forms.Forms which evoque the volcano and the lava.

�at is Magma, the island essence.

Costa Adeje - Tenerife

meetings & events

• Gabinete Literario: in the north of the Island, this fourteenth century convent has been renovated for events and features numerous rooms in a romantic and neoclassical style.

• Hacienda de Anzo: old colonial mansion, suitable for small events. The Cave Room is an authentic cave adapted to accommodate 250 pax.

Activities Tenerife• Descend the Masca ravine with Teamfactory. With the help of

instructors, the group arrives by boat and can then spot dolphins and whales in the only place where you can see these mammals throughout the year.

• Discover the Islands with a Canary Islands gymkhana by Ultramar Express. In the typical Canary towns of Tenerife or Gran Canaria, the group can practice traditional crafts (roll a cigar), folklore (dance an isa guided by a local group or practise Canary Island wrestling) or gastronomy (cook a typical dish and taste a wine from Tenerife) not to mention enjoy Canary Islands’ outdoor culture.

• Follow a route on foot through the Teide National Park with the agency Ilusiona: visit los Roques de García, a line of rocky formations, and the Roque Cinchado vista point overlooking the spectacular “Llano de Ucanca” plains. After taking a cable car to the Teide peak, the group can have dinner at the state-run hotel, then enjoy a presentation on Canary Island astronomy and observe the constellations and planets with the naked eye.

Gran Canaria • Let Capital Incentive take you on a camel ride through the

Maspalomas dunes, a seaside natural reserve with more than 400 hectares of golden sand.

• Experience the carnivals with DMC Ultramar Express, where guests can enjoy an informal barbecue dinner. Musical groups, comical characters, Go-go dancers and carnival queens parade and interact with the participants to the rhythm of batucadas.

• Discover the Island in a different way with The Fun Car Rally (by TenTravel agency). Teams travel across the Island in four-wheel drive cars, searching for treasure (emblematic photographs), playing pétanque along the way, all while answering questions in a quiz book about the spots they have visited.

Note: The other Canary Islands (El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) are also very prepared to host events, with proper venues and original incentive activities.

From the Convention Bureau of Gran CanariaMy city offers outstanding attractions for events, but if I had to highlight one, really different… The excellent climate, varied and qualified in-frastructure and good communications are the key elements that distinguish us from other bids for this type of tourism. If we add the unique landscape and organised activi-ties that Gran Canaria offers, the success of any event is guaranteed.

Future plans in the meetings and events market? Mostly to consolidate the [existing] assets of the island: excellent air con-nections, three congress centres, 28,162 four- and five-star rooms, a wide range of unique venues, and more than 100 business tourism companies.

Roberto Moreno President of the Gran Canaria Tourism Board and Convention Bureau

From the Convention Bureau of TenerifeMy city offers outstanding attractions for events, but if I had to highlight one, really different… Variety: there are few places in Europe where you can organise a visit to a natio-nal park, whale watching, a team building activity in a Tertiary Era forest, and a gala dinner in the middle of a banana planta-tion ... and all in one weekend! I would also say quality, because Tenerife has some of the best hotels in Spain, five con-vention centres, and companies able to undertake ambitious projects.

Future plans in the meetings and events market? Following the recent development of a first class congress infrastructu-re (Pirámide de Arona, Auditorio de Tenerife, Magma Congress Centre), Tenerife is approaching the future with the intention of strengthening the corporate market for all kinds of conventions and product presen-tations. We are also making an unprecedented push for the associative sector, both for national and international congresses. We are now wor-king on more then 20 potential meetings as far ahead as 2015. We are also striving to improve relations with professional congress organisers through regular monitoring and reporting as well as enhancing collabo-ration with local promoters to improve Tenerife’s candidacy as a confe-rence destination.

Diego Fernández Tenerife Convention Bureau Coordinator

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©Patronato de Turismo de Gran Canaria

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GranadaAbove all, Granada is known for being home to one of the greatest jewels of Spain’s heritage: the Alhambra. This stunning Moorish palace, surrounded by gardens, is the most visited monument in Spain and sits atop a hill overlooking the city. Yet Granada has much more to offer. It is also known for its intense street life in Moorish influenced neighbourhoods like the Albaicín or Realejo. Culture and joy can be found on every corner in this hidden paradise. And the surrounding province has plenty to offer as well. Within 60km a curious traveller can find deserts, beaches lined with subtropical plantations and even the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada.

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Famous for…• The Alhambra, a walled city surrounding a stunningly opulent

palace. Its interior offers some of the world’s finest Islamic art. It is the most visited monument in Spain and was among the finalists of the New Seven Wonders.

• The Albaicín, a neighbourhood declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Its spectacular flamencos which are enjoyed in the Sacromonte caves.• Federico García Lorca, born in nearby Fuente Vaqueros, was the

poet with the greatest influence in 20th century Spanish literature. • Its tapas, which are truly part of daily life. The tapa is included in

the price of a drink.

Surprising nooks• The Albaicín and its Cármenes or typical small houses, radiate

exuberance, colour and aromas. Recently, the neighbourhood’s typical gardens have been complimented with museums and restaurants.

• Generalife: one of the city’s magnificent medieval gardens is known both for its location as well as its excellent condition. Its variety of flowers, plants and fountains is stunning.

• Calle Calderería: this neighbourhood is known for its traditional tea houses. Some host concerts and even sensual belly dancing but all offer an atmosphere full of aromas, incense and flavoured teas.

• Cueva de las Ventanas de Píñar: a thousand-year-old shelter declared a Natural Monument of Andalusia, it offers wonderful views.

• Osel Ling: a Buddhist retreat located at 1,600 metres in the Alpujarra region, a perfect place not only for Buddhists but also for anyone seeking to relieve stress.

Highlighted venues• Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Granada: located in

the city centre, it has 2 auditoriums for close to 2,000 pax and an exhibition area in addition to other rooms, a terrace and an amphitheatre.

• Hotel Suites Albayzin del Mar: located on the Costa del Sol Tropical, this facility has room for 400 pax indoors and 1,000 outdoors.

• Cortijo Caballo Blanco: nineteenth-century residence with a magnificent Andalusian style patio, a small bullring and a covered area surrounded by rich vegetation. Capacity for �00 pax.

• The Fragua: a restored cave in Sacromonte with capacity for 250 pax.

• Capilla Neomudéjar: in the Cartuja University Campus, with capacity for 600 pax.

• Salón Ideal - Auditorio Enrique Pareja: located in Baza, this multipurpose space for theatrical performances, conferences, congresses, etc. has capacity for �00 pax.

Activities• A variety of games including golf, igloo construction, orientation

trials, sled rides and more… can be organised by Aixa Dreams. Other spectacular suggestions include panoramic flights over the city, the tropical coast or the Gaudiz desert. Also, enjoy an acrobatic aerial show with smoke and colours.

• Take flamenco and belly dancing classes in the unique setting of the Sacromonte caves.

• Visit the historical centre and end your day in a traditional Alpujarra style tent while sampling wine and olive oil.

• Go on a gastronomy circuit through various areas of the province while discovering its well-known locally produced wines.

• Visit wineries built inside caves and enjoy lunch with an oenologist who explains the local wine. Then relax and listen to classic music played on Spanish guitars.

The cave houses just outside Granada, which are even available for meetings, are a unique trait of this destination

An incentive for adventurers Organised by Aixa Dreams DMC

Each year, In Beyond organises an incentive for its employees from France and Spain. In this case, the company selected Granada. Ac-tivities included dinner at a tapas bar near the Cathedral, dinner in a traditional “Carmen” house with a view of the Alhambra as well as an outdoor activity. The group was divided into four teams who would compete in archery, kayaking, and balancing while tied to each other with string. The final challenge consisted of building a boat using various materials and competing with other teams using their freshly built watercraft.

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The PlayStation sales team charges batteriesOrganised by Turi-Granada

During two days, 30 members of the PlayStation sales team enjo-yed this incentive trip, prior to the launch a new PlayStation game. On the first afternoon, the attendees enjoyed an exclusive Fast-Lap session, driving Ferrari and Lamborghini cars with a professional pi-lot. After that exciting experience, dinner took place in an exclusive wine cellar, with a flamenco show. The second day started with a balloon flight, where guests could see sunrise over Granada from above. They then went to the Cubillas lake where they enjoyed breakfast in a natural setting. In the afternoon, they went to a typical cortijo in the Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada for a gymkhana with quads, tyrolean, paintball, horses walk and rappel. The day ended with a very Spanish paella. From the Convention Bureau

My city offers outstanding attractions for events, but if I had to highlight a really unique factor...Only Granada offers the Alhambra, Generalife and Albaicín UNESCO World Heritage sites. It’s a magi-cal city, with an ideal size and excellent infrastruc-ture. Furthermore, the sun, climate, culture and gastronomy all beg to be enjoyed. Delegates have a safe, joyful and welcoming city at their disposal.

Future plans in the meetings and events market…In light of the competitive economic situation, the congress centre has an aggressive promotion plan which includes innovative activities like the Ambassador’s Programme. We have also signed agreements with various mu-nicipal agencies as well as important national and international organisers.

Eva Fernández, Director of the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Granada

Granada

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• As groups, you can organise private visits to the Alhambra, enjoy an exclusive flamenco show at the Sacromonte caves or dine across from the Alhambra after a walk through the Albaicín neighbourhood… without forgetting the tapas along the way, of course.

• Visits to Granada can be enhanced with 4x4 adventures in the Gorafe desert which include catering and accommodation matched to the venue. This outdoor training programme, hosted by Turi-Granada, helps identify skills such as orientation capacity, coordination among colleagues, concentration and adaptation to local customs. A Road Book is made for the occasion.

Granada’s street life is among the liveliest in Spain. Tapas simply have to

be on your programme!

An international conference, Arab styleOrganised by Have a Nice Event DMC

In September 2008, a market leader in digital media solutions and one of the world’s largest independent communications specialists invited 30 clients to Granada for a creative weekend dedicated to strategic planning. Events were held at the hotel Barceló La Bobadilla GL. The closing dinner and conference session was set in the hotel’s Mudejar-style chapel that was converted into an exo-tic Bedouin tent decorated with carpets, cushions and veils. Doors opened to the tunes of a Spanish guitar and the guests were invited to enjoy an Arab-themed dinner.

Fun facts• Fuente Agria. In a meadow close to Pórtugos the Aguas Fe-rruginosas fountain has healing properties. It has five pipes, each with water with a different healing speciality.

• The longest cable car ride in the world (19km) will connect Granada and the Sierra Nevada in 2010.

• Granada has its own caviar, one of the world’s best, produced with a local species of sturgeon.

• With hundreds of vegetable species with high scientific value and historical interest, the region is a must for amateur and professional botanists.


Costa de l Sol

When we talk about Malaga, the regional capital, we talk about the artist Picasso, who was born in the city. But we also say there is no better place in Spain to eat the famous pescaditos or small fried fishes. Of course, we also talk about a city that, over the last few years, has attracted the MICE market and is hosting large international conferences for SITE, ICCA and MPI between 2008 and 2010.

NicknameThe Golf Coast because it has the largest number of golf courses in Spain

Famous for• Its year round mild temperature and hours of sun. • Puerto Banús, a luxurious sporting hub and

entertainment centre for the jet set.• The summer houses of celebrities.• Picasso, who was born in Malaga. • The wide selection of resorts, hotels and golf courses.• Pescaditos, the small fried fishes, a famed example of

Malaga’s gastronomy.

With more than 300 sunny days a year, an ideal temperature, small charming towns and the sea, the Costa del Sol simply feels good. And it has naturally converted itself into a key international destination. Yet despite several cities that cater to large scale tourism, the Costa del Sol is known above all for the luxury and glamour that it has offered since cinema stars started frequenting the area in the seventies. Today, between 25 and 30% of Spain’s large luxury hotels are found in Marbella and the surrounding area. Furthermore, who could forget the areas first class golf courses? Here, luxury and an international character contrasts with typical small Andalusian villages with their narrow streets and white-washed houses adorned with flowers.

Surprising nooks Malaga city• Castillo de Gibralfaro: the city’s best watch

tower. A tour around its decorated walls and its towers allows you to get a bird’s eye view of the entire city.

• Hotel del Pintor: a small boutique hotel, owned by the artist Pepe Bornoy, that mixes art with comfort.

• La Casa del Guardia: opened in 1849, this is the city’s oldest winery. Drinking a Muscat wine is a must.

Rest of the Costa del Sol• Real Maestranza de Ronda: this neoclassical

bullfighting ring was opened in 1785 and has the largest ring in Europe, measuring 66 metres in diameter.

• Cuevas de Nerja: The most important natural heritage site in the area. Water eroded the marble surfaces creating unique cavities known for their great beauty and impressive dimensions.

• Paraje Natural de El Torcal: in Antequera, more than 12000sqm of limestone rocks that emerged from the seabed 150 million years ago.

• The historical town of Marbella: with white alleys and balconies decorated with flowers, the area houses the Plaza de los Naranjos and the remnants of the Arabian castle or Castillo Árabe.

• Ocean Club: situated in Puerto Banús, a luxurious club with facilities which can be rented for events.

Highlighted venues• Malaga Picasso Museum: located in the magnificent Palacio de los

Condes de Buenavista, it can be rented for events.• Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Malaga: avant-garde architecture

with 60,000sqm of space for up to 20,000 pax.• Jardín Botánico Histórico de La Concepción: spectacular venue,

dating to 1850, which is available for events and themed dinners.

Costa del Sol offers luxury and glamour, capitalising on the frequent presence of cinema stars since the 1970’s

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ADV_COSTADELSOL_115x320_eng_TR 10/5/09 16:11 P�gina 1 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

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120 tourism professionals experience the sunny Costa del Sol Organised by the Costa del Sol Convention Bureau, its asso-ciated companies and with the collaboration of Turespaña and Turismo Andaluz, the III Awards Gala Tourism Meetings welcomed 120 incentive company buyers, Spanish tourist office executives, journalists and industry professionals from more than 15 countries. The welcome dinner –called “The Magic of Andalusia”– was held in the Hacienda Moreno, in the Guadalhorce Valley, 30 minutes from Marbella. The eve-ning included a flamenco show and traditional gastronomy. The three day event included a teambuilding exercise in the tropical gardens of the Hotel Don Carlos and a tasting of Ronda wines, Malaga olive oil and gazpacho. Other activities included a flamenco demonstration and an introduction to Picasso’s life by way of a painting contest. The gala dinner and awards ceremony were held at the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda, an emblema-tic space where guests enjoyed a performance by singer Antonia Con-treras and the Symphony Orchestra of Malaga.

• Castillo de Santa Catalina: this site of cultural interest is a palace built in 1624 and surrounded by gardens with splendid views of the sea. It hosts the opening of the Malaga film festival.

• Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Marbella: includes a top floor with more than �,000sqm and a plenary room with 1,600 seats.

• Palacio de Congresos de Torremolinos: the main hall is divided into two floors of �,000 and 2,500sqm.

• Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Estepona: 21,000sqm of indoor space with a 15,000sqm garden, including a heliport, an all-purpose pavilion, etc.

• Escuela de arte ecuestre: located in Estepona, it has rooms for events and themed dinners.

• Palacio Duque Heredia: the 19th century palace has a 21,000sqm garden, which is part of the Botanical Garden of Malaga.

• Palacio de Cropani: The 1,200sqm neoclassical building has five meeting rooms and can hold a cocktail party for �00 pax.

• Bodega Ecológica Joaquín Fernández: this ecological winery offers a cellar for 80 guests and an outdoor hall for �00.

Future openings• In 2010, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will open a resort

in Benehavís. The 15�-room hotel will have two meeting rooms for up to 250 people.

• Next year will host the inauguration of the Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum with a collection of �58 Andalusian and Spanish painting from throughout 19th century.

Activities • Attend a polo game at the exclusive Sotogrande club followed by

an exhaustive visit of the facilities and a polo clinic. It is just one of the activities organised by Ultramar Express.

• Tour the birthplace of Picasso through the Museo Picasso Málaga, the Fundación Museo-Casa Natal and the walking route “Málaga Picasiana”, or experience the romantic side of Malaga by visiting it in a horse carriage.

Between 2008 and 2010, Malaga is hosting the international conferences of ICCA, SITE and MPI.

Costa del Sol

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• Drive an Ascari, a race bred sports car, on the circuit of the Ascari Race Resort in Ronda, with a luxurious resort and an academy. For very exclusive incentives.

• Tapa tour on two wheels: Malaga Bike Tours offers excursions in which participants can learn the history, culture and tales of the city. In each stop, they can try tapas and local wines while listening to the guide.

• Explore hidden coves while admiring the rich natural seabed from the deck of the Fly Blue Catamaran, a large competition sailboat. Organised by Ultramar Express, this excursion can be combined with a ski outing to the Sierra Nevada slopes in the afternoon, with 60km of ski runs.

• Drive off-road cars to an isolated rural farm in the middle of the Malaga mountains and enjoy a unique experience. Guests are welcomed by a local family in their own cottage and share their daily life for a day. Groups can go grape-harvesting in the vineyard, learn how to dry the grapes to make raisins and even share an informal country lunch with the family. In a nearby village, they can make their own wine in the traditional manner by stamping the grapes with their feet. This activity is organised by España Incoming & Incentives.

From the Convention Bureau My destination offers outstanding attractions, but if I had to highlight a really unique factor… Our sun, which gives us energy, vitality and strength. Many people know the Costa del Sol is accessible and safe and that we have some of the best 4 and 5 star meetings ready hotels and the highest concentration of luxury hotels in Spain. We have a varied and comple-te offer which allows our visitors to discover a different world of experiences and sensations through our cultu-re, traditions and gastronomy. All these come together under a unique element: our sun.

Future plans in the meetings and events market…Costa del Sol is working on a strategic plan which includes several actions aimed at positioning the brand Malaga-City of Congresses through the campaign Mala-ga Con. This is a four-year campaign focused on marketing the city as a congress destination, improving the image of the brand Costa del Sol through a sustainabi-lity and CSR project, and creating new products for meetings. All these actions are based on reinvestment in infrastructure, collaboration between public and private sectors at the local, regional and national levels, in-depth knowledge of customer needs and working with a professional and committed team.

Belén Pérez-Gascón, Director of the Costa del Sol Convention Bureau & Tourism Board

Costa del Sol

Fun facts• One could say Costa del Sol’s modern history begins in Torremolinos with the arrival of George Langworthy, better known as “El Inglés” (the Englishman). He and his wife resided in the Castillo de Santa Clara, an 18th century castle.

• The late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia spent his summer holidays in Marbe-lla accompanied by an entourage of 3,000 people, 200 cars, helicopters, planes, and an army of bodyguards.

• Malaga aspires to become a European cultural capital in 2016. All the mu-seums are undergoing a phase of renovations, improvements and expan-sions while new museums under construction include the Wine Museum, the Flamenco Museum and the Semana Santa (Holy Week) Museum.

The Costa del Sol’s 2009 agenda includes large sports events like the first Andalusia Tennis Experience, Expocruceros, the Davis Cup championship and the Volvo World Match Play tournament

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Seville

Perhaps the most intense city in Spain, Seville is full of passion, traditions, colours and celebrations… The city is deeply immersed in popular rituals and traditions like flamenco, bullfighting, the street-filling Semana Santa Easter processions or the April feria which stops the city for a few days of lively celebrations. Seville also has the largest historic centre in Spain, with stunning buildings like its impressive cathedral, its Giralda tower and the Alcazar. But the city also includes some very modern meetings venues. Its main strengths are the climate, its terraces and the tascas or bars which allow you to take part in one of the city’s most deeply rooted traditions: the tapeo.

NicknameIt is often referred to as Híspalis, its Roman name.

Famous for...• Its three fundamental monuments: the Catedral, the

Giralda and the Reales Alcázares.• The Torre del Oro, another symbol of the city, or the

Plaza de España, with its spectacular regional architecture.• Its Easter processions that colour the streets with mystery,

mysticism and meditation.• Its patios in neighbourhoods like Triana, La Macarena

and Santa Cruz, which are full of colourful flowers. • The Doñana Natural Park, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage

Site and Biosphere reserve, is the ideal place for outdoor sports.

• The generous “tapas” and wines that are served in its bars as well as its intense street atmosphere.

• La Plaza de España, which appeared in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (George Lucas, 2002).

Surprising nooks• Las Atarazanas Reales, built in the 1�th century for

the construction of ships that would sail across the Guadalquivir river and the Mediterranean. It was converted into a museum in 2008.

Flamenco, percussion, and traditional choirs... don’t forget to include the vibrant local music in your events in Seville


• La Plaza del Salvador, in addition to being one of the most beautiful squares in Seville, is a midday meeting place for the locals. On sunny days, it is a very pleasant place to have a beer and enjoy the atmosphere.

• The pavilions inherited from the 1929 Ibero-american exhibition include the Peruvian pavilion, with a mixture of Spanish and pre-Hispanic cultural influences, the neo-baroque Portuguese pavilion or the Colombian pavilion, based on Colombian religious architecture.

• Baños Árabes – Aires de Sevilla. This Arab bath with a 40 pax capacity is located in a 16th century house just 50m from the cathedral. The house has different rooms which can be used for meetings including the Tetería (tea room) and its courtyard and terrace with views of the city.

Highlighted venues• Palacio de Congresos de Sevilla or FIBES offers

three 7200sqm pavilions and nine rooms. In 2010, it will feature a new �,500-seat auditorium, which will expand its capacity to 5,000.

• Centro Sevilla Congresos, in Osuna, has a capacity for 7,000 pax and more than 20 meeting rooms.

• Cartuja 9�, Andalusia’s most important technology park, was made for EXPO’92 and measures 6�9,419sqm.

• Casino de la Exposición, the old Exhibition Theatre’s foyer (today Teatro Lope de Vega) was built for the 1929 Ibero-American exhibition and stands next to the Maria Luisa Park. It has a 750 pax capacity.

• Real Alcázar, declared a Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO, it has spectacular Moorish gardens modified with romantic Renaissance renovations.

Semana Santa processions and the Feria de Abril: spring in Seville offers the most colourful celebrations in Spain

Seville


• El Coto las Canteras, in Osuna, is an old stone enclave that is 1,000 years old. It has been restored and now the natural cave has a capacity of 1,400 pax.

• Naves del Barranco, from the 14th century and originally a fish market, is an example of iron architecture in Seville. It has a capacity �00 pax capacity.

• Museo del Baile Flamenco, an urban palace from the 18th century which can host intimate events, including flamenco shows, for between 5 and 20 pax.

• Casa de Pilatos, the most sumptuous noble residence in Seville from the 15th century has a capacity for 700 pax.

Activities• España Incoming & Incentives proposes a fun variation

of polo for teambuilding activities: “donkey polo”. You need a bullring, 10 donkeys, brooms, a ball and a referee. Less prestigious than the original, but a lot more fun...

• Kuoni Destination Management organises a typical pilgrimage through villages in the south of Spain. Upon arrival, the group is greeted by drummers and flamenco girls. The participants walk up the streets and start the pilgrimage, during which they make stops to eat, drink and enjoy the landscape. The group is accompanied by a rociero or traditional choir as well as a rumba sevillana band. The activity ends with the group singing all together at the estate.

• Discover the Seville of Don Juan in an interactive tour organised by Azahares Congresos e Incentivos. The activity in the city’s historic centre includes actors dressed as traditional characters who explain the romantic exploits of this legend. Another option related to opera is the “Carmen’s Myth” dinner, with performances of the Bizet opera’s principle arias. It recreates the legend of Carmen La Cigarrera in a 14th century Seville street.

• Bandolero Tours offers you the opportunity to sample the lifestyle of a 14th century highwayman in the Sierra Morena.

• Azahares Congresos e Incentivos organises a 4x4 rally through the Ruta del Agua where participants discover the heritage and nature of Seville and its white towns. The trip ends in a typical Andalusian country house.

Fun facts• The city’s motto is «NO8DO» with the 8 forming a hank of wool. According to legend, it is a refe-rence to King Alfonso X and his ongoing loyalty to the city in the war against his son Don Sancho in the 13th century.

• Lord Byron wrote of Seville that it is “a pleasant city, famous for its knives and its women”.

• Every year, Seville celebrates its Feria de la Tapa where you can taste a variety of traditional tapas in the market while learning about the different new tapa creations.

• The Feria de Abril originated in the 14th cen-tury as a livestock fair and, throughout the pas-sage of time, has remained an important date for the locals.

From the Convention BureauMy city offers outstanding attractions for events, but if I had to highlight a really uni-que factor… Now more then ever, Seville is en-joying and offering a new image as a destination. A clear example is the city centre with the Metrocentro and the Giralda in the background. Besides, Seville offers culture, entertainment and good wea-ther. All this can be combined with a scientific program held in one of the continually renewed congress hotels.

Future plans for Seville in the meetings and events market…The implementation of a convention bureau to collaborate bet-ween the private and public sector is the most notable issue. Par-ticipants in the joint effort include the chamber of commerce, ESC, hotel associations, travel agencies and PCOs as well as the tourism offices of Seville and Andalusia. And let’s not forget that Seville’s infrastructure for meetings is constantly being renewed. One example is the 5-star Hotel Columbus.

Reyes Rey Portero, Director of the Congresses, Meetings and Tourism Office of Seville

Italian banking discovers the traditions of SevilleOrganised by Events&CoBanca UniCredit chose Seville for this 4,000 pax executive trip. The experience consisted of three major events: a themed welcome din-ner in the Seville trade fair area, a meeting at the Fibes congress pa-lace and a gala dinner at the Plaza de España. More than 100 buses and 2,000 employees were required to carry out the event.The welcome dinner recreated the Prado de San Sebastian’s garden and guests enjoyed a true Seville fair with its stalls (casetas) and a 20 horse show. Each stall specialised in things like typical gastronomy, flamenco dancing or traditional rociero choirs and the event inclu-ded more than 200 artists. James Blunt and a famous bailadora from Seville performed du-ring the dinner at the Plaza de España. Over 350 tables, 500 waitres-ses and 300 hostesses were required.

Seville

A very typical Spanish eventOrganised by Spanish Heritage and Es.culturaSpanish Heritage, along with Es.cultura, offered an unusual glimpse of Seville’s traditions, for 160 pax. At the Rancho del Rocío, three Andalusian workshops were held: rumba and sevillana dancing, fla-menco cajón and bullfighting were all taught before an amazing ride on a... donkey. The second day was more cultural: the guests had to discover Seville through its opera. In this activity, called the “Opera Rally”, the guests had to passionately relive the most famous operas and their characters by playing the roles of Bizet’s Carmen and Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Figaro. The activity was designed for each team to follow a road book with different routes to follow.

Traditions of the landOrganised by Hacienda Las AlcabalasTo promote its cultural tourism, Hacienda Las Alcabalas or-ganised a series of traditional Andalusian activities such as the killing of a pig. The guests participated in the making of chacinas (sausages) and other typical dishes like Las migas or La ropa vieja. Throughout the day other activities such as horseback riding were held. In an old mill, which has been converted into an exhibition hall, the work of a Spanish ar-tist was shown and commented upon by the artist himself. The dinner ended with a flamenco show.


Nickname• A Coruña is called The Glass City thanks to its wide selection

of glass galleries and the facades of the buildings facing the port. It is also known as the Balcony of the Atlantic.

Famous for... A Coruña• Having one of the oldest lighthouses in the world, dating to

the second century AD and still in operation today.• Its Paseo Marítimo, the longest in Europe: close to 15km of

seafront paths open to foot, tram and bicycle traffic.• Its fish and seafood from the rias, which arrive daily to the

fish markets like el Mercado de la Plaza de Lugo.• Its “Pazos” (stately homes of the bourgeoisie and nobles) which

are used as unique gala dinner venues right near the city.

Santiago de Compostela• Being declared the "European Capital of Culture" in 2000.• Being the final destination of the Camino de Santiago since

the ninth century.• Its impressive Cathedral, which amounts to a small stone city.• Its university, with more than 500 years of tradition and

�0,000 students.

Surprising nooks A Coruña• The sculpture park, with its Torre de Hércules which celebrates

the city’s Celtic tradition.• The Plaza de Lugo market, which offers the widest range of

fish and seafood. Recently renovated, it’s a real show watching the amazing variety of fish available in its stands. Both the “Lonja” (the commodities exchange where the fish are auctioned) and the market can be visited.

• In the popular seafood restaurants lining Franja, Estrella or Barrera streets, you can try the famous local style octopus or Pulpo a feira.

Galicia: A Coruña & Santiago de Compostela

A Coruña is intense, vibrant and always keeps one eye on the sea. Its markets offer a wide variety of fish and seafood, all of which are served fresh with local wines in the region’s popular tascas. On the other hand, Santiago de Compostela, the end of the famous pilgrimage route known as the Camino de Santiago, is famous for its rich historical charm. Its cathedral and other historical buildings landed it on the list of World Heritage Cities. Both cities have been building on their respective assets to gain a bigger share of the meetings industry. Fine historical venues like the beautiful old pazos (Galician style palaces) are complimented by two of the country’s most outstanding venues, Expocoruña and Palexco. Galicia also offers pleasant stays dedicated to hot springs, gastronomic routes and outdoor activities, including golf.

• Plaza María Pita: the best known square in A Coruña is dedicated to the local heroine that fought against the English privateer skippered by the pirate Francis Drake.

Santiago de Compostela• Parque de San Domingos de Bonaval: the contrasting

architecture of the Centro Gallego de Arte Contemporáneo and the Museo do Pobo Galego, which used to be a medieval convent, makes this sight special. It also offers surprising views of the city.

• Mirador del Parque de la Alameda: This vista point offers a spectacular view of the Cathedral standing out amongst the city’s smaller historical buildings. It’s no wonder this is the image most portrayed on city postcards.

• Mercado de Abastos: still operating after more than a century, this market, in the centre of the old town, has become a reference of city life and an important tourist attraction. After the cathedral, it is the second most visited monument in Santiago.

• Escalera de San Domingos de Bonaval: in the old Bonaval convent, which now houses the Museo do Pobo Galego, discover a triple spiral staircase that is well worth the visit for its technical elegance and bold design.

Highlighted venues A Coruña• Palacio de Congresos de A Coruña, Palexco: the main

congress centre of the city offers room for 2,�00 pax.• The trade fair area, Expocoruña: 26,000sqm and an

auditorium for 450 pax.• The Torre de Hércules: Sip cocktails while enjoying a view of

the entire bay of A Coruña.

Welcoming the fishermen on shore, learning to fish, preparing traditional octopus… sea-related activities will no doubt go along with your incentive in A Coruña



• The Aquarium Finisterrae: with more than 600 species of marine life and a capacity for gala dinners of �00 pax.

• The Castillo de San Antón: a 14th century fortress that now houses the Museo Arqueológico e Histórico, with a cocktail terrace for 200 pax.

• Coliseum de A Coruña: 1,900sqm with cutting edge design and a capacity of 11,000 pax.

• The Casa del Hombre, known as La Domus: the first interactive museum in the world dedicated to human beings. Its Imax room can be rented out for events and holds 120 pax.

Santiago de Compostela• Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones de Galicia: includes a 2,100-seat

auditorium, the Santiago Room, which holds 1,580 pax, and several other halls.

• Auditorio de Galicia: its main room can host 1,000 pax.• Parador de los Reyes Católicos: in the middle of the Plaza del

Obradoiro, this hotel has 11 event rooms. Its restaurant, Enxebre, offers traditional food in a typical Galician tavern atmosphere.

• San Francisco Hotel Monumento: in the old town, the 1�th century wing of the San Francisco convent was declared a Cultural Heritage Site. Its majestic Patio de Cristal can host cocktail parties and events. It is flanked by the Carlos V auditorium and the Monumental dining room.

• Universidad de Santiago: offers a wide range of meeting rooms with historical charm.

• The Ciudad de la Cultura de Galicia, a 142,000sqm complex consisting of museums, libraries and auditoriums which blend cultural conservation with research, creativity and cultural enjoyment.

Galicia

A day of pilgrimage Organised by DMC Galicia

El Camino de Santiago is one of the most famous itineraries in the world. DMC Galicia organised a walk on this beauti-ful Camino for a cosmetic company (45 pax). The aim was to disconnect from the daily routine and discover, by way of a pilgrimage, the history of the route. The activity started in a traditional Galician stone house which has been converted into a hostel. A “Pulpei-ra” (a lady who prepares octopus) showed them how to cook “pulpo a feira”. After trying the octopus, the groups ate in a Galician haute cuisine restaurant. The participants then dressed up as pilgrims with a cape, walking stick and hat and set out on a two-hour walk with a pair of guides who explained the legends and culture of the Camino. Du-ring the trip, some actors appeared in character as a monk, a fairy and goblin to surprise the guests.

A gastronomic journey through A CoruñaOrganised by DMC Galicia

DMC Galicia organised an incentive trip in A Coruña for 25 guests of a pharmaceutical company. A local sommelier showed the guests the keys to Galician gastronomy along with typical cooking methods. First, the group visited the Plaza de Lugo, the crown jewel of the city’s markets and an ideal place see the wondrous variety of fish and shellfish. Then they went to the port, where they embarked on a sailboat ride in the Ría of A Coruña. On board, the skipper explained the different geo-logical and marine ecosystems that define the area. They then arrived at a well-known restaurant on the marina. There, they were given cooking classes and learnt to prepare dishes such as Galician empanadas, scallops, Caldeira and the Tarta de Santiago. At the end of the demonstration, they tasted the dishes they had prepared along with Galician wines.


Fun factsA Coruña

•A Coruña is famous for its handmade chocolate, a tradition that began in the 16th century when an important maritime trade existed between its port and those in South America.

•It is said that Hercules, the son of Zeus, founded the city. Ac-cording to legend, a giant called Gerion was terrorising its in-habitants. Hercules defeated Gerion, cut off his head and or-dered a tower built on top of the severed head to commemo-rate his victory.

•The Casa de las Ciencias has an apple tree at its entrance who-se plaque reads: “This apple tree, of the Flower of Kent varie-ty, is a copy of the one at Isaac Newton’s house in England”.

Santiago de Compostela

•Some of the world’s best architects have worked in Santiago de Compostela, including Siza, Eisenman, Kleihues, Hejduk, Portela and Nouvel.

•The Camino de Santiago is well known for being the First Eu-ropean Cultural Route.

•The Parador de los Reyes Católicos is considered the oldest hotel in the world.

Tasting wines and Galician food in SantiagoOrganised by Versal Comunicación

To celebrate the denomination of origin achieved by local wines, spirits, cheeses and honeys, the agriculture department of the Galician Gover-nment held a series of tastings. Versal Comunicación organised the two and three-day sessions in the modern tasting room of the Integrated Tra-ining Center Compostela. The organisers also offered activities to elimi-nate stress and foster the self-knowledge of the group members. Karting, bowling and visits to the cathedral roofs rounded out the programme.

From the Convention BureausMy city offers outstanding attractions for events, but if I had to highlight a really unique factor...Strolling through the city is like walking on the sea. Its smell and sound are always present. Here, the Atlantic sticks to the skin like nowhere else. Tradition, culture, modernity and our exquisite cuisi-ne are based on our history as sailors. Let’s not forget natural beau-ty, infrastructure, cuisine and our hospitality, which people here practice as if it were a religion.

Future plans in the meetings and events market… We are the key economic engine of Galicia specialising in the servi-ce sector. The nomination of the Tower of Hercules as a World He-ritage Site is now our main challenge. Meetings and family tourism are the two pillars of our future projects. With these premises, we want A Coruña to be integrated into the international circuit of large musical and cultural events. We already have one of the best symphony orchestras in Spain and a Mozart Festival that makes us a cultural destination.

Henrique Tello LeónDeputy Mayor of A Coruña and head of its Tourism Department

My city offers outstanding attractions for events, but if I had to highlight a really unique factor… Santiago de Compostela is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is the Ca-mino de Santiago itself. The city also has the most competitive quali-ty to price ratio in the Spanish hotel industry, according to hotel.info. Moreover, the city offers additional attractions to assist the meetings and conference sector. We also lead Galicia in food and wine culture, contemporary architecture, security, cultural and lei-sure activities, etc. And don’t forget the City University, which is 500 years old and has leading research teams in biomedicine and more.

Future plans in the meetings and events market…Santiago will get a new airport terminal in the coming years, which will allow its traffic to reach four million passengers per year and in-crease its number of national and international connections. It will also have a high-speed train connection. The most notable event is the celebration of Holy Year Com-postelano 2010, in which the city will increase its cultural and re-creational offerings, making it an attractive city to hold meetings throughout the year. Finally, we are working in the incentive tourism sector in order to position Santiago as an ideal city for incentive trips, for which we already have the attractions and services needed.

Xosé Manuel IglesiasSantiago de Compostela Convention Bureau President and Tourism

Manager

Galicia


A tour by tram and SegwayOrganised by DMC Galicia

As a complement to a medical congress, DMC Galicia organised a va-riety of activities in A Coruña for 25 pax. In the afternoon, they enjo-yed a tour in an old tram along the Paseo Marítimo, taking in the best views in town. Then, from the Castillo de San Antón, they took a tour by Segway down the other side of the Paseo Marítimo while a guide explained the sights: Puerto Deportivo, Hospital Militar, Torre de Vigilancia Ma-rítima, Escuela de Bellas Artes and, finally, the Torre de Hércules. The group then discovered La Casa de los Peces, an aquarium located on the Atlantic Ocean. Finally they made their way, by Segway, to a typical Galician restaurant.

Activities• DMC Galicia proposes a pilgrimage to a stately noble home.

With the help of pulpeiras and mejilloneiras (specialists in preparing octopus and mussels, respectively), the group observes the preparation of these typical dishes while tasting other traditional dishes. The pilgrimage is livened by a group of bagpipe players and a local dance troupe.

• Rent the tourist tram which follows a route along the Paseo Marítimo and then visit the Castillo de San Antón, the Torre de Hércules, the Aquarium Finisterrae, the Casa del Hombre, the beaches of Orzán and Riazor, and finally, the Mirador del Monte de San Pedro, which offers spectacular views of the city below.

• Learn the art of fishing while being guided by a group of fishermen at a natural seafood farm. Then visit an auction at a fish market in a seaside village (courtesy of DMC Galicia).

• Orzan Congres suggests a �0-minute plane ride over the city, enabling guests to take in the Burgo river, the city’s beaches and its traditional houses. Another possibility is a boat ride to observe the Galician coastline.

• Take a gastronomic tour in Santiago along the Rúa do Vilar and the surrounding area. Stops include the Casa de lo Quesos, traditional businesses in the Rúas Orfas, the popular Mercado de Abastos and the food shops in Plaza de Cervantes. The visit ends with a tasting in a local wine and tapas bar (by Viajes Viloria).

• Visit enchanted forests along a stretch of the Camino near Santiago. The participants dress up as pilgrims, donning a cape and hat and carrying a walking stick. The guides tell of legends, miracles and historical characters that have passed through the city. The walk is livened up by two actors, who appear out of nowhere, and are disguised as a witch, a goblin, or a monk who will marry two of the participants...

• An excursion through the Rías Baixas with an exclusive ride across the Ría de Arousa on an antique steam boat (for 120 passengers). It can be combined with a visit to the Polígono de Bateas, where guests learn about the cultivation of mussels, oysters and scallops while sampling local food on board (by Viajes Viloria).

• See the Santiago Cathedral’s enormous thurible (ecclesiastical incense dispenser) at work. Half a metre high and weighing 5�kg, the Botafumeriro, as it is known, is operated by eight tiraboleiros. It is a true spectacle watching it swing from the northern to southern transept.

Meetings-minded: Galicia features two of the country’s most outstanding venues, Expocoruña and Palexco


AsturiasPerhaps Spain’s greenest spot, Asturias is a natural paradise situated between the Atlantic coast and the impressive Cantabrian mountain range. Craggy landscapes and plenty of beautiful countryside make Asturias ideal for groups seeking outdoor activities in a wholesome environment far from the overcrowding typical of other sun and sand destinations. And don’t fall for the famous rivalry between Gijón and Oviedo; these two great cities, just twenty minutes apart, compliment rather than challenge each other. Oviedo has historic charm while Gijón is more slanted towards modern culture.


Famous for…• Being one of the greenest regions in the country as well as

the Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe) park, situated in the Cantabrian mountains.

• Unique, pre-roman Asturian art, some of which is listed as a World Heritage Site, as well as its first class prehistoric cave art.

• Its gastronomy, including the fabada (a traditional dish made with white beans and various meats) and the more than forty types of hand-made cheeses.

• Traditions linked to the culture of cider, including espichas, typical celebrations held in lagares or cider houses.

• The Oviedo Jazz Festival, the International Film Festival and the Semana Negra de Gijón, a week dedicated to film noir and crime novels.

Surprising nooks In Oviedo• Sculptures: more than a hundred sculptures of varying

styles can be found throughout the city. There is even one of Woody Allen.

• Museo de Bellas Artes: the museum boasts one of the best art collections in Spain, with works from the Middle Ages through today.

• Campo San Francisco: in the heart of the city centre, the 90,000sqm space has 127 species of plants. Oviedo has more than a million sqm of green areas.

• Monte Naranco: a rounded hill, 6�6m high and with more than �0,000sqm of natural open space, crowns the Asturian capital.

In Gijón• Barrio de Cimadevilla: an old Roman settlement, declared an

artistic site, houses some of the most emblematic buildings in Gijón as well as the sculpture Elogio del Horizonte, a symbol of the city.

• Museo del Pueblo de Asturias: includes an ethnographic collection of six thousand pieces from the Middle Ages on through the present day.

• Acuario: it is composed of a screening room, a panoramic restaurant, a workshop and a marine bird observatory.

• Talasoponiente: a thalassotherapy centre which is part of the “La Ciudad del Agua” project, next to the Acuario.

Asturias is a green world, ideal for groups that are looking for outdoor activities or a healthy environment far from traditional destinations


Highlighted venues In Oviedo• Principe Felipe Convention Centre and Auditorium: this modern venue

has been built with a neoclassical flair in the city’s antique water deposit.• San Cucao Castle: historic venue including the 14th century Valdés Tower,

which also includes an adjacent modern styled building.• Villabona Palace: 15th century palace, declared an artistic-historical

monument. Its interior halls are decorated with tapestries while the exterior includes 20 hectares of Asturian style gardens.

• Bosque de la Zoreda Castle: five minutes from Oviedo, it offers a pavilion seating 1,400pax with a view of an early 20th century castle surrounded with a luxurious forest.

• Reconquista Hotel: this historic hotel, right in the centre of Oviedo, includes an impressive hall which once was the chapel of a hospice dating back to the 17th century.

• The Caldas Villa Termal: with an area for meetings and events, a spa centre and a five-star hotel.

• The Convention and Exhibition Centre, designed by the famous architect Santiago Calatrava, is due to open in 2009 in the centre of Oviedo, and will have a total of 15,5�0sqm.

In Gijón• Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones: 160,000sqm situated in the heart

of the city’s trade show area. It has a hall for 800pax and two conference rooms for 200pax.

• Laboral Ciudad del Arte y la Cultura: This event-friendly complex combines a historical building and a theatre seating 1,500pax as well as various meeting rooms, including a painting room; the site also includes the Laboral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial.

• Finca La Isla: built in 1870, this sight brings together the beauty of plants and the symbol of water. It is located in the Botanico Atlántico gardens.

• Palacio de Luces: this five-star hotel, built on the foundations of a stately 16th century home, is situated on the coast.

• Gallery Art and Food: a multi-disciplinary, avant-garde space that combines an art gallery, meeting rooms, a bar and a restaurant serving the finest cuisine.

• Museo del Ferrocarril de Asturias: The train museum has locomotives that can be used for events. A meeting can even be held on the train tracks!

Siemens employees experience Asturian culture Organised by Pop-In Group

This teambuilding was organised for 40 Siemens Giga-set employees, together with the presentation of the company’s results and new strategy. Meetings were con-ducted on the first day and were followed with “the per-fect combination”, a sort of Asturian Olympic Games in which participants had to perform rural activities such as wood chopping or a race with milk con-tainers in tote. They also visited one of the most famous Asturian cider-houses, where they were shown how to make ci-der. A gala dinner at the San Cucao Castle follo-wed, including casino games and an auction to close the event.

Fun Facts•Cider, the traditional drink, has been documented in Asturias for more than 2,000 years, and was al-ready being enjoyed when the Romans arrived. It is usually enjoyed in lagares (local cider-houses).

•Asturian (asturianu o bable) is a language derived from Latin; its roots can be traced to the roman-ce language spoken by the kings of Asturias and León.

•The Museu de Anclas de Salinas, dedicated to an-chors, features a specimen from the mythical Ti-tanic.

Experience the Ruta de la Manzana y la Sidra (the apple and cider route), where you will visit the Museo de la Sidra (Cider Museum), apple plantations and wineries in the Sidra producing region, to the east of Gijón

Asturias


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Activities • Descend the River Sella in kayaks and perform various tests

focused on teambuilding, leadership, and time management. The programme, run by Eventplanet, closes with a riverside tasting of typical Asturian food and cider.

• Experience the Ruta de la Manzana y la Sidra (apple and cider route) and visit the cider museum, apple plantations and wineries to the east of Gijón. The Fundación Comarca de la Sidra also offers activities to discover the production methods of typical products from the area.

• Eventplanet organises a contest to obtain the four pieces needed to complete the Victoria de Asturias cross, all hidden in the great outdoors. This teambuilding activity includes terrain as varied as a deep cave, a river canyon, a waterfall, a river and a well and modes of transportation as diverse as rappelling or canoeing.

• Go gold panning and visit the Gold Museum. You may even find a gold nugget in the rivers next to the small village of Navelgas. Take the challenge and entertain your group by participating in this activity that has become quite the sport; there is even a world championship held every summer!

• Visit the Tren de los Museos (train museum) in Gijón. The tour includes a visit to the Museo del Ferrocarril, (where all steam engines are still in working condition) and a ride in an old train to visit a mine, where you will learn about the life of miners.

• Visit the caves where cabrales, a delicious goat cheese, is aged and learn about its production process. Then experience a cheese tasting with more than 40 types of cheese coupled with the best wines… all in the spectacular setting of the Picos de Europa.

• Create the best tapa (by Eventplanet): over two hours, six teams have to make money in different locations around Gijón in order to buy ingredients at a local market. Then team members must create an original tapa with just �5 minutes of prep time. The jury will be lead by a prestigious chef.

• Experience an espicha (Asturian celebration). A folkloric group of gaitas (bagpipers) welcomes the guests, who will receive picones and madreñas (handmade Asturian wooden clogs) and discover the world of cider. Activities include a contest testing one’s skills at the traditional way of pouring cider as well as an introduction to the regional dance.

Still have time left to search for suppliers?Find all your suppliers in eventoplus.com. Click on “WE HELP YOU FIND IT!” (our free Request For Proposal service) or �nd them yourself in our online directory with more than 2.000 suppliers.

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A gala dinner to discover Asturian flavourA gala dinner for 150 guests held in the castle of the Zore-da Forest had a menu that perfectly reflected Asturias’ diver-se flavours. Starters included Iberian cured Jabugo ham with hot chapatitas and tomato, an Asturian cheese buffet, a Peral mousse accompanied with apple and, finally, Iberian sausa-ges. Dinner included lobster salad and an Oporto steak me-dallion accompa-nied with mushro-oms and a potato pie. The event en-ded with a special flan, or Tonicillo de cielo with Reque-són de Abredo.

From the Convention Bureau My destination offers outstanding at-tractions for events, but if I had to hig-hlight a really unique factor… You can indulge your senses while enjoying the special landscapes offered by nature. Asturias has no less than five sites declared UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. Asturias has no intention to compete directly with big cities, though we are proud of what nature has to offer: virgin beaches and naturally preserved primeval forests.

Future plans in the meetings and events market…Asturias’ three main cities, Avilés, Oviedo and Gijón, are breaking new ground in the events market. Gijón has recently renovated a new space in La Laboral, with a 1,400pax auditorium and adjacent rooms. Oviedo will have in 2010 the avant-garde Congress Palace designed by Santiago Cala-trava, which will feature a hall for 2,100 people. And Avilés will feature in 2010 the Cultural Centre Niemeyer, a multidisciplinary centre with space for a variety of artistic endeavours with a 4,000sqm exhibition hall and a 1,000pax auditorium.

Violeta Matas GonzálezDirector of the Asturian Tourism delegation in Madrid

Asturias

Still have time left to search for suppliers?Find all your suppliers in eventoplus.com. Click on “WE HELP YOU FIND IT!” (our free Request For Proposal service) or �nd them yourself in our online directory with more than 2.000 suppliers.

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BilbaoThe opening of Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in 1997 marked the beginning of an impressive comeback for the city of Bilbao. It would be marked by drastic changes in urban planning and the city’s attitude. Bilbao used this museum and the work of other leading architects (Santiago Calatrava designed a bridge and Norman Foster, the metro) to increase the city’s profile and transform itself. Historically a centre of industry, Bilbao renewed its city centre, improved its hotel offering, built a new Exhibition centre (Bilbao Exhibition Centre) and changed its mood from that of a declining industrial city to an enthusiastic modern one that would be open to the world and, yes… to meetings too. Yet one thing has not changed: the intense Basque traditions, strong identity, and excellent gastronomy.


NicknameThe city’s Basque name is Bilbo.

Famous for…• Combining two of the most famous museums in the country: the

Guggenheim and the Museo de Bellas Artes (fine arts museum).• The Ribera market, considered the first covered wholesale food

market in Europe.• The medieval city with its “Seven Streets”: a combination of

squares and little corners perfect for just wandering around.• The Biscay Suspension Ferry Bridge (called “El Transbordador

de Vizcaya”), better known as the hanging bridge, is a UNESCO world heritage building. It is the oldest and best preserved structure of its type in the world.

Surprising nooks• The luxurious residences of Bilbao’s aristocracy in the beautiful

neighbourhood of Neguri were built right outside the old city during its 19th century expansion.

• Iglesia de San Antón: the Gothic temple built in the 15th century, right off the Bilbao docks, is the most popular temple in the city and appears on the city’s coat of arms.

• The animated woods or Oma’s woods, a work of art by the Basque painter and sculptor Agustín Ibarrola. Human, animal and geometric figures appear painted on tree stumps. Some figures are only visible from a certain angle and the combination of all the trees forms a complete image.

• San Juan de Gaztelugatxe: one of the jewels of the coast, it is a small island linked to the sea by 2�1 stairs and crowned by a monastery dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.

• The prehistoric caves of Cortézubi, within the complex of caves of the Bay of Biscay, where paintings dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic period were found.

Highlighted venues• Guggenheim Museum: a unique environment for

prestigious meetings. It has three areas for events: the atrium, the auditorium and the hall. Booking the venue requires being a corporate member of the museum.

• Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC): 18,000sqm and a usable surface of 5,500sqm divided in three areas, for up to 2,500 pax.

• The Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall: an outstanding contemporary work, this 5�,000sqm centre stands in the heart of the city. It is home to one of the Basque Country’s most renowned restaurants, an additional 450-seat dining room, and can host banquets of up to 1,500 pax.

• Palacio San Joseren: located in a beautiful setting, surrounded by century-old trees, the mansion has a capacity for 500 guests.

• Teatro Arriaga: located in the Old Quarter, the theatre’s auditorium has capacity for 1,200 pax.

• Orue XXI: located in the countryside, it has five meeting rooms and a 168-seat auditorium.

• Sheraton Bilbao Hotel: inspired by the works of the sculptor Eduardo Chillida, this five-star hotel has seven function rooms, for up to �50 pax.

• Silken Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao: facing the Guggenheim Museum and filled with iconic 20th century furniture.

Culinary immersionOrganised by Romotur

The kitchen is the heart of a people. Romotur organizes co-oking workshops with professional chefs in Txokos. Groups can go on a pintxos crawl (txikiteo) to warm up their appeti-te or experience the preparation of traditional recipes with quality products and visit a winery to try traditional txakoli. The agency also suggests trying the traditional Basque ball or accompanying some txakoli wine from Rioja with some pin-txos. Other tips include a dinner modelled after a Basque carnival (with traditional carnival characters appearing between courses) or an exclusive dinner at the Bilbao Society, followed by live music.

Traditional pintxos in the city’s typical taverns are one of the most lively (and gastronomic!) ways to feed your group

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Earth, air and waterActivities• Orue suggests a day of canoeing by the Gernika docks in the

Biosphere Reserve of Urdaibai. This should be followed by lunch at Laiene restaurant and a horseback ride along the slopes of Durangaldea county’s mountains.

• Key DM suggests a coastal excursion with lunch in Bermeo (a typical seaside village) or a visit to the Guggenheim Museum (groups of 20 persons) followed by a visit to the old city to enjoy traditional pintxos in some of the city’s typical taverns.

• The DMC Stop offers an architecturally themed visit of Bilbao where guests observe both old and the new emblematic buildings. Recent creations to be visited include the Guggenheim, the Towers of Arata Isozaki, the metro by Norman Foster, and the Santiago Calatrava bridge. Immersion in the past includes a tour of the old city with a visit to the Iglesia de San Antón and the Plaza Nueva.

Fun facts•The Puppy, mascot of the Guggenheim museum, was created by Jeff Koons, the controversial kitsch artist. This West Hig-hland white terrier is built with a steel structure covered with a huge variety of flowers which are maintained by an internal watering system. The structure is an icon of the city centre.

•The 1,770sqm stage of the Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall is the biggest in Spain and the second biggest in Europe.

•In the Biscay province, surfers claim you can find the best left breaking wave in Europe on Mundaka beach.

Oma forestIn the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, an excursion to Oma forest is an original tour that combines art and nature. The painter and sculptor Agustín Ibarrola let his imagination run free and painted human and geometric figures on tree logs using intense colours. Some of these are visible only from certain positions and viewing the logs to-gether reveals ano-ther, distinct image.

SpelunkingThe Dima Baltzola cave, part of the Bay of Biscay, offers an opportunity to explore ano-ther world. Key DM suggests offering your group a visit to this impressive setting. Other caves of interest, featuring Paleolithic paintings, can be found in Cortézubi.

In the ríaDMC organises trips in canoes, kayaks and piraguas. In two hours it is possible to ca-noe from the Gorliz Bay to the Bu-trón castle. A lon-ger three hour option is a tour of the Butrón River.

Gernika, a key site in Basque history and the inspiration behind one of history’s most famous paintings (by Picasso) can be included in group activities

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From the Convention Bureau My city offers outstanding attractions for events, but if I had to highlight a really uni-que factor…

Public institutions work side by side with mee-tings and events professionals to make Bilbao the ideal setting for any event. Furthermore, Bilbao is a reference in the Spanish business world. It has been recognised for its industrial and commercial path, not to mention being a beautiful and comfortable place.

Future plans in the meetings and events market…

Organising and promoting events like the BBK Live Festival, which contri-bute to the city’s growth, define our promotion strategy. Our selection of events especially focuses on competitive and emerging sectors like new te-chnologies, entertainment, culture, tourism and urban development.

Marcos Muro Nájera, Director of the Bilbao Tourism & Convention Bureau

Meetings and incentives aboard the TranscantábricoIt is the oldest tourist train in Spain. Created in the early 1900’s, it travels along the coast of Biscay, moving through the provinces of A Coruña, Lugo, Asturias, Cantabria and Biscay. Then it meanders on to Burgos, Palencia and Leon. From June to September, there are weekly departures. Off season, you can rent it for customised group tours of up to 52 people. In addition to suites, the train has four coaches with meeting rooms, a bar and dance floor and fa-cilities for group activities. You can stop at specific places for horseback riding, canoeing, hi-king, or visits to lovely destina-tions like Santiago de Compos-tela, Oviedo, the Picos de Eu-ropa or the Covadonga lakes…

Excursion along the Basque CoastOrganised by Key DMUpon leaving Bilbao, Bermeo, a typical Basque fishing village, is the first stop. There you can find some of the best fish in Spain. After visiting Bermeo, guests stop at a lookout point to see Izaro Island and the impressive Cabo de Ogo-ne. From there, it’s on to the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Guests can then visit the town of Gernika, the historical Casa de Jun-tas and the municipality’s famous Gernika oak tree, where they will discover an important aspect of Basque history which helped inspi-re Picasso’s powerful pain-ting of the same town, tra-gically bombed during the Civil War.

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San Seba stiánBuilt around the Bahía de la Concha, San Sebastián is one of the most beautiful cities in the Basque Country, and probably in Spain. Well-known for its Film Festival which brings the Hollywood glamour to the city, San Sebastián stands out for its intense cultural life, with various exhibitions, concerts and festivals. Another of its attractions is being the gastronomy capital of the Basque Country, with some of the best rated restaurants, popular cider and bars for “pintxos” (the typical basque tapas: a small round slice of bread upon which a mixture of ingredients, sometimes extremely refined, is put), in which tours and themed dinners complement programmes for congresses and conventions.


San Seba stiánNicknameDonostia, its name in Basque.

Famous for…• The Playa de la Concha, probably the most famous urban beach in

the country. • The Concha de Oro, the award given in the international San

Sebastián Film Festival, which brings celebrities to the city every year. The city also holds a Jazz festival every summer.

• Peine del Viento, the sculpture by Eduardo Chillida that defines the Western border of the coast.

• Being the birthplace of the internationally acclaimed chef Martín Berasategui.

• The beaches of Zarautz and La Zurriola, where each year, international surf competitions are held.

Surprising nooks• The Monte Urgull, one of the parks that mark the Bahía de la

Concha, with spectacular views and the vestige of the old fortress which now hosts city’s History museum.

• Parque de Cristina Enea: recently renovated, it is one of the main parks of the city rich in flora and fauna and famous for its peacocks.

• Basílica de Santa María: this church located in the heart of the old quarter, belongs to the baroque Renaissance and is famous for its impressive porch encrusted in the Monte Urgull.

• Museo de San Telmo: located in the old convent from mid 16th century, whose cloister and fortified tower were declared National Monument in 191�.

Highlighted venues• Palacio de Congresos-Auditorio Kursaal: a spectacular architecture

designed by Rafael Moneo just on the Cantabrian sea, formed by two translucient glass cubes. The venue has an auditorium for 1,800 pax.

• Ficoba, the trade show area: with an auditorium for �90 pax and meeting rooms for up to 125 pax.

• Kutxaespacio de la Ciencia: with attractions such as the Observatorio Astronómico and the Planetario Digital Multimedia, it has meeting rooms for up to 250 pax.

• Parque Tecnológico de San Sebastián: officially opened in 1997, it has an auditorium for 250 pax.

• Palacio de Miramar: the complex comprises a palace with a park, various buildings and gardens, with a total of �4,000m2. It has meeting rooms for up to 950 pax.

Fun facts- San Sebastián has more restaurants with Michelin stars per square metre that any other place in the world.

- The word “Txotx!”, yelled by the owner of a cider bar, means that he is going to open a barrel of cider and all the clients can gather to taste it.

- San Sebastián is the Patron Saint of the archers and deep sea fishermen.

Living the Donostia experienceOrganised by Albatros Viajes Incentivos The purpose was to offer a ‘San Sebastian experience’ to 80 members of a biomaterials company. The first day began when the group learned about the fusion of art and architecture that characterizes this city. They met in the avant-garde Kursaal con-gress centre and, after visiting the Paseo de la Concha, went to the famous Peine del Viento Chillida. At night, they enjoyed a traditional cider house, Oianume, where they could taste the ci-ders of different barrels and dinner. On the next day, one group sailed along the Cantabrian coast, while the second one partici-pated in a rally. Both groups met in Fuenterrabia, swapped acti-vities and went back to San Sebastian. Upon arrival at the port of San Sebastian, the group toured the old part of the town, following a different a pintxos bars route. After lunch, they played a Basque Ball game in the Atano II. A traditional dinner was held in the Cofradía (a local gastrono-mic society), with entertainment by an otxote, a Basque choir. On the last day, the group visited the Igueldo Mount, in a fu-nicular. From its summit, they could see the French lan-des, the Matxitxako Cape and San Sebas-tián. As a final po-int, the group went to the Pasajes port, where they took a boat to sail across the bay to the House res-taurant.


From the Convention Bureau My city offers outstanding attractions for events, but if I had to highlight a really unique factor…

One of the identifying features of San Se-bastián is its cuisine, a culinary paradise backed by a multitude of “Michelin Star” and internationally renowned chefs. The union between the sea and the mountains is the perfect setting for any event. If you add the endless array of great proposal and professionalism of the industry, San Sebastian is a perfect destina-tion for business tourism.

Future plans in the meetings and events market…

San Sebastián Turismo is actively increasing the activity of attracting conferences and events in a close collaboration with infrastructure and tourism resources. The result of this partnership the city has managed to capture the importance of the congress IPAC 2011, the International Congress of particle accelerators, which will bring together more than 1,000 global experts in the art industry, it also has other major challen-ges in being working, as the lines of institutional support, to study the expansion of hotel capacity to create a technical group to study and creation of innovative proposals for the MICE sector.

Marijo Beltrán de Guevara, Director of San Sebastián Convention Bureau

• Teatro Victoria Eugenia: one of the most emblematic buildings in San Sebastián, opened in 1912 and transformed in 2007 into a scenic venue with modern equipment. It can hold 910 pax and has rooms for events from 20 to 195 pax.

Activities• Organise a Festival de Pelota Vasca, the internationally acclaimed

Basque sport that is played in different continents. Combine fun with culture and the game with group interaction. The festival can be complemented with an exhibition on folk chorus and dances, aperitif or dinner in the same venue.

• Discover the marine life diving in the Cantabrian Sea, with trips leaving from ports in Donostia, Orio, Getaria, Zumaia and Mutriku. You can also enjoy hydrospeed, whereby participants plunge against rushing waters, or “catch the wave” in the beaches in Zarautz and La Zurriola like real surfers.

• Travel to the French Basque coast from San Sebastián (only about half an hour away): in Bayona, visit the Cathedral, the Petit Bayonne area and the Musée Basque and Musée Bonnat. You can have a second stop in Biarritz to visit the Parroquia de Santa Eugenia, the Grande Plage, and Le Rocher de la Vierge. Last stop could be San Juan de Luz, beautiful and colourful fishing village with typical Basque houses full of flowers. Stroll along its streets, full of shops and small terraces, and visit Jean Baptist Church, Place de Louis XIV, Maison de L’Infante and the port. Tisa offers this program.

• Cider tasting, taken directly from different “kupelas” (wooden barrels), an old and deep ritual in the Basque Country. The cider cellars are equipped with large wooden tables and barrels that contain the year’s production. You can drink it served directly from the kupela. You can complement it with the “Menú de sidrería”.

• Tour the pintxos bars guided by a specialist that explains the speciality of each bar, accompanied by a traditional drink such as wine, cider or txakolí (sparkling white wine). The group can vote for the best pintxo. Pintxo tasting can also be organised in a private venue.

San Sebastián



Routes• The country offers 19 wine routes, an initiative promoted by the

Spanish Wine Cities Association. The visitor will discover wineries, stroll through vineyards, participate in tastings, and carry out agricultural activities such as pruning or harvesting, not without enjoying the cultural heritage and gastronomy.

• The Rioja Alvesa wine route proposes tours through Bronze Age settlements, activities in the countryside, and strolls through walled towns, wineyards and dolmens. Enotecas, wineries dated to the middle ages and built using the most advanced architectural techniques complement the offer.

• You can also tour vast fields of red and ochre vineyards from the Duero zone, visit a subterranean winery converted into a museum, taste wines in a 16th century cellar, visit wineries and the Aranda de Duero Wine Interpretacion Centre (marketed by Destino Duero).

• Almagro, known for its festival and the unique Corral de Comedias, a type of theatre from the Golden Age. Travelling north, to the Parque Nacional de las Tablas de Daimiel, you can visit Valdepeñas and its National Wine Musuem. This is one of the trips organized by the business Divinum Vitae for Castilla La Mancha.

Wineries with spaces for groups• The city of Marqués de Riscal in La Rioja Alavesa includes

meeting centres, winery, a beautiful hotel designed by Frank Ghery, a wine therapy spa and restaurant.

• El Fabulista (Rioja Alvesa) makes products by hand and has three underground cellars, one of these for wine tasting.

• The Juan Alcorta wineries, in La Rioja, include a meeting room that contains 70,000 oak barrels and dining rooms with views to fifty hectares of vineyard and La Sierra de Cantabria.

• The Ysios wineries (La Rioja) have various facilities for events. Its exterior architecture, work of Santiago Calatrava, has appeared on numerous television commercials.

Wine destinations, with all the sensesSpain is a land of wines, with no less than 47 areas with denomination of origin. In the last few years, this wine offer has turned to the MICE sector with routes and activities for groups. We take a stroll through the country’s wine-producing culture.

• The Vallformosa wineries (Catalunya) have a Winery Convention Centre where you can hold your meeting in front of 2,500 barrels. They offer workshops on typical dishes from the area.

• The Torres wineries (Catalunya) offer a multimedia experience with aromas included in the Tunnel of Seasons. They have various spaces for events, amongst them a Catalan old country house.

• Can Bonastre Wine Resort (Catalunya) is a 16th century country house with views to Montserrat and the vineyards. One can relax whilst taking a wine bath, after participating in the harvesting, selection and treading of grapes.

Activities• In a chill-out environment and a golf course brand, the company

Evento de Vino offers the night wine festival, a wine tasting with special lighting effects in bunkers, streets, balls, clubs and flags.

• Evento de Vino also proposes a role play in which participants are wine producers: the stage is a large board, and the players buy land, vines and grapes in order to make the best wine and obtain the greatest return.

• Via games based on tasting, colours and wine aromas, the activity Casino de Vino (wine casino), from Vinelis, makes the participants live the oenology. At the end of the game you make a last bid, the crazy auction, where you use the counters you have won to get hold of the prizes.

• In the Vinelis Wine Academy, the teams make and market their own wine. Besides creating theirs own wine by choosing the combination of varieties of grapes; each team must design their own business strategy and marketing, even design the package label. The activity ends with a "blind tasting" of the different wines produced by the different teams, and an assessment by an oenologist of the "survival chances" of the wine.

• Magicomedia, from Enoviajes is an interactive show that combines wine and magic in the underground cellars of a classic winery. You can also enjoy a floral art workshop combined with elements of the wine world.

The traditional wine-tasting got sophisticated and much more fun in recent years with wine casinos, winemaking role plays, or sensorial workshops


• The wine tasters secrets, from Sensorial Espai, offers an initiation to the sensory taster where the participants, with their eyes closed and nose covered, learn to apply the five senses in wine tasting.

• With Vinos de Altos Vuelos (High Flying Wines) from Vinomadas, the group takes a trip to the Montserrat Monastery by plane, to see the abbey from the air and fly over the Penedés wineyards, in addition to a visit and wine tasting.

• Wine culture sphere, from Bail Out&Wine, is a 180 degree dome projection screen, where participants lean against the screen and are part of the show which explains the varieties of grape according to geographical region, the relationship between culture and wine, or between astrology and wine...

• Wine & Music: Sensorial Espai Group has developed a modern wine tasting in which young people have to find the best sensorial association for four wines and four musical rhythms.

• Zenses, a catering company, in collaboration with Vinisterre, introduces the Route of the Senses in the Abadal Winery. Three of the best wines are selected by Abadal, and Zenses masters introduce the guests to the world of each of these wines through the senses. In the marriage (vegetarian), wines are presented by combining the wine qualities with the dishes, their presentation, their flavours and sensations in the mouth.

The Marques de Riscal Hotel, launched by a wine-making company in the Rioja region and designed by Franck Ghery, is a new icon in the country


Golf in the seaUsing biodegradable balls which dissolve in the water and become fish food, Admeeting proposes teeing off from the deck of a boat while enjoying champagne. Complementary activities on deck include massage classes and a dance with the DJ included. The agency also organises night golf sessions in a football stadium, in the snow or with professionals. Another company, Making Golf, organises beachfront tournaments.

Golf in small spacesPractising your swing in venues with limited space is now possible thanks to the Golf Radar, by Trackter. It can be installed in 20 minutes and includes a radar that shows the speed of the ball. For example, it was used in a golf incentive. Given that the skill of each participant varies, different activities were prepared with the support of staff. A three-hole rural golf course was designed along with a putting green. A few inflatable ranges were installed and the skill of the golfer was measured by how he placed the ball into the desired hole.

Technology GolfAs with other disciplines, technology has left its mark on golf. Indoor golf is now possible, an experience which is ideal during bad weather and any time new experiences are sought. Much more than videogames, golf simulators such as the GPS Simulator from Ever Golf offer a new range of possibilities. Ever Golf ’s version includes a �D golf simulator which lets the player use real golf balls and clubs in a virtual course selected by the player. The player stands on a synthetic turf mat facing a 12m2 screen and drives the ball to reach the hole projected on the screen. The only thing missing is the smell of cut grass.

Golf for beginners Clinics, intensive half or full day golf classes taught by golf professionals and courses for beginners or seasoned veterans are all available to cater to the needs of different groups. TUI España offers Easy Golf, an activity directed towards non-golfers which includes a two-hour class with a golf pro out on the golf course. The class includes a theoretical part followed by hands on application of the newly learned skills.

Golfer’s paradise

Scottish style fairways… but without the rain! Making the most of its perfect climate, natural beauty and good light, Spain has developed an impressive offering of golf courses. Key golf regions include tourism power houses like Andalucia’s Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz, Catalonia, the Balearic and Canary Islands and Valencia With no less than 313 courses, there is definitely a spot for everyone! Plus there is a wide range of options to organise the most original golf-related incentive activities. Here are a few…


A golf outing with a photographerOrganised by Golf in SpainGolf in Spain hosted a two day championship for Hewlett Packard customers and sellers in La Reserva y Valderrama de Sotogrande (Cádiz). Non-players were able to enjoy a spa circuit at the hotel. Golfers were followed by a pro-fessional photographer during the event and the photos were shown during the awards ceremony.

A sales golf incentive in JerezOrganised by Daltura BusinessDaltura Business organised a sales incentive trip for a group of 50 car dealers at the Barcelo Montecastillo Resort in Je-rez. The participants honed their swings during four days at different courses in the area. Non-golfers could visit Do-ñana and the area’s wine cellars. After that they enjoyed a horse show and a concert.

British champs compete in a golf tournament In July 2008, Antequera Golf hosted the British Olympic Team golf championship, a tournament of athletes from various Olympic sports who have competed in previous Olympic Games. Fifty British medallists went to Antequera Golf to play this tournament, which was broadcast on Sky Sports 2.

Courses for golf fanatics La Cala Resort, Marbella: three golf courses totalling 60 holes, a golf academy,

two professional football fields, a 5-star hotel and three meeting rooms. It orga-nises golf events for companies.

La Manga Club, Murcia: with three courses, it has been nominated the “Best Golf Hotel in Europe” and “Best Conference Hotel in Europe” in the World Tra-vel Awards.

Torremirona Golf & Spa Resort, Girona: a wide selection of golf related activi-ties as well as seven meeting rooms and the 18-hole “Championship Course”.

Dénia Marriott La Sella Golf Resort & Spa, Alicante: it has a golf academy with professional teachers, an 18-hole course and more than 1,200sqm of mee-ting rooms.

Hotel Valencia Golf, Valencia: surrounded by exuberant gardens that enclose a rustic patio, the hotel also organises incentive activities.

Hotel Golf Peralada, Girona: The complex includes the Castillo de Peralada, a casino and a wine museum as well as a conference room for 350 pax and an 18-hole course measuring over 6,000m.

Vincci Costa Golf, Cádiz: Bordering the 14th hole of Novo Sancti Petri, a golf course designed by Severiano Ballesteros, the facility also includes a conference centre.

Lidner Golf & Wellness Resort, Mallorca: Part of the Bendinat Golf Club, it in-cludes a wellness centre and conference rooms.

Golf Hotel Guadalpin Byblos, Marbella: next to the congress hall, it has two 18-hole golf courses, with meeting rooms and gardens for events. A spa, swim-ming pool, tennis courts and a discotheque are also available.

Sheraton Salobre Golf Resort & Spa, Gran Canaria: The resort’s 27 golf holes are complimented by another three nearby courses. The facility also includes six meeting rooms and an open-air hall.

Abama Gran Hotel Golf Resort & SPA, Tenerife: This complex, inspired by an Arab citadel, includes a golf course surrounded by 22 lakes and 90,000 palm trees as well as 10 sea-facing meeting rooms and 10 restaurants.

Hotel Antequera Golf, Málaga: An 18-hole golf course, 12 events rooms and football fields all surrounded by natural beauty. It now also includes the Hotel Convento de la Magdalena, a converted 16th century convent.

Hotel Islantilla Golf Resort, Huelva: one of the most important golf resorts in Andalusia, this 27 hole facility has hosted big name competitions like the Spa-nish Professional Championship and the PGA European Challenger Tour. Located near the beach, it has a meeting room for 120 pax and a golf academy.


Thematic routesThey were created by history, religion or literature and have marked the country. They are the routes related to Don Quixote, the Santiago pilgrimage, or the transport of silver in the Middle Age. They offer incentive planners a different way to visit and experience the country, from Andalusia to Northern Asturias going through the mystic centre that inspired Don Quixote. And they usually combine impressive natural settings with strong traditions which are perfect for themed activities. Live your own Spanish history!

Quixote’s Route For the 400th anniversary of the first edition of one of the famous books in history, El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de La Mancha, the region of Castilla-La Mancha created the longest touristic and cultural route in Europe: the Don Quixote route, 2,500km long passing by the same places the famous horse rider went through. The route is divided into ten parts, and can be done on foot, by bike or riding a horse. It goes through historical paths in the provinces of Toledo, Ciudad Real, Albacete, Cuenca and Guadalajara, among others.

Activities- Evocarte organises a Quixote-inspired route: starting from Toledo, the Group gets to Consuegra, where they find one of the most beautiful windmill areas, around a medieval castle. The windmill called Sancho Panza is the best preserved of all, and the machinery of the 16th century still works perfectly. After visiting the windmill, the group visits the medieval castle where the son of the Cid died. The group then stops in the Toboso for a typical aperitif from the Mancha, followed by a visit to the

Cervantes banquetOrganised by Evocarte

For a group of car dealers in Toledo, Evocarte organised a literary route based on Cervantes’ works. It star-ted with a private visit to the Greco’s painting “The burial of the Orgaz count”, with a traditional music con-cert, followed by a gala dinner in the Palacio de Tavera, an old 16th cen-tury hospital. The group also took a tour in the Mancha region with a guide, having lunch in a typical country house and enjoying a show of birds of prey. To close the event, the group participated in a banquet inspired in a chapter of the famous Cervantes book.

Cervantes-related museum and the Casa-Museo de Dulcinea. They can also view the famous Field of Criptana to enjoy the windmills setting. Lunch is in the huge kitchen of the country house Finca Montealegre, in which the owner offers them to view or participate in traditional activities like cheese-making, pig-slaughtering, and preparation of preserved foods. - The city of Consuegra offers a Quixote-related activity, whereby the group operates a traditional windmill, gets it to work, observes how it operates and grinds the wheat. The group goes off with a little bag of traditional flour, made the old-fashioned way.- Evocarte organises lunches in traditional Mancha houses (which are not restaurants open to the public) and wine-tasting sessions in Mancha caves. Other activities are to make traditional Manchego cheese, chorizos, bread, or to watch birds of prey exhibitions.- A theatrical animation by Quixote and Sancho themselves can be interpreted by professional actors disguised, who interpret unusual parts of the famous book, while accompanying the group in its visit.


Thematic routesThe Santiago Route The Santiago Route finds its origin in the 9th century when the news spread in Europe that the sepulchre of Santiago was found in Galicia. Pilgrimages by believers started and a route was created, which was completed and renovated in the 11th century. Also worth mentioning is the English Route, a maritime route by which believers from the British Island came to Northern Spain, before completing their route on foot, all the way to Santiago.

The theatre version of the Santiago RouteViajes Viloria organises an immersion in the Santiago Route. Guests, guided by theatre actors (the storyteller, the beggar, the witch, the bandit, etc.) convert into authentic pilgrims with hat and stick, with whom they walk part of the route. They stopd in a traditional restaurant (“Romería Popular”), for a themed meal representing a typical gastronomic open-air celebration, with various food stands serving traditional dishes (empanada, octopus, pig’s ear, stewed meat, and liquor) and with the music of a lively bagpipe band.

The Silver Route (Ruta de la Plata)The Romans created, in the western part of their Empire, a road connecting the North of Spain with the South. This road was used to transport goods, troops, merchants and travellers, in a continuous traffic which did a lot for the empire’s prosperity, cultural development and language. The Silver Route starts in Sevilla, goes through Zafra, Mérida, Cáceres, Trujillo, Plasencia, Béjar, Salamanca, Zamora, Benavente, Astorga, León, and ends in Oviedo and Gijón. It offers a variety of interesting cultural visits, excursions through beautiful landscapes, gastronomy tasting… Interesting options to complete your event!

Activities- Centralia can take your group back to the old days of the Roman Empire, with the route “The Silver Route in Original Version”. Participants become Roman soldiers, dress up as Romans, eat like them, and even sleep in army tents. Their mission is to go from Plasencia to Béjar to bring a message from Caesar, facing the attacks of the Viriato troops which try to steal their food… and the message.- Milenio Tours suggests a visit to Covadonga. The tour starts in the Natural Park of the Picos de Europa, with a visit to the highlights of the area (the Santuario de Covadonga, the Santa Cueva, the Basílica, the Real Sitio, with an optional hike to the Lagos de Covadonga). After lunch, they visit Cangas de Onís, the first capital city of the Asturias kingdom, whose Roman bridge and great variety of home-made foods convert into a very worthwhile stop.- You can also do part of the route by mountain bike, combining that way a cultural activity and a sportive one, in very varied natural settings. - And why not a gastronomic track? Caminos Interiores offers la Ruta de la Tapa en la Vía de la Plata (the tapa route within the Silver Route). In each region (Andalucía , Extremadura, Castilla y León, Asturias) you can organise a food-related activity and immerse into the local culture.- Other proposals combine Zamora and Salamanca, with a visit to a bull farm or the Toro cellars (in Zamora); or Zamora and León, with a cruise on the Duero River with lunch, including the legendary cocido in Maragatería (León).


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Transport entitiesRENFE (Railway company)www.renfe.es+34 902 243 402

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MICE-related associations in SpainSpanish DMC [email protected]

Spanish PCO [email protected]+34 915 527 745

MPI [email protected]+34 902 903 190

SITE [email protected]+34 609 062 124

ICCA Iberian Chapterwww.ibericca.com

B+ (Barcelona network of DMC’s)[email protected]

SIMA (Spain Incentives and MeetingsAssociation)[email protected]

Convention bureaus and tourism officesSpain Tourism Board (Turespaña)www.spain.info+34 913 433 500

Spain Convention [email protected]+34 913 643 700

AndalusiaAlmería Oficina de [email protected]+34 950 281 449

Cádiz Convention [email protected]+34 956 290 313

Córdoba Convention [email protected]+34 957 760 071

Costa del Sol Convention [email protected]+34 95 2126272

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Sevilla Convention [email protected]+34 954 592 915

Torremolinos Convention [email protected]+34 95 2 37 9 5 12

AragónZaragoza Convention [email protected]+34 976 721 333

AsturiasTurismo de Avilé[email protected]+34 985 544 325

Gijón Convention [email protected]+34 985 180 153

Oviedo Convention [email protected]+34 985 272 307

CantabriaSantander Convention Bureauwww.santanderconventionbureau.comcongresos@ayto-santander.es+34 942 203 002

Castilla La ManchaOficina de Congresos de [email protected]+34 969 241 050

Toledo Convention Bureauwww.camaratoledo.es/[email protected]+34 925 213 112

Castilla LeónAvila Convention [email protected]+34 920 225 969

León Convention [email protected]+34 987 895 453

Salamanca Convention Bureauwww.salamancaconventionbureau.comcongresos@turismodesalamanca.com+34 923 272 408

Valladolid Oficina de Congresoswww.valladolidcongresos.comcongresos@valladolidturismo.com+34 983 219 438

CataloniaBarcelona Convention Bureauwww.barcelonaturisme.com/[email protected]+34 933 689 700

Barcelona Meeting Total Convention Bureau(Barcelona Region)[email protected]+34 93 402 29 66

Costa Daurada Convention Bureauhttp://[email protected]+34 977 230 312

Girona Convention [email protected]+34 972 418 500

Lleida Convention [email protected]+34 973 700 402

Sitges Convention [email protected]+34 938 944 251

Tarragona Convention [email protected]+34 977 240 350

GaliciaTurismo de A Coruñ[email protected]+34 981 184 344Santiago de Compostela Convention [email protected]+34 981 555 129

Balearic IslandsMenorca Convention [email protected]+34 971 368 678

Mallorca Convention [email protected]+34 971 739 202

Canary IslandsLanzarote Convention [email protected]+34 928 811 762

Gran Canaria Convention [email protected]+34 928 261 570

Tenerife Convention [email protected]+34 922 237 889

La RiojaLogroño Convention [email protected]+34 941 273 713

MadridMadrid Convention Bureau (city)[email protected]+ 34 917 585 528

Madrid (Province)[email protected]+34 912 767 200

MurciaMurcia Convention Bureauwww.murciacongresos.commurcia.congresos@murciacongresos.com+34 968 341 818

NavarraPamplona Convention [email protected]+34 948 228 919

Basque CountryBilbao Convention Bureauwww.bilbao.net/[email protected]+34 944 795 770

San Sebastián Convention [email protected]+34 943 481 466

Turismo de Vitó[email protected]+34 945 161 261

ValenciaAlicante Convention [email protected]+34 965 147 052

Benidorm Convention [email protected]+34 966 815 463

[email protected]+34 966 658 140

Valencia Convention [email protected]+ 34 963 606 353

Touristic brands and programmesSilver Route (Ruta de la Plata)[email protected]+34 985 185 189

Quixote Route (Ruta Don Quijote)[email protected]+34 925 283 496

Santiago Route (Camino de Santiago - Galicia)[email protected]+34 902 332 010

Wine Tour [email protected]+34 947 310 126

The Rioja Alavesa Wine Tourwww.rutadelvinoderiojaalavesa.

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Spain for events 2009