NEWS FROM EUROPE Dear Friends and Partners of TAO European Incoming, Welcome to the October edition of the TAO Newsletter. This month we update you on TAO s latest projects, events and team travel, introduce you one of Europe s top new luxury hotels and offer some ideas on forthcoming cultural events throughout Europe. If there is any aspect of our newsletter you would like more information on, or if you d just like to share some feedback, please send us a mail to: contact@taoincoming.com News from TAO: TAO on Tour Continuing success with ICS Travel Group Having completed its first project with ICS Travel Group in August, TAO continued the successful cooperation with two further groups in October. The two groups of 38 and 44 guests respectively were treated to a four-day tour of the German capital featuring the city s highlights, but also some unique, insider experiences. At the KPM (Royal Porcelain) Museum, for example, the guests took part in a workshop to design their own ceramic souvenirs. The tours also introduced ICS s guests to the green side of Berlin, taking them to enjoy the open spaces and clean air of the city s many parks and nature reserves.
Swiss Bliss TAO at the Switzerland Travel Mart in Davos The Switzerland Travel Mart is one of the Alpine country s most influential travel trade fairs. This year, the event took place from September 10 th to 13th 2017 in the beautiful mountain location of Davos. The TAO team was in attendance to undertake three days of partner meetings, networking and product education, cooperating with major Swiss destinations including Zurich, Interlaken and Geneva, as well as the host town, Davos. Discover London with TAO In conjunction with London and Partners, the official promotional agency for the British capital, the TAO team followed an invitation from the Mayor of London to a special educational program, coinciding with the BFI London Film Festival. The visit drew attention to London s vibrant creative scene, and the cosmopolitan atmosphere the city has to offer. A highlight of the program was a red-carpet film premiere event in Leicester Square, for the European launch of the new movie, Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool. The trip also showcased some of London s luxury hotels and gave a glimpse of what London has to offer professional meeting, incentive and event organizers. Activities & Locations: Team Building With a Digital Twist! Team building activities not only help to generate a good atmosphere within a company, they also have an immediate positive effect on the productivity and efficiency within a team of employees. TAO offers a range of team building activities throughout Europe, but why not consider a digitalized version of a classic team building tool? The ipad City Rally!
Equipped with the latest ipads and modern software, the participants are sent off in small, but digitally-connected groups on an action-packed digital scavenger hunt. The teams must solve different tasks, complete fun team games and undertake joint projects, while at the same time discovering a new city. Each rally can be tailor-made to feature elements that are unique to your company message and event topics, such as relevant advertising and information, workshop units at specific places, team tasks and photo opportunities. A good strategy, cooperation within the team and pooling the resources of all the participants are the keys to success. The ipad City Rally can be undertaken in any major city in Germany or Europe for up to 100 people. For further ideas on unusual team-building ideas, please contact your TAO team! The Latest in Luxury - Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, Latvia This month saw the opening of Kempinski s latest luxury hotel in Europe: The Grand Hotel Kempinski in the Latvian capital, Riga. Dating from the 19 th century, the hotel is located at the entrance to Riga s beautiful, historical centre, right opposite the National Opera House. Its 141 luxury rooms and suites are elegantly designed, with a nod to the sleek 1930 s-style that Riga is known for. Sumptuous marble bathrooms, natural polished wood floors and fine fabrics lend exclusivity to the hotel s interiors. A rooftop restaurant, a bar and a cigar lounge and The Spa, featuring six treatment rooms, a swimming pool and a health club with fitness centre, all add to the air of indulgence. The Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga is perfect for MICE projects. Its central location is close to the city s train station and just a 20-minute drive from the airport, while the hotel itself offers no less than 13 MICE spaces with natural daylight, the latest stateof-the-art conference technology and a specialized team of expert staff. The highlight of the hotel s MICE amenities is the Grand Ballroom. Its crystal chandeliers, marble wall elements and ceiling windows make it one of the most beautiful ballrooms in Riga. The space is suitable for up to 360 guests and includes service such as a TV monitor wall and built-in sound system.
Festivals and Events around Europe Each month, we ll keep you updated on forthcoming events, festivals and exhibitions taking place around our continent. Here are three highlights to watch out. Contact TAO for more details of how to incorporate these events into your MICE planning. Carnival de Santa Cruz, Tenerife, Spain 12 th January to 18 th February, 2018 Carnival has a long tradition in many parts of Europe, but for those looking for a party atmosphere with South American flair, Tenerife in the Spanish Canary Islands could be the answer. For around a month from the middle of January, the island s capital city erupts into a cavalcade of fancy dress, dancing, music and processions. As in the famous carnival procession of Rio de Janeiro, in Santa Cruz, different groups of carnival revelers compete to display the best costumes and wildest performances. A unique opportunity to see how a whole island can celebrate! Up Helly Aa, Lerwick/Shetland, Scotland 30 th January 2018 One of Europe s largest fire festivals, Up Helly Aa has a rich history and an evergrowing international following. Originally, Up Helly Aa marked the end of the Christmas period, but is now more of a celebration of the Shetland Islands Viking heritage. The culmination of the festival is a flame-lit procession of around 1000 costumed guizers, or Viking warriors, who finish their march by throwing their torches of fire into the bows of a 9-metre Viking longboat. The resulting bonfire is spectacular and heralds the beginning of a long night of drinking, traditional music and partying! Fête Du Citron, Menton, France 17 th February to 7 th March 2018 Founded as a simple fruit market in 1933, next year s Lemon Festival in Menton will mark the event s 85 th anniversary. In the delightful, Mediterranean surroundings of the French Riviera, the festival showcases the start of spring, the region s abundance and its love for the lemon groves that dot this part of France s southern coast. The aromatic, sweet local lemons and traditional produce are offered for tasting, fireworks light up the night sky and processions of giant figures created from thousands of citrus fruits take place in Menton s streets. This event illustrates perfectly France s reverence and celebration of food in all its forms.
And don t forget! TAO European Incoming is your one-stop shop for all MICE projects in Europe. Whether you re looking for assistance with incentives, trade fairs, congresses, meetings and workshops, kick-off, merger or motivational events, corporate hospitality or business travel, we ve got it covered. With a network covering more than 28 European countries, TAO European Incoming can support and guide you through the whole continent. To find out more, visit our website (in Mandarin and English) at: www.taoincoming.com