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What do BBT Online readers have to say?
Two buyers (a corporate and a association) answer a few short questions and give us their honest opinions.
 For reactions and other opinions visit our website www.bbtonline.eu
or read more in our next edition !
Jeroen Janssens
Congress Organiser
European Resuscitation Council




Short description of activities of your company
European network
* to preserve life by improving standards of Resuscitation in Europe and
* to co-ordinate the activities of European organisations with a major interest in Resuscitation medicine and Emergency Medical Care.
 Chris Christiaens
Distrigas
Corporate & Marketing Communication
Event Management


Short description of activities of your company
Distrigas sells natural gas to the industry, natural gas resellers and electricity producers.
Distrigas is also active in arbitrage (trading) of natural gas and in sales and transport of LNG.
We are a reference player in the West European natural gas trade.

1. Has your company been hit by the crisis and have any special precautions been taken?
So far, we don’t see any impact.

2. Has your budget for 2009 been changed drastically?
For the 2009 Symposium, we have downsized our sponsorship prognosis.
If the crisis has no effect, we will have a higher profit which can be invested in the participants.

3. What are the main arguments for your choice of venue/destination?
We have a European network so we want to go everywhere in Europe.
We need enough hotel rooms to accommodate some 2,000 delegates. Also, the venue needs to have a plenary for some 1,400 delegates. We try to find a city that still attracts people and not just a city where everybody goes such as Barcelona or so.

4. Which destinations – national & international – have you planned for 2009/2010 or later?
2009: Cologne, Germany
2010: Porto, Portugal

5. Are you planning to visit EMIF and if yes, why?
Yes, to get an update on what is new in the Industry as well as establishing contacts with all kind of suppliers.

6. National: what do we have in Belgium that you find nowhere else or what do you feel is missing in Belgium in the MICE industry?
Belgian has very professional organisers and beautiful cities. However, besides Brussels there is not really a venue big enough to host the big international congresses. Also the hotel capacity outside Brussels is limited.

7. International: what is the most impressive conference that you know of?
The size of the Cardiology Congress in Munich. 30,000 delegates in total!
The magnitude should make this very interesting to organise.

8. Which column do you never miss when reading BBT Online and what would you like to see added?
I would like to read some more about the difference in VAT on registration fees in all the European Countries. It is always difficult to get a clear answer on what to do with this.

9. One name, One choice
- Favourite MICE destination:
Stavanger, Norway
- Favourite airline:
Lufthansa (Star Alliance)
- Favourite Hotel Europe:
Marriott Ghent

1. Has your company been hit by the crisis and have any special precautions been taken?
Yes.

2. Has your budget for 2009 been changed drastically?
Yes, but not drastically.

3. What are the main arguments for your choice of venue/destination?
Exclusiveness, originality, suitable for the number of participants, budget, good contact with the account manager & preferably use own caterer, in the neighbourhood of our company.

4. Which destinations – national & international – have you planned for 2009/2010 or later?
Maastricht, Brussels –
still to look for other locations in Belgium or just beyond the border in Germany / France.

5. Are you planning to visit EMIF and if yes, why?
Yes. EMIF is the place where you can see what’s new on the market. It’s also a good platform to discover new venues.

6. National: what do we have in Belgium that you find nowhere else or
what do you feel is missing in Belgium in the MICE industry?
Missing: for the venues: database with all the information planners need such as: number of rooms, dimensions, map, price, caterer, price indication, web site.
What you find nowhere else: excellent food, special places, nice cities – not to big but with a lot of history.

7. Which column do you never miss when reading BBT Online and what would you like to see added?
I always read the event, mice and extra columns.
What I would like to be added: Nothing.

8. One name, One choice
- Favourite MICE destination: Maastricht
- Best Kept Secret: 9 city Brussels