News in brief from Event UK, Network Rail, Ovation Global DMC, SECC, Air New Zealand, oneworld and Aegean Airlines
Summit aimed at event associations
A summit is to take place ahead of the Event UK exhibition in September aimed at giving event associations a collective voice.
Organisers hope the summit will become a "regular forum for conference, meetings and event associations to share best practice for the benefit of the entire industry."
The summit will be held on September 21 with Event UK starting the day after. Both events signal the start of the UK's National Meetings Week.
Confex Group portfolio director Duncan Reid said: "With the run up to the Olympics it is imperative that our industry presents a robust and unified front to create a positive legacy and have the means to speak with one voice."
www.event-uk.com
UK train punctuality reaches record high
UK train passengers enjoyed a year of record punctuality last year, according to figures from Network Rail.
The UK track and station operator said more than 1.2bn passengers between April 2008 and March 2009 had arrived on time.
Train punctuality stood at 90.6%, the first time the figure has broken the 90% mark.
It is the highest figure since records began almost 20 years ago, and includes results from train companies operating on Network Rail infrastructure.
Network Rail said the figure stood at 78.6% when it took control of the UK's rail infrastructure in 2002.
www.networkrail.co.uk
Ovation boosts presence in China
Destination management company Ovation Global has expanded its presence in Hong Kong.
Ovation's new Hong Kong office will serve Macau as well as its home city. Ovation already has an office in Shanghai.
Michael Chiay, director of Ovation Hong Kong - Macau, said: "Hong Kong has traditionally been a MICE hub in the Asia Pacific region while the MICE sector in neighbouring Macau has gathered momentum in recent years."
Hong Kong and Macau are due to host the 2009 East Asian Games and 2010 PATA Travel Mart respectively.
Ovation currently operates from offices in 15 countries including Argentina, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Switzerland and the UK.
www.ovationdmc.com
SECC price fixes target US and European event organisers
The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) has fixed its pricing at the current exchange rate in a bid to attract US and European events.
SECC claims to be the first UK venue to make such a move. It said event prices had effectively fallen 25% as a result of the strengthening dollar and euro.
It hopes its "price guarantee" will tempt organisers into taking advantage of the weakened pound.
www.secc.co.uk
Biofuel makes sharp cut in CO2 emissions
Air New Zealand said results from its test fight last December using biofuel indicated fuel burn would be reduced by 1.2% and carbon emissions cut by 60-75% on a 12 hour journey.
The two hour flight in a Boeing 747 used a 50-50 mix jatropha fuel and standard jet fuel. The blend was used to power one of the plane's engines.
ANZ said analysis of the data gained from the flight was "better then we expected."
www.airnewzealand.co.uk
oneworld's video tips for travellers
Airline alliance oneworld has produced a series of free to view videos with tips for business travellers.
The videos, which last up to 90 seconds, include advice on finding your way around a foreign city, how to travel light, how to stay wired, how to reduce stress and how to save time.
The series has been put together in co-operation with travel guide book Lonely Planet.
www.oneworld.com
Aegean reports Q1 profit
Greek carrier Aegean Airlines reported a Q1 net profit of €4.6m compared with a €4.4m loss in the same period in 2008.
The airline cited cost cuts and a fall in the price of fuel as reason for the turnaround.
Aegean said is revenue rose by 13% to €111.3m in the three months and passenger numbers increased by 9% to 1.2m.
Dimitris Gerogiannis, Aegean's managing director, said: "We remain cautious as to the impact of the current economic crisis and the evident decline in demand and yield pressure, especially in international markets, which will inevitably affect our revenue performance for the full year."
www.aegeanair.com