“We are extremely pleased that Crowne Plaza was identified by our most important customers – meeting planners – as the brand they expect to dramatically increase their business with in 2004,” said Kevin Kowalski, vice president of brand management, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts. “This is a key indicator that our new focus as ‘The Place To Meet’ directly addresses the most important needs of meeting planners.”

In November 2002, Crowne Plaza introduced “The Place To Meet” meetings package which consisted of three components:

• 2-Hour Response Guarantee – an industry-first 2-hour response by Crowne Plaza hotels to Request for Proposals (RFPs)
• Crowne Meetings Director – a single point of contact throughout the meeting experience, who is a senior-level hotel staff member and a Certified Meeting Professional designation, to ensure the success of an event
• Meetings Daily Debrief – a daily briefing document with updated totals on expenses including contracted billing, budget consumed to date and estimated final billings

“Over the past year, Crowne Plaza has made a commitment to the meeting planner community and after extensive research, we put the necessary resources in place to ensure that our meeting services product is better than any other brand,” said Kowalski.

Crowne Plaza has already seen increases in meeting planner business, with the brand’s Global Sales team increasing their room night contribution from group meetings by 55% over 2002.

The First Meeting Planner Survey was conducted by UBS Group, a global, integrated investment services firm. More than 5,500 meeting planners in North America and Europe were surveyed.

04.02.2026
First Air France A340 and A330 to sport the New Air France Travel Concept now operating on routes to Newark and Bamako
The first aircraft to be fitted with the New Air France Travel Concept have now rejoined the fleet.

As a result, Air France passengers travelling to Newark have recently been able to enjoy the new l'Espace Affaires-Business and Tempo-Economy cabins on the refitted A340, now seating 36 passengers in l'Espace Affaires and 236 in Tempo.

As from today, Air France passengers travelling to Bamako will also benefit from the comforts of the first A330, fitted out with 40 seats in l'Espace Affaires and 179 in Tempo.

These aircraft have a dual cabin configuration (l'Espace Affaires and Tempo), following the airline's decision to only retain a three-cabin configuration (l'Espace Première, l'Espace Affaires and Tempo) on approximately 40% of its long-haul destinations served by the Boeing 777.

Approximately two hours from Cairo rest the 42-chalet Ramada El Sokhna Resort, equipped with private balconies that overlook the Red Sea, and the 160-room Ramada Ras Sudr Resort near the Eastern tip of the Suez Canal. Offering equally enjoyable experiences, the Ramada Ras Sudr Resort and the Ramada El Sokhna Resort provide a variety of dining options, from buffet to á la carte, and endless beach and resort activities, including tennis, handball, basketball, beach volleyball, swimming and windsurfing.

Guests of each hotel can enjoy traditional Egyptian cuisine - Kofta, or ground meatballs; Kebab, or grilled meat; and Hamam Mahshi, stuffed pigeon. Additional menu items may include Mulukhia, Baba Ghannoug or Kusheri - green soup, a tahini and eggplant dish, and a rice and lentil mix, respectively.

Within a short drive, guests of the Ramada Ras Sudr Resort or the Ramada El Sokhna Resort can enjoy Popular Egyptian attractions, including the Suez Canal or the Oyoun Mousa, “Springs of Moses,” which is believed by Christians to be the bitter spring Moses turned into sweet drinking water using a tree branch. A trip to nearby Cairo offers a glimpse into ancient Egyptian history and lifestyle at The Pharaonic Village and a look at ancient and modern Egyptian weapons, statues and uniforms at The Military Museum. For a panoramic view of the city, guests can visit the Cairo Tower.

For small meetings, weddings or social functions, the Ramada El Sokhna Resort offers two conference rooms that each seat 100.

Ramada International hotels incorporate six core pillars: a restful sleep; an invigorating shower; a well-trained staff; an exceptional level of cleanliness; the “Ramada Mornings” breakfast; and a Spirit to Service Our Communities with community partnerships, family services, associate involvement and career opportunities. There are Ramada International hotels located in 27 countries and territories, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean and Latin America.

The calendar of activities for 2004 covers a wide range of possibilities: courses, debates, conferences, master classes on many different subjects related to leisure, culture, and sport.

The El Bulli workshop team will provide an insight into the world of professional cuisine adapted to home cooking by using imagination and innovative skills in haute cuisine to transfer this skill over to home cooking (this activity will be put on in several different hotels of the chain). If your reason for going away for the weekend is adventure and nature, in Monserrat, NH Hoteles has set up a hiking route up to the top of St. Geroni and arranges balloon flights over this beautiful landscape. Another option is to attend a talk and enjoy listening to Gregorian Chants at the Santo Domingo de Silos Monastery. This varied and interesting calendar also includes driving lessons on a racing track; golf; a guided tour of a horse breeding farm, horse and carriage stables, and horse fittings stores to learn about horse breeding and breaking, and anti-stress and beauty programmes to get into shape, to switch off and relax, and to tone up body and mind.

Content Weekends include two nights accommodation, breakfast, lunch on Saturday (in most options) and participating in all the activities on the programme. Prices vary depending on the activities.