Mobile World Congress Barcelona, 2014

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MWC

This year Barcelona was once again the host of the world’s largest conference dedicated to mobile telecommunications and technology from February 23 to 27, The Mobile World Congress. In the four-day conference, more than 85000 attendees from over 200 countries exhibited their products on it, with the new partner events of mPowered Industries and 4 Years from Now for entrepreneurs. Comparing to the last year, the number of attendees was much bigger, so it is a new record for Barcelona and certainly one of the most important industry gatherings of the year.

The Mobile world team had been working hard this year to create a wide range of different programs; an App Planet, Partner Events, Professional Training sessions, Power Hour, The Forum Series, and other seminars which were free and covered many topics and theme.  Many companies presented their plans for the coming period. A lot of attention had been focused on facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who came to deliver a speech at the congress. Facebook’s massive 19-billion dollar acquisition of WhatsApp played a big role in the discussion. He said, it was the most engaging app that Facebook has seen for mobile phones.

The most interesting products on the congress were definitely a new model of Samsung Galaxy S5, Nokia’s first Android handset, flexible and round models of  LG mobile phones, Sony Experia Z2, Z2 tablet, HTC’s phone service that works with Google Now and watch which comes as an equipment.

In accordance with an agreement with the MWC, Barcelona will be hosting the Congress until 2018. Due to the next event that will take place 2-5 March 2015, T-made events & Luxury Trips Spain can provide with several ground services, such as accommodation, transportation, gala dinners, private events, restaurant bookings and any requests that can make your corporate event a big success.

Do not hesitate to contact us, we will be glad to assist you with any information you might need.

See you next year!

 The T-Made Team

Mountain resort

Paradise for Meetings & Events

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Mountain resort

Only 35 kilometers from Barcelona, on a mild hill, at the feet of the Montserrat Mountain and surrounded by vineyards, there are 247 acres of the Montserrat Wine Resort.

It’s a place that offers a sensation of a peculiar natural environment; “unique place between heaven and earth where pleasure and enological tourism intertwine to provide our senses with unique experiences”. The setting up of the water collection and purification system, together with 24 sun collectors, is a big proof of the attention this company gives to the environment and sustainability and the importance of connecting with the nature in general. What used to be a farmhouse which was converted into a winery, is now a small hotel managed by a family, famous for it’s spectacular spa and a rich gastronomic offer.

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Notably, this place is very suitable for corporate meetings and events. The resort has several meeting rooms with natural light that can hold up to 250 people. Needless to say, the logistics, infrastructure, technological conditions and the service are all of premium quality.

The resort is ideal for:

–       Corporate Meetings

–       Product launches

–       Adventure team building activities

–       Gastronomic activities

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This  “paradise” offers not only accommodation or meeting rooms, but also a variety of activities to make every stay more complete. The vineyard surroundings may be enjoyed on foot, on a horse, by bicycle or from the air, and there’s always a possibility of wine and ham tasting, collecting and trading grapes during the harvest, gin&tonic or whiskey tasting, visiting other winerias or cavas, museums, markets and main wine routes in Anoia and Alt Penedès, equestrian spectacles, and a must; the Montserrat monastery.

Among the different activities offered there is the gastronomic competition, which test the participants’ gastronomic skills and knowledge.    The group splits up into teams, which then compete to score points in a series of tests, while at the same time developing their senses – smell, taste, intuition – and their teamwork skills. Each team aims to score as many points as possible in the trials.

Some of the activities that can be provided are:

  • Intuition: wines
  • In search of the lost sense: Aromas
  • Taste recognition memory: Cheeses
  • Sense and Sensibility: Chocolates

Each test lasts a set time. The groups are given a training activity in the first session, and use the knowledge they gain to play and compete against their colleagues.  Teams need to coordinate to achieve their targets, optimize their resources and satisfy the final customer and their supervisors.

The entire afternoon is devoted to learning, tasting and taking part in workshops, all designed to break down barriers through learning and enjoyment.

So whether you are looking for a special event venue, business meetings, or treating your employees with a weekend of enjoying the art of living, Montserrat Wine Resort is a perfect place to do all this at its fullest potential. In case of any further information, feel free to contact us and we will gladly provide a break from the everyday rush in this paradise of nature.

The T-Made team

Conde de Godó – Barcelona Sailing Trophy

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Sa Cuina de N´AinaReal Club Náutico in Barcelona recently launched the 40th edition of the Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy. The action on the water was performed by the professional sailing classes, like the Wally, TP52s and Soto 40s. The battle was promised to be intense, and so it was; there were 65 boats in three different race courses, the best of international sailing together with more amateur units, fighting for the Conde de Godo Sailing Trophy.

Joaquím Barenys, Director of the 40th Conde de Godó Trophy praised the competition: “The Conde de Godó Trophy is in excellent health with an international fleet of both professionals and amateurs, and it has continued to build over the years. … The participation of some of the great legends of international sailing in the competition is the best birthday present that we could possibly have for the 40th edition of the Conde de Godó Trophy.”

The Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy kicked off on the 22nd of May with excellent sailing conditions on the water in Barcelona. After the harsh conditions the fleet had on Friday, the races scheduled for Saturday had to wait longer than expected due to the light wind that was blowing in Barcelona during the morning.

The last day of the Conde de Godo Sailing Trophy was full of anxiety. The prevailing light wind indicated the worst but finally the fleet was able to race in appropriate conditions. The 40th Conde de Godo Sailing Trophy ended on 26th of May and got its winners: QUANTUM RACING (TP52), EARLY BIRD (Soto 40), ZHIK/NOVASAIL (J-80), OPEN SEASON (Wally), XSPAIN (ORC 2) FANYTAS (ORC 3) and RATS ON FIRE (ORC 1).

For those who want to feel this sensation from a little closer perspective, we can organize a sailing regatta for corporate groups. Contact us to and we’ll make you feel like one of the Conde do Godo Sailing Trophy participants even if just for a day!

The T-Made team

barcelona

The Effects of Incentives

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As an employee, it’s not difficult to understand why incentive travels are so luring. Having planned a concrete getaway for the employees, people can already imagine themselves on a certain place and even look forward to the possibility to earn it. The process of getting away together can create bonds between associates that simply, due to the hectic atmosphere and the amount of business daily maintained, don’t occur any other way; all leading to better business performance in the future. Incentives do what cash never can – give people a lasting effect and induce company loyalty that goes long beyond the incentive period. Travel gets you away and gives you a break from work while simultaneously rewarding you for your efforts. In most cases, an incentive travel program does not only benefit the employees, but it also benefits the entire company.

A recent Incentive Federation study culled a variety of key points relating to the benefits of travel and incentives versus cash. The majority (three thirds) respondents believe that travel awards and merchandise awards are remembered longer than cash awards; that the cash awards are remembered for the shortest time and that they can build a more exciting, memorable program around travel or merchandise than cash.

Another interesting and thorough research was the one conducted by the Incentive Research Foundation in 2012 on 2461 incentive providers, suppliers and buyers. Findings indicate that the trends have stabilized this period compared to the previous four survey periods which indicated a strong positive upward trend for each of the core issues (beginning in July 2009 – October 2010). The positive trend continues with respect to the perceptions of the company’s financial forecast influences.

Respondents in the current survey (September 2012) indicate they are less optimistic and consider the economy as having a less of a positive impact on their ability to plan and implement incentive travel programs when compared with the previous results (in March 2012).

  • Most of the respondents (45%) anticipate no change with respect to the program destinations for Incentive Travel Programs in the coming year.
  • There has been a significant decrease in program destinations from “International to Domestic” since 2010.
  • Forty-eight percent (48%) of the respondents anticipate budgets for Incentive Travel Programs to “Remain Unchanged” this coming year.
  • The majority (73%) of the respondents do not anticipate changing (either temporarily or permanently) from “group trips” to “individual travel packages” in the coming year.
  • 53% of the respondents indicated that North America was their chosen region for Incentive Travel Destination programs.
  • In September 2012, respondents continue to anticipate the impact of the economy to have a “positive” effect on their ability to plan and implement merchandise non-cash incentive programs potentially indicating a positive trend in the coming year.
  • In general, respondents indicated that they anticipate most incentive program elements to remain the same in the coming year.
  • 51% of the respondents anticipate no changes to the budget for Incentive Programs in the coming year as a result of the recent economic conditions.

As we can see, just the fact that such surveys are being done each year, shows the importance of the incentive travel program, and the meaning it has both for the employers and the employees. Still, we expect the awareness of the great motivating effect incentive travel has on employees will stimulate employers to invest even more money and time into their implementation.

The T-Made team

Salón Internacional del Automóvil 2013 – Barcelona, World Motor Capital

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salon-automovil 2013

Barcelona will soon turn into a unique shop window of a huge motor offer. Barcelona International Motor Show 2013 (El Salón Internacional del Automóvil Barcelona), 11th to 19th of May, provides a motor experience offering to its visitors the chance to discover local and international news of this industry. It is one of the most relevant automobile shows and the only one in Spain approved by the OICA, The International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, not to mention that this event is also supported by the two most important Spanish institutions in automotive industry – ANFAC (Asociación Española de Fabricantes de Automóviles y Camiones) and ANIACAM (Asociación Nacional de Importadores de Automóviles, Camiones, Autobuses y Motocicletas).

The expectations are reaching the number of 1.000.000 of visitors, 150 expositors and 250.000 m2 of exposure surface. Just the fact that this event has been held for the 37th time already shows the importance of it, as well as the interest of both professionals and motor-lovers showing  for it. Since the first time it was held in 1919, many automotive industry enthusiasts are impatiently waiting for this event every year.

“El Salón Internacional del Automóvil Barcelona 2013” matches with the Formula 1 Grand Prix dates, which will be held in the Circuit of Catalunya, making the city of Barcelona one more time, a world motor capital for a week.

For those expositors or visitors attending the show, T-Made events can provide with ground services such as transportation, cultural tours, or gala dinners at special venues. Contact us for further information.

The T-Made Team

Barcelona Mobile World Congress 2013

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MWC2013

Barcelona recently hosted, for the 11th time already, the Mobile World Congress 2013, this year’s industry-defining event, and the biggest mobile communication congress. More than 72.000 participants from more than 1.300 companies and 200 countries presented their latest products and technologies, the ones that will be defining our technological future. The Mobile World Capital, Barcelona, hosted various professionals, producers and developers form the mobile telecommunication industry and industries similar to that one, such as Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, and Stephen Elop, Nokia CEO, which was of great interest of the publicity because of their recently announced partnership. Nokia, which seems to have over slept the Smartphone epoch, is now back in the ring and ready to conquer the market, assured us Elop.

The congress itself had different parts, such as the conference, with inspiring speakers from mobile operators, consumer brands and industries touched by the mobile market; the GSMA seminar program, with an intention to educate the attendees on industry initiatives such as Mobile Spam, Mobile Privacy, Spectrum and Disaster Response; the World’s Largest Mobile Industry Exhibition, where more than 1.700 companies showcased their organizations across eight halls and outdoor places at Fira Gran Via.

One of the most interesting subjects of the congress was LTE – Long Team Evolution, as well as the 4G technology.

Since Barcelona seems to be a very appropriate place for hosting events of this kind, for the next year keep in mind that T-made events can provide you accommodation, transportation for the attendees as well as the cultural activities and restaurant bookings, or any kind of special events that might be of your interest to make your stay in Barcelona more pleasant.

Feel free to contact us we will be pleased to become your official agent for the MWC 2014.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

The T-Made Team

Gastronomic Incentive program in Barcelona

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Day 1

  • Delegates arrive at Barcelona airport. Transfer to the hotel – Layetana hotel. Welcome cocktail and program briefing. “One the best European new hip hotels” – The Guardian. The hotel is located in a stylish building from 1926, completely renovated and next to city centre and Barcelona’s Cathedral.

Day 2

  • Breakfast in the hotel. Morning meetings in one of the hotel business room with a coffee-break.
  • Lunch at hotel restaurant.
  • Guided Tour of Antoni Gaudi works – Antoni Gaudí was a visionary architect during Barcelona’s Modernista (Art Nouveau)  period. He graced Barcelona with nearly all his extraordinary and beautiful buildings. The tour offers and outdoor and indoor guided visit to the most representative buildings designed by the genius.

  • Delicious Spanish Ham tasting and dinner – A 10 different ham tasting with which participants will be able to learn and experience the different qualities and textures of the ham and its different flavours according to its origin, upbringing and nourishment of the pork. The explanation includes origin of the Iberian ham, its elaboration and the different trade marks of their origin.

Day 3 

  • Gastronomic Gymkhana – A game designed to challenge participants culinary skills. Gymkhana will take place in Boqueria Market, A Gastronomic kitchen in Ramblas and a special location for wine trivial pursuit. Teams will have to complete some series of tests and questions, workshops and “tapas” competition and blindfolded wine tasting.

  • Dinner at catalan farmhouse restaurant – Last and special group dinner in an old farmhouse transformed into a spectacular restaurant offering Mediterranean-Catalan cuisine in a cosy and rustic atmosphere. A perfect bright end to your Incentive trip to Barcelona.

Day 4

  • Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport.

Contact us for a quote.

 

Barcelona Gourmet Tour

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This is a spicy itinerary to get into the amazing world of Spanish gastronomy, shapes and flavors.

The visit begins at the market of la Boqueria.  The Boqueria Market was considered the best market in the world  at the World Market Conference that took place in Washington DC. Is a perfect  place to enjoy an incredible contrast between colors and activity, ideal to discover why Mediterranean  cuisine is internationally known due to its ingredients.

From the market we will wander around the gothic quarter admiring the most reputable gourmet shops.  A sweet and salty itinerary that ends in the Ribera quarter  next to Santa Maria del Mar Church with a wine tasting session and “pintxos” appetizer.

Contact us for further details.

Paella cookery course

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A large part of the Spanish culture exists in its gastronomy…. In a “finca” near  Barcelona you can learn the steps in how to prepare and cook the most famous dish in Spain: the paella!

The Paella Cookery Course is a light-hearted and fun contest where participants get to learn to make their own paella out in the open air: an interesting alternative to the common barbecue!

The group will be divided into 2 teams of 10 people who will each be equipped with everything they will need to cook the paella and each team will be identified by different coloured scarves.

The teams will start at the same time and will be guided by one chef who will explain the preparation methods of the Paella. The teams will also have a copy of the recipe that details the ingredients used and in which order to use them.

At the end of the course, the chef and director of catering will taste each paella to determine the winner. This will be judged on the cooking process of each team and most importantly the taste of Paella. The winning team will receive a bottle of champagne and an optional a reward.

The group will then be free to enjoy their home-made paellas for lunch which will be accompanied with a salad, followed by dessert. Drinks are also included.

This is a fun and “tasty” Team building activity in a rustic Restaurant outside Barcelona.

Contact us for further information regarding Paella cookery course and Incentive Trips.

Barcelona Sailing Regatta

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Team building has never been so much fun. The Mediterranean Sea allows you to enjoy many activities, but without doubt, one of the highlights is doing a Sailing regatta.

This regatta is suitable for both big and small groups (6 people). It combines amusement, competition and for the sea lovers, the chance to get in touch with the beautiful Mediterranean sea. Do not worry if you don’t have any experience on sailing as you will be leaded by professionals the whole race. In order to achieve a positive team building result, participants shall be encouraged to take part in all activities involved in sailing the boat under the guidance of your qualified instructor.

Before the race stars, the participants will be divided into groups and they will get a briefing of the activity. Once on board the skipper will explain the safety rules, the different tasks and the role of each participant.

Enjoy an unforgettable sea experience and discover Barcelona from another point of view!

Contact us for further information.