2003

Flight Centre Limited launches CI Events

Wednesday, 10 September 2003

Flight Centre Limited announced today (Wednesday, September 10) the launch of a new-look conference, incentives and events business to operate throughout the travel retailer's global network. The business, CI Events, unifies the three proven Flight Centre Limited brands of the Events Centre, Conference & Incentive Management (CIM) and Convention & Incentive Services (CIS). The new entity, which will be a part of Flight Centre Limited's corporate division, will tap into a national conference, incentives and events market worth more than $100 million annually. Corporate division general manager Daniel O'Brien said the merger would further bolster corporate division's bulk-buying power, making it a more dominant industry force and giving it greater negotiating strength with suppliers. "It is important to note that the specialist services, which were the hallmark of the three brands which integrated to form CI Events, will not change under this new, simplified structure," he said. "The formation of CI Events will allow a more unified marketing structure and the delivery of even better results." CI Events general manager Gayee McGrath said that by being a part of Flight Centre Limited's family of companies, the new business would offer clients greater stability and security, as well as stronger buying power. "CI Events comprises a team of more than 60 people with vast experience in conference and incentive management," she said. "This collective experience will be tailored to the specialist areas of event operations, CRM, database administration, finance, design and print, multimedia presentations, product, event theatre and extension travel." "We create and manage conferences, group travel, incentive and loyalty programs, and special events for more than 80 organisations - many of which are Australia's leading financial and industrial companies," she said. CI Events will provide a "one stop shop" for Australian and international businesses which continued to invest heavily in staff and supplier conferences and incentives as a marketing tool aimed at increasing sales and turnover. "More and more companies are now placing a heavy emphasis on rewarding their staff and suppliers, and CI Events is well positioned to cater for that demand," Ms McGrath said. Ms McGrath said this new strategic focus of CI Events would help stamp it as an industry leader. "Whatever the event, our task is to help our clients meet their business and marketing objectives by celebrating and rewarding exceptional performance. When all is said and done, our role is a marketing one - our business is about increasing sales and turnover for our clients." Ms McGrath said the success of CI Events would be driven by its people, who are committed to offering excellence in service and adding their brand of magic to every event. Flight Centre Limited's corporate businesses were recognised as key contributors when the company recently announced another year of improved financial results with the release of its audited accounts for the year to June 30, 2003. Profit both before and after tax increased by 13 percent on the previous year, with pre-tax profit reaching $102.3 million. Ms McGrath said CI Events would be well positioned to continue driving global growth for Flight Centre Limited. Flight Centre Limited is one of Australia's largest business travel providers with its corporate businesses now including CI Events, Corporate Traveller, SBT Business Travel Solutions, Stage & Screen Travel & Freight Services, Campus Travel, TQ3 and the Hong Kong-based AIT.