INTERNATIONAL NEWS16 . www.conference-news.co.uk . February 2012Malaga, Costa del Sol and Gijon CVBs mergeSPAIN - The convention bureaus of Malaga, Costa del Sol and Gijon have joined forces to set up a marketing alliance to promote the destinations.The alliance is aimed at attracting events at a national level and is said to be the fi rst marketing alliance between any Spanish destinations.Philadelphia CVB showcases tax-free benefi tsUSA - Philadelphia Convention Bureau claims to have created the only destination website in the US to offer 'click and purchase' travel packages as well as social media shopping ambassadors, interactive shopping maps, and monthly 'hot deals'. The new taxfreephilly.com website also has a '.co.uk' version to cater for 30 per cent of they city's delegates from outside of the US. Three Shopping Ambassadors (originally from the UK, France and Brazil) have been charged with blogging, tweeting and creating and posting videos.AEG Ogden to manage OCECOMAN - AEG Ogden has been appointed to operate the new Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) in Muscat.The centre will feature a 3,200-seat auditorium and 22,000sqm of column-free event space.The OCEC will open its exhibition halls in 2014, supplemented by the banqueting halls and meetings rooms in 2015.AACB head joins Sarawak CVB as CEOAUSTRALIA - After 11 years at the helm of the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) Mike Cannon is to join the Sarawak Convention Bureau as CEO. The AACB Executive Director will replace Jill Henry, who had been the CEO for nearly six years and was previously the GM of the Perth Convention Bureau in Australia. Cannon will depart the AACB in March 2012.Ellingson appointed CEO at Durban ICCSOUTH AFRICA - Durban International Convention Centre has appointed Julie-May Ellingson as CEO.In April, she took over as Acting CEO when, after four years at the helm, Miller Matola took the decision to leave the centre for the International Marketing Council as CEO.IAPCO gains fi rst Indian PCOCHINA - An Indian Professional Congress Organiser (PCO) has become the latest member to join the International Association of PCOs (IAPCO), bringing the organisation's membership to 41 countries.And with the addition of new members, KW Conferences based in Gurgaon, India, and Convention Linkage based in Chiyoda-ku, Japan, IAPCO now boasts 116 members.EUROPEMIDDLE EASTAUSTRALASIAASIAAMERICASTap into www.conference-news.co.uk's sister website, www.c-mw.net for the latest international meetings industry news. AFRICA

bigger+betterThe UWE Exhibition and Conference Centre (ECC) Your own versatile and dynamic 4000 sq metre space...from large exhibitions and conferences, training programmes and wedding celebrations, the ECC is big enough to cater for your needs.We're ideally situated with excellent transport links for mainline train stations and the M4/ M5 motorways, we're fast becoming the ideal Exhibition and Conference Centre in the South West.To book or find out more www.uwe.ac.uk/ecc Telephone 0117 32 83568CONTACT01904 328431 conferences@york.ac.uk www.yorkconferences.com @yorkconferencesHost a memorable event in the historic city of YorkCentrally based UK location just two hours from London and EdinburghImpressive and inspiring architecture promoting interaction and creativityAward winning caterers able to provide fresh and tailor-made menusDedicated, professional team to support you throughout your eventyorkconferenceswww.yorkconferences.com