DELCODelegate Fee Insurance Cover from LocktonIf your delegate numbers are falling and you would like to attract more early bird bookings - we can help.To find out more about DELCO and how it could help you increase your profits please contact the team on 020 7933 2245 or email DELCO@uk.lockton.comA division of Lockton Companies LLP. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

BUSINESSMay 2012 . www.conference-news.co.uk . 67 Full-service agency Maritz Travel has acquired another US-based agency Experient.President of Maritz Travel, David Peckinpaugh, said: "By combining, we will expand the capabilities we bring to clients beyond what either of us might offer independently." The Maritz end-to-end service delivery model will be enhanced by Experient's ability to provide additional services including registration, housing, site sourcing/contract negotiation and lead retrieval. Clients also will benefi t from 12 regional locations and the ability to serve clients across corporate, association, tradeshow and government markets.In 2011, the agencies claimed to have served three million travellers.As a result of the acquisition, Experient CEO Jeff Price will be stepping down, and Experient will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maritz Travel. Global events organiser UBM has appointed ex-CBI President Dame Helen Alexander to succeed US investment banker John Botts as Chairman from 11 May 2012. Botts retires from the Board after the AGM that day. She said: "I look forward to working closely with the Board, and with CEO David Levin and his team to continue development." Botts added: "Dame Alexander brings particular experience of the business media sector which will serve UBM well."Levin thanked Botts for his contribution to UBM over a decade. Dame Helen Alexander is Chairman of the Port of London Authority, Incisive Media and Deputy Chairman of esure Group Holdings, Non-Executive Director at Rolls Royce and senior adviser to Bain Capital. UBM has been selling off trade magazines such as Music Week in favour of expanding its events business.News in brief Organisers no longer able to leave it late at Lane EndLane End Conference Centre in Buckinghamshire has stopped taking late bookings due to a strong growth in sales over the last 12 months. The conference centre and hotel residence, which has 34 conference rooms in five separate buildings over 26 acres, says it wants to concentrate on its "core business". Science Museum announces approved caterers listLondon's Science Museum has compiled its new approved caterers list for 2012-14.It includes: Ampersand; Clerkenwell Green; Jackson Gilmour; Rocket; Bubble Food; By Word of Mouth; Inn or Out; Moving Venue; Payne and Gunter; Rhubarb food design; and The-recipe. £15m redevelopment at Mere Golf Resort and SpaThe Mere Golf Resort and Spa has opened its doors following a £15m redevelopment.The Cheshire venue has a 81-bedroom hotel and newly designed conference suites catering for up to 550 delegates. Piggotts invests £500k Events industry supplier Piggotts is to invest £500k in new equipment ahead of what it describes as "a period of unprecedented growth for the company's marquees".The company says the move aims to meet increasing client demand, as well as long-term partnerships.Dame Helen Alexander steps into the UBM chairAYMTM Q1 up 8%Maritz acquires ExperientFollowing results for 2011 for parent company Motivcom which showed gross profi t up six per cent at £29.5m, AYMTM claims to have secured £1.5m (8%) of extra business within the fi rst quarter. The new business including automotive launches and communications programmes. The agency also won a new tender for work for HP in Europe,a longstanding client.Bad month for: Peckforton Castle arsonist Max Kay. He was sent to prison for six years for setting fi re to the room where his wedding reception was held.Good month for: The Titanic Belfast. Its 1,000-seat banqueting suite opened for business at the weekend on the site where the famous ship was designed and built.is the value for Manchester's economy from a four-year deal to bring the Soccerex Global Convention to the city. The event returns to the venue from 2014 to 2017.