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It’s Festival time in Istanbul – Log on to www.iksv.org and “Plan your Stay” on-line

Cine Meetings realized its first Cinema-Meeting session with Dominos Restaurant Managers at Istanbul’s AFM theaters located within theprime shopping mall of Akmerkez. Your next company meeting can be as close to you as the nearest cinema, taking place in a technically equipped, reasonable priced and comfortable atmosphere.

McDonalds Eastern Europe Restaurant Manager Convention 2007 took place between 10-13 May at Sungate Port Royal Hotel in Antalya. During the three full days, 500 Managers participated in strategic team games during the meetings and outdoors by the pool and beach and enjoyed fantastic shows & fire works in the evenings. “Fire of Anatolia” a Turkish version of Riverdance featuring themes from Turkey’s history & Culture performed during the Gala Dinner followed by Russia’s most popular Pop Singer “Dima Bilan”.

Mentor Graphic A Leading US Based Corporation in the Electronic Design Automation Industry planned their “Platinum Club” Incentive trip to Istanbul this year. 260 winners stayed at the Ritz Carlton, enjoyed the Turkish Bath and sailed the Bosphorus aboard Sultan’s wooden boats. Mentor Graphics chose one of the most ancient & exquisite venues for their Gala dinner; “The 1001 Column Cistern” dating back to 4th Century.

UK Fam Trip
When in Turkey… Cook as the Turks and bathe as the Turks is just what our Group of Incentive Planners, Hotel Booking Agents & Journalists from the UK did during our Annual Fam Trip. They also explored the city while treasure hunting in the bazaar, cruising on the Bosphorus, dining at fine restaurants and inspecting hotels & venues.

Symantec Top Achievers Cruised the Aegean Sea aboard Crystal Serenity, beginning in Athens and ending in Istanbul between May 18-25 in celebrating their Top Achievers 2007.

Samsung Mobile of Korea, promoted their new generation mobile phones with a grand break-dance performance at GS Soccer Team’s Stadium with more than …thousand fans. During the “Fun & Joy Festival” World Champion Break-dance team “Maximum Crew” battled with the champions of break-dance. There was also opportunity for the audience to get acquainted with the new phones by “Clicking Away” at the photozone.

Istanbul in a day
ODS hosted Events Magazine and MICE Executives from Russia who arrived in Istanbul at noon, enjoyed a cruise lunch on the Bosphorus, visited Esma Sultan Mansion – One of the most beautiful event venues, dined at the Prime open-air Nightclub – Reina then flew back home to Moscow.

Roman Night at Ephesus
On Board Crystal Serenity, Sailing the Aegean, visiting Ephesus, the ancient city that actually has the power to take you back in time. On June 16, a chapter in history was reserved exclusively for CITGO guests, who celebrated at this breathtaking sight decorated by torchlight, elegant tables, Soprano Music & Ballet Performance.

Istanbul Jazz Festival
With almost 40 concerts at various venues, the 14th International Istanbul Jazz Festival will take place between July, 3-18. The Festival will embrace both jazz and other styles like pop, classic & alternative rock, world music, Latin and more in Istanbul.

One of the most popular female singers of our times, Norah Jones is coming to Turkey for the jazz festival. Bryan Ferry, one of the most innovative, distinctive singers to arrive on the pop scene, will be taking his place on stage once again at the Istanbul Jazz Festival. Other stars at this year's festival includes Robin Gibb, one of the soloists of Bee Gees fame, Michael Bolton, Joe Sample Trio & Randy Crawford, Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, José González, Blonde Redhead, The Dears.

Grand Prix Turkey
The countdown for the 2007 Formula1 started. The Turkish Grand Prix will take place between August 25-26-27 at Istanbul Park, which hosted exciting races last year. Book your places for this years most anticipated event.

Istanbul Contemporary Art Fair
Every October artists from all across Turkey converge on the capital to showcase their latest creations in contemporary art.

Istanbul International Biennial
The 10th International İstanbul Biennial, organized by the İstanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts is set for 8 September–4 November 2007 under the curatorship of Hou Hanru.

Venice Biennale
Turkey will attend "Venice Biennale 52nd International Art Exhibition" which will be held between June 10th and November 21st. Mr. Hüseyin Alptekin will participate in the biennale with his installation "Don't Complain". Turkey has attended the Venice Biennale occasionally in the last 15 years. Turkish Hall is at Artigliere building in Arsenale which is the main hall of Venice Biennale.
 

Following our Sales & Marketing Director Ms. Janice Grant in the UK Office and our Rep in France Mr. Pierre Heumann of Ph Consulting, we would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Reps in Russia – Ms. Tatiana Pylaeva & Ms. Dragana Pilipovic of DestiCo and Mr. Jaapjan Fenijn of Body & Soul International who will be representing ODS in Benelux & Scandinavian countries. We wish all a fruitful partnership. For any information on Turkey, Sample Programs or Photos, Please contact the Rep nearest to you.

Susie Harwood of Conference & Incentive Travel Magazine, reports in June 2007 issue on the uniqueness of Istanbul and the rapidly growing tourism infrastructure of Istanbul, where most of the 4&5 Star properties having on-site meeting facilities, expecting 5000 new rooms & convention centers within 2-3 years. She also highlights the richness in history reflecting on the number of Historical Venues which are available to the C&I Events.

The 6th Bosphorus Cup Regatta
Organized with cooperation of Turkish Sailing Federation, Istanbul Sailing Directorate, Shop & Miles, Marmara Sailing Club, and Org Spots, took place in Istanbul 26-27 May with more than 100 sailboats and almost 1,000 sailors from Turkey and Europe. Sailors sailed through the Bosphorus to reach for the glamorous trophy in the Shop & Miles Bosphorus Cup.

The Red Bull Air Race
Headed to Istanbul, Turkey on 1 and 2 June for the fourth race of the season, where the world's best pilots took to the skies, racing just meters above the Golden Horn estuary at speeds of up to 400 kph and battling forces that reached 10G. The race track was positioned along the horn-shaped estuary, known in Turkish as the ‘Haliç', between Galata Bridge and Atatürk Bridge. This year, the pilots were required to complete two laps of the course, racing between the 20-metre high ‘Air Gates' and tackling a slalom gate made up of three pylons.

Emerald Princess
Defined as the world's second biggest transatlantic, docked in Istanbul's Port on June 5th. Emerald Princess arrived in Istanbul with its nearly 3,000 prestigious guests. The ship, which is also named as "floating city", will arrive in Turkey for 7 more times and bring nearly 25,000 guests from May to October.

Golfers Paradise
Turkey is becoming a golfer’s paradise with the resort of Belek the most popular by far with international golfers. The Mediterranean resort is already home to five world class golf courses and five more are in the planning and development stages and Turkey is beginning to rival the Algarve for the numbers of golfing tourists in received annually. Belek is located on the southern Turkish coastline where it benefits from up to 320 days of unadulterated sunshine every year. The resort is located snugly between Antalya and Alanya with the stunning historic town of Side nearby. The nearest international airport is just 35km away making Belek very accessible and the resort is packed with excellent bars, restaurants and facilities making it hugely popular with the whole family.

Istanbul is the safest major city
According to a European Union study, Istanbul is the safest major city in the world. The EU Crime and Safety survey for 2006 showed that the crime rate in Istanbul was just 18 percent last year.
This compared with 32 percent in London, 27 percent in Amsterdam, 26 percent in Belfast and Dublin, 24 percent in Copenhagen, 23 percent in New York and Stockholm, 20 percent in Brussels, and 19 percent in Rome.

World’s Leading Tour Operator INTRAV introduced the 12 Day “Ancient Trade Routes & Treasures of the Black Sea” program visiting Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria on board the Clipper Adventurer. Beginning from Istanbul sailing along the ancient northern coast of Turkey to the Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, stopping at Yalta, Sevastopol, Odesa, Constanta and Nesebur ending back in Istanbul.

BENELUX / SCANDINAVIA
Body & Soul International
Mr. Jaapjan Fenijn
jaapjan@bodyandsoulinternational.com