About the Event

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Connections Meetings is the international networking event for professionals in the high-end meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) sector. We bring together a carefully selected group of 80 decision makers to do business in an environment that leads to longer-lasting business relationships. The suppliers in attendance are national, regional and city convention bureaus, hotels, DMCs and companies offering innovative event services. The global buyers are corporate and incentive meeting planners who serve multinational companies. Alongside their one-on-one meetings, delegates take part in our educational programme – they discuss trends and challenges facing the market with their peers. Each event is themed around a different “MICE Megatrend”, so delegates gain valuable insights for their business each time they attend. Launched in 2015, with the first event in Portugal, Connections Meetings has taken place in Ecuador, Italy and Spain, with partners and sponsors including Full Team Networks, MindMeeting, MICE Roots, WATA, Kongres magazine, Grupo Eventoplus, Meetings International, Dynamo Academy and Euromonitor International. Connections Meetings connects global corporate event planners with suppliers that offer facilities and services for high-end meetings, events, conferences and incentives.

When & Where

15 - 18

Algarve
Algarve

Agenda

Thursday, 15th March

Spouse programme

Optional and only by request through cnugas@portugalnolimits.com . Spouse programme supported by Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort and Portugal No Limits.

Check In

Duration: All day

Transfers for all attendees from Faro airport to Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort sponsored by VIP Chauffeurs. Check in starts at 15h00.

Connections informal cocktail reception sponsored by Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort

Duration: 1 hour

Connections dinner sponsored Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort

Duration: 2 hours

Location: Emo restaurant

Friday, 16th March

Optional gym

Connections breakfast

Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Location: Victoria restaurant

Opening welcome with Micaela Giacobbe of Connections, Luis Coelho of Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort and Cristina Nugas of Portugal No Limits

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Global room

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Coffee break

Duration: 30 minutes

Your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

ConnecTalk Panel Discussion: “Safety and security – recovering from a crisis”

Duration: 1 hour

Moderated by Russ Watts, Dynamo with Elena Altemir, Marc Mekki and Lalit Chadha

Connections lunch sponsored by Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Ria restaurant

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Coffee break

Duration: 30 minutes

Your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections Group Discussions: "Business Travel Prospects in Uncertain Times" with Alexander Göransson, Lead Analyst for Euromonitor International

Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Free time

Duration: 1 hour

Transfer to Conrad Algarve sponsored by VIP Chauffeurs

Duration: 30 minutes

Connections dinner sponsored by Conrad Algarve

Duration: 2 hours

Transfer to Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort sponsored by VIP Chauffeurs

Saturday, 17th March

Optional gym

Connections breakfast

Duration: 2 hours

Location: Victoria restaurant

Dynamic improvisation workshop with Russ Watts, facilitator at Dynamo Academy

Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Building on knowledge gained from the previous sessions, Dynamo Academy will help delegates identify actions they can take moving forward relating to Safety and Security. Russ and the Dynamo Academy team are experts at learning via gamification. They will lead a fun, lively workshop, where delegates will work as a group to co-create and dramatise problems and solutions. At the end of the workshop, each group will share their dramatic take on Safety and Security in the MICE industry.

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Coffee break

Duration: 30 minutes

Your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections lunch sponsored by Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Victoria restaurant

Free time

Duration: 45 minutes

Transfer to Pine Cliffs a Luxury Collection Resort sponsored by VIP Chauffeurs

Duration: 30 minutes

Welcome briefing

Duration: 15 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Coffee break

Duration: 15 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections cocktail reception sponsored by Pine Cliffs a Luxury Collection Resort

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections closing dinner at Pine Cliffs a Luxury Collection Resort supported by Turismo de Portugal

Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes

Transfer to Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort sponsored by VIP Chauffeurs

Duration: 30 minutes

Sunday, 18th March

Check out

Duration: All day

VIP transfers for all attendees from Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort to Faro airport

Speakers

Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort

Host hotel

Debuting Anantara’s authentic luxury in Europe, Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort offers a landmark of quiet prestige, along with southern Portugal’s picturesque Algarve coast. Immerse in Vilamoura’s glamour from a tranquil...

Luis Coelho

Global Sales Manager - MICE International

Our focus is on delivering outstanding results, value and satisfaction to our owners, guests, shareholders and associates. With drive, determination and a highly developed sense of partnership. We will add...

Russ Watts

Senior Facilitator

Building on knowledge gained from the previous sessions, Dynamo Academy will help delegates identify actions they can take moving forward relating to Safety and Security. Russ and the Dynamo Academy...

Alexander Göransson

Lead Analyst at Euromonitor International

Alexander Göransson is a Lead Analyst at Euromonitor International specialising in Service Industries, including Travel. In his current position Alexander works closely with a dedicated team of in-country analysts to...

Conrad Algarve

Official dinner sponsor

A place that understands the subtleties of style, and the subtleties of you. A place that provides you with a one-of-a-kind experience. A place that inspires you to discover local...

Russ Watts

Principal at Living Matters Coaching and Consulting

Building on knowledge gained from the previous sessions, Dynamo Academy will help delegates identify actions they can take moving forward relating to Safety and Security. Russ and the Dynamo Academy...

Pine Cliffs Resort

Official closing dinner sponsor

Located atop the dramatic red Algarvian cliffs that overlook the Atlantic Ocean, Pine Cliffs, A Luxury Collection Resort, Algarve affords a privileged position, with views spanning the soft sand beaches,...

Dress Code



The Connections way works best when you embrace the experiences on offer. We would like you to be prepared so here are some useful information in advance of the event.

During the day we would advise that all delegates to dress in a comfortable/casual attire. Some of the experiences on offer may require a bit of walking so we advise no heels!

Suits are not required – we all like you to look your best, but our programme being quite active, suits won’t work that well!

Ties are not required – even with the evening programme, we are in a relaxed environment and want you to feel comfortable.

Think carefully about heels – heels can be a problem if you want to join some of the activities on offer, so if you’re going to wear heels, consider bringing some flats too so you don’t miss out.

Weather: the average temperature is likely to be 15°C, with highs of up to 17°C and lows of 11°C. There may be some rainy days, so bare showers in mind when you pack.

We do advise that all delegates take their own necessities, which may include, insect repellent, medical supplies, etc.

Connections Experiences

Connections Experiences are sponsored by our Host Hotel, Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort and our official DMC, Portugal No Limits.
Here at Connections Meetings, we’re dedicated to creating the best possible environment to help our buyers and suppliers create deep,lasting business relationships with each other.
We put a significant amount of thought into the planning of the schedule to ensure ample time to meet as many people as possible. Even our lunches, dinners and transfers are geared toward relationship forming opportunities.
Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one to one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10 – 15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities.

Here is a list of activities, to give you an idea of what to expect:

Experiences offered by Portugal No Limits:
- Two classic cars
- Meet the Portuguese water dog
- Bike rides
- Tile painting
- Cork jewerelly

Experiences offered by Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort:
- Meet at the presidential suite
- Pastry class
- Spa experience
- Wine Masterclass
- Golf
- Garden walks/Explore the grounds-pass aromatic herbs
- Games room

Please note Connections Experiences are subject to change.

Spouse programme:
Optional and only by request through cnugas@portugalnolimits.com.
We are delighted to introduce a spouse programme provided by our host hotel Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort and our official DMC for the event, Portugal No Limits. This is provided at a preferential rate. Please contact jpires@tivoli-hotels.com for accommodation.

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