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Questions to the text above
1. How long does a typical convention last? What activities does it include?
2. What facilities are required for a convention?
3. What are the usual attendance figures for conventions? What sometimes happens when attendance is higher than predicted? Who is not included in the attendance figures?
4. How has the growth of the airline industry changed the convention business?
5. Why is the convention business profitable for the hotel industry?
6. What is the reason for the shift of conventions from large cities to resort areas?
7. Who are some of the hotel employees who specialize in convention activities?
8. What are some of the special inducements that may be offered to attract convention business?
9. Who on the hotel staff oversees the arrangements for a convention once it has been booked into the hotel?
10. Why must convention arrangements be coordinated with other departments of the hotel?
11. What are some of the groups that may sponsor banquets?
12. Can only hotels with convention facilities handle banquets?
Reading comprehension
Say what statements are true and what ones are false. Comment on the true statements and correct the false ones. Prove with the text.
1. Conventions require extensive facilities, such as a large hall or an auditorium, several rooms for meetings of smaller groups and an exhibit area.
2. There are seldom more than a thousand people at a convention.
3. Conventions today are almost always held in a few large cities that are transportation centers.
4. A convention is a great deal of trouble for a hotel because it usually does not bring in an adequate return of income.
5. Hotels often give lower room rates to people attending conventions.
6. It is necessary for the convention department to inform other departments of the hotel about its activities.
7. Only hotels that can accommodate conventions are also equipped to attract banquet business.
Find English equivalents from the text above to the following:
1. проводится с целью обмена информацией –
2. выставочная площадь –
3. примыкающие помещения –
4. хорошая наполняемость отеля –
5. группа устроителей –
6. снижение цены на проживание –
7. самая низкая цена за обслуживание –
8. установка экспонатов –
9. дополнительная рабочая сила –
Activities
I. Greta Mueller (GM) is trying to arrange a conference for Tonini International. She is talking to the sales manager (SM) of the Plaza Hotel in Monte Carlo.
| GM: | Yes. As I said on the telephone, we are planning a three day conference in April next year for about 150 people. Now, we will need one large room for the main conference and three smaller rooms for round table discussions for around 40 delegates each. |
| SM: | I see. Well, the ballroom is big enough to hold 200 theatre-style. We do have a number of rooms next door to the ballroom, but they are probably a little too small for 40 people. |
| GM: | But presumably, do you have some other meeting rooms? |
| SM: | Yes, we do. We can certainly accommodate you elsewhere in the hotel. |
| GM: | Fine. What about equipment? |
| SM: | We can supply most things – overhead projector, cordless microphones… |
| GM: | What about autocue? |
| SM: | No, I am afraid not. |
| GM: | And support services – secretaries, interpreters, photographers? |
| SM: | We can arrange full support services through an outside contractor. |
| GM: | Good. Will it be possible to get detailed room plans? |
| SM: | Certainly. Our conference pack has all that sort of information, as well as a full list of our menus and room rate. |
Now look at the Greta Mueller’s checklist of requirements. Tick the items that the hotel can provide.
| Conference Requirements ü main room – theatre seating for 150 ü 3 syndicate rooms ü autocue ü photographer ü secretarial help ü interpreter |
II. Read the passage in which the Yorkshire and Humberside Tourist Board promotes conferences in the region.