The J Team DMC is a hive of activity leading up to the third IMEX America (14-17 October). What is Mister Tea doing with these things?
The answer is preparing gold, silver and bronze medals for the winners at our breakfast of champions on Thursday 17th morning, which we are holding with friends from Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kyoto Convention Bureau, Delta Air Lines, Hilton Worldwide Japan, and Hotel Granvia Kyoto.
The J Team will also be taking part in strategic partner events and we are looking forward to meeting you on booth 3237 at the show.
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IMEX America 2013 Generates Hive of Activity at The J Team DMC
Japan clears up after Typhoon Man-yi
Japan is now clearing up after the powerful and destructive Typhoon Man-yi tore through the centre of the main island of Honshu from the night on Sunday 15th September until the night of Monday 16th September 2013.
Updated Thursday 19th September.
Mrs Tea (the better four-fifths of The J Team DMC’s Mister Tea) was seen in tears of admiration as she watched chefs, kitchen staff, housekeeping, in fact everyone helping guests to safety in boats and with piggybacks as some parts of Arashiyama in Kyoto flooded. “That is Japanese ‘omotenashi’ hospitality”, she said, “everyone, each and all hands on deck to help guests and make them comfortable”.
The following is a review of the current situation in Japan as of 8:00 on Wednesday 18th September:
Key destinations – Tokyo
Situation normal.
Key destinations – Kyoto
The city centre is normal.
Some parts of the extreme south of the city experienced flooding at the weekend and the clear up operation is in progress but this does not affect MICE events and tourism. The Kyoto Team visited this area with a client on Wednesday 18th September and found everything operating as normal with the area buzzing with visitors.
Some parts of Arashiyama experienced flooding and the clear up operation is currently underway. This will take some time and some tourism is affected. Interviews with local business owners on NHK Kyoto news on Tuesday 17th September suggest that accommodation, restaurants and other facilities will be back online by the start of the peak tourist season beginning in early October.
The J Team DMC local office is keeping a close watch on the situation and is working with clients on an individual basis.
Key destinations – Osaka & Kobe
Situation normal.
Key destinations – Mt. Fuji area
No disruptions reported.
Other destinations
Some areas such as northern Kyoto prefecture and Shiga prefecture are beginning clear up operations after the typhoon. Individual clients will be advised as necessary.
Transport – International airports
Flights operating normal schedules
Transport – Shinkansen Bullet Train
Services were delayed during the typhoon and have been operating at normal level since Tuesday 17th September.
Transport – Other rail
Services normal.
Transport – Motorways
Some motorways were closed for the typhoon and its aftermath. All are currently open and operating as normal.
Transport – Other roads
Services normal.
Japan’s PM puts balls on line to ace the competition
The J Team DMC sends hearty congratulations to all of its Tokyo partners involved in the successful bid to win Tokyo 2020. The Team looks forward to very exciting years ahead and expects to grow significantly as it partners with organisations worldwide to bring the unique essence of Japan to their Olympic and Paralympic celebrations.
Managing Director, Geraint Holt, says that Tokyo 2020 is a significant boost to the MICE industry nationwide, and not just Tokyo. He expresses his expectation that all industry players will make the most of this opportunity.
Holt continues, “What delighted me most as I watched the Japanese presentation in the very early hours of Sunday morning was the Japanese government promising to do the right thing and ensure that the country is safe and appealing for events of all kind for now, for the Olympics and Paralympics, and forever. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe invited the world to hold Japan to account and I know Japan will now over-deliver and exceed all expectations.”
Individual members of The J Team DMC give their reaction in the company blog.
http://www.thejteam.jp/archives/1394
The J Team DMC and partners Tokyo CVB and Kyoto CB will be holding a Breakfast of Olympic Champions at IMEX America 2013.
The Olympic decision came at another celebratory moment for The J Team as more than fifty industry leaders gathered to welcome the Team’s revamped Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, West Japan office on 4th September.
2013 has been a step up from 2012, the year in which The J Team DMC won its first Award of Excellence and Award of Merit for being the best DMC in BI Worldwide’s global partner network. The year also saw The J Team handle one of its largest and more challenging events to date. The last 12 months have seen back-to-back Incentives of 600, corporate events for 900–plus worldwide participants, a day trip from Tokyo to Kyoto for 800, and a heavy involvement in both the IMF and SIBOS financial events. With a Team of 8 full-time staff in the Tokyo Head Office and the newly revamped Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, West Japan Office, supported by a highly-valued network of partner-suppliers, TJT continues to aim to raise the level of creativity, service and performance for Destination Management in Japan.
Hooray for Tokyo 2020!
The J Team Japan Specialist DMC jumps for joy on hearing decision is Tokyo 2020.
Individual comments. (In no particular order.)
Yoko:
I was a 15 year old in my first year of high school at Tokyo 1964. If I’m at Tokyo 2020, I’ll be 71. The arrow of time pierces light and darkness alike, racing towards the bright future. While Tokyo holds that arrow, may there be plenty of love and peace at the Olympics and in the world.
Mai:
Olympics & Paralympics 2020 Tokyo!! First thing I did was count my age, how old will I be in 2020? And I am so happy I will still be energetic not only to see the Games here but also welcome you with our “omotenashi” hospitality and spirit.
Mister Tea:
At the crack of a Japan dawn on Sunday I recalled the same surprise and elation experienced in 2005 when London won its bid. I am looking forward to Tokyo 2020 delivering that same level of happiness that my native Britain brought me during my visit in July 2012; showing me a nation transformed positively by the power of the Olympics and Paras. Very much looking forward to being part of the fun in 2020!
Toyoko:
Absolutely amazing for Japan to be able to host 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics! I am sure that everyone having been to Japan agrees with me that Japan is one of the safest countries in the world where you can expect things to happen as scheduled. So reliable. People are sweet and lovely, so is colourful Japanese food. I very much look forward to welcoming people all over the world.
Kozo:
Each and every one of us in Japan is joining hands to make Tokyo 2020 the best combination of sport and Japanese hospitality ever. The sport is going to move you; and organsiation is going to be so flawless, you’ll never notice it.
Akiko:
I’m so happy to be looking forward to the Olympics here in Tokyo in 2020. It’s the one world city where the transport is guaranteed to amaze,find out what it means to be “on time”. And you’ve got to try our food; as the adage goes, “if you want to eat the best, visit Tokyo”. Finally as the bid committee said, you must come and experience our “omotenashi” hospitality, first hand, for real. See you here, Tokyo 2020, or anytime.
Loic:
Après la défaite de Paris face a Londres pour les Jeux Olympiques de 2012, je suis heureux de pouvoir accueillir les Jeux de 2020 dans mon pays d’adoption et faire découvre cette culture unique qu’est la culture Japonaise, ses traditions, ses paysages et sites d’exception, a chaque visiteur qui viendra faire vibrer les stades et encourager les athlètes participants a des Jeux qui seront sans aucuns doutes des Jeux dignes de l’Olympe!
Nozomi:
Really looking forward to welcoming you to Japan to see the country growing towards Tokyo 2020. Borrowing words from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, “leave it to us!”. The J Team DMC is here for you. You are safe in the knowledge that everything will work to Japanese perfection with that extra special The J Team wow!
Entire Industry Celebrates The J Team DMC’s Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, West Japan Office Revamp
Whoops of joy were heard far and wide in central Kyoto during the first week of September as more than fifty industry leaders gathered to welcome and celebrate the opening of The J Team DMC’s new Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, West Japan Office.
With the background music of champagne corks popping in true celebratory fashion, Managing Director, Geraint Holt, and the team from Tokyo and Kyoto welcomed leaders from hotels, convention bureaux, local authorities, transport, venues, geisha and contents suppliers to the new premises in central Kyoto that is to be The J Team DMC’s base in the region.
Holt explained that this relaunch in Japan’s second most important MICE region is bringing added value to global organisations that need a DMC that is constantly on the ground where events are taking place. This opening brings greater advantages to partner through The J Team being able to bring the very latest creative developments to market first.
He went on to remind all those present of the key elements that must be provided if the wider Team of suppliers, guides and local authorities is to remain the leader.
Rumours abound that the celebration and collaboration continued on well into the early hours of the following day, in true industry fashion.
