Hong Kong hotels are introducing more technology-driven services to help corporate clients deliver a more efficient, exciting event, writes Prudence Lui

As the competition for meetings business heats up among hotels in Hong Kong, an increasing number of properties are making technology investments to raise the appeal of their event facilities. Offers of high definition LED (Light Emitting Diode) walls in function rooms and event-friendly mobile apps created just for event delegates appear to be trending today.

The Langham, Hong Kong has installed a 7m by 3m LED wall in its Langham Place Ballroom, as part of an extensive hotel-wide renovation project. This piece of technology improves the visual appeal of presentations, and videos that are screened via the LED wall can be controlled by an app on the event organiser’s smartphone.

The hotel’s director of sales and marketing, David Fung, explained that the LED wall supports meeting planners’ constant search for “ways to better engage event attendees (through sharper) audiovisuals”.

In addition, a Cloud printing service is now offered.

An LED wall has made an appearance too at Regal Kowloon Hotel’s pillarless Versailles Ballroom. The installation allows organisers to showcase pictures, videos, graphics and live feeds on a big screen.

The hotel and its sister properties under the Regal Hotels International banner, have also created a multi-functional app to facilitate communications between the event organiser and delegates. Events details such as conference agenda, speaker’s profiles and pre-event news announcements can be hosted on the app, which also contains a QR code scanner that comes in handy during registration. The app can even support real-time polls.

Regal Hotels International’s vice president of marketing, Lyllian Poon, commented: “Our aim is to make our customers’ lives easier with the help of technology which must also be fun to use. The ultimate benefit for the organiser and participants is instant, seamless and paperless (communication).”

Poon noted that the hotel company’s customers are “responsive to technology”, fuelling the need to “constantly bring in new services to enrich our guest experience”.

Over at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, the ((Chime)) mobile app was launched earlier this year to bring convenience to meeting planners. Said to be the first of its kind in the industry, ((Chime)) enables planners to connect in real-time with the hotel’s Meetings and Events Concierge and request for event services. The app can be used on smartphones, tablets or PCs.

Besides improving event technology, hotels are also making their guestrooms friendlier for modern business travellers.

Guests of The Langham, Hong Kong can now easily charge their mobile devices through USB ports located on the sides of the bed. They are also provided with a pocket Wi-Fi to stay connected even outside of their rooms.

Regal Hotels International’s new iclub Sheung Wan Hotel pioneered an innovative mobile key check-in capability. Guests may opt for this service or the traditional key card system – or both – to access their room. This service will soon be extended to iclub Fortress Hill Hotel and iclub Soho Hotel.

Leveraging technology to lift in-room guest experience is, however, not new to The Peninsula Hong Kong. Its parent company, Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, has an in-house research and technology department for the last 30 years, which has developed a touch-screen tablet, powered by Intelity, that connects guests with available services offered by the hotel. Available in 11 languages, the tablet programme also includes room controls. Come this summer, free VOIP international calls will be offered.

While M.A.X. Event Management, event manager, Johnny Tse, felt that these products and services “deliver a sense of professionalism” and “add value to the hotel’s service quality”, he remarked that they do not factor in the venue selection process.

Ideas Post-meeting summer sights in 48 hours

Day 1

After breakfast, pack your group off to the old districts of Sai Ying Pun and Kennedy where they can stroll around on foot and see how the locals live. Then, hop onto an iconic ding ding tram – an experience that must be had in Hong Kong – to Central.

Stop for a lunch of Cantonese delights at the elegant China Tang, 4F of Landmark Atrium, then escape the summer heat by spending the afternoon in the Hong Kong Maritime Museum in waterfront Central. The attraction brings to focus Hong Kong’s maritime heritage and tells the city’s seafaring story in local, regional and international contexts.

As evening approaches, head over to the Hong Kong Observation Wheel and pop into a cabin to take in panoramic views of the city as the sun begins to set.

End the day at PMQ, a heritage building that now functions as a creative and design hub. Offer free time for your group to explore the many studios and shops before regrouping for dinner at Michelin star chef Jason Atherton’s Aberdeen Street Social, which specialises in British cuisine.

Day 2

This is a day of action, beginning with the Wing Chun Kung Fu Experience Tour, led by disciples of master Ip Man. Start with a warm-up walk down the Avenue of Stars before learning some Wing Chun moves. Next, get better acquainted with master Ip’s famous disciple, Bruce Lee, through the Hong Kong Heritage Museum’s Bruce Lee: Kung Fu.Art.Life exhibition.

The action continues after lunch at Discovery Bay Pier, where your group will hike up to the Lookout Point for a panoramic view of Discovery Bay spanning from the Marina Club to Yi Pak Bay. Later, transfer back to Central by ferry.

Dinner tonight is at Wan Chai’s Tai Hang, where your group can break up and go in search of local eats in the neighbourhood.

Need to know

Come celebrate art and gastronomic delights

The new Tycoon Tann and Mod Bar on Wellington Street in Central is a dining destination that celebrates Hong Kong’s culture through food, drinks, design and art. Mod Bar on the ground floor offers Chinese-inspired cocktails and East-meets-West bar snacks, while the two-floor Tycoon Tann restaurant presents local classic dishes with an upmarket spin. Diners can sink their chops into signature dishes such as braised abalone with black truffle in a casserole, and baked crab shell stuffed with fresh crab meat, onion and cheese.

Tycoon Tann and Mod Bar are great for private events. Mod Bar seats 32 people, while Tycoon Tann has a 32-seat private dining room on each floor.

Visit www.tycoontann.com for more information.

Hands-on protein party

The Nose-to-Tail Butchery Class is a hands-on activity designed to teach this ancient skill that treats every part of the animal as sacred.

Led by one of The Butchers Club’s butchers or chefs, participants will learn how to butcher their own meat at home. The chef will butcher a whole lamb, after which participants will learn how to debone, roll and tie a lamb shoulder. There are also lessons on how to skin, score, stuff, roll, rewrap and tie a pork belly; and how to debone, butterfly and marinate a whole chicken.

Once the hard work is over, participants can sit down and enjoy a family-style meal prepared by the chefs. Free-flow wine and beer is included. Participants will later be given their deboned and butterflied chicken along with a jar of bourbon and maple glaze to take home in a cooler bag.

Each class can accommodate up to 10 pax and private classes for 6-12 guests are offered.

Email store@butchersclub.com.hk for details.

More access into Hong Kong

Flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways launched new flights to Zurich on March 29 and will further grow its international network with a new service to Düsseldorf on September 1. Meanwhile, sister airline Dragonair has entered into a codeshare agreement with Shenzhen Airlines which had recently added Jinjiang in Fujian to its network. The Hong Kong-Jinjiang service is operated thrice daily.

Air access from the Philippines is boosted too, with the commencement of AirAsia Philippines’ new Manila-Hong Kong service on May 8. It departs from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 every Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

Be a child again

Help event delegates relive their carefree childhood with a private party at Hong Kong Disneyland. The theme park offers buyout packages on specific dates in September, and a Frozen experience can be included.

After enjoying Disney’s Haunted Halloween preview and Disney in the Stars Fireworks, event guests will get an exclusive tour of the Frozen Village where a special performance will be held. Other activities include building a snowman, riding a toboggan, and meeting the movie’s loveable snowman, Olaf.

Mix-in buyout group size starts from 500 pax while park buyouts require at least 5,000 guests.

Much talk about Ozo Wesley’s new meeting offer

Event planners can look to take up Ozo Wesley Hong Kong’s new meeting packages when they book its cheekily named meeting venue Talk. The space allows a range of configurations from 12-pax boardroom meetings to cocktail functions and classroom-style seminars, or theatre seating of 40 guests.

A Full-Day Meeting Package comes with use of the venue from 09.00 to 18.00, two refreshment breaks with snacks, and one set lunch for HK$500 (US$64.50). A Half Day Meeting Package includes venue rental from 09.00 to 13.00 or from 14.00 to 18.00, as well as one refreshment break with snacks and one set lunch, priced at HK$400.

Prices are per person and subject to a 10 per cent service charge.

Furthermore, Ozo Wesley will throw in a 20 per cent discount for meeting packages if 20 or more room nights are booked.

Call (852) 2292-3000 for more details.