DESTINATION Asia has promoted Michael Assef to the position of director of meeting and events in Shanghai.
Assef’s duties in his new role include consolidating meetings and event business in Shanghai, and developing Destination Asia’s incentive programme offerings with the help of the existing Shanghai team.
Prior to his current post, Assef was product and MICE manager in Cambodia.
THE World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) has mapped out an expansion that includes building a hotel and managing another World Trade Centre in other parts of the Philippines.
WTCMM senior vice president and general manager, Pamela D Pascual, said the company envisions an international brand of “four-star but world-class hotel” on the five-hectare compound.
Pascual said WTCMM is also in talks with potential investors to build an office building on the compound, explaining that a typical World Trade Centre, apart from the exhibition space, has a hotel and office building “for complementation”.
Providing one of the biggest exhibition venues in the Philippines that can accommodate 20,000 people theatre-style, WTCMM is also eyeing a potential World Trade Centre in cities like Cebu or Iloilo.
Built in 1996 to international standards and customised for exhibitions at a time when organisers were “purists”, sticking to exhibition-only events, WTCMM has since evolved. Last year, in response to a growing trend for exhibitions to include meetings and learning components, the venue added four meeting rooms with a total capacity of 600 pax theatre-style.
“We built those function rooms so we can get more exhibitions but we’re also developing the market for meetings and conventions so the function rooms would be able to stand on their own without the exhibition market,” said Pascual.
Meanwhile, WTCMM is progressing in its second phase of renovation which includes changing the façade, ceilings and signages.
According to Pascual, the market for exhibitions and special events has grown and foreign shows are starting to come back to the Philippines. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings and leaders’ summit will use the entire WTCMM exhibition centre as media centre for 4,000 media personnel, for six weeks from October to November next year.
A RECENT study by CWT Meetings & Events has suggested that compliance and end-to-end meetings management will remain top of the agenda for companies in 2015.
Released earlier this month, the 2015 Meetings & Events Forecast has found that meeting planners are taking note of strong success in end-to-end meetings management, with time and financial savings as well as an accurate overview of total event costs being benefits of such practices.
Meeting planners in Germany have realised savings of up to 23 per cent, while in Australia, average savings of 10-20 per cent have been achieved. Interest in end-to-end meetings management is increasing across the Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions. However, the study noted that meeting planners in China will be unique in going against the end-to-end trend and are expected to continue to separate business into group air, hotel room, meeting space, and land operations bookings – using a specialist vendor for each one.
Compliance will also remain top-of-mind among meeting planners, especially for pharmaceutical organisations that have to abide by meeting and events regulations imposed by the Sunshine Act.
Floyd Widener, senior vice president, CWT Meetings & Events Worldwide, said in a press release: “This is the third edition of our forecast, and it’s interesting to see the renewed focus on compliance in our industry. With 2015 on the horizon, the forecast provides valuable insight for our clients to refer to in upcoming budgeting and negotiations, whether they’re focused on meetings, events or strategic meetings management.”
The report, which is available at this link, offers several recommendations to help meeting planners achieve success in the next 12 months. They include trying hybrid events to save costs and involve remote employees unable to participate in person, basing events in-country or in-region to minimise costs, carbon footprint and delegate travel times, and working with an agency with strong industry relationships to get the best deals and supplier terms.
A NEW pillarless convention hall has opened at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa.
Named The Chandelier, the space is said to be the largest and most modern resort conference facility in Thailand’s western region. Measuring 892m2 in size and boasting a 7.6m high ceiling, The Chandelier can accommodate up to 680 pax in theatre-style or 800 guests for cocktail receptions. It also comes with a spacious foyer and direct access for vehicle displays, and is equipped with the latest technology.
Chatchaya Glaiprayong, director of sales & marketing of Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa and Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas, said: “Our associates are excited to exhibit this new facility’s versatility to the public. With so many different event possibilities, we are eager to host and create memorable experiences in all aspects, from exclusive conferences to world-class events”.
The Chandelier joins three other event venues – The Grand Ballroom, State Room 1 and State Room 2 – at the 240-key Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa.
NEW business events booked at The Mira Hong Kong by June 30, 2015 will enjoy a number of perks, including an upgraded sixth room for every five rooms booked; a free conference package for the sixth person for every five delegates; a complimentary hour-long cocktail with five kinds of canapés at Vibes or one of the Specialty Suites for bookings of at least 50 room nights; and a free iPad mini for the event planner with a total minimum spend of HK$150,000 (US$1,934) net on one event, inclusive of room and F&B charges.
Conference packages offered at The Mira Hong Kong are priced at HK$850 and HK$700 for a full- and half-day arrangement respectively. The package includes luncheon, two/one thematic coffee break(s) and a full set of meeting amenities.
Terms and conditions apply.
Contact mice@themirahotel.com and quote “MICETOTHEMAX2015” to enjoy this offer.
The Lake Garden, Nay Pyi Taw, Accor’s first hotel in Myanmar and a member of the MGallery Collection, has opened.
Located a five-minute drive from Myanmar International Convention Centre and 20 minutes from Nay Pyi Taw International Airport, the hotel is surrounded by a tropical landscaped garden overlooking a tranquil lake. It comprises four elegant, low-level buildings and features 165 spacious rooms and suites.
The hotel’s meeting facilities are said to be the city’s best, consisting of a conference room for up to 250 delegates, six breakout meeting rooms for small and medium sized functions, and two state-of-the-art boardrooms.
Dining options at the hotel include The Grand Bell, an all-day dining, bell-themed restaurant which serves a diverse range of cuisines; The Oak Room wine cellar and cigar room; and The Primo, a specialty Italian restaurant.
For recreation, The Lake Garden offers MSpa, a fully equipped MFit fitness studio, an oversized outdoor swimming pool and a tennis court.
“This hotel opening will officially mark Accor’s return into Myanmar,” said Patrick Basset, COO of Accor Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines.
“This opening comes at a time when the capital is seeing an influx of visitors with a strong demand for an upscale accommodation with international standard facilities and superb services. The Lake Garden is the perfect accommodation for discerning travellers looking for a memorable hotel experience in this capital city.”
Shangri-La International Hotel Management has launched a new brand of fuss-free mid-range hotels, with the first two properties located in Singapore.
Hotel Jen Orchardgateway Singapore opened on September 15, offering 502 keys, dining outlets and technology-driven complimentary guest services such as free Wi-Fi, mobile charging stations throughout the hotel, and iMac stations and a PressReader app with free access to 2,500 online publications.
The second Hotel Jen property occupies the former Traders Hotel Singapore on Cuscaden Road. The 546-room Hotel Jen Singapore will embark on renovations this month, with works carried out in three phases and scheduled to end in 1Q2016. The hotel will remain open throughout this period. Future rooms will feature modern, apartment-style furnishings and smart technology including interactive TVs with multi-device enabled streaming and in-room check-out.
In the next phase of the Hotel Jen roll-out, Traders hotels in Hong Kong, Brisbane, Penang, Johor Bahru, Manila, Maldives, Beijing and Shenyang will be rebranded by March 2015. Further development projects are under consideration in key gateway cities in Asia.
Top-end river cruise expedition company Pandaw has rolled out itineraries for 2015, now open for bookings.
A 10-night Laos itinerary, to be operated on the new 10-stateroom Laos Pandaw, features two nights in UNESCO World Heritage Site Luang Prabang, and expeditions to tribal villages in the Laotian jungle, crossing rapids, gorges and jungle pools. Departing November 1, 2015, the Laos voyage is priced from US$3,250. Bookings made before January 5, 2015 will enjoy a 10 per cent discount.
The cruise operator is also due to begin eight-day Brahmaputra River cruises on the MV Mahabaahu on March 29, 2015. Guests will be taken to the north-east region of Assam, India to the largest river island in the world to meet the Mishing people and Kaziranga National Park. Wildlife enthusiasts can expect close encounters with single horned rhinos, buffaloes, Indian tigers and river dolphins. Prices from US$2,430. Pre- and post-cruise stays can be arranged for New Delhi and Kolkata, including domestic connecting flights.
In Vietnam, Pandaw is putting a spin on the traditional Halong Bay cruise by tagging on a Red River expedition, to be sailed on the Angkor Pandaw. During the 10-night sailing beginning July 10, 2015, passengers will explore the bay’s limestone islands and caves, floating villages and school, before moving into the Kinh Thay River and Duong River. Passengers are given two days of sightseeing in Hanoi before being shipped off to see the Red River. Prices from US$2,600 and a 10 per cent discount applies to reservations made before October 31, 2014.
For more information, visit www.pandaw.com.
Lewin Terrace’s ambience and new Kyoto-inspired menu is sure to give top achievers a memorable taste of ancient Kyoto elegance. By Hannah Koh
Tucked into a verdant corner of Fort Canning Park, getting to Lewin Terrace is half the magic of this restaurant. Guests must cut through the parking space belonging to an adjacent building, ascend steeply hewn steps, and catch your breath before you gain a glimpse of the classic colonial bungalow that is Lewin Terrace.
The stylish black-and-white property was the former residence of the British fire station chief during colonial times, and the restaurant bears the name of Major-General E O Lewin, the general officer commanding in Singapore from 1933 to 1935.
If you’re looking to deliver your guests an exclusive and romantic dining experience, Lewin Terrace lends you the charm of yesteryear and the luxury of fine dining.
MICE application
Lewin Terrace’s boutique appeal has made the restaurant a hit with the fashion mob. Among the A-list brands that have held functions at the colonial residence-turned-restaurant are Chanel and Tory Burch, while Olay hosted its blogger event at the venue as well.
There are two major sections – an outdoor veranda that seats 12 and room for 66 indoors. A narrow bar can take four guests. Altogether, the restaurant can accommodate up to 100 guests for banquets and 150 pax for standing receptions.
F&B concept
Marrying principles from both Japanese and French cuisine, the seven-course seasonal menu by chef de cuisine Ryoichi Kano starred fresh-flown Kyoto produce trimmed and plated exquisitely, with ingredients such as matsutake, bonito, taro, and other harvest season foods taking centre stage.
I thoroughly enjoyed the amadai urokoyaki with Japanese turnip sauce. A portion of the scales of the amadai tilefish were left intact and deep-fried to create a satisfyingly crunchy contrast to the soft but sweet flesh of the fish.
Fans of duck meat will enjoy the challan duck presented with a touban, which is a heated ceramic plate on which to cook the meat to your preferred done-ness. Cooked quickly, the fat from the duck bubbles merrily on the hot surface yet keeps the meat juicy and tender. Alongside it came a selection of Kyo-yasai, unique vegetables grown specifically in Kyoto, and a miso red wine sauce.
The fresh fig tart was served with a drizzle of caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. Light and fragrant, it was the perfect end to a meal.
General manager and chief sommelier, Daisuke Kawai, is on hand to ensure only the best wines are served. Kawai was formerly chief sommelier at top French fine dining restaurant Les Amis in Singapore.
Service and ambience
Lewin Terrace is romantic without overbearing intensity, shielded from the outside world but open enough to encourage conversations among guests. Service was constant, prompt, and thoughtful. Servers took time to tell guests about each dish, making sure that eating was not just a physical endeavour but an educational one too.
Contacts
21 Lewin Terrace, Fort Canning Park
Singapore 179290
Email: info@lewinterrace.com.sg
Website: www.lewinterrace.com.sg
Opening hours
Lunch, 12.00-15.00 (last order at 14.00)
Dinner, 18.30-23.00 (last order at 21.30)
Payment solutions provider eNett International and travel technology firm Cornerstone Information Systems have develop a direct hotel billing payment solution for TMCs.
Through the new solution, TMCs can access virtual account numbers (VANs) without the need for lengthy credit assessments, while the solution automatically relays payment instruction and data to the hotel. By allowing TMCs to do away with a traveller’s personal or corporate credit card, the solution helps them save processing time and improve reconciliation, usage and spend control.
The solution is also available via the Travelport Travel Commerce Platform, so no changes to existing back-end systems are required.
eNett managing director and CEO, Anthony Hynes, said: “We developed eNett VANs specifically to address the inefficiencies of travel payments, making innovative and integrated technology accessible to companies of all sizes. The rapid uptake of VANs globally has been driven by a need for new payment solutions to meet evolving industry needs.”
The solution offers several low-cost FX options across 27 currencies, and eNett customers can earn rebates for transactions paid with VANs as soon as they start transacting.
