Joy Florentino has joined Marriott Hotel Manila as its first director for convention sales. The hotel will open in January 2015. Florentino has a strong background in the MICE trade and has worked with Marriott International as director of sales for the Sacramento Area Cluster and senior market account executive for Western Mountain Pacific Sales.
Joy Florentino
Sean Choo Shyang Lin
Sean Choo Shyang Lin is now general manager of Sunway Lagoon Theme Park. Choo has over 17 years of professional experience in the hospitality industry, specialising in hotel management and sales and marketing. He was hotel director at Legoland.
Bede Barry
Bede Barry is now general manager of Conrad Macao Cotai Central. Barry has more than 25 years of hospitality experience, working in luxury hotels throughout Europe and South-east Asia. He has a strong business and management background, as well as extensive experience in hotel pre-openings and renovations, both at the property and corporate level.
Richard Deutl
The St Regis Chengdu has chosen Richard Deutl as its general manager. Armed with nearly three decades of hospitality experience, Deutl will lead the hotel’s pre-opening team in preparation for the grand opening in July 2014. Prior to this appointment, Deutl served as general manager of The Westin Nanjing where he led its successful opening.
Justin Guo
Pan Pacific Hotels Group has appointed Justin Guo area general manager, China and general manager of Pan Pacific Suzhou. An experienced hotelier, Guo is tasked with overseeing the Group’s expansion in China and taking charge of Pan Pacific Suzhou’s daily operations and overall performance.
Beverley Parker
Beverley Parker, former executive director of sales and marketing for the Dockside Group, has moved to join the International Convention Centre Sydney as director of business development. Parker’s career in business events and hospitality industries include senior roles with Four Seasons Hotels, Accor Asia Pacific and Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Auckland gets event space boost with NZICC
SKYCITY Entertainment Group, listed in Australia and New Zealand, will open the NZ$402 million (US$350 million) New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in 2018.
New Zealand’s first international convention centre is adjacent and connected to Skycity Auckland Convention Centre (SACC), and will span 1.4ha in Auckland’s CBD.
Gillian Officer, director of sales – convention and catering, SACC, told TTGmice e-Weekly NZICC will have 8,500m2 of space and accommodate up to 3,300 people.
Skycity appointed a senior management team to oversee the development of NZICC.
Officer noted that SACC has 5,000m2 of space with 21 meeting rooms spread over two floors and can fit up to 1,750 people.
Separately, Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) Business Events launched an Asian strategy targeting MICE groups from China, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Thailand (TTGmice e-Weekly, April 10, 2014).
Mischa Mannix-Opie, regional manager South & South-east Asia, TNZ, said the appointment of a Singapore-based business events manager in December last year will provide the support meeting planners and end-users need to host successful incentives and meetings in Auckland and beyond.
TNZ Business Events is building partnerships with DMCs and travel agencies with MICE divisions catering to corporate clients looking for longhaul destinations to organise new and unique events. “Our challenge is how to make delegates aware of what to do and to stay longer,” she said.
If you want a flawlessly executed event, ask Jeeves
CENTARA Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya has recruited events butlers to its team of event management staff to further ensure that planners and organisers will receive 24-hour service and responsiveness.
Robert J Lohrmann, general manager of the resort, said: “We decided to add events butlers to our team so that planners would be confident we are taking care of even the tiniest detail.”
“Planners will have 24/7 support, right from inception through to the post-event analysis,” he added.
The five-star resort offers 555 sea-facing rooms and suites designed to the Lost World theme.
In terms of event facilities, Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya offers one of the largest ballrooms in Pattaya as well as a number of smaller rooms for seminars, meetings, presentations and receptions.
Alternative venues within the resort include the ballroom garden terrace, beachside garden, roof garden and poolside.
Novotel Clarke Quay breathes new life into Phoenix ballroom
NOVOTEL Clarke Quay has finished refurbishing the highlight of the property’s MICE facility – the Phoenix Grand Ballroom – and is offering 10 per cent off meeting packages.
The ballroom can take up to 380 pax in classroom style, 500 for gala dinners or 600 for cocktail receptions.
Suitable for conferences, company dinners and dance parties, and teambuilding events, the facility comes with newly fitted audiovisual systems and LCD projectors.
Kevin Bossino, general manager of Novotel Clarke Quay, said: “Refurbishing the Phoenix Grand Ballroom earlier this year was a key investment to offer the best meeting experience for our international and regional MICE guests.”
Novotel Clarke Quay offers 1,200m2 of conference space with nine meeting rooms and a dedicated events team to ensure flawless events.
Seminar packages begin at S$50++ (US$40++) and includes rental of meeting rooms, as well as coffee and tea break sessions. All-inclusive meeting packages come with free Wi-Fi for meeting planners and business travellers.
From now until October 31, 2014, planners and organisers will receive 10 per cent off meeting packages while meeting bookers will also enjoy extra commission.
TCEB and Visa spice up MICE travel with discounts, offers
MICE travellers are in for a zesty treat with a new online marketing campaign by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Visa dangling special privileges and discounts.
Spice Up Your Business Agenda perks are available to MICE travellers who participate in trade exhibitions in Thailand this year. Kicked off last month, the campaign’s privileges and discounts cover golf, spas, shopping outlets, dining venues and airport transfers.
Wilaiwan Thawichsri, deputy governor for tourism products and services, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said: “MICE travellers usually have high spending power and are long-stay travellers, so they are an important segment that helps generate revenue to Thailand’s tourism industry. This is such a great opportunity so TAT will strongly support the Spice Up Your Business Agenda project as it is in line with the TAT’s policies and strategies.
“TAT will help promote this campaign through all of TAT’s overseas offices, both online and offline channels, (so) as to raise awareness of Thailand among international MICE travellers.”
TCEB president Nopparat Maythaveekulchai added that TCEB is confident the campaign would “enhance a business trip, restore the tourism image, and create confidence in MICE travellers who come to Thailand for trade fairs and exhibitions”.
“We hope this campaign will also help increase the number of MICE business travellers to Thailand,” he said.
The CVB predicts 987,000 MICE travellers will come to Thailand this year, generating some 96.9 billion baht (US$3 billion).
Reviews
Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
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Amari Bangkok
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
