Innovative angles

February 10, 2014

Thailand has exceeded its MICE targets last year but for it to achieve an equally stellar showing in 2014, quality and creative ideas are needed, say event specialists. Greg Lowe reports

Thailand’s MICE industry posted healthy growth last year as Asian feeder markets drove business across all sectors and DMCs and incentives planners focused on providing customised experiences for clients in order to win new business, attract repeat customers and help keep the kingdom on the leading edge of the region’s industry.

While MICE specialists continue to differentiate themselves by developing unique elements for client itineraries, few are optimistic last year’s double-digit growth can be achieved in 2014 as long as the spectre of political instability and protests remain.

Wanchai Thavornthaveekul, deputy managing director of Destination Asia (Thailand), said: “The current unrest in Bangkok will likely affect projections for 1Q2014, especially for US and European markets.”

While some DMCs have managed to relocate existing groups elsewhere within Thailand or to neighbouring countries such as Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia, others are worried that the political instability is scaring off new business.

Michael Lynden-Bell, general manager of Exotissimo Travel Thailand, said: “Corporate companies are not willing to risk bringing their staff and clients into a country that is perceived unstable or dangerous.

“We have lost a lot of quotes to Malaysia recently and I expect this trend to continue following these protests.”

Travel companies told TTGmice that the protests have already dampened business in the first quarter and could lead to a significant rise in cancellations and downturn in new bookings for the next six to eight months if the anti-government rallies are protracted, disrupt the February 2 general elections or turn violent.

Political analysts have forecasted more violence and a bleak outlook for Thailand in the near term which, if accurate, would scotch the chances of a repeat of last year’s strong tourism performance.

During fiscal 2013, which ran from October 2012 to last September, the country welcomed 1,013,502 overseas MICE visitors, up 13.2 per cent from 2012, generating earnings of 88.5 billion baht (US$2.7 billion), an increase of 10.9 per cent on the previous year, according to Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).

“(Performance surpassed) our annual targets for both (arrivals) and industry earnings,” said Pishnu Plaikaew, TCEB spokesperson. “Asia was our largest source of MICE visitors, representing 75.3 per cent of all MICE visitors, followed by Europe, with 10.1 per cent, and the US, with 4.7 per cent. The top five countries were China, India, Malaysia, Japan and Singapore.”

TCEB figures show international conventions continued to lead Thailand’s MICE market with a 33 per cent market share, followed by corporate meetings (25 per cent), incentive travel (24 per cent) and international exhibitions and trade fairs (18 per cent).

Some DMCs remain relatively optimistic about this year’s performance given the usually fast rebound from crisis-sensitive Asian markets.

Hans van den Born, managing director of Diethelm Travel Thailand, said: “Asian source markets tend to cancel rather quick but also have a very short lead time, therefore I am not too pessimistic for 2014.
“There are several nice projects in our portfolio this year which will not be affected by the current political uncertainty.”

Ensuring product quality and innovation will be even more important for Thailand’s success in the MICE market due to current challenges, and operators should be mindful of developing programme elements outside of potential troublespots.

Satiate corporate groups’ growing thirst for cultural
experiences with a visit to Chiang Mai’s hill tribes
Picture by Tourism Authority of Thailand

Given the highly competitive nature of the market, DMCs are keen to keep their latest products and event ideas close to their chest, however, they have noted some emerging trends in the local MICE market.

Clients from within Asia-Pacific are now requesting the same level of innovation as Western groups to be incorporated into pre- or post-event packages. Elements range from popular favourites such as Thai cooking classes and cultural performances to challenging teambuilding activities like building boats from wooden pallets.

“We’re especially interested in unique products,” said van den Born. “Demand for pure incentive tours is diminishing and for those that we do handle, CSR is becoming more important.”

Lynden-Bell agreed that CSR is becoming a key focus for corporate incentives and that such activities must have clear tangible benefits. He cited developing sustainable vegetable gardens for local schools who could then sell produce to support their English-language Saturday camps as one such example.

“Group sizes are also becoming slightly smaller with lower overall budgets but at a higher spend per person (while clients are) requesting for more authentic experiences with more local interactions,” he said. “With smaller groups, activities such as cultural dinners in a ‘real’ rather than staged ethnic village make for a more memorable incentive.”

Dave Belcher, managing director of Making Teams, said experienced clients are likely to be more demanding in terms of innovative activities.

“They know what they want and expect something new each year,” he said, adding that such groups ranged from 20 to 40 pax and were mostly from within South-east Asia.

Popular elements include treasure hunts and Amazing Race- and Survivor-type activities, Belcher observed, saying that these are typically organised for one- or two-day teambuilding programmes or incorporated into a two- to four-day meeting or conference-cum-incentive.

How I did King’s Cup Elephant Polo

Organising the unorthodox sport of pachyderm polo is no mean feat, especially when it is Thailand’s marquee event, the King’s Cup Elephant Polo, which Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) ranks among the kingdom’s top 10 most widely covered tourism events, explains Dillip Rajakarier, ceo of Minor Hotel Group.

The five-day event, which celebrated its 12th anniversary last year and started on August 28, pulled in scores of sponsors and combined a host of activities, including the polo games themselves, a book launch, monastic blessings, fashion events, a CEO media briefing and a gala dinner which significantly contributed to 4.1 million baht (US$124,899) raised as part of the event’s CSR efforts.

“We started the planning process at least nine months (ahead),” said Rajakarier. “That’s how much time it takes to bring it all together. We have a dedicated team to handle the elephant polo although many departments across the company contribute.”

“You start the planning, you get the sponsors and arrange the PR events.”

Last year’s event brought together 40 sponsors – including main sponsors Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, TAT and Audemars Piguet – with 16 elephant polo teams each sponsored by different companies. Around 180 local media and 70 international media attended and Minor used a single company with 30 branded vans and limousines for transport.

Sponsors typically use the event as a key incentive. Luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet, for example, flies a handful of top spending clients from their branded boutiques across Asia for four days and donates one of its latest models to the charity auction.

“It’s amazing when you look at how the elephant polo has evolved over the past 11 years,” Rajakarier said. “People come each year and say, ‘Wow, this is the best year ever. But that’s the real challenge, how do you keep raising that bar?”

Need to know

Have a feast at Gaggan

Gagan Anand, who heads Gaggan on Lang Suan 4 in Bangkok, was the first Asian chef to study at Michelin-starred chef Ferran Adria’s culinary research institute in Spain. His experiences armed him with a unique, unorthodox approach to Indian cooking. Sous-vide, gelification and plenty of liquid nitrogen are deployed to add a new dimension to traditional curries. Trying the tasting menu at the Chef’s Table is a must.

Call (66) 2652-1700 or visit www.eatatgaggan.com.

Snoop around

Making Teams has crafted Supersleuths, a race around a city’s cultural sites in search of a missing historical artefact. Teams of up to 10 are provided with city maps, audio cues and cryptic emails which they must decipher to find the target locations. A range of transport modes from foot, bicycle and bus to tuk tuk, taxi and water taxi can be used to navigate the city in question. Teams must recover the hidden artefact from the final location before returning to base.

Call (66) 7724-8228 or visit www.makingteams.com.

New fancy party place

October saw the launch of Bangkok’s first superclub when the upscale Ku De Ta opened its doors on Sathorn Square’s rooftop. From this downtown Bangkok location, Ku De Ta offers staggering city views and an unparalleled space for dining and clubbing. It has two clubs, seven bars, three restaurants and a high-altitude terrace spread over two floors.

Call (66) 2108-2000 or visit www.kudeta.com for more information.

Jetsetting

Fly elite corporate event travellers around Thailand in style with the help of private jet specialists MJETS (www.mjets.com) and Siam Land Flying’s Executive Wings (www.aircharterthailand.com/ewing).

Boasting decades of experience, MJETS’ pilots, aircraft engineers and technical staff are trained and rated by the US’ Flight Safety International and Thai DCA. Its services are fully insured and operated at the highest global safety standards. Plus, it has its own private jet terminal with full ground services at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport.

Executive Wings, another pioneer in private jet services for high-level executives in Thailand, operates a fleet of Hawker 850XP, Hawker 800XP and King Air 350, all spacious and luxuriously appointed.

Topsy-turvy world

Baan Teelanka, which opened in February, claims to be the first attraction of its kind in the country – a fully furnished 13m tall western-style house with three levels where everything from the kitchen and bedrooms are arranged upside down. A-Maze, a 1,000m² garden labyrinth located outside the house, follows the mind-bending theme. The venue is available for private hire for events and themed parties.

Call (66 84) 456-5279 or visit www.upsidedownhouse-phuket.com for more information.

W Singapore – Sentosa Cove

By Hannah Koh

February 10, 2014

Five-star, 240 rooms,
Tel: (65) 6808-7257
Email: wevents.singapore@whotels.com
Website: www.wsingaporesentosacove.com/en/meetings

If you’re familiar with W Singapore – Sentosa Cove’s marketing collateral, then you might, like me, expect it to be a nightclub that rents out beds.

So there was some surprise when I strolled into the cream and khaki Living Room (lobby) adorned with orchid motifs, filled with a gentle buzz rather than thumping bass beats. The opposite wall of the Living Room was all glass, allowing in natural daylight and views of the hotel’s lawn, Wet (pool) and pier.

“Part Miami, part Barcelona and part Sentosa, we’re more like a W Retreat,” said the hotel’s director of sales, Alvin Lim. Indeed, for a hotel that had supposedly sold out for the weekend, there wasn’t the furious cacophony of sound or mad rushing about that might have been the case elsewhere.

Later I returned to the Living Room to witness another face of W Singapore. Here came the booming bass as the DJ worked the console at Woobar; here came the flaring purple lights that erased the earlier resort vibe. The transformation injected an additional dose of hip factor into the guest experience.

Meeting facilities

MICE experiences at W Singapore come spiced with a dash of fun.

The Strategy Room sits 16 pax in boardroom style while Studios 1-4 takes 30 pax each in classroom style. When these spaces are joined, they can seat 180 pax altogether in theatre-style. The Great Room accommodates up to 50 banquet tables and can be split into two for smaller groups and is decked with plush carpets and “fairy” lights, literally. These venues come with drop down projectors and screens.

Smaller spaces are also available. The W Lawn is good for a 220-pax sit-down function, while the adjacent Rock Garden can host cocktails for 80. When I stopped by the Secret Garden, located in the sliver of space between the Great Room and Studios, a punching bag was set up for feisty or frustrated delegates. A ping pong table can also be arranged.

Besides the usual refreshments, dispensers are set up at the back of the room offering marshmallows and M&Ms. The iconic Asian bubble tea drink is served up as a welcome drink, while macarons and handwritten notes greet delegates in their rooms. At turndown, guests receive a matronly handwritten post-it note reminding one to brush his teeth and a tube of toothpaste that turns out to be a tube of chocolate!

Rooms

W Singapore’s 240 rooms come in several tiers, with top-tier ones featuring private plunge pools.

I stayed in a Wonderful Room and was pleased with its array of creature comforts. The room’s cool greyish hue turned into a canvas for four mood lighting options (Hello, Escape, Runaway, Flirt) by night and gave the space a futuristic feel. The king sized bed was firm and sheets comfortable, though the pillows were too flat. The modern traveller is sure to appreciate the multiple cables provided for charging gadgets with, complete with plug heads catering to a range of brands.

I was very fond of the bathroom. One could watch TV while soaking in the bath. Privacy is offered by slidling shut the frosted glass panels. The rain shower was a highlight as was the Bliss brand toiletries.

Above all, it was the devil in the details that captured the essence of the W brand (and my heart) – the mood lighting rimming the bed, a CD of W-approved tracks to capture the spirit of the hotel, the plaster cast ‘hand’ emerging from the wall and clutching a test tube that served as a vase, and the nifty wood panels that concealed the minibar.

F&B

Skirt serves premium grilled meats and wines, while The Kitchen Table dishes up a range of international cuisines buffet style. For those looking for a more casual sit-down, there’s the swim-up Wet Bar and Woobar. Lounge and bar Woobar offers a special high tea experience for two between 15.00 to 17.00, served in a decorative bird cage and hung on a tree-like stand beside the table.

Other facilities

The hotel’s pool comes with an underwater sound system and gigantic floats. I had a 90-minute signature massage at AWAY Spa on a bed that was held up by a glowing blue structure. Masseuse Ani was very good, but I couldn’t help feel that the W focus on avant garde designs made the interior less relaxing. There’s also a big gym next to AWAY that will delight health-conscious road warriors.

Fact file

———————————————————————————————————————————-

Maximum pax for meetings
680 pax, theatre-style in the Great Room and Studios 1-4 combined

Maximum pax for banquets
64 tables in the Great Room and Studios 1-4 combined

Recent events handled
The Festival of Media Asia; meetings and conferences by JP Morgan, Estee Lauder and Standard Chartered
———————————————————————————————————————————-

Heart of a lion

By Paige Lee Pei Qi

February 10, 2014

Get into the drama of a green environment at Bollywood Veggies

Don’t dismiss Singapore as a fertile ground for CSR opportunities, say event experts here, as there are plenty of good options beneath the city-state’s sleek veneer. By Paige Lee Pei Qi

There is a growing interest among companies to engage their event participants in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, and although Singapore is as bright and shiny as any developed society could get, there are plenty of options available for interested delegates to help the local community and environment.

DMCs and event organisers said the trick was to know where to look for such opportunities.

World Express managing director, Darren Tan, said: “It is of course more challenging to find blatant poverty in Singapore but in any city in the world, no matter how rich they are, if you dig deeper below the surface you will surely find people in need.”

Tan attributed the greater interest in CSR among his clients to heightened awareness of the importance of giving back to the society.

He said: “The US and European corporate markets probably pioneered this whole (CSR) concept but we can see that this is no longer just limited to Westerners now.”

Visits to children’s homes are some of the community programmes World Express had done for corporate clients.

Janet Tan-Collis, managing director of East West Planners Singapore, said four out of ten companies today would request for CSR to be injected into their incentive or teambuilding programme.

She said: “Corporates are becoming more conscious about their social responsibility and instead of just (giving) donations they want to engage the community directly.”

According to Tan-Collis, one of the more popular activities under its Do For Better programme is the assembling of bicycles to be presented to children at orphanages. Other available programmes include creating batik prints for the community and donation-linked drives.

Teambuilding specialist Asia Ability’s managing director, David Powell, said: “CSR activities create a powerful teambuilding experience and has a feel-good factor.”

According to Powell, CSR activities that are preferred by corporates revolve around helping children. However he admitted that such homes in Singapore already have sufficient support.

He said: “Most organisations and homes in Singapore have a lot of government and community support and require far less when compared to (their peers in) other Asian countries in Asia.”

As such, Asia Ability sees more clients building bicycles and toys from scratch to donate to homes in Singapore instead.

Tan-Collis pointed out that Singapore “does not come first to mind” when companies are purposefully seeking community-based activities due to the country’s image as a prosperous nation.

However, she said CSR need not be restricted to caring for the society, but can also be extended to the environment.

Lee Meng Tat, CEO of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which manages four parks – Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park, River Safari and Night Safari – said there have more requests from corporate groups to participate in educational programmes at the attractions.

Lee said: “Such programmes provide an up-close and more personal encounter with wildlife as well as opportunities to learn about animal behaviour and how to protect the species. Allowing visitors to have close contact with these animals can actually galvanise an individual into caring and doing more for his or her environment.”

Corporate groups desiring a more ‘green’ experience can head to Bollywood Veggies farm in the Kranji countryside, where delegates can partake in teambuilding programmes such as potting, treasure hunts and culinary classes that promise fresh, farm-to-table cuisine.

Farm owner Ivy Singh-Lim told TTGmice: “Farming activities are novel and they allow participants to get out to the countryside and enjoy nature in a true kampong (instead of) a prim and proper garden, and that is quite rare in Singapore.”

According to Singh-Lim, the four-hectare farm welcomes 100,000 visitors a year, half of which is made up of traffic from event groups.

CSR options in the Lion City were recently expanded with the opening of two new green facilities at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) – the SBG Heritage Museum and the City Developments Limited Green Gallery.

Through interactive exhibits, visitors can learn more about the rich history behind the 154-year old garden and Singapore’s greening journey over the last five decades.

Hoteliers are also jumping in to support their guests’ CSR needs. For example, under Shangri-La Hotels and Resort’s Shangri-La’s Care for Nature Project, the beachfront Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa is currently developing a new nature centre, slated to open early this year. Research is now underway to select the types of flora to be planted in the nature centre.

According to Ben Bousnina, general manager of the hotel, the nature centre will play host to nature-related activities for hotel guests.

On the broader scope of things, sustainable practices down the MICE supply chain are being enforced through a new set of guidelines established by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The Sustainability Guidelines, referenced from international standards such as ISO 20121, covers seven industry categories including hotels, venues, planners, transportation, F&B and audiovisual set-up. Areas covered include advice on waste management and the efficient use of water and energy, and initiatives that encourage employees to develop a commitment to sustainable practices.

STB executive director for business tourism development, Chew Tiong Heng, said: “With corporate clients and delegates becoming increasingly concerned about the environment, business event organisers and meeting planners are turning to destinations and venues with strong sustainability policies in place.”

Ideas

One-day marine themed incentive tour

Kick off the incentive progamme with a hearty breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a journey into the ocean on Sentosa island. First, dive into Resorts World Sentosa’s Marine Life Park, the world’s largest oceanarium with thousands of marine animals. Sign your delegates up for a number of memorable marine activities here, such as the Sea Trek Adventure, Shark Encounter and Open Ocean Dive.

Break for lunch at celebrity restaurant Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora. Located inside the enormous S.E.A. Aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium, diners get to savour both an exquisite meal and a magnificent view of the Open Ocean habitat. The restaurant serves sustainably sourced seafood.

Learn about marine life at Discovery Touch Pool, S.E.A. Aquarium

After satisfying their tummies, whisk your delegates off to meet and greet the dolphins in Dolphin Island. Expect some close interaction with these gentle creatures. Options to swim with the dolphins are available too. Spend the rest of the afternoon at Adventure Cove Waterpark.

End the day on a high note with the Songs of the Sea performance which features water jets, flame bursts, lasers and music. Watch this space though, as the popular performance will be given a spectacular update come mid-2014.

Need to know

Trickeye Museum debuts in Singapore

Keep an eye out for a whole new world of optical illusions at the Trickeye Museum which will open at Resorts World Sentosa by mid-2014.

Originating from South Korea, the 800m2 museum will feature six theme zones with 80 three-dimensional paintings and optical illusion masterpieces which will take into account the unique aspects of Singapore, including the city-state’s ecosystem of nature and wildlife. The six theme zones include Love, Circus, Masterpiece, Safari, Fairytale and Adventure.

Visitors can ‘walk’ into these artpieces, strike poses and become part of the story.

Trickeye Museum will be one of the anchor tenants at the integrated resort’s waterfront strip, which will be developed to a “Little Korea” cluster of Korean F&B and fashion retail outlets.

Grease is the word

The multi-million dollar musical Grease will blaze into Singapore’s MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands on April 25, direct from London’s West End.

This popular musical production needs little introduction and promises to rock the stage and the audience with explosive energy, featuring a spectacular international cast, slick dance moves, dazzling costumes and all those unforgettable songs from the hit movie, including Summer Nights, Sandy, Hopelessly Devoted To You, You’re The One That I Want, Greased Lightnin’ and Grease Is The Word.

Grease will end its run in Singapore on May 11. Tickets from S$60 (US$47.40).

Jazz it up

Catch UK jazz sensation Jamie Cullum in action Picture by Universal Studio Singapore

The Singapore International Jazz Festival – slated to be the largest of its kind here – will kick off on February 27 at Marina Bay Sands. Jamie Cullum will headline a gala performance on opening day, and the musical gathering will roll out back-to-back performances by jazz and R&B greats such as Natalie Cole, James Morrison and India Arie over the next three days. Local acts will be in on the action too. Tickets cost from S$78 (US$62) for a one-day general admission for adults. The festival ends on March 2.

Setting the price right

By Prudence Lui

February 10, 2014

Further rate hikes may place already expensive Hong Kong hotels on thin ice, prompting players to make moderate adjustments and seek out alternative strategies. Prudence Lui reports

Hong Kong hotels have been blamed for aggressive price hikes in recent years, but given the volatile global economy along with the implementation of China’s new tourism law last October that impacted Chinese outbound, hoteliers are now feeling the pinch and making mild rate adjustments for 2014.

Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees in Kowloon, for instance, has opted for a marginal room rate increase and the same meeting package rate as 2013 to stay competitive. Its general manager, Christina Cheng, explained: “The supply of hotel rooms and (event) venues has been increasing in Hong Kong (and) there are now fewer Chinese governmental events being held due to China’s new travel policy.

“The MICE segment has become more competitive with increased venue vacancies in the market. However, we have so far received a good number of MICE enquiries pertaining to 1H2014, most of them pending confirmation.”

To combat the situation, the property has worked on designing attractive meeting packages that offer theme coffee/tea breaks, cooking classes for teambuilding, etc. (See other offers in Hong Kong on Take Your Pick Of These Offers)

Cheng added: “We are also focusing more on shorthaul markets such as South Korea, Japan, India and South-east Asia. We see great potential from these markets whose economy and MICE segment have been progressing in recent years.”

Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong Sha Tin has projected a mild rate increase of four to six per cent. Its director of marketing, Chris Wong, said: “We remain conservatively optimistic considering there is still uncertainty in the region, like (the impact from) China Central Government’s new policies relating to leisure and business travel.”

Meanwhile, The Peninsula Hong Kong remains cautiously optimistic regarding rate growth. Its price adjustments for both room and meeting packages in 2014 will be in line with the market. A spokesman said: “We will adopt a moderate approach to attracting business from longhaul and regional markets through our new conference centre’s offerings. Currently, the outlook for 2014 is fairly positive. The pace of our group bookings (so far) is much stronger compared to the same period last year.”

Amway Hong Kong general manager, Louisa Chan, hopes to see less aggressive rate adjustments among Hong Kong hotels.

“Savings from rooms and venue rental rates allow us the flexibility to consider better quality land programmes, such as the engagement of top-notch outside speakers for our meetings,” said Chan.

PC Tours and Travel, general manager, Cary Chiu, welcomes the hotels’ decision to impose only mild rate hikes, as he feels that “Hong Kong is not a must-visit destination compared with other countries such as Thailand, so the savings may help” to entice clients who are increasingly budget-conscious.

While Hong Kong hotels are voicing intentions to make upward adjustments to their rates, Diethelm Travel Hong Kong’s general manager, Edward Chan, predicts a five to 10 per cent drop in prices this year due pressures from a growing hotel room supply.

“It is possible for large group bookings to bargain rates down. In fact, I’ve heard it only cost HK$2,000 (US$258) to book (a room at) The Peninsula last November.”

Hong Kong’s hotel room inventory will continue to expand in 2014 against a backdrop of weaker arrivals in 2013 and tighter corporate travel budgets this year.

Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees’ Cheng said some 5,804 additional rooms will come into the market by end-2014, bringing the total room count to 74,484 and exerting further pressure on existing hotels.

According to statistics from Hong Kong Tourism Board, MICE overnight arrivals from longhaul and shorthaul markets dropped 2.4 per cent (262,882) and four per cent (322,979) respectively between January and November 2013.

Jones Lang LaSalle Property Consultants, Hotels & Hospitality Group vice president for research and strategic advisory (Asia), Frank Sorgiovanni, warned that major industries such as banking and insurance will continue to see travel budgets being trimmed, resulting in shorter stays and pressure on room rates.

“Nevertheless, Hong Kong will remain a vibrant business and leisure hub and its hotel market will continue to trade well, although the pace of growth of five to 10 per cent is likely to temper. Despite continuing uncertainty in the global economy and operators’ expectations earlier this year of a decline in performance, upscale hotels in Hong Kong have (so far) continued to exhibit stable trading performance,” he added.

Take your pick of these offers

InterContinental Hong Kong

The hotel’s 2014 Meetings to Inspire package offers the use of Harbourview Function Room; a personal meeting butler; complimentary coffee, tea, distilled water, candies and dried fruit; special offer on LCD projector rental; stationery for each delegate and 10 per cent discount on I-Spa treatments, among others.

Valid till December 31 for a minimum of 20 pax, a full-day meeting is priced at HK$950 (US$122) per pax subject to 10 per cent service charge; half day at HK$850, half day without lunch at HK$700, breakfast enhancement at HK$200, lunch at Nobu InterContinental Hong Kong at HK$150, and Harbourside Buffet lunch supplement at HK$100.

Email enquiries to hongkong@interconti.com.

Kowloon Shangri-La

The hotel’s Meetings Go Well package with accommodation from HK$2,550 (subject to 10 per cent service charge) per room night includes one night in a deluxe room with daily buffet breakfast and complimentary in-room wired Internet and Wi-Fi. A full-day meeting package includes use of a private function room from 9.00 to 17.00, refreshments for morning and afternoon coffee/tea breaks, and lunch in a private function room or at Cafe Kool.

Valid till September 30 for single occupancy with a minimum booking of 10 rooms and maximum of 40, group bookings of 25 rooms or fewer can choose from a complimentary upgrade to a deluxe harbour view room for VIP, 25 per cent discount on all business centre services, or complimentary use of LCD projector with wireless microphones.

Group bookings of more than 25 rooms enjoy three additional perks, such as one complimentary round-trip hotel limousine airport transfer, complimentary coffee/tea throughout the event for 40 pax, etc.

Contact ksl@shangri-la.com for more information and bookings.

Harbour Grand Hong Kong

The hotel offers a full-day meeting package starting from HK$698 per pax, subject to 10 per cent service charge. Perks include use of a meeting room from 9.00 to 17.00, coffee and tea service throughout the meeting, refreshments for one morning and one afternoon coffee break, dedicated butler service, choice of lunch served in the same meeting venue (subject to venue availability) or international buffet lunch at Harbour Grand Café, stationery, bottled water and candies, among others.

A half-day package starts from HK$590 per pax and includes the above perks, except use of the meeting room is from 9.00 to 13.00 or 13.00 to 17.00 and refreshments are provided for one coffee break only.

Audio-visual equipment rental charges are priced at HK$1,200 net per port per day for wired or wireless Internet access in the meeting venue, and HK$2,000 net per set per day for portable LCD projector and screen.

Offers are valid from January 1 till December 31, for a minimum of 10 pax.

Email enquiries to hghk@harbourgrand.com.

Regal Airport Hotel

The hotel’s We CARE Residential Conference package is priced from HK$880 per pax per day for a full-day meeting and includes one night’s accommodation (on twin-sharing basis) and use of Pegasus, Polaris, Phoenix or London Suite.

Other We CARE options (chargeable per pax) include upgrading the entire meeting to a green meeting at HK$180, one extra coffee break with refreshments at HK$60, free flow of coffee/tea through the meeting at HK$20, a 55-minute body massage at HK$388, a three-hour teambuilding activity at HK$1,000, upgrading the normal refreshment break to theme break at HK$80, among others.

Offers are valid from now until December 31 for 16-60 pax per day.

Email enquiries to meet@airport.regalhotel.com.

Holiday Inn Golden Mile

The hotel’s Executive Meetings package for a minimum of 15 pax is offered at as low as HK$650 per pax (subject to 10 per cent service charge). Perks include the use of the conference room from 9.00 to 17.00, lunch menu choices (international buffet or Chinese style), morning and afternoon coffee breaks, and standard meeting equipment.

Email enquiries to reserv@goldenmile.com.

Ideas

A day in Hong Kong

Hong Kong boasts miles of scenic coastline and beaches, so small MICE groups may want to embark on a relaxing sea excursion post-meeting. Here’s a simple itinerary comprising cruise and land activities.

morning Be picked up at 10.30 from Central Pier 10 by private yacht charter, The Lazydays [tel: (852) 3488-1534], and be greeted on board with the aroma of fresh coffee, gourmet tea and full breakfast featuring bacon rolls and homemade pastries. During the hour-long journey to Saikung, sunbathe on deck to enjoy the fresh sea breeze and natural scenery along Hong Kong’s shorelines. Alternatively, have some light-hearted distraction by an Xbox with a Karaoke function. A Versatile assortment of books, magazines and board games are also available.

afternoon Cruise and berth at Tapmun Island (nicknamed Grass Island) tucked away in a remote corner of Hong Kong Sai Kung East Country Park. Here, enjoy a meal of fresh local seafood at New Hon Kee waterfront restaurant and have a chat with owner Pekky Lam, who will tell you the history, culture, and life of Tanka fisherfolk, the island’s inhabitants.
Outside of the waterfront village, the island is a hotspot for camping and hiking. After lunch, gear up for a teambuilding activity, such as treasure hunt, or divide into small teams and to run along the circular route dotted with ecological highlights like pebbled beaches and cultural icons like the Tin Hau Temple. While weighing anchor at about 16.00 on the stylish motor launch, enjoy snacks and free-flowing drinks including Prosecco, a selection of wines, beers and soft drinks as you return to the city.

evening Back in the city, choose from an array of F&B and entertainment outlets and party the night away.

Need to know

Refreshing changes, new experiences

Hotels are attempting to outperform one another with revamps. Hotel Nikko Hongkong (left) has refurbished its Nikko Floor and Toh Lee Chinese Restaurant. The in-room amenities for all 136 guest rooms are upgraded with a blue-ray player, iDock and trousers presser. The 180-seat Toh Lee welcomes all five upgraded VIP rooms; the restaurant now also uses partitions between tables in the main dining area. Meanwhile, on the other side of Victoria Harbour, the 454-room Cosmopolitan Hotel Wan Chai will complete its revamp of guestrooms, hotel lobby, gym and the hotel’s exterior later this year, blending Victorian style with oriental elements. Some of the new in-room features include long mother-of-pearl executive desk, built-in ironing board, ample storage space and ultra high-speed Wi-Fi.

Work, dine, relax all at once

Plaza Premium Lounge (email: hongkong@plaza-network.com) unveiled another pay-in lounge at Hong Kong International Airport’s West Hall last December. It operates 24 hours with special zones for relaxation, work and dining. Executives may stay connected with free Wi-Fi or complete a deal at the private workstations. Another highlight is The Market Place, which features F&B stalls ranging from a tea station serving Chinese milk tea to a noodle bar serving signature Hong Kong delicacies.

Further links with America

Air connectivity with the US is reinforced in 2014 following American Airlines’ announcement of DFW International Airport’s first flights to Hong Kong. The new daily service will start on June 13 using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines will launch a daily nonstop service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Hong Kong on June 18 (tickets already available for booking). The service will operate via Airbus 330-200 aircraft with BusinessElite, Economy Comfort and Economy cabins.

Kung fu fighting, anyone?

The five-hour Wing Chun Kung Fu Experience Tour (www.shoestringtravel.com.hk) starts with a one-hour Wing Chun class at the school of Yip Man Martial Arts Athletic Association, followed by a stroll along the Avenue of Stars. Then, tuck into a delectable dim sum lunch before heading to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum for the Bruce Lee: Kung Fu, Art, Life exhibition. The tour is conducted in English with departures every Monday, Thursday and Friday at 9.50. A minimum of three participants are required per tour.

Dine like an elite

Newly opened restaurant Elite Dining (email: eld@elite-concepts.com) boasts a private dining room concept offering a seasonal Chinese menu. Located on the 31st floor of iSquare shopping complex, it features eight private rooms commanding panoramic views of Tsim Sha Tsui and Victoria Harbour. The premise could cater for a small group of four people (minimum spending of HK$800 per pax) to a maximum of 170. For private groups, the outlet offers a set menu for a minimum of six people to a maximum of 170.

Kurt Knackstedt

By TTGmice

February 6, 2014

The 25-year-old Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has elected its first Asia-based president. Rio Tinto’s global category leader of travel & expense management, who lives in Singapore, tells Caroline Boey what members can expect

Congratulations Kurt on your appointment. So how will having an Asia-based president benefit members in the region and the association?

Asia being the epicentre of the world economy is great for ACTE and the association has seen the most rapid growth in this region. Membership has grown about 50 per cent, with new members from Pakistan and Mongolia joining in 2013. ACTE is also seeking new members in Kazakhstan, where Asia regional director, Benson Tang, recently participated in a travel event.

Asia is maturing rapidly in its knowledge about corporate travel and ACTE has proven it is ideally placed to lead this knowledge growth.

I believe I bring a unique perspective to both the president role and the region having been based here for 10 years across Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore, with a year in London in the middle of the decade. I began my travel industry career 12 years ago in North America at Rosenbluth International, moved to Sydney and London with Galileo, returned to Sydney with American Express, set up my own consultancy before I joined Rio Tinto and moved to Singapore in 2011.

Technology, rapidly maturing payment and expense management systems, and the emergence of world-class Asian-based suppliers have risen rapidly in the last 10 years.

I have been active with ACTE since 2001 when I attended the inaugural ACTE Asia Education Conference in Singapore and I feel strongly that I can help adapt corporate travel best practices and knowledge to help make it relevant for Asia.

What are your goals and objectives over the next two years of your presidency?

They are numerous, but my key areas of focus are to further enhance ACTE’s global corporate travel education and advocacy capabilities, extend its already significant reach into Greater China, India, Japan and ASEAN, and bring new, innovative and visionary companies and leaders into our association.

In the past decade, corporate travel in Asia has developed from being an area of expertise among MNCs to one which is now pervasive across local, regional and global Asian-based businesses. We now see strong travel purchasing strategies being deployed in companies of all sizes, and more and more companies are realising the benefits of a well-managed corporate travel programme.

What are the top corporate travel trends in the US and Europe now, and how will they impact Asia in the future?

What will be interesting to watch is whether Asia will leapfrog the US or Europe in the coming year or two in finding new and innovative ways to manage corporate travel. The US and European economies still face significant challenges. Although Asia has slowed since the dizzying heights of the mid-2000s, there is still much to do and lots of opportunity to invest in Asian corporate travel. The region is well placed to continue to invest in its future around corporate travel.

What are the key challenges and opportunities for companies in Asia?

The big challenge is for companies to decide how corporate travel will be managed. Do you want to focus on compliance and company-specific objectives or a long-lasting relationship with suppliers not necessarily based on cost analysis and open sourcing? If you ask me, I believe it will be a balance of the two. Businesses are aware of the need to balance relationships and competition. The big trend among buyers in China is how to apply proper procurement and sourcing processes. It’s the same in India and South-east Asia.

Companies such as Lenovo, Haier, Tata, Samsung, Alibaba and Qunar are growing bigger and are expanding their economic base. Will they adopt local or global practices, or blend the two? What’s exciting for me is the prospect of meeting the buyers – expatriates and local talent, in particular, which has been emerging in the last couple of years.

Another thing that is very exciting is the technology. It’s not the same in Asia like in the past with online booking tools in North America. A lot is being done and can be done with mobile technology and on smartphones. Yes, Asia is fragmented but that gives it vibrancy and its lack of legacy offers a lot of opportunities.

What ACTE initiatives are being planned in Asia, what new innovations?

We are enhancing our education teams worldwide to bring new and innovative networking and learning opportunities to our Asian events, including more in-depth workshops on hot topics, utilising interactive technology and social media to engage our members and attendees to make our events more “alive”. We’re also going to some new and exciting locations in Asia to continue to spread our vision for the corporate travel industry.

There will be different types of learning opportunities. ACTE started exploring virtual conferences in 2012 and it looks more feasible now with the technology. In Asia, budgets and visas can be an issue, so we want to offer a range of options.

ACTE will go where the buyers are, Central Asia, Kazakhstan where there are big oil and gas government-linked, state-owned enterprises, Chengdu and Harbin. India, for example, is being looked at as a more specialised market needing specialised events. Japan is underserviced and we are addressing it.

ACTE is also looking at new destinations and may move the ACTE Asia Education Conference, which has been in Singapore for many years, to stay fresh. If we do move the conference there will be other events in Singapore.

Watch this space as we will be announcing the exciting locations for all our 2014 events very soon, including some new locations for events in Asia.

We are getting different feedback from different regions regarding membership and we are looking at a different fee structure as a top priority. It will be a different model by 2014.

Why did you put your name down for the ACTE President’s role?

I do spend a fair bit of time on ACTE since being elected to the board in 2012 as the Asia Region Board Representative. But it is worthwhile because I get to meet other industry peers and suppliers, which is very valuable, and learning from them is beneficial for what I do at Rio Tinto. It’s win-win.

What new destinations will you be travelling to in the coming year as ACTE president?
As ACTE is a truly global organisation, I will be attending board meetings, conferences, events and networking opportunities on nearly every continent to connect with as many people as possible.

How do you balance work and family life, and what keeps you sane on the road?

Thankfully, my family loves to travel as much as I do. So at every opportunity I either meet them before or after a business trip or we plan our holidays on the back of my work travel. Also, my son, who is now seven years old, knows how to use the video applications on our smartphones so we can chat face-to-face rather than just talk on the phone. This has made a world of difference in sharing my travel experiences with him.

What are the three most important things on your checklist before you leave for the airport?

Passports – I hold US and Australian citizenship, mobile phone, and at least one complete set of clothes.

If there is one thing you could change about your business trips in 2014, what is it?

Have more of them and to take my family with me on all of them!

Mandarin Oriental, Macau offers value-adds for meeting planners

By TTG Asia

February 6, 2014

MANDARIN Oriental, Macau has rolled out a Meetings with More package, priced from HK$1,900 (US$245) per room per night, and a full-day meeting package supplement at HK$730 per pax per day.

Meeting planners who take up the offer for events hosted by December 31 this year will enjoy complimentary room upgrade for the entire group, Internet access within the hotel, tailor-made coffee break items and a pre-meeting breakfast which can be upgraded to daily buffet breakfast at an additional HK$100.

Call (852) 3690 9888 or email momac-sales@mohg.com for more details.

Go green and save at Grand Hyatt Singapore

By TTG Asia

February 6, 2014

A DISCOUNT of five per cent is being dangled by Grand Hyatt Singapore to encourage meeting clients to go green with their events at the city hotel.

The offer is only valid when clients adhere to a five-step green programme that requires clients to plan ahead by providing the hotel’s event team with all information and event orders 10 days in advance to reduce the use of last minute resources; order only from the hotel’s sustainable menu; distribute meeting materials from a single, central location so that attendees can take only what they need; set meeting roooms at reasonable temperatures; and ban the use of water bottles.

Indrani Bit, spokesperson of the hotel, told TTGmice e-Weekly that event specialists from the hotel would be on hand to assist clients in achieving these green goals.

“We are excited to have launched this (Meet and Be Green) package as it blends in perfectly with our overall philosophy of doing good for the environment, the communities and our guests. With our food philosophy of sourcing sustainable ingredients when possible and the removal of shark’s fin from our menus, I believe that this package gets us closer to the next level of looking after our environment,” said Julie Goleman, director of events in a press release.

Meeting deals at Grand Hyatt Singapore are now priced from S$115++ (US$91++) per person and include a welcome break, two coffee breaks and lunch, suitable for groups of 10 to 350 guests.

Call (65) 6416 7073 or email singapore.grand@hyatt.com for more information on this offer.

TTG Events, ACTE join forces for industry education

By Caroline Boey

February 6, 2014

TTG Events has rekindled its relationship with the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), which is coming on board as education partner for IT&CM China in Shanghai, and IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific in Bangkok this year.

ACTE was TTG’s education partner when CTW Asia-Pacific was launched in the 1990s following the publication of BTN Asia-Pacific in 1995, and which ceased publication in mid-2000.

The collaboration with ACTE will kick off in April in Shanghai with the proposal that Benson Tang, ACTE regional director, facilitate a panel discussion comprising corporate travel managers from three MNCs looking at travel policy, compliance and adapting a global corporate travel programme in the Chinese context.

Tang said: “ACTE’s aim in China is to raise the corporate travel industry to a new level through further education and knowledge sharing, and the cooperation between ACTE and TTG should be a win-win for the industry.”

In 2013, TTG held corporate travel roundtable discussions targeting local professionals representing MNCs and Chinese companies across China in Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu.

Until recently the Global Business Travel Association was TTG’s education partner at IT&CM China and CTW Asia-Pacific since early-2000.

Philippine association executives power up with own society

By Rosa Ocampo

February 6, 2014

THE Philippine Council for the Advancement of Association Executives (PCAAE) has been formed to raise the professionalism of association executives through activities such as seminars and workshops.

Emy Chavez, president of PCAAE, told TTGmice e-Weekly that through these training opportunities the new association wants to eventually make the association executive a recognised profession by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).

Skills that needed upgrading include governance and ethics, besides daily operation and planning, according to Octavio Peralta, chair of the PCAAE board of trustees.

Peralta said: “In most associations that I know of in this country, there’s no distinction or delineation between governance and management. The board of directors or board of trustees runs the associations (and the individuals) come and go, so there’s no continuity.”

“If the members were well governed and well managed, wouldn’t they be bankable?” Chavez said, adding that PCAAE would give association executives “a louder voice”.

PCAAE has 104 founding members and wants to raise membership to 500 in the next one to two years’ time.

While the focus is currently on Metro Manila, the goal is to form chapters in Visayas and Mindanao, for instance, and eventually establish a federation of national societies of association executives in Asia-Pacific.

By : Marianne Carandang

Global surgeons to congregate in Perth in 2015

By TTG Asia

February 6, 2014

PERTH Convention Bureau (PCB) has secured hosting rights for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress (RACS ASC 2015) for 2015, an event that will see the attendance of up to 3,500 surgeons from Australia, New Zealand, South-east Asia, India and the Middle East.

According to a press release by the PCB, the RACS ASC 2015 will be the largest, highest yielding medical congress staged in Perth to date, and has the potential to expand to 4,500 international surgeons through an invitation to Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh.

PCB’s long standing relationship with RACS, supported by the bureau’s Aspire scholarship, has helped to expand the event’s attendance by potentially 1,000 more international delegates.

“The benefits to Western Australia’s economy and surgical knowledge base will be substantial. The Perth Annual Scientific Congress will be one of the largest conferences in the state since CHOGM 2011, and the highest yielding ever,” said PCB CEO, Paul Beeson.

As part of the event, RACS will offer attendees customised pre and post touring packages to both the north-west and south-west of Western Australia. The tours will include a visit to Albany which coincides with a commemorative event for the Anzac Centenary.