ANDAZ Tokyo is scheduled to open in summer 2014 as the first Andaz hotel in Japan, to be located in Toranomon, a business and embassy district in the capital’s well-known Minato ward.

The hotel marks the fourth Hyatt-branded hotel in Tokyo and the ninth within the country following an agreement signed by the affiliates of Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Mori Building last week.

The 164-room Andaz Tokyo will occupy eight floors, including the top six, of a 52-storey tower in a multi-use complex currently under construction. One of several areas in the city designated by the government as a special zone for companies’ Asian headquarters, the tower’s location boasts easy access to embassies, seaports and Haneda Airport.

“With its central location between the high rise district of Shiodome and the Akasaka and Roppongi areas where many multinational corporations are located, Toranomon is a vital hub for Tokyo’s further development as a global business centre. Andaz Tokyo will both heighten Toranomon’s allure and serve the needs of international firms here, promising the area’s fast growth as a gateway destination,” said Kazuhiko Yamamoto, vice president, urban development, Mori Building.

For MICE planners, Andaz Tokyo will feature an open-air bar and the Andaz Studio, a flexible event and meeting space with terrace seating on the highest floor.

Boasting both rooms and suites ranging from 51m² to 220m², amenities include a 20m indoor infinity pool, a spa, a fitness centre, an all-day dining restaurant serving organic fare, and a chapel where a show kitchen will offer made-to-order menus for weddings and gatherings.

FOR the first time, the Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has released the Melbourne Planners’ Guide in an interactive e-book format that can be accessed on a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Launched last week, the 2012-13 edition of the Melbourne Planners’ Guide offers video content and the options to zoom in, print and share selected pages via email or social media sites, on top of the usual content. The e-book will allow planners short on time to easily navigate through its contents or thumbnail menus for an outline of the material in the guide.

“The e-book format transforms the guide from a reference document to a functional tool; an essential companion that gives on-the-go planners a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips,” said Karen Bolinger, CEO, MCVB.

The Melbourne Planners’ Guide 2012-13 e-book is available free of charge at www.mcvb.com.au/plannersguide. To receive hard copies of the guide, email MCVB.

LOCATED on the fringe of the Central Business District, Klapsons The Boutique Hotel has rolled out a package that combines accommodation and full-day access to meeting facilities.

Valid from now till March 31, 2013, the package is priced at S$320++ (US$262) per person and includes a night’s stay in The Executive room, buffet breakfast in The Sleeping Rhino, complimentary high-speed WI-FI access, in-room Nespresso coffee machine and tea-making facilities, complimentary mini bar, as well as full-day use of a meeting room, two coffee breaks, a three-course set lunch and complimentary car passes.

A minimum booking of eight guestrooms is required.

Contact sales@klapsons.com for more details.

ASIAWORLD-EXPO in Hong Kong has launched two new venues to beef up its ability to court more international events, especially those that require multiple flexible facilities.

Runway 11, a refurbished venue, offers 4,400m² of column-free space that comes equipped with state-of-the-art programmable lighting system, suitable for events with 500 to 3,800 guests.

The Runway Suites is a collection of up to 10 rooms, each capable of seating between 80 and 200 people in a theatre set-up. All rooms are fully carpeted, sound-proofed and equipped with audio-visual technologies.

Allen Ha, CEO of AsiaWorld-Expo Management, said in a press statement: “Hong Kong’s MICE industry is a major engine of economic growth, and this has been reflected in the business performance of AsiaWorld-Expo. In the financial year of 2011-2012, the number of large-scale events hosted at the venue and the total metreage sold increased by over 20 per cent.”

When asked how the two new venues will boost business at AsiaWorld-Expo, the centre’s spokesperson would only say “the venue will sustain strong business growth in the coming year”.

THE FUTURE Darling Harbour precinct will boast an international convention centre, a premium entertainment venue, a 900-key hotel and refreshed public spaces, revealed the New South Wales government on Tuesday.

The precinct, carrying the working title Darling Harbour Live, is expected to be ready by December 2016.

The new International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), part of Darling Harbour Live, will be developed by a consortium comprising AEG Ogden, Lend Lease, Capella Capital and Spotless Facilities Services, with AEG Ogden playing the role of venue operator.

MICE facilities at ICC Sydney will include a convention facility capable of hosting four concurrent events with more than 12,000 delegates, a 40,000m² exhibition facility, a 5,000m² external events deck, an 8,000-seat red carpet theatre, and a grand ballroom with capacity for more than 2,000 banquet guests.

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith, said: “Sydney needs an iconic, contemporary and versatile meetings precinct befit of Australia’s global city. This innovation hub in the heart of Sydney will create opportunities to host more international events that help to drive our knowledge economy. The precinct will also be a hive of residential and retail, leisure spaces and more. It will connect our educational, creative and multicultural precincts.”

Lewis-Smith added that Darling Harbour Live “will ensure Sydney maintains its leading position as Australia’s premier business events destination” and pointed out that the destination bagged events delivering an estimated A$225.6 million (US$237.9 million) in economic impact last year.

“This doesn’t include the trade and investment opportunities created, or the results of global innovation taking place right here in Sydney,” she said.

Several event planners have expressed interest in using ICC Sydney, according to Lewis-Smith.

“We’ve had clients commit to hosting their event in the facility, even ahead of seeing any designs or floor plans. This speaks volumes about the excitement that’s being generated by news of the development, and of course, the trust that our clients have in Sydney’s ability to deliver,” she said.

One of these events is the International Bar Association Annual Conference, which will take place in 2017.

THE BANGKOK outlet of the acclaimed Zuma restaurant chain has cast its eyes on the meeting segment, debuting a meeting package for five to 16 guests.

Zuma Bangkok’s meeting package is priced from 1,000 baht (US$33) per person, and includes use of a private venue, projector and screen until 17.00, lunch and a coffee break. Event planners can choose to have a three-course set lunch or pick from the restaurant’s donburi selection which includes a number of signature dishes with steamed rice, traditional salad and miso soup.

Breaks with desserts can also be included, or ordered independently during afternoon meetings, at 420 baht per person.

Contact reservations@zumarestaurant.co.th for more information and reservations.

FOLLOWING the renovation of its meeting venues, the 381-key Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui now boasts five larger salons which promise greater flexibility for event planners.

Salon I, II and III can be combined to accommodate up to 217 guests, while Salon IV and V can seat up to 64 people. On their own, these spaces are ideal for small meetings or intimate events.

The salons are fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows and equipped with the latest technology and communications support and wireless Internet connectivity.

Meeting planners can experience the new spaces with the hotel’s Executive Meeting Package 2013, which are priced from HK$820 (US$106) per person. The package includes use of a salon, a business lunch with an exclusive menu or buffet at Cafe, as well as two themed coffee breaks with a selection of refreshments. Terms apply. Contact hongkong.tsimshatsui@hyatt.com.

GOLD Coast Tourism (GCT) has appointed Anna Case as director of business events, placing her in charge of guiding the bureau’s strategy to promote the Gold Coast as a leading business events destination.

Said GCT CEO Martin Winter in a press statement: “Anna comes to GCT with a wealth of international experience in both business events and leisure tourism, having previously worked with Tourism Australia, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Encore Business Tourism and SquareOne Events.

“This role assumes the leadership of the Gold Coast Convention Bureau (GCCB), a subsidiary business unit within Gold Coast Tourism’s structure. GCCB has the primary responsibility of securing conferences, congresses, incentives and corporate meetings to the Gold Coast, which creates new commercial opportunities for our members and stakeholders.

“I am very confident Anna will make a great contribution by applying her skills, knowledge and management expertise.”