Nina Hospitality has appointed Charis Yim as the new general manager of Nina Hotel Tsuen Wan West, while concurrently continuing her role as group deputy general manager – commercial.
With over 30 years of extensive experience in international luxury hotel management, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her new position.
Yim joined Nina Hospitality in 2020, bringing with her a strong background from senior leadership positions at several prestigious international hotel brands, including The Peninsula Hong Kong, InterContinental Hong Kong, Mandarin Oriental Macau, JW Marriott Hong Kong, and Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
During her tenure as group deputy general manager – commercial, Charis successfully introduced various new initiatives, such as diversifying the hotel’s customer segments, at Nina Hotel Tsuen Wan West. She also played a pivotal role in establishing the lounge facility and communal space, Nina Communal.
PCEB’s Ashwin Gunasekeran (second from right) is confident that the direct flight will will significantly enhance Penang's appeal to Indian corporates
The Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) anticipates a surge in business events from India, following the launch of daily direct flights between Penang and Chennai by Indian carrier IndiGo in November 2024.
This is the first direct air connection between Penang and any Indian city, a milestone that PCEB has been pursuing for nearly seven years.
PCEB’s Ashwin Gunasekeran (second from right) is confident that the direct flight will significantly enhance Penang’s appeal to Indian corporates
“Previously, Indian MICE travellers had to fly via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur to reach Penang, which created a bottleneck and limited our ability to fully tap into the Indian market. The new direct flights have already started yielding results, with a surge in demand from India,” Ashwin Gunasekeran, CEO of PCEB, told TTGmice on the sidelines of the 8th Edition of the Penang Roadshow to India 2025.
During an interview in New Delhi on January 15, Gunasekeran further revealed that over 3,000 Indian delegates are expected to visit Penang in June 2025 for a conference, underscoring the growing interest in the Malaysian state.
Malaysia has also officially extended its visa exemption for Indian nationals until December 31, 2026. This exemption allows Indian visitors to enter Malaysia visa-free for up to 30 days, significantly simplifying the travel process.
PCEB is currently in talks with IndiGo to open another direct air route connecting Penang to northern India. “We can see India among our top five international source markets for MICE in the next year,” said Gunasekeran.
Apart from New Delhi, PCEB stopped in Mumbai (January 13), Kolkata (January 17), and Chennai (January 20) as part of the roadshow. Each destination drew an attendance of approximately 200 buyers and 30 media representatives.
Of the 300,000 international delegates who visited Penang in 2024, an estimated 10 to 15 per cent hailed from India. These delegates participated in a wide range of international conferences across sectors like medicine, pharmaceuticals, science, and finance. Additionally, the island experienced a surge in incentive travel, particularly driven by multi-level marketing companies in India organising achievement programmes for their top performers.
Photo caption: Yuè@Aloft Chinese restaurant at Aloft Singapore Novena seats 190 pax and is an option for corporate Lunar New Year gatherings
Hotels in Singapore are reporting a vibrant start to their banquet business this coming Year of the Snake, as corporate event bookings spike for the festive period starting January 29.
Aloft Singapore Novena, which has five function rooms and two on-site restaurants, has seen a “significant increase in CNY-related dining event bookings”, with demand for private dining arrangements and bespoke catering options higher compared to 2024.
Photo caption: Yuè@Aloft Chinese restaurant at Aloft Singapore Novena seats 190 pax indoors and 48 pax out, and is an option for corporate Lunar New Year gatherings
Hotel general manager, Tan Kim Seng, told TTGmice: “The booking pace has kicked in much earlier this year as well, with enquiries still flowing in, indicating that we are on track to surpass our 2024 records. This surge reflects the growing recognition of Aloft as a vibrant venue for memorable celebrations, further boosting our overall sales performance during this festive period.”
The hotel’s Yuè@Aloft Chinese restaurant and 21 on Rajah halal-certified buffet restaurant are running their own festive promotions and spread, with the latter making corporate celebrations more welcoming for Muslim guests.
Corporate bookings for Lunar New Year celebrations are up 20 per cent over 2024 at dual-branded hotel complex, Novotel and Mercure Singapore on Stevens.
The two hotels have six meetings rooms and a ballroom that can accommodate a 300-pax banquet alongside two restaurants with festive menus that are suitable for groups.
Spokesperson Elsa Kimy Yue attributed the good performance to the hotel’s early bird promotion, which slashed 10 per cent off bookings made before December 31, 2024. The promotion includes a complimentary lion dance performance for bookings with more than 200 guests.
“The enhanced package has been particularly well-received, highlighting the importance of value-added offerings for corporate clients,” said Yue.
Yue expects bookings to rise further “as the season progresses”, adding that last-minute bookings have become common in recent years.
Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore, which has been a hit with corporate event bookers since its launch in 2021, said business is “trending better than last year in terms of Chinese New Year-related corporate event bookings”, shared its spokesperson.
The 2025 UFI AP Conference will take place after AIME; Melbourne pictured
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has announced the dates and host cities for its 2025 Regional Conferences.
UFI Asia-Pacific Conference will take place on February 13-14, 2025, hosted by the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Melbourne, Australia.
The 2025 UFI AP Conference will take place after AIME; Melbourne pictured
Next will be the UFI MEA Conference from April 28-30, 2025. It will be hosted by the Egypt Expo & Convention Authority at the Cairo International Exhibition Centre in Cairo, Egypt.
Finally, the UFI European Events Week will take place from June 3-7, 2025, hosted by TIF-HELEXPO SA in Thessaloniki, Greece.
These conferences, open to all industry professionals, will offer a platform for regional collaboration and address critical challenges and opportunities facing the exhibition industry globally.
From left: Singapore Tourism Board’s Melissa Ow, and PCMA’s Sherrif Karamat signing the agreement
PCMA recently announced a three-year partnership with the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) to hold its flagship Asia Pacific conference, The Business of Events (BOE), in Singapore.
This strategic alliance underscores Singapore’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global connectivity within the business events sector.
From left: Singapore Tourism Board’s Melissa Ow, and PCMA’s Sherrif Karamat signing the agreement; photo from LinkedIn
The partnership was formalised during PCMA Convening Leaders 2025 (January 12-15, 2025) in Houston, Texas, with a signing ceremony between Melissa Ow, chief executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, and Sherrif Karamat, CEO of PCMA.
The Business of Events will take place from April 13-15, 2025, at Marina Bay Sands. The conference will feature a stellar lineup of speakers, including Ayesha Khanna, co-founder & CEO of Addo; and David Knoff, Antarctic Expedition Leader and author of 537 Days of Winter.
Rachel Cook has been appointed chair of the Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Approved Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) Group.
She is the business director of Conference Innovators, and since joining CI 20 years ago has been instrumental in the company’s continuing growth and success.
Cook takes over from Arna Wahl-Davies, who spent 4.5 years in the role.
There are 16 companies accredited to the BEIA Approved PCO Group.
“Not only are BEIA Approved PCOs required to meet strict criteria on an annual basis, they are bound by a Code of Ethics, Rules and Responsibilities determined by BEIA,” said BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins.
“As chair, my focus is on building value for the members of the BEIA PCO group and strengthening collaboration within our network.
“In an industry that continues to evolve, the role of a PCO is more vital than ever. I look forward to working with this incredible group to ensure BEIA Approved PCOs continue to thrive and deliver exceptional value for clients and stakeholders alike,” said Cook.
Neil Brownlee, head of business events at VisitScotland, has been inaugurated as the 2025 chair of PCMA at Convening Leaders, which took place in Houston from January 12-15, 2025.
He assumes the role of chair from PCMA immediate past chair Leonard Hoops, president and CEO at Visit Indy. Brownlee is also the first non-North American to fill this role.
Brownlee, who has a wealth of experience gleaned from his over 35 years’ experience in the international hospitality and business events industry, was sworn in alongside chair-elect Kelly Ricker, chief operating officer, Global Technology Industry Association.
Brownlee and Ricker will work together over this coming year alongside PCMA’s Board of Directors and Trustees, to continue promoting business events as catalysts for positive global economic and social transformation and to gain wider recognition and understanding of the industry.
Boracay entices corporate groups back to the destination with a host of deals
From January 15 to February 15, 2025, the Great Boracay Getaway has exclusive travel deals and perks from more than 30 participating merchants across hotels, F&B, and wellness providers up for grabs.
Non-expiring vouchers (subject to terms and conditions) will also be available for sale during the promotional period.
Boracay entices corporate groups back to the destination with a host of deals
“This is the most beautiful Boracay has ever been. The island has undergone significant rejuvenation since the six months of rehabilitation and its temporary closure during the pandemic,” said Cleofe Albiso, chairman of Boracay MICE Alliance.
Renowned for its powdery white sands, crystal-clear waters, and lively island culture, Boracay offers an exciting combination of serene beachside relaxation, land and water adventures, and vibrant nightlife.
“We are excited to offer travellers a seamless way to plan their next Boracay getaway. We’re allowing them to conveniently purchase everything they need for their trip, including non-expiring vouchers, all in one platform, which they can use when they book anytime,” said Maia Israel, area general manager of Boracay Newcoast properties.
Marjorie Aquino has stepped into the role of group director of sales at DTH Travel Group, focusing on driving strategic growth and fostering strong partnerships across 14 countries.
From left: Marjorie Aquino and Jonalyn Lee
She was with DTH Travel’s Blue Horizons Travel and Tours in the Philippines for 15 years, rising from the ranks to become its head of sales and marketing.
Filling Aquino’s position at Blue Horizons Travel and Tours is Jonalyn Lee, previously senior sales and marketing manager.
LEGACY360 is about building the future through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to doing better
On January 13, 2025, Sarawak hosted an exclusive preview of LEGACY360 – Business Events for a Sustainable Future, South-east Asia’s first homegrown forum dedicated to the education, advocacy, and advancement of business event legacies.
Designed to amplify the conversation around business events as enablers of economic, social, and environmental transformation, LEGACY360 aligns with Business Events Sarawak’s (BESarawak) mission to integrate meaningful legacies into Malaysia’s business events landscape.
LEGACY360 is about building the future through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to doing better
The preview event provided a glimpse into the main forum scheduled for September 2025, which will feature a two-day programme with interactive workshops and dialogues.
During the preview, there was a panel discussion titled Business Events for a Sustainable Future. During the panel, Hii Chang Kee, deputy state secretary (operations) and deputy chairman of BESarawak shared the Sarawak government’s plans for business events and how legacy practices are supporting government goals. Meanwhile, Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak, provided an update on the final year of the Legacy Impact Master Action Plan 2023-2025.
M Gandhi, president of the Malaysian Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (MACEOS) and founder/chairman of Bumiati Holdings, then spoke about MACEOS’ plans and offered practical insights into how entrepreneurs can balance economic growth and social impact. Lastly, Jane Vong-Holmes, senior manager – Asia of GainingEdge, offered her knowledge on legacies around the world and how talent recruitment and retention is also an important aspect of sustainability.
The preview also showcased several key initiatives.
Created by BESarawak and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, AI.LEGACY is the world’s first system for monitoring, measuring, and reporting business event legacies. This artificial intelligence-powered system will guide event planners towards creating tangible and measurable outcomes.
The rebranded Anak Sarawak Awards, now known as Borneo Inspires Legacies Awards, aims to inspire others to contribute to stronger, more resilient legacies. This award programme is open to participants from around the world.
Finally, the Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign 2025 was highlighted. The campaign, with its Driving Impact Together brand promise, emphasises the power of individual actions and small-scale impacts to drive significant change. The new I AM LEGACY movement encourages everyone to contribute to a more sustainable future.
The LEGACY360 – Business Events for a Sustainable Future forum also recognised nine long-service members of BESarawak, acknowledging their significant contributions to the organisation.
As Sarawak strives to become the legacy capital of business events in Malaysia and Borneo by 2030, LEGACY360 will serve as a pivotal platform to drive this vision forward.
The newly-opened Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok anchors the One Bangkok development with cosmopolitan elegance. Featuring the city's largest ballroom and a spectacular new penthouse suite, it delivers exceptional hardware and deeply authentic, soulful service for business and leisure travellers alike
Behind the imposing, Brutalist concrete that defines Zurich’s Oerlikon district lies a surprising secret. While its exterior honours the neighbourhood’s industrial roots, stepping inside Mama Shelter reveals a vibrant, neon-soaked world that is a far cry from its rigid shell
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
Cook takes over from Arna Wahl-Davies, who spent 4.5 years in the role.
