Perth gains ground as a preferred destination for meetings and incentive travel
Event planners in Singapore and Malaysia are turning their attention to Perth for corporate events, where demand is driven by the city’s air accessibility, affordability, and diverse range of ready activities.
Jasmine Ho, managing partner of Singapore-based boutique events agency, The MasterPlan, told TTGmice that Perth would be suitable for her clients’ training and off-site events, or incentive trips. The MasterPlan specialises in B2B events for the financial, government, and technology sectors, and only recently started handling outbound corporate meetings and events.
Ho, a participant in this week’s BE reWArded Mega Famil, added: “With this trip, my knowledge of the city has improved beyond the fact that Perth is a family-friendly holiday destination. The airport is efficient, there are sufficient event spaces, the city is not crowded, and many activities and attractions, such as Swan Valley, are within a 30-minute drive.”
Another Singapore-based events planner, Kristina Forssell, director of 8th Wave Events & Destinations, said: “Demand for Perth is fairly steady for my company as it’s one of the hubs in Asia-Pacific. Most of my clients don’t come from Asia, so for an international kick-off meeting, for example, I need a city that is accessible and (served by) direct flights.”
Forssell added that although destinations need to be rotated for her corporate meetings and incentive travel clients and cannot be consecutively held in the same destination, Perth is “definitely in the running”.
“Perth is a destination that I will introduce to my clients. I think the city has good infrastructure. Business Events Perth is very helpful and will link me up with relevant agencies, as well as with suppliers for teambuilding activities, audiovisual (services), or catering,” Forssell elaborated.
Meanwhile, Meeting & Exhibition Planners’ (MEP) founder and owner, Karen Soo, is one step ahead. She revealed: “We already have a high achievers programme for a multinational company booked for Perth next year.”
Based in Kuala Lumpur, MEP, which has been in business for three decades, specialises in outbound corporate meetings and incentive travel across six different industries, such as FinTech, pharmaceutical, and oil and gas.
Soo told TTGmice: “For the past 30 years, my company has sold a lot of Melbourne and Sydney. But with this trip, I feel that Perth has a lot more – in terms of experiences and F&B – to offer now (compared to many years ago when I was here). It is also quite affordable.
“I also believe we’ve only seen a small portion of what Perth can offer during this three-day fam trip. There’s still the Pinnacles, and Pink Lake in Geraldton, that we can add to corporate itineraries.”
Fukuoka builds up Asian events demand through Singapore connection
Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau (FCVB) paid a call to Singapore’s community of event planners yesterday, with a full-day seminar that dispensed details of new experiences and products ready for corporate meetings and events.
The trade engagement led by FCVB also offered interaction opportunities with several hospitality and events specialists from Fukuoka, the largest city on Japan’s Kyushu Island.
A dual-track presentation was conducted, where one was tailored for convention organisers, and the other for meetings and incentive travel planners. Attendees were introduced to new activities such as ramen-making workshops, vinegar brewing tours, and samurai team battles, as well as evergreen advantages of hosting business events in the city.
Speaking to TTGmice on the sidelines of the event, Yuko Suga, general manager of FCVB, said the bureau has been investing in more trade engagements to reinforce the message that Fukuoka is ready for international business events of any scale.
Suga shared that a major event win for the city is the 2026 annual meeting of the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society, expected to attract approximately 4,000 participants, with some 2,500 coming from overseas.
The Conference of the International Planetarium Society and the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations 21st Convention will also descend on Fukuoka in 2026.
Business events in the city have various venues to choose from. There are hotels of international brands and standards equipped with a wide selection of function rooms, as well as unique venue options. Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk, Grand Hyatt Hilton, and The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka are examples, with representatives presenting their event capabilities to trade buyers at the seminar on December 3 (Tuesday).
Fukuoka most recently welcomed a new unique venue option – the Kego Club by Happo-en, a banquet facility located within the Kego Shrine complex. Corporate groups have the option of chartering both facilities for an exclusive event featuring cultural entertainment and dining.
To raise the destination’s profile among Asia-based organisers of international meetings and events, FCVB has chosen to focus its efforts in Singapore, where there is extensive air connectivity from all parts of the world. Global travellers can easily connect on Singapore Airlines to Fukuoka Airport on daily flights.
“Singapore has a very important role in the commercial world; it is part of Asia but also very connected to the rest of the globe,” explained Suga.
Looking into the immediate future, Suga shared that her team is also aiming for more business events in 2025, when groups can coincide their formal activities in Fukuoka with the Osaka World Expo 2025, which will take place from April to October next year. Osaka is 2.5 hours away from Fukuoka by high-speed rail, allowing business travellers and event delegates a convenient extension before or after their events in Fukuoka.
Business Events Perth targets key Asian markets with mega famil
The inaugural BE reWArded Mega Famil, organised by Business Events Perth (BE Perth), drew to a close on December 3, 2024, after a full day of meetings between travel buyers and Western Australian suppliers.
In attendance were 24 event organisers and corporate travel agents, some of whom were in Perth for the first time. There were seven attendees from Singapore, five from Malaysia, as well as another 12 from various cities across China (Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou).
“We usually run a ReaWAaken famil in March every year, but we realised that the needs for associations versus corporate meetings and incentive travels were very different. This is why we decided to branch out this year,” Alex Ng, director business development – corporate & incentive at BE Perth told TTGmice.
The three markets were specifically chosen because they were the “largest corporate and incentive travel contributors” to Western Australia, with each market having surpassed pre-Covid levels in the last financial year of July 2023 to June 2024.
Ng attributed this recovery to improved direct air access and frequencies to Perth from Singapore via Singapore Airlines; Kuala Lumpur via Malaysia Airlines; Guangzhou via China Southern Airlines; and Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific.
Incentive travel-ready experiences that were introduced to the 24-pax group included animal encounters at Caversham Wildlife Park and wine tasting at Sandalford Winery, both in Swan Valley; a teambuilding experience and Segway tour on Rottnest Island; and a Wild Seafood Cruise and Lobster Lunch in Mandurah.
Western Australia’s local produce was also highlighted at several restaurants, from a four-course meal at the Wild Swan restaurant on Mandoon Estate to a causal farewell dinner at Miss Mi in Novotel Perth Murray Street.
These experiences culminated in a gala dinner hosted in the Victory Lounge at Optus Stadium, where delegates were also treated to a Christmas-themed light show that demonstrated the venue’s event prowess.
Ng said Perth and its surroundings could comfortably handle 200 to 300 pax at a given time, adding that larger incentive travel groups tended to arrive in several waves. The destination welcomed several large groups this year, such as Amway Taiwan (March 2024, 1,000 delegates), BE Lifestyle Malaysia (May 2024, 1,200 delegates), and Perfect China (June 2024, 2,000 delegates).
“Our main objective for running the BE reWArded Mega Famil was to showcase Perth and Western Australia’s capabilities to offer unique and sustainable experiences for MICE clients in a safe, natural, and welcoming environment, riding on our recent success of hosting (the aforementioned) large incentive travel delegations,” Ng stated.
BE in SABAH 2025 returns for second edition
Sabah is set to host the second International Business Events Forum – BE in SABAH 2025 from February 27-28, 2025.
The forum is organised by the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) and the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS), Sabah Chapter.
The upcoming forum’s theme, Empowering Asia Pacific Through Business Events, will highlight the region’s growing dominance in the global business events arena. Discussion topics during the keynotes and panel discussions will include community-based tourism, technology, and talent development.
Confirmed speakers include ICCA’s CEO Senthil Gopinath; MACEOS’ president and founder and chairman of Bumiati Holdings, M Gandhi; and Event Design Collective’s Ruud Janssen.
Attendees will also have the chance to enjoy exclusive post-event activities, including eco-tourism adventures, cultural immersions, and culinary tours that celebrate Sabah’s legacy and biodiversity.
Christchurch to host next PCOA conference
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is set to host the next Professional Conference Organisers’ Association (PCOA) conference from December 7-9, 2025.
The PCOA Conference is heading to New Zealand for only the second time in its history, with over 400 leading conference and event organisers from Australia and New Zealand expected to attend.
Next year’s destination was announced at the close of PCOA24 in Brisbane on December 3, 2024, with a traditional Māori cultural performance.
Barry Neame, PCOA president, stated: “Returning to New Zealand is always a privilege, and Christchurch’s dynamic energy and innovative spirit make it the perfect host city.
“This decision reflects our dedication to celebrating the PCOA’s commitment to the growth and success of the business events industry in New Zealand and Australia by providing another platform for professionals and skill development of practitioners, in our industry sector.”
ChristchurchNZ, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre and Christchurch Airport collaborated on the bid to bring the prestigious event to Christchurch.
Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok completes major overhaul
Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok has recently unveiled its newly-transformed business events facilities.
The hotel’s expansive 2,800m2 meeting space, now boasts 22 distinct venues, including two ballrooms and a 22m-long LED screen. The light-filled Royal Orchid Sheraton Ballroom offers views of the Chao Phraya River, making it the ideal venue for large-scale conferences and gala dinners good for up to 1,150 people theatre-style.
Alternatively, the fully flexible Riverside Ballroom can cater for up to 320 delegates, or be further divided into multiple smaller sections. A series of naturally-lit meeting rooms – Pompadour, Catteleya, Calanthe, Ayaret, Vanda, and Panisea – can host sessions for between 12 and 150 guests, including business meetings, team training, product launches, media briefings and more.
In line with Marriott Bonvoy Events’ commitment to sustainable practices, Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Bangkok offers a “Connect Responsibly” approach. Meeting planners can track their event’s environmental impact and offset carbon emissions through Marriott’s partnership with South Pole.
Located opposite luxury lifestyle complex ICONSIAM, Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok also offers 726 rooms, a variety of culinary options ranging from authentic Thai cuisine to an Italian trattoria, riverside dining, alongside wellness facilities such as a pool, spa, and fitness centre.
JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru appoints DOSM
Srikant Kodali has been named the new director of sales & marketing of JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru. He will be responsible for leading the sales and marketing team to achieve the hotel’s revenue goals, while further enhancing the brand’s presence and reputation.
With over 13 years of diverse experience in the hospitality industry, he brings extensive expertise across sales, marketing, and event operations. Prior to joining JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru, Kodali held key leadership roles at various properties within Marriott International.
Shooting for the stars
Please take us through your role as a Business Events Advocate in the aerospace industry. What events have you worked on, and why are these events important to Christchurch’s aerospace sector?
Christchurch is home to a rich community of thought leaders and sector experts; a community of innovators, and a city that celebrates big ideas. I’m delighted to be a part of the Tūwhana Business Events Advocate Programme for Christchurch which brings together local experts, industry and academic leaders to connect with the world – and to champion Christchurch as a leading destination to host business events.
To date I have been involved with the New Zealand Aerospace Summit which was successfully held here in Christchurch in 2022, 2023 and 2024 – and we have plans for significant growth in future, including being a partner event of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) being held in Sydney in October 2025.
Christchurch also hosted the American Astronomical Society’s (AAS) Extreme Solar Systems V in 2024, which city stakeholders worked on collectively – including Sarah Kessans who is also a scientific committee member of the Space Cities Network. The conference brings together international members of AAS who study and research exoplanets outside of our solar system.
Since then, key stakeholders from around the city – including the City Council, the University of Canterbury, academia and business – have got behind the vision of establishing an aerospace hub. The central government have also been very supportive, they have funded the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre, which includes a newly built runway and hanger to be used for aerospace R&D, and a new minister for space is showing new momentum to help support and grow the industry.
Speaking of the Space Cities Network, could you share about your involvement in the alliance, and whether you have any aerospace-related business events you have your eye on?
I’m excited that the Space Cities Network has launched, and having Christchurch as one of the founding cities is fantastic. The Network is undertaking some mapping work to align international conference opportunities with the areas of expertise that each city has.
As one of the Christchurch representatives on the Scientific & Advisory Committee of the Network, I can act in an advisory capacity in terms of which international conferences best suit our key strengths in aerospace. We can look for opportunities to attract these to Christchurch in the coming years.
A key focus for next year is to build on the growth of the New Zealand Aerospace Summit, particularly now that it is a partner event of IAC in Sydney. We are keen to maximise this opportunity to bring international aerospace experts and participants to Christchurch, particularly for those studying and working in aerospace here, who would not otherwise have an opportunity to learn and engage with people of this calibre from all over the world.
I will also be engaging with other international experts to develop new channels for collaboration, which I’m really excited about. Having Christchurch at the table means we can bring our unique position and expertise to this global network, which will help elevate the profile of the sector here in Christchurch.
Will this also contribute to developing local talent?
Having the ability to work on international projects will bring many opportunities, including developing local talent at student and early career levels. We have outstanding young talent here – with the University of Canterbury’s Aerospace team taking home the trophy in the 30,000 foot Commercial Off-The-Shelf category at the Spaceport America Cup, in both 2023 and 2024. Having opportunities to help further develop this local talent is incredibly exciting and rewarding.
As the Network develops there will be valuable opportunities to attend international business events that align with the work we are doing here in Christchurch, and where there is benefit to meeting in person with others in the Network.
What are some of the challenges and opportunities do you see for Christchurch’s aerospace sector?
Christchurch has the momentum to establish itself as a leading Southern Hemisphere aerospace centre of activity encompassing advanced aviation and space launch.
We have companies operating rocket planes, stratospheric solar-powered aircraft, and commercial drones, and the city is well-equipped with an extensive range of aerospace manufacturing capabilities. There are space missions underway doing biology research, satellites using Christchurch-built thrusters and rocketry projects achieving great heights at the University of Canterbury.
The aerospace industry is swiftly developing internationally and Christchurch is well-placed to take advantage of that. One key challenge in New Zealand has been getting access to capital for commercial aerospace operations, but that is starting to change. Particularly now people are seeing how Kiwi businesses, such as Rocket Lab, are developing into world-class companies.
What do you think the sector will look like in five years?
We are seeing a strong aerospace talent pipeline emerging and our city is attracting international talent, so I expect we’ll keep building on the successes we’ve already seen in Christchurch. I hope to see a significant increase in aerospace operations in the region and the infrastructure built to facilitate that growth.
MCET drives economic and social impact in Melbourne and Geelong
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET), operator of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and the upcoming Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, has released its Annual Report and Impact Report, highlighting its significant contributions to the economy, society, and environment.
In the 2023/24 financial year, MCET generated A$777 million (US$506. 4 million) in economic impact for the State of Victoria. The MCEC welcomed 3.2 million visitors, a 23 per cent increase from the previous year, and hosted more than 720 events, including the ASEAN Commemorative Summit, Lions International Convention, and the BBC Earth Experience.
To enhance accessibility and inclusivity, MCET also launched a new Accessibility Action Plan, developed in collaboration with people with lived experience and accessibility consultants. The organisation also implemented innovative sustainability initiatives, such as a reusable coffee cup programme that prevented thousands of disposable cups from ending up in landfills.
MCET is committed to reducing its environmental impact and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. To this end, the organisation developed a comprehensive carbon emissions inventory and is implementing strategies to minimise its carbon footprint.
MCET continues to support local communities through partnerships with leading charities and community organisations. In 2023/24, the organization celebrated a decade of support for the Good Friday Appeal and OzHarvest, and increased workplace giving by 297 per cent.
Over in Geelong, the Nyaal Banyul project partners have prioritised social procurement, providing fully funded training for 28 trainees and apprentices. Additionally, the project has collaborated with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners to develop a brand identity that reflects the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Natalie O’Brien AM, chief executive of MCET, expressed pride in the organisation’s achievements: “As leaders in the events industry, we play an important role in contributing to a better future through our commitments to people, planet and economic prosperity. We’re proud of the innovative sustainability programmes we’ve implemented at MCEC over the year, as well as the progress we’ve made in Geelong, in collaboration with our project partners and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners. We look forward to continuing to make a positive impact in the communities we serve.”
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