Air Astana has appointed Johan Eidhagen as president of FlyArystan, its low-cost subsidiary, effective March 1, 2026.
Eidhagen joins from Wizz Air, where he most recently served as managing director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi.
During his tenure, he also held the roles of chief people and ESG officer and chief marketing officer at Wizz Air Group.
Kamal Munasinghe has been appointed general manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, while continuing his responsibilities as senior vice president – Colombo hotels at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts.
A hospitality veteran with over three decades of experience, Munasinghe most recently served as COO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, overseeing a portfolio of 17 properties across Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
He has held senior roles with Marriott, Hyatt, Mövenpick, Cinnamon Grand Colombo, and Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur.
Food & Hospitality Asia (FHA), a reputable international trade event for the region’s food, hospitality, and HoReCa industries, has planned four days of business opportunities and knowledge exchanges for its 48th edition. The event is set for April 21 to 24 at the Singapore Expo.
Organiser, Informa Markets, will introduce several new initiatives and partnerships designed to enhance attendee experience and address emerging industry trends.
FHA 2026 is proud to announce the European Union (EU) as the Region of Honour. This partnership will highlight the EU’s culinary heritage, innovative food production, and commitment to sustainability. Attendees can look forward to curated EU showcases, chef demonstrations, and networking events that celebrate the region’s leadership in food and hospitality.
Also new is the Singapore Seafood Pavilion. Organised by the Seafood Industries Association Singapore, this pavilion will spotlight fresh, live, frozen, and processed seafood, as well as aquaculture and value-added seafood products from global suppliers.
Additionally, the new Future Forward zone will highlight technology’s impact on food service, hospitality, and retail, including a four-day conference on technology integration challenges and opportunities, supported by a stellar steering committee.
FHA 2026 attendees can also look forward to the new Epicurean Gallery, a curated platform spotlighting premium products daily, hosted by various companies or country groups. It combines exhibition and networking, bringing together culinary professionals, gourmet enthusiasts, and buyers to explore offerings, connect with brands, and build industry relationships
Another fresh highlight is the Young Chef Grand Prix. Co-organised with the Singapore Chefs Association and Singapore Junior Chefs Club, this competition will nurture the next generation of culinary talent, targeting skilled individuals aged 25 and below.
Informa Markets promises to maintain FHA 2026 as a global showcase of excellence in food and hospitality through a programme comprising 18 dynamic segments, including the newly refreshed Food Service Technology segment, which highlights the latest advancements in foodservice operations; and the refreshed Coffee, Tea & Bar Segment, expanded to include bar equipment and solutions.
Attendees can explore a diverse range of exhibitors, including industry leaders such as Ben Foods, DKSH, and Euraco, and many more. More than 75 group pavilions will showcase the best of global food and hospitality innovation.
FHA 2026 also promises to be hotbed of competitions and seminars to inspire innovation among attendees. Prestigious competitions to watch out for include FHA Bakery Challenge, FHA Dessert Challenge, and Asian Pastry Cup.
Seminars are lined up to address crucial topics such as global market trends, food innovation, safety regulations, and sustainability. Highlights include the FHA Seminar on Global Market Trends and Trade and the Sustainable Summit, which will address critical issues like food security, sustainable agriculture, and supply chain resilience.
FHA 2026 is expected to welcome over 80,000 international attendees and feature more than 2,750 exhibitors from 115 countries and regions.
Ian Roberts, vice president of Informa Markets – Asia, said: “FHA 2026 is more than just an exhibition – it’s a transformative experience for the food and hospitality industry. This event is where innovation meets opportunity, bringing together the brightest minds, the most cutting-edge technologies, and the most influential players from across the globe. Whether you’re looking to showcase your brand, discover the latest trends, or build strategic partnerships, FHA 2026 is the definitive platform to shape the future of food and hospitality. It’s not just about staying ahead of the curve – it’s about defining it.”
A new study from Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) and Fresh Info, released at the official opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), revealed that multi-day business events contributed NZ$925 million (US$558 million) to the national economy in 2025.
Despite a softer year shaped by global uncertainty, the sector generated approximately 1.5 million visitor nights. Total expenditure included NZ$412 million in delegate spending, NZ$433 million in event operations – such as sponsorship and registration – and NZ$80 million from accompanying companions.
The data highlights the high value of these visitors, with international delegates spending an average of NZ$645 per day while in conference, significantly outpacing the average holiday tourist.
BEIA Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins noted that while international visitors are high-value, domestic delegates provide critical resilience when global travel fluctuates. Average total spend per delegate reached NZ$3,726 for international visitors, NZ$2,118 for domestic travellers, and NZ$999 for local attendees.
Hopkins emphasised that business events are “highly investable” contributors to New Zealand’s economic aspirations, delivering long-term returns through knowledge exchange and international connectivity that support productivity well beyond the events themselves.
This research framework is designed to be scalable and repeatable, enabling future updates at regular intervals and supporting ongoing improvements to New Zealand’s tourism data system.
With the NZICC now open and hosting events, New Zealand’s national network of purpose-built convention centres, alongside Takina in Wellington and Te Pae in Christchurch, is now complete, according to BEIA’s press release.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has opened its first dedicated Visitor Service Centre at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
Located at the Harbour Road entrance, the facility serves as a primary touchpoint for international business delegates, providing information and practical tips to encourage exploration of the city beyond professional events.
The launch coincided with Consensus Hong Kong 2026, a major global cryptocurrency and Web3 conference.
HKTB’s executive director Anthony Lau stated that the centre aims to help business events visitors balance business commitments with Hong Kong’s diverse tourism offerings to enrich their overall experience.
Michael Lau, chairman of Consensus Hong Kong, noted the value of having immediate access to curated travel advice – ranging from local dining to scenic hikes –directly within the venue.
The centre features self-service kiosks displaying the latest on mega events, festive celebrations, and thematic campaigns, alongside practical guides for accommodation and transport. It operates daily from 08.00 to 19.00, with HKTB staff stationed on-site during large-scale exhibitions to provide personalised itinerary planning and assistance.
New research released by ChristchurchNZ and Tourism New Zealand confirms that business events in Ōtautahi Christchurch generate significant social and professional legacies far exceeding traditional tourism spend.
Phase two of The Conference Legacy Project, presented at AIME 2026 in Melbourne, transitions away from purely economic metrics to track long-term impacts on talent recruitment, global reputation, and scientific advancement.
The three-year study, led by researcher Carmel Foley, found that one in five delegates proactively looked for work or study opportunities in Christchurch following their conference. Additionally, 93.3 per cent of attendees reported that hosting these events positively transformed their perception of the city, citing its modern facilities and natural environment.
Cultural integration emerged as a primary driver of these results. Delegates ranked Māori heritage and values among the highest-rated impacts, describing Indigenous-led programming as “transformative”.
This research provides evidence-based insight into the long-term impact conferences create for the places that host them, said Bree Jones, ChristchurchNZ Business Events Manager. They help attract global talent and position the city for future investment, she added.
The data also highlighted strong sector-specific gains, with 88 per cent of respondents stating that conferences in the city directly contributed to scientific progress and industry innovation within their respective fields.
Business Events Adelaide has released its 2026 Planners Guide, featuring a built-in AI Agent to streamline the event-sourcing process.
The digital platform moves beyond the traditional directory, serving as a real-time digital concierge that recommends venues, answers logistical questions, and navigates Adelaide’s connected infrastructure.
By leveraging AI, the tool aims to remove friction for the 6,000+ global decision-makers who receive the guide, accelerating the transition from initial inquiry to confirmed booking.
The interactive guide also integrates South Australia’s priority industry sectors and sustainability credentials, allowing organisers to align events with specific economic and social legacies.
Business Events Adelaide CEO Damien Kitto stated that the AI integration fundamentally changes destination engagement.
“It’s an active planning tool,” Kitto said. “The AI capability transforms advertisements into interactive discovery tools, giving organisers richer insight into our members’ products and delivering significantly greater value from a single listing.”
The 2026 Planners Guide is now available via the Business Events Adelaide website.
The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has unveiled a new three-year bursary with Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ).
Launched as a legacy project for the Centre’s 30th anniversary, the initiative will provide critical funding to mid-career researchers in the health, biomedical, and agritech sectors.
The bursary was developed through the BCEC Convention Advocates Partnership, a network of international leaders who have secured 163 conferences and generated A$358 million (US$253.3 million) in economic impact for Brisbane since 2010.
“For three decades, BCEC has partnered with science leaders to showcase Queensland’s innovation to the world. This initiative honours that legacy by investing in future talent and strengthening the connections that drive global impact,” said Kym Guesdon, general manager of BCEC.
As the state’s peak body for medical and agricultural science, LSQ represents over 100 industry members. The life sciences sector is a significant driver for the local economy, contributing A$2.1 billion in gross value-added and employing more than 12,000 people.
Incoming LSQ chair Frank Gannon added that the bursary is a reflection of Queensland’s “maturity in cross-disciplinary collaboration”, aimed at securing long-term advancements in regional health and food supply.
“We’re proud to collaborate with the Centre on an initiative that not only supports individual researchers but strengthens the entire ecosystem for bio innovation in Queensland,” he added.
Application details and programme guidelines for the new bursary are expected to be released in the coming months via the LSQ website.
Aloft Surabaya Pakuwon City has launched Meet, Mingle & Sizzle, a new interactive meeting package designed to transform traditional corporate gatherings into experience-driven events.
Moving away from static business agendas, the hotel now offers a complimentary live cooking station for all bookings of 50 or more participants, allowing guests to interact directly with chefs as they prepare fresh Asian, Indonesian, and Western dishes. This culinary-focused approach replaces the standard buffet with high-energy noodle and pasta stations, providing a more personalised and visual dining experience.
The property offers seven modern “Tactic” meeting rooms totalling 489m2, capable of hosting up to 430 participants. These spaces feature high ceilings, vibrant colour palettes, and unconventional networking tools like a foyer claw machine.
Strategically located in East Surabaya near the Suramadu Bridge and major industrial hubs, the hotel is the only Marriott brand property in the area, offering organisers added value through Marriott Bonvoy Event Points redeemable for future stays or upgrades.
Reservations for the new interactive experience are now being accepted through the hotel’s official website.
Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef has launched a refreshed digital platform and a major funding initiative at the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2026 to attract more corporate gatherings to Tropical North Queensland.
The new website is designed to inspire meeting planners through the destination’s “Connect Great and Leave Greater” promise, highlighting teambuilding, CSR experiences, off-site events, and post-event adventures that integrate the Great Barrier Reef and the world’s oldest rainforest with the region’s First Nations cultural values.
Moreover, a new funding programme now offers grants of A$10,000 (US$7,082) or more for eligible national and international events taking place before June 30, 2029. To qualify for the financial support, events must host a minimum of 150 delegates for at least three nights. This incentive is supported by a suite of complimentary bureau services, including delegate boosting, marketing support, and assistance with site inspections to connect planners with local venues and accommodation providers.
Supported by Tourism and Events Queensland and Cairns Regional Council, the initiative marks a unified effort to secure high-impact business events for the region over the next four years.
