Simon Beaumont helms as GM of Avani+ Khao Lak Resort
Minor Hotels has appointed Simon Beaumont as the new general manager of Avani+ Khao Lak Resort. In his new role, Beaumont will oversee operations at the resort leveraging his extensive experience and strategic vision to elevate guest experiences and drive business growth.
During his 35 years in the hospitality industry, Beaumont has held various F&B and senior leadership positions across his native Australia, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
Most recently, he served as interim chief executive officer at Azerbaijan’s Absheron Hotel Group, where he oversaw 14 internationally branded properties, spearheading strategic growth and operational excellence.
Jati, Koh Russey Island, appoints new GM
Lisa Gerosa has been named general manager at Jati resort on Koh Russey Island, Cambodia, due to open in 1Q2025.
She has worked in European hotels including the Sheraton Belgravia in London and The Westin in Venice. She recently spent 10 years in the Maldives as general manager with Atmosphere Core properties, giving her the experience in managing logistics and teams living on private islands.
Osaka to host first Japan MICE EXPO 2024
Osaka Convention & Visitors Bureau, Osaka International Convention Center Corporation, and Osaka International Business Promotion Center will debut the Japan MICE Expo 2024 next month at INTEX Osaka, providing a platform for business events professionals around the world to connect, learn, and trade.
Japan MICE Expo 2024, to be held from October 17 to 18, will consist of two specialised tradeshows. MICE Destination Expo will facilitate business talks between event organisers of international events and related suppliers while MICE Supporting Expo will connect exhibition event organisers and suppliers of products and services needed for event management and operation.
According to a press statement, the event has so far secured more than 120 exhibitors, including leading domestic and international companies, major public organisations, and tourism bureaus.
With Japan MICE Expo 2024 taking place in Osaka, attendees will also get a chance to preview the destination for the upcoming World Exposition 2025, and be inspired for business expansion and entry into the Japanese market.
The organisers have prepared a programme comprising a fam tour of Osaka Prefecture, Kurume City of Fukuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, and Utsunomiya City of Tochigi Prefecture to be conducted before and after the exhibition. Attendees can also expect to learn about selected sellers through a Pitch Event, join in topical discussions led by industry experts at a seminar, learn about sustainability initiatives in business events through displays and seminars, and build their contacts through the Osaka Night networking event.
HXE, Langham launch global online booking service for event venues, activities
MICE technology platform, HXE, and Langham Hotels Group (LHG) are collaborating to develop the first global online booking service for business event venues and group business activities.
Set to launch this month, companies from China and other Asian countries can soon secure venues at Langham hotels around the world using the booking system and enjoy one-stop conveniences like online event planning on HXE’s digital platform.
HXE, which is already established in Asia, America and other regions, will be connected in real-time with Langham’s hotels.
HXE believes that the new online booking service will assist over 400,000 enterprise customers in China with their global business activities and conferences, thereby enabling them to expand their business more efficiently.
LHG and HXE will also have the opportunity to provide a digital-physical-linked infrastructure for events to deploy global commerce activities.
New Zealand completes ICCASkills Training Programme
Eighteen 18 business events professionals from New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, and India have completed their ICCASkills Training Programme, equipping themselves with cutting-edge insights and best practices from across the globe.
The three-day event – Australasia’s first in-person ICCASkills Training Programme – was hosted at Te Pae Christchurch Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 10 to 13.
Tourism New Zealand supported the training with an ICCASkills scholarship programme, giving New Zealand business events professionals the chance to undertake the certification by sharing costs with the scholarship recipient’s employer.
The sessions were facilitated by ICCA’s expert international instructors Deanna Varga from Australia and Juan José García from Spain. Following the completion of their exams, attendees will receive Certified International Convention Executive (CICE) accreditation, which is aimed at senior professionals with management experience.
García said: “The quality of New Zealand’s ICCASkills programme marks a pivotal moment in fostering innovation and collaboration on a regional scale.”
Varga added: “The engagement and rich learning across the three days from not only diverse nationalities, but diverse sectors, made for productive conversations. Sharing experiences and insights reveals we are often facing the same challenges and can find solutions together.”
Tourism New Zealand global manager business events, Penelope Ryan commented that the programme “provided a valuable professional development opportunity for New Zealand’s event professionals, enabling them to build their capabilities, network with their peers, and help grow our share of business events.”
Ryan pointed out that the business events sector was worth NZ$403 million (US$249 million) to the New Zealand economy in 2023.
“Upskilling business events professionals will help New Zealand to attract future events and ensures delegates have an exceptional experience while they are here,” added Ryan.
The programme included a welcome event and site visit at Te Pae Christchurch Convention & Exhibition Centre, along with a Christchurch city experience. ICCA international staff and tutors also took the opportunity to inspect New Zealand’s other new conference infrastructure: the New Zealand International Convention Centre, with support from Auckland Convention Bureau, and Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre, in conjunction with Business Events Wellington.
The Robertson House welcomes new GM
The Robertson House has appointed Kris Wong as its new general manager, where she is set to enhance the hotel’s offerings by creating unique, personalised experiences that connect guests with Singapore’s culture and history.
With a career spanning over 20 years in the hospitality industry, she brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to excellence to her new role.
Prior to her tenure at The Robertson House, Wong held key leadership positions at renowned hotels across Singapore and Malaysia.
The Eve Hotel Sydney names new GM
The Eve Hotel Sydney welcomed Ben Mellor as general manager ahead of the boutique luxury hotel’s summer debut in Sydney’s new Wunderlich Lane precinct.
With more than two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, he brings a wealth of leadership and expertise to his new role. He has held senior management positions at Sydney’s top five-star hotels, including Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains and, most recently, as general manager of InterContinental Sydney Double Bay.
Massimo Brancaleoni joins Kempinski Hotels as chief commercial officer
Kempinski Hotels has named Massimo Brancaleoni as its chief commercial officer with effect from November 1.
Having worked in destinations such as Paris, Genoa, Hong Kong, Madrid, Miami and Monaco, he brings over 25 years of commercial experience to his new role.
Prior to joining Kempinski Hotels, he served as the senior vice president sales and revenues at Silversea Cruises.
Photo of the day: Australia’s CVBs out in full force at Australia Next
Business Event’s Australia’s major incentive showcase, Australia Next (previously known as Dreamtime) was brought to a close at the Tanks Art Centre in Cairns.
The Tanks Arts Centre is a multi-use, contemporary arts and events facility creatively housed in three repurposed WWII oil storage tanks situated within the Cairns Botanic Gardens.
Over the two days, 80 international business events buyers, 15 media, and 96 Australian sellers – with all Australian CVBs in attendance – conducted pre-scheduled appointments at the recently-renovated Cairns Convention Centre, as well as experienced Tropical North Queensland’s event delivery capabilities. International buyers and media also took part in pre- and post- familiarisations in destinations around the country.
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the event was a great opportunity to welcome some of the key markets to Australia Next in Cairns.
“Australia Next supports bringing high-value incentive travellers to our state which will be key in growing our international overnight visitor expenditure to A$11 billion (US$7.4) billion by 2032,” O’Callaghan said.
“Tourism and Events Queensland’s Business Events strategy sees us aiming to achieve 20 per cent of the Australian market share by 2027, a growth of four per cent which will bolster our international visitor numbers.”
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Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has named Michael Groll as general manager of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.
Groll began his hospitality journey with Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London in 2004 as food and beverage management trainee, before furthering his career in various leadership roles across Mandarin Oriental properties in Asia and the Middle East, including The Excelsior Hong Kong, Jakarta, Doha, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.