Gold Coast shows off new and improved event experiences in fam trip this week

July 24, 2024

Fresh openings, as well as revitalised experiences and venues across the Gold Coast were lined up earlier this week ahead of This is Gold Coast’s (TIGC24) scheduled business appointments starting this morning, all to demonstrate the Australian destination’s continual transformation as a business events venue.

Event buyers from across Australia and New Zealand who arrived on Sunday and Monday had a chance to experience a breakfast event at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort’s new beach club alongside high-energy stunts performed by JetPack Entertainment and Event over the property’s popular lagoon beach pool; play a round of friendly golf at the colourful ranges of Topgolf Gold Coast; explore the creative use of venues at the sprawling Home of the Arts through a breakfast showcase on the Outdoor Stage; and sail the scenic Gold Coast Broadwater on the stylish YOT Club catamaran while digging into lunch.

Home of the Arts’s Outdoor Stage has hosted artists like Tim Minchin, Neil Finn, Six60 and Ministry of Sound, but it is also a versatile space for private events. Photo credit: Karen Yue

TIGC24 attendees were also split into three teams for a series of site inspections on Tuesday, covering venues such as QT Gold Coast, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast, Sea World Marine Park, RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast, and the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct.

Experience Gold Coast director of business events Brooke Campbell explained that the three inspection streams were a new feature for the This Is Gold Coast event. The format was established to ensure hotels and venues presented were aligned to the needs of different buyers.

One stream was built for small- and medium-sized associations, another was for conference organisers, and the third was for incentive event buyers.

“We will also always have a different programme for every year of This Is Gold Coast, and we always try to incorporate new products that entered the marketplace in the last 12 months,” added Campbell.

QT Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise now features refreshed guestrooms, and new and improved event venues, having completed renovations a year ago. A sweet summer beach house vibe envelops the hotel’s interior, with the barefoot luxury resort characteristic strongest in its collection of six designer qtQT Cabins on level two. The cabins encircle a fireplace and social area, created to bring friends and neighbours together.

According to the hotel’s events team, the qtQT Cabins are popular and require bookings far in advance. Corporate groups can book out all cabins for their VIPs and leverage the privacy of the area for exclusive gatherings.

The established Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast also showed off a refreshed look, thanks to investments into refurbishment works by its new owners, the Laundy and Karedis families. More cosmetic works will be carried out progressively, shared sales manager Lisa Thomas.

The hotel, said to be the largest beachfront resort in the destination with 295 keys, also recently signed on Encore as its creative event production partner. This allows Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast to support event clients with a range of advanced visual features and creative experience styling through Encore’s production expertise.

Speaking to TTGmice on the sidelines of a breakfast event at the Home of the Arts on Tuesday morning, Avril Harris, executive director of events, Experience Gold Coast, said the Gold Coast’s fun and creative offerings were a force to be reckoned with.

She said: “Can you find a better destination than the Gold Coast? This is one of our advantages. Whether you come here for a conference or a holiday, you get all the benefits of a holiday destination.”

“We have amazing hotels. In between meetings, attendees can go to the beach, explore the hinterland, and engage in a whole range of different tourism experiences in our city,” she continued.

According to Experience Gold Coast, there are currently 160 Gold Coast experiences for event delegates to choose from.

The TIGC24 Welcome Event was held at Kirra Beach House, an ocean-facing dining and event destination launched by SITE Hospitality last December.

Welcoming event delegates yesterday evening, Dave Galvin, managing director of SITE Hospitality, said the TIGC24 Welcome Event was the first exclusive mode activation for the space on the second floor. Named Coastal Room, the new event venue comes with indoor areas, and outdoor terraces that look out to the beach and ocean. It can accommodate up to 700 guests.

Skal Krabi welcomes new president

By TTGmice

July 23, 2024

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SKÅL International Thailand has named travel specialist Ingeborg Fallet Kristensen as its new president of SKÅL International Krabi.

A Norwegian national, Kristensen is the founder and managing director of Krabi travel specialist, Krabi Spesialisten, which is now celebrating its 20th Anniversary as a leading provider of custom-designed tours to Southern Thailand.

She is also the founder of Wedding in Thailand, a company providing bespoke weddings and events in Krabi, Phuket and other locations in Southern Thailand.

Capella Hotel Group appoints new GMs

By TTGmice

July 22, 2024

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Capella Hotel Group has named John Blanco as cluster general manager for both Capella Kyoto and Patina Osaka – both scheduled to open in 2025 – while Ellen Franke is the general manager of Patina Osaka.

Blanco was formerly general manager of Capella Bangkok, and has a wealth of experience having worked at The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and other independent hotels around the world. He is also proficient in six languages.

*From left: John Blanco and Ellen Franke*

Franke joins Capella Hotel Group from The Ritz-Carlton, having worked for the group since 2006 across several global locations. She brings with her 25 years of experience leading luxury hotels across Europe, the US, China, and Malaysia.

IHG hotel executives expand roles

By TTGmice

July 22, 2024

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As IHG continues its expansion across the region, two hotel executives will take on expanded roles to drive the company’s growth and performance.

Rajit Sukumaran takes on the role of senior vice president and managing director, East Asia & Pacific, and will oversee IHG’s growth, performance and reputation in more than 20 countries.

From left: Rajit Sukumaran and Vivek Bhalla

He has 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and brings a wealth of experience to his newly-created position having led IHG’s South East Asia & Korea business unit over the past four years.

Vivek Bhalla has been promoted to managing director, South East Asia & Korea and will be responsibility for the growth, performance and operations of its estate of more than 120 hotels across 10 brands, and a pipeline of over 90 properties.

Bhalla has been with the company since 2016, most recently spending four years as vice president, operations, South East Asia & Korea before which he had two years in India as regional vice president/head of South-west Asia.

Meanwhile, Matt Tripolone, managing director, Australasia & Pacific and Abhijay Sandilya, managing director, Japan & Micronesia continue in the roles and join the East Asia & Pacific Leadership team.

Thailand streamlines entry for MICE travellers with new visa options and airport enhancements

By TTGmice

July 22, 2024

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TCEB MICE one-stop service_640 — From left: Department of Consular Affairs' Worawoot Pongprapapant; Airports of Thailand’s Kerati Kijmanawat; Immigration Division 2's and TCEB’s police major general Choengron Rimpadee; and TCEB’s Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya at the press conference

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has partnered with three key government agencies – the Department of Consular Affairs, Airports of Thailand (AOT), and Immigration Division 2 – to simplify entry procedures for international business events travellers under its Thailand MICE One Stop Service initiative.

This collaboration, announced at a recent press conference, aims to simplify entry procedures for business events visitors and organisers. Travellers attending business events can now enjoy a longer stay with a 60-day visa, with the option to extend for an additional 30 days. This provides greater flexibility for attendees to explore Thailand beyond their event participation.

From left: Department of Consular Affairs’ Worawoot Pongprapapant; Airports of Thailand’s Kerati Kijmanawat; Immigration Division 2’s and TCEB’s police major general Choengron Rimpadee; and TCEB’s Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya at the press conference

Event organisers, on the other hand, will benefit from a 90-day visa that can be extended for up to a year, allowing them ample time to plan and execute successful events.

Thailand has also expanded visa-free entry to citizens of 93 countries, a significant increase from the previous 57. This broader range of nationalities can now enjoy a more extended stay of 60 days, up from 30. Additionally, the Visa on Arrival programme for stays of 15 days has been widened to include 31 countries, up from 19.

In addition, a global rollout of e-visa services is underway, with plans to make it accessible at all 94 Thai embassies and consulates worldwide by the end of the year.

Improvements are also underway at Thai airports, where an additional 330 immigration officers will be deployed at checkpoints to handle peak periods, ensuring smoother processing and shorter wait times. New automatic passport control systems will further expedite the process, doubling the number of people processed per minute. Advanced technologies such as the Thailand Immigration System and Advance Passenger Processing will be implemented to enhance passenger identification and security checks.

Special considerations are being also made for business events groups. AOT and Immigration will collaborate with TCEB to create separate lanes for business events groups at airports on a case-by-case basis. This will allow for faster entry and minimise wait times for large groups arriving together.

Dedicated MICE Lanes are already operational at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in Bangkok, and this convenience will be extended to other major airports like Phuket and Chiang Mai next year. Udon Thani airport is also slated to receive a MICE Lane by 2026 in preparation for the upcoming International Horticultural Expo.

Marriott Bonvoy empowers Singapore event planners with fresh campaign

By TTGmice

July 22, 2024

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Marriott Bonvoy Events has launched a new meetings and events campaign, Your Vision, Our Commitment, catering specifically to event planners in Singapore.

The campaign emphasises flexibility, empowering each participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel in Singapore to create unique and personalised experiences for planners, ensuring their events are flawlessly executed and exceed expectations.

JW Marriott South Beach’s Britannia Room

Planners working with JW Marriott Hotel South Beach Singapore and The St. Regis Singapore will have access to a range of tailored rewards. For group bookings, these can include complimentary suite upgrades, room nights, savings on the master bill, one-way transfers, and flexible attrition policies. Catering event organisers at these hotels can enjoy perks like complimentary welcome breaks, assorted cookies, fruit platters, discounts on dining experiences, and complimentary beverages with lunch.

At the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, the property is offering perks such as one complimentary upgrade for every 25 rooms booked, 20 per cent off selected F&B outlets, and additional five per cent off the catering master bill for Marriott Bonvoy members, and more.

Meanwhile, The Westin Singapore provides guaranteed room upgrades for group bookings and complimentary coffee breaks for catering events, and The Singapore EDITION rewards group planners with a complimentary room night for every 20 rooms booked, while catering events benefit from enhanced coffee breaks and lunch menus at no additional cost. W Singapore Sentosa Cove also offers a selection of rewards including complimentary rooms, one-way transfers for delegates, welcome drinks, and meeting packages.

Marriott Bonvoy members can double their points by booking events through December 31, 2024, for events taking place by March 31, 2025. This applies to group bookings and catering events at any of the above-mentioned properties.

Photo of the day: 1,000 books light up rural Sarawakian school

By TTGmice

July 22, 2024

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Following a series of successful book drives across Sarawak, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) has proudly donated 1,000 books to Sekolah Kebangsaan Batu Bungan (Batu Bungan Primary School) at a recent handover ceremony.

The donation is part of Books Build Legacy, BESarawak’s state-level initiative, which aims to bridge the gap in educational resources and empower young minds in rural Sarawak. The event addresses the importance of community development and the transformative impact of accessible materials on young learners.

“The donations to SK Batu Bungan were collected from two events this year, namely the ‘Connect. Play. Donate’ industry gathering in Kuching and the Sarawak Invitational Interteam Pickleball Challenge 2024 in Miri,” said Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak, who presented the books to Michelle Lee, senior assistant of students’ affairs, from Batu Bungan Primary School.

“There is very good progress with this programme which is hopefully inspiring to other organisations looking to make a difference,” added Amelia.

BESarawak invites more organisations from all industries to donate to Books Build Legacy.

Tokyo to host signal processing conference in 2028

By TTGmice

July 22, 2024

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shutterstock_1909157632_tokyo640 (1) — Tokyo at dusk

Tokyo has secured the winning bid to host the 2028 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing (ICASSP 2028) from May 29 to June 2 at the Tokyo International Forum.

Held under the theme of Smart and Sustainable Signal Processing for the Future, ICASSP – a world’s leading conference in the field of signal processing – is expected to attract approximately 4,000 participants from around the world.

Japan’s strong academic background in signal processing, international contributions to the field spearheaded by local signal processing societies, world-leading industrial research and a strong academic programme set out by the Japanese Bidding Committee were deciding factors in Tokyo’s bid win.

Support from the Tokyo Convention & Visitors and generous financial and in-kind support from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government were also essential in the selection.

The IEEE Signal Processing Society (IEEE SPS), established in 1948, is the world-leading organisation to unite signal processing engineers and industry professionals and boasts a membership of 20,000, including, researchers, engineers, and students from 120 countries. IEEE SPS organises numerous conferences annually, and ICASSP is the society’s flagship annual conference.

WTTC reveals 24th Global Summit theme and line-up

By TTGmice

July 22, 2024

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WTTC_Global_Summit_Perth_640 — Industry stakeholders to converge in Perth for WTTC Summit

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled its speaker lineup for the upcoming Global Summit in Perth, Western Australia.

Held under the theme Ancient Land: New Perspectives, the event will take place from October 8-10, 2024, and focus will be on building a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive travel industry.

Industry stakeholders to converge in Perth for WTTC Summit

Industry heavyweights like WTTC chair Greg O’Hara, Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton, American Express Travel president Audrey Hendley, and TripAdvisor CEO Matt Goldberg, will be speaking at the summit. Renowned wildlife conservationist and TV presenter Robert Irwin will also participate, bringing his dedication to environmental protection to the forefront.

“This Summit gathers the leading minds shaping the travel sector and global economies,” said WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson. “Their insights will be critical in defining the future of travel.”

The summit aims to foster dialogue between industry leaders and government representatives, allowing them to exchange best practices and develop innovative strategies for a thriving travel industry with a strong focus on sustainability.

Five essential cybersecurity tips for corporate travellers

By Industry Expert

July 22, 2024

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shutterstock_2068150073_data-Security-640 — Protecting one’s personal data requires constant vigilance and proactive measures

Our digital lives are awash in personal information. From online shopping to casual web browsing, every click leaves a trace. In this data-driven world, where personal details hold significant value, safeguarding them becomes paramount, especially when venturing abroad. This is the new reality of travel in the digital age: securing your digital footprint alongside your passport.

Here are some essential steps to keep your personal information safe.

Protecting one’s personal data requires constant vigilance and proactive measures

Secure your devices and accounts
Before embarking on your journey, ensure all your devices, including smartphones, laptops, and tablets, are adequately secured. Set up complex passwords, PIN codes, or even better, biometric authentication methods to prevent unauthorised access.

Turn on the encryption features such as device encryption and encrypted messaging apps to protect your data from prying eyes.

Use a unique password for different accounts. This way if one is compromised, the rest are less likely to be affected, limiting the impact of a data breach.

Biometric authentication can prevent password or PIN theft from shoulder surfing where possible.

Treat your password like your toothbrush and keep it private. Do not change it and change it often.

Use secure networks
Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi, such as those in airports, cafes, and hotels, especially so when conducting banking activities, such as checking account balances, making transfers, or entering sensitive financial information.

Instead, use a secure and trusted network, such as a personal mobile data connection, or a virtual private network (VPN).

Ensure the websites you use for banking or payment purposes use HTTPS encryption, indicated by a padlock icon and https:// in the uniform resource locator (URL).

Always log out of your sessions when not in use to prevent session hijacking and only provide passwords and PINs at trusted locations – be aware of social engineering.

Use caution when sharing on social media
Exercise discretion and limit the personal details you disclose, when sharing photos and updates on social media platforms during your travels.

Avoid posting real-time updates about your location and itinerary, as cybercriminals could use this information to target you for theft or surveillance. Wait until you have returned home to share your travel experience to minimise the risk of becoming a target.

Here are additional tips to consider when it comes to safe social media use. Review your privacy settings to ensure your social media profiles are private. This makes it easy to directly control who has access to your accounts and posts. This is how you can make sure no strangers can view your content.

Remember that stories and Snapchat do not disappear. Many travellers assume that their stories are only available for twenty-four hours which is not the case.

Even with privacy settings turned on, photos contain information cybercriminals are looking for. For example, if a cybercriminal gets access to a photo’s metadata, it can contain your location information which can let the criminal know that your home is vacant.

To avoid this, share your photos once you return home.

Minimise location sharing
It is common for travellers to update their social media accounts when they are travelling. The problem with this type of excessive sharing is that it creates a security threat at home.

By sharing your every location, it allows criminals to determine that you are not in your hotel room or home, leaving both your home and personal property vulnerable.

Disable Bluetooth connectivity
Similar to your phone’s automatic Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity can present problems as signals can come from anywhere. If your Bluetooth is left on, nearby assailants can connect to your phone and potentially hack into your device hence it is wise to keep Bluetooth disabled as much as possible.

Protecting your data is an ongoing process that requires constant vigilance and proactive measures so remember to keep your data as you travel.

Gold Coast shows off new and improved event experiences in fam trip this week

Skal Krabi welcomes new president

Capella Hotel Group appoints new GMs

IHG hotel executives expand roles

Thailand streamlines entry for MICE travellers with new visa options and airport enhancements

Marriott Bonvoy empowers Singapore event planners with fresh campaign

Photo of the day: 1,000 books light up rural Sarawakian school

Tokyo to host signal processing conference in 2028

WTTC reveals 24th Global Summit theme and line-up

Five essential cybersecurity tips for corporate travellers

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