Ascott enters long-term partnership to set new standards for accessible accommodation
Singapore-based hospitality firm, Ascott, has signed an MoU with SG Enable, the focal agency for disability and inclusion in the country, that will see both forging a long-term partnership to elevate disability inclusion and set new standards for accessible accommodation in the hospitality industry.
This partnership is the first of its scale in Singapore’s hospitality industry, spearheading a range of initiatives that will deliver inclusive stay experiences through design and programming across Ascott’s properties in the country. It will also serve to foster workforce diversity and contribute to capability-building, not only within Ascott but also throughout the hospitality sector.
Ascott and SG Enable will jointly develop and deliver essential resources and disability inclusion training tailored for the hospitality industry at the Ascott Centre for Excellence (ACE) training facility. Insights gained from the joint initiatives will be used to develop a comprehensive playbook in 2025 to steer the disability inclusion efforts of Ascott’s properties around the world.
Key initiatives will centre around five pillars: Inclusive Spaces, Inclusive Programmes, Inclusive Digital Interfaces, Inclusive Hiring, and Inclusive Training.
Eric Chua, senior parliamentary secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Social and Family Development, said at the signing ceremony: “Partnerships such as this are crucial for driving positive change in our community.”
The partnership coincides with Ascott’s ongoing 40th anniversary celebrations.
Beh Siew Kim, chief financial & sustainability officer, lodging, CapitaLand Investment and managing director, Japan and Korea, Ascott, said: “Marking 40 remarkable years in hospitality service, Ascott has embarked on a transformative journey to go ‘unlimited’ for our guests and associates. To create ‘unlimited good’ as a positive changemaker, we are deepening our commitment to championing inclusivity under our Ascott CARES sustainability framework.
“As a leading global hospitality company headquartered in Singapore, our vision is to strengthen Ascott’s culture of care and respect by cultivating a more inclusive operating environment for both guests and associates. We are thus delighted to find a like-minded partner in SG Enable to jointly establish new standards for accessibility in the hospitality sector and positively impact the future of travel. This MOU will mark an integral step towards our goal of scaling up Ascott’s disability inclusion efforts globally.”
Ku Geok Boon, CEO of SG Enable, acknowledged the partnership as “a significant milestone in our journey of championing disability inclusion and accessibility”.
In addition to the ceremony on June 20, three persons with disabilities and their family members were invited to share their stay experiences at Ascott Orchard Singapore. They affirmed that Ascott Orchard Singapore was wheelchair friendly and easy to navigate, and the experience was complemented by the warm hospitality of the service team who had gone through disability management training by SG Enable.
Ascott Orchard Singapore is the country’s first serviced residence to be certified Universal Design Mark Platinum by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority for its user-friendliness. It features sheltered walkways seamlessly linked to the adjacent mosque and shopping mall, complemented with clear and informative signs that are accompanied by braille and tactile maps. Accommodation options include accessible guestrooms catering to wheelchair users as well as dual-key units that facilitate multi-generational living. All public toilets are equipped with accessibility features; the swimming pool deck is accessible via a ramp; a Kipsu messaging platform facilitates communication with guests with hearing loss or visual impairment.
Part of the serviced residence’s service crew has completed SG Enable’s disability management course, and more will undergo training by end-2024.
IMEX Group welcomes new COO
Gary Coombs has been appointed chief operating officer at the IMEX Group.
In the newly-created role, Coombs will lead on implementing the processes and structures needed to support the strategic direction of the global tradeshow business. As part of IMEX’s senior management team, he is also a member of the Board.
He will also coordinate teams across various departments to ensure delivery of the company’s vision and initiatives with the Operations department, Marcomms and IT & Transformation all reporting into him.
Coombs joined IMEX as chief information officer in 2021. Prior to that, he spent the majority of his career in the media and events sector having held positions at The Economist, EMAP and UBM.
Diane Chen joins HML’s executive leadership team
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML) has appointed Diane Chen as the second deputy managing director, effective July 2, 2024.
HML is responsible for day-to-day management for the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Chen will lead three divisions – marketing & sales, communications, human resources & administration, and will be responsible for developing and implementing business strategies to maximise venue utilisation and revenue, enhancing corporate branding and human resources development of HML.
Chen joined Shenyang New World EXPO during its pre-opening stage in 2012 and progressed through several senior management positions before being promoted to general manager in 2016.
As an active contributor to the event and venue management industries, she currently serves as a board member and vice chair of Asia Pacific Chapter of UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, vice-chairman of Shenyang Exhibition Industry Association, and a board member of the European Chamber, Northeast Chapter.
Chen was also awarded the designation of Certified Venue Executive by the International Association of Venue Management in 2021, being the first venue industry professional in Mainland China to receive such prestigious certification.
Ron Cusiter helms as Centara’s new EVP – Commerical
Centara Hotels & Resorts has named Ron Cusiter as Centara’s new executive vice president – commercial.
He joins Centara following his most recent role as vice president – global sales & The Americas with Kempinski Hotels. His wealth of industry experience brings fresh impetus and innovation to Centara’s global commercial efforts.
He has also held senior roles with COMO, Hyatt and Rosewood hotel groups over the course of his career.
Six Senses Samui welcomes new GM
Six Senses Samui has appointed Johannes Steyn as its new general manager.
With over 25 years of experience in the international hotel industry, he first joined the Six Senses family in June 2022 as general manager at Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam.
During his career, he has worked for IHG, Anantara, Le Meridien, and Story Hospitality.
Business events play a major role in New Zealand’s off-peak growth strategy
International conference delegates are crucial to New Zealand’s plan to boost off-peak tourism, aligning with Tourism New Zealand’s goal of growing international tourism revenue by NZ$5 billion (US$3 billion) over the next four years.
Notably, 70 per cent (NZ$3.5 billion) of this target hinges on attracting visitors during the shoulder season.
During a media presentation at Meetings 2024 this morning, Tourism New Zealand’s general manager NZ and business events, Bjoern Spreitzer, shared that in 2023, 83 per cent of international delegate arrivals came off-peak between March and November, compared to 62 per cent of holidaymakers.
“The conference market is entirely off-peak, but what’s promising are incentive groups from Asia and North America travelling in March and April,” he shared with TTGmice during an interview on the sidelines.
In 2023, the business events sector was worth NZ$403 million, and business events attendees were New Zealand’s fourth largest market by visitor spend – behind Australia, China, and the US respectively – with an average spend of NZ$426 per day compared to NZ$304 for holidaymakers.
“We believe that off-peak travel is a sustainable way to grow the industry. Supported by three new convention centres, and a commitment to delivering exceptional experiences on the ground, we are confident in the product we have,” Spreitzer said.
However, he acknowledged that three new convention centres – Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Takina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, and the upcoming New Zealand International Convention Centre (opening in 2025) – can only be marketed as new for another few years.
“These three to five years are the best time to capitalise on marketing these venues and put in our groundwork to ensure New Zealand stays relevant from a conferencing point of view. There will always be new venues around the world, and we can’t always bank on new venues,” he elaborated.
The next move to drive New Zealand’s business events industry forward, Spreitzer stated, is the bringing in of “high-impact legacy conferences”. Topics that align with the country’s strong sectors, such as technology, cultural, and environmental, will “open up more portfolios we can bid for”.
He added that during bidding for international business events, Tourism New Zealand always takes the lead with a “New Zealand first mindset”, before the host city is involved.
“The government has a plan in which sectors we want to focus on. We also have cities that have additional focus areas they want to grow and we are cognisant of all of them. Christchurch, Auckland, and Wellington may have different propositions and focus areas, but they are all committed to working collaboratively (to sell New Zealand first),” he explained.
When put up against other destinations around the world, Spreitzer is extremely confident that New Zealand’s ease of doing business, and the country’s amazing landscapes and experiences, will win planners over.
And even though the New Zealand dollar is not as strong as before, he pointed out that this does not affect business events arrivals, as the sector is “driven by the proposition we have”, although it may impact individual spending. Event planners and their clients expect a high-quality experience, and New Zealand’s selling points remain unchanged.
“Overall, the future of business events in New Zealand is extremely bright. We invest in it not because it brings monetary value, but because it brings experts and their knowledge here, and helps our country develop further,” Spreitzer concluded.
BEIA establishes the inaugural National Business Events Awards
New Zealand will hold its first business events awards in 2025, in conjunction with the Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Conference.
This move aims to celebrate industry leaders, showcase the value of events, and elevate the sector’s profile as a whole. Open to everyone involved in the business events sector, the awards will be managed by an independent industry committee and trust, with profits from the event being reinvested back into the business events community.
“The first of the National Business Events Awards will take place in Auckland in (late) 2025 and will mark the beginning of a new tradition celebrating the best of our business sector,” Megan Crum, head of business events at ChristchurchNZ, shared with the media during a press conference this morning at Meetings 2024 in Rotorua.
Crum added that the awards – which sit under the BEIA framework – will be held once every two years and coincide with the BEIA Conference, which will be held in “one of New Zealand’s metro cities” to encourage participation.
“In a non-awards year, the conference will be held in a regional city to continue BEIA’s commitment to hosting conference in our incredible regional destinations,” Lisa Hopkins, CEO of Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), said.
She added that the time to hold an awards is “right”, in conjunction with the launch of BEIA’s 10-year strategic direction – Pīata Mai to celebrate individuals and the work that has been achieved.
Photo of the day: BEIA receives a special carved gift
Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) received a beautifully-carved Tauihu during a ceremony at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) yesterday.
The carving, titled Waka Putanga, was a collaborative effort led by Hohepa Peni, a Pouako Whakairo Rākau (wood carving tutor) at NZMACI, along with his tauira (students). Peni explained the significance of the Tauihu, which is a front-end prow of a waka in miniature form, and represents those arriving from overseas for MEETINGS 2024, and the sharing of ideas and the making of connections during the event.
The carving was crafted from a very special piece of kauri, a 3,000-year-old log gifted by Tā (Sir) Hekenukumai Busby, a Te Tai Tokerau elder and leader in the revival of traditional Māori navigation and voyaging. This same log was previously used to create a 10m waka maumahara (memorial canoe) exhibited at the 2019 World Expo in Shanghai.
The putanga style of the carving reflects the concept of emergence and stepping out. The piece is intentionally designed to be culturally accessible, with a balance between traditional and contemporary elements. Hollowing techniques showcase the beauty of the kauri, and pāua (abalone) shell inlays represent the convergence of people from different places.
Finally, kura (feathers) adorn the Waka Putanga, symbolizing the dreams and aspirations that people bring to MEETINGS. These feathers also connect those attending the event with their ancestors.
Lisa Hopkins, BEIA’s chief executive, expressed: “We feel extremely privileged, and we also accept the responsibility and understand the importance of what has just happened. It’s a beautiful piece – it’s a new member of the team and I feel quite overwhelmed by the manaaki (hospitality) we’ve just been shown.”
Waka Putanga will be on display at the Energy Events Centre over the next two days as MEETINGS continues.
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Leslie Li has assumed the position of general manager at Shenyang New World Expo.
He takes over from Diane Chen, who has been promoted to one of two deputy managing directors at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.
Li joins Shenyang New World Expo from China National Convention Center (CNCC) in Beijing, where he was vice president for over five years. During that period, he also served as temporary general manager of two other China venues under management agreements with CNCC.
Located in Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province, Shenyang New World Expo holds 24,000m2 of gross exhibition space with 4,000m2 of convention, meeting and banquet space, including a 1,700m2 column-free convention hall and 17 meeting rooms.