Event sustainability has become a major point of interest among event organisers and owners, with many approaching venue partners with their own stringent checklist, observes Ong Wee Min, vice president of sales and MICE with Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
With this advancement in attitudes towards sustainable and responsible events, venue operators can no longer use green features and promises as unique selling points.
Instead, a venue’s sustainable strategy ought to be baseline offerings.
In this new episode of TTG Conversations: Five Questions video news series, Ong also talks about the reasons behind the positive shifts in attitudes and acceptance of responsible and sustainable events, expectations event attendees have with regards to responsible events, who should shoulder the responsibility of sustainable events, and more.
Some 67 event planners from around Asia will begin their once-in-a-lifetime fam tour of Switzerland starting this Friday, as the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau kicks off its annual destination showcase, this time covering Geneva, Lausanne, and Gstaad.
According to Barbra Albrecht, head of meetings & incentives worldwide and member of the Management Board with the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau, the 9th Asia Trophy 2024 is a study trip to position “Switzerland as a year-round meeting destination with a proven commitment to sustainability”.
A cruise down Lake Geneva awaits participants of the 9th Asia Trophy 2024
Through use of public transport systems, the tour will demonstrate the destination’s short travel distances between places of interest and ease of access. Attendees can also see for themselves “a wealth of authentic experiences in cities and spectacular natural landscapes; state-of-the-art facilities; security and political stability in Switzerland; and the destination’s excellent environmental credentials and commitment to sustainability”, remarked Albrecht.
Besides opportunities to interact with professional and reliable business partners in Switzerland, the 9th Asia Trophy 2024 also features fun rally challenges that will provide event planners with new ideas and venue options.
Elaborating on the format, Albrecht told TTGmice: “The format is very interactive, combining the top attractions and hidden gems in the mountains, cities, and the country side while using top public transportation, from trains and postal cars to cable ways and mountain railways. Along the way, bits and pieces (of information) will be found, meeting and incentive possibilities, as well as gala dinner venues will be discovered, and team spirit activities will be experienced. Attendees will pass through different control points where challenges await.”
Highlighted destinations are determined through a bid, and the bureau makes an effort to spotlight different locations across mountain, city and resort areas every year.
This year, attendees can expect to cruise down Lake Geneva, discover Lausanne’s Olympic Museum and the 16th-century Lavaux Vineyards, and take the GoldenPass Express via Montreux before arriving at Glacier 3000 for fun in the snow.
Commenting on the agency representation, Dominique Oi, MICE manager Southeast Asia with the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau, said participants hailed from a good spread of Asian markets – Singapore (three), Malaysia (six), Indonesia (three), the Philippines (three), Vietnam (five), Thailand (11), Japan (seven), South Korea (five), China (nine), Taiwan (three), and India (12).
The 9th Asia Trophy 2024 is highly regarded in the Asian event planner community, as an event planner can only participate in it once in their lifetime.
When asked if the size of attendance reflected the importance of the source market to the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau, Oi said all Asian markets were extremely valuable, especially for corporate incentive travel, and the allotment for planners tended to differ year to year.
The Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau was involved in 315 corporate incentive movements from Asia in 2023, out of 1,099 that included European and North America groups. The figures excluded events handled solely by private organisations.
Besides the annual Asia Trophy, the bureau also supports event planners with visa process assistance, networking events, and information via its e-news network and LinkedIn.
Taipei (pictured) wants to attract more business events with a new sponsorship programme
To encourage international conferences, exhibitions, and incentive travel groups to choose Taipei, the Taipei City Government has launched a sponsorship programme.
The sponsorship programme provides a range of options, including funding and access to tourist attractions through admission tickets. Applicants must fulfil specific criteria for foreign attendees and applications will be evaluated based on its scale and social impact.
Taipei (pictured) wants to attract more business events with a new sponsorship programme
Using a domestic service enterprise or travel agency is required as part of the criteria. Additional subsidies will be considered if local sightseeing is combined.
The sponsorship program is open for applications from now until April 30, 2024, where events held between July to December 2024 will be considered. For more information, contact Taipei MICE One-stop Service.
The all-new Premium Economy class onboard Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific has unveiled its all-new Premium Economy cabin experience, which will be available in its retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft this year.
The new Premium Economy seat features a leather headrest and customised seat cushions, privacy wings with a reading light next to the headrest, a 15.6-inch 4K ultra-high-definition screen with 4K on demand and Bluetooth audio streaming, as well as clever storage solutions for personal devices.
The all-new Premium Economy class onboard Cathay Pacific
New, exclusive Premium Economy lavatories on each side of the cabin offer touch-free features to ensure minimal contact.
Other enhancements include the collaboration with acclaimed local restaurants and brands for the inflight menu. Customers can delight in reimagined French classics from JIA Group’s Michelin-star French restaurant Louise, and an all-new selection of Hong Kong Flavours” developed in collaboration with Cantonese fine-dining institution Duddell’s.
Meanwhile, guests at the airline’s The Pier, First class lounge at Hong Kong International Airport can delight in tasting menus developed together with Rosewood Hong Kong’s much fêted dining establishments.
Cathay Pacific will also serve a new, exclusive selection of fine Chinese wines, such as the Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite’s (DBR Lafite) Domaine de Long Dai 2020 from Qiu Shan Valley in Shandong Province, to First and Business classes for a limited time.
An all-new, intuitive graphical user interface onboard the airline’s A350s will also be progressively introduced to other aircraft types. In every seat is a 4K ultra-high-definition screens, a 4K video-on-demand experience, as well as Bluetooth audio streaming.
Delegates at Miqat Dhul Hulaifah Mosque in Abyār Alī Medina
Event brief
A prominent commercial vehicle manufacturer in Malaysia engaged Kuala Lumpur-based destination management company specialising in Muslim tours, Tripfez Travel & Tours, to organise a 12D10N incentive trip for their top Muslim sales personnel to Saudi Arabia.
Tripfez’s itinerary for the 153-pax group included an Umrah pilgrimage and guided sightseeing tours in the sacred cities of Medina and Jeddah.
Event highlights
For many delegates, this was their first visit to Saudi Arabia. The group commenced their journey from Kuala Lumpur to Medina aboard Saudia Airlines.
Upon arrival at Prince Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz International Airport, the group were welcomed by a representative from Tripfez and transferred to Medina city by bus. The first day was a free and easy day with a group dinner at a local restaurant.
The next three days featured guided city tours of Medina. Among the places visited were historic mosques closely linked with Islamic history. The three mosques are Abu Bakr Al-Saddique, Ghamamah Mosque, and the courtyard of Nabawi Mosque where the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad lies.
Delegates also explored Mount Uhud, the historical site of the pivotal battle that occurred on March 19, 625CE, between the Prophet and his small Muslim army and the larger Meccan army led by Abu Sufyan ibn Harb.
On the fifth day, the group travelled to Mecca by train. In Mecca, they visited mosques and historical sites such as the Cave of Hira, where Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation, and Jabal al-Rahmah, a mountain in Arafat where the Prophet delivered his last sermon in 623AD.
The highlight of the seventh day was performing the Umrah, also known as a minor Hajj, at Al Masjid Al Haram (Holy Mosque) and circling the Kaaba which is also housed at the Holy Mosque.
Challenges
Faeez Fadhlillah, CEO of Tripfez Travel & Tours, recounted his client’s specific request for the entire group to travel together from Kuala Lumpur to Saudi Arabia, emphasising the importance of maintaining group unity by taking the same flights.
A significant challenge they encountered was securing the required airline seats within a tight timeframe of less than three weeks before the departure date. To meet demand, Tripfez Travel promptly obtained all available seats directly from Saudia Airlines and worked diligently with numerous partner agents of Saudia to secure the remaining seats for the group.
Moreover, Tripfez Travel efficiently planned the programme itinerary and managed flight and ground arrangements within a tight timeframe of just two months.
During the programme itself, a critical challenge was to maintain the punctuality of the itinerary and ensure that the four buses adhered to the schedule. To tackle this, daily briefings were held for the tour leaders, bus drivers, and ground handler partners.
Faeez said: “These briefings played a crucial role in keeping all stakeholders informed about the day’s programme and preventing any errors in the early stages of the trip. The proactive communication strategy was pivotal in maintaining a smooth and well-coordinated travel experience throughout the entire journey.”
Event Umra Incentive trip 2023 Organiser Tripfez Travel & Tours Venue Medina and Mecca, Saudi Arabia Dates October 26 to November 5, 2023 Attendees 153
Onyx Hospitality Group has opened Nila – a dining destination that pays homage to the flavours of India’s coastal and river port regions – on the fourth floor of Amari Bangkok.
The menu is curated by Bharath S. Bhat, winner of Thailand’s Iron Chef one-on-one battle chef competition. It showcases an array of dishes featuring fresh seafood recipes influenced by Portuguese cuisine from Goa and the Malabar coast, as well as European culinary traditions along India’s eastern coast.
Nila restaurant at Amari Bangkok
Nila derives its name from the Malayalam word for the colour blue, symbolising the waters of India’s coast. The restaurant’s interior design draws inspiration from the vibrant hues of Portuguese architecture found in Goa, complemented by traditional Indian textures and visuals.
A complete restaurant book out will cost 125,000 baht nett with a maximum capacity of 100 guests for a sit-down dinner. The price includes food and soft drinks, with alcoholic drinks costing extra. For smaller-sized business events, Nila also offers private dining rooms with capacity not exceeding 12 guests.
The menu is customisable, where requests related to Indian coastal cuisine are possible. However, more well-known North Indian dishes such as butter chicken, naan, or chicken tikka are not on offer.
Nila marks the latest addition to Onyx Hospitality Group’s portfolio of hospitality brands, which alongside hotels and resorts, also includes the Italian restaurant Prego. The company has also unveiled plans for branch expansion of Nila into prominent hotels and resorts across South-east Asia.
Royal Caribbean Group’s president Barbara Muckermann will depart Royal Caribbean Group after 14 years with Silversea to pursue other opportunities. Succeeding her will be Bert Hernandez.
Hernandez has been with the Royal Caribbean Group for the past 20 years, and was most recently serving as senior vice president, international.
With an extensive commercial and operational experience, he has also served as president of China operations for Royal Caribbean International, where he built the brand into China’s leading cruise line.
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore has appointed Audrey Lim as the director of human resources, and Jin Kim as the executive assistant manager of rooms.
Lim brings over 20 years of experience working as a trusted human resource and talent partner to blue chip multinational corporations in regional and global roles in Singapore, China, and Indonesia. Most recently, she was the regional human resources director at Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy overseeing the South-east Asia and Australia markets.
Audrey Lim and Jin Kim
Kim will oversee all room operations, including housekeeping, guest services, The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, and the fitness centre. He most recently served as director of rooms at Grand Hyatt Jeju.
A strong lineup of suppliers from destinations, venues, hotels and technology have been confirmed at IMEX Frankfurt 2024
With a global range of exhibitors, learning sessions that dig into today’s most pertinent issues and opportunities to build new connections, IMEX Frankfurt 2024 is set to be a show with impact. From recent meetings with buyers and suppliers across Europe and beyond, the IMEX team knows that planners have constraints on their resources and budgets, and have become much more intentional about how they spend their time, money, and energy.
IMEX Frankfurt CEO Carina Bauer
“In planning IMEX Frankfurt, we’ve been more intentional too. We’ve taken a close look at our attendees, what they want, and why they want it,” said IMEX CEO Carina Bauer. “Doing business will sit front and centre of the show, along with opportunities for event professionals to broaden their global connections. A visit to IMEX Frankfurt will be an efficient and enjoyable experience from start to finish, and one that enables planners to supercharge their desired results.”
A strong roster of suppliers representing destinations, venues, hotels and technology is already confirmed for the show, taking place from May 14 to 16. The Asian market is growing significantly with Macau, Malaysia, Korea and Singapore all expanding their presence at the show. They join a broad range of European destinations from Croatia, Finland and Ireland to Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.
Curated content for the event community
IMEX’s learning programme begins the day before the show, on Monday, May 13, with specialist education for event professionals from associations – Association Focus – and in-house – Exclusively Corporate.
With burnout on the increase (according to the latest Freeman Trends Report 2024), disabled adventurer Darren Edwards will share his life lessons at both Association Focus and Exclusively Corporate.
He said: “In an ever-changing world, a business’s ability to adapt and its staff’s mental toughness have become integral to success. My journey tells the story of overcoming a life-changing injury and adapting to a new set of circumstances. After a fateful day when my life hung in the balance on the edge of a rockface, I learned several powerful lessons that have shaped my ability to adapt and remain resilient during difficult times. These lessons are incredibly relevant to businesses and their leaders.” Darren will also join the new Tough Talk sessions, discussing important life challenges in a closed environment.
First-timers to IMEX can make the most of a welcome package of activities before and during the show. A webinar on April 25 focuses on the team’s top tips for making the most of the show, while an introductory meet-up on the show’s opening day will help newbies meet each other and get their bearings.
The newly-opened Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok anchors the One Bangkok development with cosmopolitan elegance. Featuring the city's largest ballroom and a spectacular new penthouse suite, it delivers exceptional hardware and deeply authentic, soulful service for business and leisure travellers alike
Behind the imposing, Brutalist concrete that defines Zurich’s Oerlikon district lies a surprising secret. While its exterior honours the neighbourhood’s industrial roots, stepping inside Mama Shelter reveals a vibrant, neon-soaked world that is a far cry from its rigid shell
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
With an extensive commercial and operational experience, he has also served as president of China operations for Royal Caribbean International, where he built the brand into China’s leading cruise line.
