Uniplan expands global reach with new Dubai office
Uniplan, a global agency for brand experience has opened a new regional office in Dubai, UAE, as it looks to scale up its service and support for clients in the Middle East & North Africa region.
The new office is headed by Safwan El Roufai, CEO for Middle East and North Africa.
Newly-appointed, El Roufai has been tasked with leading Uniplan’s Dubai team in delivering innovative solutions and unparalleled experiences for clients across various industries.
He has over two decades of experience in the events and communication industry. Previously, El Roufai was executive vice president MENA for VML, WPP’s creative company; and CEO of Prisme International, the events agency behind the launch of Burj Khalifa, and Dubai Tram.
Christian Zimmermann, Global CEO of Uniplan, said: “Dubai’s strategic location between the East and the West offers unparalleled opportunities for Uniplan. Currently, Dubai works closely with our Hong Kong office, exemplifying its role as a bridge between cultures and markets… Additionally, our new office will play an important role for bringing Chinese brands to the MENA region, leveraging Dubai’s unique position and our global network.”
Uniplan was founded in Cologne in 1960 by Hans Bruehe, father of the current CEO and owner Christian Zimmermann.
AIME 2024 records stronger transactions
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has reported more than A$330 million (US$215.2 million) in business traded between exhibitors and buyers this year – a 65 per cent increase on 2023.
This year’s edition was AIME’s largest in a decade, with more than 570 exhibitors, 595 hosted buyers, and 17,000 meetings occurring on the showfloor across two days. More than 4,000 people attended AIME 2024, including 70 media representatives from around the world, and more than 89,500 connections were made across the event.
Further post-show analysis revealed almost one in two visitors were first-time attendees; more than 85 per cent of visitors met their objectives for attending AIME ; more than 90 per cent of exhibitors were likely to return next year; and more than 90 per cent of exhibitors and visitors were satisfied with their attendance at AIME. These statistics put AIME in the top 10 per cent of tradeshows around the world.
AIME 2024 was the third event delivered by event director Silke Calder and her team from Talk2 Media and Events, who manage the show on behalf of Melbourne Convention Bureau.
MCEC deepens commitment to local food suppliers
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has added two Australian beverage companies, Padre Coffee and Vanguard Luxury Brands to its list of local suppliers as it continues its responsible sourcing efforts.
Padre Coffee has been synonymous with Melbourne since opening its doors in 2008. Padre has five locations around the city, including South Melbourne Market, a short walk from MCEC. Renowned for its speciality grade coffee, Padre Coffee ensures its products are of the highest quality, while prioritising fair and sustainable prices for the farmers and producers it works with.
Vanguard Luxury Brands sources the best liquor from Victoria and around Australia. It features Four Pillars Gin and The Gospel Whiskey at MCEC. Four Pillars Gin is Australia’s first carbon neutral gin distillery, and is locally distilled in the Yarra Valley, less than an hour from Melbourne. Meanwhile, The Gospel Whiskey is crafted from 100 per cent Australian unmalted rye from South Australia and locally distilled in Brunswick. The Gospel also uses 100 per cent recyclable packaging, diverts waste from landfill and donates to charities.
Vanguard also supplies MCEC with other premium local Melbourne liquor brands, such as Melbourne Cocktail Company and Aether Vodka.
MCEC’s commitment to sourcing and promoting local produce not only benefits Victorian businesses, but also contributes to its own sustainability targets by reducing emissions from transportation. Last financial year, 97 per cent of MCEC’s suppliers were Victorian-based.
“By partnering with suppliers like Padre Coffee and Vanguard that share our commitments to community and sustainability, we can ensure fantastic quality and sustainable produce, and we know our customers and visitors will love it,” MCEC’s head of F&B, Paul Kanaan, said.
Visitors to MCEC can enjoy Padre Coffee at the venue’s onsite cafes and catered events. while Vanguard liquors are available at Goldfields Café & Bar as well as on the menu at corporate catered events. Organisers can also opt for a pop-up Four Pillars activation station or Padre coffee cart at their events.
FCM M&E rolls out global Venue Finder platform
FCM Meetings & Events (FCM M&E) has launched FCM Venue Finder to allow meeting planners quicker access to venues and to complete bookings.
The new booking solution for meetings and group hotel lodging for corporates is powered by Hubli. It includes over 200,000 spaces worldwide that can be booked online as well as sustainability solutions with contracting and cost controls. Detailed images and specifications of unique venues are reflected too.
Manpreet Bindra, leader of Asia, FCM M&E, said: “We believe the meetings, events, conferences, and event travel markets are ripe for disruption worldwide – this is an important step in ensuring we have best-in-class technology to deliver for a flourishing travel market sector.”
Bindra added that the new FCM Venue Finder platform was user-friendly and could effortlessly deliver seamless venue sourcing, event management bookings, innovative sustainability solutions, and cost control to simplify the dynamic events world.
Looking ahead, he noted that in-person activity levels are rising, with recent data showing that conferences and events are one of the top two reasons for travel among business owners and decision-makers.
“We’re experiencing and anticipating a steady annual growth rate of demand at 12 per cent year-on-year for in-person meetings, which means we have some exciting opportunities coming our way,” he said.
A city for all
Event brief
Jointly organised by the HKSAR Government and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 17th Asian Financial Forum (AFF), held earlier in January 2024, was the first face-to-face gathering since the pandemic.
This event has traditionally been of vital importance to Hong Kong’s thriving economy, as it encourages business and trade collaboration in the region.
The two-day forum this year was packed with sessions in multiple formats, including the Global Spectrum series, Fireside Chat series, Dialogues for Tomorrow series, and thematic workshops.
Event highlights
Themed Multilateral Cooperation for a Shared Tomorrow, AFF explored economic policies and multilateral cooperation opportunities between governments, governments and businesses, and businesses.
More than 700 one-on-one meetings were arranged over the two days, successfully connecting investors with project owners and facilitating the exploration of opportunities for industry and investment cooperation.
Several MoUs and agreements materialised during the event, such as the Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement between Hong Kong and Croatia; and the MoU between the Financial Services Development Council and Financial Sector Development Program of Saudi Arabia.
To deepen overseas participants’ understanding of financial development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, the HKTDC arranged visits to relevant regulatory bodies, such as the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, as well as Shenzhen.
Event organisers also partnered with several organisations, such as the Hong Kong Tourism Board, to entice overseas attendees with leisure, sports and dining experiences during their stay in Hong Kong. Attendees enjoyed privileged access to the airport lounge, free admission to the Hong Kong Palace Museum, a one-hour night tour of the city onboard an open-top Big Bus or sailing on the iconic Aqua Luna junk. Dining discounts and guided tours by the Lan Kwai Fong Group, dining discounts at Harbour City and Times Square, and discounted passes for Hong Kong attractions were also available through Klook.
Challenges
Reflecting on the event, HKTDC said hosting a large-scale international conference like AFF involved extensive coordination and tactical planning. The project took nine months to a year to prepare.
As the organiser of 2024’s first major business event in the region, HKTDC’s AFF team was committed to telling a good story of Hong Kong and promoting large-scale conferences and exhibitions.
Event The 17th Asian Financial Forum
Organisers Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Venue Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
Date January 24-25, 2024
No. of attendees 3,600 financial and business elites from over 50 countries and regions, including over 70 delegations from overseas and China
Turboprop Safety Conference heads to Kuala Lumpur
The Malaysia(AAPA) will host the Asia and Pacific Turboprop Safety Conference on June 26 and 27, 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
AAPA has long identified the unique challenges faced by turboprop operators, particularly in Asia-Pacific. With the conference, AAPA aims to bring together industry stakeholders, including AAPA member airlines, other operators, and industry bodies to exchange insights, best practices, and innovative solutions.
The conference will feature a comprehensive agenda covering various aspects of turboprop operations, including emergency response, safety culture, flight data monitoring as well as unique airport and operational considerations. Attendees can expect engaging discussions, informative presentations, and opportunities for networking.
The Calyx rolls out new vegan menu for corporate events
The Calyx, situated within the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, has launched a new vegan, plant-based menu.
New dishes include roasted eggplant & tahini pannacotta, rye pumpernickel, toasted macadamia; Moroccan lentil vegetable pie; tofu steaks, tahini sauce, quinoa, seasonal vegetables; and triple chocolate brownie, cacao, walnuts, dates, coconut, raspberry gel, chocolate sorbet.
Drawing inspiration from the natural surroundings of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, the menu also highlights locally-sourced ingredients – including vegetables harvested from family-owned farm, Pitt Town Bottoms in the Hawkesbury – and emphasises the importance of knowing where one’s food comes from.
Other locally-sourced ingredients include activated charcoal and quinoa gluten-free bread from Botany-based, Nonie’s Bread.
Overall, The Calyx’s menu promises an interactive culinary experience, featuring fresh, seasonal, and brightly coloured plant-based dishes. This new menu was crafted in collaboration with on-site caterer Laissez-faire Catering.
This culinary initiative not only underscores The Calyx’s dedication to sustainability, but represents a significant milestone in the evolution of event catering towards zero-waste and plant-based practices.
Astrid Renigeris, sales manager at The Calyx, said: “We believe that every event should be a celebration of sustainability and innovation. Our new plant-based menu not only satisfies the palate but also reflects our commitment to supporting wholesome options for our guests as well as a healthier planet.”
Thomas Hoeborn joins Conrad Maldives Rangali Island as GM
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has named Thomas Hoeborn as its new general manager.
A hospitality veteran with close to 40 years in the industry, Hoeborn’s new role will see him lead the team in all aspects of hotel operations and performance.
He most recently served as area general manager in Central China, where he oversaw the operations and performance of eight Hilton and Conrad hotels.
Alex Schellenberger helms as SVP, Brand at Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental has appointed Alex Schellenberger as its senior vice president, brand.
The German national has over two decades in global luxury brand building, storytelling and brand experience roles, and brings insights and expertise to this newly-created global role.
Based in Hong Kong, Schellenberger will be also be joining the Group Leadership Team.
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The Lufthansa Group’s Green Fares has been well received since it was launched a year ago – with more than one million passengers opting for the new fare – and demand continues to rise steadily in all booking classes, underlining the success of this sustainable option.
Available with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines and Air Dolomiti on more than 730,000 flights per year within Europe and to Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, the Lufthansa Group has also been testing Green Fares on selected longhaul routes since November 2023.
In the first year, an average of three per cent of passengers have used the offer, making an important contribution to more sustainable travel. In Business Class, Green Fares tickets are already selected for eleven per cent of bookings via the Lufthansa Group portals.
Green Fares are particularly popular on routes such as Hamburg-Munich, Zurich-London and Frankfurt-Berlin. In total, travellers have offset more than 77,000 tonnes of CO2 since the launch of Green Fares by offsetting their flight-related CO2 emissions.
Green Fares includes the full offsetting of individual, flight-related CO2 emissions by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as well as a contribution to high-quality climate protection projects. With SAF, a reduction of 20 per cent of CO2 emissions is achieved, while the remaining 80 per cent is compensated by climate protection projects. The Lufthansa Group ensures that the amount of SAF required for offsetting is fed into the airport infrastructure within six months of purchase.
The Lufthansa Group’s CO2 compensation portfolio currently comprises 15 projects, including two technology-based projects.
Currently, around four per cent of Lufthansa Group passengers use one of the various offers for more sustainable flying. Passengers can either select a special fare such as the Green Fares, or individually tailored offers with a higher proportion of SAF during the booking process. They can also offset flight-related CO2 emissions during or after the flight.
In addition to private customers, more corporate customers are also using one of the Lufthansa Group’s offers for more sustainable flying – in 2023, more than 1,500 companies worldwide invested in SAF with the Lufthansa Group.
The Lufthansa Group has set itself ambitious climate protection goals and aims to achieve a neutral CO2 balance by 2050, halving its net CO2 emissions by 2030. As the first airline group in Europe with a science-based CO2 reduction target in line with the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, the group is focusing on accelerated fleet modernisation, the continuous optimisation of flight operations, the use of SAF and offers for its private travellers and corporate customers to make air travel more sustainable.