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.
Kristofer Quadros has been named cluster general manager, Sri Lanka, of La Vie Hotels & Resorts.
In his new role, Quadros will be responsible for managing the strategic performance and operations of Radisson Hotel Colombo, Radisson Blu Resort Galle and Radisson Hotel Kandy.
With more than 25 years of management experience across the globe including Maldives, Dubai and Indonesia, he was most recently general manager of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa.
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has released the GSTC MICE Criteria, now publicly available for non-commercial use.
These criteria are tailored for Venues, Event Organisers, and Events & Exhibitions, aiming to help businesses adopt sustainable practices in line with the increasing emphasis on sustainability. The development of the GSTC MICE Criteria was supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
The GSTC MICE Criteria will help define sustainability in a holistic manner; raise awareness of the breadth and nature of sustainability; serve as the basis for certification for sustainability; serve as basic guidelines for education and training on sustainable MICE practices; and help consumers identify sustainable MICE businesses.
The Criteria also offer both the public and private sectors a starting point by providing basic guidelines for MICE businesses to become more sustainable, including guidance for identifying more sustainable suppliers and service providers.
The GSTC will launch an Early Adopter Programme for the MICE Criteria. This programme will run for two years, allowing industry players to apply the Criteria in the field and form a network for knowledge and experience sharing. Information on the programme will soon be announced.
The GSTC Criteria serve as the global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism. The Criteria are used for education and awareness-raising, policy-making for businesses, organisations and government agencies, measurement and evaluation, and as a basis for certification. They are the result of a worldwide effort to develop a common language about sustainability in tourism and are arranged in four pillars: (A) Sustainable management; (B) Socioeconomic impacts; (C) Cultural impacts; (D) Environmental impacts.
The GSTC MICE Criteria are the third GSTC Criteria set, in addition to the GSTC Industry Criteria (for Hotels and Tour operators) and the GSTC Destination Criteria. The GSTC Attraction Criteria are currently under development.
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has introduced ICCAUni, designed to connect academia with the business events industry.
The initiative aims to create a network of educators and career advisors in universities and colleges worldwide. Moreover, ICCAUni provides opportunities for emerging talent to engage with the business events industry, helping graduates explore potential career paths.
The ICCAUni membership programme will give students an active understanding of what it takes to succeed in the professional sphere. Member organisations will get two scholarships – including travel and accommodation – to the ICCA Annual Congress, plus access to ICCA’s Business Intelligence database, and access to a library with 60-plus years of industry knowledge.
ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath stated: “Finding exciting new talent is the lifeblood of our industry. ICCAUni will showcase the incredible scope of what our industry offers – from marketing and hospitality, to logistics and advocacy– and by doing so, will attract a whole new generation of leaders.
“By bringing education establishments into this unique membership programme, academia will be able to point to our industry and tell their students that this is where the opportunity lies. And we will get to enjoy the industry-wide benefit of fresh perspective, and boundless enthusiasm.”
Thailand is actively seeking increased business events participation from Taiwan, recently organising the MI Plus Thailand Roadshow Edition on March 12 and 13 in Taipei.
The event was attended by 30 meeting planner agencies and 10 corporate travel buyers.
Led by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), other stakeholders included the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways International, Thailand Incentive and Convention Association, and 15 Thai suppliers comprising DMCs, hotels and meeting venues.
TCEB’s two-day roadshow in Taipei updated Taiwanese buyers on Thailand’s latest government policies aimed at enhancing business events. The event covered essential details such as minimum night stay requirements, financial support for international group sizes, fast-track immigration lanes, cultural performances, locally-made souvenirs, and other relevant terms and conditions.
Key industry sectors being eyed from Taiwan include insurance companies, banking, technology, and direct selling multi-level marketing groups.
According to Supanich Thiansing, TCEB’s director with the Meetings & Incentives Department, Thailand is promoting itself as a gateway for unforgettable experiences and sustainable growth.
“With a focus on achieving net-zero carbon emissions and fostering sustainable practices, Thailand stands out as a prime destination for those seeking to make a positive impact,” she noted.
The MI Plus campaign name and concept, Supanich commented, aims to show meeting and incentive groups Thailand’s “plus and added value”.
TCEB also emphasised its commitment through its “3Ls” marketing strategy, focusing on creating meaningful experiences that benefit communities (“Larger than Life”), offering immersive cultural engagements (“Localised”), and driving socially responsible actions for lasting change (“Lasting change”).
Supanich noted corporate groups from Taiwan that stay an average of five days and four nights tend to visit multiple destinations, while those staying four days and three nights pick a single destination.
According to K&A International’s deputy manager, Andrew Gung, it was the first time the DMC partnered with TCEB to organise a roadshow, adding it previously helped the CVB organise an exhibition roadshow in Taipei and Shanghai.
Two Christchurch city champions have joined the Tūwhana business events advocate programme, elevating the initiative to new heights at its first anniversary.
The programme’s first anniversary was celebrated during an evening event where new advocates Mark Rocket and professor Alex Tan were welcomed to Tūwhana by the programme patron, Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger.
Internet and aerospace entrepreneur Mark Rocket is the current President of Aerospace New Zealand and as CEO of Kea Aerospace is leading the way in the emerging aerospace sector in Aotearoa.
Professor of Political Science and International Relations and the coordinator of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the University of Canterbury, Alex Tan is an established thought leader in the fields of Taiwan and Asian politics and international relations of the Asia-Pacific.
Designed to attract prestigious international conferences to Christchurch, Tūwhana brings together thought leaders from multiple sectors and communities who work to promote Ōtautahi Christchurch as an international destination for business events. Tūwhana means to advocate and is inspired by a common phrase used in waka ama to urge people to work together: “Tūwhanawhana mai, tū hāpainga”.
One year into the Tūwhana programme, positive outcomes are evident, with advocates supporting and endorsing conference bids, attending events to connect with clients and showcase the city, connecting with their networks and other bid champions and building a long-term pipeline of business.
Rocket and Tan will work alongside existing Tūwhana advocates to promote Christchurch’s industry and sector strengths, helping to boost focus areas and create a long-lasting legacy with their wealth of knowledge in their respective fields.
Tūwhana’s current advocates include Bridget Williams, the founder of Bead and Proceed, an organisation that educates people about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; Tanya McCall, chair of Tangata Atumotu Trust, a not-for-profit Pasifika health and social services provider; Tanja Mitrović, a professor at the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Canterbury; Kate Reid, chair of the Cancer Society of New Zealand’s Canterbury/West Coast Division; Antarctic legend and natural environment champion Graeme Ayres; and former mayor of Christchurch Lianne Dalziel.
ChristchurchNZ head of business events, Megan Crum, said: “…It is great to see the momentum the programme has created, with our incredible advocates forming that important connection with their industries and networks to the business events sector.”
World of Business Ideas (WOBI), a global business content hub, announced the inaugural World Business Forum in Singapore on July 10-11, 2024, at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre.
Themed Purpose: Navigating Uncharted Waters, the conference will explore the profound impact of purpose on individuals and organisations. Purpose serves as a driving force, inspiring potential and sparking innovation and creativity. Clarity in purpose empowers one to navigate today’s turbulent and often unfamiliar challenges.
World Business Forum Singapore will feature top-level keynote speakers such as former Grand Slam Tennis champion turned author and philanthropist Andre Agassi; former Hewlett-Packard (HP) chairman and CEO Carly Fiorina; leading expert on digital transformation and disruptive growth strategies Charlene Li; and world-renowned iconoclastic business thinker Gary Hamel among others.
The World Business Forum takes place in major business capitals including New York City, Milan, Mexico City, Madrid and Sydney, bringing together senior-level decision-makers from across various industries to learn from and be inspired by the world’s most influential business thought leaders.
After more than 20 successful editions worldwide, the World Business Forum marks its entry into South-east Asia with its first summit to be held in Singapore.
“South-east Asia stands as a vibrant and dynamic region, boasting a wealth of world-class leaders and innovators. Our entry into this market underscores our unwavering commitment to serving diverse audiences globally, ensuring that the transformative insights and experiences of the World Business Forum resonate across borders,” said Daniel Hernandez, director, Asia Pacific, WOBI.
EventsAir, an Australian tech company, provided top-tier accreditation and access control solutions to streamline security at the recent ASEAN-Australia Summit in Melbourne, where the summit hosted 12 Heads of State along with thousands of support staff and participants over three days.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese’s recent hosting of leaders from ten South-east Asian countries at the ASEAN-Australia Summit in Melbourne necessitated some of the most stringent security measures ever seen in the country.
Despite only a dozen South-east Asian leaders physically attending the summit, the total number of attendees, including diplomats, academics, officials, media personnel, police, and on-site staff, surpassed 6,500. All attendees had to undergo accreditation procedures before gaining access to the heavily secured Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Over 10 members of the EventsAir team collaborated closely with the ASEAN Task Force from July 2023, meticulously checking, reviewing, and processing every approved attendee. They then issued secure credentials to facilitate streamlined access to the MCEC while upholding the stringent security perimeter.
EventsAir CEO, Chris Ridd, elaborated on the security measures implemented, stating that validated attendees were issued photo ID security passes embedded with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) mechanism. This allowed rapid validation as attendees entered the MCEC and accessed restricted areas.
“ASEAN attendees underwent RFID gate checks or were scanned by mobile RFID readers before entering the building, instantly confirming their credentials,” Ridd explained. “All of this was seamlessly managed through the EventsAir platform.”
Ridd expressed pride in EventsAir’s contribution to the summit, highlighting its role in ensuring smooth registration, data processing, and venue access control. He lauded the flawless technical execution and credited the on-site team, supported by partner Touchpoint, for their exceptional work.
Marriott Hotels has opened its first hotel in Penang, Malaysia, situated along Gurney Drive.
Events and functions are elevated experiences at Penang Marriott Hotel, with the centrepiece being the pillarless grand ballroom. The space boasts a high ceiling, comes equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, and can hold 500 pax banquet-style.
In addition to the grand ballroom, the hotel offers five flexible function rooms on Level 1, each equipped with the latest technology and customisable setups to accommodate a variety of events.
Planners can also opt for La Siena, a multifunctional space offering a range of F&B options from afternoon teas to innovative dining concepts.
In total, the Penang Marriott Hotel offers 223 keys, where rooms feature views of the city or the Andaman Sea. Business guests or elite members of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme will be able to enjoy the M Club, while recreational facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre, steam room, an outdoor infinity swimming pool, and Kids Club.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s culinary offerings include Italian restaurant Kucina, all-day diner Sago, Greatroom bar and lounge, and Lava Java for snacks.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has appointed a new director of culinary, Remi Van Peteghem, who brings three decades of culinary experience.
The French national arrives in Hanoi from Singapore, where he most recently served as culinary director and assistant vice president of F&B for Resorts World Sentosa, overseeing its overall culinary operations, including at Michelin-star Table65.
Prior to that, he was executive chef at InterContinental Doha The City, executive chef at Royal Monceau Paris (home to the Michelin-star Il Carpaccio) , and executive Sous Chef at Peninsula New York. During his tenure at Peninsula Hong Kong, he oversaw the management of the French fine dining restaurant Gaddi’s for four years.
Other Michelin-star restaurants Van Peteghem has worked with include Le Sensing (one star), in his first position as chef de cuisine in 2011; Lasserre (two stars); Pavillon Le Doyen (three stars); L’Arpège (three stars); Grand Véfour (three stars); Il Cortile (one star); Montparnasse 25 (one star); and Carré des Feuillants (two stars).