Event planners have the opportunity to savour this cuisine in new settings; Luna Park pictured
Laissez-faire Catering, a corporate catering supplier with more than 30 years of experience in Sydney, has broadened its portfolio by signing three new contracts.
In all, it can now offer event organisers access to over 30 unique venues in Syndey.
Event planners have the opportunity to savour this cuisine in new settings; Luna Park pictured
The culinary team join a panel of suppliers for Luna Park Sydney’s new ‘Big Top’ venue and immersive experience; and will be the food caterers at Machine Hall, a brand new 1,000m2 space where industrial aesthetics meet heritage in the Sydney CBD.
Laissez-faire Catering has also been named the exclusive in-house management partner for Urban Winery Sydney, where food will be crafted to complement wines by acclaimed winemaker Alex Retief.
Sara Flaskbard, general Manager at Laissez-faire Catering, acknowledged these important new relationships.
She stated: “Our values are deeply rooted in sustainability and ethical food practices, exemplified by our strong foundation of working closely with local producers and suppliers in NSW. As we embark on this expansion journey, we remain dedicated to bringing sustainability, community engagement, and the five-star restaurant experience to events, showcasing creative culinary excellence at both our existing and new venues.”
Sands Resorts Macao has introduced airport check-in services and direct bus transfers to Hong Kong International Airport
Sands Resorts Macao has introduced Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) check-in and direct bus transfer service, the first integrated resort to offer such services.
The new bus service – part of Phase 1 of expanded transportation offerings – will depart from The Venetian Macao to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge port, providing a convenient link to HKIA.
Sands Resorts Macao has introduced airport check-in services and direct bus transfers to Hong Kong International Airport
Guests can now enjoy the convenience of checking in for their flights directly from the integrated resort, saving valuable time while enjoying a seamless journey to HKIA. This initiative will also support Macao Government Tourism Office’s visitor number goals for 2024 and beyond.
To help position Macau as a premier international business events destination, Stephanie Tanpure, vice president of sales at Sands China, emphasised the critical role of this initiative in addressing accessibility limitations within the business events segment.
“The introduction of airport check-in and direct bus transfers is a critical component of our response to calls to enhance the accessibility of Macau as a destination. We are committed to ensuring that every guest’s journey with us is as easy and convenient as possible,” she said.
Noredah Othman has been appointed CEO of the Sabah Convention Bureau.
The industry veteran has 33 years of experience under her belt, and was previously the CEO of Sabah Tourism Board.
Noredah is well-versed in the business events industry, having attended SITE European University in 1998. She has also played a significant role in Sabah Tourism Board’s membership with ICCA.
During her tenure as CEO of Sabah Tourism Board from 2019 to 2023, she actively participated in numerous tradeshows related to business events. Post-lockdown, while heading the Sabah Tourism Board, she actively promoted Sabah for business events at IBTM Barcelona and IMEX Frankfurt.
Okinawa is pulling out all the stops to be a responsible destination for meetings and events with programmes that celebrate its heritage and natural environment
Okinawa is pulling out all the stops to be a responsible destination for meetings and events with programmes that celebrate its heritage and natural environment
From beach cleaning to coral planting programmes, Okinawa offers a host of sustainable initiatives that business events visitors can participate in to maximise positive environmental impact.
The prefecture is stepping up its green efforts as it aims to become the next responsible destination for meetings. Okinawa Prefectural Government and the Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) are working with events-related businesses to promote initiatives that not only celebrate the prefecture’s natural beauty and unique heritage, but also meet with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The government has developed the Okinawa MICE Sustainability Guidelines in 2022 (available only in Japanese) to support the sustainability efforts of Okinawa event organisers, operators and suppliers.
Meanwhile, venues and hotels are accelerating efforts to minimise environmental damage, as well as promote local Okinawan culture, and educate visitors about the prefecture’s flora and fauna.
Here are some ideas to start with:
Bagasse Upcycle’s Kariyushi shirts are made from sugarcane pulp as part of waste reduction efforts
Do your part and contribute to cleaning Okinawa’s beaches with Project Manatii
Learn about Okinawa’s coral ecosystem through educational lectures and diving trips
Experience the flora and fauna of UNESCO World Heritage Yanbaru by EV bus
Discover the sanshin, a three-stringed instrument with a snake skin body unique to Okinawa
A local village-led Honey & Coral Project where farmers prevent red soil erosion and promote beekeeping
Bagasse Upcycle
Want to give visitors a quintessentially Okinawan experience? An option is Kariyushi shirts, the Okinawan version of the Hawaiian aloha shirt, which feature designs inspired by the prefecture’s traditional dyed and woven fabric, culture and nature.
Bagasse Upcycle is a start-up that provides rentals of these shirts. Its Kariyushi shirts are made from bagasse, known as sugarcane pulp, a by-product of sugarcane production. Sugarcane is the main agricultural crop of Okinawa.
Bagasse itself contributes to waste if not used properly and by upcycling them into shirts, the company is reducing clothing waste. Even when the shirts wear out, they are carbonised and returned to the sugarcane fields as a soil enhancer.
Project Manatii
Event attendees can do their part to help clean up Okinawa’s beaches with Project Manatii. The programme has received positive reviews from participants, largely due to the opportunity to learn from local residents. Group activities also made it easier for participants to interact with one another.
Lagoon
Take a deep dive into the turquoise blue waters surrounding Okinawa and learn about its coral ecosystems. Lagoon offers customised packages that include coral reef lectures and conservation activities in line with the SDGs. Other activities include the cultivation of coral seedlings and diving trips to transplant them.
It also works with local fishing cooperatives, environmental experts, and research organisations.
JAL JTA Sales
Experience rich nature within the forests of Yanbaru, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, via a guided tour in a low impact way — by electric bus. Yanbaru is home to indigenous species such as the Okinawa rail, a flightless bird, and Ishikawa’s frog.
Tours operate under the standards of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Travel speeds are kept below 20km/h and a limited number of participants are allowed so as to protect the environment.
DMC Okinawa
This destination management company organises team building events and activities including two sustainability programmes.
Making Okinawan Music is a team building programme where participants learn to create harmony using Okinawan musical instruments, such as the sanshin. The aim is to promote local culture and heritage and thus preserve it, in line with the UN’s SDGs. A portion of the fees paid goes towards the restoration of Okinawa’s iconic Shuri Castle.
The other is a tree-planting programme on Ishigaki Island, which helps to protect and develop the island’s coral reefs.
Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island, Okinawa
Join two uniquely Okinawan projects at the exclusive Hyatt Regency located on the private Seragaki island.
The first, a Honey & Coral Project led by the local Onna Village, sees farmers working to prevent red soil erosion by planting crops around farmland and promoting beekeeping. Sweets made with the honey harvested in the village are on sale at the hotel’s restaurants or market. Offer varies depending on harvest season.
Another, the Clownfish Nurturing Project, under supervision of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), seeks to create a sustainable tourism system and protect the clownfish population around Seragaki Island. Snorkeling tours to learn more about this project are also available.
BESydney’s Sydney Meetings Fund offers A$40 per person for business events hosted in Sydney
Looking for a reason to host your next team incentive or corporate event in Sydney?
Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has launched a new funding programme, The Sydney Meetings Fund (SMF), designed to help travel agents and meeting planners offset a portion of on-the-ground costs for business events hosted in Sydney.
With offers from A$40* per person, the SMF is dedicated to helping business events become a success—this may include conferences, incentives or corporate events that are deemed eligible.
To apply for the Sydney Meetings Fund, the event must be:
For groups of 100 to 250 people
At least three nights
For events not yet confirmed in Sydney
Taking place before Dec 31, 2024
“Since the BESydney SMF opened, we have seen a number of event owners and organisers register and qualify for financial support for events in 2024,” said BESydney Executive General Manager Client Engagement, Kristian Nicholls.
“We cannot wait to share Sydney’s fresh new story with agents and clients who will be inspired by the new luxury hotel landscape, exciting new attractions and experiences, not to mention the unique venues from super yachts to exclusive islands. Sydney has changed dramatically in recent years, and we look forward to sharing the city’s fresh energy and evolving landscape,” he added.
Give delegates the opportunity to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb
Spectacular Sydney is the perfect place to host incentive events that leave a lasting impression. The metropolis has a wealth of cultural attractions, scenic nature, beautiful beaches, a myriad of food and beverage options and vibrant nightlife, perfect for organising activities that will immerse, enrich, motivate, and inspire your incentive delegates. Design varied and exciting itinerary options to explore, shop, sail, surf, walk, cook, dine, taste wine and even bridge-climb.
Reward excellence and motivate your team with an uplifting trip to one of the world’s most naturally beautiful and cosmopolitan cities.
BESydney is also making it easier to book Sydney with planning tools, supplier connections and its experts’ best tips on the latest new experiences, hotels and attractions to surprise, delight and inspire delegates. With over 55 years of experience, BE Sydney will ensure your event runs smoothly.
The Ascott Limited is strengthening its top leadership team with new C-suite appointments. These appointments will bolster and capitalise operations, commercial, strategic planning, and hospitality design efforts.
Lee Ngor Houai has been appointed as chief operating officer, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), South Asia and China, Ascott where he will lead growth and oversee operations in these key regions.
From left: Lee Ngor Houai, Tan Bee Leng, and Wong Kar Ling
In her new role as chief commercial officer for Ascott, Tan Bee Leng leads the company’s ecosystem of revenue-generation and brand-related functions.
As chief strategy officer, Ascott and managing director, South-east Asia, Ascott, Wong Kar Ling will drive the development of Ascott’s global strategy and seeks opportunities to chart the course of growth through strategic initiatives including mergers and acquisitions, transformation, and partnerships.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Air New Zealand will be reauthorising their joint venture alliance for another five years until March 2029.
The extension, subject to regulatory approval, will see both airlines operate a total of four daily seasonal services between Auckland and Singapore from October 27, 2024, to March 29, 2025.
Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have been strong partners for close to a decade
Over the course of the 10-year partnership, Air New Zealand and SIA have grown the seat capacity between New Zealand and Singapore by nearly 50 per cent. This includes the addition of up to three daily services between Auckland and Singapore, and a daily service between Christchurch and Singapore.
With the fourth daily seasonal service between Auckland and Singapore, the carriers will jointly operate 38 weekly return services between New Zealand and Singapore during peak months, translating to more than 893,000 seats available every year.
Air New Zealand chief transformation and alliances officer, Mike Williams, commented: “The partnership gives New Zealanders access to the world on Singapore Airlines’ vast network beyond the Singapore gateway into destinations in Europe, India and South-east Asia. With the partnership extended for a further five years, together with Singapore Airlines, we can continue to stimulate trade and tourism, and provide customers with greater choice and connectivity.”
Dai Haoyu, acting senior vice president marketing planning, SIA, said: “The extension of our alliance allows us to continue offering our customers even more options between Singapore and New Zealand, as well as to domestic destinations with New Zealand and around the world.”
Ken Yong has been named general manager of Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore.
In his new role, Yong aims to revolutionise the hotel’s operations and guest experience through innovative technology integration while maintaining a high level of personalised service.
Minor Hotels has appointed Ammarawadee Cheowit as the general manager of NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort, the first NH Hotel brand in Thailand and Asia.
Previously general manager at OZO Chaweng Samui, she brings over 13 years of hotel management experience to her new role, having effectively led teams in various hotel types, including boutique hotels and luxury properties, across Thailand’s prime tourist destinations such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Phuket, and Hua Hin.
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.
In his new role, Yong aims to revolutionise the hotel’s operations and guest experience through innovative technology integration while maintaining a high level of personalised service.
Previously general manager at OZO Chaweng Samui, she brings over 13 years of hotel management experience to her new role, having effectively led teams in various hotel types, including boutique hotels and luxury properties, across Thailand’s prime tourist destinations such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Phuket, and Hua Hin.
