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.
International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) has outlined six trends shaping the future of events and conventions, as well as found Gen Z to be highly engaged and represented at events, in its latest report.
Jointly released by McCrindle and ICC Sydney, the new report, ‘RESPECT: Shaping Events for Success,’ reveals significant insights into Australian event attendance and preferences. emphasising a strong demand for socially impactful, sustainable, and inclusive events.
From left: ICC Sydney’s Samantha Glass and Geoff Donaghy speaking to TTGmice at AIME. Photo: Adelaine Ng
The six key trends were identified as curated and immersive event experiences, socially impactful events, gathering in sustainable ways, prioritising health and wellbeing, and a seamless integration of technology.
The study of more than 1,000 respondents showed 69 per cent of Australians engaged with local entertainment events last year, while 46 per cent participated in business events, showcasing a robust involvement across all generations.
Samantha Glass, ICC Sydney’s director of corporate affairs, communication, and sustainability, and the driving force behind the project, noted that Gen Z ranked highest for valuing accessible and inclusive spaces, sustainable practices, and opportunities to form new connections.
They were also twice as likely as their older Baby Boomers counterparts to see social media as effective for promoting connection at events.
“There’s a desire from Gen Z not just to be marketed at through technology and social media, but for social media and technology to help curate their experiences and to connect with their tribe when they come to an event,” said Glass at the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) last week.
“Also, millennials are increasingly using social media to call out individuals and organisations that don’t walk the talk,” she noted.
The report further noted that Gen Z valued novelty (65 per cent) and customisation (59 per cent) in their event experience, while Gen Y (62 per cent) placed a high value on the seamless integration of technology at events.
Social researcher and demographer, Mark McCrindle, said the local results has the potential to shape future global trends.
“Australians have returned to events with fresh expectations. Our quickly evolving society, culture, environment and technology are shaping their outlook and sentiment. In particular, Gen Z seeks to engage with events in new and immersive ways that prioritise human connection and social impact – all these elements are already supported at ICC Sydney every day,” he said.
ICC Sydney also announced an expansion of its Legacy Program in response, by adding an ‘Inclusion and Belonging’ stream. The programme was introduced in 2017 to acknowledge and celebrate First Nations culture at events.
Geoff Donaghy, CEO of ICC Sydney and group director of convention centres at ASM Global (APAC), said it reflects parent company ASM Global’s dedication to resonating with evolving event expectations.
“This is a data validation of what we have felt instinctively in our journey (at ICC Sydney) and it provides a little more formality for us that we can take to clients, to show how we can help put their events on,” he said.
Business is booming for Malaysia's business events players; Kuala Lumpur pictured
Business events players in Malaysia have experienced a surge in enquiries and bookings for events since the beginning of February, driven by the significantly weakened ringgit against the US dollar and Singapore dollar.
Last week, the ringgit plummeted to an all-time low against both the US dollar and Singapore dollar, reaching 4.8 against the US dollar and 3.6 against the Singapore dollar on February 20.
Business is booming for Malaysia’s business events players; Kuala Lumpur pictured
This decline marked the lowest point for the ringgit against the US dollar since the Asian Financial Crisis in 1998, and set a new record low against the Singapore dollar.
Saini Vermeulen, executive director of Within Earth Holidays, noted an uptick in enquiries from Eastern Europe for incentive travel starting from 4Q2024 and continuing into 2025, particularly for small groups ranging from 30 to 100 people.
To capitalise on the favourable exchange rate, Vermeulen encourages clients to make full payments or deposits to secure hotel rates for confirmed groups, cautioning that failure to do so could increase costs if the ringgit appreciates against the US dollar.
Bobby Eng, general manager of Overseas Tours and Travel, said he has seen a 20 per cent increase in bookings month-on-month from Hong Kong, with bookings expected to continue to pick up from March onwards.
He shared: “We encourage clients to make advance payments by giving discounts, as well as complimentary extras such as entrance fee tickets to theme parks.”
Corporate incentive bookings from neighbouring Singapore have also increased for G Hotel Kelawai and sister property G Hotel Gurney in Penang, said Christina Tan, director of communications of both properties.
She observed: “Some bookings are last minute with only a two-week lead time. Some corporate guests also extend their stays by a day or two at their own expense to enjoy a short break and take advantage of the favourable exchange rate.”
Similarly, Zulkifli Rahman, director of sales and marketing The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, disclosed there have been an increase in last-minute bookings from Singapore corporates, possibly due to anticipation of further depreciation of the ringgit against the Singapore dollar.
Numerous enquiries for in-residence meetings – from Singapore and Asia-Pacific – have rolled in, where many corporates opt to extend their stays on the island for a weekend of leisure before returning home.
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.
