Thailand wins 23 bids for international conferences
KTO’s efforts in India bear fruit
Korea Tourism Organization stepped up its promotions in India this year on the back of the Visit Korea Year 2023/2024 campaign, and its marketing labour is starting to bear fruit.
Indian corporates are drawn to South Korea, with “many incentive travel groups” on the horizon, Satyender Kumar, assistant administrative manager, Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) India Office, told TTGmice.
Some 4,000 people from India’s HDFC Bank will head to Seoul for their incentive trip this month. Smaller incentive travel groups – such as 200 pax from Philips India and 400 pax from Bajaj Allianz – made landfall earlier this year.
“Queries continue to come in, and right now we’re trying to secure a 3,000-strong group from a large company,” he shared.
Most Indian corporates head to Seoul, although KTO is actively promoting destinations such as Busan, Jeju, and Gwangju.
When asked what is South Korea’s appeal, Satyender stated: “Indian corporates are looking for somewhere new, and hallyu is really strong here thanks to k-pop and k-dramas. It is also really easy to find vegetarian food. I have been to Seoul three times; I’m fully vegetarian and I’ve never had any trouble in obtaining vegetarian food.”
Aside from business events, KTO has also linked up with travel agencies Thomas Cook India and MakeMyTrip to lure more leisure travellers through marketing promotions and special offers. KTO runs B2C Korea Festivals in smaller cities like Gurugram, while large cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad New Delhi can expect to see both B2B and B2C roadshows.
KTO’s presence at PATA Travel Mart 2023 featured six inbound tour agencies with them.
Indian corporates embrace new tastes and preferences post-pandemic
The Indian outbound corporate incentive travel market has experienced a resurgence this year, where groups are now opting for higher-quality accommodations, as well as including more free and easy time in itineraries.
Vanessa Mehra, director, Aaryan Leisure & Holidays based in West Bengal, revealed that a significant number of her clients are now requesting for five-star international hotels, a shift from the pre-pandemic preference of four-star establishments.
She told TTGmice that corporate budgets for travel, in general, have increased and companies are now spending more on getting better quality hotels and food selections to ensure a memorable experience for delegates.
Another interesting trend she has noticed are that Indian corporates are becoming more adventurous, and are increasingly requesting for local cuisine for some of their meals, a departure from the pre-pandemic norm of all Indian cuisine meals.
Popular destinations for Mehra’s clients include South Korea and the Philippines, thanks to increased destination marketing activations by the respective national tourism boards.
Pankaj Nagpal, managing director of Mumbai-based Travstarz Global Group, added that organisers are now allocating more free time for delegates to enjoy the destination on their own dime, a departure away from densely-packed itineraries pre-Covid.
A similar observation was echoed by Jigna Shah, managing director of Golden Tours based in Mumbai. She shared that usually there will be one day in the itinerary that is designated as free and easy, allowing delegates to explore the destination themselves.
For Shah, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore were popular among her clients, due to the subventions provided in these destinations.
Surprising influences shape incentive trips
The opinion of a spouse has turned out to be an unexpected factor capable of influencing incentive travel decisions.
Speaking at the ASEAN MICE Forum 1 on September 27, Rajeev Kohli, joint managing director, Creative Travel and former president, Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), shared this cautionary tale: “I lost a project worth US$2 million… because the CEO’s wife wanted to go to Dubai instead, …so if you do a site inspection and have a spouse on site, don’t ignore them.”
Presenting recent research from SITE, Kohli revealed that even for participants, encouragement from a spouse can be a motivating factor.
Other interesting observations include being mindful of the conflicting objectives between corporations and qualifiers, as well as understanding that incentive travel programmes can be utilised to attract and retain younger talent.
For example, leaders may extend incentive travel invites to staff outside of the sales team to be more inclusive, even though the programme is viewed as a travel reward among qualifiers.
“They (management) want to show the sales people how non-sales staff are also important, so this creates a different dynamic in the organisation,” explained Kohli.
He added that incentive travel programmes are useful for motivating the new generation of employees, who are less driven by monetary rewards.
Kohli also reminded the audience of the transformative potential of incentive travel and how it can create circular benefits for companies.
Corporations are now keen to give back to society, so travel incentive professionals should make sure to include corporate social responsibility and sustainable aspects into their programmes.
MCA, AV1 make major investment in venue tech
Live event production company AV1 and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA Australia) have renewed their strategic partnership, where the new deal will see AV1 invest in renewed state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment throughout the venue’s spaces.
Following the signing of the new deal, technology upgrades will take place in the coming months.
The Harbourside and Quayside rooms will be upgraded to the latest energy-efficient laser projection technology along with new LED lighting and PA system installations, while the Foundation Hall will receive the bulk of the investment as the museum looks to use the space for a broader range of applications.
MCA’s Lecture Theatre will undergo an infrastructure overhaul with the installation of an event-grade AV solution suitable for events and performances, in addition to live streaming capability. The Waterside Room & Terrace, Ambassador Lounge and Seminar Room are set to be upgraded to include self-managed solutions, suiting the application of these spaces.
Kirsty Esson, head of venues (sales & operations) with the Museum of Contemporary Art said: “MCA Venues provide crucial revenue to support the funding of MCA’s exhibitions, collection and engagement programmes… The investment plan is designed to facilitate the full range of event styles hosted within each of our venues, from corporate evenings to experiential brand and launch events, as well as helping our clients to celebrate their milestone occasions and create magical weddings. This investment will also support the MCA’s public programming, performances, and night events.”
Keith Wootton, managing director of AV1, added: “Since 2006, we’ve enjoyed a really great working relationship with a shared vision of giving our mutual clients and their guests the best event experiences.
“Throughout 2020 and 2021 we worked together to innovate with the ControlRoom solution, building an exclusive broadcasting studio against the beautiful harbour backdrop so that clients could continue to communicate during lockdowns. We appreciate MCA’s ongoing support and look forward to what’s to come in this iconic venue.”
The renewed partnership also sees AV1 elevated to Major Partner status, and follows a long-term partnership which first began in October 2006.
PCMA 2024 Board of Directors receives full membership approval
PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) and CEMA (Corporate Event Marketing Association) president and CEO Sherrif Karamat, introduced the 2024 Board of Directors and Trustees Slate to PCMA and CEMA members on September 1, 2023, which has officially been approved.
Directors and Trustees will assume office immediately following PCMA’s Convening Leaders on January 7-10, 2024, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.
Effective January 10, 2024, the executive officers serving a one-year term include:
Chair: Leonard Hoops, president and CEO, Visit Indy
Chair-elect: Neil Brownlee, head of business events, VisitScotland
Secretary-treasurer: Kelly Ricker, chief learning officer, American Academy of Neurology
Immediate past chair: Desirée Knight, senior director, meetings and events, American Psychological Association
The following leaders will serve a two-year Director and Trustee term (2024–2025):
Deborah Caldwell, senior vice president, Asia Pacific head of global events, Bank of America
Patrick Espinoza, director of sales, Caesars Entertainment
Fernando Fondevila, CEO, Promtur Panama
Gladys O’Mahony, vice president, global sales organisation, Caribbean & Latin America, Marriott International
Peter O’Neil, CEO, ASIS International
Clifford Rippetoe, president and CEO, San Diego Convention Center Corporation
Panos Tzivanidis, director, corporate events & services, International Olympic Committee
Serving a one-year Director and Trustee term (2024) is Amy Walter, head of global event strategy and shared services, Atlassian.
The following leaders are serving the final year of a two-year Director and Trustee term (2023–2024):
Gregg Caren, president and CEO, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Amanda Cecil, professor, department of tourism, event & sport management, Indiana University
Shameka Jennings, principal and chief events officer, Eventsnoire
Brian Landers, senior vice president / team director, ConferenceDirect
Lauren Parr, senior vice president, meetings and learning, American Geophysical Union
Stephen Rose, head of global communication services, Siemens AG
Kathleen Warden, director of conference sales, Scottish Event Campus
In addition, the president and CEO of PCMA and CEMA serves as a Director and Trustee:
Sherrif Karamat, president and CEO, PCMA and CEMA
TTGmice’s event catering feature scores PATA Gold Award
Fancy Feast, a TTGmice feature tracking dining and catering trends in the world of business events, has found its way into the belly and heart of judges for PATA Gold Award 2023 and won the Business Article prize.
The article was first published in TTGmice July-August 2022 issue, written by Rachel AJ Lee, assistant editor, TTGmice and TTGassociations, with TTG Asia Media.
This is TTGmice’s seventh award; the first was in 2008. TTG Asia took home the award twice, while TTG Asia Luxury won it once.
Pretty places to meet
1. Grand Mercure Hanoi, Vietnam
Grand Mercure Hanoi is an elegant treasure trove of arts and crafts, with lacquerware from Ha Thái lacquer village, Chu Dau pottery from Hai Duong province, and Bat Trang ceramics on display throughout the hotel.
The interior is inspired by rice, with shimmering water-filled fields, hillside terraces, and the colour and shape of individual grains showcased in many elements throughout the hotel.
There are two function rooms on offer, with Trang An Grand Ballroom being the largest at 324m2. This venue can be divided into two smaller spaces for 120 and 80 guests respectively in theatre-style. Another venue option is Dong Do 1 and 2, which can seat 15 each in a theatre setting.
Elsewhere, four restaurants and bars provide options for social gatherings. Each boasts original culinary concepts – Locally, which promises contemporary all-day dining with international flavours and local favourites; Cat Vi, a signature 15th floor Asian brasserie that blends regional gastronomy and Vietnamese soul food with spectacular city views; Van’s lobby lounge; and VIVU Rooftop Sky Bar.
2. JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa, South Korea
Crafted by award-winning interior designer Bill Bensley, the new JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa impresses not only with its architecture and design but also with its location.
The property takes inspiration from the raw natural beauty of Jeju and its farming and fishing traditions, with landscaping crafted to take in low lava stone walls, cabbage fields, and mustard flowers that bloom in springtime, and a palette of grey, black and white adopted across the hotel to represent the local volcanic landscapes.
With it perched on a cliffside, the hotel grants guests stunning views of the volcanic coastlines and endless stretches of blue ocean.
As its surroundings are directly connected to Route 7 of the island’s famous Olle Trail, guests can easily head off for a liberating hike. For more wellness activities, check in with the hotel’s line-up of yoga, pilates and sound healing sessions.
For meetings and events, the hotel offers a Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 600 guests, as well as other customisable function rooms.
3. Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore
Soaring above Singapore’s prime shopping belt, Pan Pacific Orchard is a verdant sanctuary with an exemplary architectural design that draws nature inwards, featuring four seamlessly connected stacks – Forest, Beach, Garden and Cloud – each providing exceptional experiences across unique environments.
Its architectural design – think terraced landscaping, which takes in 14,000m2 of foliage and water features – sets it apart from the malls along Orchard Road.
Event planners looking for a venue high up in the clouds will be interested in the pillarless 600m2 Claymore Ballroom, which features a panoramic LED video wall, natural daylight filtering in from floor-to-ceiling windows, and an outdoor terrace for al fresco receptions. This space has ample capacity for 420 guests.
4. The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas
Nestled in the picturesque foothills of the mighty Himalayas and within the Rishikesh pilgrimage and yoga hub, The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas cuts a majestic figure with tall columns, high ceilings, and an earthy palette dominated by shades of white.
The resort occupies a unique vantage point, where guests can rejuvenate their minds, bodies, and souls by connecting with the natural splendour of Rishikesh.
With the Westin brand’s strength in wellness, guests here are assured of opportunities to tune up their minds and bodies during their stay.
For corporate gatherings, the hotel offers 1,985m2 of event spaces, including a pillarless Grand Ballroom for up to 750 guests. Alternatively, take social events outdoors on the lawn where mountain views spill out generously.
SMX Convention Center Cebu and SM Seaside City on track for opening
The construction of SM Seaside City Arena and SMX Convention Center Cebu – which will be larger than their counterparts in Manila – is on track for opening in 2025 and late 2026 respectively, after several delays.
Located in South Road Properties (SRP), where the SM Seaside City Mall currently stands, SMX Convention Center Cebu will have a total floor area of 52,000m2, compared with SMX Convention Center Manila’s 35,000m2, said Mike Albaña, SMX Convention Center vice president and general manager.
He added that SMX Cebu will have three levels; four exhibition halls will be on the ground level, while the smaller function rooms will be on the second and third levels.
Adjacent to SMX Cebu is the SM Seaside City Arena, an indoor multipurpose venue that will have 16,000 seats, compared to the 15,000 seats in SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.
These two developments, Albaña shared, billed as the largest business events facilities in Cebu, will also have two hotels. Currently, there is an existing Radisson Blu Hotel located next to SM Seaside City Mall.
Earlier in April, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. announced that as part of the franchise deal with Radisson Hotel Groups for 14 new hotels over the next five years, the first of these new properties will be the 516-key dual-brand hotel, Radisson and Park Inn by Radisson. Both are slated to open in 2027 as part of the bigger SMX Cebu and SM Seaside Arena.
SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. currently operates eight convention centres in Manila, Clark, Davao, Bacolod, and Olongapo.
Asia CEO Summit underway in Singapore
Top executives of the world’s leading business events organisers are convening at the Asia CEO Summit on October 3-5, 2023, to discuss the best ways forward in investing and bringing high-quality conferences, tradeshows, and exhibitions to meet the demand of Asian businesses.
The three-day in-person summit at JW Marriott Singapore South Beach facilitates high-level thought leadership panel discussions by global industry experts on industry topics such as recovery and growth in Asia and beyond, impact of China’s reopening, India market entrance strategies and growth opportunities, and sustainability development in the exhibition industry.
Among the global event organisers in attendance at the Summit are Informa Markets, RX, Clarion Events, Comexposium, and Messe Düsseldorf. The event, in its second iteration, the Summit also welcomed industry players from China to explore opportunities to strengthen business collaboration and presence in the region.
Richard Ireland, president, Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS), said: “The demand for business events in South-east Asia is stronger than it has ever been as large-scale international events like conferences, exhibitions, and trade shows continue to make a resounding comeback. More than ever, global businesses are looking to capture the exciting growth opportunities in the region.
“Situated at the confluence of the world’s most populous nations, Singapore is well-positioned as the gateway to a fast-growing market in South-east Asia. The strong line-up and success of business events in Singapore is a testament to its long-standing position as the choice destination for businesses to grow their presence in the region. And the Asia CEO Summit reflects the confidence and commitment of global event organisers in bringing more business events to the region.”
Asia CEO Summit is co-organised by SACEOS, Association of Event Organisers, Society for Independent Show Organisers, and UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
Reviews
Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
A versatile powerhouse
Arena @ Expo, a multipurpose concert hall at the Singapore Expo is a flexible space for high octane concerts and lifestyle events.
Amari Bangkok
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has revealed that Thailand has won 23 bids for international conferences from October 2022 to September 2023.
These are for events that will take place up to 2028. The largest among the wins is the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) to be held in Bangkok. Around 12,000 delegates are expected from both events.
Two are notable for being the first to be staged in South-east Asia – the FIFA Congress 2024 and World Diabetes Congress 2025. The FIFA Congress is expected to attract 2,000 delegates from 211 countries and the World Diabetes Congress, 10,000 delegates.
It is also noteworthy that 14 of the 23 wins are for medical conferences. They include the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Congress 2024 (8,000 delegates), and World Congress on Pain 2026 (5,000 delegates).
The bids were conceived, prepared and presented by TCEB. Other than bid strategy, TCEB was responsible for the production of the bid book, publicity, and securing the backing of the relevant government ministry through TCEB’s One Ministry, One Convention (OMOC) programme.
The OMOC programme allows TCEB to tap on the resources and support of a particular government ministry. It was instrumental in securing the Annual Meetings of IMF and WBG, the FIFA Congress as well as three global medical conferences, which, other than the World Diabetes Congress, include the International ISTH Congress 2024 and World Congress on Pain 2026.
Under OMOC, a relevant ministry will be the designated host. The Annual Meetings of IMF and WBG will, therefore, be hosted by the Ministry of Finance, the FIFA Congress by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the medical conferences, the Ministry of Public Health.
TCEB’s president, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, said the latest wins prove how effective the OMOC programme can be when bidding for global events.
“Through more targeted collaboration and promotion in related sectors and agencies, we hope to help convention owners and organisers achieve breakthrough success when they bring their events to Thailand,” he added.
The 23 bid wins also include events in the fields of environment, education, digital, and business management.