Best of Singapore’s business events industry honoured at inaugural MICE Awards

July 28, 2023

VENUE_OF_THE_YEAR_-_Marina_Bay_Sands_Pte_Ltd_640 — Marina Bay Sands picks up Venue of the Year award

The winners of the inaugural Singapore MICE Awards (SMA) were announced yesterday at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, in celebration of the achievements and contributions of the Singapore business events industry.

Organised by SACEOS and the Singapore Exhibitions & Convention Bureau, the SMA attracted a diverse range of entries from the MICE ecosystem which includes Event Organisers, Venues and Suppliers. The SMA features 10 award categories such as Trade Show of the Year, Meeting/Conference of the Year, Venue of the Year and Sustainability Initiative of the Year.

Marina Bay Sands picks up Venue of the Year award

Winners included Marina Bay Sands, which picked up Venue of the Year;
Now Comms Asia was recognised as Supplier of the Year; while Kingsmen Exhibits won the Show Team of the Year.

Meanwhile, the Trade Show of the Year went to Singapore International Water Week by Singapore International Water Week, as well Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC 2022 by Constellar Exhibitions. Resorts World Sentosa also picked up a Sustainability Initiative of the Year award for their initiatives, while Informa Markets’ sustainability efforts across Singapore Maritime Week, FHA-HoReCa, FHA-Food&Beverage, and Offshore Southeast Asia were also recognised.

The judging process involved industry experts from around the world, representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The winners of the SMA were determined based on the collective average scores and valuable inputs from the esteemed panel of judges.

Beyond recognising and inspiring excellence in business events, the awards strive to build industry recognition and credibility, drive industry growth and development, and provide a platform for sharing of best practices among business professionals in Singapore and the region.

Top incentive ideas, part 2

By TTGmice

July 27, 2023

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1. Eat well, be well
At the forested 51-hectare The Farm at San Benito in Lipa, Batangas – a 90-minute drive south of Manila, Philippines – treat your top achievers to a range of holistic, medically-guided, science-based retreats in a lush, natural setting.

With the aim of detoxing and recharging for a new year, groups will be able to stay in the property’s 60 suites and villas, and indulge in treatments at the award-winning spa that draws inspiration from the principles and practices of traditional Philippine Healing Art.
• Capacity: Any group size
• thefarmatsanbenito.com

2. Forest and folklore
Trek inside the old forest in Subic guided by the Aetas, one of the Philippines’ oldest indigenous tribes and gatekeepers of the forest land threatened by commercialisation.

The forest yields its secrets recounted in folklore and storytelling: groups will see endemic tall trees, rare plants, fruits and herbs, and edible insects; follow the scent of flowers abloom; and learn jungle survival skills. The experience is capped with a dip in the forest pools and waterfalls, and lunch prepared by the tribe.
• Capacity: Any group size
• madtravel.org/collections/tourpackages/tours

3. All aboard the train
This day trip with Canterbury Leisure Tours will take groups out of Christchurch onboard the TranzAlpine train that travels through the Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass. Along the way, groups will be treated to snow-capped mountains, turquoise-coloured rivers, and lush rolling plains. Groups will then be offered the option of a short tramp through old-growth mountain beech forest or to Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall, before breaking for lunch.

On the return journey, groups will also get to experience an exhilarating jet boat ride through the spectacular gorges of the Waimakariri River. This is followed by a visit to a rural family-run farm for a sheep shearing and sheep-mustering demonstration, along with a spot of afternoon tea.
• Capacity: Any group size
• leisuretours.co.nz/day_tour/arthurs-pass-tranzalpine

4. Stay in a picture-postcard setting
Shirakawa-go in Japan is even more special in the stillness of evening and early morning. A number of the picturesque buildings, characterised by their thatched and steeply slanted roofs, are open as guesthouses, complete with historic beams, tatami flooring and sunken hearths. The village, located in one of the snowiest places in the country, is blanketed in white powder during January and February. There are more than 40 accommodation options for groups.
• vill.shirakawa.lg.jp/en

5. Wellness amid nature
Located near the hill station of Lonavala, Fazlani Natures Nest is easily accessible from both Mumbai and Pune. The sprawling property offers visitors a breathtaking view overlooking the majestic Sahyadri mountains, and serene backwaters of the Indrayani River.

Here, incentive groups can opt from a range of wellness therapies including Ayurveda, Naturopathy and Physiotherapy under its Conscious Change Retreats programme. Coupled with healthful energising activities and wellness cuisine, the programme aims to help groups reconnect and rejuvenate. Nature-trail walks, dynamic yoga, group exercise activities, and stretching sessions can also be incorporated during breakouts or pre- and post-meetings.
• Capacity: 80 pax
• fazlaninaturesnest.com

6. The world of wine
Monsoon Valley, Thailand’s leading wine producer, offers a range of activities for incentive winners, including a guided tour through the vineyard, cycling on the estate’s mountain trails, label painting workshops, and now, even a hot air balloon ride for an aerial view of the vines and surrounding area. And, of course, the opportunity to sample Monsoon Valley’s favourite tipples in the vineyard restaurant.
Travel planners can choose from three sites, Monsoon Valley Vineyard at Hua Hin, Tab Kwang Vineyard, and Chiang Mai Vineyard.
• Capacity: Any group size
• monsoonvalley.com/en

7. Soak up ethnic mountain culture
Delve into the unique culture of the Red Dao ethnic tribe in Central Vietnam’s Sapa. This provides a memorable adventure for top achievers as they dive into the fascinating world of one of Vietnam’s ethnic groups. Guests can take part in a Red Dao wedding, feed guardian spirits, play traditional games and be treated to the hospitality of the minority group by staying in their homes.
• Capacity: Groups of 20
• contact@makeyourasia.com

8. An island paradise
Get your top achievers out of the office and ship them off for a four-day trip to Belitung, Indonesia.

Being an island destination, winners will be able to snorkel at Kera Private Island, and participate in coral planting, while on a private boat trip to Kelayang Island. Island hopping can also be arranged.
Itineraries can also include a guided trek to look for various species of dragonflies, as well as an in-depth lesson on the island’s flora and fauna.

Aside from its natural riches, the east part of Belitung is home to significant sights such as the Rainbow Troops School, made famous by the home-grown Laskar Pelangi movie); Kirana Harbour; Museum Kata Andrea Hirata, Indonesia’s first literary museum; Bandung Lake; and Kwan Im Chinese Temple which is more than 250 years old.
• Capacity: 40 pax
• reservations@bluemind.co.id

9. Gems of Langkawi
The Essence of Asia provides a one-day wellness programme in Langkawi with a personalised guided tour by a local naturalist showcasing the flora and fauna of the sprawling Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark.

Upon return to the hotel, top winners will be treated to an invigorating and revitalising traditional massage followed by a nutritious lunch. In the evening, they will be transferred to a secluded island where a four-course fine dining experience awaits.
• Capacity: 6 pax
• arokia.das@theessenceofasia.com

10. Desert discovery
Magic Camps can help to organise a memorable incentive trip in the heart of Oman’s desert, with a luxury camp experience curated to a group’s needs.

In keeping with Berber style, a majlis (sitting room) is situated at the heart of the camp, which can be transformed for an ultimate Arabian Nights adventure. Guests will get to stay in luxurious, eco-friendly tents, while a range of experiences includes stargazing with an astronomer, fire shows, a falcon show, and sandboarding.
• Capacity: Any group size
• camps-oman@magic-arabia.com

11. Walk on the wild side
Take an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre in Phnom Penh and meet some of the 1,200 animal residents that have been rescued from the clutches of Cambodia’s illegal wildlife trade.

The day experience includes hand-feeding elephants, visiting clouded leopards, gibbons and otters, hanging out with baby macaques, and visiting the nursery to see how baby animals are cared for until they can be released back into the wild wherever possible.
• Capacity: Groups of 10 pax
• wildlifetourspt@wildlifealliance.org

Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct targets 2026 completion

By TTGmice

July 26, 2023

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A-rendering-of-Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre — A rendering of the upcoming Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre

The Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct development is a step closer to reality with Plenary Conventions appointed to lead the project.

The precinct will include the construction of the purpose-built convention and exhibition space, incorporating a 1,000-seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces.

A rendering of the upcoming Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre

The precinct will also be home to retail spaces for F&B offerings and a large public plaza that will become a feature of the Geelong waterfront. In a boost for Geelong’s up-market accommodation stocks, the development will also include a 200-room hotel under the Crowne Plaza brand.

Preliminary works on the site are underway and construction is set to begin shortly, with completion of the convention centre and hotel set for early 2026.

The development also included extensive stakeholder consultation with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation on critical aspects of the precinct’s design, identity and recognition of local cultural heritage.

The transformation of the 1.6-hectare waterfront car parking site into the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct is said to be one of the biggest developments in regional Victoria. The consortium comprises the Plenary Group as sponsor and investor, Built as builder, Woods Bagot as architect, BGIS as services contractor and Quintessential Equity as developer.

This entire project will be a major driver of jobs and economic growth for the City of Greater Geelong and surrounding areas. It will support 600 jobs during construction and an additional 270 ongoing jobs once the precinct is complete.

To ensure lasting benefits to the region beyond the centre itself, the Government is supporting local organisations in recruiting up to 30 new local apprentices and trainees who are experiencing disadvantage in entering the workforce. Apprentices will be employed full time for the duration of their apprenticeship until they secure full-time employment with private contractors.

The Plenary Conventions consortium has a proven track record developing and maintaining the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and in the South Wharf precinct for nearly 20years.

The Trust that operates Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will also manage and operate the new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre. When completed, the two centres will cement Victoria as a premier global destination for events.

The Victorian Government is investing more than A$260 million (US$175.6 million) into the project as part of the Geelong City Deal, with additional contributions of A$30 million from the Australian Government and A$3 million from the City of Greater Geelong.

The precinct development is the centrepiece of the Geelong City Deal – a A$500 million commitment between the Australian and Victorian governments and the City of Greater Geelong.

7 Apple Hotel Pratap Nagar appoints new GM

By TTGmice

July 26, 2023

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Manvendar Singh Tomar has been named the new general manager of 7 Apple Hotel Pratap Nagar.

With over 25 years of experience in the field, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise – namely in management, operations, procurement, financial planning and guest services – to lead the hotel toward new heights of success.

Prior to joining 7 Apple Hotel Pratap Nagar, he has held positions at Choice Hotels, Mansingh Hotels, Sarovar Hotels and Hotel Park Prime.

Corporates take travel insurance and risk management more seriously post-Covid

By Caroline Boey

July 26, 2023

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Asian-businessman — The changing face of corporate travel insurance and travel risk management and new challenges for CTMs.

Corporate focus on duty of care during the pandemic has changed the mindset of travellers on safety and security now that business trips have resumed and travel has been picking up in the last six months.

According to corporate travel managers (CTMs) who attended the recent CTC (Corporate Travel Community) Singapore Corporate Travel Summit, travellers now take travel insurance and travel risk management more seriously compared to pre-Covid.

Attitudes towards corporate travel insurance and travel risk management have changed post-lockdown

A buyer in the pharmaceutical sector told TTGmice: “More travellers are making sure they know what they are covered for, versus go first and ask only if something happens. It is also because many countries still require proof of cover, including Covid-19 treatment.”

In addition, the CTM is “keeping an eye” on ISO 31030, a comprehensive standard for managing travel risk and the evolving expectations of travel risk management due to climate change, geopolitics, etc.

A counterpart in the banking sector – with a global workforce travelling domestically and internationally – commented travel insurance pre-Covid was less important compared to planning for the trip.

He continued: “There is more awareness now after educating travellers on the value chain starting with the pre-trip. Travellers know what to do and by working in tandem with the risk management supplier, get pre-trip advice and knowledge of where they are going to.”

Benson Tang, executive director, corporate travel, Informa Markets and executive director, CTC by Informa Markets, observed: “Due to Covid-19, many firms are now prioritising health, well-being and the safety of their employees during a business trip.

“Travel insurance pre-pandemic primarily covered travel inconveniences such as lost luggage, trip cancellations, flight delays, etc. Another noticeable trend is the inclusion of telemedicine consultation services by some insurers,” he said.

But it was “business as usual” in the case of a global consultancy, where its CTM explained: “It all depends on the company structure and whether or not the management has bought into the importance of safety and security (pre-Covid). The baseline for MNCs compared to regional corporates and SMEs would also be different.”

Tang continued: “Overall, firms are taking a more proactive and comprehensive approach in managing corporate travel insurance.

“Travel departments are also leveraging closer relationships and professional advice from cross-departmental support such as from human resources, procurement and finance.”

Shorter, domestic corporate trips shape Japan’s business events sector

By Kathryn Wortley

July 26, 2023

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Asami_Chung_640 — Chung: Japanese corporates are working with smaller budgets

Japan’s business events market can expect more domestic incentives, shorter conferences and an uptick in high-tech hybrid events this year as companies reduce travel budgets, according to corporate travel management solutions company FCM.

Even as global travel continues to open up, with greater availability of flights and further easing of Covid-19 restrictions, Japanese companies are opting to stay home.

Chung: Japanese corporates are working with smaller budgets

“As the market is currently cost-conscious, overseas incentive trips are down as they are considered a luxury. Domestic incentive trips are rather robust, with outbound travel budget reallocated to domestic trips,” Asami Chung, general manager of Japan at FCM, told TTGmice.

However, Chung expects an increase in overseas incentive trips “once the economy stabilises”.

For now, “virtual internal meetings are still being embraced as they reduce costs,” she said. But FCM is seeing rebound in business conferences and trips, although the demand is for shorter options.

“Pre-Covid, an average business trip would be five to seven days but recent requests are generally for three to four days,” she noted.

This trend is also noticeable throughout Asia-Pacific, and organisations are showing more interest in shorter meetings and staying within the region, according to FCM’s Meetings & Events 2023 Trends Report. Chung attributes this to “an increase in the cost of business travel at a time when business budgets are tight and employees are working at capacity”.

Other factors are also expected to curb the rebound in business events throughout 2023.

“Travel constraints, capacity issues, labour shortages, supply chain issues and travel disruptions are all easing, but they are not expected to fully stabilise until 2024,” she noted.

Interestingly, hybrid events remain on the rise in Japan.

“We see a continuation of hybrid conferences of a much higher quality, to promote better engagement with both in-person and virtual attendees. Disruptive technology is reshaping hybrid events at a rapid pace, driven by the need to step up during the pandemic,” said Chung.

Australia’s bid fund gets A$4 million injection to cope with SE Asian demand

By Rachel AJ Lee

July 26, 2023

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A surge in funding requests from South-east Asian events keen on Australian destinations has led to an extra A$4 million (US$3.6 million) injection into the Business Events Australia Bid Fund Program.‌

Phillipa Harrison, managing director, Tourism Australia, told TTGmice on the sidelines of the Australia Marketplace South East Asia 2023 in Singapore that she is “seeing a lot of pent-up demand from organisations in South-east Asia wanting to hold their incentive events in Australia”.

Harrison: business events demand from South-east Asia is high

“Just the other morning, I had 10 bid fund requests to sign off, six of which were from South-east Asia. These requests are short-term, for later on in 2023 and early into 2024,” Harrison shared.

Several South-east Asian incentive events have already taken place in Australia. They include groups from Herbalife, Public Mutual, Nuskin, AIA, and Prudential.

The boosted bid fund programme will support other events into the future up until 2029, and will cover the entire business events spectrum.

Tourism Australia’s executive general manager of eastern markets and aviation, Andrew Hogg, said incentive trips to Australia were often strong motivators and would result in people exceeding their sales targets.

“Companies end up having to take more qualifiers along. One company told us that their qualifiers normally would (number) around 1,000 for other destinations, but once (the reward is) Australia, qualifying numbers (would spike to) 1,500. This is very positive for us to hear,” he said.

Business events currently account for 15 per cent of arrivals to Australia.

Cvent and Choice Hotels allow instant booking across global portfolio

By TTGmice

July 26, 2023

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Hotel-room — The new tool streamlines group room block management for small events, while expanding planner engagement and booking options

Cvent and Choice Hotels International have globally rolled out Cvent Instant Book across Choice’s portfolio of franchised hotels.

The new direct booking integration, available soon in 3Q2023, offers a simplified booking experience for meeting planners to find and book guestroom blocks online at Choice Hotels properties. Hotels joining the Choice distribution engine after the acquisition of Radisson Hotels Americas will gain access to Cvent Instant Book soon.

The new tool streamlines group room block management for small events, while expanding planner engagement and booking options

Planners can search, compare real-time rates & availability, and book rooms at Choice Hotels’ properties with a few clicks, bypassing the request for proposal (RFP) process that is typically required for larger, more complex events. Embedding the technology into Choice Hotels booking platform also enables hoteliers to increase their visibility and attract more group business by showcasing their properties to Cvent’s global network of event planners.

This announcement expands Choice’s use of Cvent technology to power their group and corporate travel business and reach a global planner audience. All Choice properties are listed on the Cvent Supplier Network, a venue-sourcing platforms where planners go to find and book meeting and event venues. In addition, Choice will continue its strategic Cvent Business Travel partnership.

Last sprint for ICCA Congress 2023 early bird registration

By Karen Yue

July 25, 2023

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Early bird discounts on registration for ICCA Congress 2023 – recognised as one of the most prominent gatherings for meetings professionals and association leadership – will end this Sunday.

ICCA Congress is well regarded for its educational tracks for meetings professionals and association leaders

The congress, which will be held in Bangkok from November 12 to 15, 2023, has so far confirmed 60 associations in attendance.

Attendees will benefit from opportunities to discuss issues impacting them and identify working solutions through interaction with industry peers; broaden their mind through numerous educational panels and insightful presentations; and build their business network at memorable social functions.

A preliminary programme is now available.

Te Pae’s Ross Steele joins AIPC board

By TTGmice

July 25, 2023

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Te Pae Christchurch’s general manager Ross Steele has been appointed to the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) board.

The appointment marks the first time a New Zealand-based member has held a board position with AIPC.

Steele said with Te Pae Christchurch and Tākina in Wellington now operational, and New Zealand International Convention Centre on its way, there was no better time to be representing the region on the world stage.

“Ōtautahi Christchurch and New Zealand have a tremendous amount to offer the international business events community and I’m looking forward to advocating for and raising the profile of New Zealand business events amongst our international colleagues.”

Steele is a long-time member of AIPC, and is currently a member of the Business Events Industry Aotearoa board. Throughout his 25-year career, Steele has also spent a number of years in similar board and governance positions in Australia, including 11 years with the Business Events Council of Australia.

Best of Singapore’s business events industry honoured at inaugural MICE Awards

Top incentive ideas, part 2

Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct targets 2026 completion

7 Apple Hotel Pratap Nagar appoints new GM

Corporates take travel insurance and risk management more seriously post-Covid

Shorter, domestic corporate trips shape Japan’s business events sector

Australia’s bid fund gets A$4 million injection to cope with SE Asian demand

Cvent and Choice Hotels allow instant booking across global portfolio

Last sprint for ICCA Congress 2023 early bird registration

Te Pae’s Ross Steele joins AIPC board

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