Outrigger Hospitality Group has appointed Chris Long as general manager of the forthcoming Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort, scheduled to open in February 2026.
Long took up the role in April 2025, following nearly a decade with Outrigger in senior culinary and operational positions. His most recent experience includes leadership roles across the Maldives and South-east Asia, where he specialised in remote island operations and integrated guest services.
This marks his first general manager posting, guiding the development and pre‑opening of the 63‑key resort on Laem Tong Beach, Phi Phi Don.
Marco Neukom has been appointed cluster general manager for Conrad Bali and the newly-opened Hilton Garden Inn Bali Nusa Dua.
In this dual role, Neukom is responsible for the overall strategic direction, commercial performance and guest experience across both properties.
With more than 20 years of international hospitality experience, Neukom has held leadership positions across Europe, the Middle East and Asia with luxury and lifestyle brands including W Hotels and The Ritz-Carlton. His track record spans resort and urban properties, as well as high-profile pre-openings and repositionings.
World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) has successfully secured its ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) re-certification following a comprehensive audit by BSI Philippines.
This achievement marks over a decade of continuous compliance with international quality standards since the venue’s initial certification in 2012.
World Trade Center Metro Manila
The re-certification confirms WTCMM’s adherence to global benchmarks in customer satisfaction, process efficiency, and operational excellence. To maintain these standards, the organisation utilises structured workflows, routine internal audits, and comprehensive staff training programmes focused on accountability and service consistency.
Beyond core quality management, WTCMM continues to integrate modern technology and sustainable practices into its facility management to enhance long-term resilience.
Kalido offers setups that offer uninterrupted views of the Andaman Sea
Twinpalms Hotels & Resorts has opened Kalido, an oceanfront event space on the southern tip of Bangtao Beach.
As Phuket’s only standalone, dedicated private venue, Kalido offers a minimalist, contemporary design engineered specifically for high-level corporate functions, gala dinners, and private celebrations.
Kalido offers setups that offer uninterrupted views of the Andaman Sea
Unlike traditional multifunctional hotel spaces, Kalido was purpose-built to provide total exclusivity. The venue’s neutral white-and-grey palette allows for complete custom branding and thematic flexibility. To ensure year-round operational readiness, the site is equipped with a retractable roof, air-conditioning, and pulsed air cooling, making it fully weather-proof for daytime, sunset, and evening programming.
The venue accommodates up to 240 guests for seated events and 400 for cocktail receptions. Key highlights include an open kitchen with customisable catering – including Halal and Kosher options – and an oceanfront lawn for outdoor segments. Strategic privacy is maintained via a private driveway and controlled access, while dedicated photography areas, such as the oceanfront staircase, provide striking backdrops for delegates and guests.
As part of the Twinpalms portfolio, Kalido offers clients the choice of in-house event management or external partners, alongside optional accommodation across Twinpalms Surin, Twinpalms MontAzure, and Twinpalms Tented Camp.
Such business events serve as a primary driver for the New South Wales Government’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2035; Sydney pictured
Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has concluded 2025 by securing 81 future business events, marking the most successful bidding year in the company’s 55-year history. These wins surpass the previous record of A$249.8 million (US$165.8 million) set in 2019.
The secured events are projected to attract 59,000 delegates to the city, accounting for 253,000 delegate days and generating more than A$252 million in future direct expenditure.
Such business events serve as a primary driver for the New South Wales Government’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2035; Sydney pictured
Key event wins include the International Labour and Employment Relations Association World Congress 2027 (1,000 delegates; A$4 million impact), World Hydropower Congress 2027 (700 delegates; A$2.6 million impact), Asia-Pacific Circular Hotspot 2026 (400 delegates; A$865,000 impact), IEEE World Congress on Services 2026 (500 delegates; A$2.8 million impact), and Allianz Life Indonesia Annual Agency Incentive 2026 (1,000 delegates; A$6 million impact).
“We are going into 2026 with the best outlook for Sydney’s business events forward calendar in the company’s history,” said BESydney CEO Amanda Lampe.
She attributed the growth to expanded air connectivity – highlighted by the 2026 opening of Western Sydney International Airport – alongside new hotel developments, and new experiences.
The Singapore Airshow, a global aerospace and defence exhibition, will return to the Changi Exhibition Centre from February 3 to 8 2026.
The 2026 show expects more than 1,000 participating companies from over 50 countries and regions. Industry titans such as Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Rolls-Royce will return alongside next-generation defence firms like Helsing and Shield AI. Attendees will also see an expanded presence from the China and Italian Trade Agency Pavilions among a total of 13 country pavilions.
A previous edition of the Singapore Airshow
In a major expansion of scope, the event will introduce the Space Summit 2026 (February 2 to 3) at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre. Endorsed by Singapore’s Office for Space Technology & Industry, and the Economic Development Board, the summit focuses on the in-space economy – a sector projected to reach US$1.8 trillion by 2035.
Sustainability remains a core pillar, with Neste joining as the Sustainable Aviation Partner to lead discussions on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and decarbonisation. Innovation will be further championed through What’s Next, a startup showcase focusing on emerging and dual-use technologies; AeroForum, panel sessions covering AI, cybersecurity, and advanced air mobility; and AeroCampus, a dedicated platform to inspire the next generation of aerospace talent.
The event concludes with the Weekend@Airshow on February 7 to 8, featuring thrilling aerial performances and static aircraft displays.
The airshow will be preceded by the Changi Aviation Summit 2026, organised by the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, focusing on building resilient aviation ecosystems for the future.
Kuoni Tumlare partners with MICE Matters to expand Singapore footprint
Global destination management firm Kuoni Tumlare has signed a strategic partnership with local specialist MICE Matters to scale its operations in Singapore.
Effective December 2025, the collaboration pairs Kuoni Tumlare’s global distribution power with MICE Matters’ 20-year track record in the Singapore market.
Kuoni Tumlare partners with MICE Matters to expand Singapore footprint
By leveraging deep-rooted expertise and Singapore’s world-class infrastructure – including venues like Marina Bay Sands and Suntec Singapore – the partnership aims to deliver seamless logistics and creative corporate experiences that range from Sentosa-based teambuilding to heritage-focused incentives.
“This partnership is central to our post-Covid strategic plans,” said Melvyn Nonis, director at MICE Matters. “Together, we are positioned to deliver seamless, memorable events for an international clientele.”
Marco Russi, chief operating officer at Kuoni Tumlare, added that the partnership ensures clients receive “creative event concepts and flawless execution” by utilising MICE Matters’ deep-rooted local knowledge.
The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, has announced the development of Lumina, an architectural landmark set to redefine Tasmania’s hospitality landscape.
Located in Parliament Square overlooking Hobart’s historic waterfront, the venue is a column-free, clear-span architectural feat designed for unobstructed visibility. It will accommodate up to 220 guests for cocktail receptions or 200 for banquet-style dinners, transitioning seamlessly between corporate conferences, weddings, and gala events.
Artist’s impression of Lumina
The structure showcases local craftsmanship, utilising mass-engineered Tasmanian Plantation Oak and bespoke Tasmanian Oak joinery. The project supports 187 local jobs during construction and will create 31 permanent positions upon completion.
Business Events Tasmania’s CEO Marnie Craig welcomed the announcement.
“Business events are worth A$3.5 trillion (US$2.3 trillion) globally, and A$21 billion in Australia. Tasmania continues to grow its share, particularly in the lucrative corporate and incentive market, where incentive events command an average spend of A$1,347 per delegate, per day.
This announcement aligns with the state government’s recent A$1.2 million investment into Business Events Tasmania to boost the industry across the state as part of the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.
The Tasman is now accepting enquiries for Lumina for events scheduled from July 2026 onwards.
Mount Victoria Lookout towards Wellington city; photo by WellingtonNZ
Earlier this month, WellingtonNZ signed a multi-year partnership with Tech New Zealand to host three major technology conferences in the capital.
The agreement secures a trio of high-impact events for New Zealand’s capital over the coming years: the FinTechNZ Hui and Digital Trust Hui Taumata will both be hosted annually from 2026 to 2028, while the Aotearoa AI Summit will take place in 2026, 2028, and 2030.
Mount Victoria Lookout towards Wellington city; photo by WellingtonNZ
Business Events Wellington’s manager, Irette Ferreira, stated that the partnership is a strategic effort to accelerate the local tech sector by fostering connections, job creation, and global market growth.
“Business events play an integral part in driving knowledge sharing and collaboration in key sectors,” Ferreira said, noting that these events align with the city’s focus on creative, digital, science, and engineering fields.
The partnership is supported by local tech organisations, including WellingtonNZ subsidiary and innovation hub Creative HQ.
Colm Kearney, general manager startups & tech sector at Creative HQ, opined that the conferences will “lift capability and strengthen connections across Wellington’s tech ecosystem”, supporting both companies and employment in the region.
Tech New Zealand, an NGO representing 16 tech communities, already hosts its National Cybersecurity Summit (500 pax), and Digitising Govt Conference (200 pax), at the Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre. This new agreement builds on that existing relationship, which has also anchored the annual Life Sciences Summit by BioTechNZ (400 pax) at Tākina since 2023.
Wharf Hotels has appointed Crystal Chan Busch as group director, global sales.
In her new role, Chan Busch will oversee global sales strategy and operations across the group’s key markets, including Asia-Pacific, the Americas and Europe.
She most recently served as multi-property executive director of sales at Sands Resorts Macao, where she led sales for three integrated resort brands encompassing nine hotels and more than 10,000 rooms.
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This marks his first general manager posting, guiding the development and pre‑opening of the 63‑key resort on Laem Tong Beach, Phi Phi Don.
She most recently served as multi-property executive director of sales at Sands Resorts Macao, where she led sales for three integrated resort brands encompassing nine hotels and more than 10,000 rooms.
