ICC Sydney initiates countdown to SXSW Sydney 2023

July 10, 2023

Mission-Impossible-ICC-Sydney — ICC Sydney's Convention Centre lights up for the Australian premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Photo credit: Brett Boardman

The International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), managed by ASM Global, has begun the countdown until the inaugural South by Southwest (SXSW) Sydney 2023, off the back of the Australian premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One this week.

The SXSW Sydney 2023 events will be held from October 15-22, 2023, and include the SXSW Sydney Conference, featuring over 200 presentations, panels, workshops and mentor sessions with inspiring thinkers and leaders across multiple content pillars; the SXSW Sydney Tech & Innovation Expo showcasing innovative and emerging tech, entertainment and games companies from across the Asia-Pacific region; alongside the SXSW Sydney Pitch competition for startups and the SXSW Sydney Games Festival, which also features major Esports tournament, Intel® Extreme Masters.

ICC Sydney’s Convention Centre lights up for the Australian premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Photo credit: Brett Boardman

Meanwhile, the SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival will spotlight local and international artists while the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival’s programme of film, TV, digital, XR and social content premieres will showcase screen culture’s diversity in the Asia Pacific and beyond at ICC Sydney’s Darling Harbour Theatre.

ICC Sydney CEO and group director – convention centres, ASM Global (APAC), Geoff Donaghy said: “With only three months to go, our team is looking forward to delivering this special, future-focused event and once again reaffirming ICC Sydney as a powerhouse destination for major events. Beyond providing an extraordinary experience for the diversity of SXSW Sydney visitors, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate on delivering a positive legacy for years to come – from the economic benefit across our dynamic city to environmental sustainability solutions and facilitating connections into our local community – every focal area of our corporate social responsibility strategy will be brought to the fore through SXSW Sydney.”

Since its inception in 1987, SXSW has been held in Austin, Texas and has been a convergence of film, music, education, and culture, a global destination for creative people to connect, collaborate and think outside the box. SXSW will expand into Sydney for the first time in October 2023 offering new experiences for visitors.

BCEC dishes out fresh menu for 2023/24

By TTGmice

July 10, 2023

BCEC_new_menu_640 — The new menu celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of Queensland's produce

The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has launched its fresh, new annual menu for 2023/24, Seasoned by Queensland.

The menu champions the abundance and variety of the best fresh seasonal produce in Queensland, and works with many local and regional award-winning farmers, fishers and producers.

The new menu celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of Queensland’s produce

For instance, seafood is sourced from the waters of the Sunshine Coast, the coastal areas of Hervey Bay, as well as tropical Far North Queensland.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are foraged from Queensland’s Scenic Rim, in the foothills of the Great Divide and the Lockyer Valley, one of the 10 most fertile areas in the world and known as the Salad Bowl of Australia.

The new Menu also showcases a group of city fringe farmers who reflect a growing and increasingly important sustainable urban agricultural trend, producing gourmet mushrooms using innovative cultivation methods requiring a smaller footprint, and locally-grown Brisbane Valley Quail.

BCEC’s executive chef, Matthew Arnold, shared that the menu was a collaborative team effort, as both Arnold and his team aim to create inventive menus that deliver an extraordinary Queensland culinary experience, while helping clients and guests make healthy, delicious and sustainable choices.

He added: “There is greater flexibility in being able to assemble and choose your menus and more choices for organisers. Native Australian flavours are featured throughout the menu compendium, and there are additional all Native Australian flavours Menu options.”

ACI Asia-Pacific welcomes new board members

By TTGmice

July 10, 2023

The ACI Asia-Pacific has announced the appointment of four new members into its board.

ACI Asia-Pacific Board Members at the Regional Assembly in Kobe, Japan

They are Musad Abdulaziz Aldaood, CEO, Riyadh Airport Company; Nguyen Duc Hung, deputy general director, Airports Corporation of Vietnam; Hag Jae Lee, president and CEO of Incheon International Airport Corporation; and Sarah Samuel, senior vice president, Airport & Airline Operations, ICM Airport Technics, director for World Business Partner, ACI Asia-Pacific.

Arinex and Joyn combine forces to create The Arinex Group

By TTGmice

July 10, 2023

Nicole_Walker_and_Jordan_Walsh_640 — From left: Nicole Walker and Jordan Walsh

Event technology platform Joyn has acquired Arinex, the largest Australian-owned business event management company that has over 50 years of experience in events including incentives, special events and international conferences.

The combined group will be called The Arinex Group, and will be focused on creating modern, innovative and technology-led event experiences around the world.

From left: Nicole Walker and Jordan Walsh

Arinex’s CEO Nicole Walker will assume the role of Group CEO and will join the Group Board, while Joyn’s co-founder and CEO, Jordan Walsh, will take on the position of Group Executive Chairman. The Group also welcomes Tony Ward (former senior executive of Xero, Microsoft and LinkedIn) as a director.

Under the deal, Joyn will take the Arinex brand and rebrand Joyn as Arinex Live. This new identity reflects the integration of Joyn’s technical capabilities into Arinex’s established brand. Arinex Live will continue to work with clients worldwide to deliver a full suite of event production services, including technical direction, content creation, and event production.

Joyn’s flagship event technology product, used by over 200,000 attendees across more than 1,000 events globally, will be relaunched as Arinex One and will continue to serve and focus on the association sector. Arinex One will continue to build efficiencies for event managers worldwide, with a brand-new version of the product set to launch this month.

Walker stated that combining forces with Joyn would enable both parties to “leverage the best-in-class technology that enhances the experience for all stakeholders and increases ongoing sponsor and delegate engagement”.

Walsh also shared his vision for the future, and added: “Since founding Joyn, our goal has been to enable the future of events. Creating unique in-person experiences, combined with an engaging digital environment is incredibly important. The Arinex business brings invaluable event experience and a global brand and reputation that we are excited to continue to build on into the future.”

Moving forward, the Arinex Group plans to expand into both Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to increase attendee engagement later this year.

IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center debuts off-peak promotion

By TTGmice

July 10, 2023

Thailand-headquartered IMPACT Exhibition Management is now offering a 50 per cent discount on bookings for the off-peak season.

An aerial view of IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center

This promotion is valid for customers who book events or meetings at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center in Bangkok, from December 26, 2023, to January 3, 2024 and April 9-16, 2024.

So far, 72 business-related events and concerts have been confirmed at the venue roughly pulling in 274 million baht (US$7.8 million), such as the Thailand Coffee Fest 2023, Medlab Asia and Asia Health 2023, and Building Construction Technology Expo 2023.

Collinson, Blue Sky Group to enhance lounge access in Indonesia

By TTGmice

July 7, 2023

Collinson’s new partnership with Blue Sky Group will allow Priority Pass Members to access 13 airport lounges, eight of which are exclusive to Priority Pass Members, in Indonesian airports.

These include Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan International Airport, and Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport.

Blue Sky Group’s airport lounges provide comfortable spaces for travellers to relax before their flights

Blue Sky Group manages premium executive lounges in airports across Indonesia, alongside hotels and restaurants. Its airport lounges offer spaces for travellers to relax pre-flight, as well as VIP rooms for informal meetings.

Lounges at Balikpapan and Terminal 2 of Soekarno-Hatta airports provide complimentary buggy services that transport guests from the lounge to immigration. In addition, members will be able to enjoy Blue Sky’s in-house coffee brand and sample Indonesian cuisine.

“This is an exciting time for the travel industry in Indonesia, as the country has set a goal of attracting nearly 7.4 million international arrivals in 2023; almost double the number of arrivals when compared to last year,” said Todd Handcock, global chief commercial officer and Asia-Pacific president at Collinson.

Linan Kurniahu, CEO of Blue Sky Group, added: “This partnership represents a significant milestone for us as we continue to expand our footprint across Asia-Pacific’s travel industry.”

PATA announces new executive board appointments

By TTGmice

July 7, 2023

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has re-appointed Noredah Othman, CEO, Sabah Tourism Board, Malaysia and elected Gerald Perez, vice president, Guam Visitors Bureau, USA, to the PATA Executive Board for a two-year term beginning June 27, 2023.

With 30 years’ experience in Sabah Tourism, Othman is the longest-serving officer with Sabah Tourism Board where she is responsible for marketing and promotion of the destination. She has held various positions since October 1990 and served as deputy general manager for support services from 2016.

From left: Noredah Othman and Gerald Perez

Perez currently serves as the vice president of the Guam Visitors Bureau and is a founding member of the Micronesia Cruise Association. His dedication to the tourism industry is further demonstrated through his memberships in the Guam Tourism Foundation and the Executive Board of PATA.

Constellar welcomes new chief executive of markets

By TTGmice

July 7, 2023

Constellar has appointed Paul Lee as its chief executive of markets.

Lee has close to 20 years of experience in the exhibitions industry across B2B and B2C, and is a specialist in driving business growth through strategy, launches and acquisitions. He was most recently a principal consultant (partnerships & sponsorships) with the Infocomm Media Development Authority.

Prior to that, Lee was Comexposium’s regional managing director and later CEO for Asia Pacifics. He also spent close to 14 years at Reed Exhibitions (now known as RX Global), where he managed multiple mergers and acquisitions in various sectors, including the joint venture between RX Global and Sinopharm (China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation) to form Reed Sinopharm Exhibitions.

Lee will be looking to forge strategic partnerships for growing the business in key markets like China, India and Malaysia, with a focus on industry sectors such as technology, advanced manufacturing and sustainability.

THE LUME Melbourne at MCEC showcases First Peoples art and culture

By TTGmice

July 6, 2023

Connection, the largest representation of First Peoples art and culture ever assembled, has opened at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

The experience spans more than 3,000m2 with projections four storeys high, and visitors will be able to get up close with more than 500 works from over 110 visual and music artists.

Art, music and performance have long served as storytelling means in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Connection will weave these elements together, and provide an inspired food and beverage offering for an immersive experience.

For corporate event organisers, MCEC offers opportunities to host exclusive events, as well as events on the mezzanine level overlooking the main gallery. MCEC’s culinary experts have also created bespoke breakfast, cocktail and gala dinner menus, drawing inspiration from the experience and showcasing Australian native and locally-grown ingredients. Each dish carries a cultural legacy, and is paired with Indigenous-focused cocktails. The menus extend the experience of the exhibition to incorporate taste and smell, fusing native food in a contemporary menu.

MCEC’s chief executive Natalie O’Brien AM said the Connection experience will build on the success of THE LUME and leave a lasting impression on visitors.

“This partnership is such an exciting opportunity and we have already seen so many visitors enjoying THE LUME Melbourne since its opening in 2021.”

“Connection engages visitors with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, culture, music and food on a whole new level and will offer a totally different experience from what visitors have previously seen at Monet & Friends and Van Gogh. The new experience promotes inclusiveness, reconciliation and respect, it’s something that all Australians can be proud to participate in,” she added.

Recently, MCEC has also embarked on a journey to develop its first Reconciliation Action Plan. MCEC has registered with Reconciliation Australia to formalise this Plan and support meaningful action through the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities.

Sofitel Melbourne on Collins appoints new GM

By TTGmice

July 6, 2023

Rachael Harman has been named general manager of Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.

She brings over 20 years of experience to her new role having spent time working in senior management roles for various luxury hotel brands across Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Before joining Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, she was general manager at Sofitel Adelaide.