The package is priced from 64,400 yen (US$447) and is available for bookings from July 1 for stays from July 15 onwards.
The 212-room hotel features a re-invented self-service laundry facility, turning it into a stylish hangout spot; a fragrance bar offering an array of perfumes and colognes; a shoe-shining corner where guests can also enjoy a cup of freshly-brewed Nespresso coffee; and the all-day dining venue UPSTAIRZ, a restaurant with an open kitchen concept and a lofty lounge for light bites and Instagram-worthy afternoon tea.
The hotel has also launched the Zentis Craftsmanship series – from learning to hand-roast and hand-drip coffee from fresh beans, to trying out the Japanese art of kintsugi, the restoration of damaged objects by beautifying imperfections with ‘golden mending’, guests can enjoy hands-on experiences with local artisans.
Located within walking distance to art hub Nakanoshima, families staying at the hotel can also visit Tadao Ando’s Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest nearby.
PCMA’s Project Spark – an inclusive education and industry research development initiative on the evolving place of artificial intelligence (AI) in business events – is undergoing alpha testing by both PCMA’s members and the wider business events industry.
Launched at IMEX Frankfurt in May, followed by PCMA APAC Labs in Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney, the priority now is for the industry to test and determine if Project Spark is a good fit before moving into the beta second phase, said Florence Chua, PCMA’s managing director, APAC.
A PCMA Labs session in Singapore on June 8
She continued: “Depending on real need and what users are willing to pay, a subscription model and other funding are being considered.” An “enterprise model” is another viable option.
Veemal Gungadin, CEO of Gevme, the project partner, said Project Spark was designed with the various needs and tasks of event professionals in mind, and for them to discover how best to pair it with their existing non-AI tech stack.
Gungadin added: “It’s crucial to remember that Spark is a tool meant to augment user abilities and not replace human judgement. Users should explore how the AI can help them in their tasks, but always have the final say in decision-making.”
During the current testing phase, Project Spark will focus on tracking anonymous usage data for the sole purpose of improvement. This includes tracking which features are used most frequently, and how users interact with the platform.
The data will guide Gungadin and his team on what can be improved and which features should be prioritised in further development
So far, user feedback from the PCMA APAC Labs has highlighted Project Spark’s “efficiency and its ability to reduce time spent on routine tasks, allowing users to focus more on strategic aspects of event planning, its capacity to generate high-quality content and creating outstanding taglines from relevant keywords”, Gungadin shared.
It can currently perform around 20 tasks, including fleshing out an event agenda; writing social media posts or summarising key takeaways based on published content like a video presentation; developing interview questions; writing speakers’ bios based on available notes.
Gungadin shared that a user from Sydney also discovered an innovative use – to analyse videos of keynote speakers to generate LinkedIn posts, transforming multimedia content into a different format.
Laurence Liew, director, AI Innovation, AI Singapore, a speaker at the PCMA APAC Lab in Singapore, commented: “Whether generated by AI or humans, all content needs to be vetted for accuracy, copyright, biases, etc.
“Also source for legally generated images free from legal encumbrances and use tools like Adobe Firefly – which has licensed the images to use in training their model. Be cautious with other free image-generation tools,” he stressed, adding that it would be good to get a company’s legal department to check the T&Cs and fine print.
Liew shared that tools like Project Spark are useful in helping him generate ideas, structure and content, but he would still rephrase the content in his “own style”.
Screen Producers Australia (SPA) CEO Matthew Deaner is the 15th ambassador to join BE Connected Gold Coast ambassador programme.
Deaner has been at the helm of SPA, the peak body for content producers for over a decade and has played a pivotal role in recently securing the Gold Coast as home for the premier screen industry event, SCREEN FOREVER for an additional three years until 2026.
The event on average brings over 1,000 local, national and international screen industry professionals together, promoting and strengthening Australia’s screen industry.
Destination Gold Coast’s interim chief operating officer, Rachel Hancock, said: “As an advocate for the film industry, Deaner will help showcase the Gold Coast as a hub for both the film industry and best-in-class business events, whose benefits go beyond visitation and are a key contributor to the city’s growth.”
“The internationally recognised expertise of these thought leaders and their organisations play a major role in attracting both national and international conferences to the Gold Coast and showcasing our creativity and innovation on the world stage.”
The film industry is booming on the Gold Coast and the support and investment from the city of Gold Coast and state government has contributed to the city’s success as a global destination for filmmakers and for hosting conferences for the screen industry.
In addition to securing SCREEN FOREVER, the city will host Screen Horizons 2023 in July, while The Australian International Movie Convention is also set to return to its pre-pandemic home at The Star Gold Coast in October.
The lack of planning and understanding of audience needs can hinder event attendances
It’s 2023, and we’re still talking about a lack of accessibility in the events industry.
From an absence of diverse panel speakers to a lack of options for those visually- or hearing-impaired, events still aren’t catering to everyone. And we’re not just talking about providing wheelchair access either, something which is also quite high/low in the industry.
In a world that offers on-site, online, and hybrid events, how is this even possible? Especially when technologies such as closed captions and audio guides can easily help those who would previously have found events hard to access.
The lack of planning and understanding of audience needs can hinder event attendances
Why is event accessibility still an issue? Despite technological advancements and increased awareness, the events industry still has a considerable distance to cover when it comes to accessibility. Organisers may lack familiarity with the challenges faced by people with health conditions or impairments, resulting in a lack of necessary accommodations.
Accessibility is a multifaceted issue. It involves a vast range of requirements and needs, from barrier-free venue access to audio/visual aids and sign language interpretation and it can be a challenging task, especially for events with limited resources.
Cultural barriers and biases may also impede organisers from comprehending the importance of accessibility, leading to inadequate arrangements.
Additionally, events that are not accessible to all often result in reduced revenue from ticket sales and sponsorship, limiting the potential for economic growth and innovation. The lack of diversity and cultural exchange hinders progress and reinforces systemic inequalities. By excluding people from different backgrounds and perspectives, we miss valuable opportunities to learn from individuals hailing from all corners of the world and walks of life.
Improving accessibility in the events industry Accessibility is a critical aspect of event planning that ensures that all attendees can fully participate in and enjoy the event experience. But what can event organisers do today to make their events more open and accessible to all?
On-site accessibility Ensuring that the event venue is accessible and inclusive, with features such as wheelchair ramps, accessible seating, and braille signage, can make a big difference in enabling disabled people to attend and participate.
Inclusive/diverse marketing Ensuring that marketing materials and event information are accessible and inclusive can help attract a wider range of attendees from around the world which helps to communicate the event’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.
Assistive technology Offering assistive technology such as hearing aids, amplification devices, or mobility aids can help attendees with impairments fully participate in the event. By providing assistive technology, event organisers can create a more inclusive environment that allows disabled people to fully engage with the event and participate in all aspects of it.
Language services Providing translation or interpretation services can help overcome language barriers for attendees who do not speak the event’s primary language. This can include professional interpreters or even AI-translated speech, that can be accessed via the attendee’s own mobile phones.
Captions and subtitles For attendees with hearing impairments or deaf, providing live captions or subtitles throughout your event can make a significant difference. On-stage screens with live captioning or via their mobile phones are two possible ways of making them available.
Flexible attendance options Offering virtual attendance options, such as live streaming or video conferencing, can provide an alternative for attendees who cannot physically attend the event due to location or accessibility barriers.
The future of events For current and future events, it is essential that event organisers prioritise accessibility and inclusivity to ensure that everyone can participate and benefit from the event.
By implementing strategies such as those listed above, event organisers can ensure that tomorrow’s events are more accessible and welcoming for all attendees. As technology advances, it is only right that events do as well, and creating an awareness of the importance of inclusivity and acting upon it will help shape the way events are planned and executed in the future.
This can ultimately lead to increased attendance and engagement, as well as a positive reputation for the event and its organisers. Therefore, it is important for event organisers to continuously educate themselves and explore new ways to make their events more accessible and inclusive for all.
By embracing accessibility and inclusivity, event organisers can not only enhance the overall attendee experience, but also demonstrate their commitment to diversity and social responsibility.
Oddmund Braaten is the CEO of Interprefy. Previously the COO and a board member, Braaten has been leading Interprefy’s commercial and operational success for five years.
Chab Group has promoted Mark Masterson to chief creative officer (CCO), from executive creative director. He is based in Singapore.
In his new role, Masterson will push the boundaries of content creation, emerging technologies, and innovative communication techniques.
He brings over two decades of global leadership experience, having worked at renowned agencies like McCann Worldgroup and Project Gumbolive. His portfolio includes successful partnerships with Coca-Cola, AB/InBev, Nestlé, Vacheron Constantin, Campari Group, Porsche, MTN, and Princess Cruises.
CWT has partnered with Spotnana’s to create a new technology-led global travel solution for customers.
The solution will be built on top of Spotnana’s modern infrastructure, with agents using Spotnana’s entire Travel-as-a-Service platform. The platform has been billed to enable seamless service delivery, rapid issue resolution and personalised service.
“We are delighted to accelerate our plans for strategic growth through this new partnership with Spotnana. We continuously seek to enhance our offering through investments in technology and solutions, and by working with Spotnana, we bring more choices to customers. They will benefit from advanced self-service functionality coupled with the strength of CWT’s people and global offering,” said CWT’s president & CEO, Patrick Andersen.
“Many corporations are interested in combining the benefits of Spotnana’s modern travel platform with CWT’s global servicing capabilities and the full breadth of TMC services. We are creating the travel experience of the future by using our next-generation technology stack to provide a new level of self-service control to corporations and a single global platform that allows everyone in the ecosystem to collaborate,” said Sarosh Waghmar, founder & CEO at Spotnana.
Naumi Hotel Wellington has launched, connecting with the existing Naumi Studio Wellington on Cuba Street, one of the most electric and charismatic precincts in New Zealand’s capital city.
The 62-key hotel features bold palettes and delightful designs that will please guests with a taste for the creative.
Dazzle room
For event planners, on-site conference spaces are just as vibrant. The conference room can host up to 250 delegates, and splits into five separate sound-proofed spaces for smaller gatherings of 50 pax each. There is also a private boardroom that seats 20.
Restaurant Lola Rouge, which presents a South-east Asian menu, makes a stylish venue for social functions, while Lola Rouge’s Grand Bar serves up creative cocktails, boutique wines and local craft beers.
Planners can also choose to wine and dine their attendees in The Red Room private dining space.
The pastel-hued Parlour is another designer dining destination at the hotel, where attendees can enjoy high tea and cocktails in between their sessions.
N.C.C. Management and Development has announced Surapol Utintu as its newly-appointed CEO for Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand.
He has been tasked with speeding up the company’s mission to expand its network of domestic and international business partners, while transforming the image of QSNCC into a world-class convention venue that caters to both B2B and B2C targets amid ever-changing challenges.
Surapol has over 30 years of experience overseeing Thailand’s leading organisations with expertise in managing massive retail spaces, a theatre, and various other business segments.
Surapol succeeds Sakchai Pattarapreechakul, who has been appointed to the board committee.
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
Oddmund Braaten is the CEO of Interprefy. Previously the COO and a board member, Braaten has been leading Interprefy’s commercial and operational success for five years.
He most recently served as director of operations (task force re-brand) for Accor Resorts and Hotels in Phuket, Thailand.
Naumi Hotel Wellington has launched, connecting with the existing Naumi Studio Wellington on Cuba Street, one of the most electric and charismatic precincts in New Zealand’s capital city.
The 62-key hotel features bold palettes and delightful designs that will please guests with a taste for the creative.
For event planners, on-site conference spaces are just as vibrant. The conference room can host up to 250 delegates, and splits into five separate sound-proofed spaces for smaller gatherings of 50 pax each. There is also a private boardroom that seats 20.
Restaurant Lola Rouge, which presents a South-east Asian menu, makes a stylish venue for social functions, while Lola Rouge’s Grand Bar serves up creative cocktails, boutique wines and local craft beers.
Planners can also choose to wine and dine their attendees in The Red Room private dining space.
The pastel-hued Parlour is another designer dining destination at the hotel, where attendees can enjoy high tea and cocktails in between their sessions.