Global Exhibitions Day to celebrate industry’s strong comeback
ASM Global Australia appoints First Nations ambassador
Quandamooka traditional owner and prominent First Nations advocate, Cameron Costello has been appointed First Nations ambassador for ASM Global Australia, the company that manages a number of venues across the country.
Costello is deputy chair of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, interim chair of the Queensland First Nations Tourism Council, and has been appointed to Queensland Government’s Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Committee.
He sees synergy between First Nations peoples who have been gathering and conducting ceremony on country for tens of thousands of years, and ASM Global, who in continuing that tradition, creates new and meaningful opportunities for First Nations peoples to play a role.
He would use his many years of experience to guide and assist with the preparation and development of a Reconciliation Action Plan for ASM Global, and advise the leadership team on First Nations projects and protocols. He will also work with the group’s Australian venues on cultural competency training, and assist when needed.
IHG group CEO steps down
InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) group CEO Keith Barr will be stepping down from his role as well as from the IHG Board effective June 30.
Having been with the company for 30 years, he has transformed IHG for long-term sustainable growth, as well as navigated a global pandemic while continuing to grow IHG’s footprint and reputation with key stakeholders around the world.
Barr will be succeeded by Elie Maalouf, a member of IHG’s Board and Executive Committee, who has led IHG’s Americas business as regional CEO for the past eight years. Taking up his new position on July 1, Maalouf will be based in the UK.
New meeting deal at Holiday Inn in Siracha
Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang in Siracha, Thailand has rolled out a Meet with Confidence package, which packs in a meeting venue, seven event themes to choose from, a coffee break, audio-visual equipment, and more.
For clients paying an advanced 100,000 baht (US$2,971) for their booking, the hotel will gift the group a live Thai dessert station.
The Meet with Confidence package is priced at 1,000 baht per pax for the half-day option and 1,250 baht per pax for the full-day option.
A coffee break package is available at 550 baht per person.
Groups can also book a standard room with breakfast and Wi-Fi at 1,500 baht with this package. A free room and upgrade to the next category is offered when booking 20 rooms or more.
Meeting groups can also sign up for meaningful activities at the hotel, such as mangrove planting (subject to season and tide) and staghorn coral planting. These are priced at 360 baht per person and 2,600 baht net per unit respectively.
The hotel is a 1.5-hour drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport and 20 minutes from Pattaya.
David Hart ready to cook up a storm at Cairns Convention Centre
David Hart has joined Cairns Convention Centre as executive chef.
Hart arrives at Cairns Convention Centre with 17 years of culinary experience in luxury hotels including The Stables Resort Perisher, Sofitel Brisbane and the Pullman International Cairns.
BCD creates podcast that dissects business travel trends
Global TMC BCD Travel is presenting a new podcast, Connections with BCD Travel, that looks into business travel trends and offers practical advice on how its digital products and solutions can solve issues faced by travel buyers.
Every episode, running for 20 minutes, is co-hosted by Chad Lemon, senior manager of product marketing operations, and Miriam Moscovici, vice president, partnerships & research.
The podcast is available on the BCD Travel website as well as major podcast platforms. New episodes are aired every couple of weeks.
There are currently a number of episodes available, such as the debut episode, Business travel: Trends you should be taking advantage of; Travel data: Debunking the myths; and Hotel content: The best rates are a click away.
Unified business events association forms in Australia
The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux, the Australian Convention Centres Group, and the Exhibition & Events Association of Australasia have created the Australian Business Events Association, which will launch on July 3.
The creation of the new association is spearheaded by a Project Development Group, comprising directors from the three associations.
Industry stalwart Peter King is appointed independent chair of the board. He was most recently the CEO of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The formation of the Australian Business Events Association is an answer to the call from the country’s business events industry for a unified sector.
The most recent research conducted in 2022 revealed that 84 per cent of survey respondents wanted a unified body representing the sector to the government and the broader business community. It was deemed that the duplication of services from numerous associations resulted in inefficient use of industry funds, with multiple advocacy voices creating confusion with stakeholders and diluting industry messaging.
King said: “A consolidated and united association can commission much-needed research, create policy, train its people, tackle sustainability, develop career paths, link with international and domestic trade opportunities and powerfully advocate to government.
“The industry has been on the fringe of the government’s radar for too long. Covid taught us that we need to get serious about amplifying our collective voice.
“We are building a platform through which we can develop the outcomes and the impact the people and organisations who deliver approximately 480,000 business events annually need to thrive, create jobs, and contribute to the economy.”
King emphasised that the Australian Business Events Association is about “member prosperity”, and will focus on the “pillars of advocacy, research and policy” as well as the industry’s development, necessary business services, and “promotion of the sector as a great place to work and do business”.
Membership is accessible to all, regardless of business size.
The association is now looking to fill the post of CEO.
Sail away on Banyan Tree Krabi’s new longtail boat
Banyan Tree Krabi has unveiled a new longtail boat that will take its guests on day trips and island-hopping excursions during their stay.
Built by local craftsmen using materials sourced from around Krabi, The White Pearl offers luxury and comfort on board for up to eight passengers.
Visitors can choose from either a half-day longtail boat trip to nearby Koh Hong or a full-day (eight-hour) tour of the four islands among the islets of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, where the boat anchors for guests to spend the day swimming and snorkelling in undisturbed clear waters.
All day trips on The White Pearl include fresh coconut, fruit and soft drinks, snorkelling equipment, life vests, toilets, and an English-speaking Boat Host.
Private bookings for non-guests are also available.
For more information, visit Banyan Tree Krabi.
Wellington to host BEIA’s MEETINGS for first time ever
The business events industry will converge on New Zealand’s vibrant capital in June for the first time in MEETINGS’s 27-year history.
Organised by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), the tradeshow will be attended by important buyers from across the world as well as from New Zealand.
Adding to the excitement is the event’s venue – the new Tākina convention and exhibition centre.
Irette Ferreira, manager of Business Events Wellington, said: “We’re super excited to show Tākina off to our industry, and to highlight how we can support organisations to successfully bring their business events here.”
“Our stand will showcase all that Wellington has to offer as we enter into a new era of business events and strive to position our city as New Zealand’s events capital.”
The Wellington regional stand, hosted by Business Events Wellington, will see representation from 20 stand partners – its largest ever. It will also offer an exciting line-up of activities to engage buyers.
Buyers will get to meet specialist suppliers such as Wellington Zoo, Public Trust Hall, Red Pebble, Moy Hall Vineyard and Destination Wairarapa.
“Buyers and visitors can earn vouchers or points to redeem at our Made in Wellington store (that is) lined with tasty goodies from our region, along with a few extra surprises,” said Ferreira.
Business Events Wellington will take more than 160 buyers beyond MEETINGS for a day of city exploration. The programme will showcase the capital city’s hospitality, hidden gems, and event possibilities.
Marriott Bonvoy to spark business connections with new campaign
Marriott Bonvoy has launched a new campaign, Spark This
Moment, that is themed around connections between business travellers.
To empower and meet the evolving needs of meeting planners and corporate travellers, the new campaign highlights how guests can best maximise their meeting experience when booking with its hotels.
The campaign highlights five connection aspects: Success, Passion, Appreciation, Relationships, and Kindness.
To facilitate the successful flow of new ideas, Marriott Bonvoy properties offer innovative and high-tech event spaces as well as the support of on-site event experts.
To help guests spark passion in their corporate gatherings, hotel and resorts build unique local heritage and culture of the destination into the stay experience.
To bring people together through a shared appreciation of delicacies and good times, Marriott Bonvoy properties offer a portfolio of world-class restaurants and bars, and boast 26 Michelin stars in 21 restaurants in Asia-Pacific.
To build relationships, the company’s wide array of offsite meetings and corporate retreats help meeting planners and business travellers cultivate purposeful experiences.
And finally, to make the world a better place, Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy is available in almost 100 hotels in Asia-Pacific to deliver purpose-driven travel that will enable corporate goups to create a positive impact and form deeper connections with the local communities.
Ramesh Daryanani, vice president of global sales, Asia Pacific, said: “We’ve seen a strong uptake in MICE bookings, indicating a deepened desire for human connection and face-to-face meetings since the easing of pandemic restrictions.
“With our diverse portfolio of hotels and resorts across the region, we’re able to deliver a wide range of offerings to meeting planners
and corporate travellers to suit their needs, inspiring more meaningful connections and memorable moments”.
Spark This Moment campaign comes with limited-time offers. Eligible bookings of meeting or events with Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of participating properties in Asia-Pacific can earn rewards including Double Marriott Bonvoy Points and Group Perks.
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.
With a month to go before the arrival of Global Exhibitions Day (GED) on June 7, UFI, which serves as its central project office, has unveiled this year’s theme and calls for exhibition industry professionals to celebrate the moment together.
This year, the main theme highlights that the exhibitions and events industry “runs the meeting places and marketplaces for everyone”. It will shine a light on how integral the industry’s work is to the continuation of all businesses and industries, and encourage greater recognition for the influence and effect on economy that exhibitions hold.
“Ever since we launched GED in 2016 as an industry, it has been growing in reach and relevance, and the campaign was crucial to keep decision makers aware of us throughout the dark times of the pandemic. Now, after the post-pandemic recovery, GED allows us to focus and highlight the critical role we play for every industry, every community that we serve. More than ever, we have the opportunity to be seen by policymakers and decision makers as the important sector that we are. I encourage everyone to join this year’s activities”, said Michael Duck, UFI president.
GED has seen activations and activities from industry players in over 100 countries and regions around the world since it was established. To help more get involved in GED, UFI has prepared an online toolkit for businesses and professionals in the sector to use when promoting GED. They are encouraged to highlight the impact of exhibitions on facilitating the communication and collaboration of all types of industries and marketplaces.
Some participation ideas include following the #GED2023 on all social media platforms; creating or taking part in a #GED2023 initiative; and asking government officials for endorsement and recognition of the day.