Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford have appointed Marshall J Orton as the new general manager of F&B.
He will steer overall F&B operations including the culinary department, drive strategic direction, and enhance business performance and guest experience in Raffles City Convention Centre and the hotels’ 12 restaurants and bars.
With a career spanning 35 years across multiple prestigious hotels and resorts, Orton brings extensive expertise in luxury hospitality, hotel management & operations, F&B and culinary, having made notable contributions in his different capacities as executive chef, director of F&B, and executive assistant manager.
He was most recently general manager of Fairmont Sirru Fen Fushi in the Maldives.
Following a recent transformation, the Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa has beefed up its portfolio with more event venues, and created a new Journey programme with curated local excursions for business events groups.
The transformation included the launch of Vive Océane, a beach club restaurant; Terrasse, a space ideal for pre-dinner drinks, cocktails and canapés; Osteria al Mare, the revitalised Italian restaurant; a dedicated gallery space, and revamped villas for intimate gatherings.
Other venue spaces include the 334m2 Regency Ballroom – which can comfortably host 210 guests for gala dinners – and seven other rooms that can hold between 10 to 80 guests. Outdoor spaces are also available, with 20 hectares available for barbecues or cocktail receptions.
Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa is also one of only five Hyatt Regency-branded properties in Asia Pacific to pilot Hyatt’s Event Experience Guide. The Event Experience Guide platform has been designed to provide event planners information about the resort’s event spaces, accommodation, menus, sustainability practices, wellbeing options and more.
Moreover, under the resort’s Journey programme, meeting planners can explore a choice of onsite activities or local area adventures that have been curated to inspire delegates and connect them with the destination’s nature, culture and communities. Options include visits to Hoi An, Hue, or My Son, distillery tours, jeep rides through Son Tra Forest, and trekking in the Hai Van Pass.
Every event at Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa can also be enhanced with wellness programmes, sound meditation, Vietnamese dance and rejuvenating spa offerings to create holistic and mindful experiences for all guests.
Qualified events that book between now and November 30, 2023, with a minimum spend of US$2,500 will earn an additional 20,000 World Hyatt Bonus Points plus 10 per cent off their master bill.
The Air France-KLM Group has appointed Femke Kroese general manager for South-east Asia & Oceania.
Based in Singapore, Kroese is responsible for Air France and KLM commercial passenger sales and flight operations throughout Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand.
Prior to her move to Singapore, Kroese was commercial director UK and Ireland with Air France-KLM Group.
She joined KLM in 2002 and held several positions in the Air France-KLM Group within sales, pricing revenue management and other commercial roles while being based in the Netherlands, France, Canada and the UK.
There has been a reshuffling among general managers in several Radisson Hotels in the Philippines.
From left: Ann Olalo; Christina Dumaraos; Sven Tourne
Ann Olalo has moved to Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA in Quezon City. Replacing Olalo as general manager of Park Inn by Radisson Clark is Christina Dumaraos, former director of operations at Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort.
Previously the general manager of Banwa Private Island, Sven Toune has moved to Park Inn by Radisson Davao in the same capacity.
From left: Ogie Manuel; Marko Janssen; Sherwin Lucas
Ogie Manuel, GM of Park In by Radisson Iloilo, used to oversee Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in Southeast Asia, Fiji and Australia as director for global leisure destination.
Ogie Manuel is now the general manager of Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo. He was previously director, global leisure distribution at Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts.
Marko Janssen joins Radisson Blu Cebu as general manager. He was previously holding the same position at Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc.
Sherwin Lucas, former director of events service at Sheraton Grand Macau and The St. Regis Macau, has moved to head Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod as general manager.
There has been a reshuffling among general managers in several Radisson Hotels in the Philippines.
From left: Ann Olalo; Christina Dumaraos; Sven Tourne
Ann Olalo has moved to Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA in Quezon City. Replacing Olalo as general manager of Park Inn by Radisson Clark is Christina Dumaraos, former director of operations at Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort.
Previously the general manager of Banwa Private Island, Sven Toune has moved to Park Inn by Radisson Davao in the same capacity.
From left: Ogie Manuel; Marko Janssen; Sherwin Lucas
Ogie Manuel, GM of Park In by Radisson Iloilo, used to oversee Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in Southeast Asia, Fiji and Australia as director for global leisure destination.
Ogie Manuel is now the general manager of Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo. He was previously director, global leisure distribution at Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts.
Marko Janssen joins Radisson Blu Cebu as general manager. He was previously holding the same position at Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc.
Sherwin Lucas, former director of events service at Sheraton Grand Macau and The St. Regis Macau, has moved to head Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod as general manager.
New Zealand’s first Business Events Week launches today (September 18, 2023) with the Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Annual Conference in Marlborough, followed by policy and business forums in Wellington and Auckland.
The BEIA’s annual conference of education and networking has been integrated into Business Events Week, and will conclude on September 20.
A rendering of NZICC
On September 21, there will be a Policy Forum in Wellington. It will be an invitation-only meeting of industry leaders, government agencies, and experts from the worlds of healthcare, scientific research, academia, business and sustainability designed to increase understanding of the strategic value of meetings beyond their direct economic impact, and to build stronger collaboration across these different sectors.
The same evening, Tourism New Zealand will recognise academics and industry leaders who have bid for and won international conferences for the country at the awards dinner.
On September 22, the by-invite-only Auckland Business Forum will see industry leaders identify how to improve teamwork across Auckland, the business events industry, and end-beneficiaries.
Happening on the same day in Auckland will be the ICCA International Conference Seminar, which is an education session designed for those active in securing international conferences for New Zealand. It will cover insights and market trends, competitive advantages, and strategies to win business.
BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins said that business events are proving an economic powerhouse for New Zealand.
“The global business events industry, which is valued at US$1.6 trillion, is now in full recovery mode and New Zealand is set to attract high-quality events to our shores that will benefit our economy, society, culture, and environment.
“Our industry has come of age with new world-class infrastructure including two new conventions centres, Te Pae Christchurch and Tākina Wellington, and the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland set to open in 2025,” Hopkins says.
Business events is currently Tourism New Zealand’s fourth most valuable visitor market – after Australia, the US, and the UK.
Washington, DC (pictured) joins BestCities Global Alliance
BestCities Global Alliance has welcomed Washington, DC, as the 13th destination in its global network of business events destinations, extending the alliance’s reach across North America.
The US capital completed a stringent vetting process to join the alliance, including a detailed site inspection and tour of the city.
Washington, DC (pictured) joins BestCities Global Alliance
“Washington, DC’s partnership with BestCities Global Alliance marks a pivotal moment in our city’s ability to attract global meetings and events,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC. “By joining forces with the BestCities network, we’re embracing opportunities to share insights, drive positive change, and collectively shape the future of impactful events. The partnership reinforces Washington, DC’s status as a thriving hub of culture, diversity, and innovation, dedicated to creating lasting legacies that transcend borders and inspire communities.”
Home to event centres such as the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, the capital city is a connected axis where planners can access industry leaders and experts for speakers and expand the footprint of their event by using unique spaces within walking distance of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Delegates to Washington, DC enjoy iconic attractions, and an impressive offering of restaurants, including 24 Michelin-star establishments, and 33,000 hotel rooms, many of which feature historic meeting spaces and waterfront views of the city.
Adelaide's (pictured) accessibility was a major drawcard in winning the bid
The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) has chosen Adelaide as the host city for its event, the Pathology Update 2024.
This annual business event – with the theme Answers in Adelaide- will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from March 1-3, 2024, and is expected to attract over 800 delegates. It is the first time the event will be held in Adelaide.
Adelaide’s (pictured) accessibility was a major drawcard in winning the bid
Pathology Update is Australasia’s largest multi-disciplinary pathology conference covering all disciplines of pathology. Conference highlights will include presentations highlighting Artificial Intelligence and its impact on pathology.
The RCPA is the leading organisation representing Pathologists and Senior Scientists in the region. Its mission is to train and support pathologists, and to improve the use of pathology testing to achieve better healthcare.
Flag hand-over from co-chairs of IALCCE2023 to Chun-Qing Li, chair of IALCCE2025
Melbourne has secured the 9th International Symposium on Life-cycle Civil Engineering (IALCCE2025), a series of symposia under the auspices of the International Association of Life-cycle Civil Engineering (IALCCE).
The business event for civil engineers will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 15-19, 2025, and focus on advancing cutting-edge research and practice in the field of life-cycle civil engineering.
Flag hand-over from co-chairs of IALCCE2023 to Chun-Qing Li, chair of IALCCE2025 (centre)
IALCCE2025 aims to foster sustainable development of civil engineering works, generating economic, social, and environmental benefits for humanity. One of the themes will revolve around the whole life design of carbon-neutral infrastructure, emphasising methodologies and technologies that effectively reduce and control carbon emissions at every stage of the infrastructure life-cycle, thus contributing significantly to mitigating global warming.
Beyond the technical themes and programmes, IALCCE2025’s social events, including the Reception and Gala dinner, will showcase a quintessential “Australian flavour,” featuring an OZ BBQ and Australian Rules football matches.
The winning bid was led by the Melbourne Convention Bureau, in partnership with RMIT University and with support from the Victorian Government.
The six-member cohort of ICC Sydney's inaugural High Performance Program alongside Geoff Donaghy, CEO and Luke Fleming, director of Human Resources
International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), managed by ASM Global, has produced the first graduates of its inaugural High Performance Program.
The 12-month programme featured an intensive series of leadership workshops covering convention centre business management, self-discovery, and completion of the Australian Institute of Management’s Mini Master of Business Administration. In the final months of the programme, the cohort was split into two teams, where each collaborated to solve a business-specific challenge.
The six-member cohort of ICC Sydney’s inaugural High Performance Program alongside Geoff Donaghy, CEO and Luke Fleming, director of Human Resources
The six-member cohort included ICC Sydney’s senior team members, Adrian Slingsby, risk operations manager; Andrew Durbridge, senior manager, ICT Service Delivery; Dana Fish, senior manager, business development – national associations; Erin Rugg, senior manager, human resources business partnering; Jack Crozier, senior audio visual technical Manager; and Sandra Rae, senior manager, public relations.
ICC Sydney’s CEO Geoff Donaghy said: “Our investment in upskilling and professional development coupled with our people’s ingenuity ensures that ICC Sydney remains at the fore of event management and technical delivery.
“We are incredibly proud to have established a culture that encourages our team of professionals to participate in developing impactful innovations, such as the event planning tool and the leadership pathway strategy, that will help underpin the success we deliver for our clients today and into the future.
“ICC Sydney’s High Performance Program participants have certainly exemplified the venue’s values and standards and this outstanding achievement is a testament to their creativity, collaboration and world-class venue management practices,” Donaghy said.
The High Performance Program is one of many professional development opportunities offered by ICC Sydney to enhance the experience needed to develop a successful career in the events industry. Starting from entry level programmes such as the AV Graduate Program, as well as the paid and certified Professional Growth Traineeship Program, which have both been effective in recruiting emerging talent and providing opportunities to thrive and grow in the industry with many graduates being retained for casual and permanent roles at the venue.
In FY2023 alone, ICC Sydney employed 14 new trainees, engaged in over 260 training courses and invested in over 7,000 training hours for its diverse in-house team of events professionals.
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