CWT has announced three leadership changes, effective April 1, 2023.
Chief financial officer Judy Hendrick will be retiring as of July 1, 2023, at which point senior vice president, corporate finance, Jim Shepherd, will become CWT’s executive vice president & chief financial officer. In the interim, Shepherd will be appointed CWT’s deputy chief financial officer and will transition with Hendrick, who will stay on until her retirement.
From left: Jim Shepherd; and John Pelant
Chief technology officer, John Pelant has been named executive vice president, chief experience & technology officer, with responsibility for a new function that combines traveller experience and product & technology.
This comes as Derek Sharp, current EVP & chief traveller experience officer, will be leaving the company to pursue new career opportunities, as will Belinda Hindmarsh, executive vice president & chief growth officer, whereby her responsibilities will be integrated into other functions.
The number of Chinese exhibitors attending THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2023 has already surpassed 2019 levels; a previous edition of THAIFEX pictured
Although Greater China and Hong Kong were slower in reopening their borders to trade, business events recovery is expected to be quick, say industry players at the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference 2023 in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month.
This view is supported by the IMF – World Economic Outlook 2022, which projected that China would see real GDP growth of 5.1 per cent this year, while it forecasted Asia and the Pacific would see a slightly lower real GDP growth of 4.9 per cent.
The number of Chinese exhibitors attending THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2023 has already surpassed 2019 levels; a previous edition of THAIFEX pictured
Over in Hong Kong, three flagship international events – Jewellery & Gem Asia, Jewellery & Gem World, Asia Food Logistica – that left Hong Kong during the pandemic have returned.
This year, Hong Kong is set to host more than 100 international business events, shared Justine Ng, senior manager, business development, MICE at Hong Kong Tourism Board.
To help with the industry’s recovery, the Hong Kong Tourism Board launched its Hello Hong Kong campaign earlier in February. These developments signal Hong Kong’s readiness for international business events once more.
To attract more international conferences and exhibitions to Hong Kong, a new US$178 million (US$22.7 million) scheme will be rolled out by the Hong Kong SAR government in the coming months.
For recurring exhibitions organised at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo, organisers can benefit from a three-year scheme starting from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026. These exhibitions will receive an incentive equivalent to 100 per cent of the venue rental.
Ng shared: “We understand recovery takes time and these efforts are to support the full resumption of the business events industry.”
AsiaWorld Expo, chief strategy officer, Enid Low, shared that the venue has over 200 confirmed events to date for 2023, and she expects the venue to achieve 2019 levels next year. On February 16, welcomed a technology conference from China with 3,000 delegates.
Over in China, Diane Chen, general manager of Shenyang New World Expo, shared that there were many exhibitions and conferences pencilled in on the venue’s calendar this year, where a majority are from the domestic Chinese market, including two large conferences with 10,000 delegates each.
Although the domestic market seems to be recovering strongly for Shenyang New World Expo, Chen shared there was a 20 per cent reduction in exhibition space compared to previous years. However, she expressed confidence that the market will fully recover by 2024.
An exhibition organiser based in Shanghai, Guoping Wang, CEO of Huamo Exhibition Co, shared that his machinery tools exhibition in Guangdong Province surpassed pre-pandemic attendance of 50,000. His company’s recent show in February attracted 80,000 visitors.
He noted: “We run four types of exhibitions, furniture, construction materials, food and machinery tools, and I don’t foresee any challenges. International exhibitors will return to China as this is where the market is.”
Chinese stakeholders have also started travelling overseas in larger numbers as exhibitors and visitors to exhibition events in South-east Asia.
Mathias Kuepper, managing director & vice president Asia-Pacific at Koelnmesse, shared that Chinese exhibitors are obtaining funding from their local governments to exhibit overseas.
For instance, at the upcoming Koelnmesse-organised THAIFEX – Anuga Asia F&B tradeshow in Bangkok this May, the number of Chinese exhibitors has already surpassed 2019 levels.
At another Koelnmesse-organised B2B show for children and baby products in Bangkok, Kind + Jugend ASEAN, Kuepper shared that Chinese exhibitors are the largest number of international exhibitors.
Similarly, over in Indonesia, Daswar Marpaung, president director of Dyandra & Co based in Jakarta, shared that the recent International Indonesia Motor Show (February 16-26, 2023), attracted many Chinese motor brands.
He said: “They brought innovation to the show by showcasing their latest electric vehicles. Indonesia is a huge market for them.”
Wellington fam group at Beehive, the common name for the Executive Wing of New Zealand Parliament Buildings
Wellington recently welcomed two international groups to experience everything the city has to offer event planners, including a sneak peek at the new Tākina conference and exhibition centre before its opening in June.
One group of international business events media and buyers arrived as part of a larger New Zealand fam organised by Tourism New Zealand following the AIME tradeshow in Australia; shortly followed by another group of Australian associations and international media.
Wellington fam group at Beehive, the common name for the Executive Wing of New Zealand Parliament Buildings
Business Events Wellington’s Irette Ferreira shared: “Opportunities to get these influential events decision-makers and influencers on the ground in Wellington are extremely valuable. They not only see the variety and versatility of our venues and events infrastructure in person but get a sense of the vibrancy of our city and how easy and appealing it is to hold events here.”
The action-packed itineraries included a showcase of Wellington’s foodie credentials, from a dinner of Māori cuisine at award-winning restaurant Hiakai to dinner on the stage of the St James Theatre; a meal behind the scenes of national museum Te Papa Tongarewa; gin-making at Southward Gin; and breakfast at urban ecosanctuary Zealandia. The city’s walkability was highlighted in a tour of some local hotspots, with guests learning to make a flat white, and making their own chocolate at Wellington Chocolate Factory.
Visitors also took in some of the capital city’s landmarks, seeing New Zealand’s founding documents including te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) at the National Library Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, and a visit to New Zealand’s Parliament, as well as joining one of the first-ever tours of new venue Tākina.
The groups also had the opportunity to meet and engage with local city advocates, reinforcing the accessibility of key national figures and thought leaders in the capital. This included Wellington City’s mayor, Tory Whanau; former mayor and chair of Te Papa Tongarewa, Fran Wilde, and chief executive of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Paul Atkins.
“I was pleasantly surprised on my recent visit to Wellington. The variety of venues and social options for conferences such as ours are plentiful and I’m incredibly excited about hosting our 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting in the city and at Tākina,” said Helen Vertoudakis, senior executive from the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases.
“This was my first visit to Wellington and what a delight it was. The versatility, knowledge and ease of access across the city are magnificent. The opportunity to meet with local industry ambassadors certainly showcased the depth of support that Business Events Wellington can offer,” added Rodney Cox, events director of International Gas Union.
James Sutcliffe has joined Avani+ Khao Lak as general manager and will oversee all operations for the resort.
He has over a decade of operational experience in the hospitality industry, and was previously the opening general manager at InterContinental Khao Yai Resort.
Vivek Shukla has promoted to chief executive officer at The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group.
In his new role, he will be responsible for product enhancement, driving key initiatives along with leading the overall business performance for the brand.
With over 31 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, he was previously vice president – operations where he led the group’s operations, corporate affairs and governance.
Singapore-based experience management agency Unearthed Productions has teamed up with venue owners in Singapore under a multi-year plan to integrate their spaces with the latest in audiovisual technology as demand for in-person events picks up.
One of the venue owners that Unearthed Productions is working with is Suntec Singapore, which recently saw the unveiling of a 45m x 5m LED wall. Known as Engage Theatres, the venue combines crystal-clear sound, expansive visual displays, and customised lighting to create the ‘front-row experience’ for every guest and every occasion. These spaces have the capacity for up to 5,000 guests.
Engage Theatres at Suntec Singapore
This hardware is backed by on-site experts from Unearthed Productions, who can deliver both technical consultancy and event management services.
Other venues that Unearthed Productions has signed partnerships with include Pan Pacific Singapore, Parkroyal on Beach Road, Carlton Hotel Singapore and workspace provider Bridge+.
Through these collaborations, Unearthed Productions provides technical expertise to empower venues to create world-class productions, leaving venues to focus on the hospitality and F&B experience.
With the costs of hosting events rising in Singapore, Unearthed Productions believes that by partnering with hotels and standalone venues, both parties would be able to provide an integrated approach with cost savings to organisers. Through this sharing of assets and manpower, event organisers will be able to save on transportation costs, as well as provide their guests with a full suite of audiovisual services without having to invest more in operational expenditure.
Adam Piperdy, CEO of Unearthed Productions, said: “Although Singapore is a world-class event destination, Singapore has increasingly seen MICE organisers being more careful with their budgets and return on investments.
“We recognise that. By working closely with venue owners, we are able to introduce greater synergy between our event services and optimise the value we bring to event organisers. This helps to reinforce Singapore as the preferred MICE destination amidst strong regional competition.”
A post-show analysis of the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) held in February has revealed that AIME will generate an anticipated A$200 million (US$133.5 million) in business between exhibitors and buyers over the next 12 months.
These figures are an almost 70 per cent increase on 2022. The analysis also revealed that 90 per cent of exhibitors and visitors were satisfied with their attendance at the tradeshow in Melbourne. This places AIME in the top five per cent of tradeshows globally for exhibitor satisfaction, and 10 per cent of tradeshows globally for visitor satisfaction.
AIME 2023 showfloor
Almost 80 per cent of the visitors are likely to return the next year, as they feel that it is important in advancing their businesses, and is the place to source for new products and services. The analysis also reported that 84 per cent of visitors felt that their objectives for attending AIME were met.
Over 400 hosted buyers and media outlets, 3,000 visitors and more than 350 exhibitors attended this year’s AIME, where over 12,000 meetings took place.
AIME 2024 will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from February 19-24, 2024.
Westin Hotels & Resorts has opened the doors to The Westin Manila in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, marking the brand’s re-entry into the Philippines.
Situated in the Ortigas CBD, the 32-storey hotel offers a total of 1,063m2 of meeting and function space. This includes the Sonata Ballroom which can host up to 330 guests, and features 7m-high ceilings and a built-in LED wall. Additional meeting rooms for smaller events and meetings are also equipped with the latest audiovisual technology.
For overseas delegates, The Westin Manila offers 303 guestrooms including 57 suites, all of which feature the brand’s Heavenly Bed, Nespresso coffee machines, Bluetooth speakers, complimentary Wi-Fi, and 55-inch flat Samsung TVs. Club rooms and suites also boast separate living rooms, as well as access to the Club Lounge which serves afternoon tea, hors d’oeuvres, and evening cocktails.
There are four culinary options on-site, ranging from the all-day-dining Seasonal Tastes, to the rooftop Tapas Bar & Restaurant that will serve authentic Spanish cuisine when it opens in July 2023.
Meanwhile, recreational facilities include a gym, 25m-long outdoor pool, kids pool, and a spa (opens in June 2023). Alternatively, as part of Westin’s Move Well pillar, the RunWESTIN programme offers curated run route maps with a choice of runs, along with guided runs to explore the destination led by the property Run Concierge. For those that prefer an in-room workout, the next-generation Westin WORKOUT Gear Lending programme allows guests to borrow the latest high-tech recovery and total body strength training equipment to optimise their fitness.
The hotel is located approximately 10km or about a 23-minute drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and a 10-minute walk to the MRT3 Shaw Boulevard Station.
Accor has appointed David Young as chief sustainability officer and director of ESG for Accor Pacific.
In his new role, Young will lead the implementation of Accor’s ESG and sustainability agenda across its 400 hotels, apartments and resorts in the region.
He has extensive ESG, commercial and operational experience in the travel industry in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the UK, and was previously the executive manager of sustainability and ESG at the Qantas Group.
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.
He has over a decade of operational experience in the hospitality industry, and was previously the opening general manager at InterContinental Khao Yai Resort.
With over 31 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, he was previously vice president – operations where he led the group’s operations, corporate affairs and governance.
He has 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry and was recently operations and business development manager of Arenaa Hotels Group.
He has extensive ESG, commercial and operational experience in the travel industry in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the UK, and was previously the executive manager of sustainability and ESG at the Qantas Group.
