ANA Intercontinental Tokyo names new GM
ANA InterContinental Tokyo has appointed Michael Janssen as general manager of ANA InterContinental Tokyo, as well as portfolio general manager.
Joining ANA InterContinental Tokyo from Kimpton Kitalay Samui, Janssen will be responsible for day-to-day operations and strategic direction of the hotel.
The German national has over 25 years of experience with IHG Hotels & Resorts across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and brings extensive knowledge and expertise to his new role.
Australia set to host important cultural heritage event next month
Cultural heritage experts from around the world will descend into Sydney from August 31 to September 9, 2023, to attend the 21st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites).
More than 1,200 delegates from 100 countries are slated to attend the first ICOMOS General Assembly in the Pacific region.
With over 150 events across 10 days, the programme will involve thought-provoking site visits, functions, workshops, lectures, and a five-day Scientific Symposium.
The Scientific Symposium (September 4-8) will explore the theme Heritage Changes: Resilience – Responsibility – Rights – Relationships, and reflects the tumultuous changes taking place in the world over the past few years, and the role of heritage in supporting recovery.
There will also be a Youth Forum being held over three days on Cockatoo Island / Wareamah. Additional programme highlights include a visit to the Greater Blue Mountains, and a World Heritage Panel.
There will also be two public events – a major Heritage Exposition at Darling Harbour, and a public Heritage Lecture at the Sydney Town Hall.
Australia ICOMOS president, Tracy Ireland, says heritage issues and the future of heritage are more important than ever, and the General Assembly and related Scientific Symposium (GA2023) will encourage discussion on these issues, as well as showcase innovative practices from across the globe.
“Cultural heritage has a pivotal role to play in adapting to, and mitigating impacts from, climate change and the GA2023 is an opportunity to bring experts together to discuss how communities and heritage practitioners can plan to alleviate climate impacts on cultural heritage.”
“GA2023 will provide a platform for Traditional Owners from around Australia, and First Nations communities from across the globe. It will also foster understanding of how conservation of heritage places is part of building resilient communities and ensuring the sustainability of the world’s scarce resources,” Ireland added.
Crossroads propels the Maldives towards greater events ambitions
Crossroads Maldives, an integrated entertainment destination developed and operated by S Hotels and Resorts, is helping to bring in more conferences and incentives to the Maldives.
Crossroads Maldives’ cluster director of sales & marketing, David Arul Pragasam, told TTGmice that the integrated resort has been seeing a large number of incentive groups and corporate events post-lockdown.
He added: “We are confident that this positive trend will continue, as we are already receiving plenty of enquiries and providing quotes for 2024 and 2025.”
The recent Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023, held from May 30 to June 2 at the Crossroads Maldives, was a clear demonstration of both the destination and the integrated resort’s ability to welcome major business events. Conference delegates were accommodated across Crossroads Maldives’ two resorts, the SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. Together, both resorts offer more than 350 rooms, suites and villas.
Besides the 326m2 The Event Hall @ Crossroads, event planners have plenty of dining and flexible venue options across the integrated resort.
Furthermore, Crossroads Maldives is accessible via a 15-minute speedboat ride from the international airport and capital city Malé, allowing large groups to bypass the seaplane option.
Traditionally a honeymoon and weddings destination, the Maldives is undergoing a perception change through Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation’s (MMPRC) efforts to position it for corporate groups.
Government initiatives to grow the business events industry include a new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport with improved efficiency in handling higher passenger traffic, and an advanced Passport Control System to streamline the arrival process and reduce waiting times, said David Arul.
The Maldivian government has also introduced a policy which designates islands and sandbanks as public spaces, so as to provide unique settings for excursions, teambuilding activities and social events.
When asked what more is needed for event organisers to recognise the Maldives as a serious business events destination, David Arul opined that greater mobility and air accessibility would go a long way in helping to attract corporate groups from more countries to the Maldives.
Building a customer-centric culture
What are some of the experiences you can share from the pandemic, having experienced it both as acting CEO and later as its CEO?
The business events industry came to a standstill due to the pandemic, and MITEC was not an exception. This challenging period taught us valuable lessons in resilience, prompting us to adapt our business practices, be agile and maintain our unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in people’s lives.
When the government put a temporary halt on business events activities in the country, the venue was turned into a national, mega vaccination centre. My team and I quickly adapted to the situation and took on new responsibilities as needed and worked closely with various stakeholders, including healthcare providers, government agencies and volunteers to ensure a seamless workflow every day for several months.
We established effective communication channels between the centre and all parties involved, coordinated schedules and shared resources for the overall smooth functioning of the venue as a national vaccination centre.
What is the largest change you’ve noticed in the event planning process post-lockdown?
Post-lockdown, event organisers have placed sustainability as a high priority, and are incorporating eco-friendly procedures into their workflows. These include actions such as lowering energy use, utilising renewable resources, composting, recycling waste, as well as promoting eco-friendly transportation options for their events.
Event organisers are also increasingly looking at ways to be more inclusive and incorporating aspects such as diversity and inclusion, accessibility for the disabled, and providing support for local communities when planning their events.
How have the requirements of event planners changed post-lockdown and what new technologies have MITEC invested to cater to these new requirements?
The ubiquity of smartphones now allows event planners to create events that feel personalised for each attendee, while at the same time it collects unprecedented amounts of real-time data about those attendees. The benefits can be seen at every level, from easier check-ins to the facilitation of networking and content sharing between delegates and clients.
On our part, we have introduced new digital innovations which is aimed at meeting the changing demands of our customers, while increasing efficiency, and having quality interactions with them. Among these innovations are the Ungerboeck Exhibitor portal to ensure a seamless online exhibitor order; and the MITEC app for clients to access our latest updates, important events, as well as order meals from our café. We have also introduced digital signage as our customers prefer these to printed buntings.
What new initiatives and investments are MITEC looking into for the near future?
We will be introducing additional digital innovations to fulfil our customers’ evolving needs and continue improving their efficiency and quality.
Recently, we appointed Qualtrics as our online survey platform vendor to measure our stakeholders’ satisfaction in an effort to improvise customer experience. Establishing an approach for measuring customer satisfaction enables us to attain knowledge about our customers and their behaviours which will then help build brand loyalty.
Overall, what more should Malaysia do to attract more international trade exhibitions and conferences?
The business events industry needs to work closely with the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau when organising and managing Malaysia’s participation in international trade fairs and roadshows.
The federal government should also offer financial incentives, such as tax breaks, subsidies or grants to event organisers and exhibitors to encourage them to choose Malaysia as a host country for holding their events. The government should also look into simplifying visa procedures for international event attendees and exhibitors to enter Malaysia and attend business events.
I also believe that fostering a strong service culture is imperative to attract more international trade exhibitions and conferences. Hospitality in this context revolves around providing exceptional experiences to guests by prioritising their needs, actively listening to them, being friendly, and genuinely interested in assisting them.
ICC Sydney initiates countdown to SXSW Sydney 2023
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.
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
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.
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
The ACI Asia-Pacific has announced the appointment of four new members into its board.
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
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.
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
Thailand-headquartered IMPACT Exhibition Management is now offering a 50 per cent discount on bookings for the off-peak season.
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.
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Event brief
Named The Macao Showcase, the event was Sands China’s first major post-pandemic event held overseas. It aimed to support the Macao Government Tourism Office and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute in their efforts to attract more overseas visitors, diversify visitor source markets, and extend stays.
Stephanie Tanpure, vice president of sales, Sands China, said sales and trade partners, regional and international media, and Singapore residents and visitors were invited to “experience the multifaceted charm of Macau, a world centre of tourism and leisure and premier MICE destination”.
Sands China assembled a 200-strong delegation from local SMEs, associations and media to promote Macau’s unique food, products, and arts and culture. This helped small brands and enterprises to reach an international audience.
Highlights
Two halls of Sands Expo & Convention Centre at MBS were transformed into a mini-Macau for A Taste of Macao event segment, which featured gastronomy, fashion, arts and culture, and wellness in different zones. Huge props of landmarks, like the ruins of St. Paul’s and Travessa da Paixao, and “cobblestone streets” created photo opportunities for visitors to share their experience on social media. Looped videos showed glimpses of life in Macau from “shophouse” windows.
Stalls dished out popular street foods such as congee and noodles, savoury pork buns, as well as Macanese favourites like egg tarts, almond cookies and egg rolls. Churchill’s Table Boutique at The Londoner Macao offered exclusive tea collections. A simulated speakeasy The St. Regis Bar served handcrafted Owl Man Macau gin cocktails.
A lively bazaar featuring made-in-Macau wellness products such as kombucha, skin care and healing gemstones drew interest, as did fashion and accessories created by well-known and budding designers, artistic displays and opera performances.
The invitation-only gala dinner featured exquisite dishes presented by six of Sands China’s top chefs, dance performance and fashion show – all from Macau – and the high-energy Overtones quartet specially flown in from the UK.
The half-day MICE & Luxury Forum adopted a hybrid format. While the Singapore audience enjoyed the five sessions in person, university students and MICE association members watched the live stream at The Londoner Macao’s Smart Stage, the first hybrid meeting space and sophisticated, extended reality studio in Macau. They engaged with panellists in real-time during the Q & A session.
Challenges
The short event lead-time presented challenges: sourcing and booking air/ground transportation and accommodation; securing venue, trade partner and media availability; confirming local Macau enterprises to showcase their products; renting equipment and settling other logistics.
Tanpure said: “We leveraged existing and established new relationships with trusted suppliers who could quickly respond to our needs. By leveraging their expertise and negotiating for expedited services, we were able to streamline the logistics process and ensure all necessary resources were in place when required.”
The organisers also tapped MBS’ joint assets, clientele, extensive labour force and skill set, and systems to effectively execute the event “in record time”.
Through targeted online activities, email campaigns, and with MBS’s support, organisers effectively reached a wider audience and generated significant interest in the event, surpassing initial expectations.
An unexpected but happy problem was the popularity of the egg-custard tarts – they ran out midway through the first day. The kitchen went into overdrive to churn out the delicacy; some 8,000 tarts were baked over the three days.
Tanpure summed up: “The key lies in efficient planning, resourcefulness and effective communication to ensure a memorable and well-executed event, regardless of the time constraints.”
Event The Macao Showcase
Organiser Sands China
Venue Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Date June 7-9, 2023
Attendance About 8,500 people