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.
Kempinski Hotels sets eyes on Asia
Kempinski Hotels has set its sights firmly on Asia as a key region for expansion, with talks being held in a string of destinations.
Speaking to TTGmice at the Arabian Travel Market last week, Kempinski’s chief commercial officer Amanda Elder stated they have a strong commitment to South-east Asia.
To help grow business, the hotel management company has just hired a head of development based in Bangkok and another in China. They have been tasked with sourcing new projects across the region.
“They are both very experienced and I’m very excited about that because they’ll find new projects,” Elder said, adding the company is close to signing opportunities in Thailand in Khao Lak and Phuket. Initial discussions are also taking place for Chiang Mai.
In addition, there are talks about opening Kempinski’s first property in Vietnam, with a Kempinski slated to open in Lombok in 2027.
“We opened Apurva Kempinski Bali last year and it’s been a very successful hotel,” said Elder. “It’s the number one RevPAR in Nusa Dua. The same owner gave us an additional property in Lombok and there is talk of a third hotel in Indonesia with the same owner.”
For corporate groups, The Apurva Kempinski Bali offers a selection of upscale event venues, with the largest being Candi, a pillarless, ocean-view ballroom that can take up to 1,000 people.
Development also continues in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur in the form of 8 Conlay Kempinski Hotel, a mixed-use development comprising residences, an office tower and hotel complex. It is slated for completion in about 2.5 years.
Elder shared that initial talks on opening a property in Japan are also ongoing.
“Asia has so much potential. You can really tap into global markets in the region. Everybody is looking to go to Asia at some point of their travel experience, and it’s very accessible, about seven to nine hours from most parts of the world,” added Elder.
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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.
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.