Carina Toh has been named director of sales & marketing at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium.
An experienced hotelier with over a decade of experience in sales and marketing, she has worked in China since 2008 and was most recently director of sales & marketing at W Xi’an.
Sarah Clark has been appointed the role of chief executive officer of Tourism Tasmania.
Clark has served on Tourism Tasmania’s board since September 2021 and brings significant skills and global experience to the role, having been a leader in the tourism industry specialising in travel and marketing across multiple continents.
Before joining Tourism Tasmania, she was managing director ANZ at Intrepid Travel.
Business Event Australia has confirmed a number of incentive travel groups from China soon after the latter bid farewell to restricted travel, with at least three to take place this year.
The three confirmed events would have an average of 200 to 500 attendees, but the biggest win at this point is a 1,000-pax Nu Skin Enterprises incentive event to Brisbane in April 2024.
Robin Mack, head of Business Events Australia, told TTGmice that more wins would materialise, as some projects are currently being worked on.
“Overall, there have been positive developments out of China, and activities are coming back,” Mack said.
Mack noted that Australia’s destination brand is “really strong in China”, and that has resulted in a wave of event enquiries as soon as travel restrictions were lifted.
To ensure Australia remains top of mind, Business Events Australia extended its global campaign, There’s Nothing Like Australia, to China on February 1 this year. The campaign, which sought to showcase “the Australian personality, landscape, our welcoming people, and wide range of business events facilities”, was first announced at AIME 2022.
“We have trans-created our campaign content for China to make sure we get that Australian personality and nuances through,” said Mack, who added that it was “easy and quick” for Business Events Australia to “switch on” stronger marketing initiatives in China as its teams have “stayed present and active the whole time with trade media, agent partners and customers”.
Business Events Australia is working to “push trade partners and travellers to new places”, and some Chinese groups are keen to explore Australian destinations they have never been to.
“But even if people are returning to cities they have been to previously, we have plenty of new things to show them. So much has changed in Melbourne, while in Brisbane we have the Queen’s Wharf, a new entertainment precinct. Such developments are replicated across Australia,” he added.
When asked if Australia would see a return of mega-sized incentive groups from China soon, Mack said: “We used to get 5,000-plus-pax incentive travel groups from China pre-Covid, but I don’t think these mega ones are in the pipeline right now. However, with our bid fund programme stretching out to 2028, I know there are some bids in play that will be bigger (than the 1,000-pax movement confirmed for Brisbane).
While these mega rewards may not be on the immediate horizon, Australia’s visitor economy can still benefit from the Chinese travellers’ big spending habits. Business Events Australia’s 2022 Business Events Consumer Demand Report indicated that 80 per cent of respondents from China plan to increase their budget for incentive programmes abroad in the next 12 months.
China was Australia’s second biggest spending business events market pre-pandemic although its arrival numbers placed it in the third spot after New Zealand and the US.
Looking ahead, Mack acknowledged that the speed of market recovery would depend on air capacity.
“For China, we are now at 32 per cent of seats in the system compared to where we were in 2019. China’s civil authority believes that capacity will be back to 80 per cent by end of this year. We certainly hope this trajectory is in place for Australia,” he said.
Australia has currently recovered 74 per cent of its pre-pandemic international air capacity, and will hit 85 per cent by June.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has named Franck Droin as general manager of Mandarin Oriental, Macau.
In his new position, Droin will oversee day-to-day hotel operations, leading the team in delivering operational excellence and innovative guest experiences.
Prior to joining Mandarin Oriental, Macau, the native French and German national was general manager of Mandarin Oriental in Vietnam.
Wellness workshops, hassle-free check-ins, and in-room wellness experiences are part of the second installation of Hilton’s Sustainability MICE Series that was first rolled out in 2022.
Over two days, 15 Malaysian delegates, comprising members of the media and Hilton’s corporate clients, participated in The Heart of Hospitality: Wellness experience at the DoubleTree by Hilton Putrajaya Lakeside in Malaysia.
Elements during the experience included a hassle-free, smooth check-in process where the spacious executive lounge was transformed with healthy snacks and welcome drinks for delegates.
To rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit, wellness workshops included breathwork and movement exercises to invigorate the body post lunch, as well as a sunrise yoga session.
A workshop for the mind was led by coach Alex Tan, who taught a tool called Disruptive Thinking to motivate participants to be their best selves and not to settle for mediocrity.
Next, Eugenie Chan, a certified coach in the scientifically-verified branding tool 23plusone, led a purpose-finding workshop, while as part of wellness for the soul, Coach Sarah Lian provided a sound healing experience after dinner which helped relax the body and calm the mind after an eventful day.
Sustainable, local produce was served during breaks and main meals, while the DoubleTree spa provider, Mandara Spa, gave 15-minute massages.
The idea behind the programme was to showcase how Hilton can creatively assist meeting planners to incorporate wellness experiences into their programmes for meeting and conference delegates.
Leo Lee, national director of sales, Hilton Malaysia, shared: “Traditional meetings and conferences can leave delegates feeling drained, which is why this experience was designed to be customised to enhance any existing agenda. Doing so helps to stimulate the mind while also promoting relaxation for a more holistic approach.
“Hilton is dedicated to advocating sustainable practices at business events in all venues, thus ensuring greater peace of mind to sustainability advocates, as wellness continues to grow increasingly vital. From spa therapy to meditative sessions to nutritious meals, incorporating wellness can elevate events and create a unique and unforgettable experience.”
Western Australia has officially been awarded the 22nd International Workshop on Campylobacter, Helicobacter and Related Organisms, to take place in Perth in October 2024 (CHRO 24).
The CHRO 24 Organising Committee, along with CHRO members voted in favour of Western Australia’s bid, presented by The Marshall Centre in partnership with Business Events Perth. CHRO 24 returns to Australia after 18 years.
The workshop is set to attract 500 researchers, clinicians, and scientists from around the world to foster new collaborative, multidisciplinary interactions, and address pressing issues and solutions surrounding Campylobacter, Helicobacter, and related organisms in the Era of Meta-omics.
It will be chaired by Nobel Laureate Barry Marshall, 40 years after his first publication of Helicobacter Pylori and presenting his research at the 2nd International CHRO.
Deputy premier and minister for tourism, Roger Cook, said the event was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia to high-yield business travellers and to shine a spotlight on the state’s growing life sciences sector.
“Securing business events and conferences like CHRO 24 plays a critical role in advancing the health and medical life sciences industry, as well as supporting our state’s tourism sector,” Cook said. He added that life sciences is one of the growing sectors in Western Australia.
Business Events Perth CEO Gareth Martin said Western Australia has a strong base in medical research and is at the forefront of developing solutions with new treatments and technologies.
“The 22nd International Workshop on Campylobacter, Helicobacter and Related Organisms 2024, is a platform to showcase the research-rich state that is Western Australia.
“CHRO will contribute upwards of A$3.4 million (US$2.3 million) to the state’s economy, showcasing Perth on the global stage as a destination for continued knowledge exchange.”
Dunedin has won the International Deer Biology Congress in 2026, which will attract up to 500 cervid researchers and professionals to New Zealand.
Themed Your Deer Here, the conference will take place in February 2026 at the University of Otago, bringing together biologists, ecologists, veterinarians, geneticists, wildlife managers, conservationists, food, health, and production researchers to discuss the diverse aspects of deer management and biology from various perspectives globally.
Alongside plenary sessions, presentations and poster sessions, the programme will include a Field Day tour to the internationally renowned Invermay Agricultural Centre and to a local commercial deer breeding farm. Visitors will also get to explore the wildlife of Otago Peninsula.
It is the first time the event has been held in New Zealand since Dunedin hosted the inaugural event in 1983. The winning bid was led by scientist Jamie Ward from AgResearch, with support from Deer Industry New Zealand, Enterprise Dunedin, and the Tourism New Zealand Business Events team.
Ward said: “Dunedin was chosen for its iconic legacy with this Congress, its strength in Deer Science at AgResearch’s Invermay Agricultural Centre, and the strong history of scientific excellence at Otago University, as well as a fascinating history of deer introductions, diverse landscapes and uniquely accessible wildlife. To get the news of hosting this Congress not long after we celebrated the milestone of 50 years of Deer Science at Invermay makes it even more special.”
The win kicks off a bumper run for international conferences in Dunedin. In 2023, the city will host the International Foundation of Fashion and Technology in April, the International Symposium Adapted Physical Activity in July, the 9th Asia Pacific International Congress of Anatomists, and 20th Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists Conference 2023 in November, and the World Leisure Congress 2023 in December.
In January 2024, the city will welcome the International Human Resources Conference, and some 1,000 delegates are expected at the History of Science and Technology Congress 2025.
Euromic, the oldest DMC alliance in the industry has added two members to its ranks – Hello! Destination Management and Connect DMC.
The three countries these two DMCs add – US, Dominican Republic and Mexico – bring the number of destinations around the globe euromic offers up to 51.
Hello! Destination Management was founded in 1986 with its headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Offering incentive group travel programmes and experiences, the DMC currently operates in over 50 popular meeting destinations with 13 offices including Orlando, Las Vegas, New York, San Diego, Nashville, Miami, and Washington DC. It is euromic’s first US member.
Paul Mears III, Hello! Destination Management’s president and CEO, commented: “This is a great way for us to learn new ways of thinking, expose our team to new expectations, and serve new clients with the guidance of experienced partners. I am confident that our expertise and footprint in the US make us the perfect partner for euromic and its members.”
Established in 1999, Connect DMC adds two more destinations to euromic’s portfolio – Dominican Republic and Mexico. It has fully-owned and operated offices in Punta Cana, and offers destination logistics, sustainability solutions and corporate event services.
Ben Sauvage, Connect DMC’s CEO, said: “In our time in this field, we have developed a deep understanding of the importance of sustainability and are continuously seeking out new and innovative ideas. We believe that our industry expertise and commitment to progress will be a valuable addition to the group, and we look forward to growing together with euromic with our upcoming expansion within Mexico and the Dominican Republic.”
Victoria’s Pentridge entertainment and dining precinct has undergone a billion-dollar metamorphosis and its newest tenant, Chapter Place, offers nine indoor and alfresco event spaces, and high-end conference facilities.
Set for an official opening in autumn this year, the nine on-site venues that have been repurposed for modern-day events and conferencing include a tranquil Reflection Garden bordered by 170-year-old Bluestone walls; a former cell block framed beautifully by 10-metre-high arched ceilings and aptly named The Long Hall; and a converted chapel with stunning arched leadlight windows.
For venue general manager, Jesse Kornoff, the combination of venue, service, food, and signature experiences are where the transformation of Pentridge from Victorian prison into a modern-day lifestyle space comes to light.
He said: “Our Reflection Garden – complete with a campfire to combat Melbourne’s changeable weather – is the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks, teambuilding events, or an early morning wellness session, while the Long Hall is a showstopper for cocktail events, and (the) Olivine wine bar (can be used) for more intimate affairs.”
Chapter Place sits alongside the brand-new 106-room Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge Melbourne for large groups, and other anchor tenants including Olivine wine bar and North & Common bistro in B Division, a freshly imagined former wing of the 170-year-old historic prison.
Kornoff added that Chapter Place does not shy away from what the site once was, referring to The Real Underbelly conferencing experience led by one of Pentridge’s original prison guards.
“Clients can (also) learn how to roll truffles with Coburg’s own Koko Black during a 1.5-hour Masterclass; learn how to use a throwing wheel with local potter, Pink Ember; there’s a drinking class for people with a drawing problem; or Time Travel with a wine journey, led by our Sommelier, Liinaa Berry,” he said.
When the conferencing and eventing are done, visitors can step outside Pentridge’s perimeter and immerse themselves in a world of artists, artisans, bars, restaurants, galleries, studios, breweries, distilleries, and wineries.
Chapter Place Delegate Day Packages start from A$95 (US$86) per person.
With the opening of numerous new business events facilities, a rapid uptick in both hybrid and in-person events and the return of face-to-face business meetings overseas, 2022 was a busy year for Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau (FCVB).
In the past 12 months, staff have been stepping up efforts to promote Fukuoka as a destination for the new wave of international events, first via online meetings and through fam trips, and from mid-2022, at in-person events such as IT&CM Asia in Bangkok and IBTM World in Barcelona.
They have also been redeveloping the city’s unique venue and unique experience programmes while updating sustainability offerings for event organisers. Sustainably made eco bags are now available for incentive group attendees, while 2023 will see the launch of a new activity booklet designed for overseas event planners.
To facilitate event hosting, the FCVB joined the Hybrid City Alliance in August 2021 “to increase cooperation, share information and strengthen our city’s links with other international bureaus,” said Kenneth Macphie, spokesperson for the FCVB.
Throughout 2022, the FCVB provided subsidies to help organisers hold events in the city. Incentive groups, as well as organisers of hybrid meetings and conferences in Fukuoka were all able to access financial support for their events.
Recent city development has allowed Fukuoka to improve its business events offering.
Two new large-scale venues, the Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall B, and Hakata International Exhibition Hall & Conference Center, opened in spring 2021.
Located at the Fukuoka International Congress Center, the pillarless 5,000m2 Hall B is equipped with ceiling suspension apparatus and lighting control. Meanwhile, the Hakata venue boasts an exhibition area, a multipurpose hall, several smaller meeting rooms.
Looking at specific markets, Macphie noted the FCVB is building on long-term demand in Fukuoka’s business events offering, particularly corporate events and incentives, from Asia Pacific countries.
Staff have long been focusing their marketing and sales activities on travel agents running large-scale events but, in 2022, have expanded their efforts to also “speak directly to corporate buyers to encourage future large (incentive) groups to visit the city,” he said.
This comes as interest has been growing in recent years, thanks to the city’s easy access from many parts of the region, as well as its improving range of facilities.
Fukuoka also announced the Tenjin Big Bang Project, an initiative capitalising on the relaxation of regulations on the height of buildings in Tenjin, its downtown area.
About 30 old buildings in the area are set to be redeveloped in the coming years, which will see “huge investment and redevelopment of the commercial centre of Fukuoka,” noted Macphie, who added that the project has already resulted in the launch of modern business events hardware.
These forthcoming new builds include The Ritz-Carlton, scheduled to open in spring 2023.
Other infrastructure improvements include JR Kyushu’s September 2022 launch of a new bullet train line linking Saga and Nagasaki Prefectures, which will improve access between Fukuoka and Nagasaki. The new Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen line will shorten travel times between the two cities, allowing event organisers to easily incorporate trips to other parts of Kyushu into their Fukuoka itineraries.
“For event participants coming to Fukuoka City from overseas, it is now even easier to experience the fabulous history and countryside around Kyushu,” said Macphie.
The FCVB has also begun increasing its promotion of Fukuoka as a gastro-tourism destination following the city’s listing as a gourmet destination in travel guidebook Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2023 list. Fukuoka was the only Japanese destination to be named in the “Eat” category, helping it stand out as particularly attractive for gastro-tourism group tours.
Due to the “rapid return of domestic exhibitions” to Fukuoka, the FCVB is working to bring more international exhibitions to the city, as well as large “symbolic events” such as those centring around the arts, culture and sports, Macphie shared.
