Destination experience specialist Monster Day Tours was recently awarded by the DesignSingapore Council to conduct a tour showcasing three design concepts recognised by the country’s President*s Design Award.
The award is Singapore’s highest honour for designers of all disciplines and recognises the significant achievements of people who make a difference in the lives of Singaporeans and the global community.
Bynd Artisan
The tour highlights Enabling Village, The Pinnacle@Duxton, and Bynd Artisan.
Enabling Village is a one-of-a-kind village that was repurposed to become an inclusive space that connects people with disabilities and the wider society, maximising the potential for a socially successful environment.
The Pinnacle@Duxton redefines what public housing can be in a densely populated city for a sustainable future, where views, connectivity, air and light flow were all taken into consideration, including the lush environmental deck.
Bynd Artisan puts home-grown master craftsmen in the spotlight as they share with attendees the traditional ways of book-binding and leather crafting.
Takashi Hoshino is the new general manager of Hotel Nikko Bali Benoa Beach, bringing with him over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry.
He has rich experience in launching new hotels with Okura Nikko Hotels, having joined several pre-opening offices where he set up a sales channel and IT system for Room Division such as OTA, wholesaler, metasearch, PMS, and more.
Anjali Masih is the new director of human resources at Kuramathi Maldives. She brings over two decades of experience in several hospitality brands and owning companies in the United Arab Emirates.
Prior to joining Kuramathi, she was the director of human resources & training in The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah.
In her new role, she will champion an inclusive culture of growth and create a sustainable workforce by emphasising team building, colleague development, succession planning and improving overall employee welfare.
Macau (pictured) resumeed quarantine-free travel with Mainland China last month
Reopened borders and quarantine-free travel have facilitated a return in interest among China-based event planners looking to hold events and meetings in Macau.
Sands China’s vice president sales, Stephanie Tanpure, has reported seeing good traction from event organisers, with “solid RFPs” for 4Q, where group sizes are also considerably larger.
Macau (pictured) resumed quarantine-free travel with Mainland China last month
She said: “Quarantine-free entry is the first thing that event planners will consider, therefore the easing of travel restrictions is definitely a favourable factor in attracting groups. With reopened borders, it is easier to attract Mainland clients, especially those situated within a 1.5-hour radius from Macau, such as in the Greater Bay Area.”
Tanpure added that the resort “took the initiative to reach out to and keep in touch with China clients” throughout the pandemic, and held a total of 13 online events via its Smart Stage to promote Macau and its diverse offerings.
Earlier in June, Sands China unveiled Macau’s first hybrid meetings space, Smart Stage, at The Londoner Macao, an Extended Reality (XR) studio. And of all the six integrated resort operators in Macau, Sands Resorts Macau accounts for 85 per cent of the available event venues.
hOn a similarly positive note, Artyzen Hospitality Group, area vice president/Macau operations, Rutger Verschuren, told TTGmice: “Considering there will be an end to Covid at one stage, we do receive RFPs from organisers who want to be jump-ready once travel is no longer discouraged and restrictions are eased.
“However, group events require advance planning with site visits, and there have been many factors that have disrupted travelling for events. We hope that with the control of the Covid situation in our key feeder markets, and relaxed measures by the authorities, the situation will improve soon.”
During the pandemic, The Artyzen Grand Lapa took the opportunity to spruce up its contemporary Chinnery Ballroom good for 200 guests, as well as its adjoining Atelier function room, and is ready to welcome events back.
Aside from meetings and events, the Venetian Macao and Macau Fisherman’s Wharf are reportedly experiencing brisk business in the exhibitions sector.
According to Alan Ho, vice president of the Macau Convention and Exhibition Association, the event calendar is filled with exhibitions every week until the end of the year.
He explained: “Many exhibitions that were suspended during the pandemic were shifted to 4Q2022, such as the 10th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo Tourism Expo that was rescheduled from July to September.”
New events like China (Macau) High-Quality Consumption Exhibition, and the Hengqin Global Bay Areas’ Forum, will also be debuting in late November.
Ho attributed the pick-up in exhibitions to the easing of visa policies, whereby Chinese business travellers saw there visas expedited when presenting an invitation letter issued by designated event organisers in Macau.
“From September 1, overseas visitors visiting Macau have also been granted a three-month multiple-entry visa, with a maximum of 30 days stay in Hengqin. This favours those who are planning to attend exhibitions and promote trade exchange in the region,” he added.
Mercure Tokyu Stay Osaka Namba is slated to open on December 1, 2022
Accor will introduce its first dual-branded hotel to Japan with Mercure Tokyu Stay Osaka Namba, slated to open on December 1 this year.
In partnership with Japanese real estate company Tokyu Resorts & Stays, the property will offer the best of both companies – Accor’s global reach and international loyalty programme Accor Live Limitless (ALL), and Tokyu Stays’ domestic network and hotel facilities.
Mercure Tokyu Stay Osaka Namba is slated to open on December 1, 2022
The 288 guestrooms are ideal for short-stay and long-stay guests, with a portion of guestrooms offering washer-dryers and kitchenettes, one of the signature features of Tokyu Stay properties. There is also an all-day Italian dining restaurant on site.
The hotel is within a four-minute walk from Namba station which offers a direct train line to Kansai International Airport. Local landmarks like Shinsaibashi shopping district and “America Town” are also easily accessible.
Garth Simmons, CEO, Accor Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea said: “This property offers the perfect setting for local and international visitors to explore the local scene whether they are in town for business or leisure, and enjoy the warm hospitality that is unique to this region.”
“(The hotel’s location) will continue to attract attention as a sightseeing base for Kansai in the future. We anticipate that guests will discover a new charm of Osaka Namba at this sophisticated dual-branded hotel,” said Toshihiro Awatsuji, president & CEO, Tokyu Resorts & Stays.
The three winners delivered change delivering change from the heart of their geographical and cultural communities
The International Congress & Conference Association (ICCA) and BestCities Global Alliance are celebrating three outstanding Associations that are winners of The Incredible Impacts Programme.
The Incredible Impacts Programme is a joint initiative by ICCA and BestCities Global Alliance that is committed to legacy building. The winning Associations have set the industry standard in the last 12 months and driven real change through passion, education, creativity, and fun.
The three winners delivered change delivering change from the heart of their geographical and cultural communities
Aside from being awarded US$7,500 for future projects, the winners will also get the chance to speak about their initiatives and experiences at the ICCA 61st Congress in Krakow from November 6-9, 2022.
The winners are:
International Society for Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, where the association planned a series of interactive city-wide events in Glasglow, which brought together experts, artists, students, and the general public. Children were also encouraged to build brains, and everyone was encouraged to explore brain installations, empowering them to become advocates for brain health and lead healthier, smarter lives.
International Water Resources Association (IWRA), where the association sought out five global ambassadors to represent their local communities operating on the front line of water security issues to share their stories during the IWRA World Water Congress. Topics included sanitation and homebuilding in the Dominican Republic; safe access to surface and groundwater in New Delhi and Nepal; and water access rights in Zimbabwe to agrochemical pollution on The West Bank.
The University of the Faroe Islands, where the association hosted a Football is Medicine event that showcased the many benefits of playing soccer. Experts from all aspects of sports medicine, nutrition, and training delivered a compelling programme detailing how football can be used to enhance and enrich the lives of people everywhere.
GWTS 2022 will be held at Parkroyal on Beach Road (pictured)
Global Women’s Trade Summit (GWTS) 2022 Singapore, an international summit connecting businesswomen across the globe to explore business and market potential, will be welcoming female business leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals from September 13-14, 2022 at Parkroyal on Beach Road.
Themed Business Sustainability & Resilience, GWTS 2022 will address the topics of business sustainability and resilience during the two-day summit through panel discussions, workshops, and trade exhibits, along with matching and networking opportunities.
GWTS 2022 will be held at Parkroyal on Beach Road (pictured)
The summit will witness the participation of more than 200 registered delegates from 14 countries, and will feature over 20 leading speakers covering topics around technology, branding, risk management, business culture, keys to business sustainability, and more.
As the fifth annual instalment, GWTS 2022 is organised by the International Women’s Federation of Commerce and Industry (IWFCI) Singapore, a global non-profit and non-government organisation established to support women entering the business and developing trade across the globe, and is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board.
The event will also be graced by Guest of Honour Amy Khor, senior minister of state, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment & Ministry of Transport; The Honourable William Hodgman, Australian High Commissioner To Singapore, country ambassadors, and presidents of the 12 IWFCI chapters.
Diana Abruzzi, founder of IWFCI, said: “Having survived the pandemic, businesses have awakened to a more complicated and fast-changing world. IWFCI, throughout its global chapters, has continued to support our members to assist, navigate and adapt to these changes.
“This is why IWFCI is committed more so than ever to holding our Global Women’s Trade Summit in a time such as this.”
To further their endeavours with the annual event, GWTS will host its upcoming 2023 edition in Japan, and its 2024 edition in Indonesia.
The soon-to-open Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
Business Events Wellington has secured another two international conferences for New Zealand’s capital city.
The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)’s will be heading to Wellington for their Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in October 2024.
The soon-to-open Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre will be fully utilised by the 900 delegates expected to descend on the city for the four-day event.
The event will be held in New Zealand for the first time in seven years.
Another major conference Business Events Welllington has secured is the Trans-Tasman Member’s Choice Symposium to be held in partnership between the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and New Zealand Psychological Society. Taking place in May 2023, it will be the first event held in Tākina – even before its official opening the following month.
This is the first time the event will be held in person having launched in 2021 with record virtual attendee numbers.
APS is the largest professional body representing psychologists in Australia with over 30,000 members. The event is expected to bring more than 600 delegates to Wellington.
El Kwang has been appointed chief commercial officer at The Venues Collection in Australia.
Based in Sydney, Kwang brings communications and content creation skills to his new role and will lead a team of 40 at The Venues Collection.
A strong advocate for industry collaboration, Kwang recently led the programme for the Forces of Change Leadership Series with Marina Bay Sands, he was instrumental in the Singapore MICE Forum and was the co-chair of the Rome and Bangkok editions of the SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) Global Conference.
Having lived in South-east Asia for more than a decade, Kwang also recently finished a three-year stint as vice president finance and development on the SITE Global Board of Directors.
Centara Korat Hotel in north-east Thailand opened a new restaurant, House of Kin, on September 13, 2022.
Suitable for incentive groups and meeting delegates, the all-day dining restaurant offers buffets and a la carte dining featuring seafood, Korat cuisine, alongside Japanese, Chinese, and Western dishes.
House of Kin
There will also be a candy wall along with a special candy shop offering ice cream, chocolate and pralines, cakes and brownies.
Buffet options include Classic (690++ baht or US$26.50++), Premium (1,190++ baht) and Grand (1,490++ baht).
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 rich experience in launching new hotels with Okura Nikko Hotels, having joined several pre-opening offices where he set up a sales channel and IT system for Room Division such as OTA, wholesaler, metasearch, PMS, and more.
In her new role, she will champion an inclusive culture of growth and create a sustainable workforce by emphasising team building, colleague development, succession planning and improving overall employee welfare.
