John Parker has been appointed general manager of Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club.
He has 15 years of hospitality experience and was recently at Mari Beach Club in Bali where he served as pre-opening general manager.
Parker will focus on positioning Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club as Koh Samui’s leading lifestyle resort, as well as elevating SEEN Beach Club Samui’s visibility, both regionally and internationally.
Brought to you by Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau
The luxury allure of Tokyo and Sapporo as premium corporate event destinations of choice stands out for their Olympic legacy, refined sensibilities and much more to make for inspiring, unforgettable experiences for delegates.
Director of Business Events Tokyo, Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB), Hironobu Fujimura said: “The close partnership of Tokyo and Sapporo allows us to mutually promote exceptional luxury experiences to help meeting planners and event organisers create tailor-made, unique events. As alliance cities, we offer opportunities for outstanding options with our distinct charms.”
For a start, visitors get to experience two different climates in one trip. A whole diverse world awaits just a 90-minute flight away – from the refreshing seasonal Tokyo to the invigorating, cool Sapporo.
Tokyo
Two-time Olympic city, Tokyo, is able to deploy the creative use of its innovatively-designed sustainable sporting facilities reminiscent of its strong legacy in sports. One example is the Japan National Stadium by well-known architect Kengo Kuma, which doubles up as an ideal event and reception venue.
Corporate groups can enjoy a specially curated stadium tour and gain access to exclusive spaces from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, such as the athletes’ locker rooms and the designated interview zone.
Planners looking to curate bespoke, upscale programmes will find a wealth of lush, culturally-rich possibilities in the metropolis.
Indulge in a meaningful Kintsugi experience at Taku Nakano CeramicArts★ pottery studio, learning the ropes to repair broken ceramics with gold lacquer to re-create a beautiful art piece.
Let Master Taku Nakano, who was once an aspiring Olympic athlete, regale participants with stories of his fascinating self-taught journey into the traditional practice while they learn more deeply about the ancient Japanese art of wabi-sabi (beauty through imperfection) and the recycling mentality in the Edo period (1603-1867).
They can try their hand at giving authentic Edo antiques a second lease of life by mending the pieces – and return home with a special memento.
For a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn sushi-making from Chef Yoshi Tezuka of 100-year-old sushi restaurant, Matsunozushi, corporate planners can organise a tailored cultural affair where he can take guests on a Tsukiji fish market tour, coach them to grate fresh wasabi and guide them to make authentic Edo-style sushi.
Apart from customised outings at the restaurant with optional Geisha entertainment, the distinguished fourth-generation chef can also cater special dinners and buffet-style parties at external venues too – ideal for business events from small groups of 20 to larger groups of 150.
The Kintsugi workshop and sushi-making sessions are programmes under Tokyo’s special offers provided by TCVB for corporate meetings and incentive travel.
Another must-have on the lavish incentive trip itinerary is a visit to the 400-year-old Japanese garden of Happo-en.
Its serene, well-manicured plot is home to centuries-old bonsai trees, cherry trees, lush foliage and a koi pond that makes for breathtaking landscapes in every season. Happo-en is ideal for small groups wishing to partake in a memorable, contemplative, hands-on tea ceremony experience.
For a modern take of the city, situated on the 49th floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, Roppongi Academyhills houses plenty of meeting rooms for various-sized corporate business events, while Tokyo City View observation deck on the 52nd floor will be attractive to events organisers keen on an unforgettable reception venue for 100, with its superb views at 250m above sea level.
For luxury incentive trips, planners can look to newly-opened upmarket, stylish hotels, including The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo in Otemachi and Kimpton Shinjuku.
Sumptuous culinary delights are also aplenty, with about 100,000 dining and drinking establishments, including 200 Michelin-starred restaurants, according to Fujimura.
For example, savour French-Japanese fusion fare at Reglisse and Japanese fine dining at Hoshinonaruki.
Of the Japanese capital’s appeal as an ideal business event destination, he added: “Its one-of-a-kind culture, world-class hotels, and welcoming hospitality make it the perfect destination that is completely different from other cities around the world.”
Sapporo
Just a 90-minute flight away from Tokyo, Sapporo also possesses a noteworthy sporting legacy. The capital of Japan’s northernmost Hokkaido prefecture is Japan’s 5th largest city and the former host of the Winter Olympics.
The magnificent Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium, which hosted the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics, takes centre stage in the renowned snow city. Corporate groups can engage an ex-Olympian to lead them on a unique stadium tour, explore the 307m high ski jump hill and experience the same spectacular panoramic view of the city as that of a ski jumper about to take the brave plunge.
A French-styled restaurant within the stadium, Nouvelle Pousse, can accommodate an impressive reception party by serving up exquisite cuisine made of Hokkaido’s fine locally produced ingredients and great vantage points of the iconic sporting venue, including a summer jump attraction performed by professional ski jumpers.
Event planners are spoilt for choice with a wide array of interesting team-building winter activities on-site such as snow rafting, igloo building, as well as ice cream making and snow dome barbeques. Delegates can also venture into the breathtaking snowy mountains on a guided snowmobile tour with Wonderland Sapporo, suitable for beginners too.
Organisers will be delighted that various deluxe accommodations and gourmet choices abound in Sapporo.
For example, conveniently located in central Sapporo, Sapporo Grand Hotel, the first Western-styled hotel that debuted in 1934, bestows guests with ultimate style and comfort within its spacious suites.
Portom International Hokkaido, located in New Chitose Airport, is a unique luxury-hotel-inside-an-art-gallery abode, showcasing a mind-boggling collection of extraordinary artworks on top of a traditional tea room, cafe sky library, French and Japanese dining, onsen and spa, all under one roof.
Hokkaido is the holy grail of onsens (hot springs) and Sapporo leads the way with various gorgeous hotels teeming with lavish spas and stunning onsens in the Jozankei area.
Enclaved by the lush forest and the Toyohira river, guests can behold the awe-inspiring snowscape at opulent Chalet Ivy Jozankei while soaking in the in-room private natural onsens, filled with Jozankei’s famed mineral-rich waters. Other seasons allow them to take in majestic sights outside the floor-to-ceiling windows in equal measure.
Swanky Kashogyoen furnishes premium spa and wellness offerings for a rejuvenating retreat, while offering guests picturesque views of the surrounding natural beauty of Jozankei.
Gastronomy delights in the gourmet capital spotlight Hokkaido’s tasty locally-grown ingredients and produce. Dig into fresh seafood platters and mouth-watering seasonal menu items at special dining experiences, such as a Japanese garden restaurant with an ice lounge or projection-mapping Kaiseki cuisine, only available in Sapporo.
Like Fujimura, Marico Ogi, MICE director of Sapporo Convention Bureau, is also optimistic that Hokkaido’s capital can attract high-end MICE clients jointly with Tokyo.
She explained: “After enjoying the inspiring arts and culture in Tokyo, they can then conveniently visit Sapporo and luxuriate in Hokkaido’s breath-taking nature, great outdoors, stunning hot springs and gourmet delights in each of the four distinctive seasons. We are confident that Sapporo can offer the ultimate wellness experience in absolutely unique ways.”
Keen to curate a bespoke, high-end corporate programme in Japan?
Access free quality assistance and guidance:
For Tokyo: Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau
For Sapporo: Sapporo Convention Bureau
Destinations that have maintained their marketing investment throughout the pandemic years are most likely to be the ones to win the hearts of corporate meeting and incentive trip planners today, say agencies.
Rodney Yew, director of Kent Holidays in Singapore, told TTGmice at AIME 2023 that he has “several” corporate meetings and incentive movements bound for Australia this year alone, with most heading to Melbourne and Sydney. These groups from the Middle East and Asia will involve 250 to 350 delegates altogether.
“And more are likely to materialise since it is only early part of 2023 now,” he added.
“Australian cities maintained strong destination marketing throughout the years when travel to the country was not possible, and that made our clients missed or desired the country a lot,” Yew explained.
Fioren Cahyadi, travel services manager with Destination Tour in Indonesia, too, finds that a good reputation makes it easier to pitch the destination. For her team, Japan and Thailand are easy sells.
Yew said Thailand and Singapore are also strong contenders too, as both have been active with destination marketing and trade engagements during the travel disruption.
Underlining the importance of the destination brand, Ketut Jaman, managing director of Melali MICE in Indonesia said Bali has continued to be a popular corporate meeting and incentive travel destination despite having reduced its destination marketing in recent years.
“Bali is now well known for so many things – its culture and nature, as a tourism hub of the country with excellent infrastructure and variety of attractions and cuisines, good air access provided by both international and domestic airlines, and tourism products available across a wide price range. And it is all because of previous effective marketing and an ongoing good events track record. So, even though central government-led marketing is not as intensive as before, and not as intensive as other MICE cities now, Bali continues to impress,” Ketut said.
Having said that, Ketut noted that the destination reputation would only open initial doors to clients’ hearts. For destinations to ultimately secure clients’ sign-off, their reputation must be matched by the practicalities of good accessibility, suitable infrastructure and potential to meet event owners’ objectives.
“For instance, Indonesian banking institutions will prioritise destinations that are advanced with fin-tech, while government agencies will prefer to meet in cities where there is both political stability and progress,” he elaborated.
Fioren observes that after reputation comes cost, as well as the destination’s ability to fulfil the client’s travel and event objectives and to take in large groups at last minute’s notice – the latter being a common occurrence today.
Costs, according to Yew and Fioren are especially scrunitised today, amid a backdrop of inflation and restricted budgets.
If the client insists on pricey destinations like Japan, Fioren said they would then trim expenses by choosing cheaper accommodation, shorter duration – “perhaps just five-days and three-nights” – and more affordable flights.
When asked if emerging destinations without deep marketing pockets would lose out to savvy competitors, Ketut said they could still catch up by laying the groundwork – establish sufficient air links, events infrastructure and a trained service team – then relying on leading event agencies to influence clients’ decision.
“Very often, our clients will ask us which city is better for meetings and take our inputs seriously,” said Ketut.
Alexis Rodriguez has been appointed general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place.
Rodriguez brings with him 18 years of experience in luxury hotels, and in his new role, he will lead his team to ensure the embodiment of The Ritz-Carlton Gold Standards.
Previously the general manager of JW Marriott Zhengzhou, he is also able to communicate in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Galician, among others.
The state of Adelaide has been chosen as the host city for Dreamtime 2023, Business Events Australia announced over the weekend.
Scheduled for November 7-10, the showcase will be the first Dreamtime held since 2019 due to the global pandemic and will provide business events planners and media with the opportunity to experience why there’s nothing like Australia for business events.
The Dreamtime programme includes a destination showcase, dedicated media event, business session and networking opportunities to allow maximum engagement between Australian industry and international business events buyers and media.
Tourism Australia’s managing director, Phillipa Harrison, said: “Dreamtime 2023 is a valuable part of our distribution activity to bring qualified planners and media to Australia to experience the wealth of new products available and our world-class event delivery.
“Like so many of our destinations, Adelaide has undergone unprecedented infrastructure development, welcoming new products such as Sofitel Adelaide, Adelaide Oval Hotel and Eos by SkyCity and the Southern Ocean Lodge, which will reopen later this year.”
Tourism Australia’s executive general manager of commercial & Business Events Australia, Robin Mack said the event has a strong record of securing future incentive business for Australia, driving real business outcomes for the industry.
“Even with the disruption of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Dreamtime 2019 delivered solid results for Australia, generating 36 business leads in three months, worth A$97 million (US$67.1 million),” he said.
Prior to the pandemic, the business events sector was a key contributor to the visitor economy, attracting nearly 1.1 million arrivals, and spending A$4.5 billion for the year ending December 31, 2019.
A carbon offset programme for business events and online hubs designed to make sustainable and accessible travel easy to access, and updates to Cairns Convention Centre were among the updates provided by Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef at AIME 2023.
Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’s general manager Rosie Douglas said the new partnership with Reforest will assist event planners in calculating their event’s high-level carbon footprint and offset it through a localised tree planting and revegetation program in endangered Mabi rainforest on the Atherton Tablelands.
Other offset options include making a partial contribution, or offering delegates an opportunity to contribute to the programme toward the event.
Earlier this month, Tourism Tropical North Queensland also launched a Sustainable Travel Hub that showcased interactive conservation projects, immersive cultural experiences and eco-certified operators such as the Quicksilver Group and Pullman Reef Hotel Casino. This will help event planners and delegates understand the value the region places on the environment and community.
Douglas added: “To celebrate 2023 being named the Year of Accessible Tourism in Queensland we have also launched an accessibility widget so the destination website can be viewed in various modes including ADHD-friendly with reduced distractions and blindness mode that is compatible with a screen reader.”
Janet Hamilton, general manager of Cairns Convention Centre, also in attendance at AIME, was eager to provide updates on the venue’s 10,500m2 expansion. Costing A$176 million (US$121 million), a full reopening has been scheduled for May 2023.
“Our first event in the new expansion will be the Queensland Legislative Assembly, meeting for the sixth regional sitting of the Queensland Parliament, May 9-11,” Hamilton said.
The Cairns Convention Centre expansion includes a large undercover, tropically planted forecourt, and an expanded main entry lobby on the entry levels. The Mezzanine level will have a 410-seat plenary lecture space that can be divided into two spaces, three 110-seat meeting rooms, and exhibition space for up to 30 display booths. The brand-new third level includes a 500-seat banquet room with a large adjoining pre-function space and an external terrace with views over Trinity Inlet.
Attendees of the BestCities Global Alliance held in Vancouver, Canada, in December 2022 pledged to prioritise legacy in future bid strategies, raised money for a local non-profit, and learnt how to measure the impact of business events on destinations and associations.
Central to the three-day Global Forum was highlighting the impact that small and local businesses can have on tourism. The programme featured a presentation of the Conference Legacy Impact Study conducted by Destination Vancouver and Capilano University’s Centre for Tourism Research, which found that delegates who visit local businesses are more likely to find value in their conference and return to the host destination as tourists.
“Each conference in every destination will have unique legacies and outcomes of their own,” said Michael Drake, director of sales, meetings & conventions, Canada & international at Destination Vancouver. “With more than half of the outcomes identified as non-economic, partnering with the destination will improve the desired outcomes for all stakeholders involved.”
Another milestone at the Global Forum was 12 participants signing up for BestCities Madrid Challenge with a pledge to build legacy into their bid strategies for future events. Launched in 2021, the initiative identifies ways to support associations and destinations as they centre impact and sustainability in conference and event planning.
“The impact that meetings have on local communities in a host destination is invaluable, spanning knowledge exchange, talent acquisition, inclusion, academic research, and new business opportunities,” said Lesley Williams, managing director of BestCities Global Alliance.
Partners and associations took immediate steps toward positive change by participating in “Engage for Good”, a Forum activity that raised funds for Ocean Wise Seafood, a non-profit focused on ocean conservation. Throughout their time in Vancouver, delegates earned points for conference activities such as taking public transport and engaging with the attendee app. At the close of the conference, delegates had earned the equivalent of CAD$2,500 (US$2,492), all of which was donated to Ocean Wise Seafood.
The next Global Forum will take place January 18-21, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia.
The Ritz-Carlton has unveiled a newly-elevated experience at The Ritz-Carlton Club across its Asia-Pacific hotels, following a successful launch in China last summer.
The Ritz-Carlton Club’s refreshed offerings are to meet the evolving needs of today’s luxury travellers, whereas the next generation of luxury travellers will tend to will combine business and leisure travel, seek one-of-a-kind moments, and look for purpose-led experiences.
For example, The Club Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore invites guests to share their personal memories by designing a customised postcard to send to loved ones with a Ritz-Carlton stamp. At The Ritz-Carlton, Perth, sommelier Camila Luzzi invites guests to discover a Western Australian wine, sharing hidden gems and pours of exceptional quality from local cellars, while guests at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong can come together with family to tuck into their favourite movies in a bonfire-themed room.
The Ritz-Carlton Club will continue to offer five meals including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, hors d’oeuvres and cordials, with menus evoking the local culinary narratives of the destination.
A traditional Jamu experience, wellness drink and ancient ritual integral to Javanese culture will served during afternoon tea at The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place, while guests will be able to savour to a traditional lunch bento box at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo,.
In the evening, guests are invited to taste authentic seasonal ingredients unique to each destination, or, as with The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa, an original Okinawa Sunset cocktail.
“We are seeing an even greater shift towards guests seeking experiences that inspire them and help bring balance into their lives through the discovery of fresh perspectives, new ideas, and local connections,” said Jennie Toh, vice president, brand marketing and management, Asia Pacific, Marriott International.
“The launch of elevated experiences at The Ritz-Carlton Club gives us the perfect opportunity to reconnect with our guests, giving them a unique window into each destination’s culture through enhanced offerings and experiences.”
Beverley Parker will be taking on an additional role at ASM Global Asia Pacific as the group’s new director of marketing on March 1, 2023.
A sales and marketing industry leader, the Australian has more than 30 years’ of experience in tourism, events and hospitality.
Parker will combine her new role with her current position as director of business development at ICC Sydney.
The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) and the International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services (IFES) have signed a new three-year Memorandum of Understanding.
At their most recent meeting held in Dubai, the IAPCO Council unanimously agreed to a new collaboration with IFES, the first of its kind for both associations. The collaboration will see experts from both organisations share knowledge and educational content through industry events, seminars and webinars, visibility via online recognition and business development opportunities.
Ori Lahav, IAPCO president, commented: “Many IAPCO member client events require exhibition and stand builds for their global business and professional events. Knowing and having immediate access to the most appropriate and trustworthy partners to work with just makes sense.
“This new MoU enables IAPCO and IFES members to have more direct contact, build upon their respective expertise and provide added value across the board to the clients they serve.”
With a membership retention rate of just under 100 per cent over the past two years, a growing number of new membership applications and continued support from global partners, IAPCO continues to focus its attention on providing added value and new services to its members.
“As we enter our fourth decade as an association, I am proud of this new collaboration between IAPCO and IFES, as a manifestation of the IFES motto of sharing knowledge. We look forward to a long and beneficial partnership with IAPCO and its members, through which we will be able to support our respective members by generating more business together,” said Philippe Beille, IFES president.