Penang will host the 45th edition of the International Advertising Association (IAA) World Congress in 2024 with an expected arrival of 2,000 delegates, entailing an estimated economic impact of RM12.6 million (US$2.9 million) to the state.
The three-day congress will be held from March 6, bearing the theme, Brand ReCode: Createch for Better Lives, Better World. It will comprise panel discussions, tech expos, board meetings and teambuilding sessions, award shows and masterclasses.
Representatives from the state government, PCEB and IAA Malaysia at the signing
The event aims to rewire brands, people and businesses through creativity and technology in the areas of trade and industry, sustainable healthy living, experiential tourism and education.
John Doody Chacko, chairman of the 45th IAA World Congress and president of IAA Malaysia, shared: “It took over four years of intense effort against other more globally famous destinations and pandemic disruptions before IAA Malaysia emerged victorious in the decision to host the congress in Penang, Malaysia.
“It proves that the world is growing to recognise Malaysia and Penang as destinations that are not only attractive in thousands of ways, (but) more importantly, are well equipped in all avenues to host events of world-class stature.”
The first part of the event will be held in Queenstown, New Zealand (pictured)
New Zealand and Australia have succeeded in their joint bid for the largest, most significant worldwide conference on ageing in 2029.
Queenstown, New Zealand will host the pre-Congress Leadership Summit, before the 24th International Association of Gerontology and Geriatric (IAGG) World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics takes place in Sydney, Australia in 2029.
The first part of the event will be held in Queenstown, New Zealand (pictured)
The pre-Congress Leadership Summit is expected to attract up to 300 delegates to Queenstown and inject around NZ$1 million (US$617,935) into the local economy. Meanwhile, the Congress in Sydney is then expected to attract around 5,000 delegates over five days.
The quadrennial IAGG World Congress is the largest, most significant worldwide conference on ageing, sharing the latest science, research, training, technology, and policy development presented by experts from around the world.
Delegates will include representatives from medicine, nursing, allied health, aged care, policy and practice fields, and other disciplines brought together to address the latest approaches to improving the experience of ageing for ageing and older people across the globe.
A significant multi-year bidding effort by the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG), the New Zealand Association of Gerontology (NZAG) and the Australian & New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine (ANZSGM) ensured the win, which was decided by vote by more than 80 IAGG member countries at the 2022 IAGG Council and General Assembly.
The bid was also supported by the business events teams at BESydney and Tourism New Zealand.
The increased demand for travel expertise to support a swiftly rebounding travel market makes this an attractive opportunity for CTM.
Brisbane-headquartered Corporate Travel Management (CTM) has acquired 1000 Mile Travel Group, expanding its interest in the business travel market via the independent consultant (IC) model.
Founded in 2015, 1000 Mile Travel is a network of independent travel experts specialising in SME business travel services across Australia and the UK. Its business model supports a growing workforce of travel experts who desire to manage their own customer portfolio while leveraging the best in buying power and technology.
The increased demand for travel expertise to support a swiftly rebounding travel market makes this an attractive opportunity for CTM
Jamie Pherous, founder and managing director of CTM, said the acquisition is a complementary extension of its corporate travel services. It offers 1000 Mile Travel’s advisors and customers the benefits of CTM’s scale, buying power, access to content and intuitive technology for greater value.
“We’ve been partnering with 1000 Mile Travel for nearly a year through the provision of our proprietary Lightning online booking technology. During that time, we have recognised a strong alignment between our businesses based upon shared values, common technology systems and high growth objectives, and… we are well-placed to expand the 1000 Mile Travel model into our largest markets of North America and the UK,” Pherous added.
Ben Ross, founder and managing director of 1000 Mile Travel, said the acquisition paves the way for substantial growth for the company and its network of independent business owners at a crucial time in the industry’s recovery.
“Our business was established to meet the needs of the independent corporate travel business owner market… That model has never been more in demand than it is in the post-pandemic environment, and we’re excited to take the next step of our growth journey with CTM.”
New Zealand’s natural scenery offers a veritable playground of opportunities for those wanting to challenge themselves and engage in some adrenaline-pumping, team-bonding fun.
Ancient rain forests, pristine lakes, snowy mountains, or golden beaches all offer incredible opportunities to reward, revitalise and refocus.
Action-packed Itinerary
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Take the plunge at the world’s original commercial bungy site at Kawarau Bridge
Conquer your fear by giving tandem skydiving a shot
Venture into an ancient native forest in Rotorua on a network of ziplines
Go on an exhilarating whitewater rafting adventure with the team
The sky is the limit New Zealanders seem determined to prove Kiwis can fly and can help your high-flyers do it too.
Queenstown is the ultimate pit stop for adrenaline junkies.
Take the plunge at the world’s original commercial bungy site at Kawarau Bridge, complete with the Feel the Fear programme that addresses the harmful effects of workplace stress.
Help your team muster up the courage to do something they’ll never forget and ensure they leave with an incredible feeling of satisfaction.
Alternatively, try the world-first Nevis Catapult, a skydive, or for those keen on climbing the corporate ladder, clip on and conquer the highest waterfall cable climb in the world in Wanaka.
Walking on air For slightly less adventurous groups, New Zealand’s scenic flight operators supply a more sedate way to take in views of the majestic Southern Alps, the out-of-this-world beauty of Fiordland – or even orbiting a gigantic sperm whale from the air above Kaikōura.
Meet the local wildlife on a trip out on the water
Helicopter tours can land on a pristine alpine glacier for an ice walk – or just a glass of bubbles to celebrate making it to the top. Try your hand at heli-skiing, heli golf, or join a heli gin tour!
Watch the sun roll in over Canterbury’s braided rivers and pastoral plains from a hot air balloon – the memorable way to greet the dawn of a new business challenge.
Rotorua’s beautiful forests offer another way to enjoy life at the top, with groups able to soar through the canopy on a network of ziplines, or traverse swing bridges high above the forest floor.
In Auckland, take it to the limit with a SkyJump or SkyWalk at the SkyTower; enjoy a guided walk over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, or bungy jump from beneath it.
Riding the wave of success New Zealand’s oceans, rivers and lakes offer multiple incentive options to dive into.
Choose luxury scenic sailing through the Bay of Islands or Milford Sound, or amp up the team work by crewing an America’s Cup yacht across Auckland Harbour.
Jetboat at speed or kayak at leisure in Mount Aspiring National Park. Raft the whitewater rapids in the Tongariro River, or overnight with the wildlife on the placid Doubtful Sound.
Choose the landscape, the tempo, and the activities to best stimulate your team – the options and memories are never-ending.
Ready for the incentive of a lifetime? For more inspiration, check out The Ultimate Reward – an incentive in New Zealand below:
To discuss an incentive itinerary tailored to your team and objectives, contact: Edward Kwek
Trade Manager Business Events Tourism New Zealand
Contact: +65 9152 9122
Email: Edward.Kwek@tnz.govt.nz
Website: businessevents.newzealand.com
Marriott International has appointed Volker Burth as general manager of W Kuala Lumpur, replacing Christian Metzner who has moved to W Singapore – Sentosa Cove.
Burth has 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry under his belt, beginning his hospitality career with InterContinental Hotels Group completing assignments in Germany and the UK.
He then joined the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel in Saudi Arabia as director of F&B in 2012 and subsequently moved to the flagship properties at Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park in Australia and W Bangkok in Thailand.
Stanley Hui Hon Chung will assume the role of CEO at Greater Bay Airlines, replacing Algernon Yau.
A current member of the board, Hui’s career spans over 45 years. He has held a range of management positions in Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong headquarters and overseas offices, as well as in AHK Air Hong Kong, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines, and Hong Kong Airport Authority.
Hong Kong has dropped flight bans as a means to curb the import of Covid-19 infections
Hong Kong’s authorities will heed science and temporarily lift the city’s flight suspension mechanism from today, choosing to rely on an extra PCR test for arriving travellers to deter the import of Covid-19 infections.
According to a statement from the government, the move is supported by initial statistics and scientific analysis that showed it is more effective to deter Covid-19 transmission through more frequent nucleic acid testing on arriving passengers than flight bans.
Hong Kong has dropped flight bans as a means to curb the import of Covid-19 infections
Travellers arriving into Hong Kong from July 8 will have to undergo a PCR test on the third day of their quarantine.
The move also takes into consideration the surge in arrivals as students return home for their summer holidays.
Hong Kong’s flight suspension mechanism has been an unpopular one, as it puts both travellers and airlines in a difficult position. The mechanism punishes an airline with a five-day flight route ban when at least five passengers – or five per cent of travellers, whichever is higher – are tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Hong Kong.
Miramar Travel’s general manager, Alex Lee welcomed the move. He said: “This mechanism not only affected incoming traffic but also appetite of outbound travel as clients are worried about cost and time from having to rebook tickets and secure quarantine hotels if they failed to fly back as scheduled. Therefore, scrapping this mechanism may spur the resumption of flight services and frequency. This is turn will make airfares more affordable.”
Wing Wong, managing director of W Travel, predicts a ramp up in flight capacity following the suspension of the flight ban.
“I expect the first wave of arrivals to comprise students returning from overseas and domestic helpers in next eight weeks, followed by businessmen, travellers here to visit relatives, and holidaymakers. My key concern now is for our supply of quarantine hotels to meet demand,” he added.
China’s move to cut quarantine requirements, which kicked in last week (June 28), is sparking optimism for outbound corporate travel, but is less likely to spur inbound leisure demand.
Alexander Glos, CEO, China i2i Group, which provides B2B and B2C tourism-related services to international and domestic clients, said it was a move in the right direction as many companies depend on global trade, and doing business with and in China.
Glos: if quarantine requirements were to be cut to two or three days, we might see FIT travel take off
Glos continued: “These companies need to be at trade fairs, and staff have to travel to meet clients and do it more efficiently. It is a big change from 21 days quarantine.”
According to the National Health Commission, travellers entering China will be quarantined at centralised facilities for seven days, down from 14, followed by three days of self-monitoring, down from seven.
Glos noted Thailand reported receiving 25,000 business travellers from China in May and quoted a travel agent saying clients were taking trips to Thailand lasting a week or two in July.
“If quarantine requirements were to be cut to two or three days, we might see FIT travel take off,” he opined.
A travel agent catering to English-speaking markets told TTG Asia: “For visiting family members and existing residents trying to return from abroad, this (new quarantine requirement) is definitely an improvement.
“However, no tourist would subject himself to this for the sake of a holiday in a country that could get locked down at any time. China needs to drop its zero-Covid policy entirely for inbound business to recover.”
China Star founder Liu Ping agreed the new quarantine requirement is “not for tourists” and would not appeal to international incentives or meeting planners organising short China programmes.
Meanwhile, industry insiders report the Civil Aviation Authority of China is talking to airlines, granting extensions of services in July and August, and negotiating bubbles and corridors likely to focus on Hong Kong, South-east Asia, Korea and Japan.
The source shared: “Cathay Pacific is said to be hiring 4,000 staff to increase its frequency to the mainland in July and August following the appointment of Hong Kong’s new leader.
“It is a step-by-step process of China opening up,” he observed.
So much has changed in Sydney over the past two years. The city is now reinvigorated with new neighbourhoods, attractions, hotels and restaurants. The fun ‘Experience Sydney’ game is an easy way to rediscover and be re-inspired by Sydney’s icons as well as some of the newer offerings available for incentives and business events.
Here is a list of must-dos for your next event:
Experience Sydney Harbour from a different point of view atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb Sydney. The latest tour Burrawa is led by an Indigenous guide who tells stories of Sydney’s First Nations history.
Taronga Zoo is a must-visit when in Sydney, but you can now stay overnight in sustainable luxury at the boutique retreat built around a native wildlife habitat complete with koalas, echidnas and other Australian animals.
If it’s surfing you’re after, Lets Go Surfing on Sydney’s Bondi Beach makes a fantastic team bonding experience
Staying with a water theme, Sydney by Sail can customise sailing regattas for your team on Sydney Harbour and get up close to Sydney’s icons – Luna Park, the Opera House or the Harbour Bridge.
Crown Sydney is home to Sydney’s highest hotel room, in Sydney’s newest waterside precinct, Barangaroo. The hotel has 349 rooms, suites and villas. You’ll also find several fine dining restaurants, including Nobu and Oncore by Clare Smyth.
The WINX Stand at Royal Randwick is an incredible new venue at Sydney’s inner-city racecourse with capacity for 3,000 people standing for canapes and cocktails.
Watersedge at Campbell’s Stores has undergone a multi-million-dollar restoration and provides stunning views of both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House and can be hired for up to 5,000 delegates.
No trip to Sydney would be complete without a visit to Luna Park. Set on the water’s edge, the venue provides incredible views over the city, the Bridge and Opera House. It can cater to all sizes of events in big top circus tents or a crystal palace – for up to 8,000 guests.
If you’re looking for a change of pace, head out of the city for more of a ‘tree-change’. Highlights include:
The Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region is just over three hours from Sydney. Take your team touring at the many cellar doors in the Hunter, try grape stomping or blend your own wines. Or for a wellness activity, enjoy day spas, hot air balloons or serene country accommodation.
The Blue Mountains Area, featured on the World Heritage List, and the famous ‘Three Sisters’ rock formation, is not to be missed. The area is made up of historic towns, spas, and Scenic World’s Skyway cable car which carries you from one side of the valley to the other for expansive natural vistas.
The Central Coast boasts a coastline of beautiful beaches and rich greenery offering a stunning natural backdrop for incentive events and experiences. Ride horses, herd cattle and go glamping in the Glenworth Valley, take a flying fox through the towering trees of the Curimbah State Forest with Treetops Adventure or sample the local produce at markets, farm gates and wineries across the region.
Discover Sydney all over again with the ‘Experience Sydney’ game for a fun way to tour this beautiful city without leaving your desk! To try it for yourself visit www.besydney.com.au/experience-sydney and for more information on BESydney go besydney.com.au.
The Experience Sydney game has been designed to allow the player to discover Sydney in a fun way
Business Events Sydney (BESydney), in partnership with Business Events Australia (BEA), launched a new online Experience Sydney game to showcase the destination appeal of the city for incentive organisers from India, Malaysia and Singapore.
The second phase will see the game launched in Japan and South Korea.
The Experience Sydney game has been designed to allow the player to discover Sydney in a fun way
The aim of the game – with prizes on offer – is to educate BESydney’s corporate clients in South and South-east Asia as well as travel agents, inbound operators and industry. The strategy and purpose of the game is a new concept that has not been done in Australia before.
“The city has undergone many changes since the pandemic. We have brand new facilities, refurbished properties and new and updated attractions along with exciting new precincts and neighbourhood re-vitalisation. There are so many opportunities for visitors to experience the energy and excitement of the city for themselves,” said BESydney CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith.
The educational game allows players to drive around Sydney as a koala, visiting venues, learning about products and experiences along the way, and collecting points by answering riddles and questions on Sydney. These points will determine a player’s position on the leader board, and prize vouchers will be awarded for players in top positions on August 22, 2022.
Sydney venues and attractions featured include the Sydney Opera House, Luna Park Sydney, Bondi Beach, Taronga Zoo Sydney, Barangaroo Dining Area, Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf, Crown Sydney, ICC Sydney, Sydney Town Hall, WINX Stand at Royal Randwick and Watersedge at Campbell’s Stores.
By visiting these new attractions and precincts online, corporates and incentive agents can learn more about the variety of venues and what they offer for event organisers.
Nearby regional experiences were also showcased, as BESydney research revealed that 52 per cent of Asian Incentives included regional components. Other regions include the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Port Stephens, Glenworth Valley and Central Coast.
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 then joined the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel in Saudi Arabia as director of F&B in 2012 and subsequently moved to the flagship properties at Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park in Australia and W Bangkok in Thailand.
Hong Kong’s authorities will heed science and temporarily lift the city’s flight suspension mechanism from today, choosing to rely on an extra PCR test for arriving travellers to deter the import of Covid-19 infections.
According to a statement from the government, the move is supported by initial statistics and scientific analysis that showed it is more effective to deter Covid-19 transmission through more frequent nucleic acid testing on arriving passengers than flight bans.
Travellers arriving into Hong Kong from July 8 will have to undergo a PCR test on the third day of their quarantine.
The move also takes into consideration the surge in arrivals as students return home for their summer holidays.
Hong Kong’s flight suspension mechanism has been an unpopular one, as it puts both travellers and airlines in a difficult position. The mechanism punishes an airline with a five-day flight route ban when at least five passengers – or five per cent of travellers, whichever is higher – are tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Hong Kong.
Miramar Travel’s general manager, Alex Lee welcomed the move. He said: “This mechanism not only affected incoming traffic but also appetite of outbound travel as clients are worried about cost and time from having to rebook tickets and secure quarantine hotels if they failed to fly back as scheduled. Therefore, scrapping this mechanism may spur the resumption of flight services and frequency. This is turn will make airfares more affordable.”
Wing Wong, managing director of W Travel, predicts a ramp up in flight capacity following the suspension of the flight ban.
“I expect the first wave of arrivals to comprise students returning from overseas and domestic helpers in next eight weeks, followed by businessmen, travellers here to visit relatives, and holidaymakers. My key concern now is for our supply of quarantine hotels to meet demand,” he added.