FLAsia returns for its second virtual edition

November 10, 2021

FLAsia2021_640 — This will be FLAsia’s 16th edition and its second virtual edition.

The Franchising & Licensing Asia (FLAsia) virtual event, an international trade event that congregates franchises, licenses, brands, and business concepts from all over the world to Asia, will be held from November 25-26, announced Constellar.

Themed Beyond, Harness the Possibilities, this year’s event will focus on how franchise businesses have survived and thrived through the prolonged disruption brought about by the global pandemic by innovating and transforming their business.

This will be FLAsia’s 16th edition and its second virtual edition

The FLAsia 2021 virtual exhibition will feature 70 international brands from more than 60 companies from countries such as Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia. More than 3,000 participants are expected to tune in.

Attendees can look forward to connecting with top players such as multinational convenience store chain 7-Eleven, homegrown lifestyle furniture retailer Commune, food and beverage players Creative Eateries, Jumbo and Tung Lok and, and health and wellness concepts Fight Zone, FitJeff and Gymkraft.

Exhibitors from sectors such as F&B, education, wellness and professional services will offer event attendees new business and investment opportunities, as well as fresh avenues for companies to transform their existing business models and innovate their customer offerings.

FLAsia 2021 will also be introducing two new programme highlights for a more immersive virtual event experience.

The Fresh! Brand showcase, a series of fast-paced five-minute investor-oriented pitches by participating brands, will be broadcast live on FLAsia’s social media channels from 12.00 to 13.00 on both event days. Another new feature, Discovery Days, will allow interested buyers to sign-up for exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of brand concepts.

Event attendees can also look forward to the return of the event’s live response feature which allows for dynamic interactions and instant responses from brand representatives via live text and video chats. This year’s event will also debut business matching services to connect attendees with participating exhibitors via direct or pre-scheduled meetings.

Beyond meeting exhibitors, attendees can look forward to insights from more than 50 expert speakers across 15 keynote and panel sessions spread over the two-day conference.

The line-up includes Joe Canterbury, founder of Chaucer Global; David Chiem, founder, CEO and executive chairman of MindChamps PreSchool; and Nguyen Phi Van, chairwoman of Vietnam Angel Network. They will be sharing their knowledge and success stories in areas of franchising, consumer market outlooks and opportunities in international markets.

Singapore’s minister of state Low Yen Ling, from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry will be delivering the opening address to kickstart the event

The FLAsia 2021 platform will be available until December 31, 2021.

BestCities Global Forum gears up for in-person event

By TTGmice

November 10, 2021

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Screen-Shot-2021-11-10-at-2.18 — BestCities Help Cities and Associations Build a More Sustainable Future

The BestCities Global Forum is set to take place from December 2-5, 2021, in Spain, following an 18-month hiatus of in-person meetings.

The event will be rooted in legacy and inclusivity, where partner destinations and associations will be encouraged to commit to a more sustainable and socially equitable future. It will feature sessions centred on legacy and impact, with a discussion of options available for associations to collaborate with social entities and generate a legacy in host cities.

BestCities wants to help cities and associations build a more sustainable future

A central part of the Forum is the Madrid Challenge, a collaborative effort between partner destinations and associations.

On the first day of the Forum, destinations will be invited to sign up for BestCities’ Commitments to a Sustainable Future, a collection of recently revised Alliance standards that strive to make a positive impact in the world. BestCities destinations are audited against the Commitments annually, to ensure accountability and encourage actionable change.

Meanwhile, Associations can participate in the Madrid Movement in several ways, such as incorporating legacy into their RFPs.

Further details and actionable items will be solidified in the lead-up to the Forum, with feedback from associations solicited during events such as IMEX America, where BestCities and International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) will co-host a legacy workshop.

BestCities has also collaborated with Strategic Thinkers to gain further insights for the challenge components for associations.

In addition to the Madrid Challenge, partners and associations can take immediate steps toward positive change by participating in “Engage for Good”, a Forum activity that raises funds for the Spanish Red Cross.

Delegates will earn points for event engagement, such as logging into the attendee app, posting to the digital EventStream wall, and joining the Madrid Challenge. Points earned will be channelled into financial support for the Spanish Red Cross, and the most engaged participant will be honoured with a special prize.

The Global Forum will also boast group explorations, such as a visit to the Spanish Red Cross; meals at popular eateries such as the Haciendas Club, renowned for its farm-to-table philosophy, and Posada de la Villa, a tapas joint established in 1642; and guided walking tours of Madrid.

Lesley Williams, managing director of BestCities, said: “As we return to meeting our peers face-to-face, BestCities is eager to introduce the Madrid Challenge as a key legacy-building piece for Global Forum and a road towards social and environmental change.

“We’ve designed this year’s Forum with an eye towards offering associations and partner destinations plenty of education, inspiration and motivation to incorporate sustainability and inclusivity into future conference planning. United, we can spur notable change in the meetings industry and beyond.”

Megaworld Hotels and Resorts opens outpost in Manila

By TTGmice

November 10, 2021

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Kingsford_Hotel_Manila_Junior-Suite — Junior Suite

The Philippines’ largest homegrown hotel chain, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, has opened its newest property, Kingsford Hotel Manila, at the Entertainment City of Paranaque.

Planners can look at organising meetings and corporate functions at the 340m2 ballroom, which can be divided into four breakout rooms which have been individually equipped with its own projector, motorised screen, and built-in sound system.

Delegates can also be accommodated in the property’s 529 rooms, and wind down at recreational which include facilities include a fitness centre, steam and sauna, and outdoor pool. There are also three F&B options on-site – the all-day Kingsford Cafe, Zabana Lobby Bar, and Quick-to-Go kiosk.

Kingsford Hotel Manila stands less than a 10-minute drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport via the expressway.

Cristian Nannucci joins Pan Pacific Hotels Group

By TTGmice

November 10, 2021

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Heading PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur and Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur is Cristian Nannucci, the newly-appointed complex general manager.

A 30-year hospitality veteran, Nannucci has held a number of hospitality positions across three continents in Europe, Asia and Middle East. He specialises in F&B and business restructuring, and possesses a background in rooms operations, and sales and marketing.

He most recently served as general manager of Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, the Philippines.

Shangri-La Singapore welcomes new GM

By TTGmice

November 10, 2021

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Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has appointed John Rice as general manager of Shangri-La Singapore.

Rice will supervise the daily operations of the hotel including Shangri-La Apartments and Residences, and be responsible for driving commercial growth, inspiring service excellence, enhancing guest engagement, strengthening community partnerships and elevating the hotel’s luxury family positioning.

In addition to this new capacity, Rice also holds the position of vice president, operations (Philippines), and will continue to oversee all Shangri-La properties in the Philippines region.

The Australian brings with him extensive knowledge and expertise in the luxury hospitality sector, with senior Shangri-La leadership appointments in Mainland China and the Philippines.

Prior to his arrival in Singapore, Rice led hotel teams across six hotels and resorts in Manila, Cebu and Boracay; and played a pivotal role in leading the teams through the Covid-19 pandemic by identifying new revenue streams, launching new business initiatives and driving commercial results.

He was also responsible for spearheading the opening of Shangri-La The Fort, Manila.

Accor to reflag 8 on Claymore Serviced Residences in Singapore

By TTGmice

November 10, 2021

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Residents__Lounge_Exterior_8_on_Claymore_Serviced_Residences — 8 on Claymore Serviced Residences will be rebranded into an Accor property

Accor is set to operate the group’s first serviced apartment property in Singapore with the signing of 8 on Claymore Serviced Residences located in the city-state’s famous Orchard Road area.

Scheduled to commence operations around the end of this year, the property will operate under the name of 8 on Claymore Singapore managed by Accor, and will undergo a soft refurbishment for all rooms and public areas by mid-2022.

8 on Claymore Serviced Residences will be rebranded into an Accor property

The 85-room property will feature a range of accommodation, from executive studios to two- and three-bedroom apartments, each with living areas, fully equipped kitchens, in-room laundry facilities and bedrooms. Guests will have access to the Club Lounge, which also includes a pool and a 24-hour gym.

Accor’s signing of this conversion project following its rebranding of another two properties in Singapore – Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel the Stamford. This property will join the group’s network of 28 properties in Singapore including the Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Swissôtel, Novotel, Mercure and ibis brands.

All things fresh and new

By Adelaine Ng

November 10, 2021

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Healthy optimism is building in New Zealand for the return of business events come 2022, with new regional destinations and conferencing venues to choose from. Surviving what has been described as a “topsy turvy year” which saw a 78 per cent drop in business compared to pre-Covid times, the industry is expected to start recovering from March or April next year, beginning with the Australian market.

New Regent Street pedestrian mall, Christchurch

“The nucleus of our plan is a high vaccination rate with the aim of 90 per cent,” Lisa Hopkins, chief executive, Business Events Industry Aotearoa told TTGmice.

With 80 per cent of New Zealanders already receiving their first vaccination, that number of fully vaccinated residents is expected to grow significantly by Christmas.

“(Based on a recent report) developed by the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand, we hope to see conferences and incentives from Asia begin to land at the end of 2Q2022, into 3Q2022. Given Air New Zealand’s position that only vaccinated travellers will be able to fly internationally on their planes, as have other airlines, there will be confidence that the risk is low,” Hopkins continued.

While the impact of restrictions on business has been highly challenging, New Zealand’s regions in particular have been busy producing new offerings for the sector.

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre opens in Christchurch in December, with Tãkina Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wellington and the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland to follow.

“New regions have truly made their mark in the business events sector. In future, choosing a destination for an event will be challenging. We expect to see more dual destination programmes developing from beautiful rural landscapes one day, and deep rugged Fiords the next. New Zealand’s position as an aspirational incentive destination, coupled with world-class conference facilities has just been amplified,” she added.

Tourism New Zealand is also offering funding and support to encourage a steady pipeline of conferences and incentives for the future.

Singapore eases Covid-19 measures; green lights more VTLs

By TTGmice

November 9, 2021

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As the weekly Covid-19 infection growth rate has been below one for the past five days, Singapore authorities have eased a number of measures.

Zone sizes for business events have now been increased. For all event categories where zoning is implemented, they now can have up to 100 attendees in each zone, with at least two-metre safe distancing between zones, while keeping within overall attendance numbers.

Various curbs in Singapore (pictured) will be eased from November 11

Previously, unmasking was allowed for speakers – as long as the speaker kept a safe distance of at least three metres from the audience. With the adjustments, up to 10 people can now be unmasked and engaged in public speaking at any time, as long as the unmasked speakers maintain a two-metre distance from the audience.

Authorities are also exploring further easing of safe mangement measures which are able to enforce both Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS) and pre-activity antigen rapid test (ART).

Under this regime, all participants will need to be fully vaccinated and will be required to produce a valid negative ART result on-site prior to the activity. VDS+ART will be piloted at selected business events, as well as selected mass sporting events.

Meanwhile, live performances will now have at least two-metre separation between performers and the audience.

Static performers may be in groups of two, with no need to maintain safe distance. However, groups of performers should have one-metre safe distancing from one another.

Live music and entertainment, however, is still not allowed.

In addition, more Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) with Finland and Sweden, will be launched starting from November 29. A joint VTL with Malaysia for travel between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport will also commence on the same day.

Applications for short-term visitors and long-term pass holders will be open from November 22.

Singapore and Malaysia are also in discussions to launch a similar scheme for travel across land links.

The authorities are also expanding the types of tests recognised as a valid pre-departure test for all travellers arriving in, or transiting through, Singapore from Category II or III countries and regions, including travellers arriving via VTLs.

From 23.59 on November 11, a negative, professionally administered antigen rapid test (ART) result taken within two days prior to departure will be accepted as a valid pre-departure test.

Singapore, Malaysia to start vaccinated travel lane from November 29

By TTGmice

November 8, 2021

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KLIA-2-departure-hall-during-the-covid-19-pandemic — The vaccinated travel lane will be between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (pictured)

Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to launch a vaccinated travel lane (VTL) between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport from November 29.

This was announced by Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Ismail Sabri Yaakob in a joint statement on Monday (November 8).

Vaccinated travel lane set to launch between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (pictured)

The reopening covers only air travel, and does not include land travel via the Causeway or Second Link.

“The prime ministers also look forward to restoring travel across the land links between both countries in the near future,” said the statement.

In a Facebook post, Lee wrote: “Singapore and Malaysia have made good progress vaccinating our populations and managing the pandemic. So we agreed that it is timely to progressively resume cross-border travel between both countries. This will help revive our economies, restore people-to-people ties, and strengthen our bilateral partnership.”

Under the VTL, fully vaccinated travellers will be able to travel between Singapore and Malaysia without having to serve quarantine or stay-home notice, and will only need to take a Covid-19 PCR test prior to departure and upon arrival.

Singapore had earlier announced VTLs with 13 other countries, including Australia, Switzerland, Britain and the US.

TTG Conversations: Five Questions with Max Boontawee Jantasuwan, SITE Thailand

By Karen Yue

November 8, 2021

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As more corporations and organisations establish serious sustainability goals and expect their vendors and business partners to do the same, meetings and events suppliers can no longer ignore the need to have responsible processes and offer programme elements in order to score projects, says SITE Thailand president, Max Boontawee Jantasuwan.

In this episode of TTG Conversations: Five Questions, Max details SITE’s global sustainability initiatives as well as the recent SITE Thailand M&I Sustainability Advocate Project, and offers tips on how to connect with and win over community-conscious clients.

FLAsia returns for its second virtual edition

BestCities Global Forum gears up for in-person event

Megaworld Hotels and Resorts opens outpost in Manila

Cristian Nannucci joins Pan Pacific Hotels Group

Shangri-La Singapore welcomes new GM

Accor to reflag 8 on Claymore Serviced Residences in Singapore

All things fresh and new

Singapore eases Covid-19 measures; green lights more VTLs

Singapore, Malaysia to start vaccinated travel lane from November 29

TTG Conversations: Five Questions with Max Boontawee Jantasuwan, SITE Thailand

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