CWT has appointed Nick Vournakis as executive vice president and chief customer officer, and Derek Sharp as executive vice president and chief traveller experience officer, effective December 1, 2021.
Both will report to Michelle McKinney Frymire, CEO of CWT and serve as members of the company’s Executive Leadership Team.
From left: Nick Vournakis; and Derek Sharp
Prior to this appointment, Vournakis was managing director, global customer development, before which he was president, US military & government. He joined CWT in January 2000 and his other senior roles in the company have included responsibility for North American Air Solutions, and managing CWT’s Canadian operations. He also spent four years with EY Global Consulting services.
Sharp was chief operating officer for RoomIt, CWT’s global hotel platform, and prior to this appointment, ran CWT Meetings & Events. He spent eight years at Travelport in various senior management, strategy and consulting positions, as he had with HP Enterprise Services, EDS, UPS and Bain & Company.
The Western Australian government wants to vaccinate 90 per cent of its population before reopening, the state's capital Perth pictured
Western Australia (WA) will be the last Australian state to open for business events travel while the rest of the country relaxes their borders and prepares to resume corporate events, much to the frustration of local event planners.
Most Australian states are moving towards an endemic Covid-19 policy as vaccination rates have hit 80 per cent. This comes as Covid cases are still rising, evident that the Covid-zero policy adopted since the pandemic started would be unsustainable.
The Western Australian government wants to vaccinate 90 per cent of its population before reopening, the state’s capital Perth pictured
On November 1, 2021, Sydney and Melbourne opened their borders to Australian citizens and permanent residents overseas, and no longer required inbound travellers to quarantine for two weeks on arrival. Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has also signalled that the country will likely welcome international tourists by the end of the year.
But the state government of WA has insisted on keeping its borders shut for as long as possible in an attempt to keep its residents “safe”.
“Our premier has made it pretty clear that we’re not going to be having a Christmas with masks, which means that as a business, working towards end January is when we anticipate us opening up to the rest of the country. But it’s personally disappointing for us as well,” Renee Bennet, managing director of Encanta, told TTGmice.
“Obviously, we’ve got events taking place to connect with our counterparts on the east coast, which is extremely important for us. At the moment, I feel like Western Australia is a bit of a laughing stock in terms of our restrictions,” continued Bennet, who is also a board director at Business Events Perth and a councillor at the Professional Conference Organisers Association.
Bennet also expressed fears that WA’s restrictions could hurt its reputation for business events for years to come, much like its formerly expensive accommodation rates.
Recently, the WA government announced it would transition to dropping its borders when a target of 90 per cent vaccination rates is achieved, which some observers have noted could be too ambitious a goal. The state just reached 65 per cent rates last week.
But WA’s premier Mark McGowan said he would announce a border opening date once 80 per cent of its population aged over 12 are fully vaccinated, putting current estimations for the border change to take effect in late January at the earliest.
The state has earned the nickname “hermit kingdom” for its hardline border policy, which it argues has made the state safer from Covid and allowed its economy to thrive with a A$5.6 billion (US$4.1 million) surplus, the state’s biggest on record.
However, Melbourne-based Kate Smith, managing director at Waldronsmith Management and council member at Business Events Council of Australia, fears the prolonged closure of WA’s borders will have a nationwide impact for the industry.
“My view is that we need to be ready as one country as quickly as possible,” opined Smith. “Most of the national conferences rely on their West Australian delegates to join them and equally, if the conference is being held in Western Australia, the limitations it has placed on the sector within WA is hugely significant. This impacts us all.”
Western Australia has had just 1,112 Covid-19 cases and nine deaths to date, compared to more than 78,000 cases and 611 deaths in New South Wales.
CWT has revealed it will invest US$100 million in the myCWT travel management platform as it moves forward to implement its recapitalisation plan.
That plan today was approved (“confirmed”) by a court in an expedited legal process with the overwhelming support of CWT’s financial stakeholders.
A screenshot from the CWT website
The recapitalisation plan provides CWT with US$350 million of new equity capital to reinvest in the business, eliminates approximately half of the Company’s US$1.6 billion debt, and provides for all business partners and other providers of goods and services to CWT to be paid in full.
Michelle McKinney Frymire, CWT’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Having reached this important milestone, we are now able to move beyond the pandemic and accelerate investments that create innovative programmes and industry-leading experiences, including an enhanced myCWT platform.”
CWT’s initial $100 million investment in myCWT and its product offering, including the further enhancement of its sustainable proposition, will be focused on augmenting CWT’s existing omnichannel experience.
This will include expanding CWT’s breadth and depth of its omnichannel content, travel comparison capabilities, analytical reporting, and choice and availability of sustainable travel solutions to further enhance the point-of-sale experience for travellers and carbon footprint details to enable better-informed decision-making. Additional details about CWT’s inves
Seoul Convention Bureau has unveiled Virtual Seoul 2.0, their 3D business events platform that has gone through an upgrade and given a facelift.
Four new venues and several other exhibition functions have been added to the platform. The Content Management System (CMS) is also new, and allows event planners to customise their events without having to go through IT staff.
Virtual Seoul 2.0 at night
The four new venues in Virtual Seoul 2.0 are Coex, meant for exhibitions; Nodeul Island, Seoul’s unique venue in Hangang river which will serve as an outdoor exhibition area; Seoul City Hall which will serve as an open stage; and Seoul Tourism Plaza will function as a business meeting room.
Virtual Seoul 2.0 will also take into account the time zone of each time zone of the host city, and feature either a day or night setting. A pre-scheduled appointment function between buyers and sellers have also been added, alongside a function which allows the exchange of digital business cards, and booths that can offer promotional videos and brochures.
Meanwhile, the CMS will provide event organisers with the ability to manage functions like the broadcasting of videos, and branding functions to post logos, banners, across the platform. Guided videos for the various business events ranging from corporate meetings to conferences have also been uploaded to help aid event planners in their process.
Event planners will also be able to benefit from the PLUS SEOUL support for online/hybrid events, which means the platform will not cost extra. This, in a way, helps Seoul to expand its destination marketing as well.
Director at Seoul Tourism Organization, Jihyun Kim, said: “The first version of Virtual Seoul received much attention locally and globally as an innovative case of destination marketing while travelling was strictly restricted.
“Since Virtual Seoul 2.0 was designed to cover most event types of the MICE industry it will serve a full function as an event platform capable of earning more hosting. Hybrid events are not a trend anymore but another format settling down in the field with ‘living with COVID’ days. As one of the pioneers in this new field, it is the time to be more active in marketing the platform.”
Cambodia’s sudden move to fully reopen borders comes on the back of its successful vaccination drive; Angkor Wat pictured
Cambodia’s tourism players are celebrating after a snap decision on Sunday (November 14) saw the nation become the first in South-east Asia to fully open to vaccinated travellers with no restrictions.
“Christmas has come early for the tourism and hospitality industry in Cambodia,” said Nick Ray, consultant for CamDMC, on the news that the country has fully opened to fully inoculated tourists.
Cambodia’s sudden move to fully reopen borders comes on the back of its successful vaccination drive; Angkor Wat pictured
Prime minister Hun Sen made the surprise announcement on Sunday that from the following day (November 15), fully vaccinated travellers from any destination are welcome without quarantine.
Inbound travellers must present a negative PCR test result taken 72 hours before departure and undergo a free rapid test on arrival. Once given the all-clear – an estimated 10- to 15-minute wait – arrivals are free to enter the country with no quarantine or restrictions on movement.
The requirement for health insurance has also been scrapped. While the visa-on-arrival service remains suspended, tourist e-visas can be applied online in advance of travel.
Virginie Kury, general manager at Asian Trails Cambodia, said: “This means we’re back to business and the economy will slowly be able to restart. Guides, hoteliers, restaurateurs and all staff in tourism businesses will be able to breathe again by earning a decent salary.”
The move also means Cambodia is the only South-east Asian country to fully reopen with very few restrictions, presenting an opportunity the industry is hoping to seize.
Jacques Guichandut, managing director of All Dreams Cambodia, said: “This means we are the sandbox for South-east Asia and can really be seen as one destination. It will encourage the tourism sector to reconsider Cambodia and change the image we had.”
The announcement supersedes previous plans to stagger Cambodia’s reopening. This was slated to start on November 30, with vaccinated arrivals spending five days at the coastal resort of Sihanoukville, Koh Rong island or the Dara Sakor area of Koh Kong.
The Cambodian premier said the full opening was due to Cambodia having vaccinated more than 88 per cent of the population. Third booster jabs are being rolled out countrywide.
In spite of the full opening, Guichandut predicts initial recovery will be slow, and will only start to pick up in 1Q2022. With Cambodia’s inbound international arrivals pre-Covid predominantly from Asia, he added predicting a full recovery is tough as quarantines continue to be widespread across the region.
Along with the reopening of its borders, Cambodia has also reiterated its readiness in hosting the upcoming ASEAN Tourism Forum in Preah Sihanoukville, slated to be held from January 16-22, 2022, with the theme ASEAN – A Community of Peace and Shared Future.
The forum will be a platform to encourage collaboration between ASEAN member states and to promote the region as one destination with diverse culture, cuisine and communities. Some 200 sellers and buyers, and 50 international media, are expected to attend.
From left to right: Mr POH Chi Chuan (Executive Director, Exhibitions and Conferences, Singapore
Tourism Board); Mr CHUA Wee Phong (CE, Markets, Constellar); Mr HENG Swee Keat (Deputy Prime
Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies); Mr Yap Chin Siang (Deputy Chief Executive,
Singapore Tourism Board); and Mr Tobias Eichberg (Member of the Board of Management of DLG e.V)
Three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on November 15, 2021, marking the next stage of Singapore’s commitment to catalyse sustainable food production locally as well as regionally, as part of the inaugural Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW).
Marking the first of three agreements, Temasek, Singapore Food Agency (SFA), Economic Development Board (EDB), Enterprise Singapore (ESG), Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Rethink Events, and Constellar have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding to jointly organise the SIAW on an annual basis. SFA would represent ESG, EDB and STB to sign the MoU.
From left: STB’s Poh Chi Chuan; Constellar’s Chua Wee Phong; Singapore’s deputy prime minister Heng Swee Keat; STB’s Yap Chin Siang; and DLG e.V’s Tobias Eichberg
With the 2021 edition being the first, the annual event week aims to gather stakeholders from the agri-food industry, facilitating the sharing of best practices, showcasing the latest innovative technologies, and highlighting upcoming business opportunities in the sector.
Agri-food related events under this umbrella brand include the Roundtable on Novel Food Regulations by SFA, the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit by Rethink, and the Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia by Constellar. SIAW was inaugurated on November 15, 2021, with subsequent editions planned from 2022 to 2024.
STB has also signed a three-year MoU with Rethink Events to anchor and grow the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit in Singapore from 2022 to 2024.
The summit convenes the world’s leading agribusinesses, growers, consumer packaged goods and ingredient brands, entrepreneurs, investors, retailers and policymakers to share ideas and collaborate towards greater security and sustainability in Asia’s agri-food system.
It will feature curated content and platforms for high-value connections and knowledge exchange, attracting international business leaders to Singapore and supporting the growth of Asia’s agri-food innovation ecosystem.
Currently happening from November 16 until 18, the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit is expected to be attended by 200 in-person attendees and 600 participants joining virtually. The hybrid event will be held at the Grand Hyatt Singapore, with subsequent editions planned from 2022 to 2024 as part of the SIAW.
The summit forms part of a global circuit of related industry events produced by Rethink Events, including the World Agri-Tech and Future Food Tech summits in London, San Francisco, New York, and São Paolo.
STB has also signed a three-year MoU with Constellar and DLG – German Agricultural Society to officially launch the Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia in Singapore from 2022.
The Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia will provide a focused exhibition platform with a “living lab” environment, thematic experiential zones, sandbox, and community-based learning for over 100 emerging and established industry players in the agri-food industry to launch, showcase and testbed their solutions.
Taking place in Singapore in October 2022, the event is expected to welcome both local and global agri-food businesses, urban and smart food producers and dealers, manufacturers, growers, solutions providers, start-ups and investors to experience new integrated food systems. Subsequent editions are also planned for 2023 and 2024.
From left: STB’s Poh Chi Chuan and MMI Asia’s Michael Wilton at the signing
Separately, STB and MMI Asia (the regional subsidiary of Messe Muenchen (MMG)) also signed a MoU on November 15, 2021, to organise the South-east Asian edition of transport logistics and air cargo for multiple biennial editions in Singapore, starting from 2023.
The inaugural edition is slated to take place at Marina Bay Sands from September 13-15, 2023. The event will feature a high-level conference that will focus on specific subjects and issues facing the logistics ecosystem.
Under a central theme of Integrated Logistics for a Disrupted World, the conference and educational sessions will address challenges and offer solutions for companies looking to thrive in this sector.
This partnership includes the development of new content, programme and exhibition components for the tradeshow, marketing and publicity efforts, and areas of collaboration in industry knowledge exchange.
This edition is the latest in the leading series of transport logistic and air cargo shows which include, India, China, Turkey, the US and the world’s largest logistics event and parent show in Munich.
Recognising that the future of business events has changed as a result of the pandemic, Gyeonggi Province in South Korea is looking to establish a stronger foundation for the industry through sustainable development arising from strong partnerships.
Namyang Maria Sacred Place welcomes business events
Three projects are underway since 2020, with the first being the Don’t choose, Do Both campaign to support online and hybrid events planned in Gyeonggi.
The next critical project sees the revitalisation of the local economy through the transformation of venues unique to Gyeonggi. A competition was held, drawing 37 recommended sites for consideration; 17 were shortlisted based on factors such as infrastructure, accessibility, management capability, marketing, and sustainability efforts.
The selection includes The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Namyang. Also known as Namyang Maria Sacred Place, it is the first religious facility to make it to the list of unique venues open to business events. The iconic architecture is the masterpiece of renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta.
Other outstanding unique facilities include the Asia Publication Culture & Information Center and the Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang.
Gyeonggi Tourism Organization plans to promote the final selection under the Gyeonggi Unique Venue brand. Extensive publicity campaigns will be created, aimed at domestic and overseas markets.
Last but by no means least, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization is working to build a legacy for local industries through business events. The province has formed a diverse industrial group comprising 16 small and medium-sized enterprises that specialise in the areas of ceramics, agriculture, printing, and hanbok (traditional Korean attire) production.
Coworking space operator, The Great Room, has opened its fifth Singapore location at the Afro-Asia building, the operator’s largest location in the country.
The Great Room will take up some 3,400m2 of Afro-Asia’s office space from the sixth to eighth floors, as well as the fifth floor Sky Garden, which can be used as an outdoor event area. Afro-Asia is a 19-storey Grade A office building with Green Mark Platinum and LEED Platinum ecological certifications.
For the design of the Afro-Asia location, The Great Room enlisted award-winning designer Joyce Wang, who made use of recycled and upcycled materials, and co-created art, craft, installations and furniture with local artisans.
The Great Room, Afro-Asia features 50 Dedicated Offices, up to 16 on-demand Hot Offices and 41 Hot Desks, and a host of conferencing and meeting areas.
In the Drawing Room, which forms the heart of the space, members can not only gather for quiet discussions and moments of thought and study, but also to socialise and network.
Gatherings of professionals in sizes ranging from four to 60 can be housed in various meeting areas, from the Studio (an open space for up to 24 pax), to the Stateroom (an elegant boardroom for 14 pax), or the eight meeting rooms that cater to groups of four to 14 pax each.
For private workspaces, the Workhall houses a variety of hot desks and offices, private phone booths, and lounges. Members can also utilise the Podcast Room (up to three pax) for thoughtful conversations.
A first for the coworking operator, the Afro-Asia location will feature a dedicated Wellness Room (up to five pax) in which members can immerse in restorative programmes – such as sound healing, breathwork exercises and yoga – designed to boost their wellbeing.
The Great Room also regularly organises a roster of knowledge sharing programmes for members. This includes Spend The Night with… a fireside chat series with international opinion leaders on topics ranging from climate change to women’s empowerment.
Members will also be invited to regular networking events and entertainment activities, such as craft workshops, Monday Breakfast Club, a turndown cart offering hot chocolate and cookies at the end of day, and Great Thirstday – a monthly social event for members to network over drinks.
Co-founder and CEO of The Great Room, Jaelle Ang, said in a statement: “The opening of The Great Room at Afro-Asia comes at a time when the world is rethinking the concept of the workplace. This next chapter of our brand is a starting point of a journey towards a more sustainable work environment, as well as our continued evolution in human-centric design in this new era of hybrid working, and individual and corporate wellbeing.”
Radisson Collection has expended its portfolio in China with the latest launch of a Radisson Collection Hotel in Wuxi.
Radisson Collection Hotel, Wuxi stands in the city’s Xishan district, just 20 minutes’ drive from Sunan Shuofang International Airport and 15 minutes from Wuxi Railway Station.
Presidential Suite
Meeting planners can avail the 2,400m2 of flexible function space, including a Grand Ballroom good for 800 guests, and put their guests up in one of the 318 rooms. Corporate guests will also be able to make use of the Executive Lounge on the 27th floor.
Lead-in Collection Superior Rooms start at 40m2, and go all the way up to the 258m2 Presidential Suite. All rooms have working areas, smart bathroom fixtures, fast Wi-Fi, a Nespresso coffee machine.
Radisson Collection Hotel, Wuxi will also be the first to offer the brand’s new wellness concept, The Spa at Radisson Collection. The spa offers massage and yoga spaces, a sauna and an indoor swimming pool with a view. Other facilities include five restaurants and bars, from the whisky bar Elaresanse, to the all-day dining restaurant Maillard 69, the first 3D immersive restaurant in Wuxi.
Radisson Collection Hotel, Wuxi becomes the fifth Radisson Collection hotel in China. It also marks Radisson Hotel Group’s second property in Wuxi, following Radisson Blu Resort Wetland Park Wuxi.
Priority Pass, owned and operated by Collinson, has partnered with Sama-Sama Hotels Group in Malaysia, owned and operated by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), giving Priority Pass Members access to eight new lounges in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
The partnership covers eight lounges located across both terminals 1 and 2 in KLIA. The Airport Lounge KLIA (next to Gate C5) in terminal 1 is already open to Priority Pass Members, with remaining lounges added to the network over the coming weeks.
Some of these lounges were previously formal VIP lounges designated for Commercially Important People (CIP), meaning they’re of “exceptionally high quality”, shared Todd Handcock, President, Asia Pacific, Collinson.
This partnership will enhance Priority Pass’s existing network, which includes at least one experience in 94 per cent of the top 100 busiest airports globally – ensuring Priority Pass Members can enjoy access to calming, socially-distanced spaces in the most frequently traversed locations.
Just 10 minutes from Phuket International Airport on the serene northern coast, this 178-key, Bill Bensley-designed resort offers delegates a quiet, tropical paradise steeped in Phuket’s tin-mining heritage
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