UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibitions Industry, has launched a new UFI-accredited qualification: the UFI Certified Professional (UCP).
The launch of the UCP designation is the next step in UFI’s evolution of its educational offers. In 2017, UFI and the Venue Management Association (VMA) began offering the UFI-VMA Venue Management School in Asia. And in 2020, the association launched the UFI-Exhibition Management School, where the first classes have already taken place for Asia, the Middle East and Africa region.
A screenshot from the UFI website
Both programmes will form the core of the UFI Certified Professional designation, which is available to industry professionals who complete 10 credits’ worth of training across various topics. Participants need to complete either the UFI-VMA Venue Management School or the UFI-Exhibition Management School programmes.
Participants can achieve the remaining credits from specialisation modules. These can be picked from educational offers provided both by UFI and its UCP partners, where the modules vary in topic, allowing the programme to be flexible according to participants’ individual interests and professional goals.
In time for the UCP launch, an initial group of three educational partners have been selected for the programme: MBB-Consulting Group (UK), Virtual Events Institute (US) and Rego (UK).
The UCP is a self-paced programme, meaning there is no time limit or minimum duration. It is fully customisable, allowing participants to choose the timelines, topics and locations that suit them best. Additional benefits beyond the classroom include networking, specialisation and career development.
Kai Hattendorf, UFI CEO and managing director, said in a statement: “Our members have been requesting an UFI endorsement of our education, so they can signal to employers and peers that they have obtained outstanding industry training. Therefore, we are very pleased to introduce the UCP designation, a new, flexible approach in our industry serving different educational needs around the world.”
Brisbane’s Park Regis North Quay, part of the StayWell Holdings hotel property portfolio, has launched a flexible working and event space, Hive Club.
Located on the property’s ground floor, Hive Club is available to both in-house guests and locals looking for a communal space to work. A range of working solutions from desks-on-demand to breakout spaces are available, as well as separate dining and outdoor relaxation zones.
The interior of Hive Club
Workspaces are available from 07.00 to 19.00 every day, including weekends, and can be rented for the day, week, or by the month. Dedicated and communal workstations are available, and access to the hotel’s meeting rooms and boardrooms are also accessible to Hive Club members.
In addition, Hive Club offers a continental self-serve breakfast from 07.00 to 11.00; an all-day grazing menu from 11.00 to 19.00; free-flow non-alcholic beverages, coffee and tea; unlimited Wi-Fi; alongside wireless chargers, printers and stationery.
This is the Group’s first step into the co-working industry, and Hive Club will potentially act as a blueprint for additional concept roll-outs across the StayWell portfolio.
More details of the buyer incentive scheme for IT&CM China and CTW China 2021
The organiser of IT&CM China and CTW China, TTG Asia Media, has opened registrations for buyers.
Slated to take place from June 22-24, 2021, the virtual event will be powered by Dragon Trail Interactive’s The Next Travel Market platform.
More details of the buyer incentive scheme for IT&CM China and CTW China 2021
Buyers visiting the exhibition section will be able to meet suppliers from across China and the world in the show’s 2.5D virtual environment. The English-Mandarin interface can be accessed via a PC, mobile or a WeChat mini programme, providing single-entry access for both international and China-based delegates.
Buyers will also be able to download sales resources, view product presentations, swap e-business cards, leave messages, and schedule an appointment.
Video calls and chat rooms with two-way automated translation will also be on hand to facilitate networking sessions. Each buyer will receive up to 24 x 20-min pre-scheduled appointment slots over three days. These appointments can be supplemented with unlimited walk-in meetings, where a buyer can request for a “walk-in” without a prior appointment from 09.00 to 18.00 daily (GMT +8).
Buyers can also stand to earn cash incentives or win prizes by completing event missions.
For example, for every Walk-In Meet with an exhibitor, buyers have the chance to receive up to 100 yuan (US$15.30) in each mystery packet, while every Scheduled Meet completed will earn them 20 yuan, plus bonus cash if they complete 10 or 20 Scheduled Meets.
All cash rewards can be withdrawn to a buyer’s WeChat Pay account, or they can receive a cash voucher after the event is over. Cash rewards for international buyers will be converted from Chinese yuan to US$ at the organiser’s prevailing exchange rate.
On the conference end, there will be MICE and Corporate Travel knowledge sessions helmed by industry partners, while destinations and corporate brands will also be giving updates and developments under the Brand Showcase section.
The Buyer Procurement Showcase segment also returns, which will see business, association and corporate buyers sharing their procurement requirements with relevant and interested destination and supplier leads.
Aside from receiving a digital certificate of participation, all content will be made available at dedicated times from June 22, with on-demand access for all delegates until the end of the event.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts has promoted Jonathan Newbury to executive vice president of Asia Pacific.
Newbury brings 30 years of international independent hotel experience to his new position, which carries the responsibility to drive the strategic direction and evolution of the Preferred brand in Asia Pacific, ensuring the success and retention of more than 150 member properties across the region, and overseeing the company’s associates who are based in offices across 10 cities.
As part of this transition, Newbury recently relocated from Chicago to Singapore with his family.
Newbury first joined Preferred in July 2008, intially serving as vice president of brand development and most recently as senior vice president of strategic development. During his time as senior vice president, he spearheaded a variety of global development initiatives that helped fuel a 20 per cent growth in the brand’s hotel portfolio over the past decade.
In addition to his development work, Newbury served as Preferred’s vice president of E-Commerce & Technology from July 2010 to March 2012.
Prior to joining Preferred, Newbury spent three years as vice president of global development for Small Luxury Hotels of the World. He has also served as operations director for VIP SKI, which operates luxury chalets, hotels, and resorts across the French and Austrian Alps, and held on-property sales and marketing positions with both The Langham Hotels and Resorts and Thistle Hotel brands.
technology will play a key role in the recovery and preparation for the new world of business travel
Nations around the world have been holding their collective breath in anticipation of a vaccine-led global economic recovery, but one region has started to exhale. What is driving Asia-Pacific’s return to travel and why is it ahead of the curve?
As of March 1, the number of business travel bookings in Asia-Pacific has been more robust than anything seen across the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. This is, however, almost entirely domestic travel.
Companies are planning business travel itineraries and their travellers are ready to go as soon as restrictions are lifted
There is the view that first into the pandemic should be first out. Across Asia-Pacific, countries are reporting lower numbers of infections than other parts of the world. This is despite having two of the largest populations in China and India.
China’s response from the start was to test as many people as possible as fast as it could. Rapid tests are available at airports for those travelling within China today. This aggressive approach to test has enabled people to move around the country largely unencumbered.
Today, travellers in China are taking almost as many business trips as they were pre-Covid, and similar trends are emerging in other countries, most notably in India where more than seven in 10 of our clients’ employees are back on the road. In countries like Australia, travel volumes are heading in the right direction as border restrictions ease.
For much of Asia-Pacific, international travel is further into the future. Despite the stop-start nature of the situation, there is some proactive policymaking such as Singapore’s Air Travel Pass which allows for travellers to enter from Brunei Darussalam, mainland China, New Zealand and Taiwan, and reciprocal travel lanes between Singapore and Japan, and on/off travel between parts of Australia and New Zealand.
On the other hand, it highlights how disjointed governments have been in their approach to international travel. It’s plain to see that economies will never recover if countries restrict movement and a forced inertia.
Late last year, the Lancet journal concluded: “… Lockdowns and other extreme restrictions cannot be sustained for the long-term in the hope that there will be an effective vaccine or treatment …. Governments worldwide now face the common challenge of easing lockdowns and restrictions while balancing various health, social, and economic concerns.”
Governments hold the key to returning to safe travel. But rather than waiting for vaccines to save the day, we need intelligent risk management, not short-term avoidance actions like lockdowns.
Our clients want to travel and meet face-to-face, and many are planning itineraries, so they are ready to go as soon as restrictions are lifted.
And it is no wonder: For more than 12 months, business people have negotiated, networked and prospected from their own kitchens and living rooms. This comes at a cost. In January, the IMF said global growth contraction for 2020 was estimated at -3.5 per cent. We’ve also seen record levels of unemployment and mental health issues around the world. We have coped with Covid, but in a much-diminished state.
The lack of in-person interaction has heightened the desire to get together again, to innovate, create, educate and inspire, not to forget the serendipitous moments that can only happen when people are together. This unspoken understanding prior to Covid-19 has now become obvious.
Across Asia-Pacific, face-to-face events have returned, in varying capacities across China, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan and Japan. In other countries such as India and Thailand, we are seeing smaller face-to-face events, with mainly a virtual presence.
Key industries in Asia-Pacific that are already hosting face-to-face meetings and events include pharmaceutical, professional services, automotive and banking. And we anticipate significant growth in terms of meeting and event volumes in 2H2021, but they will be smaller in size due to duty of care and government restrictions.
Many organisations are reassessing their meetings and events need to drive simplification and incorporate the changing regulatory requirements such as safe distancing measures. There is also a focus on gaining insight into the balance of the year programmes’ needs and volumes, to ensure the entire calendar and process is sustainable.
The Asia-Pacific region has entered an important and exciting period. Travel management may be more complex, but it has also become far more strategic.
Jo Sully is the vice president & regional general manager, Asia Pacific at American Express Global Business Travel, a role she has held since March 2020. Sully is responsible for developing the strategy in Australia, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, our Joint Ventures in China and Japan.
A meeting room setup at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach
The Marriott Bonvoy Portfolio has released a new campaign entitled ‘Be There. The Time Is Now’ meeting package at participating hotels across Asia-Pacific.
Be There. The Time Is Now is available for meetings or events between now until December 31, 2021, where events must be actualised by December 31, 2021.
The campaign aims to reignite the joy of face-to-face meetings in destinations where small meetings and conferences are allowed, keeping in line with governing SOPs.
Planners will be able to choose one out of three rewards for every meeting or event booked at participating Marriott Bonvoy Portfolio hotels and resorts. APAC Continent Perks are one complimentary delegate for every 10 paying delegates; or one complimentary standard room night for every 15 paid room nights; or double Marriott Bonvoy points.
A meeting room setup at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach
In addition, there will also be country-specific offers. For instance, in Singapore, participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts are offering to ‘Double Up’, where any guest, client and event planner are entitled to add on one dditional offer from the main APAC Continent Perks.
The various participating Marriott Bonvoy Hotels in Singapore have also thrown in the additional perk of Local Delights.
For instance, at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach, clients will be able to choose a local-themed morning/afternoon coffee break with teh tarik (hot milk tea beverage). Meanwhile, over The Westin Singapore, the package includes runWestin, the brand’s fitness programmes to help delegates stay fit and active.
The Ascott Limited (Ascott), has opened Citadines Berawa Beach Bali in Canggu, Bali.
The serviced residence features 224 units comprising studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments and a presidential suite. All dwellings come with a fully-equipped kitchen, washing machine, and Wi-Fi.
One-bedroom Premier Apartment
Facilities on-site include a business centre, meeting rooms, gym, swimming pool and barbecue area. Just a stone’s throw away is Berawa Beach, which opens up more cafe, restaurant, retail, and recreational options.
The property is a 30-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, and a 20-minute drive to Seminyak, a tourist destination with high-end shops, bars, and restaurants.
The opening of Citadines Berawa Beach Bali increases Ascott’s operating properties in Indonesia to 70, with another 11 serviced residences slated to open in the next two years.
The Garcha Group will be launching MYPOSHPAD on April 1, touted as Singapore’s first all-inclusive luxury co-living boutique hotel experience.
Located in central locations, the luxury boutique hotel portfolio of The Garcha Group includes The Vagabond Club, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel; Duxton Reserve, Autograph Collection; Maxwell Reserve, Autograph Collection (opens 4Q2021); and Serangoon House, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (opens 1Q2022).
Movie sessions at The Vagabond Club, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (pictured), are one of the social sessions members can join
The co-living club experience at these properties start from SG$3,600++ per month with a minimum stay of 30 nights. The cost will be significantly less than the daily room rate, and is targeted at both locally-based working professionals and long-term business travellers.
Members can expect five-star rooms and suites, extensive in-house facilities and daily breakfast, laundry and full housekeeping services, property facilities such as the gym and spa, 24/7 concierge as well as member’s pricing across the group’s 10 dining spots.
When asked about the prospects for the long-term business traveller market, Harpreet Bedi, CEO of The Garcha Group, told TTGmice: “We have seen a decline in the short-term business traveller market but a steady pick up in the long-term business traveller market. This year, with the introduction of vaccinations and talks of creating travel bubbles, we are hopeful that the travel industry will soon bounce back and adapt to a new normal of travelling.”
As business travellers are seeking more ways to travel affordably, Harpreet foresees “an increase in direct bookings and more attention given to additional add-on perks and value-added services”.
Meanwhile for the local clientele, MYPOSHPAD was positioned to appeal to young Singaporeans who plan to move out of their family homes, and want a long-term stay in the heart of the city without worrying about bonds or deposits.
Harpeet added that the social hours and member-exclusive events would also appeal to this segment.
MYPOSHPAD’s social events include complimentary cocktails at Anouska’s, exclusive access to private alcohol lockers at The Whiskey Library; weekly movie nights and rooftop yoga classes. All events currently have limited spots, and are offered on a first-come-first-served basis due to the ongoing pandemic.
In addition, MYPOSHPAD also offers complimentary Marriott Bonvoy membership to all of its residents. The loyalty programme allows members to earn and collect points while unlocking the different status tiers. The lifetime elite status allows MYPOSHPAD members to access benefits across Marriott’s collection of brands in 131 countries without an expiration date.
Thailand will reduce the mandatory quarantine period for foreign travellers from next month, from two weeks to 10 days, starting from April 1.
In addition, the Kingdom is looking into ceasing all quarantine together starting from October 1. However, government authorities have deferred a decision in recognising vaccine certificates, and delayed a decision on an isolation period of seven days for vaccinated tourists.
Thailand to cut quarantine time for foreign travellers to 10 days from April 1; a lone passenger at a strangely empty Bangkok International Airport in February 2021 pictured
Officials hope that the shorter quarantine would appeal to more foreign visitors and is seen as a step towards reopening.
Thailand is heavily reliant on tourism, which the pandemic has devasted. In 2019, the industry provided more than US$60 billion in receipts from some 40 million international visitors.
The Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) has made three new additions to its team.
Richard Clarke, who joined Auckland Unlimited as head of major events in January 2020, will lead the Auckland Convention Bureau following the departure of Anna Hayward. Clarke’s role is now head of major and business events.
From left: Richard Clarke; Kenneth Pereira; Sarah Burilin
He is also leading Auckland Unlimited’s rollout plan for the Regional Events Fund, which is designed to promote domestic tourism through major and business events.
Also new to the ACB team is Kenneth Pereira, who joins as business events manager – Australia. Pereira was previously with the New Zealand International Convention Centre, and most recently, he was an event development manager within major events division at Auckland Unlimited.
Lastly, Sarah Burilin joins ACB as marketing and communications manager following Jeanette Stanton’s move to Business Events Industry Aotearoa last month. Burilin will work alongside the strategic partnerships and marketing team and oversee the team’s connection into Auckland Unlimited’s wider marketing and partnership strategy.
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.
Jo Sully is the vice president & regional general manager, Asia Pacific at American Express Global Business Travel, a role she has held since March 2020. Sully is responsible for developing the strategy in Australia, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, our Joint Ventures in China and Japan.
The Ascott Limited (Ascott), has opened Citadines Berawa Beach Bali in Canggu, Bali.
The serviced residence features 224 units comprising studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments and a presidential suite. All dwellings come with a fully-equipped kitchen, washing machine, and Wi-Fi.
Facilities on-site include a business centre, meeting rooms, gym, swimming pool and barbecue area. Just a stone’s throw away is Berawa Beach, which opens up more cafe, restaurant, retail, and recreational options.
The property is a 30-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, and a 20-minute drive to Seminyak, a tourist destination with high-end shops, bars, and restaurants.
The opening of Citadines Berawa Beach Bali increases Ascott’s operating properties in Indonesia to 70, with another 11 serviced residences slated to open in the next two years.