Beyond Asia: Edge; Edmonton Convention Centre; and Solar Power Africa

November 14, 2019

Edge-The-highest-outdoor-sky-deck-in-the-Western-Hemisphere---Courtesy-of-Related-Oxford- — When opened, Edge will be the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere

When opened, Edge will be the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere

Stand over the Edge in New York City
Hudson Yards has announced that Edge, the Western Hemisphere’s highest outdoor observation deck, will open to the public on March 11, 2020.

Visitors will be able to step out onto the observation deck’s glass floor – soaring 100 floors above New York City – and take in the panoramic view of the skyline over Western New Jersey and New York State.

A champagne bar, located on the 100^th floor, will offer a glass of champagne or signature cocktail and light bites to enjoy indoors or outdoors on the sky deck. Operated by London-based rhubarb hospitality group, Rhubarb will also operate Peak, the restaurant, bar, café and event space located on the 101^st floor.

Edge will be open seven days a week year-round from 08.00 to midnight, and tickets are now available for purchase.

Edmonton Convention Centre cuts greenhouse emissions
The Edmonton Convention Centre in Canada has announced plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, beginning in January 2020.

It aims to reduce the venues greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 15 per cent by 2025, and 30 per cent by 2035. The Centre’s plan also supports the City of Edmonton’s GHG reduction plan to reduce its emissions by 35 per cent by 2035.

The centre has also collaborated with Climate Smart, an organisation that provides training and support for businesses looking to reduce its GHG emissions, to track its emissions data and create action plans to achieve its reduction targets.

In order to reach its reduction targets, the venue will make behavioural and structural changes in the areas of energy generation, heat usage, transportation, waste management and communications.

The GHG reduction plan follows the launch of the Edmonton Convention Centre’s responsible meetings programme.

New trade fair for solar energy
Messe Frankfurt, in cooperation with the international organisers SNEC PV Power Expo and Solar Power Events, will be organising a brand-new tradeshow, Solar Power Africa.

Set to take place from November 4-6, 2020, the aim of the two-day event is to bring together leading minds and solution providers in Africa’s solar industry and to further develop the African solar market. There will be technical workshops, as well as an accompanying trade fair.

Solar power has long been a promising source of energy for African countries, in particular, because of the continent’s abundant natural resources and the decreasing cost of the solar solutions. Southern Africa specifically boasts one of the highest 24-hour global solar radiation averages in the world, at 220 W/m², making it one of the sunniest regions in the world.

PCMA hires global VP business development

By TTGmice

November 14, 2019

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VM_MarcoBloemendaal_Headshot_03 — Marco Bloemendaal

Chicago-based PCMA has named Marco Bloemendaal as global vice president of business development.

He will join the organisation on December 2, reporting to chief business officer Mona Cotton.

Bloemendaal will lead PCMA’s business development and account management teams and oversee the organisation’s efforts to provide business and marketing solutions for its global clients and markets. He will also work closely with PCMA’s partners.

The Dutch joins PCMA from Visit Milwaukee, where he was senior vice president of sales. Over his 16 years of experience, Bloemendaal has held senior sales responsibilities at Visit Seattle, Experience Columbus, and the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

In addition, he spent eight years in both hotel operations and sales in Amsterdam, including two years as director of international sales, North America for more than 60 hotel properties in Europe, where his major accounts were in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

Pullman opens two hotels in China’s Suzhou, Huizhou

By TTGmice

November 14, 2019

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Accor’s upscale hospitality brand Pullman Hotels and Resorts has opened two properties in China, one in Suzhou, which boasts high-speed train access to Shanghai, and the other in Huizhou, a key gateway on the east coast of the Greater Bay Area.

Pullman Suzhou Zhonghui in Suzhou’s Xiangcheng District offers 413 rooms and suites. Each suite includes a Pullman fitness bag and workout guide with yoga mat, while these items are available upon request in all other room categories.

F&B options include the brand’s signature Junction Bar; Perle Café which offers all-day dining; Lingering Garden which serves up Cantonese and Suzhou cuisines; and Japanese restaurant Mokusei Teppanyaki.

For MICE groups, the hotel features a 1,200m² column free Grand Ballroom, equipped with a 360-degree and 4D holographic project system; two Junior Ballrooms at 300m² and 220m²; five meeting rooms, and a terrace space for outdoor events.

Recreational facilities include a Fit Lounge with a 650m² workout area and an 18m indoor swimming pool with Jacuzzi, a gym, steam bath, sensory showers and yoga room.

In Huizhou, Pullman Huizhou Kais has opened within the city’s downtown district, part of Kaisa Huizhou Building, the tallest building in the city.

There are 307 guestrooms, including 13 suites and 14 family rooms, on offer here, all of which are outfitted with the brand’s signature Pullman Bed.

Guests will have access to recreational facilities such as 2,000m² recreational space, an indoor swimming pool on the 46^th floor, spa; as well as an all-day dining restaurant. Event planners may avail the 10 indoor meeting and function spaces, comprising a 800m² pillarless Grand Ballroom with built-in LED screen.

Community heroes

By TTGmice

November 13, 2019

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Werkudara Nirwana Sakti, Indonesia
The event company based in Yogyakarta conducts the Werkudara Care CSR programme which focuses on three pillars: Care for Share, which routinely distributes funds and items to the needy; CarEducation, a social programme that assists school children with their studies and provide internship opportunities in the company; CarePreneur, which empowers community-based businesses.

I Gusti Putu Yaktianuraga (Bagus), managing director of Werkudara Nirwana Sakti, said: “Werkudara Care is our way of creating value for the community. Beyond donating money, we want to give back to the society in a sustainable way that helps them to grow.”

Citing an example of the programme’s long-term commitment, Bagus said through CarEducation the company hired an English language teacher to conduct courses for high-school students in an orphanage, and then selected 30 to take a written test issued by the University of Cambridge.

“While six passed the written test, they failed the interview. This got us thinking that apart from equipping them with the ability to write in English, we also need to build their confidence in speaking the language,” shared Bagus.

Hence, Werkudara established an internship programme that allowed the students to enrol, where they could practice the language while learning how to manage events.

“We also want them to acquire a strong mentality and positive attitude, not just skills,” he added, believing that the event profession’s need for creativity, discipline, teamwork and long hours will teach the students all that.

Offering another example of how Werkudara Care invests in building self-sustainability, Bagus said CarePreneur provides short courses on budgeting, marketing and product quality control for small-scale, community-based businesses. Besides arming them with better business acumen, Werkudara also engages these community-based businesses as partners to serve corporate clients.

Memories Group, Myanmar
This integrated tourism company implements a range of projects in remote areas that aid people and the environment.

For example, it currently operates a sailing clinic that offers medical care around the Mergui Archipelago, and in 2018, launched Moken Kids, an ongoing initiative to preserve and understand the Moken (sea gypsies) culture by handing out waterproof cameras to Mokan children. The ultimate aim is to publish a coffee table book with proceeds going back to the community.

Rainforest and marine conservation projects are also carried out, including a clean-up campaign to rid the waters around Mergui Archipelago of ghost nets, or ALDFG (abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear), include fishing nets, lines and traps left in the ocean. The first clean-up saw 300kg of ALDFG removed from surrounding reefs.

Memories Group’s Community Light Centre also helps the 84 per cent of rural households in Myanmar that have no access to electricity by installing solar lights.

Manila Marriott Hotel, Philippines
For the past eight years, Manila Marriott Hotel has been quietly but consistently donating excess food monthly to the Philippine Red Cross in Pasay City.

These are not leftovers, but excess food from banquet events and staff canteen that are prepared by the culinary team in the same way it is prepared for hotel guests.
Red Cross then distributes the monthly food donation to depressed communities that abound in the city.

So far, the donated food, apart from reducing the hotel’s food wastage, has served a total of 17,534 beneficiaries, particularly children, pregnant women and the elderly. Victims of natural calamities like typhoons and flooding also benefit.

The hotel also embarks on biannual donation drives, community outreach and feeding programmes in support of the Philippine Red Cross.

Luxury Travel Vietnam
In September, the company stepped in as a Gold Sponsor for World Clean Up Day 2019 in Hanoi, which combats the global solid waste problem, including the problem of marine debris.

The company is also joining the Travelife certificate, the global programme managed by ABTA. Its essential management requirements comply with ISO 14001 and EMAS III standards, including OECD Corporate Social Responsibility guidelines that include labour conditions, human rights, environment, biodiversity and fair business practices.

The company recently launched sustainable action plans for its travel services, such as replacing plastic for recyclable materials for every tour, as well as on its ships under Heritage Cruises and Emperor Cruises. It also works with a range of social partners to combine tour activities and environmental protection activities.

Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, Cambodia
The capital city-based property has carried out a range of CSR activities throughout 2019. These include donating goods to organisations, such as soap to Indochina Starfish Foundation and linen to NGO L’Ecole du Bois. Eco-friendly charcoal briquettes made from coconut shell to protect Cambodia’s natural forest have been introduced to its restaurants, and fresh eggs are bought from cage-free chickens at Eggscellent to promote local products.

The property has also held three Musica Felice Charity Concerts to support local NGOs, schools, and social associations. Environmental efforts include fighting against plastic waste by collecting 1.5-litre bottles for donation to Malaria Consortium Organisation, using paper straws in its restaurants and bars, recycling food waste and using it as fertiliser, and using LED light throughout the hotel to slash energy consumption.

Pullman Luang Prabang, Laos
Since opening, the property has introduced several CSR initiatives that include authentic activities, locally-sourced cuisine and unique opportunities for guests to interact with the local community in a responsible and sustainable manner.

For example, the hotel’s executive chef focuses on local, seasonal and organic ingredients, including Lao herbs, vegetables and tropical fruit grown onsite. The resort’s terraced paddies produce rice for the restaurants, and guests – including corporate groups – can help with harvesting. Rice husks, a by-product of the cultivation process, are donated to MandaLao Elephant Conservation. The property also sources several types of cheese from Lao’s first buffalo dairy farm, and guests can visit the socially-responsible enterprise which provides support and education to local farmers.

In line with Accor’s Planet 21 initiatives, Pullman Luang Prabang also supports the local children’s hospital, wildlife conservation efforts, and local handicrafts.

Pan Pacific Hotels Group
Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) has been delivering its Eat Well With Us community programme since 2015, launched in partnership with Singapore’s National Council of Social Service, to impart healthy recipes through regular chef visits and culinary training at charity homes.

From serving just four charity homes then, Eat Well With Us today benefits 20. Its latest project was a month-long effort in July 2019 that saw six senior chefs from the group’s hotels in Singapore conduct 10 hands-on classes to arm cooks from 20 charity homes with tasty local recipes that eventually fed 4,000 residents on National Day, August 9.

Corporate executive chef, Tony Khoo led the effort, utilising a central training kitchen sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions. Recipes were tweaked to suit residents, featuring tasty blended dishes, healthy vegetarian dishes and nutritional soups.

Centara appoints two key executives to drive growth

By TTGmice

November 13, 2019

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640x400 — From left: Tabatha Ramsay and Raymond Tong

Thai hospitality group Centara Hotels & Resorts has appointed two new additions to its executive management team, as the company embarks on an ambitious plan to double company revenues and optimise profitability.

With more than 30 years of experience in sales and marketing, Tabatha Ramsay has joined the company as vice president commercial, overseeing sales, revenue and distribution. She will report to Centara deputy CEO Markland Blaiklock.

From left: Tabatha Ramsay and Raymond Tong

Prior to joining Centara, Ramsay held a number of management positions with hotel groups, including Intercontinental Hotels Group, Minor Group’s Anantara Hotels, Oakwood Worldwide, and Vinpearl Hospitality.

Meanwhile, Raymond Tong, who has more than 25 years’ experience in hotel development and operations, has been appointed chief development representative China and North Asia. He will report to Centara senior vice president business development Andrew Langston.

Before becoming CEO of Ambassy Hotel Advisors, Tong held a number of senior-level roles during a 20-year career with AccorHotels, during which he helped develop more than 180 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments throughout China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan as well as other Asia markets.

No fret for Asian MICE, tourism players despite slowing global economy, say experts

By Karen Yue

November 12, 2019

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IMG_8558_640x400 — From left: Economist Corporate Network, The Economist Intelligence Unit's Andrew Staples; and Travel Corporation Asia's Robin Yap discuss

Economic growth in certain markets are challenged by ‘slowbalisation’ and rising geopolitical tensions
Intra-Asia leisure and business travel will keep the region’s tourism industry going
Asia-Pacific corporates expect more meetings and events in 2020

From left: Economist Corporate Network, The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Andrew Staples; and Travel Corporation Asia’s Robin Yap discuss

The global economy is in a challenging state, faced with the threat of ‘slowbalisation’, where the world is turning against globalisation, and rising geopolitical risks, according to Andrew Staples, global editorial director of the Economist Corporate Network, The Economist Intelligence Unit, who spoke at the inaugural SG Tourism Leaders Engagement Series last Tuesday.

“This is an age of anxiety, due to VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity),” Staples emphasised.

“On the one hand, economic growth in financial markets like the US are doing pretty well, at record levels even, and unemployment is in multi-decade lows. In terms of monetary policies, interest rates are virtually zero in most advanced economies around the world. These should be spurring economic growth, yet on the other hand, there is a lot of uncertainty around the world.

“Some of the uncertainty is coming from (US) president (Donald) Trump who is challenging trade relations with China, questioning (the US’) relationship with Europe through NATO, and more. The US, as a global central power, used to quietly support things like the World Bank, the WTO, IMF and all the important infrastructure in the global economy. All that is being questioned now,” he explained.

Closer to home, demonstrations in Hong Kong are also hurting regional economic performance. A recent study by The Economist has placed Hong Kong in a technical recession, due to two negative quarters of growth.

In his presentation, Staples highlighted that the global GDP has slowed to 2.3 per cent in 2019, down from 2.8 per cent last year, with Brexit hurting investment confidence and Germany flirting with recession.

“Global trade this year is expected to post some of the lowest growth rates we’ve seen in the past 11, 12 years since the global financial crises of 2007 and 2008,” he said.

Amid the dreary outlook, Staples offered a sliver of hope through data that pointed to continued economic growth in Asia.

AMEX M&E expects conferences and tradeshows to grow two per cent year-on-year

In Asia, India and Australia next year are expected to post stronger year-on-year GDP growth at 6.7 per cent and 2.3 per cent, respectively; while China (six per cent), South-east Asia (4.3 per cent) and Japan (0.4 per cent) are expected to see slower advancement.

Within South-east Asia, Myanmar (7.1 per cent), Laos (6.5 per cent) are expected to put in the strongest GDP performance, while Singapore (1.2 per cent) and Brunei (1.5 per cent) will see slight year-on-year improvements. Malaysia and Indonesia are expected to maintain their GDP growth at 4.4 per cent and 5.1 per cent, respectively.

Thailand (2.1 per cent), Cambodia (6.4 per cent), Vietnam (6.5 per cent) and the Philippines (5.2 per cent) will see slower year-on-year GDP growth.

When asked by session moderator Robin Yap, chairman emeritus of The Travel Corporation Asia, what these projections mean to Asia’s tourism industry, Staples said: “You (tourism players) are in a really good sector. Look at the predicted drivers of growth – emerging economies, growing affluence, greater adoption of technology – that are in your favour.

“The Economist did a research and identified a growing band of people around the world, which we call the Globally Curious. These people are sincerely interested in what is happening around the world and want to learn more. This strata of people will grow, and they will look for more opportunities to travel and learn about other societies and countries.”

Speaking to TTGmice on the event sideline, Jameson Wong, Asia-Pacific business development director of ForwardKeys, agreed that the outlook for Asia’s tourism industry is still bright.

“Asian economies are still performing and there is growing affluence (in the region). At the same time, low-cost carriers (LCCs) are expanding in Asia along with an Internet proliferation which has made travel purchase far more accessible to everyone. These factors are feeding tourism growth,” said Wong.

Wong: Asia’s tourism future still looks bright despite global headwinds

ForwardKeys data has recorded growth of at least 12 per cent in travel bookings issued for the period November 2019 to April 2020 for all countries, with the exception of Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. Vietnam sees the strongest forward inbound booking growth at 33 per cent, followed by Japan at 27 per cent.

“We do not foresee a decline in these numbers, as many countries are stepping up promotions and opening up new destinations for tourism. For cost-conscious travellers, Asia is always a more affordable option than longhaul destinations. Furthermore, regional business travel will remain fairly constant,” he added.

Wong believes Asian businesses will continue to be a major driver of tourism traffic in the region, “come rain or shine”.

“Asia sees a lot of intra-regional business travel. Business trips have to be made in good times or bad, although companies will relook their way of travel. In the event that business class and full-service airlines are cut, this region has many LCC options to keep people flying,” he said, adding that intra-Asia travel takes up approximately 65 per cent market share of global travel annually.

Corporate meetings and events specialists are also maintaining an air of optimism around performance in this segment for 2020.

The 2020 Global Meetings and Events Forecast, published in September by American Express Meetings & Events, found that meeting professionals are bullish about 2020, as steady growth across all meeting types is predicted for the fifth consecutive year.

Total meeting spend for 2020 is expected to rise by 1.3 per cent in Asia-Pacific, with respondents here saying they plan to do more with less in the region, while always keeping the attendee experience in central focus. Client/customer advisory board meetings and conferences/tradeshows are expected to be held the most number of times in the new year, with a 2.3 per cent and two per cent growth over 2019. The number of incentives/special events are only expected to grow nearly one per cent per cent in 2020.

CWT Meetings & Events’ 2020 Future Trends Report has projected an eight per cent growth in the US$840 billion meetings industry in 2020 despite geopolitical and economic headwinds.

SACEOS, STB, WeChat collaborate on programme to better engage Chinese MICE travellers

By TTGmice

November 12, 2019

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SACEOS_Meet_SG_-image — From left: WeChat's Eagle Yi; SACEOS' Veemal Gungadin; WeChat's Juliet Zhu; STB's Andrew Phua; and WeChat's Fengming Ma

On November 10, the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS), Singapore Tourism Board (STB), and WeChat came together to launch the MeetSG WeChat Mini Program (MeetSG) at the Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre.

This makes Singapore the first country in the world to introduce such an initiative targeting Chinese MICE travellers. With MeetSG, a library of information about Singapore as a MICE destination, business events and meetings community, as well as the city’s offerings, will be made available to over one billion monthly active users on WeChat, in their native language.

From left: WeChat’s Eagle Yi; SACEOS’ Veemal Gungadin; WeChat’s Juliet Zhu; STB’s Andrew Phua; and WeChat’s Fengming Ma

Developed in partnership with WeMeet, MeetSG will enable MICE event organisers to connect with their Chinese attendees by offering information including event schedules and venue, news and push notifications. It also allows Chinese MICE travellers to access up-to-date leisure information and offers – such as suggested places to eat and shop, as well as options to purchase tickets to tours and entertainment at partner venues, including Gardens by the Bay, Sports Hub, Sentosa and Faber Peak Singapore – to enhance their overall visitor experience in Singapore.

MeetSG, targeted at end-users attending business events, complements the first MICE WeChat Mini Program developed by STB’s Greater China office in 2018, which functions as a mobile planner guide for travel intermediaries and corporates. The MICE WeChat Mini Program allows access to Singapore’s MICE information such as MICE venues, itinerary ideas and suggestions, a directory of ground handlers, and information on STB’s MICE incentive schemes.

As a start, the MeetSG WeChat Mini Program will be piloted with a few upcoming business events in Singapore which attract a significant proportion of Chinese MICE delegates. They include Singapore FinTech Festival x Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SFF x SWITCH), in November 2019; Asia TV Forum & Market, in December 2019; Singapore Airshow, in February 2020; and Asia Pacific Maritime, in March 2020.

Melissa Ow, deputy chief executive, STB, stressed in a statement that China is an “important visitor market”. She noted: “We believe this initiative will also give us invaluable insights into the Chinese MICE visitors, which will in turn enable us to continually engage with them and enrich their consumer experience.”

A WeChat Go Workshop will also be held today in partnership with Suntec and the Mini Program partner, WeMeet. The workshop aims to introduce the MeetSG WeChat Mini Program to stakeholders from Singapore’s business events industry.

In 2018, China was Singapore’s top visitor arrival market. It grew by six per cent year-on-year to record more than 3.4 million Chinese arrivals into Singapore. In terms of tourism receipts, Chinese visitors were also top spenders in Singapore in 2018, contributing over S$3.9 billion (US$2.9 billion), representing an increase of one per cent year-on-year.

Melbourne hots up for Malaysian incentive groups

By Adelaine Ng

November 12, 2019

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Melbourne is seeing a spike in incentive groups from Malaysia, and significantly more itineraries are venturing beyond the city for experiences, according to data from the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB).

Much of the growth can be attributed to the city’s combination of relatively new air routes, with AirAsia X flying directly from Kuala Lumpur twice daily into Avalon Airport on the west of Melbourne, and the offer of unique experiences. Malaysia Airlines meantime re-introduced extra flights to provide up to 17 services per week directly between Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne in apparent response to demand.

Agents explore what Geelong region’s GMHBA Stadium can offer business events groups

“The Malaysian market has matured tremendously (for Melbourne) in terms of reward trips,” said Kelvin Yin, MCB’s regional sales director for South-east Asia and India. “There’s no doubt about it; I think low-cost carriers have played a part in that growth, with more companies choosing LCCs and spending more money on ground arrangements (instead).”

MCB told TTGmice there’s been a 50 per cent growth in corporate incentive group delegates from South-east Asia over the last three years, with Malaysia proving the most popular source destination by far at 175 per cent, followed by Indonesia’s 34 per cent. Interestingly, almost 100 per cent of visitors have ventured beyond the CBD to engage in activities in regional Victoria. There were 16,000 new international visitors to the region in the last financial year.

In response, MCB is increasingly working with lesser-known regional partners to promote more areas to encourage repeat visitation, such as facilitating the first Asian fam programme led by a regional convention bureau for incentive agents last week, which was met by positive feedback.

Malaysian and Indonesian incentive agents try their hand at Aussie Rules Football

“It was definitely an eye-opener for me,” said Lim Pei Pei, head of sales at Malaysian event management company ICEM. “They packed a lot of interesting places within our three-day programme but I’m very sure there’s even more (to discover) if we had more time.”

General manager for Malaysia’s Mice Vacations, Alex Chia, told TTGmice he has already received a number of enquiries for Melbourne next year, and that he expects the number of groups booked for the destination to exceed that of this year.

“I was surprised by the types of experiences available in regional Victoria. I think (many of our clients) would be interested in a swimming with dolphins experience, or staging a pop-up gala event at Flemington Racecourse (where the Melbourne Cup is held).”

Apart from Malaysia and Indonesia, Yin is keeping an eye on Vietnam as the next emerging market for Melbourne. Not only has VietJet recently announced plans for direct air services from Ho Chi Minh City to Avalon Airport in 2H2020, Yin added he is encouraged by the country’s economic growth and political fundamentals, and has plan to court the market soon.

MICE opportunities abound in Asia: Cvent report

By TTGmice

November 12, 2019

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Male-business-traveller — The results in the report Results offer actionable insights for MICE professionals to attract more business to their venues and destinations

Events management software company Cvent released the inaugural Asia edition of the Cvent Planner Sourcing Report, in response to growing sourcing volume and MICE activity in the region.

“Asia continues to grow in popularity as a leading MICE destination, which is also reflected in the 2019 Cvent Top Meeting Destinations list,” said Chris McAndrews, vice president of marketing for Cvent Hospitality Cloud.

The report offers actionable insights for MICE professionals to attract more business to their venues and destinations

This year’s study revealed that companies continue to invest in their meeting and event programmes, as well as how meeting planners sourced venues, and what influences their decision-making.

More than 80 per cent of respondents said that their budgets have increased for events, including corporate parties, galas, trade shows, conferences, seminars, and conventions.

Interestingly, 84 per cent said that budgets for non-revenue generating events such as trainings and milestone meetings have also increased – highlighting the important role live events plays in supporting both internal and external corporate goals. This increase in budgets indicates higher executive expectations, and added pressure on event planners to deliver more compelling experiential events for their attendees.

Additional findings from the study include:

Event Professionals are planning more events than ever before – meaning additional MICE business opportunities for hoteliers and destinations. Ninety-four per cent of planners said that they manage 11 or more events each year, while 75 per cent are organising more than 50.
More than 80 per cent of respondents said that their overall event attendance has increased.
Increasing budgets means higher expectations and more internal influencers. With the increase in event spend, planners must work with others in their organisation, such as IT and finance managers, who also have influence over event budget decisions.
Top four areas of expected budget increase include: ground transportation (92%), venue (88%), F&B (88%), and client entertainment (87%), pointing to a growing desire to create a strong event experience.
Respondents identified additional budget stakeholders including information technology and finance departments. Venues need to be aware of how these stakeholders can influence final budget approval.
Planners analyse a number of different factors when sourcing event venues or deciding to submit a request for proposal (RFP). Less than half of respondents (47%) cite venue cost as an influencing factor. Other factors including space layout, location, and brand reputation are increasingly important.
Top features influencing booking decisions include: Ease of networking activities (44%), availability of preferred dates (35%), and unique atmosphere and existing relationship with the venue (both 33%).
Forty-nine per cent of planners surveyed highlighted the venue’s brand and reputation as a key consideration for RFP submission.
Meanwhile, 50 per cent said they were influenced by positive reviews of the venues they were sourcing.
Next, 78 per cent of planners said they would expect a cost savings of at least 6% before considering a switch to their second-choice venue – demonstrating that planners are willing to invest more if they believe a venue can provide a memorable event experience.
Communication, transparency, and attention to detail throughout the RFP process can make a venue stand out. By providing proactive solutions, offering a digital presence that caters to the event planners’ needs, and delivering a quick, thorough response to RFPs, hoteliers can win more group business.
Nearly half (46%) of planners cite communication problems as the reason for choosing to not submit an RFP to a venue.
Also 23% want better attention to detail in RFP responses and 38% said that trustworthiness in a venue’s RFP responses is a primary area of improvement.

The survey was conducted among more than 500 event planners in Asia. The full report can be found here.

Patrick Imbardelli elected to YPO Board of Directors

By TTGmice

November 12, 2019

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Patrick Imbardelli, chairman of the board of international hospitality company Next Story Group, has been elected to the YPO – a global leadership community of chief executives with approximately 28,000 members in more than 130 countries – board of directors from 2019 to 2022.

He also is serving as the chair of YPO’s Flagship Events Committee, and a member of the Compensation of the Human Resources Committee.

Imbardelli joined YPO as a member in 2003. Since 2006, Imbardelli has held several YPO leadership positions including chair of the Singapore Chapter, member of the South-east Asia Regional Board, and member of the Australia and New Zealand Regional Board. Imbardelli has also chaired several YPO’s global events and served on the Global Leadership Conference Supervisory Committee.

In his role as chair of the Flagship Events Committee, he also oversees YPO EDGE 2020, which will gather 2,500 CEOs and business leaders from around the world in San Diego, California, US, for an annual thought leadership summit conference.

Imbardelli has more than 30 years of hospitality experience. He has also served as a non-executive director and an advisor to Next Story Group for the last three years. In June 2019, he was appointed chairman of the Board of Next Story Group.

The hospitality veteran was formerly the chief executive Asia-Pacific of InterContinental Hotels Group, and the chief executive and a board member of Pan Pacific Hotels Group. He is also a director of IDEM Hospitality and The Goodnight Co., and previously a director and advisory board member of Symmons Industries in Boston.

Beyond Asia: Edge; Edmonton Convention Centre; and Solar Power Africa

PCMA hires global VP business development

Pullman opens two hotels in China’s Suzhou, Huizhou

Community heroes

Centara appoints two key executives to drive growth

No fret for Asian MICE, tourism players despite slowing global economy, say experts

SACEOS, STB, WeChat collaborate on programme to better engage Chinese MICE travellers

Melbourne hots up for Malaysian incentive groups

MICE opportunities abound in Asia: Cvent report

Patrick Imbardelli elected to YPO Board of Directors

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