Last night, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching celebrated its 10th anniversary with a gala dinner that highlighted the centre’s decade-long achievements.
Sarawak’s chief minister, Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg, lauded the contributions the centre has brought to Sarawak, particularly in the international exhibitions and conventions sector.
Sarawak chief minister Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg (fourth from left) and BCCK’s Raziah Mahmud-Geneid (second from right) cut BCCK’s 10th birthday cake. Looking on are BCCK’s Eric Van Piggelen (leftmost) and Steve Ng (second from left).
In his address, he said BCCK has contributed over RM92 million (US$22 million) to the Sarawak economy since the convention centre was built a decade ago. Last year alone, the centre brought in RM8 billion in tourism receipts.
Abang shared: “The centre has hosted 104 international and regional conferences, including the 55th International Congress and Convention Association Congress 2016 which was held for the first time in Malaysia and the World Islamic Forum 2017, held for the first time in Sarawak. BCCK was also the venue for the 14th Asia-Pacific Physics Conference 2019, which was held for the second time in Malaysia since 1992.”
The chief minister also acknowledged BCCK’s efforts that support the state government’s initiatives to grow and strengthen Sarawak’s digital economy, as well as facilitate events that encourage advancement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
BCCK’s chairman, Raziah Mahmud-Geneid, said in her speech that BCCK will not rest on its laurels, and instead, will “continue to be dedicated in competing for local and international events both big and small, and aim to make BCCK an iconic and preferred venue above all others in the region”.
“BCCK has seen great success over the past 10 years, and we look forward to another 10 years of success and growth in the international business events industry,” she concluded.
BCCK was the first purpose-built venue in Sarawak. Since its opening in 2009, it has hosted over 1,800 events and over 2.4 million delegates and visitors.
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has highlighted 115 new incentive activities and venues across 14 Thai cities, in time for MICE groups heading to Thailand in 2020.
The list of activities include enjoying ethnic hill tribe cuisine in Chiang Mai, producing salt lick for wildlife near Pattaya, dinner on the floating table in the lagoon in Phuket, exploring the historical streets in Bangkok on a Thai Bus Food Tour and discovering a new venue – a former rice-milling barn in Khon Kaen.
The Thai Wake Park in Chonburi is one of TCEB’s newly-listed venues which can host teambuilding activities. Photo credit: Thai Wake Park Facebook
Second-tier cities, located near primary destinations, also offer new experiences for delegates. These include a coffee café run by inmates from an occupational training programme in Chiang Rai, turning sea salt into spa products with salt pit operators in Samut Songkram (near Bangkok), supporting a crab bank housing young crabs before their release into the sea in Chonburi (near Pattaya), producing paper and thread from pineapple fibre in Song Khla in southern Thailand, and teambuilding activities in a former US military camp in Udon Thani (near Khon Kaen).
Also announced was a range of new venues which can host teambuilding and themed adventure activities. They are Volume Climbing Gym in Khon Kaen, Zero Latency (virtual reality attraction) in Bangkok, Water Sport Ground in Pattaya, Thai Wake Park in Chonburi, and the Windsurf Club in Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), said in a statement: “For the past year we’ve collaborated with key MICE cities and other major destinations across Thailand to develop their local resources, creating new activities based on their local culture and designed for the business events sector.”
Chiruit added that these new activities span seven themes: history and culture, CSR and green meetings, beach bliss, exhilarating adventures, treasured team building, lavish luxury and culinary journeys.
To encourage planners to take advantage of these new products, TCEB has developed three support campaigns: Meet Now: The Big Sisters; Meet Now: Beyond Bangkok & Pattaya; and Meet Sustainable.
Meet Now: The Big Sisters offers financial support for groups from 50 to over 1,000 pax, of up to 500,000 baht for two locations, Bangkok or Pattaya.
Meet Now: Beyond Bangkok & Pattaya offers financial support of one million baht for groups from 30 to over 10,000 pax.
Lastly, Meet Sustainable offers a maximum of 200,000 baht – for a group of at least 50 people – should an event have at least two out of seven sustainable practices such as using a venue certified for sustainable environment or energy management, electronic registration and reusable badge, or donating left-over food to non-profit organisation.
Expo 2020 Dubai has partnered with international events group Informa on a wide-ranging agreement that allows visitors to Dubai to combine events held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) with Expo 2020 experiences.
UK-headquartered Informa was also announced as an authorised ticket reseller, which will allow visitors, exhibitors and delegates will be able to combine the full suite of Expo 2020 visitor experiences with DEC events, summits, seminars, product launches, networking opportunities and meetings.
Informa’s Peter Hall (left) and Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau’s Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali on the formation of the event partnership
DEC will host a number of events organised by Informa during Expo 2020. These include the 20th Cityscape Global (November 10-12, 2020); NAJAH (November 1-2, 2020), an annual higher education student recruitment fair and exhibition involving international universities; the Seatrade Maritime Middle East exhibition and awards, as well as Terminal Operator Conferences during UAE Maritime Week 2020 (December 6-10, 2020); and Leaders in Healthcare conference (dates to be announced next year).
The agreement with Informa follows the announcement of other major events to be held at DEC during Expo 2020, including the World Government Summit and Global Islamic Economy Summit – both of which will take place in November 2020 – as well as the Global Business Forums on Africa, Latin America, ASEAN and World Chambers Congress 2021, all hosted in partnership with Dubai Chamber.
DEC is on the Dubai Metro Route 2020 extension and offers 45,000m2 of customisable space configurable for all types of events. It will feature the latest developments in technology, including best-in-class audio visual facilities and high-speed 5G connectivity.
Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has unveiled the Associations Round Table – an industry-first initiative, designed specifically for associations attending the 2020 event.
The Associations Round Table is an invitation-only event connecting C-suite executives from over 40 organisations across the globe. Sessions will include discussions, debates and workshops – to create new community and business models that drive association innovation.
Knowledge Exchange 2020 will focus on the fundamentals of relationship building; a speaker at Knowledge Exchange 2019 pictured
In collaboration with Melbourne Convention Bureau, the Associations Round Table will be held over half a day at the 2020 Knowledge Program.
Jay Martens, event director of Talk2 Media and Events, said in a statement: “Traditionally, associations worked independently, focused exclusively on member’s needs. Today, they face common challenges that unite them all. We want them to leave AIME with models that can be applied to their associations in their regions.”
AIME will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from February 17-19, 2020.
Come 2021, the Darwin Convention Centre will be welcoming members of the International Society for the Study of Iron in Biology and Medicine (BioIron Society) to the Australian city.
The Darwin Convention Centre worked in close collaboration with Northern Territory Business Events to secure the event, trumping other international cities bidding for the opportunity to host more than 300 international delegates.
Darwin’s waterfront precinct
Darwin Convention Centre’s general manager, Peter Savoff, called the win “vital to tourism” as it proves the region’s ability to host international conferences, while helping to promote research and advance public education in this field.
Northern Territory Government’s minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss welcomed the announcement of the successful bid, and said in a statement: “The Northern Territory Government is proud to support business events like this which generate significant economic benefit for the region.”
Nathan Subramaniam, Australian board member of the BioIron Society, said the congress will be an opportunity for delegates to have a truly authentic Australian experience.
“The Congress will provide delegates from all around the world the opportunity to experience the Top End of Australia while meeting in world class facilities to present and discuss the latest research in this field,” added Subramaniam.
Tarsus births Egypt division and housewares tradeshow Tarsus Group has joined forces with Amr Shawki, a leading figure in the Egyptian exhibition industry and chairman of local organiser Egytec Partnership, to launched Tarsus Egypt.
The new Tarsus division will create a new B2B events platform for local and international customers who are keen to access the dynamic Egyptian and North African markets.
The first event to be delivered by Tarsus Egypt will be Zuchex Cairo, a replica of Zuchex Housewares and Kitchenware Fair Istanbul, the leading trade housewares buying exhibition in Eurasia.
According to the organiser, Zuchex Cairo will adopt a new format and be held at the Cairo International Convention Centre from November 11-13, 2020.
As the first event of its kind in the region, Zuchex Cairo will see 150 exhibitors from Egypt, Africa, Turkey and Asia taking over 3,400m2 of showfloor. They will meet with over 5,000 professional buyers.
BCD M&E acquires Chicago-based L37 Creative BCD Meetings & Events (BCD M&E) has acquired L37 Creative, an event production and creative media agency headquartered in Chicago, to strengthen its US event solutions offering and enhance its global creative and engagement services.
BCD M&E will welcome employees in San Diego, Las Vegas, Chicago and New York, and customers can expect expanded services including full-service creative production, media content development, name entertainment (MC and speakers), audiovisual and more.
Scott Graf, BCD M&E global president, said: “This acquisition enhances our robust creative and engagement offering with in-house production to give our customers agency-level services backed by the power of BCD M&E.”
“This partnership isn’t new,” said Christine Erickson, senior vice president, U.S. Event Solutions and Sports at BCD M&E. “Our teams have been working together as strategic partners for 15 years, servicing customers seamlessly. This acquisition only streamlines that service so we can continue supporting customers focused on their attendee experiences across the end-to-end attendee journey.”
This is the latest in a line of strategic acquisitions for BCD M&E to diversify its business and round out its service offering.
Yotel checks into Edinburgh Europe has scored its first Yotel opening with a property on Edinburgh’s Queen Street, close to the city’s world-famous historic hotspots and the charming neighbourhood of Stockbridge.
Like its minimalistic and high-tech sisters in cities such as New York, Boston, San Francisco and Singapore, Yotel Edinburgh will target tech-savvy travellers who favour a fuss-free stay with its innovative style of hospitality and technology driven experiences.
The hotel offers 276 rooms, each equipped with signature Yotel features such as the space-saving adjustable SmartBed with Serta Gel mattresses, amenities from Urban Skincare, rain showers, multiple power and USB charging ports, free Wi-Fi, HD Smart TVs with Chromecast and more.
Amenities on-site include the KOMYUNITI bar with its programme of curated events from comedy nights to local live bands; KOHI cafe; and also Imaginex, a state-of-the-art, 360-degree projection space for film screenings, social events, product launches and meetings. There are also airline-style self-service kiosks, a 24/7 gym and two interconnecting creative meeting spaces equipped with modern audio-visual technology.
Centara Hotels & Resorts has opened the Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa Krabi, a brand-new upscale resort and the first branded beachfront property in Ao Nang, Krabi.
Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa Krabi
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There are 179 rooms and suites on offer here, ranging from 39m2 to 81m2. Regardless of option, guests will be able to enjoy modern amenities such as including Smart TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi. Pool Access Rooms allow guests to step straight into the resort’s outdoor pool from a private terrace, while others feature private plunge pools. There are also Family Residences, which come equipped with bunk beds and kitchenettes.
For events, the hotel provides a 292m2 meeting room and pre-function area. Guests can enjoy a lagoon-style pool, spa, fitness centre, and kids’ club, as well as four F&B venues on-site.
Sangha Retreat by Octave Institute has promoted Eddy Ram to managing director of hospitality and The Village operations.
His promotion from general manager of Sangha Retreat to managing director involves overseeing At One Suites; At One Villas; Thought For Food Restaurant; and The Village, a live-work-learn community with spaces for communal learning, executive retreats, conferences, summits and festivals including Thought For Food Market, The Sanctuary meditative space, Fellow Traveller group learning space, and Sangha Residence apartment suites.
Prior to joining Sangha Retreat, Ram was vice president hotel operations at Imperial Pacific International. In total, he brings more than 28 years of international experience in the hospitality, aviation, wellness, and entertainment industries to the table.
Other positions he has held include chief operating officer at GWH-Mayar Group; assistant vice president and F&B manager at Resorts World Genting; director of F&B at Island Hideaway Spa Resort and Marina; commercial director at First Cambodia Airlines; and director of sales and marketing cum director of F&B at Sunway Hotel Phnom Penh.
Hertz Global Holdings has appointed Angela Brav as president of Hertz’s international division.
Most recently the CEO of InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) European region, Brav has 25 years of executive experience with IHG in multiple operational and strategic roles in the US and Europe.
She is based at the car rental company’s international headquarters near London, and will report to Hertz’s president & CEO Kathryn Marinello.
With events management degrees and diplomas being scant in South-east Asia – often just a module in hospitality and tourism courses – planning and collective action by the industry may help address the talent crunch.
The MICE Capabilities Department of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) collaborates with industry partners and academia. “The MICE Academy Pillar focuses on university students and faculty to build the groundwork of excellence and capabilities of future MICE leaders,” explained Orachorn Wongpan-ngam, the department’s director.
Orachorn Wongpan-ngam
The MICE curriculum is offered in 117 Thai educational institutions. Its international focus features all four areas plus events, and discusses global trends and best practices.
“MICE Student Chapters enable students to work with leading MICE companies, get training, obtain a scholarship or join a Youth Challenge, which is an opportunity to develop outstanding ideas for the industry,” Orachorn added.
Many participants join the industry upon graduation. TCEB isn’t perturbed if they don’t, or only stay a while. “Our investment isn’t lost since they could use their knowledge to evince multiplier effects within different sectors, which will return to MICE and the country as a whole,” opined Orachorn.
IMPACT Exhibition Management runs a certificate course with three Thai universities. Each year, some 40 to 60 students do two-month stints in operations, exhibition projects, sales, F&B or corporate communications at the convention and exhibition centre.
Thamita Chongswatvorakul, IMPACT’s director of human resources, said: “We make sure students get the best possible experience while completing their internship. They participate in various projects, supervised by senior executives and managers, and acquire valuable, real-world experience.
“Interns gain significant advantages that help them outshine other job candidates. After their learning-by-doing experience, we hope to welcome them to the fold upon graduation.”
Over the years, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre has fostered collaboration with various institutions of higher learning to help nurture new talent. General manager Alan Pryor said these partnerships have evolved from participating in career talks and job fairs to developing an internship programme aimed at familiarising students with the business events industry and different career opportunities available.
“We also focus on talent retention through our Ambassador Programme, which provides part-time opportunities to young students and lets them earn additional income while expanding their skill set through comprehensive, in-house training initiatives. On-the-job experience can also lead to full-time employment at the Centre,” he added.
In labour-scarce Singapore, SkillsFuture Study Awards encourage Singaporeans to develop new skills and competencies, regardless of age. The Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS) runs four subsidised certification and professional courses. It also organises the annual Singapore MICE Challenge for tertiary institutions.
Pico Group takes in interns but also gives employees varied opportunities to grow and learn, such as stints at the World Expo and job rotations from six to 24 months.
“The annual Talent Acceleration Programme brings together high-potential employees from our global network for two-week training. There are also local internship opportunities to get a flavour of the MICE industry. Several interns have become permanent staff,” said Pamela Dua, director, human resource, Pico Art International.
But for MICE companies, recruiting and retaining fresh graduates remains a challenge.
Andrew Chan, founder & CEO of ACI HR Solutions, said Deloitte’s 2017 millennial survey showed development and work/life balance outdid financial reward. “Personal learning and development are the first-choice benefit for millennials. Flexible working hours comes second, followed by cash bonuses.”
But ‘flexible working hours’ seems incongruent with the demands of running business events and keeping customers happy.
While Chan acknowledged the constraint, he said the industry could do better in personal learning and development. “This sector can actually offer that to millennial workers, provided business leaders take the time to communicate more effectively with their younger workers and adopt a mentorship approach to management, which they prefer.”
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Last night, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching celebrated its 10th anniversary with a gala dinner that highlighted the centre’s decade-long achievements.