Asia/Singapore Saturday, 18th April 2026
Page 645

Event future now

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Will Kataria

Mixed reality: Virtual and augmented reality will be combined to create mixed reality experiences that allow attendees to interact and engage with an event in a more personalised way. For example, conference attendees can use their phone cameras to find their next session via a 3D map of the venue. Mixed reality also offers a unique opportunity for attendees to participate in motion-capture installations or allow exhibitors to showcase their products. It can even be used to enhance networking opportunities through interest matching.

Facial recognition and feedback: Facial recognition is already being used at events to more quickly (and securely) register and check-in attendees. Next year, Tokyo will be the first Olympic host to introduce facial recognition at its venues. Facial feedback offers a different use case for the same facial recognition technology. It allows organisers to capture attendee emotions in real-time. Imagine being able to monitor if attendees are bored, confused, happy or annoyed, and being able to intervene quickly.

Voice interfaces: It is predicted that half of all Internet searches by 2020 will be initiated via voice. This technology has so many use cases for events. Voice command devices can streamline event registration, help attendees find their way around exhibition halls, or learn more about the conference agenda or specific session. By automating these types of interactions, attendees receive timely, efficient support while organisers are able to reduce onsite staff and overall cost.

Chatbots: Chatbots that use artificial intelligence are the concierge of the future for live events. At South by SouthWest (SXSW) this year, a chatbot named Abby acted as a personal concierge for attendees and fielded 56,000 unique questions via Facebook Messenger and the SXSW mobile app, saving countless man-hours.

Wearables: The overall adoption of wearable technology has thus far been mixed. Smart watches have been hugely popular; smart glasses, not so much. However, this doesn’t mean we should rule out the glasses technology. Smart glasses offer the ability to customise the event experience by providing delegates with personalised information about the event space, an upcoming session, or suggest which stand to visit – reducing the overwhelming feeling of a large tradeshow floor.

Barbie Lam

Virtual events: Holographic projection is the new revolution in live event production, providing photo-realistic immersive experiences. It is most widely used in conferences and talks where companies are able to “beam” people as live holograms all over the world, capable of interacting with their audience in real-time. Holographic technology also provides a platform for virtual stars to connect with audiences in a live event setting. The possibilities are endless, such as making it possible for virtual Japanese idol Hatsune Miku to tour around the world and perform live through holographic projection.

Location-based VR experiences: Location-based virtual reality (VR) experiences leverage the technology and provide users a fully immersive experience with a headset, haptic vests and a custom-designed space for the user to walk freely within their VR environment. This is unlike traditional VR, which is usually a solo experience in a limited space. The continuing advancement of VR allows creators to produce better and more tailored experiences. For example, agencies can bring a brand’s story to life through gamification.

Augmented reality: Earlier this year at Mobile World Congress, our global innovation practice, Genuine X, helped raise awareness and drive a positive brand perception of Ericsson as a leading player in ICT, specifically in 5G. They did this by creating a brand presence through immersive technology, like augmented reality (AR). Complex technical information is normally challenging to explain particularly in a busy tradeshow environment, but AR allowed us to let attendees experience it in an interactive and intuitive way. We created a dynamic AR carousel that prompted magical animations when the iPad is pointed at an object on the display, informing customers about Ericsson’s growing industrial applications of 5G.

Attendee apps: Event apps put attendees in the driver’s seat, empowering them to take control of their own experience and stay connected to all that an event has to offer. Using their own device, attendees can ask questions in real time, connect with other attendees and provide feedback while brands benefit from the opportunity to capture data and nurture a relationship with attendees long after the event is over.

Mobile-first approach: Asia-Pacific led the globe for transactions conducted on mobile devices in 2018, with sustained double-digit growth forecast for m-commerce between now and 2021. With more users than ever before shopping, connecting and discovering things to do on their devices, companies that optimise their ticketing checkout flow for mobile are gaining favour with consumers looking for a fast, secure and seamless purchase experience.

Auto-refresh barcodes: Auto-refresh barcodes are an exciting innovation which may prove to be a giant leap forward in tackling the issue of counterfeit tickets. These dynamic barcodes refresh every few seconds, eliminating the risk of duplication and offering a safe and verifiable way to transfer tickets.

Quantum of the Seas – The Ultimate Bleisure Destination at Sea

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FlowRider surf simulator and Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator

Brought to you by Royal Caribbean Cruises

FlowRider surf simulator and Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator
FlowRider surf simulator and Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator

This 16-deck high, 4,905-guest smart ship that’s filled with revolutionary first-at-sea amenities and transformative venues, makes top choice for event organisers looking for a novel, unique, and aspiring getaway for their MICE groups.

The Unique and Awe-Inspiring

Quantum of the Seas’ next generation features and entertainment offer excitement, relaxation and everything in between from day to night for team and individual activities, particularly:

North Star: This elevated glass capsule lifts you to 92 metres above sea level for a stunning 360-degree view of the ocean and the ports.

Ripcord by iFly: Spread your wings (arms in this case) and soar in the skydiving simulator and experience the thrill of flying at sea!

FlowRider: Put your surfing skills to the test on the crowd-favorite surf simulator while gazing out into the horizon.

Two70°: In the day, relax in the lounge and enjoy a 270-degree panoramic sea views with its floor-to-ceiling glass walls spanning almost three decks high. At night, the venue transforms into a vibrant performance venue, which fuses entertainment and technology combined with live performers, aerialists, as well as projections of breathtaking video and digital scenery on the sky-high glass walls.

SeaPlex: The largest indoor active space at sea, this is a distinctive and flexible sporting and entertainment venue with exhilarating features like the bumper cars and roller-skating. At night, guests can dance to music orchestrated from a floating DJ booth which hovers above the activity below.

Bionic Bar: Step into the future where dancing robotic bartenders entertain you while shaking and mixing up delish cocktails or mocktails.

Gastronomic Delights

There are as many as 18 dining venues onboard to satisfy everyone’s taste buds, ranging from the complimentary Main Dining Rooms and Windjammer Café buffet restaurant to specialty restaurants such as Jamie’s Italian, Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine, Izumi Japanese Cuisine and Chops Grille Steakhouse.

Wonderland: An intimate restaurant within an edgy and surreal dining environment, where our chefs twist their culinary kaleidoscopes to invent an elaborate dreamscape of never-before-seen fare. Flash-frozen ice cream tops tender pork belly. Wasabi caviar mingles with spicy tuna cones. Sriracha eggs appear in a plume of smoke.

Jamie’s Italian: A casual and comfortable family-style restaurant by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver featuring a relaxed laid-back atmosphere and rustic Italian dishes handmade using seasonal ingredients, and authentic recipes.

Comprehensive MICE Facilities and Customised Packages

Being one of the largest business centres at sea, Quantum of the Seas offers a variety of meeting venues and event spaces to suit every group size and occasion, from the lounges and bars for an intimate, casual ambience, to the 500-plus-seater Two70 and 1,300-seater theatre for more formal functions. This ship also provides comprehensive conference facilities including complimentary AV equipment and dedicated conference rooms.

Royal Caribbean’s all-inclusive cruise package offers comprehensive conference facilities, luxurious accommodation, non-stop entertainment and world class cuisine. The ship also has a group of dedicated onboard convention services coordinators to provide personal assistance. What’s more, you can even tailor your meeting package to suit your groups’ needs.

The Two70 transformative venue
The Two70 transformative venue
Bumper Cars at SeaPlex
Bumper Cars at SeaPlex

With 34 cruises starting from 4 nights from Singapore till April 2020, Quantum of the Seas will be sailing to popular destinations such as Penang, Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Phuket, Bangkok (Laem Chabang) and Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My).

To find out more on how to plan your MICE event on Quantum of the Seas, visit www.royalcaribbeanincentives.com. You can also contact our Corporate Sales team at rcclgroupsales@rcclapac.com.

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort names DOSM

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Sonika Adlakha has been appointed director of sales and marketing for the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort.

In her new role, Adlakha is responsible for generating top-line revenue for the property by securing new accounts, maintaining existing ones and executing sales strategies to boost hotel profitability.

She reports to the property’s general manager, John Allanson with a dotted line to Outrigger’s vice president sales and marketing, Asia Pacific, Andrew Gee.

Adlakha’s most recent position was director of sales for villa ownership for Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi in the Maldives.

Other roles she has under her belt include director of sales for Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, Sun Aqua Iru Veli in the Maldives and Sun Aqua Pasikudah in Sri Lanka; cluster director of sales for Al Nahda Hotels & Resorts, Oman; regional sales head MICE India for Las Vegas Sands Corporation; and assistant director of business development for Shangri-La Hotel in Mumbai.

Smells like team spirit

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Hot idea
Go for an all-inclusive resort to allow dining flexibility and ease of managing a master bill for large groups of participants.


Brief
TTG Asia Media took its employees from the Singapore headquarters to Mauritius – an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa – for its annual teambuilding getaway. As this was a rare chance for many of us to visit the destination, the programme was a mix of scheduled team bonding activities and free time.

Highlights
The programme in Mauritius started early on May 10, with a teambuilding session at an old sugar mill. Over an hour, our group of 44 took part in a treasure hunt and traditional games that required team work.

The highlight of my day – and probably of the entire trip for most of my colleagues – was a quad bike track. The two-hour ride on 450cc quad bikes took us on bumpy dirt roads through sugarcane fields, small river crossings, and vegetable plantations. The ride culminated in Pont Naturel on the southern part of the island. We spent about half an hour there, where we took countless photos, and admired towering waves crashing into the volcanic rock.

We were all famished after the ride, and the event organisers were well prepared for that – surprising us with a delicious barbecued lunch awaiting our return to the sugar mill.
A second teambuilding session followed after lunch, this time back at our base, Hotel Riu Creole. The high-energy session got us running around the resort to complete various challenges. Kudos to the Hotel Riu Creole staff, who dressed up in character and drummed up excitement.

On the second day we called at the Casela World of Adventure – a safari-esque park – where we got up close and personal with giraffes, ostriches and ancient giant tortoises.
Lunch, kindly arranged by Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, was at the rustic Restaurant Varangue Sur Morne, where we enjoyed panoramic views of the surrounding forest, sea and mountains while tucking into local Mauritian dishes such as chayote squash in bechamel sauce.

Post-lunch sightseeing brought us to Rhumerie de Chamarel, where we learnt how sugarcane was distilled into rum; as well as took in views of the cascading Chamarel Waterfall, and Seven Coloured Earth.

On our final day, the group split up to do their own chosen activities. Some of us went for a laid-back cruise onboard a catamaran; others headed to the capital of Port Louis to take a look-see; and a good number hung out at the beach and kayaked in the calm waters just in front of Hotel Riu Creole.

Challenges
To speed our group through flight check-in, Air Mauritius created a special lane for us at Changi Airport’s Terminal 1.

Due to the group size, there was a shortage of quad bikes. To get around this, we were put on double quads and everyone took turns to drive and pillion.

It was a challenge for the large group to navigate the tall sugarcane fields. One of the lead riders – an appointed participant in the group – lost sight of the guide, a group of us to go off track. Fortunately, we were able to retrace our tracks and a guide was already on the lookout for us. That said, it was a hitch that could have been avoided by having more guides familiar with the trail to lead segments of the group.

To easily feed 44 hungry bellies every day, the company put us up at the all-inclusive Hotel Riu Creole, which meant that all meals and drinks were covered and everyone could eat whatever they fancied.


FAST FACT
Event: TTG Annual Teambuilding Trip
Organiser: TTG Asia Media
Event company: Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
Venue: Mauritius
Date: May 9 to 14, 2019
Attendance: 44

Indonesian capital move a boon for East Kalimantan

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Indonesia’s travel trade embraces the government’s plan to move country’s capital to East Kalimantan

Indonesian travel industry members are predicting a rise in quality business travel and events infrastructure in East Kalimantan once the destination becomes the country’s new capital.

President Joko Widodo had made clear plans to move the current capital from Jakarta to the Indonesian portion on the island of Borneo, straddling the two regencies of North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kartanegara. The two regencies will become the centre of administration, while Jakarta will remain the country’s business and economic centre.

Indonesian stakeholders predict that quality business travel and events infrastructure will soon rise in East Kalimantan

Sudarsana, general manager of business development of Santika Indonesia Hotel and Resorts, said the relocation would boost the reputation of both regencies among the business community, and raise their potential as business events destinations.

He added that the relocation of the presidential palace, ministries, house of representatives and Bank Indonesia will drive the emergence of new star-rated hotels and meeting facilities across East Kalimantan, in order to meet the government and businessmen’s need to hold business events.

Santika Indonesia Hotel and Resorts has plans for a new hotel in East Kalimantan, but Sudarsana has kept mum on its location as the project is still under discussion. He also predicted that Kutai Kartanegara and North Penajam Paser will follow in the footsteps of Balikpapan, East Kalimantan’s largest city that the government has named as one of the country’s top 16 MICE destinations.

According to Haryadi Sukamdani, chairman of Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association, many business events have been held in hotels in East Kalimantan, especially in Balikpapan, but these meetings are usually national gatherings, not international ones.

He opined that convention centres will soon be built in East Kalimantan.

Industry players agree that the capital city move will spread development across the Indonesian archipelago, and raise the infrastructure standards for Kutai Kartanegara and North Penajam Paser. International access to the future Indonesian capital can come through the Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport in nearby Balikpapan.

However, with the relocation costing a hefty 466 trillion rupiah (US$33 billion), Sudarsana is worried that the central government may issue a ban on all government bodies from renting meeting halls in hotels in a bid to cut costs.

Business as usual in Hong Kong: HKECIA

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that it is business as usual in the city; Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre pictured

The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) issued a statement yesterday, emphasising continued event capability in Hong Kong, with major exhibitions and conferences “running without incident or interruption” despite demonstrations.

The statement sought to assure event participants, buyers and exhibitors that events in the destination are unaffected.

HKECIA has reiterated that it is business as usual in the city; Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre pictured

It noted that despite road closures resulting from “several public activities”, the destination’s two major venues for trade exhibitions and international conferences – the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and AsiaWorld-Expo – remain accessible by foot, private cars, freight trucks and public transportation, and are fully operational.

HKECIA’s chairman Stuart Bailey said: “Business is as usual in Hong Kong. At this time we are seeing that major exhibitions and conferences in Hong Kong are running without incident or interruption. Exhibitions and conferences were not targeted for disruption. Hong Kong is definitely still open for business and safe to travel.

“Of course, visitors should take extra care and be mindful of areas in which protests might be taking place and take note of any special traffic arrangements such as temporary road closures and disruptions on public transport. But it’s worth remembering that Hong Kong is consistently ranked one of the safest cities in the world.”

The statement pointed that June, July and August were being peak months for mega consumer exhibitions in Hong Kong, and noted that all scheduled shows were held as planned.

The annual Hong Kong Book Fair was attended by nearly one million visitors over seven show days. Meanwhile, the annual trade and consumer exhibition, Food Expo, and three concurrent exhibitions, which utilised all exhibition halls at the HKCEC, went ahead as planned from August 15-19, despite a large-scale but peaceful rally on August 18. The four exhibitions brought together more than 2,100 exhibitors and welcomed nearly 450,000 visitors.

International trade exhibitions scheduled for early September will also go on as planned. They are: Restaurant & Bar Hong Kong X Gourmet Asia 2019 (September 3-5), Natural Organic Asia 2019 (September 3-5), Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair (September 3-7), Asia Fruit Logistica (September 4-6) with Asiafruit Congress on September 3, and CENTRESTAGE (September 4-7).

MyCEB sets sights on new target markets in Asia

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Malaysia

Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) is intensifying efforts – with strong backing from the government – to attract more Asian business events through the building of MICE infrastructure, creation of more events, and increase in attendance at more overseas tradeshows.

In line with this, MyCEB is targeting new incentive markets such as Vietnam, Taiwan and Indonesia in addition to its traditional markets of China, India and South Korea.

Malaysia is working to attract more MICE groups from Asian markets, in line with its Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign

Zulkefli Sharif, CEO, MyCEB, on the sidelines of Malaysia Business events Week (MBEW), elaborated: “Asian markets provide quick wins, high growth numbers as well as volume.”

More exhibition space has also been created in Malaysia over the past few years, with the expansion of Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur this year; and the Setia SPICE Convention Centre Penang in 2017; with more to come when the Sabah International Convention Centre – currently under development – opens.

MyCEB intends to attend additional tradeshows in the UK and US next year, in addition to AIME, IMEX, IT&CM China, IT&CM Asia and IBTM World, to promote Malaysia.

It is also encouraging and supporting local exhibition organisers to create more events.

Zulkefli noted: “The future of business events looks bright, as we have strong commitment and support from industry players and government agencies. Since this year, every ministry has been tasked to set up a dedicated focal point to facilitate requests from MyCEB, on behalf of relevant associations for hosting of international events in Malaysia.

“This commitment from the government will help us to become a preferred business events destination in Asia. We are on track with our Business Events Roadmap 2020 goals which include being in the top five ICCA ranking in Asia-Pacific, and having business events contribute eight per cent of total tourists to Malaysia, from the current six per cent.”

This is in conjunction with the year-long Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign, aimed at attracting 30 million tourists and RM100 billion (US$23.7 million) in tourism revenue.

This year’s MBEW, themed Progressive Momentum, attracted more than 200 participants from the business events industry.

Data collection top priority for Malaysia’s MICE stakeholders

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Malaysia plans to collect data as a leveraging tool to better its MICE industry

Malaysia’s MICE sector aims to build a more compelling case for government agencies to focus on efforts to draw more business events, through information collected from data analysis of international business events held in the country.

Zulkefli Sharif, Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau’s (MyCEB) CEO, revealed that MyCEB will be collaborating with Business Events Council Malaysia (BECM) on data collection.

Malaysia plans to collect data as a leveraging tool to better its MICE industry

There are plans to start the collection of data this year, Zulkefli said, but first both MyCEB and BECM had to determine the kind of data needed by association meetings and the industry as a whole.

This data, Zulkefli revealed, will then be “used to explain the benefits of business events”, as well as “convince relevant ministries on the importance of business events and how it will complement their efforts in achieving their goals”.

Alan Pryor, BECM’s chairman, supported the data collection, and said that this was required for Malaysia to move forward and become the preferred destination in Asia for business events.

“Data will give us access to ministries and government departments, (allowing us) to present our case on the importance of the sector which includes legacy building, knowledge transfer and capacity building,” Pryor noted. He added that this was required as not all in the government sector could differentiate business events from leisure tourism.

Isham Ishak, secretary-general at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, noted that data will also enable BECM to build a strong case on how they are planning to grow the MICE industry in the next decade, in order to obtain support and incentives from the government.

Both Isham and Pryor were panellists in a session entitled, The Collaboration of Business Events and International Trade, at the recent-concluded Malaysia Business Events Week.

Hangzhou takes to Beijing for destination promotions

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Some 18 Hangzhou-based conference companies and hotels, led by Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, TV and Tourism, participated in the Hangzhou PLUS: MICE Roadshow on Tuesday in Beijing, to promote the city’s appeal for business and association meetings.

Beijing was chosen for the roadshow as it is a major source market for meetings bound for the capital of Zhejiang province.

Hangzhou launches MICE roadshow in Beijing, which 60 associations and societies, and 30 PCOs specialising in association meetings, attended

The event was graced by VIP speakers such as the Bureau’s Zhang Ansheng, Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology’s Tian Mei, ICCA’s Noor Ahmad Hamid and Hangzhou International Expo Center’s Tang Xue. Attendees include representatives of 60 associations and societies, and 30 PCOs specialising in association meetings.

A statement issued by the Bureau noted that “Hangzhou has been vigorously transforming itself into the number one city of digital economy, and powering the city’s industrial cluster growth with technology innovation” in recent years, and that new economy industries are now driving the growth of the local MICE industry.

The roadshow sought to demonstrate Hangzhou’s upgraded events infrastructure and strengths, in hopes of “anchoring” the city’s image as a preferred destination for business and association events.

One of the key messages was centred on Hangzhou as an academic stronghold and industrial trendsetter. The city is home to many reputable universities and research institutions, such as Zhejiang University, Westlake University and Alibaba DAMO Academy. Hangzhou is also a thriving base for technological research, with 51,213 patents originating from it.

These capabilities are conveyed by 53 convention ambassadors from all academic backgrounds, who have also been instrumental in attracting high-end association conferences to Hangzhou.

The roadshow also underlined Hangzhou’s picturesque scenery, time-honoured history and culture, complete conference facilities and professional services as “guarantees of wonderful conference experiences”.

Hangzhou boasts nine clusters of upmarket hotels, 10 large professional convention and exhibition centres, 10 characteristic towns with conference facilities, and more than 301,000m2 of venue space.

This hardware is supported by the city’s accessible network of public transport, as well as rich culture and tourism developments that have created unique destination experiences and products for event attendees. In addition, the statement noted that 10 subway lines will come into operation before Hangzhou’s hosting of the 2022 Asian Games.

Attention is also being paid to raising the city’s service standards, with the local MICE industry benchmarking itself against the international standards set for the G20 Summit held in Hangzhou in 2016. Continued efforts have surfaced in this area, with new standards established to regulate and improve the services of the local MICE industry. A MICE Talent Program was launched to lift the competence of local event practitioners.

Supporting these efforts is the Hangzhou municipal government’s commitment to market exploration and development of the local MICE industry by issuing favourable policies concerning conference bidding and execution.

Spotlighting Hangzhou’s achievement in the association meetings space, an exhibition was set up within the roadshow, featuring case studies of top 10 professional association conferences held in the city.

The roadshow not only presented an upgraded version of Hangzhou, it also connected buyers with PCOs through a business matchmaking process.

There are plans for a larger conference for corporate meeting players in October.

Oakwood to launch new Suites in Bangkok, Yokohama

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Oakwood, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mapletree Investments, has announced the signing of two Oakwood Suites, one in Bangkok and the other in Yokohama.

Oakwood Suites Bangkok is located along Sukhumvit Soi 24 within the Phrom Phong district, a four-minute walk to the BTS Skytrain Station. The property will have 232 studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and is scheduled to open by the end of this year.

Set to open in mid-2020 ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Oakwood Suites Yokohama will be the second Mapletree-owned serviced apartment in Japan, following Oakwood Apartments Azabudai, Tokyo. The property offers 175 keys across levels 46 to 51 of The Tower Kitanaka, which sits next to Yokohama Bay in the Minato Mirai area, with direct access to the Bashamichi Train Station.

Oakwood first launched its Oakwood Suites property in December 2016 with the opening of Oakwood Suites La Maison Jakarta in Indonesia.

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