Rooms
Pan Pacific Melbourne has 396 guestrooms and suites in total. I stayed in a 38m2 Premier King City Skyline Room on the 17th floor, and the first thing I noticed when I walked in was the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Yarra River and the Melbourne cityscape. The large work desk facing the windows was a perfect scenic perch to work from.
I liked that several USB charging ports were available at the side of the bed. However, I noticed that the power outlets were not universal, so a traveller with more gadgets might need to bring along their own adaptor. Reading lights are also cleverly tucked away in the headboard, and come in handy for business travellers needing to share a room.
The marble-clad bathroom was surprisingly spacious, and came furnished with a bathtub – the property provides bath salts which are replenished during the turndown service – as well as a separate toilet and showering area.
Overall, my room felt like a cloistered sanctuary removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, despite standing in the heart of it all.
MICE facilities
Pan Pacific Melbourne is located right next to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the largest event space in the Southern Hemisphere. By choosing Pan Pacific Melbourne, delegates needn’t get up early to attend conferences, and they also save on transport costs.
The five-star property itself boasts 450m2 of indoor and outdoor event space, the largest being The Woodside Room which can hold up to 200 pax cocktail-style. The warm space also features floor-to-ceiling windows, a private pre-function area with views into the semi-open kitchen as well as a heated undercover terrace.
Red Desert Dreamings has also partnered with Pan Pacific Melbourne to open a gallery on level four of the hotel. The art gallery specialises in Aboriginal art from the Central and Western desert regions, and holds both contemporary and traditional work, from the old masters of the Aboriginal art movement to up-and-coming second-generation artists.
The gallery can also be hired for corporate functions, ranging from small cocktail parties for up to 120 pax to intimate sit-down dinners for 34 guests in a long-table configuration. Business events groups can also make bookings for art talks, or arrange for a guided tour around the gallery.
Other facilities
As the room came with club access, I made sure to drop by and cool down with an ice-cold drink as the weather outside was scorching. As such, I did not venture outside to the outdoor terrace but I’d imagine that space would be coveted area during the cooler months of the year. In the evenings, the lounge also offers complimentary canapés and alcoholic beverages.
Other amenities include a 24-hour fitness centre, all-day Cafe Orr for light bites, and the Dock 37 Bar & Kitchen for modern Australian cuisine.
While there is no hotel carpark, guests can park at the DFO South Wharf’s carpark at a discounted rate of A$24 (US$18) a day. Speaking of DFO South Wharf, the outlet mall – also less than a minute’s walk away – is home to 170 Australian and international brands offering up to 70 per cent off, making it easy for business travellers to indulge in a spot of retail therapy after a long day of work.
The South Wharf Promenade, just in front of the property are a variety of restaurants and bars. Pan Pacific Melbourne is also a short 10-minute walk from the Crown Entertainment Complex, where more F&B options can be found.
Service
The staff were exemplary, and went above and beyond to ensure my every need was taken care of.
Verdict
An excellent property that I would definitely return to, due to its enviable location, comfortable digs and welcoming staff.
Number of rooms 396
Contact
Email enquiry.ppmel@panpacific.com
Website https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-melbourne.html
Prashant Kirtane is the CEO and co-founder of 
The Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) has launched a new Congress Certification Program (CCP) for the business events industry.
The three-day training programme aims to equip conference and meeting planners with the necessary tools and processes in executing a successful conference.
The first CCP will be held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah from March 18-20, at Hotel No 5, and is HRDF claimable.
Winnee Lim, chairperson for MACEOS education & training committee, said that the CCP is accredited by the Events Industry Council and carries 14.5 Continuing Education credits. This will enable participants to apply for the Certified Meeting Professional credential.
The CCP is part of a series of MACEOS’ newly developed professional education programme that will be launched this year. Other programmes in the pipeline are the Exhibition Management Program and Total Event Management.
Lim added that the association hopes aims to “train about 300 participants by 2020 under the three new programmes”.
According to Vincent Lim, president of MACEOS, the organisation has been spearheading initiatives to strengthen the education and training programmes offered so as to create a pool of talents for the business events industry.
He added: “By building the supply of workforce, it will then help to attract more business events effectively. This will sustainably increase Malaysia’s business events market share and contributes to the economic growth.”