Delisi reveals Lotus plans for the future at a media event yesterday
Malaysia-based Lotus Asia Tours has unveiled a new integrated team that has been tasked with refocusing and rebranding the DMC, as well as opened a new Singapore office.
Now headed by group CEO Fabio Delisi, Lotus will undertake a rebranding campaign with refreshed products scheduled to be rolled out in 2019, under group director of branding & communications, Silvio Cimenti.
Delisi reveals Lotus’ plans for the future at a media event yesterday
Under the company’s five-year masterplan, which began in 2016, Lotus plans to integrate its products and divisions under a cohesive brand, launch a new B2B online booking platform, and increase the revenue make-up of its meetings and incentives segments to 50 to 60 per cent of its business.
Lotus’ new MICE division will be overseen by group director of product & MICE operations, Gabriele Di Terlizzi.
The new team was introduced to the Singapore trade yesterday, following a similar outreach session in Kuala Lumpur. Lotus will next proceed to Bali to connect with suppliers there, shared Delisi.
He added that Lotus will continue to focus its efforts on the European, Chinese and Singaporean markets. While the DMC also sells Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar, Singapore is the most profitable destination for the company, he revealed.
“We have corporates who will fly all the way from Paris or Rome just to spend 12 days in Singapore. This is why we are investing more in Singapore and we want to do more here. We want to create value for all of our stakeholders with Singapore’s high quality of products,” elaborated Delisi.
New general manager for Singapore and Malaysia, Fadz Abdhan, shared that demands for service have intensified, especially among the more discerning European corporates.
Fadz explained: “They will dress up for dinner, so we cannot just bring them to any street food stall. This is something that we will be working with our suppliers to understand the markets’ needs.”
An example of a large-scale event at SHOW DC Arena
Large-scale events have a new stage in downtown Bangkok with the opening of SHOW DC Arena, said to be the largest outdoor event venue in the Thai capital.
SHOW DC Arena can support a 60,000-pax event with the need for 1,000 car park spaces, a rarity in central Bangkok.
An example of a large-scale event at SHOW DC Arena
The 120 million baht (US$3.7 million) investment sits adjacent to the SHOW DC shopping centre, and bolsters the retail complex’s event offerings which already includes multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces.
Event planners needing more outdoor space can book SHOW DC Arena along with two other venues in the complex, such as the 25,000 pax SHOW DC Oasis and the 5,000 pax SHOW DC Garden.
With the new addition, SHOW DC now offers over 20,000m2 of indoor and 40,000m2 of outdoor event space, all of which can accommodate more than 150,000 people.
Goh Soo Sing, CEO of SHOW DC, said in a statement that demand for large outdoor entertainment space in the centre of Bangkok has been “huge” and enquiries from the events and entertainment industry have been growing.
“Thailand’s events and entertainment industry is a significant economic generator for the country. Through SHOW DC Arena and our additional event spaces at SHOW DC, we are well positioned to support domestic and international event organisers, and will work with organisers and brands to make Thailand a strategic events hub in the region,” he added.
2018 has been a truly eventful year for the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) sector in Singapore. During the course of this year, we have played host to events that have changed the way the world views us.
In the eyes of the international business community, Singapore is evolving from a modern, safe and well-connected business city, into a go-to MICE destination that inspires imagination – connecting the world to possibilities while serving distinctive experiences.
There are many reasons why Singapore is perfect for MICE
Making history
Singapore is no stranger to high-profile global meetings. A few years back in 2015, the Lion City hosted the meeting between Chinese president Xi Jinping and then-Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou – the first time the leaders of China and Taiwan have met in 70 years.
More recently, history was made when Singapore was chosen to host the DPRK-USA Singapore Summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un – the first time that sitting leaders of the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea would meet in person. More than just a meeting, the historic event thrust our city-state into the global spotlight.
The Summit was an event that was unprecedented in so many ways. In a mere 11 days, Singapore’s MICE industry rose to the challenge, working with multiple government agencies and food caterer SATS to successfully deliver the meeting to exacting standards. Beyond hosting the two leaders and their sizeable delegations, over 2,500 journalists from global news outlets arrived to cover the meeting – the largest-ever media contingent to be hosted in Singapore.
As a result, several venues were activated. Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore hosted the US delegation; The St. Regis Singapore housed the North Korean delegation; while Capella Singapore served as the venue for the meeting. Most international media were based at the Formula 1 Pit Building, repurposed for the occasion, while the White House Press Corps camped out at JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach.
Meeting of the minds
This November, Singapore rose to yet another challenge, hosting the inaugural Bloomberg New Economy Forum – which was moved to Singapore with 10 weeks’ notice. Singapore was chosen because of our position as one of the world’s leading international commercial hubs.
Four hundred esteemed global leaders – such as Wang Qishan, China’s vice-president; Hank Paulson, former US Treasury Secretary and chairman of the Paulson Institute; as well as Christine Lagarde, managing director for the International Monetary Fund — joined Michael Bloomberg to discuss important trends shaping tomorrow’s world.
These included innovative technologies like artificial intelligence, the implications of urbanisation on global communities, and ongoing energy transition and geopolitical challenges. Together, the delegates explored and committed to solutions for the new global economy – resulting in the formation of a “SolutionsLab” for leaders and experts to act on key solutions over the next year.
The Singapore experience was being translated both inside the event and outside of it, at the destination level. A full MICE experience had also been planned, enabling delegates to mix both business and leisure, making their visit to Singapore inspiring, fun and highly personalised.
This endeavour was brought to life through the hard work and tireless passion of numerous individuals keen to make the Bloomberg New Economy Forum a success.
At the forum venue, Capella Singapore, about 250 personnel were mobilised across the hotel’s meeting spaces and close to 200 guestrooms were booked. Capella staff oversaw a spectrum of tasks ranging from security and logistics, to guest services and technical support – bringing together the holistic Bloomberg New Economy Forum experience.
Over at Clifford Pier at Fullerton Bay Hotel, almost 200 hotel staff were focused on preparation for the dinner dialogue. The evening’s menu featured gourmet inventions from two prominent local chefs, whose distinctly Singapore dishes clearly displayed their passion for food – chef Malcolm Lee, who helms Candlenut, the world’s only Michelin-star Peranakan restaurant; and chefs Pang Seng Meng and Alexander Pang from New Ubin Seafood, a Michelin Bib Gourmand listed restaurant.
Crazy rich experiences
Having been a part of the MICE industry since 1982, I have always championed the Singapore experience. As a country with access to a plethora of resources, quality meeting and event experiences are only limited by our imagination. This was well underlined by this summer’s Hollywood blockbuster movie Crazy Rich Asians, which showed a side of Singapore that surprised and wowed global audiences.
From the iconic Marina Bay Sands and the awe-inspiring Gardens by the Bay, to the dining options at venues like CHIJMES and Bukit Pasoh in Chinatown, accompanied by our local bars that consistently appear on the World’s 50 Best Bars list – the movie teased with the array of venues and offerings that make the Singapore experience a stand-out – one that is also fun and even sexy!
Indeed, Singapore’s wide range of leisure experiences is a key pillar of our MICE appeal — proving we are not just all business. Our distinctive cultural precincts, fine dining experiences, vibrant arts scene and world-class shopping venues promise something for every meeting attendee and his family. Coupled with our compact size, Singapore easily satisfies the most discerning business traveller’s desire for convenience and leisure.
It is heartening to see how this year has been pivotal in entrenching the fact that Singapore is truly Passion Made Possible: a modern, safe and well-connected business and leisure destination that captivates even the most discerning visitor.
While we have been consistently celebrated for our efficiency, safety and convenience, the recognition of Singapore as the “living lab” for new possibilities is long overdue. There is more to Singapore than meets the eye.
With our hardware, software and “heartware”, we are truly a global playground of future realities – a place where business travellers meet and connect to realise growth, success, passion and possibilities.
Janet Tan-Collis is both president of Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS), and CEO of East West Planners.
She has been actively involved in the MICE industry in Asia since 1982, expanding East West Planners with offices in China and Malaysia and growing it from a destination management company to a full-service experiential solutions provider with specialisation in meetings, incentives, conferences and events. Other areas of her work encompasses business tourism development and consultation, working closely with major industry players as well as the Singapore Tourism Board.
She has also been involved in numerous training and speaking engagements locally, regionally and internationally.
She became president of SACEOS in 2013.
Throughout her career, she has won several accolades for the company as well as for herself. She was bestowed the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) 2016 Global Meetings Executive of the Year Recipient, and in 2017, was awarded a lifetime achievement accolade at the Singapore Tourism Awards, organised by the Singapore Tourism Board.
AIME Knowledge will look at engagement beyond mere content – from ideas on how to challenge the meeting norms and create a culture of innovation, to recognising our unconscious biases and building meaningful communities with ongoing connections.
The refreshed Knowledge Program at Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2019 will focus on community, challenging industry norms and creating a culture of innovation.
Sponsored by the Melbourne Convention Bureau, the Knowledge Program was created with input from key partners such as Professional Convention Management Association, International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), and Meetings & Events Australia (MEA).
The knowledge programme will look at engagement beyond mere content – from ideas on how to challenge meeting norms to building meaningful communities with ongoing connections
The programme which includes streams for varying levels of experience and seniority, will for the first time, see both buyers and exhibitors able to attend sessions together – allowing further opportunity for buyers and exhibitors to connect.
“We believe that education is the fuel for economic growth. We understand the value in knowledge sharing and we are thrilled to be able to provide more opportunities to forge new connections and share industry experience. We want people to leave AIME and not only be able to measure a positive return on investment, but also having upskilled their professional and personal development”, said Matt Pearce, CEO, Talk2 Media & Events.
The Monday programme will ensure participants have a connected learning journey focused on a number of topics, including thought-provoking plenary talks, intensive skill-based workshops with AIME’s first Hackathon, and collaborative case study-based workshops.
ICCA’s integral Business Exchange will now be anchored at AIME, and the organisation will also deliver sessions debating a number of topics, including the role and relevance of professional conference organisers (PCOs). Furthermore, SITE will present results from an industry-wide survey of the incentive travel industry.
Other dynamic sessions include the invitation-only Leaders Forum for C-suite executives, to MEA’s two-day event management workshop programme open to current students and the broader AIME community.
IBTM has announced that the Department of Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) will be its Premier Partner for IBTM World 2019.
This is the first time in IBTM World’s 31-year history that it has taken on a Premier Partner. The agreement will allow DCT Abu Dhabi the opportunity to access a global audience of meetings professionals.
Abu Dhabi will feature prominently at next year’s IBTM show. Photo credit: IBTM World Facebook
The partnership builds on Abu Dhabi’s 2030 Economic Vision and is part of the Department’s ongoing initiatives to enhance social and economic development through the hosting of innovative business events.
Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, executive director of tourism for DCT Abu Dhabi, said in a statement: “The partnership aligns well with wider initiatives, including our Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau’s Advantage Abu Dhabi, which provides a unique opportunity to event organisers to gain destination-driven value by providing bespoke destination support across a number of key market sectors.”
IBTM World 2019 will take place from November 26-28 next year at the Fira Gran Via Barcelona.
Mercure Hotels & Resorts has opened its first midscale property in north-eastern Vietnam.
Located in the CBD, Mercure Hai Phong is the tallest building in the city and is housed within the SHP Plaza shopping centre, a 28-story mixed-use development.
1 of 5
The property offers a total of 176 guestrooms and suites, as well as 57 one- to three-bedroom serviced apartments. Guests staying on the 25th to 27th floors of the hotel will be able to enjoy breakfast and evening cocktails, and complimentary access to the meeting rooms at the Privilege Lounge.
For events and functions, the hotel features six meeting rooms including the city’s largest grand ballroom that can cater up to 380 guests. Recreational facilities include the Bloom Spa, a 24-hour gym, and an outdoor infinity pool.
Meanwhile, dining options on-site include two restaurants and three bars, ranging from the all-day Flame Grill & Bar to the first rooftop bar in the city, Cloud28 Sky Bar & Lounge.
The Department of Tourism (DoT) has finally thrown in the towel on the fourth edition of Madrid Fusion Manila, citing the need “to focus its resources on the many pressing challenges in the industry, in particular to address the needs of sectors that require support as the tourism industry adopts a policy of sustainable tourism”.
Although DoT has the option to host the international gastronomy event for five years, the fourth edition, which was supposed to have taken place this year, has no taker yet from the private sector.
Madrid Fusion Manila was last hosted in 2017, having found no takers for the 2018 edition
PACEOS (Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers), which won the event management bidding for Madrid Fusion Manila in the first three years, cannot afford to do it on its own without government support, its president Joel Pascual told TTGmice.
“It will be a tough call” as they don’t have the means to promote it to the world which is MFM’s direction, Pascual said.
On the other hand, Arnold Gonzales, Tourism Promotions Board deputy COO for marketing and promotions, said they might revive the World Street Food Congress next year.
Commenting on the impact of Madrid Fusion Manila, Gonzales said it has introduced and lifted the image of the erstwhile relatively unknown Philippine gastronomy in the world market, benefiting tourism, agriculture and other sectors of the economy.
DoT said in a statement that it “will continue its support of Filipino gastronomy by focusing its efforts on areas that will make it truly sustainable” and “will continue to develop and improve culinary and farm tourism product offerings, while the department’s foreign offices will continue to promote the country as a premier culinary destination to the international market”.
SM Hotels and Conventions Corp (SMHCC) has signed a license agreement with the Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) for a Park Inn by Radisson hotel in Iloilo City, opening in 1Q2019.
This will be the third Park Inn hotel in SMHCC’s portfolio.
The 200-room Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo will provide choice venues for meetings and offer convenient access from the Iloilo International Airport as well as the city’s main commercial district, tourist attractions, museums and historical landmarks.
SMHCC president Elizabeth Sy, said in a statement: “SMHCC’s long-time partnership with RHG will be further strengthened with this agreement and reflects a strong mutual intent to grow the brand in the country. As owners, SMHCC looks forward to benefitting from RHG’s vast global resources that have helped make RHG one of the most progressive hotel companies in the world.”
“We are confident that this new landmark in our partnership starting with Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, will add to the vibrant tourism landscape of the city and set a new benchmark in hospitality in the Visayan region,” added SMHCC executive vice president Peggy Angeles.
Katerina Giannouka, president, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group, described the upcoming property as a “perfect fit for the market”
“Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo will provide a comfortable option for guests seeking high levels of convenience and connectivity,” Giannouka said.
Associations management company CIMGlobal and Peritoneal Dialysis Society of India have secured the hosting rights to the 37th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Blood Purification (ISBP) for Hyderabad, India.
The city of Hyderabad will welcome the 2019 congress
Set to take place from August 21 to 24, 2019, the event will attract up to 1,000 delegates from various countries.
The ISPB congress is expected to be of “exceptional importance for India”, said a statement issued by CIMGlobal, as it will showcase the latest international achievements and the most up-to-date methods used in Blood Purification field.
The congress was hosted in Skopje, Macedonia this year and in Guangzhou, China in 2017. Other Asian cities that have hosted the congress include Hiroshima (2016), Yokohama (2012), Beijing (2011) and Nara (2006).
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.
Janet Tan-Collis is both president of Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS), and CEO of East West Planners.
