Boosting the tempo

October 8, 2018

According to a Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) spokesperson, performance for Thailand’s business events industry from the first to third quarter in financial year 2018 was “impressive”.

Thailand’s MICE sector posts growth with signals of strong market confidence; The Grand Palace in Bangkok pictured

During the same period, the number of delegates grew 20.3 per cent to 910,912 year-on-year. Meanwhile, the generated revenue grew 8.5 per cent to 68,898 million baht (US$2 billion) year-on-year.

Within the MICE sector, the segment that revealed the strongest growth was incentives, which posted a 24 per cent growth in overseas delegates (213,943 vs 265,384) and a 15.9 per cent growth in generated revenue (13,142 million baht vs 15,232 million baht).
TCEB offers a range of support schemes, which has brought in new business.

For instance, the support scheme in the meetings and incentive sector, entitled “Meet Mega”, has been relatively successful in attracting mega-size groups. This year, TCEB has welcomed a total of eight mega groups – from direct marketing companies in the Asia-Pacific – that have held their events at certified venues in Bangkok, Pattaya and Hua Hin. Group sizes ranged from 3,500 to 20,000 pax, and resulted in a total of 65,280 delegates and generated 5,510 million baht in revenue.

Next, in the associations sector, 11 bids in the fields of medicine, engineering, IT and zoology, have been won by Thailand as of 1H2019. They are expected to bring in around 14,700 attendees and revenue of 1,227 million baht.

Meanwhile, the government agency’s support has also brought in a number of exhibitions for 2018 such as the SILMO Bangkok – The ASEAN Optical Fair, Label Expo Southeast Asia, and Medical Devices ASEAN.

For 2019, CPhI South East Asia, a pharmaceutical tradeshow, has already confirmed its call at Bangkok. To be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, the event is expected to draw more than 6,000 attendees and 270 exhibitors.

TCEB’s president, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, earlier this year shared that the bureau has aligned its efforts with the country’s new economic policy to drive competitiveness in 10 key local industries – known as the 10 S-Curve industries – through business events.

The 10 S-Curve industries are integrated medical services, future automotive, smart device, health tourism, biotechnology, food processing, robotics, aviation and logistics, biofuel and biochemical, and digital services. In this regard, TCEB has been collaborating with overseas and local partners to bring in business events from these industries into the kingdom.

Medical Devices ASEAN 2018, as a trade event for the integrated medical services industry, received TCEB assistance. TCEB supported IMPACT Exhibition Management in bringing more than 4,000 medical professionals around the region to attend the exhibition that highlighted technology and innovation in medical devices.

Other recent successes include SIGGRAPH Asia, CEBIT ASEAN Thailand, and Future Energy Asia 2018. SIGGRAPH Asia, the continent’s largest conference and exhibition on computer graphics, interactive techniques, digital content welcomed some 6,500 attendees from 58 countries in November 2017.

Next, oil-and-energy event Future Energy Asia 2018 will take place from December 12-14.
TCEB’s spokesperson said: “We are still looking for partners to bring in events from the 10 S-Curve industries and roll out support schemes. Our target partners are government agencies, especially the ministries related to the 10 S-Curve industries, and overseas organisers and local suppliers.”

Dual branded AccorHotels property opens in Bangkok

By TTGmice

October 4, 2018

Novotel_Bangkok_Sukhumvit_Grand_Deluxe_Double_(7) — Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 4

The second dual-hotel brand concept in Bangkok has opened in the heart of Sukhumvit, within the Thai capital’s CBD.

Featuring modern Thai interiors, Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 4 boasts 185 Deluxe and Grand Deluxe rooms that overlook the city skyline. Guestrooms feature a 49-inch Smart TV, a connectivity panel, minibar, safety deposit box, and work desk.

1 of 7

Meanwhile, newly-built 133-room ibis Styles Bangkok Sukhumvit 4 features double and twin bedding, where each guestroom comes furnished with a 42-inch TV, a minifridge, and tea and coffee making facilities.

Guests staying at either of the two hotels can avail amenities such as the all-day diner Food Exchange, RedSquare Rooftop Bar on level 24, fitness centre, and swimming pool.

Nana and Ploenchit BTS Skytrain stations are just a five-minute walk away from the co-branded property.

Reach new meeting heights with Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

By TTGmice

October 4, 2018

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong has completed renovations of its top-floor meeting venue, the Peak Suite, and as such has launched a new meeting package.

The non-traditional private meeting space includes a built-in bar, art-covered walls, and soft lighting. It affords panoramic views of the Peak and city skyline.

Priced at HK$3,000 (not inclusive of 10 per cent service charge) and suitable for groups of up to 24 pax, the Peak Suite Meeting Package includes usage of the new Peak Suite for a meeting, continental breakfast in the Peak Suite, two coffee breaks, and lunch in the Executive Club Lounge.

Email cateringhkg@fourseasons.com.

UBM Malaysia commits five events with MITEC

By TTGmice

October 4, 2018

United Business Media (UBM Malaysia) and the management company of the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Prisma Galeri (PGSB), have signed a five-year agreement to host four UBM events from 2019 to 2023, and a biennial event from 2019 to 2028.

MITEC CEO Gunther Beissel acknowledged MITEC as a “long-term business partner who creates opportunities for continuous growth and stakeholders’ sustainability”.

(From left) PGSB’s Abdul Rahman Mamat; Informa’s Stephen A. Carter; UBM Asia’s M. Gandhi; MITEC’s Gunther Beissel; Malaysian Exhibition Services’ Asmat Kamaludin at the MoU signing

The partnership is estimated to generate RM261.2 million (US$63 million) in economic impact.

Explaining the company’s commitment to the venue, M Gandhi, UBM Asia’s group managing director (ASEAN business) and senior vice president, said: “There are important considerations for show organisers when selecting a venue and one of the key criteria for shows to expand is to have ample exhibition space in a client-focused venue. This is where MITEC comes in strong, as demonstrated during MIFF 2018 (Malaysian International Furniture Fair)”.

Gandhi added that in 2018 alone UBM has leased a total of 90,000m² of exhibition space over the next five years, and the exhibitions are expected to grow in scale annually.

Since opening in August 2017, MITEC has housed about 90 events and recorded a foot traffic of 352,148 visitors.

NZ to impose tourist tax for international visitors

By TTGmice

October 4, 2018

Mount-Cook — NZ$35 will be levied on most tourists to New Zealand; Mount Cook in South Island pictured

The New Zealand government is implementing an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.

This is “to ensure international visitors contribute to the infrastructure they use and help protect the natural environment they enjoy”, according to an announcement made on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website.

NZ$35 will be levied on most tourists to New Zealand; Mount Cook in South Island pictured

Most international visitors entering New Zealand for 12 months or less will be charged a levy of NZ$35 (US$23). Visitors exempt from this levy include Australian citizens and permanent residents as well as people from Pacific Island countries such as Tonga and Samoa.

The levy will be collected through visa fees, and for citizens of visa waiver countries, via the proposed Electronic Travel Authority process.

Some NZ$80 million is expected to be collected in the first year of implementing the levy. This will be split 50:50 between tourism infrastructure and conservation activity. The government is currently working with conservation, local government and tourism industry stakeholders to further work out how best to spend the revenue.

The levy will be required to go through a legislative process, and is expected to be implemented in the second half of 2019.

Asian Seed Congress plants 2019 roots

By S Puvaneswary

October 4, 2018

Kuala Lumpur will be hosting the 26^thAsian Seed Congress next year from November 5-29, 2019 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

This is the second time that the Malaysian capital is hosting the event, the first being in 2006.

The Asian Seed Congress attracts seed industry professionals from all over the globe; Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers pictured

Suchada Yansarasin, spokesperson for the Asia & Pacific Seed Association (APSA) secretariat based in Bangkok, said the event is expected to attract some 2,000 delegates from around the world. These delegates will comprise seed companies and enterprises, and hail from both the public and private sectors related to the agriculture sector. Some 600 companies from 56 countries are also expected to attend.

The secretariat will be working closely with the local host, the National Seed Association of Malaysia, to organise the conference.

The annual congress rotates among countries in Asia-Pacific, and this year’s event will be held in Manila in November.

APSA was established in 1994, through the cooperation of the Food and Agriculture Organization and Danish International Development Agency, with the aim of promoting quality seed production and marketing in the Asia Pacific region.

Newly-formed MSAE seeks AMC

By S Puvaneswary

October 4, 2018

The newly formed Malaysian Society of Association Executives (MSAE) is looking for an association management company (AMC) that is willing to run it in exchange for access to MSAE’s connections.

MSAE president Zaliha Omar said: “We don’t have the means to pay for an AMC, so we are looking for one that is willing to do it for free. In return, we will connect them with associations that wish to organise meetings, workshops, teaching sessions and conferences.”

Zaliha: this will create a partnership that is beneficial to both parties

Zaliha said the role of the AMC would be to organise a membership drive, create sustainable funding, create activities that will appeal to members, and run the day-to-day operations.

MSAE currently has 23 members from diverse sectors including trade, medical, construction and petroleum associations.

The association was set up in September last year to advance the stature and professionalism of associations in Malaysia through advocacy, education and advisory services. Among its objectives are to promote the profession of association management, to accord networking platform for members, and to conduct educational and training courses to uplift members’ knowledge, skills and standards.

New DMC in Singapore promises a redefined local experience

By Pamela Chow

October 4, 2018

The latest DMC to enter the playing field, Xperience Singapore Events & Travel is keen to bring a host of in-depth and immersive activities for and business travellers.

Owned by Xperience DMC – a partner of Destination China – Xperience is headed by director Jane Goh, a veteran in hotel conference services and tourism with more than a decade of guiding experience.

Goh: more to Singapore than man-made attractions

She remarked: “There’s a lot of focus on man-made attractions (in Singapore), but the soft (experience) is not there yet. I wanted to show another side of Singapore that a lot of incentive visitors have not seen.”

She opined: “There are many other things we can do to sell the country as a destination, but they’re not being done yet. There’s a lot of focus on man-made attractions, but the soft (experience) is not there yet. I wanted to show another side of Singapore that many travellers and incentive visitors have not seen.”

Activities offered include learning and performing the Chinese lion dance, tracking and photographing otters in the city, and rowing across Marina Reservoir on dragonboat.

Goh shared that many of these activity providers do not have the means or knowledge to market themselves to overseas planners.

“Activities like dragonboat racing can be done for conferences and teambuilding. We would like to promote this (activity) to event planners so that they know there’s something different they can do here,” shared Goh.

Being a smaller DMC puts Xperience at an advantage as opposed to bigger players, said Goh, as the outfit offers clients “direct contact” with the management and assurance to meet any request that they have.”

Reimagining convention centres

By Industry Expert

October 4, 2018

Marina-Bay-Sands-Convention-Centre — Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre

I recently had the pleasure of sharing my thoughts on MICE venue management with a group of fellow industry professionals who were aspiring leaders in their respective MICE venues around the world. The conversation inevitably centred on topics such as how big our respective exhibition halls are, how many meeting rooms / plenary rooms / ballrooms we have and how we deliver F&B service.

When I described venues as essentially being one big box, some looked at me as if I was crazy. However let’s take a step back and think more about it.

MICE venues are an integral part of the MICE industry. They are the facilities that host the many tradeshows, conferences, product launches and incentives around the world. In essence, regardless of its form or structure, MICE venues are essentially big empty boxes. It is the events we host that gives us life, colour and purpose.

In the week that we host a major maritime tradeshow, we are the home of the maritime industry; and in the week that we host a mega banking conference, we become the home of the finance community. We are shape-shifters, albeit one that transforms with a combination of willpower, creativity and expertise. Once we have this in our minds, our approach to business engagements will naturally evolve.

At this sharing session, I also cited an example of my first meeting with one of our clients during her first site visit. She was surprised that the first question posed (after all the pleasantries) was: “How does your event make you money?”

She assumed that I would be asking the usual questions such as the square metres and number of meeting rooms required, and catering needs. I smiled and explained that the information is critical so that we can advise her on the best opportunities to meet her business objectives – be it sponsorship, delegate numbers or tradeshow sales.

The conversations we had after that initial moment were rich and rewarding. Conversations like these allow us to focus on what is truly important for our clients in order to help them grow.

We should not be a mere four-walled solution and should stop thinking merely in terms of square metres or pax. As a partner in the business events industry, venues should think of ourselves as an important business platform with numerous varied assets which our clients can pick, leverage upon and meet their business objectives.

MICE venues are part of the knowledge, information and business networking industry. People meet at our venues for face-to-face engagements and to transact knowledge, networks as well as business in their respective fields.

In the current modern world where one can easily access all the information and data needed online and across multiple content channels, face-to-face events will have to stand out and deliver more value. Face-to-face events will have to be about delivering engaging and unique experiences; they have to create engagement opportunities for peers in the community to gain valuable insights, networks and relationships that other channels do not have.

Enabling peer-to-peer engagement will slowly become the new baseline for venues. In real estate terms and traditional venue speak, this lies in the creation of small, open semi-private spaces to enable delegates and trade visitors to connect freely and facilitate peer-to-peer engagements.

In technology terms, this lies in the availability of a secured, high-speed connectivity network to enable our client communities to connect with each other.

In F&B terms, this lies in the re-invention of institutional coffee snack spots or conference lunch setups and menus to drive delegate conversations by serving as interesting cultural talking points.

Today’s delegate learns differently and wants different things from his fellow delegate. They are no longer satisfied with an institutional and cookie-cutter product. They want to be engaged, to have experiences that they can amplify to their wider personal and professional communities, and to derive value in their involvement and to be ‘wowed’.

The curation and personalisation of the delegate experience enhances engagement within each client community during each event. These unique unforgettable experiences are then amplified to the wider delegate communities and these wider communities become our audience.

The convention centre of tomorrow has to start thinking “out-of-box”. We have to see our clients as partners and more importantly be the enablers to drive innovation and their success. Are you ready?

Wee Min Ong serves as the vice president of MICE at Marina Bay Sands (MBS). He is responsible for the overall management of the Sands Expo & Convention Centre. He also currently serves on the board of directors for PCMA, on a three-year term which started in 2017. He was the first Asian meeting professional to be appointed to the PCMA board. Ong is also active in the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organizers & Suppliers (SACEOS).

Beyond Asia: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition Hall 12; Air France’s new Paris lounge; and Andaz Turks & Caicos at Grace Bay

By TTGmice

October 4, 2018

Messe Frankfurt’s Hall 12 commences operations
Messe Frankfurt’s new Exhibition Hall 12 has been completed on the western grounds of the exhibition centre.

The hall boasts a total exhibition area of 16,800m², with a hall height of 10 metres. The space can be divided further. The second level holds 13 offices. Other facilities include a multistorey carpark with 800 spaces, as well as two bistros that can seat 75 and 135 people respectively, and two restaurants that can seat around 200 each.

Air France debuts new lounge in Paris
Air France has opened a new business lounge in Hall L of Terminal 2 E at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Facilities in the 3,158m² space include a Clarins spa, two private saunas, sleep suites and a detox bar that offers massages for a fee. In addition, a bespoke cocktail menu created by Hotel Lancaster in Paris is available at Le Balcon – the lounge’s centrepiece dining room created by designer Mathieu Lehanneur.

Andaz to set up camp in the Caribbean
Hyatt Hotels has announced plans for Andaz Turks & Caicos at Grace Bay, a hotel and residences development expected to open in 2021.

This is the Andaz brand’s first property in the Caribbean, and it will be situated on the western end of Grace Bay Beach.

The resort will comprise two buildings – the 59-key hotel and the 74-unit branded residences – with co-located amenities. Andaz Turks & Caicos Residences at Grace Bay will include studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, as well as penthouses with four bedrooms. Facilities include a gym, outdoor yoga studio, spa, four restaurants and bars, as well as a function venue featuring panoramic views.