A new function and event space is set to open its doors this coming August at Victoria’s largest indoor/outdoor events and exhibition venue, Melbourne Showgrounds.
The newly expanded 2,500m2 event space will feature a pillarless 1,950m2 room, ideal for functions and exhibitions, alongside a new 600m2 glass foyer. The space will be able to accommodate up to 1,000 guests for gala dinners or 1,800 guests for cocktail or theatre-style events.
Melbourne Showgrounds
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The event space also boasts complete climate control, high ceilings and an unobstructed floor space.
Located seven kilometres from the Australian city’s CBD, Melbourne Showgrounds features onsite car parking and public transport stops within a five-minute walk. A number of new accommodation options have also risen nearby.
Claire Steele has taken over Kate Drury to become exhibition manager of Meetings, the annual business travel show organised by Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) in Auckland.
Originally from the UK, Steele has been holding various roles in New Zealand’s hospitality and training sector for the past nine years.
In the UK, she was previously working in the corporate and contract hospitality industry.
Maxim Baile has been appointed executive chef at 137 Pillars Suites & Residences in Thailand.
He joins 137 Pillars Suites & Residences from his prior role as chef culinary instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institut Paris, Bangkok.
Originally from France, Baile honed his skills in a variety of international locations including Scotland, Mauritius, Denmark, French Polynesia, and Kazakhstan, before arriving in Thailand.
His 15 years of experience include heading the World Hotel Saltanat in Almaty as executive chef; as well as work experience at Michelin-star restaurant and hotel Chateau De Noirieux in Briollay.
Rosmalia Hardman has been named the new director of revenue, sales and marketing for Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific’s managed properties across South-east Asia.
From the company’s corporate office in Singapore, Rosmalia will lead a team focusing on building strategic marketing campaigns, strengthening revenue channels and driving sales growth at Wyndham’s collection of properties in South-east Asia.
The Singaporean joins Wyndham with more than 30 years of experience driving revenue improvements and creating cross-sector partnerships in a range of industries including hospitality, business services, property development and education across Asia and the Middle East.
Prior to her appointment, Rosmalia was chief brand and marketing officer at SIS Group of Schools in Indonesia.
Previously, she developed experience in marketing and sales in the hospitality industry through senior executive roles in companies like Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Melia Hotels, Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts and Kempinski Hotels.
She also worked as the chief marketing officer at property developer, Lippo Karawaci, where she oversaw the expansion of Aryaduta Hotel Group.
How did you get started in business events?
I have always been fascinated with interacting with and understanding people from different cultures, so after I graduated with a masters degree in Social and Culture Anthropology, I chose a career that matched my interest and values.
I started off in Brussels, Belgium with a European PCO where I worked on a vast number of international conferences.
Vivian Zhang
Is work satisfying?
Although the PCO workload is heavy and complicated, there is a great sense of achievement when the conference outcome is successful.
Whenever I see intelligent people gather to promote and spread new ideas, showcase advanced technology, get consensus on industry resolutions, give newcomers a stage to shine, enhance the urban economy and increase someone’s visibility and reputation, it is very satisfying.
The more I immerse myself in the industry, the more I find myself knowing too little. So I have committed myself to absorbing new knowledge and skills during every moment of my career.
What is your main role at MCI China?
I am in charge of the overall operation and management of the PCO Division, and training is an important aspect.
How has the business events industry evolved?
There has been a big change in the overall environment. The industry is working hard to find new profit channels and breakthroughs. Competition is intense, especially in recent years. China’s strict compliance requirements have affected PCO business, and PCOs need to stay up-to-date and familiarise themselves with the changing compliance regulations across different industries and associations, as well as financial process, approval procedures, etc.
What challenges do you face at work?
The question we think about every day is how to remain competitive, and how to be an industry leader with leading innovations that other competitors strive to emulate.
PCOs are in a mature industry where many traditional practices have been used over the years, so we always strive to utilise the most advanced technology ahead of our competitors.
We introduced innovations – including face recognition technology registration, chip tracking of large data and 3D surgery live broadcast a few years ago – which are now widely used. On top of technological advances, we also constantly revamp our traditional service model to provide the best customer experience. We do not only have to learn new content, but also innovate and constantly step out of our comfort zone to explore the wider marketplace.
What motivates you?
I am an optimist. I believe that there are more solutions to be found than there are problems.
I am also thankful to MCI and my boss, Frankie Gao, for their trust and for giving me the platform and opportunity to do my best.
What do you do for fun?
I like to spend quality time with my family on my days off. I find time to travel around the world to visit new and fun places. I also do volunteer and charity work as well. As for my career, I just want to give my best in whatever I do, and see where this will take me.
An MoU recently inked between the Federation of Chinese Physicians & Acupuncturists of Malaysia (FCPAAM) and Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) will pave the way for the former to set up its regional office in Kuching, the state capital of Sarawak.
The decision to have a regional base in Kuching is an effort on FCPAAM’s part to reach out to spinal health practitioners in Asia-Pacific and to grow the Malaysian sector.
FCPAAM’s Ng Po Kok (fourth from left) and SCB’s Amelia Roziman (third from right) and their teams
FCPAAM is the first federation to be part of the Business Events Sarawak Association Centre, an effort by the SCB to attract associations to establish regional associations in the city through incentives including a two-year complimentary office suite or a desk; complimentary Wi-Fi, and access to a welcome reception area, meeting rooms and 24-hour security.
Ng Po Kok, president of both FCPAAM and the Malaysia Spinal Health Association, of which the latter is also a member of the federation, shared in a press statement: “The alliance between the Association and SCB has positioned us well to carry out our mission, given that Sarawak is becoming a notable second-tier destination with undeniable potential in the business events sector.”
Amelia Roziman, COO at SCB, added: “Furthermore, the support from the Sarawak state government and local communities empowers the industry, so this will inspire and encourage more associations to do the same (and set up regional offices in Kuching).”
The FCPAAM office is located on Level 3 of SCB’s office at Plaza Aurora.
Bangkok Airways and the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) have teamed up for the second year running for the Fly and Meet Double Bonus campaign to attract business events travellers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV).
The 2019 Fly and Meet Double Bonus – Redefined campaign benefits include financial support, fast-track immigration service at Suvarnabhumi airport, cultural performances, meet-and-greet services, one free ticket for every 30 tickets purchased, pre-assigned group seating, priority boarding and extra baggage allowances.
TCEB’s Nooch Homrossukhon and Bangkok Airways’ Varong Israsena Na Ayudhya
To qualify, each group must comprise at least 30 persons, fly to Thailand on Bangkok Airways, stay for at least two nights, or hold an event at a venue recognised by the Thailand MICE Venue Standard or a registered hotel.
Applications are open now until August 31, 2019, with travel to be completed by September 30, 2019.
Nooch Homrossukhon, director of meetings and incentives department, TCEB, said that the number of corporate travellers from CLMV countries grew 206 per cent in 2018. She added that the four countries, with their dynamic markets and growing economies, are rated among the fastest-growing business events markets for Thailand.
Earlier in January, TCEB and Thai Airways International unveiled their first joint campaign for the year, ASEAN MaxiMICE, targeted at business events travellers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.
Thailand-headquartered Centara Hotels & Resorts has introduced a new concept – New Agenda: Meetings Redesigned – with the aim of putting an end to cookie-cutter meetings by offering a one-stop MICE service and enhanced customer experience.
New Agenda is designed to put an end to cookie-cutter meetings
The programme is built around three main elements:
A one-stop Meeting Guru serves as a single on-site resource and point-of-contact for end-to-end event management, providing seamless communication, planning and execution.
A redefined approach to teambuilding led by Centara’s in-house teambuilding specialists and in partnership with the professionals at Asia Ability, to develop effective new teambuilding techniques and energising activities.
Creative catering to reinforce engagement and strengthen participant involvement, with new ideas brought to life by Centara’s F&B teams such as a ‘dinner in the dark’ concept by having Thai dancers enter with each course with dimmed LED candles in hand or with blindfolds provided to create an ultimate sensory experience for all guests.
Winfried Hancke, corporate director of operations F&B, Centara Hotels & Resorts, said that the new concept roll-out is a response to clients’ growing desire for “bold ideas and innovative ways to engage meeting participants”.
New Agenda is being progressively rolled out to all of Centara’s 25 operating properties through March 1, 2019.
The city stands tall after bid win for global posture congress
Brisbane is set to welcome the world’s leading posture and gait clinicians and researchers, following a successful bid to host the International Society of Posture & Gait Research (ISPGR) World Congress in 2021.
The congress will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from June 20-24, 2021. It is expected to draw more than 500 delegates from over 40 countries.
The city stands tall after bid win for global posture congress
The congress covers conditions related to posture and gait span people of all demographics – from a child who has trouble walking steadily to the elderly person whose mobility is impaired from a stroke or Parkinson’s disease. It aims to develop better assessment, treatment and rehabilitation techniques, which can drastically improve patient quality of life and associated public health costs.
“This important congress is set to deliver a A$1.5 million (US$1.1 million) economic boost as Brisbane brings it back to the Asia-Pacific region following a number of years in the UK, North America and Europe,” commented Brisbane’s lord mayor Graham Quirk.
Quirk added that “bidding business events is a priority for Brisbane” as it generates more than A$257 million for the local economy every year.
ISPGR’s president and professor of movement neuroscience at Liverpool John Moores University, Mark Hollands, said a number of factors contributed to Brisbane being selected as the 2021 host destination.
“We expect our Asia-based members to take advantage of Brisbane’s close proximity to the region, while access from across the globe is easy with direct flights from more than 80 destinations,” he elaborated.
Hilton has launched a Bringing Ideas to Life meeting package for its hotels in Malaysia.
Event planners who book this package at any participating Hilton hotel throughout Malaysia will receive discounts, complimentary rooms and upgrades, F&B deals, double Hilton Honors points and other value-added benefits.
Hilton promises to offer solutions that work to boost attendees’ levels of energy and creativity with sustainable practices
Available for booking from now until March 31, 2019, the Bringing Ideas to Life meeting package is in line with Hilton’s Meet with Purpose programme that offers solutions that boost attendees’ levels of energy and creativity.
Participating properties are Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Hilton Petaling Jaya, Hilton Kota Kinabalu, Hilton Kuching, DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, DoubleTree by Hilton Melaka, DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang and Hilton Garden Inn Puchong.
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