Hilton has opened the Hilton Manila within Resorts World Manila, marking the brand’s entry into the Philippines.
Hilton Manila offers 357 guestrooms furnished with Hilton’s Serenity bed; a four-point bathroom comprising a vanity area, toilet, and separate bathtub and rain shower; and the Digital Key “direct-to-room” technology, which allows guests to use their smartphone or tablet as their room key for seamless access – a feature exclusively available for Hilton Honors members.
King Guest Room with Pool View
There are three restaurants and two bars on-site, ranging from the New York-inspired Madison Lounge & Bar to modern Shanghainese restaurant Hua Ting. Recreational facilities include a free-form lagoon pool, 24-hour fitness centre.
Event planners can avail six function venues, comprising the 545m2 ballroom with a six-metre crystal-encrusted ceiling which can accommodate up to 600 people for a reception. All venues feature natural daylight and are fully equipped with the latest audiovisual technology.
Laguna Lang Co in Vietnam has appointed Justin Wermers as area director for F&B at Banyan Tree and Angsana Lang Co – the two luxury resorts at the integrated project.
The Dutch national will take charge of operations at the eight dining and lounge outlets at the two properties, all in-room dining, as well as banquets and events.
He has more than 15 years of experience in F&B and hospitality, and comes to Lang Co following stints in the Middle East with InterContinental and, most recently, at the New World Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Laguna Lang Co is located within an hour’s drive of Danang International Airport. The integrated resort project will soon be expanded over the next few years, where an international-scale casino, more hotels, and real estate components are set to be added.
With its limited room inventory and spacious function rooms, the hotel is set to win the hearts of planners with intimate, high-end gatherings on hand.
Rooms
The property has 55 rooms, including eight suites, all located between levels 53A and 56. My room on Level 56 offered unobstructed views of the city’s iconic landmarks – Kuala Lumpur Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers.
Staying true to Banyan Tree’s roots in spa retreats, my room came with an essential oil burner and fragrant incense sticks, as well as a chromotherapy shower which offers seven colour lighting changes and three shower settings – rain, column or cascade settings, each creating a different sensation on the body.
I found these amenities to be very thoughtful and unique among city hotels.
MICE facilities
There are three spacious and fully-equipped function rooms, spread across the lobby level and level 53. These warmly furnished spaces can accommodate up to 16 people each in boardroom seating.
These are supplemented and complemented by other flexible venues across the hotel. The dining facilities are versatile and can be used for private gatherings.
For instance, Altitude lounge on level 53 offers a private space that opens up to a partial open-air pool area that is perfect for coffee breaks or cocktail parties with live cooking stations.
Also a gem for event planners is Vertigo, said to be the highest hotel rooftop bar in Kuala Lumpur. Perched on level 59, Vertigo charms with breath-taking views of the city skyline. Naturally, this makes it a great venue for hosting VIPs groups or welcome dinners.
Other facilities
Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur houses four dining outlets – Horizon Grill, a seafood and grill restaurant; Vertigo rooftop bar; Altitude wine lounge; and a bakery.
For active business travellers, there is a well equipped, 24-hour gym, as well as an open-air pool.
Not to be missed is the Banyan Tree Spa, an award-winning chain belonging to the hotel brand. This outlet focuses on a non-clinical and holistic approach based on traditional Asian healing therapies. There are four couple treatment rooms which event planners can use for spouse programmes.
Event brief
The Singapore FinTech Festival is the world’s largest gathering of the global financial technology community. It is an event that offers cutting-edge content and high industry impact in terms of collaboration, networking, innovation and talent building in the financial technology space.
The 2017 second edition of this week-long festival attracted some 30,000 participants from more than 100 countries. Festival participants engaged in a series of interwoven events comprising the Global FinTech Hackcelerator, the Innovation Lab Crawl, the FinTech Awards and the Investor Summit.
A three-day conference was held concurrently and focused on nine themes including global market insights, data analytics, technology risk, sustainable fintech and regtech or regulatory technology, among others.
Challenges
Adrian Sng, general manager of SingEx Exhibitions, highlighted two main challenges.
He said: “With the festival attracting such a large number of delegates, catering for delegates’ meals at designated gaps within the conference programme was a challenge. Transport to and from the venue also proved to be challenging, with multiple precinct bodies involved in the coordination of traffic flow for an event of such scale.”
Solutions
The venue operator worked on managing the entire precinct from the start of the event planning process to better manage traffic flow and access to different car parks in the vicinity. Close collaboration with the traffic police, Land Transport Authority as well as transport operators proved crucial for a better site access experience for participants.
As for the catering challenge, Sng commented: “We turned the challenge into a unique experience for all delegates instead by offering all-day dining options involving multiple cuisines. This helped to ease the congestion during key meal times as well as to provide better delegate flow among the exhibits throughout the day.”
Sng added: “Focusing on innovation in event design, the festival weaved a Singapore experience throughout the event platform. From serving a fusion of local food favourites, to being surrounded by locally inspired architecture in our dining and discussion areas, to offering locally designed merchandise, participants had access to not only valuable community insights and networks, but also a glimpse of Singapore as a destination.”
Key takeaways
Staunch support and the strong relationship between the Monetary Authority of Singapore, The Association of Banks in Singapore and SingEx Holdings were instrumental in ensuring the success of the festival, an event spokesperson said.
By organising the event from a user’s standpoint by mapping individual journeys and touch-points from pre-event, onsite, to post-event contributed to the success factors for the event. By enhancing the overall experience of a visitor will potentially translate into prospects for return on participation.
The festival’s unique event design approach enabled participants to immerse in the Singapore experience, and the locally-inspired architecture, showcases and F&B were key highlights that worked well.
The venue’s director of sales, Janice Yee, observed: “Being able to offer a full suite of services and multiple platforms enabled the venue operator to address the customer’s immediate needs. But it did not stop there and also looked ahead to pre-empt, and prepare for, future needs to retain the client.”
The Singapore FinTech Festival 2017 won three awards at this year’s Singapore Tourism Awards organised by the Singapore Tourism Board for Best Business Event, Best Trade Conference Organiser and Best Business Event Service Provider for Jublia, a home-grown event technology start-up.
Event: Singapore FinTech Festival 2017 Organiser: Monetary Authority of Singapore, The Association of Banks in Singapore and SingEx Holdings Venue: Singapore EXPO and MAX Atria Date: November 13 to 17, 2017 Number of participants: 30,000 from more than 115 countries
YPO’s Global Leadership Conference and YPO EDGE returned to Sands Expo and Convention Centre in 2018
Event brief
This year, the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) returned to Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands (MBS) – the only Asian city and the only venue to host YPO more than once – with a double bill: the Global Leadership Conference (GLC) and flagship event YPO EDGE.
YPO’s Global Leadership Conference and YPO EDGE returned to Sands Expo and Convention Centre in 2018
The occasion brought upsized ambitions. These included 2,800 young leaders in attendance and a line-up of high-profile speakers, such as Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as well as the founder of the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, and former tennis champion Billie Jean King.
Challenges
To facilitate a series of plenary and concurrent sessions, discussion forums and networking functions, the integrated resort had to provide a combination of large and intimate spaces within a single venue.
“YPO needs a location where there is a hospitality venue that is big enough, but also offers quality and intimacy,” said Terry O’Connor, YPO EDGE 2018 host city chair and former regional chair of South-east Asia.
Feeding the delegates well was another crucial task, as they hailed from more than 90 countries and had diverse dietary requests.
Furthermore, the 2018 GLC and YPO EDGE conference was YPO’s first green meeting, putting the ISO 20121-certified venue and its expert team to the test. On top of these, the YPO delegation also comprised visiting spouses and partners, who were looking forward to a memorable experience at the iconic venue.
Solution
The Roselle-Simpor ballroom was transformed into an experiential Venture Marketplace of businesses, products and services. At the same time, networking events, private gatherings and breakout sessions were hosted at smaller, alternative venues with a touch of exclusivity.
These included private dining rooms of celebrity chef restaurants such as Adrift by David Myers, CUT by Wolfgang Puck and Osteria Mozza; the recently revamped 24-hour hotel lounge, Renku; the new LAVO Italian Restaurant & Rooftop Bar; and individual meeting rooms in the convention centre.
To elevate the culinary experience, MBS’ banquet team curated special menus with more than 20 varieties of food per meal, with separate counters and buffet lines set up for those with specific dietary requirements, treating delegates to a selection of local and international food.
At least five meals were served daily, including Happy Hour drinks and canapés every evening. The most impressive F&B setup was at the Venture Marketplace, which presented a seafood bar of fresh oysters, crab legs, prawns and more.
Other personal touches included a dedicated check-in counter for YPO attendees, YPO- and MBS-branded welcome amenities and gifts, as well as a YPO-branded pagoda in the Tower 1 lobby that served as a photo-worthy backdrop for delegates.
During their stay, delegates and their partners were invited to a private brand showcase at the Louis Vuitton Island Maison at The Shoppes. Participants were also treated to TWG Tea canapés and ferried around the mall with a dedicated buggy service.
To meet its sustainability requests, MBS’ MICE team worked with the event organiser to incorporate several green event initiatives, such as using water dispensers instead of plastic bottles; recycling plastics, glass and paper where possible; as well as diverting leftover food away from landfills using onsite food waste digesters.
YPO also produced more than 2,800 recyclable registration bags, which included reusable water tumblers. At the end of the event, the organisers collected and recycled approximately 700 bags and achieved an overall event waste diversion rate of 75 per cent.
Key takeaways
Having previously hosted YPO in 2012, MBS had the advantage of familiarity with YPO’s needs, enabling the venue’s team to make suitable recommendations and work in partnership with the organisation’s planning team.
Mike Lee, vice president of sales at MBS, reflected: “Our partnership with YPO was formed years ago, and to have the group return to our integrated resort for their 2018 event is akin to welcoming an old friend home.
“For that reason, some of MBS’ senior management – including myself – were personally involved in the planning process with YPO. We were excited to work together again to push the event’s boundaries of creativity and build on the success of its 2012 edition.”
Event: Young Presidents’ Organization Global Leadership Conference and YPO EDGE Organiser: Young Presidents’ Organization Venue: Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre Date: March 5-9, 2018 Number of participants: 2,800
Have you ever thought you’d be in conference and event management when you were younger? What brought you into the business?
As someone who had no mentor in this industry, I felt drawn to the human interaction and exchanges that events facilitate. My initial focus was on corporate celebrations.
It was upon deeper involvement with clients that they started to entrust me with further intricacies of their global meetings and conferences, many of which have details that are bound by non-disclosure agreement to ensure confidentiality. It’s great to be treated as a trusted auxiliary by clients!
Daniel Chua
What do you love most about being in conference and event management?
In this business there’s a cycle that repeats itself – pitching, planning, delivery and closure. However, the details are always different although the framework may be similar.
It is never a dull day in meeting and conference management. Plus, always being able to end an event on a high note so far is highly motivating. Not every client is effusive, but their kind words when received, are always encouraging to my team and I.
Do you have a pet peeve about the business though? What is it and why?
One of these is the corporate process of calling for pitches on a project basis rather than multiple projects on a longer term horizon. This makes for uncertainty for the event specialist. Peaks and troughs are less seen in other industries. This is especially challenging for boutique event firms, affecting their ability to attract and retain the best and brightest bloods for business growth.
At the same time, we will encounter that minority of clients with high demands within tight deadlines, multiple changes to their orders and who fail to pay deposits up until the event date, claiming organisation policy and that an organisation as large as theirs must be trusted. Some even go silent when payment is sought after the event, even if the completed event has won the praises of organisation bosses and attendees.
We see the best and worst of human decency in our business, which reminds us to always treat our partners with the respect we seek ourselves. Having staff undergoing this does not help with the retention rate unfortunately.
Another thing that gets to me is how firms (event agencies) still see each other as competitors rather than collaborators. In our business, when it rains, it can pour and it seems logical for us to collaborate.
You are actively involved in Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS), playing the role of vice president, meetings & incentives. Why is it important for you to do this for the business events community?
I’m as active as time allows, with the belief that every little drop makes the mighty ocean.
SACEOS is also actively evolving to meet industry needs, and I’m now vice president for digital innovation to support a current theme that affects the entire business events industry.
I love this industry despite its challenges, and it is incumbent upon people with a passion to make a difference. If not industry members for the industry, by whom then? Having a proper forum through established national associations like SACEOS to collaborate on a global level is essential.
Conversely, there are still many industry players who are not members yet. If we do not work together more closely to improve the industry status quo, the issues of fragmentation will always plague us, and as much as the numbers may show industry growth, being fragmented means we will always be at the mercy of clients instead of enjoying a more level playing field.
What do you wish you could do more for the business events community?
I wish I had more time to begin with. A dear client and friend recently reminded me again of the importance of working on the business, and not only on projects. As much as the success of my business consists of successful projects, he certainly made sense.
I hope to be able to find staff that will stick it through to partner level. This is especially challenging as I do not have the finances of larger corporations that can better absorb human resource-related time and money losses. Given the need for continuity especially with longer projects, finding reliable contract staff is critical.
Once my team is self-sustainable, I will have more time to develop and promote innovations and collaborations that have industry-wide benefits, especially the use of technology that allows more positive human experiences.
Lastly, when you are not busy with conferences and events, what do you do to pass time?
Family time is essential and my family’s happiness is a key motivator for me at work. Staying fit mentally, physically and spiritually is also essential for me to stay keen in this industry, so I have to make sure to invest at least some time there.
Brian Harris has been appointed general manager of Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas.
The American brings over 20 years of experience in luxury hotel operations to the table, where his career has taken him to cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Seoul and Jakarta.
He was previously in Seoul for close to a decade working for an established luxury hotel. In Jakarta, he held dual roles as the resident manager at Hotel Mulia Senayan and The Suites at Hotel Mulia Senayan.
He also previously held positions such as the area director of sales and marketing North Asia with Hyatt Hotels.
Centara Hotels & Resorts has appointed Vatmongkol Rasisawas to helm Cosi Samui Chaweng Beach hotel, which opened its doors as the brand’s first last December.
Vatmongkol brings 15 years of hospitality experience in five-star hotels in Bangkok and Pattaya.
She is familiar with the Centara brand, having previously worked at the company’s flagship Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld.
Before rejoining Centara, she was general manager at Sovereign Group Hotel in Bangkok.
The Finland Convention Bureau is looking to attract more business events and incentives from Asia, in particular five key markets in the region that show the most potential for growth.
Mervi Toivonen, head, Finland Convention Bureau, told TTGmice at the recently-concluded ITB Asia that these markets were China, India, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. Incidentally, these countries are also key Asian markets for Visit Finland’s leisure segment.
Toivonen: Finland has identified five Asian markets to tap on for corporate events
To demonstrate their seriousness, a marketing representative was appointed in India earlier this year. There are also marketing representatives appointed in China and Japan that work with account managers in the global sales team in Helsinki to further develop their respective markets.
Toivonen shared: “We are present at this show (ITB Asia) to learn about the needs of the Asian markets and how we can cater to their needs.”
She further shared that Finland’s key industries were ICT, pharmaceutical, clean technology and healthcare. The country was also comfortable in catering for group sizes of 250 people and below.
Heli Mende, director, Visit Finland’s head of global sales promotion added that Visit Finland was present at ITB Asia to promote the destination as a business events destination – especially locations like Helsinki, Lakeland and Lapland.
“We have excellent infrastructure, experienced DMCs, and we are a peaceful nation. We also have conference venues that are of international standard. Earlier in July, Helsinki hosted the Trump-Putin meeting with a lead time of just two weeks,” Mende remarked.
Malaysia-based Sunway Lagoon Theme Parks is hoping to tap into three emerging markets – Australia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan – to attract more business events, as well as leisure travellers, to its flagship theme park Sunway Lagoon in Selangor.
Calvin Ho, senior general manager of Sunway Theme Parks, explained: “We saw a decline in terms of percentage from the Australian market over the last few years and wish to arrest this. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have a growing middle income segment which we hope to tap.”
The Sunway Lagoon Theme Park has several venues suitable for corporate events
Ho added that Sunway Lagoon would work for the business events segment for these three markets, as the theme park can be used as a venue for gala or themed dinners.
“To make events unique and memorable, planners can have a ‘volcano’ erupt on demand, clowns on stilts and laser shows on water, just to name just a few,” Ho shared.
Venues that suitable for large groups include the outdoor theatre which can seat 2,000 guests, while the outdoor surf beach area can hold up to 20,000 people. This latter is suitable for concerts, product launches and themed dinners.
The focus on this market trio explains Sunway Lagoon’s presence at the recent Pakistan Travel Mart 2018, and its upcoming participation as an exhibitor at the Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) in Melbourne next February.
Meanwhile, to grow these markets further for the leisure segment, the company will work towards creating greater consumer awareness through social media and digital marketing. For both Sri Lanka and Pakistan, Sunway Lagoons Theme Parks will also work with inbound agents from Malaysia dealing with the two markets to include Sunway Lagoon into their itinerary.
Currently, 60 per cent of visitorship to Sunway Lagoon are foreigners, with the Middle East, India and China making up the primary markets.
Plans are afoot to introduce in-park performances with international talents as well as a new, immersive attraction with storytelling elements in 2019.
The newly-opened Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok anchors the One Bangkok development with cosmopolitan elegance. Featuring the city's largest ballroom and a spectacular new penthouse suite, it delivers exceptional hardware and deeply authentic, soulful service for business and leisure travellers alike
Behind the imposing, Brutalist concrete that defines Zurich’s Oerlikon district lies a surprising secret. While its exterior honours the neighbourhood’s industrial roots, stepping inside Mama Shelter reveals a vibrant, neon-soaked world that is a far cry from its rigid shell
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
