Hyatt launches new tool for meetings and events planners

October 25, 2018

Hyatt Hotels has unveiled the Hyatt Planner Portal, a comprehensive tool for meeting planners designed to enhance the overall planning experience at Hyatt.

With this solution, meeting planners can work in one tool throughout the planning process to manage meeting details, including contracts, attendee information and costs throughout planning stages. Additionally, the Hyatt Planner Portal will contain information on current, upcoming and past meetings and events, giving planners the ability to review details, access event history and generate reports whenever needed.

Steve Enselein, senior vice president of events at Hyatt, shared in a statement: “Created with feedback directly from meeting planners, this solution aims to alleviate pain points planners face and it captures information in one place so they can spend more time focusing on what is most important for their attendees.”

As part of the Hyatt Planner Portal, Hyatt is releasing a new proprietary technology tool to help planners facilitate attendee room reservations. Once the room block is confirmed, meeting planners will receive a custom reservation link on Hyatt.com with their group name, event dates and selected hotel to share with attendees. As attendees confirm their stay, they will automatically be added to rooming lists in the Hyatt Planner Portal for planners’ viewing. Planners will also be able to get a full view of attendees with the option to generate reports in the portal about guest arrivals, cancellations and departures.

In addition to the customised reservation link for attendees, the Hyatt Planner Portal will provide planners with banquet menus, event space floor plans and access to collaborative diagramming software. The tool will also be integrated with Hyatt’s Event Concierge App, a platform that allows planners to make requests directly to the hotel team via a mobile app, and Group Bill, which organises all costs into a single invoice for easy payment.

The Hyatt Planner Portal is by invitation only and will be available across Hyatt’s global portfolio in early 2019.

Flying for the long haul

By Rachel AJ Lee

October 25, 2018

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How has the response been to United Airline’s direct flight between Singapore and San Francisco?
The performance of the SIN-SFO route has been meeting our original expectations. With the increasing travel demand to Singapore/the US, we decided to introduce a second daily non-stop flight in October as it adds to the current morning departure from Singapore, where customers can choose to depart in the evening.

This allows for more flight schedule choices and ease of travel. We want to provide our customers with more choices of arrival and departure times to fit their travel needs between Singapore and the US’ West Coast and beyond.

How significant is the addition of the flight? And why has it taken so long before United decided to launch the service this month, two years after the inaugural flight?
United Airlines started operating the SIN-SFO route in June 2016. In every market we serve, we continuously review and measure demand and performance. After careful analysis, we were made aware of our customers’ strong desire for alternative departure and arrival times from Singapore to San Francisco.

Is the airline looking to start any more direct flights from other Asian country?
Our immediate focus is to have successful twice-daily SIN-SFO service. United will continue to closely monitor the market and add capacity whenever we see sufficient profitable demand.

Are there any new United Airlines lounges opening in Asia?
The United Polaris experience brings a new level of quality to every aspect of premium cabin travel, from lounge to landing, with a special focus on providing a great night’s sleep inflight. We’ve spent years gathering feedback from our customers, incorporating it into everything from seat design to dining options, and fine-tuning each element of our service to ensure that we’re providing an experience that not only meets customers’ needs, but goes above and beyond.

United Polaris lounge is the only lounge of its kind offered by a US airline to business class customers – featuring custom-designed chairs, private daybeds, spa-like showers and chef-inspired hot meals that are all carefully crafted for our customers’ best pre-flight experience.

The first United Polaris lounge was opened at Chicago O’Hare on December 1, 2016. Next up is the United Polaris lounge at Los Angeles International Airport which is slated to open soon. We also plan to open United Polaris lounges in Hong Kong and Tokyo/Narita after 2019.

What is the percentage of business vs leisure travellers for the routes that United serves between Singapore and the US?
United is a full-service carrier and we are targeting the corporate travel market with the United Polaris business class, as well as the leisure customer. As in any market, the actual mix of business to leisure traffic will vary from month to month. We anticipate there will be balanced demand from both sides of the Pacific for this service.

What other developments or trends have you noticed?
United’s primary market are business travellers, and Singapore is one of the world’s most important business destinations.

The business and social ecosystem in Singapore and Asia is more complex and evolved than ever before, and that means an increased demand for routes that enable hassle-free travel for business and leisure travel.

With the SIN-SFO route, we are able to offer more opportunities and choices for Singapore business travellers.

With Singapore’s goal on becoming a “smart nation”, providing increased connectivity to Silicon Valley is opportune. United has therefore positioned itself with more non-stop services per week to SFO than any other carriers.

Steady growth for M&E sector in 2019: AMEX GBT

By TTGmice

October 25, 2018

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A decade after the 2008 global economic recession, the meetings industry has bounced back and settled into a new normal of steady and stable growth, according to the 2019 Global Meetings and Events Forecast by American Express Meetings & Events (M&E), a division of American Express Global Business Travel (GBT).

In 2019, global meetings activity is expected to grow along with small increases in budget allocation for meetings and events. Consolidation across the industry and the rise of disruptive suppliers creates an environment where meeting planners feel more pressure but also have more choice. This dynamic allows the industry to collectively tackle long-term challenges, such as live inventory for small and simple meetings, and increased opportunities for attendee engagement. Regional forecasts are also optimistic, reflecting overall industry sentiment.

The meetings industry has achieved consistent growth in spend and attendees for the fourth consecutive year, solidifying its value as a business enabler

Surveyed planners agreed that the General Data Protection Regulation is impacting the industry far beyond Europe where the regulation was developed. As emerging technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and facial recognition transform meetings and events and create more data, compliance and privacy concerns will only grow in importance. These technologies offer attendees what they’re becoming accustomed to in their daily lives, making meetings more immersive and engaging.

“2019 will be a growth year for the meetings industry, with activity expected to increase across all meeting types and regions,” said Issa Jouaneh, senior vice president & general manager at American Express M&E. “The challenge before planners is mastering this volume, while working with the reality of expenses increasing at a higher rate than meetings budgets. Strategic meetings built around defined goals that prioritise the attendee experience and embrace technology will continue to elevate meetings as a business tool despite these challenges.”

In the Asia-Pacific, planners are striving to do more with less in the region. Growth is predicted, and while costs are balanced for now, they are rising faster than corporate meetings budgets. This creates pressure for ROI. As a result, one quarter of planners across the region are choosing second-tier destinations to defray costs, up from only 3% the previous year.

Interestingly, priorities for per-attendee spend vary greatly across the region: companies in Japan spend most on incentives, in China the priority is senior leadership meetings, while in Australia, product launches receive the most attention.

The eighth annual Global Meetings Industry Forecast takes a new format for 2019, while continuing to deliver comprehensive data relevant to all those within the industry. New infographics in each section summarise key data points and trends from our global survey of meetings professionals and suppliers, industry data, and in-depth interviews with planners and buyers, meeting, air, and ground suppliers worldwide. The forecast, conducted by American Express Meetings & Events, examines budgets, spend, the number of meetings, and other industry-specific metrics by geographic region.

For the full report, click here to download.

Amara Heritage Trail

By

October 25, 2018

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Senior_tourist_guide_Carol_Dragon_explains_British_artillery_on_Pulau_Blakang_Mati — Guide Carol Dragon talking about the British artillery on the island

Concept
Pulau Blakang Mati (island behind death in Malay) was transformed from a place with centuries of piracy and fierce territorial battles to the pleasure-isle of Sentosa (which means tranquillity) in 1970, and it has not looked back since.

The hour-long trail integrates the buildings’ colonial history with nature and conservation. It is is open to the public, and sets off every weekend starting at 10.00 from the hotel lobby.

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We kicked off the tour with senior tourist guide Carol Dragon from Journeys, who invited us to munch on kacang putih (peanuts) as she narrated how Indian sellers hawked titbits in the past.

Then beneath shady saga and petai trees, we learnt that petai beans used in spicy local sambals (paste made from a variety of chili peppers) are believed to help clear body toxins – which perhaps explains their lingering smell in one’s urine! We also stopped by the hotel’s herb garden to touch and sniff common herbs and spices that go into local cuisine – think lemongrass, curry leaves, holy basil, ginger, pepper and cloves.

Another stark contrast was the Married Soldiers’ Quarters. Constructed between 1897 and 1905, they were upgraded in the 1920s and converted into the luxurious Courtyard and Verandah Suites by Amara. But the boots cleaner contraption has been preserved at the entrance of each doorway.

In addition, the last two air raid shelters in Sentosa are located on the resort grounds. We clambered down, expecting to find a small space with poor ventilation. But the little rooms now sported oscillating fans, and pictures of poignant moments decorating the walls.

Another pleasure was standing at the Sky Pool to view the container port, oil refineries, Southern Islands and South China Sea while listening to how Singapore’s entrepot trade developed, up to today’s petrochemical industry.

The tour concluded with refreshing Gunner cocktails, after which we relished the specially-created colonial lunch.

MICE application
Customisation options for corporate groups include flexible timing, special menus (such as kacang putih with Gunner cocktails, selected herbs and spices, sambal petai side dish), personalised name on dessert plate, trail shirt and memorabilia.

The maximum group size is 20 people. Larger groups will be split into smaller ones. Prices start from S$250 (US$182) nett for 20 people (trail only). If combined with a three-course set lunch, the cost will be S$694.60.

Journeys can also customise tours to include teambonding activities on Palawan Beach, or a guided tour of Fort Siloso (transport required). A recommended group size is 20-30 participants per guide. In this case, prices would start from S$30 and go up to S$50 per person depending on group size and itinerary.

Service
Throughout our walk, our animated guide regaled us with stories, quiz questions, and ‘then and now’ comparisons. The programme was a stimulating mix of physical exercise, light history lesson imparted with great gusto by our tour guide, which was rounded off with delicious F&B.

Contact
Tel: (65) 6825 3873
Website: https://sentosa.amarahotels.com/amara-heritage-trail.html
Email: sales@amarasanctuary.com

Contact
Tel: (65) 6325 1631
Website: www.journeys.com.sg/tours-and-services
Email: discover@journeys.com.sg

St Regis opens its doors in Zhuhai, China

By TTGmice

October 25, 2018

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St_Regis_Zhuhai_Greater_Bay_Ocean_View_King_Room¥ÛÕÂ«¯∫£æ∞¥Û¥≤∑ø — Ocean View King Room

St Regis Hotels & Resorts has made its debut in Zhuhai, part of the Greater Bay area comprising Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzhen.

The St Regis Zhuhai occupies floors 41 to 72 of the Zhuhai Tower, the city’s newest landmark in the business district. It offers 251 guestrooms, including 34 suites and a 1,100m² Presidential Suite. All guest rooms offer panoramic views of the waterways of the Greater Bay area, as well as the historical landscapes and bridge structures of Macau and Zhuhai.

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The hotel offers five restaurants and bars, as well as recreational facilities like the Iridium Spa on the 68^th floor with nine treatment rooms, each outfitted with a Living Earth therapy bed; the fitness centre on the 69^th floor which boasts a heated indoor pool; as well as the outdoor sky pool on the 71^st floor.

For events and functions, the property offers 1,500m² of meeting space such as the rooftop on the 72^nd floor that opens out to views of the the river channel between Hengqin and Macau’s Cotai Strip.

A slice of Japan in the Lion City

By TTGmice

October 24, 2018

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Keyaki-Garden-Pavilion-Exterior — Keyaki Garden Pavilion Exterior

Pan Pacific Singapore has introduced its newest event space, a newly-constructed Garden Pavilion sequestered in its fourth floor open-air space.

The Garden Pavilion sits serenely in the heart of a beautifully-sculpted Japanese garden, and is connected via a short walkway from Keyaki restaurant. The rectangular structure is clad in traditional Shoji-inspired screens, and opens up to a shimmering koi pond.

The Garden Pavilion itself can seat up to 40 people for a sit-down lunch or dinner. In standing cocktail-style, the rectangular space would be able to hold around 80 pax. Keyaki itself can seat up to 140 pax, and it has two private dining rooms. Only Japanese fare from Keyaki will be served at events utilising the pavilion, and menus can be tailored and customised to any palate.

Kaiseki menus for private luncheons or dinners start at S$220 (US$162) per person, while cocktail receptions start at S$80 per person with canapés. The minimum spend for the use of the pavilion is S$6,000++ for dinner and S$5,000++ for lunch.

The Garden Pavilion would certainly be a perfect place to unwind, partake in a delicious meal, and imbibe a glass of wine, after a long day of negotiations and discussions. Opening hours for lunch are 11.30 to from 14.30, while dinners are from 18.30 to 22.30.

Paving new roads

By Pamela Chow

October 24, 2018

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The second half of 2018 conferred Singapore a spread of international fame in the form of high-profile events such as the Trump-Kim summit in June, as well as the premieres of movie Crazy Rich Asians and television series Masterchef Singapore.

Encouraged by this international exposure, business events players here are ramping up their promotions and products, with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) working to woo large conventions and meetings.

Jeannie Lim, executive director, conventions, meetings & incentive travel, STB, told TTGmice: “As with all high-profile visits, (the Summit) places Singapore on the map for international audiences and showcases Singapore as an ideal destination, especially for business and meetings. Having the Summit will also further burnish our credentials as a leading business events city.”

The board is intensifying its partnerships with business events stakeholders, such as industry associations, to promote Singapore “as a hub for their flagship industry events”, explained Lim.

Recently concluded events include the ACTE Global Summit and SACEOS’ Singapore MICE Forum 2018, which drew record attendance numbers. Singapore will also host the ASAE Association Leadership Forum Asia Pacific this month.

Next up, the city state will host Rotary International Convention 2024, which is set to be the largest association convention to be hosted here, with more than 25,000 Rotary members from around the world expected to attend.

Chew Ghim Bok, Singapore’s bid chair for the Rotary International Convention 2024, explained: “We suggested having the main event at one venue, and the plenary and breakout sessions at a nearby hotel or convention centre. Singapore is so small, so this mix-and-match element was also very attractive to the organisers.”

Chew added that Singapore also enjoys strong “regional support” in terms of having a good reputation among its neighbours, who spoke highly of the country’s safety and efficient immigration at the meeting.

Held in Sentosa, the Summit has also given the island a new burst of fame that the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) is riding on.

Lynette Ang, chief marketing officer, SDC, shared: “Building on the opportunities that were brought about by the recent DPRK-USA Singapore Summit, we are now marketing our capabilities as a MICE destination to engage and discuss with destination management companies, professional conference organisers, and even directly with corporates.

“In this regard, beyond being able to tap on our differentiated venues and assets to curate unique meeting and incentive travel experiences, we are also able to offer our safety and security capabilities as required of high-profile events.”

Equally important, Singapore’s reputation as a fun and attractive destination was preened by the premiere of the Crazy Rich Asians movie and the Masterchef Singapore TV show, which have contributed to a host of tour agencies launching itineraries that bring Crazy Rich Asian experiences to reality.

These include Indus Travel’s 12-day Crazy Rich Singapore Culture & Thailand Beaches, which spends four days touring the city’s historic sights, traditional cuisine and natural wonders; as well as Wok ‘n’ Stroll’s Crazy Rich Asians – Behind the Scenes Food Tour, that treats its participants to food mentioned in the novel and movie at venues like Newton Hawker Centre and Joo Chiat; as well as more upscale venues like Bib Gourmand restaurant New Ubin Seafood at CHIJMES, and LeVeL33 Craft-Brewery Restaurant & Lounge.

“When business travellers come to Singapore, they have about three hours (of free time) before their conferences for the whole day. We wanted to give the audience the experience of being a crazy-rich Asian for one evening,” explained Wok ‘n’ Stroll founder and CEO Karni Tomer.

The tour began its first run in August, when it had already garnered bookings for this month, revealed Tomer. She added that the tour – which can accommodate up to 10 pax – is “very suitable for corporate groups”. The agency will market the tour through STB.

Hard Rock Japan names new president as company focuses on expansion

By TTGmice

October 24, 2018

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After naming casino maestro Edward Tracy as CEO of Hard Rock Japan, which was launched last year, Hard Rock International has now appointed Ado Machida as the new president of its Japan unit to oversee the company’s integrated resort initiatives in the country.

With his vast experience in foreign affairs and expertise in international law, finance, business development and team building, Machida is expected to play a key role in leading Hard Rock Japan’s expansion efforts to develop a new luxurious integrated resort in the country.

Machida comes to Hard Rock Japan from Navigators Global, a management consulting organisation. Prior to Navigators Global, Machida was director of policy implementation for the Trump Transition effort. Additionally, he also served as chief domestic policy officer for vice president Cheney, as well as served in various leadership and advisory roles for senator Bob Dole.

He has also held positions with Goldman Sachs, both in New York and Tokyo, and also worked at the Boston Consulting Group based in Tokyo early in his career.

An unexpected turn

By S Puvaneswary

October 23, 2018

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Press-Conference,-pix-credit-The-Star-Media_CMYK — Photo by The Star Media

Event brief
An event organiser from the Pakatan Harapan Coalition political party confirmed a booking for the grand ballroom at the new Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel just a day prior to their event, which was to take place on the evening and night of the 14^th General Election on May 9. The organiser needed the venue for some 150 invited guests to watch live streaming of voting results from polling stations across the country.

Press conference. Photo by The Star Media

Challenges
What started off as a typical evening at the hotel took a drastic turn after 22.00, when the polling results started to favour the Pakatan Harapan Coalition party over the incumbent Barisan Nasional party which had been the ruling party for the past 60 years.

As the vote counting progressed, it suddenly seemed possible that the Pakatan Harapan coalition might actually win the election and form a new government. With this, well-wishers, supporters and party members started to throng the hotel lobby. Many insisted on entering the grand ballroom to be with party members.

Joining the growing crowd were press members from local and international media organisations although no press briefings were scheduled at the beginning. From just 150 expected guests, the crowd ballooned to around 600. The hotel had a crowd control issue in its hands. The organiser’s own security staff was also outnumbered by the crowd.

Christopher Moore, the hotel general manager, recalled: “As more and more people gathered at the hotel, we heard that party leaders of Pakatan Harapan were also on their way. We knew we had a very important function on our hands with many top politicians joining in.”

More hands were urgently needed on deck, but with election day being a national public holiday, many hotel managers and staff were not at work.

Moore added: “Another challenge was to keep the press away from the ballroom and the proceedings inside. Later, many photographers and film crew stood on our marble table tops and chairs to secure a vantage point during the press conference.

“And when the Coalition leaders arrived, we had to ensure their safety and that their movements were not hampered by the unruly crowd.”

Solution
Many staff who were not working on that day were recalled to work that night, and they were given temporary new responsibilities. This included managing the crowd and the media, and to ensure the growing list of requirements of the organiser was taken care of. The hotel also sealed the lifts and escalators leading to the ballroom on the third floor, barring unauthorised personnel.

The hotel security and staff assisted the organiser’s security team in ensuring people who entered the ballroom were legitimate guests.

Moore recalled: “It was a difficult task as some of those who turned up also held titles and insisted that they be let into the ballroom. They claimed to be invited guests but they didn’t have the necessary tags. It was quite challenging!”

To deal with the growing number of members of the press, the hotel chose to contain them in the foyer area, one floor below the grand ballroom.

“We also suggested that the organiser kept them updated on press briefing timings. We believed that would keep the press from getting restless and unruly while they waited,” he explained.

Moore said many of the press members had waited for more than two hours for the press conference to begin, and it finally took place close to midnight. In the meantime, the hotel distributed bottled water and allocated manpower in the foyer area to prevent “the press photographers and film crew from damaging our furniture”.

Key takeaways
Moore said the team spirit of the staff that night was incredible.

“They didn’t mind being recalled to work on a public holiday as they believed they were serving the nation and were being part of history in the making,” he said.

“They worked as a team. Their patience and ability to think on their feet to provide solutions to all the challenges that night was what made this event a success.”

Sentosa poised for new hotel cluster, redevelopment

By Pamela Chow

October 23, 2018

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Sentosa and its surrounding waterfront areas will undergo total rejuvenation and development, following announcements by key players and agencies at ITB Asia 2018.

Three new hotels were announced yesterday by Far East Hospitality’s CEO, Arthur Kiong, to bring the island destination “a wonderful mid-tier range of products”.

From left: Far East Hospitality Management’s Christine Choo, Gill Ishwinder and Arthur Kiong

These are Village Hotel at Sentosa, offering 606 rooms including family rooms, as well as the 193-key adults-only The Outpost Hotel – both slated to welcome guests in April 2019. Come 3Q2019, The Barracks Hotel will open with 40 rooms in a conserved colonial building.

The three properties will raise Sentosa’s total room count to 4,200, and their rooms will be “egalitarian” and “priced effectively”, said Kiong.

He explained: “Sentosa is a driver of business (for Singapore’s tourism) and is very popular, but it’s interesting that 90 per cent of its room inventory are in the luxury class.

“(Our new cluster) caters to families, groups, business events and niche segments. Visitors may be encouraged to extend their stay in Singapore and Sentosa from one to two days.”

This comes on the back of an announcement by Singapore’s senior minister of state for trade and industry, Chee Hong Tat, of plans to reshape the entire Sentosa island, as well as to develop the adjacent Pulau Brani, and the 1,000ha waterfront area along Tanjong Pagar.

This area, which Chee said is “as large as Sentosa itself”, will be branded the Southern Gateway of Asia. He revealed: “One area which I am personally very keen to explore and push ahead is how we can encourage more activities at night on Sentosa.”

Kiong expressed: “This is the harbinger of very, very exciting developments for Sentosa as well as the rest of the precinct.”

Hyatt launches new tool for meetings and events planners

Flying for the long haul

Steady growth for M&E sector in 2019: AMEX GBT

Amara Heritage Trail

St Regis opens its doors in Zhuhai, China

A slice of Japan in the Lion City

Paving new roads

Hard Rock Japan names new president as company focuses on expansion

An unexpected turn

Sentosa poised for new hotel cluster, redevelopment

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