Malaysia’s Business Events Industry Ready To Embrace Change

July 30, 2018

Brought to you by The Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB).

Kuala Lumpur, 30 July 2018 – Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) is proud to bring the fourth edition of the Malaysia Business Events Week (MBEW). Taking place from the 12-14 August 2018, MBEW will be held in the state of Pahang, at one of the country’s most iconic resorts development, the Genting International Convention Centre by Resorts World Genting.

A signature initiative of the national bureau, MBEW acts as a dynamic platform for industry stakeholders to converge, communicate and debate issues that impact the future growth and sustainability of the business events industry.

This year, the 4^th MBEW carries the theme ‘Our Future by Design: Embracing Change’. The theme aims to communicate the ability and readiness of Malaysia’s business events landscape to embrace change, given its robustness and well-developed global standard offerings.

Participants will be able to pick the brains of international speakers, including Pádraic Gilligan, Managing Partner of specialist MICE agency, SoolNua; Tina Altieri, Managing Principal at Media Australasia Xchange (MAX); Effi Setiabudi, Chairman of Indonesia Exhibition Companies Association and Chua Wee Phong, Chairman of Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd.

Business events industry’s stakeholders including professional conference organisers, event managers, destination management companies, government agencies and other industry players should not miss this instalment of MBEW. Participants can expect to gain insightful trends, strategies to obtain impactful results, new ideas and opportunities to form strategic alliances.

To be part of this dynamic event, prices are categorised:

Category	Prices (RM)
MyCEB Industry Partners/MACEOS members	RM 848.00 nett
Non-members	RM 1,060.00 nett
Associations/Academicians	RM 318.00 nett

* For every three (03) full paying delegates, a fourth delegate is complimentary.

For more information on MBEW, visit www.mbew.com.my or email mbewsec@myceb.com.my.

Izad Ismail Abdullah
Manager, PR & Communications and Digital
Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB)
T: +603 2264 3058 M: +6019-3149606
E: izad@myceb.com.my W: www.myceb.com.my #myceb

About MyCEB

MyCEB was established in 2009 by Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia to further strengthen Malaysia’s business tourism brand and position for the international business events market. A non-profit organisation, MyCEB serves as a central hub to assist meeting and event planners to bid for and stage international business events in Malaysia and act as a conduit for national product development. MyCEB’s goal is to improve its rankings as an international meetings destination within International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and to grow business tourism arrivals to Malaysia.

In December 2016, MyCEB mapped out the way forward for Malaysia in business events with the launch of ‘Malaysia’s Business Events Roadmap: Charting Malaysia’s Journey to 2020 and Beyond’. In helping to power Malaysia’s knowledge and creative economy, the business events roadmap will lay the groundwork, set up and manage the platforms for collaboration and support the development of strong local hosts.

Malaysia Major Events, previously known as International Events Unit (IEU) is another division of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB). It focuses on identifying and supporting major event bids for sports, arts, lifestyle and entertainment events. It also assists home grown and home hosted events as well as other cluster events that strengthen Malaysia’s global appeal as an international avenue for major events.

For more information, please visit www.myceb.com.my and follow us on www.facebook.com/MyCEB, Twitter (@MyCEB) and Instagram/MyCEB

Innovative incentives powerful for talent retention and acquisition

By Pamela Chow

July 26, 2018

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Corporate incentive trips are growing as a pull for talent retention and acquisition, opening avenues for planners and suppliers to introduce more innovative products.

This information was revealed in a joint survey by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB).

The appeal of incentive trips has grown, especially with baby boomers

Focusing on how the Asian incentives market is impacting business events, the survey’s initial findings showed that in some 65 per cent of cases, the attractiveness of company trips has even overtaken financial incentives, said Karen Bolinger, CEO of MCB, who was speaking at the Singapore MICE Forum (SMF) 2018 on Tuesday.

Additionally, incentive travel beyond Asia is expected to increase by 50 per cent, and companies are using these trips to motivate, attract and retain staff, shared Sherrif Karamat, president & CEO, PCMA.

As a result, trip planners now demand more innovative and out-of-the-box experiences from their suppliers. Karamat observed: “In the Asian market, the ‘been there, done that’ idea is very present.

PCMA’s Sherrif Karamat and MCB’s Karen Bolinger speaking at SMF

“This presents a huge opportunity for destinations that are not as well known (yet) to create unique experiences. Established destinations – such as Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore and London – must also reinvent to introduce new experiences, (and not just offer) the same old ones.”

These experiences should also be “value for money”, Karamat pointed out. The survey also showed that a total of 59 per cent of companies anticipate a decrease or no change in incentive budget.

Bolinger advised: “This is a generation of globetrotting baby boomers who are tech-savvy and affluent. They want experiences that money can’t buy. Their expectations are high, and they’re not taking the stock standards like Harbour Bridge and Opera House. It’s important to think about what locals do every day that is undiscovered by visitors. Give them something to talk about.”

For example, instead of merely looking at street art, a recent incentive group in Melbourne was involved in creating public street art that in turn drew crowds, said Bolinger.

Hotel Indigo to make New Zealand debut with Auckland opening

By TTGmice

July 26, 2018

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Come 2021, the City of Sails will soon be home to New Zealand’s first Hotel Indigo.

The 225-room Hotel Indigo Auckland will be part of a mixed-use development in a coveted Auckland Central location and its design will be inspired by the local scene.

The hotel will feature its own all-day dining and bar, meeting space and gym, and a majority of rooms will offer stunning views of the city and Auckland’s harbour.

Hotel Indigo Auckland will also provide convenient access to Sky Tower, the new NZ International Convention Centre, Sky City Casino, CBD office buildings, and entertainment precinct of Britomart and Viaduct.

Crowdsourcing gets in the events spotlight

By Pamela Chow

July 26, 2018

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Crowdsourcing from event delegates is fast becoming a viable method of building effective business events, said industry speakers at the Singapore MICE Forum (SMF) 2018 on Tuesday.

Experts also emphasised the importance of building a community spirit among event attendees, and the need to offer more relevant content and formats based on participants’ input.

Auckland Tourism’s Steve Armitage speaking at the SMF

This will “bring people together and give them a common purpose, and they become so invested in it that they want to see it work”, explained Steve Armitage, general manager – destination of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development.

Auckland Tourism has adopted crowdsourcing as a way to develop awareness of the city as a tourism destination. This method has given the city a “strong platform to tell its story”, described Armitage, who espoused it as “a smart way of generating publicity and the profile” of events companies.

“You have to ensure that the engaged communities can see themselves in the end-product. Initially, we had sceptics, but when the momentum had been started, people wanted to be a part of it, because it has resonance and the community (is driven by) purpose,” he said.

He further advised that crowdsourcing should involve not just industry leaders, but also influential figures and the wider community of participants – especially in key markets – who can benefit from the project.

Epi Ludvik, founder & CEO, Crowdsourcing Week, cautioned companies against adopting it for “just a marketing story”.

He remarked: “We’re moving towards immersing the user. Everyone (should have) the opportunity to get something in return.”

Pavilion and Banyan Tree hotels to work in tandem to pull in more MICE events

By S Puvaneswary

July 26, 2018

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Pavilion_Hotel_KL_ballroom_(2) — Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur's ballroom

Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur, which opened on July 1, and Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed by Banyan Tree, soon to open in 4Q2018, will be working in tandem to capture a larger share of the business events segment in Malaysia.

Shereen Chow, director of sales & marketing of both properties, said the opening of Pavilion Hotel with its larger meetings facilities will be an added advantage, as the former will only be able to accommodate bigger group sizes as Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur only has three boardrooms and 55 guestrooms and suites.

This is in comparison to the upcoming Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed by Banyan Tree which will boast 325 rooms, including 26 suites. The hotel will be located on the upper floors of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Mall from Levels 7 to 18, and just across the road from Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur.

Pavilion Hotel’s meeting facilities, all located on level 7, will comprise a ballroom which can seat 800 people in a theatre seating or 400 people in banquet seating. It will also boast five meeting rooms with natural sunlight, as well as a crescent-shaped function area that also serves as a foyer area for the ballroom.

Chow added that the available facilities in the two properties complement one another and will provide greater choice offerings to delegates. Moreover, both properties will be managed by a centralised events team that will see through an event from conceptualisation to materialisation.

She cited an example: “VIPs can be housed at the luxury, five-star Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur while other delegates stay at the upscale, and also five-star Pavilion Hotel. In total, the two properties have seven dining venues with cross-signing facilities, which will provide organisers with options for dine around events.

Chow added that Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur has the distinction of having the highest hotel rooftop bar in the capital – Vertigo on Level 59, which is “ideal for holding welcome cocktail receptions and product launches for up to 160 people”. Vertigo can also be used for teambuilding events such as cocktail-making and cooking.

Jakarta hotel to be rebranded as Wyndham

By TTGmice

July 26, 2018

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Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is expanding the presence of its upscale Wyndham brand in Indonesia with the Wyndham Casablanca Jakarta.

The 280-key Wyndham Casablanca Jakarta, previously known as Park Lane Hotel Jakarta, will be the sixth Wyndham-branded property for Indonesia after rebranding. It will undergo a refurbishment before opening its doors early next year.

Park Lane Hotel Jakarta will from January 2019 be known as Wyndham Casablanca Jakarta (photo credit: Facebook/parklanejkt)

The five-star property will offer a selection of rooms and suites along with one-, two- and three-bedroom residences. Guests will have access to complimentary Wi-Fi and facilities including a restaurant, a 40m-long swimming pool, jacuzzi and children’s wading pool, gym, 10 meeting rooms, spa and wellness centre and a kids’ club.

The property is located 32km from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, and is positioned close to the city’s key business and entertainment precincts.

Barry Robinson, president and managing director international operations, Wyndham Destinations Asia-Pacific, said in a statement: “Indonesia is a key destination for Wyndham with our nationwide portfolio now at 10 properties. We have firm plans to expand in the years ahead.”

The five-star hotel will be the 10th hotel in Indonesia managed by Wyndham Hotel Management, an Indonesian subsidiary and management arm of Wyndham Destinations.

Beyond Asia: Aloft City Centre Deira, Los Cabos International Convention Center, and Radisson Blu Hotel, Prague

By TTGmice

July 26, 2018

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New movie-themed hotel opens in Dubai
Marriott International has opened the Aloft City Centre Deira, the company’s design-led Aloft brand’s third property in the city of Dubai.

Directly connected to City Centre Deira, Aloft features 304 loft-inspired rooms and suites – including four cinema-themed suites. Suite themes include Bollywood, Hollywood, Agent House and a specially-created Dubai superhero suite. Rooms also feature custom amenities by Bliss Spa, 49-inch LED TVs with Chromecast and SPG Keyless, the industry’s first mobile check-in system where guests can utilise their mobile phones as room keys.

Facilities include six F&B venues, an outdoor movie, fitness centre, and an infinity pool with views over the city. Meanwhile, event planners can make use of one of the five meeting rooms – equipped with technology such as smart boards that sync notes directly onto your phone – or the Backyard, the hotel’s outdoor event space.

Los Cabos International Convention Center opens for business
The Los Cabos International Convention Center (ICC) in Baja California Sur, Mexico, has reopened its doors after its renovation.

With more than 6,690m² functional meeting space for large-scale events, the center in San Jose Del Cabo can accommodate a capacity of 8,000 people. Built with sustainability at its core, the new ICC is a modern, LEED certified meeting facility featuring state-of-the-art technology, solar panels, water treatment and reclamation facilities and LED lighting. The ICC will also be home to the world’s largest green wall at 2,694m², which serves as an insulator and prevents the building from overheating in warm summer months.

“The renovation and grand reopening of this state-of-the-art convention center is a transformative moment for Los Cabos tourism as we elevate our offerings across the board to attract new travellers – business and leisure alike – to the destination,” said Rodrigo Esponda, managing director, Los Cabos Tourism Board.

In 2017, the meetings industry represented 14.3 per cent of tourist arrivals to Los Cabos with more than 340,000 visitors. Statewide, meetings also accounted for 7.8 per cent of Baja California Sur’s GDP.

New Radisson Blu signed in Prague
The Radisson Blu Hotel, Prague is a rebranding and complete renovation of an existing hotel and is scheduled to open in 2Q2019.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Prague will feature 160 guestrooms – including premium suites of more than 40m². The dining facilities include a lobby bar and lounge, a terrace bar with views over Prague and an all-day dining restaurant. The meeting and events area will be redesigned and will be comprised of six flexible conference rooms and a dedicated foyer. The hotel will also have a well-equipped gym and one spa treatment room.

The historic hotel building is located at the heart of Charles Square and well-positioned within walking distance of both Prague’s Old Town and New Town.

Oakwood Apartments Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo, is now open

By TTGmice

July 26, 2018

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Oakwood Apartments Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo has opened with 40 fully furnished serviced apartments in the heart of Shinjuku.

Offering a choice of apartments ranging from studios to one-bedroom units, all 40 apartments come fully furnished with well-equipped kitchens including crockeries and cutlery. The apartments also include household appliances and home entertainment systems. Guests will have access to services and facilities such as multilingual concierge and front desk services, regular housekeeping, high speed Wi-Fi and a residents’ lounge.

The serviced apartment is also within walking distance from two subway lines including the JR Shinjuku Station.

Oakwood currently operates 12 properties in Japan, with the Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Shin-Osaka opening next on August 1.

W Kuala Lumpur names Christian Metzner as GM

By TTGmice

July 26, 2018

0

W Hotels Worldwide has appointed Christian Metzner as general manager of the soon-to-open W Kuala Lumpur.

Metzner joins W Kuala Lumpur from The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi, where he has been general manager since 2014.

The German brings with him a wealth of experience, having been part of Marriott International for the past 15 years. His career first began in 1996 at the Arabella Sheraton Complex South Germany in Munich, and he has since held numerous positions within the company across two continents, including leadership roles in Beijing and Tianjin.

Jean-François Ferret named new CEO at SLH

By TTGmice

July 25, 2018

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Jean-François Ferret will assume the post of CEO at Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) starting September 2018.

Ferret replaces Filip Boyen who has resigned from his position at SLH after three years.

Based in the company’s London headquarters, Ferret will take responsibility for SLH’s international teams and will lead strategic direction of the brand’s luxury portfolio of over 500 SLH hotels in more than 80 countries.

Ferret was most recently the CEO of the French association Relais & Châteaux. Before that, he was the director general of Hertz France and prior, managing director and president of Manpower France.

In his 30-year career, he has also held travel and hospitality positions as deputy managing director of American Express Travel (France), managing director of Thomas Cook (France), senior vice president of Thomas Cook (West Europe) and CFO of Compass Group (Europe).

Malaysia’s Business Events Industry Ready To Embrace Change

Innovative incentives powerful for talent retention and acquisition

Hotel Indigo to make New Zealand debut with Auckland opening

Crowdsourcing gets in the events spotlight

Pavilion and Banyan Tree hotels to work in tandem to pull in more MICE events

Jakarta hotel to be rebranded as Wyndham

Beyond Asia: Aloft City Centre Deira, Los Cabos International Convention Center, and Radisson Blu Hotel, Prague

Oakwood Apartments Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo, is now open

W Kuala Lumpur names Christian Metzner as GM

Jean-François Ferret named new CEO at SLH

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