SAP has rebranded travel and expense management company, Concur, following the acquisition of the firm in 2014.
The company is now SAP Concur, and the unified brand will continue to focus on scale, development of solutions and cross-integration of corporate spend management. It will also enable SAP Concur to leverage and drive innovation and continue to simplify expense, travel and invoice management for greater visibility and control.
SAP has rebranded Concur to SAP Concur
With a connected experience, businesses can manage all of their spend—across expense, travel and invoice—in the cloud, and with native integration with SAP.
“Through this unified brand experience, we can tap into SAP’s vast resources to focus more than ever on innovation and our customers’ unique needs. Customers can continue to count on our commitment to help them run their businesses better,” said Jessica Shapiro, vice president, corporate marketing, SAP Concur, in a press statement.
“Taking this next step to align these two powerful brands will help us deliver maximum value to our customers,” said Alicia Tillman, CMO, SAP.
“SAP strives to empower a culture of purpose, value and collaboration, and together with SAP Concur, we are committing to help businesses of all sizes run at their best,” concluded Tillman.
Singapore-based Keppel Land Hospitality will open the 195-key Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City in the upmarket District 1 along Le Loi Boulevard in early 2018.
The apartments will be housed within levels 28 through 42 of Saigon Centre Tower 2. Each apartment will feature modern décor with hints of Vietnamese cultural elements, and floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the city.
Another long-stay option has popped up for business travellers to HCMC
Studios and one- to three-bedroom apartments with multiple configurations will be available for short- and long-term bookings. In addition, the flexible design layout allows for select studio units to be combined with two- and three-bedroom units to cater to large families.
Guests will be able to enjoy amenities including 24-hour concierge and security, laundry and dry-cleaning services, room service and airport transfers. Recreational facilities include a swimming pool, resident’s lounge, and a restaurant serving varied cuisine.
Meanwhile, Saigon Centre is comprised of Grade ‘A’ office space and a retail mall with local and international fashion, contemporary home décor galleries, and a diverse mix of dining establishments.
The iconic hotel has postponed its closure until January 2019
Originally slated to close for redevelopment on April 16 this year, Dusit Thani Bangkok will now operate as usual until January 5, 2019.
According to Dusit International, the closing date has been postponed to allow the hotel company and its partners more time to add greater value to the new version of the hotel, which will open as part of a 36.7 billion baht (US$1.1 billion) mixed-use project to be built in partnership with Central Pattana.
The iconic hotel has postponed its closure until January 2019
Suphajee Suthumpun, group CEO, Dusit International, said that while the majority of guest feedback on redevelopment was positive, there were also those who wondered how Dusit could “embrace our heritage and continue our legacy in a new building”.
“The answer, of course, lies in taking our time to ensure we get it right,” Suphajee said. “We are exploring many ways to add value to the new hotel and mixed-use project in terms of design and innovation. This includes embracing a green concept,… creating direct links to both the MRT and BTS mass transit rail systems, and alleviating traffic in the area by providing new infrastructure.”
Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and Solution Entertainment will collaborate once again to deliver the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) Welcome Event on February 19, 2018.
Supported by the City of Melbourne, the event will take place at the heritage-listed Ormond Collective by The Big Group, located on the fringe of Melbourne’s CBD. The art deco-style Ormond Hall will be transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour, with various indoor and outdoor zones paying attribute to Melbourne’s music, theatre, dance and gastronomical festival virtues.
The Welcome Event will also act as the platform to launch Ormond Collective, after the space underwent refurbishments to its building and gardens.
Brad Hampel, director of Solution Entertainment, said in a statement: “The bar has been set high for the AIME Welcome Event and we’re committed to delivering another impactful and entertaining evening, with a few surprises along the way.
“We understand this event requires a mixture of networking opportunities combined with fun so have designed the space to ensure attendees can tailor their experience to get the outcomes they are seeking,” he added.
Ticketing for the event is now limited to official exhibitors, hosted buyers, registered trade buyers and hosted media at www.aime.com.au. Trade suppliers who are not exhibiting will no longer have access to the event.
McNab: trainings and mentorship programmes to build more women leaders
In keeping with Marriott International’s commitment to develop and empower future women leaders, Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel and The St Regis Macao recently brought together close to 40 senior hospitality professionals from the two hotels as well as sister properties JW Marriott Hotel Macau and The Ritz Carlton Macau.
Hosted by Janet McNab, managing director of Sheraton Grand Macao and The St Regis Macao, the networking dinner held at the Astor Ballroom at The St Regis Macao, saw industry leaders introduced to the evening’s theme of Know Your Limits & Have None.
McNab: trainings and mentorship programmes to build more women leaders
This was delivered through an inspiring and entertaining talk by executive coach Janine Manning, a specialist in personal branding with over 15 years of global business experience and seven years of coaching and facilitating corporate clients in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and throughout Asia.
The event forms part of Marriott International’s programme of bringing women together in Asia to share experiences, challenge thinking and inspire each other to achieve their goals and aspirations.
McNab is one of the appointed ambassadors tasked with driving this initiative in Macao.
“In our industry, I don’t believe we should focus on one gender being dominant over the other as I have also worked with many fantastic men. The hospitality industry is one that is broad-scoped and presents equal opportunities for all,” said McNab.
“That said, while we see a more and more women entering the industry, the percentages at a higher level are still skewed towards male leadership. As the world’s largest hotel company, it is important that we at Marriott International encourage our female associates to assume more senior positions through the right trainings and mentorship programmes.”
Since becoming the world’s largest hotel group in September 2016, the Marriott family has grown to over half a million employees globally. Having women in leadership positions is a vital part of Marriott International’s strategy for growth and success and reflects the company’s broader commitment to enabling opportunities for women, both in and out of the workplace.
The company was named one of the Fortune 100 Best Places to Work For in 2017 and has a critical mass of women in leadership roles throughout the globe.
Editor’s note: Janet McNab is featured in TTGmice December 2017/January 2018’s cover feature, Graceful Powers, as one of the women in Asia-Pacific who has played a major role in the growth of the region’s business events industry. The cover feature also discusses the importance of gender diversity at the leadership level and how that benefits corporate performance.
Why did you first joined the industry and what has made you stay? I got a job as a legislative assistant for a US senator after I graduated from university, and it was a friend who advised me to get involved with the events industry.
The exhibitions and events industry (provides) an exciting and compelling career for someone with my personality. I have always been interested in face-to-face experiential marketing, and I want to design, create, engage, see new things and meet new people.
I started by selling booth space and sponsorship for the National Home Health Care Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, before becoming an international sales and marketing subject matter expert. From there, I continued to move up the management ladder.
I then took on a senior management role as executive vice president (for North America) with Messe Frankfurt in 2010, before joining FreemanXP in December 2014. I have not looked back or regretted one moment of my career.
How long have you been involved with IAEE, what roles have you played and how did you become its chairperson?
I have been a member for 25 years. I was on the Southeastern Chapter board for five years and ultimately became the chairperson. I have also chaired the Education Committee and Finance Committee.
Prior to being the (IAEE) chair-elect and chair of CEIR (Center for Exhibition Industry Research, which is aligned with IAEE to produce forward-looking research), I was the secretary/treasurer for two years. I have been on the board’s executive committee for four years.
What is on your agenda as you take over as chairperson for the upcoming year?
I am aligning my agenda with IAEE’s strategic pillars of advocacy, learning, and providing a technologically advanced experience in all aspects of exhibition industry marketplaces. I also want to further position IAEE’s annual meeting and exhibition Expo! Expo! as the face-to-face resource for the ever-changing trade show environment.
I want to focus on various other aspects such as industry cooperation; global business expansion and the application of universal metrics, protocols, ROI, advocacy and expectations; a trade show certification model; international promotion, expansion and recognition of membership; the changing business model and the influence of technology and globalisation; the CEM (Certified in Exhibition Management) global programme – region specific and advanced, the Art of the Show – remedial and advance; CEIR; and quality of life challenges in our industry and how to create a better environment.
What is IAEE’s footprint in Asia-Pacific, and in what areas do you see opportunities to grow?
China (with 800 IAEE CEM professionals in 2016) is second only to the US in the number of CEM professionals. We have reciprocal agreements with several regional associations, and continue to provide education and training opportunities to the entire Asia-Pacific region. We will recognise sustained growth as our CEM content becomes more relevant and region-specific.
How did the AFECA (Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations)-IAEE MoU come about in 2015 and what do you hope to achieve during your term as chairperson?
For many years, Walter Yeh (AFECA president and president and CEO, TAITRA [Taiwan External Trade Development Council]) and Edward Liu (immediate-past AFECA president and group managing director, Conference and Exhibition Management Services) have been great IAEE advocates in Asia.
Through our relationship with Edward, we signed a reciprocity agreement with AFECA in 2007 that has carried through to today. Then in 2012, through Walter and TAITRA, we expanded our CEM licensee agreement to further expand the IAEE brand in Asia.
Since many Asian countries support our CEM programme, it made sense to formalise a collaboration with them. Additionally, we hold joint meetings every January during the China Expo Forum for International Cooperation.
What is the trick to managing work and IAEE duties?
I am very passionate about this industry. I eat, drink, and breathe exhibitions and events. Therefore, managing my work at FreemanXP and IAEE is not something that intimidates or worries me.
We are all busy, but I also firmly believe that we have to take a moment to smell the flowers. Life is too short to not be happy and physically, emotionally and philosophically fulfilled.
What do you do for fun?
I like to spend time with my family. I have two boys and two girls and I am expecting another girl soon. I’d imagine my time management skills will be further tested.
I really enjoy exercise and outdoor activities, travelling and, of course, food is high on the list of things that make life so exciting.
The sprawling reach of Galaxy Macau integrated resort
Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) has painted a positive picture of the destination’s business events landscape and has predicted continued growth in the near future.
The sprawling reach of Galaxy Macau integrated resort
Backing its claims are statistics on business performance in 1Q2017. Macau welcomed 366 business events in that period, comprising 344 meetings and conferences, 15 incentives and seven exhibitions. Macau had more meetings and conferences in that period, up by 50 events year-on-year while attendance rose by 111.9 per cent. The number of incentives in 1Q2017 has also gone up by three.
IPIM credited Asia-Pacific markets for the improvement in performance, saying that the region was “relatively stable with modest economic growth”.
An IPIM spokesperson added that Macau’s “continual addition of new venues, hotels and infrastructure is…creating more capacity and competition (which) in turn leads to greater efforts by venues and hotels to diversify their business portfolio and increase their marketing efforts in the region”.
The spokesperson believes that Macau, as a “relatively new MICE destination”, is “always attractive” to event planners.
“Macao will continue to be popular for large-scale business events as it is one of the few destinations with (massive) capacity. There are groups that are selecting Macau multiple times because of its capacity and continual rollout of new venues, hotels and attractions,” the spokesperson told TTGmice.
It comes as no surprise that China was a good market for Macau in 2017. Three large groups were confirmed alone in September, and they are set to bring more than 30,000 delegates to Macau.
But what is interesting is the emergence of African interest. IPIM revealed that several applications for its business events subvention programme suddenly emerged out of Africa since mid-2017.
And IPIM wants more from other longhaul markets. It is looking at increasing its promotions in Europe and North America, targeting international association meetings in particular.
“Although Asia-Pacific is our primary source, over 60 per cent of associations are headquartered in Europe, making it the primary market for international association meetings,” explained the spokesperson.
Industry players had also reported rosy performance for 2017.
Daniella Tonetto, general manager, sales and marketing, for both Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel and St. Regis Macao, said: “IT, consulting and direct-selling companies have done well (in 2017). We continue to see…short-lead (meeting bookings) primarily out of Asia. This is more of an opportunity than a challenge, and we are responding to the needs of our (clients) faster than ever,” Tonetto.
She said the hotels have established high brand awareness in third-tier Chinese cities.
“And thanks to the growth of the global economy, more (Chinese) companies are looking to host their events abroad,” she added.
She predicts continued growth out of South-east Asia, Hong Kong and China in 2018.
Sands China, vice president sales, Stephanie Tanpure, also expects 2017’s healthy performance will continue through 2018, “driven by a variety of factors, including the ongoing movement of Chinese citizens to urban centres in China, continued growth of the Chinese outbound tourism market, the increased utilisation of existing transportation infrastructure, the introduction of new transportation infrastructure and the continued increase in hotel room inventory in Macau and neighbouring Hengqin Island”.
“We are seeing some great growth from second-tier cities in China. These cities are the growth engines of the Chinese economy, boosted by an increase in investments, new infrastructure and an influx of new talent. Many of these cities are quickly developing new industries and corporations are flourishing,” said Tanpure.
Olinto Oliveira, business development and events director, MCI Macau Office, said a sign of Macau’s healthy business events industry is the growing number of agency players.
“(2017) has seen a number of new players entering the market – international agencies attempting to penetrate into Macau, or other present companies expanding their offerings and scope. I’ve always been a fan of competition – it forces us to innovate and continue to deliver at the high level of quality which our clients and partners have come to expect from us,” Oliveira explained.
Malaysia is shaping up to be a frontrunner in the business events race in Asia. In 1H2017, it gained an edge in the form of a business events alliance, as well as won hosting rights for three major international business events, which are expected to amount collectively to an economic impact of RM32.7 million (US$7.61 million).
The three winning bids are for the World Tunnel Congress 2020 in conjunction with the 46th International Tunneling and Underground Space Association general assembly (1,500 pax); the 17th World Congress for Endoscopic Surgery of the Skull Base and Brain 2020 (900 pax); and the Congress of the International Board on Books for Young People 2022 (800 pax).
Zulkefli Sharif, CEO, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), said: “These (conferences) augur well for the continued dynamic growth of the business events industry in Malaysia. It brings the country’s business events calendar forward by delivering a business conference that is progressive and at the cutting edge of innovation and business networking.”
Recently, the country hosted five international conferences and exhibitions, expected to generate an estimated economic impact of RM46.9 million with around 6,000 delegates, he added.
Alan Pryor, general manager at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, said competition to be the leading business events destination in Asia is stiff, with contenders counting Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea and China.
In order to reinforce the attractiveness of the capital city and Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in July established the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Business Events Alliance (KLCC BEA) in partnership with key business events players and stakeholders in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre precinct.
Pryor said the KLCC BEA is a collective consisting of the convention centre, hotels, professional event planners, shopping, dining, entertainment and transportation partners.
“The alliance presents a compelling business events offering that provides a single point of first contact for meeting planners and event organisers. A private sector initiative, the KLCC BEA allows us to market the fully-integrated city centre offering and create an all-inclusive proposition for meetings and events from a venue, planner, accommodation and entertainment perspective.”
In 1H2017, the convention centre attracted over 670,000 delegates and visitors and delivered an economic impact of over RM182 million. This was an increase of 194 events and 110,000 delegates and visitors, compared to the corresponding period last year.
More is falling in place, as the Indian origin market, including its business events segment, now benefits from visa relaxation. Earlier this year, the Malaysian government launched a multiple-entry visa for Indian tourists, waived the visa fee of Rs1,000 (US$15.60) and reduced the visa processing fee from Rs5,500 to Rs1,600.
Luxury Tours Malaysia senior manager, Arokia Das, shared: “Prior to the introduction of the multiple-entry visa, Indian organisers used to fly to Bali on Malindo Air and transited in Kula Lumpur.
“Since the visa was introduced, we’ve (gotten) business from a few Indian MICE organisers who opted for a one- or two-night post conference tour in Kuala Lumpur.”
As well, MyCEB is continuing its efforts in China with an annual in-market roadshow. This year, it accompanied 26 industry partners to four key cities – namely Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou. The Chinese business events segment emerged as the top source market for Malaysia, contributing RM436 million in economic impact.
Event brief
TTG Asia Media’s core editorial team meets once a year to discuss learnings from the past year and objectives for the new year and to bond as friends and colleagues over a little fun.
For 2017’s meeting, the editorial team was presented with the option to experience Hilton’s new Meet with Purpose programme which emphasises on sustainable and wellness elements.
Challenges
Every year, the TTG editorial team meeting is confirmed at the very last minute due to the many different business trips taken by the editors, making it difficult to pin everyone down on a single day.
While Hilton Singapore got in touch with me on the Meetings with Purpose proposal in early-July, discussions went back and forth on whether my team could better coincide our time in Singapore or Bangkok, both cities with Hilton hotels. It was not till August 3 when I was able to confirm the meeting for November 6 at Hilton Singapore.
Discussions on programme flow and required venue and logistical support continued to be sporadic, due to my numerous travel assignments which slowed email responses.
Another challenge came in to the form of the meeting venue. Where possible, I tend to avoid hosting our Editorial Powwow in traditional meeting rooms which I find to be an environment that is too stern for candid discussions and performance reviews. Previous Editorial Powwows were held in a resort’s garden on Sentosa island and in the apartment of my predecessor, and the staff reviews in wine bars.
So I asked Hilton Singapore to propose a casual setup for our meeting, and fun activities to revitalise the mind in between serious discussions.
Solution
The Hilton Singapore team, through its publicity agency Rice Communications, was very patient and kept in as much constant touch with me as possible to provide event ideas.
To meet my laid-back ambience requirement, the hotel team placed vibrant coloured bean bags in a circle on which we lounged and talked, while a snack corner where we constantly picked off fresh fruit and nuts completed the relaxed setting.
In line with the Meet with Purpose sustainability and wellness promise, our bento lunch featured ingredients obtained from sustainable sources and had minimal sugar and carbohydrates. It was beautifully presented, tasted top-notch, and truly kept the dreaded post-lunch coma at bay.
Lunch was also preceded by an informative introduction to the hotel’s vertical garden by executive chef Vijayakant Shanmugam. The garden is able to produce up to 100kg of freshly grown vegetables, which will be used in the hotel’s kitchens!
After lunch, a mocktail masterclass awaited us. Through much fun and laughter, we learnt how versatile tonic water was and how combining that with fresh and dehydrated botanicals would give us a refreshing beverage. The experience got all of us buzzing and in an upbeat mood as we moved on to individual staff reviews.
It is also worth noting that mid-morning and mid-afternoon refreshments comprised light bites such as avocado smoothie, spinach quiche, smoked duck bruschetta, yoghurt and lightly sweetened cupcakes, which were fun to eat but did not fill us up too much or bring about a sugar crash.
Event Editorial Powwow 2017 Organiser TTGmice and Hilton Singapore Venue Hilton Singapore Date November 6, 2017 Number of participants 11
CONCERN 1: Long hours and frequent overseas work trips in the business events industry mean lesser time for the family or to start a family, and once child rearing begins, career advancement ends.
I believe that if one is working in the business events industry and is successful, then planning and time management is probably already a key strength of this individual. Longer hours and frequent travel can of course be taxing, and is not suited to everyone, irrespective of gender. However, those same perceived challenges are often the reason for joining the industry in the first place, where one can travel the globe and work with dynamic people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Andrew Chan
CONCERN 2: Running events, especially with onsite operations and all, is too physical for women.
I know a lot of physically fit and strong women that can probably outperform their male counterparts in many operational duties. And if they can’t, it’s all about appropriately assigning operational duties onsite by those managing the event. So, don’t let this be a hindrance in any way!
CONCERN 3: The business events industry does not pay well in comparison to others and to make things worse, a glass ceiling applies to women in Asian companies.
Pay scale would of course be relative to which other industries this was being compared to. Based on our annual Salary Report, the events industry compares relatively well within the broader tourism landscape. And we certainly don’t see a glass ceiling in the Asian region for women. On the contrary, we actually see a greater number of women leaders running highly successful companies as well as taking charge at a broader level in associations and government bodies.
CONCERN 4: Women are seen as being naturally inclined towards their family and have to work even harder than her male peers to “prove herself” at work.
Perhaps there were some truths to this in the past, although I see the gender
gap narrowing significantly, both in compensation and rank, especially in the MICE industry. Companies are also starting to recognise the family and home-life aspect of their employees and structuring their workforce with initiatives that allow a healthier balance.
CONCERN 5: Women are not thought to be assertive enough, and are therefore less likely to be considered for leadership roles.
In a time when staff engagement and retention is at the forefront of most companies’ human capital strategy and key to delivering success, women executives have proven to be stronger in leadership. Thus, fast-tracking of women executives into (top) positions are becoming more common and are happening across many multinational companies.
This feature is part of TTGmice December 2017/January 2018’s cover story, Graceful powers
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.
