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.

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

THE BOSS

Youlia Khouri, Founder and CEO, Innov8 Events, Dubai
What are your responsibilities?
I am the CEO and co-founder, and lead the team that organises all of our events. I work closely with clients to provide what they want, source a range of suppliers and find sponsorships for corporate events, which I like to have a fund-raising aspect.

What brought you into this job?
I got into events almost by accident. I rescued Charlie the macaque and wanted to raise funds to build his enclosure in the protected forest. I organised my first event, Rumble in the Jungle, in 2012 and it was a huge success so it carried on from there.

Was gender misconception ever an issue for you?
I’m not convinced being a woman influences my performance (but) I quickly learned my strength and drive were received negatively: “She’s too strong”, or “She’s like a man”. These are qualities that enable me to excel. I’m sure if a man was in my place the same qualities would be praised as talents.

Cecilia Sanchez, Founder/CEO, Leverage International, Philippines
What are your responsibilities?
I am responsible for all day-to-day management decisions and for implementing our company’s short and long term plans. I make strategic decisions and balance our company’s resources of capital and people.

What brought you into this job?
It was my strong desire to sell the Philippines to the world while at the same time make money. Selling the Philippines while I was with the government was easy. But in the private sector, this was not always possible as there were some hard decisions that were difficult for one to relate to short-term objectives. That was why I decided to strike out on my own.

Was gender misconception ever an issue for you?  
Fortunately not. I guess it is because I do not make my male colleagues feel I am competing with them. I am very lucky to get cooperation and support from them for most of my projects.

THE HOTELIER

Rachael Harman, General manager, Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu
What are your responsibilities?
I am responsible for all aspects of the hotel operation, including guest and employee satisfaction, driving sales and branding initiatives, and achieving strong financial performance.

What brought you into this job?
I grew up in the hospitality industry so it was inevitable that I’d end up (here). My parents owned a wedding reception centre in Adelaide, so from a young age I helped my parents set up the ballroom and was involved in the kitchen and beverage service. I received a partial scholarship to study at the International College of Hotel Management in Adelaide which ignited my passion for the hotel industry and commitment to excellence.

Was gender misconception ever an issue for you?
When I started my career in hospitality, (female general managers are) almost unheard of. Throughout my career, I found mentors and sponsors who challenged me and offered advice and support to help me advance. I’m proud to be part of Marriott International as they are committed to supporting women associates and help them grow personally and professionally.

THE OPS JUGGLER

Jessica Wong, Director of venue operations, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management)
What are your responsibilities?
I lead a big team of over 360 people in different specialities covering housekeeping to safety & security. We have a track record of supporting numerous world-class events at the Centre.

What brought you into this job?
I first joined the housekeeping department of the company in 1989. My supervisors and I realised that I enjoyed and excelled in communicating with people and established good working relations with event organisers and contractors.

I was then transferred from a supporting department to a frontline role as an event manager in the event planning & coordination department in 2002, and then promoted to department head in 2011.

Was gender misconception ever an issue for you?
Never. In fact, male business partners, such as organisers and contractors, seem more patient when they talk to me than to male counterparts. I receive full respect from business partners, especially when they know I have an operation background.

THE VENUE EXPERT

Adrienne Readings, General manager, Gold Coast Convention and
Exhibition Centre
What are your responsibilities?
I have many stakeholders and delivering on KPIs relating to them is part of my overall responsibilities, but my key responsibility is to ensure my team is productive, happy, engaged and safe. If my team is happy, my clients are happy.

What brought you into this job?
I was general manager at Jupiters (now The Star, parent company of Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre) and have a background in business events. It was a natural progression to work with the design teams to ensure that when the Centre was developed it took into account our clients’ requests and preferences.

Afterwards, I didn’t want to go back into hotels. Conference and exhibitions is an exciting, innovative and changing industry and I believe I can add value.

Was gender misconception ever an issue for you?
Never. The only gender misconception has been with my name.

THE CATERER

Nike Wulandari, Cluster director of catering, Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta and The Mulia, Bali
What are your responsibilities?
I perform several roles and work with colleagues across different departments. I coordinate catering requirements with customers and my banquet team, and am involved from the start of preparations to the end of the event. I meet regularly with banquet and catering staff to review arrangement for upcoming events, and makes sure all policies and safety regulations are abided. I am also responsible for the annual budget and business projections for the year ahead for both Mulia properties in Jakarta and Bali.

What brought you into this job?
I started as a catering sales executive, and worked my way up to a management position as sssistant director of catering.

Was gender misconception ever an issue for you?
Never.

This feature is part of TTGmice December 2017/January 2018’s cover story, Graceful powers

Mona Abdul Manap, founder and managing director, Place Borneo, Malaysia
In her early 30s, Mona Abdul Manap is known for being extremely passionate about the work she does, and for her courage to chase after regional and world conferences whose gestation period is around three to five years.

Another aspect that sets Mona apart from other young entrepreneurs is her determination to dedicate time and resources in helping non-profit organisations that lack the resources and expertise to organise conferences and forums to raise awareness of their causes.
Dona Drury Wee, president of Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) said: “Place Borneo has provided invaluable assistance to the SSPCA for many years, in organising an international animal welfare conference (Asia for Animals Borneo), to smaller workshops for our rescuers, volunteers, and local council representatives and also the Animazing Race which includes the Wiggle Waggle Walk and Interfaith Pet Blessing.”

Beatriz Lim, managing director, Team Asia, the Philippines
Thirty-year-old Beatriz Lim is proving to be a professional since becoming the managing director (in 2013) of Team Asia, founded by her high-achieving parents, mom Monette Iturralde-Hamlin and late stepfather Mike Hamlin.

“Taking a challenge head-on is in her genes. Still very young, she is already looking to be one of the industry’s leaders,” said Aye Ubaldo, executive director of the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines, who worked with Lim in various projects.
Peter Hayden, general manager of Capital One Philippines, noted that Lim “balances the unique knowledge of a seasoned veteran in both the PR and event management industry in Asia with… a deep understanding of the young talented workforce… and the role they can play in the dynamic emerging digital economy”.

Kin Qin, deputy general manager, Century Holiday International Travel Group, China
Growing up in the new millennium when tourism in China was taking off, this 32-year-old’s first and only job since completing her hospitality industry studies in Shanghai is with Century Holiday.

Starting in operations and handling South-east Asian tourists, Kin Qin is now in charge of the 20-year-old company’s inbound business – including events. She also manages more than 60 people.

Qin is now working towards her Master of Science in Hotel and Tourism Management from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and until she graduates in November 2018, marriage plans and starting a family are on hold.

“I am one of five female heads in Century Holiday and my aim is very clear. Stay, look for new business opportunities, help the company innovate its online and offline products, and work on my EQ to be a more outgoing leader.”

Crediting managing director James Liang for giving young women the opportunity to develop their careers, Qin said the female heads have his support to balance work and family life.

Sinat Hin, business advisor, Cambodian Rural Development Team
At the age of 29, Sinat Hin, is already making her mark on Cambodia’s tourism industry. Since graduating from tourism management in 2009, she has worked at a string of tour operators, including Hanuman Travel, in a range of roles catering towards corporate clients.
Her ambition and passion has caught the eye of industry experts, who believe she is one to watch.

Kimhean Pich, CEO of Discover the Mekong, said: “Sinat is hard-working, intelligent and ambitious. She has vast experience, a clear understanding of the tourism industry and a promising future.”

Katy Mo, operations director, LORE, Hong Kong
Educated at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Mo’s skills in theatre and corporate events have allowed her to not only lead the conceptual stage of events but also bring to life immersive engagements for an audience of 20 or 20,000. She balances her job and responsibilities at work with time spent grooming the next generation of business events specialists.

According to Joanne Cheng of Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, a business partner of LORE, Mo also stands out with the personable way she interacts with her team and the hotel’s chefs. – Prudence Lui

Chloe Armstrong, event executive, Melbourne Convention Bureau, Australia
Chloe is considered by her peers at the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) as a quiet achiever making a big impact.

After joining the bureau in 2014 as convention services and sponsorship coordinator, she has since been promoted to bid executive and her current role, event executive. Most recently, she was selected by PCMA for its 20 in Their Twenties programme, which recognises emerging leaders globally.

Tuty Elyanie Medali, assistant manager, event support, Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau
Tuty Elyanie Medali is a pioneering staff in Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), joining the organisation in 2010 upon completing her internship at Tourism Malaysia’s convention division.

This is her first job since she graduated in Tourism Management from Universiti Teknologi MARA in Shah Alam. Her duties include being a government liaison for organisers, helping organisers with destination recommendation, site inspections as well as event marketing and promotions.

MyCEB’s CEO Zulkefli Sharif said Tuty “is well on her way to becoming a change agent, reflected by her years of experience and unbridled enthusiasm in shaping the business events industry’s outlook”.

Her recent promotion to her current position is a reflection of MyCEB’s trust in her talent.

This feature is part of TTGmice December 2017/January 2018’s cover story, Graceful powers

Adelina Ye, senior director, sales and distribution – East China, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Macau & South East China, Marriott International
The British and American literature graduate could have become a university lecturer after graduation. Instead, Adelina Ye picked the front office job she was offered, fell in love with the industry, fulfilled her passion to discover the world and learnt four foreign languages along the way.

She has worked in the hospitality industry for 20-plus years developing strategies to penetrate key international and regional business events markets for hotels in strategic destinations like Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin and Sanya.

Due to the dynamic business environment of business events, Ye is constantly challenging herself to innovate and learn from others. “It is not easy to always (be) inspired. Persistence and passion for what I love to do helped me to move up. I always set the bar high and always challenged myself and my team for greater results,” she said.

With the rapid rise of new hotel openings and growth of business events in Asia-Pacific, Ye sees a lot more career opportunities for women today and regards encouraging women to undertake decision-making roles as being critical.

She opined that women in the business tend to be less assertive and some are reluctant to take on leadership roles. “With the increasing number of senior female executives across the region, women will benefit more than ever from guidance and female empowerment programmes (such as Marriott’s Women in Leadership).

“This programme’s mentors are of the highest calibre and comprise senior executives such as Marriott International’s continental, regional and area leaders as well as general managers,” Ye pointed out.

Alicia Yao, managing director, IME Consulting, China
Recognised as one of China’s most respected meetings industry executives, Alicia Yao continues to raise China’s business events profile in the many elected and invited roles she plays in government and private sector industry bodies.

Besides running the company she set up after leaving CITS International MICE, where she was vice president, Yao sits on the China MICE Committee, is a SITE International board member, the IAPCO Education representative in China, regional vice president of ICESAP, and is an active member of MPI, ICCA and PCMA.

In 1983, the English literature graduate was assigned by the government to be an English-speaking guide in CITS.

Yao went on to lead many meeting and incentive programme site inspections and introduced ideas such as dinner on the Great Wall of China, the Great Hall of the People and in the Forbidden City, and cocktails on the Tiananmen Rostrum.

“With business events, there were more opportunities for women to move up the ladder and contribute to China’ economic development,” she said.

The professional standing of women will improve, she believes, if their influence is created and spread in well-known global communities, adding that leaders need to listen, make room for trial and error and encourage others to participate in decision-making.

Amelia Roziman, chief operating officer, Sarawak Convention Bureau
Amelia Roziman grew up in a small village community on the outskirts of Kuching, Sarawak in Malaysia, and regards her career as “an incredible adventure”.

She started out as a graphic designer in San Francisco, in the US, and upon her return to Kuching immersed herself in event management. She then joined the Sarawak Convention Bureau as one of the pioneering team members, first as a sales coordinator, then a bids manager and a destination marketing role.

“Now, I am taking on the bureau’s overall development strategies and championing operational excellence as COO. I have been fortunate to be exposed to so many different roles in the bureau and I believe this has led me to where I am today,” she said.

She regards success as being “synonymous with the drive to learn” and urged the “freshmen of the industry” to be courageous in their pursuit of passion and to never underestimate their talent and the impact they can bring to the society.

For women in business events, she hopes they will be more vocal and not be afraid of executing their ideas.

Anitha Niranjan, managing director, CIM Global India
Having worked in hospitality sector all her life, moving into business events was a natural progression for Anitha Niranjan, managing director, CIM Global.

According to her, strong client relationship has been the key to her success in the association events sector while commitment, confidence and transparency are factors that got her and her team this far.

She finds ample career opportunities for women in business events.
“Women have been in this business for a long time and I see many more are in the industry today. This business is suitable for women and I encourage more to come forward and choose this career and be certified as meeting planners,” she concluded.

For Ho Yoke Ping, having a career in the travel and business events industry has always been her biggest desire. She started off in 2001 with Pacific World Travel, a company with business in destination marketing, airlines and cruises.

“That was how I ventured into marketing. Eight years on, there was an opening in Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and I took up the challenge. MyCEB was just being established. I have always enjoyed being part of a new start-up,” Ho said.

She found that the first few years with MyCEB were the steepest learning curve, but they provided her with valuable personal and professional growth.

She does not think that career opportunities for women today are any different from when she first joined the industry.

“To me, this industry is all about passion and perseverance.”
Ho believes that good leadership is not about being right or wrong, but about being able to shape the solution according to the task on hand and the people involved.

Janet McNab, managing director, Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel Cotai Central and The St Regis Macao Cotai Central
As managing director of the largest Sheraton and St Regis in the world, Janet McNab has to fill 4,400 rooms daily, 15,500m2 of meeting space and hundreds of staff. Guess who she turns to for help? A team of general managers – all women except one.

It isn’t deliberate, and McNab herself strongly believes that either a man or a woman can achieve whatever they want in their career if they put in the effort.

“Rising to the top involves hard work,” said McNab, who rose to her current position after 25 years with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, starting as director of sales & marketing at Sheraton Brisbane Hotel & Towers.

“I am driven, passionate and like to take risks. I don’t believe males and females should be treated differently when aspiring to get to the next level. Ultimately, it is up to you and your own ambition to achieve whatever you want in your career. I believe I have been given an equal chance alongside my colleagues to grow in my hospitality career, and I have chosen to make the most of this opportunity,” said McNab.

“In my role as a leader, I devote time to mentoring and encourage potential women leaders on my team to be confident and make sure their voices are heard at the table,” she said.

Karen Bolinger, CEO, Melbourne Convention Bureau
While Karen Bolinger’s career has always been within hospitality and tourism, her move to business events came in 2000 when she commenced her role as general manager of marketing for the Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau (now Business Events Sydney).

Bolinger has led Melbourne Convention Bureau for seven years and cites leading her team through the move to under the Visit Victoria umbrella while delivering a fifth consecutive year of growth as one of her top achievements.

Recently appointed the president of the Australian Association of Convention Bureaux, Bolinger said that while there are many women in the business, there is an opportunity for greater diversification across stereotypically male roles.

“Around Australia there are very few female general managers of convention centres, more male chefs than female chefs, and more men in finance roles.”

She also sees developing all staff to become leaders, not just women, as crucial to the success of the industry.

As a leader, she encourages her staff to think differently and err away from the norm.

Kitty Wong, president, K & A International Co
Starting out as a casino marketing manager, Kitty Wong stumbled upon conference organisation by accident – when her gynaecologist asked if she could help him organise an OB/GYN congress in 1991.
In 1995 Wong and her sister were requested by Taiwan Visitor Association to organise Taipei ITF tradeshow. In response, K&A – which stands for Kitty and Angela – was founded and began operating locally.
A woman pioneer in the PCO field of the early 90s, Wong recalls several hurdles in the then-male-dominated landscape. She shared: “They only wanted to negotiate with a ‘gentleman’. Sometimes they would say to me, ‘go back and ask your boss, I’m sure he’ll agree with me!’”

At the turn of the millennium, however, more women flocked the playing field and Wong continued to build up K&A’s global connections.
“I spend many hours in the Taiwan Exhibition and Convention Association (TECA) promoting Taiwan and staying friends with our colleagues in the region.

“Now, the business events industry is dominated by women,” she quipped.

Besides K&A, Wong also holds the vice-president and immediate past president seats in TECA and World PCO Alliance respectively.

Liu Ping, founder, China Star Group
The author of My Chinese Dream – From Red Guard to CEO was sent to work in a phosphate mine at 15 and her first job after graduating as an English major was teaching middle school in a south-western Chinese village.

When China started its economic reform in the early-1980s, Liu Ping got a job as an interpreter in the Ministry of Chemical Industry.

“I joined the travel industry in 1992 so that I could get a stable job in the biggest travel company in China and a Beijing hukou (registered permanent residence). I did not know the industry and did not like it either, but later realised that I was so suitable because of my caring and passionate personality,” she said.

Liu was unfazed by corruption, bureaucracy and jealousy or being ridiculed for her naivety and principles. “Now they admire me for my persistence, which has benefited the development of China Star’s business,” she shared.

“I started to focus on business events in 2002 when I set up my own company to… help foreign guests understand and appreciate China more.”

She observed that there are more opportunities for women in business events now than in the last decade, and said she has “been happier and more satisfied working with female professionals”.

“(Women) are more creative, more patient with clients and take more pains in their paper work,” she explained.

Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO, Business Events Sydney
With a diverse background in financial services, resource management, transport and logistics, Lyn Lewis-Smith made the shift to business events as general manager of the Christchurch Convention Bureau in 2000. In 2003, she joined Business Events Sydney as director of sales, moving up the ranks to CEO in 2012, by which time she said she had identified an opportunity to change the narrative within the industry.

“I could see how much value business events brought, and I knew we had to start thinking differently about them,” she told TTGmice.

Of her four-year tenure as president of the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux, she said: “We established a seat at the table with the government, which is now engaging our industry in their policy agendas, and how business events can support them.”

While Lewis-Smith is of the opinion that the tourism industry has traditionally offered better opportunities for women than many other sectors, she believes there are still nowhere near enough women at senior level.

In terms of leadership, Lewis-Smith is focused on driving change and challenging the status quo to deliver commercial outcomes. “I always encourage my team to look for better ways to do things and bring fresh thinking to the table! I know where I add the most value, but I also know when to defer to the experts in my team.”

Marisa D Nallana, president and founding owner, Philippine Exhibits & Themeparks Corp.
Thirty-five years ago, when there were no schools yet that taught exhibition and event organisation, Marisa D Nallana identified her two valuable teachers as on-the-job training and experience.
Today, as president of Philippine Exhibits & Themeparks Corp (PETCO), Nallana splits her time with the Philippine Association of Conventions/Exhibitions Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS) where she is chair, and Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA) where she is one of the founding members and secretary-general.

She uses these associations as avenues for professionalising the industry by sharing her knowledge and mentoring especially the millennials.

Her stint at the Philippine Center for International Trade and Exhibition, the country’s first, armed her with the experience in organising events, which came in handy when she and other industry pioneers founded PETCO.

Nallana is proof that the lack of formal training can be compensated for by investing time and resources to learn new things, establish network, form friendships and maintain ties.

In terms of gender diversity in travel and business events industries, the Philippines appears to be ahead of the curve. Nallana said women were already heads of major organisations when she joined the industry. In the 1970s, the CVB was headed by Elizabeth de la Fuente, travel and tourism by Rajah Tours founder Alejandra Clemente, and exhibition and congress associations by Narzalina Lim.

Nallana thinks she makes a “cool” leader, not strict. “I set directions and communicate the desired results. I have no set procedures, only guidelines,” she explained.

Monica Lee-Müller, managing director, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management)
Monica Lee-Müller rose through the ranks, from a hotel front desk clerk to a department head at 25 years old and eventually helming Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) in 2012.

In Lee-Müller’s opinion, career opportunities for women in hospitality and business event industries have evolved – there are more females in workplace now than when she first started her career some 30 years ago.

She remarked: “Both genders enjoy equal education and career opportunities nowadays. Among our 17 department heads, seven are female. We also have female chefs in kitchens and female engineers. People at the top and in HR recognise that capability and commitment comes before gender.”

However, the common expectation that leaders are always males still stick.

She said: “When I meet someone for the first time, almost always people will first shake the hands of my male colleagues, thinking they are the bosses.”

When asked how the travel and events industry could be a friendlier place for women, Lee-Müller said it was critical that men and women be confident in themselves. Employers have a key role to play in this, by offering equal treatment for both genders.

Pornthip Hirunkate, managing director, Thailand, Destination Asia
Pornthip Hirunkate, known affectionately as Addie among her friends and colleagues in the travel and business events industries, started off as a tour guide before going deeper into the business of travel with Tour East where she held operational and marketing roles.

Pornthip rose to general manager position at Tour East before the company was acquired by Qantas’ Jetabout Holidays.

In search of “career and personal growth”, she left Tour East and launched Destination Asia with her friends in 1997.

While Destination Asia had begun with operations only in Thailand and Vietnam, today the company is present in 11 countries across Asia-Pacific.

“The creation and expansion of Destination Asia is my biggest and proudest career achievement,” she said.

Today, as she steers Destination Asia’s Thailand operations and manages a team of more than 140 employees, Pornthip takes on a “big sister” role, guiding them in their work and career growth.

She said: “I like to think that my family is 140 people strong. I carry this mentality when interacting with my industry peers too, and I enjoy sharing ideas and exchanging knowledge at events with my peers. In life, one can learn and gain so much more by sharing knowledge and experiences.”

Riyanthi Handayani, president director, Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Indonesia

It was at the Jakarta Convention Center where Riyanthi Handayani first started her career in business events. The year was 1993.

“Right from the start I have been hands-on with various international events such as meetings by APEC, Islamic Development Bank and Technogerma as well as Asian African Summit and many more,” she said.

In 2007 she moved to Dyandra & Co, a subsidiary of Kompas Gramedia Group to develop its new business in managing convention and exhibition centres. She was also part of the pre-opening team for some of the biggest convention centres launched by the company – Dyandra Convention Center Surabaya (DCCS), Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), Santika Premiere Dyandra Hotel & Convention in Medan and Indonesia Convention and Exhibition in Tangerang.

Now that these venues are up and running, her time is spent spearheading BNDCC, Bali Nusa Dua Hotel and DCCS.

When quizzed on the opportunities available in Indonesia’s business events industry for women, Riyanthi said the expanding industry alone meant immense career potential for the fairer sex.

“In fact, we now see many women holding key positions in PCOs, PEOs and venues. As well, our properties’ management teams are mostly filled by women,” she said.

As a leader, she emphasises on establishing a good working relationship with her colleagues.

“My style is to inspire people and motivate the team to take an innovative approach in adapting to global business and market conditions. We need to have an international mindset while retaining national culture and values,” she concluded.

Selina Chavry, global managing director, Pacific World
Selina Chavry found her humble beginnings at 21 years old as an administrative assistant in a London-based event management company. In 2012, she moved to Pacific World as its country manager of Singapore and Malaysia; just two years later, she rose to regional director of Asia and in another year to global managing director.

Globalisation has been the biggest mover for the industry, as it has spurred companies to “look for organisers with the ability to work across different cultures and to adapt to different working environments.
“This creates opportunities for everyone, men and women alike,” she said.

Going forward, Chavry notes that the “events industry needs more women who are willing to speak and give our industry a voice. We (also) need to attract young talent, both men and women, to our industry to enable growth”.

With her experience in both European and Asian trade, Chavry now sits on the Board of Trustees of SITE, where she brings focus to growing attendee engagement.

Sotho Tan, founder, Hanuman Travel Group

Sotho Tan was one of the first tour guides to cater to the trickle of tourists to Cambodia in the late-1980s, as the country started to recover from decades of war.

She devised her own itineraries, learnt English and forged links with other organisations in the trade, opening her own tour operator, Hanuman Travel, in her front room in 1990.

Today, it employs 120 staff and offers outbound trips across Indochina, as well as a business events arm.

The 71-year-old does not think her gender has held her back, and see her determination and vision as contributions to her success

“In fact, I think because I’m a woman I have a better eye for detail and I pass this on to visitors,” she said.

Tan said her greatest challenge was forming the business with no background. “I wasn’t trained in tourism before the war, I had to teach myself to do everything. I did this by following my heart and doing my best.”

And this is a philosophy she passes onto her staff, teaching them to pay attention to service, listen and forge strong relationships. She also puts her employees at the core of her business, organising frequent teambuilding sessions and social gatherings with the teams in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

“I want them to love their workplace and the working atmosphere,” she said. “It really pays off.”

Susilowani Daud, president director, Pacto Convex Indonesia
Susilowani Daud started off her tourism career in 1979 when she joined the inbound department of Pacto Tours. By the early 1980s, Pacto begun to handle technical visits for various international conferences and in 1986 Susilowani set up and led the MICE divison for the company which had started to see a build up in requests for PCO and PEO functions from association clients.

“Along the way, my interest in this industry, particularly in conferences, grew and in 1986 I attended an IAPCO course in Amsterdam,” she recalled fondly.

Brief years later in 1992, Pacto Convex was launched, a dedicated PCO that Susilowani had a hand in developing.

“In the same year we were entrusted by the government of Indonesia to organise the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Jakarta. The same year we also organised the ICCA Annual Congress in Bali. I was involved in the bidding process for the latter, in support of the government,” she said.

Pacto Convex kicked off with only three staff and has since grown to become one of the leading PCOs in Indonesia with 100 staff and an annual calendar of 75 to 100 events.

Besides her work with Pacto Convex, Susilowani is actively involved in various industry organisations, serving as an advisory board member to the Indonesia Congress and Convention Association and Indonesia Convention and Exhibition Bureau.

As one of the female pioneers of Indonesia’s business events industry, Susilowani believes that women today have an opportunity to carve out a career path within the various segments of business events. She explained that certain personality types may prefer to work in a PCO or PEO environment, while others may be more successful in an incentive house.

“There are a lot of opportunities in this industry as new markets are springing up,” she said, adding that women looking to do well as leaders have room for improvement in leadership and networking capabilities.

As a leader herself, Susilowani invests in developing human capital and values team work.

“Quality of service and training are essential. The transfer of knowledge is important to allow the continuation of the operations system I have developed in the company,” she said.

Vichaya Soonthornsaratoon, vice president-administration, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau

On November 1, 2017, Vichaya Soonthornsaratoon established a new milestone in her career by taking on the new role of vice president-administration with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). She was last director of conventions.

For Vichaya, it was a timely progress, one which allows her to expand her leadership skills.

“I’ve been in frontline positions for more than 30 years, starting with Thai Airways where I landed my first job and eventually the destination marketing roles with TCEB. Having been on the operational side allows me to understand the range of support my frontline colleagues at TCEB need, and in my new position I can do better to balance that need with organisational goals and regulations.”

Vichaya fell in love with business events right from day one at Thai Airways, where she was placed in the conventions and incentives promotions division. She said: “I was the youngest in that division and I did mainly general work. But it was through supporting (the seniors) that I learnt how to plan an event and service the convention and incentive markets.”

The operational exposure set strong foundations for her future roles with TCEB, allowing her to “right away speak the same language as the business and association event planners who sought our support”, she said.

The dynamic nature of business events kept Vichaya enthralled for three decades, but she recalled it was her former supervisor at Thai Airways that recognised her talent in business events and encouraged her to keep at it.

“Encouragement is critical. A kind word of motivation and support can tide one through a difficult spot,” she said.

And she now hopes to pay it forward, by encouraging more women to aspire towards leadership positions in the industry and more hospitality students to consider a career in business events. Her advice to women: “Do not be afraid of making mistakes, as they will give you valuable experiences”.

This feature is part of TTGmice December 2017/January 2018’s cover story, Graceful powers

Studies have been conducted to understand and convey the commercial benefits brought about by gender diversity in the workforce and in leadership roles of an organisation.

In The McKinsey Quarterly’s A business case for women, published September 2008, the authors found that beyond alleviating the talent shortage in the workforce, companies that welcome both males and females equally in its staff showed better economic performance.
Among the companies for which information on the gender of senior managers was available, those with three or more women on their senior-management teams scored higher on all nine organisational criteria than did companies with no senior-level women. The study, conducted on a sample of 58,240 people in 101 companies worldwide, referenced nine organisational criteria including Leadership, Accountability, Motivation and Innovation.

As well, companies with the highest criteria scores are found to likely have higher operating margins than their lower-ranked counterparts.
Despite the benefits of gender equality at the top, companies are still slow to bring more females to leadership positions. Five years on, the 2013 Catalyst Census: Fortune 500 Women Executive Officers report found that while women made up 52.4 per cent of the labour force in Fortune 500 hospitality companies, only 15.5 per cent rose to the top in executive positions.

Andrew Chan, founder, ACI HR Solutions, a specialist recruitment firm, said that despite the open, global nature of the travel and business events industries, progress in achieving gender diversity in leadership is slower than other industries.

Chan said: “(The industries we’re in) have traditionally been a more male dominated one – at a senior level – than others. In our annual (ACI Salary & Employment Trends Report), we noticed that (we tend to) get a higher female respondent rate at a younger level, age 25 and below, which tapers off as the age increases.

“What that tells us, is that as we get from middle management to leadership roles, the male presence becomes stronger. As much as some travel and hospitality companies are making a priority to retain female leaders, I think it is still a new concept among most of us.”
Chan shared that the larger global hotel chains in particular have initiatives to advance females into leadership position, “something that is happening in the last five to six years”.

He cited AccorHotels as an example, for having a programme that fast-tracks women into leadership roles.

In Chan’s opinion, travel and hospitality companies – including those in business events – will get better at achieving gender diversity at the top “as more women rise to leadership position” and inspire younger females in the company.

Furthermore, with the nurturing nature of women in general, companies could achieve a stronger connection with the millennial workforce which “generally like to be managed like a coach would his ball player, someone to motivate and mentor them” he said.

However, mentorship as a management style – regardless of the gender of the leader providing it – is beneficial across all age groups.
“One of the biggest advantages for a company would be the ability to tackle the typical high turnovers and talent shortage in the travel, hospitality and business events industries.

“A nurturing leader, be it a man or woman, can add longevity to an employee’s presence in an organisation. A lot of companies don’t factor in the cost of losing a staff, re-hiring and re-training,” he explained, adding that a staff who stays on longer with a company, learns more and is a more valuable asset for the industry.

Juliette Lim, vice president human resources for Wharf Hotels, whose president Jennifer Cronin was recognised as Mentor of The Year 2017 by ACI HR Solutions, commented that “businesses that embrace diversity… open up new opportunities, introduce new perspectives and generate creativity, energy and possibilities.”

Wharf Hotels is an example of a company with a gender diverse executive level. It has two female and two male vice presidents.
Lim revealed that the company’s 2017 Associate Engagement Survey results released in late-November had shown a record-breaking increase in general satisfaction and loyalty score and overall engagement score.
She explained: “The ratings give us an indication that our people are now much more engaged and satisfied to be part of the organisation, since we started this annual exercise in 2010.

“We do not specifically measure the positive response to a work culture based on the gender of the leaders but rather how effective our leaders are. As a woman however, I believe that female leaders approach management with a higher degree of compassion, and therefore create a more inclusive and humanistic environment where fellow female associates appreciate and trust that their needs are addressed.
“The new leadership culture as a whole has driven new policies, processes and initiatives that support a leaner, more productive and savvy work environment – moves which have benefited and been welcomed by all.”

Lim added that it is especially critical that the hospitality industry attains gender diversity at the top. “With the demands of…sophisticated travellers today, having a balanced mix of male and female employees, across different levels and functions, brings diverse perspectives, strengths, priorities, chemistry and behavioural impact to the service cycle.”

But will companies that make an extra effort to advance women into leadership position draw the ire of men?

Chan does not think so.

“The great thing is that as more females come into leadership roles, we will see a more family-friendly work environment that will ultimately benefit men as well.

“In the past, the work structure is so rigid. In the events industry for example, long hours and frequent travels come with the job, and anyone in it who hopes to break away from these traditions will find it hard, regardless of their gender. But as HR craft out a more balanced workforce, it will be pushed to look at better conditions for working mothers which in turn benefits working dads.”

Chan’s projection is not a future that has yet to happen. At Wharf Hotels, efforts have been made to improve staff welfare and overall benefit structure, such as vacation entitlements, schooling allowances, flexible-work schedules, in order to encourage more talented women to join its business and to attract those wanting to return to the industry – changes that are great for everyone.

This feature is part of TTGmice December 2017/January 2018’s cover story, Graceful powers