Marketing industry veteran Kim Myhre leads the new initiative
MCI Group has established a new agency initiative to serve as an incubator of innovative experience marketing capabilities in response to customer demands for more strategic, creative and immersive experience marketing programmes.
Marketing industry veteran Kim Myhre leads the new initiative
Led by marketing industry veteran, Kim Myhre, the UK-based MCI Experience will offer enhanced experience design capabilities to clients across the MCI global network.
Myhre has over 20 years of experience in building global client relationships, driving business growth, developing strategic partnerships and designing and delivering experiential marketing strategies and campaigns for prestigious clients like BMW and P&G. Most recently he was managing director of FreemanXP EMEA, and prior to that, he was CEO of Project: WorldWide and George P. Johnson EMEA where he led a network of agencies to design and deliver global experiential marketing campaigns.
MCI Group CEO Sébastien Tondeur said: “Brand marketing is changing and so are our clients’ needs. Experience marketing is becoming an increasingly critical component of the brand marketing mix. It’s more important than ever that brands deliver truly immersive experiences that are engaging, inspiring, sharable and achieve business objectives.”
Myhre, managing director of MCI Experience, added: “New breakthroughs in experience design and technology have empowered brands to create powerful live and online experiences that drive engagement and advocacy.
“MCI Experience will bring together a dedicated team of industry leaders in brand experience, marketing strategy, creative, design and technology. We will focus on developing and delivering enhanced experience design capabilities to support existing and new MCI clients worldwide.”
This event space on level 56 can be customised for corporate events
ION Orchard’s 218m-high observation deck, ION Sky, will reopen end-November with a new look that includes a multimedia displays spanning the entrance on level four to the viewing space on level 56.
This event space on level 56 can be customised for corporate events
The update allows event planners to customise animations and brand labels on LED screens, from the entrance gantry on ION Orchard’s fourth level and touchscreen lift buttons to the projection screens that wrap around ION Sky. It is accompanied by an audio system.
“With this enhancement, planners have a good opportunity to look at customising unique and even world-class events,” said Chris Chong, chief executive of Orchard Turn Developments.
He told TTGmice that beyond shopping, which Orchard Road has come to be known for, the belt is starting to draw in both travellers and corporates looking for experiential spaces and attractions.
Chong added that the venue – which can include Salt Grill and Sky Bar one level below – is optimised for bespoke premium events such as exclusive gala nights, product launches and corporate rebranding events. The viewing deck can hold between 100 and 120 pax.
For its regular programme, ION Sky’s multimedia animation is an 11 minute-long showcase on Singapore’s history, the evolution of Orchard Road and ION Orchard. It is created in collaboration with local singer-songwriter Dick Lee and shows every 45 minutes for seven times a day.
The newly renovated Event Room can accommodate up to 180 guests when its individual spaces are combined
The five-star New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui East is dishing out early bird offers for meetings booked by November 30, 2017 and staged between January and April 2018.
The newly renovated Event Room can accommodate up to 180 guests when its individual spaces are combined
Meeting packages are available for the Event Room, Garden Room and Chairman’s Place. Early bird rates for half-day packages start from HK$570 (US$73) per person and include one coffee break and one business luncheon. Full-day packages, priced from HK$680 per person, include two coffee breaks and one business luncheon.
For Grand Ballroom bookings made during the early bird promotion period, planners can gain one complimentary welcome coffee and tea or welcome/farewell cocktail drink for delegates.
All event venues are equipped with comprehensive audio-visual amenities and offer complimentary Wi-Fi. Package and offer prices exclude service charge and apply to a minimum of 10 persons.
The brand new Kandhavas Place, an elegant mezzanine venue in the newly transformed hotel
The newly renovated The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Bangkok has rolled out a special meetings package that is valid through December 15, 2017.
The brand new Kandhavas Place, an elegant mezzanine venue in the newly transformed hotel
The package requires a minimum spend of 500,000 baht (US$15,106) and usage of 20 to 50 guestrooms.
Planners can choose from one of the benefits below for a weekday event or two during the weekend from Friday to Sunday:
Complimentary Royal Theme Coffee Break set up
One complimentary room upgrade to Athenee Suite
A 30-minute welcome cocktail with canapé, local beer and house wine
No limitation on SPG Points for the organiser
Blackout dates for event execution include December 30-31 this year, January 1-2 and February 14-21 next year.
Racines restaurant in Sofitel Singapore City Centre is the one of the newest kids on the block in Singapore’s competitive dining landscape, but it stands out with its determination to deliver the best in both authentic French and Chinese cuisine and not yet another fusion offering.
Racines welcomes partial venue hire for groups of up to 60 guests
Concept Racines means roots in French and reflects executive chef Jean-Charles Dubois’ intention to use seasonal local produce and organically grown ingredients as much as possible in producing the restaurant’s dishes and beverages. Racines also takes fresh herbs from the hotel’s own herb garden.
With its use of shiny steel and glass fixtures, plush fabric seats and designer ceiling lights that resemble outstretched roots, the restaurant presents a timeless and elegant interior that bears the same attributes as the Sofitel brand.
As the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant and venue where guests indulge in their first meal of the day, Racines adopts an open-kitchen concept and comes with live stations where charcuterie and the freshest garden salads are offered, its very own pâtisserie and gelato corner as well as a state-of-the-art Weinz oven which churns out freshly-baked croissants and bread daily.
While all these are lovely, what’s truly wonderful is that executive chef Dubois has placed equal importance on both French (tip of the hat to Sofitel’s French roots) and Chinese (likely to the ancestry of Singapore’s dominant community of forefathers) cuisine. I think this combination is perfect for gatherings where some guests may prefer traditional, familiar dishes more than others.
Racines specialises in both authentic French and Chinese cuisines
Food At Racines, cuisses de grenouilles (frog legs) sit alongside Sichuan-style fried chicken, and they are all done to perfection. I was particularly impressed by the rich lobster bisque with coral oil, basil ravioli and micros cress, the tender 48-hour slow cooked Wagyu beef cheek with truffle mash potatoes, and the flavourful sweet and sour Kurobuta pork.
My irrational distaste for frogs (The Wind in the Willows had something to do with it) evaporated when both the pan-fried grenouilles with pink garlic, parsley and wild mushroom emulsion, and the stir-fried frog legs in spicy Sichuan salt were brought out in front of me. Massive American bullfrogs are used in Racines’ kitchen, so expect meaty frog legs the size of chicken drumsticks.
Besides an a la carte menu, Racines also offers set menus with options for French only, Chinese only and vegetarian. These set lunches are refreshed every week to showcase the best produce of the week and to also ensure regular guests will always be impressed by new flavours.
MICE application Racines’ location in the Central Business District makes it a convenient option for business luncheons and group dinners.
While Racines is not available for full venue hire, it does welcome partial hire for groups of up to 60 people. There is also an eight-seat private room which works for intimate-sized gatherings.
The renovated Westminster Ballroom at London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square
The renovated Westminster Ballroom at London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square
London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square’s renewed ballroom
Westminster Ballroom at London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square has unveiled its new face, showing off natural daylight, a refined décor and an expanded welcome area.
The ballroom provides 765m2 of pillar-free function space, capable of hosting lunch and dinner events for up to 550 guests. In a theatre setup, this venue can seat up to 900 people.
Westminster Ballroom also boasts its own fully dedicated kitchen.
Portugal’s Algarve gets new convention centre
Tivoli Hotels & Resorts has launched the Algarve Congress Centre in Vilamoura, a resort district in the Algarve region of southern Portugal.
Located near the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura, the new convention centre is said to be Algarve’s biggest congress centre and one of the largest and most modern in Portugal and Europe. It boasts 19 function rooms with natural light, spanning a total area of 7,600m2 and providing space for 3,800 people.
The infrastructure is also designed to bear heavy loads, with safety uppermost in mind, enabling product launches of any kind.
The ample terraces and panoramic rooftop covering an area of 2,300m2 are also key features in this new building. With the Atlantic Ocean in the background, visitors have enviable options for dining and social events in a relaxing setting.
Royal Netherlands Chemical Society to meet in The Hague
Delegates of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) have voted for The Hague to be the destination for the 49th World Chemistry Congress, slated to take place from August 20 to 25, 2023.
This will be the first time the congress of the IUPAC will be held in the Netherlands, with around 2,500 delegates expected in attendance.
“Winning this bid demonstrates The Hague’s international reputation as a first-rate congress destination,” remarked deputy mayor Karsten Klein, The Hague’s alderman for economic affairs, harbours, welfare and health.
“The city appreciates the expertise and innovation that they will bring here,” Klein added.
Floris Rutjes, president of the Royal Netherlands Chemical Society (KNCV), said: “The year 2023 is very special for us as it marks the 120th anniversary of our society. We have a vibrant chemistry community in the Netherlands which is committed to turning this congress into a great success. This meeting will serve as a podium to enhance the visibility of chemistry and chemists. Our ambition is to inspire a new generation of young chemists.”
In a recent reserach, Carlson Wagonlit Travel found that while more than one-third (37 per cent) of European travellers are concerned about safety and security, their counterparts from other regions worry more. Travellers from the Americas say that they worry about safety and security nearly half of the time (47 per cent), while Asia-Pacific travellers worry the most (56 per cent).
“Despite recent terrorist attacks, business travellers say they’re more worried about other things – and that’s surprising,” said Simon Nowroz, Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s chief marketing officer. “We found that, yes, the world seems scarier at times – but travellers believe they have more tools at their disposal to keep them informed and safe.”
Terrorism only ranks fifth (35 per cent) among safety concerns, despite the high visibility of terrorist attacks. “Forgetting something needed for work” ranked higher (40 per cent), as did “losing something important” (38 per cent), “being robbed or attacked” (37 per cent) – and even “weather conditions” (37 per cent).
Terrorism ranks fifth among safety concerns
The CWT Connected Traveler survey of more than 1,900 individuals found that two-thirds (67 per cent) of business travellers believe travel is safer today than in the past, as they have more tools to mitigate safety concerns. Seven out of ten travellers use at least one of their employer’s security protocols, such as traveller tracking or emergency contact profiles. And more than two-thirds (68 per cent) buy travel insurance.
The study did reveal several findings of concern. For example, one in five travellers have cancelled a trip due to concerns about their safety and security. And 30 per cent say they are worried about their health and wellbeing when it comes to travelling.
The study revealed some regional differences between the Americas, Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
For example, only seven per cent of APAC travellers said they were “not concerned” about personal safety while travelling for business. That percentage rose to 12 per cent for Americas travellers and 21 per cent among EMEA travellers. This is reflected in the fact that APAC travellers appear to be better prepared. For example, more than half (52 per cent) of APAC travellers maintain an up-to-date emergency contact profile compared to 38 per cent in the Americas and only 34 per cent in EMEA.
APAC travellers are also more likely to sign up for notifications of real-time risks (41 per cent). Only 33 per cent do in the Americas, while only 29 per cent do from EMEA. APAC travellers were also more likely to know ahead of time about local medical or security services providers. More than a third (35 per cent) of APAC travellers planned for these services ahead, versus 25 per cent in the Americas and 20 per cent in EMEA.
“Today’s travellers are sophisticated,” said Nowroz. “They’re signing up for alerts, they’re paying attention to the news and they use the available tools at their disposal. So while travel may seem risky, they’re taking steps to stay safe.”
All that glitters is gold. This sculpture, an emblem of the complex, beckons guests to visit
Aside from the challenge of filling 1,700 new rooms in a soft market, AccorHotels’ new ‘lifestyle hotelplex’, Seoul Dragon City, is a test whether four Accor brands of different price points can co-exist without any downsides in one complex.
The brands are Grand Mercure (202 rooms), Novotel Suites (286 rooms), Novotel (621 rooms) and ibis Styles (591 rooms).
Interviewed about this in Seoul on November 1, Accor’s chairman and CEO Sebastien Bazin told TTGmice that Seoul Dragon City is a “bigger, stronger” push by the chain in co-locating brands under one roof.
All that glitters is gold. This sculpture, an emblem of the complex, beckons guests to visit
“Novotel and Ibis have shared a common lobby space, same back of the house – there’s a lot of efficiency which the clients won’t notice,” said Bazin. “Why should we limit this to only two brands when three or four will bring us even greater economies of scale?”
On the question if a Grand Mercure client would take kindly to sharing space with an ibis guest, Bazin said: “If we have clients who don’t accept differences in means, social status, colour of the skin, religion, culture, they shouldn’t be staying with us. They should accept these differences. The more they cross, the better their experiences will be. It is totally part of my strategy to mix them, as well as with the locals, as much as I can (in areas such as F&B and entertainment).”
Bazin said hotels had been “too draconian” in their thinking that a restaurant in Novotel should only be for Novotel guests, or a bar in ibis should only be for Ibis guests.
“It’s totally wrong to me. When you go to a restaurant in any place, you do not know who the person having dinner next to you is. He could be a student, an investment banker, a government official, a CEO. Why do we accept that elsewhere and not in hotel restaurants? This is precisely why we built the Sky Kingdom,” he said.
Sky Kingdom, suspended on the top between ibis Styles and Grand Mercure buildings, comprises four full floors of entertainment. Highlights include the King’s Vacation, a lounge bar that reinterprets the royal European vacation, with a range of cuisines and beverages on offer; an indoor swimming pool, Skywalk; and a performance stage.
Another is the Sky Beach, a private beach club with music and international cuisine with a setting reminiscent of the legendary beach clubs of Greece or Las Vegas.
The only downside to the hotelplex that Bazin could think of, was the possible price comparison.
“People have to understand why they pay US$20 more to be in the same facility,” he said. “Other than that, the design is superb, the location is great and, don’t be afraid of the size, 1,700 rooms. Hotels in Las Vegas have 6,000 rooms.”
Patrick Basset, Accor’s COO Upper South-east and North-east Asia, added that Seoul Dragon City was a mixed-use development with multiple market segments including MICE, long and short-stay service apartments, and is designed to be a new destination in its own right.
A site inspection led by cluster general manager of Seoul Dragon City, Jerome Stubert, shows a jaw-dropping ultra-modern complex with each hotel easily the next-gen product of its brand.
MICE facilities are equally contemporary in design and have “the highest technology possible”, said Basset. There are two grand ballrooms of 1,200m2 each, 17 meeting rooms, and 11 restaurants and bars.
The developer, KOSDAQ-listed Seobu T&D Corporation, is said to have spent some US$400 million on the construction, which represents its foray into hotel investment, said a source.
Accor started its partnership with the Ambassador Hotel Group 30 years ago managing the latter’s hotels. Since 2005, the joint venture, Accor Ambassador Korea, has been managing other people’s assets.
Seoul Dragon City takes its name from the Yongsan (Dragon Mountain) District where it is located. This is in the centre of Seoul close to major business districts such as Yeouido and Gangnam, and commercial districts including Itaewon and Myeongdong, said Accor. The complex is adjacent to malls and shopping centres, movie theatres, tourist attractions and embassies, it added.
The hotelplex is 57km from Incheon International Airport and 22km from Gimpo International Airport.
Malaysia will welcome the World Congress for Endoscopic Surgery of the Skull Base and Brain from June 10-13, 2020, marking the first time the world congress will be held outside of the US and Europe.
Shangri-la Hotel Kuala Lumpur is chosen as the congress venue; pictured here is the Grand Ballroom
With the rise in specialised medical research in Malaysia gaining traction, over 900 delegates from around the world and locally are scheduled to attend the four-day congress at Shangri-la Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
“With over 900 delegates set to attend the congress and generate an estimated economic impact of RM8.7 million (US$2.1 million), the congress will further strengthen our credibility as a knowledge and creative hub,” said Zulkefli Sharif, CEO of MyCEB, an agency under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia.
A legacy of successful medical-based business events in Malaysia has been hailed as the prime reason for the winning bid put forward by Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), in strategic partnership with the local organiser, the Malaysian Society of Otorhinolaryngologists Head and Neck Surgeons.
The congress will act as a platform for delegates to network and identify new medical trends and breakthroughs, while the show’s conference programme also helps to provide a holistic and comprehensive view of the latest technologies, issues and opportunities in the sector.
The hosting of this event will also further strengthen the country’s aspiration to become a knowledge and creative hub by 2020. In 2016, the medical sector has attracted a record number of 10,532 delegates to the country.
Singapore will be hosting the 2018 premiere of Industrial Transformation Asia Pacific – A HANNOVER MESSE Event, part of a MoU that was signed between the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Deutsche Messe.
The agreement covers the organisation of the show for three years in Singapore, the development of new content and exhibition components for the tradeshow, marketing and publicity efforts, as well as possible areas of collaboration in terms of industry knowledge exchange and new tradeshows.
As part of Singapore’s Committee on the Future Economy report, Advanced
Manufacturing was identified as a key driver of Singapore’s future economic growth.
Industrial Transformation Asia Pacific will help to catalyse the transformation of Singapore’s manufacturing sector by providing a platform for leading manufacturers and technology providers to discover the latest technologies and concepts, and to identify potential partners for co-innovation. It also brings together global leaders to share successful case studies and best practices in Asia, which can be adopted globally.
“The Committee on the Future Economy had emphasised Singapore’s
commitment to develop a globally-competitive manufacturing hub. In that regard, Deutsche Messe’s partnership with SingEx Group to stage the Asian edition of the HANNOVER MESSE in Singapore is a welcome development. The event will also be a significant boost to our business events pipeline,” said minister for trade and industry (industry) S Iswaran in a statement.
Yeo: growth support for one of Singapore’s key economic sectors
“Industrial Transformation Asia Pacific is set to be a flagship event that will support the growth of one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. It will provide networking opportunities for delegates, promote cross-industry skill sharing, and build industry thought leadership in the region,” added Lionel Yeo, STB’s chief executive.
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.
Concept Racines means roots in French and reflects executive chef Jean-Charles Dubois’ intention to use seasonal local produce and organically grown ingredients as much as possible in producing the restaurant’s dishes and beverages. Racines also takes fresh herbs from the hotel’s own herb garden.
With its use of shiny steel and glass fixtures, plush fabric seats and designer ceiling lights that resemble outstretched roots, the restaurant presents a timeless and elegant interior that bears the same attributes as the Sofitel brand.
As the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant and venue where guests indulge in their first meal of the day, Racines adopts an open-kitchen concept and comes with live stations where charcuterie and the freshest garden salads are offered, its very own pâtisserie and gelato corner as well as a state-of-the-art Weinz oven which churns out freshly-baked croissants and bread daily.
While all these are lovely, what’s truly wonderful is that executive chef Dubois has placed equal importance on both French (tip of the hat to Sofitel’s French roots) and Chinese (likely to the ancestry of Singapore’s dominant community of forefathers) cuisine. I think this combination is perfect for gatherings where some guests may prefer traditional, familiar dishes more than others.
Food At Racines, cuisses de grenouilles (frog legs) sit alongside Sichuan-style fried chicken, and they are all done to perfection. I was particularly impressed by the rich lobster bisque with coral oil, basil ravioli and micros cress, the tender 48-hour slow cooked Wagyu beef cheek with truffle mash potatoes, and the flavourful sweet and sour Kurobuta pork.
My irrational distaste for frogs (The Wind in the Willows had something to do with it) evaporated when both the pan-fried grenouilles with pink garlic, parsley and wild mushroom emulsion, and the stir-fried frog legs in spicy Sichuan salt were brought out in front of me. Massive American bullfrogs are used in Racines’ kitchen, so expect meaty frog legs the size of chicken drumsticks.
Besides an a la carte menu, Racines also offers set menus with options for French only, Chinese only and vegetarian. These set lunches are refreshed every week to showcase the best produce of the week and to also ensure regular guests will always be impressed by new flavours.
MICE application Racines’ location in the Central Business District makes it a convenient option for business luncheons and group dinners.
While Racines is not available for full venue hire, it does welcome partial hire for groups of up to 60 people. There is also an eight-seat private room which works for intimate-sized gatherings.
In all, Racines seats 136 diners.
Service Warm and friendly
Contact
Email: ha152@sofitel.com
Tel: (65) 6428-5000
Opening hours Daily, 06.30 to 22.30