Mega events choose to stick with Hong Kong

March 22, 2018

Kenneth-Wong,-Hong-Kong-Tourism-Board-(HKTB)-general-manager-of-MICE-and-Cruise — Wong: major events returning to Hong Kong a sign of the city's business events capabilities

Despite strong competition from other Asian destinations, Hong Kong has managed to both attract and retain some mega events thanks to its extensive event facilities, and new offers through its Hong Kong Rewards! support programme.

The line-up for this year includes the first-ever Unicity Global Leadership and Innovation Conference 2018 (10,000 pax), Nu Skin Greater China Regional Convention 2018 in June (20,000 pax), 2018 NHT Global Ambassador Academy (6,000 pax), and the 20th Jeunesse Global University (11,600 pax). In total, these mega-sized events will welcome over 45,000 delegates to Hong Kong.

Wong: major events returning to Hong Kong a sign of the city’s business events capabilities

Hong Kong Tourism Board’s general manager, MICE and cruise division, Kenneth Wong, told TTGmice: “Both Nu Skin and Jeunesse rotate their events but we managed to retain them this year. We are able to do so because of excellent venues here in Hong Kong, like AsiaWorld-Expo.

“Moreover, we don’t just provide funding support but also work very closely with (the event organiser), such as by offering brand visibility and local experiences such as (tours in) Old Town Central.”

In addition, new offers – such as a complimentary combo meal from Ocean Park Hong Kong and hotel cocktail reception in one of Hong Kong Disneyland’s three hotels – have been added to the 2018/2019 Hong Kong Rewards! programme.

Market-specific perks are also offered. For instance, Thai groups can enjoy the Good Fortune Hong Kong perk which dishes out free fengshui tips and lucky charms to event delegates.

Event organisers also enjoy support from Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK) which works closely with appointed event venues and provides assistance throughout the event life cycle, from the bidding stage through to the completion of the event.

In 2017, Hong Kong saw a 1.9 per cent growth in overnight corporate traveller arrivals, while the meeting and incentive segment recorded a double-digit 14.1 per cent growth.
MEHK also expects the direct selling sector and key business events markets such as South Korea and Indonesia to achieve promising growth this year.

Khon Kaen positions itself as events gateway to South China and Indochina

By Rachel AJ Lee

March 22, 2018

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Khon Kaen in North-east Thailand, and the country’s 5^th Official MICE City, wants to host more meetings and exhibitions from South China and Indochina due to its close proximity to both areas.

The region is the primary focus of the government’s East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) scheme, which plans to connect Thailand (through Khon Kaen) with its four neighbouring countries – China, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, a Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) spokesperson told TTGmice.

To cement its presence on the meetings and incentives stage, a new convention centre, Khon Kaen International Convention and Exhibition center (KICE), opened at the end of January. It is the largest convention venue in the province and third largest in the country, boasting around 15,000m2 of space.

Since then, events that have taken place in the city include the 12th APEC Khon Kaen International Symposium, 5th Asian Academic Society International Conference, 13th Asian Congress on Biotechnology 2017, and 5th International Conference on Government Performance Management and Leadership.

However, the TCEB spokesperson acknowledged that in terms of hosting international or regional association meetings, Khon Kaen lags behind other regional cities, although it has the capacity to host more meetings in its specialist industries such as logistics, silk, agro processing (rice, sugar cane and rubber), and certain medical fields.

Future infrastructure upgrades include the airport, where a feasibility study for a planned expansion is underway, with the aim of upgrading Khon Kaen airport’s terminal space to accommodate international flights.

Khon Kaen will also be the first city outside of Bangkok to have a light rail transit system. This is planned for end-2019.

Other accessibility improvements include the upcoming high-speed train service to Nong Khai in north-east Thailand, that will also connect with China’s Kunming and Vientiane in Laos.

CWT sees more opportunities outside Chinese tier-one cities

By Caroline Boey

March 22, 2018

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Albert-Zhong-CWT — Zhong expects international travel for companies involved in BRI projects to rise in coming years

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the rise of China’s second- and third-tier cities are presenting new business opportunities for Carlson Wagonlit Travel China.

Zhong expects international travel for companies involved in BRI projects to rise in coming years

Albert Zhong, general manager, China, said the market is getting to the point where more private-owned companies and state-owned enterprises are open to appointing international TMCs, adopting a multi-vendor model, and integrating their respective system capabilities.

“This development started about three years ago. Their estimated domestic and international air travel spend can be between US$300 and US$500 million annually, and when you add in hotel spend, the figure can be doubled,” he said.

“From a traffic perspective, 60 per cent of transactions are domestic and the rest international,” he observed, adding that international travel for companies involved in BRI projects “will increase significantly in the next few years”.

“With more and more business penetration in tier-two and three cities like Chengdu, Dalian, Shenzhen and Nanjing, there will be more opportunities”, citing the example of one manufacturing customer who has a network of 70 offices across the country.

Zhong opined that corporate travel demand will be dominated by Chinese companies five years from now. “Our business mix now is between 10 to 15 per cent Chinese companies and we will need to develop local capabilities to serve the (increasing market share) of customers.”

Malaysia’s electricity board brings power conference to KLCC

By S Puvaneswary

March 22, 2018

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klcc — The conference to take place at KLCC

The Conference of the Electric Power Supply Industry (CEPSI) 2018 will take place in Kuala Lumpur Conference Centre this September, hosted by the National Electricity Board (TNB).

More than 1,500 delegates – comprising CEOs, senior executives, engineers, government officials and experts in the electric and power sectors from around the world – are expected to attend.

CEPSI is held every two years by the Association of the Electricity Supply Industry of East Asia and the Western Pacific (AESIEAP). In its 22nd edition, this year’s conference will bear the theme, “Reimagining Utility of the Future”.

“The theme will address some interesting topics that include mega trends, sustainability, energy trilemma, digitalisation and smarter future,” said Azman Mohd, TNB president/CEO and president of AESIEAP (2017-2018).

“This conference will be the ideal gathering for utility stakeholders to share their thoughts and ideas, hear from visionaries and learn from some of the best minds in the industry.”

TNB, which holds AESIEAP chairmanship from 2017 to 2018, last hosted the conference in 1996.

Beyond Asia: Huone Kamppi, Swiss-Belinn Muscat and more

By TTGmice

March 22, 2018

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render-caravan-1f — Huone's new caravan-themed venue

Huone brings creative spaces to third location
Huone International is expecting to introduce its third creative meeting venue, which will open in Helsinki’s Kamppi region this fall, after previously launching in Jätkäsaari district of Helsinki and in Singapore.

Among other rooms, Huone Kamppi will feature a nomad-life inspired Caravan Room with a private garden, and a harbour-inspired Pier Room.

Huone is already seeing its existing venues “booked well in advance”, and anticipates ample demand for the new Kamppi spaces.

Swiss-Belhotel to rise near Muscat airport come 2019
Swiss-Belhotel International will operate the Swiss-Belinn Muscat in Oman, set to open near the Muscat International Airport in 2019.

The result of a management agreement with Al Salaam International Hotel, Swiss-Belinn Muscat will offer 120 standard rooms and 10 varieties of suites. Facilities include an all-day-dining restaurant, flexible meeting and conference venues, gym, Wi-Fi access and 24-hour room service.

UFI announces managerial changes in Paris
UFI has welcomed Monika Fourneaux-Ceskova as marketing and communications manager, replacing Angela Herberholz who will move into her new role of programme manager.

Fourneaux-Ceskova has for the past eight years been responsible for the exhibition and marketing activities of an international broadcast technology solutions provider, Ateme. She is hence familiar with trade shows held in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Rai Amsterdam, Dubai World Trade Center, KoelnMesse and London Olympia, among others.

She has also worked for the Czech Embassy in Paris to provide and deliver national pavilions at trade shows, and was part of the support team at the World Economic Forum Annual Meetings in Davos.

After managing UFI’s marketing and communications activities for the past three years, Herberholz will as programme manager focus on coordinating and supporting the work of the various working committees to aid them in their global development, while also leading and driving projects in UFI’s education programmes.

Hamburg Convention Bureau welcomes new head of conventions
Nele Aumann has taken on the role of head of the Hamburg Convention Bureau’s (HCB) conventions unit. In her new position, she will coordinate the unit’s team of six in charge of marketing Hamburg as a MICE destination in Germany and abroad, and will report directly to HCB’S managing director, Michael Otremba.

Aumann has been with HCB for more than four years, most recently handling associations as well as clients from the fields of medicine, healthcare and life sciences. Prior to joining the HCB, she worked as a sales manager with Hamburg Messe und Congress and as a project coordinator with the congress agency CPO Hanser Service.

HK Disneyland’s ready to spook corporate clients

By TTGmice

March 22, 2018

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1._HKDL_Villlains_Night_Out — Disney villains to spook corporate groups in true Halloween fashion

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) is now accepting bookings for corporate buyout for Halloween.

This year, HKDL is promising a spookier and more fun Halloween party with Jack Skellington and his crew of baddies, along with more Disney villains.

Disney villains to spook corporate groups in true Halloween fashion

Corporate guests can enjoy private access to the entire park for a fright-filled evening with a whole park buyout after the nighttime cavalcade with extended park hours, along with exclusive privileges to entertainment, including private access to Tomorrowland and the exclusive nighttime cavalcade “Villains Night Out! Chapter 3″.

Smaller groups can also enjoy Halloween fun at the park by opting for Corporate Mix-in Nights. Events can be enhanced with customised elements, such as theatre or theme restaurant buyouts for company programmes, or private character greetings with Disney friends.

Last fall, HKDL hosted eight Halloween buyout events, where corporate guests were treated to the wicked fun of Disney Halloween Time. Among these events was Bank of China (Hong Kong)’s (BOCHK) buyout on September 24 for a centenary celebration. More than 25,000 guests, including BOCHK staff and their family members, participated in this event, making this the largest single-day buyout in HKDL history.

Since 2010, HKDL has welcomed about 400,000 guests in almost 50 Halloween park buyouts hosted by about 60 corporations from across Asia, including about 80,000 Halloween buyout goers in 2016 and 2017 each.

GM Jeane Lim takes helm at Parkroyal on Pickering

By TTGmice

March 22, 2018

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Pan Pacific Hotels Group has appointed Jeane Lim as general manager of Parkroyal on Pickering.

Prior to this appointment, Lim was most recently the general manager of Destination Singapore Beach Road.

Her career spans 30 years, where the first 18 was spent with Grand Hyatt Singapore in areas of guest services, business development and sales.

Tan then spent the next 12 years with Millennium Hotels & Resorts in various positions such as director of sales and marketing at Copthorne King’s Hotel, and vice-president global sales Asia.

Simon Dell heads soon-to-launch Mövenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin

By TTGmice

March 22, 2018

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Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has appointed Simon Dell as general manager of Mövenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin, a seafront resort opening later this year in Thailand.

Prior to joining Mövenpick, Dell was vice president & area general manager for Onyx North Asia.

During the course of his two-decades-long career, the seasoned hotelier has also served in senior management roles with hotel groups such as InterContinental, Raffles, Swissôtel and The Savoy Group. He has spent the last decade in Asia-Pacific, with several years based in Thailand.

The UK national first moved to Asia in 2007, initially as director of rooms at The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, before moving on to Amari Hotels & Resorts, now part of Onyx Hospitality Group.

ICC Sydney gives harbour city back its mega events mojo

By Karen Yue

March 20, 2018

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Geoff-Donaghy — Donaghy: summit being hosted in Sydney testament to city's level of security and a capable convention centre

The 15-month-old International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) is bringing back large-scale business events to the Australian city, with the most prominent gathering so far being the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit that kicked off last Friday.

The Summit drew the participation of heads of state from across South-east Asia as well as Australian political leaders.

Donaghy: summit being hosted in Sydney testament to city’s level of security and a capable convention centre

Geoff Donaghy, CEO of ICC Sydney, told TTGmice that the meeting was 12 months in the making, with the venue team working closely with various agencies, state authorities and federal government.

Donaghy described the meeting as a “very important event for Australia, but also for Sydney and for the centre”.

“(An event) at that high political level will put incredible focus on the city and the venue because the ability to host such an event requires a high level of security, and this sends an important signal to the South-east Asian market about the capabilities of ICC Sydney,” he said.

The next major event for the harbour city is Sibos, regarded as the world’s leading financial services show, scheduled for October 22 to 25. It will be attended by 6,000-plus delegates.

World Congress of Accountants will follow in November for 4,500 attendees.

Samantha Glass, ICC Sydney spokesperson, added that the venue has attracted many corporate meetings that have long been held in Asia to move out to Sydney.

David Swagell, head of industry – professional services and technology with Business Events Sydney, said the return of mega meetings was a welcome one for Sydney.

“A lot of large events couldn’t come to Sydney for the three years that ICC was in construction,” he said. “We are now having a lot of conversations in the international marketplace to bring these events back to Sydney.”

Demand is rising, he noted, and the city now boasts “a very strong pipeline of events from a range of industries that are in line with the NSW government’s priority areas”.

Furthermore, the opening of ICC Sydney is leading a hotel revolution in the Darling Harbour precinct.

‘With the new convention centre, we are seeing an uplift in the supply of hotel stock. For example, The Ritz-Carlton is going into The Star, we are getting a W hotel, and the Hyatt Regency has just increased its (room inventory) to about 900 rooms. Plus, the Sofitel has just opened down at Darling Harbour, which brings a positive and exciting impact to the precinct.

Yogyakarta Marriott marks brand’s debut in Indonesia

By Mimi Hudoyo

March 20, 2018

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Having soft opened last November, the 347-room Yogyakarta Marriott Hotel is in its early days seeking volume in order to gain visibility in the market.

The hotel, the first under the Marriott Hotels brand in Indonesia, currently features the biggest hotel ballroom in the city, club room and lounge, and is adjacent to Hartono Mall, the largest mall in Central Java.

Winkie Wong, senior director brand and marketing Asia Pacific, Marriott International, said: “Indonesia has immense potential as a growing source market and we see a lot of opportunity there for the Marriott Hotels brand.”

As for the choice of Jogjakarta, Wong told TTG Asia: “In addition to having a great owning partner, Duta Merlin Dunia Properti, there’s a lot of potential in the destination for international leisure and business travellers. Jogjakarta is a hub of art, culture and education as well as a dynamic city that is growing in terms of business and economic development.”

The city has direct air access with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and is only a 50-minute flight from Jakarta.

The opening of the hotel is also considered timely as the city is expected to have a new international airport by 2020.

Alain Rigodin, general manager of Yogyakarta Marriott Hotel, believes the opening of the airport would be a game changer for the destination. The hotel will officially launch 12-18 months ahead, affording it the time needed to position itself in the market and be ready when the airport is up, he said.

With the biggest, pillar-less ballroom in town measuring 1,870m2, seven meeting rooms and one boardroom, business events will be its primary focus, followed by corporate and leisure travellers, Rigodin said.

During this introductory period, the hotel has benchmarked prices for the lead-in category between one million rupiah (US$77) and 1.5 million rupiah.

“This is reasonable when you compare with other destinations like Jakarta, Bali or even Singapore. where you will see similar offerings for three to five times the price.”

To attract corporate and community gatherings, the hotel is also putting in place various promotions such as nightly all-you-can-eat buffet with different themes, the first such hotel offer in the city.

“We are (currently) looking for volume because want to showcase the hotel and our strategy is to get more people to talk about it – such as through social media,” Rigodin shared.

Mega events choose to stick with Hong Kong

Khon Kaen positions itself as events gateway to South China and Indochina

CWT sees more opportunities outside Chinese tier-one cities

Malaysia’s electricity board brings power conference to KLCC

Beyond Asia: Huone Kamppi, Swiss-Belinn Muscat and more

HK Disneyland’s ready to spook corporate clients

GM Jeane Lim takes helm at Parkroyal on Pickering

Simon Dell heads soon-to-launch Mövenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin

ICC Sydney gives harbour city back its mega events mojo

Yogyakarta Marriott marks brand’s debut in Indonesia

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