Danang’s new Ariyana Convention Centre to get more accommodation support

November 30, 2017

Vietnamese company Sovico Holdings is transforming the landscape of Danang’s beachfront with the expansion Ariyana Tourism Complex, which will in two years’ time welcome a 1,400-key luxury resort to support its new Ariyana Convention Centre, where a week-long series of APEC meetings and related events was held earlier this month.

Ariyana Tourism Complex also comprises the luxury Furama Resort Danang, Furama Villas Danang and the International Convention Palace – all products of Sovico Holdings which altogether elevate Danang’s status as a serious contender for international business events, opined Nguyen Duc Quynh, deputy general director, Furama Resort Danang.

The new Ariyana Convention Centre is being marketed as a standalone venue

The three-storey beachfront Ariyana Convention Centre, opened in mid-October, takes in 12 multifunctional rooms, three of which can be split into multiple spaces. The largest facility is the Ariyana Grand Ballroom, a massive 2,079m² pillarless hall with a nine-metre-high ceiling that can seat 2,500 people in a theatre setting, and be divided into four smaller spaces.

Although the Ariyana Convention Centre is part of a bigger complex with hotel accommodation, Nguyen said it – as well as the “warmer, boutique-style venue” International Convention Palace – is marketed as a “standalone venue to be used by any event coming to Danang with attendees staying anywhere in the destination”.

However, there is no doubt that the 1,400-room Ariyana Beach Resort and Suite Danang, opening in two years’ time, will be a more convenient accommodation option for delegates attending events at Ariyana Convention Centre. Guests will enjoy complimentary tram and shuttle bus rides between the hotel and convention centre, with the journey taking no more than seven minutes.

“Ariyana Beach Resort and Suite Danang will be geared towards business travellers, and is meant to support big events coming to Ariyana,” Nguyen said, adding that next on the plans are upgrading works for Furama Resort Danang.

Meanwhile, efforts to sustain Ariyana Convention Centre’s post-APEC meetings business momentum include participation in selected travel tradeshows such as IT&CMA and AIME, organisation of trade events that bring travel agents and event planners to Danang, and roadshows in key source markets.

“In terms of key markets, we are keen on Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia,” Nguyen shared.

The team hosted a networking party in Singapore on Tuesday, with selected business event planners on the invite list. Following that, Nguyen has plans to head to Hong Kong, and to conduct a roadshow during AIME in Melbourne next February, and another in Sydney.

Besides high-profile APEC events, Ariyana Convention Centre has secured a tradeshow in March 2018 for an exhibition with 200 booths and conference for 900 people, and two incentives of 2,000 people each in May 2018 – one from the US and the other from Malaysia.

“These events allow us to exceed our (sales targets) for March and May,” remarked Nguyen.

Danang Hotel Association to train low-rated hotels on how to scale up

By Karen Yue

November 30, 2017

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Nguyen-Duc-Quynh_2C-Deputy-general-director_2C-Furama-Resort-Danang — Nguyen: readying smaller hotels for 'quality tourists'

Danang Hotel Association is starting a training and assistance programme in December to guide one- and two-star hotel members on transforming their business to attract a more lucrative clientele, in a bid to ensure Danang maintains her reputation as a quality destination.

In an interview in Singapore, Nguyen Duc Quynh, deputy chairman for the steering committee of the Danang Hotel Association, who is also deputy general director of the luxury Furama Resort Danang, said: “The biggest issue we have in Danang is the large supply of one- and two-star hotels. There are 25,570 hotel rooms in Danang, 40 per cent of which are one- and two-star hotels. These hotels tend to attract lower-end tourists who may bring with them certain social issues that will ultimately influence Danang’s destination reputation. Danang needs to be a destination for quality tourists.”

Nguyen: readying smaller hotels for ‘quality tourists’

As a solution, Nguyen is recommending that the one- and two-star hotels “convert into long-stay properties that are suitable for business travellers and domestic family groups on holidays”.

He explained: “Following the APEC meetings (in Danang from November 4 to 11), trade and foreign investments will pick up in Danang, which will result in more foreigners coming in for business projects. They will need a place to stay, and one- and two-star hotels could provide that by scaling up their facilities and changing their business structure.

“Going after the long-stay market will also help alleviate these hotels’ poor business during the winter low season.”

The association will provide guidance on business transformation and training on critical knowledge such as revenue management.

When asked where the association will get its funding for these activities, Nguyen said: “They will come from membership fees and sponsorship from businesses that have an interest in our members, for example hotel booking technology companies that hope to introduce their solutions to these one- and two-star hotels.”

European cities sweep top 10 positions in GDS-Index

By TTGmice

November 30, 2017

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The Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) has released its second ranking of the world’s most sustainable cities for business events.

The top 10 performers with the highest overall scores were all from Europe, with Gothenburg in Sweden taking the lead with a score of 92 out of a possible 100 points.

The cities with the 10 highest overall scores

The 2017 results were announced at the recent ICCA Congress, with the Overall Leadership Award going to Gothenburg, who also won the Innovation Award for her pioneering app which facilitates greater accessibility for events.

Glasgow was recognised with the Most Improved Award for her sterling achievement in engaging stakeholders through her People Make Glasgow Greener campaign and for driving sustainability performance in the last year.

(From Left) ICCA’s Nina Freysen-Pretorius; Gothenburg Convention Bureau’s Annika Hallman; Glasglow Convention Bureau’s Aileen Crawford; and ICCA’s Martin Sirk

Overall, destinations with a sustainability strategy for the business events sector increased by 25 per cent, average CVB sustainability performance rose by 11 per cent, with destinations such as Oslo (2), Aarhus (21) and Malmö (9) increasing their overall performance by more than 20 per cent.

Meanwhile, five Asia-Pacific cities made the list: Melbourne, Australia (12); Sydney, Australia (15); Sapporo, Japan (18); Kyoto, Japan (19); and Goyang, South Korea (28).

The GDS-Index is a collaborative platform that promotes the sustainable growth of international meeting destinations through knowledge sharing, capacity building, and benchmarking across four key areas: city environmental strategy and infrastructure; city social sustainability performance; industry supplier support (restaurants, hotels and convention centres); and Convention Bureau strategy and initiatives.

New book explores the benefits of conferences

By TTGmice

November 30, 2017

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A new book, The Power of Conferences: stories of serendipity, innovation and driving social change, launched earlier this week, explores the long-term impacts of conferences through the stories of 10 prominent Australians who are synonymous with such breakthroughs.

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have joined forces to undertake this groundbreaking research, which demonstrates the vital role that conferences have played in some of the most significant global discoveries of the last 50 years.

The book includes stories from Nobel Laureates Barry Marshall and Brian Schmidt, as well as a host of other Australian luminaries.

For instance, professor Ian Frazer AC talks about the role conferences played in his discovery of the HPV vaccine, which is saving millions of women from HPV-related cancer – and may eradicate it within a generation.

Meanwhile for professor Martin Green, conferences played an integral part in helping him and his team ‘outpace’ NASA and COMSAT in the global race to create a solar cell with 20 per cent efficiency – and more recently go on to achieve an unequalled efficiency level of 40 per cent.

As well, professor Tom Calma and member of parliament Linda Burney describe how conferences have been instrumental in transforming educational opportunities and outcomes for indigenous children and young people in Australia.

Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of BESydney, pointed out the stories demonstrate exactly how important conferences are.

She said: “These stories show why it’s vital to take the long view when thinking about conferences, and the impact they have. All the individuals in this book have helped to change the face of health, science and society, and each one has used conferences in some way to do that.”

The book was authored by international experts in the value of business events, associate professors Deborah Edwards and Carmel Foley, together with writer Cheryl Malone.

The Power of Conferences is available for download from the UTS ePress website here.

Beyond Asia: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Strandzuid, and WindEurope Summit

By TTGmice

November 30, 2017

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Louvre Abu Dhabi throws open its doors
Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has opened in the UAE capital. It is the first museum of its kind in the Arab world: a universal museum that focuses on shared human stories across civilisations and cultures.

On display will be the museum’s important collection of artworks, artefacts and loans from France’s top museums. These span the entirety of human existence: from prehistorical objects to commissioned contemporary artworks, highlighting universal themes and ideas and marking a departure from traditional museography that often separates according to origin. In addition to the galleries, the museum will include exhibitions, a Children’s Museum, a restaurant, a boutique and a café.

The inaugural special exhibition, From One Louvre to Another: opening a museum for everyone, opens on December 21, 2017, and traces the history of Musée du Louvre in Paris.

How about a meeting on a city beach in Amsterdam?
The newly renovated Strandzuid city beach venue, situated between RAI Amsterdam and the Beatrix Park, has re-opened, where the wooden pavilions have been replaced by a new and permanent building.

The new Strandzuid enhances its position as an event location that can be used as a standalone venue or supplement to the RAI Amsterdam’s facilities. The Restaurant has a capacity of 300 seats. Other facilities includes The Boat House, The Beach House, The Jetty Bar, The Beach Bar and Playground.

Copenhagen secures another wind energy congress
Copenhagen will be hosting the inaugural WindEurope Summit for both onshore and offshore wind energy in 2021, a win that comes six months after the city won the bid to host the world’s largest Offshore Wind Energy 2019 conference and exhibition.

To be held at Scandinavia’s largest congress venue, Bella Center Copenhagen, WindEurope Summit is expected to attract around 10,000 delegates from across Europe.

Denmark was the first country to install offshore wind turbines and the country continues to be a driving force in the development of cutting edge wind energy technology. With a wind industry that is globally recognised, the country provides an ideal platform for the global wind industry to come together to discuss and exchange knowledge.

Events Travel Asia journeys further into Asia

By TTGmice

November 28, 2017

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Events Travel Asia has launched Journey To Asia, a boutique experience by Events Travel Asia Group, where the event and incentive agency will manage meeting and incentive bookings under 70 participants travelling to selected Asian destinations.

Journey To Asia is set to welcome its first group of customers for a three-day experience into Thailand come January 2018.

(From left) Max Boontawee Jantasuwan and Jeff Fongmool

The agency is headed by Jeff Fongmool and Max Boontawee Jantasuwan, both of whom have collaborated for more than five years under the Events Travel Asia brand, and is a direct response to current market demand for small-sized, more intimate events.

Max, founding CEO of Events Travel Asia Group, said in a media statement that Journey To Asia will leverage his and Jeff’s experience in managing boutique events.

“Jeff is known for his eye-for-detail and talent in creating memorable moments,” remarked Max.

Aside from Journey To Asia, Events Travel Asia Group comprises meeting and incentive agency Events Travel Asia, E-Transportation Co, and joint-venture Phu Bao Destination and Events. The company has handled over 65,000 participants and visitors since its founding in 2013.

Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort puts corporate meetings within sights

By S Puvaneswary

November 28, 2017

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Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort in Selangor, Malaysia, which has been predominantly leisure focused since its opening in 2014, is now looking to grow their business events segment through the launch of new packages.

The resort recently developed an all-inclusive residential meeting package, and is in the midst of curating wellness packages, which will include customised exercise programmes and healthy meal options.

Choa: concrete plans to grow business pie

“We are targeting to launch these in 1Q2018,” said Vivian Choa, director of sales and marketing at Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort.

Choa revealed that the property hopes to grow business events by 13 per cent next year, and will do so by strengthening partnerships with key business event planners.

Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort has 315 rooms and water villas, and more than 2,130m² of event space which includes two pillarless ballrooms. When combined, the ballrooms can accommodate up to 1,100 people in a theatre-setting or 800 people banquet-style.

There are also six meeting rooms, and Choa pointed out that the resort’s business centre, relaxation lounge and villas can also be converted into breakout spaces if needed.

She said: “All of our meetings and pre-function spaces are in one area, which makes it convenient for meeting organisers to manage the flow of the event. Our secluded location is also ideal to keep meeting delegates engaged and focused with no outside distractions.”

Choa further shared that the hotel’s key focus markets are China, India, Taiwan and Singapore.

HRS introduces Meetago Solution to SE Asia market

By TTGmice

November 28, 2017

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HRS will roll out its Meetago solution for small meetings in South-east Asia by the end of this year.

Beyond cost savings, corporations will gain from simplified processes and transparent reporting in this meetings expense category. Online software that standardises steps for small meeting planners has driven the growth of the service in Europe and Asia over the past two years, where companies have recorded savings of up to 17 per cent on their small meeting programmes after implementing Meetago.

HRS’ Meetago moves into the South-east Asian meeting space

In addition to online meetings RFP functionality, Meetago’s global network of support staff, offers corporate clients local expertise for managing small gatherings. Meetago works with a company’s procurement strategy, including leading online booking engines, to ensure smooth data flow and efficient connectivity.

HRS initially invested in Meetago in January 2015, expanding the reach of the small meetings solution to its clients beyond Europe and adding HRS’s extensive hotel inventory to the solution.

Meetago’s transactions from HRS clients have cumulatively doubled each quarter since then, and the solution is now used in 18 countries. All of the content from HRS’ network of 350,000 hotels, including corporate rates from 210,000+ business-grade independent properties, are available to corporate clients using Meetago.

A Sofitel opens opposite Sydney’s International Convention Centre

By TTGmice

November 28, 2017

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Sofitel_Sydney_Darling_Harbour_-_pool_deck — Swimming pool

Touted as the first new-build internationally-branded hotel Sydney has seen in more than a decade, the recently-opened Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour offers 590 guestrooms including 35 suites.

All of its maritime-inspired rooms come furnished with the Sofitel MyBed, double shower heads, soaking tubs, and boast floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Darling Harbour or the city.

Meanwhile, suites feature extras such as an in-bathroom television, double shower heads and luxurious soaking tubs. Guests staying in Club Sofitel rooms and suites from levels 28 to 34 will have access to the Club Millesime Lounge on the rooftop.

The five-star property is located just opposite the International Convention Centre, but possesses its own event facilities as well. There are nine flexible meeting spaces, and a 450-pax Magnifique Ballroom.

Recreational facilities include a 20m-long infinity pool, and gym. Aside from French-inspired rotisserie and grill Atelier by Sofitel, there are three bars: The Champagne Bar, the largest Champagne bar in Sydney, offering 20 different types of champagnes; Esprit Noir lobby bar, and Le Rivage Pool Bar.

Skye Hotel Suites Parramatta debuts meeting spaces

By TTGmice

November 28, 2017

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The recently-opened Skye Hotel Suites Parramatta in Australia, Crown Group’s first luxury hotel brand, has unveiled its collection of event facilities, as well as new meeting packages.

The property features 924m² of event space, which includes three conference rooms, a boardroom, and an outdoor garden. The conference rooms can be combined into one larger room of 274m² to accommodate more than 100 delegates, while the boardroom can hold up to eight people.

When breaking ground for the V by Crown Group development, Crown Group discovered archaeological remains integral to Parramatta’s historical and cultural past, including an 1840s house, underlying convict hut, wheelwright’s workshop and the cellar of the Wheat Sheaf Hotel. These have been preserved for public display and sheltered with a canopy, and functions as an event space that can hold up to 60 people.

To assist with planning, Skye Hotel Suites also offers a dedicated and experienced meeting planner.

Skye Hotel Suites Parramatta is offering a meeting package starting at A$70 (US$53) per person per day (minimum numbers apply). It includes conference room hire, arrival tea and coffee, morning tea, working-style lunch, afternoon tea, and equipment such as a whiteboard, and conference pads and pens.

Email info@skyehotels.com.au.

Danang’s new Ariyana Convention Centre to get more accommodation support

Danang Hotel Association to train low-rated hotels on how to scale up

European cities sweep top 10 positions in GDS-Index

New book explores the benefits of conferences

Beyond Asia: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Strandzuid, and WindEurope Summit

Events Travel Asia journeys further into Asia

Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort puts corporate meetings within sights

HRS introduces Meetago Solution to SE Asia market

A Sofitel opens opposite Sydney’s International Convention Centre

Skye Hotel Suites Parramatta debuts meeting spaces

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