Asia/Singapore Thursday, 9th April 2026
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TTGmice | The Westin Desaru Coast Resort launches dedicated conference centre platform
TTGmice | Dorsett Melbourne welcomes new rooms division manager
TTGmice | JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa entices event planners with more meeting perks
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What do you bring to the table for corporates?

By TTGmice
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Julian Persaud, regional director, Asia-Pacific, Airbnb
JulianPersuad
What are key corporate travel trends are you seeing this year?

Asia-Pacific currently accounts for the largest spend in business travel around the world and we expect the growth to continue.

A large driver for this growth is the shift in mindset towards the notion of “business trips”. With enjoyable experiences through personal travels, more than half of Asian business travellers now value the same experience during their business trips as well.

Around 48 per cent of Asian business travellers are interested to extend their business trips for leisure, and around 60 per cent of business trips at Airbnb in the last year included a Saturday or Sunday night because business travellers are looking for opportunities to explore a city. Almost 15 per cent of stays in our business travel programme are for over 10 days and the average stay is more than one full business week.

What corporate travel innovations have been introduced to-date?

The Airbnb for Business product, translated into 26 languages, provides a suite of tools for travel managers to help employees book and stay with Airbnb. Through corporate reporting and duty of care functions, travel managers can access and monitor data, giving them better insight into employee experience.

Airbnb’s third party booking function is the latest product in our business travel suite of tools that allows both the employer who is managing travel and the employee who is taking the trip to view trip details, make changes to the reservation and message the Airbnb host with questions about the listing or neighbourhood.

What breakthroughs in corporate travel have you achieved?

Companies from over 150 countries have signed up for our Airbnb for Business and more than 50,000 companies globally – ranging from SMEs to large corporations such as Google and Morgan Stanley – have completed bookings with Airbnb. These business travellers have travelled to more than 172 countries on Airbnb.

 

Reuben Lai, head of business development, Grab

ReubenLai
What are key corporate travel trends are you seeing this year?

Mobile is a first touchpoint for travellers. Grab for Work links the Grab app to the Grab for Work web portal, enabling corporate travellers to manage transport expenses and reimbursements on their mobile devices. With the growth of on-demand services, Grab provides corporate partners with the Venue App to let guests and concierge teams book rides from their premises, now mostly in hotels, serviced residences, malls and healthcare institutions in Singapore.

What corporate travel innovations have been introduced to-date?

We have collaborated with global ridehailing partners to enable South-east Asian travellers to use their native Grab app to book Lyft, Ola and Didi rides when they visit the US, India and China respectively.

We introduced Grab for Work in May, a free corporate transport expense management solution across six South-east Asian countries. (Employers) can set and enforce ride policies, track and manage expenses, set a preferred payment option and save time by reducing paperwork. Employees can tag all Grab rides as business or personal via the app, access ride histories and manage e-receipts for reimbursements.

Grab is fully integrated with the Concur solution, so companies using that will enjoy faster expense reimbursement.

Grab’s integration with Alipay lets Chinese corporate travellers in South-east Asia pay for rides in renminbi.

What breakthroughs in corporate travel have you achieved?

Grab for Work has been used by over 150 companies since its launch. We have partnerships with airports such as in Manila where GrabCar is allowed to pick up passengers from all Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals in designated areas where booking agents will assist passengers without a smartphone or mobile data connectivity.

 

Chan Park, general manager, South-east Asia, Uber
ChanParkUber
What are the key corporate travel trends you are seeing this year?

We are seeing an extremely strong focus on employee safety in every aspect of business travel. Corporates continue to invest in strengthening risk management procedures and extend their duty of care to their employees.

As corporates continue to seek ways to cut business travel costs, we are seeing a shift in focus to improving employee efficiency more than just achieving cost savings.

We also are seeing a lot of new innovations in corporate travel technology including travel service apps, mobile payments and wearable technology. Corporates are slowly but surely adopting and embracing these new technologies, especially ones that improve policy management and data reporting.

What corporate travel innovations have been introduced to-date?

Uber’s mission is to provide access to convenient, reliable transportation for everyone, everywhere. We recently introduced two key products for the Singapore market – Uber for Business (U4B) and UberCENTRAL.

U4B is our corporate ride management platform to centralise and optimise transportation costs across borders. Employees are able to request rides anywhere around the world and have it automatically billed to the company. Corporates are able to easily customise ride policies and manage everything from a single dashboard.

 

UberCENTRAL enables any business – large or small – to request, manage and pay for Uber rides on behalf of their customers. For instance, hotels are able to now purchase rides on behalf of their guests, property developers can enable rides for their customers to and from their sites, and many others.

What breakthroughs in corporate travel have you achieved?

While we are unable to name names, we have partnered with thousands of large-scale organisations globally to provide strong and relevant data points for the impact U4B has been able to bring about in their industries.

Build and they will come: Bangkok

By Michael Mackey
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Thailand
Bangkok is replete with business event venues and hotels but still tantalises with new and improved hardware. By Michael Sanderson

All eyes will be on the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) next month as its US$170 million expansion is put to the test with the heavy duty Grand Metalex 2016, a Machine Tool & Metalworking Technology Expo.

The expansion nearly doubles the 19-year-old venue, with three new event halls bringing the total exhibition space to 70,000m2, making it one of Asia’s largest and a formidable growth catalyst for Bangkok’s conventions and exhibitions sector.

Complementing the event halls are three convention halls, 12 meeting rooms, a visitor centre, VIP rooms and the launch of Bhiraj Tower at BITEC, a mixed-use office building with retail, dining and entertainment facilities.

Managing director, Panittha Buri, told TTGmice construction Panittha-1had “progressed quite smoothly” and she was now “looking forward to showing what our new facilities can offer”.

Panittha said: “One of the key highlights will be an event hall with a 25-metre-high ceiling, which is a standard requirement today for concerts, lifestyle and live entertainment shows as well as large-scale exhibitions and conventions.”

The expanded centre will also boast improved accessibility.

Panittha said: “Getting to and from the venue will be easier with new infrastructure such as a direct link to the BTS station, connecting visitors to all the major attractions and hotels in Bangkok. We will also have three underground levels of parking for over 4,000 cars.”

Investments are being made on BITEC’s software too, revealed Panittha. She said: “In order to stay ahead, we need to be able to deliver the right information to the right people in the right way. And so, we’ve developed a greater online presence through our comprehensive and responsive website and various social media channels which are always up-to-date and allow our customers to connect with us using their preferred method.”

Rival IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani is also adding new infrastructure. After recognising growing client demand for accommodation near the centre, operator IMPACT Exhibition Management Co invested one billion baht (US$28.7 million) to develop a second hotel in the centre’s complex. Ibis Bangkok IMPACT Hotel, slated to open in early 2017, will offer 587 rooms. It joins the existing Novotel Bangkok IMPACT Hotel.

Foreign delegates attending events at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center also have another fresh accommodation option close by. The 183-key Best Western Plus Wanda Grand Hotel opened in May on Chaeng Wattana Road, a 3.4km drive from the centre. The upscale hotel has nine function spaces, including a 927m2 grand ballroom.

Corporate groups from Muslim nations can seek familiar accommodation at Al Meroz Hotel, Bangkok’s first hotel certified by Dubai-based Gulf Halal organisation. The hotel has 424 rooms and meeting facilities.

Come 1Q2017, Park Hyatt Bangkok will welcome its first guest. It offers 222 rooms and suites, a selection of F&B venues on the top three floors (35th to 36th), and outdoor terraces with lush gardens.

Exisiting hotels in Bangkok have also been stepping up their game to better compete with the glut of hotels in the city, and Events Travel Asia’s group managing director Max Jantasuwan is particularly impressed with what have emerged.

Pointing to the recently renovated Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel, and new function spaces at the Swissôtel Nai Lert Park Hotel and Banyan Tree Bangkok, as prime examples, Max said these properties “offer something different to what have been done before in Bangkok or Thailand”.

He said these properties were getting good responses from his clients.

{Talking numbers}

493,383
The number of business events travellers to Thailand between October 2015 and March 2016, according to the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)

103
The number of international association meetings held in Bangkok last year, according to ICCA, making it the 16th busiest city for such events in the world

12
The number of organisations joining TCEB in encouraging companies to hold meetings and seminars in other provinces to boost the domestic MICE sector

{Developments to Watch}

1Domestic MICE has become a focus under the Thai government’s State of People policy, with both state and private organisations encouraged to hold inter-provincial meetings and conferences. The domestic MICE market was worth US$1.32 billion in the 2015 fiscal year, and the government hopes to improve on this as part of a strategy to stimulate a stagnant economy

2After the Board of Investment rejected the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s request for hotel renovation privileges, it remains to be seen whether the idea will have more luck with the Revenue Department in the form of a tax break. As Thailand’s hotel rooms outstrip demand, the challenge for older properties is to renovate and modernise to remain competitive.

3Thailand is offering special perks and discounts for MICE travellers through the Spice Up Your Business Agenda in Thailand campaign. The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has teamed up with the government, Thai Airways, Thai Smile and Visa to offer incentives on everything from flights and accommodation to spa treatments, and is targeting the Chinese and CLMV

4August saw the introduction of the Thailand Incentives and Meetings Exchange, which TCEB will use as an annual platform for education and sharing experiences. The one-day forum will have a particular marketing focus, with the first centred on the Chinese market.

Park Society

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena
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By Xinyi Liang-Pholensa

Perched on the 29th floor, So Sofitel Bangkok’s signature restaurant and bar named Park Society was one of city’s most talked-about venues when the hotel debuted in 2012.

In the face of relentless competition in Bangkok’s dining scene, the restaurant recently underwent a revamp to boast a new head chef and concept focused on the “social dining experience”.

Concept

Presided by new chef de cuisine, Joost Bijster, previously of Savelberg fame, Park Society eschews its former haute gastro credos in favour of a more casual vibe. The Dutch chef has given his modern European concoctions playful Asian influences – think Risotto Tom Yum, with tiger prawns and coconut foam. Tasting sets customisable to taste and group size are also available.

MICE application

The reimagined restaurant seats 60 and features a long table for larger groups suitable for corporate dinners. Book the chef’s table to watch chef Joost at work.

The adjoining terrace, a semi-outdoor space, is great for parties and cocktail receptions for up to 120 pax, with the option of having live band entertainment.

The Hi-So lounge above overlooks the terrace with spillover room for 100 pax. A roof is currently under works so al fresco spaces can host events in all weather.

Head to the more exclusive bar – Super Hi-So – which can fit 30 pax. Groups can opt for a small stage for DJs.

With its 29th floor location that overlooks Lumpini Park and a skyscraper-studded skyline, Park Society makes an outstanding option as a hip venue – just make sure to get the party going by sunset to watcy the city light up. 

Service

Attentive and unobtrusive. Chef Joost and wine and dine manager Falko Flamme made rounds to seek feedback from diners.

SeafoodPlatter4Two
contactPark

Avani Bangkok Riverside Hotel

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena
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AVANIRiverside
By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

As the brand’s global flagship, the 26-storey Avani Bangkok Riverside Hotel is conceived as an upscale brand to complement Minor Hotel Groups’ traditional, resort-style Anantara brand. And with a location just next to sister hotel Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, both properties combine to offer MICE planners more than 650 keys and a choice of resort-style amenities and contemporary business facilities.

Rooms All 248 rooms and suites are located on levels 12 and above, whose high locations command sweeping views of the surroundings. Suites measure upwards of 62m2, going up to 138m2 and 166m2 for two- and three-bedroom units respectively. 

My 30m2 River View Room, the smallest room type, boasts a contemporary design with an open bathroom concept.

I especially like the expansive window, framing unobstructed views of the Chao Praya River bend.

The work area could do with some improvements however. The work desk, which was fixed against the wall, was too narrow for my liking. Guests with bigger physiques may find it a tad uncomfortable after a while. 

MICE facilities The main event spaces are located on the 10th floor, offering 4,500m2 of versatile multipurpose space that can accommodate 1,500 delegates or 80 exhibition booths. The 27 meeting rooms are named after the elements – Wind, Sky, Air, Horizon and Breeze – with generous pre-function areas which could serve as a space for coffee break or additional space for large conferences.

With a soaring 11-metre-high ceiling, the 1,152m2 Grand Riverside Ballroom can be separated into four spaces and accommodate up to 1,500 pax. It also offers the options of an open-plan show kitchen at one side and a car lift (with a 3,000kg weight load) that gives direct access to the venue.

As well, the Terrace is an outdoor balcony that can be used for evening cocktails.

The open event spaces, coupled with wraparound views of the Chao Phraya River, make the hotel a strong MICE option in a city replete with choices.

Other facilities Residing on the light-flooded lobby on level 11 are the all-day dining restaurant Skyline as well as Pantry, which offers speciality snacks and drinks round the clock as well as meeting corners that make great spots for smaller, informal meetings.

On the level 26 rooftop, there is a 25m infinity pool, spa and Attitude bar and restaurant, which makes a great cocktail spot at sunset.

The lower levels of the building is home to a shopping mall, giving guests access to additional dining and retail outlets, while a complimentary shuttle boat service connects to Asiatique night market and Saphan Taksin skytrain station on the opposite bank.

Room-count-1

Ready riders of the storm

By Paige Lee Pei Qi
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Global economic woes have hit the Little Red Dot, bringing down BTMICE arrivals and meeting group sizes, but a hefty tourism promotion fund should help lift the mood. By Paige Lee Pei Qi

Singapore’s tourism earnings dipped 6.8 per cent year-on-year in 2015 to S$22 billion (US$15.7 billion), even as international visitor arrivals climbed 0.9 per cent to 15.2 million.

The poorer tourism receipts were largely due to a six per cent fall in BTMICE visitor arrivals, with a corresponding eight per cent drop in per capita expenditure, according to the Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) chief executive Lionel Yeo.

While 25 per cent of the total visitor number belonged to the BTMICE pie, Yeo said: “As the average BTMICE visitor spends about twice more than the average leisure visitor, the fall in BTMICE visitor arrivals and spending due to companies cutting back on both travel and trip budgets has had a significant impact on our tourism receipts.”

STB deputy chief executive, Melissa Ow, added that China and India has taken a hit in terms of business travel traffic. However, she added that they are “encouraged by the performance of our business events in 2015 where attendance was very healthy”.

 

In 2015, STB supported more than 350 business events, a 27 per cent year-on-year increase from 2014. This resulted in 287,000 visitor arrivals, a year-on-year hike of 0.3 per cent.

“An example was Sibos 2015 in October, which saw an over 30 per cent increase in attendance to more than 7,000 visitors,” Ow said.

“We recognise business traffic will be subjected to some of the conditions that will impact overall economies. That means there are a lot of opportunities for us to think about how we might grow our business events,” she remarked.

For Arun Madhok, CEO of Suntec Singapore, he said that business events have performed well in 2015 and 1H2016. In particular, 2015 was an excellent year for the centre as Suntec Singapore saw its “best ever financial performance”.

Also feeling positive is Nichlas Maratos, vice president of sales strategy and operations, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, despite having seen a reduction in meeting group sizes and even shorter booking lead times.

Fuelling his optimism is the growing demand and numerous requests for proposals for meetings, as well as an increase in product launches and incentive groups being hosted at Starwood properties across the city state.

Maratos told TTGmice: “Singapore has always been seen as attractive location for meetings and events due to great geographical location, strong infrastructure and flight connectivity”.

However, Madhok has cautioned against expecting easy months ahead.

He said: “In the next six to 12 months, we anticipate a somewhat softer overall business events market, especially for smaller meetings of less than 500 pax due to a more uncertain economic outlook.

“(Hence), we will see an emphasis on quality and value, and greater demand for customisation.”

Whatever the global economic conditions may bring, STB is ready for it and destination promotion efforts will not falter.

The bureau had announced in April at the Singapore Tourism Industry Conference that it would be getting S$700 million (US$520 million) to support its destination promotions over the next five years. A part of it will be channelled to the Business Events in Singapore (BEiS) fund to provide organisers, corporations and associations greater support for their events.
quotes
At this point, the exact amount of funding for BEiS is yet to be determined, and STB assistant chief executive, Yap Chin Siang, said that “detailed perimeters are still being worked through”.

The enhanced funding will enable the bureau to support business development initiatives that are industry driven. For example, a MICE venue, a DMC and a cluster of hotels can now be supported in their joint effort to go after an incentive group or large-scale business event, said Yeo.

BEiS will also be used to support associations in their pre-bidding activities.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s MICE scene will continue to keep busy with several significant business events coming up. They include the International Council of Nurses World Congress 2019 which will see 3,000 visitors; the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress 2019 which is expecting 6,000 guests; as well as the Lions Clubs International Convention 2020 which is expected to host an impressive number of 20,000 delegates from around the world.

Clockwise from below: Bird’s-eye view of Gardens By the Bay; street
art along Haji Lane; the spacious plazas of Resorts World Sentosa
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{Taking Numbers}

TALKING-NO242.40
The average hotel room rate in Singapore dollars – equivalent to US$180 – for the months of January to March 2016, compared to S$244.60 the same time last year

64,347
The number of hotel rooms Singapore is expected to have by the end of 2016, up from 61,947 last year

2,500
The number of engineers and developers from all over the world that will be descending on Singapore for two pinnacle IT events – the ISACA Cybersecurity Nexus Asia Pacific in November 2016 and the Internet Engineering Task Force 100 meeting in November 2017

{Developments to watch}

1SIA restarts non-stop flights between Singapore and US. Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced its longest flights in its network, with the launch of non-stop services between Singapore and San Francisco, which started from October 23 this year. This come on the heels after United Airlines started the only non-stop flight between the two destinations this year. These new connections are expected to herald good business for inbound tourism and events from the US.

2Singapore Tourism Board is extending its In Singapore Incentives & Rewards (INSPIRE) rewards programme beyond China and India to target corporate meeting and incentive groups from Europe and North America. In partnership with Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport Group, the programme will feature discounted group airfares, a choice of six cocktail experiences hosted in historic venues or rooftop bars, and a choice of six themed business tours around the Lion City.

Merlion

Over coffee with… Peggy Chong

By Karen Yue
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The deputy CEO of Singapore’s iconic Gardens by the Bay tells Karen Yue that her garden is always kept fresh and beautiful to entice event planners who are yearning for unconventional venues

PeggyChongIt has been four years since Gardens by the Bay opened with Bay South Garden in June 2012. I remember reporting on the strong MICE interest in your venues ahead of opening. How has demand been since?

More than 800 events have been held here since opening. What makes the Gardens a venue of choice for many is perhaps its unique setting of outdoor and indoor gardens, juxtaposed with the striking architecture of the Supertrees and the cooled conservatories.

We have seen a steady growth in the number of events held here, with the highest number recorded last year during Singapore’s Golden Jubilee.

Event planners are constantly on the lookout for unconventional venues and unique experiences. The Gardens takes an event beyond the confines of a conventional ballroom or function hall, making it an ideal off-site venue.

What are some of your most memorable corporate and public events throughout these four years?

The SG50 Appreciation Dinner (March 2016), which marked the finale of Singapore’s 50th birthday celebrations, is one. Our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong placed the final item into the SG50 Time Capsule, which was then housed in the Gardens and will be opened in 2065.

Another memorable event is the Tourism 50 Gala Night and Singapore Experience Awards (November 2014), organised by Singapore Tourism Board and graced by the Prime Minister. That event was held in celebration of 50 years of the transformation of Singapore’s tourism landscape.

We’ve also had plenty of fun public events and festivals such as Christmas Wonderland, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Singapore Garden Festival, as well as concerts by international artistes such as Jennifer Lopez, Jason Mraz, Aerosmith, Psy, AR Rahman, DJ Hardwell and Corrine May.

The St Jerome’s Laneway Festival has also been held at the Gardens for four years in a row.

What is your most popular venue, and how far in advanced does it get booked?

Well, we’ve got two hot ones actually – the Flower Field Hall which is indoors and The Meadow which is outdoors. Advanced booking for them can range from nine to 18 months.

The Flower Field Hall is housed within the Flower Dome – the “Largest Glass Greenhouse” in the Guinness World Records 2015 – and its signature feature is the LED lighting with 100 colour options and can be customised to suit a specific theme or to evoke a certain ambiance. As you can imagine, Flower Field Hall is a popular venue for weddings, gala dinners, networking events and product launches.

The Meadow is the largest outdoor garden events space in Singapore. Spread across 22,000m2 with a panoramic view of the Supertrees, cooled conservatories and the Marina Bay skyline, it provides a stunning backdrop for mega events like concerts, festivals and carnivals.

Surely you must have had some challenging event requests over the past four years.

We do our best to cater to the varied nature of each event. We have had a number of automotive events held at the Gardens before, where we made special arrangements for the vehicles to be brought directly into the Flower Field Hall, and even converted The Meadow into a test drive circuit.

Has the Gardens evolved its products for planners over time? What has changed?

Well, we introduced two new incentive experiences in July 2016.

One is the Secret Life of Trees. This newly refurbished outdoor venue is nestled amid lush greenery in our World of Plants outdoor themed gardens, and makes an intimate venue for an evening cocktail party. It boasts an unparalleled view of the Supertree Grove and provides an optimal vantage point for guests to enjoy the nightly Garden Rhapsody light and sound show.

The other is Champagne @ OCBC Skyway. For the first time, the suspended walkway between two Supertrees in the heart of the Gardens, will be available for private hire. It provides an unusual setting for an unforgettable experience. Plus, guests can enjoy an exclusive Garden Rhapsody show as they sip champagne and take in the panoramic view of Marina Bay.

The Gardens has an interesting collection of education programme for the young. Are these programmes available to corporate groups too? 

At the moment, the educational programmes in the Gardens cater to the general public. However, we do provide private guided tours which can be customised to suit the needs and interests of the group.

The current year has been said by many MICE players to be a particularly challenging one. Often when this happens, corporates tighten their belts and event expenditures are among the first to be affected. What are you doing to ensure corporate event bookings remain strong going forward?  

It is not uncommon for some months to be quieter than others. On the whole, the Gardens remains popular with events and we continue to see a steady stream of enquiries on our venues.

Having said this, we continue to innovate by refreshing our offerings and introducing new incentive experiences such as the ones mentioned earlier.

As an added incentive to encourage event planners to host their events with us, we have also created a package where local event planners can enjoy a 20 per cent rebate for each event they bring into the Gardens.

This is valid until December 2016, and our Event Venues team will be happy to tell your readers more about this promotion.

I like how the Gardens holds several thematic exhibitions every year to keep the attraction fresh for local and foreign visitors. Have these thematic exhibitions helped to reel in corporate planners too?

Why, yes! The changing floral displays are a perennial favourite with visitors and they do add to the unique selling point of the two event venues within the Flower Dome – the Flower Field Hall and the Waterview Room.

As a horticulture themed attraction, we constantly inject fresh ideas into our floral displays by incorporating new themes and introducing plants not commonly seen in Singapore, such as tulips, dahlias and cherry blossoms.

Event-Planner

Earlier this year in March, we surprised visitors with the opportunity of experiencing sakura (cherry blossoms) in Singapore. Response was extremely heartening, and we have even received enquiries from companies wanting to coincide their events with next year’s display. Some of our floral displays coincide with festive seasons like Lunar New Year and Christmas, making them a popular choice too among event planners who are organising corporate events during these periods.

At the beginning, the Gardens opened first with Bay South Garden, while Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden were supposed to be ready at a later stage. How are Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden coming along?

Bay East Garden, when completed, will be a place with a serene ambience, where visitors can take in the beautiful vista and skyline of Singapore.

Full development of Bay East Garden will only be carried out at a later stage, taking into consideration the infrastructural works of other projects in the surrounding area.

However, we have opened Bay East Garden as an interim garden with basic infrastructure such as parking lots and restrooms.

As for Bay Central Garden, we are currently in the master-planning stage. The experience gleaned from designing Bay South Garden and Bay East Garden will prove useful when we design Bay Central Garden at a later stage.

For now, our focus is on Bay South Garden, including the event venues that we have in place, as well as the two new incentive experiences that we have rolled out in July.

Peggy

Bolder steps forward: Hong Kong

By Prudence Lui
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Multiple infrastructure projects will soon come online in Hong Kong, prompting greater confidence among MICE players in courting new events and businesses. Prudence Lui reports

Bold-HKG

With numerous infrastructure projects like the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link and the third runway of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) well underway, Hong Kong’s Lantau Island is poised to become an even greater force to be reckoned with.

The country is already a MICE hub thanks to its direct international air connections as well as links with major cities along the Pearl River Delta.

AsiaWorld-Expo’s (AWE) CEO, Allen Ha, pointed out the HZMB will further facilitate the flow of people, cargo and services, bringing over 80 million people to a market with unprecedented opportunities for new business growth.

Ha explained: “Many organisers have already made strategic moves to relocate, or introduced new shows in Hong Kong, to enjoy the first-mover advantages and pave the way to grow their shows in a highly prospective market. For instance, after Asia Fruit Logistica’s relocation to AWE in 2012, the organiser Global Produce Events has also teamed up with Cool Logistics Resources Limited to launch the inaugural Cool Logistics Asia conference, also held at AWE, last year.”

AWE is also collaborating with neighbouring cities. Last year, it signed a partnership with Zhuhai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (ZHICEC). They will jointly promote local and international sales and marketing opportunities, including working together on mega conferences to provide the concept of “one event, two venues”.

Attractions are also gearing up for bigger crowds and larger events.

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) will open its third hotel in 2017. The 750-room Disney Explorers Lodge will boost the resort’s capacity to accommodate larger groups.

Ngong Ping 360 is counting on the HZMB to lift its visitorship as the future link will make it more convenient for MICE groups from Macau and Zhuhai to visit Hong Kong.

Managing director of Ngong Ping 360, Stella Kwan, said: “For instance, they can consider visiting Hong Kong for a business event and do short stays in the country to enjoy a Lantau excursion, or have a joint Macau/Hong Kong itinerary. (Similarly), MICE groups that visit Hong Kong may also make a short trip to Macau or Zhuhai for sightseeing or business meetings. The three destinations will complement each other and become a MICE hub by developing joint promotions and partnership projects.”

Kwan said her team is preparing for upcoming opportunities driven by HZMB, and is “considering teaming up with other theme parks and attractions in Zhuhai or Macau to develop new partnership products”.

Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel, which has stepped up its presence in Zhuhai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, is planning to tackle the anticipated demand surge with refreshed and upgraded meeting spaces. The hotel has also reached out to meeting organisers to work together on long-term events and projects.

Stella

General manager of Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel, Michael Muller, said: “With our unique positioning next to AWE, HKIA and the Boundary Crossing Facilities, we anticipate more event organisers will look for opportunities in Lantau. As Hong Kong’s city centre is usually busy and congested, the new connection will (aid us when it comes to) exploring new opportunities with MICE operators based in Zhuhai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. We also hope to further engage event organisers in South-east Asia who now have the option to hold dual-destination events in Zhuhai, Macau and Chek Lap Kok.”

Team Building Asia, which does more than 20 events a year, regards Lantau as a destination to watch. 

Its co-founder and director, David Simpson, said: “Access to venues (in Lantau) is not perfect now but the new HZMB and infrastructure developments – like the expansion of HKDL and HKIA – will hopefully change that. For sure, new infrastructure will make it easier for teambuilding companies like ourselves to get our equipment to venues, which are currently limited due to restricted roads and areas.”

{Talking numbers}
airport
3.4
The percentage year-on-year growth in overnight MICE arrivals into Hong Kong in 2Q2016, crossing the 828,000 mark

407,693
The total number of visitors from China in the first six months of 2016, up 1.5 per cent from the same time last year

20,000
The total number of participants – hailing from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau – who attended the three-day Nu Skin Greater China Regional Convention. It was held at the AsiaWorld-Expo in June 2016

{Developments to Watch}

1The construction of Hong Kong International Airport’s three-runway system is underway. The upcoming development on Lantau Island will lead to the formation of the Aero-Bridgehead Economy Zone, where the new commercial and residential developments aim to drive long-term economic growth.

2The Tuen Mun–Chek Lap Kok Link will connect HKIA and Hong Kong’s north-west New Territories to the economic powerhouses of Shenzhen and Qianhai. Travelling time between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta cities will be significantly shortened. This will further facilitate the flow of people, cargo and services, bringing over 80 million people to a vibrant and affluent market with unprecedented opportunities for new business growth.

3The opening of the Iron Man Experience attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in late 2016, as well as the 750-room Disney Explorers Lodge in 2017, will provide more themed settings for business events. With a third hotel in place, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will be able to take in larger corporate groups.

Career inspiration – Ines Sukandar Event management consultant and professional master of ceremonies

By Mimi Hudoyo
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InesSukandarHow long have been a professional emcee and what do you like most about this job?

I have been emceeing since January 1985, a few months after I was accepted as a news presenter at TVRI Jakarta.

(Although) all eyes and ears are on me when I emcee and people (notice) when I make a mistake, I love the feeling that I am running the show.

I also like expanding my network when I am emceeing; it is a form of personal marketing.

Furthermore, I acquire new knowledge whenever I host an event. I get to learn about new products, for instance.

Besides, the money is good!

What are your best work experiences?

I always consider experiences – both good and bad – as lessons learnt. Emceeing events and gala dinners is not always a straight-forward process, and one must play by ear and be prepared for the unexpected.

Once I had to emcee for a state event, and we were all ready and waiting for the (then) head of state to arrive and deliver his keynote address, followed by the official opening of the conference. To our surprise, he cancelled his attendance.

(The sudden change of plans) was new to me then, and the burden to tackle the situation was on me. Thank God, I handled it as calmly as I could (and) all went well.

What preparations do you need to make before hosting an event with heads of state in attendance?

A lot of preperation must be made before going on stage, especially when it involves heads of state. I usually do research on who’s attending and on the event to faciliate script-writing.

I am particular about this stage of preparation, and will not emcee without a proper script. It does not have to be written completely, but must contain essential information.

What are your top tips for becoming a successful professional emcee of business events?

Be prepared, be humble and be wise.

Stanley Tan

By TTGmice
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Tan has joined The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore as director of sales & marketing. He most recently led the sales and marketing team at Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo, and was part of the hotel’s opening team in 2008.

StanleyTan

Rhys Challenger

By TTGmice
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AccorHotels has named Challenger general manager of new Mercure Singapore Bugis. Challenger has been with AccorHotels since 1996 and was most recently hotel manager at Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay.

Rhys-Challenger

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