A multimillion dollar refurbishment has boosted InterContinental Wellington’s conferencing capability with what is said to be the most technologically-advanced conference spaces in Wellington, New Zealand.
Interactive whiteboards that allow presenters to wirelessly connect via iOS and Android devices, and space-saving disappearing projector screens and data projectors are among the new highlights of the hotel’s six meeting rooms. These venues are also equipped with a wall-mounted touch-screen control panel for lighting, sound and visuals, and they all sport a contemporary sleek interior design.
New conference menus have also been developed to allow for broader dietary requirements and dining preferences during events. The hotel has observed a rise in breakfast meetings, for instance.
The conference floor upgrade was the final stage of a two-year refurbishment project that brought sweeping changes to the property’s club lounge, club rooms and other facilities.
Luxury hotel, The Reverie Saigon, opens this month in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, bringing with it 286 guestrooms and 15 function venues that are all beautifully furnished to invoke memories of resplendent palaces and chateaus.
Occupying the 27th to 39th floors of Times Square, the property offers clear city views and places guests within a five-minute walking distance from Lam Son Square, City Hall and the Notre Dame Cathedral, while the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City and Reunification Palace are within a kilometre away.
Guestrooms’ interior draws on the design genius of four leading Italian furniture designers – Provasi, Colombostile, Giorgetti and Visionnaire – and all feature walls of textured Italian silk, luxury bed linen, and delicate chandeliers and lamps. These rooms are also said to be the city’s largest, with regular rooms ranging from 43-53m2 in size and suites from 63-313m2.
There are 15 versatile venues for corporate meetings and private events, including the La Scala Grand Ballroom, an ornate room with Swarovski crystal chandeliers and walls lined with silk and onyx. Premium drinks, crystal glassware, carefully chosen scents and top-of-the-line stationery are part of every meeting at The Reverie Saigon.
F&B options include The Royal Pavilion, serving Chinese cuisine; R&J, offering Italian cuisine; Café Cardinal, serving French cuisine; and The Long@Times Square café and bar.
Other facilities include a gym, swimming pool, outdoor jacuzzis, steam rooms, saunas and a spa.
Also located within Times Square is The Reverie Residence with 89 one- and two-bedroom full-service apartments.
Event planners looking to bring their next incentive or teambuilding programme to popular Malacca now have another hotel option.
The new 352-key Straits Hotels & Suites houses five multi-functional rooms that are open for bookings by the hour or by the day, an all-day dining restaurant, rooftop bar and lounge, gym and sauna.
The deluxe and luxury suites offer kitchenette facilities while the premier and straits suites feature large bathrooms with a bathtub and standing rain shower as well as a sofa set and dining area.
Its location on Jalan Melaka Raya offers guests convenient access to Melaka Parade shopping centre and Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall.
Luxury boutique hotel The Club, which drew much attention from travellers and the design community with its bold black and white interior when it first opened in 2010 in Singapore’s heritage enclave, has completed an extensive renovation to give it refreshed guestrooms and new dining destinations.
Located on Ann Siang Hill in a colonial building built in the 1900s, The Club’s guestrooms now feature soothing earth tones, eclectic art accessories and bespoke furniture. Its popular B28 underground whisky bar is now joined by a lounge café and bar, a champagne yard, a rooftop bar and the second restaurant by The Disgruntled Chef.
Open for private event hire are Tiger’s Milk and The Champagne Yard.
Tiger’s Milk on level four is said to be the first Peruvian themed rooftop bar in Singapore. It is able to accommodate private gatherings of 110 guests, and charms with a Parilla grill area.
The Champagne Yard on the ground floor makes a splendid venue for celebrations and high-level networking functions, with space for 24 guests, cocktail style. It offers an extensive selection of premium champagnes and wines. – Karen Yue
Plaza Athenee Bangkok managed a double coup with its recently completed refurbishment — introducing a Thai-Colonial aesthetic throughout key areas of the property and managing the whole process as sustainably as possible.
Design elements pay homage to the hotel’s royal roots — it’s built on the site of the royal palace of HRH Princess Valaya Alongkorn, the 43rd daughter of King Rama V. The princess was a well known aesthete and guest rooms, public areas and meeting spaces retain visual fidelity to the era in which he lived through the use of elements such as Thai motifs, ornate filigreed designs, Chesterfield sofas, chaise lounge and vintage photography, all of which are complemented by contemporary interior design.
Business events specialists will want to explore the revamped Atheneum Meetings Rooms on Level 6 which incorporates six meetings rooms, a boardroom and lounge. The largest room seats 80 people theatre-style in its 150m2 space. While the area continues with the colonial theme, each room is decked out with the latest audiovisual equipment and has been designed to maximise natural light while providing views of the surrounding cityscape.
Plaza Athenee sourced all the design and workmanship from within Thailand and received ISO 20121 certification for its planning and delivery of sustainable events. The refurbishment, which won the Five Star Asia Pacific Property Award 2014-2015, in the category Best Hotel Interior Thailand, repurposed as much of its former interior elopements, including furniture, as possible under the property’s “no waste” policy, making it an ideal venue for groups focused on ensuring their MICE activities leave a minimal impact on the environment.
No longer just a wonderland of fun for kids, theme parks are making their spaces friendly for corporate hire and getting clients to see them in a new light
Asia has witnessed an explosion of theme parks in recent years, many themed around popular cartoon and movie characters and brandishing the latest in fun ride technology.
While these theme parks may have been built with families with children and the young-at-heart in mind, these attractions are also gaining fans in the corporate circle.
Popular theme parks such as Hong Kong Disneyland and Universal Studios Singapore, which offer private venue hires and are equipped with themed spaces that make memorable venues for networking functions, meetings, product launches, gala dinners and award presentations, are no stranger to corporate event organisers. They are also favoured for having quality hotel accommodation located on site or in close proximity.
Several business event specialists told TTGmice that theme parks are hotting up as venues for corporate gatherings.
“We have observed a rising trend for meetings and incentives at theme parks,” said Ankush Nijhawan, managing director of Nijhawan Group of Companies, one of India’s leading travel conglomerate, noting that cities in Europe, Asia and the Middle East are “particularly successful at winning these events”.
He explained that theme parks appealed to corporate clients as they satisfied the need for work spaces and fun elements under one roof.
Pacific World’s regional director Asia, Selina Chavry, agrees. “Theme parks with hotels in close proximity and feature a significant number of meeting and convention spaces (are getting more MICE enquiries) as they are a good alternative to conventional (venues) in city hotels. They are also equipped with facilities for post-meeting activities.”
Chavry also noted that theme parks are savvy marketers. “Much focus has been channelled towards MICE buyers. Theme parks are making efforts to distinguish themselves by constant upgrade of facilities, adding new rides, etc. to leverage on the growing (business events) market. In keeping with the growing demand, the (theme park) industry has also become more organised and active on a professional level,” she said.
Kota Kikui, general manager, MICE Sales Department of Tokyo-based Tobu Top Tours Co., said Japanese companies loved the idea of hosting incentives at theme parks.
Tokyo Disneyland is a popular option for incentives
“Theme parks in Japan are popular among the Japanese, so taking staff to a theme park is a way to give (staff) unforgettable memories,” said Kikui, adding that the improving national economy has led to an increase in clients rewarding staff with trips to destinations with theme parks.
Of course, not all business event organisers are sold on the idea.
Vidya Hermanto, managing director of Corporate Incentive Management with Indonesia’s Panorama Leisure, remarked: “Theme parks are perceived to be a place for families, therefore they do not really appeal to corporates. We have not received any requests for meetings in a theme park, although there have been some teambuilding and family day programmes at these venues.”
He added: “And because of their characteristics as a family fun place, there are limited activities that corporates can do there. The theme park also cannot reflect the corporate image and goal of a corporate event.”
Simon Ang, managing director – operations with Celebrate Life Travel & Leisure Philippines, has observed a decline in corporate requests for theme parks.
“Clients that have done (meetings and incentives at theme parks) in the past are now interested in exploring new destinations. As they become more travel-savvy, they want to take the road least travelled – hikes, safaris, treks and other adventure experiences – instead of visiting yet another theme park which offers the same rides and attractions,” commented Ang.
The demographics of incentive winners contribute to a weak demand for theme parks too, according to Richard Vuilleumier, managing director of Panorama Tours Malaysia.
Vuilleumier said: “Many incentive qualifiers are in their 40s and they are not so keen on theme parks as compared to shopping and visiting iconic attractions. Having said that, a half-day programme can be included in the itinerary provided the theme park is iconic, for example Tokyo Disneyland which stands out because it is the closest to (Malaysia) and one can see iconic Disney characters that adults can relate to. The good weather in Tokyo is another winning factor.”
Tobu Top Tours Co.’s Kikui expects corporate interest in theme parks to rise as more theme parks continue to spring up on Asian soil.
He explained: “Japanese companies want destinations that are not too far from home because (staff) can only go away for three or four days. Japanese firms are not keen to give their staff long vacations. Short trips also keep costs down. Theme parks in Europe or North America are too far away.” – Paige Lee, Mimi Hudoyo, S Puvaneswary, Rosa Ocampo, Rohit Kaul and Julian Ryall
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort welcomes park buy-outs
Viewpoints – What should theme parks do to attract corporate clients?
“The (clients) I speak with are always asking for more information about the parties and unique events they can do at theme parks, so park operators need to be better at providing such information.”
Kota Kikui General manager, MICE Sales Department, Tobu Top Tours Co.
“Theme parks can create lasting memories for MICE delegates by going out of their way to create (unique) entertainment for corporate groups. For example, a dining function can be enhanced with a theme and characters in costumes mingling with delegates.”
Richard Vuilleumier Managing director Panorama Tours Malaysia
“Theme parks offering unique concepts and attractions would be a welcome move to address and adjust to the evolving market.”
Simon Ang Managing director – operations Celebrate Life Travel & Leisure Philippines
“Theme parks (that succeed) are continuously focusing on creativity and offering the newest rides, experiences and services to its guests. They are also evolving their MICE offerings such as the provision of express entry for groups, welcome banners, souvenirs and discount coupons.”
Ankush Nijhawan Managing director, Nijhawan Group of Companies
Not just for kids
TTGmice spotlights upcoming theme parks that are suitable for business events
Shanghai Disney Resort, China
Targeted opening Spring 2016
Target markets Mainly China but also markets across Asia and beyond
Unique selling points Shanghai Disney Resort will be a world-class family vacation destination that combines classic Disney characters and storytelling with the uniqueness and beauty of China. The resort’s vision is to build an “authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese” resort, and aims to provide unique content and experience to all visitors by introducing Chinese elements in its dining outlets, entertainment and architecture.
MICE applications The resort will have accommodation, function rooms and in-park venues for private events. More details on its events capability will be shared at a later stage.
Movie Animation Park Studios, Perak
Targeted opening Mid-2016
Target markets Domestic visitors as well as travellers from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, China and India
Unique selling points Said to be the first animation theme park in Asia, Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) is one of the most unique and exciting projects underway in Malaysia’s leisure and tourism landscape, noted Darren McLean, co-founder and CEO of Movie Animation Parks Studios.
The attraction will be launched with more than 40 attractions in six themed zones. Highlights will include:
• South-east Asia’s first live car and bike stunt show, Stunt Legends, which will be performed at the 2,000-seat Stunt Legends Arena
• DreamWorks Animation Adventure Zone featuring themed attractions such as Mr Peabody & Sherman, Megamind, The Croods and Casper The Friendly Ghost
• South-east Asia’s first Smurfs ‘Live’ animation attractions
• The world’s first BoBoiBoy animation attraction
• Malaysia’s tallest drop tower attraction, Megamind Megadrop
• A variety of themed performances, F&B and retail outlets
MICE applications Stunt Legends Arena has a VIP room and can accommodate large groups, while thematic restaurants will be set up within the park. There will also be open spaces that can be customised to meet the requirements of event organisers.
Twentieth Century Fox World Malaysia, Resorts World Genting
Targeted opening End-2016
Target markets ASEAN, Greater China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India and the Middle East
Unique selling points The attraction will be the world’s first Twentieth Century Fox World theme park.
It will bring the “rich heritage of Twentieth Century Fox movie and television from the screen to be experienced on the ground”. said Chow Wei Heng, vice president marketing with Resorts World Genting.
Perfect for family day outings and programmes for accompanying spouses and children, the theme park will feature a wide range of attractions themed after popular cartoon and movie titles like Ice Age, Epic, Rio, Alien vs Predator, Titanic and Night at the Museum.
Chow promises “something for everyone – young and old” at the future theme park.
MICE applications Meeting venues have been alloted and there are plans to develop itineraries for event delegates. Details will be announced in early 2016.
Planet J, Sands Cotai Central, Macau
Targeted opening Summer 2015
Target markets China, Taiwan, South-east Asia and Europe
Unique selling points Planet J is the world’s first player-centric Live-Action-Role-Play (LARP) theme park.
“At Planet J you won’t find a roller coaster, but it features out-of-the-world role-playing games, where players can physically act out the actions of fantasy characters, and the pursuing of goals and interaction with other adventurers between realistic and virtual settings,” explained a spokesperson.
Connecting the players with the park is a mobile device called Magic Scroll, a personalised mobile gear that connects to over 200 whimsical games. Blending state-of-the-art technology and experiential storytelling, it will take players into a total immersive experience, from fun games to exhilarating quests for individuals, and grand adventures to dazzling performances for group challenges.
MICE applications Planet J can be a unique venue for events or corporate functions, particularly for team-building or interactive events.
Event organisers and corporates can book the venue for exclusive use for a two-hour session. For longer sessions, bookings must be made at least three months in advance.
The Planet J team can also work with event planners to customise the venue and programme.
IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai
Targeted opening End-2015
Target markets Asia
Unique selling points IMG Worlds of Adventure is set to be the world’s largest indoor temperature-controlled theme park, allowing comfortable year-round visits.
Spanning 139,355m2 in size, the attraction will partner globally renowned brands such as Marvel and Cartoon Network to offer a mix of exciting themed rides and attractions that will appeal to visitors of all ages and nationalities.
There will also be an extensive F&B offering, with plans to offer Arabic, European, American and Pan-Asian cuisines.
Lennard Otta, general manager of IMG Worlds of Adventure, said the company will be developing fully licensed, bespoke merchandise, not available anywhere else in the world.
MICE applications IMG Worlds of Adventure will play a supporting role in Dubai’s quest for a growing MICE sector.
Catering to both formal and informal events alike, the attraction will house state-of-the-art facilities like amphitheaters, event halls, cinemas and themed private dining rooms. It will also provide bespoke teambuilding and entertainment packages.
Myanmar’s new administrative capital, Nay Pyi Taw, has the hardware to support MICE but supply and demand are just not matching up. Greg Lowe reports why hotel groups still want to be there
On first impression, Nay Pyi Taw is a model of efficiency: on arrival at the airport you can clear immigration, collect your luggage, change dollars into kyat and sit in your transfer vehicle within 15 minutes. The 16km drive into the capital passes quickly as you journey along tree-lined, multi-lane roads that are practically devoid of traffic. Then there’s the impressive sight of the hotels: long driveways lead up to massive resorts where the buildings are dispersed over large tracts of land. Everything appears bigger and more spread out. They have the space, so why not use it?
There’s also plenty of data to show the city is built for business: Nay Pyi Taw International Airport has a capacity of 3.5 million passengers a year; Myanmar International Convention Centre features 29,000m2 of floor space and can hold 1,900 people in its plenary hall; and there’s no shortage of accommodation – there were 4,884 rooms spread across 58 properties at the end of last year, according to data from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (MHT).
What is lacking however is – people.
Nay Pyi Taw is a young city. Construction of the new administrative capital started in secret around 2002. The announcement that power would shift from Yangon was made in 2005, with the official naming of the city taking place the following year. The biggest influx of people, mostly government officials, was in 2008, and the population has grown ever since. While the city has netted a number of large-scale events, such as the World Economic Forum in 2013 and the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2015, reality appears to be falling short of the dreams of the generals who designed Myanmar’s new centre of power.
Andrew Langdon, executive vice president Thailand and Indochina of Jones Lang LaSalle, explained the gap between supply and demand in the hotel sector.
“Nay Pyi Taw witnessed a significant increase in room supply in the lead up to hosting ASEAN events in 2014. With the conclusion of these events, some of the facilities are now significantly under-utilised,” he said.
“Existing branded supply in Nay Pyi Taw is very limited but growing. Existing hotels are primarily categorised in the upscale segment and include Parkroyal (90 keys), Kempinski (141 keys), MGallery (165 keys) and Hilton (202 keys).”
Authorities are trying to fill this gap by promoting the city as a MICE destination. They also recently announced plans to develop it as a multi-development tourism market. This is no mean feat given the current lack of content: a quick search on TripAdvisor yields six attractions, eight restaurants, 30 hotels and not a whole lot more.
Official data reveals tourism performance which can only be described as dismal. While MHT statistics show international arrivals to the city rose from 5,521 in 2011 to 19,261 last year – up by about 52 per cent per year – growth would need to continue at this rate for 11 years, with no new supply, for hotels to run at full occupancy. In other words, last year’s international arrivals would have been enough to fill every hotel room in the city for only four nights.
Action is clearly needed to improve performance, however, the trade is far from optimistic about government initiatives to bring in more people. Stephen McEvoy, managing director of Asia World Enterprise, said: “I don’t think Nay Pyi Taw would work in the foreseeable future as a MICE destination.
“For one thing the international airport is very new with no major airlines flying in… There is a choice of hotels in the destination, but no world famous cultural sites or areas of natural beauty nearby as a hook for selling the destination. Apart from accommodation, restaurants, meeting venues and meeting technology would need to be upgraded.”
Given such weak performance, why are international hoteliers opening shop in the capital? Especially given the overall decline in Myanmar’s hotel sector at the national level: STR Global reported that Myanmar suffered Asia-Pacific’s largest decrease in RevPAR (-22.4 per cent) in February, driven largely by a 16.9 per cent decline in occupancy to 67.8 per cent.
A senior executive at an international tourism business with more than 15 years experience working in Myanmar said major hotel groups need a presence in Nay Pyi Taw to strengthen government relations and help secure licences elsewhere in the country.
“If international hoteliers want licences to operate in key destinations like Yangon, Mandalay and Inle, they need to partner a hotel in Nay Pyi Taw,” he said. “The authorities need the big brands here to make the place look credible. I doubt it’s written down anywhere as a requirement, but everyone knows giving them face will ease the licence process elsewhere. What other explanation can there be?” the source said.
Tourism authorities deny the claim, as does AccorHotels, while Hilton and Pan Pacific did not respond directly to the question.
Timur Senturk, vice president operations ASEAN at Pan Pacific Hotels Group, said: “The management contract for Parkroyal Nay Pyi Taw was signed with Shwe Taung Group, one of Myanmar’s leading corporations in real estate and infrastructure development. Shwe Taung Group is also our joint venture partner for the development of the first Pan Pacific hotel in Myanmar, Pan Pacific Yangon, which is scheduled to open in 2017.”
William Costley, vice president of operations for South-east Asia at Hilton Worldwide, said: “As Nay Pyi Taw increasingly (becomes) an appealing destination for travellers, we want to be where our guests want to be.”
None of the hoteliers approached gave performance data for their properties in the capital. And until performance in Nay Pyi Taw matches the vision of its founders, doubts about its viability as a destination are likely to continue to echo around its empty streets.
Five-star, 250 rooms, Jalan Lapangan Terbang SAAS, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia, www.shr.my/the-saujana-hotel/
The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur is a gem. Following major refurbishments which completed in June, the almost 30 year-old hotel feels spanking new. It also scores on location, being accessible via the Federal Highway and the New Klang Valley Expressway.
Although it is a city hotel, I felt transported to a resort on a beautiful island, thanks to the lobby’s high ceiling which brought a cool breeze through the reception area. This vision followed through to my deluxe room which offered views of the lake and free-form swimming pool. With views so tempting, I was glad I had my portable notebook with me, allowing me to write this review outdoors.
Meeting facilities The are nine meeting rooms and a ballroom at Block 1, while Block 2 features six meetings venues, all of which were renovated. In my view, they appeal to two types of planners.
For the planner who desires a stimulating environment for brainstorming, an air-conditioned meeting room with beautiful views of the lake may be ideal. There are three venues with such views. They are equipped with two 70-inch flat-screen TVs in each room, whiteboard, LCD projector and sound system. Delegates also get to enjoy the convenience of a well-stocked private minibar and charging stations for mobile devices.
For the planner who wants for a venue for solemn meetings, an enclosed environment would be more suitable and there are five venues to suit this need.
All meeting rooms sit on the ground floor and are close to the Suajana Ballroom which has a permanent stage and capacity for 700 pax in theatre-style. The entrance to the ballroom was renovated, now allowing cars to be easily driven in, making the venue ideal for car launches.
Saujana Hotel & Resorts vice president of operations, Peter J Hourigan, told me that the hotel is keen on winning over car events “since many luxury automobile brands are located in the vicinity”.
With 160 hectares of manicured gardens, there’s ample space for outdoor teambuilding activities.
Rooms All 250 guestrooms were refurbished. I enjoyed the 50-inch flat-screen TV in my room and the iPod docking station on my bedside table. A free app, designed for use in the hotel and downloadable from Google Play Store, allowed me to project photos from my smartphone onto the TV, which was great.
My deluxe room was spacious, even with two super single beds, a comfortable lounge chair, a side table and a long work desk with a multimedia hub.
F&B Seven restaurants, each specialising in a different cuisine, provide variety for event delegates who are staying a few nights at the hotel.
Senja Italian restaurant has a live band playing every night, a lounge area, a cocktail bar and a dining area.
Charcoal opened last year, serving prime meats, quality seafood and a wide selection of Peranakan dishes. It has a private dining area for 60 pax.
Kogetsu features a classic Japanese countryside, complete with a show kitchen in the main area, separate sushi and teppanyaki counters for alternative seating options and three tatami rooms for private functions.
Other facilities Complimentary Wi-Fi is available for in-house guests throughout the resort. Free parking is offered too.
Thanks to a weaker ringgit, foreign MICE groups can get greater value out of their event at Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa (pictured here)
With the country’s main airport close by and an inventory of business hotels and accessible entertainment, Selangor is the new darling of event organisers, discovers S Puvaneswary
The MICE sector in Selangor is starting to see a rebound in business following a tough 2014 when two air tragedies and a slowdown in travel led to a dip in arrivals to Malaysia.
Recovery has been attributed to Selangor’s infrastructure developments and the depreciation in the ringgit. Trade players believe that the destination’s close proximity to two major gateways into Malaysia, namely Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and low-cost carrier terminal klia2, is a contributing factor.
The new klia2, much bigger and far better equipped in terms of safety and comfort features than the former budget terminal, enabled low-cost airlines using the facility to expand their frequencies and introduce new routes, thus improving opportunities for inbound players to tap new secondary markets for business events.
Access into Malaysia through klia2 has improved this year, with AirAsia raising its frequency from Manila from twice to thrice daily; AirAsia and Malindo Air both starting the new Kuala Lumpur-Visakhapatnam route; and AirAsia X commencing a new service from Chongqing with four weekly flights.
Ganneesh Ramaa, manager of local DMC Luxury Tours, said: “The aggressive expansion of low-cost carriers…opens new markets for business events.”
Ramaa said business hotels in Selangor are benefitting because they are close to these gateways, have large meeting spaces and guestroom inventory, and are cheaper compared with hotels of similar star rating in Kuala Lumpur.
“Hoteliers (in Selangor) are also more flexible with rates,” he remarked, adding that it is “easier to promote Selangor” than Kuala Lumpur to MICE clients.
Arokia Das, senior manager of Luxury Tours Malaysia, said the rates for business events held at four- and five-star hotels in Selangor were “easily 30 per cent lower than the rates (of similar hotels) in the outskirts of Bangkok”.
Adam Kamal, CEO of Rakyat Travel, said: “Regional or international conference organisers with two- or three-day events don’t want destinations too far from the capital city, such as Penang or Langkawi which require an additional flight. At the same time, they may choose not to do it in Kuala Lumpur, as there are too many distractions. So Selangor is an obvious choice.”
Citing an example of how valuable accessibility is to clients, Kamal told TTGmice that Bank Rakyat, the organiser of an international conference on Islamic finances in August, had chosen to host the event at Putrajaya Marriott Hotel because the hotel was close to KLIA and klia2, had large conference facilities, and was near Putrajaya, enabling a day tour to the administrative capital.
Rakyat Travel was the groundhandler for the conference which was attended by 150 delegates from all over the world.
Putrajaya Marriott Hotel also provides free shuttle services for its guests to the nearby IOI City Mall, allowing meeting delegates to end their day with shopping and entertainment.The mall features more than 300 outlets, including an ice skating rink, a cinema with 13 halls, and an indoor Apocalypse themed adventure park known as District 21 which provides challenges and obstacle courses for adults.
Putrajaya Marriott Hotel and IOI City Mall are part of the IOI Resort City, which also includes the four-star 151-key Palm Garden Hotel.
According to Lydia Mae Hendroff, assistant director of marketing at Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, IOI Resort City is being marketed as a single destination this year, resulting in growing interest especially from China, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei.
Hendroff said: “Cluster marketing provides convenience for meeting planners as their main point of reference is the sales team who will liaise with the different entities within IOI Resort City (on their behalf).”
Another hotel that is benefiting from its close proximity to the airports is AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort. Pamela Yew, its director of sales and marketing, said event organisers found the hotel convenient for time-strapped foreign delegates, especially speakers who would often fly in to make their presentation in the day and leave at night.
The seafront property also appeals to event planners with its seclusion from the busy city centre and access to two ballrooms. Its location allows the provision of an “extreme park” with paintball courts, a go-kart track and ATV rides. Corporate teambuilding activities can be arranged on site. The two ballrooms are pillarless and have high ceilings. They can accommodate 1,000 and 400 pax respectively.
Yew said: “Many competing MICE hotels only have one ballroom which is used for the main conference, leaving not enough venues for private dining.”
Also playing to Selangor’s advantage is the steady depreciation of the Malaysian ringgit this year. At press time on August 14, it slumped to its weakest level in 17 years, and reached a historic low of 4.03 against the US dollar.
Kamal observed that the weak currency has made Selangor a more attractive destination for business events, and said his company had seen increased enquiries from ASEAN member countries, such as the Philippines and Indonesia, for the second half of 2015.
He said: “The depreciation of the ringgit had resulted in clients using their savings to (add value to the programme), such as by organising a gala dinner outside the hotel or requesting for entertainment options.”
Yew too is seeing increased enquiries from companies based in Singapore, India and China for 2H2015. While demand is up from financial service sectors, Yew noted that it was the reverse with oil and gas clients. She explained that the weaker currency had impacted the latter’s revenue.
She remarked: “The devaluation of the ringgit has helped business as organisers want to stretch their budget. During the low season, we are able to provide value adds such as room upgrades, complimentary rooms, coach transfers from airport to hotel or from hotel to the city centre, and flexible room rates and meeting packages.”
Selangor’s Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa group director of brand marketing & communications marketing, Farizal Jaafar, said the integrated resort is now more affordable to its main markets from the Asia Pacific region which contributed 60 per cent of its guests in 2014.
Rakyat Travel’s Kamal agrees. “In the past, the total package price of holding an event at Sunway was beyond the budget of our clients. Now with the devaluation of the ringgit, it (is affordable). This is also a good option for clients who have already done Kuala Lumpur and are looking for a new destination.”
Meanwhile, the two-year-old Setia City Convention Centre in Selangor’s Shah Alam is banking on the integration of ASEAN as a single community to further drive business, said its senior manager, Francis Teo.
Currently, part of its business comes from multinational corporations in Shah Alam and Subang Jaya who prefer to do their events at the centre which is nearer than venues in Kuala Lumpur.
{Talking Numbers}
{Spotlight}
Journey into the capital’s past
Mud takes the audience into Kuala Lumpur’s past
MICE planners having an event in Kuala Lumpur should incorporate this 50-minute live performance in English into their programme as it gives foreign visitors a lively introduction into the early beginnings of the city.
Everyone who watches this show will have their hearts go out to the colourful, multiracial settlers who lost their homes and their possessions when the Great Fire of Kuala Lumpur broke out in 1881. To further add to their misery, The Great Flood that year destroyed the city and settlers were left with two choices, leave and start anew elsewhere or rebuild the city and their lives. Thankfully they chose the latter.
While the characters are fictional, the story is based on historical accounts from the 1850s during the tin mining boom which promised riches and attracted an influx of pioneers from Asia to the muddy junction of the two rivers, Lumpur River (now known as Gombak River) and Kelang River.
What also makes the show interesting is that the audience can choose to participate, and by doing so, they become part of the unfolding drama. For instance, they can form a line and become volunteers to pass pails of water to help put out the ravaging fire of 1881.
The intensity of the fire is projected through visuals on the LED screen.
It is fitting that the tale of Kuala Lumpur is staged at Panggung Bandaraya, built in 1901. Panggung Bandaraya is located at Merdeka Square, the heritage area of Kuala Lumpur where buildings are more than a century old. This was the “new” city of Kuala Lumpur then.
Mud: Our story of Kuala Lumpur is the longest running musical in Kuala Lumpur; it will be staged till end-2017. There are two performances daily, at 15.00 and 20.30, except on the second and fourth Monday of the month.
This musical is the perfect post-lunch/dinner entertainment. If an afternoon show is chosen, the programme can include a horse carriage ride – provided the group size is small. The ride starts and ends at KL City Gallery, which is within walking distance to Panggung Bandaraya.
Drawn by Friesian horses, the carriages will take visitors past the old parts of the city, where buildings date back to the 1800s. Visitors will be able to see some of the architecture that will be featured in the musical. The ride lasts 20 minutes and a carriage can fit up to four people.
With advance bookings, Kuala Lumpur City Hall can prepare up to five carriages to take groups around at any one time.
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Ganneesh Ramaa, manager of Luxury Tours Malaysia, points out Malaysia’s many attractions that delegates must experience
Diverse destinations
Malaysia has a lot to offer to visiting MICE delegates. There is an old world charm to experience in Penang and Malacca, beautiful beaches to play at in Langkawi, Terengganu and Sabah, and a lively city centre to explore in Kuala Lumpur. Good highways, rail and air links make travelling from one state to another easy.
Culture club
Explore cultural diversity in Malaysia by sampling different food and experiencing the way of life of locals. Homestay programmes allow delegates to spend a night with locals, while day trips to villages and longhouses promise memorable experiences for foreign delegates.
Be one with nature
Batu Caves Picture by Idambies/123RFcom
Many opportunities for nature-based pre/post-show activities are on offer. For example, Forest Research Institute of Malaysia in Kepong is one of the top eco-tourism destinations in Malaysia, and offers the excitement of walking along a 150m canopy walkway, suspended 30m above the ground. Dark Cave in Batu Caves and Tempurong Cave in Gopeng, Perak are also waiting to be explored. For venues with a twist, planners can pick The Lost World of Tambun’s 400 million-year-old Kepura Cave which can accommodate meetings. To escape the tropical heat, head up to Cameron Highlands and explore Endau-Rompin National Park on a four-wheel drive or bicycle.
Uniplan’s sales & marketing executive, Mimi Wong, shows how her company battles Hong Kong’s capricious weather while holding Mercedes-Benz’s media launch outdoors
Event brief
It was in mid-March that Mercedes-Benz contracted live communications agency, Uniplan, to hold the launch of its new Maybach S-Class and S-Class Pullman models. Scheduled to happen in June, Mercedes was set on impressing the media and its exclusive clientele during the VIP unveiling of the new models. By the end of the month, Uniplan had begun preparing for the event, from creative concept through to production and event management.
Challenges
The media launch would take place in a glasshouse atop Hong Kong Central Pier 4, which offers beautiful views of the harbour front during the day and a front seat to the Hong Kong skyline at night.
As with many outdoor events, the key challenge was to design and install a transparent marquee that could withstand the harsh outdoor conditions, which ranged from the blazing sun to Hong Kong’s infamous thunderstorms and howling winds during the typhoon season.
The fact that the event was held at the top of the pier meant that large set-ups such as the marquee and portable washrooms had to be lifted up to the pier using a crane.
In addition, we were limited to only four hours of crane usage daily and only at pre-determined times.
Solutions
The solution to our challenges lay in extensive pre-event planning. Prior to the launch, we designed contingency plans for different weather conditions to prevent any delays in the event. For example, we added weights to the marquee structure, designed to withstand up to Typhoon
Category 3.
During the event, Uniplan also carefully monitored the stand’s condition to ensure the comfort and safety of the guests and our team.
To overcome the crane issue, we cautiously designed the event to minimise large set-up structures in order to reduce lifting time. We also worked closely with multiple vendors to ensure all parties were aware of the working schedules to prevent delays in set-up time.
Key takeaways
As the event was held outdoors at the top of a pier – not your everyday go-to venue – we learnt that it is absolutely critical for contingency plans in case of unpredictable weather conditions. Thorough pre-event planning and time management are just as crucial.
We also realised more than ever that clear and concise communication between all parties is essential for a successful and smooth event.
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.
Luxury boutique hotel The Club, which drew much attention from travellers and the design community with its bold black and white interior when it first opened in 2010 in Singapore’s heritage enclave, has completed an extensive renovation to give it refreshed guestrooms and new dining destinations.
“Theme parks can create lasting memories for MICE delegates by going out of their way to create (unique) entertainment for corporate groups. For example, a dining function can be enhanced with a theme and characters in costumes mingling with delegates.”
“Theme parks (that succeed) are continuously focusing on creativity and offering the newest rides, experiences and services to its guests. They are also evolving their MICE offerings such as the provision of express entry for groups, welcome banners, souvenirs and discount coupons.”
Unique selling points
Perfect for family day outings and programmes for accompanying spouses and children, the theme park will feature a wide range of attractions themed after popular cartoon and movie titles like Ice Age, Epic, Rio, Alien vs Predator, Titanic and Night at the Museum.
The Planet J team can also work with event planners to customise the venue and programme.
Stephen McEvoy, managing director of Asia World Enterprise, said: “I don’t think Nay Pyi Taw would work in the foreseeable future as a MICE destination.
Ganneesh Ramaa, manager of Luxury Tours Malaysia, points out Malaysia’s many attractions that delegates must experience
Uniplan’s sales & marketing executive, 
As the event was held outdoors at the top of a pier – not your everyday go-to venue – we learnt that it is absolutely critical for contingency plans in case of unpredictable weather conditions. Thorough pre-event planning and time management are just as crucial.
