REDUCED buying power among some Asian clients as a result of weakening currencies, and a less than desirable economic climate of late have done little to dent year-end corporate party bookings for Hong Kong hotels popular for such gatherings.

The Langham Hong Kong’s director of sales and marketing, David Fung, told TTGmice e-Weekly that forward group bookings are keeping pace with expectations, adding: “We have good (bookings) for December and had done a number of events and year-end functions. Our loyal clients have booked their annual events this year, as they had done last year. We have also acquired new clients.”

The Peninsula Hong Kong shared that it has seen a slight increase in the number of bookings and budget for year-end gatherings.

Director of catering and conference services, Vindy Lui, said: “We’ve generated more revenue from corporate events (this year-end). A few of our key corporate clients have held large-scale events, such as Moet Hennessy’s 150-year celebration and Van Cleef & Arpels’ gala dinner which unveiled the new Seven Seas jewellery collection.”

And according to Grand Hyatt Hong Kong’s director of sales and marketing, Cecilia Lo, budgets for such dinner-and dance parties have not been cut.

Lo explained that clients regarded such activities as being “absolutely necessary”, as they serve to appreciate clients and to entertain and engage employees.

There are, however, some hotels whose year-end corporate event bookings have softened.

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong saw fewer corporate dinner-and dance parties this year despite recording a higher overall MICE volume for 2015, noted director of sales and marketing, Kristy Lee.

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong’s clients from Europe, Japan and Australia – countries whose currencies had weakened this year – had reduced group sizes and stuck to standard menus for their year-end gatherings.

Director of catering Anna Wong said: “Clients are less inclined to upgrade the menu and beverage arrangement. We are being as flexible as possible in accommodating their budget, as long as we make a reasonable profit.”

DIFFERENT government regulations across South-east Asia, specifically those governing bank loans, are expected to result in a bleak future for Indonesian convention and conference players as the ASEAN Economic Community is officially formed, predicted the president of the Indonesia Congress and Convention Association (INCCA).

Speaking at the 8th Indonesia MICE Outlook 2016 seminar on December 2 in BSD City, Tangerang, Iqbal Alan Abdullah said: “The way I see it, the business climate will be greyish dark as we enter the AEC era.”

Iqbal explained that the AEC will facilitate the entry of more foreign business event owners and organisers onto Indonesian soil, intensifying competition in the country. To compete effectively, Indonesian business event owners and organisers will need to grow their portfolio of events and to do so, they will require additional funding.

“The problem is, the bank interest rate in Indonesia is 13 per cent while in Singapore, for example, is only three per cent. Furthermore, Indonesian banks require a long list of supporting documents with loan applications. And after all that, companies can only loan up to 40 per cent of the event cost or 50 per cent (for rare cases),” said Iqbal, adding that some banks in other countries need only a letter of appointment for a large event and will grant up to 80 per cent of the event cost.

Ketut Salam, managing director of Pacto Convex, played down Iqbal’s concern, saying that financial institutions are naturally prudent and reputable event companies will have little trouble securing bank loans.

Iqbal’s cautious projections for 2016 also stems from the weakening Indonesian rupiah that has encouraged overseas MICE players to bring their shows to Indonesia, further intensifying competition for business in the country.

Effi Setiabudi, chairman of the Indonesia Exhibition Companies Association, too, expects a greater presence of international exhibition companies in Indonesia, drawn to the country’s “huge population and healthy economy”.

However, Effi has interpreted this development positively, describing it as “good times ahead” for Indonesia’s exhibition sector.

THE Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) is spurring association executives to group themselves into an association by next year.

Tai Lee Fen, MyCEB’s manager – association development, said an association of associations would give them one voice in tackling common challenges and they can have advocacies.

Even as the association is not yet in existence, so strong is the bureau’s support for it that it already held in Kuala Lumpur in November what would be the group’s first annual conference, Malaysia Association neXt.

Tai said 120 people graced the event which is meant to create a platform for all associations to learn, exchange ideas, network and debate issues that impact them.

She revealed that MyCEB could provide funding support to the association, such as for the secretariat.

While the bureau has 500 national associations on its database, it is not yet known how many of them will join the planned association.

Tai said there are many examples around the world where the society for association executives have been successfully established including in the United States, Australia and the Philippines.

CARLSON Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has upgraded its CWT To Go smartphone app with new functionality.

Additions to version 11.0 of the app include new systems to make it easier for planners to monitor trips, enhanced airport maps and a click-to-call service for travellers to quickly get in touch with a counselor.

The next version, already in the works, will add the ability for travel managers to book and handle profiles for their travelers.

David Moran, executive vice president at CWT, said: “As a leading travel management company, it’s up to us to help travelers be more productive by giving them great tools at their fingertips.

“That could mean helping them navigate an unfamiliar airport, or giving them easier access to our counselors when they need a helping hand.”

CWT To Go is free to download on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

MANILA will host the 11th International CEO Forum for Development Banks next week, a global event lured into the country through private sector effort.

It will welcome 100 delegates from 22 countries and has the support of the Tourism Promotions Board, which is encouraging associations to bid for and invite international events into the Philippines.

The Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and Pacific (ADFIAP), helmed by secretary-general Octavio Peralta who is also president and CEO of the Philippine Council for the Advancement of Association Executives (PCAAE), invited the CEO Forum to be held in Manila.

Peralta said hosting the CEO Forum is “in a way voluntary on the part of our (ADFIAP) members…and since I am also involved in PCAAE, I help promote the country as a conference destination through its Tap In Ambassador programme”.

The annual CEO Forum rotates around Asia, and Manila last played host in 2009. The event serves as a platform for development banks to share experiences and ideas on operational practices, issues and challenges as well as to network and undertake cooperation initiatives.

It will be hosted jointly by the Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines with support from the Pag-Ibig Fund, Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Inc. and PhilExim, all ADFIAP members in the country.

QUALITY buyers and good access to the Chinese MICE markets have been cited as reasons for returning to IT&CM China next year, according to several exhibitors who have also committed to a bigger presence at the annual MICE tradeshow in Shanghai.

Melvyn Yap, regional director, Asia of Silversea Cruises, whose company has participated in IT&CM China since its inception in 2007, remarked: “We will continue to support this event as the quality of buyers has been improving over the years.”

Zulkefli Hj Sharif, CEO of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), said the event “provides Malaysia with an opportunity to reach out to the Chinese buyers”.

He added: “Our participation in the 2016 show will enable us to tap into the China, Taiwan and Hong Kong markets. Through 2016’s participation, we are confident we will be able to showcase the best of Malaysia’s meetings and incentive capabilities.”

Ralf Ostendorf, director market management of Berlin Tourismus & Kongress, pointed out that “the Chinese outbound market is one of the fastest growing tourism and MICE markets in the world right now” and the tourism bureau intends to push ahead with its promotions of Berlin “as a leading worldwide MICE destination to the China market”.

“IT&CM China has proven to be a good platform in achieving these goals last year, so we are looking forward to be in Shanghai again in 2016,” shared Ostendorf.

Repeat exhibitors MEET Taiwan and Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau will boast a 30 per cent larger pavilion and 30 per cent more suppliers respectively next year at the event.

IT&CM China 2016 has also secured several new exhibitors, such as Taitung County Government and Indonesia Convention Exhibition.

According to a press statement issued by the event organisers, TTG Events, CITS International M.I.C.E and MP International, IT&CM China boasts a track record of fielding 80 per cent Chinese buyers to 20 per cent international ones and a strong network and resources to reach valuable segments that both international and domestic exhibitors desire.

COMPANIES looking to herald the Chinese Lunar Year of the Red Fire Monkey in the Malaysian capital city can consider a series of banquet packages offered by the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Available from January 25 to March 7, 2016, bookings of at least 100 pax can opt for an eight-course sit-down banquet at RM1,888++ (US$443) per table of 10 or RM188++ per person for parties with more than 300 guests.

Fu Lu Shou – which means Happiness, Prosperity and Longevity – buffet packages are available too.

Confirmed bookings made between now and December 31, 2015 will enjoy an eight per cent discount.

Executive chef, Richmond Lim, said event planners have four traditional yee sang options to choose from: Happy New Year is served with fresh salmon; Dual Happiness and Prosperity is served with jellyfish and salmon, Golden Symphony is served with fresh salmon, abalone and gold dust; Golden Year is served with fresh ocean trout.

BUSINESS event planners who take their activities to Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore next year can expect to reap greater rewards through the hotel’s new Enhanced Signature Benefits loyalty programme.

While the original Signature Events Benefits was launched at all Shangri-La hotels worldwide three years ago, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore has created its own version that offers additional perks that grow with the number of guestrooms consumed. These perks include Wi-Fi, an hour-long open bar during dinner for groups, a dedicated two-man concierge team throughout the event, and one 44-seat bus at the group’s disposal for two days.

Christopher Kang, director of sales and marketing, expects bookings to increase once the programme is implemented in January 2016.

He explained that the improved loyalty rewards, along with the hotel’s latest hardware improvements, are among the hotel’s recent efforts to grow its MICE business.

The Tower Ballroom was upgraded following an S$8 million (US$5.7 million) renovation, while colonial-style The Pavilion was launched last year.
“The new facilities further elevate our positioning in the MICE space,” said Kang, adding that “few other hotels in Singapore own that space in the luxury MICE category while being able to support business groups that require 30 to 400 rooms”.

The hotel is also banking on its special events and hosting of power personalities such as Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, Chinese president Xi Jinping and Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou, to draw planners.

Kang revealed that the hotel’s hosting of the meeting between political leaders Xi and Ma on November 7 had resulted in “overwhelming interest” from Chinese and Taiwanese travellers who were eager to stay at the hotel, see the room where the meeting was held and taste the menu that was presented to the two heads of state.

“The Ma-Xi meeting has also raised interest among Chinese planners,” he remarked.

China is among the hotel’s top three source markets – the others being the US and the UK. To grow business from China, Kang’s team had this year collaborated with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on a number of marketing initiatives. In May it hosted a MICE fam for 35 top buyers from China-based MNCs with the tourism board, Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport Group.

Kang said the targeted growth from the top three markets is about seven per cent in 2016.