Charles Jack has taken on the role of The Westin Tokyo’s general manager, having recently relocated from Bangkok, where he had served as general manager of Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel and Towers and The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok.
Charles Jack
Pietro Delpechitra
Pietro Delpechitra is now director of client services at Darwin Convention Centre, joining with a wealth of experience in event management, hospitality and F&B operations. He was most recently Auckland Live venue services and operations manager and previously Novotel & Ibis Rotorua F&B manager.
Support up for events Down Under
Australian business event players expect better outcomes from event bids now that the national government has committed to stronger support for the sector, writes Paige Lee Pei Qi
Australia is now empowered to better pitch and bid for events on the global stage following a new government initiative which was launched late-2014 to assist the business events sector in this aspect.
The new framework – Attracting Business Events to Australia: Role of Government Agencies – is a strategic collaboration between the Federal Government, through Austrade and Tourism Australia, and Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACVB) as well as the the business events sector.
Through this arrangement, Austrade will coordinate ministerial support for an event and organises onshore and offshore promotion while Tourism Australia will partner with industry players to provide marketing and promotional materials.
Andrew Hiebl, executive director of AACVB, said: “The government has recognised the economic and strategic importance of international business events and the direct benefit they provide to the Australian economy.
“With this new initiative, (government) support will be provided where there are clear economic benefits linked to the international business event that align with Australia’s trade, education and investment priority sectors.
“For example Austrade can coordinate a ministerial letter of support for inclusion in the event bid pack (and) advocate on behalf of an event bid in markets where a trade commissioner is co-located with the event organising committee.”
This initative also indicates that the AACVB will now serve as the first point of contact for event organisers – and the broader business events sector – who are seeking Austrade and Tourism Australia support.
AACVB president, Lyn Lewis-Smith, commented: “Government support as part of a compelling business case can sometimes make or break a bid. Increasingly, clients are looking for what we call “whole-of-city” engagement. This means support from business, government and community.
“Working with the Australian government to continue this approach is a natural progression, and it sends a very clear message to the industry that we are serious about business events and we want to create meaningful outcomes for our clients and our country.”
Highlighting how Sydney has been been working with the New South Wales government for the past few years, Lewis-Smith who is also CEO of Business Events Sydney (BeSydney), said: “We are seeing the success of this strategy. The professional services sector is one of the state’s priority sectors, and we can see a clear alignment with this sector in the upcoming secured events.”
Lewis-Smith added that in 2017 and 2018, Sydney will welcome the world’s largest finance event, Sibos, as well as the World Congress of Accountants, International Bar Association, AIPPI World Intellectual Property Congress, International Association of Restructuring Insolvency Bankruptcy Professionals (INSOL) World Quadrennial Congress and the International Council of Commercial Arbitration Congress.
The new framework has been met with much enthusiasm from the ground.
Sarah Corcoran, head of marketing with event specialist MCI Australia, told TTGmice: “This seamless access to state and federal ministerial support can only strengthen the opportunity to win the already competitive bid (in Australia). This has been the missing piece of the puzzle… and now our chances of winning international bids are magnified greatly.”
She added: “Government financial support and access to ministerial support (in Australia) have been limited and (inconsistent). This initiative definitely strengthens the business case for attracting key opinion leaders to commit to bidding for international events. (It also) places Australia in a competitive position with other countries where government support has been a key component of the decision-making process.”
According to Arpita Bhose, senior account manager at Kenes Asia, the new framework brings another important benefit to the table: it will help to address clients’ perception of Australia being a pricey destination.
“Australia is perceived as expensive… (and it is also) more expensive than many other countries in Asia. (With the additional support), it will become much easier (for organisers like us) when choosing a location, as we can see what incentives are on offer across the country,” said Bhose, who has organised events in Melbourne and Brisbane in recent years.
The hills, they are a-calling!
Just an hour’s drive from the Melbourne city centre lie the Dandenong Ranges, a destination much loved for its extensive hilly landscape, beautiful verdant forests and many scenic view points.
It is easy to see why corporate clients who are seeking a tranquil extension to a meeting in Melbourne have been lured to this serene retreat.
Despite its quiet charms, the Dandenong Ranges offers plenty of recreation facilities as well as unique venues and accommodation that can satisfy the needs of corporate groups.
The iconic Puffing Billy steam train is an example of a must-see attraction in the destination. The ancient vehicle which started rolling in the 1900s, offers visitors a chance to explore the area’s most scenic locations. A customisable three-hour train journey will take guests through quaint towns and majestic forests.
Event planners can also arrange for an exclusive excursion and charter dining trains for up to 250 and 80 passengers respectively.
Another option that will allow delegates to take in beautiful views is the SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. Located at the summit of Mount Dandenong, the versatile event centre can accommodate 250 guests for a cocktail event, or 10 for a board meeting. Thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, delegates can enjoy panaromic views of the city’s landscape.
The CountryPlace, one of the largest accommodation option in the destination, is perfect for corporate groups. It features 62 rooms and an event space with five conference rooms and 10 breakout rooms, all surrounded by towering gum trees and ferns. Meetings can be paired with fun teambuilding activities on high and low ropes courses on site.
Explaining the appeal of the Dandenong Ranges, the CountryPlace’s sales manager, Sue Sedelies, said: “We are just so close to the city yet it feels like a different world when you come here.”
While the CountryPlace does not have sufficient rooms for large corporate groups looking to spend the night in the Dandenong Ranges, Sedelies said the property often works with neighbouring accommodation providers to manage guest overflow and provide shuttle bus services.
Event planners can also consider the 34-room Ferntree Gully Hotel which offers spaces for a 120-pax cocktail function and a meeting room for 70 delegates.
Other stay options include boutique hotels and self-contained hilltop cottages.
For more destination information, visit www.experiencethedandenongs.com.au.
Ideas
A day in the Blue Mountains
morning
Start your journey over the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and down the Bradfield Highway towards the Blue Mountains.
Entering the National Park and winding your way along Cliff Drive, take in spectacular views of Megalong Valley before arriving at Echo Point, which has views stretching across to the Three Sisters, a trio of rocky pinnacles. Hear about the Aboriginal dreamtime legend of the Three Sisters.
Soon after, at the Waradah Aboriginal Centre, experience a traditional dance, take part in an interactive didgeridoo performance, examine authentic artworks and take home genuine Aboriginal souvenirs. Learn about Australia’s living Aboriginal culture from the local Darug and Gundungurra tribes through informal cultural discussions and lectures.
afternoon
At Scenic World enjoy 360-degree views of the Jamison Valley and take a ride on the famous Scenic Railway, Cableway and Skyway. Next stop, the picturesque town of Leura. There’s time to grab a bite at one of the many restaurants and cafés. This beautiful town takes visitors back in time and is famous for its antique shops and a candy store with more than 1,000 unusual sweets from all over the world.
evening
Spend time at Featherdale Wildlife Park, and hand-feed kangaroos, wallabies and emus or enjoy a close encounter with one of the friendly koalas. End the day with a relaxing cruise down the Parramatta River and disembark at Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour.
Itinerary provided by AAT Kings
Need to Know
Hunt down a new venue
The new Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley Conference and Events Centre has swung open its doors to present the largest conference and exhibition facilities in the Hunter Valley region.
It houses 2,000m2 of pre-function, meeting and exhibition spaces, with two conference rooms that can be combined to accommodate 1,600 guests, and eight meeting and event rooms.
Unique to this centre is its location on vast green fields, which can help event planners deliver an outdoor festival experience.
Harvest Hunter, the signature events package, brings interactive live cooking stations, live entertainment, locally recognised chefs, award winning wines, and local producers sharing fresh breads, cheeses and chocolates together in an authentic Hunter Valley experience.
DoubleTree by Hilton rises in Melbourne
The first DoubleTree by Hilton property in Melbourne made its debut last December.
Sitting opposite the iconic Flinders Street Station, the 180-key hotel has undergone a comprehensive multi-million dollar refurbishment. Facilities include two meeting rooms for up to 140 people, a fitness centre, a business centre, a lobby bar and a restaurant.
It is within walking distance of Federation Square, Melbourne’s famous laneways, and many restaurants, bars and shops.
Take your event to the Maritime Museum
Warships Pavilion at the Australian National Maritime Museum is the latest waterfront attraction on Darling Harbour, Sydney.
Three exclusive function spaces are on offer: one for a 200-pax standing reception, an outdoor rooftop for a 100-pax cocktail party, and a theatre for 50 guests. All three venues can be utilised together for a truly immersive harbour experience.
Due for completion in September 2015, the pavilion is now open for early bird bookings.
Visit www.anmm.gov.au/venues for more information.
The PCEC app promises an interactive experience
Event attendees at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) can now look forward to a more interactive experience with a new event app.
The PCEC app integrates social media tools, gamification, surveys and live polls with up-to-date event information to ensure events at the centre are accessible and relevant for attendees.
Event planners can use the app to provide updated event information and send targeted push notifications to attendees in real-time.
The app can be used online and offline, and is accessible across iOS, Android and HTML5.
New waterfront venue splashes into Perth
Perth’s Old Port Waterfront has recently welcomed Aqua Bar, a multipurpose venue that houses a lounge, an upper deck and a terrace that overlooks the Swan River and Perth skyline. Aqua Bar presents a tapas-style menu and a wide array of cocktails, high end wines and spirits, making it perfect for dining and cocktail events. It can accommodate up to 250 guests.
Lotte City Hotel Daejeon
Premium business hotel, 312 rooms
33, Expo-ro 123beon-gil, Yuseong-gu,
Daejeon, South Korea
Tel: (82) 2-759-7592
www.lottehotel.com/city/daejeon/en
Opened in March 2014, Lotte City Hotel Daejeon is one of two hotels in the immediate vicinity of Daejeon Convention Center. Daejeon is the fifth largest city in South Korea and a major hub for R&D and education events in the North-east Asian region. The country’s second administrative capital after Seoul, Sejong City, is located 40 minutes away.
Meeting facilities The hotel boasts two main function areas – the 436.4m2 Crystal Ballroom and 138.8m2 Ruby Room. The ballroom features 5.5m high ceilings and space for 250 in classroom style, while the Ruby Room takes up to 80 in theatre style. A conference room on the first floor provides space for board meetings.
F&B Dining is a straightforward affair at the buffet restaurant on the 18th floor, with clear views of the surrounding area through floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the room with natural light in the morning. The restaurant is furnished with simple, clean lines and the breakfast spread was simple and satisfying.
Rooms The entry-level category here is the 27.7m2 Superior Room which was roomy for one person. Pastel browns dominated the palette of the room, anchored by an ebony-coloured desk. Clean, functional and fuss free, the business traveller is right at home here.
For families, there is the Deluxe Family Twin room. Despite also being 27.7m2, the room accommodates up to three persons.
The Suite Rooms on the top floors on the building command stellar views of Gapcheon and Expo Bridge, and range from 41.9 to 57.1m2. They come with separate living and sleeping areas and provide Molton Brown amenities.
Other facilities The health-conscious can keep up with their physical regimens at the fitness centre on the second floor. Right beside that is the coin laundry room. But for all that has been said about business travellers preferring a no-frills or fuss-free stay, some service is still needed, especially if the hotel is a good business hotel. So it’s a bit of a dampener to be told you need to use the second floor vending machines for more water when you’ve finished your two free bottles of water and are in your pyjamas at 22:00 pm.
Innovating the space
Left: ICC Sydney; above: Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
New convention centres across Asia-Pacific show they are greener, smarter and are made to cater to any event. TTGmice looks at how new convention centres are innovating the space
Reporting by Paige Lee Pei Qi, Natasha Dragun, Mimi Hudoyo, S Puvaneswary, Rosa Ocampo and Caroline Boey
The new darling of Sydney
International Convention Centre Sydney
The International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), which will open in December 2016, will be Australia’s premier business events precinct boasting many firsts.
A A$1.1 billion (US$867 million) world-class development, it is the centrepiece of the New South Wales government’s A$3 billion transformation of Darling Harbour.
Hailing it as “the latest model of business events venues”, ICC Sydney CEO, Geoff Donaghy, said: “Attending business events in Sydney will never be the same again. ICC Sydney’s ultramodern, integrated and highly flexible design is backed by high-end technology infrastructure and a world-class, waterfront city centre setting.”
One of the highlights of ICC is its flexibility, allowing three fully separated, self-sufficient, concurrent events across a tiered 2,500-seat theatre, tiered 1,000-seat theatre and flat-floor, 800-seat theatre.
Donaghy said: “The ability to separate and quarantine events means we can run three self-sufficient conventions, each with their own pre-function area, kitchen for bespoke catering and meeting rooms for breakouts or preparation areas.
“The flexibility theme continues to the open-air realm with a 5,000m2 event deck and integration with Tumbalong Park, which is being reconfigured to hold events of up to 27,000 people.”
ICC Sydney will also boast high-bandwidth technology, venue-wide wireless connectivity, GPS way finding and interactive HD digital signage facilities. Donaghy said: “Starting the development from the ground up has also allowed for the implementation of the latest technology infrastructure that will form the backbone of our digital communications and event aids well into the future.”
ICC Sydney will welcome Australia’s largest ballroom which will host 2,000 pax for banquets and 3,500 pax for cocktails. Located on the top floor, this ballroom will have spectacular water and city views.
The exhibition halls in ICC Sydney which link seamlessly with the rest of the venue boast another first: they stretch over two floors to provide an impressive total of 32,600m2 of space, making it Australia’s largest exhibition space.
Another key highlight in ICC Sydney is a red carpet theatre which has a seating capacity of 8,000 suitable for major convention plenary sessions and international entertainment acts, and is scalable for plenaries of 6,000, 5,000 and 3,500 pax.
Donaghy said: “This theatre features an innovative fan-shaped layout purposefully created to bring audiences closer to performers and hosts, and provide unobstructed views of the stage.” – Paige Lee Pei Qi
Key points
- ICC Sydney will open in December 2016
- It will hold Australia’s largest ballroom which can host 2,000 pax for banquets and 3,500 for cocktai
- Its convention facilities can host three separated, self-sufficient, concurrent events and an 8,000-seat plenary
- It has a total exhibition space of 35,000m2
- A premier tiered red carpet theatre with a capacity of 8,000 seats will be suitable for major convention plenary sessions and international entertainment acts
A glimpse into the future
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
When completed and fully open in 2017, the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in Muscat will offer, besides 22,000m2 in pillarless exhibition space, an all-rounded convention experience.
It is one of two major convention centres that AEG Ogden will open in the next two years, the other being ICC Sydney. Geoff Donaghy, AEG Ogden’s group director convention and exhibition centres, said expectations for both centres are high.
“There are great advantages to being involved in these projects from the conceptual stage,” he said. “Plus, we can consolidate all our knowledge for past projects and other major developments that we’ve worked on.”
Donaghy pointed out the many similarities between the two projects: “Both represent the future of convention centres; both are fully integrated in that they have a hotel and retail space as well. Oman is unique because we are building a whole new destination within the country.”
The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre will include three- to five-star hotels and a serviced residence, featuring 1,000 hotel rooms, and a conveniently located shopping centre.
Donaghy believes that it will stand out in the Gulf region for the fact that it is aiming to achieve the US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Excellence in Design Certification, like ICC Sydney.
The centre will also have state-of-the-art technology throughout, including Wi-Fi access. “The advent of Wi-Fi has really been the biggest change in technology in the industry recently,” said Donaghy.
As management company, AEG Ogden provides all the major services in-house, including F&B outlets.
“Food is incredibly important at convention centres in this part of the world,” said Donaghy.
“We were able to fly an F&B manager in from Darwin to Oman to oversee all developments, which means we can offer the highest levels of control over quality.”
In terms of design, AEG Ogden wanted to design “something memorable”.
“We want the centre to be a showcase for Oman, and be a unique facility. But at the same time, it needs to clearly be part of the local environment and culture,” added Donaghy.
Surrounded by parkland and overlooking a wadi, the centre is only a 10 minutes’ drive from the new Muscat International Airport. – Natasha Dragun
Key points
- Opening in two stages, the centre’s convention component will be launched in early-2016, with the exhibition space to be operational by early-2017
- In the first phase, it will debut 22,000m2 of column-free exhibition space, divisible into five separate halls of 4,800m2 each
- The second phase will include a 3,200 pax tiered lyric-style auditorium, 450-seat theatre and two luxurious ballrooms to cater for up to 2,300 people theatre-style
- In 2017, a further 13 meeting rooms and a VIP Pavilion will become operational
- AEG Ogden expects 200,000 people will visit the centre in its first year
Easy breezy access
Indonesia Convention and Exhibition
The largest convention and exhibition centre in the country, Indonesia
Convention and Exhibition (ICE) in Jakarta was designed to be flexible, functional and facilitate free-flowing traffic to accommodate all types of MICE events.
The centre, owned by Indonesia International Expo and Deutsche Messe, is scheduled to open in June but has started to host events, such as the Michael Bublé concert on January 29, which saw over 9,000 fans turn up.
The convention hall is divisible into four while the exhibition hall can be further split into 10 halls of 4,860m2 each, enabling organisers to create various sizes of events without interfering with one another.
Mark Schloesser, president director of Deutsche Messe Venue Operations, said: “For the Michael Bublé Concert specifically, we co-operated with local partners to have sufficient parking space for over 4,000 cars.”
Advance planning around the concept of a quick entry and quick exit meant that there were no traffic jams before and after the concert. “It only took 65 minutes until the 4,000 cars and more than 9,000 music-dazed visitors had left the ICE, (which was quite fast by Jakarta standards),” shared Schloesser.
Other features that make hall access easy include pre-function lobbies that can be reached through four drop-off zones throughout the front of the venue, and VVIP drop-off and parking zones.
Designed by Cox Australia, ICE has green features built into it for more sustainable events, including a well-shaded glazed façade, aerated concrete block with insulated walls and LED lightbulb energy-saving systems, among others.
The roof of each hall also has an elevated top section surrounded by glass. This brings in natural lighting, saving energy in the halls during set-up and dismantling.
The venue also comes with a fully equipped in-house catering service with a 2,000m2 kitchen area, two large exhibition snack bars with 216 seats each, a 152-pax bistro located on the mezzanine level and a total of five pantries, one for every two halls.
“As such, we are able to (provide) catering services to host any number of events, from cocktail parties, meetings lunches, tea-and-coffee services to large-scale wedding receptions,” Schloesser said.
Each of the 10 exhibition halls has rigging points every nine metres, with a hanging load of maximum two tons, adjacent to smaller rigging points positioned every 4.5m and able to hold a load of 100kg. Floor load capacity is two tons/m2, and halls are equipped with utility trenches to enable secure and quick access to electricity, compressed air and water supply, the first of its kind in Indonesia.
Each hall also has Internet access, telecommunication services, roofs up to 26m at the highest point and individual air-conditioning systems to allow temperature adjustments.
In addition to the halls, ICE has three VIP lounges and multiple praying rooms to accommodate to the needs of visitors. The centre’s existing 3,000-lot parking space will be doubled with the construction of another parking building and additional outdoor parking zones in future. – Mimi Hudoyo
Key points
- ICE has a total building area of 220,000m2 standing on 22ha of land, for a total capacity of 10,000 pax
- Total investment into ICE is US$318 million
- The convention hall has an area of 4,000m2, divisible into four rooms; there are a further 29 breakout rooms
- Total indoor exhibition space across 10 halls is 50,000m2, while outdoor spaces cover 55,000m2
- Every hall has a 625m2 pre-function lobby with two ticket booths and four meeting rooms
Green and growing
Setia City Convention Centre
Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam, Selangor, is the first convention facility in Malaysia to be certified by the Green Building Index, an achievement that has earned it more business from environment-conscious companies.
Francis Teo, head of Setia City Convention Centre, said that the centre’s green features have helped it secure business from international and regional companies that place emphasis on having meetings in a venue with sustainable practices.
“(Choosing a venue) is no longer just (about) price, location, size and menus. Realising this, many new convention centres in the world incorporate sustainability practices into their designs,” said Teo.
Setia City Convention Centre works actively to reduce waste generated at meetings. The facility has installed an energy management system to track electricity and water consumption and to minimise leakages and wastage, while auto light sensors control lighting in public areas.
The size of writing pads and the length of pencils were also reduced after it was found that meeting delegates tend to waste stationery provided. Half of the centre’s landscaping needs are met through rain harvesting.
Glass walls were incorporated into the facility’s design as much as possible to allow natural light in and for guests to look out to panoramic views of the township as well as the convention centre’s 14,000m2 of manicured lawns.
Teo added: “Every room in the convention centre has air-conditioning that can be individually controlled according to the needs of the guests. Air-conditioning in public areas is kept between 22-24ºC.”
The centre is also designed to be inclusive – wheelchair-friendly connections from the car park to the ground floor, a covered walkway between the centre to Setia City Mall and reserved parking bays for the disabled are some ways it caters to those with challenges getting around.
“Right from the initial design stage, we looked at the needs of the wheelchair-bound and made sure the building design met their needs. With older buildings, the needs of the disabled are often an afterthought with ramps, disabled-friendly toilets and other special adjustments constructed later,” Teo elaborated.
Besides that, Setia City Convention Centre has also dedicated 20 of its 3,700 parking bays to electric cars with free use of charging points. “We are prepared to meet the needs of the future, when we will see more electric cars on the road,” said Teo.
The centre has high-speed broadband for video streaming. The ballroom is furnished with LED chandeliers which change colours according to the theme of the event.
According to Teo, a favourite among organisers is to choose lighting ambience to match the company’s corporate colours.
The ballroom also has built-in projectors on all four walls to provide guests good views of the projections, wherever they are seated. – S Puvaneswary
Setia City Convention Centre
Key points
- Setia City Convention Centre opened in February 2013
- The convention centre has secured at least seven events for 2015, the biggest to-date was Megahome Fair from March 27-28 with an expected turnout of 22,000 people
- The centre’s grand ballroom is 2,250m2 and can accommodate 3,000 pax theatre-style. It can also be used for exhibitions, with room for up to 148 booths measuring 3m by 3m, and an extra 20 booths in the foyer
- There are eight function rooms in the convention centre. Six measure 96m2, while the remaining two are at 276m2 and 300m2
- Palace@Setia City is the sole F&B outlet at the convention centre. The halal Chinese restaurant can seat 200 pax at one time
First-class in a second-tier city
ska Co Ex
As regional economies take off throughout Indonesia, second-tier cities are stepping up for a piece of the MICE pie and catching up with major destinations such as Jakarta and Bali.
One such city is Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau province, where there is an abundance of fuel and palm oil, and consequently, oil companies.
Emmanuel Guillard, Swiss-Belhotel International senior vice president, operations and development for Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, said: “There is actually a big demand for meeting and exhibition space in relation to these businesses, and Pekanbaru has been losing the business to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Jakarta.”
It is this need that ska Co Ex, developed by Citra Citi Pacific and Grand Citra Prima, and managed by Swiss-Belhotel International, aims to fill.
Said Guillard: “The convention centre was built to accommodate the needs of the destination (from) today up to five years ahead. We do not try to compete head-on with mature destinations like Jakarta or Bali.”
Instead, ska Co Ex aims to attract medium-sized conferences and exhibitions from Asia and western Indonesia.
The convention centre’s ballroom is double the size of the largest existing venue in Pekanbaru, and can house congresses, events such as weddings and in-room concerts, and medium-sized exhibitions.
With a ceiling of 12m for a grand feeling, the ballroom is flexible and comes with breakout rooms for smaller meetings. There are six elevators, two of which are dedicated for VIPs and provide optimum privacy.
A giant portable screen, soundproof room partitions and other audiovisual equipment are also available. While considered basic standards for convention centres in major destinations, these are above expectation for venues in secondary cities. Broadband Internet connection is also available throughout the centre.
For F&B, ska Co Ex can serve international, Indonesian and Chinese cuisines, with a dedicated chef for each. Said Guillard: “We are expecting MICE from neighbouring countries and authentic Chinese food will be a unique selling point in our venue.” – Mimi Hudoyo
Key points
- Opened in November 2014, ska Co Ex features a 2,119m2 ballroom that can be divided into four
- Also on site are five breakout rooms able to accommodate anywhere from 60 to 210 pax theatre-style
- The convention centre is part of a mixed-use development that also comprises the city’s largest retail centre Mall ska Pekanbaru, three hotels and a water park. The entire development will be completed in 2017
- Located in Pekanbaru’s business district, ska Co Ex is close to a golf driving range and a hospital
- The airport is 10 minutes away
Hotel luxury meets convention functionality
Marriott Grand Ballroom
MICE venues are evolving from being generic and predictable into something original and inspired.
Or world-class, as Bruce Winton, general manager, Marriott Hotel Manila, likes to call the soon-to-open Marriott Grand Ballroom (MGB).
“When I say world-class, it is a perfect blend of space, luxury, technology, service and location…that is what every MICE client needs,” he explained of MGB, which is owned by Travellers International.
With 8,000m2 of dedicated meeting space for over 5,000 pax, MGB can pass for a convention centre but shuns being called such. Winton explained: “The venue itself is the size of a convention centre but in a five-star luxury hotel environment.”
Including an existing 1,974m2 MICE space at Marriott Manila Hotel, MGB will offer close to 10,000m2 of indoor and outdoor space, making it Marriott International’s biggest meeting and convention venue outside the US.
The venue comes with a 3,000m2 column-free grand ballroom that has a 12m ceiling, compared to the average eight-metre. This means no more trusses or cables on the floor.
Multiple catwalks hidden on the ceiling offers a professional platform for light, sound and technical sets. Six multi-function VIP Skyboxes also offer a different view of the entire ballroom.
Using the Sky Fold technology partition, the grand ballroom can be subdivided completely and partitions can be retracted into a ceiling cavity with a simple turnkey operation.
Besides MGB, the West Wing currently under construction will be launched towards the end of 2016 with 228 suites, bigger and more luxurious than the existing 342 rooms at Marriott Hotel Manila, to add a high-class touch to MGB’s meeting experience.
At the same time, MGB is turning to technology to make MICE more social and mobile. The Meeting Services App will allow planners to manage an event without leaving the meeting room, with real-time requests for coffee refills, room temperature changes or more chairs a click away.
Marriott’s Pinterest-inspired MeetingsImagined.com also shares expert tips, the latest meeting trends and hundreds of images to spark creativity. Customers can also use the site to design tailored experiences, view signature experiences featured and share images on social media sites.
Winton said Marriott is known for its quality service and MGB has a team of culinary experts.
“We have an award-winning team that does catering here and we already have audiovisual equipment and dramatic lighting in place. We have everything,” he added.
MGB is located across Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, within the Resorts World Manila complex where Travellers International is also planning to build Sheraton and Hilton hotels over the next few years. – Rosa Ocampo
Key points
- MGB will hold its grand opening on May 18, 2015
- Also within the premises are two wedding chapels, bridal suites with private gardens, photo venues and private entrances for a grand entrance
- All MICE spaces at MGB are complemented by ergonomic furniture for client comfort
- MGB will be connected by a footbridge with a moving walkway to Marriott Hotel Manila and the upcoming, 228-suite West Wing
- The venue promotes sustainability by using LED lights throughout, recycling and reducing the use of plastic
Heavy-duty event spaces
National Exhibition and Convention Center
Billed as the world’s largest single building with 1.5 million m2 of space, the National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai (NECC) sets itself apart from the competition for its ability to cater to exhibitions featuring heavy industrial products.
The shamrock-shaped complex comprises four buildings and a central commercial centre, and also three office buildings and a five-star hotel, all linked via an eight-metre high pedestrian walkway.
NECC’s four large and one small exhibition halls in the North Building have been built for heavy-duty use with ground load capacity of five tons/m2. One of the large halls has a double-decker structure and the other four halls offer a single-floor and column-free space 32m high.
The South Building houses four large double-decker halls, each with a ground load capacity 3.5 tons/m2 and ceilings 11m high, while the second floor has five large halls and two smaller ones, each with a ground load capacity of 1.5 tons/m2, and 16m high.
Other features include ample on-site parking, two waiting areas for large freight carriers, three transfer parking areas and separate traffic channels for cars, pedestrians and trucks.
Another strength of the NECC lies in its range of facilities that cater to any group size. Meeting planners have more than 60 meeting rooms to choose from, ranging from small meeting rooms between 100-200m2 to medium-sized rooms from 300-500m2.
There is a large 1,000m2 banquet hall and a grand 10,000m2 multi-function hall with moveable partitions called West Hall, which can accommodate up to 3,000 people.
The 100,000m2 North Square event space outside the gate of the North Hall is suitable for open-air concerts, outdoor sports events, etc.
Another open-air stage is Central Square, encircled by Commercial Plaza, which can take more than 2,000 people for large commercial launch parties, square performances and brand promotion events. Shops and dining outlets can also be found at the Commercial Plaza.
The two eight-metre high Exhibition Boulevards that connect Commercial Plaza with other venues are also ideal for cultural exhibitions, fashion shows and interactive parades, supported by excellent light and sound systems.
As for the three Class-A office towers, each carries the three-star green building certification, the best green building label in China, and comes with two 500m2 rooftop gardens.
Another unique feature of NECC is the one-stop service centre of government agencies on-site, located at the office towers.
NECC was jointly built by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Shanghai Municipal Government, and is operated by Shanghai Exhibition, which is also an investor.
The North Hall was first put to use in September 2014, and the rest of the complex is scheduled to open officially in June 2015.
According to James Zheng, vice director, Shanghai International Conference Management Organization, which acts as the CVB for the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration, NECC is primarily attracting exhibitions followed by events – fashion shows, product launches, concerts, sports events and theme parties. – Caroline Boey
Key points
- Also known as China Expo Complex, NECC has been hailed the world’s largest single building with 1.5 million m2 of building space
- NECC event spaces comprise 400,000m2 of indoor and 100,000m2 of outdoor exhibition space, 200,000 m2 of usable exhibition auxiliary facilities and another 300,000 m2 of supporting facilities
- Indoor exhibition space includes 13 large halls of 28,800m2 each and three small 10,000m2 halls. All are directly accessible by freight carriers
- There are over 60 meeting rooms of varying sizes for groups ranging from under 100 people to 3,000
- Facilities at NECC are linked by an eight-metre high elevated pedestrian walkway
Austerity drive bites
Indonesia’s new policy for fewer government meetings to be held at hotels is hurting the sector deeply. Mimi Hudoyo analyses the impact
The domestic corporate and meeting market is the mainstay of majority of hotels in Indonesia, except those in Bali and Jakarta, so it is little wonder that the country’s hotel industry was in shock last November over the Ministry of State Apparatus and Bureaucratic Reform’s circular restricting government officials from organising meetings outside their office premises. The budget for official travel was also cut significantly, as part of the new Joko Widodo administration’s attempt to ‘ration’ the state budget.
Since regional autonomy started in Indonesia over a decade ago, regional businesses had grown, prompting investors to inject funds into hotel development with meeting facilities. Many of these facilities had been the venues for government and state-owned companies’ meetings and training programmes.
Government meetings formed 40 to 50 per cent of the MICE market of the Indonesia Hotels and Restaurants Association (IHRA) members, according to the association. Following the imposition of the new policy, hotels in Bandung, Jogjakarta and Lombok reported massive cancellations last November and December, typically the busiest government meeting months. Some hotels in Bali and Jakarta also reported cancellations.
Erny Kusmastuti, general manager of Eastparc Hotel Jogjakarta, said: “A recent Jogjakarta tourism stakeholders’ meeting revealed that last November and December the city lost 70 billion rupiah (US$5.6 million) worth of (government) meetings.”
She added the policy is also affecting state-owned financial institutions and telecommunication companies, which organise many conferences, seminars and training programmes.
“Even state-owned Gadjah Mada University is acting cautious, holding back bookings for this year,” she revealed.
Hera Adiwikarta, vice president sales and marketing, Aerowisata Hotels & Resorts, said: “Our resort hotels in Bali and Lombok are not affected, but the city hotels in Bandung and Jakarta are, as the government segment is quite significant for them.”
Similarly, Vivi Herlambang, director of sales, marketing and business development, Sahid International Hotel Management & Consultant, said: “Government meetings comprised about 30 per cent of our group business, so the impact is quite significant.” The group has hotels in Jakarta, Manado and Solo, among others.
Yanti Sukamdani, chairman, IHRA, warned: “Some of our members have started reducing their staff strength and if we do not do something soon, I’m afraid the hotels will collapse. We all know hotels have been mushrooming everywhere in the last few years, and many are relying on MICE.”
IHRA is lobbying the government to review the policy and come up with the criteria for meetings to be restricted to government premises. “We agree that the government should reduce the number of meetings, but this should not be applied across the board,” she said.
Eastparc’s Erny said: “(Hoteliers) are still fighting for the policy to be revoked, but (meanwhile) we have staff and family to feed, so we have to change our strategy.”
The hotel is now turning to the corporate and leisure markets from Singapore and Malaysia, which in the last couple of years have sent a growing number of travellers due to improved accessibility from both countries.
“We are now trying to attract corporate meetings from both countries,” she shared.
Sahid’s Vivi said the company is also wooing corporates and TMCs while at the same time improving the facilities and services of its hotels. “We realise that apart from pricing, companies also take into consideration product and service quality. We are in the midst of upgrading some of our properties.”
Additionally, the company is developing its e-commerce platform to reach out to broader market segments overseas, she revealed, adding: “We will participate in international tradeshows, such as PATA Travel Mart and ITB Asia, something which the company has not done for many years.” She hopes this will reintroduce Sahid brands to the international market, before specifically tapping MICE from overseas.
Aerowisata’s Hera said the group is in the middle of upgrading and rebranding its properties, and it too has chosen to expand to other geographic markets and segments, including corporate travel, meetings and leisure.
Some players in the Indonesian MICE industry view the new policy as a wake-up call for players to diversify and create new markets.
Christina Rudatin, advisor at the MICE Centre, an Indonesian MICE research and development body, said: “I hope that not only the hotels but the whole industry will go out of their comfort zone and promote not only their properties and businesses but the destination as well. The industry has been relying on the huge domestic market and very few go out to bid for international events.”
She has also gathered information from the Indonesian police, which issues permits for events, that shows the presence of a huge number of corporate events in Indonesia. Events requiring police permits are usually large, with at least a few hundred participants.
“There is still opportunity for hotels to grab this market, but they probably need to upgrade their facilities and services to win it,” she said.
The new policy has also afforded Jakarta Convention and Exhibition Bureau the chance to bring in more overseas corporate meetings, according to its executive director, Indra Sukirno.
Rizki Handayani, director of MICE and special interest tourism promotion, Ministry of Tourism, said: “We are encouraging destinations to develop an international network and introduce themselves overseas. We already have 16 (destinations) to focus on, but not all of them are ready to host international events yet.
“Places like Medan and Surabaya should start marketing themselves internationally as accessibility and MICE facilities are already available – one way is for them to participate in overseas MICE tradeshows with us. Bandung and Jogjakarta however, should go regional.”
Ideas
One-day treasure hunt at the old city
Morning
Participants gather at Bank Mandiri Museum, one of the many heritage cum museum buildings in Kota Tua (old city), Jakarta. They get a briefing on the game and are divided into four groups. They then get their first clue card, telling them to find specific items in the museum, take photographs of them and show these photographs to the Dutch Master.
The Dutch Master gives out the second clue card, which indicates that the next item to find is located in another museum. The groups need to do an Internet search to know that the next location is the Puppet Museum, which is a five-minute walk away.
Afternoon
At the Puppet Museum, another clue card is given. Groups need to take the bike to go to the next stop, Toko Merah, the former house of Batavia governor general Gustaaf Willem Baron van Inhoff built in 1730. On the way, they must photograph the surroundings and upload them on social media. Lunch is served.
After lunch and, bringing a small box of tea from Toko Merah, groups mount the bike again to the Fine Art & Ceramic Museum, about 10 minutes’ ride away. They need to find the Dutch Master’s quarter there to hand over the tea box and get the final task, which requires them to have their members’ photograph taken in front of the Jakarta History Museum.
Evening
The game ends with refreshment at Café Batavia, the décor and atmosphere of which are reminiscent of the Dutch colonial period.
– Itinerary by Museum Ceria, a museum community of the University of Indonesia
Need to Know
D for delicious
Jakarta saw the entry of a new restaurant, Letter D Cuisine and Bar, in January. Located in the Gandaria area, south Jakarta, it serves authentic Indonesian, European and Asian cuisines.
Owned by Indonesia’s celebrity chef and recent judge of the Master Chef Indonesia competition, Degan Saptoadji, Letter D’s menu has been meticulously crafted to reflect the owner’s varied experience working in various hotels and restaurants in Indonesia and overseas. Find the recreated ayam bakar (grilled chicken) of his childhood, the bold flavours of European favourite osso buco and the charm of Thailand’s communal som tum salad.
The two-storey restaurant seats 150 pax comfortably and features an outdoor seating area for 30 guests. It is divided into four sections; private group gatherings may occupy one whole floor (combining the two sections on each floor) or take up a smaller section for 25-40 people.
Party in a bus
A new luxury party bus, the Royale VIP Bus, has been launched in Jakarta for private charter, offering a new way for groups to enjoy Jakarta’s nightlife amid the city’s traffic.
The custom-made bus seats up to 20 people. It is fitted with a surround sound system, disco lights and a karaoke system. There is also a bar fridge and a toilet.
The service includes a chauffeur, an assistant and a butler, with supplies including the bus fuel, ice cubes, plastic cups and mineral water. Prices start from three million rupiah (US$238) per bus. Additional charges apply if including travel to Jakarta’s neighbouring areas.
Have a history lesson at the cultural park
Taman Nusa in Gianyar Bali is a 15ha cultural park housing museums and a village showcasing over 60 traditional houses from around Indonesia, some of which are hundreds of years old.
Visitors will be taken through the history of Indonesia, from as far back as pre-historic times. They will also obtain comprehensive information on the culture and customs of various ethnic groups in Indonesia in an interactive way.
The restaurant, cafeteria, theatre and lush gardens can be used for events.
New upper-upscale hotels for Jakarta
Jakarta welcomes 2015 with at least two new luxury properties.
Fairmont Jakarta opened its doors in January with 380 rooms and suites in the Senayan area, close to the Indonesia Stock Exchange and Jakarta Convention Center. It is directly linked to Plaza Senayan shopping mall and office towers.
The hotel has five F&B outlets and 3,500m2 meeting and function space, including a 1,200m2 ballroom and eight meeting rooms.
Sister property, Raffles Jakarta, opened in February with 173 rooms and suites. The hotel features three restaurants and three bars, while its meeting facilities include a ballroom with a capacity for up to 3,500 people, three breakout rooms and one boardroom.
Fairmont Jakarta
Say hello to Kitty
Ancol Dream Land, Jakarta has recently added a new attraction, the Hello Kitty Time Travel, the first Hello Kitty attraction in Indonesia.
Covering an area of 1,150 m2 with a total capacity of 1,000 visitors per hour, the Hello Kitty Adventure offers 14 interactive games such as Mechanical Toggle, Wheel Bubble Up and Hole View. The Magic Apple time capsule takes visitors ‘around the world’, including Jakarta and Bali in Indonesia, Japan, the US, the UK, Egypt, the North Pole and Greece.
Earlier last year the Jakarta theme park added Ice Age Arctic Adventure in co-operation with the Ice Age filmmaker, 20th Century Fox. Sid’s Arctic Tour, an eight-minute dark ride, takes visitors through the jungle, mountain and the melting iceberg depicted in the four films.
Good times for Shanghai
Latest available ICCA data show meetings are growing in Shanghai and prospects are good in 2015 and beyond. Caroline Boey reports
Shanghai’s performance improved 12.5 per cent in 2013 over the previous year, latest available ICCA International Association Meetings Market Rankings for Cities and Countries shows.
Ranked second in China after Beijing, Shanghai hosted 72 meetings in 2013 compared with 64 the previous year.
In contrast, Beijing’s performance fell – 105 events in 2013 compared to 109 in 2012.
The injection of new infrastructure this year and in 2016 is adding to Shanghai’s growing appeal as a world MICE destination and, according to James Zheng, vice director, Shanghai International Conference Management Organization (SICMO), the outlook for 2015 is “bright and positive” with 2016 forecast to be even better.
SICMO is Shanghai’s tourism and convention promotion centre under the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration (SMTA) and Zheng said the city has been receiving more RFPs than ever before since the beginning of 2013.
The mega National Exhibition & Convention Center (NECC) in Hongqiao – soft opened in September 2014 and scheduled to officially open in June – is creating a lot of buzz in the city.
The targeted year-end or early-2016 opening of the Disneyland Resort in Pudong is the other plus factor.
Zheng added: “The complete opening of NECC will have a huge impact on Shanghai’s MICE industry. There will be an even bigger impact when the Shanghai Disneyland Resort opens.”
Enhanced air accessibility also helped. In 2013, Shanghai was served by 93 airlines comprising 70 international and regional carriers, and 23 domestic.
There are air links to 114 international and regional cities and 125 in China.
Patrick Chen, deputy director, SMTA international tourism promotion department, said: “It’s not only international association meetings that come to Shanghai. The biggest and strongest segment is corporate meetings, and Shanghai will become even more vibrant because of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free-Trade Zone, and more investments coming into the city.”
According to SICMO, some 80 international conferences are taking place in Shanghai this year, including the 9th IATA World Cargo Symposium and a large number of medical events.
Further down the road, the 2020 Global Endometriosis Conference has picked Shanghai.
Meanwhile, a large number of exhibitions spanning a wide spectrum of industries – food ingredients, die casting, textiles, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment – are booked at NECC. More than 30 events are taking place this year, according to SICMO.
The city’s hoteliers agree NECC will have a huge impact on the city.
Rene Teuscher, general manager, Grand Millennium Shanghai HongQiao, said: “All hotels in the Hongqiao area will benefit from the 23 exhibitions already announced at NECC, including Auto Shanghai 2015 and medical equipment fair CMEF 2015.
“As we are one of the nearest hotels to NECC, some of the organisers have already signed contracts with us, and some exhibiting companies have also signed contracts with us directly (for accommodation) during the auto show period.”
Daniel Aylmer, general manager, Le Royal Méridien Shanghai and area managing director, East China, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, added: “Shanghai is already an international MICE destination. With the opening of NECC, the city will get more worldwide attention and become a more sophisticated MICE destination.
“NECC will help to promote Shanghai and China’s economic restructuring, expedite the transformation of economic growth patterns, and contribute to the stable and healthy development of China’s economy and society.
“NECC, said to be the world’s largest single building and a leading global exhibition complex, is set to be a major driver for Shanghai’s growth into an international trade centre.”
Babita Kanwar, director of sales and marketing, Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre, said: “Whenever a city makes infrastructure improvements, there is an inevitable ripple effect to complementary businesses.
“In our case, we’re looking forward to more large-scale conventions being attracted to the city, which will of course in turn have a positive effect on our MICE business.
“Meeting planners that were choosing a domestic MICE destination will definitely give Shanghai greater consideration because of the facility, and having NECC on the table may be the factor that tips the scale in Shanghai’s favour for many international meeting planners selecting Asia or China as a destination.”
SICMO’s Zheng said as a result of Shanghai hosting the 52nd ICCA Annual Congress in November 2013, many foreign international conference organisers and meetings service suppliers are now looking at Shanghai for their future events.
“The fact that these conferences and meetings are to be held in Shanghai shows the positive effect of the Shanghai ICCA Annual Congress in promoting and publicising Shanghai, expanding Shanghai`s appeal in the international conference market, and attracting more international conferences to Shanghai,” Zheng noted.
Ideas
Six-day cultural encounter in Shanghai for incentive groups
Day 1
Arrival and welcome reception at Wharf 1846’s Sigma Film Club.
Day 2
Visit Shanghai Museum to learn about the long history and rich collection of Chinese paintings, bronzeware, porcelain and furniture.
Enjoy a Shanghai dim sum lunch at Lvbolang Restaurant, then spend the afternoon visiting Yu Garden and Shanghai Old Street.
In the evening, enjoy the best acrobatic show at Shanghai Circus World.
Day 3
In the morning, visit Humble Administrator’s Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by Suzhou Museum designed by Pritzker Prize winner, world-famous Chinese-American architect I M Pei.
After lunch at Song He Lou – a time-honoured restaurant in Suzhou, visit a silk mill to learn the process of silk spinning.
Dinner is back in Shanghai at Table No.1 Restaurant located in a boutique hotel, the Waterhouse at South Bund at the Cool Docks.
Day 4
Go on a one-day excursion to Hangzhou, famous for its picturesque West Lake.
In the morning, visit a tea plantation, where the most famous Chinese green tea – longjin (dragon well)–originates.
Lunch is at Lou Wai Lou Restaurant, noted for its authentic Hangzhou cuisine dishes. Thereafter, cruise on West Lake.
Return to Shanghai and enjoy a themed dinner at a villa-house restaurant.
Day 5
Morning tai-chi at Zhongshan Park, Jing’an Park or People’s Park followed by a bicycle tour of the former French concession from Fuxing Park (former French Park) to Middle Fuxing Road, Hengshan Road, West Jianguo Road and Tianzifang.
Lunch at Xiao San Tang, a fusion restaurant, and in the afternoon, discover and experience Tianzifang with its special architecture of old Shanghai. The area is now filled with bars, cafés, studios, galleries, boutiques and local designer craftshops.
Attend a farewell dinner at the European Hall of the Shanghai International Convention Center and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Bund at night.
Day 6
Rest and prepare for an evening departure by Maglev train to Pudong International Airport and head home.
Itinerary by Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration
Need to Know
New airport bus route
The routing of the No. 5 shuttle bus that runs between Shanghai Railway Station and Pudong International Airport has changed.
The service will no longer stop at Yanggao Road, Yan’an Road, Chengdu Road, and Fangdian Road Metro stations.
It will go instead to Yan’an Road E, Zhejiang Road and Longyang Road Metro stations.
Shanghai sets PCO standards
Thirteen companies have become the first to attain Shanghai’s Conference Organizers in Compliance with Management & Service Standards of the Meetings Industry.
They were approved by the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration in January and have obtained the Shanghai Conference Service Standard Organization certificate issued by the MICE Service Standards Technical Committee of the Shanghai Tourism Standards Technical Committee.
The 13 companies are: MCI Group (Shanghai), Healife PCO, Shanghai Fumed Convention & Exhibition Management, Shanghai China Travel International, East Star Event Management, China CYTS MICE (Shanghai) Service, Grand China MICE (Shanghai), Shanghai United Event, Oppland Corporation, Duxes Business Consulting, Shanghai Topstar International Exhibition & Event Services, Skyway International Business Travel Service and Shanghai Business International Travel.
Hotel openings in 2016
A number of new five-star luxury hotels will be added to Shanghai’s room inventory next year.
They include the 120-room Bvlgari Hotel, 600-room W Hotel-The Bund, 270-room Le Méridien Shanghai, Jiading and 380-room InterContinental Shimao Shanghai Wonderland.
Meanwhile, the 338-room Sheraton Shanghai Jiading Hotel and two Disney-themed hotels – the 800-room Toy Story Hotel and 420-room Shanghai Disneyland Hotel – are opening this year.
Bvlgari Hotel
Hyatt expands in Shanghai
In the pipeline are five new properties under two new Hyatt brands.
They are Hyatt Place Shanghai New Hongqiao, Hyatt Place Shanghai Hongqiao CBD, Hyatt House Shanghai Hongqiao CBD, Hyatt House Shanghai New Hongqiao, and Hyatt House Shanghai Jiading.
Meanwhile, hotels in the pipeline close to the Shanghai Disney Resort include an InterContinental, two Howard Johnsons, a Pullman and a Hualuxe.
In addition, an InterContinental is being planned in the Hongqiao Transportation Hub area.
Terminal building becomes shopping mall
The Shanghai Airport City Terminal Building on Nanjing Road W, built in 2002 to facilitate check-in for flights at either Hongqiao or Pudong international airports, has been renovated and turned into a shopping mall.
A Shanghai Airport Authority official said travellers will still be able to buy air tickets and check flight information at the location.
Shanghai Disney Resort eyes domestic events scene
THE local market will be the focus of Shanghai Disney Resort’s MICE strategy as the theme park approaches completion.
According to a spokeswoman who declined to be named, meeting spaces within the hotels as well as in-park venues for MICE have been planned but details are not yet available.
“For the initial phase after the opening, Shanghai Disney Resort will focus on catering to MICE events for the local market and handle international ones on a per request basis,” she said, adding boardroom meetings, corporate events, outdoor teambuilding, and family day programmes, etc, can be organised at the theme park.
The 420-room, signature Shanghai Disneyland Hotel topped out last month. Major construction will be completed by end-2015 and a grand opening is slated for spring 2016, said the spokeswoman.
The resort’s other themed property, the 800-room Toy Story Hotel, inspired by the Disney-Pixar animated films Toy Story, was topped out in January 2014 and the resort’s iconic mountain was topped out in December.
Accor named operator of Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre
ACCOR has been appointed the operator for the new Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC).
Located in the industrial hub of Sitapura and 5km from Jaipur International Airport, the 17ha JECC along with the 241-room Novotel is the largest integrated exhibition-convention-entertainment facility in South Asia.
Facilities include two exhibition halls with a combined, column-free space of 20,000m2 and an open exhibition area of 10,000m2. The convention centre includes seating for 1,200 delegates, supported by 20 meeting rooms spanning 5,000m2 as well as pre-function areas, registration counters, interpretation booths, and a lawn for outdoor events.
Jean-Michel Cassé, senior vice president, Accor India, said in a statement: “In India, we have been the pioneer in the field of convention centres, through the Hyderabad International Convention Centre and the Lavasa International Convention Centre and Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach.”
Already open, JECC hosted India Stone Mart 2015 in January. Novotel will begin operations in 2016.
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre launches grant for young industry professionals
LOCAL association executives can now apply for a Professional Development Grant launched by the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre that is aimed at grooming the next generation of meetings professionals.
Unveiled on March 10 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s 10th Association Seminar, the grant will offer three association executives the chance to attend ICCA Congress 2016 in Kuching, engage with international industry professionals and grow their association management abilities.
It will also be a chance to get a better understanding of the global meetings industry and bidding process.
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre general manager, Alan Pryor, said: “We believe direct exposure to industry experts and stakeholders will help equip the young executives with the tools to become ‘Malaysian Ambassadors’ for their association and the country. So we invite Malaysian association executives aged between 25 and 35 years old and who are registered and a participating member of a national association that is registered, active and holds an annual national conference, to apply (for the grant).”
ICCA president, Nina Freysen-Pretorius, commented: “I would encourage the national associations to take advantage of this support to uplift their profile within their international network. This will ultimately benefit both the local organisation and the country.”
An online application form and more information on the Professional Development Grant will be made available by end-March on www.klccconventioncentre.com.
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