AMWAY China has announced today that it will be taking its 10,000-delegate Amway China Leadership Seminar to Sydney in March 2017, making it the company’s third trip to the Australian city since 2005.
Associate director of special events of Amway China, Charming Cao, explained that Sydney was chosen to present a tempting reward for top performers.
Cao said in a press statement: “We aim to motivate our Amway China team to reach and exceed their sales targets, knowing that their reward will be an exciting trip to the always beautiful and thrilling city of Sydney. Our delegates will experience the modern, world-class facilities of the newly-opened ICC Sydney (International Convention Centre Sydney) and an exciting, appealing programme of activities.”
He added that his delegates had reported a 93 per cent satisfaction rating during their last visits to Sydney in 2005 and 2011.
“We look forward to inspiring and entertaining our delegates again in 2017,” he said.
Commenting on Business Events Sydney’s (BESydney) latest triumph in the incentive business, Destination New South Wales CEO Sandra Chipchase said her agency was delighted to have assisted BESydney in securing the event for New South Wales (NSW), and remarked that “China is the number one visitor market for NSW”.
“ICC Sydney will be Australia’s largest and most impressive events space, and securing the coveted Amway China Leadership Seminar for this state-of-the-art facility reinforces Sydney’s international reputation for hosting major events,” Chipchase added.
BESydney has done well in the incentive sector, delivering more than 45,000 Asian incentive delegates into NSW over the past three years and injecting A$213 million (US$155.6 million) into the economy.
“We’ve experienced a 20 per cent year-on-year growth in this sector in NSW over the past decade,” remarked Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of BESydney.
“Last year, 858,500 Chinese tourists arrived in Australia, spending more than A$5 billion, and many came to attend a business event or join an incentive programme.”
THE ASEAN Secretariat and TTG Events have joined hands to co-organise the first ASEAN MICE Forum on September 29, a half-day event aimed at showcasing the South-east Asian region’s MICE developments and capabilities.
Located within the annual Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT&CM Asia), the forum will offer a mix of panel discussions and presentations. Highlights include A One-Stop MICE Wonderland: Multi-destination Programmes in ASEAN, a panel discussion on how multi-destination programmes can be put together in the region; Learning from Success: Case Studies, which will see industry players sharing mini case studies on their events in relatively “fresh” ASEAN destinations; and Discovering ASEAN: A Rising Star for International Exhibitions, which looks at the region’s current exhibition performance and its future.
The organisers are targeting a turnout of 50 delegates, of which a majority will be buyers, exhibitors and the media.
The ASEAN MICE Forum is open for free to all IT&CMA delegates. Industry members who are not registered for IT&CMA can access the forum for a fee of US$50.
Singapore’s stunning skyline will be seen by more business event travellers should STB’s new marketing efforts, supported by a bigger budget, prove successful
With more MICE marketing budget in Singapore’s pocket, local players are urging greater focus on experiential aspects, tradeshow presence, among others. By Paige Lee Pei Qi
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has been given a 35 per cent boost on its destination marketing budget this year, aimed at enhancing Singapore’s MICE appeak. While STB assistant chief executive, Neeta Lachmandas, is unable to provide the exact amount of the investment, she confirms that “a subtstantial sum” will be channelled into brand building and marketing campaigns.
“Prior to 2013 and 2014 we had a bit of a quiet period which we did not have much destination branding for MICE,” Lachmandas said.
With the aim of generating greater awareness through PR activities, advertising and increased participation in tradeshows held in Singapore, STB will be targeting the associations and exhibition and conference event organisers in the US and Europe, and corporate meetings and incentives planners in Asia-Pacific.
STB’s attendance building efforts for tradeshows will be made through advertising towards event delegates.
Although news on the budget increase was announced in April, STB is still unable to share updates on its specific activities. Meanwhile, local trade players who welcome this move are quick to suggest how Singapore could be best marketed to business event clients.
Tour East Group senior vice president for sales and marketing, Judy Lum, told TTGmice: “I hope to see an increase in (STB’s) efforts in hosting familiarisation visits and offering more affordable participation costs for STB-led MICE tradeshows.
“Singapore is a destination that requires MICE planners to come over and experience what we have here and what we can do. We need a presence at tradeshows to retain mind share.”
To market Singapore, Vincent Yap, assistant director, institutional division of MCI Group Asia Pacific, said the brand campaign must “create and evoke a consistent emotional attachment that visitors feel when they think or consider Singapore as a destination”.
“The core message could focus on Singapore’s excellent infrastructure, security, connectivity, multicultural ethnicity, colourful traditions, history, and cuisine,” he added and pointed out that these would help overcome the citystate’s “inherent limitations both from a physical and financial perspective that may increasingly reduce her attractiveness as a MICE destination in South-East Asia”.
Yap elaborated: “Singapore is constrained by its physical size and the concentration of services and amenities in the city centre. There are limited congress venues, attractions or social venues within close proximity that possess enough scalability to host a large congress or meeting.”.
He also urged the creation of a simplifed process for grant applications and greater subsidies for organisers and planners to help ease the financial toll of organising an event.
Theresa Lee, head of MICE at FCm Travel Solutions, would like to see more web-based marketing efforts. She said: “Social media plays a big part in our lives now and it is a trending market today. Singapore should expand its MICE brand through multifaceted campaigns that would include not just PR and advertising or tradeshows, but also more web-based marketing for greater brand awareness.”
For an effective branding strategy, Selina Chavry, regional director, Asia of Pacific World, said efforts “should include the experience here”.
Chavry said: “Despite being a cosmopolitan city, Singapore still possesses the warmth and simplicity of the kampong spirit from the past with diverse races and cultures living together harmoniously. As such, Singapore should be branded as a destination with the best of both worlds – rooted and yet advanced, warm yet progressive, diverse yet integrated.”
She added that there is still “room for improvement” in the level of professionalism in the industry.
“Much effort has been put into attracting travellers to the country, however, we are lacking in delivering the experience. This starts from the professionalism of meeting planners, to destination knowledge and language efficiency of tour guides and transport providers, and the service quality rendered at the frontline,” she remarked.
For now, what is certain is Singapore’s continued strong track record in securing best-in-class exhibitions and conferences. The tourism bureau has made good progress towards its annual target of 10 new association world congresses.
In May, Singapore won the bid to host the 103rd Lions Club International Convention 2020, the country’s largest-ever association congress. The event is expected to contribute S$58 million (US$43 million) in tourism receipts and 20,000 foreign arrivals.
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Selina Chavry, regional director, Asia of Pacific World points out three must-dos in Singapore
Explore its fascinating history Singapore may be short in history but the country has succeeded gloriously in its development during its past 50 years of independence. Bringing the group through the transformation of Singapore by visiting Pulau Ubin to experience the simpler life in the 1960s; to Queenstown where the first public houses were built; and then to Pinnacle at Duxton to appreciate the award-wining public housing project, will be a good highlight of the country’s development from a kampong slum to a cosmopolitan city.
Time stands still in Pulau Ubin
Discover lush greenery Singapore is known as a Garden City. With its well linked park connectors, cycling around the island is a great way to experience the outdoors, be greeted by greeneries in the city, and discover hidden treasures in off-the-beaten track. This can be organised as a leisure or teambuilding activity.
Dive into a cultural wonderland One of Singapore’s unique strengths is its cultural diversity and religious harmony. Nowhere is this more clearly seen here than how temples, mosques and churches co-exist within the same vicinity, thriving without conflict. Exploring the various ethnic enclaves around the island will be a memorable experience.
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The Black Swan
Decked in black and gold, The Black Swan in a conserved Art Deco building on Cecil Street – which was once a bank – has injected a touch of glamour into Singapore’s Central Business District.
This stylish outfit, a replica of a grand European café and bar, features an elegant interior complete with brass fittings and frosted light fixtures. Stepping through its doors brings one right onto the set of The Great Gatsby.
Reaching up three storeys, The Black Swan can seat up to 130 guests – split between the classy U-shaped granite bar wing and the main dining area. The upper mezzanine level, named The Powder Room, has a separate cocktail lounge that can accommodate an additional 60 pax.
For exclusive gatherings, there is a private 12-seat dining room in the basement, accessible through a concealed entrance, and right into the former bank’s vault.
Dining events can begin with appetisers and small plates like charcuterie cuts, soft-shell crab sliders, or one of the must-haves – baked bone marrow. Main courses here built mostly on premium meats and seafood, and highlights include the duck confit, ribeye steak, and the signature Black Swan Burger. Classic dishes come with a contemporary twist; the chargrilled beef tartare and pan-seared foie gras with yuzu marmalade are worth a try.
All great parties require quality liquids, and The Black Swan seduces with an impressive drink menu that lists a range of handcrafted cocktails, rare spirits and a well-curated wine list that introduces favourites from around the globe, from organic producers and small batch wineries to passionate growers.
The Black Swan welcomes private hires. A minimum spend of S$20,000 (US$14,807) is required.
Visit the www.theblackswan.com.sg or call (65) 8181-3305 for more information.
Niseko town is a wonderland for winter activities and culinary adventures
From snowshoe races to sledge-building contests, the Japanese island takes full advantage of its frosty weather and pushes MICE activities unique to its climate. By Julian Ryall
For a good part of every year, Sapporo and the countryside that surrounds the largest city in Hokkaido are blanketed in thick, powdery, perfect snow. So it comes as no surprise that the local MICE industry is playing to the climatic strengths of Japan’s most northerly island.
Locals call winter “the silver time”; but as recently as a decade ago, Hokkaido as a whole had two distinct high seasons for tourists. Those interested in winter sports would arrive for the December-to-February period while the summer season was in July and August.
“We used to have ski resorts that still had great snow on the ground in March and even April, but they were almost empty,” said Dima Azarov, a spokesman for the Sapporo Convention Bureau’s MICE section. “Then we realised that these venues would be ideal for snow-based teambuilding activities.
“We wanted to take full advantage of the opportunities during our off-seasons, and from there we have started to develop and expand our unique offerings for the incentive sector,” he told TTGmice.
The region’s first Unique Venues and Team Building Guide was issued two years ago. Of the dozens of opportunities that have been devised for inbound clients, a number are likely to catch the eye.
The particularly adventurous, even if they are novices, can participate in snowmobile races, while the fittest can take part in a snowshoe race that culminates in an ice cream-making competition. Other venues offer snowman-building competitions, sledge-building contests – with the vehicle eventually put to the test in a race – and team treasure hunts around winter-bound Sapporo.
One of Hokkaido’s claims to winter sport fame is yukigassen, which is essentially a snowball fight with rules that were formalised in 1989. Available at a number of venues, as many as 80 people can participate in a yukigassen showdown. There are even serious moves afoot for the sport to be put forward as an event for future Winter Olympic Games.
Sapporo Racecourse, the first horse racing venue in Japan to be open for private events, has space for 300 guests
And while elsewhere shovelling snow is considered a chore, the ever-inventive people of Hokkaido have elevated it to a sport – the ultimate, perhaps, in Cool Japan.
“The bureau provides a one-stop service to handle any inquiries from tour agents or incentive organisers,” Azarov said. “Whether a group is looking for something specific or more general, we do our best to introduce them to the right people.
“We are constantly striving for new discoveries and ideas, and we work closely with local facilities and event organisers to deepen their understanding and expertise.”
One of the latest additions to the city’s portfolio is Sapporo Racecourse, the first horse racing venue in Japan to be offered as an event venue. With indoor seating of up to 300 people, the course has an impressive view across central Sapporo, and guests get to bet on a race even if the course is fetlock-deep in snow as the venue can screen a race from the previous summer.
Nearby Niseko has also attracted a firm tourist following in recent years, with the two cities complementing each other with their offerings in the MICE sector.
“The accommodation on offer ranges from internationally branded hotels, such as Hilton, which are set to increase in the near future, to smaller hotels, condominiums and private lodge-type properties,” said Paul Haggart, who handles the MICE sector for the local government.
“The styles of accommodation are endless, as are the options for putting together accommodation for groups who wish to stay in the area.”
Another charm of Niseko is the vast number of medium-sized restaurants that revel in the region’s reputation for providing fine food.
Meeting the restaurant owners and enjoying their seasonal offerings can be the difference between a standard and a memorable MICE event, Haggart said.
He continued: “Niseko is a well-known produce-growing area and because lot holdings are smaller, the farmers have a lot more freedom to produce an even wider variety of different produce, resulting in a variety of different menu options.”
The city also has conference and meeting facilities that range from large banquet halls to purpose-built facilities operated by the local government, and Haggart emphasised that the tailor-made approach to inbound MICE clients works best for Niseko.
Haggart and Azarov both play down concerns that Sapporo is not adequately served by flights from other parts of Asia, with Azarov pointing out that Tokyo is a 90-minute flight away and that the route is the busiest in the world, with more than 70 flights a day.
“Of course, we would like to see more direct flights from new destinations, such as Singapore or Malaysia,” Azarov said, pointing out that inbound tourism from Thailand soared by 89,000 visitors – a 320 per cent increase – when the Sapporo-Bangkok route was introduced in 2013.
“Our major concern is the number of hotels and rooms,” he admitted. “Accommodation in the low season is not an issue for Sapporo anymore and we do see lots of inbound throughout the year, but if we see a further increase in the number of direct international flights, as well as more MICE events heading for Sapporo, then adding more hotels is an absolute must.”
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Sapporo Snow Festival
Kikuo Eri, MICE in-charge of Japan Travel Bureau, Hokkaido points out three things to watch for when holding events in winter
Bundle up, and don’t forget the shoes!
It might seem to be stating the obvious, but anyone taking part in teambuilding events in Hokkaido, especially during the winter months, really needs to be dressed appropriately for the conditions. It can get very cold and wet. Waterproof outer layers are a must, along with gloves and hats. We also sometimes find that our visitors bring all the right clothing, but have forgotten to come with appropriate footwear – and that’s arguably the most important piece of equipment they are going to need.
Avoid the big accommodation crunch
Sapporo hosts the world-famous Snow Festival over a period of one week in February, with the 2016 festivities scheduled for February 5 to 11. The event has attracted a colossal following among both domestic and foreign visitors, so securing accommodation is very difficult at this time of year. For any companies planning a MICE event, avoid the festival itself, but the following week sees hotel availability return to normal.
Better safe than sorry
A lot of these teambuilding events can be quite strenuous and taxing, so we advise that organisations that come to Hokkaido have appropriate insurance coverage for their staff. We also strongly recommend that they purchase insurance to cover against their flights being cancelled due to bad weather. Hokkaido does get storms during the winter and extending a stay at a hotel here can be expensive.
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Cook in the snow
Teambuilding in the great outdoors does not have to be all about rolling about in the snow, with Hokkaido also renown for its cuisine and environmental awareness.
Hakkenzan Eco-catering, set up by German-born Bianca Furst, started teambuilding events just two years ago and now operates a regular selection of handicraft workshops, music events, “slow food” evenings, theatrical productions and agricultural projects. In June, participants in an educational project were encouraged to plant beets and potatoes that will grow into a “German meal”.
“We offer ‘eco-craft,’ eco-cooking’ and energy-rally events throughout the year,” Furst told TTGmice. “And because we have a huge field – it’s white and beautiful in the winter – we plan to offer even more events in the winter months.
“We already do snowshoe walking expeditions, cooking on a fire in the snow and team projects to build an igloo,” she said.
“We are particularly keen to connect directly with educational organisations for teambuilding events, and with companies through travel agencies and the city authorities in Sapporo.”
One teambuilding activity that has proved particularly popular, and brings together energy education and environmental education, is using solar ovens to cook meals. Hakkenzan also has its own solar panels and uses the power of the sun to dry locally grown soft fruit.
“Hokkaido is great for nature, for food, new ideas, ‘onsen’ hot springs, nice people, for the seasons and for international exchanges,” Furst said. “We aim to combine environmental education on a fruit farm, with a wide range of outdoor experiences, hands-on farming experiences and bringing in the elements of arts, crafts and energy.”
For more information, visit www.hakkenzan.jp/ecocatering/ or call (81) 11-596-2280.
Vida Rica Restaurant features Michelin-starred guests chefs throughout the year to keep culinary experiences exciting for diners Picture by Mandarin Oriental
The rise of celebrity restaurants in Macau is giving event planners plenty of mouthwatering options for dining functions. By Prudence Lui
Macau’s culinary scene is flourishing with the emergence of new boutique restaurants and Michelin-star dining destinations. This has created a vast selection of venues for corporate groups looking for somewhere with an incredible ambience to bond over great food.
As of May 2015, Macau is home to 357 restaurants and the list is set to grow, thanks to a wave of new integrated resort openings over the next six to 12 months, as many of these properties promise unique dining experiences.
Among the latest additions in Macau is Tromba Rija, a Portuguese restaurant with roots that go back to 1966 in Leiria, Portugal. Its expansion into Asia has brought it to the Macau Tower, where it offers fine dining in a traditional, homey environment. An a la carte menu is offered, along with a buffet that featues over 60 signature dishes.
Tromba Rija can be booked entirely for private events.
Private dining functions are possible at 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana
The reputable 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana also made its foray into Macau last May. Located in Promenade Central of Galaxy Macau, this restaurant by chef Umberto Bombana can fit 42 pax in the main dining hall and 18 in two private rooms. It boasts an exclusive ageing cellar that packs in culinary gems like Pata Negra and Cinta Senese hams, Italian cheeses, caviar and truffles. There is also a spacious walk-in wine cellar with a collection of more than 1,800 bottles from more than 600 labels around the world.
While no minimum pax is required for a venue buy-out, a minimum spend of at least MOP$200,000 (US$25,042) must be fulfilled.
Hotels are also getting in on the action, whipping up tasty culinary concepts to woo corporate groups.
Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central is offering Portuguese Poolside Barbecues at its Sala pool every Friday and Saturday from 18.00 to 22.00, from now through October 31. A live band enlivens the party with Portuguese Fado tunes from 19.00 to 22.00. Groups with 12 to 80 pax can be accommodated.
To keep dining experiences fresh year-round, Mandarin Oriental Macau flies in four to five Michelin-starred guest chefs every year to showcase their culinary prowess at the hotel’s Vida Rica Restaurant. This October, two-star Michelin guest chef Stéphane Buron from France will take over the kitchen for three days.
A hotel spokesperson told TTGmice: “These prestigious chefs from around the globe present their one-of-a-kind signature creations at our restaurant, giving connoisseurs unique, unforgettable dining experiences and bringing Macau’s culinary scene to another level.”
Vida Rica Restaurant is itself a celebrated dining destination and has played host to several private events. Themed dinners have been held, with chef Dominique Bugnand executing cooking demonstrations by the table.
While fancy dining options are now plenty in Macau, event specialist, MCI Macau’s managing director, Peter Hassall, said clients would always demand privacy, so restaurants that want their business must allow full venue hire.
As “many private dining rooms cannot cater for large numbers, usually seating under 20 pax”, Hassall opined that such restaurants would function better as a complementary venue for corporate events that require different options for VIPs within a larger group.
Delegates’ growing interest in what they eat and the story behind their food has also spurred DMCs to come up with food inspired activities for their clients.
Macau-based event specialist, smallworld Experience, tantalises corporate clients with a programme called Cooking Experience. Participants are brought to a local market where they have to purchase all items on a shopping list, using a limited budget. They will then cook a full meal, comprising of a starter, main and dessert, under the guidance of a chef, before digging into their culinary creations for lunch or dinner.
CEO Bruno Simoes explained that the activity can be tailored to suit client’s preference, and the cuisine featured in the cooking class can be Macanese, Portuguese or Chinese.
Hassall remarked: “Food is a very important component of any event and (interest in) culinary teambuilding activities is on the rise due to the growing popularity of cooking shows like Masterchef and Iron Chef.”
He added that food themed activites appeal to a wide audience. “No matter what age, athletic ability, position in the company or personality type, (these activities) are equalisers as most people can cook and enjoy cooking.”
MCI Macau has a number of unique culinary programmes for corporate clients, and they include teambuilding activities based on food and unique off-site dining experiences on beaches, country properties and heritage sites.
“We are currently working with an incentive group on a Masterchef style teambuilding activity that will be paired with a Michelin-starred private dining experience. For another group we are (offering) dine-outs at local restaurants,” revealed Hassall.
Simoes believes that Macau can benefit from showcasing its unique local cuisine through activities that introduce what the various dishes are and how they are prepared.
“Portuguese wines are another opportunity because they are quite unknown and unique in Asia – mostly available in Macau – and are good value for money,” he added.
He recommends adding a dining experience in Old Taipa, which is a 10- to 15-minute walk from Cotai where large conference are often held. “However, organisers need a good DMC to make this happen as there are too many restaurant owners (in Old Taipa).”
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Peter Hassall, managing director, MCI Macau recommends three tailored activities in the destination
Explore Macau’s flavours as a team
Top Tastes of Macau, a teambuilding scavenger hunt, will have participants touring the destination like a true local as they search for the top ten street eats. Pork chop buns are easy to find but, a Serradura or birds nest egg tart will be a challenge.
Summer spa and fun Enjoy Macau’s summer with a relaxing morning by the hotel’s tropical pool deck, sipping cocktails before slipping away for a spa treatment in the afternoon. That should recharge delegates and have them ready for the Ultra Cool private pool party later in the day.
Hunt down birds nest egg tarts
Get lucky all night The most elegant dress and smartest suit is required for an evening at Royale Casino, a casino style evening programme. With a glass of martini in hand, participants will learn how to play Macau’s most popular casino games from the professionals. The evening continues with superb entertainment and sheer dining pleasure before everyone gets to dance the night away.
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A plethora of shopping, dining and entertainment options takes centre stage in Galaxy Macau’s latest expansion project, offering more recreational options for business event delegates as well as their accompanying partners and family.
The Broadway, which was formerly a hotel complex acquired by Galaxy Group in 2013, is now home to a 320-room hotel as well as more than 40 F&B and 20 retail outlets. Authentic pan-Asian and world-class dining experiences including eight Michelin restaurants – many of which are new to Macau – will make an appearance.
The Broadway will be connected to Galaxy Macau’s new hotels – The Ritz-Carlton Macau and JW Marriott Hotel Macau – with The Promenade, a shopping destination that is home to more than 200 luxury and lifestyle retail brands.
Daily live entertainment on Broadway Street adds a new dimension of fun to the complex. Visitors can expect to catch different well-known Hong Kong and Macau bands at the Band on the Run mobile performance venue. Shows run from 18.00 to 23.00 every weekend, and are free.
A broadway parade also kicks off at 19.00 from Friday to Sunday.
The carnival atmosphere is enhanced by roaming entertainers like uni-jugglers and street magicians from 12.00 to 22.00 daily.
The majestic Amber Fort in Jaipur, a city that has recently unveiled a new MICE venue, the Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre
Tradeshow growth is taking the lead while new source markets are turning their attention to the South Asian destination. By Rohit Kaul
India’s inbound MICE players are reporting stronger business this year, fuelled by the Indian government’s pursuit of global investors and improvements in tourism hardware.
Swadesh Kumar, vice chairman of the India Convention and Promotion Bureau (ICPB), told TTGmice that India’s inbound MICE business has recorded a year-on-year growth of eight to 10 per cent in 2015.
“The Indian economy is doing well and the new government has been making efforts to attract global investment, and that augurs well for the MICE industry,” Kumar explained. “In fact, the conference and exhibition market is surpassing the incentive travel movement.”
The country’s calendar of conventions and exhibitions appear busy, with major trade events like Medical Fair India, International Engineering & Technology Fair, 34th India International Trade Fair, and 29th International Conference on Frontiers in Materials Processing, Applications, Research & Technology heading its way this year.
Business seems equally brisk for India’s convention and exhibition sector next year too. ASME 2015 India International Oil & Gas Pipeline Conference, 6th World Congress on Biotechnology, 3rd International Conference and Exhibition on Pharmacognosy & Natural Products, and the annual conference of the International Federation for Theatre Research are some of the events already in the bag.
Prashant Narayan, COO and head of Leisure Travel Inbound Business, Thomas Cook India, opined that a “comparative cost advantage, developing infrastructural facilities, presence of attractive stay options, and aviation upgrades have resulted in more countries viewing India as a favourable MICE option”.
Narayan noted that besides the traditional source markets, newer ones like China, South Korea and Eastern Europe are emerging.
“China has been one of the fastest growing inbound markets for us in recent years. For the coming inbound season, our internal research and analysis team has revealed that the number of tourists from China to India is expected to rise by approximately 20 per cent,” he added.
International MICE interest is spread across India’s major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad, as well as smaller ones like Jaipur.
“Jaipur now boasts of many hotels with good venues and facilities for conferences and conventions, and that has improved its position as an international MICE destination,” said Lalit Chadha, director-business development, MCI Management India.
“Its proximity to New Delhi is also an advantage.”
The new Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC) is said to have given the city’s MICE sector a shot in the arm. Said to be the largest exhibition and convention facility in South Asia, JECC occupies over 42 acres and offers two exhibition halls with a combined, column-free space of 20,000m2 and an open exhibition area of 10,000m2, among other facilities. It hosted the India Stone Mart 2015 in January.
Meanwhile, the industry is looking forward to the finalisation of the National Tourism Policy 2015 by India’s ministry of tourism. MICE is identified as one of the key pillars in the policy, and there are plans to form a National MICE Promotion Bureau with industry representatives that will work closely with state tourism boards to secure international MICE business for destinations with good events infrastructure.
“The ITB World Travel Trends Report 2014/2015 states that the global MICE segment has a 54 per cent market share, overtaking the traditional business travel segment,” said Lalit Panwar, secretary, ministry of tourism, India. “We understand that the ministry of tourism’s effort in attracting big conventions to India need to be revisited, moving from the current model of supporting individual operators to generate business to a more result oriented framework.”
Ranjan Kumar Mishra, managing director of Eastern Voyage, told the magazine that the creation “of a body that can bid for international conferences and events” has been the industry’s “long standing demand”.
“The National Tourism Policy 2015 has also proposed (the establishment of a) fund with contribution from state governments and participating private players, that will be utilised to secure business throughout the year,” said Mishra.
Lamenting about the lack of funding, especially for ICPB, Chander Mansharamani, managing director, Alpcord Network Travel & Conferences, said: “The industry has been demanding financial support to be extended to ICPB which was formed to promote MICE business. However, ICPB’s role has been more or less restricted as a trade association (and it did not) bid for international association business.”
India Habitat Centre, New Delhi is capable of supporting business events
The soon-to-be-announced National Tourism Policy 2015 has also proposed the provision of a single window clearance for organising meetings and conventions in India, besides simplifying the conference visa process. If implemented, this will be an improvement on the government’s move last year to offer electronic tourist visa to nationals of 74 countries.
“Single window clearance for meetings and conventions will speed up process and signal a positive image of India as a friendly MICE destination. The e-tourist visa scheme extended to conference delegates will help to boost India’s position as a global MICE destination,” said ICPB’s Kumar.
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A new place to meet in Gurgaon
Opened in March this year, Le Meridien Gurgaon boasts an enviable location within the business hub of Gurgaon and within easy reach of major corporate districts and thoroughfares such as Global Business Park, DLF Cyber City and Golf Course Road. It also lies close to notable cultural centres and tourist attractions, including Epicenter, Kingdom of Dreams and several renowned art galleries, making the hotel an excellent base for business travellers who desire some leisure time in the city.
Residential corporate events are supported by 10 function spaces totalling 1,600m2 as well as 285 guestrooms, 210 of which are deluxe rooms. There are also 53 Le Meridian Club Rooms and 22 suites. The hotel has two ballrooms, the largest being the Phoenix Ballroom which can accommodate 160 banquet guests or 450 pax theatre-style. It comes with an 8m high ceiling and opens to landscaped lawns. The second ballroom – Perseus Ballroom – can seat 200 pax in theatre-style. Both ballrooms can be divided into two smaller venues each.
A highlight of this property is the Le Meridien Hub, an innovative hotel lobby concept that is structured after a coffee house where creative minds can gather, connect and enjoy an espresso crafted by one of its master baristas.
Social gatherings can be held in one of the hotel’s F&B outlets. Latest Recipe, an international restaurant with a la carte options and a buffet line, offers five live-cooking stations, each featuring a different world cuisine. Longitude 0°8 beckons diners with its signature eclairs and Illy Italian gourmet coffee, as well as a broad menu of wines and cocktails. Here, an emphasis is placed on premium spirits, fresh ingredients, and unusual combinations.
For an evening of party, corporate groups can head to i-Kandy where a number of events featuring international artists are held. Watch out also for the Le Meridien Sparkling, a cocktail ceremony inspired by the traditional European aperitif hour. This is held every evening.
Other facilities at Le Meridien Gurgaon include a well-equipped fitness centre, pool and spa. Guests can also partake in yoga and aerobic classes.
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Take a rikshaw tour of Chandni Chowk
Arun Anand, managing director of Midtown Travels, suggests three must-dos for all visitors to India
See Chandni Chowk on a rikshaw
A fresh departure from the glitz and glamour of India’s five-star hotels and fine restaurants, a tricycle ride through Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk – one of the oldest and busiest markets in the region – is a good way to experience an old world charm. These tricycles are known among the locals as rikshaws.
Admire Udaipur’s grand palace on a cruise
Udaipur, Rajasthan is one of the most romantic cities in the world and the best way to soak in this experience is on an evening boat cruise. The hour-long Gangaur Boat Cruise will allow participants to take in splendid views of the historical City Palace.
Have a regal evening at Samode Palace
Samode Palace in Jaipur can execute elegant banquets and thematic dinners. A highlight is the hotel’s Maharaja Evening where guests can enjoy a camel cart procession accompanied
by a local band and torch bearers, folk dances, fireworks and special dinner at the terrace of the hotel.
South-east Asia’s only indoor skydiving wind tunnel attraction, iFly Singapore, has launched a new event space, the Sky Garden.
Occupying over 558m2 on the top of iFly Singapore at Sentosa, the Sky Garden comprises of both an indoor and outdoor event space.
The outdoor terrace offers an open-air rooftop lawn against a picturesque beachfront view, with twice-nightly fireworks and sunsets as backdrop. The venue also features a stage, bar and private area.
Over S$800,000 (US$598,000) was spent on the expansion project, including landscaping of the rooftop, Canon imaging systems, LED lighting for events and a state-of-the-art sound system by K-array and Bose.
The company’s catering partners are Orange Clove Catering, Purple Sage Group and Rasel Catering Singapore, which is halal-certified.
A range of corporate packages are available for a minimum of 100 pax, starting from S$90++ per pax for a corporate dinner-and-dance buffet.
Meanwhile, iFly Singapore’s indoor skydiving remains a popular teambuilding activity for corporate and incentive groups because of its thrilling nature, said Lawrence Koh, founder and managing director of iFly Singapore. – Jerlene Ng
CHINA’s biggest import and export trade fair has roped in travel distribution expert Travelport to promote attendance at the event to business travellers.
Yu Yi, deputy general manager of Canton Fair, told TTGmice e-Weekly that his company intends to “leverage on Travelport’s strong global corporate network to win new business visitors… and maximise brand awareness”.
Travelport, through its Destination Marketing Solution, will target B2B business travellers who are headed for Hong Kong and encourage them to extend their trip to Guangzhou where Canton Fair will be held from October 15 to November 5 this year.
Explaining the procedure, Anna Au-Yeung, global head of Destination Marketing, Travelport, said that once a targeted traveller is identified by the Global Distribution System, the travel consultant’s desktop will flash messages from Canton Fair to recommend the event to the traveller and to register the individual for the tradeshow.
The travel consultant will be rewarded for every registration and attendance, while the traveller will enjoy a waiver on registration fees and be given a US$100 coupon for use at the tradeshow or designated hotels.
Au-Yeung said: “Travelers today are gravitating towards trips that are tailored to their personal requirements and they value the services of a consultant who can plan their trips to cover all their needs. This process we have for Canton Fair enables our agency partners to provide a value-added service to their customers and increase their revenues at the same time.”
Acknowledging that “competition has become very keen”, Yu said Canton Fair must “maintain its pioneering lead and be innovative in expanding its distribution channels”.
Hence, besides engaging Travelport for marketing and ticketing, Canton Fair has been cooperating with chambers of commerce, travel agencies, airlines and marketing companies to introduce various business programmes.
“For example the fair has launched an Advertisement Reward for New Buyers, a programme that rewards qualified buyers for their first visit to the fair, and a Buyer Recruitment Program for our business partners. We also organise video conferences that broadcast live promotions with Canton Fair partners from different continents. On social media Canton Fair has a massive 250,000 followers on Facebook and that figure continues to grow,” Yu said.
This is Canton Fair’s second year of partnership with Travelport. In 2014 Canton Fair worked with Travelport to grow buyer registration through B2C business travellers.
BUSINESS sentiments among MICE players in South Korea are improving, following the government’s report on Wednesday that there have been no new MERS cases for the 17th consecutive day.
Kimberley Kim, a marketing official with event specialist MCI in Seoul, which organises around three major congresses and as many as 100 smaller MICE events in Seoul every year, is confident that the crisis will be over by the time the city hosts the World Allergy Congress in October.
Kim revealed that business had been impacted by the MERS scare.
She said: “We had a conference last month and a number of the people who were scheduled to attend called to cancel. It was an industry event and it went ahead in the end, but about 200 of the 900 delegates dropped out.
“But it is clear that the situation has improved and there have been no new cases for quite a long time now, so we believe the worst is over.”
Woo-tak Suh, a spokesman for the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas which sits in the heart of the city and close to COEX convention and exhibition centre, agreed that the outbreak appears to have run its course.
“MERS did have an effect on our business, but it was limited,” he said. “And we understand from the government that things are improving. We look forward to our guests returning very soon.”
While no official numbers are available on the impact of MERS on South Korea’s MICE sector, the Korea Tourism Organisation reported that June arrivals had plummeted 41 per cent dip, with numbers standing at 750,925, down from 1.27 million a year ago.
Taiwan footfalls tumbled 75.7 per cent, arrivals from Hong Kong shrank 74.6 per cent, and Singapore numbers fell by more than 62 per cent.
THE Singapore Chapter of the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society (IEEE OES) is at the final stage of bidding for the hosting rights to the OCEANS 2020 global conference on marine technology, science, education and policy, an event that is also sponsored by the Marine Technological Society.
Speaking to TTGmice e-Weekly, Venugopalan Pallayil, general chair of the OCEANS 2020 organising committee and deputy head of National University of Singapore, Acoustic Research Lab, Tropical Marine Science Institute, said the results are expected to be announced after the OCEANS 2015 conference in Washington this October.
Should the bid be a success, Singapore can expect to welcome 650 delegates and over 50 exhibitors to its shores. It will also be the citystate’s second OCEANS, with the last being held in 2006.
Venugopalan revealed that the only other destination vying for the event is Chennai, India. “It is not a tough fight,” he said. “I am hopeful of pulling it through.”
Venugopalan is eager to score OCEANS 2020 for the benefit of the local oceanic engineering community.
He explained: “Fourteen years is a long enough time to bring the oceanic engineering community back to Singapore and show them what we can offer in terms of furthering this area of technology. In 2006 our organisation was young, just four years old, hence our reach to overseas organisations was limited. Today we are better known among the international community and we believe that organising a conference here would provide more visibility to Singapore, especially in the academic area.”
The conference will also seek new opportunities for collaboration in the technical area among local and overseas institutions, and an exhibition on products and services will be held to achieve this.
The newly-opened Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok anchors the One Bangkok development with cosmopolitan elegance. Featuring the city's largest ballroom and a spectacular new penthouse suite, it delivers exceptional hardware and deeply authentic, soulful service for business and leisure travellers alike
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.
To market Singapore, Vincent Yap, assistant director, institutional division of MCI Group Asia Pacific, said the brand campaign must “create and evoke a consistent emotional attachment that visitors feel when they think or consider Singapore as a destination”.
Selina Chavry, regional director, Asia of Pacific World points out three must-dos in Singapore
Decked in black and gold, The Black Swan in a conserved Art Deco building on Cecil Street – which was once a bank – has injected a touch of glamour into Singapore’s Central Business District.
Teambuilding in the great outdoors does not have to be all about rolling about in the snow, with Hokkaido also renown for its cuisine and environmental awareness.
Peter Hassall, managing director, MCI Macau recommends three tailored activities in the destination
A plethora of shopping, dining and entertainment options takes centre stage in Galaxy Macau’s latest expansion project, offering more recreational options for business event delegates as well as their accompanying partners and family.
Ranjan Kumar Mishra, managing director of Eastern Voyage, told the magazine that the creation “of a body that can bid for international conferences and events” has been the industry’s “long standing demand”.
A new place to meet in Gurgaon
