SUBIC has received a shot in the arm with the confirmation of rights to host the Global Summit of Youth in Environmental Sustainability back-to-back with the Subic International Eco-Film Festival on February 25-27, 2015.

Some 500 graduating university students will attend the summit, to be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition & Convention Centre (SBECC), while the Eco-film Festival will be graced by about 100 film practitioners at the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST).

The youth summit aims to build the capacity of students and young community leaders to understand the issues and benefits of protecting the environment and to incorporate them in their daily lives.

The eco-film fest, on the other hand, will tackle the challenges faced by environmental film producers with a discussion on environmental and commercial films.

Both inaugural events are the brainchild of ISST and are expected to boost Subic’s positioning as an eco-tourism and MICE destination.

ISST president and former tourism secretary, Mina Gabor, said the eco-film fest will include an eco-film competition with entries from countries including Japan, South America, Iceland, and the Philippines.

“We’re starting small to get our feet wet but we have some good films,” she said, noting that there are many good commercial films about the environment, including the highly successful Avatar.

Participants at the youth summit will be encouraged to attend the screening of the eco-films.

W SINGAPORE – Sentosa Cove will this December become the stage for the Asian edition of the International Music Summit (IMS), which has its roots in the electronic music capital of Ibiza.

Come December 11, IMS Asia-Pacific will bring together the leaders of the electronic music genre from this region and the West for a series of panel discussions, keynote interviews and speeches, workshops, and tutorials.

Discussions will be relevant to the Asia-Pacific region and feature input from headline talent, regional industry icons, as well as big-name players from around the world.

IMS co-founder, Ben Turner, said: “This event has been created to unite the Asia-Pacific industry but also to educate and entertain delegates from around the world about this incredible frontier which is finally opening up in a huge way to electronic music culture.”

The event was also deliberately scheduled to coincide with Singapore’s annual ZoukOut dance festival. Said Turner: “We’ve positioned ourselves the day before the ZoukOut to help further the focus on this festival into a powerful business forum, and Zouk’s founder Lincoln Cheng has been a guiding light for all the IMS partners for the last 20 years.

“It is a huge honour for us to bring IMS to Asia-Pacific and to help galvanise this region for the future of the genre we know and love.”

The decision to hold the event at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove is an extension of IMS’ existing agreement with W Hotels Worldwide.

Arnaud Champenois, Asia-Pacific senior brand director, commented in a release: “To celebrate this partnership, we have also prepared a series of happenings that will feature an industry icon and headlining talent at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove and W Retreat & Spa Bali, Seminyak.”

LEVERAGING the exponential power of technology, Suntec Singapore has launched its new customer portal for virtual event planning, allowing MICE planners real-time access to their booking information.

Set to transform the way Suntec Singapore work with its planners, the interactive portal provides organisers a ‘live’ dashboard displaying the full details of their bookings including meeting space, furniture, equipment, F&B items, and digital signage allocation.

Marc Bakker, assistant director of marketing & communications, Suntec Singapore, said: “Organisers and planners are now firmly in control of their events from proposal to booking and the final delivery.”

The portal provides an interactive 2D blueprint for clients to visualise the layout of their spaces. The floor planning tools allow them to move the furniture, audiovisual equipment, and decorative items according to their requirements.

Further to that, the 3D-viewer with 360º panning ability promises clients a comprehensive view of the space.

Bakker said: “The collaborative and real-time nature of the online portal and easy sharing capabilities ensure seamless communication between Suntec Singapore, organisers, and third-party suppliers, enabling all parties to be more effective, saving time and travel costs of site inspections.”

Arun Madhok, chief executive of Suntec Singapore, said: “Our smart use of technology is increasingly making the entire customer experience easier, faster and more effective for our growing client base.

“Our clients – for the first time – will be able to fully visualise, modify and control their event spaces,” he said.

Nevertheless, the human service is still necessary as Madhok added: “Our staff will be working closely with our clients and service teams to ensure their expectations become a reality.”

Last month, Suntec Singapore launched virtual tours of the convention centre through the Google Maps’ Street View.

Visitors can preview the customer portal here: http://bit.ly/1tZv52H

FAIRMONT Beijing’s new MICE package for its three Hutong-inspired meeting spaces offers guests a new twist on regular meetings.

The three venues, which total 378m2, include the main Gold Fish Hutong room which can accommodate up to 200 pax in theatre style.

The meeting package includes themed coffee breaks throughout, Nespresso coffee machine usage, and a personal banquet service. Groups can make use of state-of-the-art meeting technology, an LCD projector and screen, podium with standing microphone and two wireless microphones, a whiteboard or flipchart with markers, and other amenities including writing pads, pencils, mint candies, and bottled water.

The full-day meeting package is priced at RMB680 (US$111) per delegate while the half-day option goes for RMB650 per attendee.

THE South Korean city of Deagu last month played host two two major technology conventions from September 24 to 27, bringing together the brightest minds from the fields of innovation and medicine.

Held at the Daegu Gyongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, the 11th Asia Association of Learning Innovation and Coevolution Studies (ASIALICS 2014) saw former vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, Jong-Yong Yun, deliver the keynote speech.

It drew participation from researchers in local institutions, namely Keimyung University, Daegu Technopark, the Science and Technology Policy Institute, and the Korea Institute of Science & Technology Evaluation and Planning.

At the same time, the city also welcomed the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society Asia-Pacific Annual Conference 2014 at Daegu Exhibition and Convention Center.

The event was attended by 800 tissue engineering and regenerative specialists from 40 countries, who discussed and presented the most cutting-edge research in the field.

Delegates also went on a technical tour to visit the city’s infrastructure of medical research.

Jeong-Ok Grace Lim, president of the Korean Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Society which organises the conference, of which she is also programme chair, said Daegu has shifted its investments from the IT sector to biotechnology.

“Local officials have been especially influential in initiating research in this area, providing support to form a research partnership between Kyungpook National University and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.”

Lim is also professor at Kyungpook National University Hospital’s Biomedical Research Institute.

In Daegu alone there are 3,000 medical institutions including 12 full-service hospitals, five medical schools, and 48 medical research centres.

CHINA needs to relax the stringent rules governing associations and nurture a more vibrant industry by gaining a deeper understanding of the roles of associations in society.

New associations must register with both the relevant ministry overseeing its field and the Ministry of Civil Affairs, hindering the establishment of associations. Government scrutiny of association activities also acts as an obstacle.

However, sources have revealed that the Chinese government could introduce reforms to ease these restrictions before end-2014 at the earliest, a move that could boost the MICE industry.

American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) China representative, Maria Tong, observed that many NGOs have offered advice on possible reforms to existing legislations, such as mandating applications to be submitted to oen authority instead of two.

At the same time, ASAE research found that Chinese associations are still in their infancy, with little concept of association management.

International association management firms should thus enter the China market gradually, communicating knowledge on association management to help improve professional standards, and enhance the relationship between associations in China and the US.

Meanwhile, Tong pointed out that attracting the young, a challenge for counterparts in the West, was also an issue here. ASAE provides a range of services for associations including harnessing new communication methods such as social media and keeping abreast with the latest trends to better engage youth members.

Likewise, MCI Group’s director of association management and consulting, Florence Chua, commented that industry associations must research on the youth’s consumption and social behaviour and develop accurate understanding of their needs.

Translated from the original TTG-BTmice China e-Weekly, October 8, 2014, article by Ong Yanchun

SACEOS is taking the lead to show the MICE industry why it pays for businesses to be sustainable and gain a competitive advantage.

The association’s campaign kicked off on September 16 with A Sustainability CEO Breakfast, to be followed by another breakfast on November 10, and a Driving Value & Success through Sustainability – MICE & Hospitality Workshop on November 21.

Forty-two participants from 31 companies attended the first breakfast where the Singapore Tourism Board, Marina Bay Sands (MBS), MCI and Ivan Ferrari, chair of SACEOS Sustainability Subcommittee and senior global event manager of UBM Media (Singapore), made presentations.

The November sustainability workshop, the first to be organised by SACEOS in partnership with MCI, is priced at S$481.50 (US$378.60) for SACEOS members, and S$577.80 for non-members. Those who sign up can enjoy a 60 per cent rebate under the Product Innovative Credit scheme. Visit www.saceos.org.sg for more information.

Ferrari said: “The aim of SACEOS is to raise MICE sustainability awareness, which is still rather low, and to underline the fact that it is not only about protecting the environment. MICE sustainability practices also provide social and governance benefits, and create a magnified lever effect for both the industry and Singapore if most of the players embrace this change.

“There is the misconception that going sustainable is going to add business cost. Just the opposite, it can help businesses save money, retain talent and minimise business risk.”

Roger Simons, group sustainability manager, MCI, noted that 41 per cent of MCI’s clients are now looking at the sustainability performance of their suppliers.

He added that 76 per cent of MCI’s suppliers have seen an increase in client interest, and more clients are looking for Singapore sustainable MICE-certified partners.

MBS, the only venue in Singapore and South-east Asia to be ISO 20121 certified, has realised 21 per cent savings in energy consumption since the start of the ECO360 programme.

Kevin Teng, director sustainability, MBS, said: “Understanding the growing changes in demands for green meetings has helped us to redevelop ECO360 green meetings and we are seeing a steady increase in external clients opting to use ECO360 Green meetings options at their events.”

IT’S game on for Melbourne this year as it gears up to host the second Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) Australia 2014 by boosting Internet connection speeds.

Set to draw tens of thousands of gamers, the PAX Australia 2014 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). The expo brings together international guests, speakers, musicians, developers, and local game industry representatives to showcase games and community events in Australia.

The convention centre anticipates participants downloading as much as three times MCEC’s monthly data, and has increased Internet speeds to run at one GB per second, thrice the speed of the standard service.

MCEC’s director of technology operations, Michael Walsh, said: “A high-tech event like PAX Australia is a fantastic opportunity for our team to showcase our skills, leading technology, and capabilities.

“PAX Australia is taking full advantage of our venue’s internet capabilities, digital signage, and social media packages. Given the tech-savvy nature of PAX attendees, it’s important we deliver the best.”

The event will showcase products from over 150 exhibitors, with more than 500 PCs and 100 Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo consoles across the Console Tournament and Freeplay areas for attendees to use.

Also on the agenda are at least 100 panel sessions, events, demos, and screenings that will take place at five satellite theatres.

Operations will depend on and highlight MCEC’s integrated audiovisual system which was recently upgraded to a digital fibre optic signal path for quicker connections and displays.

PAX Australia event director, Bernadette Neumann, said: “After last year’s successful sold out inaugural we knew we needed to expand, so we are very excited to now call the largest convention and exhibition centre in the southern hemisphere our new home.”

THE International Astronautical Congress (IAC) will be held in Adelaide in 2017 and is expected to draw over 3,000 delegates including some 200 astronauts, making it the largest congress ever hosted in the state.

Adelaide Convention Bureau bagged the event in partnership with the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) and state government of South Australia, beating rivals such as Bremen in Germany, Orlando in the US, Istanbul, and Dublin.

IAC will feature an exhibition component which is to attract support from space agencies and international space, while the organising committee will leverage the congress to shout out about Australian innovation.

Come 2017, the event will add A$18 million (US$15.8 million) to the Adelaide economy, 22,000 room nights, and 170 jobs.

The International Astronautical Federation’s executive director paid Adelaide a visit earlier this year to view conference, hospitality, and key city tourism facilities. IAC officials were also shown a video that gave them a better idea of what delegates would experience if the event was held in Adelaide.

Adelaide Convention Bureau CEO Damien Kitto said: “The IAC is the world’s most important annual interdisciplinary meeting for the space industry, regularly attracting over 3,000 participants from more than 70 countries, including space professionals, academics, major corporations, government representatives, students, and media.”

“The legacy to be left to South Australia’s space and related industries as a result of this win is priceless. For the duration of the event, the eyes of the space industry will be firmly on this state. It will increase opportunities for international collaboration and regional leadership, especially relevant as Australia – and South Australia in particular – is recognised as an emerging participant in the international space community.”

He added: “The recent experience of host destinations has shown that hosting an IAC brings significant attention to the capabilities of the destination and provides a framework for further advancing their development and international partnerships.”

ALREADY a popular weekend destination for locals, Khao Yai is now keen to bait the meetings segment with its new convention centre.

Khao Yai Convention Center (KYCC), which started operations in July and resides within a mixed-use development, offers 3,700m2 of indoor meeting space, including a grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,000 pax for seated meals and 1,700 pax in theatre style, a 970m2 exhibition hall, and seven meeting rooms.

Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima state is home to Thailand’s oldest national park that translates as ‘Big Mountain’ in English, but a good distance from the state capital.

Acknowledging this shortcoming, KYCC sales manager, Predee Sathidthanawut, instead wants to position Khao Yai as a “sub-MICE city in Isaan” and a “one-stop destination” that is ideal for large groups due to its large room inventory.

“Thais already know Khao Yai, so we are trying to build international awareness of KYCC and the destination now at IT&CM Asia,” revealed Predee when he spoke to TTGmice e-Weekly at the recent MICE tradeshow.

“We will promote KYCC as a meetings-and-leisure destination that is ideal for teambuilding too,” he remarked, further elaborating that KYCC’s proximity to nature – just 1.5km from the Khao Yai National Park – is a selling point to entice planners to hold their meetings surrounded by nature and greenery.

Other factors that work to KYCC’s advantage are the abundance of golf courses, resorts and wineries in Khao Yai, plus the destination is located just a two-hour drive from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Predee added.

KYCC adjoins the upcoming 11.5ha Scenical World, an expansion and rejuvenation of the existing Life Park amusement park that will add a shopping mall (Greenery Park Mall) and a water park (Splash World). Scenical World will soft open by January 2015.

Shuttle buses will be provided to transfer guests and delegates from one point to another, said Predee.

The development is also home to the 254-room Greenery Resort, the 116-room Botanica Khao Yai that debuted in July this year, and the 300-room Khao Yai Foresta that is scheduled to open in two years’ time.