SITE reveals 2015 calendar of events

October 9, 2014

THE Society of Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) has released the dates and destinations for events in 2015, which span the continents of Asia, Europe, and North America.

First up, SITE’s international board of directors will convene with local industry professionals at the SITE Executive Summit. The summit will run from February 9-13 at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai.

Running from September 27-30, SITE Classic gathers customers, colleagues, and industry leaders to support SITE Foundation. The Baha Mar, Bahamian Riviera resort in Nassau, the Bahamas, will host the event.

SITE Global Conference 2015 provides a platform for learning about new industry trends, facing business challenges, and networking. This year’s edition will be held from October 23-26 at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi.

SITE Nites Europe and America take place the day before the opening of IMEX Frankfurt and IMEX America respectively. Hosted buyers and exhibitors at the two shows will spend the evening networking on May 18 in Frankfurt and October 12 in Las Vegas.

Proceeds from both events support SITE Foundations’ research and education initiatives.

Rhonda Brewer, SITE president 2015 and vice-president, group business manager–sales for Maritz Travel Company, said: “In 2014, SITE grew its membership with over 45 per cent of the members located in 83 countries outside of the US. With events in India and Dubai, we look to grow these important markets to help us achieve our strategic goal of 4,000 members by the end of 2016.”

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort launches additional event spaces

By TTG Asia

October 9, 2014

NEW meeting facilities at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort is positioning the resort as a suitable venue for medium-sized meetings.

At the centre of this is the 716m2 Similan Ballroom that can accommodate up to 350 delegates in theatre style and 290 guests banquet style.

The resort has also unveiled three meeting rooms – the 158m2 Tongfah, and Tawan and Talay breakout rooms at 77m2 each.

“With the unveiling of this fantastic addition to the property, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort is now committed to MICE excellence,” says Darren Edmonstone, Outrigger managing director, Asia-Pacific. “The new Similan meeting space allows Outrigger to extend its unique passion for meetings excellence and team building to event organisers around the world.”

Tony Pedroni, general manager of the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, says the new spaces will allow the resort to host teambuilding programmes with a “uniquely Thai twist”.

Meetings held at the resort can benefit from high-end, in-house audiovisual equipment, technical support, free Wi-Fi, and an events and catering team. All four meeting spaces are designed to allow in natural light.

Furthermore, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort has a variety of outdoor spaces in the form of extensive gardens and a beachfront for teambuilding activities and outdoor banquets.

For inquiries, call 66 7636 0600.

Alicia Yao Hong elected to SITE board

By TTG Asia

October 9, 2014

ALICIA Yao Hong has added one more to her many hats with her latest appointment to the board of the Society of Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) – International Board.

Effective January 1, 2015, Yao’s service term will span three years. In her new role, Yao will be SITE’s key contact for Chinese incentive travel and business event buyers keen to know more about professionalising their incentive travel business.

Yao is currently a team member at GainingEdge China, which offers consulting services for the international conventions and meetings industry; general manager of IME Consulting Beijing; deputy secretary general of China MICE Committee;and a member of ICCA China Committee.

She and her team also function as the China sales representative for the South Africa National Convention Bureau.

Saha Signature Indian Restaurant & Bar

By Paige Lee Pei Qi

October 8, 2014

Host a party here and you can expect to be blown away by a unique twist to Indian cuisine. By Paige Lee

The new Saha Signature Indian Restaurant & Bar is bold. Its eclectic menu features popular regional Indian cuisine that has been given an innovative spin, while its interior – in stark contrast to its location among conserved shophouses on Duxton Hill – reflects the Indian love for colour, from bright paintings of sailboats and hunters on horseback on the ceiling to intricate patterns along the walls.

And when its kitchen is helmed by a chef who has been nicknamed “Gordon Ramsay of India”, I know my belly is in good hands.

MICE application

Saha’s private dining area, which is separated by a sliding door from the main area, can seat up to 20 guests. The elegant solid wood table for 12, which occupies the length of the room, is most welcoming. Furniture can be moved around this space to suit the needs of private parties.

The restaurant’s 22-seat al fresco terrace bar, which overlooks Duxton Hill’s tranquil surroundings, also makes a delightful place for intimate celebratory parties.

Larger groups with up to 42 guests can hire the entire restaurant. A minimum spend of S$4,000++ (US$3,200++) applies.

F&B concept

I am no stranger to the rich variety of Indian cuisine, but Saha’s extensive menu succeeded in catching my breath.

That afternoon, for lunch, I indulged in its signature Tasting of Mushroom, a trio of a mushroom-infused masala cappuccino, tandoor-grilled mushrooms and frozen masala mushroom parfait powder; Kasoor Methi Seared Foie Gras which came plated with a spice stewed mango, mango salsa and mango panna foam; and frozen chocolate ganache powder, comprising cardamom, saffron soil and mint soil, for dessert.

What an innovative mash-up of Indian and Western flavours! But why am I surprised? Given chef Abhijit Saha’s reputation as the best chef in India and for transforming traditional staples with modern molecular gastronomy techniques, there was no way he would allow Saha to serve mere naan or tandoori chicken.

Saha also boasts an extensive wine menu, and its India inspired cocktails are hailed as a must-try. I suggest an order of mango rosemary martini and kari-tini.

Event planners can work with the restaurant to put together a tailored menu or choose available dishes from the a la carte or tasting menus.

Service and ambience

Indians are renowned for their warm hospitality and the well-mannered and attentive staff at Saha certainly live up to that reputation.

Chef Saha is most amiable too. You can request to meet him to make sense of the full-bodied flavours behind your dish, or to simply say hello and thank him for the exciting gastronomic journey he had put you through.

Contacts
9A Duxton Hill, Singapore 089593
Email: info@saha.sg
Website: www.saha.sg
Opening hours
Monday to Saturday
12.00 to 15.00; 18.00 to 23.00

Rock your party like a hurricane

By TTGmice

October 8, 2014

John B Sutherland, an agency which specialises in luxurious and unique travel experiences for leisure and corporate groups, is working with Karma Sound Studios in Bang Saray, Thailand to create musical themed events for incentive groups with no more than 300 participants.

Incentive groups can adopt 70s rock, disco, punk and glam rock for their party theme, and costumes, make-up and the music of their choice will be provided.

At press time, the agency’s owner, John B Sutherland is looking to execute parties themed around Queen, Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

These musical themed events will be held at Karma Sound Studios which boasts a state-of-the-art recording studio complex and a collection of six well-appointed accommodation units – five double rooms and one single.

Karma Sound Studios also offers an outdoor venue set amid private tropical gardens.

Email john@johnbsutherland.com for more details on these musical themed events as well as other music related programmes available to corporate groups.

Cruise off into the sunset

By TTGmice

October 8, 2014

The latest teambuilding option offered by Blue Star Yachting allows delegates to do just that – cruise off into the sunset after a day of wine tasting, while sailing around Singapore’s Sentosa island, the Marina Bay area or off to the southern isles where a sumptuous barbeque dinner can be arranged.

These luxurious experiences are offered on board the Sunreef62 yacht, a fully-air-conditioned catamaran that can accommodate up to 37 guests. Wine tasting sessions feature boutique wines from Australia and New Zealand and are led by a wine connoisseur who will explain the craft of wine.

Customised cruises can be designed accordingly for any length of time, up to a week. Prices from S$2,000 (US$1,600).
For more information, visit bluestaryachting.net.

Take a virtual step into Suntec Singapore

By TTGmice

October 8, 2014

Suntec Singapore is now inviting guests on a virtual tour of the convention centre, before they even travel to the venue, through Google Maps’ Street View (http://bit.ly/1tXC5P1).

Users will be able to see 360º indoor panoramic shots of the centre’s indoor facilities, such as the entrance driveway, the 36 meeting rooms on Level 3, the concourse area, and the halls on Level 4 and 6.

Expecting this to set Suntec Singapore apart from its rivals, spokesperson Marc Bakker said: “This is an important benefit for decision-makers outside Singapore, who can now have a comprehensive view of the new venue prior to coming for a full site inspection or during their shortlisting process.”

He added that Suntec Singapore’s next step is to create an online environment for clients to visualise the convention centre’s event space personalised to their own event requirements.

Hyatt Regency makes its mark in Eastern China

By TTGmice

October 8, 2014

Hyatt Regency Suzhou has opened in Suzhou Industrial Park, within mixed-use development Jinghope Plaza which also features a luxury shopping mall, entertainment venues and two Grade-A office buildings.

From the hotel, Shanghai is 25 minutes away by train, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is an hour by car, and Suzhou SIP Railway Station is a 10-minute drive away.

The hotel offers 355 guestrooms and suites, five on-property restaurants and lounges, and The Residence event venue which spans more than 1,400m² and comprises the Regency Ballroom (for up to 450 pax for cocktail events or 340 for private dining events), four multipurpose rooms (for up to 360 pax) and the Loft Kitchen.

For relaxation, the Yue Spa comes with six private spa suites, two reflexology areas, and hydrotherapy facilities. An indoor swimming pool and 24-hour gym round up the hotel’s wellness offerings.

Cool, new spaces at the top of Four Seasons Singapore

By TTGmice

October 8, 2014

Four Seasons Singapore recently unveiled a snazzier rooftop event space with a rejuvenated pool and new bar, and two redecorated function rooms, coinciding with the hotel’s 20th anniversary.

Located on the 20th floor, Windows East and Windows West now boast floor-to-ceiling windows for natural light, chandeliers and new wood panelling, with one room in white wood and the other in dark wood. Both come with wide balconies and can accommodate between 50 and 60 people each, or five tables for roundtable sessions.

The luxury city hotel has also added a new poolside bar, an extension of its destination watering hole One-Ninety Bar by Javier de las Muelas which was opened in the lobby earlier this year. The entire revamped area holds up to 150 pax for casual receptions.

Recipe for a stunning event

By TTGmice

October 8, 2014

Being chosen as the venue for the media launch of the sexy Lamborghini Huracán LP610-4 in August should give event planners a clear indication of Marble 8’s appeal.

Opened in March this year, the classy Australian-style steakhouse quickly earned itself a loyal following of red meat lovers, thanks to its excellent quality of food and drinks, attentive service – expect a personal waiter at each table – and fabulous location on Jalan Binjai where guests are treated to a stunning view of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.

Event planners who seek to impress their guests through their bellies will have the going made easy for them, as Marble 8 serves prime cuts of superior Wagyu and Angus beef. Wagyu cuts are aged through a tightly controlled dry-ageing process in the steakhouse’s very own state-of-the-art ageing cellar.

As an event venue, Marble 8 charms with a lavish décor and spaces that suit various functions. Its dining hall is supported by the sleek M8 Bar which opens out to a grassy outdoor space that is great for product launches and social gatherings, as well as Privé, a premium cigar and single malt lounge on the upper floor. The latter, dressed in rich brown leather seats and oakwood panels and comes with a vaulted decorative ceiling, makes a perfect venue for business discussions and key client entertainment.

For more information on Marble 8, visit www.marble-8.com.