Asia/Singapore Thursday, 9th April 2026
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‘Revolutionary’ tablet-size conference system available at CRS

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CONGRESS Rental Singapore (CRS) introduced a ‘revolutionary’ conference system with multi-tasking capabilities last month.

Called the Bosch DCN Multimedia Conference System the sleek tablet-size gadget provides audio, video and multimedia content, Internet access, participant touch-screen capabilities, superior audio quality, and IP based on OMNEO architecture.

The system is recommended for U-shape or hollow-square meeting configurations, but can also be used by head-table attendees to view video presentations without having to turn around.

Customer categories CRS is recommending the new system for include government agencies, corporate, and associations meetings. Jeremy Ducklin, managing director, said the product was used at meetings in the banking and finance sector in Singapore and Tokyo this year.

He added that CRS is the only company that carries the Bosch DCN for rental in the region but it is exploring the possibility of launching the system in Malaysia.

Health inspectors bring conference, health checks to Kuching

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THE Health Inspector Union of Sarawak Health Department (HIUS) is organising the International Environmental Health Conference in Kuching this October.

This inaugural conference, themed Threats To Health: Uncovering Issues, Challenges and Prevention for a Healthier Environment, Safer World, is expected to attract more than 1,000 delegates, both local and international, said Sabri Sahari, president of HIUS.

The two-day conference starts on October 27 and will be held at Pullman Kuching. It will include plenary sessions and symposiums only for delegates, as well as exhibitions and CSR activities that will be open to the public.

Plenary and symposium sessions will include topics on environmental health management and enforcement, critical issues pertaining to global health, pollution, climate change, trans-boundary and non-communicable diseases, genetically modified food and organisms, world environmental problems as well as best practices in occupational safety and health, among others.

Meanwhile, exhibitions will be held at both Pullman Kuching Hotel and the adjoining Hills Shopping Mall.

CSR activities will include free health checks and screenings.

Singapore design show expects challenging venue search next year

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THE organisers of the annual SingaPlural, the anchor event of Singapore Design Week, are on a hunt for a new home next year, as this year’s venue – 99 Beach Road, the former Beach Road Police Station – will go on sale next month.

Organised by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) since 2012 and held in conjuction with International Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show, The Décor Show and Hospitality 360°, SingaPlural was hosted at multiple venues across Singapore in previous editions. This year, however, main programmes were held in a single location.

Speaking to TTGmice e-Weekly in an interview, chairman of SingaPlural 2015 and vice president of SFIC, Mark Yong, explained that having key activities in a single venue allowed for a better concentration of visitor traffic, closer interaction between exhibitors and visitors, and a longer stay by attendees.

Attendance figures were unavailable at press time.

The former Beach Road Police Station, which sat vacant for more than two years, was chosen as it provided a “raw canvas” of a backdrop for the design installations.

“The venue is very important, as sometimes we need it to be there before content can flow in,” Yong said, adding that while Singapore has many convention venues, and hotels and malls with event spaces, these are “too glossy” and will take away the “flavour of the installations”.

“Singapore is land-scarce and it is very hard to find the right space. In fact, we looked at 15 locations before setting our hearts on 99 Beach Road this year. We will speak with the Singapore Land Authority and other parties for venue ideas. It could be an old school, or perhaps the Gilman Barracks,” said Yong.

Perrier launches campaign at new venue Stacked Samui

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To bolster the idea of Perrier as a lifestyle drink in Thailand, and an ideal base for cocktails and mocktails, Perrier launched a campaign at Stacked, itself a new venue with a fresh concept in Samui, located at the one-year-old Ozo Chaweng Samui.

Some 85 hoteliers, F&B professionals, restaurant owners, suppliers and media members attended the event and were treated to, what else, special mixology using the sparkling mineral water, such as Mango Sparkler. Just the drink needed for the summer season, it comprises a mix of 30ml of mango syrup, 15ml of elder-flower syrup, 10ml of lime juice, a dash of Samui rum and ice, then topped with Perrier to the desired intensity and decorated with diced mango and a slice of lemon.

Traditionally, Perrier is ritually served pure or with just a slice of lemon. But as the brand has since been associated with famous artists and world-class sporting events, Perrier is now a more lively social drink, trending towards mixology. “Sparkling water is generally not well known in the Thai community and rather seen as a cheap drink which can be used with Thai spirits,” said Ingo Domaschke, Perrier launches campaign at new venue Stacked Samui general manager of Ozo Chaweng Samui.

As Perrier is associated with art, the event at Stacked also featured art such as Andy Warhol, Jean-Claude Forest, Bernard Villemot and Daaniel Vignat. Limited edition Art by Perrier
were given to guests. The event also showcased Stacked as venue for product launches for planners seeking something fresh and new along popular Chaweng Beach Road.

Stacked offers Californian comfort food with a twist. Chef Matthew Rubin, a California native, ‘surfs up” hearty dishes such as the Wagyu Tomahawk, an 800g Australian longbone Rib-Eye steak to satisfy the hardiest of carnivores, and lighter dishes, like the Greek Tower Salad, stacked to perfection of course.

The venue’s chic and fun vibes make it a relaxing place to break the ice among delegates. Raised two metres above street level, delegates on the outdoor wooden deck which can seat 110 diners are able to see the full action of Chaweng Beach Road without the discomfort of the crowd. The indoor area seats
75 pax.

Stacked is open daily from 12.00 to 01.00, with a special late-night menu from 23.00 onwards. Tel: (66) 77-915-222

Do good while meeting in Phuket

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Planners holding their events at Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort can participate in CSR programmes which form part of the resort’s ongoing collaboration with a local school.

Delegates can show their support for the Ban Bang Rong primary school in the rural north-east of the island through activities such as planting vegetables in the school garden, painting the toilets and canteen, rearranging the library, and donating educational games and materials to the school.

They can also take part in other projects in the greater Phuket community.

Tony Pedroni, general manager of the resort, said: “The primary school has many ongoing needs. In recent weeks we have made repairs to the drinking water filtration system and have installed a playground for the younger kids.

“Outside of the school however, there are several opportunities to provide much needed islandwide community and environmental project support. Ultimately, our aim is to work with clients so that they can give something back to our community in a meaningful way that has a lasting benefit.”

Meanwhile, the 255-key resort has also recently unveiled new meeting facilities, the Similan Ballroom as well as the Tongfah, Tawan and Talay meeting rooms.

Southbridge boasts new views

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Been there done that with the views at Marina Bay Sands’ SkyPark Singapore? The new place to go is Southbridge, which offers, arguably, the sexiest 360-degree sights of the city spanning the historic Parliament House, across the Singapore River, to the iconic Marina Bay Sands and the Boat Quay skyline, which is nostalgic and charming with the roofs of old low-rise houses in Singapore.

Still a secret as it opened only about three months ago, Southbridge is also literally ‘hidden’ at the rooftop of a five-storey building on 80 Boat Quay. To access, you need to go from the back of Boat Quay, which heightens the anticipation for your group, as they will not know where they are being taken to until they reach the rooftop and – lo and behold – find a chic bar-restaurant with a unique panoramic view of a historical area which has become the icon of Singapore today.

The venue is ideal for planners with a group of 100 pax, who are seeking a fun dining experience that can be trusted and offers value for money. The brainchild of established F&B entrepreneur Beppi de Vito, Southbridge serves modern craft cocktails, the world’s greatest boutique champagnes and artisanal sakes. Innovative small plates menu focusing on oyster and seafood as well as other creative delights such as chilli crab croque and truffle and smoked pancetta bikini, complement the specialised drinks menu perfectly.

Opens daily from 17:00 to midnight. Tel: (65) 6536-5818; email: info@southbridge.sg; website: www.southbridge.sg

Innovative One Farrer Hotel & Spa

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Just when we think the greatest hotel innovation remains the toilet paper origami fold, in comes One Farrer Hotel & Spa which has, not one, but a slew of imaginative ideas.

First up is the audio and visual fibre-optic live feed, which can beam how lunch is being made, by a chef working in the hotel’s cooking studio, to the Grand Ballroom where guests can even ask the chef a question or two about the ingredients or method of cooking. Video streaming connections from Farrer Park Hospital’s 18 operating rooms to the hotel’s conference centre are also available. The 243-room five-star hotel is part of a mixed-use lifestyle complex, Connexion, which includes a medical centre.

Another innovation is an electronic ordering system that allows guests to order any food or beverage from all the hotel’s menus 24/7 and have it delivered to the room or as a takeaway – so wave goodbye to exorbitant room service prices and charges, and the often long wait before the room service order is fulfilled.

The hotel’s location in the Farrer Park district is central and convenient. A colourful, bustling, historical neighbourhood that includes Little India, once inside the property, peace, serenity and greenery (14 gardens over 20 levels) take over. From any guestroom, the view of the city’s skyline and Farrer Park surroundings is unique and gives guests a real feeling they are in Singapore, not just any metropolis.

One Farrer Hotel & Spa also boasts a ‘hotels within a hotel’ concept featuring the Urban Hotel, Loft Apartments and Skyline Hotel & Sky Villas, all with well-appointed and tastefully furnished rooms with the latest in-room technology.

Oh, did we also mention its 600 specially commissioned paintings and sculptures by Asian artists? Pity these aren’t for sale.

Website: www.onefarrer.com – Raini Hamdi

Tina Sim

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Tina Sim is now general manager of Parkroyal on Pickering. She has 30 years of operations and hotel management experience, and was most recently general manager, special projects at Shangri-La International Hotel Management. She replaces Gino Tan, who has been promoted to general manager of Pan Pacific Singapore.

Ng Wai Meng

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Ng Wai Meng is now executive chef of Impact Exhibition and Convention Center. He has over 30 years of culinary experience, having worked for many five-star hotels, prestige clubs, spas and airline catering departments.

Martin Raich

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Martin Raich has been named complex general manager for three Starwood Hotels & Resorts properties – The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok, Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa and Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas. He has been with Starwood for 20 years at variousproperties in the UK, Netherlands, China, Germany and Fiji.

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