micenet ASIA Aug-Sep 2013

August-September 2013

A new MICE identity at Grand Nikko BaliHow to deal with bad event payment termsMaking the move from event agency to client-side

MICEnet Asia_210x297mm_Mice_en.indd 1 12/7/13 5:34 PM

micenet AsiA 3

Kristie Thong Editor

•Andrew Chan,ACIHRSolutions•Damion Breust,Barclays•Daniel Chua,AONIA•Danielle Puceta,AmericanExpressBusinessTravel•David Lim,EverestMotivation

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD•Maureen O’Crowley,SeoulTourismOrganization•Nino Grüttke,MesseBerlin• Janet Tan-Collis,SACEOS•Selina Chavry,PacificWorld

Mysix-monthstintaseditorformicenetASIAmayhavebeenminisculecomparedtotheindustryjournalistswhohavereportedontheAsiaPacificregionforyears,butthesedoorshaveopenedmetoamuchbroaderanddeeperperspectiveoftheindustry.

SpeakingrecentlytoanumberofMICEprofessionalswhohavebeenworkinginSingaporeforalongtime,IaskedaboutthechangestheyhaveseenoverthepastfewyearsthathaveledtotherecognitionofasmallcountryasthetopconventionscityinAsia.Thehonestresponsegarneredwasmorethanalittleshocking.Industryfolkswhohavebeenrunningeventsinthismature,modernandtop-notchMICEdestinationsaytheindustryhashardlymaturedordevelopedovertheyears,andthathasledtosilentfrustrationandcynicism.

ThecommentthathitmethehardestcamefromSACEOSmarketingcommunicationsdirector,YeowMeiSin,who

said:“Foraverylongtime,IthoughtthatitwasveryparadoxicalthatSingaporeshouldhaveallthesesix-starfacilitiesandthenendeavourtocompeteontheworldstage,butdoesnotinvestenoughinthesoftware.”

Painfullyblunt?Perhapsnot,whenthelackofinnovationaswellasaballooningtalentshortagearesendingripplesofconcernacrosstheindustry.

TheSingaporeMICEForumhostedbySACEOSthisyearhitalltherightnotes(Page9).Thetwo-dayeventfeaturedpresentationsandpaneldiscussionsontopicssuchasinnovation,customerexcellenceandnewlandscapesforspecificsegmentsoftheMICEmarket.Awell-roundedpanelpresentedacomprehensiveactionplanforcrisismanagementinevents.

UnderstandingtalentshortageisdirectlylinkedtoeducationandGenY,SACEOSorganiseditsfirstMICEOpenHousefor550tertiarystudents,allowingthemachancetominglewithleadingMICEplayersinSingapore.

AsamatureAsianMICEmarketthat’sstartingtofeeltheheatfromitsregionalcounterparts,changeisneeded.AndthatdoesnotonlyapplytoSingapore,buttotheothermarketsinAsiathatarealreadyestablishedorontheirway.

AMICEveteranoncetoldmeabouttheneedfor“drivers”intheindustry.Thesedriversareleaderswithaforesightforsuccessandthetenacitytodrivechange.Theyareopinionated,attimesbrazen,andconfident;traitsneededtopushastagnantmarketbeyonditspotential.

Maturemarketsthathaveseensuccess,unfortunately,areoftenunwillingorunabletoclimboverbureaucraticboundarieslongestablished,andforgoodreason.Itwilltakeasmallbutaspirationalgroupofdriverswithaplan,withradicalinitiativesthatmayeventuallyshaketheindustryoutofitscomfortzone.

Asclichéasitsounds,changehasbeenandwillcontinuetobetheonlyconstant.

Do we have the drivers?

MICEnet Asia_210x297mm_Mice_en.indd 1 12/7/13 5:34 PM

4 micenet AsiA

news &events departments

The contents of micenet ASIA which are covered by copyright may not be reproduced or copied without the written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed in articlesare those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. micenet ASIA does not accept responsibility for damage to, or loss of, unsolicited materialsubmitted for publication. The content and accuracy of advertisements accepted are the responsibility of the advertiser. All prices and conditions quoted in micenet ASIA arebased on the latest information received. The publisher cannot be held responsible for any inconvenience or expense resulting from a subsequent alteration to prices or conditions.

CONTENTS

UPCLOSE12 Q&A • CentaraHotels&Resorts • ConradSeoul14 ASSOCIATIONS • SACEOS • TICA52 PROFILE: WOMEN OF INSPIRATION • TCCHotelsManagement ShelidaBuranasiri,Assistantvice-president

ofmarketingcommunications • TheMiraHongKong EvaKwan,Directorofsalesandmarketing

CASE STUDIES18 Allergan28 HerbalifeEuropeLimited36 InternationalAIDSSociety&CentreofExcellence

forResearchinAIDS,UniversityofMalaya38 NationalElectricalandCommunications

Association48 PrudentialCorporationAsia

COvERIMAGE:CourtesyofGrandNikkoBali

UP-TO-DATE04 BUREAU BRIEFS05 NEWS 09 EDUCATION SACEOSSMF2013highlightsgapsin

talent,innovation10 GLOBAL WATCH InfoSalonsGroup’sjourneyfromAustralia

intoAsia59 PEOPLE60 CURTAIN CALL

MICE MATTERSOPINION 54 Reconsidergroupairtravel55 PCOsmustembracemarketing

CAREER STRATEGIES56 Outofthebox57 Makingthemove–agencytocorporate

58 HOW TOSustainawinningculture

micenet AsiA 5

destinations

PrivacyPolicy:Business&TourismPublishingarecommittedtomanagingyourpersonalinformationinaccordancewiththePrivacyAct.ForacopyofourPrivacyPolicy,pleasegotowww.mice.net.au‘privacypolicy’.PrintedinSingaporebySunRisePrinting&SuppliesPteLtd.Regno.199002858DISSN2010-3328PPS1785/04/2013(022963)

MCI(P)129/02/2013

group puBLiSHEr / MANAgiNg dirECtor HelenBatt-RawdenEmail:[email protected]

ViCE prESidENt ElKwangEmail:[email protected]

MANAgiNg Editor BradFosterEmail: [email protected]

Editor KristieThongEmail: [email protected]

dESigN ANd produCtioN LowLayHongJennRuffellEmail:[email protected]

CoNtriButorS •SirimaEamtako•DamionBreust•AndrewChan•BryanHolliday•DavidLim•GinaSin

CHiNESE trANSLAtor KHTok

SALES & MArKEtiNg SINGAPOREOFFICE: ElKwangEmail:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] enquiries:[email protected]

AUSTRALIAOFFICE: HelenBatt-RawdenEmail:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] enquiries:[email protected]

iNtErNAtioNAL MEdiA rEprESENtAtiVESCHINA:MaryYaoEmail: [email protected]: +861065518656ext8253THAILAND:SirimaEamtakoEmail: [email protected]

AdMiNiStrAtioN & SALES Support GinaSinEmail: [email protected]: [email protected]: [email protected]

micenet ASiA is published by Business & tourism publishing Asia pte Ltd35SelegieRoad,#09-04,ParklaneShoppingMall,Singapore188307Tel: +6563378781Fax:+6563379060Email: [email protected]:www.micenet.asia

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March 2012

14,250

REGION FOCUS16 COVER STORY: GrandNikkoBali

SOUTH KOREA19 JWMarriottDongdaemunSquareSeoul20 Seoulidentity

THAILAND22 AdayinthelifeofMaxJantasuwan24 Bangkok’sbackinbusiness30 ThePhuketPull

TAIWAN34 TAITRAonaroll

MALAYSIA 40 MEA2014picksMalaysia

HONG KONG46 Thecityisalive

TRENDINGMICENET EVENT 42 SingaporewelcomesTheStar45 HongKongspeaksupatTheMira

49 HOTEL CHAINS

micenetASIAisaproudmemberof:

August – september 2013

6 micenet AsiA

Sri Lanka expected at CIBTM 2013SRI LANKAOneofthewaysSriLankaisemergingasaMICEdestinationisthroughitsparticipationinindustrytradeshowssuchasTheChinaIncentive,BusinessTravel&MeetingsExhibition(CIBTM)inBeijing,ChinathisSeptember.TheSriLankaConventionBureauandSriLankanAirlines,togetherwithpartnersincludingDMCs,incentivetravelagentsandvenues,willbeexhibitingatthetradeshowrunningfromSeptember2-4attheChinaNationalConventionCentre.

Thecountry’sconventionbureaugeneralmanager,vipulaWanigasekerasaidthatthisisanidealtimeforSriLankatobreakintotheMICEindustry,followingeffortsmadeinthepastfewyearstopromoteSriLankaasatourismdestination.

“ByexhibitingatCIBTM,wearehopingtoattractbothincentivehousesandmeetingplannersfromEasternAsia,particularlyfromChina.WehopethatbuyersfromtheseregionswillbeinterestedinthehighlydiverseproductsanddestinationsthatSriLankahastooffer,”hetoldmicenetASIA.

CIBTMprojectmanagerofReedTravelExhibitions,JeffreyXubelievedthatSriLanka’scentrallocationintheIndianOceanallowsforeasyaccessfromallpartsoftheworld,whichhasbeenexpeditedbytheinclusionofColomboinregularschedulesofleadingairlines.Additionally,its“internationalandlocalhotelsofferstar-classaccommodation,modernconferencefacilitiesandcompetitivepackagesforthemeetingssector”.

STO responds to growing interest in GangnamKOREA SeoulTourismOrganization(STO)haslaunchedatouristinformationcentreforinternationalvisitorstoaccessinformationonthefamedGangnamdistrict’shigh-techindustries,medicaltourismandK-Popculture.

OperatedbySTOalongsideSeoulMetropolitanGovernmentandtheGangnamDistrictOffice,thetwo-storeyGangnamTouristInformationCenterisaimedathelpingexpandtourisminfrastructurebyofferinggeneraltouristservicessuchascurrencyexchange,reservationfacilities,ticketing,luggagestorageandthepurchasingoftransportationcards.Thefirstfloorisalsodedicatedtoinformation

onmedicaltourism,whilethesecond,theK-WaveExperienceZone,providesfanswithvariousinteractivestationsoftheirfavouriteKoreancelebrities.

Locatedintheluxuryshoppingandmedical-centricApgujeongofGangnam,thecentreisadjacenttoaHyundaiDepartmentStoreandincloseproximitytoGarosu-gilinSinsa-dongandCheongdamLuxuryBrandStreet.

ThecentrewasofficiallyopenedlastweekwithaspecialceremonyattendedbyofficialsfromtheSeoulMetropolitanGovernment,GangnamDistrictOfficeandSTO,aswellasKoreanpopcelebritiesSuperJuniorandEXO.

RAWR lauds business events excellence in MalaysiaMALAYSIA ThisSeptember,theMalaysiaConvention&ExhibitionBureau(MyCEB)andtheMalaysianAssociationofConventionandExhibitionOrganisersandSuppliers(MACEOS)willkickoffaninauguralawardsshowforthebusinesseventsindustry.Jointlyorganisedtorecogniseexcellence,leadershipandinnovation,RAWRAwards2013alsointendstoestablishMalaysiaasAsia’spremierMICEdestination.

UntilendJuly,industryplayershadbeenencouragedtosubmitnominationsfor27categorieswithintheawards,includingBestInternationalConferenceAward,BestTradeExhibition,BestIncentiveProgramme,BestEnvironmentalInitiativeAwardandBestEvent.

MyCEBgeneralmanagerofsalesandmarketing,HoYokePingsaidtherationalebehindtheawardswastogiveindustryplayersthe“duerecognitionofindustryprofessionalismandbestbusinesspractices”.

TheawardsareopentoMalaysian-registeredbusinesseventproductsandsuppliersoperatinginthecountry,andevents/activitiesthattookplacebetweenJanuary1,2011andDecember31,2012.ApplicantshavetobemembersofMyCEBand/orMACEOS,oreventownerssuchasnationalassociationsorcorporationsthatmaynotbemembersofeitherorganisations.RAWRAwards2013hasattractedsponsorssuchasKualaLumpurConventionCentre,RadiusandHotShoesthusfar.

burEau briEfS

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SINGAPOREOngoingcommitmenttowardssustainabilitypracticeshaspaidoffforMarinaBaySands,asitbecomesthefirsteventsvenueoutsidetheUStobecertifiedunderanewinternationalsustainabilitystandardwithintheMICEspace.IthasachievedLevelOneCertificationtotheASTMStandardpertainingtotheEvaluationandSelectionofvenuesforEnvironmentallySustainableMeetings,Events,TradeShows,andConferences,oneoftheperformancestandardsforsustainabilityintroducedbytheglobalMICEindustrylastyear.

TheASTMvenueStandardoutlinesproceduralrequirementsforvenueselectionsuchasthepracticeofresearching,evaluatingandselectingthefacilityforanevent,withspecificperformancecriteriaforstaffmanagement,communications,wastemanagement,energy,airquality,water,procurementandcommunitypartners.

Medan welcomes new international airport

INDONESIA Medan,theregionalcapitalofNorthSumatrainIndonesia,recentlylaunchedKualaNamuInternationalAirportasasolutiontotheover-congestedPoloniaAirportlocatedonitsoutskirts.

ToutedtobethesecondlargestandbusiestairportinthecountryafterJakarta’s

passengersand2.6millioninternationalpassengersintransit.

TherearealsoplanstoincludeanairporttrainlinetocarrypassengersbetweenMedanandthenewairport.Promisingafrequencyofupto15timesdailywithacapacityof172passengers,thefirstsetisexpectedtoarrivefromSouthKoreainearlyAugustandthesecondsetthisDecember.Inthemeantime,INKA,theIndonesianRailconstructioncompany,issupportingtheroutewithlocally-madecarriages.

MBS scores new certification for sustainability

“BeinggreenhasbeeninourDNAfromtheverybeginning,andthatthinkinginturninfluencesthewaywedobusiness.ThegreenaspectsofMarinaBaySandshavebeenacarefullythought-outprocessthatstartedthemomentwewonthebid,”MarinaBaySandsvice-presidentofsales,MikeLeesaid.

MBSwasalsoawardedtheGreenMarkGoldAwardbytheBuildingandConstructionAuthoritylastFebruary,whichisanationalawardgiventobuildingsforenergyandwaterefficiency,indoorenvironmentalquality,environmentalprotectionandinnovation.

PALME returns to VietnamVIETNAMAfteraone-yearhiatus,theprofessionaleventtechnologyshowPALMEvietnam2013willbeheldinHoChiMinhCitythisyearfromNovember6-8.Theshowispromisingover150exhibitorsofservicesintheprofessionalaudio,lighting,systemsintegration,musicsoftwareandentertainmenttechnologyinSaigonExhibition&ConventionCentre.Anexpected5000tradevisitorsareexpectedatthethree-dayevent,heldconcurrentlywithINSTALLvietnam2013andBroadcast&MediaTechvietnam2013.

Backin2011,PALMEvietnamsawashowcaseofover121brandsandcompaniesfrom19countries,withsome4490tradevisitorsfromtheentertainmentandbroadcastindustryinattendance.Asmorethan60percentwerekeydecisionmakersintheircompanies,morethanhalfofattendeesconfirmedanorder,askedforaquotationormadeapurchase.Formoreinformation,visitwww.palmeseries.com/vietnam.

Soekarno-HattaInternationalAirport,KualaNamuisbuilttoserve9millionpassengersinitsfirstphaseand16millionpassengersinthenext.Boastingarunwayspanning3750metresby60metresanda6.5-hectareterminal,theairportwillalsobeabletocaterto4.5millioninternational

NEWS

8 micenet AsiA

Theeconomy’sincreasingunpredictabilityhasledtobusinessespractisingheightenedfinancialcaution.Becomingespeciallyprotectiveoverassets,intellectualpropertiesandcashflow,thishasbroughtuponanindustryissuewherepaymenttermsaren’tasclearlydefined,leadingtofrictionbetweenbuyersandsellersandsometimesdamagingrelationships.

Serviceprovidershavestartedtoseeanincreaseinpost-eventpaymenttermswithinMICEcontracts.WhilethetrendhadbeenprevalentinthemorematuremarketsoftheUSandEurope,ithasstartedcreepingintotheAsiaPacificregion,causingastirofuncertaintyoverexpectations.Eventcompaniesandhotel/venuesalikehaveencounteredclientsrequestingforpost-eventpayment,andthenrefusingordelayingpaymentcitingcashflowproblemsorhavingtoadheretospecificin-housepaymentcycles.

Aseniorexecutiveworkinginaninternationalhotelchainbelievesthisissuewillincreaseasmorecompaniesstartlookingatorganisingtheirmeetingandeventsspend.Thisissometimesbeneficialasitallowsvenuesorhotelsanopportunitytoopenupdialogue,andpre-agreeon

More incidences of unusual payment terms are causing a stink in the industry, making service providers question the risks behind post-event payment practices and ways to mitigate them.By Kristie thong

Asia sees rise in bad payment behaviour

We have to ask ourselves if there is a common ground to be reached, or look at the period where the event is being booked. if it is a high-demand period and history provides you with the knowledge that the venue/hotel would be filled anyway, then one must ask if you really need the piece of business on this occasion.”SENIOREXECUTIvEWORKINGINAMAJORHOTELCHAIN

commontermsandconditions(T&C)thatarefairtobothparties.

“Havingpre-agreedT&Cataremitofkeyhotelsintheregionwillarguablyfacilitateincreasedmeetingsandeventsintothehotels,”hesays.

Ontheflipside,venueswillbeexposedtolaterpaymentsandseeanimpactoncashflow.WhileT&Cfloatingaroundatthemomentvaryinseverity,venuesrefusingtoadheretothemwillinevitablyloseoutonMICEbusiness.

AONIAmanagingdirectorDanielChuasaysthatagenciesusuallyincludedepositsandpunctualpaymenttermsinthecontract.

“Ifaclientpaysyouadepositintime,it’sveryessentialthatagenciespaythesuppliersorvenuesintime.Butiftheclienthasnotpaidduetosomeissues,itcomesdowntotheagency’srelationshipwiththesuppliersandvenues,andtrytoseektheirunderstanding.”

To be or not to beWhileit’snotinthebestinterestofvenuesoragenciestoturndownclientsthatinsistonpost-eventpaymenttermsintheircontracts,serviceproviderscanfindwaystomitigatetherisks.

micenet AsiA 9

The Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market

Supported by: Held in:

TRULY INSPIRING23–25 October 2013, itb-asia.com, Suntec Singapore

The A-B-C of ITB Asia … in Asia … for Buyers … new Conferences

NEWS

Toeventcompanies,MrChuasuggeststheyadvisetheclientonpayingadepositasago-aheadfortheevent,andtherestofthepaymentcanbeamendedinsubsequentinvoices.

“Makesurethereisnowaytheclientcangiveexcusesnottogiveanypayment.”

Learningfromanexperiencethatsawhimawaitingpaymentformorethanthreemonthsaftertheevent,hesayseventcompaniesshouldmakeittheirbusinesstofindouthowtheinternalprocessesoftheclientwork.Forexample,largecompaniestypicallyrequireapurchaseorder,asaccountsdepartmentswillneverprocesspaymentwithoutthem.Paymentschedulesalsodiffer,andbeingfamiliarwiththemwillenableserviceproviderstobettermanagecostingswithinthecontract.

“Largecompaniesalsohavepaymentcyclesanddon’tmakeadhocpaymentsasandwhen,becauseitbreaksthecycleandcreatesmorework.Soyou’vegottoasktheclientabouthispaymentcycle–beginningofthemonth,end,middle,etc.Unlesscashflowisverystrong,youbetterhaveaclearideaonwhentheirpaymentcycleis.”

MrChuabelievesotherwaystomitigateriskistohaveinsurance,butagencieswillbehard-pressedtofindclientsthatarewillingtoworktheaddeddollarsintothebudget.

Alternatively,hefeelsafinancecompanymaybeasolution.Knownasafactoringcompany,itistaskedwithassumingdebtsincurredfromtheevent,payingtheagency,andtakingovertheroleofchasingtheclientforpayment.

Common groundThehotelierbelievesvenuesshouldalwaystrytonegotiatetheseverityofthepost-paymentclausetobeinlinewiththeirownfinancialguidelines.

“Wehavetoaskourselvesifthereisacommongroundtobereached,orlookattheperiodwheretheeventisbeingbooked.Ifitisahigh-demandperiodandhistoryprovidesyouwiththeknowledgethatthevenue/hotelwouldbefilledanyway,thenonemustaskifyoureallyneedthepieceofbusinessonthisoccasion.”

Shouldvenuesandhotelsacceptaclient’sT&Cwithstringentpost-payment

conditions,itwillhavetomakesuretheattritiononroomsandF&Barewater-tighttomitigateriskandlossofrevenue.

“Anditgoeswithoutsayingthatthecancellationclausesmustprotectthevenue/supplier.”

Theword“relationship”hasbeentiedsynonymouslywithpost-eventpaymentterms,moresoinmanypartsofAsia.Botheventagenciesandvenuesagreethatitiseasiertobemorelenientwithaclientthey’veworkedwithpreviously,asopposedtoone-offornewclients.

However,thehotelierbelievesthatpreventionisbest.venuesandhotelsshouldworktoreduceriskbyreducingthetimeframeofpostevent,ornegotiateforahigherdeposit.

“Ifdepositsarenotonthetable,thenthevenue/hotelmusthaveacorporatecreditcardthatcanbechargedintheeventoflatepaymentorcancellation,andthismustbeinthecontract.Partialpaymentcanalsoberequestedduringaneventthatspansafewdays,whichthenlimitstheexposurepost-event,”hesays.

10 micenet AsiA

SeaDreampresidentBobLepistoreportsthecompanyalreadyhasoneAustraliangroupconfirmedforitsAsianwatercruises,andexpectsfurtherbookingsincomingmonthsbecauseofitspricecompetitivenessandsize–onecruisecantakeamaximumof112guests.

Hesays20percentofSeaDream’sbusinessismeetingsandincentives,andthecompanyalreadyhasastrongrapportwiththeAustralianmarketforcruisesaroundtheCaribbean,CostaRicaandMediterranean.

Group rewards on SeaDream in AsiaThe arrival of SeaDream in Asian waters from October 2013 to April 2014 could see more small incentive groups travelling north from Australia.By Brad Foster

“We’veenjoyedagreatparticipationfromthemeetingandincentiveworldoverour12yearhistoryeitherinwholeyachtchartersorwherecompaniesbringasmallgrouponboard,”heexplains.

“We’vealreadyhadoneAsiavoyagecharteredoutbutwestillhavequiteafewavailable.ThereasonwebelievethatAsiaiswellsuitedtotheAustralianmarketistheproximitytoSingaporeandofcoursethefactthatwecanonlytakeamaximumof56couplesandhavearatioofstafftopassengersofonetoone.

“Wemarketourselvesasyachtingnotcruisingandwereallyputupaproductthatfeelsasclosetoaprivateyachtingexperienceasyoucanget.Wehavealltheyachtingtoysonboard–stand-uppaddleboards,waverunners,multiplezodiacs,multiplekayaks,hobiecats,andlasers.

“We’vealreadydonewellintheincentivesectorinAustraliaandwebelieve

thattheseAsian-basedvoyageswillbeequallyaspopular.”

MrLepistosaysthecompanypridesitselfonmakingexclusivechartersorsmallgroupswhoarepartofacruisevoyagefeelspecial.

“Withoursize,evenifacompanytakes10staterooms[20people]that’s20percentoftheyachtandthey’reaveryimportantgrouponboard.Whentheycharterwithustheycandoanythingfromhavingtheirlogoatthebottomofthepooltobrandingallthemenuswiththeircompanylogo,flags,whatevertheylike.Foraluxuryautomobilecompanyweputtheirconceptcaroverourpoolfortheirentirevoyage.”

SeaDreamisrepresentedbyJulieDenovaninAustralia.Shecanbecontactedonjdenovan@seadream.comor(02)99584444.Alternatively,visitwww.seadream.comfordetailsoncruisedatesanddestinations.

Top of the yacht.

Bob Lepisto.

NEWS

micenet AsiA 11

HeldonJuly18-19attheMarinaBaySandsExpoandConventionCentre,theevent,hostedbySACEOSwiththesupportoftheSingaporeTourismBoard,sawaprogrammeheavily-themedontopicsrelevanttocurrentMICElandscapeinthecountry.

Steeredbyafreshly-appointedEXCOandtwoindustryveteransasfull-timeSACEOSemployees,thisyear’sforumthemed“TheNewParadigm”shonethelightoncrisismanagement,globalchanges,customerexperience,aswellastalentsourcinganddevelopment.

micenetASIAwaspresentatSMF2013,withvice-presidentElKwangmoderatingthepaneldiscussiononcrisismanagement.Thepanelcomprisingmembersfromcorporate,agency,vendorandconsultancyhighlightedacomprehensiveactionplanformanagingcrises.Apartfromdiscussing

EDuCaTiON

SACEoS needs to excite [students] about the MiCE business, raise awareness for the industry’s prospects and career development opportunities. We will nurture and mentor young talent, our next line of MiCE leaders for Singapore.”JANETTAN-COLLISSACEOS,PRESIDENT

SACEOS highlights gaps in talent, innovation

consequencesofmismanagingcrisesandover-communication,thepanelalsorelatedhowpost-crisisactionscouldreinforcetrustandretainfutureMICEbusiness.

SMF2013alsosawpaneldiscussionsonM&Aactivity,andthedynamicshiftsinboththeexhibitionsandMIC(meetings,incentives,conferences)segment.Onthesecondday,WOW!AcademychiefBentleyWilliamsgaveanengagingandinteractivetwo-partsessiononhowMICEprofessionalscouldbetterofferaseamlesscustomerexperience.

SACEOSinvitedACIHRSolutionsCEOAndrewChanasaspeakerontalent,whogaveanoverviewoftheindustry’sprevalenttalentshortageandlowretentionrates.

SACEOSnewly-electedpresidentJanetTan-Collis,whoisalsotheCEOofEastWestPlanners,saidthatSingaporeisamatureandlivelymarketthatunfortunatelylacksinnovationandtalent.

“We’reallrunningeventsverywell,butSingaporeanshavegotalotmore,”shetoldmicenetASIA.

MsTan-Collisaddedthatthereisaneedtoconnectandengagetheyouth,andshebelievedSACEOStobethestimulus.ThisledtothedecisiontohostSACEOS’firstMICEOpenHouseformorethan500tertiarylevelstudentsfrom15institutionstomeetwithMICEcompaniesandprofessionals.

“SACEOSneedstoexcite[students]abouttheMICEbusiness,raiseawarenessfortheindustry’sprospectsandcareerdevelopmentopportunities.Wewillnurture

andmentoryoungtalent,ournextlineofMICEleadersforSingapore,”shesaid.

Movingforward,theassociationwillbeincreasingitsengagementwithschoolsandtertiary-levelinstitutionswithcareerroadshows,experientialworkshops,internships,andsite-visitstoMICEfacilities.

SACEOSexecutivedirectorLilianKuanaddedthattheywillalsobeworkingcloselywithuniversitiestointroducenewandrelevantprofessionalcoursesforMICEprofessionals.

“ThesestrategieswillinjectfreshpoolsofpotentialMICEtalent,whileraisingcareerdevelopmentandprofessionalstandardsamongexistingMICEtalent.Wehavetostarttacklingthemanpowerandtalentretentioncrunch.”

Additionally,SACEOSisstartinganintensivemembershipdrivetoringinthediversecommunityofserviceproviders,includingcompaniesandindividualsinthearts,media,masscommunications,informationtechnology,interactivemedia,construction,lightingcontractors,designers,photographersandvideoproductionhouses.TheseserviceproviderswillqualifyforSACEOSassociatemembershipsandgivethemaccesstoarangeofindustrialactivitiessuchasworkshops,trainingprogrammes,businessinformationexchangeandnetworkingsessions.

“Theyhavelongbeenapartoftheindustry’svaluechain.Itistimewestartinvolvingthemmoreinourvariousactivities,”MsTan-Collissaid.

The third edition of the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibitors Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) Singapore MICE Forum this year made an urgent call for the industry to face prevalent issues.By KRISTIE THONG

MICE Open House. Panel on M&A activity.Panel on crisis management.

SACEOS Singapore MICE Forum 2013.

STB Carrie Kwik and SACEOS Janet Tan-Collis.

12 micenet AsiA

Australia’searlystartinshapingalandscapeforbusinesseventshasearneditselfareputationasoneofthemostmatureMICEmarketsinAsiaPacifictoday.

Itssuccesscanbetracedbacktoeffortssuchasgarneringproperindustryaccreditationandcollaboratingtoironoutteethingissuessuchastransparency,butbeinganearlyadopterofeventtechnologyfurthercementeditsstatus.

Sydney-basedeventtechnologycompanyInfoSalonsGroupwaslaunchedin1990,whenAustralia’stradeshowindustrywasjuststartingtoemergeasamajorforcewiththecompletionoftheSydneyConvention&ExhibitionCentre.WithCEOJo-AnneKellewayatthehelm,theendofthe2000OlympicGamesofficiallysawInfoSalonsatadominant,majoritymarketpositioninthecountry.

Thecompanythensoughttoexpanditspresence,andasoftoday,alsoownsofficesinShanghai,Beijing,HongKongandDubai,aswellasarepresentativeofficeinMacao.

The owner of an established event technology solutions company from Oz describes the rationale behind her foray into Asia and the lessons learnt. By KRISTIE THONG

CROSSING

GeographicalexpansionseemedlikethenaturalprogressionforthecompanywithChinaandtherestofAsiaatthedoorstep,accordingtoMsKelleway.

“WehadbeenworkingwiththelargestexhibitionorganisersinAustralia,includingReedExhibitions,HannoverFairsandDiversifiedExhibitions,whichwereallstartingtoinvestheavilyinChina,soitwasadeliberategrowthstrategyforourcompanytofollowthemintotheseemergingmarkets.”

SheaddedthattheAsiangovernmentswerealsoinvestinginbuildingseveralhigh-qualityvenues,indicatingthattherewasroomfortheindustrytogrow.

On foreign groundCompaniessettingupshopinChinaforthefirsttimeareboundtofacesomechallenges,butbeingatechnologybusiness,MsKellewaysaidthecompanywasconcernedprimarilywiththesecurityofitsproprietarysoftwareIP.

SincejoiningtheWorldTradeOrganization,Chinahadstrengtheneditslegalframeworkandamendeditsintellectualpropertyrights(IPR)andrelatedlawsandregulationsascompliance,butinfringementstillexiststhroughouttheregion.

ToprotectintellectualpropertyinChina,apreventivemeasurewastoregistertrademarkswiththeappropriateChineseagenciesandauthoritiestoenforcetherights.

“WemadethedecisiontoworkcloselywiththeChinaCouncilforthePromotionof

InternationalTrade(CCPIT),whoseinitiativesonIPcontrolhavebeenfundamentalinhelpinginternationalcompaniesconsiderenteringthismarketplace.”

InfoSalonsalsocreatedjointventureswithlocalpartners,whohadamuchbetterunderstandingofthelocalcustomersandcouldhelptoenterthemarketasquicklyaspossible.

A“one-size-fits-all”approachdoesnotnecessarilyworkinAsia,andthatisonelessonlearntintheinfantstagesofsettingupbusinessesinAsia.Hence,Ms

[Some event organisers in Asia] are collecting invaluable data about their attendees but are not taking the time to understand the information.”JO-ANNEKELLEWAYINFOSALONSGROUPCEO

Jo-Anne Kelleway.

Badges scanned directly from mobile phones.

BORDERS

micenet AsiA 13

CROSSING

Pre-registration / online registration open throughout the show

WhenwefirstsetupbusinessinChinain2006,thenumberofvisitorswhopre-registeredforexhibitionswerelessthan10percent.Togetherwiththeorganisers,wehaveeducatedattendeesonthebenefitsofpre-registering,andthemajorityoftradeshowsarenowexperiencinga50percentpre-registration.Wearealsokeepingtheonlineregistrationpagesopenthroughouttheeventtocontinuetoallowvisitorstoregisteronlineandusingoure-badgestationson-site,theycanbeatthequeuestogainentryintotheexhibition.WesendtheregistrationconfirmationbybarcodeemailandalsobySMSsothatwecanscantheirpre-registrationcodedirectlyfromtheirphone.Thissavessomuchtimeinqualifyingregisteredvisitorsandprintingtheirnamebadges.

Venue Wi-Fi

Morevenuesnowhavefast,stableandsecureWi-Fiavailableforattendees.Thisisanincredibleadvantagefororganiserstohelpdeliveraseamlessexperiencetotheirattendees.Weliveinanageofconstantconnectivityandeventorganisersareexpectedtofacilitatethisandmakeitavailablethroughouttheshow.

Badge printing.

Self-registration touchscreens at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia 2013.

Importance of dataMsKellewaycalledtheeventsindustrythroughoutAsiaPacific“earlyadoptersofcutting-edgetechnology”,butbelievedthereisadisconnectbetweenadoptionandprocess.

Sheusedtheexampleofdataminingandanalysisofvisitordatabases,ofwhichshefeltsomeAsianeventorganisersarenottakingfulladvantage.

“Theyarecollectinginvaluabledataabouttheirattendeesbutarenottakingthetimetounderstandtheinformation.”

Withproperdataminingofattendeedata,eventorganiserswillbeabletoconstantlyimprovethequalityofattendeestheyareattracting,andbyanalysingthem,beabletoprovidetherightexhibitorsandproductsthattheattendeeswant.

“Thiswillensurethattheireventscontinuetodeliverexceptionalexperiences,”shesaid,addingthatunderstandingtheneedsoftheattendeeswillalsohelpguaranteetheexhibitorsaresatisfiedwiththebuyerstheyaremeeting.

Trend-settingInfoSalonsGroup’sJo-AnneKellewaylistsfourrecenttechnologicaltrendsthathaveemergedinbusinessevents.

Social media Integration

Socialmediahasbecomeanintegralpartoftheshowcycleanddefinitelyassistsinbuildinginterestinthemonthsbeforeashow,engagingyouraudienceduringitorkeepingacommunitytogetherinthemonthsafter.Connectingyouraudienceandprovidingbusinessmatchmakingtotime-poorattendeesisvitalinensuringthattherightbuyersmeettheappropriateexhibitors.Organisersneedtounderstandwhatsocialmediaplatformstheirattendeesareusingandensurethattheyhaveasocialmediastrategyworkedoutforeachevent.

Event apps

Showguideappsareagreatwaytoprovideinformationaboutyourevent,rightintothehandsofyourattendees.TherearemanymoretypesofdevicespopularintheAsianmarketplacethaninEuropeorUSA.Hence,itisimportanttomakesurethatwhatevereventappyouarecreating,itcanbeusedonthemultitudeofhandsetsthatarebeingused.Therearestillmanyattendeeswhoprefertheoldprintedshowguidebutweareseeingaslowchangetowardselectronicversions.

KellewaybelievesitisimportantforeveryproductInfoSalonsintroducestoanewmarketplacetobecustomised.

“Weensurethatallourproductsareavailableinthelocallanguages,canbeusedonthemostpopulardevices,andcanbeintegratedwiththeappropriatesocialmediaplatformsforthatregion.”

Theseproductswillalsohavetogelwiththespecificculturalnuancesandbehaviouralpatternsofeachmarket.Forexample,InfoSalonshasbeensuccessfulwithitsstate-of-the-artleadretrievalandmanagementtoolstoassistexhibitorsinAustraliainbuildingROImetricsfromanevent.ItwasadifferentcaseinAsia,however,whereexchangingbusinesscardsisatime-honouredcustomthatisalmostimpossibletobreak.

“Instead,wehavehadtoeducatetheexhibitorstounderstandthatqualifyingtheirleadsandprocuringordersisparamounttoapocketfullofbusinesscards.”

The“loveaffair”betweentheAsianmarketplaceandmobilephoneshasalsogivenrisetooneofInfoSalon’slatestleadretrievalproducts.WithanappavailablefromtheappstorecalledInfoTracker,exhibitorscanusetheirphonestoscanattendeebadges,qualifytheleads,markproductsforfollow-upaswellasaddpersonalnotes.

GlObal WaTCh

14 micenet AsiA

What should spring to mind when Centara Hotels and Resorts is mentioned? AThaihotelchainwithsomethingforeveryone!WithourextensivenetworkofpropertiesthroughoutThailandplusfastpacedoverseasexpansions,we’vegotthefullrangeofstarratings.Weareinallmajorlocations.Weprovideaone-stopshopforMICEgroups.

NotonlydoourMICEhotelsboastcity-centrelocationswithconvenientaccesstomasstransitnetworks,ourexperiencedteamprovidesturn-keysolutionsthatallowMICEplannerstofocusonefficiencyandcosteffectivenessoftheirevents.

Describe Centara’s various brands.CentaraGrandisourpremiumfive-starbrandlocatedinalltherightdestinations.Underthisbrand,weofferachoiceofcityandresortlocationsinBangkok,Pattaya,KohSamui,HuaHinandPhuket.Eachpropertyprovidesprominentconventionfacilities.InBangkok,MICEplannerscanchoosetousethededicatedBangkokConventionCentreatCentaraGrandatCentralWorldandCentaraGrandatCentralPlazaLadprao.

Centaraisourcorefour-starbrand,offeringqualityyetvalue-for-moneyMICEproductsinmajordestinationsinThailand.Ourotherbrandsarethethree-star

Chris BaiLeYCENTARA HOTELS AND RESORTSSENIOR VICE-PRESIDENTSALES AND MARKETING

Call for incentivesCentara Hotels and Resorts’ post-flood years have been thriving with events business, but SVP for sales and marketing, Chris Bailey, hopes more attention will be given to attracting incentive groups to Thailand.By sirima eamtaKo

Centaraandboutique-conceptCentaraBoutiqueCollection.Ourbudgetbrand,COSI,withthefirsthoteltoopennextyear,willalsooffersomeeventsfacilities.

Which is Centara’s MICE-focused brand? Regardlessofbrands,MICEplannerswillfindconsistencyintheproductsanddeliverablesatourproperties,startingfrompre-event.Thesameprinciplesapplynomatterwhereourpropertiesarelocated.Wealsoofferelectronicsupport–throughemailingandwebsite–tomakethejobsofplannerseasier.

AsaThai-orientedcompany,weofferaThainessservice.Ourconsistencyinourproductsandsystemsisalsoreflectedinourservicesprovidedbyourwell-trainedstaff.

Is Centara group seeing a full recovery, following Thai political problems and the flood crisis in 2010 and 2011 respectively? Inallourcoreproperties,yes!Wesawbusinessshiftingfromthefloodperiodin2011tothefollowingyear,making2012somewhatartificialasastrongyearofMICEproperties.Businesscontinuestocometoourpropertiesin2013,makingitanotherstrongyearintermsofMICEbusinessforus.

AssociationmeetingsareourmainMICEbusiness.Incentiveshavebecome

smaller:theystillrequirequalityexperience,butatlessernumbersandwithmorefocus.

What is Centara Hotels and Resorts doing to attract more MICE business in 2013 and 2014?Wehave18officesoverseaswhicharetargetedtohandleourMICEbusiness.Ourstrategyistolistentoourcustomersandtailor-makeourproductstomakesurethatourofferisrelevanttotheirneeds.

Is Thailand on the right track in promoting itself as a MICE destination? I’mnotsurewearegivingtherightpicture.Overall,IfeelthatMICEisdrivenintothiscountrybytheprivatesector.ThisisbecauseourmessageonThailandasadestinationisquitemixed.Wedon’thaveacohesivesinglevoice.Wedon’tspeakwithasinglevoice.

I’llliketoseemoreeffortinattractingincentives,becausethespendishigherwhencomparedtoothersegments.Thequestionis:arewegettingourshareinmakingourselveslookmoreattractiveforincentivebusiness?Forinstance,Phukethasaproblemwithcabs,andweneedtoaddressthat.

Q&a

Meeting room in Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket..

Association meetings are our main MiCE business. incentives have become smaller: they still require quality experience, but at lesser numbers and with more focus.”

Bangkok Convention Centre.

micenet AsiA 15

niLs-arne sChroederCONRAD SEOULGENERAL MANAGER

Smart businessConrad Seoul, the first property to implement a Smart Luxury concept for business travellers and event planners, has a general manager with a vision for the hotel to take the lead in the industry. By Kristie thong

Q&a

Having opened last November, how has Conrad Seoul fared in its MICE business? ConradSeoul’sstrategiclocationinYeouido,Seoul’sfinancialdistrict,andcloseproximitytobothinternationalairportsmakesitconvenientlyaccessiblebyeventplannersandbusinessdelegatesfromacrosstheregion.

Ouroutstandingbanquetingfacilities,featuring2608squaremetresofeventsspace,haveappealedtofinancial,pharmaceuticalandconsumer-goodscompaniesfromHongKongandSingapore,whileourlocationintheInternationalFinanceCentre(IFC)ofSeoul,putsusinaprimelocationtowinoverdomesticclientssuchasfinancialandaccountingfirmsfromneighbouringoffices.

What does Conrad Seoul offer with the Smart Luxury concept?Today’smodernandsophisticatedbusinesstravellerdemandstheservice,experienceandvaluethatgetsthemmorefocused,moreconnectedandmorerelaxed.Theyrequiretheaccessibilitytotechnologyandflawless,personalisedservicethatgivesthemtheluxuryofbeingthemselvesandtobeattheirverybesteveryvitalmomentofthebusinessday.SuchpromiseisexemplifiedinConradHotelandResort’sSmartLuxuryconcept,wherewefocusontheindividualandofferguestsaworldofstyle,serviceandconnection.

WearethefirsthotelinKoreatoimplementaSmartIn-roomMultimediaTechnology.UsingApple-basedtechnologyandofferinganall-in-onemultimediahubandaMaccomputer,guestswillbeabletosurftheInternet,accessFacebookandWi-FiaccesspointsorplaypersonalcontentfromaniPad,iPhone,smartphoneor

laptop.ConradSeoul’sdigitalroomsallowforacustomisableandpersonalspace.WealsofeaturetheConradConciergemobileapplicationtodeliverflawlessservicebyallowinggueststoexperiencepersonalisedcontrolovertheirstay.

OurSmartLuxuryconceptisalsoextendedtomeetingandeventplanners,asourtwoballrooms–TheParkBallroomwithacapacityof400guests,andtheGrandBallroomwhichcanseatupto800guestsbanquetstyle–makeConradSeoulanattractivelocationtohostmajorevents.Clientscanalsochoosetohaveexecutivemeetingsin“TheStudio”,with11elegantly-appointedmeetingroomsfloodedwithnaturaldaylightandsurroundingresidential-stylekitchensforuniqueF&Bofferings.

withlocally-inspiredsurroundingsthatareresponsibletotheenvironment.

WehaveHiltonWorldwide’sproprietarysystem,LightStayMeetingImpactCalculator,tocalculateandanalyseenvironmentalimpactfromeacheventheld,takingintoaccountfactorssuchastheeventroomwaterandelectricityusage,foodconsumedandguestroomsbooked.

Furthermore,wehaveimplementedavarietyofeco-friendlyinitiativessuchasrainwaterharvestingforuseinirrigation,greywaterusageintoiletsandpublicspaces,solarpanelstoassistheatingwater,lightingandemergencypower,transparentdual-sheetglasstoefficientlycontroltemperatureindoors,andicethermalstoragesystemutilisinglate-nightsurpluselectricity.

Wehaverecentlyintroducedanattractivefull-daymeetingpackage,wherewewillassignapersonaleventmanagertoplanandexecutetheevent.WewillalsoprovideclientswithAvset-upatnoadditionalcostandextendcomplimentaryInternetaccessinboththeiraccommodationandmeetingrooms.

How are Conrad Seoul’s eco-friendly initiatives in line with the Smart Luxury concept?OurSmartLuxuryconceptoffersguestsapersonalisedandintuitiveexperience

What are some goals you’ve set for the hotel this year?Hotelbusinessisalong-terminvestmentinbuildings,peopleandthefuture.Ourshort-termgoalandpriorityin2013istogenerategreaterpublicawarenesstowardsConradSeoul’sremarkablefacilitiesandservicesthatembodiestheSmartLuxuryconcept.Wewillthenfocusonstrategicmarketingactivitiestoattractcustomersbyemphasisingouruniqueofferingssuchasaccommodationpackages,F&Bpromotionsandguestloyaltyprogrammes.

Twin Room.

Pulse8 Swimming Pool.Penthouse Bedroom.

16 micenet AsiA

Arecord190forumdelegates,260galadinnerguestsand550studentsattendedtheinauguralOpenHouse-thenumbersalonearerecord-breakers,butnothingbeatstheresoundingsupportthathasmadethisyear’sSingaporeMICEForum(SMF)amajorsuccess.

Thisistheirreplaceableingredientofhumancapital.Astheheadyworldofdigitalcommunicationconnectscommunitiesinnewwaysandchangesthewaywedobusiness,oneendearingqualityremains-therelationshipsandcamaraderiefromyearsofteamwork.Tome,thisisthesocialengineofgrowthbehindtheMICEindustry.

Thoseofuswhohavestayedintheindustryfordecadescanprofesstothis.Thebestlegacywecanleaveisthatofinvestinginhumancapitalasthepowerofbusinessgrowth.

aSSOCiaTiONS

Breaking industry barriersThe president of the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) says a successful Singapore MICE Forum is just the beginning of working towards a sustainable pipeline of talent.

Janet tan-CoLLisSACEOSPRESIDENT

ThisiswhySACEOSemphasisestalentdevelopment,sourcingforandnurturingyoungpeopletobeexcitedabouttheMICEindustryandinculcatinginthemtheservicecultureandpassiontoexcel.Onlywhenweinvesttimeandenergytodothis,willwebeabletoseethenextlineofMICEleadersemergeandstaytocarvecareers.

Thisyear’sSMFopenedthedoorsforthefirsttimetostudentsfromSingapore’stertiary-levelinstitutions.TheycametolearnabouttheMICEbusinessandcareerprospects.TheyinteractedwithMICEprofessionalstoprobeabouttraining,jobsandmentorships.

Afantasticstart.Butwearenotgoingtostophere.Inthecomingmonths,wearegoingtodosomuchmoretopenetratetheeducationsectorandkickstartaseriesofcollaborativetrainingprogrammes.

Ourgoalistoensureasustainablepipelineoftalentdevelopmentprogrammes,togroomaspiringMICEprofessionals.Wewelcomeanyhelpwecanreceiveinthisrespect.

AstheSMFentersitsfourthyear,SACEOSishappythattheeventiswell-recognisedasanimportantworkingplatformfortheMICEindustry.

Testamenttothisisthequalityofdiscussionsandworkingsessionsthatenergisedthetwo-dayforum.Intermsofattendance,contentandactivities,wehavebrokenbarriers.Weintendtokeeptakingboldstepstodrivepositivechange.Alreadythegroundworkislaidformoreregionalcollaborationtotacklethetalentissue.

SACEOSwillalwaysbegratefulforthecollectiveeffortandsharedvisionofthosewhoendurewithdrivingpositivechange.ThankyouagainfromallofusatSACEOS.

micenet AsiA 17

aSSOCiaTiONS

Turn to shine

TheThailandIncentiveandConventionAssociation(TICA)isorganisingthe18thConventionPromotionSeminar(CPS)andConventionExhibitions(CONvEX)double-billeventfromSeptember5-7inPhuketthisyear.

Heldeverytwoyears,theeventisaimedatencouraginghostcommitteesoflocalprofessionalandmedicalassociations,governmentagenciesandstateenterprisestoproposeorbidforThailandasthehostcountryfortheirrespectivesector’scongressesandconferences.

TICA,incollaborationwiththeThailandConventionandExhibitionBureau,theTourismAuthorityofThailandandThaiAirwaysInternational,willhost120pre-qualifiedrepresentativesfromBangkok-basedlocalprofessionalandmedicalassociationsaswellasgovernmentagenciesandstateenterprisesforthethree-dayeducationaleventinPhuket.

DuangjittResortandSpaonPatongBeachistheofficialaccommodationduringthethree-day/two-nightperiodwhileMövenpickResortandSpaKaronBeachPhuketistheofficialvenueduringthemainconferencedayonSeptember6.

Attendeeswillhavethechancetolearnhowtoeffectivelyorganiseinternational

conferences,toknowmorepublicandprivateorganisationsthatcanhelporganisetheireventssuccessfully,andtohaveanopportunitytoexchangeideaswithsuppliersandserviceproviders.

Conferencetopicswillinclude:Thailand–CrisisisNeveranObstacle;HowtowintheBid?/BiddingtoWin?;ThailandMICEin2020;QualityTourisminThailand;andGreenGovernancetoSavetheWorld.

Phukethasbeenchosenasthehosttoshowcaseitsreadinessandcapabilitiesas

Come September, Phuket will get the chance to showcase its capabilities as a MICE city.

aMICECity,andaspartofTICA’splans,toshowcasedifferentThaicitieswiththecapabilitytohostevents.ChiangMaiwastheCPS’shostcityin2011.

InPhuket,delegateswillmeetwith50localsuppliersandserviceprovidersattheCONvEXheldonthemainconferenceday.Onthefirstandlastdays,delegateswillhavethechancetoseewhatPhukethastooffertoconferencegroupsintermsofexcursions,includingtheSino-PortugueseOldTownandhotelswithMICEfacilities.

Convention Promotion Seminar and Convention Exhibitions held in Chiang Mai back in 2011.

COvEr STOry

18 micenet AsiA

EnterGrandNikkoBali,thefirstintheNikkoHotelsInternationalGroupenthronedwithitsgrandtitleduetoitsspaciouslead-inroomcategory,facilitiesandservices.AtapressconferenceanddinnercelebrationmicenetASIAattendedon-siteinmid-July,MarcelP.vanAelst,presidentandCEOoftheresort’smanagementcompanyJALHotelsCo.Ltdtoldgueststhatthenewnameispoisedtostrengthentheresort’sfive-starrating.Theintroductionofthemulti-purposeeventfacility(MPF)furthersealstheresort’scommitmenttotheMICEindustrytodelivermorequalityevents.

TheownershaveinvestedtothetuneofUS$10millioninthehotel’sprogressiverefurbishmentsince2006,andanotherUS$12millionforthevillasandMPF,accordingtoGrandNikkoBaligeneralmanagerJean-CharlesLeCoz.

The19luxuryvillas,measuringfrom300squaremetres,aredesignedwithatouchofBalinesearchitecturecombinedwithmodernfixtures,andarewell-appointedandidealforeventplannersandvIPdelegates.Hintsoftheresort’ssignatureturquoisehueevidentinitsfinishing,thetranquillityiscompletewithsustainabilitymeasuressuchasbuilt-insensorswhichturnoffindoorair-conditioningoncethedoorsareopened.

TheMPFistheresort’sanswertothegrowingMICEdemand:amulti-purposefunctionspacetocomplementtheexisting500-seaterGrahaSawanganconferencecentreon-site.Spanning11,840squarefeet(1100squaremetres)withanoceanview,itholds1000peopletheatre-styleand760banquet-stylewiththree538-squarefeet(50squaremetres)adjoiningmeetingrooms

andtwogreenrooms.Idealforresidentialconferencesreluctanttoenduretrafficforoff-sitedinnerfunctions,usingtheMPFasagaladinnervenuesavesthehassleofturningovertheconferenceroomintoabanquetset-upandeliminatestheneedforoff-sitevenueliaison.

Thepressevent,whichincludedasiteinspection,endedwithadinnerfor450guestsandmediatoallowtheMPFtoproveitsworth.Pre-dinnerdrinksandcanapéswerefirstservedonthelawnaccompaniedbyaneasy-listeningliveband.Guestswerethenusheredintothefullyair-conditionedfacilitythatwasspruceduptoimpress,butnotoverdone.Formalitieskepttoaminimum,traditionalperformancesentertainedguestsasafive-coursedinnerwithfinewinewasserved.

Towardstheendoftheevening,thebackdroponstagepartedalongsidesoundsofacontemporaryversionofthekecakdance(aformoftraditionalBalinesedanceandmusic)speciallychoreographedfortheoccasioninspiredbytheresort’slogochangefrombluetogold.ThenightendedwithaerialdancersshowcasingMPF’shighceiling,asitsin-builtcurtainsandencompassingglasspanelspartedgraduallytoreunitetheaudiencewiththegreatBalineseoutdoors.

TruerwordswereneverspokenwhenMrLeCozdescribedtheresortasonerichin“JapanesecultureinfusedwithBalinesehospitalityexcellence”.Throughtheexperience,GrandNikkoBalihasproventotheguestsitscontinuedcommitmenttoprovidingaqualityandwell-maintainedproduct.

Grandeur in a nameNikko Bali Resort and Spa marks a new beginning with a name change, 19 new luxury villas and a multi-purpose event facility.

micenet AsiA 19

Arun MadhokSuntec Singapore

CEO

Suntec Singapore reopens to much fanfareUnwavering confidence sees events returning to Singapore’s leading MICE venue

SuntecSingaporeConventionandExhibitionCentre(SuntecSingapore)hasreopeneditsdoorsaftermonthsdedicatedtoacomprehensiveoverhaul.Itkickedoffbusinesswiththeclosingceremonyofthe8thSpecialOlympicsSingaporeNationalGamesonJune3,attendedbyover800guestsandathletesaswellasaspecialappearancefromSingapore’sActingMinisterforCulture,CommunityandYouth,LawrenceWong.

Whileanimpressivethree-storeyinteractivedigitalwalliswhatcapturestheattentionofdelegatesattheentrance,SuntecSingapore’sre-designedflexibleinterioristhehookthatsecuredaheftyline-upofeventsfortherestoftheyear.CEOArunMadhokdescribesthevariouschangesSuntecSingaporehasimplemented,andhowtheseinitiativeskeepthevenueattheforefrontofbusinesseventsinthecountry.

What are some of the re-design features that event organisers can expect at Suntec Singapore?Oneofthesetupsforarecenteventinvolvedbringinganexhibitionandaconferencetogetherwithinthe

spaceofoneexhibitionhall,embracingtheconceptoftheCONFEXmodel.Thefloorplanwasdesignedtoallowforamini-conferencetobeheldsimultaneouslywiththeexhibitionrunningatfullcapacitywithoutoneareadisturbingtheotherwhetherthroughexcessivenoiseorfrequentfoottraffic.

Wewereabletoaccommodatethissetupthankstoournewbuildingdesignthatintegratesourflexiblecustomisablespacewithouroutstandinganddiligentserviceexcellence,therebycreatinganidealCONFEXenvironmentwithafastsetupandturnaroundfortheevent.

Otherinnovationsincludeinteractiveonlinetools.Beforetheevent,organisersandplannerscanvisualisetheirevent,configuretheirfloorplansandselecttheirF&BoptionsandotheramenitiesusingournewonlineCustomerPortal.Thismeansthatbythetimeclientsarrive,everythingwillbesetupaccordingtotheirspecifications.

AnotherexampleofcreatingconvenientopportunitiesforourclientsisthefreewirelessLANconnectivitynowavailableon-siteforupto6000devicesthroughouttheentirefacility.Eventplannerscanusethisfreeservicetoincorporatemoreconnectedservicesandinteractivecapabilitiesintotheireventswhiledelegatesstayconnectedseamlesslyanywhereinthebuilding.ThisisauniqueofferinginSingapore.

How ready is the team at Suntec Singapore to take on the many events lined up for the year?Duringthemonthsthatourbuildingwasundergoingitstransformation,ourstaffunderwentintensivetrainingwithreputablelocalorganisationssuchasITECollegeWestforFoodProduction,TemasekPolytechnic-SchoolofHospitality,

ConradHotels&ResortsaswellasotherindustryassociationssuchastheSingaporeTourismBoard.Weprovidedatotalof103hoursoftrainingperstaffmemberoverthepastfivemonths–anintensivescheduleconsideringtheindustrystandardis24hoursperstaffmember.

ThemodernisedCentrewillrequireaslightlydifferentwayofoperating;therefore,weinvestedinourstafftogettheirskillsup-to-dateandexpandtheirproficiencylevelsoastobeoperationallyready.

Why is Suntec Singapore a premier choice for MICE?Weprovideavenuewithahighlevelofflexibility,functionalityandconvertibilitysupportedbyaworld-classserviceteam,anaward-winningdiningexperienceandoperationalexcellenceenhancedbycutting-edgetechnology.Theessenceofourapproachistoalignthecentretoourclients’evolvingrequirements.

Ourlocationisideal.SittingattheheartofAsia’smostintegratedmeetings,conventionsandexhibitionshub,SuntecSingaporeislocatedwithina15-minutewalkof5200hotelrooms,1000retailoutlets,300restaurants,sixmuseumsandaworld-classperformingartscentre.ThreeMRTstationsandtwomajorexpresswaysalsoservethearea.

OurrecentmodernisationprogrammeensuresthatSuntecSingaporeremainsattheforefrontoftheMICEindustryinSingaporeandAsiawellintothenextdecade.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

20 micenet AsiA

Lotte World Hotel, exterior.

CaSE STuDy

Event overviewThecosmopolitancityofSeoulwasselectedasthedestinationforaregionalconferenceofmorethan100neurosciencespecialistsbyglobalhealthcarecompanyAllerganinJune2013,withAONIAappointedastheProfessionalConferenceOrganiserfortheseminalannualtwo-dayevent.Thevibrantcitywasselectedduetoitsgrowingeconomicimportanceanddevelopmentalpotential.Italsohadthenecessarymoderninfrastructureneededforthelogisticalcomplexitiesoftheevent,whilsthavingtheculturaltraditionsandheritageobviousthroughoutthecitytoprovidethebonusofadditionalinteresttowell-travelleddelegates.

Theconferencewasasuccessfulplatformforthesharingofthelatestneuroscienceadvancesandtreatmentsbyaninternationalfaculty,withsocialactivitiesfacilitatingnetworkingopportunitiesbyallattendees.Execution & challengesTasksundertakenbyAONIAincludedsiteselection,groundlogistics,personnelcoordinationandmanagement,event

Seoul

brandingandon-siteeventmanagement.ClosecollaborationwiththeSeoulTourismOrganizationhelpedfacilitateenhancedbrandingfortheconferenceintheformofprominenteventbrandingattheluggageretrievalareainIncheonAirport.

Recognisingthatgoodgroundcommunicationsisapriority,goodgroundpartnersfacilitatedtheprocessofobtainingtemporary3GphonelinesinKorea,ataskthatisnotasstraightforwardasinothermoderncities.

SmoothcoordinationwithgroundoperatorswasmadepossiblebystaffconversantinbothKoreanandEnglish.Duetolanguagedifferences,AONIAmanagingdirectorDanielChuaadvisedthatwrittencommunicationsshouldbeconveyedinadvanceoffulfilmentasmuchaspossible.

Theconferencehadacentralcoordinatorwhocouldinterfacecomfortablywithspeakers,delegates,theclientandsuppliersforplannedoutcomesinatimelyfashion,whichwascriticaltothesuccessoftheevent.Clearandregularcommunicationwiththeclientwhenestablishingtheeventagendaand

timelineshelpedrevealanygapsthatneededtobefilledalongtheway.

Theconferencealsorequiredspecificandspecialisedmedicalequipmentcriticaltokeyactivities.Toavoidpotentialcustomsdelays,AONIAstrovetoobtainasmuchoftheseonthegroundaspossible,whilstimportingtheremainder.Havingadetailedmanifestwithsupportingdocumentshelpedinthespeedyprocessingoftheshipment.

Aswitheverylargecity,trafficcongestionisanissueduringpeakmorningandeveningperiods,leadingtocarefulselectionofallvenuesforaccommodation,theconferenceandsocialactivities.Thismeantkeepingcarefulnoteoftimingsontheground.Non-KoreandelegateswhippedouttheircamerastocaptureanelegantperformancebyamusiciandressedinthetraditionalHanbokthataccompaniedtheirauthenticKoreandinneratarestaurant.

Event feedbackPositiveverbalandwrittenclientandattendeefeedbackwereamotivationalrewardtotheAONIAteamfortheeffortsexpended.TheteamalsofoundthatitwasapleasuretobeabletoworksuccessfullywiththeKoreangroundpartners,duringwhichmanylessonsweregained.AONIAalsoprovidedformalpost-eventanalyses,whichwereasourceofencouragementtotheclientwithmuchusefulfeedbackthatcouldbeincorporatedintofutureevents.

SUCCESS name oF 3rdAllerganeVent RegionalSpasticity

EducationConference(RESPEC)

CLient Allergan

Venue LotteHotelWorld,Seoul,SouthKorea

When June8-9,2013

Pax >100

PCo AONIA

Budget Undisclosed

Club Lounge.Lobby.

micenet AsiA 21

PsymayhavecalledtheattentionoftheworldtoSeoul’sGangnamdistrictthroughhisviralmusicvideo,butDongdaemun,adistrictnorthoftheHanRiverisjustabouttogainsomemuch-deservedattention.Alreadyknownamonglocalsandsometouristsalikeasalate-nightshoppinganddininghaven,DongdaemunorGreatEastGate,isabouttoseeitsfirstluxuryhotelpropertythisDecember.

JWMarriottDongdaemunSquareSeoul,currentlyintheworks,willbesituatednexttothehistoricaleasterngate,whichusedtobeoneofthefortressessurroundingSeoulduringtheJoseondynastyandnowanationalsymbolofthearea.

GeneralmanagerNicholasTseisnostrangertoSeoul,havingworkedasdirectorofmarketingforRenaissanceSeoulfrom2003to2005.ABritishcitizenwith20yearsofhospitalityexperienceinMarriottpropertiesinAsia,hislovefortheKoreanculture,people,foodandefficiencymakeshimanidealleadertoturnplansfortheupcomingpropertyintoreality.

MrTsesaysoneofthedeterminingfactorstolaunchthepropertyistheeconomicviabilityofDongdaemunasa

developingtourist,commerceandculturecentre.

“Thegovernment,fromcityplansisaggressivelypromotinganddevelopingthisdistrict.[Weare]workingtogetherwithgovernmentagenciesandPRagenciestoraisetheprofileofthisdistrict,toencourageandsupportthetouristandMICEmarkets,”hetellsmicenetASIA.

WiththeJWMarriottbrandestablishedinKoreasince2000,standardsandbrandperceptionhavebeensetthankstotheJWMarriottSeoulonthesouthoftheHanRiver.TheupcomingpropertyinDongdaemunwillthusbeabletoleverageonitssuccess,andwillalsohavemuchtoliveupto.

Thepropertywillcompriseonly170roomswithastaffstrengthof300,makingitthesmallestJWMarriottintheworldbyroomcapacity.However,thepromiseoftheJWMarriottbrandwillthusbefurtherenhancedbytheexclusivity.

Amongroomsandfacilitiesexpectedtoboostupbeatandlavisharchitecture,MICEplannerscanalsoexpectmeetingfacilitieswithlatesttechnologyandservicejustasexclusiveandluxurious.Facilities

includea754-squaremetreballroomanduptoeightfunctionroomsofvarioussizes.

MICEwillbeapriorityfortheJWMarriottDongdaemunSquareSeoul,MrTseadds,asitsetsitssightsonCEOS,managingdirectorboardmeetingsandevents,aswellasembassyandgovernmentbusiness.

“WewillbetargetingthecrèmedelacrèmeoftheMICEbusiness/groups,with20-30delegates/roomseach–clientsseekingthebestinthebusiness.”

Oneofthekeywaystheteamisplanningtodrawinthetargetgroupisviareferrals,selectedanddirectsalespitchesandcross-sellingbetweenglobalandsisterproperties.

InearlyJuly,thepropertyalsoarrangedalocalPCONighteventattheJWMarriottSeoul’sBarRougetogiveguestsasneakpreviewofwhat’stocome.

Somefocuswillalsobeonpublicrelations,onlinemarketingandsocialmediatopromotethepropertyandcreatesomebuzz.

“MyprioritynowistobuildupmyperformanceteamtocreatethisuniqueproductanddeliverimpeccableservicetruetotheJWMarriottbrand,”MrTsesays.

Rising from the Great EastRight across the Han River from famous Gangnam, an upcoming property in Dongdaemun intends to reach out to luxury and high-end MICE groups.By Kristie thong

Presidential Suite. Guest Room.

BLT Steak.JW Marriott Seoul Dongdaemun Plaza..JW Marriott Seoul Dongdaemun Plaza..

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Seoul identitySeoul stands firm as a favourite meetings destination exuding a mix of tradition and modern infrastructure.By Kristie thong

SouthKorea’scapitalcityhasbeenastrongcontenderontheregionalcompetitivefieldintheMICEindustry.AccordingtocriteriasetbytheUnionofInternationalAssociations,itranksfifthonaglobalscaleforthethirdconsecutiveyear,witha10percentincreasefrom2011toatotalof253qualifiedmeetingsin2012.

HavingestablishedtheSeoulConventionBureau(SCB),thebusinesseventsmarketingdivisionoftheSeoulTourismOrganization,onlyin2008,vice-presidentMaureenO’CrowleyfeelsSeoulisprettygoodwhereitisforareasonablylateentrance.

Twomajoreventsthatwerehostedthisyearincludethe13thInternationalCongressofToxicologyinMayfor3000attendees,andthe20thIFOSWorldCongressinJunefor6000.

ThisJune,Korea’slargestmeetingsindustrytradeshowwasheldatthecity’sCoexconventionandexhibitioncentre.TheKoreaMICEExpo(KME)2013,organisedbytheKoreaTourismOrganization(KTO),drewanattendanceof350buyers,keyindustryprofessionalsandmediaovertwodays.

“KMEhasbeenaroundfor12yearsandhasrotatedaroundthecountry.Butforthepastfewyears,we’vebeenbiddingfortheeventtobehostedinSeoulandwewereoneoftheorganisers,”MsO’Crowleysays.

Thisyear,ashiftedfocustodeveloptheoveralltourismpackageofKoreahasledtothewithdrawalofSTOasanorganiserofKME.However,Seoulheldasignificantlylargerpresenceontheshowfloor,and33ofitsMICEalliancepartners,comprisinghotels,venues,PCOsandDMCs,werepresentattheSTObooth.

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Gangnam Tourist Information Center.

IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum.

KME 2013 welcome dinner.

Seoul identity“We’vealwaysbeenanexhibitor,

butthisyearwewentallout.We’retryingtoputthefocusonSeoul,becausewearethecapitalcityandenjoy50percentormoreofallmeetings.Sowewantcontinuedinterest.”

STOandtheSeoulMetropolitanGovernmentwerealsothehostsofKME’swelcomegaladinneratInterContinentalSeoulCoexHotelonthefirstnight,whichincludedasamplingofKoreancuisineandamasterfulshowcaseofKoreanmartialarttaekwondo.

MsO’CrowleysaysthedinnerisawayofsupportingKMEasanindustryevent,andtocontinuetoplayanadvocacyroleinhighlightingtheimportanceofMICE.

Gangnam buzzKoreanpopstarPSY’smusicvideo,GangnamStyle,drewworldwideinteresttoGangnamandofficiallyplacedSeoulonthemap.Ridingonthecuriosity,STOlauncheditsowninformativevideowhichdrewattentiontothepopularattractionsandmeetingsinfrastructureofGangnam,amajorbusinessandtourismdistrictofSouthernSeoul.ReleasedlateNovemberlastyearalongsideasocialmediapromotiononSTO’sMICEFacebookpage,STOencouragedeventparticipantstosharetheirthoughtsonGangnam.

ThewinnerofthepromotioncampaignwasTyraHilliard,anassociateprofessoratUniversityofAlabama,whoincidentallyattendedKME2013asaguestspeakerat

theIMEX-MPI-MCIFutureLeadersForumusingtheround-tripticketsshehadwon.

“Obviously‘GangnamStyle’wasn’tdesignedtobeaviralvideo,butthat’sexactlywhatitbecame–theultimateviralvideoforKorea,”SCBPRcoordinatorAlexPaiksays.

Oncompetition,MsO’CrowleydoesnotseetherestofKoreaasmuchofathreat.

“CertaincitiesinKoreaareattractive,butoverallinfrastructureisstilllacking,andaslongaswecontinuetoenjoythecompetitiveadvantagewehaveasacapitalcity,wearen’tgoingtohaveanycompetitionperse,”shesays.

Instead,shebelievesthecompetitionisfurtheraway.

“YouwanttosaythatyourcompetitorsareinAsia,butIfeelourcompetitorsarefurtheraway.IbelieveAsianeedstostandtogether,andweneedthefocusonAsia,becausewhenweturntheattentiontoAsiaweallstandamuchbetterchanceofwinning.”

New sparkWithnewattentiondrawntoSeoulthankstoGangnamStyle,STOlaunchedatouristinformationcentreinJuneintheluxuryshoppingandmedical-centricApgujeongofGangnamforinternationalvisitors.

OperatedbySTO,SeoulMetropolitanGovernmentandtheGangnamDistrictOffice,thetwo-storeycentreisaimedathelpingtoexpandtourisminfrastructureby

offeringgeneralservicessuchascurrencyexchange,reservationfacilities,ticketing,luggagestorageandthepurchasingoftransportationcards.Thefirstfloorisdedicatedtoinformationonmedicaltourism,whilethesecond,theK-WaveExperienceZone,providesfanswithvariousinteractivestationsfeaturingtheirfavouriteKoreancelebrities.

Newmeetingsvenuesandhotelsinthecityarealsointhepipeline.Apopulartourismandshoppingdistrict,Dongdaemun,isexpectedtoriseinprominence,withthelaunchofbothuniquemeetingvenueDongdaemunDesignPlazaandtheJWMarriottDongdaemunSquarehotelnextyear.In2016,DongdaemunwillalsoseethelaunchofaHyattPlaceproperty.

JustlikemanyotherAsianmarkets,Seoulisfocusinghereffortsonattractingincentivegroups,particularlyfromneighboursJapanandChina.

MsO’CrowleyfeelstheadvantageofKoreaisitsabilitytocatertogroupscomingfromallpartsoftheworld.

“TheAsianswhoareusedtohavingaveryoldculturedon’ttendtobeimpressedbyoldthings.SoAsianscomehereforthemodern,trendy,futuristicKorea.WhereasIwouldsaythatpeoplefromtheAmericasorEuropearelookingforanAsianuniquenesstoit.They’llwanttoseethepalaces,andthingstraditionallyKorean.YoucanstillfindtraditionalKorea,andit’stheimportantthing–forpeopletoalwaysholdontotheirheritageandtheirculture,”shesays.

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The upcoming Dongdaemun Design Plaza.Gangnam Tourist Information Center.

You want to say that your competitors are in Asia, but i feel our competitors are further away. i believe Asia needs to stand together, and we need the focus on Asia, because when we turn the attention to Asia we all stand a much better chance of winning.”MAUREENO’CROWLEYSEOULCONvENTIONBUREAUvICE-PRESIDENT

You want to say that your competitors are in Asia, but i feel our competitors are further away. i believe Asia needs to stand together, and we need the focus on Asia, because when we turn the attention to Asia we all stand a much better chance of winning.”MAUREENO’CROWLEYSEOULCONvENTIONBUREAUvICE-PRESIDENT

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BeforeestablishingEventsTravelAsia(ETA),Maxscoredarecord100percentyear-on-yeargrowthoneventsrevenuein2012forhispreviouscompanyandhad,asearlyasMarch,alreadysecuredcontractsfor2013thatamountedto80percentoftotalsalesin2012.

Armedwithyearsofexperienceandareputationofdeliveringprofessionalyetfriendlyservice,Max’snewly-establishedDMCisindemand.Onlydaysafteritslaunch,ETAhassecuredanumberofconferencesandincentives.

AsofJuly,ETAhasrelocatedtoalargerofficeandhireditssixthemployee–surpassingitsfirstyearbudgetoffiveemployees–asbusinessfloodedin.MaxalsoservesontheexecutiveboardofThailandIncentiveandConventionAssociationaschairmanofthemembershipsandPRcommittee.

Despitehishecticschedule,Maxalwaysfindsthetimetoconductsiteinspectionsofhotelsandeventvenues,soastobetteroffermorechoicestocatertotheneedsofhisclients.HespentaneveningatPullmanBangkokKingPowerwithmicenetASIApublisherElKwangandjournalistSirimaEamtako.

A day with Max Jantasuwan

“I’veusedthishotelformyclientsafewyearsago,butit’salwaysgoodtowalkthroughitagainasmosthotelsconstantlyupgradeoraddnewfacilities,”Maxsaid.

HelivesuptohisreputationasoneofthemostenthusiasticandenergeticeventspecialistsinThailand.Duringtheinspection,heleftnostoneunturned,withquestionafterquestionaboutthehotel’sfacilitiesandservices.

Afterwalkingthroughthehotel’sspaciouslobby,Maxcommentedthatforgroupsofover100delegates,arrivalanddeparturemustbeorganisedinscatterstoprovidesmoothcheck-inandcheck-out.

Onthesixthstoreywherethemeetingroomswere,Maxpointedoutthatthebuilt-inaudiovisualsystemwasanexcellentfeature–oneoftheelementsthatheandhisclientswouldlookforwhenchoosingameetingvenue.

“Thebuilt-inaudiovisualsystemislogisticallyviablethatallowsaquickturnkeyifwearetoaltertheroomset-upincaseofaback-to-backevent,whichismoreconvenientandtime-savingthanbringinginanexternalsystem,”hesaid.

PullmanBangkokKingPoweroffers366rooms,including120twinrooms,and14

eventspaces–fivemeetingroomsonthesixthfloorandeightonthesecond,cateringforupto200delegatestheatre-style.Italsohasa520-square-metreballroomonthegroundlevelforupto600guests.

Otherfacilitiesincludeaninfinitypool,aspaandfreeWi-Fi.TheadjacentKingPowerDowntownDutyMalloffersa550-seatAksraTheatreforopeningandclosingceremoniesand600-seatRamayanaRestaurantforupscaleinternationalbuffet.

Headvisedthatforafour-day-three-nightconferencefor100attendees,thehotel’sroomsandfacilitieswouldbeidealforawelcomecocktailattheoutdoorBotanicalGardenondayone,generalsessionsandbreakoutmeetingsattheballroomondaystwoandthree,andateam-buildingactivityonthelastday.

Lunchcanbeorganisedatthehotel’ssixF&Boutletsduringtheconferencedayswhiledinnercanbearrangedeitheron-site,attheadjacentRamayana,oratanoff-siteThairestaurant.

WiththehotellocatedclosetotwoBTSSkyTrainstations,includingtheSuvarnabhumiAirportRailLinkcityterminal,team-buildingactivitiescanincludeatreasurehuntalongtheBTSroutes,whichwillallowdelegatestolearnmoreaboutBangkok.

MaxbelievesthatPullmanBangkokKingPowerwillbeabletooffersomeculturalelementsoftenoverlookedinotherhotels.ThehotelwarmlywelcomesguestswithgarlandsanddrumshowsbyperformersintraditionalThaicostumes.AsanaddeduniqueThaitouch,garlandsarealsoplacedinguestroomsforturndownservice.

WhenaskedwhetherhewouldconsiderPullmanBangkokKingPowerforhisfuturegroup,Maxsaid:“Forregionalconferenceofupto150delegates,yes.”

Boontawee(Max)JantasuwanisoneofthemostexperiencedeventspecialistsinAsia,honinghisskillsfromAsia’stopDMCs–DiethlemEvents,TheMINTOrganizationandAsiaWorldDestinationManagement–beforeopeningEventsTravelAsia.

aBout the dmC name: EventsTravelAsiastart date: April2,2013sPeCiaLtY: Conferencesandincentivesestimated numBer oF deLegates Per grouP: Nolimit

micenet ASIA joins a Bangkok-based event specialist on a site inspection of Pullman Bangkok King Power and finds out how he can use the hotel’s facilities and function space for future groups.By sirima eamtaKo

Aksra Theatre.

Hotel lobby.

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BangkokisswingingbacktoasurplusofMICEbusinessasThailandenjoyeda7percentyear-on-yeargrowthinthenumberofforeignMICEvisitorslastyear.Thefigureisexpectedtogrowby10percentto940,000,generatingrevenueofUS$2.93billionin2013.

TheThaicapital,thoughhinderedbysomeofthecountry’stoughestcrisesincludingthemid-2010politicalturmoilandlate-2011floodscare,wasbackinfullswingwhenithostedthefour-day2012RotaryInternationalConventioninMay.

NothingwassparedtoshowcaseBangkok’sabilitytohostoneoftheworld’slargestconventions.Coupledwiththegovernment’s270millionbaht(US$8.7million)financialsupport,some30publicandprivateorganisationswereropedintoensureawelcomingexperiencethroughout,includingvisaandcustomsfacilitationsandthemobilisationof35,000Rotariansbetween56participatinghotelsandthemaineventvenue–IMPACTExhibitionandConventionCentre.

Bangkokcontinuestoattractmorelarge-scaleMICEevents,includingtheITUTelecomWorldExhibitionfor20,000internationaldelegatestobeheldthisNovember.

BACK IN

ThisJune,BangkokhostedtheHerbalifeAsiaPacificExtravaganzawhichwasattendedbymorethan23,000delegatesfrom12countriesintheregion.BetweenBangkok,BangaloreandSeoul,theThaicapitalwaschosentohostthreeHerbalifemegaeventssimultaneouslyforatotalof55,000regionalindependentdistributors.

“TheBangkokeventisthelargestofourthreeextravaganzasheldinAsiaPacificthisyear,”HerbalifeAsiaPacificseniorvice-presidentandmanagingdirectorWilliamM.Rahnsaid.

ThailandConventionandExhibitionBureau(TCEB)presidentNopparatMaythaveekulchaiexpectedtheeventtogenerateUS$60millionineconomicimpacttoThailand,inadditiontohighlightingthefamousThaihospitality,foodandculture.

TheoveralloutlookofinboundMICEbusinesstoBangkokisbright,accordingtoCentaraHotelsandResortsseniorvice-presidentsalesandmarketing,ChrisBailey.“MICEdemandforBangkokin2013isasstrongas2012,whichsawbusinessshiftedfromthefloodperiod.Alotof

Bangkok is not only experiencing a full recovery post-flood; MICE is now a key and stable source of revenue for the Thai capital.By sirima eamtaKo

BUSINESS

the confidence in Bangkok as a meetings destination is 100 per cent back. thailand is once again perceived as a stable country with a good economy.”MARCBEGASSATPULLMANBANGKOKKINGPOWERGENERALMANAGER

PASSION IN EVERY DETAIL

Your event, no matter how large or how intimate,needs to work with clockwork precision.Your accommodation needs to be perfect. As does your dining.And the service. We do all this and more. We would never settle for less.

T 02 101 1234 # 1E [email protected]

www.centarahotelsresorts.com

THAILAND • BALI • MAURITIUS • MALDIVESIT’S OUR PASSION

And the service. We do all this and more. We would never settle for less.

E [email protected]

THAILAND • BALI • MAURITIUS • MALDIVES

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confirmedbookingsandenquiriesareforassociationgatherings.”

PullmanBangkokKingPowergeneralmanager,MarcBegassatsaid:“TheconfidenceinBangkokasameetingsdestinationis100percentback.Thailandisonceagainperceivedasastablecountrywithagoodeconomy.”

Hesaidthatthehotelseesbusinesscomingfromallsectorsincludingautomobile,pharmaceutical,highereducationinstitutionandnon-profitorganisationswithgroupsaveragingat150-250guests.However,henotedthatwhilethehotelreceivesalotofenquiries,itfacesstiffcompetitionnotjustfromhotelswithinBangkokbutalsoinotherAsiancitiesincludingHongKong,SingaporeandDubai.

Thehotelresortedtoappointingthreeadditionalsalespersonnelearlierthisyear,joiningtheexistingteamof10-12.ThededicatedMICEsalesteammembersaretaskedtoattendtoallMICEbusinessmatters,fromenquiriesandbookingstomanagingpost-eventrelationships.

“[Thisisto]showthemarketthatPullmanBangkokKingPowerisseriousaboutmakingtheirbusinesseventsasuccess,”saidMrBegassat.

MICEisconsideredoneofthestablerevenuegeneratorsformosthotelsinBangkok.

“(Towin)MICEbusinessishard,butoncesold,everythingisincluded.Hotelsearnnotonlyfromroomrevenue,butallrevenuethatcomeswithitsuchasF&Bspend,”saidMrBaileyatCentaraGroup,whichoperatestwoofBangkok’slargestMICEhotels–CentaraGrand

MiCE demand for Bangkok in 2013 is as strong as 2012, which saw business shifted from the flood period. A lot of confirmed bookings and enquiries are for association gatherings.”CHRISBAILEYCENTARAHOTELSANDRESORTSSENIORvICE-PRESIDENTSALESANDMARKETING

atCentralWorldandCentaraGrandatCentralPlazaLadprao–eachofferingaccesstotheBangkokConventionCentre.

AccordingtoTCEB’s2012data,internationalMICEvisitorsattendingeventsstayedforanaverageoffiveandahalfdayswithanaveragedailycontributionofUS$36perperson.Five-starhotelschargedanaveragedailyrateof4956baht(US$159)perroompernight,accordingtoaJonesLangLaSallereportreleasedinJanuary.

Thecapitalhasaninventoryofsome636hotelsand70,000rooms,accordingtoThaiHotelsAssociationpresidentSurapongTecharuvichit.Hisfiguresexcludenon-licensedhotels,servicedresidencesandguesthouses,whichwhencombinedcanbringthetotalsupplytoover100,000.

MoreMICEhotelsareaddedtothesupply.Lastyear,Bangkoksawopeningsofthe240-roomOkuraPrestigeBangkok,230-roomSofitelSoBangkok,344-roomSofitelSukhumvitBangkokand407-roomWBangkok.

HotelswithMICEfacilitiesslatedtoopenbetweenthisyearandthenextincludethe281-roomCentaraWatergatePavilionHotelBangkok,287-roomHiltonSukhumvitBangkok,300-roomHolidayInnBangkokSukhumvit22and290-roomRadissonBluPlazaBangkokSukhumvit.

“TheHiltonSukhumvitSoi24,whichwillopeninQ3thisyear,willhaveexcitingmeetingandfunctionfacilitiescompletewithinnovativefoodandbeverageofferings,”owningcompanyTCCHotelsGroupseniorexecutivevice-president,WayneBuckinghamsaid.

Intermsofoff-sitevenues,micenetASIAunderstandsthatIMPACTExhibitionManagementhasbeenawardedacontracttomanageandoperatetheThaiPostBuilding,datingbackto1880s,onCharoenKrungRoadandclosetothreeofBangkok’smostpopularMICEhotels–MandarinOrientalBangkok,RoyalOrchidSheratonBangkokandShangri-laBangkok-ontheriversidewitheasyaccessthroughBTSSkyTrainnetwork.

ThegovernmentisalsoaddressingthetrafficcongestioninBangkok.TheMRTSubwayNetworkwillseefourmoreextensionsopeningoverthenexttwoyearswhileBTSSkyTrainisalsoundergoingexpansion.Bothsystemsaresemi-linked;BTSislinkeddirectlytotheSuvarnabhumiAirportRailLink,a15-minuteExpressTrainconnectingthecitycentretotheairportservedbyover70internationalairlines.

Bangkok Convention Centre.

Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld - Bangkok.

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Event overviewHerbalifeEuropeLimitedheldasix-dayvacationfor1100ofitstopindependentdistributorsfromEurope,MiddleEast,andAfricainAsia.Thailand’stopbeachresortdestination,Phuket,wasselectedastheeventdestination.AngsanaLagunaPhukethosted676guests,thelargestnumberofparticipantswithinthegroup,andalsoorganisedawelcomecocktailpartyfor800guestsatitsXANABeachClub.

Execution AngsanaLagunaPhuketwelcomed676gueststhatarrivedonMay14fromdifferentcitiesinEurope,MiddleEastandAfrica.Theresort’sHospitalityLoungewasblockedfortheirarrivalsthroughouttheday.Herbalife-brandedsignage,flags,andpull-upbannerswerebroughtintowelcomeguestsandcreateanticipationofwhatwastobeexpectedduringthesix-dayperiod.

Theprogrammekickedoffwithawelcomecocktailpartyfor800guestsatthebeachfrontXANABeachClub.Thevenuewastransformedintoanalfrescoentertainmentvenue,completewithastate-of-the-artsoundsystemand35-metreswim-uppoolbarwithbuilt-inLEDlightingthatburstintoactionwhenthemusicstarted.GuestsweregreetedwithfloralgarlandsfromladiesinexoticThaicostumes.Thehighlightsofthenightincludedfireandpercussionperformances.

Duringthestay,all1100guestsweretreatedtodailydinnersatLagunaPhukethotels’F&Boutlets.Customised

CaSE STuDy

SMOOTH OPERATORBy sirima eamtaKo

name oF EMEATABTeameVent vacation2013

CLient HerbalifeEuropeLimited

Venue AngsanaLagunaPhuket

When May14-19,2013

Pax 1100

dmC AsiaWorldDestinationManagement

ProduCtion InspiredEventTravel

Budget Undisclosed

souvenirssuchasHerbalife’sbrandedshorts,t-shirts,towelsandothergiftsweredeliveredtoguests’roomsdaily.Throughouttheirstay,guestsmadeuseofcomplimentaryfacilitiesattheresortsuchasyogaandPilatesclasses,kayakinginthelagoonandbeachvolleyball.Aspeciallyset-upbootcampbythebeachwithtrainersprovidedbeachactivitiesdailyandwaspopularwithHerbalife’sguests.

TheeventendedonahighnotewiththegaladinnerheldatLatitude,the1000-square-metremarqueelocatedbythelagoonwithinLagunaPhuketcomplex.Aspectacularredcarpetwelcomewassetupandorganisedbyalocaleventproductioncompany,InspiredEventTravel,withstagingandspecialisedlightingtocreateauniqueSupperClubthemefortheevening.AfamouslocalbandandcabaretshowkeptguestsentertainedwhiletheyenjoyedaThaiandInternationalbuffetspreadcateredbytheresort.

Challenges & triumphs ThebiggestchallengeforAngsanaLagunaPhuket’shousekeepingteamwastodelivercustomisedgiftstoover300roomsona

dailybasis.Thereweredifferentsizesoft-shirtsandshortsthathadtobedeliveredtospecificguests,andthehousekeepingteamshowedthattheyhadliveduptotheclient’sexpectationsbydeliveringthetaskwithoutanyglitches.

Duringthestay,attendeesweremadetofeelthatlittleexpensehadbeenspared.

Event feedbackTheclientexpressedtheirsatisfactionattheresort’sabilitytofacilitatesmoothcheck-inandcheck-out,whichalsoinvolvedroomchangesandotherspecificrequestsfromguests.TheywerealsoimpressedwiththecapabilitytodeliverqualityguaranteedF&Bforalargenumberofguestsonadailybasis.

Fromthevenue’sstandpoint,havingahospitalitylounge“speciallybuilttocatertobiggroupsmadethewelcomeexperienceofHerbalife’sguestsmuchmoreimpressive.Also,ourFITguestswerenotinterruptedatthefrontofficearea,”AngsanaLagunaPhuketfrontofficemanager,KanitthaDetmaksaid.

Theresort’sassistantdirectorofevents,MirelKostons,saidthatguestswereimpressedwiththewelcomecocktailpartyattheXANABeachClub.

“ThecombinationofsleekmoderndécorandlightingsystemfilledthespacewithanimpressivedisplayofchangeablecolourfulLEDlights,givingafashionablefeeltothespace.”

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PhuketandtheThailandConventionandExhibitionBureau(TCEB)areworkingtogethertomakePhuketaMICEhubintheThaisouthwesterncoastregion.Aspartoftheplans,Phuketisgettinginfrastructureimprovementsincludingalargerairport,amoreextensiveairandroadnetwork,aswellasahostoftourismfacilitiesthatincludesome5000upcominghotelrooms.

Lastyear,Phukethosted788MICEeventsandgenerated4.82billionbaht(USD$155million)inrevenue,whichissecondtoBangkok.Ofthetotal,internationalMICEactivitiescontributed4.72billionbahtfrom59,066foreignMICEvisitors.

DespitetheThaigovernment’sdecisiontoscraptheMICEcentreplanafteralmosttwodecadesofplanning,micenetASIAlearnsthatatleasttwoprivately-owned

The Phuket pull

ThaicompaniesareworkingonblueprintsofMICEcomplexesnearPatongBeach.Ifeverythinggoesasplanned,oneofthesewillbemanagedbyIMPACTExhibitionManagement.

MövenpickResortandSpaKaronBeachPhuketgeneralmanager,HansruediFrutigersaid:“IdonotseethatthereisaneedforalargeconventioncentreinPhuketasweareabletohandlelargeconventionspreviously.”

HesaidMövenpickResortandSpaKaronBeachPhuketsharedroomswithHiltonPhuketArcadia,LeMeridienPhuketandCentaraGrandBeachResortwhenanyMICEgroupistoolargetohandlealone.“IntheLagunaarea,itissimilarthatallthehotelsprovidedifferentroomcategoriesfortheMICEorganisers’request.”

ThefourpropertiesmentionedbyMrFrutigerarelocatedonKaronBeach,withinshorttravellingdistancetooneanotherandjustunderanhourdrivefromtheairport,offer1644roomscombined.Eachprovidesanumberofmeetingrooms,includinggrandballroomsthatcanhostfrom780to1200delegates.

OveratLagunaPhuketonBangtaoBeach,about20minutesdrivefromtheairport,thisintegrateddestinationoffersninedeluxeresortswithmorethan1300guestroomsandvillas,24meetingrooms,andthestand-aloneLatitudemarqueeprovidingupto1000-squaremetreair-conditionedspace.

InAprilandMay2012,LagunaPhukethostedtheisland’slargestextendedcorporategathering–anAmwayChina

High demand from leisure and large-sized MICE groups prompts policymakers and Thai privately-owned companies to beef up infrastructure in the attractive beach destination and make room for more.By sirima eamtaKo

Angsana Ballroom, Angsana Laguna Phuket.

Angsana Laguna Phuket.

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leadershipseminarinvolving15,000delegatesinamonth-longrollingprogrammeofactivitiesthatincludednightlygaladinnersfor600-900delegates.Duringthistime,theotherpartsofLagunaPhuketoperatedasusualforotherguests.

WhilelargeMICEgroupssuchasNUSkinandAmwayfromChinaandHerbalifeEuropewenttoLagunaPhuket,MövenpickResortandSpaKaronBeachPhuket–whichcanaccommodateagroupofupto350guestsatanyonetime–wastheofficialvenuefortheInternationalWater,EnergyandEnvironmentCongressfromAsiaPacific,alargemedicalconferencefromEuropeandaBMWmeeting.

KaronandLagunaPhuketaremorepopularwithlargeMICEgroupsduetotheirreadinessintermsoffacilitiesandlargenumberofroomswhencombinedamongsamestar-ratinghotels.Patong,whichalreadyhasalargenumberofhotelrooms,wouldbecomeanotherimportantlocationforlargeMICEgroupsinPhuketshouldtheplanned,privately-builtMICEvenuesmaterialise.

LagunaPhuketassistantvicepresident–destinationmarketing,DebbieDionysiuscautionedthatduringthehighseason,

mosthotelroomsinPhuketwouldbebookedbyleisuretravellers,andsoitwouldbedifficultfindingenoughguestroomstoservealarge-scaleexhibitionandconventioncentreonayear-roundbasis.

“ThisispartofthereasonwhytheMICEcentrehasnotbeenbuiltinPhuket.Hotelsandresortswiththeirownlarge-scaleMICEcapacity,suchasLagunaPhuket,arethereforeabletosecuresuchbusiness,”MsDionysiussaid,addingthatthebesttimetomeetinLagunaPhuketisfromMarchtomid-December.

Phuketispredominantlyaleisuredestination,attractingmostlyholidaymakersfromEurope,Scandinavia,UKandRussiaduringwinter–fromOctobertoMarch,leavingApriltoSeptemberidealmonthsforlargeconferencesandconventions.

HighdemandfrombothleisureandMICEbusinesshasresultedinthePhuketAirportseeingmoreinternationaldirectscheduleandcharterflights.Ithashandledoveritscapacityofsixmillionpassengersannuallyinthelastfewyears,including9.5millionpassengerslastyear.Theairportwillbeexpandedtohandle12.5millionpassengerswhenthe5.8billionbahtexpansioniscompletedin2015.

PhuketAirportcurrentlyhandles46airlinesprovidingdirectairaccesstoPhuketfromAsia,OceaniaandEurope,includingconnectionsintheMiddleEastviaflightsoperatedbyEmiratesandQatarAirways.ThaiSmileslaunchedadirectservicebetweenPhuketandMumbaiinApril,offeringthePhuketsuppliersanopportunitytoattractmoreMICEandweddinggroupsfromIndia.

“Phuketbecomesincreasinglymoreinterestingbecauseoftheairportexpansionandnewairlifts,andwearelookingatintroducingastrongMICEproductontheisland,”CentaraHotelsandResortsseniorvicepresidentsalesandmarketing,ChrisBaileysaid.

Onnewproperties,PullmanPhuketArcadiaNaithonBeach,openedmid-2013withfivemeetingroomsandsixoutdoorfunctionspacesfor10to400guests,iseyeingmeetings,incentivesandweddingsfromAsia,MiddleEastandAustraliawhilekeepingaclosewatchonRussiaandEurope.

Theresort’ssalesandmarketingdirectorMattFynchsaidPullmanPhuketArcadiawouldenterthemarketwithapromiseofITinnovationsaspartofAccor’sfive-starupscalebrand,offeringfreeWi-FithroughouttheresortandaconnectivityloungethatprovidesprivateroomswithLCDscreensandSkype.

Hesaid:“Ourresortistech-savvy,withhighspeed,mobility,andintuitivetechnology.WeofferITsolutionsmanagersthatsupportthenomadiclifestyleofourbusinessorleisureguests.”

PullmanPhuketArcadiaNaithonBeach’s277-keyinventoryispartofthe5000newhotelroomsslatedtoopeninPhuketbetweenthisyearand2015.TheentirePhuketislandcurrentlyhasasupplyof636hotels,includingthree-tofive-starproperties,withabout38,000rooms,aswellasanother20,000bungalows.

Lastyear,Phuket’smarket-wideoccupancyhit76percentandanaveragerateofUS$142pernight,accordingtoPhuket-basedhospitalityconsultingfirm,C9Hotelworks.

i do not see that there is a need for a large convention centre in phuket as we are able to handle large conventions previously.”HANSRUEDIFRUTIGERMövENPICKRESORTANDSPAKARONBEACHPHUKETGENERALMANAGER

Lagoon Lawn.

Movenpick Resort and Spa Karon Beach - Beach party.

Movenpick Resort and Spa Karon Beach - Gala dinner setting.

36 micenet AsiA

Taiwan,likeseveralothercountriesinAsia,sawtheimportanceofbusinesseventsyearsago.ItseffortstopromoteMICEinthecountrystartedin2005,underthedirectionoftheBureauofForeignTrade(BoFT).Inthefour-yearTaiwanMICEAdvancementProgram,itcomprisedsubsidiaryprojectsinoverallimplementation,hostingofinternationalmeetings,internationalmarketingandpromotion,andMICEtrainingandcertification.TogetherwiththeTaiwanExhibitionCompetitivenessProject,themissionthenwastostrengthenthefoundationofTaiwan’sbusinesseventsindustry.

Fastforwardto2013andTaiwanisseventhamongstAsia-Pacificmarketsrankedforthenumberofmeetingshostedin2012,accordingtotheInternationalCongressandConventionAssociation.TaipeiwasalsothesixthmostactivecityinAsia,afurtherindicationofeffortsnotwasted.

TheTaiwanExternalTradeDevelopmentCouncil(TAITRA),anon-profitco-sponsoredorganisationtohelpforeigntrade,isnotrestingonitslaurels.With40yearsintheindustry,ithaseffectivelygrown46branchofficesabroadand10contactpointsinMainlandChinatogarnersufficientrepresentation.

TaiWaN

On a rollWith past MICE efforts proven successful, a new four-year plan is in place to further secure Taiwan as one of the leaders in the regional business events landscape.By Kristie thong

Thisyear,ithassetanewgoalfortheMICEindustryviaafour-yearpilotprogramme,withthesolepurposetofurtherpromoteTaiwanasanappealingMICEdestinationtotheworldandattractinternationalconventionstothecountry.

OneofTAITRA’scontinuingeffortsistheimplementationoftheAsianMICEForum(AMF),organisedbyBoFT,MinistryofForeignAffairsforeightconsecutiveyears.

“TheAMF’sgoalistostrengthenthecompetitivenessofTaiwan’sMICEindustryandprovideaninternationalcooperationplatformforMICEexperts,”TAITRAexecutivevice-president,WalterYehsaid.

Thisyear,theAMFwilltakeplacefromSeptember11-12attheTaipeiInternationalConventionCenterwithafocusoncreativemarketing.ComprisingadiscussionforCEOs,fivekeynotespeechesandfivepaneldiscussions,TAITRAisaimingtozeroinonhotindustrytopicssuchasMICEmarketingwithinnovativeservices,toptechnologicaltrendsandcross-straitbusinesscooperationopportunitiesintheexhibition,meetingandincentivetravelindustry.SharingglobalinsightswillincludethepresenceofMICEexpertsfromICCA,InternationalAssociationofExhibitionsandEvents(IAEE),TheGlobalAssociationoftheExhibitionIndustry(UFI)andmoreonstage.

Keepingtopicstimelyandrelevantandattractingattendeescanbeachallengeforanyannualevent,MrYehbelieved,hencethereisaneedforcontentthatisfreshandinnovative.WhatwasencouragingforTaiwanwastherecordnumberofforeignparticipantsatAMFlastyear,withforeignattendeesmakingup27percent.

“TheForumattractedover550participantsfrom24countries,includingdelegatesfromthevietnamtourismindustryandrepresentativesfromMalaysia,Indonesia,PhilippinesandtheThailandConvention&ExhibitionBureau.ThisshowstheAMFhasprovenitselftobeamajoreventfortheAsianMICEindustry,”MrYehsaid.

Managing Director of UFI, Paul Woodward, speaking at AMF 2012.

AMF 2012.

Taipei.

micenet AsiA 37Malaysia - Asia’s Business Events Hub

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Imagine building team spirit while you partake in lion dancing and the lively Chingay procession of flags within the ornate grounds of a Chinese clan house. Competing in a cook-out of Malay cuisines using exotic spices and herbs. Paddling your way on a trishaw to unravel Penang’s colourful past. Or fuelling your adrenaline at the F1 Sepang International Circuit. All designed to exclusively motivate your high achievers.

Malaysia Asia like never before

MALAYSIA CONVENTION & EXHIBITION BUREAU (MyCEB)

Discover more ideas for theme events and experiences in our Corporate & Incentive Guide. Visit www.myceb.com.my to request a complimentary copy today!

For enquiries, please contact:

Suite 22.3, Level 22, Menara IMC, No. 8 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Tel: +603 2034 2090 Fax: +603 2034 2091 Email: [email protected] Web: www.myceb.com.my

North American Representative Jacqueline Hewitt, Vice President - SalesTel: +1212 529 8484 Fax: +1212 460 8287 Email: [email protected]

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CM

MY

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CMY

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38 micenet AsiA

CaSE STuDy

name oF 7thInternationalAIDSeVent SocietyConference

onHIvPathogenesis,TreatmentandPrevention(IAS2013)

organiser InternationalAIDSSociety&CentreofExcellenceforResearchinAIDS,UniversityofMalaya

Venue KualaLumpurConventionCentre,KualaLumpur,Malaysia

When June30-July3,2013

Pax Over5000delegates

Budget Undisclosed

Event overviewTheIASConferenceonHIvPathogenesis,TreatmentandPreventionisorganisedeverytwoyearsbytheInternationalAIDSSociety,whichcelebratesthe25thanniversaryofitscommitmentinaglobalcombatagainstHIv/AIDSthisyear.

TheIASconferenceistheworld’slargestscientificmeetingthatfocusesonlatestdevelopmentsinrelatedHIv/AIDSresearch.KualaLumpurwaschosenasthehostdestinationfortheIAS2013duetotheMalaysiangovernment’sunderstandingsofHIvpreventionandcommitmenttoprovidingfreeHIvtreatmenttoallcitizensinneedofantiretroviraltherapy.

TheIAS2013secretariathasalsotaggedMalaysiaasconvenient,affordableandsafe,whileKualaLumpurConventionCentre(KLCC)wassaidtobecentrallylocatedandwithincloseproximityofawealthofinternational-standardaccommodation.

ExecutionIAS2013localco-chairProf.Dr.AdeebaKamarulzaman,whoisalsodirectoroftheCentreofExcellenceforResearchinAIDSanddeanoftheFacultyofMedicineintheUniversityofMalaya,saidtheco-chairstookaboutoneyeartopreparefortheconference’sprogrammingandfund-raising.

MalaysiaConventionandExhibitionBureau(MyCEB)generalmanagerofsalesandmarketing,HoYokePing,saidthattheMyCEBteamwenttotheIASheadquarters

inGenevapriortotheconferencetoconductapresentationaboutMalaysia’s“doanddon’t”withcultureandbusinessprotocol.

MyCEBalsosupportedinorganisingtheconferenceaswellasthefacilitatinglast-minutevisarequestsforforeignspeakers.

Duringtheconference,theentireKLCCwasreservedandallsessionswereheldin-house.HotelswithinimmediatevicinityofKLCCwereoccupiedbytheconferencedelegates.Asaprotocol,eachdelegatehadtowearabadgebearinganidentitybarcodeforverificationeachtimetheyenteredtheconferencearea.

Challenges and triumphs PlanningtheconferenceprogrammewasparticularlychallengingasMalaysiawasthefirstcountryinAsiaandthefirstMuslimcountrytohosttheIASConference,Prof.Adeebasaid.

“PeoplearelessawarethatMalaysiaisaconferencedestination,butourstrengthsincludeinternational-standardconventioncentresandaccommodation,foodandculture,”shesaid.“Afive-star

hotelroomcostslessthanUS$300anight,whichischeaperthanathree-starhotelroomintheUS.”

Perceptionoverdistanceandtraveltimewerealsosomeconcernsthatcoulddeterdelegatesfromattending,incomparisontoIAS2011inRomewhichattractedsome6500delegates.However,Prof.AdeebasaidthattheefficientIASsecretariatmanagedtoexecuteasmoothconferencethisyearandattractedover5000delegatesdespitetargetingonly4000.

Event feedback ThehighlightofIAS2013wasthelaunchoftheWorldHealthOrganization’s(WHO)updatedglobalguidelinesforantiretroviraltherapy,andtheconferenceprogrammeentailedsessionsrelatedtoitaswellastopicsthatinvolvedresearchonthecureofAIDS.

AnotherachievementofIAS2013wasitsenvironmentally-friendlyinitiatives.Theconferenceusedlessprintingmaterialsandmoreonlineplatforms,andanyitemsboughttofacilitatetheevent,suchasmassagechairs,weredonatedtolocalcharitableorganisationspost-event.

Plenary Session, IAS 2013.

Prof. Adeeba.

By sirima eamtaKo

Healthcare conference puts KL on global map

Healthcare conference puts KL on global map

the conference used less printing materials and more online platforms, and any items bought to facilitate the event, such as massage chairs, were donated to local charitable organisations post-event.

micenet AsiA 39

Meeting facilities,recognised by the world.

At the 5-star One World Hotel, you can expect ample space, luxuriously appointed with spectacular chandeliers and state-of-the-art facilities including simultaneous interpretation system, live feed facility and mood lighting with variable colour setting and free Wi-Fi. However, what makes corporate functions here extra special is the opportunity to put fun back into functions.

Take a refreshing dip in our pools, lose yourself in a sensual massage, treat yourself to award-winning cuisine, catch the latest action flick, enjoy a round of golf or indulge in retail therapy. There’s so much to do and experience, especially with the 1 Utama shopping centre right next door. What’s more, we have been recognised locally, regionally and internationally as the Best Convention Hotel, so you know that you’ll be in good hands.

Anything’s possible in One World. To add some excitement to your next event, speak to our Conventions and Events team today at 03-7712 2289 or email [email protected]

2013 Meeting PackagesHalf Day Meeting Package from RM165++ per person per dayFull Day Meeting Package from RM175++ per person per day

FREE

first avenue, bandar utama city centre, 47800 petaling jaya, selangor, malaysia. toll free domestic: 1300 88 7888 toll free international: 1800 88 7888 tel: 603 7712 2289 fax: 603 7712 2290email: [email protected] website: www.oneworldhotel.com.my

www.oneworldhotel.com.my

OWH198_Micenet-177.5 x 128.5mm_100713

Find us on:

The BrandLaureateSMEs Signature

Brands Awards 2012

Cinnamon Coffee HouseMalaysia Tourism Award 2008 - 2009

Innovative RestaurantPremier Award - International Restaurant

Best City HotelExcellence Award

40 micenet AsiA

OUT

name oF NationalElectricaleVent andCommunications

AssociationConference

CLient NationalElectricalandCommunicationsAssociation

Venue TheWestinLangkawiResort&Spa,Malaysia

When April15-19,2013

Pax 120

organiser FlightCentre

Budget Undisclosed

Event overviewNationalElectricalandCommunicationsAssociation(NECA),anAustralia-wideassociationrepresentingtheinterestsofelectro-technologyindustrycontractors,heldafive-dayconferenceforitsmemberstonetworkandacquireknowledgeofthelatesttrendsinthefield.AttendeesarrivedonApril15-16andweregivenfreereintoexploreLangkawiandtheresort.Theconferencekickedoffonthe17th,consistingoftwodifferentconferenceschedulesdependingonthepreferenceoftheattendees,andthedayendedwithawelcomedinner.Theconferenceofficiallyendedonthe18thwithajungle-themeddinnerorganisedbytheresort.Attendeeswereabletofurtherexploretheislandonthelastday,anddepartfromLangkawi.

ExecutionTheWestinLangkawiResort&SpausedallofitsMICEfacilitiesfortheNECAConference.Thepoolsidewasbeautifullyarrangedforthewelcomebarbequedinner,buttheplanhadtobescrapedduetobadweatherconditionsanditwasmovedtotheLowerLobbyinstead.

TheconferencealsoinvolvedacookingworkshopforaMasterChefChallenge,whichtheresorthostedattheLowerLobby.

NECArequestedforahealthtalktobeconductedattheHeavenlySpa,locatedonthebeachfront.Theeventincludedthemakingoffacialmaskswithnaturalingredients,whichwasprovidedbytheresort’sspaexpertsandconcoctedbythedelegates,whowereprovidedwithrecipesdependingontheirskintype.TheHeavenly

ByKristie thong

in the

WILD

micenet AsiA 41

CaSE STuDy

Spawasclosedspeciallyforthisevent,withonlyin-roomspatreatmentsofferedtootherguestsduringthetime.

PreviouslyhavingdiscontinueditsJungleFeverThemeGaladinnerduetologisticalreasons,TheWestinLangkawiResort&SpareinstateditforNECAon

thesecondeveningoftheconferenceasthethemebroughtoutthetrueessenceofLangkawiasanaturepark.

Challenges & triumphsTheconferenceinvolvedset-upsbythirdpartyvendorssuchasdécorandfloral

arrangementsupplierDarlingFlorist,soundandlightingcompanyLowFrequency,andlocalentertainmentcompanyGemaSari.AspokespersonforTheWestinLangkawiResort&Spasaidworkingwithseveralexternalpartiesshowedtheteam’scapabilitytohandleandcommunicatewithnotonlytheclientbutalsoothervendorsinvolved.

OnechallengetheteamattheresortfacedwastoconvinceNECAtohostthewelcomedinnerontheshelteredLowerLobbyonaccountofbadweather.Theinitialpreferredplanwastohavethedinnerbythepoolside,whichwouldboastaspectacularviewoftheAndamanSea,buttheteammanagedtoconvincethemtotakeupthealternative.

Event feedbackNECAfelttheteamattheresortdidanamazingjob,particularlywiththeJungleFeverThemeGalaDinner,whichwasahighlightoftheconference.

Amongsomelessonslearnt,theresort’sspokespersonsaiditwasimperativetoalwaysaskforthefullitineraryandalsoifthereareanythirdpartiesinvolved,andtoalwayshaveaback-upplanavailable.

42 micenet AsiA

MalaySia

this close collaboration is definitely a win-win opportunity for both Australia and Malaysia as it will mutually benefit and boost business opportunities and relationship between both countries, especially in the area of business events industry,”HOYOKEPINGMALAYSIACONvENTION&EXHIBITIONBUREAUGENERALMANAGEROFSALESANDMARKETING

SettobehostedattheKualaLumpurConventionCentre(KLCC)fromMay15-17nextyear,itmarksthesecondtimetheMeetings&EventsAustralia(MEA)AnnualNationalConferenceistakingplaceoutofAustralia,andafirstinSoutheastAsia.ThedateshavebeenselectedtoprecedeIMEXFrankfurt,providingaconvenientstopoverforMEAmembersattendingthetradeshow.

MEA2014isexpectedtodrawover600businesseventsprofessionalsfromAustralia,NewZealand,MalaysiaandSingapore,andisestimatedtogenerateRM6.4million(US$2million)ineconomicimpactforMalaysia.

“Thisclosecollaborationisdefinitelyawin-winopportunityforbothAustraliaandMalaysiaasitwillmutuallybenefitandboostbusinessopportunitiesandrelationshipbetweenbothcountries,especiallyintheareaofbusinesseventsindustry,”MalaysiaConvention&ExhibitionBureau(MyCEB)generalmanagerofsalesandmarketing,HoYokePingtoldmicenetASIA.

ConvincingMEAtotakeitsconferenceoffshorehadbeenthemainbarrierinsecuringtheevent,MsHosaid,butitwas

MEA 2014 picks Malaysia

“propelledbythefactthatMEAonitsownhad,forsometime,theintentionstoexpanditshorizonsandrelationsbeyondAustralia”.

MEAchiefexecutiveofficer,LindaGauntsaid,“ChoosingMalaysiaisverytimelyasAustralialookstostrengthenitstradeandeconomictieswithAsia.MalaysiaiscertainlyanappropriatechoicefortheMEA2014Conferenceasithasanexcellenttrackrecordforhostinginternationalconventions.”

ThebureauconvincedtheassociationthathostingtheeventinMalaysiawouldbecost-effectivefororganisersandwouldalsopresentvalueformoneyfordelegates,despitethedistancebetweenthetwocountries.

MyCEBfurthersecuredthebidbyemphasisingthatMalaysiapossessedtheappropriatefacilitiestoaccommodatetheconference,hostingasiteinspectionattheKLCCforMEAtoshowcaseitscapacityandsupport.

“TheKLCCisaperfectfitwithexceptionalsupportinginfrastructuremakingitveryconvenientfordelegates.ItisanexcellentplatformfortheindustriesofAsiaandAustraliatoengage,collaborate,buildbusinessnetworksandexchangeideasinwhatisthemostdynamicgrowthregionintheworld,”MsGauntadded.

Whiledetailsofthepromotionalcampaignhavenotbeenfinalised,MsHosharedthatMyCEBwillbeworkingcloselywithMEAtoincorporatekeymessagesfortheconference.

Thethemesetfornextyear,EmbracingtheAsianCentury,willaimtoprovideafocusonbuildingbusinessrelationshipsbetweenAsiaandAustralia,whileothercoretopicswillbedevelopedbyMEAbasedonmembershipneedsandfeedback.

ArangeofspeakersandcontentfromAsia,previouslynotseenatMEA,willalsobeintroducedattheconference.Additionally,aselectionofpre-andpost-eventtoursuggestionsfordelegatesandtheirpartnerswillbemadeavailable,includingvisitstoidyllictropicalisles,ancientrainforests,heritagesitesandlate-nightmarkets,aswellasampletimetosamplethecountry’sgreatfusionofAsiancuisine.

ThiscomesonthebackoftheannouncementmadeattheclosingceremonyoftheMEAAnnualConferencethisyearinDarwin.

Among a series of industry victories coming to fruition this year is the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau’s successful bid to host Australia’s respected meetings industry conference next year.By Kristie thong

MEA 2014 picks Malaysia

MyCEB at MEA 2013.

FA_KLCC_micenetasia_Bean_0813.ai 24/6/13 11:16:58 G52

44 micenet AsiA

TheStar,Sydney’spremiumentertainmentdestination,engagedmicenetASIAtomanageitsfirstshowcaseeventinSingaporeonJune11,2013.SincetheAUD$870million(US$788million)redevelopmentincludingtheopeningofthelatestfive-starhotel,TheDarling,andtheAUD$100$100millionEventCentre,TheStarteamhadbeeneagertoengageAsianbuyersthroughsuchin-marketactivitieswiththesupportoftheirbureau,BusinessEventsSydney.

LanternBarattheFullertonBayHotel,Singaporewasselectedasthevenuefor60guestscomprisingamixofcorporateeventmanagers,destinationandeventmanagementcompanies,andtravelmanagementcompanies.TheobjectiveandbrieffromTheStarwastohostafriendlyandrelaxingtwo-hourcocktailparty,withgoodfoodandwinethatwouldreflectthespiritofAustralianhospitality.

Onthedayoftheevent,TheStarsalesteamAmandaLovettandSandyTsangflewdownfromSydneytoattendtheevent,alongwithBusinessEventsSydneydirectorfromtheAsiaoffice,SineadYeo.

TheseSydneyambassadorskeptformalitiestoaminimum,minglingwithguestsandansweringanyquestionsguestshad

MiCENET EvENT

Singapore welcomes The Star A newly-revamped complex based in Sydney decided to attract Singaporean event buyers by heading down personally to the garden state and giving them a taste of the Australian hospitality.

aboutSydneyandTheStar.Theeveningalsoprovidedtheopportunityforgueststocatchupwithfellowindustrycolleaguesordiscussbusinessopportunities.

Towardstheendoftheevent,TheStarsurprisedtheaudiencebygivingawayreturnbusinessclassticketstoSydneyfortwo,andaccommodationatthehoteltoaguest.Everyoneelseinattendancealsoreceivedacomplimentarytwo-nightstayvoucheratTheDarlinghotel.TheStargeneralmanagerofsalesandmarketing,JakkiTemplesaid:“ThereisnobetterwaytoshowcaseTheStar’shospitalitythantoinviteeveryoneofthesegueststostayatTheStarwhentheynextvisitSydney.”

CiscoSystems(USA)PteLtd.APJCregionmeetingsmanager,PaulynLimsaidthatshehadgainedabetterinsightofTheStarandhada“wonderfultimegettingtoknowtherightpeoplefromTheStaraswellasBusinessEventsSydney”.

GuestsfeltitwasgenerousofTheStartogiveoutcomplimentaryaccommodationatTheDarlingtoeveryattendee.“I’veheardsomanygoodreviewsofTheStarSydneybuthavenotpersonallyexperiencedit,soI’lldefinitelytakethisopportunitytomakeatriptoSydneyandfindoutmore!”

Safe2TravelPteLtd.MICEmanagerFrancesHuisaid.

WhenaskedwhatshelearntaboutTheStar,PacificWorldregionaldirectorforSingaporeandMalaysia,SelinaChavrysaiditisanexcitingneweventsspacebecauseitcombinesbusiness,leisureandentertainmentforeventsandincentives.

“The4000-capacityEventCentregivesitanedgeoversurroundingproperties;itisanidealvenueforMICEevents.WeareconfidenttherewillbemanyopportunitiesforPacificWorldtoworkwithTheStarinthefuture,”shesaid.

micenetASIAvice-president,ElKwangcontributedthesuccessoftheeventtotheLanternBarteam:“MaybeleneChuaofthevenueeventsteamhasbeenwonderfultoworkwithfromthepointofenquirytoitsdelivery.Shethoughtofeverythingincludingawetweathervenueoptionwithinthehotelatthefirstsiteinspection.”

“ThiswasthefirsteventinAsiathatwe’vehelpedTheStarwithandwe’rethrilledwiththeresults.Itwasagreatopportunitytosharethenewsaboutwhat’shappeninginSydney.ThisisjustonewaythatwearecontinuingtoproactivelyengagewiththeAsianmarketandstrengthenourlinkswithournetworks,”MsYeosaid.

micenet AsiA 45

THE STAR BECKONS

Sydney’siconicHarbourBridgeandtheOperaHousearewell-knowntreasuresformingthefamiliarcityskyline.YetseatedontheedgeoftheSydneyHarbourandChinaTownwithintheCBDisanenigmaticforcethathaselevatedthebenchmarkofservicestandards.

TheStar,amulti-purposecomplexofinternationalstandards,hasundergoneanAUD$870millionredevelopmentreadytocatertotheinfluxofAsiantravellersandMICEvisitors.LocatedashortdrivefromtheSydneyairport,alongwithalightrailatthedoorstepandaprivatewharf,itfeaturesthreehotels,aworld-classcasino,award-winningrestaurantsandbars,aluxuryretailcollection,andanightclub.

Witharangeofteam-buildingactivitiesavailableon-site,therecentopeningofastate-of-the-artEventCentrefurthersecuresTheStarasanall-encompassingvenueforeventorganisers.

TheEventCentrehashostedA-listactsfromallovertheworld,includingtheBigFourandComedianChrisTucker’sone-manshow.Ithasbeendesignedtocatertoconferences,exhibitionsandgaladinners,aswellasawardceremoniesandintimateconcerts.Withacapacitytowelcome960guestsballroom-orbanquet-styleandupto3,000theatre-style,itspre-functionspaceisalsoabletoaccommodateall960guestsforpre-dinnerdrinks.

The2,400-square-metrepillar-freespaceisthelargestbanquetareaofanyhotelinSydney.Onehighlightisitsdistinctivegemstoneshapeandtranslucentglassshellexterior,wheretheuseofbacklightingwithintheglassfaçadeallowsthevenuetotransformintodifferentcoloursatnight,makingitvisiblefromvariouscornersofthecity.

TheEventCentrealsohastheflexibilitytoadapttovariousconfigurations:720ofitsretractabletheatreseatscanbequicklystoredtoexposea1,077-squaremetreflatfloorspace.ItalsoboastsanoutdoordeckwithunobstructedviewsoftheHarbourBridgeandcityskyline.

TheAustralianTourismExchange(ATE),thetravelandtourismindustry’slargesttradeshowinthesouthernhemisphere,hosteditsgrandfinaleonthebalconyoftheEventCentreinApril.TheLastShout,hostedbyTourismAustralia,wasawaytothankbuyers,exhibitorsandmediainattendancefromAsia,EuropeandAmerica.

TourismAustraliamanagingdirectorAndrewMcEvoycommented:“TheLastShoutatTheStarwastheperfecteveningtobringtoacloseaverysuccessfulATEinSydney.ThecelebrationwasdesignedtoshowSydneyoffinafittingfarewell,andtoleavealastingimpressiononthelargesttravelandtourismbuyersandinfluencersintheworld.”

TheDarling,adeluxeboutiqueproduct,isanintegralpartofTheStar.OpenedinOctober2011asthefirstfive-starpropertylaunchedaftertheSydney2000Olympics,ithaswonworld-wideacclaimwithitsdistinctiveinvertedglasstowerrestedonasandstonepodium,171stylishandspaciousrooms,suitesandpenthouses,aninfinitypooland16-roomluxuryspa.EventorganisersanddelegatescanalsoenjoyavarietyofinternationalcuisinesatTheStar,includingcontemporaryJapaneseatSokyo,ChineseatCentury,ItalianatBalla,contemporaryAustralianatBLACKbyezard,andfusionatMomofukuSeóbo.

For more information, contact the sales team at +612 97779000 or [email protected]

Sydney’s premium entertainment destination is the next big thing

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For more details on exhibiting opportunities and the Hosted Buyer Programme, visit www.cibtm.com

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C I B T M _ A d 0 4 E x e c u t i v e . p d f P a g e 1 1 8 / 0 6 / 1 3 , 9 : 2 0 A M

Hong Kong speaks upA roundtable forum in Hong Kong reveals issues such as transparency and the importance of service delivery within event management.

micenet AsiA 47

InJune,micenetASIAandTheMiraHongKonghostedadinnerforumforHongKong-basedeventprofessionalsfromeventmanagementcompanies(EMCs)suchasImagination,cievents,JennyLieEventManagementandPico.HeldatTheMira’supscaleChineserestaurant,CuisineCuisine,seveneventprofessionalsinattendancegotatasteofculinaryexcellencefromamenuincludingpan-friedscallopsinpepperwinesauce,grilledlambchopwithcumin,braisedbamboopithsstuffedwithblackfungusandasparagus,anddouble-boiledHokkaidomilkwithlycheepurée.TheywerejoinedbyTheMiradirectorofsalesandmarketing,EvaKwan,seniorsalesmanagerforMICE,AliceMui,andsalesmanagerforMICE,DeniseChiang.

Transparencyandtrustweresomeofthekeytopicsdiscussedduringtheforum,whichmanyfelttheformerwas

MiCENET EvENT

lackinginHongKong.Attendeesagreedthattransparencyiscrucialforevents,andthatoftentranslatedtogainingtrustandcohesivenessamongstallpartiesinvolved.

“Wehavetodealwithmanypartiesforoneevent–fromadhocfreelancers,partners,suppliers,venue–anditisgoodtoincreasethetransparencytoacertainlevel,sothatallpartieswillbeabletounderstandthereasonsforcertainthingsthatneedtohappen,”JennyLieEventManagementgeneralmanager,JennyLiesaid.

Oneofthepointsbroughtupwasthehesitationtowardsacquiringnewsuppliers,ascompaniesworkedwithpreviouslyarealreadyawareoftheEMC’sorclient’sspecificneedsandhave

establishedareputationasbeingabletodeliver.

Oneeventbookerexpressedtheimportanceofasuppliermakingamistakeandadmittingtoit,statingthattrustisgonethemomentasuppliertriestoevadethesituationormakeexcuses.

“AndhowcanItrustthatthesupplierwillnotmakethemistakeagain,whenhedoesnotevenownuptoitandoffersuggestionstorectifythemistake?”sheasked.

Thistransparencywillcreateasenseofloyaltyandcontinuedhonestywhicheventorganisersandtheirsuppliersneedatanymomentfromplanningtoexecution,MsLiesaid.

“Behonestaboutanyproblemanditisgoodtoshareissues,butalsoonlywithotherreplaceablesolutionsweareabletothinkof,”sheadded.

Ontheissueofservicedelivery,eventprofessionalsagreedthatthereshouldbegreatercollaborationbetweeneventcompaniesandvenues/suppliers.Bybecomingmoretransparentonissuespertainingtotheclient,theywillbeabletoworktogethertocreateabetterexperience,whichisoftenasimilargoalforallpartiesinvolved.

micenetASIAvice-presidentElKwangconcludedthetopic,commenting:“EMCsandvenueshavetorememberthattheyarebothservicingtheenduser,andwhycommunicatingfrequentlyhelpsassuretheclientthattheyarebothinitfortheeventtogether.”

The Mira, Hong Kong.

Cuisine Cuisine at The Mira.

Hong Kong speaks upA roundtable forum in Hong Kong reveals issues such as transparency and the importance of service delivery within event management.

The city is aliveNew efforts doled out this year could be the driving force steering attention from emerging Asian markets back to the vibrant city of Hong Kong.By Kristie thong

48 micenet AsiA48 micenet AsiA

TheHongKongspiritisinfectious.BusinesstravellersandMICEprofessionalsfindthemselvesreturningtothecityyearafteryear,rejuvenatedbythefast-pacedculturefilledwithmind-numbinglygoodcuisines,shoppingandattractions.Alongwithgoodinfrastructureandatransportationsystemrunningitselflikeclockwork,thecityhasalsoestablisheditselfasamatureMICEmarketduetoexcellentservicedeliverystandardsandefficiency.

“HongKongisawonderfulcitywithalevelofsophisticationyouwouldexpectasoneoftheworld’sleadinginternationalfinancecentres,”Sydney-basedcieventsdirectorofsupplierrelations,CarolineGairsays.

“Itoffersitsvisitorsnotonlyaculturalexperienceforthoseinterestedinitshistory,butallthe‘bellsandwhistles’ofamodernsocietywitharealsenseoffunandexcitement.”

LikeningHongKongtotheNewYorkofSoutheastAsia,shefeelsthecityticksalltheboxesasamarketforconferencesandincentives.

it offers its visitors not only a cultural experience for those interested in its history, but all the ‘bells and whistles’ of a modern society with a real sense of fun and excitement.”CAROLINEGAIRCIEvENTSDIRECTOROFSUPPLIERRELATIONS

“ExcellentairlinecapacityfromallAustraliancapitalcitiesinandoutofHongKong,agreatrangeofhotelproductsinallcategoriestosuitallbudgets,amazingfoodwithanarrayofcuisinesonofferandofcourse,notaxonalcoholwhichcanbeasignificantsavingwhenyouhavelargenumbers.Servicedeliveryisexceptionalandoverallourexperiencewithsuppliershasbeenexcellent,”MsGairsays.

Tightenedcorporatebudgetsinthefaceofavolatileglobaleconomyhaveplacedtheindustryontenterhooksasitwitnessesadampenedstateofconsumerconfidenceandtravelsentiments.Undeterred,theHongKongTourismBoard(HKTB)wentaheadwiththelaunchofits2013MICEcampaign.Themed“HongKong–TheWorld’sMeetingPlace”,ithasbeenworkingcloselywitheventorganisers,localattractionsandvenueoperatorstorolloutinitiativestoattracteventorganiserswithasegment-focusedapproach.

Whileeffortshaveproventobepromisingthusfar,witha8.1percentgrowthrecordedinthefirstquartercomparedtothesameperiodlastyear,thechallengeforHongKongisadwindlinginterestaseventorganisersstarttolookelsewhere.

“AsadestinationwithastrongaffiliationwiththeAustraliantraveller,manyofourcustomershavepreviouslyvisitedHongKongeitherasaleisure

Cou

rtesyofHon

gKon

gTo

urismBoa

rd.

Cruise lines.

Central, Hong Kong.

View of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak.

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hONG KONG

travellerorasadelegateandarelookingattryingsomewherenewanddifferent,”MsGairsays.

WithmarketslikeSingaporeandvietnamcomingtomindasdestinationsofinterestinrecenttimes,shefeelsHongKonghastokeeppeopleinterested.

“Itisaboutsellingthedestinationholisticallyandputtingforwardaprogrammewhichreignitespeople’sinterestintheamazingterritory.”

HongKongrecentlywelcomedthelaunchofaUS$1billioncruiseterminalonthevictoriaHarbour,whichaHKTBspokespersonbelievedisdestinedtobecomeastunningnewgatewaytowelcomevisitorstothecity.

Theterminalfeaturestwoberths,whichwillopenintwophasesthisyearand2014.Eachberthisdesignedtoaccommodatethebiggestvesselsintheworld,alongwithathree-storeyterminalbuildingtoclear3000passengersperhourthroughimmigrationandcustomschannels,andalandscapedroofgarden.

TheHKTBspokespersonaddsthatthecruiseterminalisexpectedtoofferdiversifieditinerariesforregionaltourism,andinsomecases,beanalternativevenuechoiceforevents.

“ThereisalwayssomethingnewinHongKongtokeepyouinterested.EachtimeIgothereIventureoutalittlemore,”MsGairsays.

A shout outHongKongconsistentlyconnectswiththeglobalmarketviaindustrytradeshows.ItsownITE&MICEexpo,inthe27theditionofITEandthe8thofITEMICE,hasahighlyinternationalprofilewith86.5percentofexhibitorsfromoutsideHongKong.HeldfromJune13-16attheHongKongConvention&ExhibitionCentre,theshowthisyearwas6.6percentbiggerinscalewitharecord680exhibitorsfrom46countriesandregions.Ofthe46exhibitingdestinations,41percentcamefromAsia,28percentfromEurope,11percentfromtheAmericas&Oceania,and20percentinAfricaandtheMiddleEast.

Thefirsttwodaysdedicatedtotradevisitorssawatotalof11,872buyersandvisitors,with72percentcomingfrom

HongKong,20percentfromChinaand8percentfromabroad.visitsfromtravelagentsandtouroperatorsalsoincreased5.8percentat6055duringthefirsttwodays.Approximately100seminarsandmeetingswereheldinthefour-dayexhibition,includingacorporatetravelseminarbyTheAssociationofCorporateTravelExecutivesandfunctionsbyTheGuangdong-HongKong-MacauHotelGeneralManagerAssociation.

OrganisedbyTKSExhibitionServicesLtd.,ITE&MICEisalsosupportedbyChinaNationalTourismAdministration,HongKongTourismBoard,TravelIndustryCouncilofHongKongandMacauGovernmentTouristOffice,tradeassociationsoftravelagentsandeventindustriesfromHongKongandintheregion.

ITE & MICE expo 2013.

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name oF HongKongEyeeVent

agenCY PicoTBA

Venue ArtisTree,TaiKooPlace,HongKong

tYPe SponsorshipActivation

CLient PrudentialCorporationAsia

When May2013

Pax 200perexclusiveviewing/15,000+visitorsoverall

Budget UndisclosedEye on the art

Event overviewHongKongEyepresentedbyPrudentialopenedonMay1,2013atArtisTree,TaiKooPlace,HongKong.Theexhibition,whichwaspartofatouringprogrammecoveringLondonandHongKong,lookedtorecastandilluminatesignificantnarrativesinHongKongcontemporaryartbypresentingkeyworksby24emergingandmoreestablishedartistsfromHongKong.TheexhibitionwasthelargestinternationalshowcaseofHongKongcontemporaryarttodate,andwascuratedbyHongKongcuratorChangTsong-Zung(JohnsonChang),co-founderofHongKongEyeSerenellaCiclitira,andNigelHurst,chiefexecutiveoftheSaatchiGallery,London.Asprincipalsponsor,PrudentialwasabletospearheadaseriesofsignatureeventsinHongKongwhichallowedgueststogainagreaterinsightandappreciationofHongKongcontemporaryart.

ExecutionHongKonghasathrivingandgrowingartsandculturescene.Itprovidesalotofopportunityforcorporationsnotonlyto

supportcommunityandculturalinitiatives,butalsoengagewiththeircustomers,staffandotherkeystakeholdersinarewardingandout-of-officeenvironment.

SpecialguestswereinvitedtoattendexclusiveviewingsoftheexhibitionatHongKongEye.Byinvitationonly,theseviewingswerehostedtoallowmoretimeforPrudentialtoconnectwiththeirguestsinrecognitionoftheirrelationshipswiththem,whilenottakingtheattentionawayfromtheartofdisplay.Attheopeningpreview,therewasalsoamediatourwhereartcuratorsledthemediathroughouttheexhibitionandgaveapersonaltouchtotheartondisplay.AnumberofeducationaltoursandseminarswerealsoorganisedinpartnershipwiththeAsiaArtArchive.Attentionwasgiventoensuringthattheoverallexhibitionexperiencewasenhanced,butnotoverwhelmed.Asadmissiontotheexhibitionwasfreetothepublic,thisalsohelpedtopromoteHongKongEyetothewiderpopulationofHongKong.

Challenges & triumphsThekeychallengeinvolvedthelogisticsofmovinginalarge-scaleexhibitionwithinatwo-daytimeframe.Asthereweremanypartiesinvolved,clearco-ordinationbetweencurators,

sponsors,eventmanagementteamandotherkeysuppliersensuredthatthemove-inoftheexhibitiontransitionedseamlesslyintotheset-upandexecutionofthelarge-scaleprivateeventshostedbyPrudential.

Event outcomeHongKongEyeexhibitioninHongKongattractedmorethan15,000visitors,includingprivateguests,throughoutthemonthofMay,underscoringthegrowinginterestandappreciationofcontemporaryartamongthepublic.

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GiventheemergenceofAsianmarketsinrecentyearsputtingthemalmostonparwithmaturedeconomies,thedemandformorerooms,leisureofferingsandMICEfacilitiesaswellasstrongcompetitorshavepushedownersintomakingstrategicdecisionstoattractandfightforbusiness.

Global fuelChainssuchasStarwood continuetoexpandinkeygrowthmarketssuchasChinaandIndia,withseniordirectorofsalesandmarketingoperationsforAsiaPacific,NichlasMaratossayingthesetwocountrieswillcontinuetofuelthechain’sAsiaPacificpipeline.

AlsoexperiencinggrowthinemergingmarketssuchasthePhilippines,SriLanka,IndonesiaandThailand,MrMaratosaddedthatStarwoodwillbemakingitsforayintoSriLankathisyear,whilepropertiesinManilahavebeenplannedfor2016-2017.

TrENDiNG

Chains in sightAs international and domestic hotel groups work on beefing up portfolios to meet the needs of MICE clients, challenges such as brand consistency, unique offerings and talent shortage stand in the way.By sirima eamtaKo AND Kristie thong

We need to anticipate our future human capital needs and implement a variety of career development initiatives to attract, train and retain talent.”DOMINICSHERRYHILTONWORLDWIDEASIAPACIFICHEADOFSALES

Hilton Worldwide AsiaPacificheadofsales,DominicSherrysaidthebrandissettomorethandoubleitscurrentpresenceinAsiaPacificinthenextfewyears,withcurrently104operatinghotelsin18markets.

“Drivenbytheirsizeablepopulationsandagrowingmiddleclass,marketssuchasChina,IndiaandSoutheastAsiapresentimmensegrowthpotentialespeciallyforthesixofour10award-winningbrandswithwhichwewishtogrowthfurtherintheregion,namelyWaldorfAstoria,Conrad,Hilton,DoubleTreebyHilton,HiltonGardenInnandHamptonbyHilton,”hesaid.

ThefirstWaldorfAstoriapropertyinBeijingcanbeexpectedin2014,andinBangkok,2015.Conradalonewillbeopening11newpropertiesintheregion,withmaidenpropertiesinBangalore,IndiaandManila.Additionally,thenewly-reformedMyanmarcanexpectaneweraoftourismwitha300-roomHiltonYangonscheduledfor2014.

Domestic chains right on pace for growthThailand-based Dusit Internationalhasnamed2013asitsyearofexpansion,announcingamajorjointventureinChinaandanumberofhotelopeningsplanned.

Dusitgroupcurrentlyhasaportfolioof18operatingpropertiesinThailand(12),Philippines,UAE,EgyptandtheMaldivesand10upcomingpropertiesinUAE,China,SaudiArabia,US,India,ThailandandKenya.

Thedecisionbehindtheexpansionwasinparttoensurethelegacyofitsfounder,ChanutPiyaoui,apioneerinThaihospitality,andtotakethebrandtomoreinternationallocations,accordingtoassistantvice-presidentofglobalsales,DorindaChua.

“It’sanexcitingtimeforthebrandasitgrowsinternationally,andthisgrowthworkshandinhandwithourMICEobjectives.WetrywhereverpossibletodevelophotelsandresortsthatcaterfortheMICEmarket,”MsChuasaid.

Kashgar Grand Ballroom in Starwood’s Sheraton Macao Hotel.

Guest Room. Banquet Hall.

Pool.

Lounge with Mosaic.

DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok Exterior.

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DusitplanstolaunchanewDusitMeetingsandEventsbrandlaterthisyearinrecognitionoftheMICEmarket’simportancetothecompany’sbusiness,andasitexperiencesaccelerateddemandespeciallyfromneighbouringcountries.

ITC Hotels,achainpredominantlybasedinIndia,isventuringoutofIndiaforthefirsttime–toSriLanka.ChiefoperatingofficerDipakHaksarattributedthedecisiontoa“growingnumberoftourists,associationbusinessandcorporateinvestments,complementedwiththepoliticalstability”.

ITCHotelsalsohasseveralprojectsinthepipeline,suchastheClassicGolfResortatManesar,Gurgaon,ITChotelKolkataandITCKohinoor,Hyderabad.

“ThegrowingdemandforMICEbusinesscomplementedwiththatofthebusiness,aswellasleisuredemandsinkeymetrocitiesandleisurehubs,haveactedascatalystsinthebuildingofthesehotels,”hesaid.

MICE a reason for expansion?WhileMICEisanimportantsegmentformanyhotels,itisnottheonlyfactortoevaluatethepotentialforexpansion.

Starwood’sMrMaratossaidairlinenetworks,existinginfrastructureandpotentialdevelopmentarealsotakenintoconsideration.

TCC Hotels Group,oneofthelargesthotelownersinThailand,hasaportfolioof46hotelsinthecountryaswellas14in10othermarkets,ofwhichPlazaAtheneeandImperialQueen’sParkinBangkokareprominenthotelsintheMICEmarketwithlargeeventfacilities.InFebruary,TCCsignedamanagementcontractwiththeMarriottInternationalforrenovationandrebrandingofImperialQueensParktoMarriottQueensPark,Bangkok.

TCCHotelsGroup’sseniorexecutivevicepresidentWayneBuckinghamsaidthecompany’sexpansionisbasedonopportunitiestoacquireassetsinkeylocationsattherightprice,withtheMICEmarketalsoplayinganimportantdecidingrole.

“TheMICEmarketisaparamountconsiderationformanyhotelswithlargeroomavailabilityasrevenuefromMICEmakesup20-35percentofthekeyMICEhotels’overalloccupancy.”

Companieshaveinvestedheavilytocreateconsistentbrandportfoliosaroundtheworld,andtheMICEsegmentcannotbeignored.SeniorexecutivesofMICEhotelshavelongrecognisedtheimportanceofacustomisedapproachandsomebrandshaveplacedmoreemphasisontheservicethanothers.

the MiCE market is a paramount consideration for many hotels with large room availability as revenue from MiCE makes up 20-35 per cent of [our] key MiCE hotels’ overall occupancy.”WAYNEBUCKINGHAMTCCHOTELSGROUPSENIOREXECUTIvE,vICE-PRESIDENT

marketing,ChrisBailey,alsobelievesintailor-madesolutionsforMICEclients.Withaportfolioof58deluxeandupscalepropertiesinThailand,China,Indonesia,Mauritius,Maldives,SriLankaandvietnam,itoutperformedotherhotelcompaniesontheStockExchangeofThailandintermsofRevPar(revenueperavailableroom)duetowhathebelievedwasup-sellingandacustomisedapproachforMICE.

“It’sahardworkandittakestimetowinMICEgroups,butit’salucrativebusiness.Itisnotjustaboutroomrevenue,butallotherrevenuesthatcomewithitsuchasF&B,”hecommented.

Fight for talentHotelcompaniesrapidlyexpandingwillneedalargepooloftalenttofillthemyriadpositionsallovertheworld,butindustrystaffshortagesatpresentpaintableakpicture.

MrSherryfromHiltonsaidthebrandiscontinuingtoinvestheavilyinhumancapitalandgrowingthetalentrequiredtomanageexpandedoperations.

“Thismeansthatweneedtoanticipateourfuturehumancapitalneedsandimplementavarietyofcareerdevelopmentinitiativestoattract,trainandretaintalent,”hesaid.

Withcurrentlyover550hotelsintheregionandmorethan250inthepipelineforthenextthreeyears,Accorhasalreadyannounceditisonthehuntfor30,000newemployeesby2016.ThemainrecruitmentdriveswillbelocatedinChina,IndonesiaandIndia,witharangeofpositionsalsoavailableinSingapore,Thailand,JapanandKorea.

“TheprofileswearelookingforaremainlyentrylevelstaffforourFrontOffice,Food&Beverage,KitchenandHousekeepingdepartments,whichconstitutetheheartofourhotels,”seniorvice-presidentofhumanresourcesinAsiaPacific,PatrickOlliviersaid,addingthatAccorisalsorecruitingtalentforthesales,distribution,marketing,financeandHRteams.

Sofitel,Accor’sluxurybrand,hasenjoyedastrongerMICEpositioningwithitsInspiredMeetingsprogramme.

“WesawanincreaseinthenumberofgroupsholdingeventswithinSofitelAsiaPacificinthelastfouryears,withapproximately15percentincreaseingrowthyear-on-year,”SofitelAsiaPacificvice-presidentofsales,marketinganddistribution,StephaneLaguettesaid.

Unlikebrandsthatofferspecificvalue-addsorpricepoints,Sofitelemphasisesona“cousumain”ortailor-madeapproach.

“Ittranslatesintoapermanentapproachtodelivertheunexpectedwithinexperttimingfromprofessionally-trainedambassadors.Withinthebrand,‘cousumain’isaconceptualpartofourdailybriefingandhoteltrainings.Itisanewmentality,adailyexercisewhichisconstantlyimprovedon,”MrLaguettesaid.

Thailand-basedCentaraHotelsandResortsseniorvice-presidentofsalesand

ITC Grand Chola.

Grand staircase, ITC Grand Chola.

Rajendra ballroom in theatre set-up, ITC Grand Chola.

TrENDiNG

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Beanie meetingsMALAYSIATheKualaLumpurConventionCentre(KLCC)hasintroducedanewconceptprovidinganunusualandboldapproachtostimulateideasandproductivity.WithTenOnCallBeanieExperience,anunconventionalandinformalmeetingformatcomprisingbig,comfortableandbrightlycolouredbeanbagsarrangedinacustomisableconfiguration,theout-of-the-boxapproachisaimedatencouragingfurtherinteractionbetweenparticipants.

TheTenOnCallofferingisdesignedformeetinggroupsof15to150paxinanyofKLCC’s10flexiblemeetingrooms.Thepackagealsoincludesfree-flowlifestyleF&Bselectionsfromthein-houseculinaryteam,audio-visualequipment,astandbytechnicianandbuilt-inLCDsignage.StartingfromRM140++(USD$45.00++)perpackage,theKLCCalsoprovidesbeanbagsforrentatRM20++(USD6.43)aday.

T : +603 2333 2828W : www.klccconventioncentre.com/

UndergroUnd renewal

HONG KONGThelaunchofThreeonCanton,adedicateddiningandeventsspacelocatedintheGatewayHotel,markedthehotel’scompleterefurbishmentlastyear.Thethirdfloorofthehotelhasbeenentirelytransformedtocomprisearestaurant,stylishalfrescodiningterrace,fourexclusiveeventvenues,awineroomandacocktailloungeandbar.

Behindthehighly-creativealacartemenu,whichfeaturesamixofAsianand

continentalinfluences,isexecutivechefJasonGreen.ThisculinarymastermindhashadastellarbackgroundworkinginiconichotelsandrestaurantsfromtheBurjAlArabinDubai;Fortnum&MasoninPiccadilly;LondonCapitalClubwithmultiMichelinstarChefJeanChristopheNovelli;andwithGordonRamsay’sveryfirstrestaurantinLondon.ThreeonCantonalsopresentsanarrayofliveculinaryzonesspearheadedbyamulticulturalteamofchefs.

EventorganiserscanmakeuseofitsfourexclusivefunctionroomswithnamessuchasNoire,Turquoise,OcherandFuchsia,orleveragethelargestalfrescodiningareaonCantonRoad.

T : +852 2113 7828 W : www.marcopolohotels.com/en/ index.html

SOuTH KOREACoex,theconventionandexhibitioncentrelocatedinSeoul,istransformingitsexistingundergroundmallintoanenvironmentally-friendlyspaceunderthedirectionofanewInternationalEventsMarketingunit.

CoexMallwillre-openinDecember2014withlargeluxuryindoorandoutdoorspacesaccompaniedbyavarietyofdomesticandglobaloutlets,cafesandeateries,withexhibitionandconventionfacilitiesunaffectedduringthedevelopment.

Havinginternationaleventspreviouslymanagedbytheexistingconventionand

venueteams,thenewCoexInternationalEventsMarketingUnithasbeencreatedtomanageinternationalevents,overseasmarketingandpromotionalefforts.

three on Canton

vENuE upDaTE

54 micenet AsiA

By SIRIMA EAMTAKO

What makes you proud looking back at the last seven years at TCC and what’s on the card?IamproudtohavecompletedthetaskofsettingupthemarketingcommunicationsdepartmentforthehospitalitybusinessunderTCCLandGroup.Priortomyjoiningatthegroup,therewashardlyanycommunicationaboutTCCHotelsGrouporanyindividualhotel,notmentioningthemuch-neededCSRactivities.

Movingforward,ourgoalistoputthenameofTCCHotelsGroupouttothepublicbothdomesticallyandinternationallyastheproviderofthehighesthospitalitystandard.

What’s it like working for one of Thailand’s largest hotel owning companies?Itisnoteasygettingtheattentionandunderstandingallatthesametime,withmanyproperties,differentoperatingproceduresandbackgroundsofgeneralmanagers,aswellasthetargetgroupofeachproperty.

Warmth, sincerity in the recipe

SHELIDA BURANASIRITCC HOTELS MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

Butthatisthechallengeformyteammembersandme.That’sthefunpartofourwork…tocomeupwithasolutiontotacklethechallengeeachday.

What’s a business day like for you?Thereareannualplanstoformulate,brandpresentationsandmarketingcommunicationsstrategiestoproduce,eventactivitiestoimplement,eventproductionstomanage,mediaandpublictoreachoutto–tonamebutafew.

MyresponsibilityistosupportallImperialHotelsandIMMHotelsGroupproperties–totalling22hotels–andtohelpdevelopandimplementcorporatemarketingandcommunicationsstrategy.Soeverydayisbusy,butmanageable.

How important is it to be a team player?Ibelieveingoodplanningandteamwork.Idon’tbelievethatonecandoanythingwithoutthesupportofagoodteam.MyteamandIenjoyworkingtogetherandweareusuallyabletocopewithanychallengesfacedwithinourresponsibilitiesinatimelymanner.

How do you strike a balance between your work and personal life?HisMajestytheKingBhumibolAdulyadej’ssaying,“oneshouldberesponsibleforone’sduty”,inspiresme.Ibelieveindoingourbestwithinourutmostabilityduringworkinghoursandspendingqualitytimewithmyfamilyafter.

Ialsoseethatmyteammembersaren’tdistractedbythevariousaddictivesocialnetworkplatforms,butonlyfocusonworksothatnoneofthemwillhavetostaybehindafterworkinghours.

You are known for being warm and hospitable. In your opinion, how important is it to be hospitable in this business when treating a client or a supplier?Beingprofessionalandmeetingtheinternationalstandardisimportant,butoneshouldneverletanycorporatenormslordoverourinnerspiritualofThainess.

Thaisareknownasfriendly,gentleandhospitable,andsothesequalitiesshouldbethenatureofeveryThaiworkinginahospitalitybusiness.Warmthandsincerityisthekeyinahospitalitybusiness.

Advertising guru turned marketing communications specialist, Shelida Buranasiri heads the marketing communications department for TCC Hotels Group, one of Thailand’s largest hotel owning companies with properties in 11 countries around the globe.

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By KRISTIE THONG

All about the people

EVA KWANTHE MIRA HONG KONGDIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

What spurred your decision to carve a name for yourself in the hospitality sector?WhenIwasyoung,Iwasattractedtotheglamouranddiversityonecouldfindonlyinthehotelindustry.Quitenaturally,myprofessionalpathgravitatedtowardsevents,whereIlearnttheropesoftacklingchallengingplansandexcitingexecutions,andwasconnectedtothemostextraordinarypeople.

Which aspects of your job do you enjoy?Tobeabletoputmyideasandcreativityintoarealpartywithahugesuccess,makingitamemorableexperienceforall.Iamexcitedmanagingeveryevent,becauseeachtimeitisdifferent.Thesatisfactioncomesfromasuccessfulevent,whichishardtodescribewithwords.Wehavehadthepleasureofworkingwithsomeofthefinestpartyplanners,includingcelebritylifestyleguruColinCowie.

What are some challenges faced at work on a regular basis, and how do you work to overcome them?Whenworkingineventsforafive-star

Armed with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Management from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Eva Kwan started her career in the hospitality industry at a grassroot level. Since then, she has risen up the ranks working in major international hotel groups, including Sheraton, Marriott and New World Hotel. Ms Kwan has held the role of director of events and catering at The Mira Hong Kong for the past few years, and as of this June, is in charge of the entire sales and marketing department. As a veteran with over 15 years of experience, she is now responsible for devising strategies for attracting new business, orchestrating events, and attracting MICE organisers through stimulating initiatives steeped in local experiences.

You need the right combination of creativity, flexibility, an attention to detail and cultural sensitivity when working with different clients from all over the world. Most importantly, you need to be passionate about people, as hospitality revolves around people and their needs and expectations.

hotel,meetingdeadlinesisamustandisalsoaconstantchallenge.Werunseveralweddingreceptionsoverasingleweekend,coincidingwithexclusiveproductlaunchesandvIPbanquetsoverlappingwithregionalconferences.Wehandlelast-minuterequestsfromguests,encounterideasthatsimplycannotbeexecutedbutareinsistedupon,andcopewithextensiverequestsconstrainedbybudget.

Mysolution:tosetpriorities,lookforalternatives,andmakeuseofpowerfulpersuasionskills.Aboveall,toalwaysstayontopofthegame,understandcurrentmarkettrends,andanticipateguests’expectations.

In your opinion, what qualities are necessary for a MICE professional working in hospitality?Youneedtherightcombinationofcreativity,flexibility,anattentiontodetailandculturalsensitivitywhenworkingwithdifferentclientsfromallovertheworld.Mostimportantly,youneedtobepassionate,ashospitalityrevolvesaround

peopleandtheirneedsandexpectations.Itisourmissiontonotjustmeetwiththem,buttoconstantlyexceedtheirexpectations.

What advice would you give to women interested in an events-related role at a hotel?Youwillhavetoloveajobwhereroutine,timeschedulesandstandardscanneverbeapplied.Beingabletopredictandcopewithchallengesthatwillariseduringthecycleofdeliveringaneventcansavealotofnerves.Whenaneventgoeslive,thingsmaynotbehappeningexactlyasplanned,butthisiswhereexperiencecomesin.

Apart from work, what do you do to continue growing and learning as an individual?Itravelandreadnovelstobroadenmyhorizon,andtakeupnewsportsthatIhavenevertriedbefore.Asweliveinafast-pacedworld,Ibelievespendingtimewiththeelderlyandlearningabouttheirhistorycanbetrulyinspiring.

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56 micenet AsiA

Whenplanningtheirmeetingsandevents(M&E),asurprisingnumberofcompaniesdonotalwaysconsiderthemostcost-effectivewaytomanagehowtheirdelegateswilltraveltoandfromtheevent.Groupairtravelcanprovideanefficientwayofmanagingtravelcentrallyandpotentiallyoffersignificantcostsavingsthroughnegotiatedrates.Itcanalsoprovideadditionalvisibilityintoattendeewhereaboutsintimesofcrisis.ThefollowingtipscanbetakenintoconsiderationwhendecidingupontheuseofgroupairtravelforM&E.

• Tip1:Considerthecostofairfaresbefore deciding on your destination

Weencourageclientstodrawupadestinationshortlistandcarryoutanairfareanalysisonpotentiallocationsveryearlyintheplanningprocess.Thecostofgettingattendeestoandfromthedestinationshouldbeanintegralfactorwhendecidinguponaparticularvenue.Thisanalysisshouldexaminethecostsofthewholetripincludingairfare,transfertimesandthenumberofchangesneededtoreachthedestination,ensuringthemostefficientuseofbudgetanddelegatetraveltime.

• Tip2:Booktravelcentrally Onceadestinationhasbeenchosen,companiesshouldorganisedelegates’travelarrangementscentrally–

whetherthisbethroughaninternaltravelmanagerorthroughaTravelManagementCompany(TMC)orMeetingsManagementCompany.Itsoundsobvious,butasurprisingnumberofcompaniesstillallowattendeestomaketheirowntravelarrangements.Bookinggrouptravelcentrallycanbeusedtonegotiategrouprateswithairlines-particularlywhenbookingsaremadeasfarinadvanceaspossible.Thelongertheleadtime,thegreaterthechanceofbetterfares.

• Tip3:Negotiate,negotiate,negotiate AccordingtogroupairexpertsinterviewedfortheAmericanExpressMeetings&Events2013GlobalMeetingsForecast,whengiventhechoice,60percentofairlinessaytheyprefertonegotiateaflatratefromasingledestination,overnegotiationsinvolvingbothaflatratefromonedestinationandminiroutedealscombined.Airlinesmayalsobewillingtoincludeminiroutedealsforaspecificconferencerouteorconferencewindowrates(offeredwithinaspecifictimeframeeithersideofaconference)inadditiontotheflatratesintheircontracts.Withinthecontracts,airlineshavesaidtheyareopentonegotiationsregardingnamechangesandextendingstandardticketdeadlinesbutseemtobelessopentonegotiatingotherelements

suchascomplimentaryloungetickets,concessionticketsandreducedcancellationfees.

• Tip4:Considertherolegroupairtravel plays in risk mitigation

Riskmanagementanddutyofcareareincreasinglyapriorityforcompanies.RecentresearchconductedbyAmericanExpressMeetingsandEventslookingintotheriskthatorganisationscanbeexposedtothroughM&Eactivityfound64percentofmeetingplannersdonotcurrentlyhaveamethodtotrackmeetingattendeesduringtimesofcrisis.Bookinggrouptravelcentrallyallowsforgreatervisibilityastowhereandwhenemployeesaretravelling.Thiscanmakeiteasiertoidentifywhomaybeaffectedintimesoftraveldisruption,allowingtravelmanagerstoprioritiseactionregardingimpactedtravellers.Inaddition,someofourclientshavepoliciesinplacerestrictingthenumberofsenioremployeestravellingonthesameflight.Bybookingtravelcentrally,thetravelarrangercanensureriskmanagementpoliciesarefollowedandsenioremployeestravelonseparateflights.

Withallthebenefitsitbrings,webelievegroupairtravelistheoptimumchoiceformostcompanieswhenlookingtomakethemostoutoftheirmeetingsandeventsspend.

Reconsider group air travelAn efficient way to cut costs and also minimise risk - American Express Meetings & Events’ Danielle Puceta feels group air travel is the way to go.

DANIELLE PUCETAAMERICAN EXPRESS MEETINGS & EVENTSDIRECTOR, JAPA

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Organisingmeetingsisbecomingharder.Certainlytherearesomeaspectsthataresimplercourtesyofbettertechnology.However,thechallengesforprofessionalconferenceorganisersareclearlyoutweighingthepositivesbroughtaboutbymodern-dayadvancements.

Thebiggestchallengeisthatofareductionincorporatespendingresultinginreducedattendees.Onceuponatimeacompanymayhavesentthreeormoreemployeestotheannualconferenceintherespectiveareasofspecialisationoftheirbusiness.Apharmaceuticalcompany,forexample,mayhavesenthalfadozenofitsstafftoamedicalmeeting.Today,becauseofapparentbudgetaryrestraints,thatcompanymayonlysendoneortwo.

Andthisiswheretoday’sprofessionalconferenceorganiserormeetingplannermustputontheirmarketinghatinanefforttoboostdelegatenumbers.

Inourroleasconferenceorganiserwenotonlyhavetocreateameetingthatisdynamicandcuttingedgebutmarketittotherightpeopleinanefforttoattractmoredelegatestoattend.Wehavetomarketthemeetingandconvincethemthatleavingtheiroffice–andtheircomputer–andengaginginsomethingthatishightouchratherthanhightechisgoodforthemandtheirorganisation.

Todothatwehavetore-emphasisetheprimarybenefitsofmeetings.Wehavetoconvincethemofthepotential

PCOs must embrace marketingICMS Australasia managing director, Bryan Holliday, says that today’s PCO must be a marketing whiz as well as a creative planner.

BRYAN HOLLIDAYICMS AUSTRALASIAMANAGING DIRECTOR

foralmostmagicalexperiencestooccurattheconference–resultsthatcannoteverbeachievedwithoutthekindofhumaninteractionthatcanbemadeataconference.

Iliketocallthistheserendipityofthemeeting–theabilitytomakedesirablebutalmostaccidentaldiscoveriesthroughgroupdiscussion.

Thepotentialtocreateanddiscoverthroughhumandiscussionandactivitycannotbeunderestimated.Somecompaniesmaysaythattheycangetthesameresultsfromateleconferenceorfromdownloadinginformationfromawebsiteandsharingitamongststaffbutwe,asprofessionalconferenceorganisers,mustcontinuetoarguethattheywillnotreceivethesamebenefitsunlesstheyholdameetingoraconference.

Understandingthatitisincreasinglybecomingtheprofessionalconferenceorganiser’sroletoconvincedelegatestoattendconferencesimpactseverythingwedointhecreationanddeliveryofmeetings.

Wemustdothefollowingasanabsoluteminimum:• Reviewthepreviousconferenceand

determinewhatworkedandwhatdidn’t• Evaluatetheproposedlistofspeakers

andonlyconfirmthosewhoaredeemedtohavethegreatest“pullingpower”forpotentialdelegates

• Selectavenueanddestinationthatisappealingandfunctional

• Setareasonablepricefordelegateattendance,andincludespecialoffersforcompaniesiftheychoosetosendmorethanoneemployee

• Startpromotingtheconferenceasearlyaspossibleandkeeptheconversationgoingatregularintervalswithnewsofthelatestfeatures,specials,confirmedspeakers,etcetera

Thereisnogreatersatisfactionthanrunningaconferencewheredelegateswhomayhaveonceonlybeenassociatesleaveattheendoftheconferenceasfirmfriends–sharingideasandinspiringoneanothertoachievemoreintheirdailyworkinglives.

APCOwhounderstandsthatasmuchefforthastogointothemarketingofaconferenceasintothecreationoftheeventitselfwillgoalongwaytoretainingexistingclientsandbuildingnewonesforyearstocome.

Bryan Holliday is the managing director of ICMS Australasia, one of Australia’s largest professional conference organising companies. Mr Holliday and his team have organised some of the largest association congresses in the world and are also involved in meetings management for the corporate and government sectors throughout the Asia Pacific region. He can be contacted via email on [email protected].

OpiNiON

58 micenet AsiA

The uptake of telecommuting in Asia is still relative rare despite being widely practised in other parts of the world. Why do you think that is the case? Asiahasbeenslowerinadoptingtelecommutingorwork-from-homepracticesbecausetheregionstillholdsamoretraditionalviewtoemployment,whereworkisassociatedwithbeingphysicallyinanoffice.Ithinkwe’veallheardorseenemployeeswaitingforthebosstoleavetheofficebeforeleavingthemselves,regardlessofproductivity.

AnotherreasoncouldbethefactthatthedistancebetweenhomesandofficesinAsiaisgenerallyshortercomparedtocountriessuchastheUSandAustralia,andpublictransportisalsomoreconvenient.

What are some benefits of telecommuting?Employeestodayareconstantlyseekingwork-lifebalance,aflexibleworkenvironmentandaremoreinterestedinmakingtheirjobaccommodatefamilyandpersonallives.Toanorganisation,telecommutingcanbeagreatrecruitmentandretentionstrategy.

Ifimplementedcorrectly,telecommutinghasactuallybeenproventoincreaseproductivity.Employeessavetimespentontravellingtoandfromworkbyutilisingtheirfullpotentialtobringtheirbesteffortstothecompany.Moreover,

interruptionsoccurconstantlyinanormalofficeenvironment,whichcanbeeliminatedbyworkingfromhome.

Therearealsoobviouscostsbenefitstoanorganisationbecausetelecommutingcanreduceofficespaceandotherassociatedexpensesinvolvedwhenhousingafullteamundertheoneroof.Lastly,andmanymaynotrealise,butthereisalsotheenvironmentalfactor,withtheaddedbenefitofreducingourcarbonfootprintbyhavinglesspeopleontheroadtravellingtoandfromoffices.

As a manager looking to implement a system of telecommuting, one of my concerns is the loss of productivity. What are some things I can do to ensure this doesn’t happen?Tobeginwith,youmustgetyourstructureright.Evaluateyourexistingobjectivestoensuretheyaremeasurableandquantifiable;setexpectationsclearly,andbepreparedtochangeyourexpectationsinordertobestmeasureproductivityfortelecommuters.Managersmayalsoneedtochangetheirmindsetandfocusonevaluatingresultsratherthanactivities.

Maintainingcommunicationwithtelecommutersandprovidingregularfeedbackonperformanceisthekeytosuccess.Alsomakesureyoukeeptelecommutersinformedofcompanyeventsandmilestones,andencourage

Out of the boxCompanies mulling over a telecommuting structure for employees will need to look into setting clear expectations and maintaining communication.

ANDREW CHANACIHRSOLUTIONSCEO

co-workerstokeeptelecommuters“intheloop”onformalandinformalworkeventssothattheyarekeptengagedanddonotfeelleftout.

As an employee, what are some things I should take note of when I work from home?Timemanagementanddisciplineisfundamentaltosuccess.Oneofthemainproblemswithworkingfromhomeisthathomeandworkwillmergeandthere’slittledistinctiontoseparatethetwo.Makesureyouhaveapre-workritual—youmighttakeashower,dressforwork,eatbreakfast,andplanyourday,forexample.Butthemainobjectiveistogiveyourselfasignthatyou’restartingworkandleavinghomebehind.Setatimetostartandendwork.Howeveryoustructureit,alwaysensureyoufixatimetostopworking.Otherwise,you’llworkwaylongerthanyouwouldattheoffice,becausethere’snohometogoto.

Ifthereiscompanyathome,you’llwanttofindaquietplacetoworkandeliminatedistractions.Youcan’tgetstuffdonewiththetelevisionplayinginthebackgroundorchildrenscreaming.Ifpossible,workfromaseparateroomawayfromthefamilyarea.Alsoensurethatyourtechnologyisup-to-date,suchashigh-speedinternetandclearphonesignals,justlikeitwouldbeinanoffice.

CarEEr STraTEGiES

micenet AsiA 59

CarEEr STraTEGiES

AsIlookbackatmycareerintheeventsindustry,theimagethatcomestomindisasetofconcentriccircleswithmeatthecore.Mycareerbeginsinthesmallestofcircles,startingwiththecityBrisbane;thecirclethenexpandstoabigger,national,circle,furtherexpandingtoencompassNewZealandandthePacific,followedbythenext,largercirclewhichistheinternationalplatform,wherecross-border,cross-culturaleventsarethenorm.

WhathappensnextisnotwhatIhadeverexpected.Andno,thenextcircleisnottheuniverse(thoughtheremaybesomeintheindustrywhoarevyingforthisposition),itisprobablywhatyouwouldleastexpect–thecorporateworld.Forme,Corporateisthelargestcircle,encompassingasitdoeseachoftheothersandexistingonlybecauseofitsrelationtothem.Yes,IamresponsiblefortheAsiaPacificregion,buteventsforourvariousstakeholdersmaytakeplaceinLondonorAzerbaijanforexample,andmymostinvaluabletoolsaretheknowledgeandinsightsgainedthroughmyhands-onexperience,travelsandmultipleyearsintheindustry.

Aftermanyyearsworkingontheagencyside,IjoinedBarclaysin2008andamnowtheregionalheadofeventmarketing,AsiaPacific.Ihavegainedgreatinsightthroughworkingin-house–insightintoabrand,marketing,marketpenetrationthroughevents,sponsorshipsandtheexperienceofmanagingeventsacross12uniqueandculturallydistinctcountriesacrosstheregion.Thenuancesofworkingforalarge,complexanddiverseglobalcorporateorganisationhavebeenaninvaluablegift.

Is the grass greener? Manyofuswhohaveworkedontheagencysideaspiretoworkforalargecorporate.Bothagencyandcorporatehavetheirpositiveattributes.

WhenIthinkofAgency,adrenalin,diversityandhands-onarereallythewordsthatsumuptheexperienceforme.Thefastpaceandshortleadtimescreateadynamicenergyoffwhichyoufeed,givingyouarushthatcanbecomeaddictive.CreatingexperiencesforalargeMNCgivesyouexposuretoabreadthofbrands,

Making the move – agency to corporateHaving been on both ends of the events spectrum, Barclays’ Damion Breust lays it out for anyone thinking of making a switch to the client-side.

DAMION BREUSTBARCLAYSDIRECTOROFEvENTMARKETING,ASIAPACIFIC

philosophiesandworkingstyleswhichflavouryoureverydayworklife.Agencyisalsoacaseof‘hands-on’forall.Yourdevelopmentisreallyon-the-jobtrainingandexperienceisthebestteacher.

Strategic,brandinsightandprofessionaldevelopment:thesearewhatworkingin-houserepresentforme.Incontrasttoamacrolens,everythingincorporateisabouthoningin,focusingonthedetail,refininganddeveloping.It’sverymuchacaseofOnevision,OneStrategy.It’sashiftoffocus,definitely,butthereisanimmensesenseofachievementwhenyougrowalongsidethebrandyouarenurturing.Workingwithonebrandallowsforadeeperunderstandingofabrand,itsvaluesandphilosophiesandinourcase,howthesevaluesandphilosophiesaremanifestedandbroughttolifethroughevents.Incontrasttoagency,corporateaffordsyouexcellentmanagementandleadershiptraining.

Things to think about Ifyouarekeenonmovingovertocorporate,beginbyanalysingyourcurrentsituationandseekoutamentorwhoiscurrentlyworkingforalargecorporatetohelpguideyou.It’sdefinitelyworthhavingachattoex-colleagues,friendsofcolleaguesorindustrycontactswhohavemadethemove.

in contrast to a macro lens, everything in corporate is about honing in, focusing on the detail, refining and developing.”

60 micenet AsiA

Sustain a winning cultureManagers can draw lessons on cultivating a much-desired workplace culture from professional sports teams and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay of the 1953 Mount Everest expedition.

DAVID LIMCERTIFIEDSPEAKINGPROFESSIONALFORMICENETASIA

hOW TO

AglobalpolllastyearsurveyingC-suiteexecutives,vice-presidentsandofficeprofessionalsrevealednegotiation,expectationandperformancemanagement,creatingawinningworkculture,winningbuy-inandstrategyimplementationaswhatprofessionalsbelievedwerethefivemostunder-ratedleadershipskills.

“Creatingawinningworkculture”resonatedmostwithrespondents,similartothesamesurveyconductedin2011.

ThesearethethreekeyreasonswhyIfeelawinningculturecandriveworkplaceresults:1. Culturedrivesbehaviour2. It’sfree3. Youdon’thavetopoliceaculture

Tocreateone,managersneedtofirstassessthepresentculturetodeterminehowfaritisfromthedesiredstate,identifyculture“champions”whowoulddrivethedesiredculturethroughtheiractionsandbehaviour,andlastly,celebratesuccessestofurtherencourageawinningattitude.

IfyouhavebeencatchingtheOlympicsorotherprofessionalteamevents,you’llnoticehowteammanagersofteninsertakeyculturechampionfromthestartorduringkeymoments.IntheMICEindustry,aseniorconciergestaff,projectmanager

orthemeetingplannermaywellbethatperson.

OneofthememorablestorieslinkedtothefamousexpeditiongrouptosuccessfullyscaleMountEverestin1953revolvesroundtheinfluenceofTenzingNorgayhadonhisteamofDarjeelingsherpas.SherpaTenzing,themostexperiencedmountaineerintheexpedition,waswidelyseenastheleaderandakeymemberoftheteamthateventuallyconqueredthemountain.Atthestartoftheexpedition,histeamofpaid,semi-skilledlocalhigh-altitudeporterswereslightedinKathmandubytheBritishHighCommissioner,whomadetheteamofsherpasmadedointhestables,whiletheBritishCommonwealthmemberswerehousedinthemoresalubriousdiplomaticquarters.

Toshowtheirdispleasure,thesherpaslinedupagainstawallandemptiedtheirbladdersinfullviewoftherest.ExpeditionleaderJohnHuntneverforgotthislet-down,andworkedhardaftertoforgeamoreunitedteam.Inanefforttodisplaymutualtrust,healsomadeSherpaTenzingafullandequalmemberoftheteam.

Thereafter,thesecretinsustainingtheculturewehavebeencultivatingisforustokeepdoingwhatwearegoodat.Timehasshownthatwhenevercompanies

trytoexpandtheirbrandsorbuyintoabusinesstheydon’ttrulyunderstand,hugeuncalculatedrisksareoftentaken,leadingtofailure.Bydoingwhatteamsaregoodat,theywillhavetheconfidencetoknowwhattheyneedtosecurethenextbigcontract,andalsopickthemselvesupafterasetback.

Sustainingawinningcultureinvolvesengagingwithyourculturechampions,andacknowledgingtheircontributions.You’llalsonoticethatthishasbeenwidelyrecognisedasakeyperformancemotivatorinyoungerworkers,orGenY.

Sustainingwinsoverthelongrunalsodemandsahighleveloflistening.Bylisteningintently,you’llbeabletonotonlyengagechampionsandtherestoftheteam,butalsocalibrateyourleadershipstyleandpace.

Afterall,DougLarsononcesaid:Wisdomistherewardyougetforalifetimeoflisteningwhenyou’dhavepreferredtotalk.

David Lim is an Everest expedition leader, author and keynote speaker on leadership and motivation; and has delivered presentations in 25 countries and 47 cities since 1999. [email protected]

micenet AsiA 61

pEOplE

AuSTRALIAInresponsetotheincreasingnumberofconferencesundermanagement,ICMSAustralasiastrengthenstheteambyappointingMelissaLawlorasaneweventmanagerintheSydneyoffice.AfterworkingforasuccessfulPCO,MsLawlormovedtoIrelandtojoinAmnestyInternationalasamajorgivingandlegacyofficerbeforereturningtoAustraliaearlierthisyear.

meLissa LaWLorEvENTMANAGERICMSAUSTRALASIA

SINGAPORE PaulChongjoinsCarnivalAsiaasitsnewvicepresident,businessdevelopment.HeisprimarilyresponsibleforCarnivalAsia’sstrategicprioritiesingovernmentrelations;portinfrastructureanddestinationdevelopment;andportoperationsandguestservices.MrChongbringsnearly13yearsofexperiencewiththeSingapore-listed,luxuryhotelandresortgroup,BanyanTreeHoldingsLimited,wherehewasresponsibleforthegroup’sglobalbusinessdevelopmenteffortsandalsoservedasthegroup’sgeneralcounsel.

PauL ChongvICE-PRESIDENT,BUSINESSDEvELOPMENTCARNIvALASIA

SINGAPORE DavidDonaldhasassumedthepositionofgeneralmanageratPARKROYALonBeachRoadinSingaporeafterasuccessfultenureasgeneralmanagerofPARKROYALParramatta.Havingspentmostofhis20-yearhospitalitycareeracrossAustraliaandNewZealandworkingintheareasofoperations,roomsdivisionandrevenueaswellasmanagingbusinesshotels,MrDonaldbringswithhimafreshmanagementperspectivetohisfirstappointmentinAsiatodriveanewphaseofgrowthatthehotel.

daVid donaLdGENERALMANAGERPARKROYALONBEACHROAD,SINGAPORE

HONG KONGBobvandenOordhasbeenappointedmanagingdirectorofTheLangham,HongKonginadditiontohisroleasvice-presidentofbrandsforLanghamHospitalityGroup.Dutch-born,MrvandenOordhasenjoyedatrackrecordinseniorhotelmanagementpositionsforluxuryhotelsintheUK,France,HongKongandUnitedStates.AsmanagingdirectorofTheLangham,HongKong,MrvandenOordreplacesMrDuncanPalmerwhohasresumedtheroleofmanagingdirectorofTheLangham,London.

BoB Van den oordMANAGINGDIRECTORTHELANGHAM,HONGKONG

SINGAPORE SwissotelMerchantCourthasappointedJessicaLohasthenewdirectorofsales,bringingwithherover10yearsofexperienceinsalesmanagement.MsLohbeganhercareerwithGrandCopthorneWaterfront,Singaporein1999beforemovingontoseveralmanagerialpositionsinthehospitalityindustry.PriortojoiningSwissotelMerchantCourt,MsLohheldthepositionofassistantmanagerofsecurity,projectsandplanningatKPMGServicesPteLtdwheresheassumeddifferentlevelsofresponsibilitiessuchasimprovingcorebusinessprocessesandimplementingeffectivecourseofactionstomaintainahighperformanceworkingenvironment.

JessiCa LohDIRECTOROFSALESSWISSOTELMERCHANTCOURT

MALAYSIA LeMeridienKotaKinabaluhasannouncedtheappointmentofitsnewgeneralmanager,FionaHagan,whoisspearheadingthehotel’sstrategicplanning,overallfinancialperformanceandoperations.AnAustraliannative,MsHaganobtainedaDiplomainHospitalityManagementfromthePanPacificHotels&ResortsandstudiedEconomicsattheUniversityofNewEngland,ArmidaleinNewSouthWales,Australia.MsHaganisthefirstladygeneralmanagerinSabahandthesecondladytobeappointedgeneralmanagerwithinStarwoodHotels&ResortsMalaysia.

Fiona haganGENERALMANAGERLEMERIDIENKOTAKINABALU

THAILAND RegentPhuketCapePanwahasappointedKomsonSevatasaiasthenewdirectorofsalesandmarketing.MrSevatasaijoinsRegentwithalmost30yearsofhospitalityexperienceinseniormanagement,salesandmarketingpositionswithexpertiseinbothsalesandmarketingandbusinessdevelopment.MrSevatasaigraduatedfromOklahomaCityUniversity,UnitedStates,whereheearnedaMasterDegreeintheLiberalArts–MassCommunications.

Komson seVatasaiDIRECTOROFSALESANDMARKETINGREGENTPHUKETCAPEPANWA

JAPANChefStephaneFoucherhasarrivedinGrandHyattTokyoasitsnewexecutivechef.FromFrance,chefStephanestartedasanapprenticeatLaRenaissance,arenownedrestaurantinhishometown,vire,intheCalvadosregionofFrancein1985.Afterreceivinghischef’sdiplomaandcompletinghismilitaryservice,hemovedtoSwitzerlandwhereheworkedatRestaurantduCreux-de-Genthod,aseafoodrestaurantnearLakeGeneva.AsthenewculinaryleaderatGrandHyattTokyo,ChefStephanewilloverseethehotel’sportfolioof10dynamicrestaurantsandbars.

stePhane FouCherEXECUTIvECHEFGRANDHYATTTOKYO

62 micenet AsiA

After a staff conference this June, micenet ASIA’s feisty account executives took some time off to explore a different side of the metropolitan city.By gina sin

We’vereadaboutallthetravellingdoneinthebusinesseventssector,andespeciallyadmirethoseinourgenerationwhocouldtravelfrequently–beitforworkorincentivetrips.HenceCharlineandI,alongwiththerestofthemicenetASIAteam,couldn’thavebeenmorethrilledatthenewsofa

headedtotheFlatRocksforastunningviewoftheBlueMountains,whichprovidedgoodphoto-takingmoments.Wealsogottoseetheworld-famousThreeSistersandstealaviewofAustralia’sGrandCanyonfromEchoPoint.StoppingbyScenicworldfortheScenicRailway,SkywayandSceniScender–theworld’ssteepestinclinerailway–wemanagedtocatchaglimpseoftheKatoombafalls,aswellasmeanderedthroughapicturesquerainforest.Weendedafull-daytourwith

staffconferenceandteam-buildingsessioninSydney.Forsomeofus,itwasthefirsttimeexperiencingwinter,andalsoafirstinSydney.Herearesomeoftheplaceswemanagedtovisitaftertheconference:

Blue MountainsWehadabrieftouroftheSydney2000OlympicssitebeforeheadingtoFeatherdaleWildlifeParkonaminicoach,finallygettingupclosewithkoalas,kangaroos,andothernativeanimals.We

A BREATH of SYDNEY

micenet AsiA 63

CurTaiN Call

acruiseridebacktothecityalongtheParramattaRiver,passingtheSydneyOperaHouseandundertheSydneyHarbourBridge.

Fish MarketForseafoodlovers,oneofthebestplacestohavelunchisattheFishMarketonPyrmontBridgeRd.Despitetheoverpoweringsmelloffishwhenwefirstarrived,allwasforgottenoncewesawthehugeselectionandworkedupanappetite.

Fromoystersandlobsterstosalmonsashimi,thefreshnessofallseafoodpresentwaswortheverypenny.

Bondi BeachAmeccaforthosewhovalueatruework-lifebalance,localsandvisitorsalikewerefoundatBondiBeachearlyinthemorningwhenwewerethere.Peoplewereseenhittingthewaves,stretchinginvariousyogapositions,orreadinginoneofthemanycafesalongtheshore.Itisagreat

placetorelax,recollectandreorganisethoughtsinthewarmthofthesunlightandsoundsofthesoothingwavesbreakingoverrocks–whichiswhat“Bondi”actuallymeansinAboriginallanguage.

Port StephensThistimeonalargercoach,weheadedtothefamoushands-onzoo–theAustralianReptilePark–wherewecarriedsomeanimalsandalsohand-fedtheadorablekangaroos.Welaterhadlunchonacruise,beforeheadingouttochasethedolphins–itwasanelectrifyingexperience.Eventhoughthetorrentialrainswerejuststartingtowardstheendoftheday,wewentforsomeexhilaratingsandboardingonthedunesofPortStephens.

64 micenet AsiA

2013年 8月至9月双月刊

聚焦

目录

封面：巴厘岛日航酒店

欲知更多详情，请浏览网址:www.micenet.asia

micenet 亚洲很荣幸成为以下机构的成员:

我们有引领者吗？转眼间，我在micenet亚洲当编辑已过了六个月。虽然与其他多年报道亚太地区会展动向的同行相比，我这六个月的经验可说微乎其微，但是这短暂的经历却开拓了我的视野，让我对会展业有更深一层的认识。

最近，我有机会与几名在新加坡任职多年的MICE专业人士谈起有关新加坡会展业发展的问题，我问他们在过去几年里，本地的会展业有哪些变化，而新加坡作为一个弹丸小岛，又如何摇身一变成为亚洲第一会议目的地城市？我所得到的答案竟然出乎我的意料，近乎让我惊讶。这几位行业专才的诚实回应是，这个被誉为第一会议目的地的城市多年来几乎没有达到成熟的阶段，发展极其缓慢。听了这一番话后，我不禁有一种挫折感甚至感到悲观。

最令我深省的是一句来自新加坡会议展览协会营销传播总监Yeow Mei Sin的话，她说：“很长的一段时间，我认为新加坡应该有六星级的设施，然后才努力在世界舞台上竞争，可是后来我发现我们缺乏的其实是软件的支持。”

或许你会觉得这番话太直接，可是新加坡会展领域缺乏创意和专业人才已引起业内的关注。

在今年由新加坡会议展览协会主办的的“新加坡MICE论坛”上，与会者和多位嘉宾一起讨论诸如创意、如何以服务取胜和危机管理等课题。此外，这个论坛也为MICE市场的特定环节做了研究分析。

专业人才缺乏的问题与教育和Y世代息息相关。新加坡会议展览协会为550名大专学府的学生主办了第一次的“开放日”。学生们可以借此机会与新加坡杰出的MICE专业人才交流和学习。

作为一个成熟的亚洲MICE市场，新加坡必须面对其他亚洲国家的激烈竞争。因此改变是必要的。不只新加坡，其他成熟或新兴的亚洲市场也必须作出调整，才能确保在会展业上争得一席之地。

一位经验丰富的MICE前辈曾告诉我，会展业需要“引领者”。这些引领者是业内眼光独到，并具有韧劲的领导。他们有时或许会自以为是、有时会骄傲自大或过于自信，可是我们正需要具有这些特征的人来推动一个停滞不前的市场。

取得成功的成熟市场，往往不愿或无法钻出官僚的樊笼。此时我们需要的是几个具有破釜沉舟决心的“引领者”，以他们激进的思想打破现状，为会展业注入新动力。

这些话听起来有如陈词滥调，可是变化却是唯一的不变。

唐艳敏编辑

63 micenet 活动: 香港活动管理存在的问题64 封面故事：巴厘岛日航酒店巴厘岛日航度假村酒店更换酒店名称、增

建19间豪华别墅，以及一个多功能厅标志

着一个崭新的开始。

65 泰国: 魅力无限的普吉岛66-67 强劲的增长势头在国际与国内酒店集团积极拓展其业务以

应付会展需求的同时，品牌的一致性、提

供独特的产品以及人才短缺等问题却成为

绊脚石。

68 谈职业规划：从中介服务公司转向企业

micenet AsiA 65

今年六月，micenet亚洲与香港美丽华

酒店携手合作，在美丽华酒店高档中式

餐厅－－国金轩举办了一场晚宴暨论

坛。这个亲密的晚宴专为七名以香港为

基地的活动策划专业人士而设，他们分

别来自Imagination、 cievents、 Jenny

Lie 活动管理和 Pico等活动管理公司。这

七名活动管理专才有机会品尝星级食府

国金轩的精致美食如辣椒酱酒煎扇贝、

孜然烤羊排、竹笙烧黑木耳和芦笋、北

海道牛奶与荔枝浓汤等。美丽华酒店销

售及市场营销总监, Eva Kwan、会奖旅

游高级销售经理Alice Mui以及销售经理

Denise Chiang也是席上嘉宾。

透明度和信任是此次晚宴论坛所讨

论的重要议题之一。许多人认为香港的

会展业缺乏透明度，而与会者都一致认

为，在会展业中透明度却是至关重要

的。因为彼此透明，各方之间才有信

任，从而才能增加凝聚力。

MiCENET活动

“因此，这种透明度将创造出一种

活动管理公司及他们的供应商在筹划活

动时所需要的忠诚度和诚实性。出现问

题时，一定要坦承不讳，并且设法寻找

解决的方法。当然，若能与人讨论问题

并分享此经验，那将是一件好事。”

Jenny Lie进一步强调。

至于有关服务交付的问题，在场的各

位专业人才都认为活动管理公司、场地

以及供应商三方应展开更紧密的合共，

并在处理与客户有关的事情方面做到更

加透明。这是因为大家都有一个共同的

目标，那就是竭力为客户提供所需的协

助，并为客户的活动创造附加价值。

micenet亚洲副总裁关有成在为此论

坛做总结时说道：“活动管理公司和场

地必须知道他们都是在为终端客户提供

服务，因此有效和频密的沟通才能向客

户保证，他们将为客户筹划一项成功的

活动。”

香港美丽华酒店.

国金轩中餐厅.

Jenny Lie 活动管理公司总经理

说：“在筹划一项活动时，我们需要联

系各方，从特约职员、业务伙伴、供

应商到场地等，若大家都能保持一定的

透明度，那么各方就能够清楚地知道某

些事情发生，或为什需要做某些事的原

因。”

除了透明度和信任外，“不愿寻找新

供应商”也是与会者提出的其中一个议

题。由于曾有过生意上的往来，许多供

应商对活动管理公司或客户的需求已了

如指掌，再加上良好的声誉，因此人们

都不太愿意寻找新供应商。

其中一名与会者则认为供应商坦

白承认错误是极其重要的，因为当你

犯下错误又试图推诿或寻找借口时，

诚信二字将荡然无存。如果供应商连

承认错误并设法加以弥补的意图都没

有，那么我们将如何确保问题不会再

出现？

香港活动管理存在的问题一场在香港举行的圆桌论坛揭示了活动管理中透明度以及服务交付的问题。

香港活动管理存在的问题一场在香港举行的圆桌论坛揭示了活动管理中透明度以及服务交付的问题。

66 micenet AsiA

巴厘岛的Grand Nikko是一家5星级豪华

度假村酒店，其舒适宽敞的客房、顶尖

的设施以及优质的服务使它成为日航酒

店国际集团旗下第一家以“grand”命

名的酒店。在七月中旬举行的盛大晚宴

暨记者招待会上，日航酒店集团（JAL

Hotels Co. Ltd）首席执行官Marcel P.

Van Aelst告诉在场的出席嘉宾，酒店更

名是为了加强酒店的五星级评级。而增

设多功能厅是为了进一步加强该酒店对

提供完善、齐备会展设施的承诺。

根据巴厘岛日航酒店总经理Jean-

Charles Le Coz：自2006年起，该酒店

集团已分别斥资1000万美重新整修酒

店，以及1200万美元建造别墅和多功

能厅。

其19间结合了传统建筑特色与现代

美感的豪华独栋别墅，每一间都宽敞舒

适，面积至少300平方米，而且设施配

备齐全，是活动策划者与贵宾代表的最

佳选择。客房拥有绿松石色调的雅致装

饰，而且以精细独到的设计和构造促进

环境的可持续发展，内置的感应系统在

房客离开房间时将自动关闭空调。

新增的多功能厅是为了应付日益增

加的会展需求。目前设有500个座位的

Graha Sawangan宴会厅已满足不了活动

的要求，而这个1100平方米、具有无敌

海景的崭新多功能厅可容纳760至1000

人，无论您要举办一场剧场式的活动抑

或宴会式的庆典，酒店都能适应您的需

求。此外，酒店内还设有两个50平方

米的会议厅和两个活动准备室。日航酒

店齐备的设施是任何想要举办会议的企

业的首选。会议结束后，无需到另一个

远处的场地，可直接在多功能厅举行晚

宴，不但省时省事，而且还可以避免交

通阻塞所带来的问题。

这一次的记者招待会还包括了场地视

察以及一场在新建的多动能厅举行的晚

宴。共有450名宾客和媒体代表出席了

宴会，并共睹了多功能厅的顶尖设备。

拉开晚宴序幕的是现场乐队的轻快音乐

表演，以及精致的餐前饮品和小吃，随

后宾客们便步入装饰简约典雅的多功能

厅。大家都在丰盛的五道菜套餐以及精

彩的传统表演中度过了一个愉快的夜

晚，丝毫没有太多的拘泥形式。

在晚宴即将结束之时，舞台上的背景

突然掀开，呈现在宾客眼前的是特别为

当晚宴会而编的凯卡克猴舞表演（kecak

dance：一种结合传统巴厘舞蹈和音乐

的表演）。这场表演的灵感取之日航酒

店标志从蓝色变成金色。最后的压轴好

戏是一场精彩的空中舞蹈表演--充分显

示了多功能厅的天花板高度。正当大家

的目光被舞者轻盈优美的舞姿所吸引住

时，多功能厅的内置窗帘以及玻璃面板

徐徐移动，将在场的宾客与厅外的优美

景致融为一体。

我们无法不赞同Le Coz先生所说

的：“日航酒店是一家注入了日本文

化，但拥有巴厘式卓越服务精神的酒

店。” 事实证明，日航酒店通过“敞开

心扉，知您心意”的日航风格，令所有

的客人感受到“值得信赖，永远领先”

的品牌理念。

重新定名巴厘岛日航度假村酒店更换酒店名称、增建19间豪华别墅，以及一个多功能厅标志着一个崭新的开始。

66 micenet AsiA

封面故事

micenet AsiA 67

普吉岛和泰国会议展览局（TCEB）正

在努力打造普吉岛，使之成为泰国西南

海岸地区的会展枢纽。作为计划的一部

分，普吉岛受到力捧，在基础设施建设

方面获得充分的改善，这包括一个较大

的机场、更广泛的航空和公路网络，以

及在不久的将来增添5000个酒店客房等

一系列的旅游设施。

去年，普吉岛举办了788项会展活

动，并创造了48.2亿泰铢（约1550万美

元）的收入，仅次于首都曼谷。其中国

际会展活动贡献了47.2亿泰铢，共迎来

了59066人次的国外会展游客。

尽管经过近二十年的规划，泰国

政府决定放弃会展中心的计划。可

是，micenet亚洲获悉，至少有两家泰国

私营企业正在设计蓝图，计划在巴东海

滩附近建造会展场馆。如果一切如计划

般进展，其中一个场馆将由IMPACT展览

管理公司管理。

普吉岛卡伦海滩瑞享度假村及水

疗中心（Mövenpick Resort and Spa

Karon Beach Phuket）总经理Hansruedi

Frutiger说：“我觉得没有必要在普吉岛

建造一个大型的会展中心，因为我们目

前的设施足以应付大型会展。”

Hansruedi Frutiger进一步表示：“当

某个会展团队过于庞大时，普吉岛卡伦海

滩瑞享度假村及水疗中心与普吉岛希尔顿

阿卡迪亚度假村、普吉岛艾美海滩度假酒

店以及森塔拉海滩度假村将共同为旅客提

供客房。乐古浪地区也有类似的做法，所

有的酒店都会根据会展组织者的需求，为

他们提供不同类型的客房。”

上述的四家酒店都在卡伦海滩，彼

此间的距离很近，而且从机场到酒店也

只需1个小时的车程。四家酒店共提供了

1644间客房。每一家酒店均设有数间会

议厅，以及一间可容纳780至1200人的

宴会厅。

魅力无限的普吉岛来自休闲及大型会展团队的需求促使决策者和泰国私营企业加强了迷人海滩周遭的基础设施，以及拓宽了其发展空间。编纂：sirima eamtaKo

坐落在班陶海滩的普吉岛乐古浪度假

区（Laguna Phuket）是另一处绝佳的

商务会奖旅游目的地。从普吉岛国际机

场出发只需20分钟的车程便可抵达。这

个综合旅游胜地拥有九座豪华度假村酒

店，提供超过1300间客房及别墅、24间

会议室以及一个占地1000平方米的天幕

式风格建筑“Latitude超级大华盖”。这

里的空调等设施都是完全独立的，可以

灵活安排成容纳1000名宾客的剧院式活

动场地，或者是容纳800名宾客的鸡尾

酒会场。

2012年的4月至5月，安利（中国）

在乐古浪度假区举办了为期一个月的「

安利中国领导人峰会」。共有超过1万

5千名代表参与此次盛事，为普吉岛有史

以来规模最大的企业聚会。峰会汇集了

乐古浪度假区所有酒店的设施和资源，

为此盛会举办了各种活动，包括每晚举

行的大型“中国之夜”晚宴，每场都聚

集了约600-900名代表。在这期间，度

假区的其他酒店和活动区照常开放为其

他游客服务。

大型商务奖励旅游团体如安利（中

国）、如新（NU Skin）和欧洲康宝莱

（Herbalife Europe）一般会选择在乐古

浪度假区举办其商务会奖活动，若是规

模较小的商务活动，卡伦海滩瑞享度假

村及水疗中心却是一个理想的场地。这

里在任何一个时候都可容纳多达350位

客人。亚太地区能源和环境大会和宝马

（BMW）会议都在这里举行。

卡伦和乐古浪度假区较受大型商务奖

励旅游团体的欢迎主要是因为这两个地区

的会展设施齐备，而且同星级的酒店可提

供足够的客房，足以接待大量参会人员。

值得一提的是，一旦会展场馆建设的计划

得以落实，已经拥有大量酒店客房的巴东

海滩将是另一个大型商务奖励旅游团体在

普吉岛举办活动的重要地点。

普吉岛乐古浪目的地营销助理副总

裁Debbie Dionysius提醒大家：旺季期

间，大部分的酒店客房将被休闲旅客预

订，因此在这期间为大型会展参会人员

提供足够的客房是一项具有挑战性的

任务。

Debbie Dionysius 表示“这也是为什

么至今普吉岛还未建造会展中心的其中

一个原因。但就因为没有会展中心，拥

有齐备会展设施及资源充足的酒店及度

假村如普吉岛乐古浪，才能够争取到这

样的生意机会。” Debbie Dionysius也

告诉大家，三月至十二月中旬是在乐古

浪举办会展的最佳时期。

普吉岛主要还是个休闲目的地，旅客

大多来自欧洲、斯堪的纳维亚、英国和

俄罗斯。这些游客大部分是在

10月至3月的冬天到访。因此4月至9月份

是举办大型会展的理想时期。

休闲和会展业的高需求致使普吉岛的

航运交通十分便捷，国际直航航班和包

机航班也越来越多。在过去几年，普吉

岛机场每年的载客量为600万人次，去年

则飙升至950万人次。当耗资58亿泰铢

扩建机场的工程在2015年完成后，这个

繁忙的机场每年将足以应付乘客量高达

1250万人次。

普吉国际机场目前通航的航空公司已

达46家，航线覆盖亚洲、大洋洲、欧洲

以及由阿联酋和卡塔尔航班连接至的中

东地区。泰国微笑航空也在今年四月推

出了前往孟买的直线航班，有了便捷的

交通，将有越来越多的印度游客前往普

吉岛旅游和举办婚礼，而且将吸引更多

企业到普吉岛举办会展。普吉岛的旅游

与会展业地位将进一步获得提升。

根据旅游咨询和研究公司C9

Hotelworks的数据，去年普吉岛的平均

酒店入住率达到76％，平均增长率为

142美元。

普吉岛乐古浪悦椿度假村.

泰国

魅力无限的普吉岛来自休闲及大型会展团队的需求促使决策者和泰国私营企业加强了迷人海滩周遭的基础设施，以及拓宽了其发展空间。编纂：sirima eamtaKo

68 micenet AsiA68 micenet AsiA

近年来亚洲市场快速崛起，让他们几乎

与成熟市场平起平坐，加上对客房供应

需求的提高、休闲旅游的上升、会展设

施的要求、以及竞争越来越激烈等原

因，许多酒店和场地都纷纷制定战略决

策，以争取生意。

全球性动力酒店连锁集团如喜达屋继续拓展其主要

市场如中国和印度。该集团亚太区高级

营销及销售总监Nichlas Maratos表示，

中国和印度市场将继续是喜达屋集团亚

太地区业绩增长的主要动力。而新兴市

场，如菲律宾、斯里兰卡、印尼和泰国

也表现出稳定增长态势。喜达屋将在今

年首度进军斯里兰卡，并已计划在

2016-2017年之间在菲律宾马尼拉开首

家酒店。

希尔顿全球酒店

集团亚太区销售主管

Dominic Sherry表示，

希尔顿将在未来的几年

内在现有的18个亚太

地区中的104家酒店的

基础上继续拓展亚太区

的业务，进一步巩固其

强大的营业酒店资产阵

容，酒店数量预计将增

加一倍以上。

强劲的增长势头在国际与国内酒店集团积极拓展其业务以应付会展需求的同时，品牌的一致性、提供独特的产品以及人才短缺等问题却成为绊脚石。编纂：sirima eamtaKo 和 Kristie thong

我们需预测未来的人才需求，并制定一套员工发展计划，以便吸引、栽培和留住优秀的人才。DOMINIC SHERRY

希尔顿全球酒店集团

亚太区销售主管

由于其庞大的人口和不断壮大的中产

阶级，中国、印度和东南亚等市场目前

都蕴含着客观的增长潜力，特别是我们

10个屡获殊荣品牌中的6家酒店--华尔

道夫酒店、康莱德酒店、希尔顿酒店、

希尔顿逸林酒店、希尔顿花园酒店和希

尔顿汉普顿酒店的业绩有望持续增长。

我们在北京的第一家华尔道夫酒店

将在2014年开业，并计划在2015年入

驻曼谷。此外，我们也计划在亚太区增

添11家康莱德（Conrad）酒店以及在班

加罗尔、印度和菲律宾开设首家酒店。

此外，随着缅甸改革开放的步伐正在加

快，其旅游业将呈现一片新景象，我们

已计划于2014年在仰光开设一家拥有

300间客房的希尔顿酒店。该酒店将是入

驻缅甸的首家国际品牌。

国内连锁酒店迎来稳定增长

以泰国为基地的都喜国际集团也有一

系列的发展计划。该集团已宣布将与中

国开展一项重大的合资项目。此外，目

前正在筹划中的酒店项目也有好几个。

都喜国际集团旗下有18家酒店，12

家在泰国，其余的遍布在菲律宾、阿拉

伯联合酋长国、埃及和马尔代夫。未来

将有另外10家酒店会在阿拉伯联合酋长

国、中国，沙特阿拉伯、美国、印度、

泰国和肯尼亚开业。

根据全球销售助理副总裁Dorinda

Chua，都喜国际集团的发展计划是延续

了创始人Chanut Piyaoui遗留下来的传

统。Chanut Piyaoui可谓泰国酒店服务业

的先驱人物，我们希望能够将这个品牌

推向国际市场。“看着我们的品牌走向

国际市场，我们都很兴奋，这可是一个

激动人心的时刻。我们的业务发展与会

展目标一致，我们会尽其所能使我们集

团旗下的酒店和度假村能够满足会展的

需求。”

由于会展的需求不断提高，加上会展

对我们公司的业务扮演了重要的角色，

都喜国际集团计划在今年较后时间开发

一个崭新的都喜会展品牌。

印度本土酒店发展及运营集团ITC将

首次在印度以外开设酒店。这个第一家

海外酒店将落户斯里兰卡。首席营运官

Dipak Haksar将这个发展归因于“游客

数量的增加、协会业务和企业投资，以

希尔顿酒店.

micenet AsiA 69micenet AsiA 69

趋势

及斯里兰卡逐渐稳定的政治局势”。

ITC酒店集团目前正在制订几个发展

计划，如古尔岗马纳萨高尔夫度假村、

加尔各答ITC酒店和海得拉巴·科希努尔

酒店。

会展业务的不断增长以及各大城市与

休闲中心对休闲旅游的需求是我们在这

些城市开设酒店的催化剂。

MICE是促进发展的原因？虽然MICE 市场是许多酒店重要的收益

领域，但并非是促进发展潜能的唯一

因素。

喜达屋集团的Maratos先生说：“航

线网络、现有的基础设施和发展潜力也

是重要的因素。”

泰国最大酒店业主之一的TCC 酒店

集团除了在泰国拥有46家酒店外，另外

还有14家酒店设在10个不同的地区。其

中雅典娜广场酒店（Plaza Athenee）和

帝国皇后公园酒店是曼谷两家会展展设

施齐备的大型酒店。今年二月，TCC 酒

店集团与万豪国际集团签订酒店管理协

议，将曼谷帝国女王公园酒店翻牌成为

曼谷女王公园万豪酒店。

TCC 酒店集团高级执行副总裁

Wayne Buckingham说：“公司业务的

发展是基于以合适的价格收购处于关键

地点的资产。当然，MICE市场也是重

要的考量之一，因为对拥有许多客房的

MICE酒店来说，MICE的收入占了整体

酒店入住率的20-35％。”

公司除了投入巨资打造一个国际品牌

外，也不可忽视MICE市场的收益。许多

MICE酒店的高级管理人员很早就认识到

提供个性化专属服务的重要性，而有的

品牌显然比其他酒店更重视这一点。

雅高酒店集团旗下的奢华品牌

索菲特，通过推出索菲特灵感会议

（InspiredMeetings）来奠定它在会展业

的地位。

索菲特亚太地区销售、营销和分销副

总裁Stephane Laguette说：“过去四年，

在亚太区索菲特酒店举办活动的团体有增

加的趋势，每年大约有15％的增长率。”

与其他提供增值服务或特定价格点的

品牌不同的是，索菲特强调量身订做，

以服务取胜。

斯、马尔代夫、斯里兰卡和越南的豪华

及高档的酒店。以每间客房可用收益为

衡量标准，其业绩远胜于其他的酒店集

团。Bailey先生认为，这主要归于MICE

的向上销售和强调以服务制胜的理念。

这是一项艰苦的工作，而且需要经

过一段时间才能赢得会展业的竞争优

势。可是一旦成功，其利润是很丰厚

的。MICE的经济收益不仅是客房的

出租率，它也将增加酒店的餐饮收入和

带动其他消费。

人才短缺酒店集团在拓展业务的时候将需要大量

的人才，它需要很多适当的人才来填补

世界各地无数的职位。但目前酒店业却

面临人力资源短缺的问题。

希尔顿的Sherry先生说：“希尔顿将

继续大力投资于人力资源管理和栽培所

需的人才以应付日益壮大的业务。”这

意味着我们需预测未来的人才需求，并

有一套员工发展计划，以便吸引、栽培

和留住优秀的人才。

目前在该地区已拥有550家酒店以及

将在未来三年内另外开设超过250家酒店

的雅高酒店集团，已宣布需在2016年之

时额外增聘30,000名员工。职位空缺主

要集中在中国、印度尼西亚和印度。至

于新加坡、泰国、日本以及韩国也有一

系列的职位等待填补。

雅高酒店集团亚太区人力资源高级

副总裁Patrick Ollivier表示：“我们需要

的是接待处、餐饮部、厨房和房管部门

的员工，他们是酒店的支柱，没有他们

酒店将无法营业。此外，我们也需要销

售、分销、营销、财务和人力资源方面

的人才。

MICE市场也是重要的考量之一，因为对拥有许多客房的MICE酒店来说，MICE的收入占了整体酒店入住率的20-35％。Wayne Buckingham

TCC酒店集团高级管理人员兼副总裁

Stephane Laguette 进一步表示：“

我们的灵感会议策划专员将为客户提供

殷勤的服务，并为他们的活动会议定制

个性化服务，让与会者留住美好回忆。

我们在每日的简报和酒店的培训中都一

再强调为顾客提供量身订做的服务。这

是一种新的心态，是每天必须提醒自己

和经锻炼的事。”

泰国森特塔拉酒店及度假村销售和

营销高级副总裁Chris Bailey也认为为

MICE顾客提供量身订做的服务是极为重

要的。森特塔拉酒店集团旗下有58家遍

布在泰国、中国、印度尼西亚、毛里求

ITC酒店.

70 micenet AsiA

谈职业规划

回顾我的会展业职场生涯，出现在我脑

海中的是一个同心圆，而我本身就处在

这个同心圆的中心。我的职业生涯从最

小的圆环开始，那时我人在澳大利亚布

里斯本市。后来这个圆环逐渐扩大，我

的职责范围也从管理布里斯本市的生意

延伸至新西兰和太平洋区。接下来，从

这个已经变大的圆环，我又跨入另一个

更大的国际市场圆环。在这个大圆环

里，跨境与跨文化的活动成了我的主要

管理职责。接下来的安排并非在我的意

料之中。下一个圆环并非整个宇宙（虽

然某些雄心勃勃的人一直希翼能够征服

整个宇宙），而是你可能没有想到的“

企业”。

对我来说，企业就如同心圆中最大

的那个圆环，它包含了所有其他比它小

的圆环，而它的存在是基于与其他圆环

的关系。没错，我的管辖范围在亚太地

区，可是我们筹备的活动可能在伦敦或

阿塞拜疆等地区举行，而我多年来在不

同国家所吸取的知识和获得的洞察力，

以及亲身体验，再加上多年的行业经验

让我在这个职位上能够游刃有余。

在中介公司任职多年后，我在2008年

加入了巴克莱银行，直到今天成为亚太

区活动营销总监。在企业内部任职的这

几年里，我获得了许多宝贵的经验--对

品牌的认识、营销的策略、如何通过活

动达到市场渗透、赞助事宜以及在12

个独特且文化各异的国家管理活动的方

法。对我来说，在一个大型、复杂和多

样化的全球企业工作是一个非常难得的

机会。

篱笆那边的草是否更绿？在中介公司任职的人都期望有一天能转

向大机构，在那里一展拳脚。中介公司

和企业都有各自优点。

一提起中介公司，“肾上腺素加速分

泌”、“多样性”和“实际动手操作”

是总结我在中介公司工作经验最恰当的

三个短语。快节奏和交货时间短创造了

一个充满活力、让你分秒必争的工作环

境。这种“兴奋”是可以让你上瘾的。

至于在大型跨国公司，你将有机会认识

不同的品牌和接触到不同的企业哲学和

工作作风。这些经验将对你的日常工作

与生活有益。中介公司强调的是实际操

从中介服务公司转向企业辗转于会展业两端、来自巴克莱银行的Damion Breust为有意转到客户一方的人们指引了方向。

DAMION BREUST巴克莱银行亚太区活动营销总监

作，很多事情都得亲力亲为，而你的成

长也因此变得更快，正所谓的“经验是

最好的老师”。

管理策略、对品牌的了解程度和洞

察力，以及专业发展是我在企业内部任

职所学到的宝贵的经验。相反于宏观管

理，在企业中，事事需琢磨，做事注重

细节而且力求做到精益求精。在很多情

况下，企业管理是关于同一个愿景和同

一个策略，它的焦点与中介公司全然不

同。当你看到多年来苦心孤诣在拓展的

品牌得以提升时，你将有一种莫大的

满足感。在拓展某一个品牌的过程中，

你将对该品牌有深入的了解，并清楚知

道该品牌背后的价值和哲学。以我们来

说，就是将我们品牌的价值和哲学体现

在我们所筹划的活动中。与中介公司不

同的是，企业为你提供了提升管理技能

以及培养领导能力的机会。

值得让你思考的事如果你有意转向企业，第一步应做的

是分析你目前的情况，并且寻找一个已

在大型企业任职的“导师”，向他征求

意见，请他指引你。此外，不妨与已从

中介公司转向企业的前同事、朋友或同

业者谈一谈，或许他们将为你指出一个

方向。

相反于宏观管理，在企业中，事事需琢磨，做事注重细节而且力求做到精益求精。

Join American Express Meetings & Events for a discussion on the evolving meetings marketplace at our exclusive Quarterly Forums.Asia Pacific is evolving in terms of how we manage meetings. As an experienced provider of end-to-end meetings management solutions, we at American Express Meetings & Events understand that this evolution creates new challenges and exciting opportunities.

We invite you to join us for a quarterly Forum programme to discuss meetings and events priorities, challenges and practices. You will get the opportunity to network with your peers and share experiences, gaining exposure to best practices to enhance your own meetings management programme. American Express Meetings & Events will share insights from our experience and perspective, as well as engage experts across the industry.

Participation is limited. If you are interested in joining, please contact [email protected] to request your place.

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2013年 8月至9月双月刊

巴厘岛日航酒店树立公司新形象如何解决客户拖欠账款的问题从活动中介服务公司转向企业

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