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GINA SIN AssOCIATE EDITOR gina@bizeventsasia.com
RIcHARd BAKER GuEsT EDITOR richard.baker@scopeidentity.com
FAY-LINN YEOH GuEsT EDITOR fay-linn.yeoh@starwoodhotels.com
EL KWANG MANAGING & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR | CO-OWNER el@bizeventsasia.com
biz Events Asia is published by business & Tourism publishing Asia pte Ltd 51A Kreta Ayer Road, singapore 089008 Tel: +65 6337 8781 Fax: +65 6337 9060 Email: hello@bizeventsasia.com Website: bizeventsasia.com
MANAGING & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR | pubLIshER El Kwang el@bizeventsasia.com
GuEsT EDITORs Richard baker
DEsIGN AND pRODuCTION pIXO fanix@pixosolutions.com
WRITER Ong Wenli wenli@bizeventsasia.com
DIRECTOR Geoff batt-Rawden geoff@bizeventsasia.com
Fay-Linn Yeoh
fay-linn.yeoh@starwoodhotels.com
OFFICE MANAGER Rev Karunakaran rev@bizeventsasia.com
CONTRIbuTOR • Lawrence Kusz
AssOCIATE EDITOR Gina sin gina@bizeventsasia.com
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richard.baker@scopeidentity.com
CONTRIbuTING EDITOR Jennifer salsbury jennifer@imcconventionsolutions.com
EDITORIAL & DEsIGN COORDINATOR Chua Yi Kiat yikiat@bizeventsasia.com
ChINEsE CONsuLTANT Kh Tok
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pièce de résistance the eight years it took since her 20s to make the vision of her hotel come true. At her hotel we experienced the unmistakable sensation of true luxury that transcends cultures while promoting the co-existence of multi-generation. The benefits of cultural immersions in Asia steeped in the traditions of hospitality and graciousness enhance the appeal of modern luxury.
Our first luxury issue published in 2015 explored the various understandings of luxury: from the luxury of culture in Japan and the luxury of time in siem Reap to more abstract concepts such as the luxury of talent, knowledge and even health. The encouraging responses to that issue was humbling for us as it set a new benchmark for biz Events Asia to find ways to entice readers to think further and broader in order to create meaningful meeting agendas and incentive itineraries.
paying homage to luxury’s legacy, we visited paris and explored incentive event venues based on the theme “19th century”, an era when paris was renowned for promoting luxury retail and lifestyle as well as the completion of the iconic Eiffel Tower in 1889. In the mix, we also feature destinations like Vietnam, Indonesia and even the Antarctica.
To explore more inspiring angles for this year’s duo-month edition, we enlisted the help of guest editor Richard baker of scope Identity. his experience in hotel refurbishments and styling coupled with his passion for design as informed by various architecture disciplines, in particular, the bauhaus movement, gives us rich insights on timeless luxury.
Luxury cannot be measured by affordability or social status alone. heartfelt luxury service can only be expertly delivered via the refined art of vision, talent and most importantly, steadfast discipline. ultimately, luxury is a state of mind. born in 1880, helen Keller, the first deaf-blind American person to earn a bachelor of Arts Degree famously said, “the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”
Guest Editor Fay-Linn Yeoh of starwood hotels and Resorts shares her expertise in brand management. Our collaboration efforts also gave biz Events Asia the opportunity to be the first trade magazine to experience a stay at the highly anticipated st. Regis Kuala Lumpur with a special site inspection personally conducted by the hotel owner, Carmen Chua, who is also the CEO of One IFC sdn bhd. Time spent with Carmen Chua showed us what sheer passion and true determination looked like as she recounted
biz Events Asia dedicates this edition to Richard's mother, Rochelle (Rachel) baker. We hope you find your very own luxury moments whilst enjoying this edition.
Our cover image features Le salon de musique from Jacquemart-André museum. Read about paris as a luxury incentive destination from page 20.
biz Events Asia is the official media partner and member of: photo Credits: Jacquemart-André museum | sofiacome
sALEs & MARKETING sINGApORE OFFICE Michelle Lim michelle@bizeventsasia.com
ThAILAND OFFICE The Amiris Co., Ltd Email: sirima@theamiris.com Tel: +66 81 822 3286
Charline Wong charline@bizeventsasia.com Michelle Choon michellechoon@bizeventsasia.com
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA REpREsENTATIVEs ChINA: Mary Yao Email: mary@mhichina.com Tel: +86 10 6551 5663 ext 8008 DubAI: Rahul sequeira Email: rahul.sequeira@themediavantage.com Tel: +971 56 693 1213 sOuTh KOREA: Alexander paik Email: apcomm@naver.com Tel: +82 10 5042 1337
Visit us online for regular updates throughout the month: bizeventsasia.com privacy policy: business & Tourism publishing Asia is committed to managing your personal information in accordance with the privacy Act. For a copy of our privacy policy, please go to bizeventsasia.com/privacy printed in singapore by sunrise printing & supplies pte Ltd. Reg no. 199002858D pps 1785/04/2013 (022963) MCI (p) 125/01/2016
JUNE-JULY APR 2016
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CHINA
Asia Outdoor Tradeshow Nanjing, China | June 2016
JAPAN
3D & Virtual Reality Expo Tokyo, Japan | June 2016
HONG kONG
MICE Travel Expo Wan Chai, Hong Kong | June 2016
MAlAySIA
Sustainable Development Conference Kuching, Malaysia | July 2016
SINGAPORE
Singapore MICE Forum Biz Events Asia is the official Strategic Media Partner of SMF 2016 Singapore | July 28-29, 2016
COVER STORY Paris charms as a luxury travel destination
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Editorial advisory board mEmbErs
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Janet Tan-Collis President | SACEOS CEO | East West Planners
Damion Breust Head of Corporate Relations Asia Pacific Barclays
Selina Chavry Global Managing Director Pacific World
Daniel Chua Managing Director AONIA MICE
Andrew Chan CEO | ACI HR Solutions
SoUth KorEA
JUne-JUly 16
Global Hospitality Tourism Marketing & Management Conference Seoul, South Korea | July 2016
thAIlAND
Asian Finance Association Meeting Bangkok, Thailand | June 2016
ISSUE 6 #SoundBites
10 #TakingTheLead
54 #DelveInto Indonesia How the islands are shaping up its luxury landscape
12 #FreshIdeas
62 #DelveInto Vietnam Discover the tranquility of Phu Quoc
28 #TheLuxuryEdition What defines luxury?
46 #Associations
66 #Knowledge What modern luxury travel and hospitality mean
68 #DiningMatters
50 #DelveInto Antarctica
Epicurean Journeys and the importance of food styling
Journey into the picture-perfect destination of Antarctica
72 #WiredUp Why data management matters
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AUStrAlIA
Gold Coast Midyear Caravan and Camping Expo Gold Coast, Australia | July 2016
ho Yoke Ping General Manager Business events Malaysia Convention & exhibition Bureau (MyCeB)
Deanna Varga Assistant Director Commercial & Visitor Services Australian national Maritime Museum
Don’t miss our special supplement from the Seoul Tourism Organization
Max Jantasuwan Group Managing Director events Travel Asia
Sumate Sudasna President | Thailand Incentive & Convention Association (TICA) MD | CDM Thailand
Daniel Aswin Co-founder Absolutions
Neeta lachmandas executive Director The Institute of Service excellence, Singapore Management University
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NEw zEalaNd Wellington will become the home of a NZD51 million (USD34.1 million) Sofitel hotel in New Zealand this July, joining sister hotels Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour and Sofitel Queenstown Hotels & Spa as the third luxury Sofitel property in the country. Nestled between Wellington’s iconic landmarks “The Beehive” and the Botanical Gardens, the 129-room Sofitel Wellington will offer three meeting rooms totalling 164 sq m of space.
KENya Luxury safari camp and lodge operator Elewana has opened a new luxury tented camp on the site of the former Loisaba Lodge, heralding a conservation landmark to preserve on of Kenya’s most important elephant corridors. Located on a 600ft (55.7 sq m) escarpment, every room in Loisaba Tented Camp enjoys views stretching across the Laikipia Plains to Mount Kenya. The new Loisaba Conservancy is the result of substantial support by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the consequential transition in the ownership of the 56,000acre wildlife conservancy and wilderness to the Loisaba Community Trust. TNC’s move to help secure the land ensures that the conservancy delivers vital benefits and support for neighbouring communities, the wildlife, and all Kenyans for the foreseeable future.
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Global
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has sought the expertise of Fortune 500 Futurist, Faith Popcorn, and world-renowned luxury hotels interior designer, Tara Bernerd, as part of the brand’s 70th year of ongoing commitment to remain at the forefront of luxury travel. With Popcorn’s documented 95 percent accuracy rate working with leading Fortune 500 companies in predicting consumer trends, she believes that Virtual Reality (VR) escapism and immersive brand experiences will shape service and guest experiences in the future. As space itself becomes the ultimate luxury by 2086, VR will evolve interior design so that it can be tailored by guests, and luxury travel will offer access to never-beforeexplored locations and immersive experiences. This is where Bernerd’s expertise in developing the brand’s new design philosophy will come into play.
Malaysia
australia
In conjunction with World Earth Day 2016, 53 team members from the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre recently undertook tree planting and animal care activities under the guidance of Zoo Negara (National Zoo) gardeners and animal handlers. Organised as part of the Centre’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, team members added 300 plants to the Zoo’s grounds and spent the day with seven different species, including tigers, lions, wallabies and more activities include, cleaning the enclosures, preparing the food and feeding the animals. As part of other ongoing sustainability and conservation efforts, the Centre also collaborates with the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau to promote “Let’s Meet & Green” tree-planting programme to offset carbon emissions.
Events by Luxperience has launched a new meetings area, known as The MICE Marketplace to enhance the activities on the 2016 exhibition floor. This follows the successful introduction of Events by Luxperience in 2015, which appealed especially to the business events sector. The new concept will offer more flexible exhibiting options to meetings and event suppliers and a more relaxed and strategic appointment programme, which offers potential meetings and event exhibitors with the opportunity to connect with leading bespoke event designers from international and domestic markets of the region.
taiwaN
Vivian Lin has returned to W Taipei as its Hotel Manager. As the first female Hotel Manager of W Hotels in Taiwan, Lin is responsible for the hotel’s strategy and operations, and reports directly to General Manager, Cary Gray. Lin first joined Starwood Hotels Group as Director of Banquet at W Taipei in June 2010 before being promoted to Director of Food and Beverage at Le Royal Meridien Shanghai. Lin possess a 20-year hotel management experience, in particular, in the food and beverage arena.
Global
MCI Group has revealed a 24.4 percent record increase in gross margin in its 2015 Annual Report. The global events management company achieved gross margins of GBP112 million (USD162 million), up from GBP95 million in 2014, following a significant investment in its North American operations. This includes a merger with Coulter Companies to form MCI USA, and the launch of Black Flower Agency, a division focused on luxury brands. The group also extended its worldwide reach with seven new office openings and further acquisitions in Toronto, Istanbul, Macau, Washington, New York, Rio and Sao Paulo. In 2015, MCI Group conducted 21 hybrid events, 5,100 delivered projects in 81 countries, and made new partnerships with Expedia, Emirates and Higher Logic.
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NUMBERS
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The number of new boutique independent hotels Small Luxury Hotels of the World has welcome to the collection. This includes Milaidhoo Island in Baa Atoll, Maldives; Naman Retreat in Da Nang City, Vietnam; Mahana Villa in Upper Moutere, New Zealand; Althoff Hotel Villa Belrose in St. Tropez, France; and Elite Spring Villas in Anxi, China.
# MAlAysiA At the recent IMEX trade show in Frankfurt, Malaysia presented renewed offerings to the incentive travel, meetings and events industry. The country is set to introduce 36 new hotels by December 2016. Venues that have already opened its doors include The St. Regis Langkawi, which complements the Langkawi International Convention Centre that opened in 2015. Other properties include Double Tree Resort by Hilton Penang with five meeting rooms and 317 rooms; Le Meridien Putrajaya in July 2016 offering 11 meeting rooms and 350 rooms; an expansion of Setia City Convention Centre that is slated to complete this year with an additional 6,000 sq m of exhibition space; and the highly anticipated Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre located in KL Metropolis. The 75.5 acre KL Metropolis is a master plan development that includes multiple hotel properties, retail, residential and office towers set for completion by late 2017.
AustriA The Vienna Convention Bureau at the Vienna Tourist Board is officially Europe’s most highly qualified convention bureau. A total of eight employees have now completed the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) training – at present no other European congress bureau has achieved this. The CMP title can only be used by congress experts who have completed a rigorous training programme and subsequently demonstrated their expertise in a demanding final examination. The Certified Meeting Professional programme is run by the Convention Industry Council (CIC), an association of 33 organisations worldwide who are committed to exchanging information and developing the highest professional quality standards for the international meetings industry.
AustrAliA The Northern Territory Convention Bureau partnered with Singapore Airline’s regional full service airline, SilkAir, for a three-night familiarisation visit to Darwin as part of a joint initiative to showcase an increase in flight frequency between Darwin and Singapore. From May 30, 2016, services operate five times a week. A group of business event planners from Singapore were introduced a range of accommodation and meeting venues, including shopping options at luxury boutiques of prestigious pearl company, Paspaley, a taste of the multicultural cuisine at Parap Markets, a Segway ride through the Botanic Gardens of Darwin’s lush greenery and an evening cruise with Sea Darwin. Other highlights include a helicopter ride with Nautilus Aviation and indigenous traditional basket weaving and spear throwing with Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours.
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FROM THE BUREAUX CHiNA Beijing hosted the first World Conference on Tourism for Development on May 19, 2016, at the Great Hall of the People. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered a speech at the ceremony, noting that while the tourism industry is a driving force to cultivate new economic opportunities, alleviate poverty and construct a beautiful China, it is also a bridge for friendly exchanges with the outside world. More than 1,000 attended the ceremony, including leaders from more than 100 countries and international organisations, tourism board officials, and travel industry representatives. Li Jinzao, Chairman of China National Tourism Administration, also attended the event and announced that in the coming five years, China will launch a series of international cooperation projects on tourism, including the development and protection of tourism resources, consulting services for tourism planning and training of Chinese-speaking tour guides and management staff.
siNGAPOrE Organised by the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers (SACEOS) for the sixth year, the Singapore MICE Forum (SMF) will take place on July 28-29, 2016 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore. The <RE:Imagine> MICE theme for SMF this year challenges event professionals to embrace innovation and break out from traditional ways of doing events. The forum will also help attendees to enhance operational skills and deliver on unconventional ideas that work. More than 400 local, regional and international MICE and Events professionals are expected to attend this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Singapore MICE Forum. The twoday event will include a day of business matching at the Asia Meeting and Incentive Travel Exchange (AMITE) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an effective meet-up between supplier and buyer in the industry which has proven to maximise ROI by meeting international high-performing buyers and strengthening supplier-buyer relationships.
iNdiA Marking its fifth year, the Hyderabad Convention Visitors Bureau (HCVB) at IMEX Frankfurt announced an ongoing change in its bidding procedure by actively involving the committed and supportive Government of Telangana. Currently, the bureau with its active 18 members, has many bids in the pipeline which will bring more value adds to the city of Hyderabad, should they win the congresses. Since HCVB has taken over the presidency at the Global Science and Convention Alliance (GSCA), it aims to foster a common dialogue for further
intelligence sharing among various strategies. The GSCA fraternity has grown to seven with the induction of Prague, Oslo and Philadelphia, in the last one year. Starting with initial steps, HCVB has changed the business events landscape of Hyderabad over the course of five years. It has won and delivered 17 major international meetings and conventions with limited resources and a small staff. Each victory that has been harnessed by the bureau has helped the city of Hyderabad survey its expanse in becoming the apex of business events, leading the city of Hyderabad to become the convention capital of India.
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Cave Party Located in the south of Japan, the Valley of Gangala is a mystical underground forest with the feel of a Lord of the Rings movie set. Event planners can host a cave party creating a mystical experience surrounded by 100,000-year-old limestone. Gangala is also the site of an ongoing excavation where archeologists have found what they believe are the remains of Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest Homo sapiens. The cave has a maximum capacity of 100 people, and guided cave exploration tours can be arranged prior to the event.
Lotus Leaf Painting Himapan Singapore places participants outside of their comfort zone to evoke their potential in expressing creativity through lotus leaf painting. Individuals will be able to learn and move at their own pace and get to express their personality. Painting on lotus leaves offers an extraordinary contact with one of the most iconic symbols of Asia. While classical painting usually requires people to possess some artistic basics, lotus leaf painting only requires techniques that will be shared by the workshop leader. Each participant can then focus on this special material and play with the colours. This activity, ideal for groups of up to 10, is great for building confidence in expressing, as well as an opportunity for some to teach and share advice. Leaders can express their strengths while at the same time appreciate and respect the individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s achievement. If a group decide to work on triptyque, then they will need to coordinate their efforts. The overall session will require alignments on the final objective and teamwork to achieve it. Venues change from time to time. Planners looking to organise this activity may use their own venue, or simply head to one of the rented locations by the company.
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# Pacific World expands into Austria The global destination and event management company has expanded their European operations into Austria, one of the top 12 countries globally for meetings and conferences according to the ICCA 2015 ranking.
ITB Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inaugural dedicated MICE Day ITB Asia 2016 will showcase its strongest MICE lineup to-date with a full day conference programme dedicated to the growing sector on the second day of the trade show.
Dusit goes Arabic Hospitality Group Dusit Internationalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s booking engine on its propriety website has gone live in Arabic. Arabic speaking guests looking to stay at Dusit Thani Dubai, Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo, Dusit Thani Maldives or Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi can now do so in their native language. Catering to this mobile-first region, the service is also available on the mobile version.
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What you missed online on www.bizeventsasia.com Trend obsession Biz Events Asia worked with Zadro on a survey that has so far revealed the region’s obsession with industry trends. Contribute your part by completing the survey. Respondents will each receive a free copy of the report. Contact hello@bizeventsasia.com
Singapore Tourism Board woos Korea STB has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with internet company, Kakao, to introduce Traveline Singapore, a dedicated mobile platform that promises to bring more relevant and compelling travel content on Singapore to Koreans by the last quarter of this year.
BREATHE CLEANER AIR Located downtown Shanghai with every modern amenity, The Westin Bund Center Shanghai is your ideal venue for biz events. The whole hotel is receiving improved air quality through air conditioning filtration that reduces 75% of PM2.5 particles and allergens from the outside air - at no additional charge! Meet and stay at The Westin Bund Center Shanghai and be assured of cleaner air and a restful night sleep with our famous Heavenly Bed! - 18 function rooms of various sizes including a 714 m² grand ballroom - Personalized meeting butler service - Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel - Superfood coffee break options – powerfully paired, antioxidant rich whole foods - LED screen and advanced audio-visual equipment For more information, please contact 86.21.63351888 or email:sales-shanghai@westin.com
©2016 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. For full terms & conditions, visit westin.com/shanghai
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advErtorial
Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, Cotai Central
The St. Regis Macao, Cotai Central
Extraordinary EvEnts in Macao sheraton Grand Macao Hotel and the st. regis Macao deliver memorable business events through convenience and connectivity.
B
oosted by financial support from the Macao government and liberal visa requirements, Macao’s role as a key business events hub in Asia has been attracting major brands and corporations from around the world to stage their incredible moments in.
three signature restaurants and bars – Xin, Bene and Feast, which serve an array of cuisine including Asian, Italian and international fare, or rejuvenate at Shine Spa for Sheraton and Sheraton Fitness.
Macao is home to two of the city’s most well-equipped hotels to accommodate large groups and host events that last – sheraton Grand Macao Hotel and the st. regis Macao. Situated along the vibrant Cotai Strip, both hotels offer direct access to over 650 international shopping retail outlets and over 100 international dining, entertainment and recreation options, along with meeting venues that connect seamlessly on the 5th floor. Moreover, Macao International Airport is just a 10-minute drive away, while UNESCO World Heritage sites steeped in more than 450 years of history can be reached in under 15 minutes by car from both hotels.
the st. regis Macao features a myriad of refined venues, including the regal Astor Ballroom that accommodates 570 guests and five smaller meeting rooms with natural daylight through floor-to-ceiling windows, two stately boardrooms, and an exclusive VIP meeting room.
Macao’s largest hospitality and event facility
The 4,001-room sheraton Grand Macao offers over 19,000 sq m of meeting space, which comprises of the pillar-less 4,891-sq m Kashgar Grand Ballroom, six junior ballrooms plus three junior ballrooms at Sands Cotai Central. Dine at one of the hotel’s
Bespoke events beyond expectation
A seductive culinary experience awaits the most discerning of palates at The Manor, which offers five separately themed spaces, and the St. Regis Bar, its intimate setting making it a perfect venue for social gatherings. Almost all 400 of The St. Regis Macao’s exquisitely styled and lavishly appointed guest rooms command rare vistas of the vibrant view of Cotai Strip. Guest rooms range from 53 sq m to 477 sq m to provide a luxurious respite from the hectic urban space. Both hotels offer dynamic accommodation choices for groups of all sizes and levels.
liMitEd tiME offEr – “MEEtinGs witH MorE” Book your next event at Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel or The St. Regis Macao to enjoy up to five special privileges: • 5% off master bill • Complimentary rooms and room upgrades • 20% off audio and visual equipment • Complimentary 30-minute “Meet and Greet” entertainment performance • Buy one get one free ferry ticket Booking Period: Contract on or before December 31, 2016, for stays before December 22, 2017.
Email the sales team at sales.macao@starwoodhotels.com, or call +853 8113 0700
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RomanCing LuxuRy ThE ciTy of lovE, lighTs and romancE doEs noT rEsT on iTs laurEls and conTinuEs To Turn on iTs charms builT on lEgacy, hEriTagE and luxury. WoRdS: El Kwang
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river seine
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“asians want to see Paris’ heritage, innovation and modernity when they come to Europe for the very first time.” Corine Bernadou head of business development, asia, north america, united Kingdom of Paris convention and visitors bureau
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musée du louvre
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The adrenalin rush of falling in love is irresistible. when it comes to romance and luxury, destination Paris is on the tip of event planners’ tongues. biz Events asia visited Paris after imEx frankfurt to see why Paris continues to captivate visitors despite the november 2015 attack.
amaLgamation of oLd and neW Paris, supported by 15 convention and exhibition centres and a collection of over 600,000 sq m of exhibition spaces, hosts more than 300 events a day. according to corine bernadou, head of business development, asia, north america, united Kingdom of the Paris convention and visitors bureau, “singapore is increasingly becoming an important market for us. we had a record number of singapore-based incentive and event agencies visiting the Paris booth at imEx frankfurt in april 2016. asians want to see Paris’ heritage, innovation and modernity when they come to Europe for the very first time.” according to the bureau, in 2015, the association congresses market brought 1,004 events worth about Eur1.2 billion (usd1.35 billion) and attracted some 762,000 participants to Paris. over 136 events had more than 1,000 delegates. medical science represents 32 percent of all congresses held in Paris. some key congresses to be held this year include the 5,000-delegate world cancer congress, the world leader summit uicc, and the European association of osseointegration congress in september 2016 that is expected to attract 4,000 participants. renowned for its culture, traditions and iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower. Paris never delivers a dull moment for incentive programmes. according to the Paris convention and visitors bureau, new developments include extending the 18th and 19th arrondissements towards saint-denis and aubervilliers, new buildings like the Palais de Justice in the redeveloped batignolles district and the opening of the newly transformed monnaie de Paris, the national mint created in year 864.
Palais de Justice
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with 25,000 artists living and working in Paris, a stroll or even a charity run along the 777-kilometre river seine past museums and galleries may inspire delegates before a brainstorming session. Join the Parisians in the annual Paris Plages festival where the riverside is transformed into sunny, seine-side fun fair between georges-Pompidou expressway (4th) and the la villette canal basin (19th) for four weeks from July 20 each year; delivering a luxurious summer picnic experience. for an unforgettable experience, take advantage of the array of museums that are dexterous in hosting business events especially those with a 19th century influence.
Shopping in the CapitaL p it will not be shopping if it is not done along champs Elysees. whether luxury goods are your thing, the shopping experience gives better understanding about the discipline, creativity and hard work of the respective fashion houses. from louis vuitton to saint laurent and chanel, each expresses their very own interpretation on brand and design integrity that ardent fans expect. in Paris, the strength of its respect for the arts, culture and balanced lifestyle simply injects a breath of constant in an unpredictable world we live it. That is, to enjoy life and simply live in the moment. This is probably one of the alluring factors attracting large incentive groups to the city. according to yago fernandez, Pacific world’s head of sales, EmEa & laTam, “Paris is a must-see destination for incentive trips. The city is worldwide connected and combines the charm of prestigious venues with the most fashionable places and a unique gastronomy. The Pacific world team in Paris recently organised an event for 900 guests in the carrousel du louvre, adjacent to the iconic museum. The venue easily propelled guests into the Parisian ambience”. Photo Credits: 1: © Paris Tourist office – Photographer: marc bertrand 2,3 : © Paris Tourist office – Photographer: daniel Thierry 4: © Paris Tourist office – Photographer: stéphanie rivoal
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“Paris is a must-see destination for incentive trips. The city is worldwide connected and combines the charm of prestigious venues with the most fashionable places and a unique gastronomy” Yago Fernandez head of sales EmEa & laTam, Pacific world
muSée du paRfum over in the 9th arrondissement and one kilometre from Paris’ key landmark garden, Jardin des Tuileries is the perfume museum by french Perfumer, fragonard. immerse incentive guests in a late 19th century perfume factory environment to learn the secret to the art of perfume creation during a welcome cocktail reception for up to 200 guests. 1
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muSée JaCquemaRt-andRé approximately one kilometre north of the heart of champs Elysees is the renowned Jacquemart-andré museum filled with some of Paris’ finest private art collections. Previously a private home built between 1869 and 1876, the museum offers several beautifully appointed event spaces with access to different areas of the museum’s ground floor such as the Private apartments and the winter garden. Exclusive event buyout of the museum for a cocktail party for up to 500 guests is also possible.
The grand Salon – with strong craftsmanship and art display of the 18th century, this room brings guests back in time when the original owners of the house, Édouard andré and wife, nelie Jacquemart, entertained their guests back in the 19th century. The opulent gold leaf “capitals” mounted above beaded and decorative columns warmly encase the salon, while exuberating pure indulgence and luxury.
114 sq m
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The Music room - located adjacent to The grand salon is decorated in the style of the french second Empire (napoleon bonaparte period) with its red walls and dark wood furniture. The pillarless rectangular room has floor-to-ceiling windows allowing natural light in. for evening events, serenade guests with classical music from the upper gallery under the high ceiling featuring Pierre-victor galland’s artwork apollo, protector of the arts.
103 sq m
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banquet-style Photo Credits: 1,2: © museé du Parfum 3 : © museé Jacquemart-andré – Photographer: sofiacome 4: © museé Jacquemart-andré – Photographer: maxime champion
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a fouR-night paRiS “haute CoutuRe” inCentive pRogRamme deSigned by paCifiC WoRLd day one: a LuxuRiouS SenSe of aRRivaL hôteL pLaza athénée– the haute CoutuRe addReSS in paRiS when it comes to luxury in the most romantic and stylish city in the world, look no further than the legendary hôtel Plaza athénée. situated in the “golden Triangle” of fashion on the renowned avenue montaigne, this dorchester collection hotel is in the ideal location for the finest shopping that Paris has to offer, and has some of the most magnificent views of the Eiffel Tower. Established in 1913, the hotel frequently welcomes royalty, celebrities, and politicians through its doors, and has distinguished itself as one of the best hotels in Paris. fully refurbished and expanded in 2014, the hotel offers 154 rooms and 54 suites, all of which are beautifully designed
Eiffel Tower
with french décor. The guest rooms are synonymous with Parisian glamour, exhibiting exquisite louis xvi-inspired décor and captivating views. Each room features bespoke linen, italian marble bathrooms, antique furnishings, elegant sitting areas and a pillow menu for uncompromising comfort. The hotel also features a bar with famed mixologist Thierry hernandez and five restaurants all overseen by multiple michelinstarred chef, alain ducasse, including a three-star gastronomic restaurant, and Europe’s only dior institute.
and cadenced, respectful service with the right touch of cordiality. it is just what a Parisian venue should be! Kick-start the evening with a photo session outside the venue in front of a parked vintage deluxe car and hostesses dressed in charleston dresses. Then reminisce Paris’ cool underground jazz clubs hosted by the restaurant director since 1987, werner Kuchler, who organises a swing’in evening with great food, relaxed atmosphere, and great music. it is a welcome for which werner and his staff are famous for.
bienvenue SWing paRty at the hoteL
day tWo: “Rendez-vouS” With paRiS
To kick off the festivities in Paris, the hotel’s listed art deco brasserie, le relais Plaza, offers a palatial and sophisticated place for guests to wine, dine and be entertained. after a recent makeover by bruno moinard, the relais Plaza has changed its decor without changing its character. it still has its elegant atmosphere, art deco styling
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paRiS aboaRd vintage 2Cv CaRS discover the city of light in an unusual and unexpected way aboard vintage 2cv cars. The 2cv is a french 2-horsepower convertible car dating back to the 1950s. The brightly coloured cars all lined up in an unusual procession often attract such attention by onlookers that guests
Jardin du luxembourg
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Paris Plages
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Photo Credits: 1: © Paris Tourist office – Photographer: daniel Thierry 2: © Paris Tourist office – Photographer: sarah sergent 3: © Paris Tourist office – Photographer: marc bertrand
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end up getting photographed more than the monuments! Each car is chauffeured by an English-speaking guide who will delightfully show main highlights of Paris, including: champs Elysees avenue and the arc of Triumph, the Trocadero, Eiffel Tower, the invalides, alexander iii bridge, orsay museum, louvre museum and pyramid, and more. along the way, the entourage will stop at a local market to taste some delicious Parisian specialties: fresh baguette, pastry eclairs, cheese; a great way to meet and mingle with locals and learn a few french words!
Seine RiveR 360 degRee expeRienCe on a deLuxe yaCht The cars line up on the quays of the seine river to await a majestic yacht, reminiscent of the french riveria’s golden age. a bow that stands proud, brass that gleams, polished mahogany, an authentic helm, upholstered interiors, sumptuous upper decks… the “Excellence” is the yachts de Paris’ gem. an aperitif is savoured on the outside upper deck whilst gliding under the city’s 22 bridges. on the main deck, a delicious meal is served, signed by top caterer, lenotre, while a french trio plays a lively tune.
gaStRonomiC dinneR in “the toWeR” cross over to the city’s left bank to the famed Tour d’argent restaurant – a pantheon of french gastronomy. from its sixth floor “tower”, the restaurant overlooks all of Paris: the sky, the rooftops, the seine river and the majestic
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notre dame cathedral
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notre dame cathedral. Evolved from an elegant inn in 1582 to a restaurant in 1780, this true institution has hosted kings, emperors, presidents and celebrities. challans duck is the house specialty, while the wine list boasts some 15,000 wines on a 400-page list. before settling for dinner in a private room overlooking the notre dame cathedral, guests are invited for a privileged access into the cellar - one of the richest and most sophisticated wine cellars in all of france which stores some 350,000 bottles and overseen by star sommelier, david ridgeway, since 1981.
day thRee: the uLtimate Champagne expeRienCe take fLight guests are surprised in the morning with an excursion to the french countryside, viP-style. a 45-minute helicopter ride lifts guests to the heart of the famous champagne region located just 160 kilometres east of Paris. after flying over the stretches of vineyards and quaint villages listed as unEsco world heritage site, the guests arrive at the small town of Epernay. Each year, millions of bottles of bubbly mature in hundreds of kilometres of chalk tunnels carved under the roads of Epernay. on the elegant main avenue of countless eye-catching champagne houses, guests arrive at the moët & chandon house. with a bottle popping open every second in the world, moët is indisputably the largest and most prestigious estate in all of champagne,
made up almost exclusively of Premiers crus and grands crus. 32 million bottles were sold in 2011 alone. founded in 1743, the moët house has elaborated the world’s favourite champagnes. coffee and pastries welcome guests in moet’s 19th c. orangerie, overlooking the perspective of the french gardens designed in 1805. guests are then invited to delve into the 28-kilometre labyrinth of cellars located 30 metres under the chalky soil. The exploration ends in the biggest cellar, napoleon, for a prestigious and intimate lunch. candlelit tables under the stony vaults, lively gypsy musicians strolling around tables create a special atmosphere unlike anywhere else.
RetuRn With the oRient expReSS guests will board a legendary icon of travel, the orient Express, to return to Paris. boarding directly at Epernay, guests will wine and dine aboard the opulent train during their return to Paris. few will have a chance to experience this service, and it is perhaps this sense of exclusivity that best defines the luxury of the orient Express. reopening for limited exclusive events in 2016, The orient Express dining car taps into the emotions experienced by the pioneering passengers on the maiden voyage to constantinople in 1883. Then begins an immersive experience of delicious indulgence spanning over three hours. set off aboard Photo Credits: 1,3: © Paris Tourist office – Photographer: marc bertrand 2: © Paris Tourist office – Photographer: daniel Thierry
the famous “Train bleu” bar carriage (agatha christie fans delight) before moving on to the dining car, where an attentive wait staff will serve dinner. upon arrival at the Paris station, only a single appetite will remain unsatisfied: the desire to start the trip all over again.
day fouR: paRiS youR Way give baCk With the Joie de vivRe expeRienCe This csr-oriented activity is realised with Joie (or joy), an association committed to enhancing the health and well-being of children in need. Joie also promotes art education, art therapy, sensory development and creativity, since it is proven that joy and good laughter is an efficient way to fight against diseases or to feel stronger and deal with problems. art selling, events and concerts enable the charity to help 4,500 children in france every year. discover Paris’ culture and help vulnerable children at the same time; share time and positive moments with some of the 4,500 children from Paris and its surroundings involved in the association’s programmes every year. Join children for a cooking class with a famed Parisian pastry chef, Pierre hermé (the “Picasso of pastry”) or the likes. within two hours, the cooking course enables beginners to cook and dress a menu with the must-know of french cuisine.
expeRienCe veRSaiLLeS Like a RoyaLty see the Palace of versailles as french Photo Credits: © museé du Parfum
kings once did – during this intimate viP group tour that includes an oncein-a-lifetime private viewing of the palace’s royal Quarters. This exclusive tour gives priority entry to the versailles through a reserved door and provides unprecedented access to magnificent private rooms which are off-limits to the general public, allowing guests to see a side of the unEsco world-heritagelisted Palace of versailles that most never will. discover secret passages, private bedrooms and apartments, bathrooms and other hidden sites. The private apartments of kings, queens, mistresses and courtiers illustrate the life of the court and outstanding events in the history of france. This viP experience also includes entry to two rooms in the state apartments, the famous hall of mirrors, and the musical fountain shows in the gardens.
faShion foRWaRd for those seeking to explore the fashionable side of Paris, the options are countless. like a private opening of bucherer at opera square, famed for its top-quality jewellery range and award-winning creations made in its own workshops. Their fabulous designs are made with loving care and attention to detail from the most precious materials and gemstones. Every single piece is a reflection of skills and craftsmanship. guests are welcomed at the 2,200 sq m boutique and offered a private tour, with explanations on bucherer’s rare savoir faire (know-how). for a more clothes oriented activity, Pacific world can open the workshop of one of the most creative french
designers, agnes b. after a presentation of the designer by agnès’ son and some explanations of the clothes making process, guests will be able to admire the current collection with its simple and elegant cuts. Timeless pieces such as the 1979 “snap” cardigan or snap jackets are the best sellers and an agnès b signature. and if agnes is in town, she will of course personally welcome your guests! The activity continues with shopping guide in the streets of saint germain des Pres.
a faReWeLL event to RemembeR at Chateau vauxLe-viComte a night to remember as the red carpet unfolds onto the prestigious vaux-levicomte estate, nearly 500 hectares outside Paris. Known for its theatrical majesty, it is the perfect backdrop for a gala dinner. horns of hunters resonate as guests walk up the stairs. The 17th c. chateau is the fruit of the bold vision of nicolas fouquet, superintendent of finances under young sun King, louis xiv. The broderie of parterres, ponds, fountains and statues, along with all the plants and buildings, are a unique achievement whose harmony and well-judged proportions charm from the very first glance. it is no surprise that Queen Elizabeth, upon visiting the chateau in 1948 as a princess at the time, exclaimed, “it is more beautiful than versailles!” The evening begins with an aperitif on the outdoor stone terrace, overlooking the splendid gardens designed by le notre. courtesans and a harpist dressed in period costume entertain guests, taking pictures. horse-drawn carriages take some guests through the gardens, while others venture through the period rooms, underground kitchens, and even atop the dome. The gala dinner is served in the salon d’honneur, which offers bay window views of the gardens and setting sun. as the sun sets, the 2,000 candles in the gardens and around the dinner room begin to flicker. between courses, a lyrical singer extravagantly dressed in red dress slips into the room to serenade guests with famous opera tunes, each of her passages acclaimed by applause. before dessert, guests are invited for a champagne break on the outdoor terrace. Then, by surprise, a firework explodes in the sky. The music builds as fireworks are set off, ending in a grand finale to the colours of the host company.
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hailand has long been known for its variety and endless choices in terms of food, travel, culture and experience. Now, there are more choices when it comes to destinations for meetings and incentives. Of course, big cities such as Bangkok have everything necessary for staging events, from state-of-the-art facilities to world-class accommodation and wonderful attractions to fine-dining restaurants. But these benefits can also be found in Thailand’s four other MICE cities – Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, and Khon Kaen - which are being promoted by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
All five TCEB-designated MICE cities have the capability of hosting meetings and incentives large and small, thanks to modern infrastructure, a range of accommodation options and varied and interesting venues for team building. These cities also have excellent connection links and are well served by international airports. Phuket is a popular destination for meetings and incentives as the island has amazing venues and years of expertise in event planning. The best beaches in the world are also waiting so delegates can relax after the event. Pattaya, a vibrant seaside town offers great meeting spaces, proximity to Bangkok, exciting attractions and world-class cuisine. Pattaya
The slower pace of Chiang Mai with its arts and culture scene makes it the perfect venue for more intimate events while its world-class hotels and conference halls make it popular for international meetings. Finally, Khon Kaen can give visitors the chance to explore a different side of Thailand, being a centre for trade and logistics and a gateway to China and the thriving ASEAN economy. This rich variety of Thailand’s destination choices means that meetings and incentives are not only successful but also help make memories that delegates will treasure.
For more information, visit www.businesseventsthailand.com
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THe Luxury ediTion Biz evenTs asia uncovers Luxury from Legacy To modernisaTion
Three Tier Pool, amankila
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TimeLess Luxury THe journey of Luxury TraveL and LifesTyLe requires THe resPecT and undersTanding of iTs Legacy Words: eL Kwang & ricHard BaKer
Luxury as a well-travelled attitude and its legacy dates as far back as the roman times. whether it is travel, events or labels, to experience luxury well, one should respect the art of luxury and understand the key messages and appreciate the talent behind luxury. modernisation, coupled with innovation and technology, has transformed timeless luxury into modern luxury and triggers off memories of excellence in those with a keen eye for fine designs. Powerful brands deliver that association, attract loyalty and establish a deeper respect for luxury legacy. modern luxury according to james and Tamara Lohan of renowned luxury travel experience services, mr & mrs smith, is “not about formal, stuffy and luxury environment of days gone by; we look at the personality and character of the interior design and how friendly the service is. we want to find places that offer a unique experience and a personal touch.” The Lohan’s knowledge on modern luxury and trends are featured in the #Knowledge section on page 66-67.
Brand & dEsign discipLinE Today, everyone understands the power of a strong visual identity, a powerful brand or logo asset of a company. some adopt clever taglines and catch-phrases, or emotional appeals that all too often become subsumed under some other value systems. in today’s decentralised, tweeting, on demand and instant gratification culture, achieving visual coherence can be tough. applications and processes are required in true branding work (an e-newsletter has more different requirements and opportunities than a tangible brochure); people far outside any marketing department have the tools to create communication opportunities (and do); and
even if an organisation masters its own staff, there are still communicative responses being created outside departmental walls, 24/7, that affect a brand. a classic example will be userdriven feedback social media platforms where consumers are given the green light to share their feedback openly regardless of their level of credibility. There are many reasons to invest in brand strategy from a business perspective. The most basic forms of brand communication are necessary for presenting your company in a variety of situations from managing complaints to event execution. it should be a priority from the very beginning and if it is a premium luxury brand, the intricate nature by definition should be deeply rooted and connected to the very core of its existence. The legacy and story of each masterpiece needs to be continuously re-enforced, so in spite of trends, fashion and global economies changing and developing, the word and very meaning of the term luxury becomes harder to manage as it becomes ingrained into our everyday lives. guest editor, fay-Linn yeoh highlights the importance of brand management in a competitive world on page 38 of this article. despite the trials and tribulations of the business world, luxury can still capture one’s attention through its emotional appeal and enduring presence. a good art piece or a good design will still stand out and withstand critical scrutiny because it carries on years of craftsmanship and attention to details; a testament to the back breaking blood, sweat and tears of collaboration between the apprentice and the master. a good design captures the perfect yet challenging relationship between the past and the present. we bring you a real-life experience when we interview the owner of the newly opened st. regis Kuala Lumpur, carmen chua on page 36 of this article.
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Guest Editor Richard Baker explains his principle on luxury design A career as a hotel expert allows me to be responsible and accountable. We take responsibility for our chosen careers and mine is no different. By affording myself early on the opportunity to travel and to be immersed in cultural awareness, I exemplified in the field of Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) and sourcing, by selecting the world’s finest fabrics, silks and woven materials. Through years of travel I have learnt how to respect heritage and the cultural integrity originated from a deep and grounded level. To understand the processes and the time-honoured traditions of application, the ability to create is to strive and to lead in performance excellence, though always watched over by a careful eye. To me, this careful eye is the quintessential element of what it means to have timeless luxury, and I say luxury is indeed looking for me to fully interpret yet safeguard its deep-rooted connection. Timeless luxury is “always watched over by a careful eye”. Sometimes the difference between a good trip and an amazing one comes down to one thing: the hotel. Nothing stirs up as much debate in the Scope Identity Office as the places we are most passionate about and most likely to recommend to others. As specialists in advising and consulting with hotel owners, our expertise has witnessed it all. At the glimpse of an eye whilst inhaling my first breath I can sense the emotion and the integrity of the space while comprehending and reading the relationship between history and heritage – what belongs and what doesn’t. I have learnt that there are no right and wrong answers. However, there are fundamental principles that must be followed and executed to achieve unparalleled experiences. My own discipline and relationship with design relates to the “less is more” Bauhaus Movement from 1919-1933 and is inspired by the unity of form and function, and the very idea that design is in service of the community; a belief in the perfection and efficiency of rudimentary design with maximum spatial logic. Design for me is a confident process: invest in what you adore, and be accountable for your own design principles, but always watch over the process with a careful and masterful eye.
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“Luxury to me is time. Time to allow me to experience places, time to take in a destination, and time to spend time with loved ones.” Fay-linn yeoh Guest Editor of Biz Events Asia and Director, Brand Management Asia Pacific St Regis, The Luxury Collection Food & Beverage Marketing, Starwood Hotels and Resorts
of cHoice and care The desire to have the freedom to “switch off” is priceless. so much so, city dwellers are “investing” in it, financially and spiritually. Luxury to anna nash, director of Public relations for aman resorts is “intangible and a personal choice in finding one’s escape, moment and peace.”
THe uLTimaTe Luxury in LifesTyLe and TraveL is Having cHoices wiTHouT negLecTing duTy of care. Words: eL Kwang & gina sin
it is also the want to have a personal choice that brought on the “bleisure” travel trend where employees are extending their work trips into personal days at a destination for in-depth exploration and experience. The introduction of popular website airbnb encourages travellers to have local experiences by staying and exploring in less touristy neighbourhoods while staying in a home away from home environment. Bertrand saillets, general manager of fcm Travel solutions singapore explained to Biz events asia that the company has relaunched Travel club due to the increase in “bleisure” travellers. Travel club is a membership-based service where customers can create their holiday
swimming Pool, amanpulo
experiences with the assistance of fcm Travel solutions’ passionate travel consultants. The club promises fast responses (within 24 hours) and value for money themed experiences like city breaks, bleisure, beach escapes, active and wellness holidays off the beaten track. el Kwang of Biz events asia experienced airbnb for the first time when visiting frankfurt and Paris. although the cost of accommodation is one third of hotels within the same vicinity, there are certainly some factors that may not be appealing to time-poor travellers especially for business travellers: •
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coordination. more time needed to coordinate with the hosts for logistics like picking up of keys, apartment orientation. early or late flight arrivals will be a challenge. immediate assistance. if one needs assistance, it is much faster getting help when staying at hotels. accessibility. some apartments do not come with lifts. so, prepare to sweat it out if one is a heavy traveller lugging it up an apartment on level 5. getting a taxi may be a challenge if one
Picnic grove, amanpulo
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does not know how to book taxis in a foreign language or use uber services. sense of security. especially when returning late and if one is not familiar with the location. reliability. only get a real sense of it on arrival unlike a hotel with strong brand standards. some travellers experienced last minute cancellation by the host and the whole booking and sourcing process begins again. a tough challenge during peak seasons of the destinations.
duty of care conference
of course, there are attractive conditions staying with airbnb which include affordability where meals can be prepared in the apartment, living spaces where group travellers gather and a real sense of home away from home. for example, the apartment Kwang rented in frankfurt came with portable wi-fi and mobile charging gadgets and a nespresso machine, the latter fulfilling the need of coffee drinkers. Loyalty follows once holiday home rental brands like onefinestay, Homeaway and airbnb services have established a real sense of trust with customers. Those who prefer hotels could take the advice of james and Tamara Lohan of mr & mrs smith: “don’t pay for facilities you won’t have time to use - especially if you’re on a fleeting business trip.” However, business travellers and corporate travel management companies are more concerned about travellers’ safety as they have duty of care obligations.
duTy of carE in corporate travel, the bigger the company, the more complex the business trips, hence the more imperative it is to have a proper risk mitigation system in place. staying alert in the ever-changing landscape of globalisation, political instability and fear of terrorism in places previously thought safe, is more important today than ever before. a good risk mitigation policy reduces the rate of work-related accidents and absenteeism, increases productivity and knowledge (prevention is better than cure) resulting in a
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Hotel Providence Paris
healthier workforce and significant cost savings. a duty of care conference organised by international sos – the world’s leading medical and travel security assistance company – at suntec singapore convention & exhibition centre attracted over 140 human resource and risk management executives for an exchange of thoughts, trends and industry practices. duty of care refers to the moral and legal obligations of employers to act prudently to avoid the risk of reasonable foreseeable injury or exposures leading to ill health to their employees working, posted on international assignments or working in remote areas of their home country.
“Luxury is intangible and a personal choice in finding one’s escape, moment and peace.” anna nash director of Public relations aman resorts
james and Tamara Lohan at Ham yard Hotel London
dr gan siok Lin, executive director, wsH institute, at a panel discussion advised that to properly implement a risk mitigation structure or system, a company needs to have a strong wish culture. a strong management needs to be supportive, lead by example, and communicate simply and clearly the policy to all its employees and partners. with a proper understanding of the policy implementation, employees must also play their part in adhering to it.
this luxury. The attitude and mindset for the enjoyment of downtime determines its real value. one can be in the most luxurious destination and staying at the finest hotel. However, if one chooses not to live in the moment, one will not only miss out the finer details, but may end up leaving the break feeling less rested.
“don’t pay for facilities you won’t have time to use – especially if you’re on a fleeting business trip.”
according to the international organization for standardization (iso), over 6,300 people around the globe die each year from work-related accidents or diseases. occupational injuries and diseases for both employers and the wider economy can become a burden, with staff absence, early retirements and insurance premiums on the rise. a new standard currently being developed by iso will help organisations reduce this burden by providing a framework to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks and create better and safer working conditions. Known as iso 45001 occupational health and safety management systems – requirements, this new standardisation is slated to be published in october 2016. it will also address many, if not all, legal requirements in this area.
in our hands To have the luxury of freedom of choice, one has to be responsible for one’s own welfare. in addition, it is crucial to be in the right frame of mind when enjoying
The waterhouse at south Bund Bund junior
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IMMERSION AND ELEVATION HOw CARMEN CHUA TRANSFORMED LEgACY INTO MODERN LUxURY Words: EL KwANg & RICHARD BAKER Located in KL Sentral, the opening of The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur was one of the most highly anticipated hotel openings in Malaysia; in fact, in Asia. The delay in its opening was attributed to its good design aspirations and hence well worth the wait. Biz Events Asia was the first trade media invited for a visit and stay just days after its opening. The magazine was privileged by the invitation even though some leisure facilities were not ready. The pièce de résistance of the visit was a personal hotel tour by the owner and CEO of One IFC Sdn Bhd, Carmen Chua. In an era where traditional luxury brands are challenged in capturing the hearts of the younger generation and the younger generation redefining luxury travel, this hotel will make heads turn for all the right reasons. Chua knew she wanted her first hotel to be a St. Regis as she was familiar with the history and legacy of John Jacob Astor IV and his wife, Caroline, since the opening of the first St. Regis hotel in New York City more than a century ago. Chua’s vision remained diamond-clear (crystal really does not cut it when describing her fine eye-for-detail vision and passion) since she conceptualised the design and commissioned art pieces for this hotel in her early 20’s, eight years ago. “My vision for this hotel started from designing a Deluxe Room (lead-in room category) and we designed the hotel from the perspectives of a hotel end-user because I am one,” said Chua.
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Astor Bar The Lobby
SenSe of Secured arrival Our hotel tour with Chua started at the hotel’s porte cochère that promises no shoes will get wet during Kuala Lumpur’s torrential raining seasons. The vast oversized semi-enclosed porte cochère not only acts as a protective shield against the rain but also protects the privacy of identifiable individuals who visit the St. Regis. Upon entering the lobby, two knifeedged full height wall leather murals by artist Mark Evans flank the arrival experience. The murals show a powerful charge towards and from, the perspective of a polo game, signifying the brand’s signature butler and front office team’s readiness to make contact with guests.
exterior
immovaBLE prEsEncE Past the reception and adjacent to the contemporary flower design is The drawing room. The stout presence of the 2.5-tonne horse sculpture by fernando Botero proudly takes centre stage, supported by a reinforced concrete slab that engineers previously told chua could not be done. chua’s research and determination in creating the support for the Botero Horse was as steadfast as the panel of power sockets she has designed and positioned underneath each table in this room.
guests entering at the ground level entrance of The grand Ballroom will be guided up the escalator through the triple height volume space within arm’s reach of the three-dimensional “Birds and Butterflies” installation by artist Barnaby Hosking, inspired by chua’s childhood memories of time spent at Lake gardens across the hotel.
house kitchens through sound-proof hidden doors. The whole concept was to ensure quality cuisine served at the right temperature. chua also ensured that the back of house areas facilitate ease of service. she said, “it must be easy for both the guests and the hotel operations team for seamless and elevated service experience.”
The st. regis Kuala Lumpur event facilities are built for events with multiple breakout streams. each meeting room, big or small, has its own private washroom facilities. every meeting room on level two has a different design scheme and carpet pattern with walls featuring original photo prints of the new york stock exchange in the 19th and 20th centuries, a gift from chua to her father’s 60th birthday which took her two years to curate. each small meeting room also has its own service pantry and is linked to back of
The design and layout of the meeting spaces are a talking point and promote delegate interaction. for example, the clean line kitchen and bar built into The reading room on level 2 encourages guests to mingle during breaks whilst chefs cook up exquisite tasting dishes using the miele appliances. other remarkable areas are the exchange rooms with access to a 18-seat luxury cinema called the screening room; which are perfect for corporate offsite events or temporary office during office refurbishment or new office set up period.
grand Ballroom
fuTurE-proof EvEnT spacEs as event planners’ expectations continue to grow, the hotel has developed versatile event spaces with technology and equipment that will enable them to be ahead of the competition and attract key regional events from Hong Kong, singapore, indonesia and china, according to hospitality veteran and hotel general manager, anne scott.
meeting facilities-dollar 1 room
similar to the hotel entrance, The astor room (511-sq m junior ballroom) and the 1,300 sq m grand Ballroom each has a covered driveway with its own separate entrance, allowing for events to happen concurrently and to facilitate smooth movement of guests. despite separate entrances, guests are able to effortlessly access all 10,000 sq m worth of meeting spaces whilst directed and guided by professional digital signages.
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The other main talk of the town is the seamless 47-Led screen wall projection system around the room’s circumference where guests will be immersed in panoramic virtual reality with exceptional sound quality. despite a 12 metre-tall ceiling, this ballroom has professional rigging and lighting facilities that can be brought down closer to floor level for the safety of the production crew during rigging process. it also has direct access to a cargo lift large enough to bump in a car. all these facilities allow quicker and safer event bump in and out process. snowie Tan, group managing director of ecopia group based in malaysia who thinks that the st. regis brand takes luxury and class to a different level, said that the grand Ballroom and its Led screens are the impressive “wow” factor. access to the ballroom is directly by lift from parking bays as well as additional lifts from the guest rooms. escalators from the conference lobby make it user-friendly for business events. The size of the ballroom foyer is also great for pre-function activities.
john jacob astor suite
deluxe Twin room
swEET drEams starting at 63 sq m, many may know by now that the guest rooms at The st. regis Kuala Lumpur are the largest in the city. its speciality suites come with its own massage room, security room as well as his-and-hers walk-in wardrobes. Though technologically savvy, the light and power control panels in the rooms are classically simple to use. The colour palette is chua’s favourite shade of blue. The leather bound signature minibar trunk shows chua’s commitment to design excellence. The layout of the deluxe room will be appreciated by time-poor couples or female roommates as one can get ready in the dressing room whilst the other freshens up in the adjacent doublevanity bathroom. even the corridor on the accommodation floors are wide enough for two persons to walk side by side for uninterrupted conversations. Lots of attention to detail and good finishing has gone into the decorative and subtly painted wall panelling which is replicated throughout the hotel, and those with a fine eye for design will appreciate the effort and level of craftsmanship to achieve this level of intricacy. for example, centred double leaf doors leading from the suite living area to the guest room can be
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meeting facilities- dollar 3 room
effortlessly folded back to become flush with the decorative panelling woodwork. However, it makes one wonder about the maintenance strategy of such finely painted panelling scott and her team have to deploy. The hotel has a simple strategy: no room service and housekeeping service trolleys will be used on the accommodation floors.
food & BEvEragE chua’s vision is for dining guests not to walk out of her food and beverage outlets smelling like food. This is taken care of by for example, having a built-in exhaust in addition to the ceiling mounted exhaust in the tempura flyer at the hotel’s ginza Tenkuni restaurant. Breakfast served in the Brasserie is prepared behind the scene, complementing the peaceful restaurant ambience
snowie Tan - group md (ecopia group)
as guests ease into their day. chua’s favourite piece is the decanter within The astor Bar. Through in-depth research, trials and errors, chua managed to sound proof the dome ceiling with handmade italian gold tiles despite the doubts from designers and building contractors. The outcome is an intimate room with great flow of energy where guests enjoy quality conversations with each other, surrounded by fine wines.
cross gEnEraTion crafTsman of Luxury carmen chua’s talent and passion in making her dream hotel come true are not overshadowed by her youth, good looks and wealth. she often says, “i wish my home is like my hotel”. Her love for the st. regis brand and respect for the brand legacy like caroline astor’s love for diamonds, are expressed through the subtle diamond design sprinkled throughout the hotel; she wore princess cut diamond earrings on the day of our visit. The larger sized lift buttons were especially designed and colour coded so it is easy for both the older generations and busy corporate guests to identify and navigate through the hotel at ease. yet, her definition of luxury is like the way she dresses the hotel, effortlessly modern. in our opinion, she has successfully created a new type of st. regis hotel that is cross-generational. Hers is a new contemporary museum across from muzium negara (national museum opened in 1963). chua’s father has a strong influence on her. one of his mottos, the “one project at a time” advice and his training on reading floor plans and blue prints have contributed to her success. one could simply dismiss chua’s achievement efforts and assume that her family wealth has given her all the advantages. However, not many offspring from well-to-do families have taken on a hotel project at the age of 25, persevered through the endless naysayers and worked day in day out for eight consecutive years to share with the public her dream hotel.
“my vision for this hotel started from designing a deluxe room and we designed the hotel from the perspectives of a hotel end-user as i am one” Carmen Chua ceo one ifc sdn Bhd
The Brasserie
caroline astor suite Living room
The combined visons of both john jacob astor iv and carmen chua has given Biz events asia the immersion and elevation of experience at The st. regis Kuala Lumpur that truly reflect their desire to “make the finest hotel the world has ever seen”.
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#TheLuxuryEdition
Luxury dna
desPiTe sTiff comPeTiTion and HeigHTened cusTomer exPecTaTions, guesT ediTor fay-Linn yeoH exPLains wHy Brand managemenT sTiLL sTands. Words: eL Kwang
any marketing and communications specialist will say a brand tells a story. sales professionals rely on the brand to drive revenue. a powerful brand sways the consumer’s decision to buy because it triggers the tangibility of a memory or emotion. when conceived and created accurately, a brand establishes trust. more importantly, in a rapidly growing and competitive region like asia, branding generates demand that is, hopefully, manageable. Large multinational corporations invest heavily in managing their brands especially when they are luxury. according to fay-Linn yeoh, branding is important as it allows for an identity and a lifestyle consumers can morph into. However, some misconceptions of brand management can lead to undesirable effects. for example, brand managers are not brand police. They are here to enable and facilitate growth instead of deterring it. managing a brand also does not mean executing operation protocols like food and beverage and front office procedures. it must embody a holistic mindset from design to marketing and communications. relevance in brand management is key to continuous business success. when it comes to improving a company’s branding strategies, yeoh advised, “ensure that the delivery of brand programmes are relevant to customers, address customer needs but with a strong brand voice, and definitely make it operationally executable”. The leading team must engage to ensure a 360 degree consistent approach to all levels of customers, partners and communication channels. it is important
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“Branding is important as it allows for an identity and a lifestyle that consumers can morph into.” Fay-linn yeoh director, Brand management asia Pacific, st. regis, The Luxury collection, food & Beverage marketing, starwood Hotels and resorts.
for the team to cultivate and instil pride for the brand and drive loyalty. in the era of user-generated content platforms and powerful social media channels like Tripadvisor, clients have never been more vocal about brand experiences. yeoh explained that consumers have higher expectations as they are now better informed and savvy. yeoh’s sound advice on establishing splendid brand management skills is to understand that with the current consumer mindset, it is important to first establish recognition of a brand, and that there is a preference. and if successful, loyalty will be established. effective brand management should also allow brand essence to grow with
the times. one must be mindful when refreshing a brand or executing a rebrand. understanding the reason behind the change is vital. always have the customer in the centre of the decision making process. in addition, investing in proper professional resources and thorough education of the revised or new brand is a must. “Brand management requires pride, passion and a ‘loyalty beyond reason’ to the brands you are managing. one should have a very clear and concise understanding of what the brand is all about. Be true to your brand and love thy brand”, an advice yeoh took away from a conference she attended a decade ago which she still firmly believes in.
#TheLuxuryEdition
THe arT of anTiciPaTion wHaT disTinguisHes Luxury service aParT and How can iT maKe a Brand sTicK? renowned for iTs Luxury service sTandards, we sPeaK To THe uPPer House Hong Kong To find ouT more. Words: gina sin
sTay aTTunEd
semi private dining booth at cafe gray deluxe
according to a national university of singapore (nus) Business school customer service study, engineering a service resolution requires counter-intuitive strategies. The study, which analysed customer service operations over 25 years, found that almost all companies want to provide great service as it translates into improved customer loyalty and better business in the long run. However, the traditional approach of frontline staff training does not work, as they are fragmented, incremental and based on faulty assumptions about the true nature of service. marcel Thoma, general manager at The upper House Hong Kong, defines luxury service as “an environment that is not only about a beautiful surrounding but also a service and anticipation of service. an anticipation of guests’ needs and to be attuned to guests’ wants.” He shared that competition amongst hotels is fierce and there are a lot of people promoting luxury service as their core competency. “a modern hotel does not want to try to be a traditional hotel and vice versa. when they do, guests get confused and service delivery gets flawed.” He advised that it is crucial for a hotel to understand what market they cater to and adjust their service according to the target audience.
BuiLd a cuLTurE Building a service culture within the organisation needs to start from the top and instilled within all the teams that play an integral part to the services that will be provided. “in the team, share guest interactions, positive feedback from guests, when expectations are not met, and daily trainings. The daily presence of our management team is very important as you cannot run a hotel remotely. The daily interaction between staff and guests is extremely important,” said Thoma. Thoma also expressed that what distinguishes a luxury service is the connection between a guest and the person who delivers this service. “These days, it is more essential for guests to feel at home in a hotel – being left alone when they want their own space. guests do not need an all-day round entertainment and attention from the staff.”
sky Lounge
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for talents within the hospitality industry to learn the art of anticipation and luxury service, Thoma believes that if they are service-oriented and a people person, they will be able to proactively anticipate a guest’s need and understand how to serve certain types of guest better. He shared that taking an interest in a guest is an important start, and the rest will come naturally with the daily trainings and exposure to different guests. “always keep an open mind and think out-of-the-box. avoid thinking in black and white, but grey.”
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Seoul Supplement
A Class of Their Own Korea’s commitment to hospitality and excellence in service has been a natural fit for its luxury travel market, providing Seoul’s international visitors with truly memorable upscale experiences. From a wide selection of the world’s major five-star hotel brands to mansion-style function venues and a steadily growing range of deluxe shopping choices, Seoul’s stylish luxury options are truly in a class of their own. The 123-storey Lotte World Tower, which just finished external construction in March 2016, is an ideal example of a development that encompasses all of these luxury options and more, including an observation deck, a new concert hall on the roof of the new Lotte World Mall, office spaces and an aquarium. Following are just a few of the city’s finest.
Stay Depending upon which part of the hotel you visit, the new Four Seasons Seoul exudes old-world charm and mod-con cool, all the while combining luxury and creativity to pamper and please the guest. Located in central Seoul between its ancient and modern seats of power - Gyeongbokgung Palace and City Hall – the nation’s first Four Seasons aims for eclecticism and character thanks to the influence of multiple designers from around the world. All throughout the facility, for example, can be seen works of art created by Singaporean design firm, LTW Designworks. From lavish suites with full-service in-room dining and their own whirlpool baths to arresting city views detached from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul combines the resort-style luxury of the Banyan Tree brand with the finest in homegrown hospitality. Nestled in the verdant slopes of Namsan Mountain in the city’s centre, the complex easily earns its description of an elegant
Four Seasons Seoul
“urban oasis” while at the same time being only a few minutes’ drive from the action.
Meet The wedding venue of choice for many Korean celebrities, Aston House is a secluded mountain getaway in eastern Seoul, part of the five-star Sheraton Walkerhill complex. It has often been used as a setting for various Korean films and television dramas. Designed by Wilson Associates, the mansion-style building contains an elegant dining room as well as a lush garden for outdoor receptions with stunning views of the city as their backdrop. Taking its name from the famous 17th century Jacobean-style mansion in England, Aston House is the place to indulge in upscale gatherings.
Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul
Aston House
Shop Seoul continues to set the standard for duty-free shopping; the Incheon International Airport duty-free mall, for example, has won multiple awards. Responding to the increased demand from overseas shoppers, new outlets are offering even more options in the city’s major tourist areas. Among them, Galleria Duty Free 63, offering everything from Sulhwasoo to LiPault, can be found in 63 Square, the iconic golden skyscraper overlooking Seoul’s Hangang River. Meanwhile, Shilla iPark Duty Free, known as the world’s largest urban duty free shop, offers over 600 brands from its prime position in the Yongsan-based Hyundai I’Park Mall, including foreign favourites like Mulberry, Jimmy Choo, and Philipp Plein. Retail giant Shinsegae has also opened its first duty-free store in Myeong-dong, central Seoul’s must-visit destination for many overseas shoppers, selling among other things 70 luxury watch brands.
To find out about other luxurious venues in Seoul, please visit www.miceseoul.com or contact the MICE Hotline at hotline@seoulwelcome.com
Shilla iPark Duty Free
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Case Study
Seoul’s Largestever Incentive Group Enjoys VIP Treatment A recent reward trip to Korea for 8,000 healthcare employees proved no problem for Seoul, with a city-sponsored dinner party next to Seoul’s world-famous floating islands proving a recipe for success. EVENT OVERVIEW Seoul recently hosted its largest-ever international incentive group to date when 8,000 employees of the Joy Main Science & Technology division of China-based firm Zhongmai Group were rewarded with a week in the city. Having previously rewarded 1,800 of its employees with a cruise to Seoul in 2013, Joy Main was keen to return, this time on a much larger scale. A timely discussion between the company’s travel agent and Mayor of Seoul Park Won-soon during a post-MERS Korea tourism roadshow in China last year ultimately assured them that an incentive trip for 8,000 would be met with full government support from Korea’s capital.
EXECUTION + CHALLENGES & TRIUMPHS Providing Joy Main’s employees with a gala event to welcome their arrival, the city sponsored a special dinner and a show, which was held twice for two groups of 4,000 over a staggered two-week visit. The dish of choice was samgyetang (chicken ginseng soup), believed to prevent illness – especially during the summer – and prized by Chinese visitors, who are ardent consumers of Korean red ginseng. The show, meanwhile, took the form of a lively concert featuring Korean pop stars who had contributed to the soundtrack of the recent television series Descendants of the Sun, a smash hit in China. To ensure the two-week incentive trip went as smoothly as possible, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Tourism Organization, and many other official entities worked together closely to make both the gala events and other leisure activities the best they could be. Upon arrival visitors were greeted with welcome messages on the multi-screen LCD displays at Incheon International Airport and received welcome kits containing, among other things, USIM cards and personal greetings from Mayor Park. Efforts were made to find the most suitable venue for the gala, with the final choice being Banpo Hangang Park,
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a popular leisure space alongside the Hangang River, home to the Some Sevit floating island complex. Special permits were obtained from the local district to set up food preparation trucks for the samgyetang, while pre-show entertainment and amenities were provided for the guests on site, such as food trucks, currency exchange, comedy and magic shows, and more. The Seoul MICE Supporters, a pool of event operations staff trained by the Seoul Convention Bureau, were on hand to facilitate the gatherings, while the city’s unique tourism police were even dispatched to help control traffic as Joy Main employees explored the capital. Seoul MICE Alliance members also played a major role, with SMA hotels the Bell-essence, Best Western Premier Seoul Garden, and The Shilla Seoul all providing accommodation for Joy Main visitors. Elsewhere, SMA nonverbal live art performers The Painters and Namsangol Hanok (traditional Korean house) Village added a splash of Korean-style fun and culture to the experience.
EVENT OUTCOME Seoul’s hospitable efforts to go the extra mile for Joy Main certainly did not go unnoticed. “We were impressed by how much they went out of their way to treat us as VIPs” enthused Zhongmai Healthcare Group president Li Dabing. “I will never forget the dinner and concert, which will forever remain with me as a cherished memory,” affirmed Li Dabing. “I want to thank all the citizens of Seoul for their warm welcome.” To find out about Seoul’s support programs and services for business events, please visit www.miceseoul.com or contact the MICE Hotline at hotline@seoulwelcome.com.
CLIENT: Joy Main Science & Technology (Zhongmai Group) TYPE: Incentive Travel VENUE: Various locations in Seoul WHEN: May 5-9 (Group 1), May 9-13 (Group 2) PAX: 8,000 (2 groups of 4,000)
#Associations
taking the First step For so many organisations there is a pressure to â&#x20AC;&#x153;open new markets For membersâ&#x20AC;?, especially in regions that are culturally diFFerent. who is enabling this exchange and how does it beneFit both sides? what are the considerations and how is it worth the investment? an international proFessional conFerence organiser (pco), trade show organiser and destination take part in a debate and study tour. Words: JenniFer salsbury
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asia has long held a deep and mystical fascination for europeans. historically seen as the exotic orient and the source of luxury goods almost unattainable elsewhere – silks, porcelain, spices and tea, to mention a few. today through an active knowledge exchange of scientific research and specialist training, and through learning platforms provided by the associations world at their events, the fascination continues. k.i.t. group gmbh, a berlin-based international pco, organised a study trip for europe-based association executives in conjunction with the itb asia show in singapore for two consecutive years. running annually in october, the show provided an opportunity for the 50 or so participants in the “east meetings west” study tour to meet asia-based business exchange providers and, six months on from the 2015 trip, the results are coming home to roost with the experiences shared bearing fruit for the various organisations. “k.i.t. group is committed to the vision of an ever-more collaborative and innovative association meetings landscape. we will be actively supporting many association clients as they develop new or existing initiatives in the broader asia pacific region with the aim to build lasting value. to do this, what we offer has to be relevant,” said hainsworth on the study tour objectives.
JenniFer saLsBUrY contributing editor
participants included european and international association executives, regional volunteer officers and regional meetings industry leaders. expertly chaired by hainsworth, the participants recently gave feedback on key thoughts gained during their experience in asia; following is a summary:
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Ben hainsWorth executive director of the association and conference management company, k.i.t. group
participants were impressed by the whole new internationalisation of the association mindset the new “knowledge economy” is truly global and no longer focused just on the us and northern europe of the us-based american society of association executives (asae) members organising conferences, 47 percent run meetings offshore and 17 percent now have offices outside the us there are increasing numbers of projects with scientific and other professional collaboration or “coendeavours” the focus is now about “value creation” rather than “value capturing” in markets new to organisations
in discussion, hainsworth identified a move that was leading more associations to “think beyond their natural territory”. adding to his point, “we are seeing international annual conferences venturing into ‘new’ territories and many european
associations are developing specific meetings and programmes in asia.” that led to an examination of the trends encouraging european associations to consider participation and creation of research projects, events or other activities outside the borders of the european region. reporting on feedback during the study tour, hainsworth commented: “sometimes such groups will act independently but quite a few do so in partnership with leading local associations, many of whom are actually taking the lead in such initiatives.” it seems k.i.t. is active in this arena and hainsworth has announced encouraging upcoming business resulting from these efforts. “in the next few years our group will deliver major events in india, singapore, malaysia, Japan, and of special interest, china, where we are currently establishing a more permanent presence to optimise local relations and performance.” these are the trends that popped up clearly from conversations during the week.
TRENDS •
the movement of going “beyond borders” is a phenomenon across all sectors of associations including life sciences, engineering, cultural, sport, finance – even in the meetings and association management industry
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#Associations
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the pressures within the local markets – compliance, budget constraint/rationalising, the need to demonstrate growth – means that established organisations are increasingly finding the need to look for new areas where they can “follow the money” or identify new income resources – asia is providing one such new resource the “push and pull” exchange or the demand in “new” regions like asia for know-how or experience and educational training from the established markets in europe and north america
all these trends and new opportunities have led the european associations to include asia when aspiring to new markets. so why asia?
ann deLMiChe director of events at uitp
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THE ASIAN ADVANTAGE • •
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new and fast growing wealth in asian countries “untouched” population – sheer volume of numbers newly exposed to the learning of the “old world”, and desiring more, for their developing regions with basic practical needs emerging knowledge centres – having trained in europe or north america. practitioners have opened “user-friendly” research facilities to new technologies and research concepts. the asia-based scientists can apply “western” practices in asia technology – the asian region, like many other developing regions, has “leapfrogged” communication technology and is very open to pushing technological boundaries in general Facilities – having identified “meetings and events” as overall positive economic impact generators, serious investment has been made by most asian governments in meetings infrastructure and there are many attractive opportunities for organisations new to the region in “win-win” scenarios
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with developing markets in asia coupled with a growing economy in the region, travel and access to global capitals have led to fast growth of airline routes for both leisure and business travel, with asian carriers leading in many aspects of service - the meetings market capitalises on this kind of access
ann delmiche, director of events at UitP, the organisation for “advancing public transport”, was one of the speakers at the itb session, and has had a long connection with asia and uitp with well-established offices in the region. we asked her what business models are working for them. her key response was “reciprocity and a common interest” with “partnership as opposed to a supplier/host relationship” and “showcasing local expertise” a close second. advantages for the uitp activities and some of the reasons for running events in the region include: • •
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a showcase for asian expertise the opportunity to bring benefits to local stakeholders and the resident population illustrating success whilst highlighting the differences between the us/eu approaches and asian initiatives relevance – in a changing world keeping in the forefront of real need
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and development plus providing the appropriate and constructive support is the challenge when sponsors have a choice to make with shrinking expenditure available, understanding objectives and ensuring relevant outcomes for investment is essential to maintaining “sponsor buy-in” for new projects managing expectations and providing the platform for real integration between local business and policy makers, global players and new startups is the new challenge running local offices feeding in to regional centres of excellence is the real key to creating value propositions for all when budgets are limited for newer, riskier projects, rigorous financial management becomes the key element to maintaining the integrity of the international brand whilst providing the established and expected quality of event
Josche ouwerkerk, Managing director, international Federation of Library associations (iFLa) and tan huay Cheem of asia Pacific society of Cardiology (aPsiC) shared opinions on their decisions to bring their events to singapore to reach the region. these emerged as decision making factors:
JosChe oUWerkerk managing director, international Federation of library associations (iFla)
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right to knowledge is universal – the events should run for easy access to all users around the world or at least rotate to reach everyone every few years organisations have a universal commitment to bring international advances to the regional population and reach every local communities who would not travel outside their regions collaboration both internationally and regionally to create a new “knowledge” great air connections in singapore makes it possible to build new regional networks within southeast asia and spread as far as the gulf states, Japan, south korea and the pacific islands, including australia and new Zealand the destination itself shows understanding of vision and international objectives marrying these with the clear knowledge of the local and regional stakeholders
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the integration of governmental bodies behind a common vision to build the science sector through the meetings and events industry greatly supports the ease of moving to the region with a main focus on healthcare (plus other cutting-edge science and technology fields) which supports the biggest field of the association event sector years of experience and funding facilitates the provision of appropriate tools and facilities access to other asian markets through a multi-national population and cultural understanding legislation and administration services enable easy creation of a foothold in the region for the global landscape last but far from least there is, through developing the infrastructure, a real opportunity to build a lasting legacy – a goal for so many international groups
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M eet ing fa ciliti e s , re co gni s e d by t he wor l d . 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. 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 cne@oneworldhotel.com.my
2016 Meeting Packages Half Day Meeting Package from RM228 nett per person per day
Full Day Meeting Package from RM240 nett per person per day
*Prices are in Ringgit Malaysia and inclusive of 10% service charge and 6% goods and services tax.
Find us on
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 7681 1111 fax: 603 7681 1188 email: enquiry@oneworldhotel.com.my website: www.oneworldhotel.com.my JUNE-JULY MAR 2016
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A c i t c r A t An o t n I elve
#D
LAd B d Lin nA h o t i c i w ph Ed A hE k r t r G o G o vin iA w nAL GE A s h A Ents s-nAtio Ed from v E n ct Biz o E i L t i E d s ExpE nAtion icE o ti dEs ry of ch Luxu
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spirit of ExpLorAtion A picturE-pErfEct journEy to thE Bottom of thE worLd thAt iGnitEs thE sEnsE of AdvEnturE - AntArcticA WorDs: EL KWANG Photos: LINDbLAD ExPEDItIoNs if you feel that you have been everywhere and yet are still craving for a destination that takes your breath away. if you feel that you are in need to align your core in order to focus on what lies ahead. Even if you ever feel that all you want is to be far away from the rest of the world and learn something new, this journey is possibly best suited for you, especially if you are a start-up entrepreneur. As the 19th century french novelist, Gustave flaubert, said, “travel makes one modest. you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” Beyond the glitz and glamour, is an opportunity to explore Antarctica with the Lindblad Expeditionsnational Geographic. Larger than Europe and almost twice the size of Australia, Antarctica is not like the rest of the world. it does not have a government or nationality like we know. it has no permanent human residents. what it has is a treaty (Antarctic treaty) signed by 52 countries and enforced in 1998 that only peaceful activities like research are to be carried out on this white continent until its review in 2048. the respect for environment is upheld by the protocol on Environmental protection to the Antarctic treaty where no mining and other mineral resources extraction activities are allowed unless they are for research purposes. All activities, including tourism, require
environmental assessment. the closed-to-noozone protection continent houses 1,000 scientists (more during summer) who are there in the name of research. Although norwegian roald Amundsen, the first explorer who set foot on the south pole in 1911 once said, “Adventure is just bad planning”, the team at Lindblad Expeditions-national Geographic has everything planned out the moment they meet you at the 2 departure points: Buenos Aires and santiago. from there, guests can embark on a 10 or 21-day adventure on zodiac and kayaks. those who have been there said it is filled with wildlife, natural iceberg sculptures and clear air. what is unique about these tours other than exploring under the confident guidance of expedition leaders and veteran naturalists, is the chance for keen shutterbugs to spend quality time throughout the trip with national Geographic certified photography instructors who provide personal photography tips. with almost 24 hours of daylight during the tour months from november to february, activities can be tailored especially if one is keen to capture the midnight sun phenomenon around christmas each year. here are some activities in Antarctica designed by Lindblad Expeditions – national Geographic, after the journey at sea on the drake passage from the departing port of ushuaia. hopefully this will inspire you to acknowledge that in life, we do have the luxury of choice. As mark twain famously said, “twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”
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#DelveInto
“we believe that luxury is the emotional and intellectual pleasure that guests derive from the extraordinary experiences they encounter on an adventure.” gareth James General manager Lindblad Expeditions Australia
ExpEriENcEs cUratEd bY LiNdbLad ExpEditioNsNatioNaL GEoGraphic Incomparable wIldlIfe experIence only the plains of the serengeti during the migrations can compare to the wildlife spectacles offered by both south Georgia and the falklands. in south Georgia you’ll see a single rookery with tens of thousands of king penguins—an astonishing sight and an indelible memory. in the falklands, you’ll see rockhopper penguins in great numbers in their “hobbit shire” of the tussock grass. And, in both, you’ll have the rare opportunity to see albatross in great numbers—wandering albatross with their impressive 11-foot wing spans; and beautiful black-browed albatross—in colonies that fill the windward ledges of these southernmost islands. these, plus elephant and fur seals, pelagic birds in great numbers, and various species of whales feasting on the southern ocean’s seasonal bounty create unprecedented wildlife viewing experiences for you. every day Is actIve and engagIng you’ll get out on adventures every day in Antarctica, south Georgia and the falklands. the falklands are ideal for walking adventures, with some hikes ending in a “cream tea” served in the parlour of a welcoming farmhouse. south Georgia island is the final resting place for explorer sir Ernest shackleton, and we’ll hoist a toast at his gravesite. in all locations, your expedition leader will enable daily zodiac cruises and kayak expeditions too, sometimes twice a day—creating the opportunity for you to experience the wonders with all your senses, at water-level or eyelevel. you’ll have a choice of activities plus your choice of naturalists to join—for a movable feast of personalities, insights and interests, or just simply relax. Enjoy the view from behind Explorer’s panoramic glass windows. or visit the fitness centre with its generous views of the ice vistas, or ease into the sauna or a massage in the wellness centre. add the human dImensIon to the Ice from the ghostly remnants of the whaling stations that once peopled south Georgia, to the warmly welcoming ranchers of port stanley on the falklands and the penguin-adapted researchers of port Lockroy, a picturesque science station off the otherwise unpeopled weddell sea coast, you’ll experience the contrast between the majestic, uninhabited wildness of Antarctica, and the unique human incursions into the land of the ice.
Photos: LINDbLAD ExPEDItIoNs
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a i s e n o D in to n I lve
e D #
re a hat ness t Ds busi n a isl xury e th a lu r s ve ion a o t c g a Dis urin stin e t ma nts D eve
the sanchaya beach view
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sweet serenDipity luxurious amenities anD well-traineD staff are just the tip of the iceberg as we embrace the serenity anD artisanal hospitality of the sanchaya on bintan islanD. WorDs: gina sin
they are always there. small, independent hotels, often family-owned and run with a wealth of experience in providing memories to last a lifetime. whether it’s in giving a sense of style, character and uniqueness, or just simply peace and quiet, these hotels have one thing in common: individuality. the level of warmth and attentiveness in their service is something that may not be found in traditional run-of-the-mill hotels. “an ode to the exotic grandeur of asia, the sanchaya encapsulates the southeast asian region in one striking locale, yet retains an unforgettable individual character,” explains natalya pavchinskaya, founder of the sanchaya. the sanchaya, which means “collection” in sanskrit, is a collection of 21 villas and nine suites, a clubhouse, two restaurants and 24-hour in-villa dining, a bar, wine cellar, wine-cheese-and-cigar lounge, function space, 50 metre-long infinity pool, spa, fitness centre, beachside yoga pavilion, croquet lawn and an archery space great for team building activities.
ArtIsAnAl hospItAlIty opened in December 2014, the small luxury hotels of the world member cultivates highly refined service standards that pay homage to the attentiveness observed by its service staff, also known as “artisans”, on this private estate.
all guests of the estate – called “residents” – enjoy a seamless arrival and departure experience thanks to the express immigration and customs clearance handled by the estate’s artisans. after a 45-minute high-speed ferry ride from singapore’s tanah merah ferry terminal to bintan’s bandar bentan telani ferry terminal, an artisan ushers its residents to the sanchaya’s own (and the only) vip lounge in the ferry terminal for refreshments as their baggage and immigration are being taken care of. if this isn’t enough to impress the vips, the estate’s yacht is available for private transfers from singapore to bintan, private charters and sunset cruises.
the ColleCtIon a luxurious estate steeped in colonial elegance, the sanchaya was conceived as an eclectic mosaic of southeast asian countries that fuses the essences of the orient and the european salon. all villas and suites are adorned with carefully curated art and furniture pieces to provide a glimpse into the captivating histories and cultures of the region, along with custom-designed chinaware, bathroom amenities and bespoke coffee blend. its nine suites are set on the upper floor of the main building – the great house – with ample wraparound balconies that gaze out over beautiful gardens and the shimmering south china sea. tech-
savvy people will certainly appreciate modern touches like the bang & olufsen television, apple tv, ipad mini and wifi throughout all suites and villas. revel in seven of the gleaming dark woodpanelled one-bedroom villas at the thai-inspired lawan village, its high vaulted ceilings, garden and lagoon surroundings evoking a sense of muchneeded tranquillity. 12 other one- and two-bedroom villas open up to stunning ocean views, each named after a national flower around the region.
UnleAshIng potentIAl start the day fresh with a sunrise yoga at the yoga pavilion by the beach with the estate’s yoga instructor, before a wholesome breakfast at the Dining room, an all-day dining restaurant that serves european and southeast asian delicacies including indonesian fare a la carte. featuring striking dark tones, polished timber floors, stylish furnishings and rare artefacts, the sanchaya’s function venue – the Dahlia – can host up to 75 people theatre-style or 48 for a banquet. situated in the great house, the Dahlia opens up to a colonial-style terrace and impeccably manicured lawn suitable for cocktail and outdoor events overlooking the estate’s 50-metre long infinity pool and the south china sea beyond. cocktails by the beach or the pool, and private wine tastings with the estate’s sommelier, are among a host of other event options.
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a host of recreational and team building activities can be customised on the estate, including playing croquet overlooking the ocean, petanque or archery with a traditional bow. for a more exclusive activity, capture a bird’s eye view of lagoi bay by taking to the sky in an open cockpit ultralight seaplane
MInDfUl lUxUry
specialised mineralisation procedure purifies and bottles still and sparkling water right on the estate. these procedures provide safe, pure and healthy drinking water. bottles are fully recyclable, which saves up to 80,000 plastic bottles a year.
the sAnChAyA spA experIenCe relax, rejuvenate and restore a sense of wellbeing to the body, mind and soul through an array of treatments including balinese, deep tissue, aromatherapy, herbal, and thai massages. two treatment rooms cater to a multitude of massages, while two verandas with zero gravity beds cater to foot reflexology. found only on the estate, choose from seven of the sanchaya spa’s customised chakra massage oils on offer, each with its own health benefits. java volcanic stones are used during
bedroom villa living room
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hey are always there. small, independent hotels, often familyowned and run with a wealth of experience in providing memories to last a lifetime. whether it’s giving a sense of style, character and uniqueness, or just simply peace and quiet, these hotels have one thing in common: individuality.
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annually, the sanchaya awards two young locals with a year-long hospitality scholarship to support their education and provide in-house work experience while they develop their industry knowledge and skills. they are then able to gain employment at the estate upon successful completion of the programme.
the sanchaya signature massage, which warms the body’s tissues before relaxing long strokes are applied combined with forearm pressure. end the experience over a warm cup of chakra tea that will prepare one for a renewed sense of being.
the salon library
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soul sanctuary biz events asia spent an afternoon with aman resorts when they were in town recently to meet its key clients anD meDia to announce its 31st property anD more. WorDs: gina sin walking up to the beautifully restored bungalow that is lewin terrace in singapore’s fort canning park, one would understand why the aman resorts held its networking event there: luxurious, historical, cosy and welcoming. while speaking with ian white, general manager at amanjiwo, we found out about a property so compelling we just had to share.
ChArM of CentrAl jAvA with the colossal ninth-century buddhist sanctuary and unesco world heritage site, borobudur, as its neighbour, amanjiwo (meaning “peaceful soul”) is an unexpected resort located in yogyakarta, indonesia. fashioned entirely in the form of a pillared temple from coral-beige limestone known locally as paras yogya, the resort is set within an amphitheatre of lush palms and rice fields. its 36 suites and rooms laid out in two crescents around the central rotunda is a juxtaposing complement to borobudur – one of the world’s largest buddhist monument and one of the many religious sites in the
amanjiwo suites
area. limestone walls, domed (some thatched) roofs, high ceiling, terrazzo flooring, traditional glass paintings and antique batik pillows are just some of the elements that make up the rooms. because of the materials used to build the resort, white shared that it required no extensive refurbishments to the property, which almost mirrors the beautifully time-weathered hindu temples on the Dieng plateau dated from the seventh to eighth century.
as a rehabilitation for the mind, body and soul, the surrounding dramatic landscape is ideal for trekking the steep flanks of mount merapi or into the lush menoreh hills, replete with villages, clove plantations and rice fields. being one of indonesia’s richest and most diverse artistic regions, the surrounding rural villages host frequent celebrations, with gamelan music and spirited dancing, while centuriesold architectural and sculptural masterpieces adorn the surrounding hindu and buddhist temples.
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amanjiwo main building
we human beings with our short lifespan are nothing but a fleeting traveller at a moment in time. this ambitious project will continue to recount and nourish the next generation with hopes and expectations for the future.
“this is the soul of aman. it is like welcoming guests to the home of a dear friend. the ability to anticipate needs without the guest having to repeat a request. most people have heard about it however we continue to keep it exclusive as it is very special.” AnnA nAsh Director of public relations aman resorts
nAMe An AMAn resort slated to launch in 2017, aman’s fourth property in shanghai, china, will comprise a village of historic dwellings surrounded by a sacred camphor forest. bellied in close proximity to downtown shanghai, the resort and its surroundings will comprise of daring engineering feats with roots that began from a philanthropic endeavour spanning hundreds of kilometres along the country’s eastern reaches. the story begins in jiangxi, the mountainous, cultural heartland of eastern china, approximately 800 kilometres southwest of shanghai. the construction of a reservoir in the province in the early 2000s threatened the area’s historical villages and ancient camphor trees which had stood for almost two millennia since the Qin dynasty, the first dynasty of imperial china. in a bid to preserve the region’s vanishing past, this project entailed over a decade of disassembling, relocation and restoration of more than 30 villages (including 50 chosen ming and Qing dynasty houses and 10,000 ancient camphor trees) by a rescue team of botanists, engineers, architects and master craftsmen who battled through years of trials and tribulations. these include flash floods that overturned trucks and shattered the temporary bridges constructed to access remote villages. as houses were dismantled piece by piece, they revealed ancient building techniques used in their construction, ornate carvings and elaborate stone reliefs that depicted family histories dating back to more than 2,000 years. these, and other architectural elements, joined the rescued camphor trees
on a long journey, via a fleet of flat-bed trucks, to shanghai where they would later be resurrected. vladislav Doronin, chairman of aman, said, “every aman has a story to tell and this one is no exception. this project and the many challenges it presented were unimaginable, but we overcame them not only to defy the test of time, but to push the boundaries of traditional hospitality. this resort, a legacy to the past, stands proud as an archive for future generations. i am especially grateful to ma Dadong, the mastermind behind this unique restoration project and whose foresight and determination have made it possible to preserve the magnificent history of china for generations to come.” ma Dadong, the lionhearted entrepreneur behind this ambitious rescue and restoration project, and a native of jiangxi, said, “we human beings with our short lifespan are nothing but a fleeting traveller at a moment in time. as a guardian of the past, i realised the only way to protect and celebrate our history was by instilling a new life and purpose into these ancient homes, and to allow the sacred trees that surround them, to be animated with renewed spirit. much like the ornate stone carvings and the stories they hold, this ambitious project will continue to recount and nourish the next generation with hopes and expectations for the future.” the new aman in shanghai has yet to be officially named, and the group welcomes suggestions to name this historical destination.
garden pool suite
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inDonesian intrigues bumi Duadari
the canopi resort
bAtAM beCkonIng
UbUD hIDeAWAy an art expression workshop led only by local artists, sipping afternoon teas while overlooking the quiet lush of surrounding flora and fauna, and cocktail events for up to 40 guests by the pond-like pool amidst the forested escape of bumi Duadari are just some of the activities that grace the private residence of renowned indonesian art collector and designer hendra hadiprana. situated just a 15-minute drive away from the chedi club tanah gajah in ubud, central bali, bumi Duadari is a sanctuary of serenity that was recently opened as an appointmentonly space for events and unique experiences, and is perhaps the most exquisite hideaways in central bali. bumi Duadari, which translates to “earth protected by two angels”, is a two-hectare property that was opened to the public after hadiprana decided his villa at the chedi club tanah gajah – which he transformed from his family’s rice fields – was better left to visitors of this small central balinese town. while hadiprana’s private room is off limits, the rest of the estate is open 60
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from the traDitional to the exclusive anD aDventurous, we bring you the latest venues in the inDonesian archipelago.
for appointment-only artistic forays, afternoon teas and events.
ADventUre glAMpIng as part of the treasure bay bintan development over the next 10 to 20 years, the canopi resort lends a different perspective to the traditional meetings and business accommodations. termed “glamping”, which is a blended version of “glamourous camping”, the twohectare canopi resort boasts 40 tentsuites, a 338-hectare adventure ground that includes a private mangrove river, southeast asia’s first and largest recreational body of filtered sea-water and a 6.3-hectare saltwater crystal lagoon. canopy also has a meeting room capable of seating 60 people in a classroom setting and 80 people theatre-style. but the resort’s multiple activities are a bigger draw for corporate and incentive travel groups.
slated to open in the third quarter of this year, radisson golf & convention center batam will be one of the first international hotel brands to be launched in the business events and family-friendly city of batam. offering 240 rooms and suites, the hotel’s flexible meeting and event spaces include a ballroom that accommodates up to 1,600 guests banquet-style. all meeting spaces are well-equipped with audiovisual technologies, and banquet menus that can be customised to suit local and international tastes. radisson golf & convention center batam is about five kilometres from the batam center ferry terminal, which provides several daily connections to singapore just an hour away. conveniently located in the upscale sukajadi area of batam, adjacent to 18-hole sukajadi championship golf course, the hotel is part of bukit indah sukajadi, a 220-ha development that includes residences, offices and retail spaces. it is also within walking distance of kepri shopping mall and close to nagoya, the offices of batam center, and muka kuning batamindo industrial park.
m a n t e i v o t n veI
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the R e loR cove p x e dis d o n a , t the n c o o aig u qu pping leRs. s ng f ph is u i el v l t o a us and tnam s tR b t si il isl n vie sines i v Re nqu heR t bu tRa sout ttRac how e to a ant
beachfront pool, novotel phuc quoc Resort
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luxuRy Reimagined it’s easy to fall in love with a countRy that Respects tRadition and histoRy, while its people move foRwaRd with boundless eneRgy. WorDs: ong WenlI
saIgon – CrossroaDs of past anD future my favourite memory of saigon from before was at a local coffee house, watching two boys peddle their shoe-shining services and the afternoon go by while sipping my vietnamese iced coffee. five years on, the subway system that was promised is within sight, trendy cafes have popped up on every corner and a massive 68-floor commercial building watches on as the city evolves. the notre dame cathedral and saigon central post office – architectural marvels from the 1800s – are flanked by shiny new high-rise developments. this city is charging ahead and not looking back. at the economic centre of vietnam, saigon city is vibrant and ambitious. “we see an increase in requests for business events such as incentive or meeting groups and have handled several high-end programmes into vietnam,” said max Jantasuwan, group managing director of events travel asia. delegates tend to look out for unique experiences and hands-on activities that reflect the strong vietnamese history and culture.
luxury of spaCe the pullman saigon centre sits in district 1 of the city, near the bustling ben thanh market, saigon’s historical local market. selling everything from fabrics, coffee, local produce
Max Jantasuwan, group managing director of events travel asia.
to handicrafts, the market is a popular landmark with both tourists and locals alike. appealing equally to leisure and business travellers, the contemporary 306-room hotel serves as a haven from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. the hotel also features plenty of open spaces around the lobby and meeting areas, while floor-to-ceiling windows provide an unobstructed view of the city and a refreshing sense of space.
DIssolvIng the box pharmaceutical and insurance companies are major markets for events, favouring the 700-sq m pillar-less function room and five customisable meeting rooms with natural daylight. a large chill-out space and adjacent business centre were designed to support interactive conference formats and breakout meetings.
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tony chisholm, general manager of pullman saigon centre, talks about tailoring new solutions for conference organisers, “there is this whole work-life balance cliché and we try to link work with fun activities. delegates have to get through the conference and key content, our job is to provide great service and food and beverage options.”
lobby, pullman saigon centre
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executive chef, matthias mittnacht, has updated many of the hotel’s culinary offerings, many of which involve infusing menus with local produce and his own spin. perfect for battling the summer heat is the nitrogen ice cream bar, where chefs serve up a unique menu including capsicum and bacon flavoured ice creams amidst a cloud of smoke. post meetings, cobalt bar – the highest rooftop bar in saigon – provides a spectacular night view of the vibrant city. already a popular spot for the afterwork crowd, chisholm hopes to draw in more millennials with new concepts and creative bites.
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elegates look out for unique experiences and hands-on activities that reflect the strong vietnamese history and culture
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bedroom beachfront villa, novotel phu quoc Resort
phu QuoC – enDless potentIal i was joined by a boisterous incentive group of nearly 200 pax on my 50-minute domestic flight from saigon to phu quoc. the group also had plans to visit novotel phu quoc Resort, where i spent two nights. phu quoc is serviced by several flights from saigon and hanoi daily, with seasonal international flights also coming in from siem Reap, cambodia and singapore.
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phu quoc, spanning 574 sq km, is famed for its endless stretches of white-sand beaches, fresh seafood, fish sauce and pepper plantations, is the largest island in vietnam and one of the closest to saigon. i discovered that the locals were also proud of their phu quoc dog farms and sim wine (distilled from the small fruits of Rose myrtle trees), attractions found solely on the intriguing island.
less than an hour away by plane from saigon and hanoi, the island is a refreshing choice for corporate groups that are fatigued by the mainland or destinations in thailand and cambodia. boasting a huge national park, golf courses and high end resorts that capitalise on the pristine beaches, it is easy to see why the local government is promoting phu quoc as the next phuket. any infrastructure that is lacking is
quickly being built, roads are being paved and the island’s first shopping mall is even set to open this year.
relax, unWInD, repeat Just a 10-minute drive from the phu quoc international airport, novotel phu quoc Resort sits along its private stretch of the long beach, a perfect spot to watch the sunset. the resort has 336 spacious rooms and villas and is the second largest mice venue in phu quoc, with 650 sq m of meeting spaces. unwinding after a day of meetings is easy with a wellequipped spa, two pools and an inviting beach. the resort is also noticeably familyoriented, with tennis courts, bicycles, a large kid’s pool and a kid’s room wellfurnished with games. children under 16 years old and staying in the same room as their parents can enjoy a kid’s breakfast and utilise existing bedding at no additional charges. with a day to spare, fishing, snorkelling and diving in the warm waters at multiple spots around the island cannot be missed, followed by dinner at the night market in duong dong town. locals and tourists gather there at sunset to enjoy seafood prepared vietnamese-style, washed down with the famous sim wine.
#neWproDuCts meetings at pullman saigon centre just got merrier with the option to upgrade to one themed coffee break. innovative themes such as vietnam local urban
ben thanh market
touch (alfresco coffee station and local snacks) or planet 21, the hotel’s sustainability programme (organic juices and fresh local fruits) replace the standard refreshments. this is only valid for new bookings from June 1 to september 30, 2016, for a minimum of 50 persons.
#ItInerary CreateD by events travel asIa Day 1 - saIgon head to Reunification hall, which was the residence of president ngo dinh diem of the former south vietnam until 1975. visit former meeting rooms, bunkers and war situation rooms ten metres underground.
then visit notre dame cathedral and general post office, designed by gustav eiffel, a testament to the french presence in the late 1880s.
Day 2 – phu QuoC the journey begins in ham ninh fishing village. enjoy fresh seafood (shellfish, squid etc) at the cheapest prices, tranh stream, black pepper garden, local sim wine tasting and the traditional fish sauce factory.
Day 3 – phu QuoC visit the beautiful beaches of phu quoc and the pearl farm of australia. proceed to an thoi pier to board the boat to the southern archipelago, for snorkelling at four islets at coral Kingdom and fishing at pineapple islet and coconut islet. enjoy a traditional vietnamese lunch on board. in the afternoon, head back to the mainland sao beach for swimming and relaxing by the beach.
Day 4 – phu QuoC visit the famous ben thanh market and saigon square for shopping.
Day 5 – saIgon visit the war Remnant museum with exhibits that include the photographs, machinery and weapons that depict the history of vietnam. general post office
notre dame cathedral
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beyond The gLiTTer James and Tamara Lohan, The reaL-Life coupLe behind mr & mrs smiTh bouTique hoTeLs websiTe, speak To biz evenTs asia abouT The essence of modern Luxury TraveL and hospiTaLiTy. Words: gina sin
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unimpressed by british hotels before the turn of the century, the smith hotel collections have been a game-changer in the luxury boutique hotel and hospitality industry for more than a decade; having evolved from printed guidebooks in 2003 to a full-fledged booking website that it is today. so what is modern luxury? at mr & mrs smith, it is not about the stars, diamonds or rosettes – it is about the personality and character of the interior design, whether the barman mixes a good cocktail or how friendly the service is. it is no longer about the formal, stuffy, luxury environments of days gone by, but these days it is about places that offer a unique experience and a personal touch.
up at a faster pace – places that put food at the centre of their ethos, such as Thyme in england where they grow their own produce, and ett hem in stockholm which has its own farm.
Trending acTiviTies The couple shared that they are seeing a move towards hotels that give back to their local community. nihiwatu in sumba, indonesia, for example, has community outreach programmes in local villages, its own turtle hatchery and a foundation working to clean water and reduce malaria on the island. There is also a growing trend for rooms that bring them closer to nature, like the otherworldly treehouses at keemala in phuket, Thailand. cookery schools and kitchen gardens have also been springing
MisconcepTions of luxury one of the key features of a smith hotel is to be friendly, personal and discreet. it is not about the bowing and scraping that makes one feel uncomfortable. instead, it should be about the attention to detail that will make the experience out of the ordinary, and treat every customer as an individual. according to the Lohans, one of the misconceptions about luxury travel is that it is always extremely expensive. “it
Tips on finding value in luxury Travel •
don’t pay for facilities you won’t have time to use – especially if you’re on a fleeting business trip
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do your research – it is worth checking in advance that the restaurant you want to eat in is actually open on a monday
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get into the members club via the room-booking. stay at the battery san francisco for access to all its members-only areas
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make use of a hotel with a great concierge to jump the queue on the best attractions and secure that elusive restaurant booking
can be, of course, but it has moved on so much more from that. most people think luxury travel means “five-star”: spa, huge pool, michelin-starred restaurants, extensive grounds and chandeliers over dinner. but luxury can actually mean something truly authentic and relaxed. often, the hardest part is finding the staff to deliver the service levels required in an industry that, by nature, has a high turnover rate. but there are hotels like upper house in hong kong that continue to amaze them with its consistently superb service.” great service should be about making it personal. Tamara shared that when she was at the hotel in hong kong, she casually said in a conversation with one of the staff how she missed her yoga classes back home, having travelled for a couple of weeks. a few hours later when she got back to the room, there was a yoga mat and dvd waiting for her with a personal note.
biz events asia’s #knowledge section is brought to you by the singapore institute of Technology.
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# ARTful GASTRoNoMy
Biz events AsiA AsKs professionAls from the Business events And hospitAlity industry why food styling is importAnt And how it Affects the gourmet experience. Words: GINA SIN
Whether it is a painstaking work of art on a cup of cappuccino or catering to thousands at a luxury event, food styling has become an integral part of a dining experience.
Eric Neo
Key to success “How a dish is styled and presented often serves as a first impression. Not only does it represent the individual style of a chef, it also correlates to the perceived value of a meal,” said Eric Neo, Executive Chef at InterContinental Singapore. “Imagine sitting in a fine dining venue and being presented with food that looks dreary, lifeless and without any thought put into how it is being served and received. The visual disappointment will correlate directly with the taste buds, culminating in an unmemorable experience,” shared Richard Baker, Managing Director of Scope Identity Consultancy, a hotel refurbishment consultancy firm. To Alvin Valencia, Director of Sales at MISA Meetings and Events, food styling is essential to the success of an event
as with the venue décor. “I always make it a point to spend half a day to sit down with my caterer and do a dry run of the food plating and service. This not only helps me to ensure that food will be served exquisitely, but also helps my clients and I get some additional cost savings measures and reduce food wastage, being a strong
advocate of sustainability myself. I handle events for the Asian market, so when I was in Moscow, someone laughed and told me that it is normal in Russia to serve a fish appetiser that weighed about 300 grams. I knew then we had to shrink the portions, which also helped us reduce food costs.” However, taste and technique are also crucial in order to provide guests with a multi-sensory experience, according to Robert Stirrup, Executive Chef of fairmont Singapore & Swissotel The Stamford. He says that the growing number of diners documenting their meals through photographs also makes it important for dishes to not only taste good but look pretty as well.
how to understanding what the event is about, client expectations, the element of surprise and whether it aligns with the culinary team’s capabilities are key points identified from the respondents’ comments.
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“Appreciate the event theme, the table décor, the surroundings and understand your team’s capabilities. After all, it is about the process,” commented Baker. Chef Stirrup advises to “think of new and creative ways to create a visual impact through the equipment or vessels used to present the food. More often than not, a luxury event is all about a summation of the entire experience.” “Surprise us.” These are the two words Valencia’s high-net-worth clients would always tell him. “The best culinary experience is one that carefully considers the five sensorial pleasures: aroma, texture, flavour, audio and visual presentation. Molecular gastronomy is still an “in” thing. There is almost no limit to an #eventprof’s imagination.” Other than making it look appealing, Chef Neo feels that it is always important to highlight the freshness of the ingredients used, and as much as possible – showcase them in their natural state. “An example would be to have certain shellfish or seafood dishes served in their shells, or having sea urchin and oysters presented in their natural state on ice, other than bringing out the colours in each dish.”
Size matterS
Robert Stirrup
“Conduct a reality check based on your team’s capabilities and establish what is achievable, before committing to the expectations of your client. An event for 500 guests can be operationally taxing, ensure therefore that you take all steps necessary to wow the guests without over-complicating things. A smaller scale event for 50 guests will allow you to go into more detailed food styling that can be replicated with greater consistency,” said Chef Stirrup. Regardless of the event’s size, timing is key. Hot food needs to arrive at the table hot, and chilled food to arrive cold. Valencia also shared that for guests over 200 pax, and depending on the occasion and budget, he would offer his clients other food service methods such as a buffet with “action stations”, which adds entertainment value or platters for sharing. Chef Neo expressed that the only difference between styling food for
a banqueting event for 50 versus 500 guests, is knowledge of pre-preparation needs. “Whether it is an event for 50 or 500, we still seek to achieve consistent plating and presentation on each plate, as the same food styling concept applies. Presentation and styling can be worked on the day of a small-scale event, while pre-preparation may begin the day before for larger events.”
What to avoid Among others, Valencia shares the following pet peeves of his: • Never execute anything without the clients’ approval • Never miss the designated serving cues • Never let the waiting staff march down with the food without knowing what the food or main ingredients are • Never take for granted the size ratio of serving portions and plate Both chefs pointed out that food styling should not be overcomplicated. Chef Neo advises to always keep styling of dishes simple between three and five steps, bearing in mind that the eyes feast first, while Chef Stirrup advises not to risk blending too many elements together, or with flavours that are not complementary. While there are no hard-and-fast rules to food styling, Baker thinks that “the task is to enhance the food experience but not to overshadow. A true food stylist should be able to select available and seasonal ingredients specific to the geographical region and always be aware that food styling is only “the gatekeeper”. The true experience is within its doors.”
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# A TAlE of EPICuREAN JouRNEyS A sneAK preview into the luxury collection’s epicureAn Journeys in singApore to find out the gAstronomic ensemBle Brought to the tABle this yeAr. for many, there is an undeniable pull to travel the way food attracts one to the table. Not just for hunger, it is the possibility and anticipation of a memorable experience and the promise of a story, whether in a familiar setting or the tantalising unfamiliarity. other times, some of the best tales are told at the table, connecting people in a way unlike anywhere else. Building on last year’s success, the week-long pop-up dining series held from May 30 to June 3, 2016, saw five internationally acclaimed chefs from five countries around the world deliver captivating gastronomic experiences as part of The luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts’ strategic approach to showcase its unique heritage and hotel destinations.
new experiences fay-linn yeoh, Director, Brand Management Asia Pacific at Starwood Hotels & Resorts shared, “of the two chefs added to the list this year,
Words: GINA SIN PHoTos: CHuA yI KIAT
Corporate Chef Manjit Gill is the only one out of the five chefs returning to this year’s edition, being the pillar of this pop-up dining series. More colours were also added to this year’s offering, including two afternoon teas on June 1 and 3 by Hotel Bristol Vienna.” Held at a new venue this year, partners and media indulged in exquisitely prepared cuisine in the elegant settings of 1919 Waterboat House – a colonial heritage building known as one of Singapore’s busiest ports once upon a time.
culinAry mAestros Executive Sous Chef Manachai Konkangplu of Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit in Bangkok introduced dishes from the four different corners of Thailand currently featured in the hotel’s revamped menu at Basil restaurant. Chef Konkangplu blended tender raw tuna with ground roasted rice powder, chilli powder, lime juice
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and mint to give an amazing burst of flavours and spices. featuring only seafood, Executive Chef Dario Parascandolo from Hotel Danieli in Venice provided an Italian wonder of Venetian Grilled octopus served with soufflé potatoes, green and black olives, basil pesto, tomato puree, capers and parsley sauce. Hailing all the way from Athens, Greece, Executive Chef Sotiris Evangelou of Hotel Grande Bretagne presented a lovely plate of Baby lamb fillet with smoked eggplant trilogy, raisins, pine nuts and tzatziki foam. Chef Gill on the other hand brought four decades of culinary excellence by beautifully combining char-grilled jumbo prawns in carom-flavoured yoghurt, red chillies and turmeric with his blend of spices, and served it with Khasta Roti, a semolina and wholewheat crisp bread.
Executive Chef Manuel Gratzl of Hotel Bristol, pleased the crowd with his rendition of Viennese sweet treats, which was a symphony of strawberry mousse, chocolate ganache with sea salt, raspberry and caramel apple strudel wanton and brownie. The Epicurean Journeys showcase was an inspirational reflection of The luxury Collection’s rich culinary landscapes and the chefs’ passion, especially when we found out that some of the ingredients were handcarried by the chefs themselves. It was a brand awareness programme that keeps growing because it is rooted by a spirit of diversity and an understanding of what they want as a luxury brand. “luxury to me is time. Time to allow me to experience places, time to take in a destination, and time to spend time with loved ones,” said yeoh.
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StrategiSing your cuStomer data ProfeSSional email marketing SolutionS Provider, inxmail, ShareS how to utiliSe email marketing data to reduce coSt and drive roi.
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JUNE-JULY 2016
#WiredUp
although email marketing has been around for a long time much has changed in recent years. improved data analytics, significantly lower costs, and changing data laws have reshaped the industry. these offer great value to companies engaged in email marketing, but also requires companies to re-evaluate their current email marketing supplier to ensure they are in compliance with new data laws and receiving the best pricing and support. Pricing, data security/compliance, and delivery rates should be the top considerations for your company when deciding which email marketing provider to use. all of these are required to guarantee a stable and secure email marketing platform that will provide a strong roi.
Challenge: RedUCing Costs and inCReasing Roi a major hotel chain came to us seeking advice to reduce their costs. they had not renegotiated the rates with their current supplier in several years and were using employees in their marketing and it departments to design and send their email marketing campaigns. they wanted to reduce their reliance on their it department and lower their pricing.
solUtion: if you are not re-evaluating your email marketing pricing every year, you’re probably paying too much. inxmail’s highly competitive email marketing rates managed to reduce the hotel chain’s email costs by 70 percent. additionally, we designed custom templates for the hotel chain to use on their email campaigns. the hotel chain’s marketing department could now easily insert the graphics and texts required into the templates inxmail had created and no longer required help from their it department. this reduced the time it took to design campaigns
and better utilised the it department’s resources.
Challenge: Complying With Changing data laWs a Singaporean company came to us requiring help with compliance to the Personal data Protection act (PdPa) which had come into law in July 2014. the company assumed it was doing things correctly but wanted to be sure since the PdPa required them to change some of their current data handling procedures. they were also unsure if their current email marketing supplier complied with the new data laws.
#
JotItDown
solUtion: a friend recommended the company to inxmail, who has been helping many companies find solutions to these challenges over the past 16 years, as they knew we are rapidly expanding in asia Pacific and are regarded as having one of the highest levels of data security and compliance in australia. inxmail utilised knowledge of the local market and years of experience complying with the Privacy act and Spam act in australia as well as germany’s strict data privacy laws. working with the client, we were able to ensure they established new data collection and protection procedures which would be in compliance with the PdPa and set forth a way of helping them to cleanse the 18 percent of their data that was found not in compliance with the new data laws.
Challenge: ReCaptURing lost data two of the largest senders of email marketing in australia were losing hundreds of thousands of their clients each year because their email marketing provider was inaccurately removing customer emails from the company’s email database. the companies knew many of these email
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73
solUtion: one of the best ways to increase your database is not to lose any good data you already have. with careful analysis of the incoming bounced messages received from the billions of emails inxmail has sent we amended the bounce rules to achieve a substantially
higher deliverability rate than others. these changes resulted in an average 45 percent recovery of bounced data (with a 3-8 percent engagement rate) that clients had lost by using other email marketing companies. the first bounce recovery campaign we ran resulted in over $30,000 of sales to the client. it is important for all businesses to ensure they’re receiving the best deal and not losing valuable client data. evaluate your current offer to ensure you are receiving the most from your email marketing provider.
Words: lawrence kuSz director of SaleS inxmail
performance indicators of delivered bounce recoverY campaign 165,744 bounced recipients 45.17% (74,873) reached* | only 54.83% (90,871) hard or Soft bounced again (reactions of recovered recipients)
81.82%
18.18% 2.24%
0.68%
(13,612)
(1,677)
(507)
(61,261)
openings
clicks
unsubscriptions
no reaction
*inaccurately removed by previous e-mail solution provider
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JUNE-JULY 2016
“
Pricing, data security/compliance, and delivery rates should be the top considerations for your company when deciding which email marketing provider to use.
“
addresses were from good customers, but were unsure which, since the email marketing company they were using wrongly identified the email addresses as “bounced”. they needed to identify the valid email addresses so they could re-engage with these customers and increase their sales.
now we are here for you. research | strategy | branding | marketing i am ferdi, your personal ideator. letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s connect via ferdi@ideateagency.com.
ideas to create and activate www.ideateagency.com
LuxuRy nigHT-ouT wiTH ACCoR Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa hosted the glamorous black-tie 2016 Singapore Fete le Champagne on May 27 2016. Kerry Healy, Vice President of Sales and Henrik Berglind, Vice President of Loyalty at AccorHotels, Asia Pacific, gathered their top-tier loyalty customers for the glittering gala dinner. The unique tasting, organised by Vitisasia, brought together renowned French champagne houses paired with an exquisite five-course dinner.
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#Engage
winE Down wEDnESDAy goES inTiMATE The recent wine Down wednesday sponsored by Holiday inn Singapore orchard City Centre hosted over 70 guests in an intimate networking session on May 25, 2016. A section of the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lobby Lounge & Bar was closed off to allow professionals from the events, tourism and hospitality sectors to come together to meet new people, learn and maintain face-to-face interaction. This monthly event is organised by ACi HR Solutions and Biz Events Asia.
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#趋势
永恒奢华 奢华旅行和生活方式的旅程要 求其遗产的尊重和理解 Words: El Kwang & RichaRd BaKER
奢侈品是见多识广 留的态度 华好
其年代为早在罗马时代遗
无论是旅行
事件或标签
体验奢
应该尊重奢华的艺术和了解的关键信息
和欣赏奢华背后的人才 现代化
再加上创新科技
豪华超越非凡的价值 感和触发内存
转化成永恒的现代
这表情动作的感官
强大的品牌交付协会
诚和建立豪华遗留更深的尊重
情
吸引忠 如今
每个人都明白强烈的视觉识别的能力和公司强大
的品牌或标识的资产
有些采用聪明的标记线和口头
禅
一种情绪反应
往往就显得有些价值体系的一部
分
在今天的分散
点播和即时满足的文化
实现视觉
连贯性是有些坚韧的 品牌推广工作真正需要的是应用程序和进程 (电子通讯 和传统的册子有不同的需求和可缩性); 营销部门以外的 任何人员都能有相应的通信工具; 即使在组织内能掌握 好以上的需求
品牌都可随时受到外部讯息的影响
一
个典型的例子是无诚信的消费者公开在社交媒体平台发 表反馈意见 从商业角度来看 管理投诉
品牌进行战略投资的原因有很多
在
筹办会议或不同情况下准确的展现公司的品
牌是最基本的需求 列为优先事项
精致
复杂性的豪华品牌更需把它
每个大作的精髓需
全球经济的变化发展而不断的执行
尽管潮流
时尚和
奢华的意义才更根
深蒂固的融合在我们的日常生活 尽管考验和磨难
奢侈品应该通过其情感和坚定的能量
捕获人的注意力
一个好的艺术作品或一个好的设计应
该识别和单一出来 光
而应对的感觉和一个人的挑剔的眼
在工艺和注重细节最终在几年前的投资打破鲜血
汗水和泪水初级学徒在他们的专业擅长 主人守护着 经验
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JUNE-JULY 2016
总是由房子的
这是过去的和尚未完美关系的挑战之旅的
目前的形式
特邀编辑 Richard Baker奢华的定义
是没有不同的
早期
置和设备
E
FF
并对其负责
我们承担责任
得到自己的旅行和文化意识沉浸的机会
和采购
通过选择世界上最好的面料
3点30赶上清晨红眼安特卫普当然不是富有魅力 体验创意设计过程
我们选择的职业生涯和我的 我的领域例证家具
丝绸和纺织材料
装
下床在上午
但它让我从欧洲的根深蒂固的文化资本
我发现和见证并通过多年的旅行我学会了如何尊重传统和文化的完
整性从深度和水平接地起源 努力和卓越的性能领先
要了解流程和应用程序的时间悠久的传统和创造的能力
但总是被仔细的眼睛看了过来
着什么的典型元素有永恒的豪华
所以我没有说错
这个细心的眼睛对我来说意味
奢侈品确实找我充分诠释又保障其
根深蒂固的连接和永恒的奢侈品“总是仔细的眼睛观看了” 有时好的行程和一个惊人的之间的差异归结为一点 identity办公室的地方我们最热衷
那就是
酒店
最有可能推荐给别人很多争论
业主酒店我们的专业咨询见证了这一切
在眼睛的一瞥而吸入我的第一次呼吸
感受到情感和空间理解和阅读历史和传统之间的关系的完整性 打听有没有合适的
没有错误的答案
没有激起的Scope 因为专家建议
属于什么
但有必须遵守并执行
并与
“
奢华由完整性定义和方法的起源 是它的设计 产品或服务 这是 时间 手艺人船的赞赏和通知细 节的感觉 和更深的美丽
“
作为一个酒店专家让我负责
Melissa curry 国际珠宝设计师和 BYOS老板
我可以
什么不和我
实现无可比拟的经验基本
原则 我自己的纪律和与设计的关系享有与“少即是多”包豪斯运动1919-1933 功能的统一的启发 设计
很有想法
最大的空间逻辑的效率
你自己设计的原则负责
设计是在社区服务的关系
一个信念
我的设计是一个自信的过程中
并通过形式和
在完善和基本的
投资于你喜欢什么
是
但总是看的多进程与谨慎又小心高超的眼睛“
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#封面故事
浪漫奢华的巴黎 巴黎除了以浪漫的爱情 缤纷的色彩和绚丽的灯光吸 引着成千上万的旅客外 其丰富的文化遗产 奢华与 气派更受商务旅客所青睐 Words: 关有成
巴黎除了以浪漫著称
也是一个著名的商
游客造访
在会展活动方面
务旅游目的地 Biz Events亚洲在法兰克福
动策划者提供很多选择
IMEX展后
和最新元素
造访巴黎
实地了解为何在发
生一系列恐怖袭击事件后
这座浪漫之都仍
可以吸引无数游客前往
示
巴黎可以为活
融合了历史
巴黎旅游与会议促进署代表表
未来的新发展还包括将十八及十九专区
延伸至圣丹尼斯和奥贝维利耶
造出了美丽的海岸风情
传统
在巴黎城市
若要有一个难忘的体验 举办活动
不妨选择在博物馆
尤其是那些建于十九世纪
风格
独特的博物馆
整治项目Clichy-Batignolles联合开发区建
新老时尚势力的融合与碰撞
造新司法大楼和重新整装的巴黎造币厂的开
巴黎
黎拥有15个会展中心
幕
香榭丽舍大街是一条集高雅
600000平方米
总展览面积达
每日举办近300场的活动
据巴黎旅游与会议促进署亚洲 坡是我们越来越重要的市场
的机关之一
“新加
在法兰克福 巴黎是欧洲
第一次造访欧洲的游客总希望
看到巴黎的文化
创新和现代化
”
购物 浪漫
繁华
时尚于一身的世界著名城市道路 购物者来说
巴黎是个艺术之都
目前有超过2万5千名艺
术家在巴黎居住和工作
许多来自新加坡的活动策划公
司代表到巴黎展台参观及询问 第二大城市
是法国最早
北美及英国
市场负责人Corine Bernadou说 IMEX展上
巴黎造币厂始建于864年
处可以欣赏到艺术
走在巴黎街头
处
在777公里长的塞那河
对于巴黎
香榭丽舍远胜于一条购物街
它是全世界顶尖品牌的超级集中营 购物
除了是购买物品外
的故事及其创意的进一步了解
无论是路
漫步或是在这里举办一场义跑都是极佳的会
易•威登
奖活动
客户讲述着一个个扣人心弦的故事
在进行脑力激荡之前到博物馆和画
廊走一走
在这里
也是对品牌背后
伊夫•圣罗兰或是香奈儿都在对其
或许能带给你一些灵感 巴黎不仅拥有那些如雷贯耳的艺术品和历史
巴黎作为一个老牌旅游城市 的文化资源外
除了拥有丰富
名胜古迹更是比比皆是
著
名的埃菲尔铁塔每年都吸引着数以百万计的
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JUN-JULY 2016
谁说巴黎没有海滩
每逢夏季
巴黎市政府
就会别出心裁地推出“夏季沙滩节” 纳河畔用细沙
棕榈树
吊床
在塞
遮阳伞等打
渊源
她令人着迷的本质还在于弥漫在街头
的那种气氛和味道 过去的传奇
巴黎不仅仅是一个留在
也是活在当下的精彩
“巴黎是欧洲第二大城市 第一次造访欧洲的游客 总希望看到巴黎的文化 创新和现代化 ” Corine Bernadou 北美及英国市场负责人
巴黎旅游与会议促进署亚洲
巴黎香水博物馆 坐落在第九专区 历程
距离杜乐丽花园约1公里处是巴黎香水博物馆
这座博物馆置身于一栋独特的建筑中
合举办鸡尾酒会
可容纳约200人
这家博物馆隶属著名香水品牌Fragonard
木地板和水晶枝形吊灯构成的空间华丽无比
宾客除了可以了解香水的发展历程外
花宫娜
记录了香水发展的
来到这儿您仿佛就回到了旧时的巴黎
这里很适
也可以了解香水制作的秘诀
雅克马尔•安德烈私人博物馆 雅克马尔•安德烈私人博物馆是非常著名的私人博物馆
其整个收藏兼容并蓄
丰富多彩
它位于法国巴黎8区的奥斯曼大街旁
距离著名
的香榭丽舍大街大约一公里 这家私人博物馆建于1869-1876年之间 的私人宅邸
原本是银行家爱德华•安德烈
安德烈与妻子双双崇尚艺术
以共同分享艺术的精华
不仅对艺术收藏独具品位
Edouard André
雅克马尔•安德烈私人博物馆不只是一家博物馆外
大客厅
Le grand salon
则是直线
这样的布置让人想起十八世纪对曲线的偏爱这里的装饰
本厅为半圆形
另外一边
和妻子奈利•雅克马尔
而且他们慷慨地把住宅
音乐厅
Le salon de musique
是另一个大型接待室
屋内的装饰让人遐想到原屋
主爱德华•安德烈
和他的妻子奈利•雅克马尔
的杜伊勒里宫和费里耶尔 城堡
招待客人的情景
114
平方米
150人
鸡尾酒会式
90人 宴会式
Ferrières
宾客可边听高雅的古典音乐
Pierre-Victor Galland
宴会厅介绍
宴会厅介绍
有红色的
画廊上部的某些布置令人忆起拿破仑三世时 的罗斯柴尔
则是由最受追捧的装饰画家所作
的晚宴
就在大客厅的旁边
这个房子是典型的第二帝国风格
融合了十八世纪的精微与文雅的元素 Nélie Jacquemart
让大家可
也是一个可供人举办活动的独特场地
墙壁和深色木家俱
Edouard André
Nélie Jacquemart
家具和艺术收藏品捐赠给巴黎人
Rothschild
这里最适合举办高格调 边欣赏皮埃尔•维克多加朗
的穹顶画
103
平方米
150人
鸡尾酒会式
90人 宴会式
JUNE-JULY 2016
81
Fay-Linn Yeoh 特邀编辑
孙蕙蓉 副编辑
Richard Baker 特邀编辑
fay-linn.yeoh@starwoodhotels.com
gina@bizeventsasia.com
richardbaker@scopeidentity.com
关有成 总编辑 el@bizeventsasia.com
2016年6-7月份
#
这就是最好 去年
我们在奢华专刊第一期中尝试以不同的角
度来探讨“奢华”这个课题 识
人才
便利
金钱甚至是健康
予了我们很多正面的反馈 的鼓舞
文化
接下来
时间
知
很多读者给
我们也因此受到很大
我们将更加努力
继续与读者
探讨不同的课题 在这一期的奢华专刊中 奢华”这个课题
谈到奢华和时尚
人们往往会想到巴黎
此次
我们也特地前往巴黎寻找具有“十九世纪”风格 的奖励活动场地 纪
巴黎的消费主义始于十九世
奢侈品业的发展和奢华生活的鼓吹都带动了
消费
此时也是地标性建筑埃菲尔铁塔落成的时
候
除了巴黎
这一期我们也将为大家介绍越
南
印度尼西亚以及地球最南端的南极洲
我们将继续探讨“
我们很荣幸邀请到 Richard
Carmen Chua 是一位对工作充满激情的人
Baker 和 Fay-Linn Yeoh 担任这一期的特邀编
吉隆坡瑞吉酒店就是她8年来的心血结晶
辑
20几岁开始
Richard热衷于设计
更是情有独钟 丰富的经验 的见解
尤其是对包豪斯风格
他在酒店设计和造型方面积累了 对“奢华”这个课题更是有他独特
他将与我们分享有关这个课题的真知
就孜孜不倦地在筹划着这家酒店
她的毅力和决心让我们深受启迪 吉酒店 调
从她
踏进吉隆坡瑞
给人的第一个感觉是无与伦比的典雅格
酒店内无处不彰显奢华气质与宜人的氛围
灼见 奢华绝非是目中无人或以金钱就可获得 另一位特邀编辑是来自喜达屋酒店及度假村的
奢华讲究的是贴心和观察入微的服务
Fay-Linn Yeoh
她将与读者探讨有关品牌管理
时间
需要人才
也让Biz Events 亚洲成为第
总之
奢华是一种心态
的课题
此次合作
一个体验吉隆坡瑞吉酒店的行业杂志 会体验酒店的完善设施外
除了有机
Biz Events 亚洲也在
酒店老板 Carmen Chua 的亲自带领下 了场地考察
进行
Carmen Chua 也是 One IFC Sdn
的东西
真正的 奢华需要
最重要的是需要坚定的纪律 是一种必须用心去感受
患有视障和听障却成为有史以来第一个
获得文学学士学位的著名美国作家海伦•凯勒就 曾说过 着
“世界上最美丽的东西
要靠心灵去感受
看不见也摸不
”
Bhd 的首席执行官 希望您在阅读时
能找到属于自己的奢华时刻
Biz Events 亚洲是以下机构的会员及指定官方媒体:
封面照片为雅克马尔•安德烈私人博物馆 音乐厅(Le salon de musique) 有关巴黎奢华的报道 请翻阅页78-79 照片由 So acome 提供
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