Biz Events Asia October 2015

OCT 2015 BIZEVENTSASIA.COM

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JOSEPHINE LIM GUEST EDITOR jlim@preferredhotels.com

GINA SIN SENIOR WRITER gina@bizeventsasia.com

EL KWANG PUBLISHER MANAGING & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR el@bizeventsasia.com

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PUBLISHER/ MANAGING & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR El Kwang el@bizeventsasia.com DIRECTOR Geoff Batt-Rawden geoff@bizeventsasia.com

SENIOR WRITER Gina Sin gina@bizeventsasia.com

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION PIXO fanix@pixosolutions.com

GUEST EDITOR Josephine Lim Managing Director, SEA Preferred Hotels & Resorts jlim@preferredhotels.com

OFFICE MANAGER Rev Karunakaran rev@bizeventsasia.com

CONTRIBUTORS

CHINESE CONSULTANT KH Tok

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Louis Allen louis@bizeventsasia.com

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# A common English saying “you have to spend money to make money” rings completely true.

Whether it is investing in staff learning and development or building relationships, there are costs and risks associated with doing business.

This magazine considered long and hard before dedicating this issue to a challenging topic like procurement during Asia’s peak tradeshow season. Traditionally, overarching topics like incentive destinations or luxury travel may bring trade magazines like ours more advertising revenue.

Risks heightened further when we decided to introduce a novel concept of inviting guest editors from the business events industry to be a part of each issue, instead of appointing a full-time one. We received calls questioning the absence of an editor, and attracted naysayers from the more conservative sections of the industry who subtly challenged our unconventional methods.

We took the criticisms in our stride, kept calm and carried on. We are so proud to have kept to our commitment of producing an issue focused on a topic that needs better communications and education.

The business events industry morphs continuously and the magazine is very fortunate to be part of this journey. Besides experiencing

OCTOBER 2015

COST ANALYSIS top destination familiarisation programmes, we learnt heaps from attending conferences like the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) Global Travel Conference in Hong Kong and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) GloPro Asia Pacific Workshop in Melbourne. Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide gave Biz Events Asia inaugural access to its 2015 Asia Pacific Customer Advisory Board meeting held in Xian, China.

What we have learnt and presented in this issue is the importance of transparent discussions on cost management best practices, and how investing in tools can help with the creation of solid team strategies. Leveraging on the opinions and feedback of loyal and qualified customers is key to creating formidable business strategies.

As a company, Biz Events Asia draws inspiration from these knowledge and uses feedback (both positive and negative) to fuel the passion for what we do. We will take leaps of faith to continuously innovate. As we have learnt from our rebranding efforts in February, greater results come from having the ability to change and not by doing the same things over and over again.

A big thank you to guest editor Josephine Lim of Preferred Hotels & Resorts for her editorial contributions in #TheProcurementIssue article (page 20). We respect how she remained impartial throughout the article by giving buyers, sellers and intermediaries fair representation. We hope you enjoy this issue.

Biz Events Asia is the official media partner and member of:

Our cover image features Songdo International Business District in South Korea. Read about this and more from page 18.

SALES & MARKETING SINGAPORE OFFICE Michelle Lim michelle@bizeventsasia.com

THAILAND OFFICE Santhiti Arunsit Email: santhiti@bizeventsasia.com Tel: +66 81 422 4997

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES CHINA: Mary Yao Email: mary@mhichina.com Tel: +86 10 6551 5663 ext 8008

Charline Wong charline@bizeventsasia.com

AUSTRALIA OFFICE Tanya Brown Email: tanya@bizeventsasia.com Tel: +61 408 658 377

DUBAI: Lenora Bennis Email: lenora@themediavantage.com Tel: +971 52 846 6212 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) 131/02/2015

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CHINA

Shanghai World Jewelry Expo 2015 Shanghai, China | October 2015

JAPAN

Tokyo Aerospace Symposium Tokyo, Japan | October 2015

MAlAySIA

International Wound & Biotheraphy Conference 2015 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia | October 2015

SINGAPORE

ITB Asia 2015 | 9,100 pax Singapore | October 2015

COVER STORY

#CoverStory

SoutH KoRea ContinueS to impReSS

How South Korea continues to impress

Further afield, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, North Gyeongsang, and Jeju Provinces are showing that South Korea is still unleashing its potential upon the world of business travel and leisure.

Riding HigH: gyeonggi Gyeonggi-do has long been influenced by the whims of Seoul’s movers and shakers.

However, the region has rapidly become a national powerhouse in its own right, being home to major industries and a growing

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OCT 2015

Alpensia

adventuReS in paRadiSe: JeJu The second-most popular travel destination in South Korea after Seoul, Jeju Province, consisting of a volcanic archipelago in the nation’s south, is almost a world unto itself. Tall palms and cobalt-blue waters belie its subtropical climate, while deep, winding lava caves and imposing basalt cones tell dramatic geological tales of Jeju’s very different origins from that of the mainland. Today, Jeju’s beauty has made it one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and a UNESCO World Heritage hotspot.

Undeniably, South Korea’s image was affected earlier in 2015 courtesy of the MERS outbreak. However, with the allclear declared in July, the country has been welcoming its inbound visitors back to the fold. Notably, the country’s meetings sector appeared to weather the storm fairly well; according to the Korea Tourism Organization, “no major international congresses were cancelled this year, only changes in schedules were experienced”.

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Gyeongju’s Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO)

For South Korea, the 21st Century has very much become an era of global recognition.

Decades of structural, economic, and social development have all intermixed with South Korea’s unique culture to produce what is now one of the world’s most indemand travel destinations.

The pulling powers of South Korea’s MICE destinations beyond Seoul are increasingly seeing their share of the action. Songdo, for example, is a thriving, high-tech smart and green city located within Incheon, home to 450 multi-national companies. A 20-minute drive from Incheon International Airport is all it takes to get to Songdo Convensia, a high-tech and environmentally-friendly government-owned convention centre that offers over 10,000 sq m of events facilities.

Editorial advisory board mEmbErs

Mount Hallasan in Jeju Province

Words: BEN JORDAN

DISCOVER PLENTY OF REASONS TO CONDUCT EVENTS AND INCENTIVE TRIPS AROUND SOUTH KOREA’S REGIONAL DESTINATIONS.

Yongpyeong Resort

global awareness of its leisure and business tourism infrastructure. Major examples of both include KINTEX, the nation’s largest convention centre and Everland Resort, home of South Korea largest theme park.

Operated by Samsung’s subsidiary Cheil Industries, the theme park alone drew 7.3 million visitors in 2014 to experience its “T Express”, South Korea’s first wooden rollercoaster, along with acres of other rides and attractions. The resort’s cabin-style lodgings, known collectively as Home Bridge, features meeting facilities such as the Cabin Hall Grand Lecture Room that accommodates up to 300 persons in its five 50-sq m meeting rooms.

going foR gold: gangwon South Korea’s northeastern province has long been known for its natural attractions and ski slopes, which are now given a new lease of life as a rising MICE destination.

Since the 2011 announcement of Gangwon’s winning bid to host the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics, the region has seen a steady demand as a business events setting. This has led to the recent creation of the Gangwon Convention & Visitors Bureau and a turning point for the local tourism industry.

Incentive destinations great for groups include the Alpensia Resort, which offers ski slopes and a 45-hole golf course, while meeting and accommodation facilities include a 2,000-seat conference centre and three hotels operated by InterContinental

and Holiday Inn. A concert hall has also been built on the site especially for the upcoming 2018 Cultural Olympiad.

millennia in tHe maKing: noRtH gyeongSang Once upon a time the seat of power for over half of the Korean peninsula, North Gyeongsang Province – in particular its Shilla Dynasty capital of Gyeongju, lovingly preserves much of the culture that shaped the nation’s deep rootedness. From towering royal burial tombs to imposing Buddha statues carved into the living rock, Gyeongju is a time capsule of South Korea’s past which, along with its natural beauty, makes it a must-see destination.

Located in the Gyeongju Special Tourist Zone, Shilla Millennium Park is possibly the best way to explore the city’s regal past without a souped-up Delorean. The unique theme park recreates the ancient dynasty (57BC to 935CE), presenting authentic period housing, staff dressed in hanbok (period costume), open-air performances, as well as Shilla-style craft shops and studios. The several outdoor venues throughout the park include one atrium with a capacity for up to 700 persons.

The Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO) is Gyeongju’s largest meeting facility. Part of the Bomun Lake Resort District, the new facility’s largest convention hall spans 3,421 sq m, while HICO itself is surrounded by 14 hotels and 1,071 rooms within a 3-kilometre radius.

The above mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg. For each destination, there are plenty more reasons for business and incentive visitors to make the journey. Among these, see how South Korean TV dramas are made at MBC Dramia in Gyeonggi; hike through picturesque Seoraksan National Park or try your luck at Kangwon Land Casino in Gangwon; dine on Hanjeongsik, authentic Korean table d’hote once enjoyed by royal families in North Gyeongsang; and cleanse the body and mind at Sanbangsan Hot Springs in Jeju.

OCT 2015

OCT 2015

Janet Tan-Collis President | SACEOS CEO | East West Planners

Jungmun, located in Seogwipo, Jeju’s second-biggest city, contains just about everything the leisure and business visitors could possibly want. It is home to a chain of quality hotels, including facilities run by Hyatt, Shilla, and Lotte – each with their own conference and meetings facilities. The hotels are conveniently located near ICC Jeju, the region’s largest convention centre, which features spaces capable of accommodating up to 4,500 participants at a time.

Damion Breust Director – Head of Event Marketing Asia Pacific | Barclays

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Selina Chavry Regional Director – Asia | Pacific World

Daniel Chua Managing Director AONIA MICE

SOUTH KOREA

25th World Road Congress 2015 South Korea Seoul,South Korea | 3,500 pax October 2015

OCTOBER 15

ISSUE

8 #SoundBites

36 #Knowledge

Why sourcing talent through referrals may yield better results

12 #TakingTheLead 14 #WebSpace

38 #DelveInto China Uncover Xian and Chengdu

20 #TheProcurementIssue

Discover key trends and elements

46 #DelveInto Hong Kong

Further developments and experiences the city is seeing

30 #Knowledge

Why bother exhibiting

32 #Knowledge

The low-down on PCMA GloPro Asia Pacific 2015

34 #Knowledge

56 #DelveInto South Korea

Key factors that make or break professionalism

Seoul ramps up its support programmes and shares more unique venues

60 #Deals

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Don’t miss our special supplement

15 Inspiring Experiences in Singapore

Produced by Biz Events Asia and Singapore Exhibition & Convention BureauTM Beach yoga at Soulscape festival

Andrew Chan CEO | ACI HR Solutions

Ho Yoke Ping General Manager Business Events Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB)

Deanna Varga Director Deanna Varga Consultancy

Max Jantasuwan Group Managing Director Events Travel Asia

Sumate Sudasna President | Thailand Incentive & Convention Association (TICA) MD | CDM Thailand

Daniel Aswin Co-founder Absolutions

OCT 2015

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#

BUDAPEST The Elizabeth Park Hotel, Budapest, will reopen as The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest early next year, following an extensive renovation programme. New luxury suites, fresh dining concepts, and The Ritz-Carlton Club will be added to the 198-room hotel. Marcus A. Loevenforst has been appointed as the general manager to lead the team and oversee the transformation of the hotel into the first Hungarian property for The Ritz-Carlton portfolio. Loevenforst’s 23 years of luxury hospitality experience spans several continents, including stints with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in Berlin, Bahrain, Moscow and Naples.

AUSTRALIA The Star Sydney is upgrading the Astral Tower and Residences Hotel in an AU$130 million (US$92 million) refurbishment that is set for completion in mid-2016. Astral Tower is being repositioned to target experienced business traveller with its five-star offering, including new meeting rooms and a business centre. John Autelitano, general manager of hotels at The Star Sydney said the strategic vision underpinning the refurbishment will ensure the integrated resort’s future as a leader in domestic markets, and a strong competitor in the global marketplace, having already attracted over 11 million visitors each year.

MALAYSIA

Berjaya Times Square Hotel has partnered with IDeaS, a revenue management software solutions and advisory services provider to implement its Revenue Management System (RMS) across 650 rooms to improve demand forecasting and revenue performance.

RMS will be utilised to better understand its booking patterns, adjust prices to adapt to shorter booking windows and streamline the revenue management process, which will allow managers to spend more time analysing opportunities and developing revenue strategies than manually manipulating spreadsheets. Jessica Tham, corporate director, revenue management at Berjaya Hotels & Resorts believes that this will improve their market position, maximise revenue and build a platform for a sustainable revenue culture across their hotel.

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HONG KONG Hong Kong Disneyland Resort recently marked its 10th anniversary by hosting “Disney Travel Trade Summit: Celebrating 10 years – A Prologue to the Next Wondrous Chapter”, bringing nearly 300 travel trade partners and media friends together for a sneak peek of its latest offerings.

Corporate guests can indulge in Disney magic and fun brought about by exclusive Park Buyout and Corporate Mixed-in Night, which combines business events and the seasonal offerings available at the 1,400 sq m Black Box space.

INDONESIA

Grand Nikko Bali has appointed Tina Tandun as the director of sales and marketing and Theo Mahendra to lead the resort’s food and beverage department.

Tandun began her career on the island 15 years ago with Grand Hyatt Bali, and has held key positions at Courtyard by Marriott Bali Nusa Dua and The Trans Resort Bali. Mahendra was part of the pre-opening team at Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort Bali, and accumulated his expertise through important roles with Starwood and Hyatt in Thailand, Taipei, Shenzhen and Macau. His most recent role was as the director of food and beverage at Anantara Uluwatu.

MYANMAR

The Strand Hotel is diving into a new level of service with the launch of The Strand Cruise in early 2016. Featuring 27 cabin suites, The Strand Cruise will explore the ancient monuments of Myanmar using the Ayeyarwady’s waterways, and moor in exclusive locations such as by the Old Bagan, and at the foot of one of the most ancient Buddhist monasteries on Sagaing Hill in Mandalay.

The Strand Cruise will commence its regular schedule of three- and four-night sailings between Bagan and Mandalay in early January 2016. Excursions included in itineraries will take in the iconic landmarks of Myanmar, offering a visit to the famous U-bein bridge on both northand south-bound departures, as well as four of the main temples in Bagan, including the Tant Kyi Taung temple located on the opposite bank of the Ayeyarwady, which gives a breathtaking view over the Bagan temple area.

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NUMBERS

1% Percentage of the total outbound international bookings from China has fallen to from 21% over the past three months as compared to the same period last year.

Source: ForwardKeys

5

strategic hotel locations,

with access to over

2,300

rooms in Singapore, and more than

100,000 ft of meeting space

2

MAKING MEETINGS EASIER At Millennium Hotels and Resorts, we understand that every meeting has a purpose.

Be it conventions, conferences or corporate meetings; discover dynamic meeting experiences with only our best. Convene at any 5 strategic hotel locations in Singapore and maximise the potential of your events through 100,000ft2 of flexible event space.

Connect with us at sales@millenniumhotels.com www.millenniumhotels.com

EXPLORE OUR COLLECTIONS

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# THAILAND The Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) continues its efforts in attracting quality business events through a recent “Win a Week in Thailand” campaign that sought to update its membership database.

Professionals from the business events industry were asked to complete an online survey before they could be included in TICA’s database of qualified professionals. Qualified members were then able to receive exclusive content such as its highly successful “MICE Guide to Thailand”, which includes other relevant TICA member information.

This was further encouraged through prizes that were to be won from Thai Airways, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Plaza Athenee Bangkok, A Royal Meridien Hotel, InterContinental Bangkok Hotel, and many more.

FINLAND Helsinki has won the race to host the European conference of the Belgium-based European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in the beginning of July 2016 for the first time. Held at Messukeskus, Expo and Convention Centre Helsinki, the four-day conference is expected to bring more than 8,000 top researches, experts and scholars in the field of reproductive medicine to the capital. An extensive exhibition and a number of side events such as guided tours and banquets will also be arranged in conjunction with the conference.

According to Ines Antti-Poika, convention director of Helsinki Convention & Events Bureau, this conference will bring an estimated tourism income of 15 million euros (USD16.9 million) to the capital of Finland.

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AUSTRALIA Tony South has been appointed as the new chair of Tourism Australia.

Formerly the chief development officer of InterContinental Hotels Group Asia Pacific from 2008 to 2011, South served as the chair of Tourism Accommodation Australia prior to his current role. He was also managing director of then publicly listed hotel investment company, Tourism Asset Holdings Ltd (TAHL) as well as managing director of the former Sydney Visitors and Convention Bureau. As a chartered accountant, South has more than 40 years in accounting, management, property brokerage and consulting experience mostly in tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors.

The Adelaide Convention Bureau is set to host Land Forces 2016 Exposition, worth AUD16.6 million (USD11.9 million) to the state’s visitor economy over its three-day duration.

Presented in collaboration with the Australian Army, Land Forces 2016 Exposition is expected to attract 1,100 high-level international defence, government and industry delegates from interstate and overseas. Damien Kitto, CEO of Adelaide Convention Bureau, said that this winning bid “consolidates recent announcements regarding South Australia’s defence industry and strengthens our position as a leading defence state, and aligns with five of the Premier’s 10 economic priorities”.

FROM THE BUREAUX

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# What you missed online on

WWW.BIZEVENTSASIA.COM

Seoul MICE Alliance adds numbers to its strength The Seoul MICE Alliance (SMA) has added 28 new organisations to its membership, bringing the total to 195 members. These include Four Seasons Hotel, and for the first time, casinos.

Convert foreign physical currencies into digital ones Already available at international airports in Georgia, Italy and Turkey, the TravelersBox kiosk - a system that lets international travellers deposit leftover foreign coins and banknotes directly into online accounts - has reached Asia.

A new version of the Four Seasons App, tailored to the preferences of Chinese travellers, will be released by the end of this year.

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#Engage

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY GOES TO HOTEL JEN ORCHARDGATEWAY SINGAPORE The August session of Wine Down Wednesday organised

by ACI HR Solutions and Biz Events Asia gathered more than 50 professionals within the events, tourism and hospitality sectors to network and unwind. Hosted by Hotel Jen Orchardgateway Singapore, the event was held at Baywatch@Jen, which gave almost 360-degree views of the city skyline. The hotel’s pool bar at Baywatch@Jen can accommodate up to 40 people, while up to 60 people can be hosted at the back. Ideal for cocktail parties by the rooftop pool or product launches along the length of its pool deck, exclusive events can only be booked after 8:30pm.

Look out for the upcoming session of Wine Down at Marina Mandarin Singapore, held on the second day of ITB Asia 2015 this month. A lineup of acts and prizes to be won for the best-dressed ones awaits.

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ia_BEA 1Page Aug-15 Issue.pdf

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now we are here for you.

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research | strategy | branding | marketing

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i am ferdi, your personal ideator. let’s connect via ferdi@ideateagency.com.

ideas to create and activate www.ideateagency.com

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#CoverStory

SoutH KoRea ContinueS to impReSS

Words: BEN JORDAN

DISCOVER PLENTy OF REASONS TO CONDUCT EVENTS AND INCENTIVE TRIPS AROUND SOUTH KOREA’S REGIONAL DESTINATIONS. For South Korea, the 21st Century has very much become an era of global recognition.

Decades of structural, economic, and social development have all intermixed with South Korea’s unique culture to produce what is now one of the world’s most indemand travel destinations.

Undeniably, South Korea’s image was affected earlier in 2015 courtesy of the MERS outbreak. However, with the allclear declared in July, the country has been welcoming its inbound visitors back to the fold. Notably, the country’s meetings sector appeared to weather the storm fairly well; according to the Korea Tourism Organization, “no major international congresses were cancelled this year, only changes in schedules were experienced”.

The pulling powers of South Korea’s MICE destinations beyond Seoul are increasingly seeing their share of the action. Songdo, for example, is a thriving, high-tech smart and green city located within Incheon, home to 450 multi-national companies. A 20-minute drive from Incheon International Airport is all it takes to get to Songdo Convensia, a high-tech and environmentally-friendly government-owned convention centre that offers over 10,000 sq m of events facilities.

Further afield, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, North Gyeongsang, and Jeju Provinces are showing that South Korea is still unleashing its potential upon the world of business travel and leisure.

Riding HigH: gyeonggi Gyeonggi-do has long been influenced by the whims of Seoul’s movers and shakers.

However, the region has rapidly become a national powerhouse in its own right, being home to major industries and a growing

18

OCT 2015

global awareness of its leisure and business tourism infrastructure. Major examples of both include KINTEX, the nation’s largest convention centre and Everland Resort, home of South Korea largest theme park.

Operated by Samsung’s subsidiary Cheil Industries, the theme park alone drew 7.3 million visitors in 2014 to experience its “T Express”, South Korea’s first wooden rollercoaster, along with acres of other rides and attractions. The resort’s cabin-style lodgings, known collectively as Home Bridge, features meeting facilities such as the Cabin Hall Grand Lecture Room that accommodates up to 300 persons in its five 50-sq m meeting rooms.

going foR gold: gangwon South Korea’s northeastern province has long been known for its natural attractions and ski slopes, which are now given a new lease of life as a rising MICE destination.

Since the 2011 announcement of Gangwon’s winning bid to host the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics, the region has seen a steady demand as a business events setting. This has led to the recent creation of the Gangwon Convention & Visitors Bureau and a turning point for the local tourism industry.

Incentive destinations great for groups include the Alpensia Resort, which offers ski slopes and a 45-hole golf course, while meeting and accommodation facilities include a 2,000-seat conference centre and three hotels operated by InterContinental

Mount Hallasan in Jeju Province

Gyeongju’s Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO)

Alpensia

adventures in Paradise: JeJu The second-most popular travel destination in South Korea after Seoul, Jeju Province, consisting of a volcanic archipelago in the nation’s south, is almost a world unto itself. Tall palms and cobalt-blue waters belie its subtropical climate, while deep, winding lava caves and imposing basalt cones tell dramatic geological tales of Jeju’s very different origins from that of the mainland. Today, Jeju’s beauty has made it one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and a UNESCO World Heritage hotspot.

Yongpyeong Resort

and Holiday Inn. A concert hall has also been built on the site especially for the upcoming 2018 Cultural Olympiad.

Millennia in the Making: north gyeongsang Once upon a time the seat of power for over half of the Korean peninsula, North Gyeongsang Province – in particular its Shilla Dynasty capital of Gyeongju, lovingly preserves much of the culture that shaped the nation’s deep rootedness. From towering royal burial tombs to imposing Buddha statues carved into the living rock, Gyeongju is a time capsule of South Korea’s past which, along with its natural beauty, makes it a must-see destination.

Located in the Gyeongju Special Tourist Zone, Shilla Millennium Park is possibly the best way to explore the city’s regal past without a souped-up Delorean. The unique theme park recreates the ancient dynasty (57BC to 935CE), presenting authentic period housing, staff dressed in hanbok (period costume), open-air performances, as well as Shilla-style craft shops and studios. The several outdoor venues throughout the park include one atrium with a capacity for up to 700 persons.

The Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO) is Gyeongju’s largest meeting facility. Part of the Bomun Lake Resort District, the new facility’s largest convention hall spans 3,421 sq m, while HICO itself is surrounded by 14 hotels and 1,071 rooms within a 3-kilometre radius.

Jungmun, located in Seogwipo, Jeju’s second-biggest city, contains just about everything the leisure and business visitors could possibly want. It is home to a chain of quality hotels, including facilities run by Hyatt, Shilla, and Lotte – each with their own conference and meetings facilities. The hotels are conveniently located near ICC Jeju, the region’s largest convention centre, which features spaces capable of accommodating up to 4,500 participants at a time.

The above mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg. For each destination, there are plenty more reasons for business and incentive visitors to make the journey. Among these, see how South Korean TV dramas are made at MBC Dramia in Gyeonggi; hike through picturesque Seoraksan National Park or try your luck at Kangwon Land Casino in Gangwon; dine on Hanjeongsik, authentic Korean table d’hote once enjoyed by royal families in North Gyeongsang; and cleanse the body and mind at Sanbangsan Hot Springs in Jeju.

OCT 2015

19

THE PROCUREMENT ISSUE BIZ EVENTS ASIA GIVES INSIGHTS INTO THE IMPORTANCE OF BUSINESS EVENTS PROCUREMENT WORDS: EL KWANG & JOSEPHINE LIM

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#The Procurement Issue

FINDING SOLUTIONS THROUGH OFFLINE CONVERSATIONS UNCOVERING MUCH NEEDED CONVERSATIONS IN THE STRATEGIC PROCUREMENT OF BUSINESS EVENTS CULTIVATING THE ART OF PROCUREMENT The anticipation of the corporate travel tender season gives new meaning to negotiation and forecasting skills while being edged with feelings of anxiety each year. It also brings hoteliers the challenge of managing communications and balancing business agenda from global and regional offices right down to the level of hotel operations.

Buyers, sellers and intermediaries like travel management companies (TMC) have almost perfected the strategic sourcing of flights, transport hire and accommodation for individual corporate travellers. Global connectivity capabilities and sophisticated booking engines created by leading TMCs such as American Express Travel, BCD Travel and Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) assist in transparent tracking of production.

All parties are confidently vocal about resolving compliance and production challenges during individual meetings and conferences. One of which is the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) Global Travel Conference held at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong in August 2015. The conference

has a track record of continuously discussing and resolving current and new challenges. For example, airbnb was invited to a discussion panel at the conference, where delegates cited the greater role sharing economy disruptors played in corporate travel. “We need to be aware and prepare.�

The conference was a success, according to Greeley Koch, executive director of ACTE. He also said that balance is the key to a successful travel programme in this unique market (Asia).

More coverage of the ACTE conference can be found in the Delve into Hong Kong section (page 46) in this issue of Biz Events Asia.

But, when it comes to meetings and events, the art of corporate travel procurement and the unique needs of strategic meetings management (SMM), programmes require further alignment.

It is much harder to find a solution when this need for re-alignment is also blanketed by an overlay of strict company public relations protocols, forcing a gap between the perceived fair detail Request for Proposal (RFP) process and actual business needs.

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#The Procurement Issue

THE DIFFERENCE IN PROCURING CORPORATE TRAVEL AND EVENTS Often, the corporate travel procurement and SMM teams are not in the same department. Corporate travel mainly deals with individual travellers where it is easier to mandate, track and forecast. Travel needs tend to be based on proximity to customer or local office locations. Once the travel programme is implemented, travel bookers can be made up of actual travellers, executive assistants, or travel management companies. Preferred rates mostly apply to only individual travellers and not group travel.

The person who manages the SMM programme within an organisation is often required to have professional event management experience. Group travel and event requirements, along with the range of suppliers needed, are different for each event. And for some industries like pharmaceutical, the number of events held in a year are determined by the time which a company launches a new medication. These unpredictable

elements make it close to impossible to apply the same procurement practices of corporate travel to business events.

THE PREFERRED LIST The preferred list of hotels is often determined by the needs of corporate travel. Resorts and hotels located outside the proximity of travel requirements are not included on this list unless they are willing to offer a rate without production expectations.

Non-accommodation event venues like convention centres, will not be included. The events team is expected to use preferred hotels first. However, some events may require bookers to use a non-preferred venue or hotel, where bookers must then submit a justification for approval. Depending on the complexity of the event, some requests will take a longer time to be approved and run the risk of the space being taken up. This dilemma is often faced by bookers during the peak period or in destinations where quality venues are scarce. The events team often receive requests from hotels to be added onto the preferred list. Often, a hotel is not accepted onto the list because the organisation may not require enough use of it for events. Non-preferred hotels do not get the first opportunity to quote for a business, or get a chance to understand a client’s SMM programme requirements; this then creates the doubt that non-preferred hotels are capable of delivering on the mandate.

For this reason, organisations start to procure a separate and specific Meetings Hotel Programme.

LACK OF SMM PROGRAMME UNDERSTANDING Biz Events Asia understands from Sally (not her real name), an Asiabased event director of a global corporation, that SMM is widely implemented in Asia. The SMM policy clearly states buyer requirements, from indemnity clauses and fair cancellation periods within contractual terms to the finer details like signage (especially for the media-sensitive finance and banking industry).

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Some sellers, especially a sales or account manager new to the industry or account, do not understand the purpose of the SMM mandate. These sales managers may seem more eager to convert a sale than to understand and deliver on the SMM requirements.

There seems to be a false perception that SMM is implemented for the sake of control and savings. This is because planners responsible for the SMM programme expect venues and hotels to support the mandate through driving compliance. For example, hotels are expected to inform the SMM team when a booker from their organisation has contacted the hotel directly instead of using dedicated channels like Cvent or Lanyon Solutions. However, it is difficult for the hotel when the bookers expect a quotation within the next few hours.

Redirecting them back to the SMM team may jeopardise business opportunities, especially in destinations with a dense hotel portfolio such as Bangkok.

It was explained to Biz Events Asia that SMM is implemented as a

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includes dinners, giveaways and lucky draws). All invitations received by the bookers should be forwarded to the organisation’s legal team, so as to prevent incurring disciplinary actions as a result of perceived breach of the ABC policy. Some organisations pay for their own travel arrangements and hotel stays, should companies need to assess a product prior to selecting it.

They also cannot accept complimentary upgrades or meals. Preferred sellers that send the invitation knowing it is a breach of policy will be warned. Repeat offenders will be taken off the preferred list. Non-preferred sellers may not get the chance to meet the buyers.

savings, mitigate risks and track quality reporting. When a location is deemed unsafe, companies use these systems to see if their employees are there and provide immediate support and evacuation. Events that are not compliant to the SMM programme will not be picked up by the systems and safety of the delegates could be compromised. The SMM team will be responsible should the untoward happen, and not the sellers.

RESTRICTED ACCESS Biz Events Asia recently attended a conference where some procurement managers explained to the audience that their organisations are not in a position to be entertained by sellers because of their Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC) policies. This means that sellers can only meet buyers at their offices. They can no longer accept an invitation to a hotel site inspection or showcase (often

In the name of transparency and equity, it is fair that organisations are putting these restrictions so that bookers cannot demand personal benefits before or after awarding the business to a seller. Hotels can also save on entertainment expenses. Using systems to channel through business leads seems like a best business practice. But does this mean the hospitality business is now just a game of numbers?

CHALLENGES HINDERING THE RFP PROCESS The objective of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process is supposed to narrow down the selection across the preferred list of appropriate vendors and service providers based on a predetermined set of guidelines and budget parameters. What should seemingly be a straightforward process of “ticking the boxes” is more often fraught with a myriad of impediments, resulting in a lengthy and somewhat angst-ridden time of the business calendar year where all parties involved consider a necessary evil to serve the greater good.

“If businesses keep discounting, the industry will exploit labour and the environment in order to stay sustainable.”

CHANDRAN NAIR Founder and CEO Global Institute for Tomorrow

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#The Procurement Issue

CHALLENGES THAT HINDER THE EVENT PROCUREMENT PROCESS

FROM THE SELLERS’ PERSPECTIVE: Limited inventory or unable to match specific requirements of the RFP but need to ensure that RFP submission is noted to be considered for future invitations to quote, or for ad hoc / second-tier business segments.

Rate sensitivity – companies are very price-sensitive and often only look at the bottom line without considering the options of value-add components for the RFP. How does one put a price or explain the service standards?

Biased negative review from an isolated incident, resulting in the vendor not being invited to tender for subsequent RFPs. Unmatched expectations of terms & conditions governing issues like cancellation policies, commission, deposit requirements, etc.

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FROM THE BUYERS’ PERSPECTIVE: The proposal submitted by the seller is not fully compliant with the requirements in the brief document provided in the RFP tender. Pertinent information (i.e. room specifications, quantity or date/ time) is excluded, while unsolicited items are not.

The rates quoted in the proposal are either not competitive or do not fall within the specified budget range. Vendors tend to assume that there is always room and/or time for negotiation, and do not want to commit their best rates in the formal submission.

FROM THE INTERMEDIARIES’ (EVENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY) PERSPECTIVE: No rate parity. Sellers fail to see the importance of maintaining the same rates across multiple distribution channels to ensure an even playing field.

Having rate parity protects a hotel’s relationships with its partners, as no channel is being favoured over another.

The issue of rate parity will in turn affect commissionable rates, forcing service providers to either add on a premium to cover payment for their services, resulting in a less attractive price structure when pitted against competitors.

Accommodating and managing cross-cultural communications between the client (corporate buyers) and the seller. Within Asia Pacific, business practices and idiosyncrasies vary. With large chain hotels, this is less prevalent as there is a standard code of practice in place that is part of the company’s brand standards. Independent hotels, convention centres or small chains may have more autonomy and creativity to fulfil the RFP requirements, but they are often governed by their own cultural or business practices. These intermediary service providers often have to buffer these differences between these parties, which can be very time-consuming on a daily basis.

Tardiness in the submission of RFPs, either due to time differences or internal delays in obtaining approval from superiors to submit proposed rate tiers.

Budget “black hole” – When it comes to meetings and events, planning budgets can be a very frustrating process as there may be unforeseen circumstances to be taken into account. The million-dollar question is: how much should one set aside for contingencies?

Circumstantial situations caused by natural disasters and political instability that blow up into unrest may be transient but can become the deciding factor of whether an event or meeting takes place as scheduled.

Systems gap – Asia-based organisations are currently using tools created outside of Asia. An ongoing challenge is the system’s ability to convert different currencies used in the Asia Pacific region to the organisation’s trading currency. This means that planners have to work with fluctuating exchange rates and hope that there is little or no variance to the set event budget when converted back to the trading currency. It was mentioned at the ACTE conference that systems content in Asia needs to improve to cope with offline businesses such as budget airlines in India and non-accommodation venue spaces.

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#The Procurement Issue

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE GAP Some hotel chains have set up a master services agreement (MSA) with procurement managers, allowing buyers and sellers to sign off on a blanket terms and conditions that protect the business interests of both parties. From the pricing perspective, hotels are offering discounts and value-adds instead of fixed rates, so the MSA allows the hotel to pitch for the business while yielding fluctuating rates according to business levels.

Another possible solution is to have the manager of the SMM programme sit within the procurement team with lesser operational duties. These managers could possibly have a say on the preferred list, or alternatively, create a preferred list for SMM. Further education could be conducted between sellers, appointed intermediaries and buyers (especially MICE hotels) on the SMM policies.

Training and development departments of hotels could be involved in this process to ensure such education is not only limited to the sales teams, but also the rooms, operations and food and beverage departments.

BEST PRACTICES IN SMM

as recommended by Pacific World

POLICY STRATEGY

Don’t have a rigid programme that doesn’t evolve and adjust accordingly when your organisation’s priorities change.

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Don’t assume a non-mandated policy is ineffective.

SMM programmes can still achieve high levels of compliance by creating a beneficial process and communicating effectively.

APPROVAL

Make sure the approval process is straightforward and timelines are set for responding. This will avoid hold-ups with busy executives.

REGISTRATION

Make the registration process as quick and as user-friendly as possible to avoid putting people off.

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Finally, with the ABC policy and other transparent policies that organisations have introduced for the betterment of business efficiency, there should be allowance given to business partners (like hotel and venues) to express their already diminishing unique selling points. The business events industry should be safe, but fun and motivating.

SOURCING/ PROCUREMENT

Understand that different types of meetings and events require different approaches to purchasing and customise your strategy to ensure appropriate products and services are available.

At his opening address at the ACTE conference, Chandran Nair, founder and CEO of Global Institute for Tomorrow, said the current economic model is built around an intrinsically flawed principle. He encouraged the audience to stop asking for discounts, as there is a cost to everything. What we save now in costs becomes a lack of payment for someone else.

For example, low-cost airlines led the increase in travel frequency and as the result sees the environment paying for it through increased fuel consumption and pollution. If businesses keep discounting, the industry will exploit labour and the environment in order to stay sustainable.

“

Some procurement managers explained to the audience that their organisations are not in a position to be entertained by sellers because of their AntiBribery and Corruption (ABC) policies.

“

The market could consider allowing the use of Asia-created solutions (like software and systems) that are sensitive to the region’s business needs, such as language and relevant content as well as currency conversion. Using tools created in Asia to solve their challenges could further value-add to overall global strategies.

DATA ANALYSIS/REPORTING

Demonstrate the programme’s value through regular reports showing progress in terms of savings and attendee satisfaction.

PAYMENT/EXPENSE RECONCILLATION

To help gain buy-in for the SMM programme, implement a solution that streamlines the payment process for meeting planners.

TECHNOLOGY

Use technology to link all the other SMM best practices together but don’t assume it will be the ultimate solution.

Technology is just one piece of the SMM puzzle.

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TRANSFORMING TRADESHOWS WHY BOTHER EXHIBITING?

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#Knowledge

Over many years I have surveyed exhibitors via my Masterclasses and workshop. My first question: “how many of you are happy with your results from your last tradeshow?” Very few hands go up.

P: Planning and process. You need a tried-

Next question: “How many of you actually know what results you got?”

Maybe a couple of hands wafting around – unsure.

e: Execute – meticulously. “E” is also

No hands.

Over 70 percent of exhibitors polled globally gave these answers. Yet trade shows, exhibitions, face-to-face marketing is back with a vengeance and it is in my view from more than 40 years of experience the most powerful medium to grow any organisation – when done properly.

And to do live marketing properly you have to start at the end.

The first question I ask a client is, “what value do you want to generate from attending your next tradeshow or conference?” Very few know. Even fewer connect this objective to their business plan.

There seems to be no connection between a company’s targets for new business, new customers, market research, brand promotion and the exhibition they are about to attend.

Live Marketing in all its forms should be used as a strategy to grow an organisation. Yet how many organisations have a Live Marketing strategy? They may have a web strategy, a PR strategy, an advertising strategy, or a social media strategy - but very rarely are these joined to a Live Marketing Strategy - or indeed integrated with it.

How do you go about it? i use a mnemonic SPEC: s: Selecting the right activities, shows and events. And these are not necessarily the obvious ones. If you continue to go to the same shows alongside your competitors, you would probably only get what they get.

for experience. Visitors remember an experience more than a product or a number. The execution of your plan must be delivered by the right people.

This means if it’s a B2B show, keep your reps off the stand, and while we are in the process of executing professionally – no brochures please – 90 percent get dumped.

c: Capitalise – or cash in. This demands that you measure every aspect of the project: your investment in space, construction and most importantly people.

And remember having your sales people off the road on an exhibition stand very often costs more than letting them do their normal job.

Point in case An Exhibiting Skills Masterclass we provided for the team at Construction Computer Software (CCS), challenged them to review their total approach to exhibiting.

With a bit of imagination and some graphics, their tiny 9-sq m venue was transformed into an aircraft, and punched well above its weight.

The CCS team were trained to “spot”, enabling them to qualify (or not) passersby.

Outcomes were agreed, from show objectives to messaging. A feedback form was created in line with their theme.

JOHN BLASKEY Managing Director The Exhibiting Agency

“

Live Marketing in all its forms should be used as a strategy to grow an organisation. Yet how many organisations have a Live Marketing strategy?

“

Third question: “How many of you have a plan for your next tradeshow?”

and-tested method that will initially define and prioritise your objectives at every level, review your branding and key messages for the show, and generate a creative journey that will deliver impact and memorability.

John Blaskey is the managing director of The Exhibiting Agency based in the UK. He is a business speaker who also patented the oval paint can, the boardless display board and the speaker control system.

#

JotItDown

The team was delighted with the results:

CCS before the show

At the post show debrief, the team agreed what they had done well: who didn’t know them

This proves that it can be done. Just because everyone does it a certain way does not mean that it is right. Be different, but be “joined-up”.

OCT 2015

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Professional Meeting Planners exPerience the asia Pacific an exclusive invitation froM the Professional convention ManageMent association (PcMa) brought key industry Players froM around the world to engage and learn froM one another.

Words: Jennifer salsbury

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OCT 2015

#Knowledge

Melbourne showcased the depth of its vivid colours last week as one of North America’s most professional meeting planner groups, PCMA, invited key planner members to the city in a well-managed invitation only exchang with leading convention destinations from the region to experience what Asia Pacific is really all about. From Hemophilia to Toastmasters, English Language Teachers to Corporate Travel Planners and ICT Tech companies not only from the USA but also from Europe, Asia and Australia, a cultured group of 25 experienced professionals came together for the “Cultural Experience”.

The common thread was that all are putting on meetings in the Asia Pacific region, and the programme was designed for them to learn how to work better with cultures that may be new to them. The Global Professionals Workshop – known as GloPro – is a regional series and part of PCMA’s full international educational programme for meeting planners. Reflecting the importance of this venture for the organisation, there were four board members as well as the CEO attending.

KicKing off GloPro Asia Pacific 2015 kicked off with a Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) workshop where the planner attendees were briefed on the services designed for them in the destination.

The next morning, the group was up early to greet the first day of spring by taking to the skies in a Hot Air Balloon.

Participants were made to work for their experience by joining in the balloon inflation and packing up process, but were amply rewarded by stunning views of the sunrise and the city’s CBD area, Yarra River and the footie fans holy grail “The G” or Melbourne Cricket Ground MCG. Announcement was made for the 20,000sq m expansion to the exhibition space, bringing the total in 2017 to 80,000 sq m.

Chief executive, Peter King was proud of the accolade to have been voted recently as one of Australia’s “Most Innovative Companies”, and we could see why with the catering and technical services demonstrated through the event and more specifically on the venue tour.

“Always something new and something terribly exciting… It is important to make sure everyone understands how much they want your business and how much is going on here” said Deborah Sexton, president and CEO of PCMA, when introducing the Melbourne team, supported by Tourism Australia, who had worked closely with PCMA to prepare the programme of events.

Day one talked about economies, while day two discussed culture, finally bringing it all in on day three.

Indonesia’s growth in recent years was covered by speaker Ed Gustley of Peninda Capital Advisors Ltd. Topics include Rise of the Asia Pacific and Key Economic Groups, the Priorities for Growth with the Business Implications, as well as Country Spotlight. A surprise for some of the North American visitors was the safety within the region, their impression had been one of challenge, and their expectation was that it would not be easy to move about so freely. A point raised was the inequalities in the distribution of wealth. The planners were advised to work on their CSR activities and find a way to give back to the communities – an example given was to “hold your dental conference in the region and then have practitioners going out to give free dental treatment to underprivileged communities”.

The programme Facilitated by Nigel Collin, events continued with the theme of the wellknown Donald Rumsfeld quote: “There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know.

But there are also unknown unknowns.

There are things we don’t know we don’t know.”

With this, the group turned to day two and focused on finding their “unknown unknowns”, guided by Ed’s advice to identify the “Recommenders, Influencers or Gatekeepers and the Decision Makers”. Discussions ensued on how there are such different internal cultures within each country. Tips and ideas flew, and the PCMA staff set about capturing these by arranging “country capsule” tables for the Asia Pacific countries attending, namely: China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Oman,

JENNIFER SALSBURY CEO IMC Convention Solutions

New Zealand and Australia. Participants joined the various tables for different levels of discussion to understand the various parameters for event organisation, and sharing at the end their top take-home tips in a “speed-dating” type of exchange on one long table.

These tips were then collated for the record. Top tips included the discovery of how constantly “connected” Asians are, and that in China, the country where Facebook and Twitter are not available, people just don’t read their emails as everything goes through WeChat and its clones.

Summing it all up on day three, Dr Caroline Hong weaved through the experiences teasing out the threads of ideas and encouraging personal commitment to the next step in sharing their tips gained within their individual organisations.

Jennifer Jenny Salsbury is the CEO at IMC Convention Solutions, an international marketing consultancy for organisations in China wishing to attract international events to their cities, venues and destinations and for international organisations wishing to attract Chinese delegates to their events. She has over thirty years of experience in destination and convention centre marketing, specialising in international associations with strong personal connections in meetings industry organisations.

Contact Jennifer at jennifer@imc-conventionsolutions.com Website: www.imcsolutions.com

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THE ART OF PROFESSIONALISM WHAT ARE THE KEY FACTORS THAT MAKE OR BREAK PROFESSIONALISM?

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#Knowledge

But what encompasses “professionalism”?

It is not one skill but a combination of skills that makes an entire package.

Professionalism means conducting oneself with responsibility, integrity, and excellence. Employers want people that can communicate effectively and appropriately; work within a team as well as always finding a way to be productive.

This is what makes up professionalism.

Professionalism takes time and experience to perfect. Employers know it when they see it. The absence of professionalism is usually more obvious than its presence. Anyone can develop their own style of professionalism by focusing on these basic principles:

RESPONSIBILITY:

always look to correct them

EXCELLENCE: standards and seek constant improvement. a problem; do not look only for the easy way out whenever possible

COMMUNICATION: interest in what is being said

expression makes for clear communication and can help boost self-esteem and decision-making

PRODUCTIVITY:

#

JotItDown

effectively responsibility and produce results solving them before being asked to

TEAM ORIENTED collective product is greater than the sum of the individual effort

benefit others; whether that be a customer, co-worker, or supervisor

by recognising generational, educational, and social differences

disrespect than being late. It implies that “my time is more valuable than yours”

you work with by respecting and acknowledging their talents

and say what you can do.

“

What encompasses ‘professionalism’? It is not one skill but a combination of skills that makes an entire package.

circumstance

commit to something you cannot follow through.

INTEGRITY:

CHRISTINE GAMARRA Director of Operations Asia Pacific

“

As I write this column, I am preoccupied with the recent gyrations of the Chinese equities markets. What impact will it have on me, my company and the Asian economies? It is ironic that my topic this month is about the soft skills that are needed to advance and succeed in the current labour market. As it becomes more and more competitive, jobseekers will need to continually find ways to distinguish themselves from the crowd.

There are few things an employer values more than employees who carry out their duties in a “professional manner”.

Christine Gamarra is director of operations, Asia Pacific for a Customer

segment.

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#Knowledge

MAKING IT COUNT SOURCING TALENT THROUGH REFERRALS MAY YIELD BETTER RESULTS IN THE LONG RUN.

Building an effective talent sourcing strategy is a critical part of business in today’s talent short market. Start by having well written job profiles that clearly market the benefits of working for the organisation as well as the exciting opportunities and challenges that the candidates can expect if they join. Don’t forget, your company’s marketing efforts should not solely be focused on customers alone; a little thought should also be given to potential employees. Anticipate answering in demand candidates’ most likely questions – “what sets your company apart from others?” And, “why should I work for you?”

If you don’t already have one, start with a robust employee referral programme. If you have hired great people in the past then this is the group you want to continue to “clone” and leverage their social networking connections. As the job profile is circulated you will hit passive as well as active candidates. Your strategy should clearly define the route to take based on the timing and strategic nature of each hire. If you need someone urgently you will need an active candidate and if the position is more strategic you will likely benefit from a more passive candidate.

Also, don’t forget to track and evaluate the source of each referral as part of your sourcing strategy. Look retroactively at the source of each candidate and eventual hire, and rank the quality of each source. For example, if three of the top five candidates were sourced through employee connections via LinkedIn, then LinkedIn should be a strategic priority and you should consider

36

ANDREW CHAN Founder & CEO ACI HR Solutions

upgrading some of the employees’ LinkedIn accounts. If none of the top 50% of your candidates came from a specific job board then you should stop wasting time and resources on that job board.

It is highly important for a company to identify their external and internal recruitment plans through the establishment of talent acquisition sources and the methods that they can turn to at any time. The methods should address shortterm and long-term strategic recruitment needs. The long-term recruiting strategy, both external and internal, should feed the short-term and immediate recruiting needs of an organisation through the development of candidate pools. Short notice recruitment is not an easy exercise to go through. Mitigate the pain by working smarter not harder, so you can focus on the necessity to keep external and internal recruiting methods fresh and innovative at all times through proactive strategic talent acquisition.

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Using technology to create memorable experiences Singapore’s strengths in data connectivity and technological availability enable international event planners to secure more sponsorship and deliver greater returns on sponsorship investments. According Dr Felix Rimbach, Director of Globibo Event Technology based in Singapore: “Event technology has developed from being infrastructural (basic light and sound) to becoming an essential part of the event experience.”

Here are some examples of how combining technology with multiple disciplines such as creative design, marketing and communications can deliver an experience that creates further engagement for participants.

#SGExperience

Promoting sponsors with 3D projections The National Stadium nestled within the Singapore Sports Hub is currently the largest dome structure in the world.

Leverage the National Stadium’s LED roof at nightfall to create a prominent and unforgettable projection display of your sponsor’s logos or even brand messages.

Be inspired by the elaborate projection mapping work

by Hexogon Solution Pte Ltd at the 28th SEA Games 2015.

According to managing director Adrian Goh, 160 Christie Roadster J series 3DLP projectors and 18 sets of projection operating systems (known as Coolus Pandoras Box Media Servers) were used to orchestrate the opening and closing ceremonies which attained the Guinness World Record for “the greatest light output in a project image”. Utilise the same technology to create a sensory show with colourful displays integrated with live performances to welcome delegates.

28th SEA Games at The National Stadium

Tailor your event with more information from: www.sportshub.com.sg

#SGExperience

Enlivening the festive air through projection mapping

Anooki Celebrate Singapore projection

Labrador Park Trail

Coincide your next event with the Singapore Night Festival, held over two weekends every August.

Host a dinner or evening cocktail at a venue close to one of the festival locations, and allow delegates to mingle with locals and fully soak in the festival spirit with up-close displays like the charming The Anooki Celebrate Singapore projection mapping

by French artist and graphic designer David Passegand and Moetu Batlle on the façade of the National Museum of Singapore. The light and sound displays of the festival have the ability to let delegates ease their minds momentarily.

The light-hearted moments whilst watching the display along with Singapore’s summer weather may encourage a stronger bond amongst the delegates. Go beyond the limits of creativity!

Offer more sponsorship value by using projection mapping on tablecloths or décor hanging from the venue ceiling as the pièce de résistance that ties the evening’s theme together.

Tailor your event with more information from: www.nightfest.sg

#SGExperience

Revitalising team adventures with augmented reality and mobile app Take advantage of Singapore’s year-round summer bliss with outdoor team-building adventures and integrate them with augmented reality and an app to up the game! Drop delegates off at Mount Faber Hill for a cable car ride to Sentosa on a clue-based hunt which would eventually lead them to Transformers The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle Full Experience, an augmented reality experience at Universal Studios Singapore. After the ride, delegates can embark on an interactive mobile app guided trails of Singapore created by the event planners and Singapore based LDR Pte Ltd. Using LOTM, a geo-location tagging system, organisers simply select the locations for the trail and geo-tag them with specific storylines and special messages from sponsors. Once delegates arrive at a particular location, the story and other designated messages will appear on their mobile devices. Event planners without prior programming knowledge can also become master creators of these interactive trails.

Tailor your event with more information from: www.ldr.sg

Download the Singapore Heritage Trails app created by the National Heritage Board to reminisce and experience Singapore’s heritage through trails, including: ° The Kampong Glam trail ° The WWII trail ° The Balestier trail Other sight exploration apps include: ° The Pocket Trips SG50 edition – explores 15 trails ° Jalan Jalan – explores interesting places in Singapore ° Crowd trails – a location-based social app for creating and sharing trails ° Gothere.sg – get to places using public transport in Singapore

Strengthening bonds through unique team activities Quality team-building activities have the ability to increase morale, build stronger relationships, create cohesiveness, and improve communication channels amongst members. Fun team activities also induce positive vibes and build respect between members, which in turn encourages the acceptance of constructive criticism and ideas in the team.

#SGExperience

Forge stronger bonds with team members through unique and innovative team building activities which integrates Singapore’s diverse landscapes and cultures.

Inspiring meetings with an aerial view Conduct an innovation meeting breakout session in one of Singapore’s iconic attractions in the sky. Let the views of the following aerial spaces inspire creativity and motivate delegates.

Work with Pacific World and put your delegates’ teamwork abilities to the test in one of the 28.4-metre x 7-metre glass capsules of the Singapore Flyer. Each spacious capsule takes up to 28 delegates and the stable ride allows for working tables and flipcharts to facilitate the breakout session. Allocate some time within the 32-minute ride to find solutions for the challenges that delegates wish to overcome. From there, the delegates are to create five-minute presentation videos by drawing inspiration from the stunning views of the Singapore city skyline and magnificent harbour within the peaceful setting of the air-conditioned capsules.

Singapore Flyer

Take time on a cable car ride to improve delegate communication skills. Teams have to remain focused and use their problem solving skills to solve clues together within the cable cars. The new Sentosa Line brings delegates to three stations – Merlion, Imbiah Lookout and Siloso Point, which offer breath-taking views of the varied vistas of Sentosa and its numerous attractions nestled amongst lush greenery to fuel creative topics of discussion.

Tailor your event with more information from: www.pacificworld.com www.singaporeflyer.com www.mountfaber.com.sg

#SGExperience Take a step back in time Learn about Singapore’s heritage by embarking on The Original Singapore Walks created by the award-winning Journeys Pte Ltd. After the walks, encourage delegates to share what they have learnt about Singapore over a relaxing afternoon tea in one of the hotels.

The Time of Empire is a colonial district walk where delegates can learn about Singapore’s colonial legacy, national flower, the Sarkies brothers, local media The Straits Times and the famous “Singapore Sling” cocktail. Highlights of the walk include exploring the 150-year-old Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, Coleman Street, and the Raffles Hotel. This is a memorable walk which include historical sights in the heart of a vibrant modern city. Delegates can share their stories over a glass of refreshing Singapore Sling, served at the Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel where it first originated.

Tailor your event with more information from: www.journeys.com.sg Saint Andrew’s Cathedral Event Igloos

#SGExperience

Escape from an igloo at Singapore Sports Hub Add adrenalin to the programme by getting delegates mentally and physically active. Dress delegates up in sponsored sportswear and have them ready to take on some pop-up air-conditioned event igloos at a venue in the Singapore Sports Hub. Sponsor logos can be placed within and around the igloos for increased brand exposure to the delegates.

Delegates will be split into teams and locked into a large-scale escape game created by Think Out Events. The enclosed environment, paired with fast-paced soundtrack, challenges delegates’ ability to work cohesively under pressure and creates an exciting setting for teambuilding.

Once the challenge has been solved, delegates will be released and are free to venture into other outdoor activities for some fresh air and real fun under the sun. An example of this could be a mini Olympics made up of obstacles and track and field challenges at the National Stadium.

Tailor your event with more information from: www.sportshub.com.sg www.thinkoutevents.com

The Singapore Sports Hub has a range of activities suitable for business event groups. This includes: ° Kayaking at the Water Sports Centre ° Aqua Zumba and Aerobics at the OCBC Aquatic Centre ° Basketball, badminton and volleyball competitions at the OCBC Arena ° Exploring the Singapore Sports Museum for the more sedentary delegates

National Gallery Singapore

#SGExperience

Peranakan culture activities

Immersing in authentic Peranakan culture Let the popular MasterChef Asia reality show in Singapore inspire a cooking challenge with a Peranakan twist!

Ignite the cultural senses of delegates through a visit to The Intan, a 150-year-old Baba museum and house on Neil Road where owner Alvin Yapp offers insight into the Peranakan culture through his curated collection of fine china, pottery, traditional outfits and jewellery.

Learn how to make traditional Peranakan cuisine from Rosaline Soon, renowned author of “Tales from Two Peranakan Kitchens�. Sample sumptuous dishes such as Assam Curry Fish, Babi Pongteh (stewed pork with fermented soy bean) and Bakwan Kepiting (pork and crab meat balls) Soup. Cook up a storm at at-sunrice, a cooking school famous for its SpiceOdyssey experience that brings participants on a thrilling discovery into the world of natural spices used in global cuisines. Pick up some tips to enhance your meals with aphrodisiac properties, authentic influences, and the spiritual connection of spices. As an added treat, delegates can serve dishes they have learnt to make during the cooking class as part of a dinner event.

Tailor your event with more information from: www.the-intan.com www.grandmothersrecipes.com.sg www.at-sunrice.com

#SGExperience

Fuelling creativity through art Host your event at the National Gallery Singapore, a new 64,000-square metre visual arts museum opening in November 2015. Inspire delegates with the venue’s harmonious blend of old and new architecture featuring the former City Hall and Supreme Court Building. Have the option to plan guided tours to the venue’s many galleries to stimulate delegate’s visual senses with art pieces from Singapore, Southeast Asia and the World.

Allow delegates to learn about Singapore’s rich biodiversity at Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. The seven-storey green building provides 8,500 square metres of space, and is home to over 560,000 catalogued lots and over a million specimens from across the region. Located within the National University of Singapore, the historical contents which has been painstakingly conserved and sourced by the museum will be sure to instil a sense of wonderment amongst delegates.

Tailor your event with more information from: www.nationalgallery.sg www.lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg

#SGExperience

Creating perfume with Je Taime Singapore

Creating your own perfume label Awaken the senses with a perfume creation workshop as one of the breakout sessions in your meeting programme. Delegates can work their creativity to create personalised scents mixed from a selection of over 400 ingredients from Singapore. The workshop also offers halal and 100 percent natural perfumes. As the perfect treat for luxury incentive participants, they can create a scent to remember Singapore by and work with Je taime Singapore to launch perfumes in customised bottles when they fulfil the minimum order requirements.

Tailor your event with more information from: www.jetaime-singapore.com

Experiencing the garden city

Encourage delegates to take time out of the programme to rejuvenate their spirits through activities close to nature. Take full advantage of Singapore’s abundance of nature and fresh air – enable delegates to manage their mental and physical well-beings through the benefits of deep breathing exercises.

Deep breathing and fresh air are a powerful combination. Deep breathing moves the air into the lungs and revitalises the body through progressive muscle relaxation. Fresh air invigorates the mental and physical state, thereby aligning the mind with the body and freeing one from worries and distractions.

#SGExperience

Deep breathing amongst nature Plan your event around Soulscape, a unique lifestyle festival that combines yoga, music and dance where delegates can enjoy a day of movement workshops on both land and water. Create exclusive components in the meeting and incentive programme to remind delegates to breathe deep and relax. For example, outdoor yoga is a popular activity among locals and visitors, and can be conducted in the field near the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage within the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For large groups, The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay can cater for up to 30,000 delegates depending on set-up requirements. Venture to the outskirts of Singapore and try Tai Chi amongst the tranquil setting of the Chinese and Japanese gardens located around Jurong Lake.

Tailor your event with more information from: www.soulscape.sg www.sbg.org.sg www.yoursingapore.com/see-do-singapore/ nature-wildlife/parks-gardens/ chinese-garden.html

Outdoor Yoga North Eastern Riverine Loop

#SGExperience

Go island hopping on a cruise Charter a cruise to popular islands such as Sisters, St. John, or Kusu. Work with organisations like Nature Society Singapore and the International Coastal Clean-up Singapore on conservation activities such as coastal and forest clean-ups on Pulau Ubin. Pulau Ubin is home to Chek Jawa, one of Singapore’s richest and most unique ecosystems where six major habitats meet and mix. Walk along the 1.1-kilometre coastal boardwalk to take in the rich plant and marine life, or explore its 21-metre tall viewing tower to catch a glimpse of birds like the Collared Kingfisher and Straw-headed Bulbul.

Organise a team cooking session in the wild on Pulau Ubin with Cookery Magic, using herbs harvested from the gardens of homes still inhabited on the island. At sunset, cruise back to Sentosa for a fireworks display at the Wings of Time show, or enjoy a private dinner aboard the Royal Albatross, a unique tall ship that can hold up to 149 delegates.

Royal Albatross

Tailor your event with more information from: www.islandcruise.com.sg www.nss.org.sg www.cookerymagic.com www.sentosa.com.sg www.tallship.com.sg

#SGExperience

Hike into the deep reserves of Singapore to enjoy nature within the forested areas of the MacRitchie Reservoir. Organise a local charity fundraising walk as delegates take in fresh air through the TreeTop Walk, the highlight of several long hiking routes in MacRitchie bringing delegates through different stages of a mature secondary forest. Dress delegates in brightly-coloured t-shirts with event sponsor logos for more branding awareness, especially if the walk is photographed or filmed.

Explore Singapore’s green spots on foot and bike

Organise a scenic cycling trip on the 26-kilometre North Eastern Riverine Loop that connects four parks and offers breath-taking panoramic views of Singapore’s northeastern coastline before relaxing at one of the 14 dining establishments at The Punggol Settlement. Delegates can kick off their cycling shoes with a nice cold beverage at Georges by the Bay or enjoy a sumptuous meal at Punggol Seafood or House of Seafood restaurants.

Tailor your event with more information from: www.nparks.gov.sg www.punggolsettlement.com

Singapore has a variety of farms where group visits can be arranged. Here is a selection: ° The Animal Resort – www.theanimalresort.com/home ° Changi Fishery – www.w3studio.net/fishery ° Bollywood Veggies Farm – www.bollywoodveggies.com ° Oh’s Butterfly and Tropical Hydroponic Farm – www.ohfarms.com.sg ° Hay Dairies – www.haydairies.com.sg

Exploring Singapore by night

As a leading global destination, Singapore is a city that comes alive at night. There is never a dull moment with the brightly-lit city skylines and cooling weather conditions after sunset. The city’s excitement and vibrancy are evident as locals and visitors congregate and mingle in food and beverage precincts like Dempsey Hill and Clarke Quay. Along with late-night shopping and entertainment areas Bugis Street and Orchard Road, there is just so much to do in Singapore come nightfall.

Celebrate your day’s success with special programmes curated for the evening to further boost morale and motivate delegates.

The Collections Gallery, Singapore Pinacotheque de Paris

#SGExperience

Mystery and epicurean night amongst the arts scene

Curate an unforgettable night for delegates at a museum or art gallery. Partner with team-building specialist The Escape Artist to create a game based on inspirations drawn from renowned author Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and The Cabinet of Curiosities of The Collections Gallery of the Singapore Pinacotheque de Paris. Delegates can walk through the gallery in search of clues and answers to questions that test their knowledge from Paris to Singapore. Use lighting to enhance the mystery and excitement of the activity.

Treat delegates to an epicurean banquet with a French-Asian fusion cuisine that uses produce from the region. Decorate The Space@FCAC (event space at the Singapore Pinacotheque de Paris) with colours that best reflect the company’s branding or meeting and incentive programme. To encourage delegates to share their experiences and photos, create a dedicated hashtag and display it on every material used at the event – from the clue sheets to dinner place cards and menus. Project the tagged images on the wall to create conversations throughout the evening.

Tailor your event with more information from: www.theescapeartist.sg

Singapore has a wide range of world-class museums and art galleries that can stir emotions and evoke your imagination. The following venues are located within the city: ° ArtScience Museum – www.marinabaysands.com/museum ° Asian Civilisations Museum – www.acm.org.sg ° MAD Museum of Art & Design – www.madmuseumsingapore.com ° National Gallery of Singapore – www.nationalgallery.sg ° National Museum of Singapore – www.nationalmuseum.sg ° Singapore Art Museum – www.singaporeartmuseum.sg

#SGExperience

Heightening gourmet taste buds after dark Heighten the gourmet taste buds of delegates and nourish their mind and body with some of Singapore’s unique dining experiences.

Supertree Grove, Gardens by the Bay Photographer: Edward Tian

#SGExperience Corner House

Immersing in flora and fauna Treat delegates to a guided tour of the National Orchid Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens just before sunset. The three-hectare landscaped slopes are home to over 1,000 colourful species and 2,000 hybrids, with about 600 species and hybrids on display. Delegates can be separated according to the four colour zones in the Orchid garden.

From there, delegates can conduct a team-building exercise where a blindfolded teammate is navigated through a walking trail with the help of another teammate without a blindfold.

After having their senses attuned to the fragrance of the blooms and peaceful sounds of fountains and waterfalls, reward delegates with a gastro-botanica dining experience at the Corner House or an Eastmeets-West dining experience at Halia (ginger in the Malay language) restaurant, nestled amongst the vibrant colours of ginger flowers at the Ginger Garden. Let delegates depart through the Singapore Botanic Gardens with a heightened sense of peace and tranquillity.

Tailor your event with more information from: www.sbg.org.sg

Lewin Terrace is a 100-year-old pre-war black and white colonial bungalow that brings delegates back to Singapore’s colonial history with a Japanese-French fusion cuisine.

Perched amongst the greenery of Fort Canning Park, the bungalow was named after Major-General E. O. Lewin, the General Officer Commanding in Singapore from 1933 to 1935, and was once the residence of the Chief of the Central Fire Station on Hill Street.

Tamarind Hill is nestled within the Labrador Nature Reserve. Ease delegates into the evening at the reserve, one of Singapore’s best sunset locations. Escape the city with a banquet at The Tamarind Hill and enrich their memory of Asia with its signature Thai-Burmese menu. A lush green lawn with stunning sea views from the restaurant promises to take the delegate’s breath away.

SuperTree by IndoChine is one of Singapore most unique banqueting venues which serve up a blend of Western and Fusion dishes. This is the only establishment atop the SuperTree Grove at Gardens by the Bay, and it is a great way to dine the night away after admiring the dazzling lights of the SuperTree light show from the OCBC Skywalk.

Tailor your event with more information from: www.lewinterrace.com.sg www.tamarindrestaurants.com/ tamarind-hill-singapore.html www.indochine-group.com/home/ locsingapore-supertree.php

Produced by Biz Events Asia and Singapore Exhibition & Convention BureauTM Beach yoga at Soulscape festival

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The Terracotta Warriors, The Emperor QinShiHuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum

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THE SILK ROAD METAPHOR FORMIDABLE OLD HISTORICAL SITES MAKE XIAN THE PERFECT LOCATION TO FORM THE NEXT TEAM STRATEGY. HISTORY BECKONS Businesses are looking for more innovative ways to form solid teams to adapt to the increasing pressure of change. Despite change being the new normal in business, it remains unsettling. Procuring the right talent for the job gives leaders sleepless nights. It does take a visionary leader to fight against all odds to build a solid team that creates a legacy.

Xian, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is also an ancient capital of China. It is the perfect place for business groups looking to attain team unity. The mysterious energy of this resource-rich land and birthplace of Fengshui (Chinese geomancy) intrigues curious minds. Xian has one of the largest numbers of universities, and its people are very proud of its academic achievements and history (especially during the golden age of the Tang Dynasty AD 618-907).

James Walkden, general manager of The Westin Xian said, “If you are looking for a destination to bring a group of delegates looking for a unique experience, Xian is a must! The ancient capital city of China that is rich in history and culture, yet injected with a modern vibrant influence that has seen the city start to reinvent itself in recent years.”

A visit to The Emperor QinShiHuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum can change

team dynamics and equilibrium. Use the art of storytelling to reaffirm the strength and importance of teamwork. The fact that it was a farmer who discovered the renowned site of the 2,200-year-old Terracotta Warriors in 1974 conveys the message that regardless of position, every team player can make a difference. Since the discovery, it has taken a global network of passionate and dedicated archaeology volunteers to painstakingly put these sculptures back together like a massive jigsaw puzzle. Draw inspiration from the visit to create team challenges during the meeting and incentive programme. Such activities can help identify upcoming leaders.

LEVERAGING CUSTOMER NETWORK Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide hosted its annual Asia Pacific Customer Advisory Board Meeting at The Westin Xian in August 2015. It was the first time Starwood and its board members allowed the media to observe parts of the meeting. Biz Events Asia was privileged to be the exclusive media outside of China.

Since its establishment in 2004, the Starwood Asia Pacific Customer Advisory Board is made up of a confidential list of 48 senior managers and operating business owners from corporate, travel and event management companies based in 11 countries across the region. The welcome reception event was nestled within the

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ian goes much deeper than the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Soldiers that are known globally. There is a myriad of things to see and do that will leave your delegates amazed and enriched from their experience. The local people are fiercely proud of their city and there is a good reason for this, come and experience it for yourself

rare private collection of Ming and Qing Dynasty porcelain at the hotel’s Xian Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts. It was a gathering of great minds and experience made up of old and new friendships. It was a rare sight of unity between buyers facilitated by sellers like Starwood.

This unity became more evident when the meeting kicked off the next morning.

Advisory board members were given business updates from different teams from Starwood led by Alison Taylor from the global sales office and Nichlas Maratos, who heads up sales in the Asia Pacific region. Some sessions delved deeper and asked for honest opinions, and members were startlingly honest.

The Starwood team took all the criticism in stride, without a trace of defensiveness.

They were humble and grateful for the valuable feedback that could change their business. Taylor cited a case study where the board’s feedback assisted in Starwood’s current success in China’s Hainan Island.

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The Westin Xian Sunken Garden

made improvements in areas that needed more attention. The results speak for themselves as we now engage our guests more effectively than ever through our SPG and SPG Pro programs and use technology creatively to enhance the guest and customer experience,” said Maratos.

According to Maratos, the board has also enabled Starwood to forge strategic partnerships with key customers and build loyalty with potential clients. Some initiatives that were a result of advisory board meetings include the development of effective staff training programmes and an increase in market share in

JAMES WALKDEN General Manager The Westin Xian

Farewell dinner atop the West Gate of the City Wall of Xian

“The main purpose of the board is to gather feedback from our partners.

Through the guidance provided by the Board, we have further enhanced the areas in which we have done well, and

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Farewell dinner atop the West Gate of the City Wall of Xian

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The Westin Xian

certain regions. But it was not solely bottom line business talk. The board members had assisted Starwood in developing recovery plans after the natural disasters in Japan.

Pagoda View Room

BOARD MEMBERS VOICE OUT It seemed the respect and appreciation were mutual. One of the advisory board members and managing director of Australia-based Medical Meetings, Stephen Turner, enjoys being on the board. While Turner has been on the board from the beginning, he continues to serve because he feels the Starwood team led by Taylor continues to grow from strength to strength. Highly passionate about Asia, Turner sees his contribution to Starwood’s growth in the region. He is excited to see Maratos lead the Asia Pacific team, and believes the Taylor-Maratos team synergy has extended to a global scale. Turner has unceasing passion for business events and his team at Medical Meetings.

He enjoys staying in constant contact with the other board members with the purpose of finding solutions to challenges faced by the industry.

Monimita Sarkar, managing director of India-based KW Conferences, was a new advisory board member at the meeting. She was thrilled to join this highly qualified, and by invitationonly board. Sarkar enjoys meeting like-minded professionals and looks forward to learning new things and new ways of doing business. Sarkar is Grand Ballroom Wedding setup

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Monument along Yanta South Road

passionate about bringing professional meetings, especially from the medical industry, into India. She believes India has some of the world-leading technology and expertise. Sarkar actively assists associations in pitching to secure international congresses and conferences.

A memorAble fArewell Whilst event planners struggle with delivering experiences money cannot buy and buying experiences without using money, Starwood established a stronger team strategy that week in Xian. The strategy was backed by professionals who were seated at the very core of the business events industry. This is the epitome of the saying “good customers are an extension of the sales team”.

The Westin Xian team not only surprised the board with a farewell dinner atop the West Gate of the 13.7km Ancient City Wall of Xian, they elevated the experience by doing the on-site catering themselves. Guests relaxed and mingled joyfully, with some exchanging more knowledge. There was never a dull moment. Throughout our stay, we fully experienced The Westin well-being movement – we slept, ate, moved, felt, worked and played well…very well indeed.

Xian Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts in The Westin Xian

New hotels opeNiNg iN XiAN iN 2016: Swissotel Xian (350 rooms) Novotel Xian SCPG (276 rooms) Regent Place Xian will offer 156 guest rooms and suites exquisitely decorated with elements reflecting the city’s rich history. The contemporary interiors will feature ceramic pieces of art evocative of Xian’s Terracotta warriors, as well as stunningly intricate metalwork recalling the immaculate detailing of traditional Chinese headpieces worn during the Imperial Dynasty

“Xian is the oldest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals, the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the famous Terracotta Army which makes it a must for both domestic and international visitors. To be present in a city such as Xian, so culturally and historically rich, gives us the perfect opportunity to show our commitment to continue to offer the unique luxury that has made Regent known worldwide” – Dexter Chia, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Regent Hotels and Resorts Regent Place Xian

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THE SOUTHERN SILK ROAD FLOW ONTO CHENGDU FOR MORE HISTORICAL DISCOVERIES THAT CAN CREATE TEAM BONDING. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, is known for the Dujiangyan irrigation system, built in 256 BC that over 5,300 sq km of land still relies on today. This system makes Sichuan the most productive agricultural place in China. First-time visitors may notice the laid back attitude of the Sichuan people, which stems from the bountiful harvest and reduced disaster risk since the implementation of the irrigation system.

A visit to the Chengdu Shu Brocade and Embroidery Museum allows delegates to learn about the Southern Silk Road leading from Chengdu to Myanmar, Thailand, India, Central Asia and Europe.

The Southern Silk Road, though lesser known, started more than

200 years before the famous Northern Silk Road. China’s 4,000-year-old sericulture can be traced back to the ancestors in Sichuan. The English-speaking guide at the museum can take delegates through a series of items that showcase the evolution of art forms and culture through historic patterns used in the brocades. Let delegates spend time observing the laborious work of two masters on an authentic old brocade machine and the intricacy of embroidery.

No visit to Chengdu is complete without feeling warm and fuzzy after a day at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The educational research base is a spacious park Niccolo by Marco Polo Chengdu

Chengdu shu brocade and embroidery museum

with several enclosures where guests can see red and giant pandas, and be thrilled by a panda nursery and museum.

HOTELS APLENTY Opened earlier this year, the Niccolo

by Marco Polo Chengdu prides itself as a contemporary modernchic hotel. Its name was inspired by Niccolo Polo, the father of Marco Polo and a legendary trader and explorer, whose explorations opened China to the world. The 230-room hotel offers 20 function rooms and seven private dining rooms. The 750-sq m Niccolo Ballroom takes up

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to 1,000 guests in a theatre-style set-up and 450 for a banquet event.

In July 2015, Chengdu’s Bitieshi Street welcomed The Temple House. The hotel embraces a typical Siheyuan (courtyard house) design blended with elements of modern luxury and comfort. Guests can expect service standards set by sister hotels within the Swire Hotels group, such as The Upper House in Hong Kong. The Temple House offers 493 sq m worth of meeting spaces. The 251-sq m space called The Hall is perfect for cocktail events of up to 200 guests or a banquet event for up to 150.

The St. Regis Chengdu is located in the heart of Chengdu’s CBD and within walking distance to the IFS and entertainment precincts like Taikoo Li. Since its opening, the hotel has successfully hosted events from the medical, real estate, IT and fashion industries. The team is set to deliver memorable events using spaces beyond the 500-sq m Aster ballroom and function spaces on the dedicated events

The Temple House

MI XUN Courtyard, The Temple House

floors. Introduce and settle the team into the city with a preconference cocktail networking at Vantage XXVII, the hotel’s sky bar.

For smaller events looking for a special touch, consider bringing the event to the Presidential Suite that takes up the entire 29th floor of the hotel. The 325-sq m suite offers an open-plan living room with stunning city views,

perfect for a luxury product or fashion retail launch of 50-80 guests. The Presidential Suite’s swimming pool is the ideal setting for an intimate sunset cocktail party in the summer.

Guests can also spice up the evening with an authentic Sichuan culinary experience at Yan Ting, the hotel’s signature restaurant.

Presidential Suite Living Room, The St. Regis Chengdu

Presidential Suite Swimming Pool, The St. Regis Chengdu

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EMBRACING CHANGE THE ASSOCIATION OF CORPORATE TRAVEL EXECUTIVES (ACTE) GLOBAL TRAVEL CONFERENCE HELD IN HONG KONG PLACED A STRONG FOCUS ON GLOBAL TRENDS AND CHANGES THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY PROCUREMENT TRAVEL SPECIALISTS WORK. “Sharing economy disruptors are playing a greater role in corporate travel. We need to be aware and prepare,” said one of the 500 delegates at the ACTE Global Travel Conference held in Hong Kong this year. Companies like Alibaba, Accenture, and Deloitte were networking with hoteliers and travel management companies and highlighting challenges and better procurement practices.

At arrival tea on the first day of the conference, delegates were interested to attend a panel session that featured economy disruptors. Disruptors like airbnb remained a concern for many travel managers due to unpredictable inventory, as well as rate and product inconsistency. These disrupters are not connected to the global distribution systems, and hence most importantly, traveller safety and security could be a concern. Procurement specialists could see the growing popularity and

competitive pricing of disruptors, and many agreed that they are only at the starting stage of a long conversation where disruptors could tailor solutions suitable for corporate travel management.

Biz Events Asia spoke to three international business travellers during a recent visit to Hong Kong. All of them have tried disruptors like airbnb, especially in Europe where hotel rates are sky high. One traveller explained his decision for not using airbnb for business travel: “when I am on a business trip, the only environment I have full control of is the hotel I am staying at. If I lose my room key or arrange to leave something to be picked up, the hotel reception can offer immediate service. I don’t think I will know what to do if the power goes out or the Internet connection is down when I stay at an airbnb. Such disturbance can be stressful and will disrupt my energy during the trip.”

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Other topics discussed at the ACTE conference include technological innovations, talent management, policies and compliance. Delegates and panellists were vocal about aligning travel policies with the company’s global strategies.

Some panellists commended Carlson Wagonlit Travel on their customer service, technological advancement and support throughout the alignment process.

“The key to a successful travel programme in this unique market is balance,” said Greeley Koch, executive director at ACTE. “Our five-point pillar programme resonates throughout Asia with equal emphasis on community, data access and analytics, industry innovations, talent development, and traveller centricity. ACTE programmes build strong careers and generate strong corporate profits, whilst improving conditions for the business traveller. This generates a strong following.”

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With a proven strong following, a wide variety of decision topics continued over a number of years. Delegates were hungry for trends and a forecast of the future, as presented by Hong Kong-based Sarah Mathews, head of destination marketing APAC of TripAdvisor. Most of all, Asiabased procurement specialists have been embracing the ever-changing Asian economy, strongly agreeing with Andrée Jetté, president of Vision 360 and a keynote speaker at conference when she said: “Don’t wait for the wave of change to hit you, be the change!”

ANDRÉE JETTÉ President of Vision 360 Keynote speaker at the ACTE Global Travel Conference 2015.

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Hungry for business Hong Kong’s drop in visitor arrivals in 2015 sees an undefeated marKet focused on exceptional visitor experience and surprises. according to str global, the east-west entrepôt experienced declining revpar (revenue per available room) results in 2015. Hoteliers have been pulling all stops to fill revenue gaps caused by decreased tourist arrivals from the lucrative china market. this led to Hong Kong industry players embarking on everything from sales blitz to road shows in neighbouring markets singapore, Japan and Korea to attract more tourists. the Hong Kong tourism board dazzled business events visitors with welcome gift packs at the airport’s arrival halls. aimed at enhancing visitor experience from June 15 to august 31 this year, the Hong Kong summer fun – shop eat play packs contained promotion vouchers and gifts, along with a seven-day free wifi pass provided by telecommunications company csl. the meetings and exhibitions Hong Kong (meHK) is also focused on bringing quality business events into the country. in June 2015, the city hosted two medical events – the international digestive disease forum (iddf) and the 6th World glaucoma congress, where the latter attracted more than 1,900 world-renowned opinion leaders.

“Hong Kong is a wonderful mixedup town where we’ve got great food and adventure with both chinese and Western cultures all tied and incorporated into one place.”

Mervyn ThaM Head of sales the upper House

local culture and businesses. other interesting places include history-rich temples such as the Wong tai sin temple and the man mo temple, while foodies should not miss the bustling food scene along Hau fook and graham streets. to stay ahead of competition in the underperforming market, tham said that the team at the upper House has remained focused on delivering quality customer service. the hotel has a stimulating recruitment process

mervyn tham, head of sales for luxury hotel the upper House Hong Kong, told biz events asia at a recent interview that Hong Kong is still wonderful place to visit despite the business trough. business event visitors can experience a lot more of the city when they extend their stays. tham suggested a visit to tai o, a calming respite away from the city with fresh air completely free from pollution. this fishing village, which is still fully inhabited, is full of rich upper suite, the upper House

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where interviewees participate in a team activity instead of a one-on-one interview, as this is where talents reveal their personality and ability to work in a team. a key service element of the upper House is the art of anticipation. “We don’t wear name tags. and by the time a guest needs assistance, a team member would have anticipated their intentions and approached the guest,” said tham. He also added the team stands out from the pack as priority is placed on delivering exceptional service and not time spent on endless reports and paperwork.

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HELLO KOWLOON BIZ EVENTS ASIA’S EL KWANG SHARES THE EXPERIENCE OF HIS RECENT STAY AT THE MARCO POLO HONG KONG AS HE COMPLETES THE SILK-ROADTHEMED JOURNEY FROM XIAN TO HONG KONG. Harbour View from Marco Polo Hong Kong

Harbour City

Having spent some time in Hong Kong as a child, I always had a soft spot for Kowloon. I am drawn towards the buzz of Tsim Sha Tsui that injects some energy after work hours. I liked the convenience of the location – easy access to bars, shops and a variety of easy dining options.

Having drawn inspiration from my recent Xian and Chengdu trips, I decided to stay at the Marco Polo Hong Kong to tie up my Silk-Road-themed journey.

The hotel is conveniently located above Harbour City and near transportation options like the China Ferry Terminal to Macau.

At the end of the ACTE Conference, I took a ferry from Hong Kong Island to the Star Ferry Pier located next to the hotel. As I returned to my Harbour View room to freshen up before dinner and charge the Handy Smartphone (a brilliant hotel service), I was greeted by the soul-healing sunset against the stunning views of Victoria Harbour.

It was invigorating, and I was ready to stride into Lane Crawford and Harbour City for some quick bites and a muchneeded retail therapy. A hidden gem of Harbour City is the Page One Bookstore located on Level Three. I grabbed a quick espresso from agnes b. café to satiate the tummy before venturing in.

Page One bookstore

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Sunset from Harbour View room

I was spellbound by the bookstore: the tranquil ambience of the Art and Design section stirred my creativity. With that, I slept restfully that night.

The next morning, I went for a jog along Avenue of the Stars, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and journeyed slightly further before returning to the leafy Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Podium Garden for a 10-minute salute to the sun. I chanced upon N1 Coffee & Co on 34 Mody Road for a delicious breakfast and a great cup of cappuccino made by an owner who shared my first name.

Marco Polo Hong Kong The hotel offers a Handy Smartphone service where guests can access unlimited complimentary 3G mobile internet and unlimited local and international calls to five countries including China, the US and the UK.

I ventured back to the hotel to get ready for my departure. The Marco Polo Hong Kong team bade me farewell with an authentic Italian lunch at Cucina. Chef de Cuisine Andrea Delzanno served the irresistible dessert, Napolean with Wild Berries, ending lunch with a punch of flavour and colours.

From now to December 31, 2015, organisers will receive a complimentary iPad Mini when they confirm a business event with a total minimum spending of HK$115,000 on accommodation rooms for groups of at least 20 rooms each day with the usage of any function space held on or before February 29, 2016. In addition, a five percent discount on guest room rates will be offered to the next visit on or before December 15, 2015.

Special MICE meeting package rates are also available for meetings with 10 accommodation rooms and above, allowing organisers to gain triple benefits at the same time.

As the TBR Global chauffeuring limousine drove me to the airport, I reflected on the fulfilling trip to Hong Kong. At the end of a series of impossible business travel schedules, I was lucky to find brief moments of peace.

N1 Coffee & Co

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Napolean with Wild Berries

#Engage

TWICE A CHARM FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF 2014’S INAUGURAL EVENT, THE MICE ASIA PACIFIC EXHIBITION 2015 (MICE 2015) WAS BACK IN SINGAPORE WITH DOUBLE THE FLOOR SPACE. WORDS: GINA SIN Returning to the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 10 to 11, 2015, MICE 2015 was able to attract over 79 exhibitors and more than 2,000 visitors.

This was a far cry from the number of MICE professionals the exhibition had aimed to attract (5,000) this year, due to Singapore’s General Elections that took place on the second day of MICE 2015.

However, exhibitors and attendees alike made the best out of the first day of the event, and almost all complimentary training workshops on the first day were filled. El Kwang, managing director of Biz Events Asia, held the first workshop session, which covered the topic on Maximising the Value of External Marketing Opportunities.

Other workshops include Using Social Media to Build your Event Brand, your Personal Brand and your Communities, Transform your Next Conference or Convention, and more.

Interactions throughout the show floor were abundant, and exhibitors such as those from Banyan Tree and Amara

Sanctuary Resort Sentosa found they were able to get more business matchings and valuable contacts than expected. Entertainment acts during the networking session was also a draw for interaction.

Mixes from Mars sponsored the networking drinks, while the MICE Asia Awards Ceremony 2015 took place alongside the drinks reception.

MICE 2015 is an annual two-day event that aims to bring together Asia’s leading meeting, conference, exhibition and event organisers to meet and network with Asia’s leading hotels, venues and event suppliers.

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SEOUL’S UNRELENTING PULL SOUTH KOREA’S CAPITAL RAMPS UP ITS SUPPORT PROGRAMMES AND SHARES MORE UNIQUE VENUES TO STAY AHEAD IN ATTRACTING BUSINESS EVENTS. Unfazed by the MERS outbreak earlier this year, the Seoul Convention Bureau (SCB) went ahead with the execution of its annual media familiarisation programme and showed how the city’s united front is capable of luring even the sceptics.

SEOUL SUPPORTIVE To show how serious Seoul was at instilling confidence internationally, Maureen O’Crowley, executive director at the Seoul Tourism Organization, revealed Seoul’s strategy was to “dig deep and apply some solid marketing best practices”.

“We ramped up our marketing efforts, increased our support offerings and lowered qualifying criteria across the board,” she said.

These include financial support of up to KRW100 million (USD85,130) for international meetings, up to KRW20,000 per foreign delegate for meetings with less than 500 individuals, and KRW30,000 per foreign delegate for meetings with more than 500 individuals.

Other initiatives include bidding support to assist meeting planners and other event organisers in the preparation of proposals; consultation on successful bidding strategies; hotel

accommodation and transportation within Seoul for board members or executives considering Seoul for an upcoming international event; and site visit support.

Exclusive support comes in the form of welcome kits for every delegate, consisting of promotional materials and a smart card with a stored value of KRW5,000. Seoul MICE supporters (a highly-trained pool of multilingual personnel and students involved in this industry) will provide a variety of operational-related support, while delegates will be greeted with a welcome message on the multi-screen displays above any of the 23 baggage carousels at Incheon International Airport.

Commenting on these support programmes, Daniel Chua, managing director of AONIA Pte Ltd, said that they are essential to meeting and incentive planners like himself, in particular the branding services at the airport and providing local connections, which are “exclusive and sometimes cannot be bought with money”.

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW SCB built an itinerary that showcased the north and south sides of the Han River in Seoul, with the north retaining

its ancient heritage and the south an urbanised landscape. Despite being a metropolis, history-rich unique venues can be found within close proximities, which eradicates the hassle of being stuck in traffic the whole time.

Step into the lawns of LUKA511 and immerse into its neo-classical European architecture, complete with Greek columns and a gilded dome.

Located within the mecca of high fashion and fine dining, Cheongdamdong, LUKA511 has seen a star-studded list of productions utilising its venue for filming. It is a multi-purpose venue comprising private rooms that can hold up to 20 people, a grand ballroom that can host up to 150 people, a spa facility, a recording studio, and more.

The grand ballroom, garden and annex combined can accommodate up to 500 people. LUKA511 also serves a delectable range of Italian and traditional Korean cuisine that aims to satisfy a global audience.

Traditional Korean House Phil Kyung Jae was constructed in the 1400s during the reign of Joseon Dynasty’s ninth King, and was later designated as the first traditional architectural landmark on April 8, 1987, by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Descendants of Prince Kwang-Pyeong, (the fifth son of King Sejong the Great) still live in this 500-year-old building, which opened

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Tosokchon

to the public in 1999 as a traditional restaurant serving Korean royal cuisine.

Similar to Phil Kyung Jae, Dugahun is a unique venue characterised by its antique architecture that dates back to the 1910s. Where culture, art and wine intersect, Dugahun is located within the grounds of Gallery Hyundai on Samcheong-dong Road, and can accommodate 66 people in all four private rooms.

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Tosokchon is known for having one of the best Samgyetang (chicken ginseng soup) in the city, using only free-range chickens and the freshest ingredients for its dishes. The restaurant was also converted from a traditional Hanok (traditional Korean house), and used to be frequented by the late President, Roh Moo-Hyun.

TEAM BUILDING HAVEN

Team building activities in South Korea have undoubtedly been popularised by South Korean variety show, Running Man, along with the Korean wave’s influence, also known as Hallyu. In the capital, different forms of activities in line with this global phenomenon have been designed for groups to learn and create new memories.

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Challenge groups to find and consume a list of specific dishes in Gwangjang

or Tongin Market, or head to yido Artce in Gangnam to experience the delicate world of handcrafting Korean ceramic ware. Cooking and flower arrangement classes, along with spaces for private dining events, are also available at yido Artce.

Event at Dongdaemun Design Plaza

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espite being a metropolis, historyrich unique venues can be found within close proximities, which eradicates the hassle of being stuck in traffic the whole time.

Opened earlier this year within the Coex vicinity, SMTOWN at Coex Artium is a multi-purpose cultural space that boasts six floors of merchandise, a theatre for holographic concerts, and more.

On the third floor, SMTOWN Studio offers groups a chance to become actual artistes. Packages are available for full makeovers, vocal and dance trainings, photoshoots and music video recordings. This is especially popular for organisers combining internal trainings and product showcases with team activities after, as spaces can be booked for private events.

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THE BIG PLAYERS During an interview with Byungtae Kim, CEO of Seoul Tourism Organization, he said that Seoul is “a city that lacks nothing”. To back up his point, he highlighted how the city’s natural landscapes, booming culture and entertainment, accessibility, mixture of historical and modern sites as well as a world-class convention and exhibition venue have seen visitors pouring into the city each year.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) has become one of the iconic landmarks in Seoul even before its opening in 2014.

Designed by world-renowned Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid and Korean studio Samoo, this majestic architecture is covered with 45,133 silver-coloured aluminium panels, and no two are alike in size, shape or pattern. 60 attractions and stories (including relics) can be discovered on this historical site, which is comprised of an Art Hall, Museum, Design Lab, Design Market, and the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park.

yido Artce

Facade of Grand Ambassador Seoul

Events of all scales can be hosted indoors or outdoors.

simultaneous interpretations of up to 32 languages.

The Coex Convention & Exhibition Center has four exhibition halls spanning 36,007 sq m and 54 meeting rooms that are dividable into 92 rooms.

This venue has hosted a number of high-profile events, including the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit and 2010 G-20 Leaders Summit. The ASEM Hall in Conference Room North was built specifically for the 3rd Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in 2000. Unique venue features in ASEM Hall include traditional Korean embroidery, a Chosun Sundial, and a light fixture shaped like a sun, with each sun ray representing one of the 26 countries that participated in ASEM. 17 interpretation booths that are discreetly located within the room support

The Grand Hilton Seoul Convention Centre is the closest conference facility to the Incheon International Airport in Seoul, and a 15-minute drive away from downtown.

The centre’s main hall on the fourth floor is capable of accommodating up to 2,500 people, while seminar and conference rooms for groups of between 100 to 1,200 people are located on the third floor.

Seoul Marina Club & Yacht

WINDING DOWN 37 Grill & Bar at Conrad Seoul has got to be one of the best places to dine at, with breath-taking views of Yeouido island and beyond. While dubbed Korea’s Wall Street, Yeouido’s location on the Han River does not give the same chaotic-city vibe. After dinner, head to Seoul Marina Club & Yacht, where several types of yachts are available for rent. Cruise down the Han River and try to catch the world’s longest bridge fountain in a dazzling array of multi-coloured lights at the Banpodaegyo Bridge.

Finally, have a well-deserved rest at one of the first hotels in Seoul, the Grand Ambassador Seoul – associated with Pullman. At the heart of the hotel’s Ambassador Bed lies the featherbed, which is said to be Grand Ambassador Seoul’s best kept secret.

With a comprehensive itinerary like this and the way it had been planned and paced, it is no wonder Seoul is able to keep its position in the top five ranking under the Union of International Associations (UIA).

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# Deals visit www.bizeventsasia.com/deals for more deals online

W Hong Kong HONG KONG

W Hong Kong is making engagements more memorable with its three types of carefully crafted Meeting Set-ups. Promotional benefits range from a half-day meeting package at HKD580 (USD74.8) ++ to a full-day meeting package at HKD820 ++.

Additional benefits include complimentary wifi in guest and meeting rooms, as well as complimentary welcome coffee/tea with pastry. Even more offers are up for grabs for those with 60 or more people.

Promotion is valid from now until March 31, 2016.

Tel: +852 3717 2926 Email: Priscilla.hui@whotels.com

Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre SINGAPORE

Offering over 1,110 sq m of flexible meeting space, Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre has designed half- and fullday meeting packages for your upcoming meeting or business event. Half-day meeting package starts from SGD50 (USD35.8) ++ per person, while a full-day meeting package start from SGD75++ per person. Packages include use of projector screen, buffet lunch at Window on the Park or set lunch at Tandoor. Bookings are only valid from now till December 31, 2015.

Tel: +65 6730 0138 Email: banquets.hisinorchard@ihg.com 60

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InterContinental Kuala Lumpur MALAYSIA

InterContinental Kuala Lumpur has launched IHG Business Rewards, a global loyalty programme from IHG Rewards Club for anyone booking on behalf of others on business accommodation and meetings as well as other social events. Bookers across the globe earn three IHG Rewards Club points for every USD1 equivalent spend with no booking threshold and no minimum qualifying spend.

Tel: +603 2782 6000 Email: cateringsales@ intercontinental-kl.com.my

Park Hyatt Saigon VIETNAM

Book your next event at Park Hyatt Saigon and receive rebates and double points as the hotel turns 10 this year. Choose from an exceptional selection of meeting rooms in Ho Chi Minh City, guest rooms and suites and enjoy up to 15 percent rebates off your master bill, complimentary internet in all meeting rooms and double Hyatt Gold Passport™ Planner Rewards bonus points.

Bookings are valid from now till December 20, 2015, for stays between now and December 31, 2015.

Tel: +848 3520 2351 Email: sales.saiph@hyatt.com

el@bizeventsasia.com

gina@bizeventsasia.com

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UNLOCKING AUSTRALIA’S NEWEST TREASURE

The Adelaide Convention Centre welcomes the world to its new state-of-the-art facilities, designed with the event planners’ future requirements in mind.

Explore the rejuvenated Centre by visiting the brand new website, adelaidecc.com.au

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