d n a l i a s d n Th i m ve
ation n i t s e D tives n e c n I ings & t e e M ate m i t l U e Th
i t a e r c where
t c e n n o dtiosceconnect r
Introduction
In the digitally connected world we live in, it is hard to disconnect from emails, social media, and phone calls. Tools that were designed to assist the human race in achieving more in less time are starting to produce more stress than work life balance. Delegates are finding it harder not to be distracted by these tools during meetings and incentives (M&I) and the event planners are challenged with finding the right solutions. It is time to disconnect with these tools and reconnect with the mind, body and spirit in a destination that can deliver just that - Thailand. The ideas within this supplement is perfect for group sizes of 50 to 200 delegates. For a complete list of hotels, venues, restaurants and activity recommendations, please contact info@tceb.or.th Our directory is online and available at
www.businesseventsthailand.com
Relax & engage minds through Thailand’s history and culture
The power of brand loyalty is in its people’s ability to tell their brand story. Test the delegates’ corporate story telling ability by creating a different brand story inspired by the rich history and culture of Thailand through the following exercises.
Bangkok – 4 hour activity
• Form teams with different personalities, experience and skillsets •
Each team to visit one of the following areas using public transport. Teams have to take relevant photos to use in their brand story telling competition: o Temple – Wat Pho Team to present on the benefits of disconnecting from modern tools and the health benefits of meditation and Thai massage. o Palace – The Grand Palace Team to present on the importance of meaningful and longevity design using the history of the kingdom of Thailand, the layout and architecture uniqueness of The Grand Palace. o Museum – Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles Team to present sales, sponsorship and marketing strategy using design creativity and sustainable techniques of silk making.
• U sing unconventional event spaces like the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, the Thailand Creative & Design Centre in Bangkok or The Campus at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok to create the presentation.
2
OCT 2015
Chiang Mai – 5 hour activity
•
Form teams according to hobbies or interests o Drawing and design o Flower arrangement o Cooking o Dancing
• C entre the team’s attention through alms offering, yoga and a casual breakfast where teams are briefed about their activities.
• B ring teams to Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai and learn about the Lanna culture. From there, they will be shown the evening’s gala dinner venue at the resort – either the outdoor Lawn (suitable for up to 1,000 for banquet) or the Grand Ballroom (suitable for up to 400 banquet style set up). • T he drawing and design team will be brought to the Thailand Creative & Design Centre, Chiang Mai. Using the inspiration of Lanna art culture and materials displayed at the centre, the team will create the design of the menu. • The flower arrangement team will be taken to the flower market to select the flowers they would for making garlands for VIPs and traditional flower centrepiece arrangement for the banquet tables. • T he cooking team will meet the chef and culinary team to cook sample traditional Lanna dishes. From there, they will select the menu items served at the gala dinner.
Venue hire at Thailand Creative & Design Centre in Bangkok • T he Lobby (130 sq m) – perfect for post presentation networking drinks for 130 guests. • T he Workshop Room (60 sq m) – this space has curtains to screen off glass walls. Ideal for presentation preparation and when ready, unveil the room and invite guests in for a creative discussion session. • T he Auditorium (130 sq m) – the rectangular room can be split into 2 which is perfect for 150 theatre style set up that need break out spaces. • G allery 2 (560 sq m) – a large blank space with 6-metre ceiling height is the perfect blank canvas for the creative planners.
• The dance team will try doing traditional Thai dance and other forms of entertainment. From there, they will help to select the costumes for the evening’s performances. Team members who are confident could participate in the performance, others could be the emcee of the evening.
OCT 2015
3
Exhilarating team building exercises for the body Be good to the body by taking in fresh air through a series of fun team building activities that not only build stamina, but also build team spirit and rapport.
The Beach Create a survival island hopping challenge in Phuket. Some may have been to popular islands like Phi Phi, Raya, Tachai and Similan. However, why not try going to the private island called Rang Yai (5 km away from the Phuket boat lagoon marina)? For a group of 200 guests, planners could charter eight speed boats (each takes around 25 persons). The island has existing facilities to change into outfits for a beach dinner later in the evening. The beaches along North Pattaya is said to be the most peaceful for groups who prefer to be away from busier locations. Besides the usual team building activities, planners could look into organising a beach clean up day for a particular stretch of beach that could be perfect for this activity. Wearing specially printed corporate t-shirt whilst cleaning certainly delivers the “we care for the environment� message and may motivate other visitors in the area to do the same.
4
OCT 2015
Adrenaline charged 8Adventures is an adventure-based activity company in Chiang Mai whose mission is to share breath-taking nature experiences, by connecting people to regions, communities & cultures, through fun, exciting and safe learning activities for all ages. Their activities include water rafting down the Mae Taeng river (5 km or 10 km options), 1,000 m vertical hill all-terrain vehicle (ATV) climb and kayaking. Those who love great heights could also go onto a 2-hour zip lining experience from 33 platforms offered by 8Adventures.
Nature calling Venture into nature in two teams. Bring team A to the Nong Hoi Royal Development Centre & Doi Mon Cham (a Royal Initiative project to have successfully eradicated the growing of opium plants in Thailand) to understand the origins of the rice agriculture industry. From there, team A enters into a rice planting competition within the Siripanna Villa Resort and Spa Chiang Mai.
Both teams return to the hotel ballroom and share with the other team what they have learnt respectively using a specially designed social media page set up for this trip.
Team B visits the Elephant Research and Education Center to learn about elephants and the Thai culture as well as the challenges that the mammals are facing. From there, visit the Elephant Nature Park to learn how to interact with elephants without harming them.
Fun under the sun beach team building activities:
• • • • • • •
Canoeing and dragon boating Purpose-built and branded obstacle courses Fill the bucket with sea water using plastic cups Treasure hunt where the treasures are buried under the sand within the marked area Team problem-solving rally Tug of war Sand castle building competition
OCT 2015
5
Sustainability & Soulful CSR The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) index annual study 2014 showed that opulence is replaced by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Delegates are wanting to “do the right thing” for the environment as such activities enrich the soul.
For those in need It is good that meetings and incentives raise funds during their visit for the aged hospices, disability centres and orphanages. M&I groups can organise cycling and trekking programmes to raise funds. For example, the Hands Across the Water Foundation organises the annual 8-day 800 km bicycle ride from Bangkok to Khao Lak in Phang-nga that finishes with a gala dinner to honour supporters of the Baan Tharn Namchai Orphanage. The gala dinner will also invite the orphans to mingle and have a meal with the supporters. Others can partner with local nonprofit organisations to build schools and homes for the needy. Divide delegates into small groups with set amount of budget and a list of items requested by an orphanage. Teams will travel by public transport to get the items within a given time at the Ratchaprasong area in Bangkok. This will test the team’s determination to shop for the orphans or themselves or both. The team will travel from the meeting point to the orphanage and assist in serving the orphans lunch. The items purchased will be presented to the orphanage. The team that purchased the most number of items within the set budget wins a spa treatment the next day.
6
OCT 2015
Consumption and travel create carbon foot prints. Simply make adjustments within the programme: • • • • • • • •
Use fresh ingredients grown locally in the food and beverage menu like “farm to plate” food concepts Join Thailand’s safe food campaign in minimising food wastage by not over catering Reduce the use of linen like table cloths at meetings and gala dinner Have more outdoor activities instead of air-conditioned event spaces Reduce the need for printing programmes and meeting material Reduce the need to use coach transfers by meeting and dining within one location or take public transport where possible Provide delegates with re-usable water bottles for the trip. Brand it to make them as valuable as a souvenir! Engage carbon offset organisations like Carbon Neutral, Green Fleet or Carbon Care Asia to offset or manage the event’s carbon foot print
For the wildlife It is possible to tailor CSR activities according to fitness levels. Those who are up for a challenge can venture into the woods within Khao Yai National Park with official park rangers and learn how to prepare artificial salt lick for the wildlife. Others who yearn for a less hectic activity can learn how to prepare seedlings in a nursery. Once completed, award the team with a visit to the Haew Suwat Waterfall made famous by the film “The Beach” or enjoy a stunning view from the Nong Pak Chi Observation Tower, Pha Diew Die viewpoint or the Pha Keb Tawan “sun cliff” on the western edge of Khao Yai. Alternatively, finish the challenge with a tour and lunch at the Gran Monte Asoke Valley Winery and learn how Thai vintners like Nikki Lohitnavy, Thailand’s first female, Australia trained, winemaker created award winning wines under Thailand’s climate conditions.
Hotels and venues with sustainability practice Use the sustainability programmes offered by venues, international and domestic chain hotels in Thailand to assist in making your M&I programmes more sustainable. For example, Accor Hotels’ Planet 21 programme or the Starwood’s sustainable meetings. Involve the venues and hotels early and have them to help in achieving the sustainability goals. For example, Plaza Athenee Bangkok, a Royal Meridien hotel, currently donates untouched and unconsumed food to local organisations like The Mirror Foundation, Duang Prateep Foundation, Lumpinee School and Mahamek Home for the Boys. The Sampran Riverside has been an eco-cultural destination since 1962. It has a 10-acre organic farm where vegetables, herbs and fruits are grown. Delegates can take a short traditional boat ride to visit the farm to sample fresh organic vegetables and fruits in season, try the homemade herbal teas and experience a day in the life of Thai farmer. They could also bring back some of the homegrown vegetables and herbs for a cooking class or for making herbal product for spa treatment.
OCT 2015
7
Programme Re-designed With the success of the Internet, the human race experiences information overload. To get the best out of the delegates, here are some recommendations: •
e flexible with the programme and do not have too many activities in a day. B Allow some free time for delegates to rest, relax and mingle with one another.
•
ncourage contribution from delegates. Allow them to contribute opinions towards E the programme. The more they have a say, the more fruitful a meeting will be.
•
Start each day with some form of exercise like team yoga, walks or even meditation to help delegates settle into their day.
•
nd each day with a 3 point feedback via a meetings app where delegates have E to list 3 positive thoughts and 3 areas of improvement before getting the agenda the next day.
•
Do not over cater. Over eating may hinder learning and reduce energy levels.
•
llocate 50% of the time in meetings for discussions. Appoint a good facilitator who A can create conversations, not one that fill in the awkward silence.
•
oing the same thing will not achieve new results. Try setting up the meeting room D differently throughout the day or use different types of furniture like bean bags to keep meetings unpredictable.
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) Siam Tower 12B & 26th Floor, 989 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 2 694 6000 Fax: +66 2 658 1411 Email: info@tceb.or.th Website: www.businesseventsthailand.com
ThailandCVB BusinessEventsTH BusinessEventsTH BusinessEventsTH BusinessEventsThailand BusinessEventsThailand BusinessEventsThailand
www.bizeventsasia.com Produced by Biz Event Asia and Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)