THE Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali has finished its year-long, multimillion-dollar revitalisation project, which saw improvements being made to its leisure and business facilities and expansion of its room inventory.

The project includes the launch of Tangent, a personalised work space that is said to appeal to today’s generation of mobile travellers. Facilitated by media:scape by Steelcase – a combination of furniture and technology that enables easy communication – as well as seamless connectivity for video conferencing, Tangent allows guests to conduct impromptu meetings in a private setting located just off the lobby.

The hotel also debuted the 99 room-and-suite Premier Wing, the Heavenly Spa by Westin and Prego Italian restaurant.

Improvements were made to the WestinWORKOUT fitness centre, which now features an updated décor and state-of-the-art cardio equipment with interactive touch-screen consoles.

The adjoining Bali International Convention Centre (BICC) was also given a new look and updated meeting facilities, with works completed in time for major events in the later part of 2013, such as Miss World 2013 and the APEC CEO Summit. The venue now offers 26 revitalised function rooms and two VIP holding rooms, as well as new public facilities such The Café and The Lounge.

Bipan Kapur, managing director of The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali, said the US$20 million project would place the property and the convention centre in a stronger position to bid for events.

He added that the hardware investment was part of the company’s strategy to tackle a “year of consolidation” for hotels in Bali, particularly those in Nusa Dua, and to stay ahead of the competition in the years to come.

He explained: “(2014) is a year of consolidation, which will see new hotels establishing themselves and business slowing down a bit due to the government elections and economic slowdown.

While Kapur has projected a decline in domestic MICE business during the election period, he expects to see a rise in political party meetings. However, such meetings are rarely held in upscale and luxury hotels.

He also expects association events and corporate meetings to continue to be the key sources of business in 2014.

THE Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS) is amending membership guidelines on its charter, relaxing rules for admission in order to reach more companies and suppliers interested in developing MICE business.

“The requirement for admission up to this point was very high – you (must) have had two international conferences under your belt,” said Monette Hamlin, PACEOS president. “If you’re new, it would be impossible.”

Now, a track record of only one national conference is required.

PACEOS currently has 38 members.

“Many event organisers are in Manila, while others are mostly wedding and party planners,” said Hamlin.

Awareness about the business potential of MICE, particularly those sourced from abroad, is weak too, so the association – the only one in the Philippines to date – also intends to start up new charters in Cebu and Davao, where MICE venues are gaining traction, revealed Marisa Nallana, PACEOS chair.

Although membership guidelines will become more relaxed, PACEOS will ask aspiring members to provide proper documentation validating their experience and event credentials, including references.

“We have a Code of Ethics we hope members will follow,” said Dinah Gonzalez, PACEOS membership head. “Too often we hear of events of the same concept or theme, like a wedding expo, and sometimes they are held simultaneously. We would like to space these events.”

Allied membership may also be offered to companies that host “special” events, as opposed to “business” events, said Gonzalez.

Hamlin noted that professors who taught tourism and event management had voiced interest in being a member of PACEOS, so relaxing membership rules would help accommodate them too.

Meanwhile, PACEOS plans to establish a MICE Academy, with internal and hired experts on the roster to provide training.

KUALA Lumpur Convention Centre has appointed Alan Pryor general manager designate, replacing Peter Brokenshire who will retire at the end of March.

Brokenshire had spearheaded the establishment and opening of the venue in 2005, and has been leading it for the past 11 years.

The deputy general manager position, vacated by Pryor, will be filled by Simon Lomas, who will oversee the day-to-day operation of the centre as well as international, regional and local promotional activities.

Prior to joining the centre in 2011, Pryor was the director of operations at the Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC). During his 11-year tenure at Durban ICC, he also oversaw the opening of the Arena extension. Shortly before moving to Malaysia, Pryor was lead consultant of the Architectural Department of the Municipality of Durban City on its Priority Zone development, which included the Durban ICC and Arena, and was consulted on several conference facility projects.

KENES Asia has made its foray into the Philippine market with the help of Global-Link MP Events International Inc, a company owned by both Global-Link and MP International.

Together, they have so far staged the International Rice Genetics Symposium at the Dusit Thani Manila last November, and are organising the 10th Asia Pacific Congress of Hypertension (APCH) in February and Asia Pacific Rheumatology Congress (APLAR 2014) in April, both at the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu.

Jing Lagandaon, COO at Global-Link MP, told TTGmice e-Weekly that Kenes took charge of trade show programming, while her company handled logistical matters.

Staff from Global-Link MP was sent for training at Kenes in preparation for the collaboration.

“The relationship with Kenes started two years ago. Now that Kenes is organising shows in the Philippines, we are effectively representing them. Kenes is a relatively new player (here). Without us, it might be harder for them do their events here,” said Lagandaon.

“Our basic strength is that we know the Philippine market very well. We have a good network of connections; we are able to get volume discounts; and we are able to work with people who are expert in different fields,” she added.

Besides co-owning Global Link MP Events, Global-Link also has an exhibition division, Global-Link Exhibitions.

“We’re more known for organising exhibitions, like Philconstruct, held every November,” said Lagandaon, who added that about 70 per cent of Global-Link’s revenue comes from exhibitions, 15 per cent from official representation for Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Messe Frankfurt and Messe Dusseldorf, and the rest from conferences ¬– a segment the company wishes to grow.

THE Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS) is amending membership guidelines on its charter, relaxing rules for admission in order to reach more companies and suppliers interested in developing MICE business.

“The requirement for admission up to this point was very high – you (must) have had two international conferences under your belt,” said Monette Hamlin, PACEOS president. “If you’re new, it would be impossible.”

Now, a track record of only one national conference is required.

PACEOS currently has 38 members.

“Many event organisers are in Manila, while others are mostly wedding and party planners,” said Hamlin.

Awareness about the business potential of MICE, particularly those sourced from abroad, is weak too, so the association – the only one in the Philippines to date – also intends to start up new charters in Cebu and Davao, where MICE venues are gaining traction, revealed Marisa Nallana, PACEOS chair.

Although membership guidelines will become more relaxed, PACEOS will ask aspiring members to provide proper documentation validating their experience and event credentials, including references.

“We have a Code of Ethics we hope members will follow,” said Dinah Gonzalez, PACEOS membership head. “Too often we hear of events of the same concept or theme, like a wedding expo, and sometimes they are held simultaneously. We would like to space these events.”

Allied membership may also be offered to companies that host “special” events, as opposed to “business” events, said Gonzalez.

Hamlin noted that professors who taught tourism and event management had voiced interest in being a member of PACEOS, so relaxing membership rules would help accommodate them too.

Meanwhile, PACEOS plans to establish a MICE Academy, with internal and hired experts on the roster to provide training.

KUALA Lumpur Convention Centre has appointed Alan Pryor general manager designate, replacing Peter Brokenshire who will retire at the end of March.

Brokenshire had spearheaded the establishment and opening of the venue in 2005, and has been leading it for the past 11 years.

The deputy general manager position, vacated by Pryor, will be filled by Simon Lomas, who will oversee the day-to-day operation of the centre as well as international, regional and local promotional activities.

Prior to joining the centre in 2011, Pryor was the director of operations at the Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC). During his 11-year tenure at Durban ICC, he also oversaw the opening of the Arena extension. Shortly before moving to Malaysia, Pryor was lead consultant of the Architectural Department of the Municipality of Durban City on its Priority Zone development, which included the Durban ICC and Arena, and was consulted on several conference facility projects.