MALAYSIAN event and exhibition contractor, Instant Tradeshows & Exhibitions, has developed a mobile application that guides users to fairs and exhibitions in the destination.

Called MyExpo, the free application provides details such as floor plans, special promotions and short video footages of fair and exhibitions that are due to take place in Malaysia.

K Kaarthik, managing director of Instant Tradeshows & Exhibitions, said the application was developed with the intention of informing the public about upcoming events.

Kaarthik is now in talks with show organisers in the ASEAN region and India to have their conferences listed on MyExpo.

Meanwhile, the company is also obtaining 10 units of modular double-decker booths from Germany. The 4m by 8m booths, which can be conveniently assembled and dismantled according to international safety standards, will be made available for rental from January 2013.

BANYAN Tree Hotels and Resorts has opened its first urban resort property in China.

Located along the Huangpu River, the Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund offers 130 guest rooms, four F&B outlets, the signature Banyan Tree Spa which will span three floors within the hotel, and four meeting rooms that can be configured to accommodate 10 to 90 guests.

Pancho Llamas, general manager of the hotel, said: “Following the success of our group’s three other urban resorts – in Bangkok, Macau and Seoul – Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund capitalises on our core brand value of rejuvenation and offers a sanctuary for the senses within the context of Shanghai’s vast urban cityscape.

“Business and leisure travellers may take advantage of our many amenities and facilities, such as an award-winning spa, a multitude of dining venues and various meeting spaces, during their visit.”

SCOTT Boyes, regional general manager of Accor NSW and ACT, has been elected to the Business Events Sydney’s (BESydney) Board of Directors following its annual general meeting on Tuesday.

He will take on the role of members director, after having received the most votes from BESydney’s strategic partner and members.

Gary Daly, general manager sales of Luna Park, and Kate Smith, managing director of WaldronSmith, are other members directors on the board.

PAHANG’S Bukit Gambang Resort City (BGRC), said to be the largest water theme park resort in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, has set its sights on the international MICE market to fill its inventory of event spaces.

First launched in 2009, BGRC opened a dedicated MICE centre in May, offering 10 meeting rooms and a pillarless grand ballroom that can seat 3,100 people in a banquet setting. The massive ballroom gained fame recently when it made its way into the Malaysia Book of Records as the largest pillarless ballroom in the country.

With the opening of the dedicated MICE centre, the resort city now boasts 31 event spaces including those in the Caribbean Bay Suites and Bukit Gambang Water Park Visitor Centre, and is supported by 1,866 guest rooms in Caribbean Bay Suites and the new-build Arabian Bay Resort.

BGRC’s current business mix comprises 60 per cent MICE and 40 per cent leisure, and guests are predominantly locals. But it is looking to capture more international interest.

Karen Tan, spokesperson of BGRC, said business and leisure travellers from China, India and Singapore were on its radar, and efforts to connect with these markets include participation in travel trade fairs and organisation of familiarisation trips for MICE planners.

BGRC will add 11 break-out rooms to its inventory next year, while a safari park, focused on education and conservation, will open in 2Q2013.