HEADQUARTERED in Vienna, DMC Pegasus – The Welcoming Agencies is promoting the region of Bavaria, Tirol, and Salzburg to South-east Asian MICE groups looking for a different experience of Europe.

Marketed as an alliance called Jewels of Romantic Europe, the region may not excite the first-time MICE visitor to Europe, said Renate Forte, managing director of Pegasus.

But the English-speaking region is 20-30 per cent cheaper than major European capitals and is easily accessible through Munich and Vienna, said Forte. It also offers one incentive experience high on the wishlist of South-east Asians.

“There is snow throughout the year at Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain about 90 minutes south of Munich, and snow activities can be organised for incentive groups even in summer,” she said.

“Incentive also groups have the option to use Munich, Vienna, Salzburg, or Innsbruck as the base and make day trips to places of interest in the region.”

Pegasus sees Indonesia as a new market with good potential.

Florian Pötsch, business division-aviation, head of travel industry and hub marketing, Munich Airport, said companies such as Prudential and Great Eastern Life from Singapore, and Thai conglomerate PTT, have chosen the region for mid-size incentive groups of 700 to 1,000-plus people.

“Löwenbräukeller (a venue offering a Bavarian cultural and dining experience) for example, which has a ballroom for up to 2,000 people, can offer halal food and Indian cuisine,” he said. “The Jewels of Romantic Europe website, with partner and destination information, is also available in Thai, Bahasa Indonesia, and Malay.”

MCI France has strengthened its creative client services through a merger with Yves Hunt, a former subsidiary of the Awak’iT Group.

MCI has a global network of 57 offices in 30 countries while Yves Hunt designs concepts and events in the healthcare and life sciences, automotive, FMCG, and financial sectors.

“Combining Yves Hunt’s dynamism with the MCI Group’s impressive global presence and best practices will allow us to embrace new challenges and gain experience in new markets,” said Antoine Alexandre and Arnaud Chouraki, who will now lead MCI France’s meetings and events division.

“MCI France’s impressive growth over the last few years is in line with the strategic vision of the MCI Group, and acquisitions to incorporate additional creative capacity to better engage our clients’ target audiences play a key role in this growth plan,” said Philippe Fournier, president of MCI France.

LINDY Wee has been promoted to chief executive at Singapore Exhibition Services, succeeding Stephen Tan.

Wee, formerly deputy chief executive, brings with her a wealth of experience with over 30 years in the exhibitions field.

Prior to her previous appointment, Wee was director of PR and conferences. She joined the company in 1983.

Tan will take up the role of chairman in Singapore Exhibition Services.

SEEKING to secure the next generation of talent for the conference and exhibitions industry, Singapore’s SACEOS has inked an MoU with Republic Polytechnic to collaborate on two major initiatives.

Seto Lok Yin, deputy principal (industry services), Republic Polytechnic, said: “WE are collaborating with SACEOS on Inspire 360 for our diploma in integrated events (DIEM) students to be groomed and mentored by key industry partners. Through such industry exposure in real work setings, they will be ready to contribute to the dynamic MICE and events industry upon graduation.”

The first of two initiatives, Inspire 360 is a structured mentorship programme for a pilot group of 10 second-year DIEM students who will be matched with mentoring companies based on their aspirations. Mentoring companies will guide and involve the students in real work to give them on-the-job training and experience.

Students in the Inspire 360 programme will also intern with the company in their third year for six months, and could be offered a full-time position upon graduation if they perform well.

Inspire 360 will begin on January 1, 2015.

The second initiative will see SACEOS’ Professional Conference Management and Professional Exhibition Management certifications become part of the school curriculum to increase students’ future employability.

Neeta Lachmandas, assistant chief executive of Singapore Tourism Board, said: “Inspire 360 and the certifications will enable both the students and lecturers to deepen their level of expertise on delivering high-quality experiences and events.

“This is in line with MICEHQ.SG, one of the key thrusts of the MICE 2020 Roadmap, which looks at building Singapore’s strength as a MICE destination and sustaining Singapore’s leadership position for the future.”

DEFYING the pall cast over Thailand’s MICE scene due to political unrest this year, Bangkok-based Events Travel Asia (ETA) is expanding its business and opening offices in Singapore and Hong Kong to gain greater market share.

At the helm of ETA is group managing director Max Jantasuwan, an events and hospitality professional with over 14 years of experience.

“The opening of our Hong Kong and Singapore offices were earlier than expected, and it is with thanks to the market demand and unceasing support of our clients, associates, and industry colleagues that motivated us to take this bold step just after 18 months of starting ETA,” said Jantasuwan.

In response to the political situation at home, ETA has looked beyond Thailand for business. The company has seen a 6,500-pax delegation from Herbalife hold an event in Macau in September, and recently held an 80-delegate Golf tournament in Taiwan last month. This is in addition to the more than 90 groups that the company managed in Thailand in 2014.

Max will be spending his time between the Thailand head office and Hong Kong and Singapore offices. He said: “With the new offices, my team and I can spend more time and build a stronger rapport with our Hong Kong- and Singapore-based clients.”