THE Lion City has emerged champion again in UIA’s latest ranking of top international meeting cities and countries for having hosted 952 meetings in 2012, up from 919 in 2011.

Japan has overtaken the US this year to claim second spot on the country chart with 731 meetings. Japan hosted 598 meetings in 2011 which placed it in third position.

South Korea and Australia, with 563 and 287 meetings respectively, are the other only Asian countries in the top 10 collection. South Korea takes fifth spot, up from sixth last year, while Australia holds its 10th position.

The rest of UIA’s top international meeting country chart for 2012 comprises Belgium (in fourth place with 597 meetings), France (sixth; 494 meetings), Austria (seventh; 458), Spain (eighth; 449) and Germany (ninth; 373).

On the 2012 top meeting cities chart, Singapore is followed by Brussels (547 meetings), Vienna (326), Paris (276), Seoul (253), Tokyo (225), Barcelona (150), Copenhagen (150), Madrid (149) and London (119).

UIA’s International Meetings Statistics for the Year 2012 also reported a rise in the number of meetings captured in its database. Some 392,588 meetings were held in 2012, compared to 376,381 in 2011.

NEW Zealand will enhance its destination appeal to the business events community come mid/late 2017 when a new convention centre opens its doors in Auckland.

Designed, built and operated by Skycity Entertainment Group, the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) will cost some NZ$315 million (US$249.6 million) to develop.

Located in Auckland’s central business district and within walking distance of more than 4,700 hotel rooms and numerous shopping and restaurant precincts, the venue will have public convention and exhibition space capable of accommodating 3,500 delegates at one time.

Tourism New Zealand’s chief executive, Kevin Bowler, said the development of NZICC would put Auckland and New Zealand firmly on the radar of conference organisers.

Bowler said: “Holding an event in New Zealand would exceed all visitor expectations. Where else in the world can you find world-class conferencing facilities close to crystal-clear waters, or explore a stunningly rugged rainforest one hour and sail on an America’s Cup yacht in a glorious harbour setting the next?

“All of this natural beauty, unspoilt by the country’s equally impressive cosmopolitan flavour makes New Zealand the perfect place for business and pure leisure.”

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development chief executive, Brett O’Riley, believes that Auckland will be poised to host large international conferences with NZICC, adding that the destination’s “people, places and conferencing facilities (will) make conference experiences not only magical, but memorable”.

MALAYSIA will host the 7^th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention 2013 (IAS 2013), said to be the largest scientific AIDS conference in Asia, from June 30 to July 3, 2013.

It is organised by the International AIDS Society (IAS) in partnership with the Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA) and University of Malaya.

The conference is also supported by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau which helped with the bid presentation, subvention funding for event promotion and marketing, and liaison with the immigration department to facilitate immigration clearance for international delegates who require visa, said its general manager – sales & marketing, Ho Yoke Ping.

Anita Suleiman, senior principal assistant director (HIV), Ministry of Health, said: “Through the conference, we hope to learn from the important successes and challenges of our Asian colleagues. At the same time, we are glad to showcase the Malaysian success story on HIV especially on harm reduction programmes, Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission programme and provision of free antiretroviral drug to those eligible.

“The Ministry of Health…hopes that this conference will benefit everybody – the stakeholders, key affected populations, civil societies, corporate bodies and others. Through learning and sharing, we hope to strengthen the country’s responses to HIV/AIDS in the future.”

She added: “We believe that Malaysia has been chosen as host country for several reasons, notably the government’s commitment to provide free HIV treatment to all Malaysians in need of antiretroviral therapy, as well as its leadership in the area of HIV prevention for people who use drugs, with Malaysia now serving as a model for countries experiencing steep increases in HIV infections related to ineffective drug policy.”

The bid to host this conference was won in 2010 with Singapore, Hong Kong and India as strong contenders.

Held every two years, this conference is expected to bring more than 4,000 delegates into Malaysia and generate approximately RM55.8 million (US$18 million) in economic impact for the country.

MALAYSIA Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) have created the country’s first business events awards to recognise excellence, leadership, professional standards, innovation and best practices within the industry.

Set to take place this September, the RAWR Awards 2013 will also further establish Malaysia as Asia’s premiere business events destination in line with the country’s mission under the Economic Transformation Programme.

Explaining the meaning behind the name of the awards, Jonathan Kan, MACEOS president, said: “RAWR Awards is symbolic for Recognising Award Winning Results within the business events industry. RAWR (which sounds like) ‘roar’ is also associated with the growing voice and recognition of the business events sector…as a key contributor to the Malaysian economy.”

RAWR Awards will have 27 award categories including Best International Conference Award, Best Trade Exhibition, Best Incentive Programme, Best Environmental Initiative Award and Best Event, which altogether covers the four main components of the business events industry – meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions.

Speaking at the press conference, Ho Yoke Ping, general manager of sales and marketing, MyCEB, said: “It is our aim to honour the industry’s most groundbreaking work, judged by the industry’s most elite talents from around the region. The idea is to give due recognition of industry professionalism and best business practices.”

The awards are open to business event products and suppliers that are members of either MyCEB and/or MACEOS, as well as event owners such as national associations or corporations that may not be members of either organisations.

Applicants must be Malaysian registered companies operating in the country and apply to events and/or business activities that took place between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012.

Submission of nominations are being accepted until July 31 this year.

BEST Western International has launched its first hotel in Kuwait, an 18-storey property that comes equipped with two floors of conference and banqueting space.

The Best Western Mahboula in Kuwait City offers 96 rooms and suites with views of the Arabian Gulf, a collection of ballrooms and meeting rooms, a business centre, as well as several dining establishments, a swimming pool and gym.

Commenting on the hotel’s launch, Glenn de Souza, Best Western’s vice president of international operations – Asia & the Middle East, said it marked the latest stage in the company’s rapid Middle Eastern expansion plan.

“The…region is offers tremendous opportunities for Best Western and we are delighted to be launching our world-renowned brand in another exciting market,” said de Souza.

With Best Western Mahboula in operation, Best Western International now operates a portfolio of nine hotels in seven Middle Eastern countries including Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Israel. The company’s property count is expected to hit 22 in the next few years.

SEASIDE property Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong has rolled out a Meetings & Success Package for events with at least 10 guaranteed pax per day.

Priced from HK$450+ (US$58+) per person, the deal includes use of a venue from 09.00 to 17.00, organic blended tea and coffee served throughout the day, morning and afternoon tea breaks with snacks, and a three-course Western set lunch at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Café bord de Mer.

The offer is valid until August 31 and a 10 per cent service charge applies. Other terms and conditions apply too.

Armed with more than 1,300m² of event space and a team of in-house event planners, Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong is able to support a range of meetings and events.

Meeting planners can also enrich their programme with a selection of five- to-10-minute activities. Meetings with Muscle allows delegates to test their limits with a fitness session at a camp or at one of the hotel’s outdoor venues. Movers and Shakers calls on delegates partake in stretching exercises prior to the meeting, during the breakout sessions or at the end of the day. Cocktail Conference invites delegates to indulge in a post-meeting cocktail at one of the hotel’s al fresco dining spots.

Visit www.aubergediscoverybay.com for more information.