Northstar

Hospitality 48 JUL-AUG 2018 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM "We're seeing greater collaboration greater collaboration between our chefs between our chefs and event organisers and event organisers and a willingness on and a willingness on both sides to be more both sides to be more experimental..." experimental..." PEGGY FANG ROE, CHIEF SALES AND MARKETING CHIEF SALES AND MARKETING OFFICER, ASIA PACIFIC, OFFICER, ASIA PACIFIC, MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Peggy Fang Roe of Marriott International, Asia Pacific believes outstanding MICE planning prioritises creative F&B, technology and service. WORDS CATHARINE NICOL Marriott's magic touch I t's impossible not to wonder how Peggy Fang Roe ts her multiple roles into one person's job. Chief sales and marketing ocer, Asia Pacic for Marriott International, she is tasked with building the Asia Pacic customer base, driving hotel performance and localising the loyalty programme not just for one property, but for over 650 hotels across over 20 brands in over 20 countries and territories. Of course, she isn't alone, managing a 2,000 plus person sales force (and two little boys at home). Harvard Business School, an internet start-up and management training at General Electric have all stood her in good stead for today's busyness, she says. And who better to help MICE over achievers over achieve than an over achiever? "People travel for events and conferences a lot nowadays, so there is an element of 'been there, done that'", she says. "The top three most important things MICE organisers are looking for are creative food and beverage, unique meeting and event spaces with innovative technology, and personalised service with seamless execution." the Bangkok Marriott Marquis." Innovation and technology are king, and across all properties the new Meeting Services App allows organisers to make real-time requests for tech support, F&B rells or temperature tweaks, for example. The brand's function spaces also reect this tech trend. The ballroom at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach, for example, features the city's largest LED wall alongside the 'Forest of Lights' display of customisable LED beams dripping from the ceiling. She sees the explosion in food tourism impacting the MICE industry with live demos and tastings, local dishes and healthy ingredients shining. "Planners are acutely aware of the foodie mentality spreading across the region. Consequently, we're seeing greater collaboration between our chefs and event organisers and a willingness on both sides to be more experimental to ensure the food is memorable. "We like to test out places for our own meetings and recently our team created a local street fair in the car park at

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