Northstar

(TOP LEFT) LLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES Event Planner JUL-AUG 2018 55 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM Memorable Moments We once catered for the funeral of the late founding father and Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew. We were witness to a signi cant and honorable event in Singapore and had the privilege of paying respects to him in a di erent way. Other events include organising o cial state banquets hosted for the heads of state of China, India, Japan and the United Kingdom at the Istana. A Creative Mindset One such event was the Hilton Senior Leadership Conference, attended by our global CEO and over 450 hotel general managers and colleagues worldwide. We had to organise a series of day-to-night events – from the welcome reception at the hotel, to meetings at Suntec Singapore Convention Centre and the gala dinner at Gardens by the Bay. The meetings and events were centered on Hilton's sustainability e orts. The food and beverage items served were locally sourced, such as milk from a local goat farm, locally grown vegetables and farmed sea bass. We also organised a dinner at Timbre+, a food centre known for its variety of hawker food at a ordable prices – for our Hilton family members to experience the uniqueness of Singaporean fare. This event proved that the success of an event does not depend on the location, and can be executed smoothly outside of regular hotel grounds as well. Challenging Scenarios In 2017, we had the opportunity to cater for the National Day Parade at the Marina Bay Floating Platform. This involved catering for 1,500 guests, including Singapore's Prime Minister and his Cabinet Ministers. This large-scale event, which required tight security and was subjected to countless venue restrictions, was one of the more challenging events that we have done and it required experience and team coordination to pull o successfully. Putting some thought in what you serve at business events can go a long way in creating an unforgettable experience for delegates – just ask Conrad's Lolita Kuek. Problem-Shooting Tactics Once, we organised a state event where the Prime Minister hosted a visiting Head of State who had strict Kosher dietary requirements. The hotel's culinary and food and beverage teams had to work very closely together to ensure all expectations from the food, utensils, service etiquette and proper protocol were strictly adhered to. It was rather challenging to execute the event with the hotel team and the many di erent parties involved, while considering the level of VIP members. Such situations require a receptive mindset, ability to bridge communication gaps between the vendor and hotel teams, and being forward-thinking to minimise unforeseen issues. Being able to manage client expectations is also a crucial skill. Important Takeaways 1. Always remain calm and have the end in mind. 2. Be mindful of what has been planned beforehand and always be prepared for unexpected situations. 3. Never forget to recognise the e orts of the team and the people who have played a part in your success. ILLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES Lolita Kuek WORDS MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS ASIA FAST FACTS Name: Lolita Kuek Company: Conrad Centennial Singapore No. Of Years' Experience: 20+ No Of Events Organised: 8,000+ Contact: Lolita.Kuek@ conradhotels.com Food for thought

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