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INSIGHTS | EVENT PLANNER'S DIARY Jul-Aug 2017 55 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS • MCMAG-ASIA.COM Words Meetings & Conventions Asia Three must-haves for every planner: ga‡a tape, superglue & safety pins. Mount Faber Leisure Group's Paul Terdich speaks from 15 years of experience. A CREATIVE MINDSET An event which required much creativity was the launch of a new watch for a premium Swiss brand. Our client wanted to put on a show with two motorcycles at our outdoor restaurant, Spuds and Aprons. However, getting the chopper-style Italian motorcycles to the second storey was a challenge and not possible at rst. Each bike is worth tens of thousands so the supplier was very particular about how they were handled. Ultimately, we were able to angle the motorcycles by placing them vertically in the service lift. The show turned out to be impressive with the motorcycles performing "wheelies" and "donuts" for the guests! CHALLENGING SCENARIOS Timing and the smooth integration of various moving parts (literally and guratively) are often critical aspects of a spectacular experience with great views and entertainment. Once, we helped organise the closing dinner for a European bank's conference, which involved boarding the cable car at Sentosa with a glass of champagne for a ride to Mount Faber. Guests then went for cocktails and canapés at The Lookout, an open-air venue with entertainment and games, followed by a sit-down awards dinner in our ballroom. We oversaw the multiple touchpoints to provide guests with a seamless experience. PROBLEMSHOOTING TACTICS Last minute changes do happen, so it's important to be ready to oer alternative options to clients. Additional unexpected guests or special dietary requirements can be catered for on most occasions as we have a great kitchen team. Also, always have gaa tape, superglue and safety pins on standby for exploding wedding dresses and broken heels. Ultimately, it's about having a good team that shows initiative and understands that customer experience always comes rst. IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS The guest experience is your main focus at the end of the day. It's critical "It is about having a good team that shows initiative and understands customer experience always comes first." PAUL TERDICH, MOUNT FABER LEISURE GROUP Italian motorcycles helped launch a watch. Guest experience comes first to understand your clients' event needs and what they want to achieve. Communicate clearly and document everything. Fail to plan and you plan to fail. NAME: Paul Terdich COMPANY: Mount Faber Leisure Group NO. OF YEARS' EXPERIENCE: 15 years NO OF EVENTS ORGANISED: 500+ CONTACT: paul.terdich@ mountfaber.com.sg