Northstar

JAN-FEB 2018 47 meetings & conventions • mcmag-asia.com HOT NUMBERS + 600 extra staff hired from vocational schools to host APEC + 1,500m of red carpet and 3,000 umbrellas to welcome delegates + 2,200 security badges and over 100 security staff FOOD + 2,000 lunch trays to serve 2,000 guests + 4 main kitchens: Main Kitchen, kitchen at International Convention Palace (ICP), Halal Kitchen and the Staff Kitchen + 2,000 staff meals daily and mobilised additional staff from two resort groups in Nha Trang as well as customer care staff from its sister companies, Vietjet and HDBank. Security needs were paramount for the event, and organisers needed to apply and obtain three different kinds of badges, with security levels escalating as the event week unfolded. EXPERIENCE Each event opening was staged in ACC's grand ballroom, and featured one of the largest stage and LED screens set-up. The high-key event was abuzz with live reportage by international media, and thus high-speed telecommunications and a strong IT set-up were key. Delegates had the chance to mingle and dine in large outdoor canvas houses with an exhibition area. Beset by the largest typhoon in Danang in 16 years, organisers had to make alternative arrangements when the storm caused the collapse of its canvas houses and the Garden House, which was built for the TPP meetings and Heads of State meetings with ABAC members. With an unexpected increase in the number of attendees from 1,700 to 2,000, organisers had to make arrangements for lunch boxes to be served in the foyer of ACC. The organisers also proved their mettle in accommodating last-minute changes to programming, meeting schedules, and requests from each nation's protocol department to bring in and set up their own equipment such as private internet and phone connections and podiums mere hours before the events. TALKING POINT Drawing its largest crowd in the event's history, the CEO Summit attracted 2,100 delegates and saw in attendance well- known CEOs such as Sheryl Sandberg from Facebook, Nathan Blecharczyk from Airbnb and APEC leaders such as US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. SUMMARY With the successful conclusion of APEC, Furama Danang is set to continue its strong showing this year, having already secured major trade shows in March for 1,000 attendees and incentive groups of 2,500 each in May. It has seen a recent 50% spike in the enquiries and requests originating from Singapore, and is expecting that the Singapore market will form 15% of its business in 2018. Top right: The opening of the Vietnam Business Summit was presided over by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Below right: Leaders from APEC member economies were in attendance at the Fourth ABAC Meeting 2017.

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