Northstar

Editor's Note Meeting demands From the use of holograms in conferences, streaming videos that may run viral a la TED conventions to executing real time communication with parties all over the world simultaneously, the meetings scene has certainly raised the demands and needs, constantly evolving across industries, be it tourism, oil and gas, electronics, healthcare or even insurance. How do events planners make a difference in their delivery, given that an expected norm has been established to the audience who knows what's there waiting for them? How can we move away from a boxed template, choosing to explore further to challenge Certainly, meeting demands is a pre-requisite to exceeding expectations. Perhaps heading to the road less travelled will be a viable option for organisations to consider when it comes to getting creative with the selection of their MICE destinations. In this issue, we look at the possibilities and developments that the Lao People's Democratic Republic has carved for itself, and how organisations like PATA are enabling more trade players to tap on Laos as the next emerging MICE destination. In the interview section, we have Geraldine Lopez, from ANA InterContinental Hotel Tokyo, who shared on what's in high demand at the moment, when it comes to MICE business in Tokyo. Business-wise, the Raffles brand continues to spread its wings to tap the southern China market while Best Western selects the crossroad between Thailand and Cambodia, along a key route between Bangkok, Laos and Cambodia to launch its latest property. Events Melissa Tizi | Editor, Events Asia melissa.tizi@contineomedia.com Front page photo credit: The Residence, Mauritius August 2013 The perfect seat 2 SINGAPORE – Window or aisle? Whether you or your clients are travelling for business or leisure, seat selection is an integral part of the booking process. Skyscanner recently conducted a poll that also delved deeper to find out if choices were influenced by lucky numbers as well as odd or even row numbers.  Over 1,000 regular air travel passengers were questioned on their seat preference. Combining the responses, Skyscanner reveals that the most sought after seat on a standard aircraft is seat 6A. This goes in line with most flight booking engines like easyjet's, where seats in this section of the aircraft are more expensive than the standard charge required to pre-book seats in other section. Perhaps more surprising was the number of passengers who prefer the window seat – almost 60 per cent - compared to just 40 per cent who opt for the aisle, with less than 1 per cent choosing the middle seat. There is also the other end of the scale – seats where passengers would rather not end up with. Which "lucky" seat is this? The found that the seat no-one wanted was 31E, a middle seat towards the back of the aircraft. Click on the video icon to find out more about the poll. Events Contents Editor's Note Meeting demands 2 News A fifth terminal at Changi Airport The Star to play host to Australia's cultural events 3 3 Feature Catching the right wave 4 People Potts joins Trump Hotel Collection Margerie moves to Mövenpick Marshall takes on GM post at Hilton PJ A new palate for Shangri-La An interview with Geraldine Lopez 6 6 6 6 7 Business Raffles Hainan to open next month New website for travel and event organisers Best Western opens in Buriram 8 8 8 Technology Amadeus and Lido collaborate Cloud based solutions for two Japanese airports 10 10 TRAVEL & MEETINGS GROUP (ASIA) Publisher (Asia) Amantha Chia • amantha.chia@contineomedia.com (65) 6521 9752 EDITORIAL Editor (Asia) Melissa Tizi • melissa.tizi@contineomedia.com (65) 6521 9741 SALES & MARKETING Account Manager Kevin Ng • kevin.ng@contineomedia.com (65) 6521 9742 Marketing Manager Laura Low • laura.low@contineomedia.com (65) 6521 9754 Marketing Executive Rainy Lau • rainy.lau@contineomedia.com (65) 6521 9745 Ad Admin Assistant Rena Koh • rena.koh@contineomedia.com (65) 6521 9780 TRAVEL & MEETINGS GROUP (CHINA) Publisher Susan Li • susan.li@contineomedia.com (8610) 8532 3611 EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief (China) Cindy Cui • cindy.cui@contineomedia.com (8610) 8532 3611 Editor (China) Wang Xinsheng • xinsheng.wang@contineomedia.com (8610) 8532 3611 Regional Reporter (Beijing) Sarah Qiu • sarah.qiu@contineomedia.com (8610) 8532 3611 Regional Reporter (Shanghai) LiLy Bai • lily.bai@contineomedia.com (8621) 5179 8362 Regional Reporter (Guangzhou) Yippy Chen • yippy.chen@contineomedia.com (86) 159 1315 8031 SALES & MARKETING Associate Publisher Jane Zhang • jing.zhang@contineomedia.com (8621) 5179 8360 Sales Manager Joyce Le • joyce.le@contineomedia.com (8610) 8532 3611 Marketing Manager Kevin Wang • kevin.wang@contineomedia.com (8610) 8532 3611 Marketing Assistant (Beijing) Laura Lv • laura.lv@contineomedia.com (8610) 8532 3611 Marketing Assistant (Shanghai) Vita Lu • vita.lu@contineomedia.com (8621) 5179 8360 PUBLISHING SUPPORT Editorial Production Manager Pauline Goh • pauline.goh@contineomedia.com Design Manager Honess Ho • honess.ho@contineomedia.com Graphic Designer Elsie Chin • elsie.chin@contineomedia.com Web & Database Manager Ophilia Leung • ophilia.leung@contineomedia.com Circulation Executive Levi Cheng • levi.cheng@contineomedia.com Web Developer Roger Tan • roger.tan@contineomedia.com Web Operations Executive Franco Sevilleja • franco@contineomedia.com FINANCE Finance Manager (Asia) Allan Low • allan.low@contineomedia.com Finance Manager (Beijing) Lisa Lu • lisa.lu@contineomedia.com Finance Executive (Beijing) Carol Xue • carol.xu@contineomedia.com CONTINEO MEDIA PTE LTD CEO Raymond Wong • raymond.wong@contineomedia.com MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES GERMANY / AUSTRIA / SWITZERLAND | MediaPraxis • rosteck@t-online.de T: 49 40 5005 3912 KOREA | iClick Korea • kshong2000@nate.com T: 82 70 8880 1745 MIDDLE EAST | BSA Consultants • stephen@bsacmena.com T: 9714 228 7708 NORTH AMERICA | Huson Media • francesco.lascari@husonmedia.com T: 1 212 268 3344 TRAVEL & MEETINGS GROUP, CONTINEO MEDIA PTE LTD SINGAPORE 61 Ubi Avenue 1, #05-17 UB Point, Singapore 408941 • TEL: +65-6521 9777 | FAX: +65-6521 9788 BEIJING Room 024, Building 8, Qijiayuan Diplomatic Compound, No.9 Jianguomenwai Street, Chaoyang District 100600, China • TEL: +8610-85323611 | FAX: +8610-85325293 SHANGHAI Room 2553, The Headquarters Building, No.168 Central XiZang Road, Shanghai 200001, China • Tel: +8621-5179 8360 | Fax: +8621-5179 8360 Events Asia is published 12 times a year by Contineo Media Pte Ltd, located at 61 Ubi Avenue 1 #05-17 UB Point, Singapore 408941. All rights reserved. Please address all subscription mail to the above address, or Fax +65 6521 9766. Volume 3, Number 8

• Cover