Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/632238
EDITOR'S NOTE 4 Jan-Feb 2016 meetings & conventions • mcmag-asia.com nfinite possibilities await – limited only by vision and passion. Just as the world has reeled from disaster and bounced back from it, so too will a resilient industry that continues to pick itself up and walk the talk. Transformations begin from belief – and so will popular cities such as Bangkok, Paris and Jakarta continue to rise from the rubble and be renewed with even stronger foundations and convictions. Sooner than later, the buzz and vitality resume and generate the needed economic activity. The meetings industry has not shied away from its favourite stomping grounds, and with total meeting spend projected to rise by 2.1 percent in Asia Pacific in 2016, meeting planners are geared up for even more dynamic events. The onus is on them to be more discerning in their budget spend to ensure effective ROI. Destinations in Asia are pulling their weight in attracting groups familiar with their appeal, with the Middle East shining the beacon as the world's fastest- growing market for international association meetings, according to ICCA. ASEAN in general has set its sights on opening the floodgates for MICE development, with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ready to spearhead a MICE marketing campaign this year. The hospitality segment is one market to benefit from it. The playground for planners too has become even more versatile and creative, with myriad options that leave much to be imagined. Gems are to be discovered, with an emphasis on experiential events to attract delegates. I hope you find your inspiration for ideas within these pages. Have a great 2016 and enjoy your read. I WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS. SEND EMAIL TO ESTHER.LEW@NTMLLC.COM Esther Faith Lew EDITOR-IN-CHIEF A PUBLICATION OF NORTHSTAR TRAVEL MEDIA, LLC GROUP PUBLISHER Irene Chua Tel: (65) 6801 0451 | ichua@ntmllc.com EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Yeoh Siew Hoon Tel: (65) 6801 0450 | syeoh@ntmllc.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Esther Faith Lew Tel: (65) 6801 0457 | esther.lew@ntmllc.com EDITOR Natalie Chen Tel: (65) 6801 0453 | natalie.chen@ntmllc.com CONTRIBUTORS Brooke Thio, Elizabeth Rich, Loren G Edelstein, Mark Lean, Mavis Teo, Michael Lowe, Monica Li, Sanjay Surana and Sarah Braley GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lim Bee Bee Tel: (65) 97508 405 | bb.bbcreative@gmail.com SALES & MARKETING REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Derek Ho (65) 6801 0459 | derek.ho@ntmllc.com MARKETING EXECUTIVE Alvin Tan Tel: (65) 6801 0458 | alvin.tan@ntmllc.com AD TRAFFIC AND PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Rena Koh Tel: (65) 6801 0455 | rena.koh@ntmllc.com IT & DIGITAL IT & DIGITAL OPERATIONS Raymond Sim Tel: (65) 6801 0456 | raymond.sim@ntmllc.com CHINA OFFICE GROUP PUBLISHER (China) Rebecca Zhang Tel: (8621) 5179 8363 | rebecca.zhang@ntmllc.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR (Beijing) Shawn Li Tel: (8610) 8532 4021 | shawn.li@ntmllc.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR (Shanghai) Roger Wang Tel: (8621) 5179 8360; roger.wang@ntmllc.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Susan Li Tel: (8610) 8532 3611 | susan.li@ntmllc.com MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES HONG KONG/MACAU ZAM International - Manna Ma Tel: (852) 9650 0518 | manna.ma@zamintl.com.hk KOREA Young Media Inc - Keon Chang Tel: (822) 2273 4833 | ymedia@chol.com INDIA MHI Communications - Smriti Khanna Tel: (9198) 1040 7483 | skhanna@mhi.com.hk MIDDLE EAST The MediaVantage - Lenora Bennis Tel: (971) 52 846 6212 | lenora@themediavantage.com AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR - ASIA Patti Mo | patti.mo@ntmllc.com DATABASE & FULFILLMENT MANAGER Zoe Chu | zoe.chu@ntmllc.com FINANCE ASIA FINANCE MANAGER Julia Tham | julia.tham@ntmllc.com CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER THOMAS L. KEMP CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER LISA COHEN PRESIDENT, TRAVEL GROUP ROBERT G. SULLIVAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, DIGITAL MEDIA THOMAS CINTORINO EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, GROUP PUBLISHER DAVID BLANSFIELD SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR LORI CIOFFI SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR ARNIE WEISSMANN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES JANINE L. BAVOSO VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING SOLUTIONS MICHELLE ROSENBERG VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION ROBERTA MULLER VICE PRESIDENT, CONTENT LICENSING SHEILA RICE VICE PRESIDENT, IT INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS RICH MASTROPIETRO VICE PRESIDENT, DATABASE PRODUCTS ELIZABETH KOESSER Published by NORTHSTAR TRAVEL MEDIA SINGAPORE PTE LTD SINGAPORE 91 Bencoolen Street, #05-08 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652 • TEL: (65) 6801-0450 FAX: (65) 6801-0469 BEIJING Room 024, Building 8, Qijiayuan Diplomatic Compound, No.9 Jianguomenwai Street, Chaoyang District 100600, China • TEL: (8610) 8532 3611 | FAX: (8610) 8532 5293 SHANGHAI Room 2553, The Headquarters Building, No.168 Central XiZhang Road, Shanghai 200001, China • TEL: (8621) 5179 8360 | FAX: (8621) 5179 8360 Head Office 100 LightingWay, Secaucus, N.J. 07094-3681 U.S.A. • TEL: ( 201) 902-2000 M&C/Asia ISSN 2424-8215 MCI(P) 104/09/2015 PPS 1871/11/2015 (025607) is published on a bi-monthly basis by Northstar Travel Media Singapore Pte Ltd, located at 91 Bencoolen Street, #05-08 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652. All rights reserved. Please address all subscription mail to the above address. Alternatively, you can fax to +852 3020 5794 or go online at: www.meetings-conventions-asia.com/subscribe For reprints or copyright permission contact Wright's media at +877 652 5295 ext 102 or niademarco@wrightsmedia.comhttp://wrightsmedia.com/reprints/contact.cfm?magrid=3500 Printed by Times Printers Private Limited (L007/08/2015) Experience. Dream. Work.