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Sarawak Convention Bureau’s destination marketing programs have won the International Convention and Congress Association’s (ICCA) Best Marketing Award at the Association’s International Convention held in Victoria, Canada.   Competing against two finalists from Liverpool, United Kingdom and Salt Lake City, USA – Sarawak’s campaign “Harnessing The Power Of Story Telling To Launch A New Meetings Destination” was voted the winner of the 2008 Award by a panel of international judges and 740 delegates from over 20 countries.

This prestigious international award has capped off a triumphant year for the Bureau, following the launch of its unique destination commercial “Recharge in a New World Sarawak-Borneo” that earlier took out the Diamond Award for best overall entry across all categories at ITB in Berlin followed by a Gold Camera Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June and a Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) 2008 Gold Award, in September. 

For further enquiries contact:
Mrs. Jill Henry, Sarawak Convention Bureau
Tel: +6082 242 516

Email: jillhenry@sarawakcb.com
Website: www.sarawakcb.com

Four Points by Sheraton is opening a new property in Kuching in January. The capital of Sarawak on the island of Borneo in Malaysia is - with its rich culture and natural beauty - an unforgettable destination for incentive travel programs and meetings.
 Four Points by Sheraton Kuching is located 2 kilometers from the Kuching International Airport and 15 minutes from the heart of the city.  The property is close to the Sarawak Museum, Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Sarawak Cultural Village and Bako National Park – all great venues for incentive travel program events and outings.
The Four Points by Sheraton Kuching features 421 guest rooms and suites, outfitted with 32-inch LCD TVs, working desks, WiFi and high speed Internet access and rainforest showers.
Meeting facilities comprise 8 event rooms including a 1,456 sqm/15,672 sqft ballroom. Additional facilities include a 24-hour business center, three F&B venues, a 24-hour fitness center and an outdoor swimming pool and spa.
E-mail: Reservations.Kuching@fourpoints.com
Website: www.fourpoints.com/kuching  

The 5-Star Westin Sydney recently spent $AUD 2 million upgrading its event facilities.
The 416-room hotel now features the best presentation technology in the region with wide-screen high definition (HD) plasma screens and wireless touch panel controls. And all meeting and banquet rooms were outfitted with comfortable, new ergonomic chairs.
The award-winning property’s Grand Ballroom, the largest pillar-free ballroom in Sydney, accommodates 1,400-theatre style and is divisible into four sections. The historic Heritage Ballroom seats 300. For smaller meetings or break out sessions, the hotel’s Heritage Conference Center features eight meeting rooms all with natural light and built-in whiteboards and storage. The Grand Ballroom, Heritage Ballroom along with five of the six specialized meeting rooms include the new built-in audiovisual capabilities.
Website: www.westin.com/sydney

Melbourne’s Telstra Dome will be renamed Etihad Stadium on 1st March 2009 as Etihad Airways expands its international sports sponsorships to Australia.
Telstra Dome is located in Melbourne’s Central Business District. The stadium, which accommodates 55,000 for large conventions and entertainment and sporting events, is also a venue for conferences, seminars, product launches, receptions, galas, trade shows and corporate hospitality. The stadium has 15 function rooms, which can be configured into 21 individual breakout rooms. For Corporate Hospitality, there are 66 Corporate Suites, which seat from 12 to 16 attendees. In addition, the fully covered arena can host large events where thousands of attendees can enjoy the unique atmosphere of the space created under the largest retractable roof in the Southern Hemisphere.

Email: sales@telstradome.com.au

Website: http://telstradome.com.au

The 679-room Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa recently added the Sub Aqua Dive Center to its list of recreational activities. This gives attendees who have always wanted to try scuba the opportunity and convenience of learning at the resort. The property is well suited to meetings and incentives. Meeting facilities include 5 function rooms, 7 flexible breakout rooms, a marquee for 1200, a business center and wireless Internet access throughout the public areas. The Grand Ballroom accommodates 1,200 and along with the other four function rooms, it is outfitted with broadband Internet, LCD equipment, plasma screens, and extensive lighting features. The hotel will create special indoor or outdoor themed dinner events for groups up to 400 attendees.

Contact: Mr Shafar Jamaludin, Director of Sales and Marketing

Email: Shafar.Jamaludin@hilton.com

I&MI Media Presentation: www.i-mi.com
Website: www.phuketarcadia.hilton.com

The newly opened Le Méridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort & Spa is located in an integrated complex off China's south coast on Hainan Island. The resort, which is situated on a beachfront with 11 hectares of landscaped grounds, features 275 guest rooms including 25 villas. The Presidential Villa is 1071 sqm/11,528 sqft in size and includes two dining rooms, fitness center, and swimming pool. Meetings & Event facilities encompass a 552 sqm/5,942 sqft Grand Ballroom and five meeting rooms all outfitted with the latest audiovisual technology. Additional facilities include six restaurants and bars, fitness center, Spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a sea sport center. Several golf courses surround the property.
Website: www.lemeridien.com/shimeibaybeach

Westin is building a new hotel in Sendai, Japan that is scheduled to open in 2010. The 287-room property will be part of a mix-use development located in the city’s business district on Higashi-Nibandoori Street. Each guest room will be outfitted with flat screen TV, work area, and Westin’s Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath. The hotel will feature over 5,000 sqft/464 sqm of function space and five banquet rooms. There will also be two restaurants and a lounge and a spa.
Sendai is in northeastern Japan, one hour and forty minutes from Tokyo via Bullet train and easily accessible by air travel from Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Seoul and Guam. The city of Sendai has world-class restaurants and shopping at malls, arcades and traditional markets. Area attractions include the islands of Matsushima Bay, the Zaou Mountains and hot springs.
Website: www.westin.com

Delta Air Lines launched daily nonstop service to Mumbai, India. Flights depart Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and arrive in Mumbai at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Equipment used on the route is the Boeing 777-200LR, the world’s longest-range commercial jetliner. The aircraft’s Coach cabin is outfitted with new, more spacious and comfortable seats, each with individual video monitor with an on-demand entertainment.
Website: www.delta.com