The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB)’s new Planner’s Guide makes planning green events a breeze. The guide provides a new green logo system that identifies Melbourne’s green suppliers and also contains a green event checklist and tools to recognize low carbon impact transportation options.

Ms Hayley Blumenthal, Director Marketing & Communications for the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) said, “MCVB is committed to leading our industry on environmentally sustainable initiatives…MCVB’s green logo signifies to event planners that they are choosing a supplier who is committed to sustainability.  From luxury hotels to Melbourne’s leading conferencing venues, including the new Melbourne Convention Centre, the Planner’s Guide provides a comprehensive picture of Melbourne’s green Business Events suppliers.“ 

The Melbourne Planner’s Guide 2009/10 is available free of charge by telephone +61 3 9693 3333 or online by visiting MCVB’s website.

Website: www.mcvb.com.au/pg0910

The most recent China Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM), which took place from 8-10 September at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing, had record attendance. During this year’s show, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), the show organizers, announced a new addition to the 2010 program when RTE will extend the show activities and dedicate the first week to the Meetings and Incentives industry in China. This pre-exhibition Meetings Week will include a diverse schedule of professional activities and events created by leading industry associations such as MPI, ICCA and SITE.

RTE has reason to be optimistic about next year’s participation as this year the exhibition was 35% larger than the previous show, which took place in 2007 and has attracted 324 international and local exhibitors and 285 Hosted Buyers from America, Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific and China.

Website: www.cibtm.com  

The Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo, which opened this month, is the group’s 28th hotel on mainland China.  Ningbo is one of China’s oldest cities and is located across Hangzhou Bay from Shanghai.

The 563 guestroom property is situated in the heart of the central business district, at the confluence of the Fenghua, Yuyao and Yong Rivers. The hotel offers 5,000 sqm/53,825 sqft of meeting and banqueting space, which includes a pillarless grand ballroom. Dining options include Shang Palace, a signature Chinese restaurant; the Yi Café with open kitchens and views of the city’s three rivers; the Lobby Lounge and the Lobster Bar and Grill with live jazz. Fitness facilities include spa, health club, a 25 meter swimming pool, gym and two tennis courts.
Shangri-La Ningbo is a 20-minute drive from the airport and within walking distance of Ningbo’s largest shopping area and major tourist attractions.

E-mail: slnb@shangri-la.com
Website: www.shangri-la.com

The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in Mumbai received two accolades this summer. In July the hotel received the 2009 PATA Gold Award for Marketing for its Re-opening Campaign. Also, the 'Virtuoso Hotelier of the Year 2009' Award was awarded to the hotel’s General Manager, Mr. Karambir Singh Kang at the Virtuoso "Best of the Best" Hotel Awards ceremony held in Las Vegas last month. Mr. Kang was acknowledged for his dedication and for making the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, one of the best hotels in the world. The hotel also received the Condé Nast Traveler - UK Reader's Travel Awards 2008 For Best Overseas Business Hotel and USA Gold List 2009 for Best Places to Stay in the World.

The majestic 565 guestroom property features twelve event venues accommodating from 25-500 delegates theater style and from 18-2,000 guess for receptions.

Email: tmhresv.bom@tajhotels.com
Website: www.tajhotels.com

The waterfront ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort sits on the scenic Manza-mo point in Okinawa. The resort is designed as a deluxe low-rise hotel. All 399 guestrooms have balconies and ocean views. Two rooms are dedicated for events. The larger room accommodates 483 attendees theater style and the smaller room accommodates 39 in a boardroom set up. Outdoor events are also possible. Dining option include the Unkai Japanese Restaurant, Karin Chinese, Orchid theater style dining, Aqua Belle all-day dining, the beachside Grill and for drinks the Ocean Café, Bar Way or the Beach Pub.

For fitness and entertainment, there are water sports including a cabin cruiser, glass-bottom boat, parasailing, catamarans, diving center, plus a putting golf course, tennis court, cultural center and karaoke rooms.

Email: info@anaintercontinental-manza.jp
Website: www.ichotelsgroup.com

Langham Hotels International will be opening two new properties in Bangkok, Thailand in 2012. The Langham, Sukhumvit will be located in the city’s central commercial district and will have 230 deluxe guestrooms and 80 Langham Residences. The property will feature extensive event facilities including a grand ballroom as well as a Michelin 2-Star Cantonese restaurant, a second fine-dining restaurant, and a traditional Chinese medicine-inspired Chuan Spa, swimming pool and fitness center.

The Langham Place, Phayathai, Bangkok will be located close to the Siam Centre, a main shopping center. The 400 room will also have extensive event facilities, two restaurants, a Chuan Spa, fitness center and hybrid bar/business lounge area where guests can work, play and mingle at the same time.

Website: www.langhamhotels.com

Marriott Hotels and Resorts will open a new JW in Hanoi in 2012. The property will be adjacent to Hanoi’s state-of-the-art National Convention Center located in the city’s Tu Liem District, which is 7 km west of central Hanoi and 22 km south of the airport.

The hotel’s 450 guestrooms will feature top-shelf bed and bath amenities, separate showers and tubs, high-speed Internet and high definition televisions. Event space will comprise over 2,150 sqm/23,142 sqft of space and include a large grand ballroom, divisible into five sections and a second ballroom that will be divisible in three sections. This JW will have three restaurants including an all-day casual food outlet with grand buffet, a Vietnamese restaurant with four private dining rooms, a specialty themed restaurant with two private dining rooms and a café/delicatessen. A world-class Spa, fitness center and outdoor heated swimming pool will also be on property.

Website: www.marriott.com