The new, award-winning Melbourne Convention Centre continues to WOW. In addition to being the world’s first ‘6 Star Green Star’ environmentally rated convention centre, the MCC has the latest audio visual and best communications technology available built in to every one of its 32 event rooms. This ‘extra’ is included in the cost of the room rental, which translates into savings for event organizers. Each room is equipped with an ‘intelligent lectern’ that allows the user to literally ‘work the room’ with ease and confidence; the intelligent lectern controls lighting, sound, and data projection.

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre chief executive Leigh Harry says: ‘As well as being one of the most visually striking and innovative convention and exhibition centres in the world, its affordability without compromising on quality is another feather in its cap’.

Website: www.mcec.com.au

The newly opened Harbour Grand Hong Kong received “Best New City Hotel 2009” from TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd. The 5-Star property, which is only open for four months, was unanimously chosen by the readers of all the TTG Asia Media publications, TTG Asia, TTG China, TTGmice and TTG-BTmice China.

Upon receiving the award, Benedict Chow, the hotel’s General Manager said, “We thank the owner who has designed and constructed such a magnificent property with all 828 guestrooms overlooking Victoria Harbour, five distinctive food & beverage outlets and the elegant pillar-less Grand Ballroom and Salon Rooms.” Chow went on to say, “…Harbour Grand Hong Kong, nonetheless, will not remain here. This award, regarded as a bench mark of quality within the industry, will serve as an incentive that steers the hotel to continue to strive for perfection, and make every effort to provide the best possible services to its distinguished guests.”

Harbour Grand Hong Kong has a total of 1,178 sqm/12,685 sqft of event space.

Website: www.harbour-grand.com
Harbour Grand Hong Kong on www.i-mi.com,
Contact: Ms. Elaine Chow, Director of Sales & Marketing, hghk@harbour-grand.com

The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching officially opened its doors last month with a big celebration; however, the official Grand Opening is set to takes place early next year.

The BCCK, Borneo’s first purpose convention center, is situated on six hectares of waterfront property on the Kuching Isthmus and overlooks the Sarawak River and Borneo’s lush green forest. And just like its surroundings, the Centre is very green. Designed with a rainforest theme, the building’s roof is shaped like an indigenous Ririk leaf and is able to collect rainwater, which irrigates the Centre’s gardens and grounds.

BCCK offers four flexible halls and fourteen meeting rooms. Its multi-purpose design accommodates all types of events including exhibitions with up to 250 multi-tiered booths and galas with up to 200 tables. The Centre is 5 km from Kuching International Airport.

Websites: www.bcck.com.my
Sarawak Convention Bureau: www.sarawakcb.com

Two Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts’ received won top honors at the World Travel Awards 2009 held in London at the Grosvenor House earlier this month. Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur International Airport was named “Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel” and the “World’s Leading Airport Hotel” for a second consecutive year. Pan Pacific Singapore was also named “Asia’s Leading Business Hotel: for the fourth consecutive year, and “World’s Leading Business Hotel” for the third year in a row.

The Pan Pacific at Kuala Lumpur International Airport features 441 guest rooms. The property links to KLIA’s main terminal via a sky bridge. Event facilities include a Grand Ballroom that is divisible into two rooms, a theatre-auditorium and eight meeting rooms.

The Pan Pacific Singapore features 778 guest rooms and offers a choice of 26 event venues.

Website: www.panpacific.com

Pan Pacific Singapore on www.i-mi.com, Contact Ms. Tina Farn, Director of Business Development, Email: tfarn@panpacific.com

For the seventh year in a row, Raffles Hotel Singapore was voted "Best Luxury Hotel" by the readers of TTG Asia, publisher of Travel Trade Gazette (TTG), Asia and China, Business Travel (BT) Mice China and TTG Mice. The iconic property, which dates back to 1897, has hosted everyone from dignitaries to royalty, like Queen Elizabeth II, to politicians, to writers like Rudyard Kipling and Noel Coward, and to entertainers like Elizabeth Taylor, Charlie Chaplin, Hugh Jackman and Michael Jackson.

For meetings and incentive travel programs, Raffles Hotel Singapore is like a destination in itself. The hotel features seven meeting rooms that accommodate events for up to 350 attendees, eighteen eateries, the Raffles Shopping Arcade, the Raffles Hotel Museum, the Garden, Amrita Spa, gymnasium, and outdoor swimming pool.

E-mail: singapore@raffles.com
Website: www.raffles.com

EIBTM and RTE (Reed Travel Exhibitions) are creating a new discipline for meetings called the Meeting Architecture Manifesto. The discipline focuses on content, design and format rather than hospitality and logistics. And for the past year, RTE has liaised with a global group of meeting professionals and Maarten Vanneste, CEO Abbit Meeting Support, to design this new vision. The Manifesto calls for the establishment of the Meeting Architecture 2011 project to plan for the longer-term development and implementation of this new meeting management model. And Meetings Architecture will be discussed as part of the professional education program at EIBTM, which takes place 1-3 December, Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain.

To view the Manifesto and get involved in the development of this project, go to http://www.meetingarchitecture.org. To register for EIBTM, go to the show’s website.

Website: www.eibtm.com

Thai Airways is increasing the frequencies on its non-stop Los Angeles to Bangkok service. Beginning 1st December 2009, the LAX/BKK service will fly daily. Equipment on this route is an A345 aircraft configured with 60 Royal Silk Business Class seats, 42 Premium Economy Class seats, and 113 Economy Class seats.

Thai’s Green Catering Department -- Last September, Thai Airways’ International Catering Department received an ISO 14001 Certificate for Environmental Management. Mr. Smith Pirunsarn, Managing Director, Catering Department, said, "with ISO 14001 Certificate, THAI Catering Department has revealed our determination to improve the management and awareness of social responsibility…(the) environment system creates a safer work place including reducing the likelihood of accidents and emergencies. The certificate also exhibits a good image for the organization that helps lower the long term costs to the company."

Website: www.thaiair.com