08 MIX AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018 http://www.mixmeetings.com
EXPANSION of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition
Centre and South Wharf precinct has been completed.
The A$350 million project by the Victoria state government
in partnership with Plenary and its private sector partners
includes a 20,000 sqm expansion of MCEC, the new 347-room
Novotel Melbourne South Wharf and a 1,150-space multi-level
car park.
It ensures MCEC remains Australia’s largest convention
and exhibition space, and able to accommodate the growing
global demand for multi-purpose meetings and events space.
The expansion is connected to existing MCEC buildings and
includes 9,000 sqm of flexible space, a 1,000-seat theatre and
a banquet room.
Melbourne South Wharf
completes expansion
DIFFERING opinions over
how the Hong Kong office
of an international brand
communications agency
should be operated has
prompted the departure of a
senior executive.
Uniplan revealed that
Darren Chuckry, who was
made Hong Kong managing
director in November 2017,
has “parted ways” with
the company.
A Uniplan spokesman
told MIX: “Darren’s departure
is directly related to a disagreement about the management of the Hong Kong office. Uniplan’s
strategic business direction will remain unchanged.”
Chuckry had been with Uniplan Hong Kong for nearly eight years and was client services
director until a shake-up last October saw him being made managing director and the departure
of event operations director Dawn Dennis.
Uniplan’s “global restructuring” last October also saw two longstanding associates relinquish
their leadership roles, as Karen Arndt stood down as Greater China chief, and Daphne Choi as
managing director of the Hong Kong office.
In May this year, Uniplan announced a global rebranding with a strategy focusing on “digital and
content creation” in response to volatile market conditions and “fierce competition”.
Chuckry’s departure is one of the most high-profile changes sweeping the events and live
brand communications agencies in the region over the past two years as budgets shrunk and
more players entered an already competitive market.
Judd Christie, former creative director at Luminous Experiential MSL Group and Imagination,
will oversee Uniplan’s Hong Kong office until a new managing director is appointed.
“Darren contributed greatly to Uniplan’s successes in the Hong Kong market and we wish him
the best in his future endeavours,” said Christian Zimmermann, Uniplan chief executive.
Uniplan,
Chuckry
part ways
Bulletin SoolNua’s
Gilligan to
address
MBEW
PÁDRAIC GILLIGAN will be one of
the main speakers at Malaysia
Business Events Week 2018,
which is themed “Our Future by
Design: Embracing Change”.
Gilligan is a managing
partner at SoolNua – a
specialist agency helping
destinations, hotels, and venues
with marketing, strategy, and
MICE training. He is also a
former international president
of SITE.
The conference, a gathering
of Malaysia’s business events
industry and its stakeholders,
will take place from August
12 to 14 at Resorts World
Genting, Pahang.