24 MIX AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018 http://www.mixmeetings.com
Homerlein has watched the changes in Shanghai, and its surroundings, with
awe. “Shanghai has amazing energy, great hotels, modern and classic venues,
good access, which is very key, and a great transportation system,” says
Homerlein. “Suzhou is not at all well known by foreign clients – its drawcards
are the historical gardens and canals, as Shanghai has very limited ancient
Chinese relics.
“Hangzhou is getting more airtime because of the G20 summit but, again,
knowledge of the destination is limited. Most clients would prefer to do Shanghai
and would use Hangzhou, or Suzhou, as an extension.”
Delegates from Asia are also likely to require a Shanghai-focused itinerary,
given its fame internationally and reputation as a city that likes to party. There is an
amazing choice for planners with almost all the major brands represented.
The W Shanghai – The Bund, held 200 events, from weddings to conferences,
in the first few months of its January 2018 opening, clearly hitting the spot. It has
6,000 sqm of events space including the 2,050 sqm Great Room. Executives are
confident the W’s events appeal will endure in the city.
“Word-of-mouth is more powerful than ever,” says Tiffany Chou, director of
sales for MICE. “Most MICE planners will only approach hotels when they have
heard good things from previous event planners.”
The Cordis Shanghai, Hongqiao has two large-scale ballrooms and a rooftop
bar with pool deck that offers a unique space for informal meetings, after-parties
or team building. It is also a five-minute drive from the National Convention and
Exhibition Centre and the Hongqiao rail and transport hub.
On the other side of the Huangpu River, The Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai,
located in the city’s finance centre, targets mid-sized meeting groups, with the
ability to cater to up to 360 people in the 705 sqm ballroom.
Laifong Yip, director of sales and marketing at the Grand Kempinski, says:
“Shanghai is really becoming a hot MICE destination in the last two years,
competing with big cities like Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore.
International planners are attracted by the authentic Chinese experience their
attendees can have here paired with Shanghai’s international vibe. There is always
something new to discover.” ll
l
l
‘Most MICE
planners
will only
approach
hotels when
they have
heard good
things from
previous
event
planners’Tiffany Chou
W Shanghai- The Bund
SUZHOU: NEW WATER TOWER
A SPLENDOUR of modern architecture is rising
high above Suzhou, one of China’s famed
water cities.
The 450-metre-high International Finance
Centre will feature a Niccolo hotel (below) on
the upper floors, a ballroom, seven function
rooms and The Conservatory, described as “a
breathtaking glass venue above the skyline”.
When it opens in 2019, it will be the fifth property
of the Wharf-owned brand.
Jennifer Cronin, president of Wharf Hotels,
says the city is known as the Venice of the East,
surrounded by canals and lakes, a unique selling
point, which will feature in delegate itineraries.
Already up and running is the Intercontinental
Suzhou, located on the waterfront promenade
of Jinji Lake in the thriving Suzhou Industrial
Park commercial leisure and residential district.
The 27-storey crescent-shaped hotel has 427
guestrooms, six restaurants and lounges,
a luxury spa and an indoor infinity pool – all
boasting panoramic views
“We can offer outside catering in gardens,
museums or scenic spots,” says Jimmy Mei,
the Intercontinental Suzhou director of sales
and marketing.
“We once organised an event in the Kun
Opera House, which is in a traditional Suzhou
garden. Guests interacted with the Kun Opera
performers to learn the history of the opera, the
costume and makeup for different characters,
and watched a performance in the garden.”