Press Room

In conjunction with the official opening of Pullman Kuching, the hotel hosted a dinner for guests, clients and the media. It was held at the Colosseum ballroom of the hotel.

Entertainment was provided by the Chinatown Shanghai specially flown in from Shanghai, China. Reigniting the fun and fantasy of Shanghai’s 1930’s heyday is Chinatown created by veteran entertainer Norman Gosney and dancer cum actress Amelia Kallman. The troupe presented a mix of cabaret, vaudeville and broadway live variety show.

The Colosseum is a ballroom measuring 1,615 square metres that can accommodate up to 1,500 people for a sit-down banquet and 3,000 people for cocktail reception.

Chinatown Shanghai girls on stage at the Colosseum, Pullman Kuching.

The troupe with Julia Douglas.

Welcome to the show.

Pullman brand hotel was officially opened by Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister of Sarawak on March 16 at the lobby. It is the second Accor Pullman hotel in Malaysia and the first in Kuching, Sarawak. Strategically located in the city’s commercial business district called the “golden triangle” and atop the hill of Jalan Mathies, a mere 20 minutes drive from the international airport.

The hotel is outfitted with a total of 389 spacious guest rooms. Opening of the hotel in Kuching was timely, as it will allow the Pullman to position itself for the growing meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) sector in Sarawak.

Chinese lion dance troupe waiting for the arrival of guests.

Guests at the official opening held at the lobby of the hotel.

A “lion” greeting Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and VVIP guests.

Drumming away to bring in good fengshui (luck) to the hotel.

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Asia Pacific organised a get-together of members and friends. It was organised by Noor Ahmad Hamid, Regional Director Asia Pacific ICCA at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. During the meeting, Christian Mutschlechner, Director of Vienna Convention Bureau breiefed everyone regarding the workings of the bureau. Among members present at the event were Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Convention Bureau, Sarawak Convention Bureau, Thailand Convention Bureau, Malaysia Airlines and Macau Government Tourist Office (represented by its office in Malaysia). MICE in Asia was invited to the networking session.

Members and friends of ICCA at the get-together and networking session.

This year marks the seventh consecutive year that Kuala Lumpur City Hall has organised and will host the KL Grand Prix City festival. It coincides with the year 2010 Formula One Grand Prix World Championship to be held in Malaysia. People from around the world and in particular motor sports enthusiasts will undoubtedly look forward to marking this festival in their calendar.

“KL is definitely a great haven for events such as this. We have established our name globally in the field of F1 racing and are now looking to broaden the scope of events and activities that will be available for locals and tourists alike,” commented the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur.

KLGP as it is known creates a buzz within the city of Kuala Lumpur with a hive of events to chose from which includes fashion shows, entertainment, culture and cuisine – all created to attract tourists to the city. The KLGP 2010 festival runs from March 16 to April 4.

The Mayor of Kuala Lumpur inspecting the Malaysia Formula 1 car with the Chairman of Sepang International Circuit.

Julia Douglas with Sarinda Satria, Public Relations Manager of Sepang International Circuit.

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Patinggi Mohd Najib Tun Razak declared open the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on March 2 in a grand opening ceremony. It was attended by more than 1,000 guests with the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Pattinggi Taib Mahmud and Datuk Hajah Raziah Mahmud, chairman of BCCK.

Since it began operation in October last year, BCCK has hosted 45 events for about 50,000 people.BCCK is the first dedicated convention and exhibition centre in Borneo. It is located on a six hectare riverfront site at Sejingkat, about 8km from Kuching City centre.

Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Patinggi Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak (centre) officiating the opening ceremony with Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Datuk Raziah Mahmud, Chairman of BCCK (extremet left) and Pehin Sri (Dr) Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister of Sarawak (right looking up).

Borneo Convention Centre Ballroom where the grand opening was held.

Gracie Geikie, Associate Dean of UCSI University with Julia Douglas.

Since inception five years ago, the MICE in Asia magazine has established a good working relationship with Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). Julia Douglas, managing editor, while in Bangkok, touched base with representatives of TCEB, that is with Suprabha Moleeratanond, director of conventions, and was introduced to the new senior executive – public relations, Sumet Kanchanapan.

Matters discussed were on promoting Thailand’s MICE industry and upcoming events in the country. Also TCEB will continue through its public relations department to update MICE in Asia on its latest activities.
Julia Douglas also held meetings with Jintana Pongpakdee, corporate communications manager of IMACT Exhibition Centre. Located outside Bangkok at Muang Thong Thani, this centre is fast becoming a top exhibition and convention venue in South East Asia.

While in Thailand, the team from MICE in Asia was hosted by the public relations department of Amari Watergate Bangkok for a two night stay.

Meeting with Suprabha Moleeratanond, director of conventions and senior executive – public relations, Sumet Kanchanapan (second on the left).

The main lobby of the Amari Watergate Bangkok.

The managing editor and marketing manager of MICE in Asia had the opportunity to experience travelling by rail onboard the Eastern & Oriental Express from Singapore to Bangkok.The deluxe train travel through South East Asian countries of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

On the Pullman train, which is of a quarter of a mile in length, it can accommodate 132 passengers in 66 air-conditioned cabins. Service on board the E & O includes a personal butler and fine dining. Lunch and dinner are served at two of the train’s luxurious dinning cabins with food prepared by chef Yannis Martineau. For some relaxation, the lounge car offers drinks and snacks, and in the evening music by the resident pianist and a cultural Thai dance. Also on board is a reading room, and at either end of the train, is the observation deck where passengers can take in the sounds and sights of the tropical forests.

During the journey, the E& O luxury train stops in Penang for a short excursion of the island. Before its final destination, the Hualampong railway station in Bangkok, the train crossed the Bridge over River Kwai at Kanchanaburi. Here passengers alight for a tour of the River Kwai and a visit to the war cemetery and war memorial museum.

From the Left is Julia Douglas, managing editor of MICE in Asia, Datuk Mirza Taiyab, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Leo Michael Toyad, Chairman of Sarawak Convention Bureau and Jill Henry, Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Convention Bureau.

Sarawak Convention Bureau unveiled its second meeting in Sarawak promotional video along with the second volume of its meeting and incentive planners guide at a cocktail reception in Kuala Lumpur.

The 128 page guide is full of useful information on Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia situated on the island of Borneo. It contains amongst other information, the Bureau’s services to meeting planners, Sarawak’s meeting credentials, top incentive ideas and features details on 213 potential convention venues and industry service providers.

A new video, entitled – Recharge in a New World II – Changing Perspectives’ continues the story of a climatic meeting between a jaded western business executive and his local host from the Sarawak Iban community. This sequel uses the same “tongue in cheek” humorous approach and retains many of the same characters from the original version, so that it can be used in tandem with the first video.

Left is Julia Douglas, managing editor of MICE in Asia with Irene Sperling, vice-president and associate publisher of Trade Show Executive magazine.

Bae Byung-Kwan, chief executive officer of COEX Korea a keynote speaker of the UFI Seminar in Asia 2009.

Dato Ahmad Fuad Ismail, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur (third from right) and senior executives of KLCC Holdings Sdn Bhd and ladies in traditional costumes of Malaysia.

To make Kuala Lumpur a picturesque city and for tourists to bring back fond memories of their visit, the City Hall has located six new photo spots at the KLCC Park. These spots provide a better photo opportunity of the Petronas Twin Towers.

“There is a lot of good scenery in our city. We have beautiful parks and gardens, and even creative architecture that will make good photographs. Tourists will take back these pictures and show their friends, and this will promote the city by word of mouth. Helping them to take good photos in this way will definitely benefit the promotion of Kuala Lumpur. I would encourage more efforts like this, it shows that we are proud of our city,” said Dato Ahmad Fuad, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur.