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On a very nice and sunny 23 Feb, Sheryn and a small group of invited clients (safety and compliance, guys!) visited Fairmont Singapore for an afternoon of conversations about now-normal event formats and the highlight was of course, to experience in-person the options and physical set-up that will support the delivery of the current norms in the meetings & events industry: smaller physical meetings, hybrid events and going fully virtual. Welcoming attendees in calming hues, the Studio was set up for a cosy group of 20 pax on the day of visit. The immediate visual was of a space that felt open and sleek, allowing attendees to be fully immersed into the meeting. Being meeting planners ourselves, we couldn't help but to look into the details that could have easily been missed. It's widely accepted that AV equipment is a visible part of any event but Fairmont has cleverly utilised slim column speakers instead of standard box speakers to minimise equipment footprint and create a presentation space that has minimal intrusions. Don't be fooled by the size of column speakers; they still pack quite a punch for medium spaces! Some of our own 1000meetings team members have used them on multiple occassions for larger meetings and column speakers do help to improve sight lines i.e. less visual obstruction of the stage from attendees' POV. Confidence and live-feed monitors have abeen thoughtfully placed on each side to provide a clear view for on-site attendees and, for the speaker to also get a visual on the virtual stream. The P3 LED wall will also provide a clear stage-front as compared to front-throw projectors and is a great medium for dynamic branding and content. And instead of single-use panels and backdrops that meeting planners know all too well, the use of Atomic panels on the sides of the LED wall reduces event-waste, allowing for more sustainable meetings without sacrificing the aesthetics. The studio has some other nifty features too! With the right application, holograms can be a great addition to an event. For example, different groups of attendees across multiple sessions of the same event series could be entertained by a single recording (in this case, a guitartist) via the hologram panel instead of watching another video. Or, it can be a real-time stream of an overseas colleague who is unable to be there in person but attendees could get a full of him/her, effectively allowing body language to be part of the conversation. With 34 meetings and ballrooms at Raffles City Convention Centre, holding an event with Fairmont Singapore provides the option to configure, segment and conduct on-site event and production operations while keeping the atteendees and crew safe. Coupled with event technology options to satisfy the needs from Board Meetings to Award Ceremonies, the possibilities are limitless. All in all, it was a great afternoon learning and reconnecting with familiar faces. Our sincere thanks to Fairmont Singapore for being such gracious hosts and until the next 1000meetings Live Experiences, mask up and keep each other safe! - For meeting and event enquiries, contact Sheryn at sheryn.sethoe@1000meetings.com.sg or register your interest for future sessions here For opportunities on venue and facilities showcase, contact Nicolas at nicolas.monge@1000meetings.com.sg
Following the announcement of our partnership, let's take a look at a new addition to Wharf Hotels that will be opening in April'21: Niccolo Suzhou! Suzhou has its government encouraging new industry and international investment from the US and Europe to earmark it as a city of growth opportunity and potential, with particular emphasis on the technology and artificial intelligence industries. Located in Jiangsu Province's prestigious Suzhou Industrial Park and in walking distance to the city’s International Convention Centre, Niccolo Suzhou is set to become a landmark icon in a city that welcomes travellers to its classical, landscaped gardens and entrepreneurs of the new economy, to its historical home. Crowning the top floors of Suzhou International Finance Square (IFS), a Wharf (Holdings) Limited super tower, the 233 room Niccolo Hotel and fifth landmark to the group's collection of luxury hotel properties, will top the sky high edifice towering the city’s most highly prized address, its picturesque canals and Jinji Lake. Suzhou IFS, designed by Kohn Pederson Fox, American based architects whose internationally recognised buildings include Roppingi Hills in Tokyo, Japan, super towers Lotte World Tower in Seoul, Korea, Shanghai World Financial Centre and International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong, will offer Suzhou a sky tower reminiscent of a glorious glass fishtail, symbolising longevity and prosperity for the 2,500 year old city. Guests of the new Niccolo Suzhou will be welcomed to the world of Niccolo by Ambassadors and City Insiders at the hotel’s Sky Lobby perched 115 floors above the city, promising spectacular pieces of art and the brand’s signature restaurants and bars: Niccolo Kitchen, The Tea Lounge and BAR 115. Wellness Centre will flow throughout the 117th level of the hotel, with a Sky Pool and Sky Gym at Niccolo fully adorned and fitted for each guest's well-being. “We are delighted to embark on our fifth Niccolo Hotel, this time in Suzhou. The growing footprint of our boutique collection and their successes, gives us more clout to be recognised as a serious luxury hotel contender, with personalised luxury and impeccable hospitality at the forefront of the guest experience”, said Dr Jennifer Cronin, President, Wharf Hotels. Accessible by air to Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao international airports, the city is well connected via high speed bullet trains to all major cities in China and Hong Kong. - For enquiries, contact Sheryn at sheryn.sethoe@1000meetings.com.sg