1 Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
2 Grand Hyatt Shanghai
3 Shangri-La Singapore
Grand Hyatt was voted in first and second place in this year’s Best MICE Hotel award, a result that will surprise few in the industry. In Hong Kong, the brand’s flagship Asian property took first place following a year of high-profile major events and continued capitalisation on its location beside the newly expanded Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
Grand Hyatt Shanghai enters the ranks in its tenth year at the top of the city’s hotel skyline. Longtime favourite Shangri-La Singapore, another flagship, rounds out the top three with another successful showing.
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong hosted several marquee events last year, including the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in April. CGI gathered heads of state and 600 industry leaders for a three-day event that demonstrated the hotel’s full event capabilities.
“Grand Hyatt Hong Kong was chosen as it is a sizeable venue with experience in hosting high-profile events and delegates,” says Wendy Wu, Asia Pacific client service director at event partner Ogilvy Public Relations.
President Clinton used the Residence as a venue for VIP meetings, the mezzanine Tiffin Lounge served as a members area, the lobby Café as a press centre and its ballroom as a plenary hall, gala dinner venue and most impressively, a 360-degree theatre.
“The speed and number of staff Grand Hyatt employed when turning around the rooms was amazing,” says Wu.
The 2nd Congress of the International Society for Haemodialysis, the 16th CLSA Investors’ Forum, CASBAA Convention 2009 and client events for HSBC Private Bank and Citi were also among the year’s event highlights.
General manager Gordon Fuller attributes the property’s success to a combination of its location, facilities and service. “Grand Hyatt Hong Kong fronts one of the world’s most picturesque harbours and is connected to the HKCEC by covered walkways. Together with the centre’s expanded facilities, this is the perfect combination in the region for citywide events and conferences,” he says. “Grand Hyatt’s team of experienced and dedicated convention services executives is the largest and most experienced in the city.”
The hotel also just introduced a self check-in area. The service provides boarding passes from three to 48 hours before a flight.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai hosted many of the city’s premier financial and association events, and also welcomed a new general manager, Chris Koelher.
“Grand Hyatt Shanghai is a leader in refined luxury and personalised service,” he says. “In addition to our first-class MICE facilities, the hotel is renowned for its team of experienced convention professionals.”
FIXGlobal 2009, the China Venture Capital Annual Forum, and the 2009 Elite Summit of Chinese Business Women were all held at the hotel.
Shangri-La Singapore includes hosting several meetings as part of the official Apec 2009 among its event highlights for 2009.