Although the MICE industry is seeing light at the end of the economic tunnel, hotels in Kuala Lumpur need to be strong, flexible and innovative to compete in what could be another tough year.

Last September, Grand Millennium forged a partnership with Australian wine merchants Denise Wines and the 468-room property on Bintang Walk now boasts an upmarket Dionne wine shop in the lobby, where wine appreciation nights can be organised for up to 60 people.

In addition, Traders Hotel is in discussions with the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, with a view to launching residential packages for meeting planners this month. Although the 571-room Traders Hotel can seat only 173 theatre style in its main meeting room, it has the advantage of being directly connected to the convention centre and its facilities.

CATERING SERVICES
Sheraton Imperial launched an off-site catering service last year, and it now has 16 dining venues for groups to choose from. But for on-site catering with a twist, groups have been requesting the Black Box Challenge ‘cook off’ activity. Sheraton hosted a group of 200 people last August who took part in one such event.

Sheraton Imperial general manager Wolfgang Boettcher explains: “The group is divided into teams who then choose their ingredients from the ‘market’. They only have a limited amount of time to cook their menu, from which our chefs will pick a winner, who is awarded a prize. The group then has a feast, which includes the winning dishes.”

Hilton organised a similar teambuilding activity for 20 GE Healthcare employees, using the Black Box Challenge as part of its planning meeting. “It’s a great way for groups to socialise and mix in a fun way,” says Gordon Koo, Hilton’s assistant director of sales conference and banqueting.

MEETINGS AREA
Flexible spaces are also in demand. The Hilton’s dedicated meetings area, Level 7, which opened in September 2008, has proven popular for product and fashion launches. Anya Hindmarch used the area for its spring/summer presentation in March 2009 for 250 people, while its autumn/winter presentation for 300 people last August was held in the Sentral Ballroom.

For larger groups who are considering the Sentral area, the Hilton and adjoining Le Meridien’s Take 2 package offers planners the chance to book both venues. This gives a total of 3,335 sqm of conference space, with two pillarless ballrooms adjoined by a connecting breakout area, and 930 bedrooms.






Striving to meet customer needs continues to be a priority for city-centre hotels. Tim Haslett, director of training company ALC Group’s Asia-Pacific arm, has been so impressed with the Hotel Nikko’s flexibility that it is now the company’s preferred Kuala Lumpur hotel. “We will put up to 80 meetings through the property, for group sizes ranging from six to 25 people. We found the management responsive and understanding to our needs.”

When another Hotel Nikko client requested a medieval theme for a gala dinner with 600 guests, the hotel had to accommodate jugglers and fire-eaters in the lobby, court acrobats suspended from the ballroom ceiling, and an international band specially flown in.

GOOD SERVICE
ICEM’s managing director KL Yuen is similarly impressed with service at Westin. “The hotel caters well for small- to medium-sized events and it has delivered for us every time. We recently held a two-day event for Leo Pharma APEX with 250 delegates, which involved a gala dinner at Westin.”

Organisers of the ATP World Tour in Malaysia, IMG, felt Mandarin Oriental was the best choice to host players and associated events last September and October. The hotel’s food and beverage services, function rooms, location and accessibility were impressive. The venue held the first official press conference in its Grand Ballroom as well as a welcome cocktail party, while entertainment for players was laid on in the Sultan Lounge.




The newly renovated 662-room Shangri-La Hotel provided the ideal location for Big Stick Adventures’ ‘amazing race’, which welcomed a 140-strong group in March 2009. “The race lasted two hours and the hotel provided the perfect location in the heart of the city. It’s a resort-style hotel, with sprawling gardens and tennis courts,” says Big Stick director Brett Hollis.

Thus, while many city hotels were fearful of the tough economic environment last year, their ability to adapt and willingness to cater to such a variety of business events has generated continued business.