Event Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) 2010
Venue Grand Hyatt Hong Kong with off-site events at Crowne Plaza Causeway Bay, Discovery Bay Golf Club, Domani, Four Seasons, Sevva and Watermark
Organiser CASBAA
Delegates 1,000
Date October 25-28
 
The brief
CASBAA brings together leaders from the worldwide broadcasting industry to learn about new developments, share experiences and network. An important part of the convention is the pre-event golf day and evening networking functions, which are hosted by various broadcasters participating in the event. These events also provide a major platform for the broadcasters to launch new channels and shows.
 
Challenges
In addition to the main conference taking over almost all of Grand Hyatt Hong Kong for four days, the off-site events unfold citywide.
 
The evening functions are largely attended by the same crowd, so it is important to keep the venue, entertainment and F&B offerings fresh. Hong Kong has few off-site venues capable of hosting large crowds, so organisers worked hard to find venues that both matched their brief and could host the requisite number of guests.
 
Execution
The off-site events began with a golf tournament at Discovery Bay Golf Club on the opening day for 60 delegates.
 
“The Eurosport Golf Masters kicks-off the convention with a relaxing day of networking for industry leaders, association members and their clients,” says Amanda Yang, event director of CASBAA. “We arranged transfers from Grand Hyatt to the Club.”
 
France 24 hosted the official opening reception on the Crowne Plaza Causeway Bay rooftop, while PricewaterhouseCoopers hosted the conference speakers at Italian restaurant, Domani. Brice Bertrand, distribution director Asia Pacific, broadcast advisor North America for France 24, says: “This was the first time we were organising such an important event in Asia, and we managed, with the help of the CASBAA organisers, to host more than 250 guests who were all very satisfied.” All attendees received a bottle of French wine on departure.
 
The following evening Disney held a cocktail reception at the Grand Hyatt Pool House and HBO launched Boardwalk Empire at Watermark, a fitting venue given its waterfront setting.
 
Andrea Peterson-Jeffrey, regional director, assets and marketing, Disney Channels Asia Pacific, says: “Disney hosted a showcase of its new Pre-school Plus offering for the industry and affiliated partners during the CASBAA convention at the Grand Hyatt. Its Pool House proved a cost-effective solution with a strategic location. The hotel allowed us to take over the outdoor area also, so we were able to host 355 guests among larger-than-life 3D installations.”
 
Evening three saw a Discovery Channel party at Four Seasons and a late night party for Fashion One at Prive nightclub. E! hosted its launch party at rooftop restaurant Sevva, where a champagne angel filled guests’ glasses from atop the chandelier. The event closed with an ‘Icons’ charity ball hosted by Turner at the Grand Hyatt ballroom.
 
 
Comment
“France 24 was only known in Asia for its English version,” says Bertrand. “We were seeking the right event to promote such a new service, it appears the 2010 CASBAA convention was the best place to do so. The beauty of the Crowne Plaza Causeway Bay rooftop is that it is a new function space in Hong Kong with city views.”