AIME launches business events blog

AIME has today launched its own blog, which will give the business events industry a platform to stay connected to relevant news and information year-round.

The audience will have access to weekly posts, with contributions from industry leaders such as Jo-Anne Kelleway, Founder and CEO Info Salons Group and Martin Sirk, CEO International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), who will provide insight on topics such as professional development, global trends and industry innovations.

Within these posts, contributors will also address issues facing the business events space and offer opinion into how the industry can work to adapt to changing trends.

Jacqui Timmins, Exhibition Director at AIME and CIBTM, said she believes the blog will become a useful tool for industry professionals to continue to engage in topics of interest provided by AIME outside of the annual event.

“We anticipate the blog will be a great resource for the business events community to stay engaged throughout the year,” Ms Timmins said.

“It will also provide another avenue for our audiences to stay connected to their peers and share ideas and knowledge on a regular basis without relying on the AIME event to get them interacting.”

To view the AIME blog, visit http://blog.aime.com.au/ or, for information about AIME 2014 visit www.aime.com.au

10th China-ASEAN Expo Opens on 3 September With Bigger Business Opportunities

The 10th China-ASEAN Expo is to be held from 3-6 September 2013 in Nanning, Guangxi. This year happens to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership. This Expo, to be held at such an important historic moment, is going to be an international event featuring more business opportunities, more fruitful results and greater influence.

ASEAN Member States and the Chinese government attach great importance to this Expo by sending high-profile delegations. Enterprises and businesses of various countries have been registered for exhibition, the quantity and quality of which are higher than that of the previous years. Also, there are more purchasing delegations this year.

This year, 4600 exhibition booths were on offer but 5554 enterprises applied for them, 20.7% more than what is expected. Among them, 1294 booths have been booked by ASEAN businesses. Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam have made reservations for separate exhibition halls.

This Expo features rich contents and pragmatism. A series of activities will be held during the event to showcase the tremendous achievements over the past decade. To name a few, these are the 10th Anniversary Achievements Exhibition, the Maiden Navigation Ceremony of China-ASEAN Maritime Interconnection, the Inaugural Ceremony of China-ASEAN Port Cities Network, and the establishment of China-ASEAN Entrepreneurs’ Association and China-ASEAN Youth Federation.

Exhibits from ASEAN countries include foodstuff and agricultural produce; furniture and furnishing; special craftworks, jewelry and ornaments; daily necessities; and service products.

Meanwhile, exhibits of China mainly come from prestigious enterprises and have very distinct profession-based characteristics.

The number of business delegations and visitors to this Expo is expected to hit new high. To date, the number of purchasing delegations and investment delegations which have been registered has come close to 120, 1.6 times that of last year. The number of professional visitors from the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and South American and Middle East countries and regions as well as from within China will also surpass that of previous years.

A Showcase Of Asian Insights And Tonight Leadership Ahead Of Travelrave 2013

The fourth edition of TravelRave, Asia’s most influential travel and tourism festival, returns from 21 to 25 October 2013 in Singapore, with eight quality events across related sectors from hospitality and tourism investment, to technology and aviation. The latest addition to the TravelRave calendar includes the inaugural Union of International Associations (UIA) Associations Round Table Asia which will showcase a curated programme for an international audience with a focus on the Asian associations’ perspective.

For the travel and tourism industry, the focus is on Asia as a rapidly growing region that is progressively reshaping the global tourism landscape. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the combined GDP of China and India is projected to exceed that of the G7 countries by 2025 while two out of every five travellers are expected to be Asian and will account for nearly half of global tourism expenditure by 2020.¹ According to the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), international visitor arrivals to the Asia Pacific region registered the strongest growth worldwide – a year-on-year increase of six per cent over the first four months of 2013.

With a strong line-up of events featuring relevant Asia-focused content taking place throughout the week, TravelRave serves as an integrated platform that provides attendees access to valuable insights and best practices in the region. By gathering industry professionals and business leaders from the entire spectrum of the Asian travel and tourism industry, TravelRave generates strategic networking and business opportunities while setting the stage for potential collaboration on important areas of growth.

“Since the launch of TravelRave in 2010, we have witnessed thought-provoking discussions among Asia’s travel leaders from diverse backgrounds on the future of the travel and tourism industry,” comments Ms Neeta Lachmandas, Assistant Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). “Such platforms add to the breadth and depth of accessible content, while providing channels of active dialogue among the industry. This enables the cross-pollination of new and innovative ideas which has resulted in collaboration to look into issues such as talent and leadership development in Asia. We are happy to stage the India Travel Forum ahead of TravelRave, gathering thought leaders in the industry to share valuable business and consumer insights on the Indian market.”

With the international spotlight on Asia’s emerging economies, TravelRave 2013 will see high profile speakers from India sharing their views on pertinent topics. Mr Amit Saberwal, Chief Operating Officer (International), MakeMyTrip will be speaking at a Web in Travel (WIT) panel discussion on “Trends Changing Travel And Asia”; and Mr Aniruddha Sinha, Chief Information Officer (CIO) Air India will be speaking at an Aviation Outlook Asia CIO’s panel titled “Which technologies will unleash airline growth?”

Another highlight is the Asia Travel Leaders Summit (ATLS), a thought leadership platform that gathers decisions makers and opinion leaders across the Asian travel and tourism industry to exchange insights on the latest trends, and spearhead greater engagement on key issues confronting the industry. Prominent ATLS delegates from India include Mr Deep Kalra, Founder and CEO of MakeMyTrip, Ms Priya Paul, Chairperson of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, and Mr Madhavan Menon, Managing Director of Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.

Mr Menon was also in a panel of Indian travel leaders who spoke at the India Travel Forum today. Hosted by STB, the Travel Forum took place ahead of TravelRave’s thought leadership platform, and featured eminent leaders who shared insights and knowledge on the topic “Online Travel Trends in India – Crossing the Technology Edge to Drive Business Growth”. Other panellists included Mr Stuart Crighton, Co-Founder and CEO of Cleartrip, Mr Rajeev Wagle, Managing Director of Kuoni India, Mr Mohit Gupta, Chief Business Officer of Holidays, MakeMyTrip, and Ms Lachmandas who moderated the discussion. The discussion explored the role of digital technology in shaping consumer behaviour as well as the impact on Indian travel companies as businesses continue to innovate and explore ways to leverage digital platforms in order to drive growth.

The subject of technology will also feature strongly at TravelRave 2013 events like Web in Travel (WIT) and Hotel Technology Conference as well as panel sessions such as those within the “Innovation in Aviation” section under Aviation Outlook Asia. In addition, the National Association of Travel Agents (NATAS) Travel Conference 2013 at ITB Asia will include a presentation on “Growing Sales Opportunities Harnessing Technology” by Mr Brett Henry of Abacus International Pte Ltd.

“As delegates become more selective in the types of events they attend, one of the challenges is to attract and develop events that offer original and value-added content. TravelRave 2013 is a showcase of the burgeoning opportunities and growing potential of Asia as a travel and tourism destination where attendees can look forward to the opportunity to learn and connect with some of the leading names in the industry,” adds Ms Lachmandas.

“Beyond the events, visitors can select from a unique concentration of different leisure experiences to meet their specific needs and enhance their business trips, from distinctive local cultures and dining options, to a vibrant arts scene and events like Singapore Biennale 2013 – the fourth edition of Singapore’s premiere contemporary art exhibition. In doing so, they can create for themselves a personalised and holistic experience of Singapore.”

Vietnam Prepares to Celebrate its Independence Day with Great Zeal

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, John Kerry congratulated the people of Vietnam as they will celebrate the National Day on September 2. The country will organize diverse activities such as meeting formerly imprisoned soldiers, visiting revolutionary bases and presenting insignias to party members. The country remembers the contribution made by revolutionary soldiers during the war, including imprisoned soldiers, and show gratitude to their devotion.

On August 27th, Thanh Tri district held a ceremony to present party insignia to 112 party members who participated in battle fields and social activities in the locality.

A cuisine programme on the occasion of National Day will be introduced by Arthouse Vietnam at the Furama Resort Da Nang from today through next month. The programme will offer tourists a taste of 40 Hanoian specialties at seven stalls and an image of the capital 68 years ago on the occasion of National Day. A painting exhibition featuring the beauty of Vietnamese people will also be held on the occasion.

Different tourists, both domestic and international, visit the country during the Independence Day. Not only for its political heritage, the country has some wonderful tourist spots like Nha Trang. It is the most popular seaside resort town and is the second most beautiful bays in the country. Cu Chi Tunnels, network of connecting underground tunnels located about 40 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is another major attraction which attracts tourists. Mui Ne, Sa Pa Terraces, Phu Quoc, Hoi An,Thien Mu Pagoda are the other major attractions of the country. The entire country would dress up with the pride of patriotism.

Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista - the place to stay when visiting Disneyworld Resort Orlando

Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista

After long days exploring all the magic Walt Disney World's theme parks have to offer, the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, located within Walt Disney World Resort, will provide unprecedented luxury. It is conveniently located next to the Downtown Disney Marketplace, Downtown Disney West Side, and Cirque du Soleil.

Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista

Immediately as you are welcomed in the lobby you feel important, as if every member of staff is there to please you. Once whisked to your room, you will find your own space within the chaos of the fun around you, a place to relax, unwind and prepare for the next day’s adventures. Curl up into one of the king size beds, elegantly fluffed and inviting you to just collapse and enjoy. From here you can watch one of the expansive range of cable channels on your flatscreen TV, or order room service, or use the wi-fi internet. I could open the curtains to overlook breathtaking panoramic views of the Downtown Disney area and continue to take in the magic.

Mickey Mouse face shaped waffle

Awake to either a continental or full buffet breakfast, reasonably priced and fantastically prepared. Devour a large range of fresh breads, croissants and cakes, enjoy cereal, fruit and yoghurt or really begin your day with freshly cooked eggs, sausages, bacon, potatoes, mini quiche, tomatoes and more. Or to get into the spirit for your Disney day ahead with the Mickey Mouse face shaped waffles, prepared freshly before your eyes - my personal favourite. Delectable! On Sunday mornings you can even dine at the Disney Character Breakfast with the Disney characters who come to visit for photo and autograph opportunities at your very own table, all included in your meal price.

Benihana Chef

There are plenty of dining options at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. You can savor tempting sushi and steaks, prepared in the 1,000-year-old style at Benihana Steakhouse and Sushi. Sip cocktails in the sunshine at the Rum Largo Poolside Bar and Café, and try authentic Italian cuisine at Andiamo Italian Bistro. Unwind with a drink in John T's while watching seven HDTVs.

Magic Kingdom Park

The Hilton Hotel - Lake Buena Vista is near Orlando's most popular theme parks, such as Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's water parks. Complimentary transportation is provided to and from Disney theme parks. To indulge in exquisite shopping the Mall at Millenia and Premium Outlets are nearby.

Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista

If you need a break from all the Disney happiness in the theme parks around you, there are plenty of places you can unwind and relax in the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. With a two large outdoor heated swimming pools, 24-hour fitness centre and VIP lounge, restaurants and convenience store you will have everything you need without even having to leave the hotel. For those who would like to attend to business, their is a 24-hour business centre and convention centre.

So next time you decide to brave the busy, exciting parks of Walt Disney World Resort, do yourself a favour and stay at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista so your luxurious room will be awaiting your return.

Disney Character Breakfast

Contact details:
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Address - 1751 Hotel Plaza Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, 32830, USA
Telephone - 1-407-827-4000
FAX - 1-407-827-3890
Website - http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/hilton-orlando-lake-buena-vista-ORLDWHH/index.html

New Space Cadet Traveling to Mars

Greetings from the ISTC Communications Center at Mission: SPACE. This is a thrilling space adventure now open at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando USA. We would like to confirm that SARAH has transmitted a video Postcard from Space created especially for you.

Click here to pick up your postcard!

Walking Shark — not a Mystery but Reality!

Have you ever heard of walking sharks? A species of shark that can walk on its fins on the bottom of the ocean has been found in Indonesia. Hemiscyllium Halmahera uses its fins to crawl on the ocean bed and forage for small fish and crustaceans; this was revealed by scientists from Conservation International.

The shark, has wide horizontal stripes of brown and bamboo, grows to a maximum length of just 30in and is harmless to humans. It was found off the remote eastern island of Halmahera, one of the Maluku islands.

Their larger cousins the long tail long-tailed carpet shark with bigger bodies found in the tropical waters of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

The Indonesian island has at least 218 species of sharks and rays and a diverse marine life. The country is making special efforts to conserve its unique and endangered species said the Conservation International.

Shark expert said that the Indonesian Institute of Sciences has found the third walking shark species in eastern Indonesia in the past six years, which highlights the tremendous shark and ray biodiversity.

The marine world never ceases to amaze us with a wealth of interesting species and the wide diversity of the marine wonders is truly perplexing.

Just a few days ago the strange-looking sea creature came up ashore a beach in the southern coastal town on Thursday. From “horned sea monster” to a “mutant fish”, the mysterious carcass has become a major center of attraction for the people.

'The Morocco Summit' - Moroccan Economic Growth Stimulates Africa

For the biggest business investment forum in Morocco 'The Morocco Summit' - Moroccan Economic Growth Stimulates Africa

• Rated as number 1 African country of the Future 2011 - 2012 by Financial Times
• Ranked as a very stable and safe country for business and self
• Duty free access to more than 1 Billion consumers and the best delivery platform to Europe, Middle East and Africa

Morocco has one of the most solid macro-economic fundamentals in the region, which includes:

• Steady GDP Growth
• Reduced Inflation
• Decreasing Unemployment
• Increasing Foreign Direct Investments
• Decreasing Public Debt

Keeping these factors in mind, Fleming Gulf launches - The Morocco Summit - to be held on - 19-21 November 2013 - in Rabat, Morocco. In association with ARPA and officially supported by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Services - Rabat, the summit will explore the benefits that Morocco has to offer and will provide an opportunity for organizations looking to strengthen their foothold in the country and the Maghreb region to gain insight into the various investment avenues open to them.

The summit agenda is available at http://finance.fleminggulf.com/the-morocco-summit .

Exclusive 15 % discount for World Tourism Network members. (Use promo code WTN15)

3 days of intense knowledge sharing, 10+ focused sessions, 30+ presentations by industry experts, 30+ speakers and panelists, 10+ hours of dedicated networking.

Confirm your Attendance: Online Registration | Register your interest at https://finance.fleminggulf.com/the-morocco-summit/register

With the esteemed presence of:

• General National Congress - Libya
• Turkish Grand National Assembly
• Ministry of Trade & Industry - Republic of Sierra Leone
• Arab International Women's Forum
• Government of Vietnam
• South African Embassy

The speaker panel includes representation from: World Bank | International Trade Centre | International Chamber of Commerce | Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development - OECD | Libyan Ministry of Finance | Casablanca Stock Exchange | Mauritel Groupe Maroc Telecom | Jordanian Judicial Council & Ministry of Justice | Fédération Nationale du Tourisme | Moroccan National Airports Authority - ONDA

View the full speaker list http://finance.fleminggulf.com/the-morocco-summit/speakers

If you have products and services which you would you like to showcase at the summit, please contact:

Tikenderjit Singh | Marketing Manager
T: +971 4609 1570 | E: tikenderjit.singh@fleminggulf.com

Gold Coast International Marine Expo Shaping Up to be Biggest and Best Yet

Owing to the growing demand and sell out of majority of extension space even two months ahead of opening, the organiser of the Gold Coast International Marine Expo has expanded exhibition floor space by 20 per cent. The Gold Coast International Marine Expo will be held at the Gold Coast Marine Precinct in Australia on 1-3 November.

“We have had an influx of new exhibitors securing display sites and we expect to further expand the total site, which will mean we could have exhibits from Waterway Drive all the way to the Coomera River which would be incredible for our third year,” said Emma Milne, a spokeswoman from the not-for-profit marine expo.

With a lot of new new attractions and entertainment planned for 2013, the organiser expects to surpass the 20,752 visitors that attended the previous event in 2012. They also expect more than 500 boats to be on display including 100 boats in the on-water display.

Among the new highlights are the Expo high divers presented by JSW Powersports; the Family Zone which features 2,000sqm of “fun, entertainment and activities” for children of all ages; the Coomera Cup paddle board race; and the Flyboard X water jet-powered machine.

Other attractions include the Yamaha Supertank Fishing Show, the Club Marine Cooking Show with chef Bart Beek, and the giant 50 Tonne Travel Lift Demonstration.

The expo is a partnership between Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard, Riviera, Quintrex, International Paints, and Clipper Motor Yachts.

VND 2 Billion to Restore Three Ancient Houses in Hoi An City Vietnam

The central Quang Nam provincial People’s Committee has decided to support and advance nearly VND2 billion to restore three ancient houses in Hoi An city.

Accordingly, the provincial People’s Committee will provide over VND37 billion to support the restoration of two houses at No 96 Bach Dang street and No 10 Nguyen Thai Hoc street.

Of the amount, nearly VND 1.6 billion, is to be transferred from the provincial budget and repaid in July, 2016 with a zero percent interest rate. The purpose of the project is to conserve and restore three ancient houses in Hoi An ancient town, including No. 96 Bach Dang street, No. 10 Nguyen Thai Hoc street and No. 136 Tran Phu street.