NAME: Tyco Electrics AMP NETCONNECT Asia-Pacific Channel Conference
TYPE: Convention
CLIENT: Tyco Electronics
BY: EventClicks Group Ltd (Hong Kong office)
NO. ON ORGANISING TEAM: Seven (7)
WHERE: Chiang Mai, Thailand
PAX: 200
BUDGET: Top Secret
WHAT YOU DID: Now in it’s fourth year, Tyco Electronics’ AMP NETCONNECT Asia-Pacific Channel Conference aims to provide an ideal platform for networking, information sharing and product demonstration, not to mention the perfect opportunity for guests to sample some delights of the destination - from the local cuisine, to sightseeing to cultural experiences.
For its most recent event Tyco were looking for a destination which offers all of this and more, and of course Thailand never fails to deliver. Chiang Mai was chosen due to the fact it was a previously unvisited destination for the group and also on account of the plethora of activities and cultural experiences on offer. With such a wide variety of relatively inexpensive yet fascinating things to do and see, event organisers EventClicks felt confident that even in the case of an increase in group size, they could easily come up with additional activities supported by experienced and knowledgeable English-speaking staff on the ground.
And this is exactly what happened! The group size steadily increased from 120 to more than 200 in the last few weeks resulting in additional activities being laid on and additional on-site staff being sought at the eleventh hour to facilitate the activities. In total seven EventClicks team members, including the technician, were on-site to man the event, plus six additional local Thai personnel.
The Sheraton Chiang Mai was selected for its size and also location on the Mae Ping River, near the city’s commercial district and famous night market. After check-in, guests were invited to a welcome dinner on the Sheraton’s lawn where a ‘traditional Thai village’ awaited and guests were greeted by hostesses in national dress plus a whole host of local skills and traditions to try their hand at: from Thai archery to coconut bowling, dart blowing to bamboo stick dancing.
The next morning guests were taken to the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi – the location for the meeting selected as a change in venue (perfect for ensuring guests do not get lost in their emails in their rooms during lunch time!). The meeting was held in the stand-alone ballroom, which was ideal for al fresco tea and coffee breaks and also lent itself perfectly to a mini-exhibition of Tyco Electronics products to their clients and partners. Mid-afternoon the meeting concluded and the majority of delegates chose to alight the shuttle buses into town for a spot of shopping and a look around the markets.
That evening a dine-around was organised between four of Chiang Mai’s finest restaurants: fusion cuisine at The House, Chinese at the Fujian Restaurant, contemporary Thai at Dalaabaa and Thai and Indian vegetarian food at the unique Whole Earth Restaurant set on stilts in large landscaped gardens.
Day three was set-aside for one of four activities, previously selected by delegates on a first-come-first serve basis. White water rafting proved a popular choice – suitable both for novices as well as those addicted to the adrenaline high it often produces! Rafters were taken to a stretch of the Mae Teng River, first to a slower section to allow beginners to ‘find their feet’. They were then driven one kilometre down-river to navigate four rapid sections graded between two and three – each slightly more difficult than the last.
For those keen to soak up more of Northern Thailand’s scenery and culture, a four-wheel drive adventure rally was organised. Team members were split into groups of up to four and with the aid of clues and maps were instructed to make their way to the local market to purchase specific snack items before going on to Lisu Lodge, located on the edge of a Lisu tribal village, for refreshments. After an off-road challenge the convoy arrived at an elephant camp for lunch where their driving skills were tested to the limit.
For golf enthusiasts a golf tournament was held at the Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club, designed by five times Open Champion Peter Thomson and Michael Wolveridge. This 6900 yard, par 72 course is located in the foothills of Northern Thailand, providing breathtaking views of the mountains in the distance.
And lastly, for a true Thai cultural experience of a lifetime, guests departed the hotel for an hour’s drive north to one of Thailand’s most stunning locations: Chiang Dao elephant camp. Here guests spent the morning enjoying Thailand’s most revered and much loved animal, the elephant. After a demonstration of how they commonly work in the forests, guests had the chance to ride on the elephants through the jungle to the peaceful Ping River where they boarded small bamboo rafts for a relaxing ride downstream.
The final night’s gala dinner was held in the garden’s of Baan Celadon – a private home and the base for Northern Thailand’s famous pottery of carved and decorated celadon ceramics finished with wood-ash glaze.
Once again local activities and handicrafts such as umbrella painting, woven crafts, puppet making and mask decorating were showcased for guests to observe and try during cocktails on the lawn. Thai dancers provided light entertainment before the welcome parade commenced, the highlight of which was most definitely the entry of the regional business director traditionally dressed as a Thai monarch astride an elephant! He led guests into the dining area, which was beautifully decorated in Lanna style yet with western-style seating, for a four-course Thai fusion meal catered by the Amari Hotel.
After speeches and distribution of the golfing awards by Singaporean emcee Aloysius Tan, guests were entertained by a showing of the ‘happy face video’ – a compilation of highlights from the past three days - guaranteed to elicit a rapturous response from the delegation!
Entertainment also included a rousing performance by traditional Thai drummers, as well as the opportunity to ‘make a wish’ on paper lanterns (kum loys) set alight to drift into the night. The evening concluded with a dazzling fireworks display – a fitting end to a spectacular, action-packed few days in Northern Thailand.
CLIENT’S COMMENT: Feedback from delegates included the following:
“Excellent location and activities.”
“Thank you for the most unique and memorable conference I [have] ever attended. The fireworks, lanterns, elephant riding and Thai hospitality will certainly [remain] in my memory for a long time.”
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