Beijing Fusion

A post Olympic slump, exacerbated by the GFC, has seen Beijing presenting what may be a one-off opportunity for event organisers looking to cut a good deal in the capital of the world's future number one economic power.

 

Story by Elizabeth Rich

 

This is shaping up to be China’s century meaning the great deals are unlikely to last long. And playing a pivotal role is Beijing, a city fusing the allure of the very old with the sparkle of the very new.

 

Nobody should be surprised that mainland China has discovered the business events market, and vice versa. China’s position on the ICCA country rankings has been climbing steadily, and it now sits at No. 11. Beijing was No. 14 in global city rankings for 2008, well ahead of every Australian city and No. 3 in Asia, behind Singapore and Seoul.

 

While early strategies were focused on the inbound leisure market, it hasn’t taken long for the Beijing government to catch onto the lucrative MICE segment. Perhaps they could have moved faster and earlier, especially looking at the experiences of other city Olympic hosts which needed action plans well in advance to beat the post-Olympic blues.

 

But they are onto it now, promoting a "new Beijing" with strong support from the local industry, especially the hoteliers. A glut of top quality accommodation and meeting facilities, combined with an economic downturn, has seen some very attractive pricing. Hotel occupancies reportedly dropped to 45 per cent in the first quarter of 2009.

 

Beijing Tourism Administration showed flair with its choice of a local DMC to handle an international MICE trade journalists’ famil at the end of April this year, of which I was a participant. China Star Professional hit all the right notes to reflect the Beijing that the local tourism body was keen to show. The young savvy company designed a famil program which was a cut above the norm. They had the smarts to inject the traditional options with the unexpected. To undersell and over-deliver takes confidence and nerve. When the program arrived, it was adequate but uninspiring especially for one who had visited previously. All the usual suspects appeared: Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, etcetera. But in delivery there was so much more.

 

The Chinese believe Westerners "see Beijing through a keyhole". This famil aimed to open the door to the new Beijing and succeeded thanks to clever program design and the choice of a guide who smoothly moved the group around, answering questions with intelligence and humour, and providing information beyond the standard patter.

 

For those who haven’t been lately, Beijing has become very cool and funky. A city of contrasts… of ying and yang. The ancient and traditional mixes with a new energy which can be seen in the trendy hutong shopping, the very edgy modern art, the extraordinary architecture, the laid back bars around Houhai Lake, and the hip club scene.

 

The smart gay crowd often picks up a scent of where is hot, like birds heading to water in the desert, and you can see them popping up in Beijing, appreciating the youthful energy and adding to it. The Berlin of the East? No, says one European ex-pat observing and absorbing the latest cultural revolution. "It is not duplicating the west: there is a new China Art which is providing a platform of open dialogue with the rest of the world."

 

The artistry and creativity spills over to the MICE sector in the choice of facilities and the creative event options.

As the days unfolded, I began to design programs in my head. First time business events in Beijing wowed them with a private dinner on the Wall or in the Forbidden City; followed by a Peking Duck evening. Repeat events should be moving beyond this to showcase the new face of the city, ideally with programs which allow for interaction with the locals.

 

Incentives that combine kites with bikes, modern art with calligraphy, cool nightclubs in old hutongs, cocktails on a designer terrace overlooking the Forbidden City; fusion food; an old tea ceremony in a new spa; morning tai chi or community ballroom dancing.

 

Events should reflect the spirit and energy of a destination. Most obvious to me was the sense of generational change and the opening up of possibilities. The pace is almost too fast. Older people must feel overwhelmed and even the baby boomers will be challenged to keep up. But it is exciting, and there are opportunities for the bold event entrepreneur.

768 Art Factory

 

An abandoned factory area designed by East Germans has been converted into the So-Ho district of Beijing. The Ullers Centre for Contemporary Art (UCCA) was established by a Belgian art patron. For organisations looking for a different environment, UCCA provides a fascinating look at modern Chinese art at a location which offers unique event and meeting space. Visit www.ucca.or.cn.

 

Aman junkies

 

The usual stroll through the Summer Palace had an impressive finish. A sleekly attired hotel staffer suddenly appeared and led us along a pathway to a surreal Aman property nestled alongside the palace grounds. It appeared to be part of the palace itself with its Chinese compounds and gardens. But a staircase leads you down to a remarkable underground spa and pool, plus a luxury theatre where you could lay back and order your favourite movie on the big screen. "The Last Emperor" topped the request list. It is the ultimate corporate retreat or incentive.

 

Visit www.amanresorts.com.

 

What on earth?

 

The coach traveled down a dark country road on the outskirts of Beijing, got lost, but ended up at the intended destination - The Green T.House, an exclusive restaurant with private spa well-suited to a small group. Don’t think old Chinese tea house. Think strikingly modern décor, a space of calm beauty, all the concept of a founder and creator JinR, an enigmatic young Chinese artist/musician with the vision, and obviously the clout, to create what is called the coolest bathhouse in China. There is another one in downtown Beijing. Visit www.green-t-house.com/.

 

Communing by the Wall

 

The Great Wall is a fair slog from Beijing. Badaling is the closest point, almost two hours from the city. But you have the possibility to do this in style. Visit the Wall, then retreat for your meeting to the nearby Commune with its 43 stunning villas designed by 12 leading Asian architects. Visit www.communebythegreatwall.com/en/.

 

The Regent

 

Faultless in service and comfort, don’t overlook the pair of magnificent Sandalwood chests in the Regent’s foyer, on loan from the property’s owner who has established a Sandalwood museum near her Beijing mansion. Peel back the layers in this city and you find remarkable people. This powerful property owner is just one of them.

Visit www.regenthotels.com.

 

The Westin

 

The Westin outshone itself with a lunch that oozed class and creativity. From the point of arrival to the executive staff farewell at the front door, the Westin site visit was flawless. Outstanding fusion food was delivered in a stylish setting. A master calligrapher was on hand. Lilting Chinese music played by a young female band. Waiters with walkie talkies timing service delivery to the second. And senior Westin staff, including the GM, on hand for the duration. The high degree of professional pride would inspire confidence in any event organiser. Visit www.westin.com.

 

New convention centre

 

Opening late in 2009, Beijing’s newest facility is situated in the Olympic precinct, overlooking the Birds Nest Stadium. A feature in the foyer is the copper wall of the auditorium. You wouldn’t want to be transferring from a downtown hotel each day, but there’s going to be two adjacent hotels offering more than 750 rooms, plus another 30 hotels within a 5km radius. CNCC will host this year’s CIBTM industry trade show, and has snared the 17,000+ pax cardiology congress in 2010. Visit www.cnccchina.com.

 

What’s not to like?

 

Sounding like an ambassador for Beijing, I’m finding it hard to talk of faults. Okay, the heavy traffic is unavoidable. Be careful when planning events involving transfers, especially in peak times. The major ring roads help, but you have to get off them sometime!

 

Some industry colleagues suggest the Chinese are hard to pin down with shifting sands agreements, so working with them can be frustrating. I’m sure it’s an art, and mutual respect is important. When dealing with government officials, the formal bureaucratic approach can be intimidating.

 

But I found Beijing people had a keen sense of humour – ironic and sharp, peppered with amusing references to Chinese proverbs. These are people worth knowing, worth visiting, and worth cultivating.

 

Visit Beijing and you will see the future, and you may wish you could speak Mandarin like Australia’s Prime Minister. Thank goodness so many of them speak English.

 

Timing is everything

 

April is a perfect time to visit Beijing. Spring was in the air which was definitely clearer than the dusty hot summer months. Pollution didn’t seem to be a problem, although other experiences tell a different story. Pick your time carefully seems to be the answer. Autumn is also popular. But one European hotelier says winter is his favourite time: although cold with icy winds, the season boasts beautiful blue skies. Snow on the Forbidden City is a striking sight.

 

Global associations move in

 

Seeing the potential, and encouraged by the Beijing Tourism Administration, first SITE and now MPI have both opened branch offices in Beijing. BTA is keen to lift its profile and encourage local industry members to become professionally trained. The ubiquitous association management company MCI has also opened an office in Beijing.

 

Lan Club post modernism

 

Industry friends insisted this was a must see, and they were right. Masterpiece or folly of a well-heeled local and her son, it occupies the entire floor of a large downtown office building. But it is nothing like an office. Get ready to enter a different world when you step out of the lift. Baroque? Postmodern? It overwhelms the senses.

 

Channel Seven used it every night to entertain during the Olympics and you can see why. Unconventional décor, designed by innovator Philippe Starck, it’s about as crazy, cool and sexy as it gets. There are more than 35 different areas which can be used for groups from two to 200, with a total capacity of 1200 guests. Visit www.lan-global.com/.