INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTREThe International Convention Centre is the largest meeting venue in Brunei. It haspreviously hosted meetings such as the Asean Tourism Forum and Apec conference. The International Convention Centre complex was built in four phases, the first being in 1987 and the most recent in 1999.The main conference hall can accommodate 1,200 theatre style. The 3,200 sqm plenary hall is the biggest space and can seat 5,000 delegates. The multipurpose hall comprises two storeys with a total area of 5,000 sqm.It features two theatre-style convention halls, which can each accommodate between800 and 1,000 people. All are equipped with the latest audiovisual equipment.
EMPIRE HOTEL AND COUNTRY CLUBIt is no secret that the Empire Hotel and Country Club is one of the world’s besthotels. What is lesser known, though, is that it has the facilities to cater to almost every aspect of a group’s incentive and convention experience, as Ricoh Australia and New Zealand discovered when they held an incentive here in January.“The Empire Hotel did not let us down,” says Greg Heard, general manager, sales, atRicoh Australia. “What I liked most of all was the easy manner in which our requirements were met, particularly on-site when we inevitably changed plans.“The Empire’s team met all our challenges and provided us with an extraordinary
experience. All of our expectations were met.”
The Empire can offer groups their own self-contained wing of the hotel, so that a group remains together. The hotel has its own nightclub and theatre, which are idealfor awards nights and post-event functions.The Empire has 359 large guestrooms and 61 impressive suites, a championship golf course and numerous water and land-based activities. SHERATON UTAMAThe 142-room Sheraton Utama Brunei Darussalam is the only international brandname hotel in Brunei so delegates can expect the level of service and quality found in other similar Starwood-branded hotels. The lowrise property features modern facilities and meeting rooms. It has meeting capacity for up to 300 delegates at a time with the largest indoor space being 270 sqm. It also features a pool terrace that can hold 350 for a cocktail reception and 200 for an outdoor seated dinner. The property is within walking distance of many of Brunei’s tourist attractions, such as the Royal Regalia, Brunei History Centre, Water Village, and Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.
JUNGLE CANOPYThe canopy walk at Ulu Temburong is a must for incentive groups. There is no easy way to get there – it requires two separate boat trips through the jungle and then a 20-minute walk along a raised walkway to get to the platform – but the experience is truly worth it.It is often described as like walking in the clouds, with the platform rising to nearly250m above the ground, and well above the rainforest canopy. Other highlights ofthe trip include visits to waterfalls, lunch at a riverside house and wildlife sightings. CITY TOURThe city of Brunei Darussalam has plenty to offer incentive tours, with companies such as Freme Travel Services able to offer group programmes. Highlights of the tour include the Lapau, Dewan Majlis, Sir Omar Ali Saiffuddien Mosque and the BruneiMuseum, the Royal Regalia Centre, and Jame Asr Hassanil Bokaih Mosque.Groups can then take a boat ride by local water taxi around Brunei River and visitlocal houses built on stilts where local cakes and tea will be served to guests. The tourends with a photo at the Istana Nurul Iman (Sultan’s Palace). ORCHID GARDEN HOTELThis 155-room, four-star property is located near the International Convention Centre.The modest property has one of Brunei’s largest indoor pillarless spaces, the CesarGrand Hall. This can accommodate up to 700 guests theatre style and 400 for a formaldinner. There is also two smaller meetings rooms that can each hold 90 delegates.www.orchidgardenbrunei.com
Basic facts…..
5 things event organisers need to know about Brunei
1. Brunei is a small sultanate on the Island of Borneo, which is also shared by the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, and the Indonesian state of Kalimantan.2. It is less than 6,000 sq km in size, but the majority of this land is dense rainforest.3. The Sultan of Brunei is one of the world’s longest-reigning monarchs4. You can drink alcohol and take it into the country for your group, you just can’t buy it in Brunei5. The population is 350,000 and nearly everyone speaks fluent English
30-second Q&A
Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, CEO Brunei Tourism Board 1. How is Brunei Tourism promoting the destination to the regional MICE market?We have been attending major international trade shows such as AIME, PATA Travel Mart and IT&CMA, and the first-ever ITCM China in Shanghai 23-25 April 2007. We are also placing advertorials in major magazines in key markets as well assupporting and working closely with the national airline, Royal Brunei Airlines andother regional airlines.
2. Which major corporate groups and associations have visited recently?Amway Korea, Petronas from Malaysia, Oracle and Microsoft.
3. What assistance does Brunei Tourism offer inbound meetings and incentive groups?We support organisers by providing traditional/cultural shows or welcome receptionsat the airport, depending on the size of groups. We also help them to communicate and work together with other government agencies. For example, for fasterprocessing on visa and immigration issues.
4. What events will be held there in 2007?The 12th International Conference on Education from May 21-24; the InternationalConference of the Biodiversity Crisis on tropical islands from June 11-13; Malaysia, Indonesia & Brunei Medical Science Conference from July 27-29.There is also the Brunei Open, a golf tournament that is now in its third year, will be held at the end of August at the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course at the Empire Hotel & Country Club. It is organised by the Asian Tour.
5. What are your goals for the Brunei MICE industry?The MICE industry is one of the fastest growing in Brunei and thus we are speedily trying to encourage many corporations and associations to hold their events in Brunei. Currently, regional meetings are being held here. For example Asean, BIMP-EAGA,and also international forums and seminars organised by the University of Brunei Darussalam. We hope to grow the local MICE industry and this can only be achieved by working closely with the local DMCs and other conference organisers, airlines andhotels. Only in this way can Brunei achieve its target of becoming the region’s choice MICE destination.
6. What is unique about Brunei that will help it to succeed?Local highlights include the 600-year-old unbroken ruling dynasty, our unique culture and heritage, the appeal of the Kampong Ayer (water village) and, of course, our pristine rainforest.
