Racing Through the Dragon City

When we were asked by our client for a short incentive program to Beijing, we didn’t realize how short they had in mind. After finding out that the highend program had to be compacted into three days, we only then realized the magnitude of the challenge.  Thankfully, there is so much to do in this magical capital city that our challenge was to try to be very selective. After arriving in China’s Capital midday from the US, the group was checked in the centrally-located 5-star Waldorf Astoria Beijing. Hilton family’s upscale brand was the perfect fit for our VIP guests.  

Rich Chinese tradition and modern affluence flawlessly blend at the luxury Waldorf Astoria Beijing. We specifically chose Waldorf because it is located in the heart of the Wangfujing area, within walking distance of major milestones that we had to cover, including Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.  

Oriental charm meets contemporary luxury at Waldorf Astoria Beijing. From the sleek and stylish lobby to the opulent bathrooms, our guests were treated to a unique blend of modern elegance, rich Chinese heritage and dependable Waldorf service. 

Unfortunately for our travel weary guests, there was no time for recovery from the long trip.  Comfortable shoes on and box lunches in hand, the group was led to the “Forbidden City” as their first introduction to Beijing.

Operating under the official title of "The Palace Museum," the Forbidden City (also known as the Imperial Palace) has been a place of wonder and mystery for over 500 years. This massive complex sits on the northern edge of Tiananmen Square at the epicenter of Beijing. Beyond its towering fortifications, our guests found an intricate labyrinth of squares, halls, gates, pavilions, sleeping quarters, and temples. In some of the structures, curated art and historic relics have been placed; however, the greatest achievement is the compound itself. We made sure the group did not miss the highlights that included the Meridian Gate, the Turret, the Antiquarium, and the Imperial Garden.

After the tour and a short tea break, we headed to Tiananmen Square, which is among world’s most famous public square (think Time Square).  We were pleasantly surprised that most participants in the group recognized the Gate of Heavenly Peace—emblazoned with a portrait of Chairman Mao—as a symbol of Beijing. That recognition notwithstanding, it seemed our group was universally impressed by the vast size of the place. The square is the geographic, political, and tourist center of the Beijing, which makes it a must see. Although Tiananmen Square looks like a field of concrete, we wanted the group to see it for the surrounding attractions including the Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao's Mausoleum, and the National Museum of China.  We had to remind the group that taking a picture here is almost required to prove they had been to Beijing.

Given the massive size of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, not to mention the long-haul flight from the US, the group was in bad need of rest.  So after a quick dinner on the go, we rushed them back to the hotel for a well-deserved night’s sleep.

For some people, China conjures up only one image: The Great Wall.  Our group was no exception. So, naturally we had to dedicate Day Two to an excursion to the most famous monument in the world.  Located just north of Beijing lies portions of the Great Wall. Although it is impossible to see the whole thing (after all, it measures about 5,500 miles long), the intent was for the group to experience a portion of it. That begs the question: Which section?

For the novice to Beijing, only an hour's drive northwest of Beijing, the Badaling section is convenient, hosts a large souvenir market, and has a gondola to whisk visitors up and down the wall. However, the place is naturally overcrowded with tourists. This creates mob-like scenes that can spoil the experience for a VIP group. 

The Mutianyu section, close to two hour's drive northeast of Beijing, was our favorite section for our discerning guests.  Here, they discovered majestic mountainous vistas, a cable car for quick-and-easy access, a fun sled ride down, and (best of all) fewer tourists. With a good supply of water, sunscreen, and snacks, the group got to live this grand experience for themselves—although naturally some guests found the hike challenging and tiresome. 

By the time we returned to the city, night had already fallen and the group welcomed their readied beverages prior to their authentic Chinese dinner at the famed restaurant Zijin Mansion.

You can’t come to Beijing and not experience a shopping marathon. We had saved Day Three for just that. The group got to choose which direction to go: Some elected ritzy shops while others were more interested in authentic Chinese artifacts. But both groups agreed on one destination: The Silk Market. 

Silk Market Beijing, also known as Silk Street, Xiushui Street or Xiushui Market, is a prosperous shopping market in the city, located on Xiushui Street in the Chaoyang District. While it started as an outdoor market, the Silk Market is now a shopping mall, which accommodates over 1,000 retailers and is regarded as one of the symbols of Beijing. Many foreign visitors, including some celebrities, enjoy Silk Market Beijing for shopping or having their clothes tailor-made. Even the former president, George Bush, visited the Silk Market with his daughter to buy some silk robes.  Although there are a variety of goods in Xiushui Street, the most attractive goods are silk. Even a silk museum has been built on the third floor. 

After their shopping extravaganza, the group was treated to an authentic afternoon teatime before rushing to their rooms to fit their purchases in their bloated luggage for their trip home.

Next time you want to impress your high achievers, let the Maxxus Group suggest something more enlightening than the humdrum all-inclusive beach hotel. 

A Cruise to China’s Sailing City

The second annual World Mice Day was recently held in the Chinese coastal city of Qingdao. The Maxxus Group was honored to have been invited to this important international fair as a hosted buyer. Qingdao does not come to mind as the first destination in China.  But the city of over 9 million continues to attract tourists and international businesses from around the world with its abundance of natural beauty and its designation as the new “Blue Silicon Valley” (the oceanic valley).  

If the choice of venue sounds uncharacteristic when compared to such other metropolises as Beijing or Shanghai, a little background may be in order:  In 2008, Qingdao hosted the Sailing Regattas of the 29thOlympic Gamesas well as the 13thParalympic Gamesat the city’s Olympic Sailing Centre & International Marina. In 2009, China’s Sailing City welcomed sailors from the Volvo Ocean Race.  In 2014, Qingdao hosted the International Horticultural Exposition. Qingdao also annually hosts the International Sailing Week,SINO CES, and International Beer Festival. Finally, the Clipper Round-The-World Yacht Raceis hosted bi-annually.

A Little History. A Little Geography

Throughout history, Qingdao has been known by several other names most notable one being Tsingtau. Tsingtau was a German concession from 1897 until the First World War broke out in 1914. During the siege of Tsingtao, the Japanese took control of the region while declaring war on Germany. The city reverted to Chinese rule in 1922, but was re-occupied by Japan again in 1938 during WWII. The city was finally completely liberated in 1949. 

Also known as the Switzerland of the East, Qingdao lies on the southern tip of Shandong Peninsula in Jiaozhou Bay, on the shores of the Yellow Sea.  Qingdao is one of China’s most important independent coastal regions.  The city has experienced rapid growth over the last decade. Qingdao’s port is the second-largest in China. 

Qingdao is well known for its European architecture, attractive coastal landscapes, and local folklore. Popular attractions include mystical Mount Lao, Badaguan, Tsingtao Brewery Museum, and Zhongshan Park. With its abundance of natural beauty, China’s Sailing City has become a bustling tourist destination for both domestic and international travelers.

Qingdao & Mice Industry
Although starting relatively late, Qingdao MICE industry is growing fast. With the completion of the first two phases of the Qingdao International Convention Center, Qingdao MICE industry is catching up fast with its counterpart cities in China. In recent years, Qingdao has become one of the most bustling MICE areas in China. Between 2006 to 2011, Qingdao was among “China Top Ten Exhibition Cities.” With so many tradeshows and exhibitions under its belt, Qingdao has now become a bustling center of commerce in China.   

Qingdao has claimed many titled among them: The world's most beautiful bay, the world beer city, and the world's sailing capital.  

WMD-2018 

Billed as “a professional communication platform for the MICE people [from] around the globe,” WMD-2018 lived up to its claim by gathering a distinguished group of world-renowned entrepreneurs, educational experts and other professionals from MICE industry to share their insight and success stories, and engaged attendees from across China and overseas through a unique mix of training and interactive sessions. 

The three-day event was made up of six professional programs including keynote speeches by senior government officials, MICE Industry representatives and academia.  There was also a tradeshow component at which various suppliers from the region got the opportunity to showcase their services and venue.  All in all, WMD-2018 turned out to be a very unique forum at which to discover a unique part of China and come home with a great deal of knowledge about the MICE industry in Qingdao and its prospects globally.

We look forward to our participation at the third World Mice Day in Qingdao.

Three Roaring Days in the Lion City

Singapore, an island city-state off southern Malaysia, is a global financial center with a tropical climate and multicultural population. Its colonial core centers on the Padang, a cricket field since the 1830s and now flanked by grand buildings at every turn. So, we were very excited when we were asked to put together an exciting incentive program for our VIP automaker client. 

Though a small country by any standards, Singapore is well endowed with enumerable attractions to satisfy any visitor—young and not-so-young.  So, we had our work cut out for us: We had to compact all that there is to do in the “Lion City” in three days.   

For a group that had never been to Singapore, the choice of hotel was relatively easy. Notwithstanding the line up of all the luxury brands, we felt the group would enjoy Marina Bay Sands the most—known for its wide range of amenities (a world-class casino, multiple nightclubs, performance halls, shops and spectacular overnight accommodations. Not to mention the Sands SkyPark, an elevated open-air concourse that crowns the resort). But the hotel is also famous for its iconic rooftop infinity pool that is one of the must-see attractions in Singapore—and one that can only be enjoyed by the hotel guests.  

Marina Bay Sands Hotel

As the name indicates, the hotel is located in the district of Marina Bay, which is considered to be Singapore's tourism epicenter. Marina Bay houses some of the city's main points of interest as well as numerous opportunities for entertainment like The Float at Marina Bay (the world's largest floating stadium). We felt a walk around Marina Bay was a must for our first-time travelers. We recommended that the group try to take a stroll during the day and night, as both take on two different atmospheres. Those who were able to venture out at night were treated to the nightly light show put on by Marina Bay Sands.  But after a grueling 15-hour journey from the west coast of the US, most of the group seemed a bit exhausted on arrival and anxious to rush to their waiting plush rooms, all with spectacular views of the city in every direction.  

The next morning, after a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel’s 55thfloor executive dining room, with comfortable shoes on, we set out to discover this magical land.  Our first stop: Orchard Road. Every modern metropolis has its commercial avenue. Singapore's version is Orchard Road. This electric boulevard buzzes with the whizzing of cars, the humming of neon lights and the swiping of credit cards, a far cry from the way things once were way back when. Orchard Road got its name from the presence of fruit orchards, nutmeg plantations and pepper farms that dotted the area in the early 19thcentury. Today, the mile-long street houses tons of eateries and a whopping 47 shopping malls carrying high-end brands, popular international retailers as well as local shops. The massive ION Orchard shopping complex is arguably the centerpiece of the street, so no surprise that many of our guests were inevitably lured inside by the designer names and stream of fashionable patrons.  

Shopping bags in hand, the group was then transported to Little India with its bustling stalls.  Straying a little from the mainland, the group got to immerse itself in this famed neighborhood.  This cultural enclave, located a little more than 2 miles northwest of Marina Bay, features a dense network of streets and shops where the group was able to find anything from flower garlands to fragrant spices and colorful fabrics. While the group as a whole started by perusing the boutiques along Serangoon Road, many of them soon ventured down the smaller alleyways to discover true treasures. The adventurous bunch quickly discovered the 24-hour Mustafa Centre, perfect for grabbing any last-minute amenities, and the open-air Tekka Centre, which offers sari and goldsmith retailers. Our final meeting point was the gorgeous Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, a Hindu place of worship.

Time to head back to Marina Bay for a dine-around among the many eateries in the area and onto the hotel for a wide choice of entertainment to finish the night by.  

Before you knew it, day two was upon us. After a restful night, we set out to discover the other end of the spectrum, Gardens by the Bay, a stone’s throw from our hotel.  For those members of the group that were looking for a taste of nature without the trek, we had to take them to Gardens by the Bay, which is for all practical purposes an urban jungle. The attraction features a wide variety of enticing things to do and see that seamlessly mix Mother Nature with the metropolis. The Supertree Grove, the most recognized landmark of the park, features 18 "supertrees" that support the OCBC Skyway, a 419-foot-long aerial walkway that affords views of both the surrounding gardens as well as Marina Bay.

In the nearby seashell-shaped facilities, the group got to find the highly lauded Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. The Flower Dome is the largest greenhouse in the world and showcases numerous types of plants and flowers grouped by country—tulips next to replicas of Dutch architecture and Birds of Paradise flowers in the South African Garden. The Cloud Forest—the group’s favorite—features a 114-foot-tall mini mountain that is host to the world's tallest indoor waterfall.  

Back to the urban life:  As a nation of mostly immigrants, Singapore possesses a number of ethnic enclaves. Chinatown is one of the largest of them. Broken up into five districts, the neighborhood is packed with a variety of things to do and is constantly buzzing with pedestrians passing in and out of its shops, eateries and food stalls.  No surprise, then, that our guests were all in awe just soaking in the sights and scenes.  Those looking for souvenirs, headed right over to Pagoda Street for trinkets galore; and some ended up grabbing a bite on Smith Street or New Bridge Road, the latter of which is known for its barbecued meats.  And when they seemed to need a break from the hustle and bustle, we took them to the Telok Ayer district. This area has the largest concentration of ancient mosques and temples in Chinatown. We had to step in the Thian Hock Keng Temple for some quiet Zen. 

After their daylight excursion, the group seemed to be itching for a night out on the town. So, we directed them to the Tangong Pagar district, which offers loads of bars, pubs and karaoke lounges. 

Day three was already here; so we headed to Merlion Park, which hosts one of Singapore's most recognizable monuments. The Merlion statue is the head of a lion with the body and tail of a fish, and the hybrid creature spouts water from its mouth and into the bay. Measuring 28 feet tall, the statue may seem a bit odd to the naked eye, but the statue is actually a nod to Singapore's history. The head of Merlion represents Singapura, the city's first name, which means “Lion City” in Malay. The fish tail and body symbolize Singapore's old days as a small fishing town. Even though the statue has claimed all the fame, another notable highlight is the park's panoramic view of the bay. The urban vista, with the spectacular Marina Bay Sands resort in the background, seemed to have greatly impressed our VIP guests. 

After a box lunch, and to complete their trip, we planned a farewell to the city for the group from the top of the Singapore Flyer (think London Eye) Ever since Chicago built one in 1893 for the World Expo, cities around the world have learned that tourists really like Ferris wheels–huge ones. In 2000, London built its famous Eye, standing 443 feet tall. But Singapore didn't wait long before constructing the Flyer, which trumps its British equivalent by almost a hundred feet. Since opening in 2008, the 42-storey-tall Flyer, billed as Asia's largest giant observation wheel, has offered visitors 360-degree views of the urban landscape from Marina Bay. The attraction claims that visitors can catch a glimpse of neighboring Malaysia or Indonesia from the highest point of the observation wheel. 

Our group labelled the Singapore Flyer as their favorite, with many of them saying the views atop the wheel were simply breathtaking. The 30-minute ride time seemed to have given our excited guests ample time to take in the great views and snap lots of pictures. What's more, the pods were air-conditioned, making it a great place for them to also cool off from Singapore's year-round heat. 

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. The group’s flight home was upon us and after a quick refresh, and a rushed dinner-on-the-go, they boarded the waiting coaches and headed to Singapore’s Changi Airport, which is more like an upscale shopping mall. Our group was among the privileged few that got to fly on Singapore Airlines’ inaugural flight to Los Angeles on the first AirbusA350-900 Ultra Long Range (ULR) aircraft and with that an exciting trip to the Lion City came to an end. If Instagram posts are any indications, the group had a blast on this fast-paced trip.  

Team Building and Incentive Programs

One of the common questions by organizers of incentive programs is whether or not to incorporate any “business” activity during the course of a pure incentive program.  Team building is often the “business” activity that comes to mind.  While there are no right or wrong answers to this question, fun team-building activities can in fact enhance the value of an incentive program—to both the participant as well as the company.  The most successful, memorable team-building events need not feel like a day at the office.  On the contrary: They should blend with and augment the value of the incentive trip.    

Team building and incentive programs have one thing in common: They are both the most important investments a company can make.  They are both intended to build trust among employees, mitigate conflict, encourage communication, and increase collaboration. Effective team building as part of an incentive program mean more engaged employees, which is not only good for company culture but also to improve profitability. 

To get the most value from incorporating team-building activities in an incentive program, there are a few ground rules that should be kept in mind: 

1.     Don’t force the corporate stuff

Team-building activities during the course of an incentive program should least resemble the corporate stuff.  No overt reference to company goals or lessons in leadership.  Don’t lose the sight of the fact that the participants have already paid their dues by working hard to meet specific goals and are now being rewarded with the incentive trip.  Team-building activities should primarily encourage spending time together, sharing an experience or working towards a common goal to allow bonding to happen more organically.  One idea is for participants to share their life/personal goals with each other. It’s a powerful way to learn about people and their dreams, as well as to generate ideas for future team-building activities.

2.     Don’t forget the partners

If the incentive program includes partners, make sure any team-building activity you plan for involves partners too.  It turns out that happiness and performance are closely tied together. The objective is twofold:  To improve employee happiness as a result of an incentive trip and also foster bonding among employees.  Partners play a pivotal role in boosting those two goals if they are included in all activities.  To make it purposeful, choose something unique and slightly outside of people’s comfort zones to encourage all participants to come together in new ways.

3.     Take the positive energy back to the office   

Trying new concepts with your staff as part of an incentive program can generate good vibes among employees—both those who got to go to the incentive trip and those who didn’t.  Any team-building activity planned as part of an incentive program should have somewhat of a lasting effect.  The ultimate goal is to take that positive energy back to the office.  Most team-building exercises falls flat because they are often a one-time activity—done and then forgotten. Incorporating team building in your incentive programs is a way to keep the excitement going long after participants return from the trip. The challenge is creating opportunities for the returning participants to spread the positive energy among all employees by connecting and interacting with one another in more meaningful ways, outside of regular meetings or corporate interactions.

How do you know you’ve got team building correctly blended into your incentive program? If there was laughter, a sense of excitement, accomplishment and togetherness, and maybe a few Instagram moments, you’re definitely on the right track!

The Maxxus Group is a leading international event planning company with unique set of expertise in planning incentive programs or state-of-the-art team-building activities or both.