New, One-Stop Meeting Solution to be Rolled-Out Worldwide in 1999

Consistency, flexibility and quality are at the heart of a new global meetings product launched today by Inter-Continental Hotels and Resorts at its 14 Asia Pacific properties. �The Meeting Place� offers a range of value-added services and a performance guarantee, all designed to make conferences and meetings more successful.

Based on extensive customer research, The Meeting Place anticipates every detail. From height-adjustable lecterns and ISDN lines to portable telephones and dedicated meeting planners, The Meeting Place sets new standards for quality and service.

�The Meeting Place is more than just a new look and logo,� said Kevin Croley, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Inter-Continental / Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. �This programme introduces new standards that ensure customers get the same service and facilities, whether they are having a meeting at an Inter-Continental hotel in Singapore, Sydney, Seoul or any one of our more than 130 hotels worldwide.�

The Meeting Place is available at the following Asia Pacific hotels:

• Bali Inter-Continental Resort
• Siam Inter-Continental Bangkok
• Cable Beach Inter-Continental Resort (Australia)
• Ceylon Inter-Continental Colombo
• Hotel Inter-Continental Manila
• Hotel Inter-Continental New Delhi
• Hotel Inter-Continental Phnom Penh
• Hotel Inter-Continental Seoul
• Hotel Inter-Continental Singapore
• Hotel Inter-Continental Sydney
• Imperial Inter-Continental Taipei
• Hotel Inter-Continental Tokyo Bay
• Keio Plaza Inter-Continental Tokyo
• Yokohama Grand Inter-Continental Hotel

Mr Croley added: �We have been gearing-up for the launch of The Meeting Place for the past year, working closely with staff in all our properties, to ensure every detail is in place. Anyone who books a meeting with Inter-Continental can be assured they will get consistent standards, attention to detail and personalised service, which ensures a cost-effective and stress-free event.� The Meeting Place is based on a three-year international research programme that included direct-mail campaigns, customer forums and one-on-one interviews with top clients to pinpoint their conference needs. This was complemented by in-house brainstorming sessions with staff from all levels and departments.

The research highlighted a range of needs and ideas for new services, which were then incorporated into a master plan that includes a series of minimum and optional services. The Meeting Place was then fine-tuned so that a consistently high level of service and facilities could be delivered on a global basis.

Conference room design: All rooms have door locks. Chairs have arms, and height-adjustable lecterns are available, along with a telephone, ISDN line, modem connections, computer batteries and appropriate power points. Rooms have dimmable lights and loading points for lighting bars.

Conference equipment: Each room has a flipchart and pens; overhead projector, LCD projector; multi-standard TV and VCR; built-in projection screen; and a sound system with lapel microphone.

Code of practice: A �code of practice� is agreed with the conference organiser before the event and signed-off by the organiser immediately after the event.

Dedicated showroom: A showroom for The Meeting Place is available at all times. It includes a digital monitor with projection capability, TV and VCR, flip chart, projection screen, stationery package and tea and coffee facilities.

Consistent registration arrangements: Standardised message procedures and a mobile registration desk are provided. The desk includes lockable drawers, telephone and modem connections, and the organiser�s stationery kit.

Conference contact staff: All staff involved in the conference have pagers and are authorised to make decisions �on-the-spot,� for maximum convenience and efficiency.

Conference room set-up service: Every room includes writing pads, pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, litter bins, glasses and coasters, water, and mints and sweets.

Conference room food & beverage service: Meeting rooms are serviced during every break and the hotel�s conference contact reports to the organiser before the meeting begins.

Event portfolio for every organiser: A comprehensive information package is prepared for clients, introducing the GM and conference team and the hotel and its facilities. Pager numbers are provided for key staff, as is information on local attractions.

Consistent signage: Clear signage is installed throughout the hotel to show the location of individual rooms. The client�s name is prominently displayed on a conference signboard.