Luxury Hotelier - February 2008 - (Page 51)

14 tax codes, 14 duty rates, government regulations. In North America, we dealt with two, perhaps three. When you talk about the distribution network here, it’s extremely different than North America.” Mr. Wilkinson was on the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts team in 2001 when it joined forces with four other companies to form Avendra. Fred Lawlor has since taken his place at Fairmont. Mr. Lawlor, however, said the possibility of Avendra launching an Asian component is not far-fetched. “The first two years would be the biggest challenge,” he said. “You have certain resistance at different levels that you’ll have to work through. You’ll have 5 resistance from vendors understanding what it’s all about.” Other panelists were Raymond Leung, managing director, Higgins Purchasing Group, Hong Kong, and Richard Morris, managing director, Tai Ping Carpets, Hong Kong. During a keynote address, Graeme Potter, managing director of the Hong Kong office of design firm Bilkey Llinas, said one needs to look no further than the Grand Hyatt Shanghai’s so-called “Shower Tower,” which features a Hansgrohe shower fixture in each of its 120 different room types, to see the design trends and procurement needs for Asia. HOTEC Asia is managed by Atticus Events on behalf of McLean Events International, which is a subsidiary of Questex Media Group. Questex publishes LUXURY HOTELIER. 6 7 » BY LUXURY HOTELIER STAFF ê Meeting activity between buyers and sellers was brisk during the conference. ë Raymond Leung [left], managing director, Higgins Purchasing Group, Hong Kong, discussed options with Wilson Ning, managing director, Gunter Guest Supplies. í Fred Lawlor, vice president of procurement, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, said the lack of a consistent third-party procurement model in Asia makes it a difficult environment for vendors. ì Audience members, including Sig San Jose [foreground], manager, operational project and branded procurement for The Peninsula Hotels, listened to a speaker. î Graeme Potter, managing director of the Hong Kong office for Bilkey Llinas, said getting rid of the ubiquitous connecting door and finding a better way to route wiring—perhaps through raised flooring— are two items on his wish list. ï Jeff Higley, editorial director for LUXURY HOTELIER, moderated the general session. 11 Rio Kondo, director of the Jakarta office for Horwath Hotel, Tourism and Leisure, said the Venetian Macau, the secondlargest building in the world, has a 12month return on investment of $1 billion for owner Las Vegas Sands Corporation. 8 9 10 11 www.LuxuryHotelier.com | February 2008 | Luxury Hotelier http://www.LuxuryHotelier.com

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Luxury Hotelier - February 2008 Editor's Letter Publisher's Letter Inform Network Forever Young Evolution for Jumeirah Insight Diamond in the Rough Amenities Televisions Art in Residence Yield Management Development Wine Lists Marketing to Locals Update Advertisers Index Editorial Index Source Listing Dossier

Luxury Hotelier - February 2008

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