Shenzhen is enjoying a boom in corporate dining. At the Crown Plaza Shenzhen, corporate dining and related inquiries have jumped by nearly 60 per cent. This can be attributed to the hotel's ability to provide different venues and services, according to Katherine Si, director of sales and marketing.
It is a similar story at the Ritz-Carlton. Josephine Png, director of sales and marketing, says entertaining has become an important part of business networking. 'Dining and entertaining in a luxury hotel give corporate executives a sense of confidence and of belonging to a world of class,' she says.
Png says corporate clients can easily lower costs by making some adjustments. 'For example, they can avoid peak hours and peak periods for their events. They can offer lunch instead of dinner, choose a buffet instead of a Western menu, choose a prearranged menu instead of a la carte or choose house wines instead of more expensive brands.'
Changing the venue can also achieve big savings. 'Instead of a function room, clients can host their lunch or dinner at our coffee shop. This also brings new elements to their event,' Si says.
