Hong Kong Greetings and the Virtuoso Symposium
The whirlwind stay in Hong Kong for the annual Virtuoso Symposium began with a traffic free transfer from the airport to the Four Seasons hotel. Climbing to the 39th floor, the room was well appointed, with a light fruit snack, a personal greeting, and a stunning view of nighttime Hong Kong. Jet lagged a bit, we woke up at 4am to stroll harbor side to watch the sunrise with the Victoria Harbor backdrop. The recognizable Cirque de Soleil tents were lit up against the morning haze, and not a soul was on the boardwalk. We were alone with the view, the quiet, and the city. Amazing.
The Symposium commenced with an evening reception at the Kai Tak Hong Kong Cruise terminal, the former Hong Kong airport terminal. The set up was magnificent – complete with local foods prepared by Hong Kong chefs, fine libations, and surrounded on all sides by the Harbor view with the high rise buildings lit up as only Hong Kong can showcase. The Symposium attendees renewed friendships and associations, and, after a short program, returned to their hotel for conference proceedings to begin the next day.
The Hong Kong Island Shangri La Hotel was the principal location for the conference meetings. Entering the hotel’s warm and spacious lobby, the Island Shangri La did not disappoint – truly a five star property. Adjacent to the spacious meeting room, I immediately noticed the endless supply of small delicacies for the breakout sessions. Delicious. After the morning program, a three course, gourmet lunch was held at the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong. This was a fine dining experience in the grand ballroom for all 475+ attendees. Immediately following, the group proceeded to the Sky 100 observation deck – the 100th floor of the International Commerce Center, to continue conference meetings amidst more stunning views of Victoria Harbor.
After a full day of inspiring discussions of Virtuoso direction, future initiatives and plans for continuing the excellence of Virtuoso proprietary offerings for its membership, the evening culminated in a cocktail reception at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. More fineries and delicacies were experienced that were delivered by the Mandarin Oriental with a grace and style that would fully satisfy even the most hardened critic.
Day two of the conference was again an amazing day for all the senses. Beginning again at the Island Shangri La, the meetings continued to inspire and inform Virtuoso members with discussions that expanded on central Virtuoso themes like “Live like a local”, how a traveler can experience a “High quality, exclusive, authentic and localized experience with human interaction and connection“, and development of the “Return on Life” theme. This theme was punctuated by connecting the similarities in disciplines between a retirement planning specialist and a travel specialist. Would you do your own retirement planning or hire a specialist to help you? Your “Return on Life” in the travel sense can best be exponentially achieved not by self direction – but rather having the expert travel advisor specialist increase that return to a professional level.
Lunch that day was in the realm of The Peninsula Hong Kong. Its expansive lobby was the venue for a short program featuring a “Dragon Dance”, with beautiful, acrobatic symmetry. After, the attendees were divided into three different restaurant experiences. The lunch accoutrements did not disappoint, with both the food and surroundings complimenting each other with the Peninsula’s subtle excellence and Hong Kong tradition.
Dinner that evening was at my appointed hotel – the Four Seasons – with its “great room” overlooking night time Victoria Harbor and its stunning view. The dining tables sported accents and arrangements that were a beauty to behold. And again, the food and wine pairings were truly top notch – exceeded only by the service and attention from the Four Seasons wait staff. Truly a memorable evening.
The next day was a day on your own, so I choose to see the city by foot and experience Hong Kong from the pedestrian standpoint. Taking the longest covered escalator in the world to its highest point was memorable – along with experiencing Hong Kong’s alleyways and unique markets and shops in the local sense. Relaxing and casual, it gave me a perspective of Hong Kong I had not experienced from the previous days of royal experiences.
Our last night together in Hong Kong culminated with the Farewell Cocktail Reception and Dinner at, once again, the Island Shangri La. Saying so long to old and new friends and associates, the Symposium again renewed, validated and cemented my reasons for agency membership in Virtuoso. At its core, Virtuoso’s depth of support for its member agencies through its programs and supplier partnerships enables me, and my fellow travel advisors at West University Travel, to pass on these high quality, exclusive and authentic, “Return on Life” principles to our clients, friends and associates. We look forward to bringing to life these principles and experiences for you when you “Leave the Planning to Us” with your requests for travel assistance.
Johannesburg, South Africa is the site of next year’s Symposium. I can’t wait.