WHAT'S NEXT - Next Story Group
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WHAT’S NEXT
JANUARY 2020
Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank is now open!
The world’s first Ink hotel is officially open for business.
At Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank’s successful launch
on December 1, the 162-room hotel in the heart of the
city’s hip Southbank district revealed just what it means
to colour outside the lines and do things differently.
With a funky design ethos, Ink Hotel Melbourne
Southbank’s lobby features commissioned artwork by
local artists. It is an inclusive, casual and social space
where guests can chill, work or connect with fellow
travellers and locals.
This socially and environmentally conscious hotel
features Australian-made Metis bathroom amenities
including refillable pump bottles that eliminate the
need for single-use toiletries. And sparkling and still (far left) Hotel Manager Alice Sampson with our friendly
water dispensers enable guests to fill up reusable hosts at Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank
bottles on their way out, hence reducing plastic bottle
usage. In addition, each cup of Streat coffee sold goes Ink Hotels is an exciting brand that is designed to host,
towards Streat’s training and education programme connect and inspire travellers with a Gen Z mindset. The
which supports disadvantaged youth. second Ink hotel is slated to open in Singapore in 2021.
Partnership with MasterChef guest judge Christy Tania
As part of our strategic Food and Beverage masterplan to transform and enhance our
food and beverage offerings across the Group, we are focusing on laying the foundation
in 2020. In line with this, we have partnered with well-known Australian chef and
business owner Christy Tania.
As our Food and Beverage Consultant, Christy will assist in the development and
execution of the Group’s Food and Beverage strategy. Her responsibilities include
concept development, optimising food and beverage performance and talent
recruitment.
Christy trained as a pastry chef at the Ecole Nationale Superieure de La Patisserie and
is the owner of GLACÉ Dessert Artisanal in Melbourne. She was previously a pastry
guest judge on MasterChef Australia and has also worked at hotels in Paris, Singapore
and Melbourne. Prior to that, she was a business analyst and consultant with IBM.
Core Values in action
As of 31 December 2019, employees in the Singapore host and inspire meaningful connections, and its Vision
office and Australia properties have attended sessions 2025 – to be an employer of choice that is committed to its
led by Human Resources that provide insights on how to people and to be admired and respected for its innovative
live the Core Values of Passion, Accountability, Integrity approach to creating hospitality and lifestyle brands that
and Respect. guests and business partners prefer.
The roll-out began in earnest following the launch of Next In this issue of WHAT’S NEXT, we showcase 2019’s key
Story Group’s Vision, Purpose and Values at the inaugural achievements and highlight how our teams have been
Leadership Conference in September. At the event, the bringing our Core Values to life.
leadership team shared Next Story Group’s Purpose – to
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WHAT’S NEXT JANUARY 2020
Passion
Going the extra mile to support growth
Kafnu lived up to its brand promise by delivering a steady stream of engaging and inspiring member
events that facilitated connections and encouraged meaningful sharing. From Ho Chi Minh City to
Hong Kong, Taipei, Bengaluru and Sydney, passionate and tireless Kafnu teams delivered events
covering a spectrum of fields to provide interesting opportunities for members to fuel their
professional and personal growth. Here are some highlights from 2019.
Breaking glass ceilings and
incubating start-ups
Kafnu Ho Chi Minh City hosted a
panel discussion on ‘Emotional and
Feminine Quotients’ which had
well-known female business leaders
tackling the topic of how women can
realise their leadership potential. In
addition, Kafnu Ho Chi Minh City is
the proud partner of 500 Startups
Vietnam, an early stage venture
fund and enterprise incubator. The
mission of 500 StartUps is a great
fit with Kafnu’s mission and Next
Story Group’s core value of Passion.
The team is proud to support its
efforts to empower the local start-
up ecosystem and add to Vietnam’s
growth story.
Engaging and empowering female entrepreneurs at Kafnu Ho Chi Minh City
Supporting talent at the forefront
of technology
Kafnu Hong Kong locked in lots
of new leads during Asia Crypto
Week, which gathered more than
2,000 entrepreneurs, investors,
developers and global media. Kafnu
Hong Kong was at the centre of
the action, hosting speakers and
the media, as well as making new
connections. The Kafnu team also
hosted FinTech Week Hackathon
together with WHub, Hong Kong’s
largest community of start-ups,
in partnership with DBS Bank and
Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance
Corporation. The intense 36-hour
event delivered excellent visibility
through favourable online coverage
and sealed Kafnu Hong Kong’s
reputation as a supportive stomping
ground for top talent.
Kafnu Hong Kong hosted FinTech Week Hackathon
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WHAT’S NEXT JANUARY 2020
Passion
Poolside pow-wow for hyphenates at Kafnu Bengaluru
The meeting place of creative minds Kafnu Bengaluru is also the venue for monthly
breakfast meetings where about 20 designers and
Kafnu Bengaluru hosted a poolside event recently for design-savvy individuals discuss various aspects of
a select group of 15 hyphenates. The guests included design, from 3D printing to sustainable production
notable business leaders, entrepreneurs and key and creative confidence. The brainchild of two Kafnu
influencers who shared their take on Kafnu and what members, these Design Up Salon sessions are helping
they hoped to see at Kafnu, important insights that to spark ideas and collaborations, while stoking the
will help in the evolution of the Kafnu brand to meet attendees’ passion for design.
members’ needs.
Mixing business with pleasure
Kafnu Alexandria paired two passions to deliver
a coding workshop, organised in partnership with
General Assembly, and a gin tasting session showcasing
some of Australia’s finest gins. The successful 2-in-
1 event attracted more than 40 website coders who
were hungry for knowledge and a little thirsty for good
gin as well.
Gin + Code event at Kafnu Alexandria
Aligning passions for mutual benefit
The Kafnu Taipei team understands that some
passions go hand in hand. In line with their
commitment to connecting members, the team
worked with InterNations, a platform that unites
creative expatriates, to host the organisation’s
12th Anniversary bash. Almost 300 entrepreneurs,
hyphenates and digital nomads gathered to exchange
ideas and make new connections. The event gave Kafnu
a great opportunity to showcase its offerings, and at
the same time, provided InterNations members and
sponsors the forum to promote their businesses too.
Taipei InterNations event drew a sizeable crowd at
Kafnu Taipei
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WHAT’S NEXT JANUARY 2020
Accountability
Well-deserved recognition
Next Story Group scooped up several coveted industry accolades in 2019, largely as a result of a
shared sense of accountability and a commitment to delivering the best guest experience, day in and
day out. Thank you for your continued dedication and for putting Next Story Group in the spotlight!
Take a bow, Kiridara Luang
Prabang!
The Kiridara Luang Prabang team has
had a great year. Not only did they
win the Best Spa Service Standard
Award at the ASEAN Tourism
Standard Awards 2019, they also
bagged the Lao PRD Sustainable
Tourism Development Best Practice
Award in recognition of their efforts
to promote sustainable tours,
organise blood donation drives,
contribute to the underprivileged,
participate in monthly clean-ups,
encourage composting and energy
conservation, and grow their own
vegetables.
The winning team
Highly commended at the HM Awards
At the prestigious HM Awards for Hotel and
Accommodation Excellence, the leading awards for
the industry in Australia, New Zealand and Asia
Pacific, Next Story Group was highly commended in
these categories:
• Tech Hotel – Next Hotel Brisbane
• Human Resources Associate –
Rosie McCartney, ANZ
• Front Office Associate – Kimbley Watkins,
Sage Hotel Wollongong
• Hotel Engineer – John Harrison,
Sage Hotel Melbourne, Ringwood
The Julio’s team of Sage Hotel West Perth
Nominated for AHA Awards
Next Story Group garnered four nominations at the
Australian Hotels Association’s 2019 Accommodation
Awards for Excellence:
• Sage Hotel West Perth – Superior Accommodation
Award and Hotel Restaurant Award
• Country Comfort Perth – Redeveloped/
Refurbished Accommodation Hotel
• Executive Chef Phil Campbell –
Hotel Executive Manager Award
(L to R) Alex Billing, Rosie McCartney and Craig Syphers 04
WHAT’S NEXT JANUARY 2020
Accountability
Driving value across our markets
Next Story Group set new benchmarks with several successful launches in 2019. Earlier in the year,
the Country Comfort Perth team delivered a stunning transformation. The Group’s genre-defining
Kafnu brand chalked up many milestones throughout 2019, including launches in Sydney and Ho
Chi Minh City. Kafnu closed the year on a high, with well-attended media and influencer events that
earned extensive positive coverage across media platforms and delivered a real buzz in their markets.
Grabbing headlines in Ho Chi Minh City
In December, Kafnu Ho Chi Minh City celebrated its
grand opening and launched its new F&B concept with
a week of exciting events. The festivities captured the
attention of the media and key lifestyle influencers,
resulting in extensive visibility for Kafnu’s offerings,
including the new Soy Restaurant and Habitat Bar.
Kafnu arrives in Sydney
Australia’s first Kafnu achieved 100% occupancy on
one night within the first two weeks of its opening in
(middle) Kafnu Hong Kong & Ho Chi Minh City General March 2019. General Manager Simon Hall and his team
Manager Chris Edwards with media and influencers
have since kept up the great work, united by a sense
of accountability and urgency. They have focused on
Increase in F&B revenue in Taipei getting all the key elements right and have succeeded
in creating a vibrant ecosystem that is an inspiring
More than 20 media representatives and influencers place for members to learn, connect and grow.
came to Kafnu Taipei recently for a special Thanksgiving
Luncheon organised as part of the launch of Kafnu
Restaurant & Bar. The event delivered more than 70
positive articles and posts, including glowing reviews
of the delicious dishes. The coverage has appeared in
leading dailies, lifestyle media WalkerLand, as well
as on Yahoo! News and social sites. The publicity
has contributed to the increase in food and beverage
revenue, with Kafnu receiving requests to reserve the
entire restaurant for private events on several nights.
Unshakeable team never lost sight of the goal
Twelve months of construction work and a team that
refused to let anything stand in their way –that was what
it took to deliver an all-new Country Comfort Perth.
The hotel now has 157 rooms, as well as a refreshed
reception area, conference space and restaurant.
Country Comfort Perth’s complete transformation is
testament to a culture of getting things done despite
the challenges, which at one point, included a reception
Successful media launch of Kafnu Restaurant & Bar in Taipei area that had no roof, floor or front walls.
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WHAT’S NEXT JANUARY 2020
Integrity
Doing the right thing for our communities
Our properties rolled out a wide range of CSR initiatives in 2019 to give back to their communities.
Many of these initiatives involved raising funds in partnership with charities and foundations
that spearhead worthy causes, while others were aligned with protecting the environment or in
response to disaster management needs.
Firefighting at the front line Greening the environment for future generations
The devastating bush fires raging across various regional Kiridara Luang Prabang volunteers are big supporters of
areas in Australia have wreaked havoc in recent weeks. National Tree Planting Day. This year, they purchased a
To do her bit to help her community, Elana Desantis, a number of trees and planted them near Kwang Si Water
Guest Service Agent and F&B Attendant from Country Falls, one of Luang Prabang’s biggest attractions.
Comfort Perth, volunteers with the metropolitan Fire
Brigade in Forrestfield. She also continues to upskill by
going for additional training in healthcare and mines
rescue. Thank you Elana for your contribution!
Guest Service Agent and F&B Attendant Elana Desantis
is a volunteer firefighter
Helping to clean up Bangkok
Staff from Riva Surya Bangkok and Riva Arun Bangkok
took part in the Clean Up Bangkok River campaign and
as a team, collected 132kg of waste from the city’s iconic
Chao Phraya River. The clean-up was part of an initiative
led by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the
Eco-Capitals Forum, Mahidol University International
College, Bangkok University International and Bangkok
River Partners, which are working together to improve
the country’s waste management system and raise
awareness of waste management issues.
Volunteers getting down to the business of cleaning up
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WHAT’S NEXT JANUARY 2020
Integrity
Raising funds for the Cancer Council items to share. Sage Hotel Wollongong also took part
in another event, which had staff volunteers trudging
Hotel teams from Sydney, Adelaide and Wollongong around a track in the cold rain to help raise funds for
and the Kafnu Alexandria team served up Australia’s the charity, which they have supported for years. They
Biggest Morning Tea events at their properties in even organised a Bake Sale and a raffle beforehand, to
support of the Cancer Council. Sage Hotel Adelaide’s raise extra funds. In total, their efforts netted $1,370,
event raised almost $400. Sage Hotel Wollongong which included contributions from family and friends.
encouraged staff to make $5 donations and bring tea
Helping the homeless
On one of the coldest nights of the year, Next Hotel
Brisbane Area General Manager Craig Syphers
represented Next Story Group by taking part in Vinnies
CEO Sleepout. The event was aimed at raising funds for
the provision of vital support services for Australia’s
homeless. Craig joined hundreds of CEOs, business
owners, community and government leaders to sleep
outdoors, a commendable joint effort that raised over
A$7.9 million.
Feeding the hungry
Riva Surya Bangkok and Riva Arun Bangkok are big
supporters of the Mirror Foundation Food for Friends,
which distributes packed meals to the homeless who
seek refuge at the Bangkok Metropolitan Office’s Baan
Aun shelter. In addition to food, the hotel volunteers
have also distributed drinking water and basic
medicines. And they do this every quarter. Keep up the
good work!
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WHAT’S NEXT JANUARY 2020
Respect
Saluting our people
Next Story Group continues to
thrive because of the dedicated
men and women who put in their
best day every day. Thank you for
a great year! We salute everyone
who has contributed to our success
and earned their Long Service
Award in 2019.
(middle) General Manager Peter Neville and (front
row) Maintenance Handyperson Ben Carroll celebrate
their Long Service Awards, for 15 and 5 years of
service respectively, with the Country Comfort Perth
team in December.
35 Years
Yifan Jan Turner,
Bednikov, Guest Service
Kitchen Agent, Sage Hotel
Attendant, Adelaide
Sage Hotel
Adelaide
25 Years 5 Years
• Rosie McCartney, Regional Director,
Sharon Cauldwell, Human Resources, ANZ
Director of Sales,
ANZ
• Bor Kwok, Director, IT, ANZ
• Joanne Lee, Accounts Assistant, ANZ
• Renee Duggan, F&B Supervisor of Firehouse
Restaurant, Country Comfort Perth
• Ronu Paul, Duty Manager, Adelaide
• Kin Au Yeung, F&B Supervisor, Adelaide
20 Years • Vinoshan Ganeshan, F&B Attendant,
Sage Hotel Adelaide
Sam Cheung, • Pravin Vallikadu, Maintenance Handyperson,
Kitchen Sage Hotel Adelaide
Attendant, Sage
• Wayne Huntly, Chief Engineer, Next Hotel Brisbane
Hotel Adelaide/
Chifley on South • Francis Silveira, Hotel Assistant Accountant,
Terrace Adelaide Next Hotel Brisbane
• Laura Ziogaite, Food & Beverage Team Leader,
Next Hotel Brisbane
• Christy Yip, Duty Manager, Next Hotel Brisbane
10 Years • Jordi-Lee Bolton, Food & Beverage Attendant,
• Alice Sampson, Hotel Manager, Ink Hotel Next Hotel Brisbane
Melbourne Southbank • Christopher McAdam, Concierge/Next Journey,
• David Ingram, State Sales Manager, Victoria, Next Hotel Brisbane
Tasmania and Western Australia
• Syed Rizvi, Night Auditor, Country Comfort Perth
• Linda Williams, F&B Supervisor, Sage Hotel Adelaide
We look forward to hearing all about your triumphs and Submission deadline for the next issue:
your team’s significant events and achievements. Send your 15 th January 2020
stories and photos to: news@nextstory.com 08
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