MALAYSIA. Song Hoi-see, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group, was named Grand Winner in the Male Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) 2015 held by Star Media Group in Kuala Lumpur last night.
Song is widely credited with transforming the airport hospitality industry by establishing the world’s first pay-in airport lounge for all travellers (regardless of their airline or class of travel). He created the concept and reshaped the independent airport lounge industry, having become exasperated by the poor travel experience ordinary travellers encountered.
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Song Hoi-see (left) is crowned the Grand Winner of the Male Entrepreneur of the Year Award yesterday evening in Kuala Lumpur. He is shown receiving the trophy from guest of honour Datuk Seri Dr Wee KaSiong, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (middle), and Star Media Group Managing Director and CEO Dato Seri Wong Chun Wai (right). |
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Up close and personal with a very Premium success story |
| He soon found out what millions of economy passengers in the late 90s already knew – if you didn’t travel business or first class the airport “˜experience’ would likely be inconvenient at best and “dreaded” (to use his word) at worst. |
Driven by a heartfelt desire “to do something for the majority”, he launched the world’s first Plaza Premium Lounge in Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Hong Kong in 1998.
“Winning this award is an honour for me and a testament to the company, and I hope my business story can inspire young entrepreneurs in the sense that we have the ability to move a local business concept successfully into the world arena,” Song said in accepting the award.
“Through this accolade, I want our younger generation to keep having faith in entrepreneurship and innovation. It is possible to start with nothing, like me, as long as you have a unique idea, courage, perseverance and passion.
“This award is very much attributed to the dedication of my team. Plaza Premium Lounge would not have been what it is today without their full support and faith in sharing my vision.”
Since 1998, Plaza Premium Lounge has evolved substantially into Plaza Premium Group, a global service brand offering premium airport services, with over 3,500 employees in more than 130 locations across 35 international airports, serving over 7 million passengers around the world annually.
