Maree Di Pasquale has stepped into the role of group CEO at Arinex, a event and conference management company in Australia.
She takes over from Nicole Walker, who remains a board member and significant shareholder of the Group.
Di Pasquale steps into the role after serving as CEO of Arinex’s sister company, brand experience and innovation agency Neoteq. She brings a wealth of expertise from leadership positions in culture, tourism and events across Australia, Hong Kong and the UAE.
Convention centres are constantly evolving to meet the dynamic demands of the events industry.
From integrating cutting-edge technology and prioritising accessibility to embracing sustainable practices and creation of loyalty programmes, these venues throughout Asia-sPacific constantly invest in infrastructure upgrades and programmes to deliver exceptional experiences.
Singapore Expo, Singapore
Singapore Expo’s facilities and infrastructure have also undergone improvements and refurbishments to stay relevant and competitive in the global events landscape.
For organisers looking to hold experiential conferences, Apex @ Expo features state-of-the-art technologies in an immersive space that accommodates a plenary hall, with customisable audiovisual and digital elements and content management capabilities, alongside a configurable screen.
Singapore Expo’s multipurpose Arena @ Expo is another versatile space – which can seat over 6,600 attendees – features high-quality acoustics and tech systems, and customisation capabilities.
“Many events already benefit from Singapore EXPO’s “Halls Without Walls” infrastructure – all 10 10,000m2 halls are pillarless and interconnected across one level, enabling seamless transitions and unique configurations. One of the biggest events held in Singapore EXPO is the 2024 edition of FHA F&B, which spanned seven halls, allowing the event to host more than 72,495 attendees from 91 countries and regions,” said Chua Wee Phong, group CEO of Singapore Expo’s managing organisation, Constellar.
As the nation’s largest purpose-built business events venue, Singapore Expo is also diversifying its offerings as a vibrant space for entertainment and leisure experiences. This includes the Play @ Expo: Find Your Fun, All in One Place campaign, which features a series of themed weekends including consumer events such as Artbox Everyday 2025, Culture Cartel, and more.
Chua added: “The growing variety of on-site lifestyle events, concerts and leisure experiences aligns with the venue’s refreshed brand identity, Playground of Possibilities, where we want to attract younger generations of trendsetters, reflecting our commitment to innovation and creating dynamic experiences that stay ahead of the changing MICE and tourism landscape.”
Singapore Expo is committed to sustainable event practices, demonstrated by its use of renewable energy and venue-wide green initiatives. The venue holds the Singapore MICE Sustainability Certification (Gold) for 2024, and initiatives range from a large-scale, on-site solar rooftop installation – one of the largest in the country – and urban farms, to plastic-free packaging, and responsible F&B solutions.
In 2024, Singapore Expo hosted more than 350 events and welcomed more than 1.5 million delegates and attendees, and the outlook is looking positive, shared Chua.
Upcoming events include the return of Asia Tech x Singapore (May 27-29); the 41st International Association for Hydro-environment Engineering and ResearchWorld Congress (June 22-27); while ITMA Asia + CITME, a textile technology and machinery exhibition, will take place from October 28-31. – Rachel AJ Lee
Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Indonesia
Renovation and improvement of the facility are annually carried out at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) as part of its long-term strategy to be a leading convention centre in both Indonesia and South-east Asia.
The venue has also recently upgraded its audiovisual equipment to high-resolution LED screens and sound systems, as well as improved the fibre optic infrastructure and high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity in public areas and meeting rooms.
“Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (the Nusa Dua complex development and management company) is in the process of building a natural gas pipeline distribution network in the Nusa Dua area which will be used for fuel and food production.
This will replace Liquefied Natural Gas, and is both more environmentally friendly and energy efficient. The implementation at BNDCC is scheduled for 3Q/4Q this year,” said Riyanthi Handayani, president director of Nusa Dua Indonesia.
She added that LED lighting has been installed throughout the building and procurement of electric vehicles is ongoing as part of the company’s efforts to improve energy efficiency.
As international event planners prioritise sustainability when selecting venues, Riyanthi is confident these enhancements will meet this growing demand.
After a successful 2024 – where 131 events, including 38 international conferences with a total of 110,442 participants and international corporate events with a total of 33,163 participants – Riyanthi is bullish for the year ahead.
“Our projection this year is that business will be dominated by association and corporate events, both domestic and international, plus other social events. Our (target) is to grow business by between five and eight per cent annually for the next five years by increasing the number of international events,” she said. – Mimi Hudoyo
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia
It is an optimistic outlook for the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) this year.
The 3,000-person plenary hall has been equipped with four new LED screens, while its audiovisual systems in all meeting rooms are being upgraded in stages.
The venue is also in the midst of upgrading its meeting rooms with Bring-Your-Own-Device capabilities. These enable up to four devices to connect seamlessly to the LED screens. Additionally, the meeting rooms are equipped with motion sensors for energy efficient lighting and offer organisers full control over the ambience settings.
In 2H2025, the Centre will offer several new meeting spaces and an additional versatile space on Level 3 which can be used for small meetings.
To further enhance sustainability and efficiency, the centre has invested in 2,000 new banquet chairs that eliminate the need for linens, reducing laundry-related energy and water use, and setup time. It has also invested in a sustainable buffet system powered by eco-burners, which eliminates dependency on electricity.
The venue’s general manager, John Burke, shared that the Centre has already secured 55 per cent of its business target for the years. This includes confirmed bookings for 60 international, regional and domestic exhibitions, and more than 70 corporate meetings and events.
Several major international conferences and congresses happening this year include the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry General Assembly & World Chemistry Congress (July 12-19), and Asian Patent Attorneys Association General Assembly & Council Meetings (October 24-28).
Burke added: “Visa exemption for Chinese visitors, extended by the federal government until end 2026, is expected to attract more Chinese exhibitors and delegates to exhibitions held at the Centre.
“Furthermore, Malaysia’s role as the Chair of the ASEAN Summit in 2025 will boost government-to-government meetings, providing a major uplift to related industries such as hospitality and transportation throughout the year.” – S Puvaneswary
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, New Zealand
Having enjoyed a significantly higher than anticipated level of business since opening three years ago, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre has continued to build on a growing international reputation for innovation, responsiveness and sustainability.
As part of its continual focus on innovation, Te Pae Christchurch launched a refreshed website in late 2024, designed to provide an intuitive and engaging experience for clients, exhibitors and media.
In 2024, Te Pae Christchurch became the first convention centre in the world to achieve Toitū net carbon-zero accreditation.
“We have a fantastic foundation in a 5 Star Green Building design and a certified Toitū net carbon-zero operation. We are also happy to share the details of our initiatives, such as our eWater system for natural sanitisation, dehydration of food waste into soil food for community gardens and use of environmentally friendly packaging, to support our clients’ sustainability goals,” said Te Pae Christchurch’s general manager Ross Steele.
Behind the building’s multi-award-winning design and architecture, Te Pae Christchurch features leading audiovisual and network technologies in its meeting rooms and 1,368-seat configurable auditorium.
“While our popularity since opening has reinforced the ongoing demand for face-to-face interaction, hybrid events are the new standard for the industry, through live streaming, virtual networking sessions and interactive online platforms” says Ross. “Te Pae was designed with advanced networked AV systems that make it easy for our expert team to deliver both live and hybrid experiences.”
Off the back of a packed 2024 season, with over 220 national and international conventions exhibitions, banquets, meetings and live entertainment events, Te Pae Christchurch has a strong pipeline of activity for 2025 and beyond.
Events on the calendar include the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses annual scientific meeting (April 9-11); and the industry’s own Professional Conference Organisers Association conference, heading to New Zealand for the second time from December 7-9. – Rachel AJ Lee
Nick Ghosh has been promoted to chief commercial officer at EXO Travel.
Having been with the company for eight years, Ghosh will oversee sales, marketing, and product strategy in his new role.
His experience and understanding of the market position him to lead the company through its next phase of growth.
BCD Travel has appointed Stephanie DeNote to the newly created position of senior vice president of travel commerce.
In this role, DeNote will be responsible for the success of BCD’s proprietary Travel Commerce platform and the evolution of its booking and trip management experience for travellers and agents. She will lead an international team of product managers, developers and engineers.
DeNote brings more than 15 years of expertise in the design, development and deployment of traveler and agent point-of-sale products and technology. She joins from a leading TMC where she served as vice president of product management, traveller experience & content. In her previous role, she led the strategy and development of an integrated digital platform and mobile app for travellers and travel arrangers, as well as the supporting agent technology.
Indonesia’s event industry is experiencing significant losses following government-imposed budget cuts, with 638 events cancelled or postponed, according to a national survey by the Indonesian Event Industry Council (IVENDO).
The survey, conducted between January and February 2025, estimates losses at around US$27 million, with most cancellations affecting key business cities like Jakarta, Bali, Yogyakarta, and the province of West Java.
Government ministries and agencies were behind most cancellations, with 51 per cent affecting meetings, followed by incentive events at 13 per cent, and training sessions at 11 per cent.
Mulkan Kamaludin, chairman of IVENDO aired concerns that if budget cuts persist, the industry would see a sharp decline. This is a contrast to last year’s strong performance, when 8,777 events were held nationwide, generating US$5.4 billion and supporting 8.8 million jobs.
“Events were gaining momentum, but these cuts risk undoing that progress,” he said.
As one of Indonesia’s top business event destinations, Bali has been hit even harder.
Initial findings from IVENDO’s national survey in early 2025 revealed that only five per cent of events in Bali had been postponed, with most clients opting to scale down rather than cancel.
However, a follow-up survey by IVENDO Bali Chapter in March 2025 showed a grimmer picture. Organisers reported an average of five to 10 event cancellations each, affecting around 750 events in just three months. Estimated losses have surged to US$49 million, with more than 85 per cent of event workers suffering a drastic drop in income.
Grace Jeanie, head of IVENDO Bali, stated: “The situation is becoming increasingly difficult. Many event workers and businesses are struggling to survive.”
Industry players in Bali are growing increasingly pessimistic, with 57 per cent of respondents believing the sector will deteriorate further. If the trend continues, losses could reach US$200 million by the end of the year.
With the industry at a crossroads, stakeholders are calling for urgent action to mitigate further economic fallout.
“If budget cuts are necessary, scaling down events is a better alternative to total restriction. The trickle-down effects go beyond event organisers,” Grace said.
She urged the government to reconsider its approach, advocating for policies that ease event permit restrictions, provide low-interest loans, and offer tax relief to struggling businesses.
“These measures would help businesses stay afloat and protect the livelihoods of millions who depend on the event industry,” she added.
Harry Nugraha, CEO of Ego Global Asia, urged businesses to “rethink how we do things”. This includes diversifying income streams and pivoting towards the corporate market by focusing on smaller, high-impact corporate events that bring steady revenue with lower risk.
He opined that hybrid events, AR/VR experiences, and fresh, engaging programming could help attract businesses that are still spending, but with tighter budgets.
Major hotel operators in Indonesia are striving to fill the gap left by the government sector, which contributes between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of business by diversifying market segments.
Haryadi Sukamdani, president of the Indonesia Hotels and Restaurants Association, said that the association, together with the Indonesia Tourism Industry Board, was working hard to have the government change the regulation restricting government agencies from holding events in hotels.
He reminded members to lower their reliance on the segment: “The hospitality industry, particularly our friends in the regional destinations in Indonesia, have been relying heavily on the government sector. We need to balance this moving forward.”
For Swiss-Belhotel International, the government sector is an important part of its overall business. And although the restrictions have had some impact, the company worked closely with its teams and partners to navigate the situation, according to Teresia Wibowo, its regional director of sales and marketing for Indonesia.
“We have always focused on diversifying our offerings to ensure that we can meet the needs of various market segments. While the government sector was an important component, we are exploring other opportunities to fill gaps,” she said.
Meanwhile, Archipelago International has proactively diversified its client base to mitigate the impact of fluctuating government activities, which have shown a gradual decline over the years. The hotel group, whose government market share has ranged from 30 to 40 per cent, had anticipated periodic slowdowns and diversified beyond government contracts.
John Flood, CEO of Archipelago International, told TTGmice: “By appealing to a wider audience, such as corporate clients, families, and FITs, we not only buffer against the effects of potential downturns and create a more resilient revenue stream.”
“For example, we achieved 97 per cent of our budgeted revenue in February, and we expect March to reflect similar results. This period also coincided with Ramadan (typically a slow month), making it difficult to determine how much of our performance is due to that versus actual government cutbacks,” he elaborated.
Santika Indonesia Hotels & Resorts is also focusing on diversifying into and penetrating new markets to compensate for the reduced government business in its properties.
Sudarsana, general manager of business development at Santika Indonesia Hotels & Resorts, said: “The financial sector remains active, as well as the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. We will organise health-related events to attract participants, particularly in major cities like Jakarta and Surabaya.”
However, he acknowledged that the government regulation has affected overall business, and is hoping that the regulation “would change soon” before price wars occur over the shrinking business events pie.
Sudarsana explained that government restrictions extend beyond direct event bans in hotels, encompassing significant budget cuts across nearly all sectors. This impacts not only government agencies but also related entities like state-owned companies, contractors, and suppliers. Furthermore, recent regional restrictions on holding graduation ceremonies in hotels have closed off another potential revenue stream for their ballrooms.
Despite this, Archipelago International’s Flood remains optimistic.
“From experience, we know that new governments and governors, who took office in February, often take a few months to get organised. With over three million civil servants, it’s essential to hold meetings in hotels, so we are confident that in the next month or two, we will see a return of much of the government business.”
Plaza Premium Group (PPG) and Hong Kong Airlines (HKA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and extend the range of services available to their respective guests.
Under this arrangement, business class passengers and frequent flyer members of Hong Kong Airlines would be eligible to access Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide.
Currently, HKA operates a network of over 30 destinations across Asia Pacific and North America. PPG operates its flagship Plaza Premium Lounges in over 150 countries worldwide, covering almost all the destinations in HKA’s network. This year, the airline is launching longhaul routes to further expand its network, and Plaza Premium Lounges are already operating at these destinations.
As part of the cooperation in the future, PPG and HKA will also develop integrated benefits on their respective loyalty programmes – Smart Traveller is the digital experience and rewards platform for Plaza Premium Group, in conjunction with Fortune Wings Club, the global loyalty programme for Hong Kong Airlines.
This includes promotions that facilitate the conversion of points on each other’s loyalty programmes. There will also be the opportunity to redeem points accumulated on the Smart Traveller marketplace for HKA’s special offers, including e-vouchers and seasonal promotions.
The two parties also plan to develop marketing campaigns to cross-promote Hong Kong Airlines ticket packages and bundle them with the Smart Traveller’s global programme of services and products.
There will also be an opportunity to jointly develop social impact programmes that will support community-driven initiatives aimed at achieving shared social responsibility goals.
Event brief
The inaugural BorneoCraft Global Expo and Conference 2024 with the theme Globalising Local was aimed at elevating Sarawak’s craft industry on the global stage and boosting the state’s creative economy and cultural heritage.
The event, held from November 27 to December 1, 2024, was organised by the Sarawak Craft Council (SCC) and supported by various ministries, as well as the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau and Business Events Sarawak.
Place Borneo, the appointed event organiser, was tasked with orchestrating and executing a comprehensive programme to bring the vision of Globalising Local to fruition.
Event highlights
The craft expo component was held outdoors at the Kuching Waterfront area, while the one-day conference component was held at Hilton Kuching on November 29.
The keynote address was delivered by the World Craft Council Asia Pacific region president, Aziz Murtazaev.
Interactive workshops and masterclasses provided delegates with the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals and gain deeper insights into various aspects of arts and craft.
The expo attracted around 200 exhibitors, with about half of them hailing from Sarawak, showcasing the state’s vibrant artisanal scene and offering visitors a chance to appreciate and purchase unique, handmade items.
This inaugural event also made history by setting a Malaysia Book of Records achievement for the “largest participation in a bead craft making event, with 274 participants collaborating to create a stunning masterpiece.
Another key highlight was the inaugural MasterCraft Challenge 2024, held on November 30 at the Kuching Waterfront. This three-hour competition was open exclusively to Sarawakians, and it was aimed at uncovering local talent across various craft categories, including carpentry, pottery, beading and sculpting. During the competition, 10 artisans showcased their creativity and skills, where one individual walked away with the coveted title of MasterCrafter and a cash prize of RM5,000 (US$1,128).
Challenges
Place Borneo’s CEO, Mona Abdul Manap, shared: “The main challenge was building the brand of the event from scratch and convincing sponsors, governments, speakers, exhibitors, and participants that this would become an annual event, so they could plan how to be involved in future editions.”
As such, a press conference was held in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, before the event to raise awareness and build anticipation. International media were also flown in to experience the event first-hand and report on it, helping to build awareness of the event internationally.
Event BorneoCraft Global Expo and Conference 2024
Organiser Sarawak Craft Council
Venue Kuching Waterfront, Hilton Kuching
Date November 27 to December 1, 2024
Attendees 45,778 expo visitors and 552 conference delegates
Melbourne is preparing to host its largest ever incentive programme this month, as the first wave of delegates from Amway China’s Leadership Seminar are set to arrive this week.
The event, which includes over 16,000 delegates across six waves, is the largest incentive to ever be held in Australia and the largest outbound incentive from China.
Attendees are arriving in Melbourne in groups of between 2,000 and 3,000 people for five days of business seminars, touring experiences and a gala dinner at the Melbourne Showgrounds. It is estimated that the event will generate A$100 million (US$63 million) in economic impact.
The delegates are staying at eight hotels across the city, generating approximately 32,000 hotel room nights. Amway China attendees will also dine at 50 restaurants across Melbourne and Victoria.
A variety of tours will allow delegates to experience the best of the city and the regions, with trips to 20 popular attractions including Sovereign Hill, Healesville Sanctuary, Werribee Zoo, Phillip Island Nature Park, Twelve Apostles, Rochford Winery, Puffing Billy, Melbourne Skydeck, and the National Gallery of Victoria showcasing the many diverse experiences on the city’s doorstep.
Melbourne Convention Bureau successfully bid for the event for Melbourne in 2022, competing against a number of other national and international destinations to secure the highly sought-after incentive programme.
The deadline for hosted buyer applications for Meetings 2025 is approaching, with submissions closing next week.
The event is scheduled for June 10 in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, inaugurated by a welcome event at Eden Park.
Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) chief executive, Lisa Hopkins, indicated that the two-day event will facilitate an estimated 8,000 pre-scheduled meetings.
“Hosted buyers are guaranteed to come away with new insights, new contacts and excellent business opportunities. Meeting all of New Zealand’s regions from the far north to the deep south under one roof in two days is a phenomenal experience.”
Hopkins added: “There’s a seamless balance of work and social, and a lot of learning for the key decision makers and organisers of business events from Australia and New Zealand, who will enjoy complimentary flights and accommodation as well as other incredible benefits.”
The conclusion of Meetings 2025 will be marked by a celebratory event at the Viaduct Events Centre, with the support of The Events Group, Urban Gourmet, and The Production Agency, followed by the official after-party hosted on the rooftop of QT Auckland.
Now in its 29th year, 500 business event professionals from Australia, New Zealand and international markets are set to meet with over 200 of New Zealand’s top industry suppliers, destinations and operators at MEETINGS 2025.
Hosted buyers receive a customised pre-scheduled appointment diary meeting 30 exhibitors across two days, and a range of pre- and post-familiarisation tour options in Auckland and around the country.
Hosted buyer applications can be made on the MEETINGS 2025 website. Registrations for the MEETINGS day buyer programme open in mid-April.
