JAPAN is holding a targeted roadshow for Singapore MICE buyers next month to showcase itself as an ideal meeting destination for international conventions.

In partnership with TTG Events, the Japan National Tourism Organization’s (JNTO) roadshow will see delegations from cities such as Chiba and Matsue holding presentations to update Singapore buyers on the cities’ latest infrastructure, facilities, and capabilities.

Some 40 Singapore buyers, comprised of association executives and board members, AMCs, meeting planners, PCOs, PEOs, and other MICE procurers, are expected.

The event will be held at Marina Bay Sands on October 3.

For more information, visit www.jnto.org.sg.

A MEMORANDUM of Understanding on academic collaboration has been inked between Stamford International University and Thailand’s IMPACT Exhibition Management.

The collaboration will see opportunities being created for students to develop skills and perspectives that will lead them to successful careers in the MICE industry, and enable Stamford International University to be a source of young MICE talents.

Loy Joon How, general manager of IMPACT Exhibition Management, said: “This agreement…is intended to produce young people who will be a major force in driving the future of the MICE industry in Thailand. We expect the new generation, through innovative education and real-world training offered by Stamford, to specifically answer demands of the employment market.”

FOLLOWING the launch of seven industry events focusing on the auto, energy and publishing sectors last year, Reed Exhibitions Greater China is maintaining its growth momentum with the debut of FIBO China fitness event in Shanghai this month, the China Wuhan Daily-Use Articles Trade Fair in November and the China Bakery Show in Shanghai next May.

Nat Wong, president of Reed China, told TTGmice e-Weekly in an interview that the China Bakery Show was created through a joint venture with the China Association of Bakery & Confectionery Industry.

“Reed China brings in (event) knowledge and experience, while the local partner (contributes) local (industry) know-how and entrepreneurship. We expect this segment (bakery and confectionery) will grow very fast,” Wong commented.

Reed China is also leveraging the recent boom in the country’s gift industry by expanding its stable of related events to 10 in a single calendar year. These gift shows will be held in major cities like Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Chengdu and Wuhan.

“This segment accounts for a quarter of Reed China’s business and targets the domestic market,” said Mike Jiang, general manager of Reed Huabo Exhibitions (Shenzhen) Co. “Reed China holds about 90 per cent of the marketshare in China’s gift and homeware event sector.”

While acknowledging that the company’s growth in China is “fast”, chairman and CEO of Reed Exhibitions, Mike Rusbridge, said “it still represents a small fraction, given the group’s growing portfolio of over 500 events”.

“We now manage more than 50 events a year in China (and want to) continue to explore and develop new sectors. Our strategy is three-fold – we look for acquisitions, standalone launches and new show concepts,” revealed Rusbridge.

Noting that “customers are changing generationally” and “Generation Y and Millennials are (familiar with) going online or using mobile”, Rusbridge said: “That is changing the way we organise the services we provide. (Knowing) how to market on social media is vital.”

The company has invested US$30 million in a web hosting platform that will support all its events within the next few years.

“The new platform will kick-start in 2015 and be rolled out in phases and by country through 2017. This will enable the China office to plug into data systems, marketing tools, etc and access (Reed’s services) in any part of the world,” he said.

PRO-HEALTH China kicks off its five-day incentive in Sydney today, bringing more than 4,000 of its top performing distributors in seven waves to the Australian city.

The event, said to be worth A$20.4 million (US$18.3 million) in estimated economic impact for the New South Wales economy, will see delegates participating in a Corporate Social Responsibility walk in the iconic Blue Mountains, a teambuilding session on Bondi Beach, and a gala dinner in Luna Park.

The Chinese health and skincare company last took a smaller VIP incentive to Sydney in 2009, and has been keen to return. This is the first time that Pro-Health China has held its annual conference outside of Asia, according to a press release issued by Business Events Sydney.

Pro-Health China’s annual conference comes in a busy year for Sydney, which has experienced a steady flow of Asian business events. The destination will welcome a total of 28 incentive events from Asia this year, attracting 60,328 delegate days and generating an economic impact of A$60.2 million for the state.

With the short-lead nature of this market, the bureau is expecting this number to rise by year’s end.

THE Malaysian capital has won the bid to host the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) World Congress in 2020, an event that will draw 4,300 delegates from around the world and generate an estimated RM55 million (US$17 million) in economic impact for the country.

The biennial congress is dedicated to the advancement of treatments to improve the lives of people with genetic bleeding disorders including hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, rare factor deficiencies, and inherited platelet disorders, and is regarded the most significant international forum for the global bleeding disorders community.

Commenting on the win, Zulkefli Haji Sharif, CEO of the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), said: “One of MyCEB’s goals is to make Malaysia the choice destination in business events and meetings for healthcare professionals. As such, we are proud that Kuala Lumpur is given the nod by the WFH as the venue for its 2020 congress.

“The bidding process was a long and exciting journey for our team who worked closely with the Hemophilia Society of Malaysia to produce the winning submission.”

Faraizah Dato’ Abd Karim, president of the Hemophilia Society of Malaysia, said the WFH members were impressed by Malaysia’s comprehensive bid to host the event and look forward to bringing the congress to Kuala Lumpur in 2020.

IN A concerted effort to recover grounds lost from the volatile political situation earlier this year, industry players in the Thai public and private sector have joined forces to launch Thailand’s MICE United to boost confidence internationally.

Comprising Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways International (THAI) and Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA), the alliance seeks to reach out to 250 key influencers, including 100 international media, and 150 high-potential MICE buyers within Asia, while maintaining the important European target market.

“Thailand’s MICE United is a strategic partnership programme designed to re-invigorate the country’s positive image and reaffirm confidence among the international business community,” said Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, president of TCEB, at the Thailand Connect 2014 – Isan Indulgence media fam trip launch on Monday.

In addition to media fam trips to Isan and Chiang Mai (held earlier in August), the alliance has also planned MICE roadshows in Shanghai and London in September and November respectively.

THAI will offer support for the campaign by flying in international media delegates for the fam trips while RSTA will highlight new products and services of its members in the area.

With these promotion activities in place, TCEB expects 888,210 MICE visitors to Thailand and revenue to reach US$2.9 billion in 2014.

RSTA president, Chai Srivikorn, commented that “(stronger) law enforcement at (the) grassroot levels” has been “a big transformation” that sends an important message to the international business community in Thailand.

When enquired if TCEB has other initiatives in place to convince overseas companies still hesitant about sending MICE events to Thailand when martial law is still in place, Nopparat revealed that the alliance will focus its attention on ASEAN countries that are “more familiar” with the situation in Thailand, with certain markets like China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea already making a “quick comeback” in terms of MICE business to the country.

“Furthermore, Thailand winning the bid for One Young World Summit 2015 despite competition from Japan and Hong Kong shows the (growing confidence in the country),” he pointed out.

Sek Wannamethee, spokesperson of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and director-general of the Department of Information, said: “According to the PM (Prayuth Chan-ocha), martial law will be partially eased in some tourist destinations soon.”

SINGAPORE is doing a roaring trade in medical and healthcare events, with some 11,000 industry professionals to convene in the city this month for learning and networking.

Major events include Medical Fair Asia that was held this week, and HIMSS Asia Pacific.

Delegates will discuss the major issues and trends impacting the healthcare industry today. HIMSS Asia Pacific will also focus on a range of healthcare issues, from medical equipment and supplies, to healthcare IT and informatics.

Next year, Singapore will welcome medical events including RehabTech Asia, and the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, the largest gathering of physical therapists in the world.

Bloomberg last year ranked Singapore second in terms of efficiency in healthcare systems among 48 countries.

THE Land Transport Authority (LTA), together with the Intelligent Transportation Society Singapore (ITSS), is bidding to host the 26th edition of the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress in 2019.

An international platform for government transport agencies, industry players, and academic and research institutions to exchange information, review, and showcase the latest global ITS products, services, plans and technological achievements, the annual ITS World Congress typically attracts about 5,000 international participants.

The result of the bid will be announced next April during the 14th ITS Asia Pacific Forum in Nanjing, China.

Chew Hock Yong, chief executive of LTA, said: “Singapore is well placed to host the ITS World Congress in 2019 as we would be able to showcase ground-breaking technologies, such as the use of advanced data analytics for transport planning and our autonomous vehicle trials.

“Winning this bid will also bring the ITS World Congress to South-east Asia for the first time, and provide a boost for the ITS sector in this region,” he added.

WYNDHAM Grand Plaza Royal Hangzhou has appointed Angela Chen as its new executive assistant manager, in charge of sales & marketing.

Cheng brings with her over 12 years of working experience in the hotel industry, and has chalked up hospitality experience with Sofitel Luxury Hotels, and Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts.