The NRF 2024: Retail's Big Show Asia Pacific showfloor; photo by Comexposium
The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Comexposium are gearing up for a bigger NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, returning to Singapore’s Sands Expo and Convention Centre from June 3-5, 2025.
The three-day event, following its successful debut in 2024, is doubling its capacity to accommodate over 10,000 delegates.
The showfloor at NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific; photo by Comexposium
Themed “Retail Unlimited”, NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific will spotlight the limitless possibilities in retail, from enhanced customer experiences to digital transformation strategies. This year brings several new features, including the exclusive CEO Club, a gathering space for top retail executives to connect and collaborate on the industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities. The Exhibitor Big Ideas stages have also been extended, offering more in-depth sessions on emerging retail technologies, sustainability and leadership trends.
Another highlight is the NRF Innovators Showcase, which will feature the latest in retail technology and breakthrough solutions from progressive companies set to transform the industry.
Conference speakers will represent the most creative and influential minds in retail, with breakout sessions and panel discussions highlighting the unlimited retail opportunities available in the Asia-Pacific region.
“The first edition of Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific surpassed all expectations and business targets, reinforcing that the region is a critical hub for the future of global retail. With representatives from more than 25 retail associations worldwide, NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific is an opportunity to engage with leaders from across the global retail ecosystem. The 2025 event promises to be bigger and bolder,” NRF president and CEO, Matthew Shay, said.
“APAC is the largest and the most diverse retail market in the world with limitless possibilities,” added Ryf Quail, managing director for APAC at Comexposium. “The enthusiasm we’ve seen from delegates and industry stakeholders is a testament to the strength of this market. The rebook rate speaks for itself, with 65 per cent of our exhibitors already confirmed. We’re excited to return in 2025, bigger and better, as we continue to expand the show’s reach and influence worldwide.”
Grand Hyatt Jakarta has named Fauzia Bonita Agustina as its new director of sales.
She has more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, and had started her career with Hyatt back in 2018.
Her experience in negotiating high-value contracts and strong relationships with stakeholders will be instrumental in further elevating Grand Hyatt Jakarta.
As part of its business events offerings, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has partnered with local businesses to offer two new immersive workshops – ClayCirclelation and Sensory Marketing.
These workshops are designed to provide business events planners and travellers with immersive and enriching experiences, combining creativity, learning, and cultural immersion.
Participants at the ClayCirclelation workshop
The ClayCirclelation workshop, held at Clay Circle in the Sam Yan area, allows participants to unleash their artistic side through pottery design. Guided by professional instructors, groups of up to 60 people can work together to create unique pieces while learning about marketing concepts.
The Sensory Marketing workshop, hosted by Never 2 Nose in the Charoen Krung neighbourhood, caters to groups of 30 to 40 people. Participants delve into the world of fragrance and learn how to create custom scents that reflect their brand identity. The workshop emphasises the importance of sensory experiences in marketing and branding.
These workshops are just the beginning of TCEB’s efforts to continually enhance Bangkok’s business events offerings with the help of local partners, said Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, TCEB president, in a press release.
TCEB first organised the workshops as pre-tour activities for hosted buyers of IT&CM Asia 2024 in September 2024, where some attendees have decided to include these activities for their clients’ trips.
The 18th Greenhouse Gas Control Technology Conference (GHGT-18), the premier international conference on greenhouse gas reduction technologies, will meet in Perth in 2026.
The event will bring together leading researchers, industry decision-makers, government officials and business professionals from around the world to advance the global dialogue on greenhouse gas control technologies, in particular carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).
Greenhouse Gas Control Technology Conference picks Perth for its 2026 edition
GHGT-18 will be co-hosted by Australian Energy Producers, CSIRO, CO2CRC, and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water.
Samantha McCulloch, chief executive of Australian Energy Producers, highlighted that Australia’s selection to host GHGT-18 reinforced its standing as a global leader in CCUS research, development, and deployment.
“We are pleased to co-host GHGT-18 and showcase the Australian oil and gas sector’s CCUS leadership on the world stage,” she said.
“The conference provides an important opportunity to highlight growing momentum for CCUS in Australia and around the world, as well as the future opportunities for this key emissions reduction technology.
“It is fitting the event will be held in Western Australia, a state where industry and government are leading the way on CCUS in Australia,” McCulloch added.
Western Australia’s deputy premier and minister for tourism, Rita Saffioti, emphasised the significance of securing lucrative business events for the economic development of the state.
“Securing high-profile business events to Western Australia is an important part of our overarching tourism strategy, as it not only enhances our state’s reputation but creates significant economic benefits through increased tourism spend.
“Hosting GHGT-18 gives delegates a time-specific reason to visit our beautiful state and provides a unique platform to highlight the innovation and diversity that define Western Australia – we are not just attracting visitors; we are building lasting connections that contribute to our state’s economic vitality and global presence,” said Saffioti.
Gareth Martin, CEO of Business Events Perth, shared in a press statement that “securing GHGT-18 is a testament to Western Australia’s growing reputation as a premier destination for high-impact international business events”.
Hong Kong’s iconic venues, variety of exciting activities and vibrant experiences are perfect for celebrating momentous occasions with the team
As one of Asia’s financial hubs and cosmopolitan cities, Hong Kong may seem like all work and no play. But those who are familiar with the city know that it punches above its weight when it comes to fun.
Hong Kong – the city that never settles for less when it comes to fun – offers a vibrant mix of iconic venues, award-winning bars, and cultural experiences, making it the ideal destination for unforgettable incentive trips.
With a dynamic blend of day and night activities, there is no shortage of ways for corporate planners to create unique, team-bonding experiences. From thrilling daytime adventures to an energetic nightlife scene, Hong Kong has all the elements needed to elevate any incentive event into an extraordinary celebration.
Here are some suggested itineraries that will have your team partying from day to night:
Day itinerary: Unique Hong Kong venues
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Get ready for a wild day with the team at Ocean Park Hong Kong where you can participate in various team challenges
Feel the adrenaline rush as you conquer some gravity-defying rides at Ocean Park Hong Kong
Morning kickoff: Be transported to theme parks
Begin the day with exhilarating team building fun or adrenaline rides at Ocean Park Hong Kong. Here, teams can shed their formal personas and bond over fun games and memorable, furry-friendly challenges. What’s more, pay a visit to two adorable giant pandas, Ying Ying and Le Le, who will soon welcome two new neighbours gifted by the Central Government come year-end. Get ready to go gaga over the city’s cute newborn twins, when they are ready to greet visitors in early 2025! These cute new arrivals are ready to make visitors swoon.
Alternatively, transport the team into a world of wonder with a Disney-themed celebration at Hong Kong Disneyland. Incorporate themed elements, such as appearances by Marvel superheroes, to add a touch of magic to the event. Enjoy a leisurely lunch amidst Disney’s enchanting surroundings, with customised experiences that allow team members to mingle and connect.
Celebrate Halloween at Hong Kong Disneyland with your team
Afternoon adventure: Revel in city sights
Take a scenic ride through Hong Kong’s bustling streets on a vintage tram while you party on the open top deck
As the day progresses, invite the group to hop aboard a vintage tram for a scenic ride through Hong Kong’s neon-lit streets. The open deck is the perfect spot for a party with panoramic views of bustling neighbourhoods and iconic landmarks, and sharing photo-worthy moments along the way.
Inject some excitement in the afternoon with competitive e-sports or immersive virtual reality experiences. At AME Stadium in Victoria Harbour, teams can engage in e-Cycling or e-Kayaking, where the challenge of virtual sport fuels camaraderie and friendly rivalry. Or take the group to Sandbox VR, where members can step into a futuristic Hong Kong and become action heroes in a shared virtual world.
Night itinerary: Paint the town red at these nightlife spots
Kick off the evening in style with a sunset cruise along Victoria Harbour. Chartered yachts and traditional junk boats offer a glamorous venue for hosting cocktail parties, complete with drinks, music, and stunning views of the city’s illuminated skyline.
For something to make your evening more exhilarating, head for the races at Shatin and Happy Valley. Horse racing has a historical connection to Hong Kong that dates back to 1841. Wednesday nights are when races take place at Happy Valley Racecourse. Cheer on your favourite horse while feeling the spirited roar of the crowd beside you as they do the same.
When dusk falls, indulge in some libations at Tsim Sha Tsui’s best bars
No trip to Hong Kong would be complete without experiencing its legendary nightlife. Incentive groups can embark on a bar-hopping tour through the city’s most famous districts. From the lively streets of Lan Kwai Fong and stylish vibes of Soho to the alfresco charm of Tsim Sha Tsui’s waterfront bars and legendary ‘red-light district’ of Wan Chai, teams can make their way through some highly acclaimed bars that have clinched top spots on the prestigious Asia’s 50 Best Bars list.
They include Bar Leone, crowned the Best Bar in Asia 2024, as well as Coa (4th), Argo (9th), and The Aubrey (10th).
For an evening activity that combines learning and leisure, consider a tasting workshop at Tell Camellia, where cocktails are infused with various teas. The bar’s innovative ‘teatails’ have twice secured it a spot among Asia’s 50 Best Bars, making it an ideal venue for a masterclass in cocktail mixing.
Year-round celebrations and festivities
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There is never a dull time in Hong Kong with various festivals celebrated year-round
Dress your best and celebrate with the rest of the city as it comes alive during annual events such as Halloween
Do not forget to keep an eye out on Hong Kong’s calendar of mega events and colourful festivals. Popular events include the five-day Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, long-running music festival Clockenflap, and many more food, arts and cultural events all year round.
The city’s dynamic environment ensures that every moment is filled with excitement, making Hong Kong the ideal destination for those aiming to throw the best parties for incentive groups.
Hong Kong’s vibrant mix of iconic venues, entertainment options, and cultural experiences presents endless possibilities for planners looking to create the ultimate incentive trip. For more ideas to craft the perfect, unforgettable itinerary for teams, check out the Hong Kong Incentive Playbook.
CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith will not renew her contract when her term ends in 2025
Business Events Sydney (BESydney) will commence a global search for its new CEO following Lyn Lewis-Smith’s decision to not renew her contract when it ends July 2025. She will continue to serve as CEO until end of June 2025 to ensure an orderly progression.
Chair professor Mary O’Kane said in a press statement that Lewis-Smith “has led BESydney with vision and integrity over the past 12 years and the business events industry globally is better for it”.
CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith will not renew her contract when her term ends in 2025
Lewis-Smith’s decision comes as BESydney announced strong results for the fiscal period and an even stronger forward events pipeline through to 2030.
BESydney reported that 69 global and national meetings held in financial year 2023/2024 attracted 51,000 delegates and generated an estimated A$216 million (US$142.3 million) in direct expenditure for the state. At the same time, 69 new business events secured are expected to attract 61,000 delegates and generate an estimated A$217 million in direct expenditure.
The Lux Collective has appointed Paul Mulcahy as its chief commercial officer, based in Mauritius.
He has over two decades of extensive leadership experience in commercial strategy and business transformation, with an acute business acumen and keen ability to develop and lead innovative commercial and operational strategies that deliver results.
Mulcahy joins The Lux Collective from RCI – part of Travel + Leisure Co. – where he served as managing director North America.
The annual rankings recognise the top-performing hotels for business events, as well as the world’s most coveted meeting destinations; Singapore pictured
Nearly 80 per cent of China’s foreign direct investment went to Asia after the lockdown was lifted in 2023 and Singapore, where a large number of Chinese enterprises have set up shop, is reaping the benefits.
Alicia Yao, vice chairman of the China Business Event Industry Committee (CBEIC), a speaker at the recent ITB Asia, said Chinese investors set up 48,000 overseas enterprises in 189 countries and regions by the end of 2023.
Chinese investors set up 48,000 overseas enterprises in 189 countries and regions by the end of 2023, with Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand being top choices for expansion; Singapore pictured
The Chinese Enterprises (Singapore) Association), with some 950 members, is expected to exceed 1,000 by the end of 2024, she added. Members are in the fields of finance, infrastructure, shipping logistics, energy and trade, technology and digitalisation, culture tourism and services.
“The successful experience of Chinese enterprises in Singapore is the main reason for attracting Chinese business events and exhibitions,” she explained.
“Globalisation has become an unavoidable issue for Chinese enterprises and this will result in the climax of China’s outbound BEs in 2025 and 2026.”
Some 90 per cent of destination choice, she noted, is concentrated in Asia-Pacific, where airfares are more affordable and visa entry requirements have eased.
ITB Asia buyer Liu Lei, Lenovo (Tianjin) purchasing manager, said budgets have been reduced, so Europe and the US are out, while Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are in.
China outbound business events are diverse and include association delegation business visits, promotional roadshows, incentive trips, business study and research groups, conferences, and exhibitions.
According to Yao, Guangdong, Shanghai, Beijing, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Nanjing, Suzhou are the prime Chinese business events generators.
Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Foshan, Quanzhou and other second-tier cities in the Pearl River Delta are up-and-coming, she continued.
Yao advised industry practitioners interested in tapping Chinese business events to “pay more attention” to ROI, results of business activities, corporate brand publicity, product marketing and sales, project cooperation, and business success.
Chinese corporate incentive trips, she shared, want “different travel experiences” and “are willing to deeply experience local culture and customs”.
CBEIC was set up by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and involves related enterprises, social organisations and institutions to promote industry cooperation.
CBEIC members include China national associations, event companies, PCOs, think tanks, research institutes, colleges, universities, industry professionals and consultants.
The non-profit NGO is a new member of the Joint Meetings Industry Council.
It has been a productive year for ICCA’s Asia Pacific Chapter, as it chalks up several first-ever achievements that are aligned with its commitment to driving transformative change and business innovation.
Its efforts are shaped by its broader perspective on the value of meetings, where sustainability, social responsibility, and legacy are as crucial as economic gains.
ICCA’s Asia Pacific Chapter members gathered in Abu Dhabi in October
This year, the Australian Business Events Association and ICCA signed a MoU that commits both to amplifying association core values and strengthening the three pillars of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Legacy and Sustainability; and Talent Development and Retention through white papers, access to programmes and information sharing, and the creation of key opportunities for emerging leaders.
Another achievement is the Association Impact Masterclass, designed to elevate the power, impact, and effectiveness of association partnerships. The inaugural class, supported by BESarawak as a Seed Fund Contributor, took place from April 25-27, 2024 in Kuching, Sarawak. The next edition will be in Dublin, Ireland in 2025.
Further commitment to capacity-building is seen in the roll out of ICCASkills certification programmes in the region. The first face-to-face Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS) programme in the region was conducted at the China National Convention Center, Phase II (CNCCII), Beijing in April. This will be followed by a second CICS programme from December 9-11.
In addition, the first in-person Certified International Convention Executive (CICE) course was conducted at Ta Pae Christchurch Convention Center in September. Learners had the opportunity to explore other New Zealand business events destinations and facilities, such as Wellington. The Macao Fair and Trade Association also led a CICS programme at Wynn Palace in September.
The year 2024 will most of all go down in ICCA history for the establishment of the ICCA China representative office in Beijing, pointed out Waikin Wong, regional director Asia Pacific.
ICCA was invited by both the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau and Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism to open a strategic office in the Chinese capital city to work together on driving a multidisciplinary, synergistic approach to facilitating international business opportunities, boosting local economies and societal impact, and integrating China with the global business events industry.
ICCA is the first global meetings industry association to successfully open an office in Beijing.
Along with this development, ICCA signed a milestone agreement with the Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security-Beijing Government and Beijing North Star Co, the owner of CNCC II, to collaborate on capacity building.
The trio will develop a Certified International Business Events Professional programme based on successful ICCASkills certifications. The programme will join ICCA’s roster of educational initiatives and content will be offered in English and Mandarin. Certified participants will have an advantage when working in China, as the certification is recognised by the Beijing government.
Other capacity-building programmes also took place with the support of the Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Exposition and at members’ events in various Asian cities.
Wong said: “We want to facilitate lifelong learning and develop opportunities for our members, so as to build a future-ready meeting industry.”
“We are also investing in nurturing future talents,” she added, pointing to the Asia Pacific Business Events Youth Challenge in August.
The competition is designed for students and young business events professionals under the age of 30, offering participants an opportunity to showcase their creative ideas. The 2024 edition was hosted by the Daejeon Metropolitan City, with ICCA and the Korea MICE Association stepping in as co-hosts.
Other notable achievements for the chapter this year include the BE Wellness initiative by ICCA and Marina Bay Sands Singapore to better understand the impact of wellness on business events and professionals through research; the debut of the ICCA Global Venues Experts Forum in Beijing this December, aimed at C-suite leadership from the venues sector; and the continuation of the Bangkok Protocol on Sustainable Gastronomy, a legacy initiative from the 62nd ICCA Congress in Bangkok in 2023 that is backed by primary partner, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.
Programme designers of business events need to be aware that at least one in five people are neurodivergent – according to the Neu Project, this includes ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette’s syndrome, etc.
Gayle McGuinn, head of associations sales, Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), who led the session Transforming Events: Empowering Inclusion through Neurodiversity, extrapolated that with more than 1,500 delegates at this year’s congress, up to 600 could be neurodivergent.
McGuinn: event organisers and speakers need to support neurodivergent attendees
Indeed, a number of participants at the session shared they are neurodivergent.
As the movement is evolving, events must also transform by empowering inclusion, she McGuinn.
The ICCA Congress could start by including more “quiet spaces” and be aware of the impact of “sensory overload”, she opined.
To host It Takes All Kinds of Minds and create an inclusive experience, McGuinn said EICC launched an education programme comprising staff training and an accessibility audit. It trialled the new processes and fine tuned the details.
Other initiatives included the creation of a delegate manual to relieve delegate anxiety, introducing silent flappause (clapping by waving both hands), improving light and sound by using soothing blue and green lights, and deactivating hand dryers.
Delegate support also included quiet times and rooms, and colour-coded badges for sessions.
On the F&B front, sensory sensitivities, separate food, plain food stations, and quiet dining areas were offered.
Event practitioners, she advised, should design a diverse programme with short sessions, live stream to quiet rooms, and share content in advance.
Speaker support should include detailed guidelines; they should be encouraged to use visuals and conduct familiarisation sessions.
McGuinn continued: “A hybrid event would widen the reach; participants could engage via the event app and address interaction preferences.”
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
Her experience in negotiating high-value contracts and strong relationships with stakeholders will be instrumental in further elevating Grand Hyatt Jakarta.
Mulcahy joins The Lux Collective from RCI – part of Travel + Leisure Co. – where he served as managing director North America.
