Hong Kong will be hosting the inaugural Connect Marketplace Hong Kong 2025, from March 19-21, at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE).
The event aims to bring together global industry leaders, tourism authorities, and stakeholders to network, collaborate, and shape the future of the business events industry in the region.
Informa Markets reveals plans for Connect Marketplace Hong Kong 2025; photo from Benson Tang’s LinkedIn
Themed Your Bleisure, Our Pleasure, over 600 hosted buyers from around the world and 8,000 visitors from 14 countries are expected to attend. Hundreds of exhibitors will showcase their latest offerings, including airlines, event management companies, hotels, and technology solutions.
Meanwhile, hosted buyers and visitors will come from diverse segments, including associations, corporate organizations, event management companies, and international societies.
The event will feature a range of activities, including pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings, networking events, industry thought leader talks, and vibrant city tours.
Organised by Informa Markets and Informa Connect, this event is supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and AWE.
Dane Cheng, executive director, HKTB, commented: “We’re thrilled to support Connect Marketplace Hong Kong 2025, a flagship MICE trade show from North America expanding its APAC footprint through Hong Kong. This is a strong testament to our city’s status as the world’s meeting place and events capital of Asia, and we look forward to providing participants with enriching experiences while fostering the success of this inaugural show.”
Over 160 industry professionals from across New Zealand and Australia will gather in Taranaki next week for the annual Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Conference.
The event, scheduled for November 25-27 at The Devon Hotel, New Plymouth, will focus on shaping the future of New Zealand’s business events sector.
New Plymouth and Mount Taranaki pictured
Matt Doocey, New Zealand’s Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, will open the conference on November 26, participating in a panel discussion with BEIA CEO Lisa Hopkins.
“We will be looking ahead to the next decade with the Business Events National Strategic Direction 2035 – Pīata Mai – which sets out steps for measuring and growing the sector’s positive cultural, social, environmental and economic impact for the next 10 years,” said Hopkins.
Leading event organisers, including representatives from Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand, will join the forum to share insights and discuss opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Renowned industry experts, such as Brad Olsen (principal economist at Infometrics), Maretha Smit (CEO of Diversity Works), and professor Carmel Foley (University of Technology Sydney), will share their insights on the latest trends and challenges facing the sector.
Additionally, Kari Scrimshaw, CEO of Workforce Development Council division Ringa Hora, will discuss vocational development and training initiatives for the business events industry.
Six Boracay groups have proposed solutions to boost tourism, including infrastructure upgrades and rebranding the island
Six associations of Boracay stakeholders have proposed solutions to address “pressing infrastructure, regulatory, and marketing challenges” in an effort to restore tourism to what was once the Philippines’ crown jewel.
The joint resolution was signed by Boracay Foundation, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, MICE Alliance – Boracay, Boracay Island Travel Agency and Tour Operators Association (BITATOA), Malay Tour Guide Association (MALTOA), and Korean Residents Organization of Boracay (KROB).
Six Boracay groups have proposed solutions to boost tourism, including infrastructure upgrades and rebranding the island
The joint resolution was made as tourist numbers to Boracay have been dwindling, with foreigners now making up the minority of arrivals. Before the island’s rehabilitation and the pandemic, foreigners accounted for 75 to 85 per cent of total arrivals. As of October this year, Boracay welcomed a total of 145,021 visitors, of whom only 17 per cent were foreigners, while 83 per cent were domestic tourists.
Among the groups’ infrastructure proposals are to “ensure the efficient utilisation” of the budget allocated for renovating Caticlan Jetty Port – the main gateway for tourists travelling to and from the island – and to install PWD-friendly facilities to improve the arrival and departure experience for all visitors.
They support granting international airport status to Caticlan Airport, despite opposition from some quarters. Caticlan Airport, which is newer, smaller, and nearer to Caticlan Jetty Port than Kalibo Airport, is facing delays in facility upgrades and the introduction of direct international flights, limiting Boracay’s ability to attract high-value tourists.
They clamour for “a streamlined, standardised” business permit process across all businesses in Boracay, noting that “the current renewal process for business permits, including health cards and sanitation permits, is overly burdensome, expensive, and lacks consistency”.
“The perception of Boracay as an overly regulated destination is harming its appeal to potential tourists,” the groups said, adding that they are also seeking to “shift marketing efforts to portray Boracay as a fun, relaxing, and welcoming destination” while increasing the number of events and activities to attract more visitors.
MICE Alliance, BITATOA, MALTOA and KROB will continue to actively promote Boracay by joining local and international travel shows.
Mount Victoria Lookout, Wellington; photo by WellingtonNZ
The capital city of New Zealand, Wellington, has secured the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) Asia Pacific Division Conference for 2028.
The conference, themed Water our Treasure, will take place in October 2028 on the Pipitea campus of Victoria University of Wellington. It is estimated to generate nearly NZ$1 million (US$590,364) in economic impact for the city, and attract leading water and environmental engineers from around the globe.
Mount Victoria Lookout, Wellington; photo by WellingtonNZ
The successful bid was spearheaded by Gregory De Costa from the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand and Alan Brent of Victoria University of Wellington. The duo, along with the support of Business Events Wellington and Tourism New Zealand Business Events, highlighted Wellington’s unique connection to water and its expertise in water management.
De Costa pointed out that hosting the event locally would give New Zealand researchers and the industry an opportunity to gain knowledge and build networks in this field.
“Further, this congress will highlight New Zealand as a country for cutting-edge research and technology dissemination which will help boost it as a destination for tertiary study, particularly for many Asian students contemplating overseas study.”
The Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB) has expanded its international conference ambassador programme in Greater China, and inducted Alicia Yao, managing director of IME Consulting and vice chairman of the China Business Event Industry Committee (CBEIC) into this influential fold.
Yao, a veteran business events practitioner and sought-after speaker based in the Chinese capital, received her appointment from Edward Koh, executive director, conventions, meetings & incentive travel, SECB at an event organised by the bureau in Wuxi.
IME Consulting and China Business Event Industry Committee’s Alicia Yao (right) is now a conference ambassador for Singapore
As chairman of CBEIC, set up by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Yao was in charge of recommending and shortlisting 50 qualified buyers to attend the recent ITB Asia.
She also chaired a China panel, We are back: New Trends of China Outbound Meeting and Incentive Events at the tradeshow in Singapore in October.
According to Koh, Yao is being recognised for her association business networks and role in helping SECB advance its interests and agenda in the market.
Also inducted with Yao in Wuxi was Pam Sam Yee (aka Fan San Ru), secretary general, China Millions Forum (CMF) ASEAN. CMF, founded in Beijing in 2004, is an organisation that promotes the professional quality of financial insurance practitioners and aims to unite members to revitalise the insurance industry.
In 2023, SECB inducted Hong Kong-based Perry Shum, vice president, IEEE Photonics Society as Greater China’s first international conference ambassador.
There are over 80 local and 15 international conference ambassadors from Greater China, North Asia, Europe and the US, Koh noted.
Yao commented that the goal of CBEIC and CCPIT, also know as the China Chamber of International Commerce, is for Chinese associations to go global, and promote cooperation between Chinese industry associations and the international business events industry.
On Singapore’s growing importance, she said the business events hub is responding to changes in demand, providing richer and more meaningful experiences for conference participants by working with new and old partners to innovate and jointly promote the development of the industry.
Even though traditionally Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast have been popular as incentive travel destinations for Indian corporate groups, CVBs in other Australian cities are now gearing up to claim a bigger share of the pie.
Earlier this month, Tourism Australia led a delegation of 15 CEOs representing all of its state and territory tourism organisations including convention bureaus to India, calling at New Delhi and Mumbai. These leaders were determined to raise their destination profile among event buyers.
Mack: more requests from Indian event planners for other Australian cities
“The incentive travel segment has been driving the Indian outbound MICE growth. Destinations like Sydney and Melbourne remain popular among incentive travel groups from India, but we are now also seeing requests for other parts of Australia. With the help of our CEO delegation, we are creating awareness about larger incentive travel experiences available across Australia,” Robin Mack, executive general manager, commercial and business events, Tourism Australia, told TTGmice.
Building on enhanced direct air connectivity – expanding from eight flights in 2019 to 25 today – along with a digitised visa process, Australia has benefitted from a surge in corporate event demand from India. Currently, this demand is growing at a year-on-year rate of six to seven per cent.
“Indian travellers are becoming much more experienced and looking to explore destinations beyond Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. Our proximity to Sydney holds us in good stead as Indian incentive travellers are looking at multi-destination trips. A three-night Sydney and two-night Canberra itinerary is a perfect scenario for us,” said Michael Matthews, CEO, Canberra Convention Bureau, who added that interest is rising from smaller groups of 30 to 80 pax.
However, Matthews said his city is ready for more – as many as 500 pax per group.
Business Events Adelaide, in association with India-based Venture Marketing, also hosted an event in New Delhi on last week. Drawing some 70 event planners and corporates, the event highlighted various products and experiences available for incentive travel groups visiting Adelaide.
Damien Kitto, CEO, Business Events Adelaide, said: “We believe that Adelaide has many experiences to offer corporate clients in India. I am very confident over the next 12 months Adelaide will host many Indian MICE groups. Some of the experiences that we are keen to promote includes meet-and-greet activities with former Test cricketers at Adelaide Oval ground or visits to Monarto Safari Park.”
Business Events Adelaide is also engaging with Indian carriers like IndiGo and Air India to introduce direct flights to the city.
New research from Accor has found “undeniable” proof of the value face-to-face meetings bring to business performance. Insights from 9,000 professionals around the world said revenue could increase by 36% if all important meetings were conducted in person, and agreed that human connection fostered by in-person interactions is significantly more effective in driving business success and performance.
A striking 85% of respondents expected that prioritising in-person meetings would significantly boost their revenue, with an average projected increase of 36% over the next year. This statistic highlights the tangible business benefits of face-to-face meetings, suggesting that companies looking to enhance their commercial performance might want to rethink their approach to client interactions.
A striking 85% of respondents expected that prioritising in-person meetings would significantly boost their revenue
One respondent stated: “Business professionals expect to close 37% more deals if they were able to conduct all their important meetings face-to-face.” This sentiment was shared by a majority of the professionals surveyed, with 81% indicating they believed they would achieve better business outcomes if they could prioritise in-person meetings.
Understanding that in-person meetings are an investment, 35% of professionals globally agreed meeting in person is worth the investment in both time and costs. Ninety-two per cent of professionals agreed meetings were important with external clients while 85% of workers agreed face-to-face interaction was important with internal colleagues.
In fact, respondents believed that one in-person meeting bore the same impact as three virtual meetings.
Around 41% agreed that face-to-face interactions were more effective for business, particularly when it came to sales, closing deals, and overall business success. Nearly 40% emphasised the importance of in-person meetings for their work, with 38% noting that the investment in time and costs was worthwhile.
Furthermore, 37% believed in-person meetings were key to fostering company culture, while 35% reported higher attendee engagement during these interactions.
However, 33% acknowledged that virtual meetings made it more difficult to build personal relationships, underscoring the value of physical presence in the professional world.
The primary driver of business travel was commercial, with 34% of professionals stating that closing a deal was their main travel purpose, closely followed by client (31%) and contract negotiations (30%).
A significant 68% favoured conducting client presentations in person, compared to just 17% who preferred virtual formats. Site inspections showed an even stronger preference for in-person involvement, with 77% choosing this method.
Looking ahead, the research suggests that the hybrid business model is now the norm. As businesses continue to rely on digital solutions, the human touch provided by face-to-face meetings will remain an irreplaceable aspect of closing deals and fostering strong business relationships. While digital tools offer convenience and global connectivity, they cannot fully replicate the effectiveness of personal interactions.
Singapore minister of state for culture, community and youth, Alvin Tan visits GSTC; photo by GSTC
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) unveiled the world’s first global sustainability standard designed for attractions as well as a comprehensive sustainability guide for business event venues, a move coinciding with the city-state’s hosting of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) Global Sustainable Tourism Conference last week.
The new MICE Venue Sustainability Playbook is the latest development in Singapore’s move towards responsible business events. Content was built on data and learnings obtained from the 2023 national MICE Industry Carbon and Waste Baseline exercise, which studied energy, water and waste generated by Singapore’s six purpose-built business events venues – Changi Exhibition Centre, Raffles City Convention Centre, Resorts World Convention Centre, Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore Expo, and Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Singapore minister of state for culture, community and youth, Alvin Tan visits GSTC; photo by GSTC
The MICE Venue Sustainability Playbook aims to help event venues manage their carbon emissions, and offers practical recommendations for energy efficiency, waste management, and water conservation efforts. It features a decarbonisation framework, best practices from purpose-built business event venues, and international counterparts, and a consolidation of whole-of-government support schemes to drive decarbonisation across Singapore’s venues.
Besides launching the MICE Venue Sustainability Playbook, STB also demonstrated its commitment to supporting the reduction of carbon emissions at business events by encouraging delegates attending the GSTC Global Sustainable Tourism Conference to offset their carbon footprint from air travel by purchasing quality carbon credits through a credible offset project.
Delegates who did so received a pre-loaded value souvenir card which can be used for public transportation in Singapore. This initiative aims to create awareness of the carbon emissions impact of air travel and encourage delegates to take ownership of their own emissions, thereby fostering a greener, more sustainable delegate journey from start to end.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s attractions are also getting a power shot in their sustainability efforts through the new GSTC Attraction Criteria. Developed with support from STB, the criteria aims to serve as the global sustainability standard for attractions and provide a common understanding of sustainable practices for attractions worldwide. This is the first-ever global standard specifically designed for attractions. Attractions can expect to apply for the certification in early 2026, after the onboarding and GSTC accreditation of certification bodies in 2025.
STB’s chief sustainability officer, Ong Huey Hong, said: “These initiatives are pivotal in positioning Singapore as a leading sustainable urban destination and demonstrating our commitment to sustainability. By developing world-class standards and providing the industry with practical tools, we are not only enhancing our own tourism sector but also contributing to global sustainability efforts in tourism.”
The Westin Jakarta has appointed Thomas Glaser as its new general manager, where he will oversee all executive and operational aspects of the property.
Glaser brings over 20 years of extensive hospitality experience to The Westin Jakarta. Prior to this appointment, he served as general manager at Hilton Bandung for four years.
His diverse background equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the hospitality industry and a passion for delivering memorable guest experiences.
A rendering of Winter Sports World; photo credit Collins and Turner
While Western Sydney has long boasted world-class venues like Sydney Olympic Park and Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, its full potential as a major events and business tourism destination has remained untapped.
With the development of new infrastructure such as an international airport and a concerted effort to promote the area as a unified destination, this is set to change.
A rendering of Winter Sports World; photo credit Collins and Turner
Come late-2026, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) is set to open. This new additional entry point into Sydney will operate 24-hours-a-day services, which contrasts with some other major international airports in Australia that have curfew limits. A new hotel, the Courtyard by Marriot Western Sydney Airport, will also open in 2026.
“The round-the-clock access from WSI Airport will be a gamechanger for business events visitors, especially those with tight time frames. (It will also) provide more flexibility for long distance flights out of Europe and the US,” Business Events Sydney’s (BESydney) CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith told TTGmice.
The new airport is also in “closer proximity” to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, as well as Hunter Valley vineyards, which Lewis-Smith indicated will “definitely influence a change in approach to itineraries especially for our corporate and incentive market”.
Qantas was the first to sign up in mid-2023 as the first domestic airline partner, and is projected to carry approximately four million passengers and 25,000 flights a year upon opening. Virgin Australia has also signed on, and recently, WSI secured its first international airline partner, Singapore Airlines.
Other major developments are also underway in Western Sydney. Currently under construction and due to open in 2025, Powerhouse Parramatta – billed as the largest museum in NSW – will offer 18,000m2 of exhibition space, focused on demonstrating the continued impact of the applied arts and sciences on the world. The museum will also boast a range of event spaces including a 2,000m2 rooftop garden, a tiered-seating theatre for 700 guests, a 55-seat cinema, and a 200-seat kitchen space for culinary demonstrations.
Over in Penrith, Winter Sports World will be Australia’s first snow park. Slated to open in 2026, the park will feature a 300-metre indoor ski slope, ice hockey, speed skating, alpine skiing, and ice climbing. The precinct will also boast a 170-room hotel, conference and event facilities, and a restaurant with snow views.
But corporate meetings and incentives are not BESydney’s only focus.
“For associations, the Westmead Health and Innovation District is a leader in breakthrough research and innovation. This growing district, situated in Western Sydney, means that the city’s ability to deliver on knowledge exchange, talent attraction, and direct foreign investment will be a gamechanger for this important sector,” Lewis-Smith shared.
The NSW Government aims to boost annual visitor economy expenditure to A$91 billion (US$59.9 billion) by 2035. This goal, a 40 per cent increase over the previous target, will require significant expansion of the state’s tourism infrastructure. To accommodate the expected influx of visitors, the government has identified the need for an additional 40,000 hotel rooms and increased business event facilities in Sydney, Western Sydney, and key regional areas.
This has also resulted in a A$1.5 million increase in funding for BESydney in FY25, which will help “improve our competitive position in the Asia Pacific region”, said Lewis-Smith.
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His diverse background equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the hospitality industry and a passion for delivering memorable guest experiences.
