Melbourne’s (pictured) role in global advancements in gastroenterology and hepatology will on display
Melbourne is set to welcome the world’s leading experts in gastroenterology and hepatology as it hosts the World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCOG) 2025.
Scheduled to take place from September 20 to 22, 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), the event will bring together 3,000 delegates from around the globe and is expected to inject A$17.7 million (US$11.8 million) to Victoria’s local economy.
Melbourne’s (pictured) role in global advancements in gastroenterology and hepatology will on display
GESA will integrate its annual event, Australian Gastroenterology Week (AGW), into the Congress. Regularly attracting around 1,700 attendees, AGW will offer a prime opportunity for both national and international delegates to engage and collaborate.
MCB CEO Julia Swanson said Melbourne’s renowned global standing in medical research and innovation, combined with the Victorian Government’s dedication to advancing the city’s medical precincts, has positioned Melbourne as a top choice for hosting healthcare conferences.
“This event will serve as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, fostering significant progress in gastroenterology and hepatology. Healthcare conferences play a key role in promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing, often leading to breakthroughs that drive substantial improvements in health outcomes,” she added.
Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison commented on the broader economic impact of the event: “International business events contributed A$4.4 billion in the 12 months to June this year, which is why it is important we continue to secure a strong pipeline of future events through Tourism Australia’s Bid Fund Program.”
The successful bid to host WCOG 2025 was spearheaded by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), in partnership with the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) and supported by the Victorian Government and Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program.
Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and STIC Travel Group (STIC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen Sentosa’s positioning as a sustainable destination for leisure, business and education in the Indian market.
This one-year partnership will seek to create innovative educational experiences targeted at students in India, highlighting Sentosa’s sustainable practices and diverse ecosystems.
The collaboration aims to boost tourism arrivals from India by offering immersive sustainability-focused educational experiences
The MoU signifies a joint effort to design immersive learning experiences that utilise Sentosa’s unique environment as a living classroom to foster a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainability. These programmes will emphasise key concepts such as the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, carbon footprint reduction and biodiversity conservation.
This partnership builds upon STIC’s broader efforts to boost educational tourism in Singapore by offering Indian students an opportunity to explore Singapore’s heritage, sustainable development initiatives and interactive learning experiences.
Central to this partnership is the launch of the Unchartered Sentosa tour designed to inspire students to become advocates for positive environmental change in their own communities.
Slated to roll out in November, Unchartered Sentosa offers Indian students a hands-on exploration of sustainability principles through a diverse range of activities.
These include intertidal exploration of the Southern Shores to learn about marine conservation and coastal ecology, guided nature walks along Serapong and Imbiah Trail to discover native flora and fauna in Sentosa, an Amazing Race adventure on Sentosa and St John’s Island to educate participants on the importance and relevance of responsible consumption, interactive workshops that equip participants with ocean survival skills at Lazarus Island, visits to Sentosa’s sustainable attractions such as the Cable Car and Skyline Luge, and an Eco Tour of Siloso Beach Resort demonstrating real-world applications of sustainable design and green technology
SDC CEO Thien Kwee Eng said: “By leveraging Sentosa’s ecological diversity, we’re creating a unique platform for students to gain hands-on experience in environmental stewardship. We look forward to creating unique Sentosa-based itineraries and experiences with STIC that showcase Sentosa’s commitment to sustainability and provide invaluable educational opportunities for students.”
“This initiative not only enhances (the) global perspective (of Indian students) but also equips them with practical knowledge about sustainability that they can bring back to their communities,” added Isha Goyal, CEO, STIC Travel Group.
Adelaide (pictured) held off strong competition to secure this business event, which rotates between Asian, European and North American destinations
Business Events Adelaide has announced a major win for the city, securing the hosting rights for the MicroTAS 2025 Conference.
This marks the first time the international conference will be held in the Southern Hemisphere.
Adelaide (pictured) held off strong competition to secure this business event, which rotates between Asian, European and North American destinations
MicroTAS 2025 will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC) between November 2-6, 2025, and is expected to attract 1,100 delegates, 950 of which will be international visitors.
MicroTAS, or Miniaturised Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences – Micro-Total Analysis Systems, is an annual event focused on microfluidics. This multidisciplinary field combines chemistry, life sciences, and biology, with applications across various sectors including the environment, agriculture, energy, food, and health.
The conference attracts a global audience of engineers and scientists from academia, government, and corporate research institutions. Adelaide’s selection as the host city highlights the city’s growing reputation as a premier destination for international scientific conferences and events.
The announcement was made on October 16 during the 2024 event held in Montreal, by the conference chairs, professors Michael Breadmore, Rosanne Guijt, and Craig Priest.
Commenting on the selection of Adelaide, Breadmore said “One of the strengths of Adelaide is its commitment to sustainability, and the initiatives and investment that has been made in the City and the Adelaide Convention Centre. Combined with the perfect venue layout and location for our conference and the wonderful food and produce, we felt that Adelaide could truly deliver the Australian experience we wanted to offer to our delegates”.
Guijt added: “Another defining factor was the relationships and links with the indigenous communities of Adelaide, and the vision of the state to establish a First Nations ‘Voice to Parliament’. We want MicroTAS 2025 to respect and include all Australian cultures, including that of our first peoples, who are the world’s first scientists and engineers. Adelaide – and South Australia felt like the right place to be able to do that.”
An excavation site at Ban Chiang Archaeological Site in Udon Thani
Udon Thani, the third city in Thailand’s north-eastern region to be designated as a MICE City by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), after Korat and Khon Kaen, is quickly emerging as a key player in Thailand’s business events sector.
Designated as a MICE City in 2020, Udon Thani is currently undergoing extensive preparation for the five-month Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026.
An excavation site at Ban Chiang Archaeological Site in Udon Thani
Based on TCEB statistics, the destination attracted around 4.6 million business events visitors, mostly for exhibitions, and brought in 15.7 million baht (US$461,344) as of 2Q2024.
“Udon Thani is evolving as a MICE destination, beyond just a location for government agency meetings. Locally, it has changed too – people are beginning to understand the concept of MICE,” said Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk, vice president of the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association.
She shared that while previously Udon Thani attracted domestic groups and local government agency meetings, the destination is now garnering interest from corporate meetings and medical groups.
“While the international MICE sector is still very niche – most of them are ‘special interest groups’ following art or culture trails – we need to give the province some time. Khon Kaen started the same way, but look at what it is now as a destination,” Prachoom added.
Udon Thani’s status as a MICE City helps disperse business events activities within the Isan region, reducing overcrowding in other Isan cities, and also attracts markets from Laos and the broader CLMV region, shared Areerat Montreepreechachai, director of TCEB’s northeastern regional department.
“Udon Thani has the advantage of bordering Laos, so today incentives or corporate meetings and international meetings from Laos are increasingly organising their events in Udon Than,” she shared.
Both stakeholders highlighted Udon Thani’s numerous soft power elements.
For example, the province is famous for its focus on Thai herbs and traditional medicine, dharma retreats, and organic agriculture. It also promotes sustainable development through the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) model and emphasises local conservation, such as the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site – designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992 – and the Non Kok community’s unique red lotus weaving practices.
According to Prachoom, Udon Thani has a unique appeal when it comes to its local culture and food. She was impressed by the local cuisine and admired the way restaurants have creatively combined traditional Udon Thani dishes with modern elements.
“Udon Thani has surprised me (even as a Thai person). There are so many new dishes; many are made with organic vegetables, each with its own story. It is amazing how they’ve integrated storytelling into their culinary offerings. I’ve also become a huge fan of the local products. The craftsmanship and innovation, particularly in textiles, is incredible,” she enthused.
In 2023, Michelin Guide Thailand expanded its coverage to Thailand’s north-eastern region, where the four provincial cities – Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, and Khon Kaen – were selected to represent the region’s flavorful cuisine, as well as its natural and cultural heritage.
This is why Udon Thani has the potential to draw in both business events and leisure travellers seeking authentic Isan experiences, Areerat said.
“The focus on Thai medicine can also be leveraged to develop programmes for self-healing and mental wellness,” she added.
Earlier this year in July, Udon Thani showcased its potential as a cultural and business events hub by hosting the MICE City Summit 2024.
Next year, the Udon Thani Creative Festival 2025 will gather over 150 entrepreneurs, creators, and urban art groups to foster creative Isan lifestyles. The event also seeks to create a Udon Thani Festival Committee to develop new events that will boost the local economy in preparation for the International Horticultural Expo 2026 (November 1, 2026 to March 14, 2027).
As Udon Thani readies itself for the large-scale Expo that will span 100 days, the city will be getting a brand new exhibition hall which can be used for meetings and sports events post-Expo. At least nine seminars have been scheduled to take place concurrently as sub-events.
MICE Summit 2024 opened with an Isan Carnival performance showcasing the Phi Takhon (happy ghost parade), a dance native to the region
“We believe that community engagement is essential, and have taken every opportunity to involve the local people in our Expo, incorporating a sense of ownership,” Wanchai Kongsaem, Udon Thani governor stated during a progress report at the AIPH (International Association of Horticultural Producers) Expo Conference in Doha in March 2024.
Thai bureaus have also joined hands to host different seminars to upskill local operators and suppliers ahead of the Expo. For example, a seminar and workshop were held in August 2023 by TCEB, the Department of Tourism, SITE Thailand Chapter, and the Municipality of Udon Thani. The event provided local businesses with insights and guidance on how to leverage the upcoming Expo for economic growth.
25hours Hotels has appointed Jesper Soerensen as general manager of the upcoming 25hours Hotel Jakarta The Oddbird, set to open in November 2024.
With over 23 years of experience in lifestyle and luxury hospitality, Soerensen brings a wealth of knowledge and a global perspective to this vibrant new addition in Jakarta’s landscape.
Fluent in German, Danish and English, he joins 25hours Hotel Jakarta The Oddbird from SO/ Maldives, where he also served as general manager.
From left: SFA Connect’s Sarah Fleming; Lausanne Montreux Congress’ Gerald Howard; ChristchurchNZ’s Claire Hector-Taylor; Houston First Corporation’s Daniel Palomo; and Seoul Convention Bureau’s Jin Hyeok Park; photo by Rachel AJ Lee
Four space-focused cities have come together to form an international network dedicated to advancing aeronautics, space, and astronomy.
The inaugural members of the Space Cities Network are Lausanne Montreux Congress (Switzerland); ChristchurchNZ Business Events (New Zealand); Houston First Corporation (US); and Seoul Tourism Organization (South Korea).
From left: SFA Connect’s Sarah Fleming; Lausanne Montreux Congress’ Gerald Howard; ChristchurchNZ’s Claire Hector-Taylor; Houston First Corporation’s Daniel Palomo; and Seoul Convention Bureau’s Jin Hyeok Park; photo by Rachel AJ Lee
The network will serve as a platform for public and private sector organisations to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore potential partnerships in the area of space studies and development. With the aerospace economy forecasted to be valued at US$1.8 trillion by 2035, up from US$630 billion in 2023, collaboration is crucial for maximising opportunities and addressing challenges.
The Space Cities Network will comprise a select community of highly regarded, connected and influential people who are locally or internationally recognised in their field of expertise. They will be supported by destination marketing organisations from the four participating cities, which are ready to reinforce their space communities with bids for international conferences and events.
“Two or three experts in each city will be chosen to form a community. We’ll also form a young professional community; these young individuals are our future so it would be good to hear their thoughts,” said Space Cities Network co-chair, Gerald Howard, who is also senior business development manager with Lausanne Montreux Congress.
“Aside from committee meetings and supporting business events that already exist, we also plan to support more public events as the public don’t really understand what aerospace is about,” Howard added.
All four cities expressed their excitement to be collaborating and sharing knowledge across their regions for the next generation of space exploration.
Jin Hyeok Park, director of Seoul Convention Bureau, said: “With (South) Korea set to launch a new space agency, and Seoul being home to the Korea Association for Space Technology Promotion, we aim to create more opportunities for (aerospace-related) business events.”
Claire Hector-Taylor, ChristchurchNZ’s business development manager – international & bid manager, pointed out that aerospace is one of Christchurch’s four economic clusters, supported by testing facilities, manufacturing capability, and burgeoning talent.
“Cities will play an integral, legacy role as hubs for events supporting the space community, hosting conferences, summits, and meetings that bring together industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers,” she added.
Daniel Palomo, director global sales with Houston First Corporation, pointed out: “We don’t just want to attract meetings. We want to create new meetings, and help to educate the local community on the importance of the aerospace sector. These events will help to leave a legacy by elevating talent.”
When asked about plans for membership growth, noting that there is currently one city each in four continents, Howard said: “We are starting with one city per continent. We are looking for quality cities to join, and may cap it at two cities per continent.
“At this point, we have obtained support from different agencies around the world, who have told us that Space Cities Network is something they really needed. Space is an international collaboration, and 2025 will be a big year from us.”
Howard stated that more information on the Space Cities Network will be unveiled in time to come.
From left: UN Tourism’s Anita Mendiratta; Ministry of Heritage & Tourism Oman’s Azzan Qassim Al Busaidi; Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority’s Fahd bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Rasheed; and Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority’s Fatima bint Jaffer Al Sairafi
The Middle East is well-positioned to become a global business events and tourism powerhouse, fuelled by its rapid infrastructure development and varied tourism initiatives, according to panellists on the Shaping Tomorrow’s Horizon panel at the 63rd ICCA Congress in Abu Dhabi.
Fahd bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Rasheed, chairman of the board of directors, Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA), highlighted heavy investment in events infrastructure.
From left: UN Tourism’s Anita Mendiratta; Ministry of Heritage & Tourism Oman’s Azzan Qassim Al Busaidi; Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority’s Fahd bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Rasheed; and Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority’s Fatima bint Jaffer Al Sairafi
“In Riyadh alone, we’re building one million square metres of exhibition space, adding 7,000 hotel rooms, increasing airport capacity to 120 million passengers a year, and launching a new airline called Riyadh Air that will connect us with 100 new cities around the world,” he said.
He added that Saudi Arabia does not just want to attract international conferences, but seeks to “work closely with partners in the industry to create the next leading event”. As such, SCEGA will be “investing US$40 million next year” to incentivise the creation of new events.
Fatima bint Jaffer Al Sairafi, minister of tourism, and chairman of the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, spoke of the Kingdom’s five-year tourism strategy, where business tourism is a key pillar.
“A key project supporting that is Exhibition World Bahrain, which is a game-changer that has helped the Kingdom to position itself as a regional and international MICE hub. It is one of the biggest venues in the region with cutting-edge facilities,” she commented.
Although there is “a mandate to promote our countries independently as a MICE destination”, Fatima stressed that there is “real power when we promote our countries in the GCC collectively”.
The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) five-year, multiple-entry tourism visa that was launched in 2021 for 130 nationalities was instrumental in rebuilding the region’s business events and tourism industry post-pandemic, observed Azzan Qassim Al Busaidi, undersecretary of tourism at Oman’s Ministry of Heritage & Tourism.
A new GCC Grand Tours Visa, which allows tourists to travel freely across the six member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) on a single visa, is expected to launch in late 2024 or early 2025.
Meanwhile, Fatima highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement. “Air connectivity is vital, especially for international events. (In addition), exhibition centres can’t work independently, and need to (collaborate) with stakeholders such as the aviation sector, DMCs, and hotels,” she said.
Azzan concluded that the region’s business events industry has to target “unconventional and new markets” in order to achieve growth in the next 10 years.
From left: Qatar Airways' Matt Raos; IATA’s Kashif Khalid; and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism’s Karina Lance
The role airlines play in advancing the business events industry in the Middle East was highlighted in a session at the 63rd ICCA Congress 2024.
Kashif Khalid, regional director for the Middle East and Africa at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), emphasised that Middle Eastern airlines, with their extensive network and flight schedules, have greatly enhanced access to the region for business events.
From left: Qatar Airways’ Matt Raos; IATA’s Kashif Khalid; and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism’s Karina Lance
Matt Raos, senior vice president at Qatar Airways, noted that the airline is more than just a transportation provider.
Qatar Airways actively supports the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030, which aims to attract six million visitors annually by 2030, with 25 per cent of them being business event delegates.
Reflecting on the success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Raos explained how the collaboration between Qatar Airways, the government, and various stakeholders ensured a seamless experience for visitors. The event not only showcased Qatar’s capability to host large-scale international events, but also generated a positive spillover across the region. Many fans extended their trips to explore neighbouring Middle Eastern countries.
Karina Lance, associate vice president at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, said regional governments are making significant investments in infrastructure development, including in the aviation sector. Airline expansions across the Middle East and improvements in airport experiences are also playing a critical role in accelerating this growth.
From left: Nichapa Yoswee; Puripan Bunnag; Salanroj Sutaschuto; and Jaruwan Suwannasat
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) recently announced several new executive appointments.
From left: Nichapa Yoswee; Puripan Bunnag; Salanroj Sutaschuto; and Jaruwan Suwannasat
Nichapa Yoswee steps up as senior vice president, where she will be supervising domestic marketing initiatives and building partnerships within Thailand.
Puripan Bunnag has also been promoted to senior vice president with a different portfolio. He will be supervising international marketing initiatives and establishing global partnerships.
As chief operating officer, Salanroj Sutaschuto has been put in charge of organisational management and development, and coordination between government and private sectors, both domestically and internationally.
Jaruwan Suwannasat, chief information officer, has been tasked with driving innovation development.
From left: Parichat Svetasreni; Harisuda Boonyawat; and Nooch Homrossukhon
Other new appointments include Parichat Svetasreni, director of the mega events and world festivals department; Harisuda Boonyawat; director of the MICE Intelligence and Innovation Department; and Nooch Homrossukhon, now the director of corporate image and communications department.
Hilton Tokyo has begun a multi-million dollar phased renovation of its event spaces, as part of ongoing efforts to meet continued strong demand and consolidate its position as a leading business hotel in Japan.
The hotel will revamp its entire third floor in the first stage of improvements, adding 200m2 of meeting space to the existing 1,000m2 to create modern, AV tech-enabled rooms designed to harmonise with Shinjuku’s traditional and contemporary craftsmanship.
A rendering of Sekka Studio
The renovation, which is due for completion soon, will result in four meeting rooms, five function rooms, one pre-function room, three break-out areas, and one lecture hall.
Access to F&B services will be enhanced thanks to built-in or nearby facilities and greater capability to open up the floor, promoting the smooth flow of guests. The new spaces will have the highest-grade LED screens and digital audio technology systems.
Leo Frankel, commercial director of Hilton Tokyo, said: “This renovation allows us to capitalise on the surge in demand for MICE events from clients all over the world. Our new unique meeting floor is designed to meet the growing need for flexible space, enabling our experienced event team to provide seamless events, from enquiry to delivery.”
Alongside the renovation, more international team members are being onboarded to the event team, increasing the number of languages spoken to eight.
The hotel’s fourth floor, including its iconic ballroom, will be renewed in summer 2025.
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Fluent in German, Danish and English, he joins 25hours Hotel Jakarta The Oddbird from SO/ Maldives, where he also served as general manager.
