There are more marine scientists per capita in Tasmania than anywhere else in Australia; Hobart pictured
The joint Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) and New Zealand Marine Sciences (NZMSS) conference, held in Hobart, Tasmania, earlier this month, showcased the city’s ability to host large-scale events.
Attracting over 900 attendees from around the world, the conference highlighted Tasmania’s thriving marine industry and its position as a global leader in marine science research. Of the 900 marine scientists, students, and government officials, there were more than 150 international attendees from 10 different countries.
There are more marine scientists per capita in Tasmania than anywhere else in Australia; Hobart pictured
Held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, the 2024 conference theme was Navigating Uncertainty for a Future Sustainable Ocean.
Tasmania is home to CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, the Australian Antarctic Division, the United Nations Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and the Integrated Marine Observing System.
Hobart is also the home port for several blue-water research vessels, including the RV Investigator and RSV Nuyina.
Tourism Expo Japan 2024 commenced on September 26, welcoming representatives from 80 countries and regions to Tokyo to the country’s largest showcase for domestic and international travel.
Organised by the Japan Travel and Tourism Association (JTTA) Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) and Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the country’s annual flagship travel event is expected to attract 180,000 visitors through September 29 as well as tourism professionals for business meetings and seminars.
Tourism Expo Japan 2024 kicked off with representatives of the JTTA, JNTO and Japan Tourism Agency
Masanobu Komoda, chairman and CEO of JTTA, opened the event with optimism.
“Japan’s inbound tourism recovery has been remarkable,” he said, adding his hope that growth of the travel industry continues with Osaka’s hosting of Expo 2025.
Prime minister Fumio Kishida said Japan is on course this year to welcome 35 million overseas tourists who are expected to spend eight trillion yen (US$55.3 billion), setting new records for the country’s inbound tourism.
“Tourism is a pillar of Japan’s growth strategy and a game-changer for regional revitalisation,” he stated.
However, there is a need to tackle overtourism and ensure responsible growth of the industry, he explained, noting the government’s aim “to create sustainable tourist destinations and communities that are good for living, good for visiting and good for hosting”.
Atsumi Gamo, president of JNTO, said event organisers would be doing their part to promote less-well-known destinations by hosting 50 buyers on familiarisation trips in Tohoku and Hokkaido after the expo. Participants will experience rafting, cycling and making traditional crafts as part of their adventure tours.
Another theme in 2024 is boosting outbound travel, which has recovered to only 60 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. With 40 per cent of the 1,384 companies and organisations represented at the expo this year from overseas, expectations are high for full recovery soon, said Komoda.
More than 4,000 students were provided with free tickets to this year’s event to help inspire greater interest in overseas travel among young people, added Hiroyuki Takahashi, chairman of JATA.
Best BT-MICE Destination award went to Singapore, collected by Kornpiput Cheskhun
This year’s TTG Travel Awards honoured 106 travel and tourism entities across Asia-Pacific, of which 86 were award recipients, and 20 were inducted into the TTG Travel Hall of Fame.
The 33rd edition featured an expansion in categories, with new titles introduced in the Hotel – Individual Properties and BT-MICE segments to recognise more winners from Thailand and across the Asia-Pacific region.
Best BT-MICE Destination award went to Singapore, collected by Kornpiput Cheskhun
The winners of the Outstanding Achievement Awards category – the only non-voting segment of the awards – were personally handpicked by TTG’s editorial team for their contributions to the industry. Thailand was recognised as the Destination of the Year; Hong Kong Tourism Board received the Best Travel Marketing Effort award; and The Travel Corporation was named the Most Sustainable Travel Company.
Several awardees continued their streak of success with notable wins this year: Pan Pacific Hotels Group (Best Regional Hotel Chain), Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld (Best Meetings & Conventions Hotel) and Dao By Dorsett AMTD Singapore (Best Serviced Residence – Property Level).
Veterans such as Scoot (Best Low-Cost Carrier) and Frasers Hospitality (Best Serviced Residence Operator) also celebrated consecutive wins.
Coinciding with TTG Asia Media’s 50th anniversary, the evening also celebrated the milestone with an anniversary cake-cutting ceremony.
The gala event was held at Centara Grand at CentralWorld in Bangkok, Thailand, and coincided with IT&CM Asia and CTW APAC 2024.
Naowarat Arunkong has been named as the general manager of the upcoming NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard, the first NH Hotels & Resorts property in Bangkok.
Her expertise in hotel pre-opening, rebranding and repositioning will be instrumental in successfully transitioning Boulevard Hotel Bangkok to NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard.
Having been with Minor Hotels since 1999, she most recently served as cluster general manager for Anantara Hua Hin Resort and Avani+ Hua Hin Resort.
Tãmaki Makaurau Auckland, New Zealand’s economic centre, is poised to solidify its position as a major player in the global conference scene with the forthcoming completion of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) come mid-2025.
Ken Pereira, head business events, Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), shared with TTGmice during Meetings 2024: “We’re not waiting for the building to be in operation to start thinking about strategy, and are already helping NZICC build a strategic pipeline, as a lot of these international bids happen five years out.”
NZICC can cater for up to 4,000 people, including a theatre capacity of 2,850, and will be directly connected to a hotel and the SkyCity entertainment precinct. Aside from the large-scale venue coming online, another 17,000 hotel rooms will be built in the city over the next few years.
Ahead of its opening, the NZICC has already confirmed 11 international conferences, such as the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education 2025, with an expected turnout of 3,000 delegates, showcasing New Mãori culture and education sector.
Science will take centrestage at the International Symposium on Microbial Ecology in 2026 for 1,800 delegates, while sustainability and the environment will be forefront for the International Coral Reef Symposium. Both the symposium, and the Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Managers Associations Conference, are expected to welcome more than 2,500 delegates in 2026.
Other focus sectors include agritech, construction, manufacturing, and F&B, which Pereira described are “big growth driving sectors for the city”. Between 2024 and 2029 as of press time, Auckland has secured 83 association events forecasted to attract 44,000 delegates and deliver approximately NZ$76 million (US$47.9 million) in economic impact.
To align its priority sectors, ACB works closely with Tourism New Zealand.
Pereira elaborated: “We’re working on understanding where opportunities exist for Auckland. We are also conducting some research with Deloitte at the moment, that looks into the city’s economic development priorities to find overlaps where business events can enable Auckland to meet its economic development aspirations.”
Attracting business events is only one piece of the puzzle, as ACB also has to ensure that the events will also foster knowledge exchange and create long-term impact.
Auckland’s skyline
“Legacy conversations begin at the bidding stages, during discussions with the local hosts, (where we aim to) understand what their long-term aspirations are, and how we can help achieve them,” he said.
One example Pereira related was the 2035 Agri-Food-Tech Oceania Summit. Held in Auckland last October, the event fostered a vibrant exchange of knowledge between New Zealand and international partners, in particular a large North American delegation.
This two-way learning experience allowed both sides to share expertise in sustainable agriculture and innovative technologies, as well as served as a platform for inter-governmental knowledge exchange among smaller nations across Asia Pacific.
Taking a holistic approach, ACB runs two parallel programmes, the Auckland Advocate Alliance, made up of over 50 advocates such as professors from high-calibre universities; and an international advisory group comprising of key stakeholders that head global event agencies.
Smaller domestic activations, participation at international tradeshows such as IMEX Frankfurt, as well as roadshows in conjunction with Tourism New Zealand are also part of ACB’s outreach.
The bureau also leverages Auckland Airport’s connectivity and relationship with airlines. With around 75 per cent of international travellers entering New Zealand through Auckland, the airport is “at the very forefront of understanding destination impact and conducting activations”.
A rendering of the New Zealand International Convention Centre
Pereira reiterated: “Again, it’s about aligning our priorities and market development activities. For associations, we receive many European and North American contingents; we’re actually one of the most connected destinations in this part of the world to North America. China is also another opportunity, but that’s more incentive travel.”
However, he is well aware that beyond the boost from NZICC’s opening, ACB would have to reassess and develop another long-term strategy in a few years.
“That is why the Deloitte research is important, it’ll help us make sure NZICC and the city continues to be relevant and successful, while informing our international bidding strategy,” he stated.
To stay ahead, Auckland embraces innovation with wide-open arms.
“Innovation is something we talk about all the time, and is part of our thought processes.
“We use innovation at our tradeshows like Meetings 2024, such as the creation of an edible chocolate wall, and bringing Jeff (a creation of the team at Weta Workshop and is from Weta Workshop Unleashed, a movie-making tour experience in Auckland’s Sky City precinct) to welcome visitors to our stand,” Pereira said.
BCD M&E has appointed Minte Wei as associate director of supplier relations for Asia Pacific.
Wei will be responsible for implementing the company’s supplier relations strategy in the region and enhancing engagement across all aspects of the M&E business, including their Partner Network.
Reporting to Christine Erickson, senior vice president of global supplier relations & partner network, Wei will work closely with Sanjay Seth, managing director of APAC, and senior leaders to optimise collaboration with preferred suppliers.
With extensive experience in the industry, Wei has dedicated most of her career to the hotel sector, excelling in both transient and M&E roles, and most recently with IHG in a sales capacity.
The Unlocking Excellence campaign is part of IAPCO's ongoing commitment to setting the standard for quality and professionalism
The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) has launched a new advocacy campaign, IAPCO: Unlocking Excellence designed to enhance the quality and professionalism of event and congress organisation globally.
Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO commented: “Our goal with the Unlocking Excellence campaign is to highlight the rigorous standards that our members adhere to. We want to emphasise the importance of quality assurance in the global meetings and events industry.”
The Unlocking Excellence campaign is part of IAPCO’s ongoing commitment to setting the standard for quality and professionalism
IAPCO, the only international accreditation association for Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs), is recognised for its stringent accreditation process. This ensures IAPCO members meet high standards in timeliness, efficiency, creativity, financial responsibility, and management.
In 2022 and 2023, IAPCO members – representing 91 member companies across 180 registered PCO offices globally, and 17,657 professional event and congress consultants, from 45 countries – organised over 33,403 meetings, events and congresses, generating €27.7 billion (US$31 billion) in economic activity.
This impact is set to continue to rise with 6,912 confirmed events and congresses booked for 2025-27 and an additional 4,050 pending.
IAPCO’s core mission is to elevate the standards within the global meetings and events industry. This is achieved through a rigorous accreditation process where PCOs undergo continuous peer reviews and must demonstrate excellence in all aspects of event and congress management, including ongoing education, fostering connections, and providing support to its members.
“The accreditation process is designed to ensure that our members are recognised as the best in the industry. This process also includes a demonstrated commitment to ongoing education and innovation to keep up to date with the changes facing our sector,” stated Boyle.
This year’s MICECON was held in Clark; Clark International Airport pictured
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) has launched a new initiative, MICE Philippines: We take your business to heart, intending to position the Philippines as a leading business events destination in Asia.
To achieve this, the TPB has partnered with a marketing agency to spearhead a comprehensive campaign that will promote business events in the Philippines through various activations and promotional activities both domestically and internationally.
This year’s MICECON was held in Clark; Clark International Airport pictured
After introducing the new initiative to stakeholders at the Philippine MICE Conference (MICECON) in Clark in July, promotional activities overseas are next, starting with a TPB-hosted lunch at IT&CM Asia.
TPB’s chief operating officer Margarita Nograles said attendees can look forward to tasting the Philippines’ vibrant cuisine, including kare kare (beef and peanut stew) and halo halo (a concoction of shaved ice, fruits, sweet beans and milk), and get up close with Philippine woven fabrics.
TPB has also confirmed its attendance at the 63rd ICCA Congress in Abu Dhabi in October, and IBTM World in Barcelona in November.
A joint sales mission to Japan next year– by TPB and the Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS) – is also in the works, in time for the World Expo 2025.
There are also plans to conduct MICEConnect (MICE Buyers Invitational) in conjunction with the Philippine Tourism Exchange in September 2025.
MICE Philippines: We take your business to heart, complements the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) Love the Philippines new slogan in targeting the business events sector. But it is not just business; the initiative also brings forth the Filipino brand of hospitality and service which business travellers can experience first-hand, said Nograles.
The new branding initiative has been well received by Filipino stakeholders.
Orly Ballesteros, co-chair of public relations for PACEOS, stated that the new initiative “helps amplify the importance of MICE to the Philippine economy”, and “signals to international clients that we are equipped to handle their needs”.
Ballesteros added that during the last meeting between PACEOS and TPB, “there was an agreement to further discuss the operational component, and budget, to achieve the intended results of the initiative”.
Octavio Peralta, a member of the MICE Advisory Council and founding CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), pointed out that it helps that the DoT is “cognisant of the need for better infrastructure and connectivity”. This includes improving road networks, expanding airports, and streamlining visa processes.
“With government support, modern infrastructure, innovative marketing strategies, and close collaboration with the private sector, the country is on the right track to achieve its ambitious goals,” Peralta noted.
TCEB’s Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya delivering the opening keynote on Thailand’s Festival Economy at IT&CM Asia
As part of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau’s (TCEB) MiceNext strategy, festivals are seen as more than just cultural gatherings – they are tools for economic development and community collaboration.
During his opening keynote at IT&CM Asia, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president of TCEB, laid out how festivals are emerging as a vital component of the business events industry, pushing the boundaries of traditional events.
TCEB’s Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya delivering the opening keynote on Thailand’s Festival Economy at IT&CM Asia
“A close watch on the industry reveals we are experiencing new forms of events that go beyond the existing differentiation of conferences, tradeshows, meetings, and incentives – they are a combination of all three,” said Chiruit.
As such, TCEB’s MiceNext strategy aims to create a “festival economy”, positioning festivals as platforms for promoting Thailand’s cultural soft power and supporting regional economies.
He elaborated: “Often, what is important is the support from the government bodies and we realise that. Especially in festival destinations, when we combine the business elements that we have and professional knowledge, they can become a tool in distributing economic welfare of higher value to more (secondary) destinations around the country, rather than having it concentrated in major cities like Bangkok.”
Festivals can also cater to evolving audience preferences, particularly among younger generations.
This is because the younger generation seeks experiences that go beyond traditional business models, prioritising personal growth and knowledge. Festivals, in particular, offer a unique platform to fulfil this aspiration, Chiruit explained.
Additionally, he emphasised that transforming local festivals into key contributors to the global economy “is possible”, citing examples of the evolution of Thailand’s silk industry festivals.
For example, the Khon Kaen Silk Festival has grown from a local event into a thriving international platform featuring business matching between local silk entrepreneurs and buyers from major cities. This achievement has generated significant revenue, and showcased the global cultural significance of silk production.
Next year, TCEB will lead a delegation of Thai silk entrepreneurs to France. They will participate in the Silk In Lyon event, which offers an opportunity to learn about Lyon’s silk production history and explore potential partnerships.
Any exhibition or a business event can also be styled as an experiential festival too, such as the Money 20/20 FinTech event held in Bangkok in April 2024. The event incorporated innovative, non-conventional settings, networking opportunities, and CSR activities.
According to Chiruit, “Money 20/20 gave us at TCEB a whole new perspective”, as it was not a typical corporate meeting, and was a “business festival” that attracted participants from all over the globe.
Su: new venues to propel the sector’s continuous growth
Taiwan’s business events industry is charging ahead, showcasing a robust post-pandemic recovery, bolstered by the addition of two new conference venues set to open in the coming months.
One of the most anticipated venues is Messe Taoyuan. Slated to open on October 29, Messe Taoyuan will be the largest international conference facility in Taoyuan, and is the first venue in Taiwan to integrate a shopping mall with conference and exhibition spaces. It will be operated by Interplan Group, which is also the operator of Kaohsiung Exhibition Center.
Su: new venues to propel the sector’s continuous growth
Messe Taoyuan will feature 10,168m2 of exhibition space (up to 600 booths), a ballroom for up to 5,000 guests, and nine meeting rooms totalling 11,467m2 of meeting space.
Lily Su, co-project leader, Meet Taiwan, shared: “The World Congress of Junior Chamber International will be held at Messe Taoyuan from October 29 to November 2, 2024, and this will bring more international attention to Taiwan’s business events industry.”
The World Congress of Junior Chamber International will be the venue’s inaugural event, and is set to attract approximately 4,000 international participants from 120 countries.
Su added that Messe Taoyuan boasts a strategic advantage due to its prime location near Taoyuan International Airport and Hsinchu Science Park. The science park is home to over 400 high-tech companies in sectors such as semiconductors, computers, telecommunications, and optoelectronics, offering excellent proximity to key industry hubs.
Another major development is the Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center (TICEC). Slated for completion in 4Q2025, TICEC will be able to house 2,360 exhibition booths, and feature an outdoor plaza, and a large international conference hall with 2,200 seats.
Su shared: “Central Taiwan is known for its precision machinery industry and rich industrial and tourism resources, and this venue will further enhance the city’s economic competitiveness and international reputation.”
Building upon the success of last year’s Meet Taiwan Open Arms campaign, this year’s initiative, the Taiwan Business Events Corridor, invites international delegates to discover the diverse business events offerings in Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung; all reachable by high-speed rail.
In 2023, Taiwan’s business events sector bounced back to 98 per cent of pre-Covid levels. The destination hosted 382 international conferences and 186 exhibitions, which drew 135,000 participants and generated an economic impact of US$430 million.
This momentum carried into 2024, with 1H2024 registering 239 international conferences and exhibitions, marking a 9.6 per cent year-on-year increase, to date. Meet Taiwan expects this upward trajectory to continue into 2025.
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Having been with Minor Hotels since 1999, she most recently served as cluster general manager for Anantara Hua Hin Resort and Avani+ Hua Hin Resort.
