IT&CM China and CTW China 2024 releases programme details

February 14, 2024

itcmc2023_v1_640 — Participants at IT&CM China and CTW China 2023

Managed by XIN MICE (Beijing) and TTG Asia Media, CTW China 2024 will be held on March 26-28, 2024, at the Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Centre of International Sourcing (SHCEC), Shanghai, China.

It will be co-located with IT&CM China as China’s Only Doublebill Event in MICE and Corporate Travel.

Participants at IT&CM China and CTW China 2023

The keynote speaker on March 26 will be Sun Weijia, special researcher of Counsellors’ Office of the State Council, and he will address the importance of how governments can influence the growth of meeting destinations.

Four guest speakers that will head onto the stage for the panel session following the keynote include Zhu Jun, senior manager of convention, exhibition and corporate events, Hong Kong Tourism Board Beijing Office; Lisa Xu, president of SITE China Chapter, and general manager of Shanghai Estar Event Management; Joost de Meyer, CEO of US-based First Incentive Travel; and Yu Dandan, deputy general manager of Beijing Zhongrunhua Petrochemical.

On March 27 will be the Association Day Forum, where the keynote speaker will be Jayne Gallagher, president of the International Association of Aquatic Product Inspectors, and founder and CEO of Honey & Fox. She will touch on how Chinese trade associations and Chambers of Commerce play an important role in facilitating the global push of their corporate members

She will be joined on stage by Zhang Lin, deputy secretary-general of China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association; Mariarosa Azzolina, president of Istituto Italo Cinese; and Deng Qing, director of the International Exchange Committee of Canal Cities of the World Canal History and Culture Cooperation Organization.

Both sessions will be moderated by Alicia Yao, vice chairman of the China Congress of Association and Chamber of Commerce.

In total, IT&CM China and CTW China 2024 expects to welcome more than 500 buyers, with at least 150 of them being international buyers. Of these, more than 35 per cent are expected to be from Europe and the Americas, with the rest coming from Asia-Pacific.

Taipei Game Show concludes, announces 2025 dates

By TTGmice

February 14, 2024

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Taipei Game Show 2024 saw a large turnout

The 2024 Taipei Game Show (TGS), held from January 25-28, returned after a four-year hiatus to the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center.

Official tallies over the four-day event counted around 36,000 attendees, and the event was supported by both domestic and international exhibitors.

Taipei Game Show 2024 saw a large turnout

This year, the TGS B2B Zone this year drew in more than 1,800 business visitors from 35 countries and regions over two days, leading to almost 2,000 business discussions, affirming Taiwan’s role as a crucial hub in the Asia-Pacific gaming market.

The B2B Zone biz-matching system continued to offer the business card exchange feature for a month, allowing all business visitors to extend their networking beyond the physical venue. TGS will also periodically host various themed business networking events and continue collaborations with global expos.

The Asia Pacific Game Summit, which addressed the latest industry trends, was also filled. Bandai Namco Entertainment, Square Enix, Shueisha Games, and Ubisoft Montpellier, shared their diverse experiences of developing major game titles. Industry experts from companies such as Moloco, Xsolla, Google, Worldpay, Cloudflare, and The Game Marketer participated, dissecting from multiple angles how game operators can address pain points in marketing, payments, cybersecurity, localisation, and cloud applications, sharing secrets to exploring new blue ocean markets.

The next TGS will take place from January 23-26, 2025.

Magic of the Mekong

By Marissa Carruthers

February 14, 2024

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Event brief
Organised by Destination Mekong, the fourth edition of the Destination Mekong Summit was hosted at OCIC Sales Centre in Phnom Penh from December 6-7, 2023.

The two-day hybrid event gathering was held under the theme Mekong in Motion, Mekong Emotion(s), and saw almost 40 speakers deliver engaging sessions to more than 250 tourism players from across the Mekong region.

Hosted annually, the Summit aims to provide a platform for industry stakeholders, policymakers and investors to come together to exchange ideas and insights, while contributing to sustainably growing tourism in the region.

Event highlights
The dynamic agenda took in a series of panel discussions and interactive workshops covering a range of topics relevant to the region’s tourism landscape, as well as an evening networking reception, industry matchmaking breakfast and a post-summit fam trip.

Plenary panel sessions included destinations to watch in 2024, empowering tourism players with essential skills and standards, and how innovation and collaboration is key to achieving a zero-waste tourism future.

In addition, the future of agri-tourism, developing adventure and community-based eco-tourism, and championing the region as a creative and transformative tourism hub were topics on the agenda.

A series of hands-on workshops were also held exploring a range of topics, from protecting children and vulnerable communities, and digital transformation in tourism and hospitality, to simplifying sustainability and promoting Cambodia as a wellness destination.

Making its event debut was ‘Mekong Stories’, which saw a host of industry players take to the stage to share their inspirational tourism tales. These included François Schnoebelen, director of EHT Paul Dubrule; and Sokleap Ngon, CEO and cofounder of Smiling Gecko Cambodia.

The host venue was also filled with stalls selling local wares and food, providing a promotional platform for local businesses and startups.

The Summit ended with an optional fam trip to the coastal city of Sihanoukville, with visits to the recently-launched, community-based TONTONTON Plastic Impact Tour and an overnight stay at Song Saa Island.

Challenges
Catherine Germier-Hamel, Destination Mekong CEO, said time – there were less than two months to organise the event – as well as resources and budget constraints were the main challenges.

“This forces us to be more creative because a lot of times when you have a full budget, you miss the boat. I think when you’re up against it, there’s this kind of tension that makes the event exciting and engaging.”

The tight budget and limited cash sponsors were compensated by finding Summit partners, who were able to donate venues, sponsor speakers and pay some transport costs. Germier-Hamel added that with the inability to pay speakers, she had to offer them an incentive, such as promoting their business on stage, while ensuring they add value to the audience.

“They can promote their business and project, but they always need to think about what they can offer to the audience; what value can they bring and which projects they can inspire, rather than just presenting and delivering,” she elaborated.

Another challenge was ensuring the Summit catered to the differing interests of attendees. “There are different needs and expectations, so what can be challenging is to really balance the interests of everybody because we want to create opportunities for participants but also for the speakers.”

Event Destination Mekong Summit
Organiser Destination Mekong
Venue OCIC Sales Centre, Phnom Penh
Date December 6-7, 2023
Attendance Around 250 delegates

Auckland wins major principals convention

By TTGmice

February 14, 2024

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Come September 2026, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland will play host to the International Confederation of Principals (ICP) World Convention.

The convention will be hosted at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) and is expected to attract up to 3,000 school principals from around the world. New Zealand last hosted the event in 2007.

The ICP World Convention is an example of the positive economic, cultural and social benefits that business events deliver to New Zealand; Auckland pictured

Securing this significant event was a team effort between the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF), the Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme. Letters of support and endorsement for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland as host city were also received from principals around the country, the Mayor of Auckland, and the central government.

The convention is expected to deliver an estimated NZ$4.6 million (US$2.8 million) boost to Auckland’s economy and offers international guests the chance to explore the region and the rest of the country.

NZPF’s president, Leanne Otene, is expecting a good turnout. She stated: “New Zealand offers a unique perspective. We’re at that leading edge in terms of being culturally responsive to First Nations people, and educators around the world want to see how that’s done.”

As such, delegates will also have the opportunity to visit schools around the city to see how the country embraces different cultures, and building a generation that is more tolerant of difference.

This comes as principals around the world are facing similar issues on a few fronts, including a decline in learners/pupils attending school and the emergence of artificial intelligence, added Otene.

Head of ACB, Ken Pereira, noted: “Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is home to more than 220 ethnic groups and the largest Māori and Pacific populations of any city outside of the Pacific Islands. For a conference like the International Confederation of Principals, this point of difference is a crucial draw card.

“Auckland’s DNA is defined by the fact that more than a third of Aucklanders were born overseas. It’s what makes Auckland such a must-visit destination and award-winning host region for events – the knowledge and the culture we share with delegates are invaluable.”

IMEX Frankfurt champions sustainability with fresh event report

By TTGmice

February 14, 2024

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IMEX_Frankfurt_2023_Sustainable_Event_Report_640 — The report is part of IMEX Group's wider strategy to achieve a more positive impact

The IMEX Frankfurt team has published a Sustainable Event Report revealing the successes, experiments and learnings from last year’s show.

The report lifts the lid on sustainability planning in the run-up to and execution of IMEX Frankfurt 2023, sharing achievements in waste diversion and energy use, as well as highlighting opportunities for improvement.

The report is part of IMEX Group’s wider strategy to achieve a more positive impact

As part of the brand refresh launched at the show, the team invested in date-free signage that can be used year after year. They also reduced printed signage where possible and used digital projection in some areas. The result was 85 per cent less print production overall compared to 2022.

Significant strides were made in the areas of F&B, with a particular focus on reducing carbon-heavy dishes such as beef (beef generates 60 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of meat produced). At the show’s food court, beef options were reduced to less than five per cent of the menus and over half (58 per cent) of food sales were vegetarian or vegan.

Exhibitors also played their part: Frankfurt Convention Bureau, for example, delivered all booth materials and supplies by bike to reduce fossil fuel consumption. Across the showfloor, there was a substantial drop in single-use, “build & burn” booths – a reduction of 38 per cent compared to 2019 levels. The IMEX team is now working to improve this as part of the Better Stands initiative which sets classification criteria according to how much of a stand/booth is reused or recycled.

Four electric buses were also utilised to transport attendees from Frankfurt’s main railway station to Messe Frankfurt, saving an estimated 103 kg CO2e.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, said: “This is the second report we’ve produced, working with our sustainability consultants MeetGreen, meaning we can now benchmark our progress against 2022. It’s an opportunity to share our successes and our challenges with the wider industry so that they can take what we’ve learned and weave these into their events.”

The IMEX Group has also launched its net zero roadmap, part of its commitment to the industry-wide Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) initiative. The company intends to reach net zero by 2030, ahead of the 2050 target set out by NZCE in line with the Paris Agreement.

All participants at this year’s IMEX Frankfurt can play their part by signing up to the People and Planet Pledge. Exhibitors can also use the IMEX Sustainable Exhibiting Guide.

IMEX Frankfurt 2024 will take place at Messe Frankfurt May 14-16, 2024.

The IMEX Frankfurt 2023 sustainability report can be downloaded here.

Silversea appoints Massimo Brancaleoni as SVP Global Sales & Revenue

By TTGmice

February 13, 2024

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Silversea has expanded the role of cruise industry veteran Massimo Brancaleoni who becomes senior vice president, global sales & revenue.

With almost 30 years of experience in the global cruise industry, Brancaleoni has held executive positions for international organisations in Europe and Asia. He joined Silversea in January 2023 as senior vice president, global sales.

Prior to joining Silversea, he held the role of senior vice president, worldwide sales, at Costa Cruises.

Singapore’s sustainability journey

By Rachel AJ Lee

February 13, 2024

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Launched in 2022, Singapore’s MICE Sustainability Roadmap is now a year old. What progress has been made?
Since the launch of the roadmap in 2022, STB has worked with Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS), Singapore Standards Council (SSC), which is overseen by Enterprise Singapore, and public and private stakeholders to launch the Workshop Agreement (WA) 3 Sustainable MICE – Guidelines for waste management (March 2023), and the Workshop Agreement (WA) 4 Sustainable MICE – Guidelines for carbon emissions management (July 2023).

Currently, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is working on the development of the GSTC MICE Criteria, with support from STB. Development officially started in April 2023, and this will serve to meet the need for an international standard in sustainability for the business events industry.

SACEOS is also refreshing the MICE Sustainability Certification (MSC) to ensure the industry has a current, robust set of standards to adhere to, and get certified against. This is on track to be launched in early 2024.

In July 2023, the inaugural Sustainability Innovation Marketplace was launched at the Singapore MICE Forum. The Marketplace explored various solutions, which included a zero-waste prototype booth by Miniwiz, an idea born by STB, Informa Markets, and members of the Global MICE Sustainability Alliance. The booth, which can be dismantled, packed, and reused, will be showcased in the coming years.

These efforts add to our attractiveness as a sustainable and responsible travel destination, and contribute to our target of developing sustainability standards, as well as reducing waste and achieving net-zero emissions.

What support is STB providing?
STB developed the Tourism Sustainability Programme (TSP) to support tourism businesses at all stages of their sustainability journey. Grant schemes are open to more than 1,800 eligible companies in the tourism sector.

Grants such as the Business Improvement Fund (BIF) and Training Industry Professionals in Tourism (TIP-iT) also support sustainability initiatives that improve productivity and competitiveness. Companies can tap on the TIP-iT grant to train staff to take on new sustainability roles and grow their talent pipeline.

We also support event organisers in their event planning process and publicise their events as part of positioning Singapore as a leading sustainable business events destination. Visitors can visit the Visit Singapore website to find out more about sustainable accommodation, sustainable itineraries, green brands, and green venues.

What does STB need from business events stakeholders to ensure that the 2050 net-zero goal can be met?
According to ICCA, 44 per cent of international associations have changed their RFPs in the last three years, with sustainability requirements being the second most common change.

Hence, companies need to continue thinking about how sustainability makes business sense for them and how it fits into their processes. For example, investments in sustainability solutions, such as food waste management and sustainable building management systems can benefit bottom lines in the long run.

Associations and event organisers can work with STB to shape the legacy they want to achieve and leave a lasting impact on the wider community. This appeals to those who are keen to create a positive impact, be it through incorporating eco-friendly experiences into their delegate journey, or co-investing in resources to guide our local industry in adopting more sustainable practices.

What is next on Singapore’s sustainability agenda?
Singapore will continue to attract and nurture sustainability-themed events that enable the sharing of best practices. This includes the Asia Climate Forum, Ecosperity Week, Singapore Carbon Market & Investor Forum, and World Cities Summit.

Upcoming sustainability-themed events in Singapore include Investments into Forestry & Biodiversity Summit (January 16-17, 2024), Plastics Recycling Asia (November 13-14, 2024), and Global Sustainable Tourism Council Global Conference 2024 (November 13-16, 2024).

TTGmice goes on break for Lunar New Year

By TTGmice

February 8, 2024

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TTGmice’s e-news will be taking a break from Friday, February 9, 2024, for the Lunar New Year holidays. News will resume on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

From all of us at TTG Asia Media, we wish all of our readers a happy and prosperous Year of the Dragon!

Navigating the cost landscape

By Caroline Boey

February 8, 2024

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Is the cost of corporate travel expected to fluctuate a little or a lot in 2024?
While travel demand is growing and positive, the increases have moderated for a third quarter due to additional air seat capacity. As such, airline tickets, hotels, and car hire rates have also levelled.

We anticipate increased business travel for 2024 pending economic conditions and longer-term outcomes of the current conflicts and visa issues.

China has started easing visa entries for several nationalities, but the big unknown is between India and China – the two largest economies in the region. This has a huge impact on corporate travel.

What is the outlook for airfares?
Fuel, cost recovery, sustainability and fleet upgrades, which require investments from airlines, will continue to impact the sector and FCM Consulting has forecasted an average fare rise of between three and seven per cent in 2024.

After the pandemic, due to the lack of air seat capacity and the need to travel for face-to-face meetings, airfares skyrocketed. But this has started to level as airlines add capacity.

Popular routes in Asia, however, have seen an increase in economy class fares by 21 per cent and 17 per cent in business class fares year-to-date 2023 versus 2019.

For example, Mumbai to London has seen the highest increase of 24 per cent in economy class fares, followed by Mumbai to Delhi. Business class fares from Mumbai to London saw a 14 per cent increase in 2023 versus 2019.

Both airports from Shanghai to Singapore have also seen an increase in business class fares, where Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport saw a 24 per cent increase in fares and Shanghai Pudong International Airport saw a 20 per cent increase.

How will cost impact corporate travel policy and what changes do you foresee in programmes?
Cost is the number one priority when it comes to travel, and we do not expect that to change.

As an average indicator of the increases for goods and services, inflation forecasts can be a good way for companies to budget for the year ahead.

Economists estimate that inflation in 2024 will be five per cent (IMF July 2023 report), compared to the global average of 8.7 per cent in 2022 and an estimated 6.8 per cent in 2023.

Asia has seen key cities’ occupancy growth of between 108 and 153 per cent year-to-date in 2023 compared to 2022. Growing demand is now fuelling the rate increase this year.

Average room rates in Asia have gone up by US$33 to US$173 from 2022 versus 2023, which is why 3Q2023 saw a nominal increase of just one per cent due to the steep jump earlier in 1Q2023.

Tokyo leads with the highest average room rates of US$281 a night, followed by Seoul at US$277, Singapore at US$265 and Hong Kong at US$246. In India, Bangalore is US$143, Mumbai US$148, Delhi US$135 and Chennai US$96.Meanwhile, Hong Kong leads at US$246 a night, Beijing averages US$166 and Shanghai US$141.

Nonetheless, corporate travel programmes should budget for moderate increases.

Is corporate commitment to sustainable travel still going strong and what factors are likely to influence them to step it up?
We have been helping companies gain full visibility of their carbon emissions through our partnership with the Centre for Aviation-CAPA and Envest Global.

As part of their commitment to sustainability, we see the trend becoming a priority for businesses and we have a suite of solutions for corporate travellers to travel better.

In Europe, there are incentives that promote shorter travel via train instead of air, and airports have been forced to reduce their domestic flight capacity when rail is an alternative. There is also pressure on corporates to reduce carbon emissions and we are working with travel managers to find solutions such as choosing energy-efficient carriers.

Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay releases new MICE deal

By TTGmice

February 7, 2024

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Orchid_Ballroom_640 — Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay’s Orchid Ballroom

Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay, an IHG hotel in Vietnam, is offering a special promotion for event planners until March 31, 2024, for bookings of 10 rooms or more.

Half-day meeting packages start from US$24++ per person, and full-day meeting packages begin at US$38++ per person.

Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay’s Orchid Ballroom

These packages, subject to specific T&Cs, include complimentary rooms, upgrades to suites, AV system and LCD projector/screen usage in the ballroom, free-flow soft drinks, lunch, access to the beach venue for team-building activities, and for gala dinners, a complimentary firework display featuring company letters, and more.

The 308-key resort offers a range of versatile event venues, such as the 416m² pillarless Orchid Ballroom which can seat up to 260 diners at 10 guests per table, three separate meeting rooms, and a pre-function area. There is also a beachfront area that can be utilised.

Facilities on-site include a spa, 24-hour gym, Olympic-size swimming pool, games room, the Amber Sands Beach Club, and Horizons Restaurant & Bar. Complimentary shuttle service to the resort from the Phu Quoc International Airport is also available.

Additionally, visits to the theme park, animal safari, night market, or golfing can be arranged.

IT&CM China and CTW China 2024 releases programme details

Taipei Game Show concludes, announces 2025 dates

Magic of the Mekong

Auckland wins major principals convention

IMEX Frankfurt champions sustainability with fresh event report

Silversea appoints Massimo Brancaleoni as SVP Global Sales & Revenue

Singapore’s sustainability journey

TTGmice goes on break for Lunar New Year

Navigating the cost landscape

Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay releases new MICE deal

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