From left: TECA’s Tiger Lin; STEM promoter, author and innovator, Gitanjali Rao; AFECA’s Edward Liu; The International Trade Administration’s Susan Hu; TAITRA’s Simon Wang; K&A International’s Kitty Wong; TCEA’s James Wu; TEA’s Michael Tu
The Asian MICE Forum (AMF) convened on September 19 in Taipei, marking its 20th anniversary alongside the two-decade milestone of the Meet Taiwan programme.
Adopting the theme Beyond 20: Embracing Tomorrow, the forum signalled the start of a new chapter for Taiwan’s business events industry with a major brand refresh and a lineup of globally-recognised speakers.
From left: TECA’s Tiger Lin; STEM promoter, author and innovator, Gitanjali Rao; AFECA’s Edward Liu; The International Trade Administration’s Susan Hu; TAITRA’s Simon Wang; K&A International’s Kitty Wong; TCEA’s James Wu; TEA’s Michael Tu
As part of the celebration, the forum unveiled Meet Taiwan’s refreshed brand identity, complete with a new logo and slogan, Meet Taiwan, me in Taiwan.
The AMF too, introduced a commemorative 20th anniversary logo, which visually blends the number 20 with the infinity symbol, reflecting the industry’s momentum, innovation, and limitless possibilities.
The forum kicked off with a keynote by TIME’s Kid of the Year and STEM advocate Gitanjali Rao. She spoke on the topic Technology as a Catalyst for Social Change, focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This was followed by three high-impact panel discussions: one where experts from Expo City Dubai, Rotary International, and International Conference Services discussed how innovation can transform the business events industry; a second where leaders from the Paris Air Show and BIO Asia explored the strong connections between major exhibitions and supporting local industries; and a final panel featuring representatives from Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre and Queen Sirikit National Convention Center focusing on how venues can elevate the delegate experience.
The dual 20th anniversary celebration highlighted the significant transformation of Taiwan’s business events sector. From early beginnings with limited venues, the nation is now home to a nationwide Taiwan Business Events Corridor and hosts world-leading exhibitions such as Computex, Taiwan International Machine Tool Show, and Taipei Cycle.
A candid relationship between meeting planners and event vendors will help overcome the current cost challenge
With cost of travel and meetings rising over the past 12 months and set to further increase in the coming year, meeting planners and suppliers have called for a closer working relationship that is built on transparency, flexibility and willingness to try new ideas in order to overcome challenges.
Jessie States, vice president, MPI Consulting, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), shared in a presentation at IT&CMA and CTW APAC 2025 on September 24 that market studies conducted with meeting professionals have traced price increases mostly in the range of 10 per cent in the past one year, with some reporting adjustments in excess of 10 per cent.
A candid relationship between meeting planners and event vendors will help overcome the current cost challenge
While prices are going up, meeting budgets are not all moving in the same direction. Thirty per cent of meeting professionals say event budgets are down while 47 per cent are given more spending money. However, the segment of meeting professionals with bigger budgets now are down 25 per cent year-on-year.
Meeting planners do not expect relief from rising costs in the next 12 month, with most bracing for one to 10 per cent increments across F&B, audiovisual, venue, hotel, labour and transport prices.
States commented: “This is causing organisers to make some really difficult decisions when it comes to their meetings and events.”
She told TTGmice that meeting planners and vendors will need to tackle price challenges together, by “being very transparent” about the budget. This will allow vendors to design realistic experiences that satisfy meeting planners’ objectives and budget.
“That experience might look a little different than (what meeting planners may be used to), but we have seen how organisations are able to do things at cost and be wildly successful,” added States.
She pointed out that hotel companies, DMCs and other event vendors in the destination “are experts in their space” and will know the ways to get meeting planners more bang for their buck.
Eileen Quek, assistant director, sales (international) at Constellar, the company that manages the Singapore Expo convention and exhibition venue, is confident of being able to successfully navigate the rising cost of operations with her customers.
Quek detailed: “Tighter budgets do not mean reduced level of service. Constellar does not add a 10 per cent service charge to the bill, but we still provide top-notch service and support for all our events.
“In fact, we have built an ecosystem of partners with our Singapore Expo Advantage Program to ensure that meeting planners who pick us will get access to exclusive privileges that will elevate the delegate experience. With our hotel partners under the programme, for example, meeting groups may be able to secure preferential rates and complimentary shuttle service between the hotel and our venue.”
Quek recently led the creation of a PCO partnership initiative that will result in closer collaboration to score successful meeting bids. The collaboration will include efforts to provide the best support and experiences that match the local host’s budget as well as in-person involvement in the bid presentation alongside the local host.
Meetings on tight budgets could blend cost-saving goals with social responsibility and sustainability objectives, opined Patranuch Sudasna, director of CDM-Conference & Destination Management in Thailand.
Instead of creating unique decorations for every session, Patranuch suggested that meeting planners could adopt reusable items. Digital media could replace printed backdrops and disposable marketing materials. Event entertainment and delegate souvenirs could also be sourced from local schools or artisans, which would not only satisfy international delegates’ hunger for authentic, local experiences but also support the livelihood and social development of the host community.
States recalled “great success” in engaging a local school choir for a meeting once, and the experience moved many delegates to tears.
“We were able to help positively impact a local ecosystem like the children, but at the same time, save on costs,” she said.
Integrating lifestyle experiences with business interactions during high-profile events such as the F1 fosters collaboration among stakeholders and businesses
The Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS) is amplifying its appeal as a prime period for major international business events by integrating lifestyle and entertainment options.
According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), more 25 business events clustered around the Singapore F1 period including Milken Institute Asia Summit (October 1 to 3) continuing its tradition of scheduling the event during GPSS; All That Matters (September 29 to October 1); TOKEN2049 (October 1 to 2)) and Founders Family Office Forum (October 6).
Integrating lifestyle experiences with business interactions during high-profile events such as the F1 fosters collaboration among stakeholders and businesses
Lilian Chee, director, sports at STB, GPSS – which delivers 10 days of race-themed festivities that started on September 26, preceding the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix (F1) on October 3–5 – is designed to serve this dual purpose.
Chee highlighted that the diverse range of leisure options during GPSS provides event organisers and their delegates with entertainment and recreation alongside their professional commitments.
“Each year, together with our industry partners, we curate clusters of limited-time programming across various precincts that offer a unique experience for visitors and locals to immerse themselves in the race festivities,” Chee noted.
The 2025 lineup features the debut of PERFORMA –Singapore’s first premium retail gallery – at Plaza Singapura, located near the F1 circuit. PERFORMA joins other GPSS Headliners like Jam Off at Sentosa, GrooveDriver Festival at Marina Central, and Hit the Apex at CQ @ Clarke Quay.
Chee cited the GrooveDriver Festival as an example of how GPSS actively fosters collaboration with like-minded partners.
“Teaming up with local players such as Pink Blossoms Brewing allowed the homegrown brand to showcase their products in the heart of the city and widen their audience reach,” Chee noted.
Chee added: “Beyond the larger-scale GPSS Headliners, we also welcomed 16 new programme partners adding fresh offerings – ranging from homegrown establishments like New Bahru, Tanglin Gin and Love Bonito, to international brands such as Moët & Chandon, Adidas and Glenfiddich.
“The diverse range of leisure options during GPSS provides event organisers and their delegates attending business events held around the same period with exclusive race season for entertainment and recreation alongside their professional commitments.”
Furthermore, New Bahru is launching a race-themed retail fair, ECA: Pitstop, which includes a race-themed leather workshop by Crafune, while Brewerkz and seven other local breweries are launching an exclusive jasmine-rice Tropical Lager available only during GPSS.
The Mactan Expo Center is set to open its doors before the end of the year, just in time for the 2026 ASEAN Summit and ASEAN Tourism Forum.
Located within the 30-hectare township of Megaworld’s Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, the two-storey standalone convention centre is a 15-minute drive away from the Mactan Cebu International Airport.
A rendering of the Mactan Expo Center
Cleofe Albiso, managing director of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, said the 2,500-person venue will be promoted internationally to target regional gatherings from the Asia-Pacific and niche markets, including the growing Muslim travel sector.
Albiso described Mactan Expo Center as embodying Megaworld’s “live-work-play-learn” ethos, as it is located within a vibrant township with a beachside backdrop. The area offers almost a hectare of versatile event space, as well as direct access to Mactan Newtown Beach for island hopping, jet-skiing, and other marine activities.
Also located on the beachfront are two event spaces – an all-glass, air-conditioned Glass Pavilion with breathtaking seaviews; and Ceremonial Garden, an open-air setting for corporate wellness retreats and milestone occasions.
Located across from the Mactan Expo are Savoy Hotel Mactan and Belmont Hotel Mactan – which will be rebranded as Mercure Mactan Cebu – providing almost 1,100 keys combined.
On the ground level of Mactan Expo is a 2,600m2 state-of-the art convention hall for up to 2,500 guests theatre-style or 1,600 guests in a banquet arrangement. The ground floor will also have a 1,426m2 pre-function area, three VIP rooms, a dedicated showroom for sample set-ups, cafes for informal gatherings, dual drop-off points, and a service kitchen.
Meanwhile, the mezzanine level will have two meeting rooms, each accommodating up to 150 guests theatre-style or 100 in a banquet format. This floor also includes a pre-function space and an open-air balcony.
Parrtjima is an annual Aboriginal light festival that takes places over 10 nights in the Red Centre
The Northern Territory (NT) is consolidating its visitor economy efforts by merging Tourism NT and the NT Major Events Company into a single entity named Tourism and Events NT, effective January 1, 2026.
The move is intended to create a unified and streamlined strategy to drive year-round visitor growth by directly leveraging the region’s major events alongside its unique destinations, according to Suzana Bishop, CEO of the NT Department of Tourism and Hospitality.
Parrtjima is an annual Aboriginal light festival that takes places over 10 nights in the Red Centre
Bishop noted that the region’s “incredible event portfolio plays a huge role in bringing visitors”, and added that since the two organisations already work extremely closely. Hence, integrating them makes perfect sense and will “create a powerhouse of creativity and strategy when it comes to promoting the Territory”.
The merger has been widely welcomed by the industry.
Alicia Triggs, executive general manager of sales & partnerships at Journey Beyond, stated that the two sectors are “intrinsically linked”, with each one strengthening the other to create a “strong driver for visitation”.
Ben Hall, CEO of AAT Kings Group, agreed, calling events and tourism a marketing powerhouse and noting that combining the functions has successfully grown the sector in other Australian states by creating better synergies and wider reach.
The integration has already produced practical results: major event tickets are now being sold through travel trade channels, bundled with accommodation, flights, and tours. This cross-promotion has expanded reach, contributing to a 58 per cent interstate and overseas visitor rate for the recent Motocross Australia Grand Prix and a sell-out T20 International Cricket match. Furthermore, NT events are now consistently featured in Tourism NT agent and media programmes, boosting exposure with global buyers.
To help lead the new vision, Staci Mellman has been appointed as chief marketing officer, effective October 1. Mellman brings international tourism marketing experience from her previous leadership roles with Brand USA and Visit Florida.
An Expression of Interest process for appointments to the new Tourism and Events NT Advisory Board will run from September 24 to October 22. The current Tourism NT Board will manage the transition until the end of 2025, during which time the new Visitor Economy Strategy 2032 is also being finalised through industry consultation.
Navodit Srivastava shares his insight on how hospitality businesses can harness AI strategically
In an industry that has always prided itself on the human touch and personal connections to deliver exceptional service, the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) might seem contradictory.
As AI adoption accelerates and its benefits – from enhancing the customer experience to drawing operational insights – become more apparent, it is proving to be a strategic partner that helps hospitality businesses operate smarter, stand out in a crowded market, and create memorable experiences.
Far from replacing the human touch, AI strengthens it. It empowers hospitality leaders to deliver both performance and purpose in terms of profitability and responsibility to guests, partners, and the planet.
Navodit Srivastava, hospitality cloud leader, Asia Pacific at Cvent, shares his insights on how AI is poised to shape the future of hospitality.
AI as a performance booster
From operations and pricing to marketing, AI can help business leaders make smarter, faster decisions across pricing, sales, resource planning and even provide a clearer view across multiple properties or business streams.
For instance, it can streamline hotel operations by automating repetitive tasks, allowing staff to be redeployed to focus on activities that require more human interaction.
Another aspect is pricing, which significantly affects a business’ revenue. Pricing needs to be dynamic and move with the market to capitalise on consumer demand and booking pace.
Here is where AI-powered dynamic pricing can help businesses stay competitive. It collects and analyses different pieces of data such as search volume, competitors’ prices and booking patterns, and adjusts the pricing in real-time to capture them.
It can also align pricing along an entire hotel group’s portfolio, ensuring that overall pricing strategy is relevant to each market and demand.
Comprehensive solutions such as Cvent’s Group Pipeline Intel (GPI) help hoteliers actively find new prospects, identify the best RFPs and leverage AI to respond faster, and better strategise against their competition backed by data. This reduces response times and helps business leaders make more informed decisions.
AI models can also forecast group demand, booking pace, and reduce the risk of lost business. By identifying patterns, AI helps teams capture opportunities and mitigate revenue leakage.
This predictive power elevates profitability and ensures that properties are not merely reacting to changes but anticipating them, which is key in today’s competitive market.
AI to enhance the guest experience through personalisation
The guest experience remains a key differentiator in hospitality. AI enables hospitality businesses to differentiate by delivering tailored campaigns based on personalisation preferences, for example by tailoring loyalty offers for business travellers or delivering personalised destination content for leisure groups. This helps sales and marketing managers to respond to planners faster, increasing their chances of winning business.
It also helps personalise outreach to connect to more planners, keeping the business at the top of their minds. This shift from segmentation to personalisation helps build greater trust and brand equity, as well as drive more meaningful relationships with clients.
Beyond marketing, AI also helps catering and banquet managers with advanced digital experiences that enhance event planning and guest engagement. Virtual tours, 3D layouts, and interactive diagramming tools enable planners to visualise spaces with accuracy, while guests can explore and preview stays long before arrival. This not only increases confidence in booking decisions but also creates a sense of anticipation and loyalty.
According to the 2025 Global Cvent Travel Managers Report, travel managers in Asia are particularly attracted to visual content that goes beyond the basics. 54 per cent prioritise images and videos of the hotel and its surrounding area, the highest percentage of any region. Additionally, virtual tours are more influential in this region (28 per cent) than in others.
By automating repetitive tasks and customising digital touchpoints, AI allows hospitality professionals to concentrate on their core strengths: providing genuine, humand-focused service.
AI to power purpose
As the industry moves towards reducing its impact and doing its part for the planet, AI can help enable this too.
AI systems can aggregate and report on sustainability metrics across properties — from energy consumption and waste reduction to carbon footprint calculations. These insights feed directly into RFP requirements from clients who expect transparency around supply chains and environmental impact. 30 per cent of travel professionals surveyed in the 2025 Global Cvent Travel Managers Report say sustainability will shape business travel priorities through 2026.
Hospitality businesses can prove their sustainable impact by data-backed AI-derived insights and at the same time, position themselves as future-minded, responsible brands.
AI as a partner to hospitality leaders
As AI adoption continues, it is increasingly apparent how it connects profit making with personalisation and sustainability. Better revenue insights free up resources that can be reinvested in enhancing the guest experience.
By embracing AI as a partner in both performance and purpose, hospitality leaders can reimagine what is possible: smarter revenue strategies, personalised guest journeys, and meaningful sustainability commitments that resonate with stakeholders at every level.
Though the industry buzzes about AI’s potential, Cvent announced CventIQ earlier this year. It integrates industry expertise, data, and intelligent tools – including AI – directly into the secure Cvent
platform. This solid foundation makes CventIQ both intelligent and highly intuitive. Designed and trained to prioritise security and privacy, it also addresses the needs of sales, marketing, catering,
banquet, and reservation managers.
Navodit Srivastava is a hospitality cloud leader for Asia Pacific at Cvent. With over 20 years of experience in the SaaS, hospitality, travel, AI, and software sectors, Navodit combines industry expertise with a genuine passion for fostering growth. His approach focuses on building strong, high-performing teams and creating meaningful partnerships that drive real results. Navodit is committed to leveraging AI and innovative software solutions to enhance business development and deliver memorable MICE experiences.
The Thai Exhibition Association (TEA) has revealed that the next edition of the Thailand MICE Exchange (TMX 2026) will take place on April 29 to 30, 2026, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.
Organised by TEA in partnership with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), TMX 2026 is expected to feature 100 local and international exhibitors, and draw over 4,000 trade delegates from Thailand and South-east Asia.
A panel during TMX 2025
The annual exhibition and conference event will operate under the theme: Innovation & Sustainability: Powering Excellence & Growth in Thailand’s MICE Industry.
TMX 2026 will feature two main conference tracks: Main Stage, a high-level C-suite conference focusing on growth, profitability, risk, future trends, and leadership; and X-Change Square, a practical knowledge-sharing platform focused on best practices and operations in business events.
Together, these tracks are expected to deliver over 30 sessions, featuring more than 61 speakers and attracting 1,400 attendees.
A dedicated Business Matching Program is also scheduled to facilitate over 360 pre-arranged one-to-one meetings between buyers and sellers over the two-day event.
Business events stakeholders in Malaysia are capitalising on the government-driven publicity of the year-long Visit Malaysia 2026 year-long to strengthen their position in the market, and leverage on new opportunities to attract international business events.
Rayner Simon, chief operating officer at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), anticipates that demand for domestic and regional meetings, and incentives will rise next year, thanks to the heightened visibility from Visit Malaysia 2026.
Borneo Convention Centre Kuching
Simon added that the campaign will also help attract new investors into Malaysia’s business events ecosystem, creating opportunities for infrastructure enhancements, new partnerships, and legacy impact initiatives that benefit the wider community.
He shared: “I am looking at the long term, particularly at the opening of BCCK2 in 2028. We have to start preparing the market now by building a strong pipeline of events and ensuring that industry players are aligned.
“The momentum created by Visit Malaysia 2026 will help us set the stage, so that when BCCK2 opens, Kuching will be well-positioned to host large-scale international conventions and exhibitions.”
Borneo Nature Tours, director of sales, Alven Lim, said his company will reach out to Asian markets such as China, India, Korea and Japan to market its flagship accommodation. Previously, this product was promoted mainly to the European market.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge, comprising 27 chalets and three villas, is the only licensed accommodation available within the pristine Danum Valley Conservation Area in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
Lim revealed that the lodge will also be positioned as an exclusive venue for small corporate retreats, C-level meetings, and leadership programmes, offering companies a setting that blends immersive rainforest experiences with high-end hospitality.
Similarly, Langkawi MICE Holidays & Tours director of sales, Nana Soliano, said her company will be leveraging on the campaign’s momentum to reconnect with Australian outbound suppliers and rekindle their interest to promote Langkawi as a meetings and incentives destination.
She added: “We lost a lot of business from Australia during Covid. We hope to recapture the market by participating in AIME in 2026 and doing sales calls after the event. We decided to skip participating in some Asian travel marts in 2025 so that we can save the money to attend AIME.”
Anticipating that event organisers from key markets in Asia Pacific will also be looking at other secondary destinations outside of Langkawi, such as Penang, Sabah and Sarawak, Nana shared that she has been in touch with the respective state convention bureaus.
What is Thailand doing well in attracting high-quality business events – and where is the country falling short?
Thailand still delivers five stars in terms of food and quality even with discounts applied. We are also still getting five star hotel openings, which is a good sign.
But DMCs and hotels are cutting rates to chase cash flow, and that is feeding the wrong perception. We try to position ourselves as affordable, but to international clients, it comes across as “cheap”.
Luxury does not mean discounts. Take Louis Vuitton, for example. They never cut prices; they use partnerships or loyalty mechanisms instead. We need to think that way in Thailand’s MICE space, maintaining a luxury mindset with our brand positioning.
At Paula & Co., we do not drop our prices. We enhance the experience with better welcomes, curated details, thoughtful touches. It may cost a little more, but it feels exclusive.
What do clients really want when choosing Thailand?
They want something new. Clients often say: “I’ve been to Thailand before. What else can you show me?”
Product knowledge is everything. They are not asking for discounts. They are asking for differentiation. We are bidding against other destinations, so when we show them something surprising or clever that they did not expect, it makes Thailand stand out again.
What are your observations on the Meet Well campaign and Isan’s role in it?
Meet Well is heading in the right direction. It integrates wellness and authenticity, which are both in demand.
Debuting at AIME 2025 in Australia was a good start, but the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) needs to communicate it more widely, especially to overseas representatives to draw more buyers into the country. They also need to involve DMCs more, and support us to actually activate the concept.
With our DMC’s fam trip to Udon Thani and Sakon Nakhon in June, I created a proper selling programme based on Meet Well. It has real potential, but TCEB needs to push it beyond internal communication.
You are a proud Udon Thani native. What do planners often overlook about Isan?
Isan is more than ready. We have the accessibility, real culture, and rich experiences. Udon has its own Centara property, and will soon welcome a new cancer centre, which opens the doors for medical wellness.
We have run wellness check-ins, vitamin drips, and community experiences like indigo workshops, pink lotus weaving, and rice field tours.
How will next year’s International Horticultural Expo 2026 boost Udon Thani’s profile?
It is a gamechanger. But we have to prepare the local supply chain. In some cities, global or international standards are not there yet. For example, in Sakon Nakhon, accommodation is outdated. It is not a core MICE city, but it can still host domestic groups. Its nature, temples, and unique naga traditions are worth showcasing – but ideally as an add-on to a main MICE hub.
Right now, many local vendors in Udon Thani don’t know how to handle MICE business. That is why we have done training with universities and invested in capacity building to boost local ROI.
How are you leveraging your roles in Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) and Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) to shape Thailand’s business events future?
The two roles serve very different purposes.
SITE is global; I use it to build international connections, but SITE is still relatively new to the local industry, and only those with global exposure or at a certain level know about it. Many younger sales professionals have never heard of SITE. That is why I have spent the last two years educating local associations about what SITE is and how it benefits them.
Meanwhile, TICA is local, and more established among Thai stakeholders.
From left: TTG Asia Media's Pierre Quek; Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre's John Burke; and TTG Asia Media's Karen Yue
The 34th Annual TTG Travel Awards celebrated excellence across the Asia-Pacific travel and tourism sector, recognising 93 organisations for their leadership and innovation.
The awards ceremony was held at Centara Grand at CentralWorld, coinciding with the IT&CM Asia and Corporate Travel World (CTW) Asia-Pacific events.
From left: TTG Asia Media’s Pierre Quek; Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s John Burke; and TTG Asia Media’s Karen Yue
Winners were determined by votes cast from April 1 to July 31, 2025, by travel professionals across different sectors. This year’s event introduced two new categories – Best Local Hotel Brand – Singapore and Best All-Inclusive Resort – reflecting evolving traveller demands. In total, 72 winners were recognised across various categories.
A highlight of the night was the induction of Frasers Hospitality into the TTG Travel Hall of Fame for winning the Best Serviced Residence Operator category for 10 consecutive year, joining 20 other prestigious inductees. The Outstanding Achievement Awards, chosen by TTG’s editorial team, recognised contributions in non-voting categories. This year’s recipients were South Korea (Destination of the Year), Disney Cruise Line (Best Travel Marketing Effort), and Khiri Travel (Most Sustainable Travel Company).
Meanwhile, returning champions included Pan Pacific Hotels Group (Best Regional Hotel Chain), Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (Best Convention & Exhibition Centre – Malaysia), Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore (Best Serviced Residence – Property Level), and Scoot (Best Low-Cost Carrier).
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
