Experience Gold Coast celebrated and recognised the achievements of BE Connected Gold Coast Ambassadors
On October 26, 2023, more than 90 people attended a lavish gala event at Home of The Arts (HOTA) to acknowledge 19 of the city’s industry leaders, thought leaders and innovators that make up the business events ambassador programme; BE Connected Gold Coast.
Among the Ambassadors, six received distinguished awards for their contributions, commitment and support for business events including Dinesh Palipana, Ezekiel Tan, Ljubo Vlacic and Mark von Itzstein.
Experience Gold Coast celebrated and recognised the achievements of BE Connected Gold Coast Ambassadors
Experience Gold Coast acting CEO Rachel Hancock said the evening was recognition for the individuals who represent Gold Coast business events, but also a testament to the power of collaboration, and contribution to the growth and reputation of the city.
“While all our Ambassadors contribute and go above and beyond, there are a few this year that made some truly remarkable contributions to business events and this city that need to be acknowledged,” Hancock said.
Experience Gold Coast’s head of business events Brooke Campbell said leading a bid for a conference is hard work and can span up to 10 years of work and collaboration.
“That’s commitment for people who are practising surgeons, executives, business-owners, teachers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and researchers, let alone still having time for their families. These champions in the room last night are critical to winning conferences and this is why we honour all these amazing, committed volunteers,” she said.
The organisation has confirmed 90 business events through to 2030 worth A$174 million (US$110) plus an additional 132 events in the pipeline worth A$201 million in economic impact.
Two upcoming conferences resulting from BE Connected Gold Coast Ambassadors include the Asian Pacific Conference on International Accounting Issues with 400 delegates, and the International Communication Association Conference with 3,000 delegates.
AIME will be expanding the event’s footprint by an additional two bays at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre next year.
This growth allows the introduction of new zones, such as The Boutique and DMC Network.
AIME 2023 showfloor
A dedicated zone for the world’s boutique experience makers, The Boutique will showcase such operators as small, independently-owned wineries with intimate spaces, design-led luxury venues with distinct personalities and services to match, and other bespoke and highly customisable experiences.
Also, for the first time at AIME, a dedicated zone for Destination Management Companies (DMCs) will exist – the DMC Network. This space will bring together on-the-ground teams from all over the world to curate tailored experiences for conferences, incentives and events in their region.
AIME 2024 will also feature dedicated spaces on the showfloor for those impromptu meetings, facilitating more networking opportunities across the three days of the event.
Held alongside the AIME tradeshow, the Ideas Academy will provide visitors access to short, thought-provoking panel discussions and sessions.
Presented by industry publication Spice Magazine, each Ideas Academy session will be delivered silently via individual headphones, with high-quality, informative content providing practical takeaways for attendees to implement in their business.
Sessions will run continuously at AIME on February 20 and 21, 2024, and are free for all attendees.
Visitor registration for AIME opens November 13, 2023.
Event organisers and planners should consider holding their next event in Tokyo as the pulsating capital of Japan promises unique sights and experiences ideal for events of various sizes.
Organisers in favour of creative event venues, especially those steeped in cultural significance and historical influences, are spoilt for choice, with a variety ranging from a Noh theatre to a traditional garden.
A Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB) spokesperson told TTGmice: “Tokyo Unique Venues stands out for its unmatched variety. We have every sort of venue imaginable, from historic buildings reminiscent of Tokyo’s rich heritage to one-of-a-kind contemporary inventive spaces expected from a boundary-pushing city such as ours. Tokyo is truly the epitome of fusion.”
Kanze Noh Theater Instead of choosing the usual modern auditorium for conferences, event organisers can opt for a cultural performance facility like the Kanze Noh Theater instead.
Noh is a highly refined and elegant traditional Japanese performance art dating from the 14th century.
Conveniently located in GINZA SIX, a popular new spot in the chic Ginza area, the classic theatre’s Lobby makes a remarkable venue to hold a reception or party, while its 1,302m² Hall is ideal for seminars and conferences accommodating 480 people.
Learning more about the traditional performance art form in the heart of Tokyo is also a unique opportunity to immerse delegates in quintessential Japanese culture.
While at the theatre, they can also catch a dramatic offering by one of its most prominent schools, or listen to a lecture about the art form.
Big organisations are already taking note of this location — this year, a major corporation capitalised on the unique venue to provide an astonishing backdrop for its conference.
The Hall and Dining Hall of Jiyugakuen Myonichikan, which look out over a beautiful lawn area, and its auditorium are available for events, including formal dinners, buffet receptions and cocktail parties
As a historic building by Frank Lloyd Wright, a master of modern architecture, Jiyugakuen Myonichikan provides an impressive setting for an event.
Originally designed as a school in 1921, the historic and artistic value of the structure, reflecting both Japanese and Western aesthetics, led to its designation as an Important Cultural Property.
The 136m² Lounge Hall and 94m² Dining Hall, which look out over a beautiful lawn area, and its 455m² Auditorium are available for events, including formal dinners, buffet receptions, and cocktail parties.
The Lounge Hall can accommodate 30 seated guests and 50 people standing while the Dining Hall can take in 72 pax and 100 pax for its sitting and standing spaces respectively. The Auditorium has a seating capacity of 220.
The venue is also an excellent choice for various purposes from product launches to seminars.
For its 2021-2022 Autumn-Winter collection, a men’s apparel brand held a fashion show at the Auditorium located on the south side of the grounds.
To leverage the atmosphere of the historical venue, the decorations on the building and in the space were kept to a minimum, and a salon-style was adopted where the audience could surround the models and appreciate the entire experience.
One of the women’s fashion brands chose to stage their show in the front garden instead – where models walked on the lawn during twilight. The impressive outline of the property provided the perfect backdrop for the performance.
Kiyosumi Gardens from the Meiji period offers a natural landscape setting, complete with cultural elements and historical charms
To stage events against a natural landscape with cultural elements, planners can look to traditional Japanese gardens for added historical charm.
Comprising a large pond and man-made hills with exquisite garden rocks collected from all across Japan, Kiyosumi Gardens from the Meiji period (1868-1912) offers a splendid option that adds an element of tranquility to any business event.
The 475m² Taisho Kinenkan Hall, associated with Emperor Taisho and Empress Teimei, allows for receptions done in either formal or buffet style for an unforgettable dining experience which affords magnificent views of the garden.
It can accommodate up to 90 people for a seated dinner and 130 people for a standing reception.
Pre-dinner cocktail parties can also be held in the Ryotei lodge, which can host up to 30 people, overlooking the pond for guests to enjoy the feeling of “floating” on water.
The TCVB spokesperson added: “TCVB believes that the utilisation of cultural and historical facilities as unique venues is meaningful as it enhances the value of the location, as well as increases the significance of the business event. These facilities are pro-actively seeking to host MICE events and are flexible to accommodate different requests. TCVB has also received many inquiries and is constantly on a lookout for creative uses for the venues.”
Easy access to unique venues Planners keen to utilise one-of-a-kind locations in Tokyo to organise memorable events can expect free quality guidance and assistance from TCVB’s experienced staff, from venue recommendations to site inspections and communication with vendors.
Tokyo Unique Venues established in 2018, in particular, underscores Tokyo’s ability to deliver on business event expectations every time.
To learn more about the city’s wide-ranging distinctive venues, visit Tokyo Unique Venues.
Matt Pearce, Australian Business Events Association’s (ABEA) board director and CEO of Talk2 Media & Events has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors at UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
Pearce’s three-year term will commence following UFI’s forthcoming annual General Assembly, set to take place ahead of their Global Congress November 1, 2023, in Las Vegas, US.
The appointment of Matt Pearce to the UFI Board of Directors ensures the Australian business events industry is represented on a global stage, and that ABEA itself is privy to shaping the course of the global exhibition industry.
Meeting planners will have their plates full with inflation, rising fuel costs, and supply chain issues next year
The cost of travel soared in 2023, as prices on airfare, hotels, and F&B as pent-up demand fuelled an eager return to in-person events. Moving into 2024, it appears that a cocktail of demand and supply side pressures will continue to push meetings and events (M&E) prices up significantly.
“Although demand from group travel, meetings and events has rebounded strongly, and there is growth in incentive travel as companies seek to motivate and reward employees, volatile fuel prices, labour shortages, inflation, and capacity restrictions have put upward pressure on prices across the whole travel and M&E supply chain,” said Petrina Goh, regional commercial director, South-east Asia & Hong Kong, CWT Meetings & Events.
Meeting planners will have their plates full with inflation, rising fuel costs, and supply chain issues next year
According to CWT’s 2024 Global Business Travel Forecast, the average daily cost per attendee for meetings and events rose 58 per cent in 2022 vs 2021. CWT expects to see the cost per attendee climb a further 5.6 per cent this year, followed by a three per cent increase in 2024.
In tier-one cities in Thailand and Vietnam such as Bangkok, Phuket, and Ho Chi Minh City, CWT is also reporting group accommodation and meeting package prices around 15 to 20 per cent higher than 2019 levels. Meanwhile, in destinations like Japan and South Korea, group accommodation rates are currently 20 to 30 per cent above 2019 levels.
Moreover, with the persistent inflation in food prices, the average F&B cost per attendee is forecast to increase 6.9 per cent this year and 2.2 per cent in 2024. Meanwhile, the average daily rate for group hotel bookings is projected to climb 4.4 per cent in 2023 and 3.5 per cent in 2024.
Manpreet Bindra, president of FCM India Meetings & Events, expects 2024 to be more expensive for M&E too. He said: “Increased energy costs, fuel costs, airfares, and global inflation are all impacting in-person events. The rapid surge back to live events has been a challenge for venues, hotels, airlines, and event planners. Travel constraints, capacity issues, labour shortages, supply chain issues and travel disruptions are all easing, but they are factors that are not expected to fully stabilise until 2024.”
This is despite global airline capacity tracking at 100 per cent for October 2023, according to Flight Centre Travel Group’s Cirium Data as of October 9, 2023. Although clocking in at 100 per cent, this is being driven by domestic capacity at 102 per cent, while international is still just below 97 per cent. Overall, carriers are seemingly more optimistic with 2024 travel, and capacity in December has increased.
For FCM, two M&E markets in Asia-Pacific stand out – India and Japan.
This comes as FCM Meetings and Events India achieved better performance than pre-Covid levels by more than 50 per cent.
“While the 2023 travel uptick reflects the removal of country restrictions coupled with a deep desire to travel, we envisage that as capacity and pricing stabilise, 2024 will be a better indicator of the true demand,” said Bindra.
Over in Japan, FCM Meetings and Events Japan finds that most four- to five-star hotels plan to raise their prices in 2024, by more than 20 per cent per room a night on top of the current rate and 50 per cent up during peak seasons. Even with higher room rates this year, hotel rooms sold out very quickly.
Many travel agencies were not able to get contract rates until the last minute, as hotels were waiting and checking their competitor’s rates. Some hotels even changed to the BAR rate instead of the contract rate. According to FCM Meetings and Events Japan, its hotel partners feel that their room rates will cool down only by the end of next year.
Inbound groups into Japan should also expect higher ground-handling in 2024, as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has decided to raise the minimum rate from 10 per cent to 22 per cent, and remove the cap on maximum rates. This means that bus companies can set however high a price they want. For example, in the Kanto area, most of the bus companies raised an average of 26 per cent for all new requests from October 2023.
To combat higher prices in the coming year, Goh recommends that planners consider secondary cities such as Pattaya, Koh Samui, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang and Yogyakarta for events.
“The crowds are smaller and there’s a greater sense of exploration, learning, and well-being availability. These locations are rich in culture, have diverse offsite activities, and offer great value for money,” she elaborated. Goh also encouraged meeting and event organisers to “begin the planning process early”.
“Include your travel partners early, this way, businesses can boost their bargaining power, increase the chances of better purchases, secure better deals, and reduce the strain on execution capabilities,” agreed Bindra.
“We are still seeing extremely short lead times for events. Organisers should be looking at 2024 with a 12-month planning cycle if they want to have a good choice of locations and keep prices at a reasonable level. If you start sourcing earlier, you are in a much stronger position to secure availability and negotiate on pricing,” added Goh.
Bindra is also seeing “last-minute bookings” and events with short lead times, resulting in problems securing venues. “All these factors mean that the cost of a meeting per attendee has increased during a time when business budgets are tight, and employees are working at capacity,” stated Bindra.
Busan (pictured) will host the World Expo 2030 with the theme, Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future
Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is planning to utilise upcoming mega events – Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics and the World Expo 2030 Busan – to promote the country as the ideal destination for business events.
Kim Young Hee, director of KTO Singapore Office, told TTGmice that such events not only presented an opportunity to enhance the brand image of the host country, they also motivated transportation and tourism infrastructure improvements for the host regions.
Busan (pictured) will host the World Expo 2030 with the theme, Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future
Furthermore, the benefits of large-scale events can spill into communities in and around the host city, which in turn revitalises the local economy through visitor lodging and F&B, as well as create jobs for the locals.
Kim expects mega events to “set an example” for other event organisers and help to attract future medium and large-sized business events to the host destinations.
As of September 2023, some 18,500 people have visited South Korea on an incentive travel programme, while 140 international conferences have been held. Another 110 international conferences are slated to happen before the year closes out.
As competition for business events around the globe heats up, Kim said KTO is focused on linking interest in “K-content” – content that is built on uniquely South Korean culture and history – with “K-MICE”. Various marketing activities and the development of various programmes utilising “K-content” are in the works.
“We are focusing on China, Vietnam and Thailand, as these are our top (inbound markets) in terms of incentive travel visitors to South Korea. (These three countries) accounted for 66 per cent of the total number of incentive travel visitors pre-pandemic,” Kim said.
South-east Asia also holds much potential, due to the strong influence hallyu (Korean wave) and “K-content” have in the region, according to Kim.
“According to a survey of potential customers interested in hallyu, 86 per cent are willing to visit South Korea, nine per cent have actually visited South Korea, while 100 per cent who have visited are willing to revisit,” she added.
KTO makes it easier for event organisers to take their programmes to South Korea, with a supportive offering that includes souvenirs, attraction fee waivers, and complimentary performances. The extent of support depends on the number of foreign attendees.
South Korea’s business events scene is supported by 15 medium and large convention facilities, 19 regional business events-dedicated organisations, and a variety of teambuilding programmes that incorporate K-content.
Phase 1A of Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort in Yeongjong Island, South Korea, is inching closer to its completion date, and is on track to open by 4Q2023.
This phase includes three five-star hotels with more than 1,200 keys; a 15,000-seat indoor multipurpose arena; a variety of business events spaces, including a banquet hall for 4,000 guests; a shopping, dining and entertainment complex; an indoor water park that will operate year-round; and an outdoor family theme park. The foreigner-only gaming facility is expected to be ready early 2024 upon the acquisition of licenses for operation.
A rendering of the massive Mohegan Inspire
When asked why Mohegan looked to South Korea for its first international expansion, Michael Jensen, chief marketing officer, shared: “Korean culture is currently resonating around the world, and there was a great opportunity that (surfaced) in South Korea. The local government and community are supportive of, and promote tourism. There is also high tourism demand in Asia.”
Mohegan, the parent company of Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort, currently owns and operates seven integrated resorts in the US and Canada.
The new multi-billion-dollar project stands next to Incheon International Airport, providing corporates from neighbouring countries a new event destination, noted Jensen. Those familiar with Mohegan’s properties in the US will also be part of the initial targets.
To market its extensive business events facilities, Jensen shared that the “all-in-one destination” has partnered with major platforms such as Cvent and 1000Meetings to make it easier for planners to look up the integrated resort’s facilities and attractions.
And, as the opening approaches, Jensen shared that branding and marketing campaigns, as well as other promotional offerings for stays and dining opportunities, will be released over the course of the next few months.
Event planners who choose Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort will also see that Incheon has a lot to offer, added Jensen.
Within a 30-minute radius, additional attractions and teambuilding activities include a yacht tour, or cycling around Yeongjong island. Seoul is also merely an hour away, and can be easily accessed.
Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort, which will have four phases of business expansion, is being billed as the largest resort in north-east Asia.
Details of the expansion plans and timelines are not available at press time, according to Jensen.
The Incredible Impacts Program and Seed Fund Grant are testaments to the power of international association meetings to bring positive and enduring change
BestCities Global Alliance, in collaboration with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), has announced the finalists of the 2023 Incredible Impacts Program and the recipient of the Seed Fund Grant.
These awards recognise the exceptional contributions of international association meetings in creating a lasting impact beyond tourism. These initiatives drive the missions of BestCities and ICCA and exemplify the potential of association meetings to transform societies and leave a legacy of positive impact.
The Incredible Impacts Program and Seed Fund Grant are testaments to the power of international association meetings to bring positive and enduring change
The 2023 Incredible Impacts Program finalists, selected by a judging panel of their association peers, are as follows:
Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) – ACWW Women’s Empowerment Summit, Khovd, Mongolia 2023 ACWW’s Women’s Empowerment Summit programme reached an inspiring milestone by extending its reach to Khovd Province, Mongolia. The groundbreaking initiative brought together more than 300 women survivors of domestic violence from nomadic communities, reflecting their aim to empower rural women who often go unheard in legislation, promoting community transformation. ACWW’s dedication to driving positive change through their association meetings is truly commendable.
British Society Of Soil Science – Environmental Education: Leaving a long-lasting impact, locally and globally 2022 The 22nd World Congress of Soil Science, hosted in Glasgow, UK, in 2022, raised the bar for environmental responsibility at international scientific congresses. The British Society of Soil Science engaged local residents in soil education and conducted the first-ever environmental impact assessment of such an event. These outstanding achievements set a new standard for sustainable practices within the scientific community.
European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) – Velo-city 2023 Leipzig – Boosting the development of active mobility in the host city and beyond The annual Velo-city conference was held in Leipzig, Germany in 2023 with the goal of catalysing active mobility at the local level while also extending its impact nationally and globally. The global cycling community convenes at this conference to elevate cycling’s position on the political agenda, resulting in positive environmental and health benefits. Working for more and better cycling for all, ECF has been dedicated to creating a more sustainable and liveable future for over 40 years.
These finalists will advance to the Incredible Impacts session, scheduled for November 14 at the ICCA Congress in Bangkok, where they will present their submissions. Delegates from ICCA will have the opportunity to vote for the most impactful project. The results will be tallied, and in tandem with the judgement of the expert panel, the winner will be announced during the closing session of the ICCA Congress on November 15.
Additionally, BestCities and ICCA have also announced the recipient of the US$5,000 Seed Grant, International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS).
IPVS, the global authority on papillomaviruses, showcased an extraordinary commitment to advancing the impact of their association meetings. Their dedication and vision in contributing to the elimination of papillomavirus-related diseases, particularly cervical cancer, have earned them the Seed Grant. It will empower them to further their legacy programme, making an even greater and lasting contribution to the global community.
“We are delighted to unveil the finalists of the Incredible Impacts Program, an initiative that not only celebrates associations showcasing innovative thinking but also serves as an inspiration for others to integrate legacy initiatives into their future events,” says Loren Christie, managing director of BestCities Global Alliance. “Additionally, we take great pride in extending our support to associations who have an interest in implementing legacy programmes.”
New Agenda: Meetings Redesigned reinforces Centara's commitment to delivering outstanding business events
Centara Hotels & Resorts has launched New Agenda: Meetings Redesigned, a refreshed approach to business events dedicated to delivering unforgettable experiences that engage and inspire.
New Agenda: Meetings Redesigned sets a new standard for business events across four key pillars. It starts with Centara’s One-Stop Meeting Guru service, personalised end-to-end event management with a single point of contact to ensure seamless communication, planning, coordination and execution onsite.
New Agenda: Meetings Redesigned reinforces Centara’s commitment to delivering outstanding business events
In addition, Centara’s in-house F&B team designs unique and immersive Creative Catering and dining experiences to reinforce and strengthen participation, with tailored ideas that can include a sensory-driven Dinner in the Dark, a power lunch on a Maldivian submarine, casual beach barbecues, a Thai food stall journey, MasterChef-inspired cooking challenges, and a create-your-own cocktail bar, among others.
Teambuilding Redefined sees teamwork reach new heights as Centara partners with globally-renowned training provider, Asia Ability, to develop programmes that foster resourcefulness, knowledge-sharing, and active participation through workshops, community outreach activities and beyond.
Lastly, Centara promises to Lead the Way in sustainability, offering greener meeting options combining sustainability, convenience and eco-conscious amenities into one package with the use of LED and natural lighting, low-flow taps, waste separation, eco-friendly materials and locally-sourced produce to reduce carbon emissions throughout its venues. Centara also offers Earth Care Activities, including the Plastics Only, Please beach clean-up campaign, to empower teams to give back and reaffirming the brand’s commitment to the environment.
Engage empowers clients to connect with their audiences in a meaningful and effective way
BCD Meetings & Events (BCD M&E) has launched Engage, a technology platform that removes barriers to engagement and drives learning and desired participant behaviour, for clients looking to enhance both stakeholder and end-user experiences.
Engage combines the tools customers need to communicate, train, motivate and meet (face-to-face/hybrid/virtual) all in one engagement ecosystem. It is customisable and modular, allowing customers to white label the product as their own and extend the engagement and learning over time.
Engage empowers clients to connect with their audiences in a more meaningful and effective way
The global platform leverages advanced analytics and data-driven insights to inform decisions and investments while creating a seamless, tailored end-user experience.
This is the latest investment in BCD M&E’s technology offering, continuing to add to their suite of solutions that help companies digitise processes and gain valuable data points to drive business goals. BCD M&E has partnered with Consensus, an all-in-one engagement company with headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark & locations globally.
The newly-opened Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok anchors the One Bangkok development with cosmopolitan elegance. Featuring the city's largest ballroom and a spectacular new penthouse suite, it delivers exceptional hardware and deeply authentic, soulful service for business and leisure travellers alike
Behind the imposing, Brutalist concrete that defines Zurich’s Oerlikon district lies a surprising secret. While its exterior honours the neighbourhood’s industrial roots, stepping inside Mama Shelter reveals a vibrant, neon-soaked world that is a far cry from its rigid shell
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is planning to utilise upcoming mega events – Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics and the World Expo 2030 Busan – to promote the country as the ideal destination for business events.
Kim Young Hee, director of KTO Singapore Office, told TTGmice that such events not only presented an opportunity to enhance the brand image of the host country, they also motivated transportation and tourism infrastructure improvements for the host regions.
Furthermore, the benefits of large-scale events can spill into communities in and around the host city, which in turn revitalises the local economy through visitor lodging and F&B, as well as create jobs for the locals.
Kim expects mega events to “set an example” for other event organisers and help to attract future medium and large-sized business events to the host destinations.
As of September 2023, some 18,500 people have visited South Korea on an incentive travel programme, while 140 international conferences have been held. Another 110 international conferences are slated to happen before the year closes out.
As competition for business events around the globe heats up, Kim said KTO is focused on linking interest in “K-content” – content that is built on uniquely South Korean culture and history – with “K-MICE”. Various marketing activities and the development of various programmes utilising “K-content” are in the works.
“We are focusing on China, Vietnam and Thailand, as these are our top (inbound markets) in terms of incentive travel visitors to South Korea. (These three countries) accounted for 66 per cent of the total number of incentive travel visitors pre-pandemic,” Kim said.
South-east Asia also holds much potential, due to the strong influence hallyu (Korean wave) and “K-content” have in the region, according to Kim.
“According to a survey of potential customers interested in hallyu, 86 per cent are willing to visit South Korea, nine per cent have actually visited South Korea, while 100 per cent who have visited are willing to revisit,” she added.
KTO makes it easier for event organisers to take their programmes to South Korea, with a supportive offering that includes souvenirs, attraction fee waivers, and complimentary performances. The extent of support depends on the number of foreign attendees.
South Korea’s business events scene is supported by 15 medium and large convention facilities, 19 regional business events-dedicated organisations, and a variety of teambuilding programmes that incorporate K-content.