The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has rolled out its new website, built in partnership with design and innovation agency AKQA’s Melbourne team.
One of the standout features of the new website is the introduction of 360-degree virtual tours filmed by SmartView Media, a Matterport 3D Virtual Tour provider in Australia.
A screenshot from the new website
More spaces will be added to the virtual tours in the coming months, eventually showcasing all 35 room types available to book at MCEC.
Accessibility is at the forefront of the new website’s design, which will provide a better user experience for browsing on smartphones and tablets, as well as on accessibility devices such as screen readers.
Supported by Tourism Australia’s Business Events Advance Program, the virtual tours showcase MCEC’s facilities and spaces to customers from around Australia and the world. With 20 per cent of current website users from overseas, the tours will enable customers and visitors to virtually explore MCEC’s spaces, no matter where they are browsing from.
MCEC’s head of marketing, Liz Kozmevski, said: “The website is the first touchpoint for our customers and our visitors, and we wanted it to reflect the exceptional experiences they receive inside our venue.”
In addition to the virtual tours, the new website offers a wealth of information and resources to help customers plan their events. It showcases the best of Melbourne, inspiring visitors and organisers who have their eye on the city for their next event.
“When you book an event at MCEC, you’re not just booking a room, you’re booking a whole experience, from the layout and technical requirements to the food and wine served to delegates, to accommodation and incredible add-on experiences around Melbourne. The new website makes it easier than ever to get inspired and plan every facet of your event,” said Kozmevski.
With events and in-person connections back in focus, optimism abounds in the meetings and events industry this 2023.
Adaptability will still be paramount as the industry navigates the continuing resurgence of business events, new ways of working, changing attitudes to travel and ongoing supply challenges.
The FCM India Meetings & Events team kept busy in 2022 sending 150,000+ corporate customers around the world. According to FCM India’s Meetings & Trends Report, the top 10 destinations from India included Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Australia, Baku, New Zealand, the UK, Switzerland, and France.
Indian corporates are showing a keen interest in travelling for events
Strong demand continues The surge in bookings in 2023 continues to shape the sector. High demand is seen right across the industry, despite organisations facing changing attitudes to work-life boundaries and budgetary constraints.
“The global MICE market size, in terms of revenue, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.6 per cent from 2022 to 2030 to reach US$1,563.3 billion. FCM Meetings and Events India has achieved better performance than pre-Covid levels by more than 50 per cent,” said Manpreet Bindra, president of FCM Meetings and Events.
Willingness to travel, or not Indian travellers defy the international trend (a reluctance to fill their calendars with out-of-office commitments) by displaying a keen interest in travelling for events. However, one significant change has emerged in their approach – Indian travellers are now intentional about their travel choices and the impact it has on their overall well-being.
The era of red-eye flights and hectic dash-in-dash-out itineraries has come to an end. Instead, they seek more pampering, experiential activities, and theme-based events that make them feel more connected. Indian travellers now crave a holistic travel experience that includes group activities, adventurous pursuits, and a balance between relaxation and enrichment. They understand the importance of self-care and prioritise activities that contribute to their overall well-being.
Sustainability takes a starring role It’s clear companies increasingly consider sustainability a powerful mandate when planning meetings and events. This presents an opportunity for meeting and event organisations and planners to take the lead and assist their clients in developing action plans to minimise these environmental impacts of events.
Other simple changes can make an impact, such as adopting delegate apps and onsite technology to replace paper usage; collaborating with eco-conscious suppliers to reduce environmental impact; emphasising local and sustainable food and beverages; reducing and recycling waste; choosing venues committed to reducing carbon emissions; and partnering with local charities during larger events.
Wellbeing for all In 2023, there is an increased focus on caring for the mental and physical well-being of employees – and that includes when they are attending meetings and events. This trend is shaping event planning, with a shift to designing more holistic gatherings at unique and different destinations.
Companies are also recognising the need to factor in more breaks during events, more wellness activities, less packed schedules, and more informal downtime that allows for genuine connection.
FCM India Meetings & Events have organised morning yoga classes, spa treatments, and engaged motivational speakers from various industries such as Cricketers, and Mount Everest Mountaineers to inspire business travellers.
Embedding well-being into an event is also being seen as an important way to reward and retain employees in what remains a very tight labour market.
Rising costs and meeting spend The rapid surge back to in-person 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.
“Planners and venues are still seeing a trend to book at the last minute or with short lead times, and venue availability remains tight. All these factors mean that the cost of a meeting per attendee has increased, at a time when business budgets are tight, and employees are working at capacity,” said Bindra.
Virtual fatigue is real Data from FCM Meetings & Events show planning for hybrid and virtual events had dropped off by 75 per cent by the end of 2022 compared to the previous year.
Bindra said: “In 2023, Indian travellers are feeling more relaxed and confident about travelling. The removal of testing and quarantine conditions has contributed to this positive shift, and it’s having a ripple effect on the meetings and events sector. People are realising the true value of in-person interactions and are embracing them with enthusiasm.”
Technology drives experiences The seismic shift in the way we all do business post-Covid has given rise to technology that is now a permanent part of the meetings and events world. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, and live streaming have arrived, and they have the power to deliver multifaceted experiences to diverse audiences.
This accelerated uptake of tech is also enabling businesses and event planners to capture important data for in-depth analysis and reporting. Events in 2023 are now more costly, meaning companies want data that can show a return on their investment and that an event has delivered on its goals and objectives.
FCM India has a Meetings & Events Mobile App that offers features to enhance communication and connectivity for large travel groups. It supports logistics and information sharing before the travel, during and after.
A rendering of the Crowne Plaza Geelong, set to open in 2026
In partnership with Plenary Group, IHG Hotels & Resorts will be bringing its Crowne Plaza brand to the Victorian regional city of Geelong.
The brand new 200-room Crowne Plaza Geelong will open in 2026, part of the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct development project, which forms part of the Geelong City Deal, a collaborative plan by the Australian and Victorian governments and the City of Greater Geelong to transform the region. The redevelopment, which was unveiled last week, includes the construction of a purpose-built convention and exhibition space.
A rendering of the Crowne Plaza Geelong, set to open in 2026
Connected to the convention and exhibition centre, facilities within the Crowne Plaza Geelong will include a restaurant, bar, pool and gym, as well as its own meeting spaces.
With the new 180-room Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong due to open in September this year, IHG is on track to be the largest global hotel operator in Geelong. Over the next 12 months, IHG will also be opening six new hotels in Greater Melbourne, under the Crowne Plaza, voco, Hotel Indigo and Holiday Inn brands.
Cameron Burke, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ director of development for Australasia and Pacific, said: “This is an incredibly exciting development, and we will be delighted to be part of a precinct that will become a crown jewel for the city of Geelong. The addition of Crowne Plaza to Geelong would help capture visitation from both corporate and leisure travellers alike and serve as a strong endorsement to the pipeline of growth opportunities we’re currently experiencing throughout metropolitan and regional markets.
“With the opening of Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong also imminent, we’re excited at the prospect of becoming the largest global operator in Geelong and to maintaining our accelerated growth trajectory across Australia.”
Exhibitors and buyers can look forward to more appointments this year
IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2023 will be returning to Bangkok, Thailand, from September 26-28, 2023.
Held at the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, the three-day conference programme has been redesigned, and will feature new components such as the Asian MICE Cruise Conference, Association Day Forum, and ASEAN MICE Forum.
Exhibitors and buyers can look forward to more appointments this year
The Asian MICE Cruise Conference will discuss the post-pandemic cruise comeback as well as explore new ways to meet, while the Association Day Forum by International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) will be a session for thought leaders and industry experts to connect, exchange ideas and chart a course toward a future of growth and association success.
Attendees can also look forward to the ASEAN MICE Forum which will be hosted by Society for Incentive Travel Excellence and Kasetsart University. The forum aims to gather the industry experts and professionals to engage in insightful dialogues on topics such as What Corporations Want Versus What Qualifiers Want From the Incentive Travel Experiences, and Embracing Sustainability and Empowering Community.
The opening keynote will be presented by Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, president of Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation and adviser of Phuket Tourist Association, highlighting the positive impact tourism and business events partnerships can have on local communities.
There will also be a fireside chat with both Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Thailand Incentive and Convention Association officials on how business events can support the development of cities and the livelihood of the locals.
Pre-show activities such as a city tour hosted by TCEB, a fam trip hosted by Topgolf Megacity, and a grand opening ceremony and welcome reception will also be part of the programme.
Event brief The motto of the WSC 2022 was One Voice for Stroke, while the event was titled Uniting Voices Against Stroke: The Success of the Hybrid World Stroke Congress 2022. The event sought to bring together stroke specialists and advocates from around the world to discuss the latest advancements in stroke research and treatment.
As some countries were still experiencing travel restrictions, WSC 2022 offered both a full in-person meeting in Singapore and a limited online event.
Managed by Kenes Group, the programme was structured to allow for greater interaction, discussion, learning and networking opportunities.
Event highlights This was the first time the congress was being held in South-east Asia and it was returning to Asia after six years.
One standout feature of the congress was the Stroke Exchange Forum, a platform that facilitated the exchange of knowledge and experiences between stroke advocates in South and South-east Asia. This forum was instrumental in fostering a sense of unity and collaboration among the participants.
The congress also commemorated World Stroke Day in Singapore, with key landmarks across the city lit in blue, the colour of stroke awareness. This visual representation of the fight against stroke was a powerful reminder of the collective effort required to combat this global health issue.
In addition, the congress saw the launch of a new WSO Stroke Certification programme in India, with the aim to improve access to quality stroke care in the region, furthering the WSO’s mission of reducing the global burden of stroke.
The congress also featured a Walkathon for Stroke and NCD (non-communicable diseases) Dialogues, which were instrumental in promoting physical activity and fostering discussions on non-communicable diseases, respectively.
Overall, WSC 2022 was not just an event, but a movement that left a tangible legacy in the global fight against stroke, a Kenes Group spokesperson commented.
It emphasised the importance of unity, collaboration, and innovation in overcoming challenges and moving forward, she said.
Challenges Organising and marketing the event during the pandemic posed significant challenges, including the high cost of airfares, venue availability and Singapore hotel rates.
Kenes Group successfully navigated these challenges by offering a hybrid event model, allowing participants who could not attend in person due to travel restrictions or health concerns to participate virtually.
The spokesperson noted: “The congress offered a unique Singapore and online experience, ensuring that those who could not travel due to country-specific restrictions or other reasons could still participate and benefit from a selection of live-streamed sessions.
“This approach not only ensured the safety of all participants but also made the event more accessible to a global audience. The pricing for the event was strategically designed to accommodate both onsite and virtual participants, ensuring the event’s financial viability while maintaining its inclusivity,” she added.
Event 14th WSO and The World Stroke Congress Organiser World Stroke Organization Venue Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre Dates October 26-29, 2022 Attendees 2,024 on-site and 2,420 virtually
Two new Board Directors have been appointed to the Business Events Sydney (BESydney) Board.
The BESydney Board has appointed Judith Crompton as an independent director and incoming chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FRAC) from September 1, 2023, replacing Marlene Kanga who steps down after six years of service.
From left: Judith Crompton; and Deborah Zimmer
Crompton is a highly experienced executive and board member who has held senior executive positions within the insurance, airline and travel industries and has over 30 years’ extensive experience working with some of the largest companies in Australia, Switzerland, the UK and UAE. Throughout this time, she has also led teams and overseen operations in Europe, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and India. She continues to hold board positions in the private and not-for-profit sectors.
Earlier as of June 16, Deborah Zimmer, CEO of BridgeClimb, was appointed as a member director to the Board, filling the vacancy that arose following the company’s 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM). Ratification of Zimmer’s appointment will be sought from BESydney members at the 2023 AGM in October.
Zimmer is a former chief financial officer as well. Since she started her career as a chartered accountant with PwC, she has worked for a number of blue chip organisation across health and fitness, telecommunications, retail, IT and FMCG.
Shangri-La Singapore has welcomed Xavier Pougnard back as its hotel manager.
With a career spanning 23 years, Pougnard brings with him a wealth of experience in operating international five-star luxury hotels in key cities across Asia, Egypt, and the US since 1996.
Previously at Shangri-La Singapore from 2014 to 2019, he returns to the hotel from his most recent role as store leader at Apple Singapore, and will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the hotel.
Seoul Tourism Organization has appointed Ham Kyung-Joon as executive director, international tourism & MICE division.
Ham used to be the former CEO of Ulsan Tourism Organization. Previously, he developed hands-on experience and expertise in the tourism and business events sectors from working in the Korea Tourism Organization.
On his appointment, Ham said: “I have many plans to enable Seoul, one of the world’s top MICE cities, to take its spot at the forefront as a global trendsetter and have a particular interest in putting groundbreaking strategies and effective policies into practice to help the organisation achieve its vision of reaching 30 million tourists and becoming one of the top five tourist cities.”
Hotels and venues should expect to host more in-person events this year, where a majority of them will be sustainable despite the higher costs involved, according to a Cvest survey.
Speaking at the PATA Webinar: Leveraging Technology for Sustainable Events Confirmation last week, Abhilash Menon, regional account manager of Cvest said: “Based on our recently-conducted survey with over 400 planners across the Asia region, one of the key highlights is that planners are more than eager to host in-person events. In 2023, 68 per cent of our surveyed planners expect an increase in hosting more in-person events as compared to last year.
The event world is celebrating the return to in-person events
“Hotels and venues should be encouraged that in-person event sourcing is truly bouncing back and they can now look forward to a very busy 2023 and beyond.”
As expected, sustainable events will continue to play a large role in events, with 85 per cent of respondents indicating they prefer attending conferences that include sustainable practices.
Menon added: “Consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainability if they can be sure that their efforts make a difference.”
On the supplier side, the Cvest survey showed that 80 per cent of hoteliers believe that sustainability is an important factor in event planning. As such, sustainability is the first thing meeting planners would search for when looking for a venue through the Cvest network, so the availability of information about the hotel’s sustainability practices and certifications would help in the RFP creation process, noted Menon.
Ben Montgomery, director of business relations management at Centara Hotels & Resorts, emphasised that sustainability should be embraced by all industry stakeholders, and not be seen as a cost, but instead, an investment in people, products, and the environment.
Since its official opening in September 2022 after an extensive three-year renovation, the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) has held over 400 international and domestic events to date, with more slated to happen in the coming months.
“Previously, QSNCC mainly hosted domestic exhibitions and meetings, but (since the revamp), we have welcomed international tradeshows, global conferences, and entertainment events,” Sutichai Bunditvorapoom, executive vice president – marketing, sales and operations division from QSNCC told TTGmice.
An exterior shot of the modern QSNCC
He further shared that QSNCC’s portfolio has also changed slightly after its top-to-toe overhaul, where new clients include luxury brand launches such as Porsche and Lamborghini, as well as music concerts. Longstanding clients, such as the annual Book Expo Thailand – which registered around 160,000 in footfall during its October 2022 show – also continue to hold their events at QSNCC.
“We are happy with the response to our opening, and the line-up of business so far. We continue to receive many requests for RFPs. During the peak seasons of September, October, and November, we are quite fully booked. The challenge is trying to fill the venue during the low season in December and January,” noted Sutichai.
When asked if he could outline QSNCC’s strategy for the next five years, Sutichai shared: “Our profile will be clearer next year. This is because we are also trying to bring in new events in the innovation and technology space, as well as fintech. One notable win is Money 20/20, which announced (in April) that our venue will be hosting the 2024 edition.”
Moving forward, QSNCC will be focused on luring more business from Asia, as the “economy is strong, and corporates are willing to spend”. Further afield, the venue will continue to seek out business in France, Germany and UK as well.
Aside from bringing in new revenue streams, QSNCC also wants to become a “hub for the local community”, evident from its leisure offerings such as shopping, F&B outlets, and spa.
As to the business events future of Asia and Thailand, Sutichai is largely optimistic. “The growth is here in Asia, and it’s not just China. Many other countries in Asia are doing well too.”
However, several challenges the events industry is facing, along with the rest of the world, include shortage of manpower, rising travel costs, as well as other verticals – such as catering, security, and housekeeping – necessary components that make an event.
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Previously at Shangri-La Singapore from 2014 to 2019, he returns to the hotel from his most recent role as store leader at Apple Singapore, and will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the hotel.
