Screen Producers Australia (SPA) CEO Matthew Deaner is the 15th ambassador to join BE Connected Gold Coast ambassador programme.
Deaner has been at the helm of SPA, the peak body for content producers for over a decade and has played a pivotal role in recently securing the Gold Coast as home for the premier screen industry event, SCREEN FOREVER for an additional three years until 2026.
The event on average brings over 1,000 local, national and international screen industry professionals together, promoting and strengthening Australia’s screen industry.
Destination Gold Coast’s interim chief operating officer, Rachel Hancock, said: “As an advocate for the film industry, Deaner will help showcase the Gold Coast as a hub for both the film industry and best-in-class business events, whose benefits go beyond visitation and are a key contributor to the city’s growth.”
“The internationally recognised expertise of these thought leaders and their organisations play a major role in attracting both national and international conferences to the Gold Coast and showcasing our creativity and innovation on the world stage.”
The film industry is booming on the Gold Coast and the support and investment from the city of Gold Coast and state government has contributed to the city’s success as a global destination for filmmakers and for hosting conferences for the screen industry.
In addition to securing SCREEN FOREVER, the city will host Screen Horizons 2023 in July, while The Australian International Movie Convention is also set to return to its pre-pandemic home at The Star Gold Coast in October.
The lack of planning and understanding of audience needs can hinder event attendances
It’s 2023, and we’re still talking about a lack of accessibility in the events industry.
From an absence of diverse panel speakers to a lack of options for those visually- or hearing-impaired, events still aren’t catering to everyone. And we’re not just talking about providing wheelchair access either, something which is also quite high/low in the industry.
In a world that offers on-site, online, and hybrid events, how is this even possible? Especially when technologies such as closed captions and audio guides can easily help those who would previously have found events hard to access.
The lack of planning and understanding of audience needs can hinder event attendances
Why is event accessibility still an issue? Despite technological advancements and increased awareness, the events industry still has a considerable distance to cover when it comes to accessibility. Organisers may lack familiarity with the challenges faced by people with health conditions or impairments, resulting in a lack of necessary accommodations.
Accessibility is a multifaceted issue. It involves a vast range of requirements and needs, from barrier-free venue access to audio/visual aids and sign language interpretation and it can be a challenging task, especially for events with limited resources.
Cultural barriers and biases may also impede organisers from comprehending the importance of accessibility, leading to inadequate arrangements.
Additionally, events that are not accessible to all often result in reduced revenue from ticket sales and sponsorship, limiting the potential for economic growth and innovation. The lack of diversity and cultural exchange hinders progress and reinforces systemic inequalities. By excluding people from different backgrounds and perspectives, we miss valuable opportunities to learn from individuals hailing from all corners of the world and walks of life.
Improving accessibility in the events industry Accessibility is a critical aspect of event planning that ensures that all attendees can fully participate in and enjoy the event experience. But what can event organisers do today to make their events more open and accessible to all?
On-site accessibility Ensuring that the event venue is accessible and inclusive, with features such as wheelchair ramps, accessible seating, and braille signage, can make a big difference in enabling disabled people to attend and participate.
Inclusive/diverse marketing Ensuring that marketing materials and event information are accessible and inclusive can help attract a wider range of attendees from around the world which helps to communicate the event’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.
Assistive technology Offering assistive technology such as hearing aids, amplification devices, or mobility aids can help attendees with impairments fully participate in the event. By providing assistive technology, event organisers can create a more inclusive environment that allows disabled people to fully engage with the event and participate in all aspects of it.
Language services Providing translation or interpretation services can help overcome language barriers for attendees who do not speak the event’s primary language. This can include professional interpreters or even AI-translated speech, that can be accessed via the attendee’s own mobile phones.
Captions and subtitles For attendees with hearing impairments or deaf, providing live captions or subtitles throughout your event can make a significant difference. On-stage screens with live captioning or via their mobile phones are two possible ways of making them available.
Flexible attendance options Offering virtual attendance options, such as live streaming or video conferencing, can provide an alternative for attendees who cannot physically attend the event due to location or accessibility barriers.
The future of events For current and future events, it is essential that event organisers prioritise accessibility and inclusivity to ensure that everyone can participate and benefit from the event.
By implementing strategies such as those listed above, event organisers can ensure that tomorrow’s events are more accessible and welcoming for all attendees. As technology advances, it is only right that events do as well, and creating an awareness of the importance of inclusivity and acting upon it will help shape the way events are planned and executed in the future.
This can ultimately lead to increased attendance and engagement, as well as a positive reputation for the event and its organisers. Therefore, it is important for event organisers to continuously educate themselves and explore new ways to make their events more accessible and inclusive for all.
By embracing accessibility and inclusivity, event organisers can not only enhance the overall attendee experience, but also demonstrate their commitment to diversity and social responsibility.
Oddmund Braaten is the CEO of Interprefy. Previously the COO and a board member, Braaten has been leading Interprefy’s commercial and operational success for five years.
Chab Group has promoted Mark Masterson to chief creative officer (CCO), from executive creative director. He is based in Singapore.
In his new role, Masterson will push the boundaries of content creation, emerging technologies, and innovative communication techniques.
He brings over two decades of global leadership experience, having worked at renowned agencies like McCann Worldgroup and Project Gumbolive. His portfolio includes successful partnerships with Coca-Cola, AB/InBev, Nestlé, Vacheron Constantin, Campari Group, Porsche, MTN, and Princess Cruises.
CWT has partnered with Spotnana’s to create a new technology-led global travel solution for customers.
The solution will be built on top of Spotnana’s modern infrastructure, with agents using Spotnana’s entire Travel-as-a-Service platform. The platform has been billed to enable seamless service delivery, rapid issue resolution and personalised service.
“We are delighted to accelerate our plans for strategic growth through this new partnership with Spotnana. We continuously seek to enhance our offering through investments in technology and solutions, and by working with Spotnana, we bring more choices to customers. They will benefit from advanced self-service functionality coupled with the strength of CWT’s people and global offering,” said CWT’s president & CEO, Patrick Andersen.
“Many corporations are interested in combining the benefits of Spotnana’s modern travel platform with CWT’s global servicing capabilities and the full breadth of TMC services. We are creating the travel experience of the future by using our next-generation technology stack to provide a new level of self-service control to corporations and a single global platform that allows everyone in the ecosystem to collaborate,” said Sarosh Waghmar, founder & CEO at Spotnana.
Naumi Hotel Wellington has launched, connecting with the existing Naumi Studio Wellington on Cuba Street, one of the most electric and charismatic precincts in New Zealand’s capital city.
The 62-key hotel features bold palettes and delightful designs that will please guests with a taste for the creative.
Dazzle room
For event planners, on-site conference spaces are just as vibrant. The conference room can host up to 250 delegates, and splits into five separate sound-proofed spaces for smaller gatherings of 50 pax each. There is also a private boardroom that seats 20.
Restaurant Lola Rouge, which presents a South-east Asian menu, makes a stylish venue for social functions, while Lola Rouge’s Grand Bar serves up creative cocktails, boutique wines and local craft beers.
Planners can also choose to wine and dine their attendees in The Red Room private dining space.
The pastel-hued Parlour is another designer dining destination at the hotel, where attendees can enjoy high tea and cocktails in between their sessions.
N.C.C. Management and Development has announced Surapol Utintu as its newly-appointed CEO for Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand.
He has been tasked with speeding up the company’s mission to expand its network of domestic and international business partners, while transforming the image of QSNCC into a world-class convention venue that caters to both B2B and B2C targets amid ever-changing challenges.
Surapol has over 30 years of experience overseeing Thailand’s leading organisations with expertise in managing massive retail spaces, a theatre, and various other business segments.
Surapol succeeds Sakchai Pattarapreechakul, who has been appointed to the board committee.
The business events community’s quest to establish meaningful legacies for the host destination can find fulfilment in Australia, where convention bureaus and industry suppliers are doing even more today to provide beneficial engagements with the land’s original owners.
Recently, the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) made its Gadigal Dreaming – The Sacred Country of the Gadigal People augmented reality experience content available to event planners hosting at the venue.
The Youth Mill Aboriginal cultural experience
The content comprises eight scenes covering gathering, fishing, corroboree, crafting, tracks, hunting, camp life and cosmology legends of Sydney’s original custodians. The augmented reality experience can be conveyed through the audience’s own devices through QR codes.
Gadigal Dreaming, created by Bilbie XR Labs – an award-winning First Nations digital storytelling enterprise and the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, with the support of Investment New South Wales, was first launched in September 2022 to bring the stories of the Gadigal People to members of the public passing through the Darling Harbour precinct.
Using art and media to “amplify First Nations voices, share the experiences of the world’s oldest living culture and preserve the history of the land on which our venue stands” is just one of the many ways ICC Sydney is using its “sphere of influence” to support Aboriginal community development and the Australian government’s Close the Gap mission, said Samantha Glass, director of corporate affairs, communication and sustainability at ICC Sydney.
The Close the Gap campaign, backed by Australia’s peak indigenous and non-indigenous health bodies, NGOs and human rights organisations, aims to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-indigenous Australians within a generation.
According to the government’s 2020 Closing the Gap report, 2018 data showed gaps in education (82 per cent school attendance by Aboriginal people vs 93 per cent by non-Aboriginal people) and employment (40 per cent vs 75 per cent), as well as resulting life expectancy (8.6 years for men and 7.8 years for women).
Glass believes that ICC Sydney, with 1.5 million people passing through its doors each year and many millions more passing through Darling Harbour where the venue is located, has “a massive opportunity to make a difference” through its messages, activities and business practices.
The venue’s own reconciliation journey includes a First Nations procurement strategy, where its teams actively seek out opportunities to provide business to First Nations organisations. There are now 15 First Nations suppliers in ICC Sydney’s supply chain, and numbers are growing monthly, according to Glass. For the financial year 2021/2022, ICC Sydney has spent at least A$408,000 (US$274,679) with First Nations suppliers.
It also participates in employment programmes with education partners like Eora College, NSW TAFE, KARI Foundation, Shared Knowledge to attract new, diverse talents; and hosts business events for KARI Foundation with the aim of connecting Sydney’s business community partners with First Nations-owned businesses to result in opportunities for collaboration.
“Business investments in Aboriginal services support children in their transition from primary school to high school with the equipment they need, create career opportunities for the children when they graduate, and facilitate a programme where First Nations people who are senior executives come together to undertake leadership training,” Glass detailed.
Glass noted that clients have been very supportive of ICC Sydney’s First Nations reconciliation efforts. Of the 65 per cent of international events in 2022 that activated the venue’s Legacy Program (which supports sustainability, local innovators, creative industries and more), 90 per cent chose to establish a connection with First Nations culture through performances, food, artwork or gifts.
Event planners looking to do even more to support First Nations development can draw inspiration from convention bureaus.
A smoking ceremony
Business Events Sydney (BE Sydney) has compiled a wide range of experiences that allow event delegates to immerse in First Nations culture and perspectives.
Such experiences include a Welcome to Country ritual by a local custodian of the land on which the group meets; climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with an Indigenous guide to see the city through a lens that is thousands of years old; joining a guided Aboriginal Bush Tucker tour in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney; and taking on a MasterChef-inspired Indigenous cooking challenge.
BE Sydney stated: “Sharing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, history, customs and knowledge raises awareness and understanding of the rich cultures and traditions that have existed in Sydney and Australia for millennia safeguards their continuation for future generations. Connecting the ancient with the modern, sharing First Nations cultures is a deeply moving experience for delegates visiting Sydney.”
Over in the Northern Territories (NT), where Aboriginal history is especially significant, making culture an integral component of any business event staged in the destination is both common sense and common practice at NT Business Events.
Director Rebecca McCaig told TTGmice: “New products and experiences for business events continue to be developed in the NT, with many associated with Aboriginal culture. Where possible, cultural experiences in the NT can be engaging, which can contribute to greater awareness.”
Enlightening cultural exchanges can come in the form of a Saltwater Ceremony in the Darwin Waterfront Precinct Lagoon, where delegates will step into the ankle-deep water and be invited by an Aboriginal Elder to connect with the local Larrakia community, who are known as saltwater people.
Delegates may also partake in a hands-on dot-painting art class where an Aboriginal artist will not just impart knowledge about the art form, but also the community’s traditions and culture.
“There are now many ways to engage with Aboriginal culture, with authentic experiences delivering valuable insights for the international business events sector. While some groups might wish to visit an NT gallery to look at award-winning artwork, other delegates might prefer to create an artwork of their own and in doing so, gain a deeper understanding of the stories behind the intricate designs and motivations of Aboriginal artists,” said McCaig.
She observes that the “global marketplace increasingly expects business events activities to also add value to the host destination and where possible, leave a legacy”.
She pointed to The Youth Mill in Darwin as an avenue for establishing meaningful legacies. The Youth Mill supports young people in creative environments and encourages the preservation of culture and identity. It is often engaged to provide a performance or Welcome to Country ritual for a conference, with benefits going back into the community to develop educational programmes for disadvantaged youths.
A waka (a Māori watercraft) gliding along the Avon in front of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre
ChristchurchNZ is on a mission to help business event organisers create purposeful events with sustainability at their core.
Launched at MEETINGS 2023, ChristchurchNZ’s BE Purposeful awareness campaign and website were designed to provide resources and practical tools to support clients when planning their events.
A waka (a Māori watercraft) gliding along the Avon in front of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre
Christchurch’s business events community will work collaboratively to help event organisers source locally, lower waste, measure impact, and create socially inclusive and culturally diverse gatherings. Options for delegates giving back to the community include native tree planting, wildlife conservation, wetland restoration and building equipment for schools.
ChristchurchNZ’s head of business events, Megan Crum, said business events have the ability to play a huge role in transformative change and to leave lasting legacies when they are planned with intention.
“New Zealanders and international visitors value our natural environment, and Christchurch city is making moves to become the most sustainable place possible – especially in its events and conferencing sector where our partners are invested in sustainability,” she said.
“As a new city we are innovative, and the city has been redesigned to embrace purposeful business events. We embrace welcoming visitors to our city through manaakitanga and our commitment to protecting our natural environment (kaitiakitanga).”
Event brief With 25 years’ presence in Asia, Vinexposium wanted to bolster its leadership position in the region’s wine and spirits industry. Hitherto biennial, the organisers decided to make Vinexpo Asia an annual event, alternating between Singapore and Hong Kong in odd and even years, respectively.
“Making Vinexpo Asia an annual event, rotating between these two pivotal cities for the wine and spirits trade, is part of a successful, dynamic international strategy executed by the Vinexposium group around the world,” said Vinexposium CEO Rodolphe Lameyse.
Event highlights Held at Marina Bay Sands, the event drew 9,989 trade professionals from 64 countries, the top five being Singapore, China, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.
“Talking to our clients in the aisles, they were surprised that they met with Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian buyers,” said Lameyse.
Of the 1,000 exhibitors, 35 per cent were French brands. The remaining international participation came from 34 countries. New World wines occupied 25 per cent of the exhibition space. The US was the Country of Honor, and it offered a wide selection of wines from three regions: California, Oregon and Washington.
Australia also stood out. Paul Turale, Wine Australia’s general manager, marketing, said: “We’re so pleased to have 74 Australian wineries represented, connecting with trade and unlocking the growing opportunities from markets across Asia.”
Vinexpo Academy, held in a separate hall, comprised conferences, 40 masterclasses where 70 presenters and international wine experts shared the finer points of wine and spirits appreciation, and contests such as the Battle of the Sommeliers.
Lameyse said: “Vinexpo Asia 2023 exceeded expectations with a highly-qualified attendance, substantial business generation and unparalleled knowledge-sharing. The positive feedback demonstrated the immense potential and significance of the Asian market for the wine and spirits industry.”
Challenges When it was announced a year ago that Vinexpo Asia was going to be in Singapore, there were questions about the size and state of the market. However, many later realised that South-east Asia represented the major potential for the wine industry.
“We are very glad to have made this event a reality. The South-east Asian market was previously underdeveloped and undiscovered. So, I am very happy and excited about the future,” Lameyse said.
Nevertheless, a Singapore exhibitor commented that North Asians would prefer to go to Hong Kong; “South-east Asia alone is not enough critical mass for a Singapore show.”
Liquor shows generally require constant clearing of litter and replenishment of glasses. Seeing cleaners out in full force was good, noticeably more than at other tradeshows.
While the organisers said “everything went smoothly”, there was some congestion at popular booths at certain times of the day. On this matter, Vinexposium commented: “We have a much-experienced, dedicated department of operations/logistics. When faced with an issue, they are on-site to solve it. We also have other dedicated teams for the masterclasses/conferences… it’s like a well-trained army at the service of our clients to achieve an always-better organised event, year after year.”
Event Vinexpo Asia – Singapore 2023 Organiser Vinexposium Venue Sands Expo and Convention Centre Date May 23-25, 2023 Attendance More than 11,000 buyers, trade visitors and exhibitors
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.
Oddmund Braaten is the CEO of Interprefy. Previously the COO and a board member, Braaten has been leading Interprefy’s commercial and operational success for five years.
He most recently served as director of operations (task force re-brand) for Accor Resorts and Hotels in Phuket, Thailand.
Naumi Hotel Wellington has launched, connecting with the existing Naumi Studio Wellington on Cuba Street, one of the most electric and charismatic precincts in New Zealand’s capital city.
The 62-key hotel features bold palettes and delightful designs that will please guests with a taste for the creative.
For event planners, on-site conference spaces are just as vibrant. The conference room can host up to 250 delegates, and splits into five separate sound-proofed spaces for smaller gatherings of 50 pax each. There is also a private boardroom that seats 20.
Restaurant Lola Rouge, which presents a South-east Asian menu, makes a stylish venue for social functions, while Lola Rouge’s Grand Bar serves up creative cocktails, boutique wines and local craft beers.
Planners can also choose to wine and dine their attendees in The Red Room private dining space.
The pastel-hued Parlour is another designer dining destination at the hotel, where attendees can enjoy high tea and cocktails in between their sessions.